Kuina, on the other hand, would have a short battle with Zoro on the beach every morning.
The winds of their swords churned up the beach and the sea, and after each fight, they would drag their wounds to the infirmary, neither willing to back down first.
"You've made rapid progress these past few years," Kuina said, wiping her knife.
"You're not bad either." Zoro said, his wrist wrapped in bandages, without looking up.
"Once all three of your knives have turned Black Blade, we must settle things once and for all."
"We've been planning this for a while now."
After Sanji and Tesoro became close, they spent almost all their time outside of training in the kitchen.
Tesoro opened up the high-end food warehouse on Hachinosu to him, Sanji was like a fish in water.
He used the dream ingredients from Hachinosu to improve his combat recipes, and in fifteen days he developed several new dishes that could temporarily boost his combat status.
Tesoro was full of praise after tasting it, saying that Sanji's cooking skills were top-notch even on Hachinosu.
"Have you considered staying on Hachinosu? I'll open a restaurant for you," Tesoro said half-jokingly.
"I'm going to open my restaurant in ALL BLUE," Sanji replied with a smile, continuing to chop vegetables.
Nami and Usopp also showed significant improvement after the bloodline enhancement adjustments.
Chopper learned a lot of new things from the medical team on Hachinosu. After returning, he reorganized his medicine box and confidently announced that Teacher Chopper had become stronger again.
Franky and Brook were also among those who were frantically modifying themselves at an experimental base on Hachinosu.
One of them went to listen to the band from Hachinosu every day, and he swung his bow with more force than he was fighting.
Robin was called away by Roy alone once.
No one knows the content of the conversation.
When Robin came out of Roy's office, her expression was complicated, as if she had a lot to say but couldn't say anything.
When Nami asked, she just smiled and said, "It's nothing. Just some things from the past."
········
The intelligence network on Hachinosu operated quietly during the Straw Hat Pirates' training.
A message traveled from Hachinosu, through countless secret channels, to the New World, the Grand Line, and even Mary Geoise.
" Straw Hat Luffy will soon travel to Elbaf, the Giant Kingdom, in search of the last piece of the Road Poneglyph."
The message was passed through many hands before being intercepted by CP's intelligence personnel and presented to the Five Elders.
" Nika is actually going to Elbaf?" Saint Shepherd Ju Peter frowned.
Saint Garling slammed his hand on the corner of the table, shattering it.
"We let him escape into Whitebeard's territory last time, but this time, we absolutely cannot let him touch that stone tablet."
"Pass down the order."
Saint Warcury's voice was cold.
All available elite troops are to be assembled in Elbaf.
Keep a close eye on their movements.
At the same time, continue to put pressure on Hachinosu and prevent Roy from having the opportunity to intervene.
The war machine of Mary Geoise began to turn slowly, unseen by the world.
In the final days of training, Roy and Stella did a final layout check in the office.
"The intelligence has been released."
Stella said,
The World Government's top brass has learned of Luffy's plan to Luffy to Elbaf.
According to intercepted communications, the Five Elders are mobilizing troops from around the world.
"What about the Navy?" Roy asked.
Akainu is not making any major moves for the time being.
However, the CP forces in Mary Geoise have already been deployed, with an estimated strength of several thousand.
Furthermore, there are indications that several of CP0's top agents have already infiltrated the New World.
Roy walked to the window and looked towards the training field.
Luffy and Bullet were exchanging blows, their figures shooting from the ground into the air, their Conqueror's Haki's Inazuma illuminating the entire training ground.
" The Five Elders ' eyes are all on Luffy now," Roy said softly.
"Yes. The New World's naval defenses are almost completely empty."
What about Mary Geoise?
Stella paused for a moment:
"According to current intelligence, there are also obvious gaps in the defenses of Mary Geoise."
Once the Five Elders personally set off for Elbaf, only the regular Army led by Kong would remain to guard the area.
Roy remained silent for a moment.
"After Luffy leaves Hachinosu, all the arrangements will be in place within a week."
