That day, Roy gathered everyone together.
"Next comes our final training."
Roy held up an index finger. "Someone once said it: battle, nonstop battle."
"I'll have Pea ripen a large amount of food to draw in the Sea Kings. This mission will be called the 'Island Defense Battle.'"
Yes, after Pea had tended his little garden, the seeds brought from the Boin Archipelago (Baron of the Stomach),
once ripened by Pea, had also proven highly attractive to Sea Kings.
A year ago, after Roy discovered this, he had asked Pea to study the food seeds, hoping to make them even more attractive to Sea Kings.
"Not a bad plan."
Bullet folded his arms. "I can't wait!"
Pea nodded, took a large handful of seeds from his storage bag, and pressed both hands against the ground.
The entire island began to tremble violently. Countless strange plants burst from the soil, giving off a tempting fragrance. These second-generation plants had a deadly attraction for Sea Kings.
"Then... everyone, to your positions!"
Roy leaped to the highest point of the castle. From the island floating in the sky, seawater slowly fell into the sea below.
"Bullet, you're in charge of the east coast! Tesoro, Stella, Savi, you three take the west! Mihawk, I'm leaving the south to you! Pea and I will handle the north!"
"Remember, we're honing our Haki this time."
"Yes, boss!"
After everyone answered, they headed to their respective areas.
Rumble!
The sea began to churn. Drawn by the fragrance, dozens of Sea Kings that had long lurked in these waters swarmed toward the island from every direction.
Their bodies rivaled small mountains, and every movement sent towering waves surging across the sea.
"They're here!"
Bullet roared, covered his entire body in Armament Haki, and charged straight at a giant octopus that had come ashore. His fists whistled through the air, leaving dents in the octopus with every blow.
On the west coast, Stella combined her magnetic field with Observation Haki to predict the Sea Kings' movements. Tesoro and Savi fought them at close quarters, unleashing Rokushiki Ogi and physical techniques one after another. With their Haki as well, the group maintained an airtight defense of the west coast.
In the south, Hawk Eyes fought with the greatest elegance. Every slash left a wound on a Sea King deep enough to expose bone. With the help of Observation Haki, he moved with ease among several Sea Kings.
On the north coast,
Roy had just reached the shore with Pea when the waves surged and several Sea Kings leaped out of the water. Among them was a giant Sea King over a thousand meters long.
Roy patted Pea on the head and took Frost Snow from him.
"Pea, use your vines to restrict their movement!"
"Okay, Roy."
Pea nodded. Countless vines burst from the ground and wove a towering net behind them. The vines were so tough that even Sea Kings could not easily tear them apart.
Roy's gaze sharpened. Armament Haki flowed over his blade like water, and he leaped into the air.
Frost Snow cut through the sky, sending a crescent-shaped slash straight into the giant Sea King's eye.
Roar!
The wounded Sea King roared. The pain in its eye made it thrash its head wildly, and its enormous body writhed, driving the surrounding Sea Kings into an even greater frenzy.
Seeing this, Roy smiled and charged forward, using his various abilities in succession: swordsmanship, Haki, gravity, and a mental shock. He even held the giant Sea King in place, leaving it unable to move.
On the east coast, Bullet was laughing heartily. "Too weak! Isn't there anything stronger?!"
Bullet was riding on a Sea King's head, his iron fists raining down on it.
Over the past three years, his Armament Haki had already advanced another level, reaching the point where it could inflict internal damage.
For now, only Roy and Bullet had mastered that technique, though Hawk Eyes was close.
As Roy's mental power grew stronger, he had also developed his Observation Haki to the point of Future Sight. Although he could only see a few seconds ahead, Roy was already satisfied. After all, he was only fifteen.
"Rokushiki Ogi: Maximum Ring!" ×2
Tesoro and Savi unleashed Rokushiki Ogi at the same time, knocking a Sea King back into the sea. Stella held it in check from the side, and the group's coordination grew ever more polished.
In the south, Hawk Eyes was completely absorbed in his understanding of the way of the sword. Black Blade Yoru seemed to come alive in his hands.
Every stroke carried the will to cut through anything. Slash after slash flew out, slaughtering all the Sea Kings around him.
"Just a little more... but I'm close!" Hawk Eyes murmured, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
The battle lasted a full five days. By the time they had slaughtered the endless stream of Sea Kings in these waters, blood had dyed the sea red.
Everyone gathered in front of the castle. Though they were all wounded, their faces shone with the joy of breaking through.
Seeing their condition, Roy nodded in satisfaction.
"Looks like everyone gained something."
Still wanting more, Bullet flexed his wrists. "It's a shame these Sea Kings still weren't strong enough, and there were too few of them."
"Don't worry. When the time comes, you'll fight until you puke."
Roy stepped forward with a laugh and patted Bullet on the shoulder, teasing him.
The next day, after telling Saga about their plans, the group flew into the distance under Roy's control.
A year later, on an uninhabited island deep in the Calm Belt,
Roy and his companions stood on the shore, watching the bloodstained sea before them.
Hundreds of Sea King carcasses floated on the water, making for a horrifying sight.
"The three thousand two hundred and tenth."
Tesoro stood beside a Sea King's carcass, his voice full of amazement.
"That's the eighth Giant Sea King we've killed this month."
"Hahaha! Now that was a real fight!"
Bullet jumped down from the Sea King's carcass, came over to Tesoro, and laughed loudly.
Over the past year, they had undergone hellish training in the Calm Belt.
Every day, they faced hordes of Sea Kings, repeatedly pushing past their limits on the verge of death.
Hawk Eyes had made the most striking progress. His Black Blade Yoru could now easily cut through a Giant Sea King's scales, and his swordsmanship had reached an entirely new realm.
"Anything can be cut," Hawk Eyes said, gently stroking the blade, his eyes shining with understanding. "That is my way of the sword."
Stella's Observation Haki had advanced by leaps and bounds through countless battles. She could now sense the movements of creatures throughout an entire stretch of sea at once.
Savi had completely mastered Life Return and could also use both types of Haki proficiently.
Pea's abilities had undergone a qualitative transformation as well.
The plants he cultivated could now grow on the surface of the sea, forming temporary battle platforms. Even more surprisingly, he had cultivated special plants that could absorb Sea King blood.
"This blood contains powerful life energy," Pea explained. "It can be used to cultivate even stronger combat plants."
Roy stood on the shore, feeling the surging power within him.
After this year of training, his swordsmanship had reached the peak of the swordsman realm. Combining it with his Devil Fruit powers had made it even more uncanny. His next step was to fight stronger masters in pursuit of a breakthrough to the great swordsman realm.
His Fruit powers could now cover the entire stretch of sea, and his Telekinesis had reached unprecedented heights.
"It's time."
Roy turned to face his companions.
"Our training is complete. Next, it's time to show the world the strength of the Roy Pirates."