"Okay, Instructor Zephyr, thank you for the effort. You're even helping me make a training plan this late," Ages said, thanking him with a serious expression.
At those words, a trace of satisfaction flashed in Zephyr's eyes. "Haha, all right, there's no need to be so polite. Since I've decided to teach you personally, of course I have to put some effort into it. Go get some rest."
After bidding Ages goodbye, Zephyr returned to his room and spent the whole night working out a training plan best suited to him.
In the early morning, the heavy, dark-blue canopy of sky slowly receded bit by bit, and the beautiful azure dawn had just begun to unveil itself in the distant east.
Ages yawned and strolled toward the training ground.
Ages and Zephyr arrived at the training ground at the same time.
"Ages, you're here. Here, this is the training plan I've prepared for you," Zephyr said, handing Ages a small notebook.
Ages took the notebook and looked at Zephyr, who appeared slightly tired. A trace of fatigue had crept into his usually bright eyes, and a closer look revealed dark circles beneath them.
Ages was touched, and a warm current flowed through his heart. He knew Zephyr must have stayed up all night putting his heart into preparing the training plan for him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so tired. Moved, Ages said,
"Thank you, Instructor Zephyr."
Zephyr patted Ages on the shoulder and said,
"Haha, there's no need to be so polite. All right, hurry up and take a look at the training plan."
"Mm-hmm." Ages nodded firmly and concentrated on reading the training plan.
A long while later.
After reading the notebook in his hands, Ages said in delight,
"Instructor Zephyr, the training plan in here is amazing! You even planned out my daily meals. If I train like this, I think I'll reach 500 Doriki soon."
"But, Zephyr, why does this training plan focus entirely on physical training? Why aren't there any methods for training my Devil Fruit ability?" Ages asked in confusion.
Seeing his confusion, Zephyr smiled faintly and said seriously,
"Do you know why there aren't any methods for training your Devil Fruit ability? Because after getting to know you yesterday, Ages, I found that you rely too heavily on your Devil Fruit ability."
"Ages, there's something you need to understand. Although your Devil Fruit has made you very strong in battle, your physical condition is also important. You can't rely solely on your Devil Fruit, or you'll become dependent on it."
"Think about it. If you rely solely on your Devil Fruit ability and neglect your physical training, what will you do when you encounter a Devil Fruit that counters yours, or find yourself in a special situation where you can't use your Devil Fruit ability? You'll be nothing more than an ordinary person at anyone's mercy."
"On the other hand, if your body is strong enough, you'll be able to handle the situation calmly even if you can't use your Devil Fruit ability. Remember, your Devil Fruit ability is only part of your strength. It's just a tool, and you can't rely on it completely."
As Ages listened to Zephyr's guidance, he recalled his previous battles. Only then did he realize that ever since he had obtained his Devil Fruit, he had used its ability in basically every fight. Whether he was killing Sea Kings, dealing with Don Krieg, or taking the life-and-death test, he had used his Devil Fruit ability to resolve it.
Thinking back on it all, Ages suddenly felt that he really had relied too heavily on his Devil Fruit ability. He said,
"Thank you for your guidance, Instructor Zephyr."
Zephyr nodded in satisfaction and said,
"Haha, Ages, follow this training plan from now on. Once you reach 500 Doriki, I'll teach you the Six Powers."
"What are the Six Powers?" Ages asked.
"The Six Powers are a set of physical techniques that surpass the limits of human physical ability."
"Shigan, Tekkai, Soru, Geppo, Rankyaku, and Kami-e. These six techniques are collectively known as the Six Powers. As for what each technique does, it goes like this..."
After Zephyr patiently finished explaining the Six Powers, Ages's eyes lit up, and he was incredibly excited. He hadn't expected there to be so many powerful things in this world waiting for him to learn. He said,
"I never imagined there were techniques like that. They're amazing! Looks like I need to work harder and reach a Doriki Value of 500 as soon as possible."
Just then, Ages remembered Fujitora's words and suddenly asked,
"Then, Instructor Zephyr, when can I learn Haki?"
"As for learning Haki, I plan to teach you after you've mastered the Six Powers. Haki is a more advanced technique than the Six Powers, after all."
"Once you've learned them, your physical condition will have reached a certain level as well. Then you can continue developing your Devil Fruit ability."
Ages nodded...
After listening to a little more of Zephyr's explanation, Ages saw that he was nearly dozing off as he spoke. Feeling that he understood enough for now, Ages urged him,
"Instructor Zephyr, go get some rest. I have this training plan now, so I won't need to trouble you for the time being..."
"It's fine. I'll be all right after I wash my face."
"No!..."
In the end, Ages persuaded Zephyr to go rest. Ages then opened the notebook and began training according to the plan inside.
First day's training tasks
Run back and forth over a distance of 100 meters at high speed without stopping for half an hour, do 2,000 one-handed handstand push-ups, swing and draw a sword 4,500 times within 15 minutes... All these training tasks and so on had to be completed under enhanced gravity.
It took Ages the entire day to finish the tasks. Afterward, he collapsed onto his bed, exhausted half to death, and fell asleep.
When Ages woke the next day, he could clearly feel that his physical condition had improved. This thrilled him, and he trained tirelessly and happily...
Time flew by like a white steed flashing past a gap.
Zephyr came every day to observe Ages's training, and Ages did not disappoint Zeda. No matter how tired he was or how hard it got, Ages persisted in completing everything in the training plan each day, making Zephyr nod in satisfaction every time.
(P.S. This chapter might be a little dull, but it's necessary groundwork
for the protagonist to become a strong person powerful in every respect later on, rather than someone whose Devil Fruit ability alone is strong.)