On the Dark Bird Ship, after issuing a series of orders, Gawain, shirtless, and Yi Xiao continued their strength training in the gravity field.
Now, Gawain no longer needs anyone to teach him how to cultivate. With basic strength and direction, he can walk the rest of the path on his own.
All he needs to do is continuously improve his basic physical condition, push his physical abilities to their limits, and at the same time, constantly refine his control over his body, as well as his control and development of Devil Fruit abilities and the Three Types of Haki.
As for swordsmanship, or physical skills.
Once those skills have reached a certain level, education alone cannot compensate for the lack of improvement.
While Gawain was training, the war between Hancock and Gion also came to an end. Without exception, Hancock was still suppressed by Gion.
Hancock's progress is indeed remarkable. After fighting for a full six months, her strength is steadily advancing towards monster-level.
Ultimately, however, she is still somewhat lacking in that level.
In addition, Gion is far from reaching her limit. Although she hasn't made much progress in the past six months, she has still made some progress.
On the path of strength, as long as one hasn't grown old, every step behind is a step behind.
Aside from having extraordinary talent, they might also be chosen by fate.
Others cannot easily overtake those senior colleagues who have also put in countless efforts.
Therefore, unless there are special circumstances, such as Gawain being suddenly assassinated by Gion to provoke Hancock...
Hancock won't be able to defeat Gion easily anytime soon.
Feeling frustrated, Hancock went up to the deck. Without saying a word, she sat down at the very edge of the deck and sullenly drank her wine.
As she drank alone, she turned her head towards Gawain's position, watching him Gawain, and Hancock's eyes gradually filled with a smug look.
But Hancock had only been there a short while when she suddenly felt a chill sweeping towards her.
Wait, this isn't a chill, it's... an instinct to sense some kind of danger!!!
In an instant, Hancock looked toward the source of the feeling!
At the same time, most of the officers on the ship, just like Hancock, suddenly looked towards the dock in the direction of Foosha Village!
Right before everyone's eyes, a Little Dark Bird, carrying the last batch of Foosha Village villagers, was sailing towards the Dark Bird Ship flagship.
On the small boat, Kaya led the last forty-odd villagers as they gazed at the distant Dark Bird Ship.
As she gazed into the distance, Kaya began to act as a tour guide, continuously introducing Gawain's boat to the villagers.
"Look everyone, this is Lord Gawain's flagship, the Dark Bird Ship."
Although its name is very simple, adults particularly like the image and symbolism of the Dark Bird, even though they never told me about the meaning of the Dark Bird.
I guess that since it is Dark Bird, it must be able to fly to heights that ordinary birds cannot reach.
If that's the case, then that level of achievement must be what adults aspire to.
Taking the Dark Bird as our symbol, we climb and challenge heights far beyond the ordinary; perhaps this is why the adults named us the Dark Bird Group.
In short, that's what everyone on the ship thinks.
At this point, Kaya paused briefly, carefully observing the expressions of the people around her.
Most of the villagers were in awe, staring at the Dark Bird Ship with its mouth agape, their faces filled with astonishment and disbelief.
However, the two villagers whom Kaya considered unusual remained remarkably calm in the face of the majestic Dark Bird.
Noticing this, Kaya suddenly felt a little indignant. Why could someone show such a calm expression when they first came into close contact with the Dark Bird Ship?
Kaya didn't want to say was that even she was taken aback when she first boarded the ship.
Isn't it astonishing how a single ship can represent an entire city?
Thinking of this, Kaya coughed lightly twice, then went to the side of the two people.
Noticing Kaya's approach, Doflamingo paused slightly, then smiled and shook his head.
Seeing him shake his head, Kaya was slightly taken aback and asked.
"Oh, you seemed to shake your head just now. Did you think I said something wrong, sir?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Kaya looked at Doflamingo gently, and Doflamingo nodded slightly after a brief moment of thought.
Nodding, Doflamingo said with a smile.
"It's nothing, I just find it a bit amusing, after all, it's been a long time since anyone has approached me as easily as you have."
Besides, fluttering, fluttering, fluttering, I really feel that the meaning of the Dark Bird you mentioned is not Gawain's true intention!!!
The moment the words left his mouth, Reiju, who was standing next to Doflamingo, tensed up. She frantically waved her hands, signaling Kaya to move away from Doflamingo at that moment.
After spending more than ten days with Doflamingo, Reiju knew better than anyone that Doflamingo harbored a deep-seated madness and an unusual ambition!
Such a person is alright if they stay quiet; at least they can still be considered a human being.
