Chapter 136: Everyone Has Their Moment to Shine

TL/N:

Jabba = Scopper Gaban.

Please read back to Chapter 134 for more details.

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The cliffs surrounding the valley stood about 150 meters tall—roughly equivalent to a fifty-story building.

This height was perfect for practicing the newly learned Moonwalk technique.

Maude leapt from the edge of the cliff, his body hurtling downward through the mountain winds.

The descent would take about ten seconds.

During this time, he had to maximize his attempts to use Moonwalk.

Adjusting his posture mid-fall, Maude firmly stomped downward with his right foot.

Boom!

A faint sonic boom echoed as the air beneath his foot compressed, causing his body to tilt sharply to the left.

Instead of correcting his posture, Maude focused on maintaining control over his power and speed, stomping downward with his left foot.

Boom!

The air's resistance pushed his upper body back to the right, but he overcompensated, failing to stabilize his form.

Having only just learned Moonwalk, Maude's control over the technique was still far from precise.

Staggering slightly, he landed on the ground.

While in midair, he needed to account for gravity, weight, direction, and force—all at once—with minimal margin for error.

If even one of these factors was off, maintaining a stable Moonwalk became impossible.

Clearly, this wasn't a skill one could master easily.

"Learning Moonwalk isn't hard if your physicality meets the mark. The hard part is mastering the technique."

Maude reflected on his earlier attempt, planning adjustments for the next.

He understood clearly that to truly master Moonwalk, relentless practice was necessary.

Jumping off cliffs was just the first phase of his training. Once this stage was complete, he'd have to practice initiating Moonwalk from a standing position, then work on midair directional changes. And ultimately, he'd need to perfect combining Moonwalk with shooting.

Only by mastering these techniques could he fully realize Moonwalk's utility.

Otherwise, it would be little more than a skill to cushion falls.

The ideal, of course, was to reach a level like Sol's—a joyful aerial bomber who could torment enemies with no anti-air measures to their wit's end.

However, reaching Sol's level would take years of practice. Unless Maude could hunt down a substantial number of dragon-tier prey, it wasn't realistic.

"Lafitte," Maude called out.

"Understood," Lafitte replied with a soft chuckle as a pair of pristine white wings sprouted from his back.

Whoosh!

Grabbing Maude's right hand, Lafitte flapped his wings and soared into the air, swiftly returning him to the cliff's edge.

Maude nodded in thanks, and Lafitte descended gracefully to the ground, folding his wings away.

Standing at the edge of the cliff, Maude paused to steady his breathing before jumping again.

Until his stamina was completely spent, he would continue practicing.

Over the past three months, through consistent training and the assistance of [Nutritional Cuisine], Maude had finally raised his physical condition to a three-star level as of two days ago.

Crossing this initial threshold had made subsequent improvements noticeably slower.

At this rate, even with the continued aid of [Nutritional Cuisine], it would likely take about twenty years to reach the physical level of Kaido or Big Mom.

And that was a conservative estimate.

It wouldn't be surprising if it took thirty, forty, or even fifty years.

Fortunately, Maude had the Hunter's Notebook, which would help expedite the process.

As Maude prepared for another jump, Lafitte landed softly nearby, folding his wings with ease.

Though Sol had recommended Moonwalk, Lafitte showed no interest in the technique.

After all, as a Mythical Zoan user with innate flight capabilities, there was no need for him to waste energy learning Moonwalk.

Not long after folding his wings, Lafitte felt a familiar gaze on him from behind—brimming with envy.

Without turning, Lafitte knew it was Sunny.

Ever since he revealed that his Devil Fruit was a Mythical Zoan, Sunny would always stare at him with those admiring eyes whenever he used his powers.

He'd gotten used to it over time.

A few meters away, a now-trim Bailey hopped around energetically, practicing Moonwalk with visible determination.

Gaya squatted nearby, resting her cheeks in her palms as she watched Bailey's earnest efforts with narrowed eyes.

