“Huff… huff…”

  Three days ter.

  O Isnd in Totto Land…

  A group of Kukulkan family children was training hard uhe scorg sun, their s down in rivulets.

  “Mamamama! My good children, you o take this seriously!”

  Overseeing their training was Linlin, who cheered loudly with a bright smile. “Otherwise, when your father es back from the Red Line and checks your progress—if he’s not satisfied—don’t expect me to cover for you!”

  “Uood, Mom Linlin (Mama)!”

  The dozen or so children replied in unison, their voices ringing out loud and clear.

  “But Mama, this training is s…”

  The eldest, Thor, swung his massive hammer as he pio his merd. “When we go out and fight for real?”

  “You little brat, you’re barely out of diapers and already dreaming about fighting!” Gerd rapped her knuckles against his head. “Focus on your training! Don’t let your Devil Fruit ability go to your head. If you run into a powerful oppo with your current skill, you’ll end up as their meal.”

  “Besides,” she added, rolling her eyes, “aren’t you always chasing intruders in Totto Land anyway? You’re the only oh that kind of ability.”

  Under El’s rigorous training, Thor had already awakened his Observation Haki. His exceptional talent allowed him to develop araordinary “Heart ” usirical waves, c a massive area.

  Even at such a young age, he had refi to the point that it could span one-fifth of Totto Land’s territory, letting him monitor every movement within that range. Many intruders never even got a ce to act before Thor, from over a hundred nautical miles away, unleashed a single “God’s Judgement” that sent them straight to the o floor.

  “They’re all so weak—just one light attad they’re finished. It’s no fun at all…” Thor pouted. “When I go on an expedition with Uncle Oka or Uncle Afar?”

  “What’s this? You want to join an expedition?” Linlin crossed her arms and chuckled. “Mamamama! That depends on your performance!”

  “Exactly,” Gerd agreed with a smile. “Your father said before he left that once you’ve mastered even one of the Three Spears of Elbaf, you join the fleet and participate in battles to refine your skills.”

  Theurned her gaze to the third child, Dal; the fourth, Willie; and Medusa. “Of course, Dal, Willie, and Medusa are exceptions. You three don’t have the t stature or monstrous strength of the others, so Elbaf’s giant bat teiques might not suit you. We won’t be as strict with you.”

  “You just have to pass the test Linlin and I set for you!”

  “Really?”

  Upon hearing this, Thor, Sif, Dal, and the others couldn’t hide their excitement. They had growless from monotonous training and were eager for a.

  “Mama Linlin, what do I o do to pass your test?” Dal asked, running up to her with eyes sparkling in anticipation.

  “It’s simple. For a little guy like you…” Linlin smiled, raising her right hand. Silky blood flowed out, f a blood-red bde. With a gentle ssh, she unleashed a massive wave of energy.

  Ssh—!

  A huge shockwave ripped through the sea, creating a massive rift and ing up t waves. A deep, uling trench was left in its wake.

  “All you have to do is aplish something like that, and I’ll approve your participation in expeditions!”

  “Really?”

  Dal watched the rift gradually recede, showing not the slightest discement—only growiement.

  Linlin patted his head and grinned. “Of course! When has your Mama Linlin ever lied to you?”

  Dal, the third child, was undoubtedly the brightest and most perceptive among the Kukulkan siblings. Both El and Linlin favored him.

  “Swish!”

  At that moment, the fmes at the back of his head suddenly snuffed out.

  “Night Demon Assault!!”

  With a swift motion, he drew the bde at his waist. Though still young, Dal radiated an aura of sharpness and resolve. In a fsh of cold light—

  “Boom!!”

  A crest-shaped ssh tore through the atmosphere, splitting the sea in two. An astonishing trench appeared ourbulent surface, leaving everyounned. While not quite as overwhelming as Linlin’s, it was impressively close.

  “Wow—!”

  “That’s amazing…”

  “Brother Dal is incredible!”

  The younger siblings stood dumbfounded; no one had expected Dal to produce such a powerful ssh.

  “This kid… has his swordsmanship improved again?”

  “Looks like he’s pletely mastered your sword teique, Linlin!”

  Linlin and Gerd exged looks of surprise. At only eleven years old, Dal’s talent was so exceptional it made even them feel ie.

  “Mama Linlin, does that t?” Dal asked, grinning cheekily and looking up at her with his three eager eyes.

  “Mamamama, you pass,” Linlin replied, patting his head. “If there’s a future expedition, you join. But don’t sck off on your training—uand?”

  “Yes, Mama Linlin!” Dal responded enthusiastically, then turo Thor, Sif, and the others, making pyful faces.

  “Darn it, Dal…”

  Thor’s eyelid twitched as he ground his teeth. “Stop showing off! I won’t lose to you!”

  “Crackle crackle…”

  In the instant, Thor’s entire body surged with dazzling lightning. The powerful electric current coursed through his cells, making his hair stand on end ainguishing the fmes at the back of his head. He entered his most powerful attack mode.

  “Elbaf Spear—!”

  The t er-tall figure radiated immense power as he raised his electrified war hammer. With a force that seemed to shatter the very air, he brought it crashing down.

  “Mighty Nation!!”

  A drical shockwave of terrifying power erupted outward.

  “Boom! Boom!”

  In a matter of seds, the shockwave tore through the sea, leaving an enormous tren the roiling surface. The sight was utterly breathtaking.

  Bleam