Chapter 52: Storm’s Little Classroom Begins!

A unique banquet unfolded in the open space near the small chapel.

Storm, Kid, and Killer sat at the center of the festivities, while the other residents of the Sorbet Kingdom gathered around the edges.

Everyone enjoyed the food and drinks hauled from the Marine warships, creating a lively atmosphere.

Storm began by devouring the massive spread of food before him like a whirlwind, clearing the plates in no time.

Only after easing his initial hunger did his eating pace slow down—though it was still far faster than an average person's.

Between bites, Storm glanced at the two young men beside him—one with fiery red hair and the other with golden locks—who were also busy stuffing their faces.

"After the banquet ends, I'll set up some training plans for both of you," Storm said, shoving a large chunk of unidentified meat into his mouth, his words still clear despite the chewing.

"Your physical conditioning is seriously lacking. We'll focus on building your Physique first before moving on to anything else."

Kid and Killer exchanged glances, their eyes alight with excitement.

"Yes, Boss!" they chorused.

"Oh, and one more thing," Storm added, his gaze settling on Kid.

"Kid, aside from physical training, you'll also need some education—especially on topics related to 'magnetism.'

"You've eaten the [Magnet-Magnet Fruit] and are now a 'Magnet Person.' This Fruit has immense potential, and you've barely scratched the surface of its power!"

In Storm's opinion, even the future "Eustass Kid"—who would storm Wano Country alongside two other members of the Worst Generation and help topple two Emperors—had a rather… underwhelming mastery of the [Magnet-Magnet Fruit].

Just look at the [Nika Fruit]—well, never mind, that one's off-limits.

Then there's the [Op-Op Fruit].

Law's mastery of the [Op-Op Fruit] was comprehensive and formidable.

But Kid?

His Fruit development basically boiled down to one somewhat interesting move—the [Railgun].

As for his other techniques? Mostly just assembling random machinery.

Could that even still be called the [Magnet-Magnet Fruit]?

Even Kid's [Railgun] couldn't withstand a single casual slash from Red Hair…

Which birthed a now-infamous quote:

"Gods dodge, but I don't—I'm tougher than the gods!"

Kid set down his food, his face twisting in discomfort.

"Boss… are you saying I have to… study?"

Since when was being a pirate this complicated?

"Because you're a 'Magnet Person,' studying is non-negotiable," Storm said firmly.

"Otherwise, you'll never know your true limits."

"Pffft—HAHAHA!"

Killer burst into laughter beside him, slapping Kid's shoulder hard.

"Good luck, brother!"

"You—!"

Kid shot him an indignant glare.

"Boss! What about Killer? Doesn't he need to study too?"

"Him? Study?" Storm shook his head, eyeing Killer before lingering on the sickle at his waist.

"He's a non-ability user. As long as he can cut people down, that's enough."

"Killer, you like using a sickle?"

"Yeah, Boss!"

Killer immediately drew the weapon from his hip.

"Since childhood, I've always used a sickle."

"Hmm, not bad."

Storm nodded.

For a swordsman, any weapon that feels comfortable in hand will do.

Are blades really such inconvenient things? Storm opened his right palm, and smooth white porcelain clay surged from it, instantly forming two ceramic sickles.

"Try these."

Storm tossed the two ceramic sickles to Killer.

The latter caught them and gave them a light heft.

Then Killer clashed the ceramic sickles against his usual metal sickle.

Clang! Clang! The collision between ceramic and metal actually produced a crisp metallic ring.

Killer examined the ceramic sickle's edge closely—it bore no chips or nicks.

In contrast, his own sickle now had several small cracks from the impact.

"Such a hard blade!"

"Any weapon that feels right is fine."

Noticing Kid's eager gaze, Storm molded a ceramic pirate cutlass for him too.

"How much do you know about the realms of swordsmanship?"

Killer tilted his head, sounding confused.

"...Realms?"

"Alright, seems you know nothing at all—completely self-taught..."

Storm shook his head and gave a brief explanation.

"Swordsmen can generally be divided into three realms."

"First, there are those who simply wield blades—nothing special about this stage. You currently qualify as a 'swordsman.'"

"Next are those who comprehend the 'Breath of All Things.'"

Storm picked up a vegetable leaf with his chopsticks and tossed it high into the air.

In the next instant—

The Goethite Sabre left its sheath, its snowy blade tracing a silver arc through the air.

From their close vantage point, Killer and Kid clearly saw the Goethite Sabre's edge cleanly strike the leaf! Yet to their bewilderment—

Though Storm's blade had unmistakably hit the leaf, the thin vegetable showed no damage whatsoever. It simply floated down, carried by the blade's momentum.

"How is this possible?"

Killer picked up the leaf and scrutinized it closely, but found no trace of injury.

