Chapter 29 - Progress

-A week later.

Inside a large room, Victor, our protagonist, can be seen walking aimlessly, seemingly thinking about something, or someone.

"Hmm… hmm… not bad." He spoke into the empty room before walking towards a door to the right, "Zephyr is really something. I thought it would take some time, but he managed to find me this place in less than a week."

With a *Click* sound, he opened the door and walked inside.

"One bedroom, one sitting room, and of course, a large open area which is closed from all sides, even above." He thought while reviewing his new residence.

The total area summed up to 30 square meters, more than enough space to fit his spaceship.

"All this, coupled with some decent privacy, only for 50 million, not a lost bargain…" He said to nobody, followed by a satisfied grin. "Perfect!"

He then recalled the many interesting things that had happened during the past week.

First, he officially joined training with the other recruits, and even made friends with some of them. The theoretical classes went smoother than expected, as the only thing even remotely challenging was the subject mathematics. Everything else were very simple, from teaching basic manners, marine regulations, their hierarchy, and some brain washing like that of Hiruzen Sarutobi's 'leaves fly, fire will burn' bullshit.

Victor had Jaya scan every single book, however, only uploaded the data about marine regulations and hierarchy to his mind. Mathematics was easy as it couldn't even challenge previous life's high school level syllabus, and the bullshit loyalty materials, he straight up buried them in Jaya's metaphorical recycle bin.

Another important thing was the Swordsmanship training manual that Zephyr brought him. The author's name was akin to a person from Wano, and when Victor enquired, Zephyr replied that it was very old, hundreds of years old content.

Jaya scanned everything, the entire 167 pages of inscription, then processed them within three days before uploading all the information to his brain.

That moment, he felt the familiar aching sensation for the first time again in nine years, but, the epiphany he felt was beyond incredible. Even the many hand-to-hand combat techniques he first received could not compare to the amazing revelations. Only the realization of pure energy manipulation, or flying skill came at least close to the feeling.

The ways of a Strong Blade swordsmanship, or Gentle Blade swordsmanship, felt familiar as drinking water. More importantly, he understood the famous saying — 'When we wished to cut, we can cut through even steel. When we do not wish to cut, the blade will not scratch even paper.'

That realization felt like his sword had become one with his will. He confirmed everything by secretly practicing, i.e., cutting even iron became easy as cutting a piece of paper now.

His new sword, 'Rain,' was beautiful. As beautiful as the one he found from the shipwreck. It was a slightly curved, Iris-Leaf style katana with a dark purple color scheme. The sword-guard was square shaped, hilt lacquered solid lilac, and as was the scabbard. Both are embellished with simple, triangular motifs on each side. It had a dark purple, — nearly black, — groove, just under the spine and an irregular flame-shaped edge pattern, like the sword from shipwreck.

Victor did not demonstrate his mastery of swordsmanship to anyone, not even Zephyr. Even if he were considered a genius, it would still freakout anybody, and may even bring a lot of unwanted attention, which, he would very much rather keep away for now.

Letting out a deep sigh, he walked out of his new home, then went towards his uncle's place, to convey gratitude once again for the many things he had done for him. "I have your back old man. Whitebeard's son or not, no tragedies will befall you in the future, as long as I live. That I promise!"

- January of Sea Circle Calendar 1494 | Victor, age 15.

Days turned in to weeks and weeks turned in to months, and like that, time passed by without fault or any interruption. Nearly seven months had passed since Victor Joined the marine's elite recruits' batch.

Almost every day, he had been diligently training in accordance with the program Zephyr had prepared, while simultaneously completing the entire two-year theoretical contents. Moreover, most of the evenings after people went to sleep, he would take out the spaceship out of the MSD, and grind himself inside the gravity room.

All and all, the results weren't big, however, the past few months did improve a little of the understanding of Haki and Rokushiki.

In addition, he would sometimes fly out of Marineford during the only free day he gets every week, and change to the identity of Boogeyman the bounty hunter.

Although it did not fruit any combat gains, it kept his made-up antagonist character's name from disappearing out of news entirely. Of course, he did not target any criminals above 100 million yet, as his plan had not yet fully commenced in to action.

It was easy to sneak out with the help of nano suit's camouflage mode, as it not only made him invisible, but also greatly suppressed the radiating aura, which made it easy to slip through people's sense of Observation Haki.

Of course, if a real powerhouse were to concentrate, then it would not be possible to completely stay hidden, even with the help of nano suit's camouflage mode.

He also had many battles with other recruits, and to his disappointment none of them were even close to a challenge, apart from Borsalino.

He had another fight with the said man, and the result, once again a Victory. However, Borsalino did hold on far longer this time.

As for Sakazuki, nothing happened. They both had a tacit agreement, which was communicated the first day, for their match would happen during the period of graduation.

And lastly, after six months, Victor's physique power had grown to 60,162. The improvement wasn't much, only about 6000 units, however, this is only the power behind his physical body and its potential Haki.

At the same time, his standard power level rose to a staggering 94,665, close to the level of Admirals. It was now clearly evident; his standard power level progressed much faster than physique power. And when enquired about it, Jaya advised that any creatures physique power had their limits, unlike the upper limit of pure energy progression.

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A/N:

Next is the graduation competition. I have already finished the draft, about 10k words, but I will try to cut them in to five chapters.

I know a lot of readers aren't happy with the slow pacing.

Thank you, and please leave a review. I'd appreciate it.