NOVEL NEXT Chapter 70: 70
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, another eight months had passed.
Deep within the jungle of Sky Island, four figures darted swiftly, leaping and bounding with agility that rivaled that of monkeys. They effortlessly maneuvered through the dense forest, vaulting over obstacles in their path.
"Tony, Vivi, Robin, you're all too slow! If you don't speed up, I'm going to leave you behind!"
A young girl with vibrant orange hair, moving like a streak of lightning, called out to the group trailing behind her.
It was Nami. After 11 months of rigorous training, her once youthful and tender face now bore a hint of maturity. She had gained significant mastery over her Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit), and in terms of speed, even Tony could hardly keep up with her.
"Nami, slow down! We can't keep up!" Vivi shouted from behind. Despite her own incredible progress, even she couldn't match Nami's lightning-powered speed.
The stark difference left Vivi feeling somewhat discouraged.
Tony shook his head in exasperation.
"Nami, the whole point is to train your physical stamina! Why are you activating your Goro Goro no Mi ability? Seriously..."
"Hee-hee! I don't know. It just... activates on its own when I'm running! Must be some kind of uncontrollable reflex. You know, the curse of being a Devil Fruit user... sigh!" Nami teased, making light of the situation.
"You're just showing off! But don't forget—when we encounter Haki users in the future, if your physical endurance is lacking, you'll be at a disadvantage!" Tony warned.
"Bleh!" Nami stuck her tongue out playfully but ultimately listened to Tony's advice, slowing down to join the group.
In the 11 months since their training began, all three women had grown remarkably. They were no longer the helpless individuals they once were.
Vivi's progress had been the most shocking to Tony. Not only had she achieved significant mastery over swordsmanship, but she had also awakened Armament Haki, thanks to her rigorous physical training.
Robin, too, had awakened Armament Haki, driven by her unwavering determination.
Although Nami hadn't yet unlocked Armament Haki, her mastery over the Goro Goro no Mi had enabled her to develop Observation Haki.
Looking at their accomplishments after nearly a year, Tony felt an immense sense of pride. These achievements were no small feat, but he also knew they were merely the beginning.
In the New World, users of Conqueror's Haki were as common as fish in the sea, while Observation and Armament Haki were practically prerequisites for survival.
Tony decided to end their training early for the day, giving the women a well-deserved two-day break. For the past 11 months, they hadn't missed a single day of training. Their dedication made Tony both proud and a little heartbroken.
"You've earned it," he said with a smile. "Take a couple of days off. Enjoy yourselves on Angel Island. Relax and recharge."
The three women lit up like children on Christmas morning, their joy written all over their faces as they eagerly planned a shopping spree on Angel Island's famed Cute Street.
After all, Tony was a small-time mogul with a fortune exceeding a billion berries—more than capable of indulging their whims.
"Go on, have fun. When we're done here, we'll return to the Blue Sea. I'll take you to meet my sister Shakky and my mentor, Rayleigh."
"Rayleigh?!"
The three of them exclaimed in unison, their expressions turning to shock.
Tony's mention of this upcoming meeting left them momentarily frozen.
A heavy atmosphere settled over the air.
As the saying goes, even the most reluctant bride must eventually meet her in-laws. The thought of meeting Tony's legendary mentor had the three women feeling as if they were about to face a monumental test.
Tony had often spoken about Rayleigh in the past, describing him as both a savior and a guiding force in his life. The man was not only the right-hand of Pirate King Gol D. Roger but also a figure of mythical renown, whose fame eclipsed even that of Golden Lion Shiki.
The sheer magnitude of this revelation had the trio feeling a mix of awe and trepidation.
But rather than dwelling on it, they sprang into action, rushing toward Angel Island with newfound purpose.
Tony, left standing alone, scratched his head in confusion.
"Jeez, it's just a trip back to the Blue Sea. Why are they so worked up?"
Meanwhile, not far from their location, the current "God of Sky Island", Gan Fall, overheard Tony's plans to leave. His heart sank.
"Tony-sama, are you really leaving?" Gan Fall asked, hurrying toward him.
Tony sighed, recognizing the familiar scenario.
"Old man, you've been at this for almost a year now. I've lost count of how many times you've tried to talk me into this."
Gan Fall's persistence over the past year had been nothing short of extraordinary. Nearly a hundred times, he had tried to convince Tony to take over the mantle of Sky Island's God.
"Tony, as the God of Sky Island, it's my duty to lead our people toward prosperity. But I'm getting too old for this... I can no longer shoulder this responsibility."
"I'm certain you're the only one who can lead Sky Island to a brighter future. Please, I beg you, don't refuse me again!"
Gan Fall's heartfelt plea was accompanied by tears and sniffles, putting Tony in an awkward position.
Seeing the elder's sincerity, Tony couldn't help but feel conflicted.
"Look, old man," Tony said with a sigh, "I'll be honest with you—I simply don't have the time to manage Sky Island. My place is in the Blue Sea. That's where I'm meant to be."
"If you ever encounter something you truly cannot handle in the future, send a distress signal from Weatheria through the clouds. I'll come as quickly as I can," Tony said, making a small concession.
Gan Fall's eyes lit up with excitement as Tony finally agreed, his year-long persistence paying off. Overwhelmed with emotion, he clasped Tony's hands tightly.
"Thank you, Tony! Truly, thank you! From this day forward, you are the God of Sky Island. Don't worry, I believe you'll never regret this decision!"
"...Yeah, sure," Tony replied nonchalantly, feigning enthusiasm.
In truth, he didn't want the burden of such responsibility, but he simply couldn't say no to the elderly man's heartfelt plea. Ultimately, he relented and accepted the title of Sky Island's God—at least in name.
Tony sighed inwardly. He knew that from this moment on, his connection to Sky Island would be an inescapable bond. However, he tried to reassure himself. Maybe it's not all bad. Let's take it one step at a time, he thought.
Meanwhile, in the bustling shopping district of Angel Island's Cute Street, Nami, Robin, and Vivi were in complete disarray at a clothing store.
The trio frantically tried on outfit after outfit, each trying to decide the best attire for their upcoming meeting with Tony's mentor.
"Nami, what do you think of this one?" Vivi asked, holding up a stylish yet modest ensemble.
"Vivi, how about this one?" Nami countered, holding up a daringly chic dress.
"Robin, does this look weird on me?" Vivi asked, glancing at herself in the mirror in yet another outfit.
The three of them bustled about, torn between countless options, utterly devoid of their usual composure.
Indeed, love-struck women seemed to abandon all rationality. If Tony were to see them now, he'd likely collapse on the floor in fits of laughter.
When they finally returned to the ship, it was already late into the night. The three were triumphant, their arms laden with shopping bags. They had practically emptied the two clothing stores in Cute Street of every outfit in their size.
The trio felt confident they were fully prepared for their "meeting-the-family" moment with Tony's mentor.
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