When Perona saw the beautiful woman with red-rimmed eyes following Victor into the hall, she sprayed all the juice from her mouth.
What, what's going on?! Where did this tall, shapely woman come from?
Perona felt particularly exhausted.
Previously, those petty admirers were too low-tier, and she didn't pay them any mind. But ever since Mai Hime joined the crew, her sense of crisis greatly increased. That woman from Wano Country with the peach blossom eyes was particularly good at acting, always feigning a shy, blushing expression in front of her onii-chan. She gritted her teeth and emptied her allowance to buy lots of clothes and delicious food, finally managing to get on good terms with Mai Hime. How could such an explosively curvy woman appear right after they returned to Algaro Town?
Leaving the frantic Perona aside, Clansner and Capone Bege, who were playing poker at the round table in the hall, were also stunned by Robin's beauty. They exchanged glances, and after a long while, could only shake their heads and simultaneously sigh:
"Another one... As expected of Boss."
Victor put his left hand, clenched into a fist, to his mouth and lightly coughed twice, then said: "This is Nico Robin. From now on, she will be 'Coral's' new intelligence officer."
After introducing Robin to everyone present, Victor began to arrange the gang's important affairs and assign tasks to each person.
Thus, with the efforts of Victor and
numerous cadres, 'Coral' began to develop rapidly, utilizing the immense wealth acquired from Kano Country. It also changed its previously notorious style from Pippin's era, defeating several pirate groups that invaded neighboring islands and towns.
People's acceptance of 'Coral' grew higher and higher, and some even secretly began to call Victor "the protector of the weak common folk."
Half a month later.
Below the 'Coral' headquarters was a spacious, enclosed training ground. At this moment, Victor, shirtless, was training alone there.
He felt that his Observation Haki had even greater room for growth. In the early stages of the 'Whole Cake Island Arc' in the manga, Luffy's Observation Haki was only at a normal level, but after a fierce battle with Charlotte Katakuri, the 'Strongest Sweet Commander,' his Observation Haki actually reached the top tier of 'future sight.'
Victor never believed in the fatalism of bloodlines. What Luffy could do, there was no reason he couldn't! But he needed a powerful opponent, an enemy who could bring him an unparalleled sense of pressure.
Only when the pressure reached its peak would unparalleled strength be forged under the immense strain!
And what he needed to do most now was to train his Armament Haki and develop his Devil Fruit. The notebook that Sai had given him, which contained the training method for Armament Haki, had long since been burned by Victor; its contents were ingrained in his mind. What was needed was arduous training.
Victor, as usual, immersed himself in the flow of his body's power. Gradually, peculiar energy began to emerge from within his body.
It was particularly noticeable in his hands. The skin of his hands, from the inside out, first turned orange-red like heated metal, then gradually darkened as if cooling, and its surface gleamed with a metallic sheen.
What astonishing talent! In less than a month, Victor had initially grasped the principles of Armament Haki. It was no wonder that Victor's combat talent was considered rare in the world, even prompting 'Black Arm' Zephyr, the chief instructor who had trained several Admiral candidates, to instantly develop an appreciation for his talent upon hearing Captain Krone's description.
But they still greatly underestimated Victor's talent. The black metallic luster on Victor's hands slowly spread throughout his body, his bare torso becoming like finely cast black iron.
Then, the black slowly turned back to flesh color. Victor closed his eyes, sensing the state of full-body Armament Haki he had just been in. Then he extended his finger, and the tip of his finger turned into a metallic zipper, as if painted with black dye.
Armament Haki: Extended Wrapping.
Victor felt that the progress of his Armament Haki training was smooth sailing at this moment, no longer having that extremely awkward feeling from the beginning. Indeed, everything is difficult at the beginning, Victor nodded with satisfaction.
He had already taught Perona and Mai Hime the Armament Haki training method, which he had personally experienced and improved. To what extent they could train it would depend on their own comprehension.
In fact, for them, Observation Haki was more important. Unfortunately, his own Observation Haki was innate, and he truly didn't know how to initiate others into it.
Doo-doo... doo-doo... doo-doo...
The Dan-Dan-Mushi on the ground suddenly awoke, then began to call doo-doo-doo.
Victor grabbed a towel from the side, wiped off his sweat, and then answered the Dan-Dan-Mushi: "Mr. Bege?"
The Dan-Dan-Mushi's appearance transformed into the obese face with sinister eyes and a full beard: "...Boss, they're here. The location is Clock Tower Village."
"Very good. Call Mai Hime and Perona. I'll be right over."
Victor put down the Dan-Dan-Mushi and remained silent for a moment, then slowly put on his shirt and left the training ground.
At Humming Wharf in Algaro Town, Victor stood in front of the small caravel 'Cheese Pizza' and talked with Capone Bege.
"Boss, it's confirmed. It's the vanguard of 'King of the Zombies.' They should have already landed at Clock Tower Village."
"What about the villagers of Clock Tower Village?"
"As per your instructions, Little Jack and Taru helped them all evacuate to Katsuri Town in advance."
"I'll be operating in secret this time, so I'll only take Perona and Mai Hime. Algaro Town is in your hands."
"Please rest assured, Boss. If anyone dares to intrude, I'll take them out directly!"
Victor smiled and nodded, patting Capone Bege on the shoulder: "As expected of Mr. Bege, truly reassuring. Then I'll be off."
With that, Victor turned and walked onto the gangplank, with Capone Bege bowing deeply behind him, a single hand on his chest.
"I wish you martial prosperity, Boss."
Watching the gradually departing sailboat, Capone Bege took a cigar case from his coat pocket. This cigar case was the one Victor had given him during his prison visit, and inside, there was still one top-grade cigar from Waif Island.
Capone Bege held the cigar to his nose, inhaling deeply with intoxication, then lit a match and slowly roasted the cigar's body.
At this moment, a voice only he could hear came from the right side of his forehead:
"Boss, the time has finally come!"
Capone Bege didn't respond, merely taking a long, satisfying puff of his cigar. After a long while, a large cloud of thick smoke billowed from his nostrils, completely shrouding Bege's face in smoke.
"...Victor, you are an excellent leader."
Capone Bege looked at the sailboat, which had shrunk to a small dot on the distant horizon, as if talking to himself:
"But you shouldn't have spared my life and then foolishly tried to bring me under your control... I hope 'King of the Zombies'
doesn't damage your corpse too badly. Your head will be the most perfect and boast-worthy trophy of my life!"
He let out a few cruel chuckles, then subsided into a melancholic silence, merely walking silently towards the 'Coral' headquarters in Algaro Town.
"It has begun, my men. 'Coral' is ours."
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