Chương 108: Chapter 108: Delving into Development
"Got careless, huh?"
Once the Eight-Treasure Navy group left, Rosinante rubbed his chin.
"Didn't expect there's a skill like 'lip reading'... So, our previous conversations were probably 'overheard' quite a bit?"
Thankfully, they were people from the West Blue, and there were no conflicting interests between them and the Donquixote Family in the North Blue.
That's why they chose to inform Rosinante of this weakness before leaving.
As long as someone is a user of Devil Fruit abilities, they tend to be somewhat confident in their own powers, even Rosinante.
Since consuming the "Silent-Silent Fruit," Rosinante had been using his ability to suppress sound, and he had never considered the possibility of being 'overheard' through 'lip reading.'
"Reading the content of conversations from lip movements—"
In the hall, everyone gathered in a circle, sitting or standing. Vergo's eyes scanned the faces of the others from beneath his sunglasses.
"I can do that too!"
...
"That's because we're very familiar with each other; we can even predict what the other person will say next."
Rosinante rubbed his temples in exasperation.
"Even though I can maintain 'Kenbunshoku Haki' in a state of alert, it's possible to encounter situations where I can't sense high-level opponents or users of abilities."
In fact, due to Rosinante's cautious nature, he had almost always kept Kenbunshoku Haki activated since mastering it. Although it was mentally taxing, it was also a form of 'training.'
Even so, he hadn't sensed the 'eavesdropping' by the Eight-Treasure Navy because they had an 'insect-type' Zoan Devil Fruit user with exceptional visual acuity, who could discreetly observe everyone's movements.
"Heh heh heh, isn't this simple?"
Trebol smirked, his teeth clenched, and without moving his lips, a muffled sound emanated from his mouth.
"Just do this when you talk, and you can avoid being read through 'lip reading.'"
"...Well, theoretically, yes."
Rosinante affirmed Toruboru's suggestion.
However—
"Does that mean we'll have to 'clench our teeth' every time we talk from now on?"
Ignoring the issue of convenience, this appearance practically screams 'I'm a fishmonger.'
"Gladys, your thoughts?"
Rosinante turned his head and signaled to Gladys to speak.
"Brothers and sisters,"
Five-year-old Gladys put her arm down.
"As long as we cover our faces, we can prevent eavesdropping, right? Just wear a mask!"
...
"It's not that it can't be done, it's just—"
Rosinante mentally turned the idea over, imagining the entire Donquixote Family wearing masks.
For those who know, it's a 'family signature,' but for those who don't, they'd think it's an otherworldly COVID...
"How about masks?"
Jora waved her hand, and various exquisite masquerade masks appeared.
Wearing these while going out, are we joining the Cowherd Gang...
"Forget it, I choose to train diligently in Haki."
By the end of the discussion, Rosinante decided to continue focusing on improving Kenbunshoku Haki. As long as his Kenbunshoku Haki was strong enough, no one would be able to eavesdrop on their conversations.
"Heh heh heh, when discussing confidential matters in the future, be cautious of the surroundings."
Doflamingo didn't want to wear a mask or 'clench his teeth' while talking. So, they might as well get used to using scattered threads as a covert surveillance method.
"I think I'll go for a mask after all."
The young Gladys was particularly mindful of the 'family's' interests.
"If we accidentally leak information, we'll be family sinners!"
"In our future discussions, let's be careful. This kind of obscure skill like 'lip reading' won't be commonly seen."
"For the next period of time, the most important thing for the family is to bury ourselves in training—"
As he spoke, Rosinante surveyed the group.
"Have you all now witnessed the true form of strength?"
Nods! X9
From the previous battle at Radda Palace, the raging winds that accompanied Monkey D. Dragon, the unstoppable Armament Haki, the swift speed of the indomitable Ahou Feng, and even the high-tech-equipped Vincent Smoker, all these diverse styles of strength were not opponents that the current members of the Donquixote Family could imitate.
Even the 'weakest' Vincent Smoker would easily defeat any member of the family.
"The rich rely on technology, the poor rely on mutations."
His combat suit, made entirely of 'Memory Metal,' was able to withstand the powerful attacks of bounty worth billions of Berries by various pirates. If not for encountering Monkey D. Dragon as a roadblock, he wouldn't have ended up in such a sorry state.
"Plus, with the 'Haki' training manual we obtained from Ahou Feng, along with Dragon's promise of guidance for three days a month, our focused improvement has already exceeded the level of battles at sea."
In the past, without information and expert guidance, they could only break through by fighting.
Now that they have resources and mentors, it's only natural to pause for development.
"That's right, that's right. We should take this time to settle down."
Toriborol nodded vigorously. This trip opened his eyes to various powerful individuals. They were each like monsters in their own right. The battle at the palace was akin to a natural disaster, instilling a hint of fear within him.
"What's the point of frequent battles? We're all still young; let's take it slow..."
"Torre, you'll double your training volume."
?!
Facing Toriborol's sudden 'petrification,' Rosinante rolled his eyes.
"We are indeed still young, but our enemies won't spare us just because of our age."
The 'Battle of Edd War' had ended. Although it was unclear why there was the intervention of Kozuki Tsunagi and Kapu, the Roger Pirates retreated unscathed, and the Gold Lion Pirates were severely damaged, a result that closely mirrored the original 'timeline.'
Next would be Roger soon seeking out Gol D. Roger, borrowing the Kozuki Oden to prepare to claim the 'ONE PIECE' and become the Pirate King!
Though Rosinante was eager to visit 'Laugh Tale' and see what exactly made the Roger Pirates laugh uproariously, his current strength didn't permit it.
