Two weeks later, the year is 1516 in the Sea Round Calendar.
During this time, Kaido, who had transformed into a teacher, had gradually become numb from the initial shock and awe.
Eric's children had exhibited unparalleled learning abilities.
On the first day of teaching, Emerald went from being completely unable to use Haki to having a basic understanding of Ryuo in just over half an hour.
Immediately after her came Shen Lan. Her blessing was Orochimaru's scientific talent, and she had absolutely no interest in combat. She preferred learning above all else, a silent and taciturn literary girl.
However, her outstanding intellect still allowed her to master Ryuo on the second day.
On the third day, Shen Wei and Huo Hua also learned it.
Over the next two weeks, Eric's children successively grasped the knack. Even Shen Feng, the slowest learner, took only a few weeks.
"You've worked so hard," said Eric.
He sat cross-legged on the smooth rock at the back of Onigashima, with his children's Ryuo training experience feeding back to him.
The combined experience of eleven people was channeled into him, making Eric the biggest beneficiary.
"Thanks to you, my children have all mastered Ryuo," Eric said.
"They've only mastered it at a basic level," Kaido retorted, still stubborn.
He was forced to teach them before, but it was different now. These children's talents were so incredible that he was captivated by them.
The only regret was that his granddaughter, Huo Hua, had only achieved third place in the "Ryuo learning speed competition."
Kaido was like a parent who received their child's exam results. Huo Hua's grades were good, but two others had scored higher.
This caused a subtle feeling of discontent in Kaido's heart. His granddaughter being surpassed was as if he himself had lost to others.
"Only Huo Hua among your children has awakened Conqueror's Haki. I will teach her Conqueror's Coating. Don't worry about it!"
Kaido was going to give his granddaughter special attention. She might have lost the Ryuo speed race, but she would win the Conqueror's Coating learning contest!
After all, only Huo Hua possessed Conqueror's Haki!
"Then I'll leave it to you," Eric raised an eyebrow, a bit amused. "One sheep is the same as herding a whole flock. Let the others learn too... uh?"
As he spoke, Eric's brow furrowed.
His pupils reflected a world of black and white. His vision seemed to transcend thousands of mountains and rivers, seeing the Holy Land, Mariejois.
"Finally," Eric said with a slight smile.
He had waited so long. The CP7 agents had finally reached Mariejois.
He lightly leapt from the rock, snapped his fingers, and black shadows, like burning flames, rose from the soles of his shoes, engulfing him.
"I'm going to Mariejois to have a 'chat' with the Five Elders. Don't slack off when I'm not around. Teach them well, Father-in-law," he said.
The shadows vanished instantly, dissipating with the wind.
Gone...
Kaido squinted. Even the fastest warships would take at least half a month to travel from Wano to the Holy Land, Mariejois.
...
...
The Holy Land, Mariejois.
Within Pangea Castle.
A magnificent conference room with a long table surrounded by people.
On one side of the table were seven Gothic-style armchairs, but only six were occupied.
These six people were the current Warlords of the Sea, gathered here by the World Government's mandatory summons.
Across from them sat the Navy's top brass, led by Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"Not here yet?"
Sengoku looked at the wall clock. It was 12 pm.
"Fufufufu... Don't wait. That woman will never come. Empress Boa Hancock, what a willful woman," said a man with a flamboyant attitude.
He sat with his legs crossed, his nine-quarter pants revealing a generous amount of leg hair.
Donquixote Doflamingo, the Heavenly Demon, leader of the Donquixote Family and King of Dressrosa.
"Just get started. What's the point of summoning us Warlords? Damn Pirate Empress, making me wait for two hours!" said an onion-headed man with a fierce expression and an irritated tone.
"Keep it down, Moria," said Vice Admiral Tsuru, calmly sipping her tea.
"That woman's strong. You wouldn't stand a chance against her," said Doflamingo with a smirk.
"What did you say? Doflamingo!"
"Just stating facts."
"You want to fight?"
The atmosphere became tense. Seeing two troublemakers about to fight, Sengoku snorted, "Enough! What kind of monkey business are you doing here?"
He took a deep breath and smiled, "I said be quiet, you scum of the sea."
"Fufufufu... Thanks for the compliment," said Doflamingo with a wry smile.
"Hmph, just get on with it. I have things to do. I'm a busy man," said Moria impatiently.
Seeing this, Sengoku glanced at the empty Warlord seat and said solemnly, "The reason for summoning you is about a man..."
"You should all have heard about him if you've read the news."
"The man who committed heinous crimes in the West Blue, Promotheus Eric!"
At that moment, a black shadow drifted across the empty Warlord seat, under the watchful eyes of these powerful individuals.
The shadow clung to the back of the chair, crawled onto the cushion, then transformed from flat to three-dimensional, quickly condensing into a dark figure.
"Who's there?" a Vice Admiral exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table.
Everyone was shocked, their eyes fixed on this uninvited guest.
The shadow gradually faded from the newcomer's head, revealing a handsome and youthful face.
Eric sat there, legs crossed, and said with a smile, "Having a Warlord meeting? Can I join? After all, the Pirate Empress isn't here. The seat's empty anyway."
"Promotheus!" Sengoku exclaimed in shock.
How dare this man, the first to have a bounty of 1 billion berries, brazenly appear in Mariejois?
"How did you get in here?" Vice Admiral Tsuru mumbled in disbelief. "This is the Holy Land!"
"Just walked in. You guys just didn't notice. To be honest, I was planning to find the Five Elders, but I got lost," said Eric.
He turned to Sengoku and chuckled, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you said I committed heinous crimes?"
The six Warlords all fell silent.
Doflamingo thought he was already arrogant enough, but there was always someone better.
"Go on, I want to hear what crimes I committed," said Eric.