A unique banquet was underway in the open space near the chapel. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, as laughter and the clinking of cups filled the air.
Storm, Kid, and Killer sat at the center of the gathering, their plates stacked high with food. The rest of the Kingdom of Sorbet's residents lined the edges of the banquet, eagerly partaking in the feast.
The food and drink had been taken straight from the Marine warship, and the people indulged in it with unrestrained joy.
Storm, ever the voracious eater, swept through the mountain of food in front of him like a storm tearing through a battlefield. At first, he devoured the feast with reckless abandon, driven by sheer hunger. But as his stomach settled, his pace slowed—though it was still leagues faster than that of an average person.
Between mouthfuls of meat, Storm's sharp gaze fell upon the two small figures beside him. Kid and Killer, the red-haired and blond-haired little guys, were also eating enthusiastically, stuffing themselves with whatever they could grab.
"I'll put together some training plans for you two after the party is over," Storm said, his voice carrying over the clamor of the feast.
Stuffing another large piece of unknown animal meat into his mouth, he continued, his words still coming out clearly despite the food in his mouth.
"You two are too weak physically."
Kid and Killer, halfway through gnawing on bones, froze for a moment.
"Once you build a stronger foundation, we can talk about other things such as combat techniques," Storm added matter-of-factly.
The duo exchanged glances, a flicker of excitement flashing in their eyes.
"Yes! Boss!" they answered in unison.
Storm nodded, then turned his attention to Kid specifically.
"By the way, there's something else," he said.
Kid, still chewing, swallowed quickly and straightened up.
"In addition to physical training, you also need to study."
Kid frowned. "Study?"
"Yeah," Storm affirmed. "Especially knowledge related to magnetism."
Kid blinked. "Huh?"
"You're a Magnet Human, Kid," Storm said, his tone serious. "You ate the Magnet-Magnet Fruit. That fruit has enormous potential, but you've barely scratched the surface of its power."
Storm leaned back, crossing his arms.
"Right now, you're just swinging metal around like a brute. That's not utilizing the true nature of magnetism."
Kid scowled. "Boss... are you saying I have to study to be a pirate?"
Storm smirked. "If you want to be a strong pirate? Yes."
Kid groaned, slumping forward.
Beside him, Killer burst into laughter.
"Fafafafa—brother! Come on, this is a rare opportunity!" he said, slapping Kid's shoulder.
"You bastard!" Kid snapped, glaring at him.
Then he turned back to Storm. "Boss! What about him? Doesn't Killer need to study too?"
"Him?" Storm raised an eyebrow before shaking his head. "He's not a devil fruit user—his role is to cut people down. His job is simpler."
Killer grinned triumphantly.
Storm's gaze shifted to the weapon at Killer's waist.
"You like using a sickle?" he asked.
"Yeah, Boss!" Killer immediately unsheathed the sickle, holding it up. "I've always used one, ever since I was a kid."
Storm nodded in approval. "Not bad."
For a swordsman, it was most important that their weapon felt like an extension of their body.
But swords... were they always the most convenient option?
Storm stretched out his right hand. From his palm, a stream of warm, white porcelain clay flowed out, shifting and solidifying mid-air. Within moments, two identical sickles, formed from this clay, took shape in his grasp.
"Try these," Storm said, tossing them toward Killer.
Killer caught them with ease, weighing them in his hands. Curious, he tapped the ceramic sickles against his metal sickle.
Ding! Ding!
The crisp sound of metal clashing echoed, but Killer's eyes widened in shock.
His metal sickle had developed small cracks, while the ceramic sickle remained perfectly intact.
"What the hell?! These things are harder than metal!"
"As long as the weapon suits you, that's what matters," Storm replied nonchalantly.
Seeing Kid eyeing him expectantly, Storm chuckled and created a ceramic pirate blade for him as well.
Then, he turned back to Killer. "How much do you know about the levels of swordsmanship?"
Killer hesitated, tilting his head.
"...Levels?"
Storm sighed. "I see. You don't understand it at all—you're just following a wild fighting style."
Killer scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Storm decided to give a brief explanation.
"Swordsmen can be roughly divided into three levels," he began.
"First, there's the basic level—simply wielding a sword and attacking with it. This is where you're at now. You're a swordsman, but nothing more."
Killer nodded slowly.
"The second level is where swordsmen begin to master the Breath of All Things."
Storm picked up a leaf with his chopsticks and flicked it into the air.
In the next instant, he drew his Blazing Saber from its sheath. The snow-white blade flashed like lightning, slicing through the air.
Both Killer and Kid watched intently.
They saw the blade hit the floating leaf.
Yet—when the leaf fluttered back down into Killer's open palm, it was completely unscathed.
"How is that possible?!"
Killer inspected the leaf closely, turning it over. There wasn't a single cut on it.
