章 101: "The Path to Power: Training Grounds of the Grand Line"

As the Going Merry glided smoothly toward Whisky Peak, the crew found themselves in high spirits. Luffy was hopping from side to side, declaring his excitement about what new adventures awaited them, while Usopp tried to impress the others with tall tales of his "legendary battles." Zoro lay on the deck with his eyes half-closed, one arm tucked behind his head as he listened lazily to the chatter. Sanji, ever the devoted cook, was preparing a snack for Nami, who sat at the bow, watching the horizon.

Meanwhile, Raja, observing the crew from a distance, was deep in thought. They were entering the Grand Line, a place teeming with powerful foes and unpredictable challenges. His instincts told him it was time to make them stronger.

Clearing his throat, Raja called out, "Everybody—and guests—may I have your attention, please."

The seriousness in his voice was a rare occurrence and immediately caught everyone off guard. The crew exchanged surprised glances, halting whatever they were doing, and gathered around him.

"Are we finally getting lunch?" Luffy asked eagerly, eyes shining with hope. "Let's eat meat!"

Zoro yawned. "I was trying to nap. Why'd you call us here? And more importantly, you got any booze?"

Sanji looked mildly irritated, giving Raja a questioning look. "I was busy serving Nami-swan," he said, shooting a smile at her. Nami, however, had a tick mark on her forehead and, with a swiftness that stunned everyone, used her Conqueror's Haki to deliver a lightning-fast punch that landed on all three of them simultaneously.

"Let him speak, you idiots!" she snapped. The trio of Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji sheepishly muttered, "Sorry," while Usopp, knowing better, wisely kept silent and stood slightly behind Nami, safely out of her wrath's reach.

Raja continued, "Now that I have your attention… I'm calling this crew meeting to discuss our journey on the Grand Line and the importance of knowledge and power."

Intrigued, everyone perked up. Even Luffy, who usually wasn't interested in discussions, looked attentive. Raja waved his wand, and the steering of the Merry began to move on its own, perfectly syncing with the Log Pose. The two guests—Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9—looked at each other, confused.

"This is a core crew meeting," Raja said to the guests. "If you don't mind, please stay in one of the rooms for a while. It has a bathroom too." They hesitated but eventually nodded, walking into the designated room.

With everyone gathered, Raja gestured for them to follow him to the storage room. "Now, please follow me."

The crew exchanged bewildered glances but did as he asked. Once they reached the storage room, Raja took out a key, which seemed to glow with a magical aura. He inserted it into the lock and turned it. With a grand bow, he opened the door and said, "Please, enter."

The door didn't reveal a cramped storage room, but an entire island! The crew's jaws dropped in unison. Instead of a confined space, they saw a lush island landscape, with trees, a training field, a small two-story house, a gym with equipment, and even a pond. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, and a windmill turned in the background.

"What the heck is going on?" Usopp shouted, utterly baffled.

Luffy's eyes sparkled with childlike wonder. Without hesitation, he ran off, marveling at what he saw as his new playground. Zoro sat near the pond, examining its depths, while Nami studied the sky, muttering something about weather patterns. Sanji was inspecting the fields, and Usopp wandered over to the shooting range, testing the targets.

"Luffy, you can play later," Raja called out with a chuckle. "For now, let's gather inside the house."

Curious, the crew followed Raja into the house. They were immediately struck by the sheer vastness of the interior, which seemed impossible given the outside size of the building. Ancient relics, paintings, and countless books lined the walls, creating a sense of awe among the crew.

"Alright, everyone," Raja announced, "take your seats. Today, Teacher Raja will be giving a lesson on the world."

As they took their seats, their clothes magically changed into school uniforms. Luffy laughed, striking a goofy pose, while the others exchanged amused smiles.

Raja adjusted his glasses with a grin, looking every bit the part of a stern, yet entertaining teacher. "Good, students. Today, we'll be discussing the world map and the powerhouses that rule over Paradise."

The crew nodded, ready to absorb what he had to say. "Let's begin with the basics," Raja continued, pulling down a map on a board. "We have four main seas: East Blue, where we came from, North Blue, South Blue, and West Blue. They're separated by the Red Line. The Grand Line itself is divided into two parts—Paradise, where we currently are, and the New World, which is even more treacherous."

