The Training Begins

Weeks passed, and the old ex-marine pushed them harder with each passing day. The barren island became their home, their training ground, and their refuge. Poseidon remained the steady anchor of the group, guiding them through the harshest days and the most difficult lessons. Though they were just children, their potential was undeniable, and their daily routine had begun to reflect the growing strength each of them possessed.

Each morning, they would gather at the makeshift dojo, a small clearing surrounded by jagged rocks where the marine would drill them in the basics of kenjutsu. Poseidon, with his natural control over water, used his abilities to simulate real-world combat scenarios, manipulating water to form barriers or weapons that forced the group to think on their feet.

Enel was the first to fully embrace the teachings. His natural affinity for energy made learning the Six Powers a little easier for him than the others. He would often experiment with his lightning abilities while moving through the "Shave" technique, his body flickering in and out of sight with electric speed. However, his recklessness sometimes got the better of him, especially when he attempted to use the "Moon Walk," sending arcs of lightning in all directions.

"Focus, Enel!" Poseidon would call, his calm voice cutting through the crackling electricity. "Don't let your power control you. Control it."

Enel would smirk, as always, but deep down, he respected Poseidon's leadership. There was something about the way Poseidon carried himself, as if he had always known what was next.

Crocodile, on the other hand, approached his training with an unyielding drive for control. He had already developed a natural coldness, preferring to observe and calculate rather than act impulsively. His Devil Fruit power, the Suna Suna no Mi, allowed him to manipulate sand, but he had yet to fully unlock its potential in conjunction with the Six Powers. Poseidon pushed him to refine his sand manipulation, using it to form shields, weapons, and even intricate constructs in tandem with his sword techniques.

"Remember," Poseidon would instruct, "you're not just learning how to fight. You're learning to think like a sword."

Crocodile's eyes would narrow as he concentrated, sand swirling in the air, shaping into blades that followed his every command. Each day, he got closer to mastering his Devil Fruit, combining it seamlessly with his combat skills.

Smoker struggled more with the Six Powers than the others, though he was undoubtedly the most grounded of the group. His heavy use of his Devil Fruit powers—the Moku Moku no Mi—made him a natural tank, but he had to work twice as hard to unlock the subtleties of Haki. Still, Poseidon guided him with patience, pushing Smoker to connect his mind and body through intense training sessions.

"You're stronger than you think, Smoker," Poseidon would say, encouraging him to push past his limits. "Your strength isn't just in your ability to hit hard—it's in your resolve. You have the power to make them fear you. Just believe in it."

Smoker's once-quiet resolve began to shine brighter. The physical strain of the training made him doubt at times, but Poseidon's words became his anchor. Slowly, his mastery of Haki grew, allowing him to sense his surroundings and refine his use of the Six Powers.

The group's bond had deepened through their trials. They had come to rely on each other in ways that transcended mere survival. They were comrades now, brothers in arms, even if their bond was formed through stolen food, stolen knowledge, and the desperation of youth.

But Poseidon knew that their training could not continue forever. Soon, they would need to venture out into the wider world, to test their newfound strength against real threats. The Navy, the pirates, and the other forces of the world were all out there, and it was only a matter of time before they would come into contact with them.

One evening, as the sun began to set, Poseidon gathered the group around a fire. The air smelled of saltwater and the crackling flames. His trident lay beside him, a symbol of the power and responsibility that he carried.

"I've been thinking," Poseidon began, his tone serious. "We've trained long enough. Soon, we'll need to go beyond this island. We'll need to face the world head-on."

Smoker frowned. "You think we're ready?"

Poseidon looked at each of them, his eyes steady. "No one's ever truly ready for the world. But we've grown strong, and we've learned what we need to survive. We can't stay hidden forever. And if we want to be more than just survivors, we need to take control of our destiny."

Crocodile snorted, taking a long drag from his cigarette. "And where do you suggest we start?"

Poseidon smiled, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Wherever we decide. But first, we need to find out what's really out there. I know there are others like us. Powerful people. We'll need allies, and we'll need enemies."

Enel raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a grin. "I like the sound of that. So, where's our first stop?"

Poseidon looked out at the vast ocean, his trident rising slightly as if to test the waters. "We start with the Navy. It's time we learned how to truly fight."

The group fell silent for a moment, the weight of their decision settling in. The quiet crackle of the fire filled the air, and each of them knew that the moment of their departure had finally arrived. They were no longer just children—together, they had the strength to shape the world in their image.

The journey ahead would be perilous, but they were ready.