Chapter 191
Since then, it remained calm and even stole the Snail, and, according to the others, did not let her out of sight.
Thinking about this, Bill went out on the deck of the Blue Bird and made sure that everything was going as usual. They had recently passed through several whirlpools and would soon approach the ruins.
Caravels were generally faster than frigates, a rule that held true despite Aramakki personally rebuilding Frontier Run.
Looking over the side of the ship, Bill thought that he had underestimated the value of the gift Smoker had given him. Even if this ship could not be used to transport cargo, it would be quite suitable for transporting people in the future.
Seeing a dot on the horizon, Bill decided to take a closer look.
Jumping high into the sky, he adjusted his vision and saw the island they had left almost two months ago. Perhaps due to its location or the lack of outside threats, the ruins were still standing. A little rusty, but still a mountain of iron and steel.
Back on deck, Bill heard his stomach rumble behind him and didn't turn around to realize it was Nelson.
Deciding to ignore this, Bill called Yoko over, and when she ran up with Carol, he asked:
- How are you doing with the technique I showed you?
To this question the red-haired girl sighed heavily and answered:
— I still can't hold myself up for ten minutes... but... but I think I lasted longer today than yesterday!
Nodding in agreement, Carol, with her blonde hair, added:
- I know I didn't last that long. When I woke up, my arms didn't hurt, but as soon as I started doing the exercise, they got tired.
Nodding his understanding, Bill spoke loudly enough for everyone on deck to hear:
— That's okay. Remember, the goal of the Meditative Pushup is not to do it. It's to feel how your body is connected. To feel how your bones move and how they interact with your muscles. To feel how your heart beats and how your lungs expand. And then to feel the interconnection of all these parts and become aware of how the blood circulates through them.
After a short pause he added:
— The Meditative Pushup is not one of the Six Powers, but it is the foundation if you want to master these techniques one day. For example, if you want to learn the Moon Step, you either need to be born with superhuman powers or master the Meditative Pushup.
When Bill fell silent, Yoko, who had long dreamed of learning to "fly", asked enthusiastically:
- How did you learn?
Laughing, Bill answered honestly:
— For me, it was the Meditative Pushup that led to me mastering something called "Reclaiming Life." Once I mastered that, I was on my way to the strength I have today.
Before anyone could ask about Life Return, which they had never heard of, Nelson began laughing hysterically.
- Skuehahaha!
The former Commodore continued to laugh, ignoring the eight pairs of eyes staring at him, and spoke:
- Nonsense! You can tell these fools whatever you want, but I know what it means to master the Return of Life!
Taking deep breaths between fits of laughter, Nelson continued:
— The idea that the captain of SCIENCE has mastered the Life Return is simply ridiculous! Little bells, don't believe him! Bill is just beyond impudent!
While Nelson was speaking, Bill did not stop him, considering it a good lesson for the children.
- He may know one or two of the Six Powers, and that's something! But to master the Return of Life? If that were the case, our young captain would have gone to Cypher POL long ago!
Hearing this, the girls turned back to Bill, and while Yoko started yelling at Nelson to "shut up" and calling him a "pig", Carol asked Bill:
— What is Cypher POL?
Masterson, who was standing nearby, was about to answer, but Bill spoke first:
- They are just military investigators, nothing special.
- Skuehahaha!!
- Nothing special? - Nelson started laughing hysterically again. - Little bell, Cipher POL is a group of murderers and worse! They are the secret police of the World Government! How can this be "nothing special"?
Bill was a patient man, but now his patience with Nelson was almost at its limit, and he said sternly:
- You've had enough, Nelson.
- Skuehaha! No, YOU'VE had enough of this! Just wait until I get in touch with my royal aunt! I'll stick a Cipher POL up your ass so hard you'll know what they taste like!
The girls didn't know how to react to Nelson's impudence except to continue calling him offensive nicknames. For Bill, it was a great opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
He began to speak:
- Remember what I told you about the Meditative Push-up? When you understand how your body is connected, a new level will appear.
At this point, as Bill continued to speak, his hair began to thicken and lengthen. Seeing this, Nelson stopped laughing and his face darkened.
- If you dedicate yourself to this, you will feel that there is another part of you. It is your spirit.
Now, as he spoke, Bill remembered the feeling he had experienced all those years ago when he first mastered Life Return on his bedroom floor.