One day later, the soldiers gathered by Zephyr appeared in this unfamiliar world. It took significant effort for the soldiers to understand the concept of a virtual world.
The Crystal Tower stands on a vast square. Zephyr stood before the tower, speaking with the soldiers.
"Soldiers! This will be your new training ground. You don't need to worry about dying or getting injured here. Moreover, time flows twice as slowly here as it does in the outside world. Your task is to guard this Crystal Tower."
"Yes, sir!!!" the soldiers shouted loudly.
There were about a thousand soldiers, including Tashigi and Smoker, who was, as usual, with a stony face, smoking a cigar. Although His Highness Ezekiel's abilities are always so novel, he is hardly surprised anymore.
Seeing their enthusiasm, Zephyr smiled.
People who suddenly gain power will waste it if they don't have equivalent combat experience.
Soon, Zephyr disappeared, and a huge countdown appeared in the sky:
10, 9, 8… 1.
As the signal sounded, Smoker's cigar ash fell to the ground, and he looked shocked into the distance, where a portly giant was slowly approaching.
Looking like a ghost: long hair and a dragon scale tattoo on his left arm.
Emperor Kaido!
Not only Emperor Kaido, but also the three Stars of the Beast Pirates!
They roared and charged forward as if they had gone mad. The soldiers didn't react; they were stunned. Many were torn apart...
Impact!
Smoker barely blocked Kaido's assault, but he felt... this guy seems smarter, and his attack method is vaguely familiar.
"What are you staring at, you bastard?!" Kaido sneered, punching Smoker and slamming his head into the ground, crushing it.
Smoker turned into smoke.
Though this fighting style closely resembled Kaido's, it still reminded him of someone else. In the end, it was too late to think about it, so he had to focus on the battle.
Only Ezekiel , who was observing the first military training, knew that the Kaido everyone saw on the outside was actually the beloved Zephyr!
Zephyr, in the guise of Kaido, constantly smiled.
Boom!
Impact!
Although they were told that none of this was real, in the face of a situation that almost perfectly matched reality, who could say whether they should truly be afraid?
"Damn it! I'm going to become a warrior of the King!" - A passionate young man who had just joined the Royal Fleet shouted and rushed at Kaido.
Boom!
A terrifying club struck down, and the young man was immediately reduced to a heap of minced meat.
A heavy figure stood before everyone, looked at them with a smirking smile, and said:
Did he say something about the King?
In this sea, there is only one King, His Majesty Ezekiel! It was he who solved the problem of training the soldiers and even participated in the training himself. After all, the issue of insufficient combat experience had been troubling him for a long time. During the training, he was accompanied by none other than Rayleigh.
Considering the doubled training time, even with the need to attend to state affairs, he still had free time each day for battle preparation.
Ezekiel and Rayleigh fought on a huge platform. Nami and Robin sat on lounge chairs, wearing sunglasses and basking in the sun. Since the virtual world can freely adjust the weather, the climate here is always ideal. The battle between Ezekiel and Rayleigh was impressive to them.
I'm already strong, do we really need to train that much? - said Nami in a swimsuit.
For men, it's never enough, - Robin said meaningfully, smiling with a book in her hands.Nami's face turned red. Right now, she's under 18 and can't compete with Robin like she might in two or three years. Coughing, she asked:
Do you like Ezekiel ?
Robin smiled and didn't respond to her words.
Ezekiel and Rayleigh parted after another clash.
The battle was over.
"Your Majesty, you're learning quickly," Rayleigh said.
Ezekiel put away the light sword, exhaled, and smiled. It's not easy. The guys out there at sea are as strong as monsters. Enemies are watching him, ready to strike a fatal blow at any moment.
Taking a juice from Nami, Ezekiel asked Rayleigh:
"Are you there yet?"
"Almost there. Things have changed a lot here," Rayleigh replied. In reality, while he was in the virtual world, he was actually in a distant sea. Ezekiel had told him about a place above this sea known as Sky Island. Although he didn't need to be told, Rayleigh also knew the place because he had been there with Roger decades ago. Now, it could be considered a return.
Ezekiel had tasked him with reaching Sky Island and finding a large enough mirror there.
Ezekiel wanted to talk with the inhabitants of Sky Island on behalf of Alabasta about the issue of peace.
Once the military strength of Zephyr's forces is guaranteed, and the basic viability of Alabasta's people is established, Ezekiel's next step should be a new five-year development plan aimed at improving people's lives. But five years is too long; he wants to complete it in just one year, and for that, he must rely on the power of the Devil Fruit.
There are many valuable things Ezekiel wants to acquire on Sky Island, such as various shells, fire swords, flash pistols, a cloud cutter, and so on. More importantly, the Thunder Fruit, because Ezekiel's country has had a perpetual headache due to its energy system. Although Ezekiel's mobile phones do not require electricity, it is impossible to develop industry without it.
Currently, in Alabasta, there isn't even an electric lamp, and they still use kerosene lamps.
How can a country that the world calls a super-Kingdom be so impoverished?
Furthermore, the Academy of Sciences has developed things like refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and various electrical appliances, but there is still not enough electricity to power it all.
Building that many power plants under normal circumstances would take no less than ten years, but the ability of the Thunder Fruit is a walking power station in itself. Alabasta only needs to provide a sufficiently large battery, so there is someone who is most suited for the position of Director of the National Energy Agency of Alabasta. This individual is the possessor of the Goro Goro no Mi's abilities.
Ezekiel was not concerned whether Enel would agree or not. That is a matter for Rayleigh to resolve, at the very least, he should ensure Ezekiel has the opportunity to obtain the power of the Goro Goro no Mi.
The appearance of Enigate also solved Ezekiel's transportation issues. Once Enel has a mobile phone, Ezekiel will be able to communicate with him through the Mirror Fruit.
Thus, the World Government and other enemies have absolutely no opportunity to get rid of him.
As long as Rayleigh is near Sky Island, it means that Alabasta's elite combat power can be deployed there at any time.