Out on the vast ocean, once they had left Rocks' territory, the crew was like a blind man stumbling through unfamiliar waters.
They had no intel on nearby islands, no news, not even the slightest clue about the Navy's movements.
Even Silver Axe had set aside his usual laziness, his voice low and grim.
"My biggest worry right now is supplies."
"Ares and Kaido both eat like sea kings. After fighting Garp and Zephyr, their appetites are even bigger than usual."
"Food we can stretch for a bit, but fresh water, booze, and fruits and vegetables… That's where things get dicey."
Out at sea, a shortage of fruits and vegetables could lead to scurvy over time a sailor's nightmare. Red blotches would erupt on the skin, and just a light touch could cause them to bleed. If left untreated, it would progress to bleeding gums, tooth loss, and fever. In the worst cases, it was fatal.
That's why scurvy had earned the nickname: The Sea Demon.
It was the dread of all who braved the open sea.
Wang Zhi furrowed his brow and cast his gaze toward the ongoing aerial battle between Ares, Shiki, and the two Navy beasts, Garp and Zephyr.
"The Navy won't just sit back and let us restock peacefully," he said, his tone grave.
"Bring me the map."
Silver Axe pulled a rolled-up parchment from his coat a waterproofed, anti-corrosion sea chart made of tough sheepskin.
Wang Zhi studied it carefully, tracing routes with his finger as he frowned.
"How long can our current stores last?" he asked.
"Two days, tops," Silver Axe replied.
That made Wang Zhi's expression even heavier. He bit his lip and muttered,
"The closest island is the Kingdom of Prodence..."
"A powerful nation allied with the World Government. Their military strength is nothing to scoff at."
"Trying to snatch food from the jaws of that tiger won't be easy... and then there's the Navy."
Silver Axe hoisted his massive axe over his shoulder, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
"Doesn't matter how hard it is, we've got to try anyway."
"Besides, I bet the Kingdom of Prodence has plenty of pretty women... been a while since we blew off steam."
Wang Zhi rolled up the chart and looked toward the sky. The brilliant flashes of battle illuminated his eyes.
Just as Silver Axe said, whether it was dangerous or not, they needed those supplies.
If anyone aboard came down with scurvy and didn't get fresh fruit or vegetables, they were as good as dead.
It could wipe out the whole crew.
The second day of battle raged from morning until afternoon.
Wang Zhi eventually informed Golden Lion Shiki about their dire situation. The solution? Trade for supplies.
And if trade didn't work... they'd just have to steal them.
Shiki didn't hesitate he went full pirate mode: Take it by force!
Back on the ship, Ares devoured food to replenish his energy, then immediately resumed training.
Today's focus: Shigan (Finger Pistol)!
One of the Rokushiki techniques, Shigan claimed to hit with the power of a bullet. By focusing strength into a single finger and unleashing it with blinding speed, it could pierce human flesh like a bullet through paper.
During yesterday's battle, even Ares' powerful physique had been breached by a single Shigan from Zephyr.
That was proof enough used by a real expert, this technique was no joke.
"Focus the force into the finger... then explode it out in one shot!" Ares murmured.
He raised his arm, index finger pointed forward, muscles tightening.
Swish!
The force burst out arm straightened in a flash, finger stabbing forward with razor-sharp precision.
Even this simple exercise made the air crackle with explosive sound.
The cutting wind howled.
Ares smirked.
"Not bad. Still just the beginning, though."
He wasn't just remembering Zephyr's form his mind also replayed scenes from the Enies Lobby arc, where CP9 used their Rokushiki techniques.
He recalled Gabra, the wolf Zoan user, and Rob Lucci, the leopard Zoan both absolute masters of Shigan.
"Lucci could shoot Shigan from range and even make it ignite," Ares thought.
"My physique's way better than any CP9 agent. I'll take this technique to a whole new level."
That was Ares' specialty raw, terrifying physical strength.
Combined with his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, his Shigan would evolve into something monstrous.
Swish!
Swish!
Over and over, Ares thrust his fingers into the air, each jab like a gunshot, the sound tearing through the wind.
His speed was insane so fast, the air itself screamed.
He trained right and left hand, dual-wielding like twin dragons dancing in the sky.
His technique? Sharper than any fancy finger tricks.
Kaido stood nearby, eyes wide with admiration. At seventeen, he was still far from becoming the future "Strongest Creature Alive" who'd swing a thunder club like a god.
Right now, he was more like Ares' number one fan.
Ares' brute strength and freakish talent had completely won him over.
And it wasn't just strength Ares had a magnetic aura about him. It drew in Kaido like iron to a magnet.
"Boss Ares, can you teach me the Rokushiki too?" Kaido asked eagerly, eyes full of hope.
Ares smiled warmly.
"Wanna learn? Sure, I'll teach you."
"Awesome!" Kaido shouted, pumping his fist.
"Boss Ares is the best!!"
And so... came Day 3.
Zephyr was stunned all over again.
How the hell did this kid learn Shigan in just one day?!
Those razor-sharp dragon claws, combined with Ares' physical power and Armament Haki, made his Shigan terrifyingly lethal.
The piercing force was absolutely brutal!
Then came Day 4.
Zephyr was floored again Ares had learned Tekkai (Iron Body)?!
One Rokushiki per day?!
Was this guy even human?!
In just a few days, Ares had mastered Moonwalk, Shigan, and now Tekkai.
And on top of that, he already wielded slashing attacks of his own design.
Ares had learned half of the Rokushiki techniques already!
What's worse, he was applying them refining them in real combat each day.
The more he fought, the more fluent his techniques became.
Just who the hell was this monster named Bloodhand Ares?!
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