Bab 58: A Thirsty Beast Attains Its Desire
At the training facility in Enies Lobby, I address the three CP9 members who are lying on the ground, panting heavily.
"Make sure you stay hydrated... Now, let's start with Jabra."
"Yeah, sure."
"Iron Mass Boxing is your strong suit, and it's good to develop that, but fundamentally, your tactics are difficult to use if your opponent can penetrate your iron mass. Focus on honing your Color of Observation to alternate between defense and evasion based on your opponent's attacks. However, don't become overconfident. There are techniques like Color of Deception, which deceive the Color of Observation, as you just experienced."
"Understood."
Jabra has been progressing quite fast in mastering Haki, and he can use both Armament and Observation Haki. However, there's a tendency for him to rely on the sense of Observation Haki once he learned it, so I let him experience Color of Deception to correct that.
If he can enhance his attack prediction ability and decision-making, and switch effectively between Iron Mass and Paper Drawing techniques, his growth can be further expected.
"Next, Kaku. Overall, your skills have improved, but you lack decisiveness. You're missing strong cards that can secure a victory."
"Ugh, that's true. When facing opponents at or above the same level, I don't have cards that can quickly decide the match."
"Well, I could teach you a few techniques... or better yet, how about eating a Devil Fruit? If you apply for it, I think you could get a few options."
Kaku is not a Devil Fruit user at the moment. In the original work, he ate the Ushi Ushi no Mi, Model: Giraffe, but that was something Spandam in the original work provided. Since I haven't prepared it, it's natural that he hasn't become a Devil Fruit user. By the way, the same goes for Kalifa; she's not a Devil Fruit user either.
Well, to begin with, we haven't reached the time of the original work yet...
Anyway, I'm not sure if the same Devil Fruits will come, but it's not that difficult to prepare Devil Fruits. I have the authority to arrange that much.
"A Devil Fruit... come to think of it, I have a question. Chief, do you eat Devil Fruits?"
"Why create an unnecessary vulnerability?"
"Hahaha, Devil Fruits as a vulnerability... Indeed, at Chief level, having a weakness like the sea might be nothing but a disadvantage..."
"Well, even if you eat one, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll gain a combat-oriented ability, but it's worth considering."
Since there's no need to rush, I let Kaku think about it. Currently, Kaku and Jabra are engaging in a heated debate, similar to the original work, but given that atmosphere, Kaku seems likely to express a desire to eat one.
As for Fukurou, he would eat one if I ordered him to, but he won't if it's not my instruction, so I'll exclude him.
I might ask Kalifa the same thing as Kaku... maybe I should ask Fukurou and Kumadori too. The power I have now is at a level incomparable to the original Spandam, so even if there are four Devil Fruits, I can arrange them. Having everyone except Pochi and me as Devil Fruit users might be interesting.
"Now, getting back on track, Fizz... you've shown great progress. Both Armament and Observation Haki basics are fine. Going forward, you'll learn advanced techniques, including internal destruction using Armament Haki. Focus on further improving your mastery of Haki. Strong Haki can also be an effective countermeasure against many Devil Fruits."
"Got it. There are quite a variety of advanced techniques for Haki. Haki is truly profound... but it's great that it can be effective against Logia-type users too. It's a challenging endeavor."
Fizz's growth is remarkable. He has firmly mastered both Armament and Observation Haki, and his combat skills are also satisfactory. There are some areas where his mastery is a bit weak, but regarding Fizz, he has already reached a level where he can compete well in the New World.
His Devil Fruit enhances his physical abilities as an animal Zoan user, and he's well-balanced overall.
"The three of you have shown remarkable growth. I'll arrange for training partners who can use Haki soon. After gaining experience, I'll also assign you missions in the New World. Keep that in mind."
"Got it!"
"Understood!"
"Roger!"
This training was also a confirmation of whether Jabra, Kaku, and Fizz have acquired the strength to handle missions in the New World. The results are quite promising.
At this rate, by the time the events of the original story begin, they should have enough experience from New World missions to grow into agents of a level worthy of being called "Super Agents."
Thinking that way, I head to another special training ground where I've kept someone else waiting.
***
When I arrived at the special training ground, there I found Rob Lucci, calmly sitting with his eyes closed, engaged in meditation. He seemed to be practicing one of the Qigong techniques I had taught him.
"You kept me waiting."
"Oh, and the others?"
"They're at a satisfactory level. At that point, they probably won't easily meet their demise in the New World."
"That's good to hear."
Rob Lucci's progress has been exceptional. Not only does he possess the rare talent that earned him the title of a prodigious genius, but more importantly, his thirst for power has grown significantly.