"But you hit it, Boss! I saw it!"
Storm smirked. "Some swordsmen can strike without causing damage."
He then gestured for Killer to hand over his sickle.
"Do you still want this?"
Killer quickly passed it to him. "If you want to use it, Boss, go ahead!"
Storm took the sickle, tossed it into the air, and casually slashed forward with his Blazing Saber.
SHING!
Like slicing through butter, the blade of the sickle was cleanly severed in two.
Killer's eyes went wide.
"This... this is insane..."
Storm tossed the broken sickle back to him.
"A swordsman who masters the Breath of All Things can cut through steel. That's the second level."
Killer stared at the broken sickle in his hand, stunned.
"On the sea, swordsmen who reach this level are famous."
Kid swallowed hard, his throat dry.
"And... what's the third level?"
Storm smirked.
"The third level is where swordsmen become great swordsmen."
He leaned back.
"But that's something you two don't need to worry about just yet."
Killer held the sickle in both hands, staring at the mirror-smooth surface of the blade. He nodded solemnly.
"I know, Boss."
This time, Killer addressed Storm with far more sincerity than before.
Before today, Killer had only regarded Storm as the "new boss," someone he followed but didn't share a deep connection with.
But after experiencing this 'Teacher's swordsmanship class', Killer had already come to see Storm as one of his own.
Kid and Killer.
Two 'South Blue natives' without influential families or prestigious teachers—completely self-made, growing strong in the wild with nothing but their own determination.
What Storm had shown them today, both his strength and knowledge, was a revelation. A lesson that benefited them immensely.
And it wasn't just Killer who felt this way.
Kid, too, had been deeply impacted. His eyes burned with curiosity as he eagerly asked.
"Boss! Do Devil Fruits have 'levels'?"
"Of course."
Storm touched the ground beneath his feet, and instantly, the earth was assimilated into soft clay.
"If you truly master your own devil fruits, you can extend them into the environment."
"This state is called 'awakening.'"
Storm paused and narrowed his eyes.
"...And don't even think about trying it now! You haven't even figured out how magnets work yet, so forget about 'awakening' for now!"
"Also, whether it's 'swordsmanship' or 'Devil Fruits,' both are abilities rooted in the body."
"As long as your body is in top condition, everything else will come naturally."
Storm knew that today's lesson had already covered more than enough.
For now, he decided not to introduce them to Haki—it was far too early.
With their current physical limits, even if they knew about Haki, they wouldn't be able to wield it yet.
Kid and Killer both nodded, excitement flashing in their eyes.
"Got it, Boss!"
The banquet carried on.
Just then, Kuma, who had vanished earlier, suddenly reappeared next to Storm.
"Um, Mr. Storm..."
Storm glanced at Kuma before rising to his feet.
"Have you thought it over?"
Kuma nodded slightly.
"Let's talk inside the chapel. It's quieter there."
Inside the small chapel, Bonney was happily enjoying the fresh food and water that had just been delivered.
Kuma watched his daughter with deep affection before finally speaking.
"I just contacted Dragon."
"Go on."
"He said that Vegapunk is currently on Punk Hazard Island. The security is extremely tight—ordinary people have no way of getting in."
A trace of regret flashed across Kuma's face as he clenched his fists slightly.
"As for the person who possesses the Op-Op Fruit, the Revolutionary Army has no information. We only know that the World Government offered a sky-high bounty for it a few years ago..."
"But as for Germa 66, I've already found their location!"
Storm raised an eyebrow.
"North Blue?"
"No, Germa 66 is currently in the East Blue."
Kuma shook his head.
"A war has broken out between two nations there, and one of them has hired the Germa Kingdom as mercenaries."
Storm nodded.
That was typical for Germa...
"So, you want to head to the East Blue now? To find Germa 66?"
"That's right!"
Kuma's fists tightened.
"I need to confirm whether Germa 66 has any knowledge of the disease known as 'Sapphire Scale'."
"I can't give you a definite answer on that."
Storm reminded him.
"But if you want to ensure Bonney's treatment is foolproof, you should go straight to Vegapunk."
"At the very least, you need to obtain a proper treatment plan from him."
"But..."
Kuma hesitated.
"Dragon said—"
"Are you Dragon's devoted follower or something?"
Storm interrupted him bluntly.
"Do you believe everything he says without question?"
Kuma fell silent, staring at Storm.
"Then what's your solution?"
"I already told you—I can offer another form of assistance."
Storm's voice was calm but firm.
"But that will come at a different price."
Kuma turned to look at Bonney, who was still happily eating beside him.
His gaze lingered on the "gem" that had formed on her face—the cruel mark of her disease.
Finally, his fists tightened once more.
"As long as Bonney can be cured..."
Kuma's voice was resolute.
"No matter what the price is, I will accept it!"
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