Chapter 150
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Arthur had been staying with the three sisters for a while, helping them remove their scars. However, he didn't stay there the entire time, since the process to fully remove the scars would take about two weeks. The day after discovering Rusukaina Island, Arthur returned to Sky Island.
Currently, Sky Island has eight legions in total, in addition to the two main forces: the Flame and Kamui legions. However, two of these legions, Void and Shadowstream, don't engage in combat, so only six are considered combat legions.
To strengthen the whole army at once, Arthur only focused on Wyper, Raki, Yana, Enel, Urouge, and Naz. These individuals are elite vice admirals or higher, with two having already reached near-admiral level strength, and two others close to that level. Arthur decided it was best for them to remain on Sky Island, as they wouldn't gain much from training on Rusukaina Island.
The deputy commander of Urouge's legion was also an elite vice admiral, and they wouldn't be gone long for training. With that, the island's defense was still strong.
Arthur finally made the decision: everyone except the six mentioned would head to Rusukaina Island for training.
He believed it wouldn't take long for Camachli, the leader of the Void Air Force, Iliad, the leader of the Shadowstream Corps, and the two elite vice admiral deputies, Alice and Egerport, to return from training on the island as well.
After selecting the participants, Arthur took them, along with Luffy, to Rusukaina Island that same day.
Earlier, Arthur had used Conqueror's Haki to subdue the entire island, creating a safe zone at the ruins of an ancient kingdom where wild creatures wouldn't dare approach. It was a perfect training ground for the more than 800 soldiers.
After bringing them to the island, Arthur explained that while the kingdom ruins were a safe zone, the natural climate of the island was something no human technology could withstand.
Moreover, the kingdom ruins weren't a place to stay for long. The deputy commanders and squad leaders at vice admiral level could stay there for up to 30 days, after which they would need to survive on the island on their own.
Squad leaders without vice admiral-level combat power were given 60 days, or two months.
As for the rest of the soldiers, Arthur gave strict orders: within 100 days, all brigadier generals must be promoted to major general rank.
For those already at the elite major general level, they could stay at the kingdom ruins for a week. Regular major generals could remain for half a month. Over time, the amount of time spent in the safe zone would decrease by one day each month.
In a year's time, all soldiers would be scattered across the island to survive. This would ensure that within two years, the top ten legions would be filled with powerful soldiers, many reaching vice admiral level.
An army like this would make the world tremble.
However, only those with exceptional talent had been made deputy commanders and squad leaders. It was likely that the remaining soldiers would reach vice admiral rank at most.
The IQ grass, after all, had its limits. It only increased the potential of these war angels, who were originally at the colonel, brigadier general, or major general ranks, by one level. Reaching vice admiral rank would already be considered a great achievement.
In addition to this, Arthur provided Boa Hancock (Snake Empress) with a large amount of supplies so she wouldn't need to raid for resources anytime soon, allowing her to stay focused on the scar removal process.
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On Amazon Lily, within the palace of the Kuja Tribe...
Arthur lay against Boa Hancock's soft bed, holding the beautiful and delicate empress.
For the past ten days, aside from the first few days, Arthur had been staying at Boa Hancock's palace, using the excuse of helping remove the curse from the three Boa sisters.
During this time, their relationship quickly grew closer. As someone experienced in romance, Arthur found it difficult to resist Boa Hancock's charm, as she practically obeyed his every word. He remained composed, though, or he might have lost control.
Aside from their final step, Arthur and Boa Hancock had no secrets between them.
Over the past few days, they talked about many things. Arthur shared a lot with Hancock, except for certain matters he felt were inappropriate to discuss.
He even told her about the women in his life. Just like in the original story, Boa Hancock fell into her usual bouts of dramatic sorrow.
Sixteen days had passed since Arthur's arrival. In that time, the scars on the backs of the three Boa sisters had completely disappeared.
