Thunder Tempering · Swordsman
Marine Headquarters and Training Grounds
"Bang--!"
Zephyr's iron Iron Fist, imbued with top-tier Armament Haki, slammed heavily into Enel's chest!
With a deafening explosion, Enel was blasted away, streaking through the air like a cannonball, tumbling several times before finally crashing into a stone pillar at the edge of the field, sending dust flying!
"Cough--!"
Enel braced himself on the ground with his hands and knees, his chest heaving like a drum, his muscles feeling as if they were being torn apart, and even his breathing was accompanied by a burning pain.
Despite this, his gaze remained intense, his golden pupils gleaming like lightning, burning with a flame called fighting spirit.
In the distance, Zephyr stood with his fist clenched, his gaze as steady as a mountain, but the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned.
"Enel... it seems that the fierce battle with Kaido has finally brought you back to reality from your illusion of being a 'god'."
He strode closer and said, word by word, "No matter how good the fruit is, it's just icing on the cake."
What truly determines life and death is your 'will' and 'physique'!
In this world, only 'Haki' is the only truth!
Enel lowered his head, his silver hair obscuring his eyes.
He didn't refute, nor did he offer his usual arrogant sneer; he remained silent.
But within that silence lay surging thunder and crumbling pride.
In my mind, that scene echoed again like a phantom—
Kaido roared and swung his "Roaring Thunder Bagua" staff. The air seemed to freeze, and the sky and earth changed color. Lightning clashed with lightning, yet he was powerless to retaliate.
That attack nearly killed him on the spot!
But it was precisely because of this that Enel realized for the first time that without a strong physique and Haki as a foundation, even the divine power bestowed by heaven, such as the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, would be shattered head-on!
It was humiliation, but also Awakening.
"I understand," he said softly.
Just then, Roy walked over from the side and gently patted him on the shoulder.
He gazed intently at Enel's electrifying body, his tone carrying a hint of guidance. "Have you ever considered... using lightning to temper your body in return?"
Enel was taken aback, then looked up at him. "Lightning tempering?"
"That's right." Roy nodded, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips. "By Impact muscles with high-voltage current, stimulating bones and internal organs, and pushing your body to its limits through lightning, you'll transform into a true 'Thunder God Body'."
"You are Logia Fruit user, the Rumble- Rumble-Rumble Fruit. No one in this world is more suited to withstand the baptism of lightning than you."
Enel froze for a few seconds, then chuckled softly before bursting into laughter, a laugh tinged with a long-lost fervor and ambition, "Hahaha... So that's how it is! Since my body isn't strong enough, then I'll use lightning—to forge it myself!!"
He suddenly stood up, his five fingers spread wide, and a violent high-voltage current erupted from his body, instantly covering his entire body!
"Sizzle--!"
Blue and white Thunder Snakes roared and surged forth, coiling and leaping around him like a torrent of Mamaragan!
Despite deliberately suppressing his elemental transformation, his body convulsed violently, his skin turned red from the electric current, and his veins bulged. But he was not afraid at all. Instead, he walked step by step to the center of the Training Ground, his steps as firm as iron.
"I will become stronger... not just by relying on the fruit, but starting from my 'true form'!"
He threw his head back and roared, his voice booming like thunder. "This world still has too many monsters waiting for me to defeat... no, waiting for me to rule them!!"
The current grew stronger and stronger, even causing air pressure disturbances on the Training Ground. Marines in the distance stared at him in astonishment, as if they were witnessing a god forged by lightning Awakening!
Zephyr nodded slightly, a rare look of satisfaction on his face.
Roy stood there, gazing at Enel's lightning-forged figure, and murmured softly, "Let's start from here..."
Your 'Thunder God’s Return' has only just begun.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Training Ground --
The sound of swords clashing shook the heavens and earth!
The fierce battle between Zoro and Kuina had already reached a fever pitch. The other end of the Training Ground had been completely destroyed by their Haki and sword energy, with dust flying everywhere and cracks crisscrossing the ground.
At this moment, Kuina was no longer deliberately suppressing the power of the Mythical Zoan Vampire Fruit!
Her skin gleamed with a pale, cold light, crimson lines spread along her neck and arms, her fangs were slightly exposed, and her bat wings spread like the night sky. A cold and violent aura burst forth from her body!
"Blood Moon - Swallow Return!!"
