Chapter 15: Strength and Knowledge

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow across the sprawling Marineford training grounds. Vulcan stood at the edge of the field, his muscles aching from the previous day's sparring with Hina. Despite the soreness in his body, there was an unmistakable fire in his heart. The sparring match had shown him how much further he had to go—and it had sparked his curiosity about the Rokushiki techniques.

As Vulcan stretched, getting ready for another day of Garp's grueling training, his mind kept drifting back to the fight. Hina had been on a different level, and the Rankyaku technique she had used was like nothing Vulcan had ever seen before. The way her kick had sliced through the air with such precision and power—it was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

Just as Vulcan was lost in thought, Garp's booming voice interrupted him.

"Hey, brat! Stop daydreaming and get over here!" Garp called out from a nearby table where he was sitting, already halfway through a massive plate of rice and meat. His usual box of rice crackers sat beside him, and crumbs were scattered all over the table.

Vulcan snapped out of his thoughts and made his way over to Garp, who grinned at him with that familiar mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Can't train on an empty stomach, can you?" Garp said with a chuckle, pushing a plate toward Vulcan. "Eat up. We've got a long day ahead of us."

Vulcan sat down, grabbing the plate of food with both hands. The smell of the freshly cooked meat and rice filled his nose, and his stomach growled in response. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until now.

"Thanks, Gramps," Vulcan said as he dug in, savoring the meal. After the intensity of yesterday's sparring match, this meal felt like a reward.

More of Garp's Unique Training

Once they had finished eating, Garp stood up, clapping his hands together. "All right, brat. Enough resting. Time to get back to work!"

Vulcan groaned internally but nodded, standing up and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. After all this time, he had gotten used to Garp's sudden shifts from food to training, but it didn't make the switch any easier.

As they walked back to the training grounds, Vulcan couldn't help but wonder what strange exercises Garp had planned for the day.

"More boulder lifting today?" Vulcan asked, half-jokingly.

Garp grinned. "Not today, brat. Today, we're focusing on your stamina. We've got to keep pushing your limits!"

Before Vulcan could ask what that meant, Garp gestured toward a series of towering climbing walls in the distance. They looked impossibly high, with jagged edges and small handholds scattered across them. Some sections had ropes dangling, while others looked like they were designed to test a person's balance and coordination.

"See those walls?" Garp asked, clearly enjoying Vulcan's expression of disbelief. "You're going to climb them. And when you reach the top, you're going to sprint down to the bottom and start over."

Vulcan blinked, taking in the sheer height of the walls. "All of them?"

Garp nodded, his grin widening. "All of them. And no complaining! You'll need stamina if you ever want to master the techniques you saw Hina use."

Vulcan sighed but gave a determined nod. "I'm ready."

With that, Vulcan set off toward the first wall, the sun beating down on his back. His hands gripped the rough edges of the wall as he began his ascent. The climb wasn't easy—the handholds were small and required precision to grab hold of, and his muscles were already sore from the previous days of training. But Vulcan gritted his teeth and kept moving.

Every time he reached the top, he'd scramble back down and run to the next wall, repeating the process over and over. His arms burned from the strain, and his legs felt like they were made of lead, but he refused to stop. He could hear Garp shouting encouragements from below, though most of it sounded more like teasing.

"Move it, brat! You're slower than a snail!"

Vulcan ignored the taunts and kept pushing. He could feel his body protesting with every movement, but that only made him push harder. Garp was right—stamina was essential if he wanted to get stronger, especially if he wanted to learn the Rokushiki techniques.

After what felt like hours, Vulcan finally reached the top of the last wall. His chest heaved as he sucked in deep breaths, his arms shaking from exhaustion. But even through the fatigue, a sense of accomplishment swelled in his chest.

"That's enough for today," Garp called out from below. "Come down and take a break. You've earned it."