"Bailey, I know a way to help you master Moonwalk faster," Gaya said with a smile.

"Really?" Bailey stopped mid-motion, his eyes sparkling.

Gaya grinned. "You'll have to try it to find out."

"Huh?"

Bailey froze, sensing a foreboding air in her tone.

Still, he didn't want to miss any potential opportunity. Cautiously, he asked, "What's the method?"

Pulling a gleaming axe from behind her, Gaya positioned its blade upright, pointing skyward.

"You use survival instincts to unlock your potential. Practice over this axe, and you'll master Moonwalk in no time," she explained.

"I don't believe you! You're trying to—!" Bailey's voice rose in panic, imagining terrifying scenarios.

"Aww, come on."

Gaya's eyes twinkled as she examined Bailey's unique physique, like she was assessing a rare delicacy.

After months of being fed [Nutritional Cuisine], Bailey's already special body must have undergone some peculiar changes.

"Come on, Bailey. Just try it," Gaya coaxed.

With a shriek, Bailey bolted behind Sunny for cover.

Seeing this, Gaya regretfully put away the axe.

Nearby, Sol glanced at the axe slung on Gaya's back. "Honestly, I think guns suit her better."

"Shut up," Jabba snapped.

Amid the banter, Maude landed again, still stumbling slightly.

With Lafitte's help, he quickly returned to the cliff's summit and leapt again, repeating the grueling cycle of practice.

Sunny and Bailey didn't idle either, both immersed in their own training.

Watching Maude's repeated attempts, Jabba turned to Sol.

"You spent about two years mastering Moonwalk, didn't you?"

"Yeah."

"How long do you think it'll take Maude?"

"With me guiding him? About six months," Sol replied, taking a drag of his cigarette. "But to truly advance, it's not just about practice. Talent and other factors need to be drawn out in battle."

Sol glanced briefly at Lafitte.

Training partners were helpful, but nothing matched the growth spurred by life-and-death combat.

To simulate the effects of lethal battles without risking lives, both combatants would need awakened Zoan powers—capable of surviving fatal wounds and healing rapidly.

That combination would allow for daily death-match-style training to build strength.

In fact, some were already employing this method.

As time passed, night fell.

A bonfire crackled in the clearing, roasting an entire lamb overhead.

Sol unfolded a newspaper by the firelight.

Illuminated on the front page was a headline accompanied by a photo of Ace.

"Fire Fist, huh…"

Sol murmured the name softly.

Jabba glanced at the photo on the page and said earnestly, "This guy's probably the brightest rising star this year. Takes guts to challenge Whitebeard at such a young age."

Sol nodded in agreement.

"Pirates with epithets always seem so impressive," Sunny chimed in, leaning closer. The newspaper had been her contribution to the group.

"Not necessarily," Sol replied, smiling at her.

"Oh." Sunny nodded thoughtfully before turning to Lafitte. "I remember your epithet is 'Demon Sheriff.'"

Hearing this, Maude glanced at Lafitte with a smirk. "To be honest, that name sounds a bit tacky."

"…"

Lafitte silently withdrew from the conversation.

Sunny chuckled and looked at Maude. "What about you, Maude? What epithet would you give yourself?"

"I haven't really thought about it," Maude replied.

But as Sunny's question lingered, Maude's gaze fell on the small figure seated by the fire.

Memories of Sol facing Garp—the look of defeat and bitterness etched on his face—flashed through his mind.

A life spent striving to climb a mountain, only to realize it was insurmountable.

"Sol."

Maude looked at him intently. "Can I borrow the name 'Phantom Gun' for a few years?"

Crackle.

The bonfire sent sparks into the night.

The air grew quiet.

Sol froze.

Fragments of long-buried memories stirred, and a voice from the past grew clearer.

It was his captain's voice.

"Everyone has their moment to shine…"

Sol lifted the newspaper, shielding his face.

"My moment…"

"…was it all for this?"

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