After several consecutive applications of Conqueror's Haki infused with the power of "subjugation," Neferpet slowly rose and sat upright on the floor.
The look in her eyes began to change.
At first, there had been guarded indifference—defense layered over emotional numbness.
Gradually, that resistance softened.
Awe replaced caution.
Then, just like the other members of the War Pirates, a fervent admiration began to take root in her gaze when she looked at Kaito Arisawa.
"Alright," Kaito said calmly, observing the shift in her expression with quiet satisfaction. "Now I'll teach you a martial art. It's called Eight-Impact Fist. You—"
He stopped releasing Conqueror's Haki.
There was still room for deeper loyalty, but the foundation had already been laid. The imprint of his presence had taken shape within her.
There would be time to reinforce it further in the days ahead.
For now, this was enough.
From that point on, Kaito assumed the role of instructor, personally guiding Neferpet in the fundamentals of Eight-Impact Fist.
As a Mythical Zoan user, her value far exceeded that of ordinary recruits. She deserved better training.
If she could become high-end combat power under his command sooner rather than later, then spending a portion of his own training time on her was more than worthwhile.
He chose to begin with Eight-Impact Fist for a simple reason.
Beyond its formidable offensive capabilities, it also served as an excellent method of strengthening physical conditioning.
Neferpet had never undergone structured training before. Reinforcing her physical foundation was essential.
Moreover, martial arts were particularly well suited for Zoan ability users.
The defining trait of Zoan fruits was the enhancement of physical strength—granting animalistic power, improved durability, and instinctual traits.
Though the Nine-Lives Cat Demon was a Mythical Zoan, it remained a Zoan nonetheless.
For Zoan users, developing their ability was often more straightforward than for Paramecia users. The most direct path was to enhance their physical base.
The stronger the base body, the greater the amplification when activating the Zoan transformation.
From the memories he had previously read, Kaito already understood the core ability of the Nine-Lives Cat Demon.
Its most terrifying power was exactly what its name suggested: nine lives.
But those nine lives were not a one-time mechanism.
When a life was lost, the user would not only revive from a fatal state into full health, but could later plunder vitality from others to replenish the life that had been expended.
A power like that was unquestionably worthy of being classified among Mythical Zoans.
And that was precisely why Kaito had chosen to personally guide her training without hesitation.
Talent determined growth.
And the gap in talent between individuals could be vast—sometimes greater than the difference between humans and beasts.
On this point, Kaito had deep personal insight.
Perhaps it was the wild instinct inherent to the Nine-Lives Cat Demon. Or perhaps she had simply been born with exceptional aptitude.
As he taught her, Kaito quickly discovered something unexpected.
"Yes, like that," he corrected, watching her movements carefully. "When you release force, don't explode recklessly. It should flow steadily—like breathing. That's how you make the shockwave controlled and condensed."
He had demonstrated the technique only once.
Yet after a short time, Neferpet was already replicating the movements with surprising precision.
Kaito's eyes sharpened.
Her progress was astonishing.
This wasn't mere imitation.
It was comprehension.
"Impossible…" he muttered inwardly. "Did I not only pick up a Mythical Zoan user this time—but a genius as well?"
He studied her closely as she practiced.
A Mythical Zoan guaranteed a high lower limit.
But if paired with genuine talent?
The upper limit would be extraordinary.
"I need to observe more," he concluded. "So far, I can confirm she has exceptional aptitude in physical techniques. But that's not enough. I also need to evaluate her talent for Haki."
His eyes flickered with calculation.
—
Time passed.
Day by day, the War Pirates continued their movements across West Blue.
Meanwhile, at the port of a small island in the same sea—
Boom!!!
A wooden crate the size of a wagon shattered into splinters under a single furious punch.
Standing over five meters tall, despite his age and long white beard, the towering figure of Don Chinjao—Green Pepper of the Eight Treasures Water Army—radiated fury.
Even the splintered wood shot outward like bullets, piercing the bodies of nearby men and eliciting screams.
"Don Chinjao, please calm down! You must take care of your health!"
"Yes! We'll avenge Master Sai sooner or later!"
"We'll catch that War Pirate crew eventually. Don't let anger consume you!"
"It's just that they're too cunning. They keep moving and never stay in one place long. They must know we're hunting them and are deliberately avoiding us!"
"That's right—they're afraid of us!"
"…"
Several tiger-headed pirate ships were docked at the port.
Members of the Eight Treasures Water Army rushed forward, trying to calm their enraged leader.
"Shut up!" Don Chinjao roared.
The air around him visibly distorted. His thick white beard fluttered violently under the pressure of his unleashed aura.
Rather than calming down, he grew angrier.
"Move out!" he barked coldly. "We continue the chase. I refuse to believe that the bastard who killed Sai and Boo can hide forever!"
With a face darkened by rage, Don Chinjao turned and strode toward the ships.
Just as Kaito and Robin had anticipated, Don Chinjao had been relentlessly pursuing the War Pirates.
With the intelligence network of the Kano Country supporting him, nearly every time the War Pirates landed somewhere, the Eight Treasures Water Army would arrive shortly afterward.
But every time—
They were one step too late.
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