Takero gently pushed Monet off him, his eyes scanning the living room. When he didn't see the small figure he was looking for, he asked, "Where's Sugar? Where is she?"
"Don't worry, Master!" Monet replied, puffing out her chest proudly. "I sent her to hide in the basement as soon as the fighting started!"
"Hmm, good thinking," Takero nodded, giving her another look of approval.
Just then, Tesoro cleared his throat and stepped forward. His expression had become quite serious.
"Boss, there's something I need to discuss with you."
"Go ahead."
"It's about what happened," Tesoro began, his gaze sweeping over the captured agents as they were being escorted out. A solemn look flashed in his eyes. "After this attack, I've realized that Ambri Island's defenses are still far too weak." He continued with a sincere analysis, "The new guard squad is loyal, but their strength is nothing against real powerhouses. They couldn't even buy us any time. And while Monet and I have the power you gave us, we can't fight everyone at once. If it wasn't just a few CP9 members who attacked today, but a trained Marine unit, or even more of them... I'm afraid the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Takero stroked his chin, remaining silent as he motioned for Tesoro to continue.
Tesoro took a deep breath before finally sharing the suggestion he had been thinking about for a while.
"So, Boss... I was wondering about the Kame Senryu training method you taught me. Could it... could it also be taught to the most loyal and promising members of our guard squad?"
After he finished speaking, he looked at Takero nervously. He knew that in this world, powerful training methods were always a closely guarded secret for any group and were never shared easily. His suggestion could even be seen as disrespectful.
Takero listened without showing much of a reaction, simply falling into a brief moment of thought. The Kame Senryu... to be honest, the cultivation system created by the Turtle Hermit wasn't of much use to him anymore. He now relied more on the system in his head and his natural Saiyan ability to grow stronger after every battle.
But he understood just how incredible this seemingly ordinary training method was for regular people. It was a key that could unlock a new destiny, a path into the world of the strong. It was a complete guide that could teach someone how to train their body and how to sense and use the energy called 'Ki', starting from the very basics.
"Hmm..." Takero considered it for a moment, looking at Tesoro's hopeful expression. He finally gave a simple nod.
"Alright."
Tesoro's face immediately lit up with pure joy when he heard the answer.
"However," Takero's tone changed, "the Kame Senryu can be taught, but not to just anyone. There needs to be a proper system."
Even though he didn't care much for the training method himself, he didn't want it to become common knowledge. Something valuable should have standards and requirements that reflect its worth.
Tesoro understood immediately. "I get it, Boss! I'll go set up a detailed system right now!" he said excitedly. "Only those who are completely loyal to us, have proven their worth, and have passed the strictest tests will be qualified to learn the Kame Senryu!"
He could already imagine the incredible loyalty and motivation that would spread across Ambri Island once this news got out.
"Good. You can handle the details," Takero said with a wave of his hand, not concerning himself with the aftermath. After a night of chaos, peace returned to Ambri Island. Beneath the calm, a new and energetic order was quietly taking shape.
Filled with enthusiasm, Tesoro dedicated himself to creating the "Kame Senryu Inheritance Plan." As for Takero, after confirming that the former Admiral would not arrive until the next day, he went to the back mountain, set up the gravity chamber, and trained for the entire night.
When the sun rose the next morning, he walked out of the training room feeling refreshed and powerful. The upcoming battle with Zephyr would be a perfect chance to test the results of his recent training, and he wanted to face it at his absolute peak.
After enjoying a delicious breakfast prepared by Monet, Takero walked alone to the spacious terrace on the top floor of the villa. The sea breeze blew gently, carrying a salty smell and causing his iconic black spiky hair to sway. He looked down at the island below, a territory that was now his and was becoming more prosperous every day. Yet, his eyes didn't hold the joy of a ruler. Instead, they revealed a hidden sense of confusion and frustration.
This frustration had been building inside him for some time. Over the past month, he had gathered information and traveled across the sea at incredible speeds on his trips to and from the Germa Kingdom. He had seen many islands and met many different people. However, the more he saw, the more his doubts grew.
This world... it was completely different from the Dragon Ball world he remembered. There was a huge gap.
It was too backward.
Yes, that was the word for it: backward. In his memory, the Earth in Dragon Ball had vast forests and wildlands, but it also had super-cities like West City, filled with amazing technology like anti-gravity vehicles and Hoi-Poi Capsules.
But what had he seen during his time here? Ships powered by sails, flintlock guns that used gunpowder, and towns that looked like they were from medieval Europe. Even Baltigo, the "Future Country" that Tesoro and Robin had described so mysteriously, only seemed to have technology based on bio-mechanical modifications, according to the intelligence reports. Furthermore, Germa 66, which was known as the "Kingdom of Science," was, in his opinion, just a group that had focused all its technology on clones and Raid Suits.
There was nowhere that matched his image of a modern, high-tech city.
The same suspicion he had felt on Shanks's ship returned to him.
'Could it be... this isn't the Dragon Ball world?'
But that didn't make any sense. His Saiyan bloodline was real, and the system in his mind constantly reminded him that he was a Saiyan. Besides, he had confirmed with Shanks that this world held an ultimate treasure called the "One Piece," which could supposedly grant any wish. Wasn't that just another name for the Dragon Balls?
This world had 'Ki', the legend of the "Dragon Balls," and his own Saiyan identity... So why couldn't he find any of the familiar characters or places that should exist? Where was Son Goku? Where was the Turtle Hermit? Where were Bulma and her Capsule Corporation?
A strong feeling of disconnect washed over Takero. He felt like he was trapped in a strange mystery full of contradictions that he couldn't solve.
"Mr. Takero."
A calm voice called out from behind him.
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