At The Peak of One Piece

Victor only woke when the rich scent of roasted meat filled the air—as if even the black particles in his body recognized that aroma as fuel for growth. They shoved his consciousness back to reality. 

Post-injury, his appetite was monstrous. Pain never hindered him. He ate, slept, and didn't wake until the next day. 

At dawn, he retrieved his weighted gear from the elite training grounds before joining the morning drills. A full night's rest had nearly healed his wounds. 

Though combat accelerated his growth, he wouldn't rush back to spar Zephyr just yet. Two more days of recovery first. 

--- 

Time flowed like water, steady and unrelenting, as Victor trained relentlessly. 

Now, he used Observation Haki to aid his mastery of Life Return. 

Controlling his heartbeat had been the easiest first step. 

But manipulating other organs? Far more delicate. 

Growing hair meant directing protein synthesis at the cellular level—focused on the scalp, relatively simpler. 

From Onigumo, Victor had learned Life Return's true essence: sending consciousness throughout the body with sheer willpower. 

This allowed direct mental control over physical functions—similar to Haki, but shallower. Its primary purpose? Sharpening the mind's edge. 

To strengthen his will, Victor turned to extreme conditioning. 

Deeper dives. Longer breath-holding. Crushing water pressure. Endless darkness. Repeated daily. 

Every three days, he sparred Zephyr. The rest? Submerged, tempering his resolve. 

The effort bore fruit. 

Half a month later, Victor's will finally suffused his entire form—Life Return, learned. 

His combat fluidity soared. Spars with Zephyr stretched longer. 

Even the former admiral marveled at Victor's monstrous physique. 

Now, when Victor activated Tekkai, a dark sheen rippled across his skin—Armament Haki, on the cusp of awakening. 

But he didn't stop. 

Stronger will → Sharper mind → Longer endurance in battle → More black particles controlled. 

A self-reinforcing cycle. 

He waited only for the moment of metamorphosis. 

--- 

Smoker trained harder than ever, rarely visiting the shore for meals. 

The loss to Onigumo had stung. Defiance burned in him—just as it had when he chased Straw Hat into the Grand Line.

Better late than never. 

Hina's progress was steady. Her Devil Fruit showed promise, though Paramecias demanded creativity—something she lacked. Victor made a note to guide her later. 

Rebecca now trained blindfolded just one hour daily. The rest? Swordsmanship and Observation Haki. The gap between her and Victor loomed large, but she refused to fall behind. 

Victor himself shut out the world. No distractions. Just growth. 

The seas could wait. 

--- 

The World Beyond 

This year, only Whitebeard held the title of Emperor. 

Big Mom and Kaido were rising, but their crews lagged behind. 

The Warlord system didn't yet exist. 

Boa Hancock remained enslaved in Mary Geoise—until Fisher Tiger's raid next year. 

Mihawk and Shanks were making names—one challenging swordsmen, the other clashing with him sporadically. 

Chaos ruled the underworld. The World Government extorted Celestial Tribute, while the nobles squandered it. 

The ocean? A gilded cage. 

--- 

As Victor finished drills, Andrew intercepted him. 

Andrew: "Victor, a word. Vice Admiral Garp called yesterday. He'll return to HQ in a week." 

A pause. 

"He knows about the Onigumo incident. Wants to 'assess' you personally. Consider yourself warned." 

The smirk in Andrew's eyes betrayed him. 

Victor (smiling): "Andrew, since I've got free time, how about you 'assess' me first? Don't worry—I'll avoid your face." 

Andrew (backpedaling): "Ah—no, no! Busy schedule! Very busy! Maybe ask Instructor Zephyr—" 

He fled before Victor could "persuade" him. 

A clear laugh rang out. Wendy had been lingering nearby and now approached with a playful tilt of her head. "You're impossible to catch," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Always training."

Victor shrugged, wiping sweat from his brow. "You could've come to the shore. Everyone knows where I live by now." 

Wendy's cheeks pinkened as she scuffed her boot against the ground. "Didn't want to intrude. We barely know each other."

"That pen you lent me during exams says otherwise." Victor grinned. "Least I can do is feed you. Feel like joining me for a meal?"

With a dramatic sigh, Wendy shook her head. "Can't. Classes. Not all of us can skip drills like you, genius." 

Victor chuckled, slinging his towel over his shoulder. "Right. My bad. Drop by anytime—even after lessons."

"I will." Wendy's grin turned mischievous. "The whole dorm smells your cooking, you know? I've actually cursed you for it before when stuck eating mess hall slop."

---

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