"But boss, you definitely cut that leaf!"

"Indeed. Some swordsmen can strike their target without inflicting any harm."

Storm gestured for Killer to hand over his sickle.

"Do you still need this sickle?"

Killer quickly passed it over.

"Boss, feel free to use it if you want!"

Taking the sickle, Storm repeated his demonstration.

He tossed the sickle upward and gave it a light slash with the Goethite Sabre. Like a hot knife through butter—

Storm's Goethite Sabre effortlessly cleaved through the sickle's blade.

This display of Iron Cutting left Killer awestruck once more.

"Swordsmen who grasp the 'Breath of All Things' can cut through steel. This is the second realm."

Storm returned the severed sickle to Killer.

"On the seas, such 'Iron-Cutting Swordsmen' are called—Sword Masters."

"Beyond Sword Masters lie Great Sword Masters. But that's beyond what you need to know for now."

Killer held the scythe in both hands, gazing intently at the mirror-smooth edge of the blade before nodding solemnly.

"I understand, boss."

This time, Killer's address to Storm carried far more sincerity than before.

Prior to today, Killer had merely seen Storm as a "newly acknowledged boss," with no particularly deep bond between them.

But after this "Vongola-sensei's Swordsmanship Mini-Lesson," Killer had already begun to regard Storm as half a comrade.

After all, the words Storm had just spoken revealed his understanding of Kid and Killer's circumstances.

Kid and Killer—these two "natives of the South Blue"—had neither prestigious lineage nor renowned mentors. They had truly grown up through sheer, untamed struggle.

What Storm had shown them, whether in terms of "strength" or "knowledge," was immensely beneficial to them.

It wasn't just Killer.

Kid shared similar thoughts, eagerly asking,

"Boss! Do Devil Fruits have 'realms' too?"

"Of course they do."

Storm casually tapped the ground beneath his feet, and the earth instantly transformed into soft clay.

"If your comprehension of your ability is deep enough, you can extend its influence to the surrounding environment.

"This realm is called 'Awakening.'

"...Alright, don't try it now! You haven't even fully grasped magnetism yet, so don't even think about 'Awakening'!

"In short, whether it's 'Swordsmanship' or 'Devil Fruits,' they're all abilities built upon the foundation of the 'body.'

"Train your body well, and everything else will follow."

Considering that today's lesson had already been quite substantial, Storm decided against introducing them to the concept of [Haki] for now.

Given their current physical condition, even if they knew about [Haki], they wouldn't be able to use it.

Kid and Killer nodded excitedly.

"Got it, boss!"

The feast continued.

Kuma, who had been absent earlier, suddenly reappeared beside Storm.

"Um, Mr. Vongola..."

"Have you made your decision?"

Storm glanced at Kuma before standing up.

"Let's talk in the chapel. It's quieter there."

Inside the small chapel, Bonney was happily devouring the food and fresh water that had just been brought in.

Kuma watched his daughter with tender affection for a moment before speaking softly.

"I just got in touch with Dragon."

"Go on."

"He said Vegapunk is currently on Punk Hazard, but the island is heavily guarded—impossible for ordinary people to enter."

Kuma clenched his fist slightly, a trace of regret flashing across his face.

"As for the user of the [Op-Op Fruit], the Revolutionary Army hasn't gathered any intel. The only thing they know is that the World Government once placed a bounty on that fruit years ago...

"But Germa 66—I've already pinpointed their location!"

Storm raised an eyebrow.

"The North Blue?"

"No, Germa 66 is currently in the East Blue."

Kuma shook his head and explained,

"There's a war going on in the East Blue, and one of the nations involved has hired the Germa Kingdom to fight for them."

Storm nodded.

That made sense...

"So you want to go to the East Blue now? To find Germa 66?"

"Yes!"

Kuma tightened his fist.

"I want to confirm whether Germa 66 knows about the existence of the 'Azure Jade Scale' disease."

"I can't give you a definitive answer on that," Storm reminded him.

"But I suggest that if you want to ensure Bonney's treatment goes smoothly, you should go directly to Vegapunk."

"At the very least, you need to get the treatment plan from Vegapunk!"

"But..." Kuma hesitated.

"Dragon said—"

"Are you Dragon's fanatic follower?" Storm couldn't help interrupting.

"You just believe whatever he says?"

Kuma stared at Storm.

"Do you have a

better method?"

"I've said I can provide other assistance," Storm reminde

d him.

"But that comes at an additional cost."

Kuma glanced at Bonney, who was still happily eating nearby.

His gaze lingered for a moment on the "gemstone" on her cheek.

"As long as it can cure Bonney's illness..." Kuma said firmly.

"No matter the cost, I'm willing to pay it!"

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