Roy turned to look at Kazami.
" Kazami, you choose!"
Upon Kazami looked at the fruits on the shelf. Each one emanated an ancient aura, and one could feel the immense power contained within them simply by standing beside them.
He remained silent for a long time, as if making the most important decision of his life.
Then he solemnly shook his head.
"Captain, I don't want to eat Devil Fruit right now."
"I only want to reach the pinnacle through pure swordsmanship."
The power of these fruits might make me stronger faster, but it will also distract me.
I can't be distracted.
I must dedicate every single minute to refining the art of swordsmanship itself.
Roy looked at Kazami. This taciturn man was usually very quiet, but every time he spoke, his words were powerful and resounding.
He was silent for a few seconds, then put away the fruit and patted Kazami on the shoulder.
"Your path is yours to choose."
It's fine if you don't eat the fruit. But remember to tell me when you want to eat it.
Kazami's right hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning slightly white.
Although no words were spoken, the gesture itself was the most solemn answer.
Roy returned the remaining fruits to their respective shelves one by one. He took one last look at this treasure trove of fruits—every fruit had its own home, and every companion had its own path.
What he needs to do is help them take each step carefully.
Mornings come early on Hachinosu.
The sun rises below the horizon, bathing the entire island in gold.
The stone pavement of the central training plaza was damp with morning dew, faintly reflecting the shards of the rising sun.
Roy led Law and the Hancock Sisters through the palace corridors toward the heart of the island.
The gene experiment base is located in the most heavily guarded part of Hachinosu. The entrance is hidden behind a seemingly ordinary stone wall, and only those whose identities have been verified can pass through the heavy alloy door.
The door opened.
Gracia was already waiting there.
The head of the Hachinosu gene experiment base was wearing a white lab coat and holding an electronic writing tablet. Behind him stood a dozen researchers also wearing white lab coats.
Various instruments flashed their indicator lights, and sophisticated gene sequencing equipment was arranged on the spotless laboratory table.
"Give your genetic samples to Gracia. She will match the most suitable Bloodline Transplantation plan."
Hancock was the first to step forward, and without hesitation, rolled up her sleeves and extended her arm to the doctor who was drawing her genetic sample.
The needle pierced her skin, and blood flowed into the collection bottle through the catheter, without her even flinching.
Luo glanced at Roy and stepped forward as well, followed closely by Sandersonia and Marigold, their movements swift and efficient.
How long will it take to get the results?
Gracia placed the collection bottle into the analyzer and quickly swiped his finger across the writing pad:
"Gene matching takes a week."
As for embryo cultivation, with the support of lunar technology, a cloned human body can be fully mature in about ten days.
"Very good."
Roy turned to leave, Hancock suddenly called out to him:
"Lord Roy!"
He stopped. Hancock stood there, a cotton ball still on her arm, her deep purple eyes fixed on him, her voice soft yet unusually firm. "I won't let you down."
Roy looked at the stubbornness and admiration in the little girl's eyes.
She gave him the right fruit and planned his cultivation path, but what truly sustained her was her desire to stand by his side.
"I know."
Bullet was already waiting in the central training plaza.
He crossed his arms, his short, purplish-gray hair fluttering slightly in the sea breeze.
Sunlight shone from behind him, casting a huge shadow at his feet.
The shadow enveloped almost the entire training plaza, much like the oppressive aura emanating from him.
Roy stepped forward, followed by five people.
Trafalgar Law had a medical book tucked under his left hand and his right hand in his pocket.
The Hancock Sisters stared intently.
Nico Robin, who had been engrossed in studying since arriving on the island, was also summoned by Roy to study under Bullet.
Roy didn't want Robin's Flower-Flower Fruit to go to waste.
" Bullet, the basic physical fitness and combat skills training for these five kids is now in your hands."
They are refined to the strictest standards, with no room for compromise.
They are the future of Hachinosu, but the future is forged from sweat and pain.
Bullet grinned, a glint of excitement in his eyes.
"I love honing the skills and abilities of newcomers!"
He strode up to the five people and looked down at this group of newcomers.
The five people staring at those eyes simultaneously felt an invisible pressure—the aura of the man known as the " Devil's Descendant."
Listen carefully!
"Regardless of your identity, regardless of what you have experienced, from today onward—"
You have only one identity: Lao Tzu's students!
Lao Tzu's training involved no rest days, no leave requests, and no saying "I can't take it anymore!"
If you can take it, take it; if you can't, then get out!
Luo straightened up first, placed the medical book on the stone steps beside the training field, and bowed to Bullet: "Please guide me."
Not to be outdone, Hancock stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Law: "The next Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily will not back down in the face of any training."
Robin watched the two little ones' retreating figures, a slight smile playing on her lips. She didn't say anything, but simply stood quietly in the line.
Bullet looked at the five new generation members, his excitement growing stronger.
These kids all have that indomitable spirit in their bones, and what he has to do is to temper that spirit through countless trials and tribulations, forging it into true steel.
"Warm-up: Run 50 laps around the training plaza. Time limit: 35 minutes. For every second exceeded, 10 laps will be added!"
The expressions on the faces of all five people froze simultaneously.
The training plaza is nearly one kilometer long, and fifty laps take thirty-five minutes.
That means they had to run nearly 50 kilometers in 0.7 hours, averaging less than one and a half minutes per kilometer.
"What are you standing there for? Run!!!"
The five of them took off running.
Bullet watched their retreating figures, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
Roy withdrew his gaze and turned to Vera beside him:
" Vera! See that little brat with the spotted hat?"
"Next, after he finishes Bullet's training, you'll have to teach him medicine."
"That kid is Devil Fruit User; such a good fruit can't be wasted!"
Vera, the chief medical officer of the Hachinosu medical department, covered her mouth and giggled.
"No problem, Captain Roy!"
"Um!"
" Vera, this kid is in your hands from now on."
His medical talent has already been recognized by Dr. Kureha on Drum Island, and he has also developed the power of the Op-Op Fruit quite well.
All you have to do is impart all your medical and toxicological knowledge to me.
"Clear!"