Originally, Rob Lucci had a streak of strong madness, which still hasn't faded. Merely learning to wait quietly has added to his already strong tendencies of homicidal impulse, a kind of madness.
"...As I mentioned earlier, there's a possibility you might lose your life, depending on the situation. What will you do?"
"I'll do it. Following your advice, I've been considering things while learning Qigong techniques. It's true that I thought I could be satisfied with my desire to kill as it is now. No... let's stop making excuses. I regret it. I didn't realize there would be such a significant distance between where you and Chelsea are, and where I am. It's something you can't truly understand until you've experienced it."
It seems that Rob Lucci's defeat by Maha and Guernica had brought about more positive changes than I had anticipated. Rob Lucci had always known me and Pochi, who were acquaintances from the past and stronger than him, and he had accepted that fact willingly.
However, after realizing that there were even more opponents stronger than he had imagined, he felt a strong humiliation and, simultaneously, developed a craving for power.
"Moreover... more than anything else, I can't allow myself to be left behind by someone I truly want to follow from the bottom of my heart. If that happens, I might not be able to forgive myself."
"I see."
That's a good way of thinking. With a powerful madness residing within him and an equally strong thirst for power, Rob Lucci's ambition is a combination of his inherent madness and the feeling of not wanting to be left behind by those he sees as his peers, me and Pochi.
Actually, Rob Lucci was already well-suited for madness. However, my choice not to give him the same type of physical enhancement as Pochi had—because the wedge of fate from the original work hadn't been removed—played a role in restraining him due to my self-imposed reasons.
Nevertheless, the main issue was Rob Lucci's lack of sufficient thirst for power. His genius-level talent could sometimes lead to complacency with his current abilities.
But that has been greatly improved. Considering Rob Lucci's current state, he would be able to withstand significant physical enhancement... Furthermore, with the current abilities I have from Totmusica, it's been demonstrated that Pochi and I can manage the strain of physical enhancement to some extent.
"...Let's get started."
"Understood."
While I did explain the potential danger of this, even if there is no absolute certainty in this world, the chances of success are about 99%. With that in mind, let's help Rob Lucci move to the next stage.
...Well, even though we can reduce the strain to some extent, it's still an unimaginable amount of pain. Moreover, among the CP9 members, there's no one else with the kind of madness that could endure this. I might discuss it with Lilith; there could be ways to lessen the strain even further. Although dealing with her reactions is certainly a hassle, it's worth contemplating...
***
Using magical energy, I observed Rob Lucci's progress while mitigating the strain to some extent. Despite the load being somewhat reduced compared to the original, the floor is still covered in blood.
Although there was pain to the extent that the usually composed Rob Lucci was screaming, as expected, he completed the process without any issues. He slowly stood up.
"...How do you feel?"
"...You're quite cunning, making me fall so far behind even Chelsea. Ah, I understand. I'm clearly in a different place than before the execution. Hehehe, hahaha... It's an amazing feeling."
"I see, well, considering the substantial progress you've made so far, the effects are significant. However, repeating this process in a short time is pointless. Aim for about once a year. And remember, it's forbidden to do it without my presence. Understood?"
"Yes, understood. I will follow everything you say."
Rob Lucci, with a deep smile, speaks while clearly excited about the significant growth in his power. Well, I can understand his feelings. Both Pochi and I felt an indescribable sense of omnipotence after completing our first physical enhancements.
In front of Rob Lucci, who seems genuinely delighted, I offer a light smile and say:
"Now then, that's enough talking. You must be itching for some action, right? I'll be your opponent."
"Yes, you truly are... the best!"
With a raised corner of his mouth, Rob Lucci declares loudly, transforming into his beastman form and dashing straight toward me. I assume a natural stance in response.
Given his Zoan-type transformation, the effects of this physical enhancement are quite significant, greatly enhancing his speed and power beyond what Rob Lucci possessed not long ago.
Well, whatever the case... it's good to see him enjoying himself. With that thought in mind, I engage with Rob Lucci for a while, confirming his newfound abilities.
***
You can indulge in more than 10 chapters ahead of the regular schedule by visiting our Patreon page and subscribing.
Feel free to explore our Patreon at:
https://www.pat reon.com/KangTL
Your support will enhance our productivity in creating more captivating and wonderful works.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
KangTL
KangTL Hey, you... Yes, you, you have a tremendous potential to shape the future destiny of this novel. Why have you remained silent all this time and wasted the enormous potential you possess? Utilize the Power Stone you have and craft the future of this novel with us. In return, we will reward you with 3-5 chapters ahead of the update schedule if we reach 1000 Power Stones.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone