...
Three days after leaving Mushroom Island.
Seagulls skimmed across the surface of the sea, flying alongside the *Freewill* for a few seconds before spreading their wings and soaring into the clear sky.
On the aft deck, beneath a parasol in the corner, Nami had just brought over a lounge chair, ready to enjoy some leisure time.
However, at this moment, her gaze seemed to be drawn to something, and she stood frozen in place.
*Bang!!*
In the middle of the deck, Allen was sent flying backward, his body crashing heavily against the stern railing.
He gritted his teeth and stood up, staring intently at the empty space in the center of the deck as if facing a formidable foe, and charged forward!
"Ah! Ora, ora, ora!!"
With a ferocious glint in his eyes, Allen let out a battle cry, throwing a flurry of forceful punches, each strike carrying his full strength!
Blasting into the empty air in front of him!
That was right, just empty air.
Nami was completely dumbfounded, her eyes wide open as she tried to spot even a single fly.
But there was nothing. In her eyes, Allen was currently fighting absolutely nothing but air.
Yet he was sweating profusely, his face displaying an expression of immense pressure, as if he were facing the siege of a massive army.
"What in the world... is going on..."
Watching the scene unfold before her, the corners of Nami's eyes could not help but twitch.
If she did not know he was training, Nami would have suspected he had some sort of hereditary mental illness.
And what was even more bizarre...
*Bang!!*
Accompanied by a loud crash, Allen was once again sent flying heavily backward. He splattered against the ship's superstructure spread-eagle, slowly sliding down like a puddle of soft mud.
*Why is he getting knocked away by the air!*
Nami screamed internally, her desire to shout out a sarcastic remark peaking.
On the other side.
"—Phew."
A wisp of white mist escaped Allen's lips, and faint steam rose from his pink-flushed muscles.
"I got completely thrashed. Sure enough, fighting thirty of them at once is still pushing it."
Allen's brow relaxed, and he deactivated his active Demon Brain.
In his eyes, the devastated deck returned to normal, and the thirty menacing figures of Arlong standing around gradually distorted and faded away.
Walking over to the resting area, Allen picked up a towel and wiped his sweat.
Nearby, the corners of Nami's mouth twitched as she asked haltingly, "Um... what exactly were you doing just now..."
"You mean my training? That was a simulated battle."
Allen chuckled and looked at her. "I simulate familiar enemies in my mind to fight against. Whether it's their speed, strength, or techniques, I can perfectly recreate them."
"That... sounds way too exaggerated."
Nami looked unconvinced, casting a skeptical glance at him. "Even if your brain can simulate a battle, getting knocked away by the air...?"
"It looks like I'm being knocked away by the air, but in reality, I'm launching myself backward. As long as you achieve ultimate control over your body's muscles, it's easy to do," Allen explained with a smile.
This kind of body control technique actually existed in this world as well—it was called Life Return.
The two were different yet shared similarities. Both allowed for incredible, even physics-defying effects through absolute mastery of the body.
Life Return required meditation and rigorous training to master, allowing the user to pour their consciousness into their body parts, even their hair, to achieve free control over them.
Right now, Allen was incapable of doing something like fighting with his hair.
However.
With the Demon Brain's learning capacity and the bodily control it provided, Allen was confident he could quickly master it as long as he came into contact with it.
Whether it was the techniques of Life Return or the Rokushiki, as long as it was something he could see, there was nothing Allen could not learn.
Haki, on the other hand, was a different story.
A power manifested from willpower—Allen really could not make any guarantees about something that sounded so mystical.
If he had a training method, Allen felt that the two types of Haki wouldn't be a problem for him. But trying to learn them just by watching was probably impossible.
...Because he couldn't actually see the stuff.
Draping the towel over his shoulders, Allen grabbed his coat and turned to leave.
*I should go take a shower first.*
Nami stood frozen in place, still somewhat dazed as Allen's words echoed in her mind.
*He can control all the muscles in his body...*
...
As noon approached, the silhouette of an island on the sea ahead gradually became clear.
After two days of sailing, the *Freewill* finally arrived at their destination, a Summer Island resort in the Grand Line.
—Resort Island.
"Steer the ship into the port!"
"Pull in the rigging! Hurry up on the left side."
"The ship is secured! We can disembark at any time."
On the deck, the crew members busied themselves with the landing preparations, buzzing with excitement.
From the navigational charts they had acquired earlier, they already knew this was one of the famous tourist islands in the Grand Line.
It had everything one could ask for: abundant gourmet food and fine wine from all over the world, sunny beaches, casinos, and nightclubs.
However, there was no national government here; instead, it was jointly operated by multiple underground factions.
The island was a melting pot of all sorts of people. Pirates, bounty hunters, and even Marines might come here for a vacation. It was practically a semi-lawless zone.
Allen stepped out of the captain's cabin. He was no longer wearing his captain's coat, having changed into a set of casual clothes.
A blue floral shirt, baggy shorts, flip-flops, and a pair of brown sunglasses—a complete vacation outfit.
On the deck, the crew looked at the bustling sights on the island, unable to hold back their urge to rush ashore.
Allen lifted his sunglasses for a look, a wide grin spreading across his face as he shouted:
"Boys! Are you all ready?!"
"We're ready!!"
"Give the order, Captain! We can't wait any longer!"
The pirates below cheered excitedly, their eyes burning with fervor.
Allen grinned broadly and waved his large hand.
"Hahahaha, party to your hearts' content, you idiots! Everyone, disembark!"
"Whoa!!"
"Woohoo! Charge!"
At his command, the large group of pirates excitedly leaped off the ship in droves, rushing toward the island.
"Let's go too. The Nyaban Brothers are guarding the ship this time."
Allen gave the order and was just about to jump down from the upper deck.
Buchi and Sham lunged forward, hugging Allen's legs from the left and right, crying and pleading.
"Don't leave us behind, Boss!"
"Please take us with you, Boss!"
"Shut up. Sanji needs to buy supplies, and Gin guarded the ship last time. Also..."
Allen shook his legs with a look of utter disgust and yelled angrily:
"You're getting snot on my feet! Let go of me, you bastards!"
"Please, Boss! We want to go ashore and have fun too!"
"This is a resort island, boohoo!"
Buchi and Sham's faces were covered in tears as they clung tightly to his legs, begging with all their might.
Seeing this, Gin sighed, preparing to volunteer to take over the responsibility of guarding the ship for them.
"How about..."
"Hold on a second, Gin."
Nami stopped him, walking up from behind and coldly raising her fists.
*Whack!! Whack!!*
...
Two seconds later.
"We're sorry."
"We will guard the ship diligently."
Buchi and Sham, each sporting a massive lump on their heads, bowed respectfully and apologized.
Nami clapped her hands, a look of disdain on her face. "See, that settles it. Why waste your breath on them?"
Allen: "..."
Gin: "..."
Sanji swooned with heart-shaped eyes.
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