Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Ashura Talent

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The so-called Happo Navy is an official pirate force from the Flower Country.

Starting as the One Treasure Marines and evolving into the Happo Navy, they have grown into a formidable power with a substantial number of members.

In the West Blue, they are a force to be reckoned with, and even on a global scale, they have earned their place.

This shows that many hidden, unpublicized powerful forces in the Four Seas should not be underestimated.

Controlling the vast region of the West Blue offers obvious benefits to Arashi.

Even though the forces under his command currently focus on Marine strength, they are already quite impressive.

The Grand Line has seen many world-renowned swordsmen, pirates, and Marines who originated from the Four Seas.

For instance, the Pirate King Roger hailed from the East Blue, and the future Emperor Red-Haired Shanks comes from the West Blue.

"By uniting abundant resources, I can forge the West Blue into an unshakable stronghold," Arashi said softly, tapping his finger on the desk.

"That way, I can focus on cultivating talent and strengthening the forces under my command."

As the number of capable subordinates increases, so does the demand for resources—something even the Marines excel at due to their global grassroots networks.

Looking out the window at the training grounds, Arashi saw Smoker, Buggy, and a newly recruited Lunarian youth named Adhura sparring together.

It was a spectacular display of skill. Under Arashi's guidance, Smoker and Buggy had undergone formal training for two years and had shown rapid improvement.

Despite their youth, they had already become formidable fighters. Ashura, on the other hand, came from the underground fighting pits.

His techniques might be unpolished, but his battle experience was vast.

"Catch!" Smoker threw a longsword toward Ashura, who caught it with a puzzled look.

"?"

"Do you want to fight me barehanded?" Smoker asked with a grin.

"No, this feels more natural," Ashura replied, shaking his head. Smoker's smile turned serious, and in the next moment, he charged forward. In an instant, the two clashed.

Both wielding longswords, their blades collided in rapid succession, creating a chorus of metallic clangs.

"For someone our age who hasn't undergone formal training, he's unbelievably strong!"

Buggy exclaimed from the sidelines, his sharp eyes noticing the flames that flickered on and off around Ashura.

"What's that? Is he a Devil Fruit user?" Buggy asked, growing more astonished as he observed the fight.

The prematurely matured Ashura quickly transitioned from clumsy to adept in swordplay within just a dozen breaths.

Arashi, watching from a distance, was also surprised. "He has an impressive natural talent for swordsmanship," he thought.

His keen insight immediately recognized Ashura's potential.

Compared to his underground fighting techniques, Ashura's swordsmanship, though newly acquired, was already immensely powerful.

"Not bad!" Arashi nodded with approval. "The West Blue truly holds hidden gems."

After about fifteen minutes, Smoker stood on the ground, panting heavily, while Ashura lay sprawled out in defeat.

"I lost!" Ashura admitted.

"To be this strong without formal training… You're a real monster!" Smoker said, extending a hand to him.

"Monster?" Ashura murmured, staring at the outstretched hand in surprise.

In the underground pits and his previous life, no hand like this had ever been offered to him—a hand extended in friendship.

Clap! Ashura grabbed Smoker's hand firmly. With a single pull, Smoker helped him, a towering three-meter figure, to his feet.

"If you were personally trained by a master swordsman, your future potential would be unimaginable!" Smoker said.

"A master swordsman…" Ashura whispered, looking up suddenly. "Vice Admiral Arashi, would you teach me?"

Smoker and Buggy froze in surprise, then laughed. "Vice Admiral Arashi always carries a sword, but whether he's a master swordsman is another story," they teased.

"You can try and find out," Ashura resolved silently, nodding firmly. He wanted to help the man who had saved his life reach the pinnacle and fulfill his dream.

For Ashura, it wasn't just about repaying a debt; it was about freeing himself from the inescapable abyss of darkness he had once been trapped in.

But for that, he needed immense power. He was still too weak, even unable to wield the flames of his Lunarian heritage.

After spending some time with Smoker and Buggy, Ashura turned and headed toward the tallest building in the base.

"You want to learn swordsmanship?" Arashi asked with a faint smile as he looked at the young Lunarian before him.

"Yes!" Ashura replied earnestly.

"Very well," Arashi agreed after a moment's thought. "I'll teach you swordsmanship and help you become one of the world's greatest swordsmen."

