"This... this is impossible! I'll probably never reach your current strength in my entire life. I'd be content if I could be half as strong as you!"
In Barnett's mind, Vic was already someone he could hardly reach. He didn't dare to hope that he would be that strong, knowing his own limitations.
"Don't underestimate yourself! You have a natural talent that grows gradually over time. You didn't start training and honing your physical abilities from a young age, so your start was naturally a bit slower, but is it really that slow?"
Look at our peers from the same period; many of them are children of naval officers, receiving training and physical conditioning from their parents from a young age. But how many of them have your current strength?
There are plenty of people who haven't even mastered Six Powers. You think your skills are average and your talent is lacking, but you're just comparing yourself to Rebecca.
Just like the ring finger next to the middle finger on your palm, while they are just toes, their location is different, so the feeling is naturally different. In my heart, you can definitely reach the level I have now, just like the future I talked to you about before. Now, all you need to do is persevere and leave everything to time!
Vic was telling the truth; his own skills were only passable at the moment, and he only appeared outstanding because of his young age.
Both men are proficient in the Six Powers, though there are differences in their application. However, they can become more skilled over time. As for Armament Haki, Vic only has Ryuo and Outward Haki, which Vic believes Barnett can learn with some guidance.
His Observation Haki has a wider range, and it can be improved through time training. As for his Devil Fruit ability, the Replenish-Replenish Fruit is not bad. Developing it to its Awakening state, it can completely reverse a certain amount of time, making it a very powerful Devil Fruit ability, no less than Vic's.
The only difference between the two is probably in swordsmanship. Swordsmanship is not a requirement to become Marine Admiral, so with time, Barnett will be able to reach Vic's current combat strength.
"Really... really? I can become this powerful?"
Barnett's eyes lit up as he stared at Vic in disbelief and asked, "After Vic's analysis, he realized that his comparisons had always been with the people around him, and he had selectively forgotten his former classmates!"
Now he realized that his talent wasn't bad at all; it was just that his brilliance was overshadowed by being around Vic. With his current strength, he would be more than qualified to be Vice Admiral in the branch. Moreover, he was still young and had plenty of time to become even stronger.
"Of course it's true! You have to believe in yourself. I'll scout ahead for you, and once we figure out the way, I'll lead you all up together. That way, your journey will be much easier!"
Vic had already found a shortcut and was walking on it, with Rebecca and Barnett following behind, but now he saw an even faster path on the side!
The path is there, but he doesn't know how to cross it yet. Once he finds a way, he will definitely lead the others up it. Even if they have poor talent, they will stride forward and become stronger on this path.
Barnett didn't say anything more, but he was incredibly excited, as if he could see himself as powerful as Marine Admiral. He didn't notice Rebecca and Wendy behind him at all; their eyes were also shining brightly. They were so lucky to have such a leader!
As the warships approached, the pirates on lookout duty on the island spotted Vic and his crew, and some of them had already gone to the center of the island to warn them.
However, Vic didn't come with malicious intent, so he didn't teleport to the island to kill the messengers. Although he and Shanks had known each other for a long time, they had only met once, and since they were on opposing sides, it was better to have normal contact.
"Let the warship stay here. There's no need to get any closer. We're not here to fight. You all stay on the warship; a few of us will go aboard."
When the warship was still a safe distance from the island, Vic ordered it to stop, intending to take only Rebecca and the others aboard.
After saying that, Vic picked up Ain and flew towards the island using Geppo, Geppo Rebecca and the others following behind in the same manner.
The others on the warship were envious; none of them had the opportunity to learn the Six Powers at the Marine Headquarters. On the warship, Barnett and a few others would occasionally give them pointers.
The fact that they couldn't go to headquarters already speaks volumes. There hasn't been a single Marine who has mastered one of the Six Powers yet; the time is still too short, and there's a huge gap between their talents and abilities.
After flying to the shore, Vic did not land, but flew directly over the island, using his Observation Haki to scan the situation on the island.
Vic discovered that this place truly lived up to its reputation as a wild and untamed island, teeming with ferocious beasts, none of which were weak in their aura.
Vic guessed that Shanks had stayed here for so long to allow these ferocious beasts to hone their subordinates, giving them one last boost in strength before entering the New World, just like Rayleigh trained Luffy. Shanks had inherited this training method.
Vic couldn't help but sigh. It was people like Shanks who had been on the Grand Line since childhood, knowing exactly where and what kind of islands there were. Vic needed these experiences to help him find a place to quickly improve his Haki. But other people's experiences were other people's, and he could only ask them later.
The pirates on guard duty on the shore knew that the Marines they had encountered this time were not to be underestimated when they saw five people flying overhead. However, those who could stand guard here were not very strong. They couldn't even aim their guns properly. Vic and his crew were very fast, and they could only watch helplessly as the Marines flew towards the island.
"Boss... there are warships at sea, and judging by their course, they're heading straight for us. They've probably already landed on the island!"
The messenger arrived at the officers' camp, already out of breath, and collapsed to his knees, struggling to deliver the naval intelligence.
Just then, a glass full of liquor was handed to the panting henchman. Without even looking to see who gave it to him, the henchman, exhausted and thirsty from running such a long distance, grabbed the glass and chugged it down.
"Yes! They've arrived on the island, I saw them too!"
Shanks spoke in a calm, low voice. He held a wine glass in his left hand, while his right hand was already on the hilt of Gryphon's sword at his waist. His straw Straw Hat blocked the light, obscuring his expression, but his eyes beneath the brim were exceptionally sharp and bright.
The messenger, halfway through his drink, sensed something was wrong. The officers in front of him were all looking at him—no, they were looking behind him.
The henchman slowly turned around and saw several figures wearing naval justice cloaks, but he couldn't see their faces because of the backlighting.