Vulcan nodded, his breath still ragged as he climbed down from the final wall. His muscles screamed in protest, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He had survived another day of Garp's insane training, and he could feel himself getting stronger with each passing day.

Curiosity Grows: The Rokushiki Techniques

As the day wound down, Vulcan sat at the edge of the training grounds with Garp, both of them enjoying a meal together. Despite the soreness in his body, Vulcan couldn't shake the question that had been on his mind since yesterday.

He glanced at Garp, who was busy munching on his rice crackers, and decided it was time to ask.

"Hey, Gramps," Vulcan began, his tone more serious than usual. "About the techniques Hina used yesterday… the Rokushiki techniques. What are they exactly?"

Garp paused mid-bite, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Vulcan. He chewed thoughtfully for a moment before swallowing and setting his box of crackers aside.

"So, you want to know about the Rokushiki, huh?" Garp asked, leaning back and crossing his arms. "I guess it was only a matter of time."

Vulcan nodded eagerly. "Yeah. I've heard bits and pieces about them, but after seeing what Hina did yesterday, I need to know more. They're incredible."

Garp chuckled, clearly amused by Vulcan's enthusiasm. "Incredible, huh? Yeah, the Rokushiki techniques are pretty impressive. They're a set of six martial arts techniques that make a Marine a real force to be reckoned with. But they're not easy to learn. It takes years of training to master even one of them."

Vulcan's eyes widened with curiosity. "What are the six techniques?"

Garp grinned, pleased to see Vulcan's interest. "All right, listen up. I'll give you a rundown of the six Rokushiki techniques. But don't think it'll be easy to learn them, got it?"

Vulcan nodded, leaning forward, eager to hear more.

The Six Rokushiki Techniques

Soru (Shave):

"Soru is all about speed," Garp explained. "It lets the user move so fast that they disappear from sight and reappear in an instant. It's perfect for dodging attacks or getting the jump on an enemy. If you master Soru, you'll be faster than anyone on the battlefield."

Geppo (Moonwalk):

"Geppo's one of the more flashy techniques," Garp said with a grin. "It lets you kick the air itself, allowing you to move around mid-air like you're flying. It takes a lot of leg strength, but once you've got it down, it's a game-changer."

Tekkai (Iron Body):

"Tekkai is all about defense," Garp continued. "It hardens your muscles to the point where they're as tough as iron. With Tekkai, you can take powerful hits without even flinching. But it takes a lot of focus and control."

Shigan (Finger Gun):

"Shigan is a piercing attack," Garp said, demonstrating with his finger. "It lets you jab your finger with enough force to pierce through flesh like a bullet. It's fast, precise, and deadly."

Rankyaku (Tempest Kick):

"You saw Hina use this one yesterday," Garp reminded Vulcan. "Rankyaku is a cutting attack where you swing your leg and create sharp air blades that can slice through enemies or obstacles. It's powerful, but it takes a lot of practice to get the technique right."

Rokuogan (Six King Gun):

Garp's expression grew more serious as he explained the final technique. "Rokuogan is the ultimate Rokushiki technique. It's a powerful shockwave attack that can destroy enemies from the inside out. But it's incredibly hard to master and requires immense strength."

Setting the Path Forward

Vulcan listened intently as Garp explained each technique, his mind racing with possibilities. The Rokushiki techniques were unlike anything he had ever heard of, and now that he knew what they were, his determination to learn them grew even stronger.

"These techniques are no joke," Garp said, his tone shifting to one of warning. "They take years of training and discipline to master. And even if you learn one, you'll need to push your body and mind to the absolute limit."

Vulcan nodded, his eyes filled with resolve. "I want to learn them, Gramps. I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

Garp chuckled, clearly proud of Vulcan's determination. "You've got guts, brat. But remember, this is just the beginning. You've still got a long way to go."

Vulcan clenched his fists, excitement bubbling up inside him. The Rokushiki techniques were within his reach—he just had to work for it.

And he was more than ready to do that.