"However, my time is limited, so I can only provide a foundation. The rest will require your dedication."

Ashura's face lit up with excitement, and he nodded vigorously.

Over the next two hours, Arashi personally instructed him in the basics of swordsmanship.

As he observed Ashura's training, Arashi couldn't help but marvel at the youth's extraordinary talent.

"A natural-born swordsman?" Arashi couldn't help but feel amazed. "If combined with his racial abilities…"

After Ashura left, Vegapunk hurriedly approached, his face alight with excitement. "Arashi, I heard you've taken in a Lunarian youth?"

Arashi nodded. "That's correct."

"That's one of the legendary gods! I must study his lineage factors!" Vegapunk exclaimed, rubbing his hands eagerly. "And don't forget, you owe me a favor!"

Vegapunk had previously studied a Lunarian youth during his time with the World Government, but that subject had escaped, ending the research prematurely.

He hadn't expected to encounter another Lunarian here.

"You may proceed, but your research must not harm Ashura's life," Arashi stated sternly. "Also, you'll need his consent before beginning any experiments."

Arashi's tone carried a warning, but he gave permission.

However, he couldn't help but ask, "Isn't your lab still under construction? How do you plan to conduct your research?"

At this, Vegapunk shot him a glare. "I've already set up a makeshift office within the base."

"I can perform basic experiments there. Otherwise, where do you think the schematics for the electric-powered airship came from?"

"With the help of Dr. Clover and Olvia's scholars, setting up was simple!" he added.

Arashi nodded in realization and couldn't help but admire him. "True strength lies in never complaining about one's circumstances."

Vegapunk caught the compliment, puffing out his chest and letting out a smug laugh. "I need a blood sample!"

Without hesitation, Arashi allowed him to draw a full vial of blood, having already agreed to assist him.

"I'm determined to unlock the secrets of your bloodline!" Vegapunk exclaimed, his excitement palpable as he turned to leave. "This could be the key to immortality!"

Arashi shook his head slightly. He doubted Vegapunk would uncover anything groundbreaking.

If Vegapunk could truly break the laws of nature, it would signify an unimaginable leap in scientific ability—but such a thing seemed impossible.

Later, Arashi contacted Capone Bege.

"You want to establish a shipyard?" Bege asked, his voice filled with surprise.

"Is it possible?" Arashi asked.

"There are several islands in the West Blue with kingdoms that have shipyards," Bege replied.

"But their shipwrights aren't particularly skilled; they can only build according to existing blueprints."

"That's sufficient," Arashi said with a nod.

He already had blueprints for both airships capable of traveling between the Sky Islands and the sea, as well as the Seastone-plated battleships previously replicated from Crocodile's designs.

If the shipyard could keep up, it would allow for a steady production of these vessels.

"It's time to visit the Flower Country," Arashi said softly, narrowing his eyes as he stood. This time, he would take action personally.

News of his plan quickly reached Eveya, who was ordered to prepare a battleship.

"You're heading to the Flower Country to recruit the Eight Treasures Marines?" Eveya asked. "I'll assemble a team immediately."

Arashi chuckled. "There's no need. I can handle this alone."

With those words, his body sparked with lightning, and an arc of electricity shot into the sky, arcing gracefully before landing on the golden-staffed battleship docked at the port. In the next instant, the ship shot out of the harbor.

At the training grounds, Smoker was stunned to hear the news. "Commander Arashi agreed to teach you swordsmanship?"

He exchanged glances with Buggy, and a shared look of excitement passed between them.

In their two years with the Marines, most of their training had been conducted by Barrett. They had never dared to approach Arashi with such a request.

But if they could also receive guidance from this legendary powerhouse…

"Let's give it a shot!"

Filled with anticipation, the two made their way to Arashi's office, only to be greeted by Eveya, who informed them that the commander had already left the base. Their disappointment was evident.

Two hours after Arashi departed from G-18 Fortress, he arrived at the Flower Country.

"A battleship?! The Marines are here?!"

The pirates guarding the port grew tense, hastily scanning the waters with binoculars.

"How many ships are there?!"

"Just one," one of them replied after a quick survey.

"And how many people onboard?"

"Only one."

The pirate adjusted his binoculars to focus on the lone figure aboard the battleship. When he saw the person's face, his entire body froze, and fear rapidly took hold.

"That man is… Arashi?!"

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