At The Peak of One Piece

Halfway through the second month of training, Victor used his leave to visit Sabaody Archipelago—this time, with Rebecca and Wendy in tow. 

Before departure, he'd drilled them relentlessly. 

Rebecca's Observation Haki progress had stalled. Wendy, though perceptive, was still bruised daily from training. 

Victor wanted Rebecca to reach the Steel-Cutting level—where a swordsman could slice through steel with sheer skill. 

'Her physique is on par with Zoro's Alabasta-era strength. So why can't she break through?' 

Frustrated, he resorted to brutal sparring, hoping desperation would trigger her awakening. 

The ship docked at the Marine base. Without pause, Victor led the girls toward Grove 10. 

"Victor, are we going to the amusement park?" Rebecca asked, eyes sparkling. 

Wendy, who'd never dared explore Sabaody before (thanks to its infamous slave traders), perked up. 

Victor sighed. "If we're lucky. This place is a den of vipers." 

Even with his strength, Sabaody unnerved him. 

- Silvers Rayleigh lurked somewhere, retired but still a monster. 

- Supernovas frequented the area. 

- Bizarre Devil Fruit users could turn the girls into liabilities. 

'Stay sharp.' 

--- 

Victor headed straight to Flyer Street, Grove 10—the address of Ben, the snitch from his last visit. 

The building resembled a hybrid hotel/intel hub. Dozens of informants loitered, trading secrets for Berry. 

Ben, the weaselly little man, appeared promptly. 

"Eternal Black Steel?" Ben repeated after Victor's request. "Hah! Funny you ask—it surfaced a few years back. Stolen from a kingdom's vault by pirates. Vanished since." 

Victor's pulse quickened. 'A lead.' 

He slid 5 million Berry across the table. "Dig deeper. Payment's upfront." 

Ben's hands trembled. For a small-time rat, this was life-changing money. 

"Y-You're a Marine?!" he stammered upon learning Victor's affiliation. His posture instantly straightened. "I'll send word to Grove 60's base if I find more!" 

As Ben scurried off, Rebecca frowned. "What if he runs with the money?" 

Victor ruffled her hair. "Too small a sum to risk my wrath. And now he knows I'm Navy—double incentive to behave." 

Wendy watched their interaction, unreadable. 

Victor's next stop: Grove 20, the anarchic heart of Sabaody. 

The air reeked of gunpowder and charred flesh. Screams echoed through the bubble-coated trees. 

Gangs attacked thrice. Rebecca bisected them without breaking stride. 

Then— 

Victor's lips curled. 

Just after arriving at his destination, a smile appeared on the corner of Victor's mouth, and it was indeed him, and that man was here today!