"You've decided to take action?" Stella's voice was soft, but trembled slightly.
Roy turned around and looked at her.
Those eyes were as deep as a sea trench, their bottom unfathomable.
"We started preparing for this battle two years ago."
"Now, the time has finally come."
"If Five Elders really arrive in Elbaf, it will be a golden opportunity to severely damage the World Government."
On the eve of their departure, Hachinosu hosted another banquet.
This banquet was different from the last one; the atmosphere was more relaxed.
The Straw Hat Pirates crew and the Hachinosu officials have become close friends, some drinking heavily, others chatting, no longer the reserved people they were when they first arrived.
Luffy was holding a plate of meat taller than himself, his face glistening with oil as he ate.
Bullet sat next to him, watching with disgust as he splattered sauce everywhere.
"That's really unseemly."
"Meat is for eating!" Luffy declared confidently.
Zoro, unusually, poured Kuina a glass of wine.
Kuina took it and drank it all in one gulp.
They didn't exchange many words, but the clinking of their glasses was enough.
"Next time we meet, we'll be true rivals." Kuina put down her wine glass.
"I couldn't be happier." Zoro refilled his glass.
It's worth mentioning that, after the Bloodline Transplantation, all of Sanji's genes were manifested.
Even without Germa's Raid Suit, Sanji's fighting strength is definitely not weak.
Sanji made Tesoro a "Golden Special" drink made with ingredients from Hachinosu.
Tesoro took a sip, and his eyes lit up:
"You'd be great opening a bar."
"Once I find ALL BLUE, you're welcome to come for a drink."
Nami and Stella were discussing maritime trade routes, and the two hit it off so well that Nami's eyes lit up as she listened.
Robin sat not far away, watching the lively scene with a slight smile on his lips.
As the banquet drew to a close, Roy stood up.
He raised his glass and looked around.
"Have a safe journey. If you see Dorry and Brogy in Elbaf, please give them my regards."
Luffy lifted his head from the pile of flesh, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then stood up and faced Roy.
His gaze was so earnest that it made you forget he had just been fighting with Bullet over a piece of roast meat.
Roy.
"Um."
"Next time we meet, I won't lose to you again."
Roy looked at him, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I'll be waiting."
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the Straw Hat Pirates boarded the Thousand Sunny.
The lanterns in the harbor were still lit, and a thin layer of white mist floated on the sea.
Kuina and Stella came to see them off, their figures appearing somewhat hazy in the mist.
Kuina walked to the side of the ship and threw a small wooden box at Zoro.
Zoro caught it.
"Inside is a modified sword oil that's good for the blade of the Wado Ichimonji," Kuina said, tilting her head back.
Zoro looked down at the wooden box in his hand and remained silent for a second.
Thanks.
"Next time we meet, I'll be stronger than I am now. You must be stronger too."
"Certainly."
Zoro tucked the wooden box into his arms and turned to walk toward the mast.
The wind made his short green hair sway like the tassels on the three knives at his waist.
The Thousand Sunny weighs anchor.
Luffy stood at the bow of the ship and waved vigorously at the two people in the harbor.
He laughed loudly, the sound piercing through the sea mist and drifting far, far away.
"Goodbye--! Next time I come, I'll blow you all away--!!!"
Kuina and Stella stood on the shore, watching the lion-headed pirate ship slowly sail out of the harbor and gradually disappear between the morning mist and the horizon.
At that moment, a pair of eyes suddenly lit up in the deepest part of Mary Geoise.
The Five Elders, along with the World Government's most elite forces, pressed into the deepest reaches of the New World.
A true storm that will sweep the world is finally coming.
Roy stood atop the cliff, watching the direction the Thousand Sunny had gone, motionless for a long time.
The sea breeze blew by, and his black trench coat looked like an unfurled flag.
"Go, Luffy," he whispered.
"Go to Elbaf, go to Laugh Tale, and uncover the truth from eight hundred years ago."
I'll be waiting for you at the finish line.