章 157: The Revolutionary Alliance and Training Begins

Shadow stood on the deck of the revolutionary ship, the wind rustling his cloak. He turned to Sabo, his trusted second-in-command, who was watching Ace spar with some soldiers.

"Sabo, take him and start his training when we reach the HQ," Shadow ordered. "In two years, he will be ready. I plan to make him the guardian of a nation."

Sabo nodded, understanding the weight of Shadow's words. "Understood. I'll make sure he's prepared." With that, Sabo took Ace to a nearby training camp, already formulating a rigorous regimen.

Nearby, Kunia, one of the senior revolutionaries, observed Ace with a critical eye. "He has a strong will, Shadow," she remarked. "He could become a great asset to the Revolutionary Army."

Shadow gave a slight nod of agreement, then closed his eyes, returning to his meditation. The gears of his mind were already spinning, planning for the battles ahead.

In another part of the world Rusukaina Island, Raja stood in jungle , finally reunited with Luffy.

"Luffy, I want to talk to you about something. Do you have a minute?" Raja asked, his tone serious.

Luffy's face lit up with relief. "Raja! Thank god! I was so scared when I heard you stayed behind in Impel Down. I thought something might have happened to you." Without warning, Luffy grabbed Raja in a tight hug and spun him around.

"Alright, alright!" Raja laughed, freeing himself. "I'm happy to see you alive too, but we need to talk about the situation. How was the battle at Marineford? Were the Marines that powerful?"

Luffy's face grew somber. "They were super powerful. I couldn't even touch some of them. I nearly lost Ace to that magma guy. I got burned, frozen, kicked by light, and almost cut in half by that Hawkeye guy." His voice wavered as he recounted the chaos. "If that black-hooded guy hadn't shown up, Ace and I would have died for sure."

Raja placed a comforting hand on Luffy's shoulder. "Luffy, now you know how powerful our enemies are. That's why I'm suggesting we take a two-year break. We'll train with everything we've got and then return to our journey. What do you think?"

Luffy frowned, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by deep thought. After a moment, he nodded with determination. "You're right, Raja. We have to become stronger. Next time, we'll beat their asses!"

Raja smiled. "Good. I've already asked Rayleigh to train you in Haki. You'll follow his guidance and focus on body and breathing exercises every day until you master them. After two years, we'll meet at Shaaky's Bar. Deal?"

"Deal!" Luffy agreed, his resolve set.

Meanwhile, Shadow activated his Den-Den Mushi and called Mihawk.

"What is it, kid? Do you want to fight me? I'm nearing my home, Kuraigana Island. You can come and try your luck," Mihawk's voice drawled.

"I'm calling in a favor," Shadow replied.

Mihawk's tone grew sharper. "What do you want?"

"Roronoa Zoro is on your island. I want you to train him in Haki and swordsmanship."

Mihawk let out a low chuckle. "Are you out of your mind? I'm not an instructor. Besides, the kid wants to take my throne. Do you know how awkward that would be?"

"That's why it's a request, not a demand," Shadow countered. "Don't teach him directly. Make him beg for it first. Then, and only then, teach him everything you know."

There was a pause before Mihawk sighed. "Fine. If he begs, I'll consider it. Otherwise, this favor is nullified. Understood?"

"Thank you, Mihawk." Shadow ended the call, confident in his plan.

Raja used his bracelet to call the rest of the crew. "Guys, can you hear me?"

One by one, their voices came through. "Raja! You're alive! We saw the papers. You and Luffy caused quite a stir!"

Sanji's voice broke through in desperation. "Raja, you've got to get me off this island! I can't stay here anymore. Stop following me, you bastards!"

Raja chuckled before his tone turned serious. "Guys, I just spoke with Luffy. We've decided to take a two-year break to train seriously. It's the only way we can survive in the New World."

Sanji groaned. "Two years?! I'll die here!"

Robin's calm voice cut through the chatter. "Raja is right. We need strength to face the challenges ahead. For Luffy to become Pirate King, we all need to be stronger."

The others voiced their agreement, despite Sanji's continued complaints.

Raja nodded. "Thank you for understanding. Now listen carefully. The bracelets you're wearing have a new function. You can access anything from the Merry, including your personal belongings. Experiment with it."

The crew was stunned as they tested the feature, retrieving items from their rooms with ease.

"This is amazing, Raja!" Usopp exclaimed.

"Glad you like it. Now, let's talk training." Raja's tone grew firm. "Zoro, Sanji, I want you both to master your breathing techniques and Haki within these two years. I've uploaded the Rokushiki and Haki manuals to your bracelets. Study them and find techniques that suit you. No excuses So I don't care you whether you Beg or forcefully learn the skills from other or learn yourself its your decision make no mistake when we enter New World we cannot survive without proper strength so good luck ."

"Understood," Zoro replied with determination.

"Fine, but this island sucks," Sanji muttered.

"Robin, I need you to master Flower Breathing and learn all the Rokushiki techniques. They'll be invaluable and compliment your Devil Fruit and the Flower Breathing Method."

Robin chuckled softly. "Understood, Vice-Captain."

"Usopp, Chopper, focus on Shave and Sky Walk, as well as your respective breathing techniques. Usopp, you must awaken and master Observation Haki. Chopper, do the same with Armament Haki. Got it?"

"Yes, sir!" they replied in unison, saluting like soldiers.

"Nami, I've sent you a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit—Thunder Bird. Eat it. It will boost your abilities for Thunder Breathing. I've also included a staff technique to complement your style. Master both Observation and Armament Haki. No arguments."

Nami began to protest. "What?! Usopp can't even do all that in two years, and you expect me to? I'm just a—"

"The fruit will give you the strength needed for the learning The Haki techniques. So stop complaining and complete the Task given to you"

"If you slack off, I'll burn a million berries in front of you every day until you finish your training. Understood?"

"Alright, alright! No burning money!" Nami grumbled, but she agreed.

Raja's voice turned commanding. "I'm going to train as well. For the next two years, I want your full focus on training. If you slack off, I won't save you using my magic. Is that clear?"

The crew collectively acknowledged his orders.

Raja and Luffy worked together to create a training ground for Luffy, complete with a fighting arena. Raja contacted Hancock to arrange food and shelter for Rayleigh and Luffy, ensuring everything was in place before vanishing to begin his own training.

Meanwhile, Shadow contacted Dragon via Den-Den Mushi.

"How did the Operation Liberator's Dawn mission go? Did you free the slaves and place the runes and alchemy products?"

Dragon's laughter filled the line. "It was a great success. We saved all the women and children without being noticed, thanks to your detailed map and that odourless sleeping gas. Oh, and we ransacked Mary Geoise for good measure."

"Good. Shift the HQ to the artificial sky island I created. Put all agents in hibernation mode for two years. After that, we'll unleash hell. Understood?"

Dragon nodded. "Understood. Your plans never cease to amaze me, Shadow."

With every piece in motion, Raja and Shadow set out to ensure that when the two years passed, their crew, allies, and plans would be unstoppable. The Revolutionary Army prepared for the storm ahead, and the Straw Hat crew braced themselves for a New World that would tremble under their strength.