Over the past few days, the Going Merry had practically turned into a floating dojo drifting across the sea.
Under Ronan's almost inhuman level of refinement and pressure, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji's progress in the Thirteen Taibao Iron Body training skyrocketed.
Their physical strength had long since shattered its former limits.
Toughened bones, reinforced tendons, and surging vitality formed the perfect soil for the awakening of Haki.
Just yesterday, following Ronan's lead, Luffy and Zoro—and even Sanji, who had joined the training last—had all successively touched the threshold of Armament Haki.
Each of them managed to light that lamp in their minds—the concept of "will made into armor."
Watching the three of them walk a path that would normally take others years, all in just a few days, Ronan couldn't help but feel a storm surge in his heart.
So this is the true value of being children of destiny…
Ronan clicked his tongue inwardly.
He himself had only managed to grasp Armament Haki so quickly thanks to the tenfold, continuous life-and-death combat multiplier from the Perseverance System.
Yet these three, under nothing more than his guidance and merciless beatings, had forced their way through the bottleneck with sheer instinct and terrifying talent.
"Haah… haah…"
Another brutal round of sparring came to an end.
All four of them sat sprawled across the deck, shirts discarded, completely lacking in dignity.
Sweat streamed down their bulging muscles, glistening under the sunlight with an oily sheen.
After weeks of enduring the "Thirteen Taibao Iron Body" training, the Straw Hat crew's three main fighters had undergone astonishing changes.
Once small and wiry, Luffy now had broader shoulders and a fuller chest.
Though he still retained the lean elasticity of a rubber man, it was now a compact frame packed with explosive power—and he'd grown noticeably taller.
Zoro's neck had thickened, his trapezius muscles bulging high.
The muscles across his back twisted like snarling demons, his entire presence exuding the pressure of a ferocious tiger.
Even Sanji, who had always been known for his long, agile build and leg-based fighting style, was now solidly muscled.
The circumference of his thighs had increased significantly, muscle fibers visibly flexing with every step, radiating explosive force.
Their builds were undeniably larger than when Ronan had first boarded the ship—but that was unavoidable.
Training the Thirteen Taibao Iron Body naturally came with that side effect. Muscle gain was inevitable, and more muscle meant a sturdier physique.
Upon reaching the second stage of the technique, not only did muscle mass increase further, but even the bones themselves regenerated and grew tougher.
Coupled with their massive food intake from intense training, Ronan and the others had gone through a second growth spurt, each gaining over ten centimeters in height.
With their newly packed muscles, they weren't just a little bigger—they were several sizes larger than just weeks ago.
"Awesome!"
Luffy lay flat on his back in a starfish pose, staring at the sky and grinning dumbly.
"It feels like endless power is pouring out of my body! Right now, even getting hit by a cannon wouldn't hurt!"
Zoro wiped down Wado Ichimonji, staring at his reflection in the blade—his own powerful silhouette mirrored back at him. A satisfied curve tugged at his lips.
"This body-training technique really is incredible. Not only is my defense way up, even my swing speed and cutting power have jumped an entire level."
Ronan picked up a towel and wiped the sweat from his face, his breathing gradually evening out.
He turned his head toward the second-floor shadows, where Nami and Usopp were lounging with juice, watching the spectacle.
"Hey, Nami. Usopp."
Ronan's voice was calm, but to their ears it sounded like a devil's summons.
"Since you're just sitting around anyway, shouldn't you two join in as well?"
"Especially you, Usopp. As a sniper, if you can't even use basic Observation Haki, how are you supposed to survive on the sea?"
The relaxed atmosphere instantly froze.
Nami and Usopp exchanged looks, seeing pure terror in each other's eyes.
"I'm not training! Absolutely not!!"
Nami jumped to her feet, arms crossed, pointing at the four "muscle freaks" on deck with utter disdain.
"Just look at yourselves! You've all trained into gorillas! Your necks are almost thicker than your heads!"
"I'm a beautiful navigator! If I train like you and turn into a walking muscle block, how am I supposed to wear cute clothes? How am I supposed to charm—ah, I mean, negotiate with people?!"
Imagining herself as a hulking muscle monster, Nami shuddered violently and shook her head hard.
"This technique is terrifying! It's only been a few days and you're already like this—I refuse to end up that way!"
"Nami-san is absolutely right~"
Sanji, who had been all cold and serious moments ago, instantly switched modes. He twisted his body as he slid over beneath Nami, heart-shaped eyes blazing.
"Nami-san only needs to stay beautiful! Leave this crude fighting and training to me, the knight of love! I'll protect your delicate skin with my life!"
"Get lost! Don't fling your sweat over here!" Nami snapped, kicking the railing.
"Yes, Nami-san! I gratefully accept your love-filled kick!" Sanji swooned.
Watching the two of them, Ronan shook his head helplessly.
Nami's refusal was expected. Body-tempering techniques really did alter one's physique, and for someone who valued beauty, that was a hard sell.
So he turned his gaze toward Usopp.
"It's understandable for Nami to worry about getting bulky. But what about you, Usopp?"
Ronan's eyes burned as they pierced straight into Usopp's heart.
"What are you—also a woman? Or do you plan to hide in the back forever, watching Luffy and Zoro risk their lives while you just shout 'Go, Luffy!' from behind?"
Usopp's foot, which had been inching backward, froze in place.
He looked at the four figures on deck, standing like iron towers.
Luffy. Zoro. Ronan. Even Sanji, who'd joined later—all of them were growing stronger at an alarming pace.
Their solid muscles, the overwhelming aura in every movement, filled him with deep insecurity and distance.
He envied them—but the memory of Sanji's screams echoing through the nights, and the bone-chilling sound of Ronan's iron spear smashing flesh, made his legs go weak.
"I… I can't handle that kind of strengthening either…" Usopp shrank his neck, trying to argue.
"I'm a sniper. I fight with my brain and skill…"
"Skill?"
Ronan let out a cold laugh, his tone sharp and cutting.
"In the face of absolute power, skill is a joke. If one day an enemy closes the distance on you, what will you do?"
"Kneel and beg? Or hope Luffy can always make it back in time to save you?"
"Usopp—this ship doesn't carry dead weight."
The words were heavy.
So heavy that even the air fell silent.
Luffy stopped laughing. Zoro stopped polishing his sword. Sanji dropped his usual antics.
They all looked quietly at Usopp.
There was no mockery in their eyes.
Only expectation.
The expectation of a comrade.
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