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"Boom..."
"Master, it's been a while since you last came here."
After exchanging a few casual words, Ajin grabbed the bleached white tusk of an enormous boar and dragged its massive body along as he led the way deeper into Beast Island. His relaxed demeanor caused Law to feel a slight tremor in his heart.
It was hard to imagine that such a frail-looking body could harbor such astonishing strength.
"Don't underestimate him, Law..."
As if reading Law's thoughts, Ichi spoke bluntly, "Ajin may appear weak, but his body contains terrifying explosive power. There's no doubt he could easily crush you at your current level!"
Relying on the vast machinery of Germa, Ichi had certainly not been idle these past years.
Ajin had been rescued several years ago during one of Germa's operations in the East Blue. At the time, Ichi simply found himself moved by the ferocious yet desperate gaze of a thief who was pinned down by guards and mercilessly whipped by a nobleman. On a whim, Ichi saved him.
Little did he know that this random act of kindness would yield unexpected results!
Over the years, Ajin had undergone brutal training on Beast Island, far surpassing even the younger trainees. He was now the only person apart from Ichi within Germa who had mastered all six forms of Rokushiki and unlocked their advanced techniques.
Though his current strength might still fall slightly short of Vergo, Doflamingo's top Red-Haired Officer, even Niji couldn't match Ajin in combat.
"That goes without saying..."
Two or three dozen figures appeared on the path ahead.
"After all, Ajin is known as the 'Demon' who strikes fear even into the arrogant brats of the first batch of trainees!"
The speaker was a towering middle-aged man at the head of the group. Unlike the others, he wasn't wearing Germa's standard combat gear but instead went shirtless, revealing his muscular physique covered with several shocking scars. His presence exuded immense pressure.
Much like Holden and Mike, he sported a neat buzz cut, wore sunglasses, and carried a cold expression. This was Avis Burn, captain of Germa 66's First Squad!
"Demon?"
Law's pupils contracted slightly.
After observing Ajin more closely—his stoic face and silent demeanor—he reluctantly admitted that the title fit well with his menacing appearance.
On Beast Island, there was no such thing as a "safe zone."
Every corner of the island teemed with gigantic and ferocious beasts, including prehistoric species like saber-toothed tigers, tyrannosaurs, and mammoths.
Danger lurked everywhere.
Before Ichi grew strong enough, Germa had expended considerable effort to barely tame two or three of the strongest beasts on the island. These creatures were then tasked with guarding the base and keeping the other savage animals in check.
To maintain this elite training facility, Germa's First and Second Squads regularly rotated elite soldiers to station themselves here each year.
Under Ajin's guidance, they soon arrived at the center of the island—the entrance to Germa's training base: a massive canyon!
"Roar—"
An imposing gorilla over ten meters tall loomed before them, radiating overwhelming pressure. Its fierce gaze locked onto the newcomers as it bared its razor-sharp fangs and let out a thunderous roar.
This was one of the rulers of Beast Island, tamed by Germa and stationed here as a gatekeeper. Behind the canyon, an even larger mammoth guarded the rear entrance.
"This is... way too big..."
Law, Bepo, and the others felt their stress levels spike, their hairs standing on end.
But the once-arrogant gorilla suddenly softened upon spotting Ichi among the group. Its violent expression shifted instantly, and cold sweat dripped from its brow.
"Woo!"
It crouched submissively, bowing respectfully toward Ichi, becoming docile almost immediately!
"It seems this beast truly fears Master..." Ajin smirked, addressing Ichi. "Every time it sees you, it becomes as obedient as a cat!"
Even Ajin himself, who could defeat the gorilla after a prolonged battle, couldn't help but admire how submissive it became under Ichi's presence.
"Roar!"
Seemingly angered by Ajin's words, the golden-furred gorilla bared its teeth, its eyes filled with murderous intent—but it dared not attack.
Because despite its size and ferocity, it stood no chance against this "shorty."
"Ichi-sama!!"
Inside the colossal canyon—
It was another world entirely.
Floors made of reinforced concrete stretched wide and bright, creating an underground entrance so spacious that Isabelle and the others momentarily thought they'd entered the wrong place.
"All fifth-phase trainees are trained separately, without interfering with each other."
"The entire underground base is divided into several zones. This is where the fifth-phase students train…" The sheer scale of the underground complex was unimaginable—it wasn't limited to just this single canyon.
One could only imagine the staggering amount of manpower and resources poured into its construction. It was no wonder Vinsmoke Judge had shown some reluctance initially.
"Hah..."
"Clang, clang..."
"Put some effort into it! No slacking off!!"
"Yes, sir!"
Dozens of boys aged between ten and twelve trained vigorously—sparring, striking wooden posts, lifting dumbbells—all drenched in sweat. Elite members of Germa 66 served as auxiliary instructors, while medical personnel stood nearby ready to provide care.
However, the gender ratio was severely imbalanced; there were only two or three girls among the trainees.
"In their first year, they focus on physical conditioning and technique training. Each month, they engage in battles with weaker beasts. In the second year, the intensity and frequency of combat training increase significantly. By the third year..."
"Take the first batch of trainees, for example—they frequently fight the beasts native to the island and are also sent on missions to hunt pirates."
"What's that?"
"They're with the chief instructor..."
"It's Germa's strongest warrior, Vinsmoke Ichi-sama!"
"Ichi-sama!!!"
As Ichi and his entourage entered, the sweaty trainees quickly lined up in two rows, standing at attention and saluting with fervent admiration in their eyes.
Aside from enduring grueling training regimens, these children were subjected daily to indoctrination:
Loyalty to the Vinsmoke family, who gave them a new life. Devoting their lives to the Vinsmokes. Sacrificing everything for Germa's glory…
These ideals had already been deeply ingrained in their minds.
While they might only recognize Niji and Yonji through photographs, Ichi, whom they had seen multiple times, was no stranger to them.