The human body itself is a vast treasure trove!
Gourmet Cells act as a key to unlock these hidden potentials, or perhaps as a catalyst that accelerates the body's ability to tap into its deeply buried reserves.
However, physical training remains crucial.
Without the limits forged through relentless training, relying solely on Gourmet Cell evolution to grow stronger would be like building castles in the air.
Abel was experiencing this firsthand.
With each full-powered thrust, he could feel a clear, spring-like energy being squeezed from within him, which then flowed back into him as nourishment.
By the fiftieth strike, his right arm had begun to tremble noticeably, a clear sign that he was nearing his limit.
Yet after ten more strikes, Diamante, who had been preparing to teach him a lesson, still hadn't found an opening to intervene.
Moreover, he noticed that Abel's trembling right hand, which had been on the verge of collapse, had inexplicably regained its steadiness and power.
"What's going on here?" Diamante's face was a mixture of astonishment and suspicion. He had clearly seen the boy about to collapse just moments ago, yet in the blink of an eye...
'Could it be?!'
Just moments earlier, Abel had indeed felt himself nearing his limit, his arm aching and burning.
But the vibrant Gourmet Cells within him insisted he could continue!
And so, the limit was effortlessly shattered.
All accumulated discomfort vanished completely, replaced by an exhilarating sensation of surpassing his own limits!
Abel felt his strength returning, and he was enjoying it immensely.
His satisfaction grew even more when he noticed Diamante's constipated expression of frustration.
Maintaining perfect form, he deliberately increased his pace, eager to finish the training early and perhaps even catch breakfast.
After all, he'd been dragged out here by this bastard without even getting to eat.
Otherwise, he would have gorged himself to experience just how absurdly powerful the tenfold learning boost from the Fullness state truly was!
But as Abel effortlessly completed the training, Law was barely managing his thirtieth repetition, looking utterly exhausted.
Clang!
Distracted by Abel's sudden stop and his aching arms, Law dropped his iron sword with a clang.
Diamante frowned at the sight.
Though he hadn't expected either of them to finish the training on time, this was far worse than he'd anticipated.
What infuriated him most was that the brat he despised had actually succeeded.
This only made him even more furious!
His longsword lashed out like a striking serpent once more.
"Pick up your sword! Don't you want to take revenge on this world? Are you going to surrender your blade when facing your enemies? You worthless trash!"
This time, Law was struck to the ground, letting out a pained cry.
Diamante deliberately glanced at Abel beside him, as if expecting some reaction.
To his disappointment, the brat showed no emotion whatsoever, remaining completely calm.
Instead, Abel asked, "I've completed the hundred thrusts. What's the next training exercise?"
Diamante was stunned by the question. He instinctively blurted out, "Can you even lift your arm anymore?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Diamante regretted them.
As expected, Abel grinned immediately. "Was that just a warm-up? In my imagination, swordsmanship training isn't supposed to be child's play like this."
Diamante had been mocked again!
And this time, it was a subtle taunt he couldn't openly retaliate against.
This infuriated Diamante. His teeth ground together audibly, and the longsword in his hand began to writhe like a venomous snake, as if poised to strike and pierce Abel's throat at any moment.
But ultimately, the snake calmed down.
Diamante noticed Doflamingo watching them from behind a second-floor window, a glass of red wine in hand.
Taking a deep breath, he suddenly devised a particularly vicious plan.
"The next hour is your rest time. You can choose to eat, sleep, or do whatever you like."
"Of course, you could also stay here and share some of the pressure with your partner... like this little 'gentle' punishment."
"In exchange, I'll reduce Law's training quota from a hundred repetitions to fifty."
"Heh heh heh, what do you say? What's your choice?"
Diamante felt victory was assured this time, having precisely identified his opponent's weakness.
With such "generous" terms, he had no doubt Abel would agree.
After all, judging by the earlier exchange, Law would likely be beaten to death trying to complete a hundred thrusts.
To his surprise, before Abel could even respond, Law spoke first.
"I don't need it. I can do it myself."
Law rose to his feet, gripping the iron sword tightly. His body trembled slightly, but his arms remained steady as he thrust forward with brutal force.
"Thirty-one!"
This defiance reignited the suppressed anger in Diamante's heart, yet he also felt contempt.
But even more unexpected developments were yet to come.
Abel nodded and turned to leave. "I'm going to get some food first. Hurry up, or Buffalo will eat everything."
Law didn't reply verbally, but in that moment, he thrust out two more strikes, answering with action.
Diamante was momentarily stunned. When he realized Abel was actually leaving, he couldn't resist a mocking remark. "Don't worry, dead men don't need to eat."
Without looking back, Abel raised his middle finger high above his head and declared, "Don't underestimate someone who's crawled out of hell. This kind of child's play? Anyone could finish it..."
'Idiot!'
Abel mouthed the last word, ensuring Diamante had no excuse to retaliate.
Though Diamante didn't hear the final word, he clearly sensed the biting mockery in Abel's tone.
"Very well," Diamante replied. "Now the real game begins between us."
"Who will you disappoint in the end, Law?"
Law had completely shut out the outside world, his entire being focused on the movements of the rapier, repeating them endlessly.
Even as his arms began to swell and his consciousness blurred, he knew he couldn't stop. Once he stopped, he wouldn't be able to continue.
And compared to the agony of watching his parents, sister, and all his comrades die before his eyes, this pain... what was it?
"Ninety-nine... one hundred..."
He lost track of time. When he reached one hundred repetitions, Law's body swayed violently before collapsing.
Diamante's expression shifted from astonishment to disbelief, finally settling into silence.
"If it's those two brats... perhaps one day they really will stir up a storm on the high seas..."
"Dof, have you already glimpsed that distant future?"