Crocodile was engrossed in his training and didn't realize that dawn had broken.
When he opened his eyes, he found that the sky outside the window was already turning a pale white.
He cultivated all night without feeling tired at all; on the contrary, he was full of energy.
Is this the correct method for systematic cultivation?
The knocking sounded again; this time it was Bullet.
" Crocodile, the captain sent me to call you."
Bullet pushed open the door and grinned.
"I heard you received the captain's 'knowledge transfer'? Let me see how much you digested in one night."
Crocodile stood up, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "Just what I wanted."
The two arrived at the training ground behind the hotel.
This area, originally a relaxation area for hotel guests, has been temporarily converted into a training ground.
Hawk Eyes was already waiting there, leaning against the wall with Black Blade Yoru in his arms.
"Let's begin."
Bullet walked to the center of the field and beckoned to Crocodile.
"Use what you've learned to attack."
"Don't worry about hurting me, you're still a long way off."
Crocodile took a deep breath and, based on the knowledge in his mind, channeled his Haki into his legs.
shave!
His figure vanished instantly, reappearing a moment later to Bullet's left.
It's not the power of the Sand-Sand Fruit; it's purely the speed of physical combat!
"Oh?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Bullet's eyes as he raised his hand to block Crocodile's fist, which was covered in Armament Haki.
The power and speed of this punch were significantly greater than yesterday's.
But Crocodile's attack was not over yet.
He used the recoil to leap backward, kicking his legs out in mid-air.
Rankyaku - Chaos!
Several slashes flew towards Bullet, though their power was insufficient to pose a threat.
However, his skills were already quite refined, and he had a good grasp of the angle and timing of his strikes.
Bullet shattered the slash with a punch and nodded in satisfaction.
"That's right, you can master the basics of shaving and Rankyaku overnight."
It seems you have a very good physical foundation!
but---!"
Bullet changed the subject abruptly, and then his figure vanished.
The next instant, he appeared behind Crocodile and punched him in the back.
Crocodile tried to dodge, but his body couldn't keep up with his mind.
Just as his fist was about to strike, he instinctively used the technique of Kami-e.
Her body floated up like a willow catkin, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"Oh? You've even mastered Kami-e?"
Bullet was even more surprised.
"Continue!"
For the next half hour, the two engaged in a fierce battle on the training field.
Crocodile put the techniques he had just learned into practice, and although they were still quite clumsy, they were already taking shape.
Bullet, on the other hand, kept offering pointers and pointing out his shortcomings.
The flow of Haki isn't smooth enough!
" Observation Haki's predictive ability is too slow!"
"There's a problem with the connection between the Six Powers!"
Every piece of advice he received gave Crocodile some insight.
He could feel himself improving at a visible pace.
"Okay, take a break."
Bullet stopped.
That concludes today's training.
Go back and properly process what you've learned today.
Remember, cultivation is not something that can be achieved overnight; it requires time and insight.
Crocodile was panting heavily, covered in sweat, but his eyes gleamed with excitement.
After just half an hour of practical training, he felt that his understanding of that knowledge had deepened.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
Bullet waved his hand. "Thanks, Captain. He's the one who sent me."
By the way, Hawk Eyes will guide you on how to use Observation Haki this afternoon.
Although you don't use a sword, swordsmen have the deepest understanding of Observation Haki.
Crocodile nodded and went back to his room to shower and rest.
In the afternoon, Hawk Eyes's instructions became even more detailed.
He not only explained the key points of Observation Haki training, but also personally demonstrated how to combine Observation Haki with combat.
" Observation Haki isn't for running away; it's for controlling the battlefield."
Hawk Eyes said,
"You can control as much as you can perceive."
When your Observation Haki is strong enough, you can control every movement, every breath, and even every heartbeat of your enemy.
He made Crocodile close his eyes and use Observation Haki to sense his attacks.
At first, Crocodile couldn't keep up at all, but gradually, he could vaguely sense the signs that Hawk Eyes was about to make his move.
"That's progress," Hawk Eyes rarely praised, "Keep going."
Over the next few days, Crocodile entered a state of frenzied training.
He sparred with Bullet and Hawk Eyes during the day, and absorbed knowledge and honed his Haki at night.
Roy would occasionally give him personal guidance, pointing out his shortcomings in the use of Haki.
Crocodile's rapid progress surprised everyone.
In just five days, his Armament Haki had progressed from simple coverage to a basic flow.
His perception range of Observation Haki doubled, and he became increasingly proficient in using the Six Powers techniques.
More importantly, his fighting style has changed.
Instead of relying excessively on the Sand-Sand Fruit's power, it organically combines physical skills, Haki, and Devil Fruit abilities.
This has led to the formation of a more comprehensive and flexible tactical system.
On the morning of the sixth day, Crocodile stood on the training field.
They have been able to withstand Bullet's offensive onslaught for ten minutes without losing.
Although he was ultimately knocked down, Bullet admitted that...
" Crocodile, your current strength is already top-tier in the first half of the Grand Line."
However, his physique was still too weak, and he continued to be suppressed by Roy's Gravity Suppression.
Focus all your energy on physical training!
"Perhaps after you've mastered the Life Return, Roy has even more advanced skills waiting for you!"
Crocodile got up from the ground, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.
This feeling of rapidly becoming stronger is addictive.
He also increasingly realized that the resources and guidance that the Roy Pirates could provide were something he could never obtain on his own.
Those things about advancing in Haki, Devil Fruit Awakening, and that cross-legged cultivation method that even he couldn't understand...
Everything showed him a wider world.
Perhaps staying here is really the best choice?
Just then, Stella's voice rang out throughout the entire hotel through the loudspeakers.
"Attention everyone, meet at Ark Maxim in one hour. It's time to depart."
My trip to the South Blue is about to begin.
Crocodile returned to his room and packed his few belongings.
He looked at himself in the mirror, his eyes sharper and deeper than they had been a few days ago.
The original plan to remain in Alabasta for several years now seems utterly ridiculous.
The true path to strength is not about hiding somewhere and secretly accumulating power.
Instead, they constantly push their limits in battle, climbing to the peak together with like-minded partners.
" The Roy Pirates..."
He muttered to himself.
"Let me see just how far you can go."
An hour later, Ark Maxim rose into the air from outside the Rainbase and sped towards the South Blue.
Crocodile stood on the ship's railing, watching Alabasta gradually disappear into the distance.
There is no lingering attachment in my heart, only anticipation for the future.