The time spent learning was both joyful and fleeting.
Unlike the fortunate children who enjoyed compulsory nine years of basic education, most people in this world lacked such a foundation.
Of the global 7.2 billion people, the West comprised approximately 1.2 billion, the East 1.6 billion, less than half of the total. The remaining two-thirds lived in famine, war, and poverty. Only a small minority in these regions enjoyed the basic education considered standard in the West and East.
This minority was negligible compared to their overall population.
Therefore, opportunities for education were rare and precious for many—like peace itself.
So when Alistair offered to teach, they were eager to learn. Everyone diligently studied Alistair's ideology and tactics.
Especially Haki.
Alistair had awakened his Observation Haki during the battle with the Spade Pirates, and found it relatively easy to teach.
Armament Haki, however, required years of rigorous physical training, otherwise it could injure the body.
Therefore, Alistair wasn't in a hurry to have them train in Armament Haki.
It was somewhat regrettable. If they were stronger, if some knew Rokushiki, mastering Armament Haki would be much easier.
Rokushiki's techniques mirrored Haki training.
Tekkai and Rankyaku were fundamental, essential techniques—Tekkai corresponding to Armament Haki, and advanced Rankyaku to Observation Haki.
The other four techniques were advanced applications and offensive moves—Soru for speed and evasion, Geppo for aerial mobility, and Shigan and Rankyaku for attacks.
These were the least important of the six techniques. Once Armament and Observation Haki were mastered, Rankyaku and Shigan would inflict minimal damage on Armament Haki users. Even Observation Haki users could easily dodge them.
The creators of Rokushiki understood that the most crucial techniques were the seemingly least useful: Tekkai and Rankyaku.
Alistair believed these were prerequisites for learning Observation and Armament Haki.
Even without mastering Haki, they would have the means to protect themselves at sea.
CP9 could easily defeat pirates with bounties under 100 million Berries.
With further training, like after their battle with the Straw Hats, most CP9 members awakened Armament and Observation Haki.
This was something that could be mass-produced, so mastering Rokushiki could significantly reduce training time and effort.
Of course, untrained individuals would die if they attempted it.
Most pirate crews lacked the food and resources to develop such physiques.
Only nations could provide such logistical support, enabling the cultivation of Rokushiki.
Currently, these Marines could only rigorously train their bodies and listen to the voices of the world—Observation Haki required talent.
A strong individual like Katakuri could foresee a few seconds into the future; weaker individuals could only dodge bullets.
This world was inherently unequal.
Being born as Big Mom's child, with Devil Fruits to choose from, and easily mastering Armament Haki, was vastly different from ordinary people who trained hard to reach the mid-ranks of the Marines.
Therefore, Alistair had to quickly identify those with aptitude and train them intensively.
Training in Observation Haki was simple.
Blindfolded and deafened, they reached a state of tranquility, then Alistair threw stones at them.
While everyone received a stone, the order of attacks was random.
Those hit couldn't make a sound; it was painful.
Truly talented individuals showed progress after two or three days, dodging the stones.
By the fourth day, the talented ones had emerged, the others becoming spectators on the ship's high platforms.
Those blindfolded and deafened faced Alistair's sword.
They stood in a circle around him. Alistair would randomly attack one of them. Failure meant not dodging before the sword stopped.
Initially, everyone failed.
Then, some began to dodge. By the tenth day, almost everyone could dodge.
Observation Haki was heavily reliant on talent!
The One Piece world was full of people with innate abilities. Mastering Observation Haki wasn't impossible. Weak individuals like Shirahoshi, Vivi, and Momonosuke innately possessed Observation Haki. Slightly weaker individuals like Coby and Enel's four priests also possessed it.
With a little training, they quickly grasped the basics.
However, this joyful time was short-lived. Observation Haki could be quickly awakened through talent, but Armament Haki required years of accumulation and training.
This couldn't be rushed.
But their time to part was approaching.
On the fifteenth day, they were nearing Jaya, and it was time for the Marines to leave.
These fifteen days were undoubtedly transformative, reshaping their worldviews and opening new horizons. While unsure of Alistair's future plans, the Marines were about to scatter, their future reunions dependent on whether they could be transferred to Marine Headquarters. Alistair had prepared them mentally; they might be undercover for ten, twenty, or even a lifetime.
As long as the time wasn't ripe, they wouldn't be activated. They would live as loyal Marines serving the World Government.
Alistair didn't create a list; he memorized their names and faces.
Some might have poor memories, but that's only for things they don't care about. When focused, memory improves remarkably.
He only remembered their names, not their destinations. He would only activate them at the crucial moment.
Knowing less was better for him and for them!
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