One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

The basic physical training was intensely grueling.

When Wright first gained the power of Holy Light, he immediately realized the importance of physical strength.

The requirements for Holy Light were even higher than those of Devil Fruit abilities. Not only did it demand immense physical strength, but it also required mental fortitude. If one possessed great physical strength but lacked the corresponding spiritual discipline, the Holy Light would gradually begin to assimilate the user's consciousness—leading them to disregard life and death, becoming cold and detached, acting purely on basic logic.

For this reason, Wright placed a significant emphasis on physical training from the outset. Moreover, because the Holy Light enhanced physical conditioning, Wright's physical abilities had already become extraordinarily powerful. So powerful, in fact, that even without using Holy Light to recover his stamina, the physical training in the camp only left him slightly winded.

Now, let's take a look at the other recruits—

After the afternoon physical training session, Rosinante and Smoker were dragged back to their dorms by Wright, their exhausted bodies scraping the ground. Unlike Wright, their Devil Fruit abilities weren't so overpowered, unable to enhance their physical strength.

Wright threw his two exhausted companions onto the dorm floor, then used a Holy Light spell on them. In an instant, the two who had been on the brink of death were revived.

"This is…" Smoker's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "This is your ability, Wright? You never mentioned your power was this overpowered, able to restore stamina?"

"Ah, I see now…" Rosinante, almost biting his tongue, murmured, "No wonder you could kill so many Sea Kings. I originally thought it was because of Vice Admiral Garp's intervention, but with this ability, you could have done it all by yourself…"

"Ah… I didn't tell you guys?" Wright scratched his head. "Restoring stamina is just one of its effects. It's mostly used for healing injuries, but it can also be used for offense and defense…"

Seeing the complex looks Rosinandi and Smoker shot his way, Wright wisely decided to remain silent.

"Anyway, wait here. I'll go ask Bogard for some Sea King meat so we can have a good meal…"

The next week's physical training began, and the recruits in the camp started their daily struggle, pushing themselves to the brink of death in high-intensity exercises. Their goal—Elite Test!

Ever since discovering Wright's ability to restore stamina, Rosinante and Smoker felt like they had hit the jackpot. They did the most extreme training every day, only to be rejuvenated by Wright's powers, allowing them to recover fully and rest well, ensuring they were ready for the next day's training. There was no risk of collapsing from exhaustion.

Zephyr, Shuzo, and Goomir, the three instructors, already knew about Wright's abilities and guessed what was going on. They were pleased to see the three Devil Fruit users forming a group so quickly. As for asking Wright to help all the recruits recover their stamina during training, they had never considered it. Wright was under no obligation to do so, and they felt lucky he was willing to help.

"Looks like the three of them, these already impressive Devil Fruit users, are certain to pass the elite test. Their physical training results are several times better than the others," Zephyr thought as he examined the training data. "I'll have to discuss with Sengoku about having Wright return as an assistant instructor after he graduates. This ability… when used well, could greatly boost the training efficiency of new recruits!"

...

A week of enjoyable physical training came to an end.

"Today's morning session is over!" Zephyr looked at the recruits sprawled on the ground and couldn't help but glance twice at the three young men who were still full of energy. "This afternoon is for rest and recovery. Tomorrow morning, we will begin the 'Elite Test,' which will decide the members of the 'Elite Squad!' Dismissed!"

Wright and his companions, laughing and talking, headed to the cafeteria, their path obstructed by the resentful gazes of the other recruits who had collapsed all around the training grounds. The recruits' backgrounds were complex, but they were all selected from the main branch and various divisions—some had earned their place through merit, others were sent for further training due to their strength, and some were the children of high-ranking officers, while others were top geniuses newly recruited into the Navy. Could they really ignore the strange behavior of Wright and his friends? Of course not!

The three of them were all Devil Fruit users, but for the recruits who had already undergone various trainings, it was impossible for them not to notice that these three were different. This wasn't a common perk of being a Devil Fruit user. Maybe some Zoan-type Devil Fruit users could get away with it, but these three clearly weren't.

So, the only conclusion they could draw was that Wright's ability must be related to stamina recovery. And soon enough, some recruits started to ask Wright if he would use his ability to restore their stamina, one way or another. Would Wright be that kind-hearted? Under normal circumstances, he might help out, but right now, during training, it was enough that he was keeping himself, and especially Rosinante and Smoker, in peak condition. If too many people started asking for his help, things would get out of hand.

The recruits were mostly denied when they asked, and they gave up after being refused by enough people. After all, this was Zephyr's territory—did they want to risk their lives?

The next morning, the recruits gathered in the training field, and Admiral Zephyr announced the rules for the Elite Test.

"As members of this training camp, you've already undergone two weeks of rigorous training. I'm pleased to see that all of you have persevered so far," Zephyr said, scanning the recruits with a piercing gaze. "The next phase of training will be even more difficult. Some of you may drop out due to exhaustion or injury, but I believe more of you will stay and complete your training, becoming the backbone of the Navy and fulfilling your own sense of justice!"

"But, as the Navy's most elite training camp, having gathered the finest recruits of this generation, that's still not enough! We need to establish an elite squad, one that will undergo the harshest training, receive the most cutting-edge education, and enjoy the highest-level resources from the main branch. This squad's goal is to become future Admirals!"

Wright silently thought to himself, "So there's an elite squad… I didn't know that. I always thought all recruits were treated equally, but now that I think about it, there are so many recruits, but only a few who actually become Admirals. I'm excited to join this 'special class!'"

Zephyr noticed the change in the recruits' expressions and continued, "The rules are simple. First, each of you will take one punch from me!"

"I will keep my punch at the average level of a Navy Elite Colonel. You may use any method to block it—attack, defense, physical techniques, swordsmanship, or abilities—but you cannot dodge it," Zephyr added with a satisfied smirk as the recruits' faces turned pale. He added, "By the way, I will be using Armament Haki. So, Devil Fruit users, don't even think about dodging with your abilities."

Smoker's face turned black. He was the only one with a Logia-type Devil Fruit...

"Those who take my punch will have to fight in a group battle. The last ten remaining will directly enter the Elite Squad!"

"Now, according to the training camp numbers, step forward in order!"

Since Wright was a late addition, he had the lowest number. At first, he just watched as the other recruits went up to take their punches.

Zephyr's Armament Haki-enhanced punch, even at the level of a Navy Colonel, was not something an ordinary recruit could handle—without dodging, they could only face it head-on with either offensive or defensive techniques, meaning tricks wouldn't work, and the recruits would be forced to rely solely on their raw strength.

Whew, what a sight to behold!

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