But no matter who causes this person's emotions to fluctuate, no one can predict what Doflamingo will do next!
For Reiju, everything she's going through is an undeserved misfortune; all she wants is to see her younger brother!
As for now, she doesn't want to sit idly by and watch Doflamingo and the Dark Bird Ship clash while she's completely under Doflamingo's control with his strings.
By then, it's still uncertain whether Doflamingo will die, but Reiju will definitely be used by Doflamingo as a tool to deal with the large group of monsters on the Dark Bird Ship!
Reiju misses her brother, but she definitely doesn't want to die!!!
Unfortunately, no matter how much Reiju thought about it, she couldn't escape Doflamingo's control. In Kaya's eyes, she only twitched her eyelids slightly.
Meanwhile, under Reiju's worried gaze, Doflamingo, gazing at the Dark Bird pattern painted on the enormous sail, continued his previous conversation with great excitement.
He continued speaking with a cold laugh.
"Little girl, all those meanings you mentioned before were just pointless words meant for fools!"
The so-called pursuit of higher levels—that kind of pointless thinking—is nothing more than a hypocritical disguise for ambition, for people like me and Gawain!
But that makes sense, Fu Fu Fu. How could someone like you possibly understand the ambitions of people like me and Gawain?
Dark Bird, fluttering, fluttering, Dark Bird!
In my opinion, that Dark Bird doesn't have any special meaning at all, and we don't need to rely on any pattern to express our inner feelings!
You've overlooked the truly important part of that pattern, you ignorant little girl!
"Can't you see that Dark Bird surrounding and controlling the World Government symbol within?!"
At this point, Doflamingo's eyes lit up for a moment, and reflected on his face, Kaya vaguely sensed a cold glint in Doflamingo's sunglasses!
Meanwhile, Doflamingo continued.
"How similar are we to each other?!"
Same origins, same bloodline, same talent, same ambition!
Even, swish swish swish swish!
He's even more arrogant and fearless than I am!
From the very first day he set sail, he painted his ambitions on his flag!
The Dark Bird have surrounded the World Government!
When you see it taking off, what I see is its pointed beak and claws reaching towards the cross symbol!
Pirate King, oh my god, to hell with Pirate King! Who would make something so childish their life's pursuit?
A true man has long placed the desire for power and status in the most important position!
If one cannot become the master of the entire world, if one cannot decide the fate of the entire world!
What a waste and squandered life!
The highest throne in the world is right there; who but that bastard could sit on it?
I really want to kick that guy out and take that seat myself!
Now it seems I wasn't the only madman who thought that way; Gawain was just as madman as me. We're both fucking madmen, buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz!!!
As Doflamingo burst into laughter, Kaya's expression froze completely. Right before her eyes, her Gawain had been insulted by some unknown bastard!
Meanwhile, aboard the distant Dark Bird Ship, Gawain's brows suddenly furrowed slightly.
Gawain frowned, then smiled and silently sheathed his sword. He nodded to Gawain and said...
"It seems an uninvited guest is approaching, sir."
"Yes, indeed, but he's not necessarily an uninvited guest; he's someone who should have been visited long ago!"
Gawain gave a brief response, then raised his right hand.
Does he think I'd give him time to speak by meeting me this way?
Let me tell you, it's fine as long as he doesn't exist or have never come. We don't need to set up a grand display just for him!
Besides, there's Grandpa Zephyr!
Gawain suddenly mentioned Zephyr's name.
Upon hearing this, Zephyr, who was training Zoro's sword-biting strength a few hundred meters away, was slightly taken aback, and then looked over at Gawain.
"What's going on, Captain? Is there something you need this old man for?"
That's right, at this point, Zephyr was still unaware of what had happened.
On one hand, Zephyr's Observation Haki, after several injuries, was no longer at its peak.
On the other hand, he was extremely focused when training students and rarely paid attention to observation.
Therefore, although several officers on the ship sensed Doflamingo's approach, Zephyr was not among them.
Upon hearing Zephyr's question, Gawain's brows furrowed even more. Seeing this expression, Zephyr seemed to understand something.
He frowned and looked sullen, patted Zoro's shoulder to signal him to practice on his own, and then went to Gawain.
After Zephyr stood still, glaring menacingly, Gawain took a deep breath and then spoke softly.
"Teacher Zephyr, do you remember the gift I promised you?"
"Oh?"
Zephyr, who was poised to strike, paused slightly.
"What kind of gift? More outstanding students, like Zoro or something?"
"No..."
