Difference In Strength

It had been 10 days since the 5 Heavenly Demons had left Parch Island. Sabo who had made a full recovery was currently stood with his little head buried in a map with the occasional glance down at the log pose on his wrist.

"Ori we'll be able to see Cantera Island in the next two hours if we travel at our current speed."

Ori who was sat cross legged at the back of the ship generating wind to power the ship didn't reply to Sabo as he was concentrating on his Heavenly Demon Sacred Art.

His face was dripping with sweat and his brows were scrunched in discomfort. Suddenly a popping sound could be heard originating from his body.

Orion opened his eyes and couldn't help but grin cheerfully.

[Finally broke through to A rank!]

He suddenly stood up and punched out. He didn't use any of his qi or any other auxiliary abilities, just his physique but as the punch was fully released a small shockwave was sent forth. It wasn't particularly big, but it was enough to demonstrate the raw power Ori was now capable of.

[The words in the scripture were right. From the A- Rank onwards every breakthrough is a qualitative jump in strength equal to the difference when breaking through a major realm before.]

Thinking to there he looked back to the deck of the ship where Roman was practicing his pure yang physique under the glare of the sun.

"Rome."

Before Ori could finish his words, a pair of golden wings sprouted from his back and he took to the skies. He didn't need Ori to finish his sentence, he felt his break through and knew exactly what he wanted.

Ori smiled and took to the sky using the wind. They stopped when they were 20 meters above the ship separated by 10 meters.

When Sabo and Silk saw the duo take to the skies they both looked up in confusion, till they heard Shaya's indifferent explanation.

"They both practice a body refining method and Ori just broke through so he's using Roman to test his current strength."

When they heard that, both Silk and Sabo looked up at the two figures in surprise with a hint of awe.

Silk who was a martial artist was excited to hear that they knew a method to refine his body, that was until Shaya spoke once more, pouring cold water over him.

"Don't get your hopes up, for special reasons they can't share their body refining arts with others. Otherwise they would've done so with me."

Silk was disappointed hearing that, but he was still exciting to see how strong the man referred to as the rookie king had become after his most recent breakthrough.

Ori looked at Roman with a smile as his body radiated war intent.

"Same as normal, first I'll try my unaided raw power."

As he said that he fired into Roman, who also did the same. Both brothers punched out at the same time and as their fists collided a giant shockwave was created.

The shockwave was so powerful Sabo who was 20 meters beneath them was swept off his feet and sent flying. Silk had to tense so he didn't step back. He looked at Shaya who was stood indifferently in her previous position without a care in the world.

In his eyes although she was extremely powerful, raw strength wasn't where she excelled. He wasn't wrong, her main source of power came from her speed, vision, devil fruits and archery. But although she couldn't be called monstrously strong physically, that was only when comparing her to her two brothers. To others her strength was nothing to scoff at. After training with Ori and Roman for 9 years if she wasn't at least this strong, there would've been something wrong.

Both Ori and Roman were sent 2 meters back before being able to stabilize themselves.

[To be able to tie with Roman in terms of raw strength despite being 1 sub-realm lower, my Heavenly Demon Sacred Art really is a level higher in terms of quality, but because of that it's much harder to breakthrough. I had a head start of 3 years and I've only just broken through to the A rank where as Roman's already at the peak of the A+ rank and should break through to the S- rank in the next month or so.]

As he thought to there he looked at Roman and said.

"Next with my Heavenly Demon Qi."

As he said that he began circulating his Qi through his body strengthening it. Seeing that, Roman immediately Dragonized becoming a Dragon scaled man.

Just like before, both brothers punched out not holding back. As their fists collided the power of the shockwave was far more intense than before. Sabo was sent flying off the ship, Silk had to take 10 steps back before he could stabilize himself. Even Shaya was forced 1 step back.

Even though he was shocked by the display of strength of Ori and Roman, what shocked him more was what Shaya did when she took a step back.

[She absorbed the impact of the shockwave and distributed it perfectly through the ground in an instant.]

As a martial artist he understood the mechanics behind what she did but understanding the mechanics and being able to accomplish it were 2 very different concepts. He looked at Shaya then at Ori and Roman in the sky.

[Monsters… No Demons!]

Ori was sent flying 20 meters before he could stabilize his body. He looked at Roman who was stood leisurely in his original position, before sighing helplessly.

"The difference in strength between your normal form and your dragonized form is monstrous! Even when using Qi to strengthen my body the gap is still massive!"

Roman replied with a shrug.

"You trying to compete with me in strength is like me trying to compete with you in speed… Pointless!"

Ori nodded as what he said was true. When Ori used the wind to move, he became unmatchable in speed. Even Shaya who had the Dracule families "Vanishing Step" wasn't as fast as Ori.

Sabo who had just swam back to the ship was looking up at Ori and Roman with undisguised awe.

[When am I going to be that powerful?!]

Ever since boarding the ship, he had been training hard under the guidance of Ori and sometimes Shaya. He was rapidly getting stronger but as the only people he had to compare himself to were the Demonic Trio and now Silk, he couldn't help but feel a little down at the massive gap in strength.

What he didn't know was that the speed in which he was improving had greatly impressed all 3 siblings. His body strength was far stronger than what it was before leaving, he was already no weaker than your average marine. But the thing that impressed them most was his rate of improvement with the staff. Although he still wasn't near the Staffsman boundary, he had made major improvements. Ori speculated that overall he was currently no weaker than a normal grandline pirate, which for a 10 year old is an incredible feat in and of itself.

As they landed Ori went back to powering the ship, Roman went back to practicing the Pure Yang Physique and Shaya sat down in meditation practicing the hawk eye technique. Silk felt inspired to train after witnessing the display from before. Silk jumped into the sea and swam under the ship resisting the currents.

Sabo hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and looking towards Ori who was lazily lying down staring up at the sky whilst controlling the wind to steer the ship. Feeling Sabo walking towards him he looked over at him with an inquiring gaze. Sabo met his gaze and said resolutely.

"I want to get stronger faster!"

Ori looked at him for a second before turning back to the sky as he replied.

"You're current rate of improvement is already good."

Sabo shook his head as he said.

"You said you want to become the king of pirates in the future. I'm far too weak to be a member of the future pirate king's crew. My rate of improvement being "good" is far from enough."

Ori turned back to face Sabo and looked deeply into his eyes and said in a dignified manor.

"Are you sure you want to increase your training? The level of training you're asking for can only be described as hellish. Before you say yes, keep in mind that there will be no quitting half way through."

Sabo took a deep breath and nodded resolutely.

"I'm sure!"

Ori nodded and then flicked his wrist. Suddenly a gust of wind sent Sabo flying off the ship into the sea behind the boat.

Just as Sabo was confused by Ori's action, he heard Ori's voice.

"Swim behind the ship the rest of the way to Cantera Island."

Just as Sabo was about to start swimming to catch the ship he felt a strong wind pushing him back.

"If you don't hurry up you will fall too far behind the ship."

Hearing that Sabo began swimming as fast as his little arms could carry him through the water.

[Ori was right this is hellish!]