The morning sun sprinkled across the boundless water, making the sea surface appear as if covered with a layer of crushed gold, shimmering with a captivating luster as the waves rose and fell.
The going merry swayed gently, its bow parting the waves and splashing crystal-clear water droplets that refracted brilliant light.
Kai leaned against the ship's railing, arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over everyone on the deck.
His voice was calm and gentle as he said, "Today's training is different from before. This time, we will undergo a dual enhancement of mental will."
"Mental will again!" Nami rubbed her temples, looking distressed. "Last time was already deadly enough; now it's happening again?"
Usopp instantly bristled upon hearing this and quickly waved his hands, "Kai, calm down! I almost fainted last time. It's not upgraded again, is it?"
"It's upgraded," Kai's voice remained calm, yet it struck them like a heavy hammer. "And it's not a normal upgrade."
"Ah?!" Usopp directly collapsed to the ground, hands covering his head. "It's over, it's over, this time it's really going to kill us!"
Zoro sat nearby, already with his eyes closed in meditation. Hearing this, he merely snorted, "Hmph, if you're afraid of death, then don't be a pirate."
"Zoro, shut up! Who's afraid of death? I, Usopp, am a brave warrior of the sea!" Usopp jumped up to retort, but the fear on his face betrayed his true feelings.
Sanji, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, spoke with a hint of teasing, "Usopp, stop being so stubborn. Kai hasn't even said to start yet, and you're already on the verge of crying, aren't you?"
Nami glared fiercely at Sanji, "You shut up, Sanji! Didn't you throw up for half the day last time?!"
"That was..." Sanji tried to retort, but seeing Nami's icy gaze, he swallowed his words.
Luffy sat casually nearby, scratching his head. "Kai, what did you mean by 'dual enhancement' just now?"
Kai turned to Luffy, his tone becoming more serious:
"Luffy, the core of this training is you. Your Conqueror's Haki has only recently Awakened, but your control is too weak.
Today's training is for you to learn how to use your Conqueror's Haki to protect others."
"Protect?" Luffy tilted his head, not quite understanding.
Kai nodded, his tone becoming slower:
"In a moment, I will use my Conqueror's Haki to directly exert immense mental pressure on Zoro, Sanji, Nami, and Usopp.
You need to use your Conqueror's Haki to provide them with protection, allowing them to endure this pressure without fainting."
"What if I don't control it well? What will happen to them?" Luffy blinked, asking innocently.
"They'll faint," Kai replied calmly. "It might also cause mental trauma."
"Or they might just pass out cold," Zoro added, his tone even carrying a hint of anticipation.
"Hey! Don't talk nonsense!" Usopp instantly broke down. "Kai, are you playing with our lives?!"
Kai glanced at Usopp. "This isn't a joke, it's training. If you don't want to get stronger, then go back to the cabin yourself."
"Get stronger... of course I want to!" Nami clenched her fists. Although her face was pale, she still bit the bullet and nodded. "Bring it on! I'm not afraid!"
Usopp's face was bitter. "Can I say no?"
"No," Kai interrupted him directly. "Alright, Luffy, are you ready?"
Luffy scratched his head, revealing a bright smile. "Don't worry, Kai! I won't let them faint!"
Kai took a deep breath, and the aura around his body began to change.
An invisible pressure emanated from him, quickly covering the entire deck like a tide.
"This pressure..." Zoro's eyes snapped open, and fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Ah—it feels like my head is being crushed!" Usopp clutched his head, his face pale, his legs weak.
"Kai, are you crazy! This is much stronger than last time!"
Nami shouted while gripping the deck tightly, her knuckles white from the effort.
The smile had long vanished from Sanji's face, and veins bulged on his forehead. "This guy... he's a monster!"
"This is just the beginning, Luffy. Use your Conqueror's Haki to protect them!"
Kai's voice rang out, striking everyone's eardrums like thunder:
"I'm going to gradually increase it!"
Luffy blinked, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes.
A moment later, a wave of Conqueror's Haki emanated from him, meeting Kai's aura in mid-air.
"It worked?" Zoro was surprised to find that the suffocating pressure had suddenly lessened considerably.
Nami also clearly felt the change. "Luffy, thank you, I almost fainted just now."
Usopp had collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. "You scared me to death; I thought I was going to die just now."
Kai glanced at Luffy and nodded slightly. "Not bad, barely passing this time. Try a few more times to learn precise control."
"Yay! Bring it on, I'll protect everyone!" Luffy jumped up excitedly, his face full of pride.
"Don't be happy too soon," Kai said coldly. "This is just the beginning; there's more training waiting for you."
Everyone who had just finished their mental will training was now sprawled on the deck, gasping for breath.
The gentle sea breeze blew, bringing a refreshing coolness that offered some comfort to the exhausted group.
"Ah, I can't take it anymore! If this keeps up, my mind is really going to break!" Usopp lay spread-eagled, looking up at the sky, appearing on the verge of death.
"Hah, how useless." Zoro leaned against the railing, holding a sake flask, taking a swig while displaying a disdainful expression.
Usopp sprang up, pointing at Zoro to retort, but quickly deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping back to the ground. "Never mind, I don't even have the energy to argue."
Just then, a large bird flapped its wings, flying from a distance and landing steadily on the ship's railing.
It wore a small hat and had a small bag hanging around its neck, a news bird sent to deliver messages.
News birds work for the World Economic News, their main task being to distribute newspapers, transmit information, and advertisements.
It tilted its head, opened its beak, and let out a "Chirp, chirp" sound, seemingly urging them on.
"A news bird!" Nami stood up, her exhaustion evident, but she still walked over and took a newspaper from the bag:
"Why did the newspaper price go up again? It used to be thirty Berries, and now it's fifty Berries!" She complained while pulling money from her pocket.
The news bird narrowed its eyes, looking like it didn't care if she bought it or not, and ruffled its wings, clearly showing no remorse for the price increase.
"This is highway robbery," Nami grumbled as she handed over the money, then took the newspaper and opened it, revealing two wanted posters.
Unexpectedly, after just a glance, she froze, then her eyes widened, and she exclaimed:
"Luffy! Kai! There are wanted posters for both of you!"