Gawain was both amused and exasperated by Zephyr's words; this teacher truly deserves to be called the best teacher in Pirate King!
Even Teacher Kaido only has Luffy as a disciple, while Ze has so many monstrous disciples that you could probably count them on one hand.
Teacher Ze really loves teaching students!
While chuckling to himself, Gawain waved to Zephyr.
"It's not this gift, Professor Zephyr. You haven't forgotten someone who owes you a debt, have you?"
"Wait, debt?!?"
At that moment, Zephyr finally remembered, and he stared wide-eyed at Gawain.
"Little Gawain, are you talking about... could it be... that blood debt?!"
What does this mean? We're not going to Dressrosa for a long time, so... he's appeared!!!
At this point, Zephyr desperately activated his Observation Haki, frantically searching the nearby sea!
As for the others, they were also taken aback by the conversation between Gawain and Zephyr.
Observation Haki is not the same as the ki in Dragon Ball. Even if it senses something, it can only sense a general aura and cannot reach the level of confirming someone's identity.
The vigilant officials probably sensed that a powerful figure was approaching.
As for Gawain, the Mantra granted by the Rumble-Rumble Fruit is somewhat like having X-ray vision.
Not only does he possess an exceptionally vast range of Observation Haki, but he can even "see" people's faces and hear their words based on bioelectricity.
Therefore, after Gawain confirmed that the visitor was Doflamingo, the group of executives who had noticed the unusual activity were also surprised.
As for Zephyr...
Gawain didn't need to say a second word. As soon as his Observation Haki detected the unusual aura, he immediately clenched his fist towards the distant Little Dark Bird!
As he clenched his fists as tightly as he could, Zephyr turned to look at Gawain.
He stared intently into Gawain's eyes and asked, word by word.
"Gawain, Captain, sir!"
You promised me something, are you sure I can keep my promise now?!
After all, he's Celestial Dragon. Even if he's an exiled Celestial Dragon, he's still Celestial Dragon!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Zephyr's breathing became more and more rapid, and in just a few moments, his eyes were already bloodshot!
As for Gawain, looking at Zephyr who was now acting like a mad dog, he nodded heavily after a brief silence.
"What I have said is the truth I live by. I would never stoop to deceiving others, and I would never deceive myself!"
As he spoke with absolute certainty, Gawain reached out and grabbed Zephyr's wrist, which was not made of Seastone.
He spoke to Zephyr, word by word.
"Go ahead and do what you want, Professor Zephyr. This is our original agreement."
You are my teacher, a member of the Dark Bird Ship's crew and officers, and even more so, my friend and my right-hand man.
"If I cannot even fulfill your wish, how can I bear the hopes of the world, Zephyr!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain turned to the other cadres and quickly gave the order.
"Gion, stand guard for Zephyr. It's more appropriate for Master to avenge Doflamingo's blood debt himself!"
Kuma, clear out the Little Dark Bird where Doflamingo is, and safely bring everyone on that ship, except Doflamingo, including those he controls with his powers, back to my ship!
With a smile, seal off the sea area where the Little Dark Bird is located, cutting off all possibilities of Doflamingo's escape!
Ladies and gentlemen, hatred is sometimes far more important than gain or loss. If every lost loved one could be measured in terms of benefits and costs, the world would be far too boring!
Most importantly, that kind of world... is not the world I want!!!
The moment he finished speaking, Gawain suddenly raised his right hand, and a storm of lightning instantly obscured the sun, turning the sea area where the Dark Bird Ship was located suddenly gloomy!
At the same time, with a smile, Gion and the Kuma two instantly sprang into action!
Just as Yi Xiao and his two companions were speeding towards the Little Dark Bird, intending to clear the necessary battlefield for Zephyr...
Zephyr, who was standing next to Gawain, stopped in his tracks.
He stared intently into Gawain's eyes and asked Gawain, word by word.
"I... I didn't expect that you actually thought that way, and that you were really determined to do it!"
Don't you realize how much unforeseen burden the infamy of killing another former Celestial Dragon will add to your path to becoming one of the Five Elders?!
After he finished speaking, Zephyr's breathing became more rapid, and his gaze toward Gawain became increasingly respectful.
Faced with that look, Gawain remained silent for a moment, then firmly grasped Zephyr's hand.
"Teacher Zephyr"
Gawain spoke slowly but firmly to Zephyr.
What burdens may lie ahead on my path is not important!
The important thing is that I knew this the moment I invited you to walk this path with me.
Just like I don't want to lose any cadres and friends along this path.
I don't want to lose you either!