Nami looked intensely focused, taking mental notes, while Usopp nervously glanced at the map, clearly intimidated.

"Crossing into the Grand Line is difficult," Raja explained. "There are two ways. One is the Navy route, safe and guarded, only accessible to nobles and merchants. The other is the route we took—Reverse Mountain, an upstream current. Pirates who take this route have to contend with the harsh weather and unpredictable currents."

Nami gasped, suddenly worried. She rose halfway from her seat. "If we're off course, we'll end up circling in the same spot until we die!"

Raja raised a hand, calming her. "Don't worry, Nami. I've already synched the Merry with the Log Pose. It's on course."

She sighed in relief, relaxing back into her seat.

"Now," Raja continued, "let's talk about the powerhouses in Paradise. On this sea, we have two major forces: the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the Navy. The Warlords are pirates with suspended bounties who work for the World Government. They're given permission to pillage and plunder in exchange for handling… certain 'tasks' for the government."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "The Seven Warlords of the Sea include some of the most fearsome fighters known. Among them are Dracule Mihawk, the 'Greatest Swordsman in the World,' 'Knight of the Sea' Jinbe, 'Desert King' Crocodile, 'Heavenly Yaksha' Donquixote Doflamingo, 'Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma, Gecko Moria, and 'Pirate Empress' Boa Hancock."

Everyone listened in stunned silence. Raja continued, "The strongest of them is Mihawk, and the weakest is Moria. But don't let that fool you. Even the weakest among them could wipe us out in an instant."

The crew gasped, with Luffy protesting loudly, only to receive a swift punch from Nami that quieted him immediately. Raja looked pointedly at Zoro. "Mihawk spared your life, Zoro. He saw potential in you, but make no mistake—he didn't even use his full power. If he wanted, he could slice a meteor without breaking a sweat."

Zoro's face hardened, his fists clenched. Though it was daunting, his resolve only grew stronger.

Raja turned his gaze on the whole crew. "The reason I've brought you here is because each of you will train. In our crew, every member fights with their own skills. You're going to need them in this journey."

He laid out the plan: mornings were for physical training and skill-building, while evenings would be reserved for combat practice against enchanted golems.

"Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji," Raja said, "you three are our main fighting force. That means twelve hours of training a day."

Luffy shot up. "But what about adventuring? And what about the ship? I can't just leave my crewmates!"

Raja smirked. "You can enjoy your adventures when we dock at an island. And if you want to gain more 'sailing experience,' I can always tie you to the Merry's mast at night so you don't miss a second of it."

"Baka Raja!" Luffy protested, only to be silenced by another swift punch from Nami.

Turning to Zoro and Sanji, Raja's expression grew serious. "Both of you have strong bodies, but you're not using them to their full potential. Zoro, you're too reckless with injuries, and Sanji, you have a… habit of refusing to fight women, even if it risks the lives of your crewmates."

Sanji bristled. "I'm a gentleman, and a gentleman never raises his hand against a lady!"

Raja's eyes narrowed. "And if that lady threatens the lives of everyone on this crew? Will you just stand by, smiling?"

Sanji hesitated. "I… I'd find a way to save you and get us out of there. Running is a valid strategy!"

Raja's voice softened, but his tone was firm. "Sanji, a pirate's life is full of dangers, and sometimes that includes facing women who mean us harm. I don't expect you to break your code, but if a woman opponent proves dangerous, all I ask is that you let one of us handle it. And when that happens, you don't interfere. Understood?"

Sanji sighed and nodded, though reluctantly. "Understood."

Raja smiled, satisfied. "Good. You'll all get stronger in your own ways. But remember, if you want to truly enjoy this journey, you must be strong enough to face any obstacle in your path."

The crew exchanged glances, a newfound determination in each of their eyes. They understood the gravity of Raja's words and what lay ahead. As daunting as the Grand Line was, they felt ready—or at least as ready as they could be. This magical island would be their training ground, their sanctuary, and their battleground.

With one last encouraging smile, Raja left them to explore the island further, already sensing the growth they would soon experience. The Straw Hat Pirates were ready to become legends