With the heavy burden lifted from their hearts, the sisters regained their confidence, and their personalities changed for the better. Even their previously stagnant strength began to grow again.
After the "curse" was lifted, Boa Hancock (Snake Empress) proudly announced to the entire Amazon Lily that Arthur would be her future husband and the only man allowed to set foot on the island.
Though the previous empress, Gloriosa, strongly opposed this decision, Hancock was too proud to listen to her advice.
In this land full of women who had never seen a man, even Arthur had to be cautious. These women, faced with not only a man but a male angel, became quite obsessed. Despite the attention, Arthur couldn't afford to act recklessly towards the citizens of one of his future wives' islands.
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Three days later, the year on the Sea Calendar had turned to October 1520.
While spending time with Hancock, Arthur continued to strengthen his abilities, using the constant sea sands to develop immunity against Seastone (the core substance of the magma).
On this particular day, Arthur received a secret message from the leader of an underground intelligence organization.
"You mean, it might be the Air Pressure Fruit...?" Arthur's face turned serious as he spoke to the agent on the other end, using a secure line meant for confidential communication.
"Uh... yes, but I'm not certain. I didn't get close enough to confirm. The fruit is on an island where Whitebeard's territory meets Big Mom's."
"The fruit was quickly taken by a noble on the island. The money was handed over to this noble, but they have some strength. We might not be able to take them on," the agent admitted nervously.
"Is this noble affiliated with the World Government?" Arthur asked.
If the island belonged to a World Government member nation, Arthur couldn't simply seize the fruit. But if it wasn't, he could take matters into his own hands.
"No! The ruler of this island is caught between Whitebeard and Big Mom, trying to sell the island. But it's likely they'll align with Big Mom. There are rumors circulating in the New World that Whitebeard is getting old and might not live much longer."
"Even though the Whitebeard Pirates are trying to suppress these rumors, they haven't been very successful. On top of that, I've heard that Big Mom's ministers might come to the island soon. It's famous for its chocolate, and Big Mom is obsessed with food. She won't let the island slip away."
This agent was one of the first assigned to monitor the New World and was quite familiar with its political landscape.
"I see. Keep a close watch on the Air Pressure Fruit and update me with any new information. I'll return to the island soon," Arthur instructed before hanging up the phone.
Lying beside him, Boa Hancock had been listening to the conversation the entire time.
"Arthur, is the Air Pressure Fruit meant for Nami?" she asked.
"Yes," Arthur confirmed while playing with a small flame in his hand.
"Nami is incredibly talented when it comes to understanding weather, navigation, and charting. She's been studying on the small island of Weatheria, which specializes in meteorology, for almost two years now."
"If she could get the Air Pressure Fruit, it would enhance her control over weather to unimaginable levels. It would help me a great deal," Arthur explained.
"A suitable battlefield that Nami could create using her abilities would give me a huge advantage. If she can awaken the fruit's powers, her control over weather phenomena would be unstoppable."
"I have to leave, Hancock. This fruit is far too important to lose," Arthur said softly, looking at her.
"Alright, I'll wait for you here. Please be careful!" Boa Hancock replied, blushing as she slipped out of Arthur's embrace. She sat up and looked at him with a serious expression.
"Don't worry, I'll introduce you to Nami when I return, if the opportunity arises!" Arthur said, kissing Boa Hancock on the lips before disappearing from the palace.
The Air Pressure Fruit, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, was considered one of the strongest. Its powers were even more potent than those of Doflamingo's String-String Fruit.
If Nami were to eat this fruit, her natural talent would allow her to fully harness its power, enabling her to create massive thunderstorms and other extreme weather conditions, which would make for an ideal battlefield for Arthur.
Once the fruit awakens, Nami would likely be able to control weather phenomena within a certain range, making the Air Pressure Fruit a crucial piece of Arthur's future plans. Even if it meant going to war with Big Mom, Arthur would not hesitate to acquire it.