One Piece: Ascending the Divine Path

The massive naval warship had just come to rest in Crescent Bay when a squad of marines who had been waiting on shore eagerly boarded the ship.

"Thank you for your hard work, Professor Zephyr."

The leader was a naval commodore who addressed Zephyr as "teacher." "Leave these two sinners to us now."

"Okay, be careful."

Zephyr waved his hand, signaling the marines who boarded the ship to take Weevil and his mother away, adding a word of caution: "That big guy is exceptionally strong; don't give him a chance to break free of his shackles."

"yes!"

As the brigadier general solemnly saluted Zefa, Weevil and his mother were escorted off the ship.

Weebull remained oblivious, while Baginom looked slightly alarmed.

Impel Down is more than just a prison.

Needles, ferocious beasts, hunger, high temperatures, and extreme cold—ordinary pirates cannot survive for long in these environments.

Knight stood on the ship's railing, watching them being escorted onto another ship next door—a prison ship.

Next, the prison ship will carry the two through the massive Gate of Justice, riding the powerful ocean currents directly to Impel Down.

I hope everything goes well.

Well, to be honest, it doesn't matter if things don't go smoothly.

The mother and child died, so it's not a loss; it was basically free money.

"Alright, children,"

Zefa clapped his hands, turned around and looked at the recruits gathered on the deck, "Let's go back to the recruit camp."

"Hey, Professor Zephyr,"

From the crowd, a conspicuous bag immediately spoke up with a lament, "We've already graduated, do we still have to train?"

Zephyr said sternly, "Don't talk nonsense! Justice doesn't take holidays!"

The recruits' faces visibly darkened.

  

Then, Zefa suddenly smiled again, "However, the official rank conferment and unit assignment will be the day after tomorrow. You will have one day to handle miscellaneous tasks. Assemble before lights out tonight."

There was a moment of silence on the deck.

"Long live!"

"Long live Professor Zephyr!"

The new recruits cheered with joy.

Binz, already with his arm around a recruit, squeezed next to Knight, looking beaming. "Knight, how about we go to the pub in town for a few drinks to celebrate?"

Marinfando is a town located behind the towering headquarters building. It's a prosperous place where military families and high-ranking officers gather.

"Not interested."

Knight yawned. "I'm going back to sleep."

Binz frowned suspiciously, looking Knight up and down. "You'd better go back to sleep."

Knight's lips curled into a smile.

The Naval Recruit Training Camp is a closed military camp located on one side of Marinfando, consisting of several buildings and several spacious training grounds.

Long before Zephyr became the chief instructor, this place was known as the Naval Academy.

After putting down their luggage, the new recruits left in small groups, and the training camp returned to quiet after a brief period of liveliness.

boom!

boom!

boom!

Only a dull thud came from some corner.

Knight stood before a massive iron ingot, as large as a small mountain. His previous languid sleepiness had completely vanished, replaced by intense concentration. His eyes and brows sharpened, and the true demeanor of a young man was now on full display.

He made no other unnecessary movements, but simply pounded his fists on the iron ingot in front of him.

He didn't use any domineering aura or the Six Styles; he simply focused intently on throwing a punch.

Knight did not enter the dream world; instead, he directly manipulated his body to train in order to escape the pain.

Because this is a practice of willpower.

Willpower is a real force in this world, and it is perfectly reasonable for emotions to erupt and one to unleash their full potential. Knight, who has mastered the Life Return technique, understands this very well.

No matter how strong one's body and abilities are, without conviction and a strong enough will, one will always be a weakling.

Knight had never met Garp and Aokiji, but that didn't stop him from imitating their punches.

Since there were no warships at the training camp, Knight asked Professor Zephyr to get this large iron block.

Then came the daily, unwavering practice of punching.

Every punch was delivered with complete focus, every punch embodied the belief.

The hard iron ingots had been hammered with deep fist marks.

This is a fist brimming with sincerity.

"Didn't you say you were going to sleep?"

A voice came from behind.

Ian crossed her arms and quietly watched Knight's retreating figure, her tone teasing.

Knight didn't even turn his head, acting as if he hadn't heard.

Ain didn't seem to mind; it wasn't the first time she'd seen Knight train. Her tone was somewhat cryptic. "I mean, Knight, it'll probably be hard to see you again, right?"

Even those who stayed at headquarters would be assigned to different officers, let alone Knight, who wanted to go to the New World.

"Um?"

Knight finally stopped throwing a punch. He turned around in surprise, and it was clear to the naked eye that his once straight back had relaxed, his eyebrows had softened, and his eyelids had drooped.

"Aien, you're not going to do anything like a graduation confession, are you? That's wishful thinking on your part."

"idiot."

Ian was already used to Knight's narcissism, and just rolled her eyes slightly.