—If Rosinante remembered correctly, soon, Douglas Barrett would challenge Gol D. Roger, fearing that Roger's terminal illness would prevent him from fulfilling his promise. Then Barrett would leave after his defeat, as a newcomer, making a name for himself.
Then he'd meet Shanks Crocodile, and they'd have a big showdown with no clear victor...
During this time, the older Shanks would undoubtedly be an adept dual Haki user! In terms of age, he was only around five or six years older than Rosinante and the others, so:
"If we don't strive, we'll be 'abandoned' by the era!"
Sweat more during training, bleed less during battle.
"Alright, one thousand push-ups, one thousand squats, one thousand—"
Vergo walked over, supporting himself with both hands.
"If you can't do it, run ten laps around Spara Maruzen Town!"
"I'll join you."
With a sharp, high-pitched voice, Pica flopped onto the ground. A resounding crash shook the hall, and everyone swayed.
"Two big brothers, I'm joining too!"
With short, sky-blue hair, the young Gladys joined the sweat-drenched group.
"Woo hahaha, you guys continue with this basic training. I'm off to the factory for some 'steel-cutting.'"
Given Diamante's age and the maturity of her body, her focus was on refining her technique. She spent her days wielding her sword to cut through metal at the Donquixote Family's factory, becoming a veritable human-powered steel mill!
Training and production in one.
"Compared to now, CP's training seems like child's play..."
Peeling off his cravat and suit, Pick revealed a well-toned physique.
It's not so much that CP emphasizes 'personalized' exercises, but rather, because ordinary people have limited potential, excessive training will only be counterproductive.
"Well then, I'll go prepare saltwater, potions, and replenish our food supplies."
Jora was in charge of medicine and food in the family; with so many combatants, one fewer wouldn't make a difference.
"Vinasalna, come with me."
Leaving with the young girl with light blue hair, the fervent iron-pumping team was now left with the speechless Toriborol.
"This life is nothing like what I imagined..."
It's not so much a 'dark' family as it is a fanatic gym.
————
Port town Butregge,
While Rosinante and his group focused on their growth, the situation in the North Blue was quietly changing.
This port city, once breached by Rosinante and his team, descended into chaos the moment the Vinsmoke Family withdrew. Fortunately, due to the losses suffered by the 'Pirate Connect' twice, no one had attacked the city for the time being.
However, due to the looting of the city, which was already lacking resources, and the deaths of many sea merchants in the aftermath of the Radda Palace battle, maritime transportation throughout the entire North Blue had almost ground to a halt.
Without proper transportation, the city would soon become a giant wooden coffin. Relying solely on fishing, hunting, and a handful of surrounding farms wouldn't sustain the lives of over ten thousand people.
If there are no surprises, soon enough someone will take a desperate gamble. They will sail out to sea, raise the skull flag in their thirst, and become scum who burn, kill, and plunder.
After all, they no longer have a homeland, no longer have loved ones... What else is there to restrain their inner beastly desires?
Fortunately,
Before such a scenario occurs, a massive merchant ship, devoid of any flags, sailed into the harbor.
"Thank you very much for your assistance," the man covered in blood-soaked bandages, wearing tattered military attire, stepped forward and was about to kneel before the figure in the dark green robe.
With the country fallen, the city in ruins, and the refugees here having nothing to trade except themselves, there was nothing left that could be used for bargaining except their own lives.
Compared to their lives, so-called 'dignity' was worthless!
"You don't need to kneel before me," the man in the dark green robe raised his hand, and a gentle breeze lifted the bandaged soldier before him.
"I am not your 'king'; I'm merely seeking like-minded partners."
He raised his hood, revealing a stern face devoid of eyebrows. Monkey D. Dragon's voice mingled with the wind, rolling out in all directions, distinctly reaching everyone's ears.
"Everyone—"
"You work diligently, you toil seriously, your professions are farmers, fishermen, workers, soldiers... And what you seek is nothing more than a peaceful life, free from slaughter and sorrow."
The breeze carried Dragon, causing his figure to appear before everyone's eyes.
"Such desires, however, are difficult to realize in this world!"
"A multitude of pirates, enemy military forces, greedy nobles, oppressive tyrants..."
Dragon's gaze swept across faces young and old, men and women alike, their eyes filled with confusion and anticipation. —Even these people didn't know what they were hoping for.
For ordinary people, encountering a powerful king is the luckiest thing that can happen to them.
Even if the kingdom is cruel and unjust, at the very least, it can protect them from dying by pirates' or enemy soldiers' hands.
In the future, Totland established by Charlotte Linlin, also known as Big Mom, will still have countless people flocking to it, offering one month of their lives every six months as protection fees to Big Mom.
In this world, countries without the protection of the strong make it a luxury to live past thirty.
"All of this is because the 'rules' of this world are wrong!"
"I've seen so-called 'Celestial Dragons' with my own eyes in Mary Geoise,"
?!
Undeterred by the horrified looks of the ordinary people, Dragon continued speaking.
"Celestial Dragons are also human. They also age and die!"
"They are not invincible, and the 'rules' they establish are far from right. The tragedies that have befallen you were caused by them!"
"The World Government imposes exorbitant Celestial Gold taxes on pirates, driving many struggling countries to bankruptcy. The people of these bankrupt nations become pirates, plundering and pillaging everywhere, while even more countries suffer even harsher lives..."
"In this cycle of depletion, the Celestial Dragons and nobles always hold dominion. This is wrong!"
With that, Dragon, suspended in the air, opened his arms, exuding an overwhelming Haki.
"Workers of all countries, unite!"
"For freedom—"
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(End of this chapter)
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