One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

Crocodile was so engrossed in his training that he didn't realize it was dawn.

When he opened his eyes, he found that the sky outside the window was already turning a pale white.

He cultivated all night without feeling tired at all; on the contrary, he was full of energy.

Is this the correct method for systematic cultivation?

The knocking sounded again; this time it was Barrett.

"Crocodile, the captain sent me to call you."

Barrett pushed open the door, grinning as he spoke.

"I heard you received the captain's 'knowledge transfer'? Let me see how much you digested in one night."

Crocodile stood up, his eyes burning with fighting spirit: "Just what I wanted."

The two arrived at the training ground behind the hotel.

This area was originally a relaxation area for hotel guests, but it has now been temporarily converted into a training ground.

Hawkeye was already waiting there, leaning against the wall with Black Knife in his arms.

"Let's begin."

Barrett walked to the center of the field and beckoned to Crocodile.

"Use what you've learned to attack."

"Don't worry about hurting me, you're still a long way off."

Crocodile took a deep breath and, based on the knowledge in his mind, channeled his Haki into his legs.

shave!

His figure vanished instantly, and the next moment he appeared to Barrett's left.

It's not the power of the Sand-Sand Fruit; it's purely the speed of physical combat!

"Oh?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Barrett's eyes as he raised his hand to block Crocodile's fist, which was covered in Armament Haki.

The power and speed of this punch were much stronger than yesterday's.

But Crocodile's attack was not over yet.

He used the recoil to leap backward, kicking his legs out in mid-air.

Storm Kick - Chaos!

Several slashes flew towards Barrett, though their power was insufficient to pose a threat.

However, his skills were already quite proficient, and he had a good grasp of the angle and timing of his strikes.

Barrett shattered the slash with a punch and nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad, you can master the basics of shaving and storm kicks overnight."

It seems you have a very good physical foundation!

but---!"

Barrett changed the subject and suddenly disappeared.

The next instant, he appeared behind Crocodile and punched him in the back.

Crocodile tried to dodge, but his body couldn't keep up with his mind.

Just as his fist was about to strike, he instinctively used the technique of paper drawing.

Her body floated up like a willow catkin, narrowly avoiding the attack.

"Oh? You've even mastered paper drawing?"

Barrett was even more surprised.

"continue!"

For the next half hour, the two engaged in a fierce battle on the training field.

Crocodile put the techniques he had just learned into practice, and although they were still quite clumsy, they were already taking shape.

Barrett, on the other hand, kept offering advice and pointing out his shortcomings.

"The flow of power isn't smooth enough!"

"Observation Haki's predictive ability is too slow!"

"There's a problem with the connection between the six techniques!"

Every piece of advice he received gave Crocodile new insights.

He could feel himself improving at a visible pace.

"Okay, let's take a break."

Barrett stopped.

That concludes today's training.

Go back and properly process what you've learned today.

Remember, cultivation is not something that can be achieved overnight; it requires time and insight.

Crocodile was panting heavily, covered in sweat, but his eyes gleamed with excitement.

After just half an hour of practical training, he felt that his understanding of that knowledge had deepened.

"Thank you," he said sincerely.

Barrett waved his hand: "Thank Captain, he's the one who sent me."

By the way, Hawkeye will guide you on how to use Observation Haki this afternoon.

Although you don't use a sword, swordsmen have the deepest understanding of Observation Haki.

Crocodile nodded and went back to his room to shower and rest.

In the afternoon, Hawkeye's instructions became even more detailed.

He not only explained the key points of Observation Haki training, but also personally demonstrated how to combine Observation Haki with combat.

"Observation Haki is not for running away, it's for controlling the battlefield."

Hawkeye said,

"You can control as much as you can perceive."

When your Observation Haki is strong enough, you can control every movement, every breath, and even every heartbeat of your enemy.

He told Crocodile to close his eyes and use Observation Haki to sense his attacks.

At first, Crocodile couldn't keep up at all, but gradually, he was able to vaguely sense the signs that Hawkeye was about to make his move.

"You've improved," Hawkeye said, unusually offering a compliment. "Keep it up."

Over the next few days, Crocodile entered a state of frenzied training.

He sparred with Barrett and Hawkeye during the day, and honed his skills and dominance at night.

Roy would occasionally give him personal guidance, pointing out his shortcomings in the use of Haki.

Crocodile's rapid progress surprised everyone.

In just five days, his Armament Haki had progressed from simple coverage to a basic flow.

His perception range of Observation Haki has doubled, and he has become increasingly proficient in using the Six Styles techniques.

More importantly, his fighting style has changed.

Instead of relying excessively on the Sand-Sand Fruit's power, it organically combines physical skills, Haki, and Devil Fruit abilities.

This has led to the formation of a more comprehensive and flexible tactical system.

On the morning of the sixth day, Crocodile stood on the training field.

They have been able to hold out for ten minutes against Barrett's offensive without losing.

Although he was ultimately knocked down, Barrett admitted that...

"Crocodile, your current strength is already top-tier in the first half of the Grand Line."

However, his physique was still too weak, and he continued to be suppressed by Roy's gravity.

Focus all your energy on physical training!

"Perhaps after you've mastered Life Return, Roy has even more advanced techniques waiting for you!"

Crocodile got up from the ground, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.

This feeling of rapidly becoming stronger is addictive.

He also increasingly realized that the resources and guidance that the Roy Pirates could provide were something he could never obtain on his own.

Those things about advancing in Haki, awakening Devil Fruits, and that cross-legged cultivation method that even he couldn't understand...

Everything showed him a wider world.

Perhaps staying here is really the best choice?

Just then, Stella's voice came through the loudspeaker throughout the entire hotel.

"Attention everyone, meet at Ark Maxim in one hour. It's time to depart."

The trip to the South China Sea is about to begin.

Crocodile returned to his room and packed his simple belongings.

He looked at himself in the mirror, his eyes sharper and deeper than they had been a few days ago.

The original plan to remain in Alabasta for several years now seems utterly ridiculous.

The true path to strength is not about hiding somewhere and secretly accumulating power.

Instead, they constantly push their limits in battle, climbing to the peak together with like-minded partners.

"The Roy Pirates..."

He muttered to himself.

"Let me see just how far you can go."

An hour later, Ark Proverb rose into the air from outside the rain and sped toward the South China Sea.

Crocodile stood on the ship's railing, watching Alabasta gradually disappear into the distance.

There is no lingering attachment in my heart, only anticipation for the future.