Then, the new recruit's beauty smiled, a hint of fervor in her eyes, "Haven't you sparred in a while? Knight, let me see just how much of a difference we have now!"

After Knight began to demonstrate his unparalleled strength, Coach Zephyr never arranged for him to spar with other recruits again.

The skill gap is too large; there's no point in sparring at all.

Zephyr usually had other instructors from the training camp fight Knight, but as graduation approached, he even took to the field himself.

After all, the instructors' abilities are just so-so; the truly capable officers are usually on the front lines.

Knight's droopy eyelids lifted slightly.

Is this woman really portrayed as a belligerent person?

A look of disdain involuntarily appeared on the boy's handsome face. "Aien, you want to be my nemesis just because we can't be lovers? I thought you were quite self-aware."

"Your mouth is as annoying as ever."

Ain's lips twitched slightly. "Didn't Professor Zephyr say that you should set your goal and then just work hard at it?"

She paused, looking into Knight's lifeless eyes. "I at least need to confirm where my goal actually lies, right?"

"Oh, so you've made me your target?"

Knight chuckled and tilted his head. "How arrogant, Ain."

"Who's the arrogant one?"

Ain rolled her eyes repeatedly, then asked seriously, "And the answer?"

Knight thought for a moment, "You have one minute to demonstrate."

"Stop looking down on me!"

Ain activated instantly, and two balls of pinkish-red flame-like matter emerged from her hands. With a flick of her wrists, the two balls of energy hurled towards Knight, one after the other.

Paramecia type, Back-Back Fruit!

Although Ian can't go back twelve years like her future self, if she gets hit twice, Knight will turn into a child.

Knight raised his right hand and flicked his fingers twice.

Chi Chi!

Two soft, piercing sounds pierced the air.

The two fireballs exploded instantly.

"A finger gun?"

Unsurprised, Ain suddenly exerted force with her long legs.

"shave!"

The girl's slender body vanished instantly, reappearing before Knight in a flash. "Back off!"

The hand covered in red flames slammed towards Knight's chest.

Knight didn't even lift his eyelids. His body instantly became as soft as putty, his chest twisting to one side, allowing Ain's hand to brush past him perfectly.

Paper drawing.

Ain drew two short swords from her waist, their blades wreathed in peach-pink flames, instantly creating two red trails that lashed out like venomous snakes.

Her swordsmanship is quite good.

But it's too slow.

Knight didn't even use the paper drawing anymore. He casually swayed left and right, taking a step back, and easily avoided all of Ain's slashes.

"That's it."

Knight yawned.

Ain gritted her teeth.

Can't you even manage to run into him?

The two blades in their hands clashed and collided, and the peach-pink flames exploded like an explosive blaze, almost engulfing Knight in the next instant.

Oh, a new move I've never seen before.

Knight raised an eyebrow slightly.

"shave."

A sharp arc was instantly drawn through the air, the straight trajectory refracting in a split second. Before the flames could spread, Knight was already standing behind Ain.

The girl's eyes suddenly widened.

So fast!

Moreover, a normal shave cannot be reversed midway. Just how far has Knight developed his Six Powers?

Ain sighed regretfully, "I lost."

The gap is even greater than I imagined. If Knight were willing, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to withstand a single move.

Truly worthy of being called—

Still immersed in her disappointment, Ain suddenly felt a pain in her buttocks.

Eh?

She was sent flying, collapsing to the ground in a daze, face down, and then slid a long way away, leaving a clean trail on the ground.

"You don't think I'll stop beating you up just because you admit defeat, do you?"

Without hesitation, Knight kicked the pretty girl in the butt, sending her sprawling face-first into the dirt. He murmured, "I've learned another lesson today: don't do things you're not up to."

"it hurts!!"

Ain couldn't even stand up immediately; she covered her face with one hand and wrapped her arms around her chest with the other, writhing on the ground.

"Knight!"

The usually composed Ain was now seething with anger.

Although she was a navy officer, she was also a girl who loved beauty.

However, when Ain turned around angrily, she was stunned.

Knight stood in front of the large iron ingot once again, and solemnly raised his fist.

"..."

Ain suddenly fell silent.

That's Knight for you.

He's more arrogant than anyone else in words, but he works harder than anyone else in deeds.

He really deserves to be this strong.

That's why I've always considered him my goal.

and--

Ain stared at Knight's profile, lost in thought.

Knight is actually quite handsome when he gets serious; it would be better if he didn't have a mouth.

The girl's face suddenly froze.

What are you thinking, Ain!

Knight is already so much better than you, yet you're still working so hard. If you continue to slack off, the gap will only widen!

Ain rolled over and sat up, patting her slightly flushed face.

You train, I train too!