NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Arthur became fixated on training after consuming the Thunder Fruit for the first time.
While honing his skills, he carefully pondered his future path.
Firstly, mastering and utilizing the Thunder Fruit's powers was crucial but came with significant drawbacks.
Additionally, physical conditioning and mastering formidable physical techniques were essential. The strongest individuals in the world excelled in both physical prowess and Devil Fruit abilities.
Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido, Sengoku, and Golden Lion were formidable figures, combining Devil Fruit powers with exceptional physical abilities.
Even without relying solely on Devil Fruit powers, they remained among the world's elite.
Take, for instance, Marine Vice Admiral III, a formidable Marine whose strength would likely diminish significantly without a Devil Fruit ability, potentially dropping to the ranks of quasi-Admirals like Peach Rabbit and Tea Dolphin, or even weaker.
Particularly, Admiral Kizaru might struggle at this level, heavily reliant on his Devil Fruit powers despite being a skilled swordsman. This dependency was frowned upon by Zephyr.
Faced with the uncertain path ahead, Arthur proceeded with caution, avoiding rash decisions.
After careful consideration, Arthur decided to give up pursuing swordsmanship. Initially, it was daunting to start without a master, and much of it relied on innate understanding.
Furthermore, Arthur believed he lacked talent in swordsmanship.
Instead, leveraging the advantages of his Thunder Fruit, Arthur opted for a long weapon, akin to Enel in the original story.
Long weapons complement Thunder Fruit abilities well. As for the taiko drums, Arthur didn't want them holding him back.
He chose a three-pointed, two-edged knife similar to Erlangshen's in the Baolian Lantern. This weapon allowed for powerful strikes and durability, aligning with Arthur's future plans.
With his weapon and path set, Arthur structured his day into seven segments.
Two hours were allocated for meals due to his monstrous appetite, far surpassing his previous life's eating capacity.
Six hours were dedicated to sleep and bathing, with flexibility for adjustments based on rest quality.
Another two hours were devoted to training future elite members of the training camp.
The remaining five hours were split between honing his Thunder Fruit abilities and physical strength. Three hours focused on physical exercises, while the last hour was dedicated to awakening Observation Haki.
Thanks to his knowledge from reading the original book, Arthur was familiar with the awakening and training of Observation Haki.
By following the same training regimen as Pluto Rayleigh used with Luffy, Arthur believed he would awaken his Observation Haki sooner or later. The Thunder Fruit's enhanced senses of sight, hearing, and color further reinforced this belief.
Arthur meticulously structured his day to accommodate his rigorous training plan.
He dove headfirst into intense training at the Second Gate, barely taking breaks on the training ground.
It wasn't until a full month passed that the recruitment of teenagers and children from Bika Island concluded, and the elite training camp members were selected. This allowed Arthur to reclaim the originally planned two hours.
Set outside Bika Island, the vast training ground utilized Sky Island's unique cloud features. Here, a diverse group of teenagers of varying ages awaited training.
These youths ranged from twelve to fifteen years old, with some even in their twenties. They were the most gifted individuals selected from nearly a million people on Bika Island.
Younger age groups had larger numbers. For each age bracket, Arthur instructed the chief guard to pick the top five most talented individuals.
Ultimately, the first-class of the elite training camp on Bika Island was formed, consisting of 54 exceptional individuals.
These trainees possessed extraordinary temperaments, setting them apart from ordinary people.
The waiting teenagers remained remarkably patient, understanding the profound respect the king of Bika Island commanded. They knew that the islanders, despite their simplicity, held the king's position in high regard without any complexities.
Unbeknownst to them, the protagonist they awaited had already arrived.
Arthur, utilizing his Thunder and Lightning abilities, concealed himself while observing from a hidden vantage point.
After a considerable period, Arthur nodded in satisfaction. These teenagers exceeded his expectations.
Suddenly, a crackling sound of thunder and lightning echoed, capturing the teenagers' attention instantly.
They witnessed a swirling mass of thunder and lightning, drawing in more energy before transforming into a human form.
As the teenagers were taken aback by this extraordinary spectacle, the thunder and lightning subsided, revealing the figure of their new master, the revered God of Bika... Arthur!