With Flash, the blade, like a crimson crescent moon, slashed down, aiming straight for Zoro's throat!
"Good timing!!"
Zoro roared, his three swords flashed, and with one step he shattered the ground, his momentum like a tiger descending a mountain!
"Three-Sword Style: Ultimate Tiger Hunt!!"
"Clang--!"
The clang of metal on metal rang out with a deafening roar, and the Shockwaves it generated swept across the surroundings. In an instant, the ground in the center of the Training Ground was completely torn apart, and rubble rained down!
Zoro's eyes blazed, his aura was Haki, and his sword Strangulation were as fierce as a storm—it was the true killing intent honed in the life-or-death struggle after the battle on the Deserted Island!
"I need to become stronger... I must surpass her!!"
A hint of admiration and excitement flashed in Kuina's eyes, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. "Not enough!!"
"Puff--!"
With a sudden flap of her bat wings, she vanished like Phantom, reappearing silently behind Zoro, her blade whistling as it locked onto his back!
"Blood Moon Shadow Fang!"
Zoro suddenly turned around, his Black Blade "Shusui" and "Sandai Kitetsu" clashing, Armament Haki instantly enveloped him!
"Two-Sword Style: Rhino Cyclone!!"
"Boom--!"
Another earth-shattering collision ensued, sending both men flying back several meters!
But they barely paused; in the next instant, almost instinctively, they rushed towards each other again!
Light Swords and the crackling of blades, sparks flew and Thunderclap roars echoed through the air!
After dozens of rounds of fierce fighting--
In just a moment!
Kuina used the high-speed reaction of the Vampire Fruit to twist her body in mid-air, and the blade Flash, heading straight for Zoro's "Sandai Kitetsu"!
"Clang--!"
The "Sandai Kitetsu" was sent flying, crashing into the ground at the other end of the Training Ground!
Zoro was startled. Yubashiri gently landed on the ground, holding only Shusui in her hand, but there was no fear in her eyes, only a sharper edge!
He took a deep breath, gripped the Shusui with one hand in reverse, his sword aura restrained like a thunderclap, and with a single step, his entire body suddenly became as still as a mountain.
--The sword sheath is returned to its place, and the falling leaves are silent.
"One Sword Style ·Iai--"
"Lion’s Song!!"
"Call out--!"
The next second, a beam of light, like a meteor Heaven Breaker, pierced through the entire Training Ground, creating a shockwave that seemed to slice through space itself!
Kuina remained calm, her eyes flashing with a blood-red light, as the power of her phantom beast surged forth!
"Blood Moon - Netherworld Prison Slash!!"
The vampire's power and sword energy merged perfectly, and a huge crimson crescent slash erupted in mid-air, colliding fiercely with Lion’s Song's slashing light!
"Boom--!"
The explosion was deafening, the Shockwave overturned half of the Training Ground's perimeter wall, and smoke and dust blotted out the sun!
A few seconds later, the smoke and dust gradually dissipated.
Zoro collapsed to his knees, his left shoulder ripped, his breath unsteady, with Shusui deeply embedded in the ground to support him.
On the other side, although Kuina's breathing was slightly disordered, her expression remained calm, and her posture was as upright as a pine tree.
In the end, she prevailed in this battle.
She walked slowly towards Zoro, stood in front of him, extended her hand, and said softly but firmly, "2324 wins, 0 losses."
Zoro remained silent for a long while, gazing at her hand, then suddenly grinned, his expression defiant and unyielding. "Next time... I'll definitely win!!"
He took her hand, and she pulled him up, making him stand as straight as a sword.
Kuina gazed at Zoro, then suddenly whispered, "If I hadn't relied on the power of my Devil Fruit..."
But before he could finish speaking, Zoro calmly interrupted, his eyes burning with intensity. "This power also belongs to you!"
"A fruit isn't something that makes you stronger just by eating it; you need to develop it, refine it, and master it."
"You're using a 'sword' now, not just a fruit!"
"True power lies in making your Devil Fruit ability a part of your sword!"
Kuina paused slightly, staring at the way he spoke, a complex emotion welling up in her eyes.
Finally, she smiled gently and nodded.
"... Thank you, Zoro."
At that moment, the dark clouds in the sky dispersed, and sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone down.
The backs of the man and woman stood intermittently in the center of the scene, bathed in golden light.
They resembled two "Strongest Blades" about to Awakening.