Time passed quickly as the two talked, and before they knew it, the next morning had arrived.
Early that morning, Luo Chen washed his face and brushed his teeth as usual, then went to the training ground he had cleared in the central area of his territory, where no one could disturb him.
First, Luo Chen practiced every move he had mastered, then worked on developing each one further, including three of the Marine Six Powers that he had figured out on his own over the past two years. Watching the entire battle between Enel and the pirate Green Will had also greatly influenced and inspired him. He planned to try incorporating his abilities into his moves and eliminate some redundant and useless ones. Just as Luo Chen began practicing his various moves,
an uninvited guest came in. He had woken up not long ago and, finding no sign of Luo Chen, had wandered through the forest looking for him. After searching for a while, he had finally found him here.
But when Hogg saw that Luo Chen was completely absorbed in training, oblivious to himself, he did not speak up and disturb him. He simply sat quietly in a large tree and watched Luo Chen practice all his moves. Finally, Luo Chen tried to incorporate his abilities into the Marine Six Powers he had figured out-Soru, Rankyaku, and Geppo-but unfortunately failed and stopped to think. Hogg could not resist speaking up, interrupting his thoughts.
"It's hard to modify and train in the Marine Six Powers if you don't understand all of them."
Hearing Hogg's voice, Luo Chen came out of his training state and turned his head to look, asking in confusion,
"How come you're here? And how did you know I was planning to modify the Marine Six Powers?"
"Oh, me? Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. I woke up and didn't see anyone, so I walked around the forest and found you training. I wasn't going to interrupt, but when I saw you fail to modify and train in the Marine Six Powers just now, I couldn't help speaking up to remind you."
Hearing Luo Chen's question, Hogg scratched his head as he spoke.
"As for how I could tell, don't forget, I'm a Marine Rear Admiral. I'm very familiar with the Six Powers!"
"Mm! True. The Marine Six Powers were never a secret in the Marines, but they're moves only officers can master. You're a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral, so it wouldn't make sense if you weren't proficient in them."
When Hogg brought up his position, Luo Chen nodded in agreement, then spoke again to ask for his advice.
"Then how do you think I should modify them to make them my own moves?"
Looking at the fervent gaze with which Luo Chen sought his advice, purely to become stronger, Hogg pondered for a moment. Then he looked him in the eyes and said,
"Since you've asked, I'll tell you what I know about the Marines. The Marine Six Powers are said to be superhuman martial techniques created 800 years ago by a supreme master of physical techniques from the World Government. They're divided into Tekkai, Kami-e, Shigan, Soru, Rankyaku, and Geppo, as well as the various moves derived from them..."
Hogg paused briefly before speaking again.
"They're not just an immensely powerful means of attacking with physical techniques; they're also a method of training the body. If you separate the individual moves, many powerful people on these seas have mastered them, such as Soru, Geppo, and the ultimate technique Life Return. As far as I know, many powerful people in the New World have mastered some of these moves. Soru, in particular, is an essential move for the strong."
"I saw that you can already use Soru, Rankyaku, and Geppo, so you should know their principles and how to use them, right?"
After speaking, Hogg looked at him and asked.
"That's right. Soru involves stamping on the ground more than ten times in an instant-0.36 seconds-and using the explosive speed generated by the reaction force to move."
"As for Geppo, it's an application of Soru. You kick the air while jumping to change your trajectory before falling. But with Geppo, you have to kick the air at extreme speed to rise and achieve flight."
"Rankyaku doesn't damage an enemy by kicking them. Instead, it slashes with the vacuum generated by an ultrahigh-speed kick."
"Kami-e involves relaxing the entire body and using changes in the airflow caused by an opponent's movements to dodge attacks aimed at you by a hair's breadth."
"Shigan is a technique said to have the power of a gunshot. You concentrate your entire body's strength in your index finger and strike with the hardened finger in a flash. The fingertip has the striking power of a bullet and can easily pierce a human body."
"Finally, Tekkai works by accelerating blood flow and muscle movement, pumping strength into a well-trained body to give it the hardness of iron, so that even bullets and blades can't penetrate it."
"That's everything there is to know about the Six Powers. Without precise training, it's hard to master them all. That's why the powerful pirates on the seas have only reached the stage of being able to use them and can't develop their derivative techniques any further."
"If you want to develop derivative techniques of your own, you need to learn the other moves first. And the benefits to you go far beyond that. After precise training, I believe your physical strength will also increase greatly."
"Then please teach me the rest!"
Hearing that training in the Six Powers could also strengthen his body, Luo Chen could no longer resist asking Hogg to teach him.
"Teach you the Marine Six Powers? Uh... let me think first..."
Hogg saw the eager look on Luo Chen's face as he gazed at him. He thought it over for a while before speaking.
"All right, but you have to promise me you won't use the moves you learn from me against innocent civilians. And you'll owe me a favor."
"I can do that, but the second part..."
Luo Chen agreed, but then he thought about owing Hogg a favor and spoke hesitantly.
"Don't worry. What I ask won't put you in a difficult position."
Seeing Luo Chen's hesitant expression, Hogg patted his chest as he spoke.
"All right, I promise. Please teach me."
Hearing that Hogg's request would not harm his interests, Luo Chen naturally nodded and agreed.
Over the next few days, Hogg recuperated while teaching him to train in the other Six Powers.
Luo Chen soon mastered the use of the other Six Powers. In fact, as long as one's physical condition was up to the task and one understood the principles, the Marine Six Powers could be mastered quickly. Just like Koby and Helmeppo after the story began: after joining the Marines, they improved their physical condition through high-intensity training and soon mastered every move of the Marine Six Powers.
"You've pretty much mastered the Marine Six Powers. As long as you train harder, you'll soon be able to use them perfectly and develop derivative techniques on your own. For the remaining time, I want you to refrain from using your other abilities and rely only on the Six Powers to take my attacks."
When night fell, the two sat beside a campfire, looking at a goat roasting over it and giving off a rich aroma. Having witnessed Luo Chen learn all the Six Powers in just a few days, Hogg nodded in satisfaction and spoke to him.
"Mm, got it. I'll use the Six Powers to take all your attacks."
Since Hogg wanted him to master the Six Powers proficiently in combat, Luo Chen naturally would not refuse his goodwill.
"Good. By the time you've mastered these techniques, my injuries should have healed too. Then I'll go challenge him."
Hogg picked up a piece of goat meat and took a bite as he spoke to him.
"Mm..."
Luo Chen looked at the fire before him and fell silent for a moment, thinking that Hogg would also be going to challenge Enel's divine authority.
"What's wrong? Come on, eat! The goat meat I roasted is really delicious."
Seeing Luo Chen fall silent, Hogg also thought of what he was worried about, but quickly changed the subject. He cut off a hind leg and handed it to Luo Chen, boasting as he spoke.
"Mm, all right!"
"Chomp!"
Luo Chen took the meat and bit into it, then immediately voiced his disdain, unhesitatingly pointing out the flaw.
"You're lying. This meat isn't roasted as well as mine."
"Uh, hahahaha! Glug! Glug! Don't mind it so much. Here, want some wine?"
Seeing his expression, Hogg opened his mouth and laughed, poured several mouthfuls of wine down his throat, then handed it to Luo Chen as he spoke.
Just like that, another day quickly passed as they drank wine and ate meat.