"Koby, go and call Helmeppo."
Intentionally choosing both of them, Bai Yu gave the order.
"Yes, sir!"
Koby saluted sharply and ran toward the cabin without hesitation.
Thud, thud, thud…
Before long, Koby returned with Helmeppo in tow.
Perhaps due to being caught off guard, Helmeppo was still gripping a mop—his sleeves rolled up awkwardly, his face flushed with nervousness.
It looked… honestly hilarious.
"Reporting, sir! Did you request me?"
Helmeppo straightened up and asked, trying to hide the mop behind his back.
"Yes," Bai Yu nodded calmly. "I've already heard a bit about the two of you."
"I want to ask—are you satisfied with your current assignment?"
The question lingered like a blade in the air.
"Very satisfied, sir!" they both quickly replied after a slight pause, clearly not wanting to offend.
"Be honest with me."
Bai Yu's voice carried a subtle weight that made the air feel heavier.
Assigned to cleaning duties, they couldn't even touch the surface of marine training. If this was 'satisfaction', then the world was upside down.
"I…"
Koby glanced at Helmeppo, then lowered his head. But in the next second, tears of frustration welled up in his eyes.
"Sir! I'm not satisfied at all!" he cried out. "I want to join the boot camp! I want to become strong!"
"I want to dedicate myself to justice—to the Navy!"
Koby's shout echoed with unshakable determination.
"Alright, alright. I'm standing right here. You don't need to shout that loud."
Bai Yu waved his hand with a slight smile.
"As far as I know, even if you do join training, advancement in the Marines isn't guaranteed."
"You need not just discipline, but talent."
"But…"
Bai Yu's gaze sharpened.
"You two have a chance now."
"Surely you've heard the rumors about me?"
"I want to personally recruit you both as my deputies. I'll be your direct instructor."
"What do you say?"
"But let me be clear—"
"I don't accept quitters."
"And with me, training will be far tougher than anything standard recruits go through."
"But I promise you this: stay at my side, and you'll grow stronger than any peer from your generation."
He finished his offer, then stepped back.
Now the choice was theirs.
Koby and Helmeppo fell silent.
Then, almost simultaneously, they looked up and nodded to each other.
"We accept!"
The two spoke in unison.
To them, following Bai Yu was a calculated risk—and an enormous opportunity.
Though Bai Yu held no official rank yet, they had heard of his achievements.
Quelling the Alabasta rebellion.
Defeating the Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile, in combat.
His strength was unquestionable.
Moreover, he was Garp the Hero's disciple in name.
Surely, a commission was only a matter of time.
[Ding! Host has successfully accepted trusted aides: Koby, Helmeppo.]
The system notification echoed in Bai Yu's mind.
He nodded in satisfaction.
"Sir, when does training begin?"
Now officially under Bai Yu's command, Koby and Helmeppo could barely contain their excitement.
"Immediately."
"First, drop the mop."
"You won't be scrubbing decks anymore."
"Yes, sir!"
The moment they realized their days of chores were over, their eyes lit up like children seeing sunlight after days of rain.
And more than that, the training they longed for was about to begin.
Soon after…
On the deck of the warship.
Bai Yu stood before Koby and Helmeppo, introducing them to the basics of Rokushiki, the Six Powers technique used by elite Marines.
To become strong, one had to start here.
Swordsmanship would come later—it depended on individual aptitude.
The system's training manual made this clear. So first, Rokushiki.
"Rokushiki is a martial arts system that surpasses the limits of human capability," Bai Yu began.
"Master it, and even Devil Fruit users won't faze you."
"The six forms are: Soru (Shave), Tekkai (Iron Body), Geppo (Moonwalk), Rankyaku (Tempest Kick), Shigan (Finger Gun), and Kami-e (Paper Art)."
He explained each form with precision and patience.
In a short time, both Koby and Helmeppo gained a fundamental understanding.
"Right now, your bodies are too weak."
"So your first goal is to build core strength."
"I've created a physical training regimen for each of you."
"If you fail to meet the targets—no food, no rest."
He handed them both sheets detailing the workouts.
"Get to it."
With a wave of his hand, Bai Yu set them loose.
"Yes, sir!"
They saluted and got to work immediately.
[Ding! Host has guided his trusted aides for the first time. Reward unlocked: Ju·Sixfold Strike.]
The system beeped again.
A rush of battle data flooded Bai Yu's mind.
Ju·Sixfold Strike—a devastating sword technique.
It channels explosive power through the arms and unleashes six consecutive strikes in rapid succession.
With enhanced motion and force, it far surpassed normal combo attacks.
And when the move's proficiency hit 100%, it would unlock advanced chains of attacks.
Grinning, Bai Yu tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.
The future looked promising.
---
The next morning.
Bai Yu and his team smoothly reached Gaya Island.
Once the warship docked at the coast, Bai Yu disembarked with only Koby and Helmeppo, heading toward the island's central district.
It was his first time here—and he needed information.
Specifically, about Blackbeard.
Along the way, they said little.
Soon, they reached the heart of the island.
Finally, Bai Yu halted before a dimly lit bar.
In a chaotic zone like Gaya Island, information flowed like rum.
And bars were the best place to tap that flow.
Where mercenaries, bounty hunters, and info brokers all converged.
As long as you had coin, the news would flow freely.
Bang!
Bai Yu shoved open the doors and strode in, Koby and Helmeppo behind him.
The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere changed.
The lively chatter froze.
Eyes turned. Voices fell.
The bar was packed with pirates.
The sudden appearance of three clean-cut Marine recruits? An anomaly.
But after a moment of tense silence, laughter broke out.
They had clearly recognized the standard-issue recruit uniforms.