Training

"The New World and the Grand Line are completely different levels."

"In the New World, only those who possess Haki can be considered qualified to enter the upper echelons. Otherwise, survival in the New World is impossible."

"At Nicolas's request, Simon, Katie, and the others will be taught by Vista until they master the advanced techniques of Busoshoku Haki, such as Ryo."

"Meanwhile, Nicolas spends his days with June, assisting her in her training, occasionally supervising Simon and the others' practice."

"After all, at over twenty years old, they also want to do things they enjoy."

"As the days go by."

"Since Nicolas and the others began their training, almost two weeks have passed."

"Creak—"

On this day, Nicolas, with bruises on his face and neck still showing traces of red marks, pushed open the door of the room and stepped out.

June followed beside Nicolas, gently supporting him as he moved.

During this time, he had been focusing on helping June develop the potential of her Mushroom Mushroom Fruit and further explore the powers of his Thunder Thunder Fruit, paying little attention to the passage of time.

Perhaps because he was completely immersed in his work, from the moment he pushed open the door, Nicolas didn't feel like much time had passed at all. Instead, it felt as if it had only been a day.

"How long have we been inside?"

Nicolas, assisted by June, walked through the corridor and suddenly asked.

During this time, he had been so focused on helping June that he hadn't paid much attention to the passage of time.

"Twelve days."

In contrast, June remembered very clearly.

"Really? Almost two weeks."

Nicolas sighed slightly, then turned to look at June and smiled. "You've worked hard during this time."

"Hmph."

June subconsciously turned her head away, avoiding Nicolas's gaze. Although they were an old married couple, she still felt a bit shy thinking about what had happened between them in the room.

Nicolas smiled and withdrew his gaze, looking ahead at the moonlit corridor, reminiscing about the wonderful experience they had shared.

Later, Nicolas went to check on the progress of the other members' training, while June returned to her room alone.

Upon returning to her room, instead of heading straight to the bathroom, June went to the mirror.

She stared at her reflection, her alluring figure, her delicate facial features resembling those of a fairy queen.

At this moment, she was no longer wearing the protective suit, but her attention was focused on her purple eyes.

"The color seems to have deepened a bit, and..."

June stared at her eyes intently.

Under the backdrop of her purple pupils, something strange seemed to appear within her irises.

Those things were very faint in themselves, and combined with the purple pupils, they were barely noticeable without careful observation.

"This change... is it good or bad?"

June muttered softly to herself.

The change in her eyes was the result of her further mastery of her abilities with Nicolas's help.

June suddenly smiled, but she wasn't too worried. With Nicolas by her side, there was no need to worry so much.

After a quick wash, June changed her clothes and quickly styled her hair, then looked at the sets of protective suits in the wardrobe and finally picked up the Crow Mask. Although she no longer needed these things, old habits die hard.

"Is everyone practicing?"

Nicolas followed the breath of his companions and looked into the distance, "watching" his companions practicing Haki in the distant mountains and forests.

In the night forest, hardly anyone would dare to enter, as it was too dangerous.

As Nicolas's gaze swept over, Vista and Simon both sensed his presence.

They immediately looked towards the location of the headquarters.

Vista and Simon's eyes flickered slightly.

"Is it finally done?" Vista and Simon both thought to themselves.

Apparently, they both knew about Nicolas's assistance to June in her training, so Nicolas's appearance now undoubtedly meant that the training was complete. 

[AN-( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

Their reactions did not attract the attention of Brook and Katie.

After all, with their current observation abilities, they couldn't sense Nicolas's gaze from afar.

So when Nicolas suddenly appeared next to Vista, it startled Brook.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack! Although I don't have a heart, yo-ho-ho!"

Brook looked at Nicolas in astonishment, exaggeratingly patting his chest bone as if he had just had a heart attack.

"Captain, you finally came out! Katie was really worried about you."

Seeing Nicolas's figure, Katie quickly ran over.

"Captain."

Vista and Simon also stopped their practice and looked at Nicolas.

Nicolas surveyed his companions, noticing that they were all practicing diligently. Clearly, their strength had improved significantly compared to before.

Especially the freezing aura that had been present in Brook's swift sword strikes. Nicolas could see it clearly.

That should be one of the characteristics of the Yomi Yomi no Mi, being able to infuse attacks with the power of the afterlife.

With this ability to attack the soul, who knows what Brook's mastery of the Yomi Yomi no Mi will be like in the future?

Thinking of this, Nicolas shook his head with a wry smile.

"Vista, how are they doing in their training?"

"Hehe, Simon has already mastered the wrapping and release of Busoshoku Haki, and as for Ryo, he has grasped some initial understanding. It should take another month or so for him to fully master it. Katie has already mastered the wrapping of Busoshoku Haki to some extent and can now maintain the Black Blade state for a short period of time. She's also doing well with her Kenbunshoku Haki, but it will take about a year for her to fully master Ryo. As for Blaze, only Miss June can control it. At this time, I don't know where he is wandering."

Vista then looked at Brook.

"As for Brook's training, there's not much I can do to help. After all, the development of Devil Fruit abilities mostly depends on the user's own exploration."

"Well, that's very good."

Nicolas looked at the somewhat embarrassed Katie and Brook.

Given Katie's physical condition, being able to master Busoshoku Haki to some extent and maintain the Black Blade state for a short time was already very good. Although it was only a short time for now, with her physical condition, she had a long way to go in the future.

Of course, this was also thanks to the support of the Freedom Pirates' vast resources and the guidance of Nicolas and Vista, two masters of Haki.