The Navy's Six Styles—Rokushiki—were the most widely taught combat techniques within the Marines.
Almost every elite officer, more or less, had mastered at least a few of them.
That alone showed just how important Rokushiki was.
True, when placed against the might of the world's top fighters, the Six Styles seemed almost insignificant.
But no one could deny this: Rokushiki was the very foundation of the Navy's combat power.
It was what allowed the Navy's forces to rise as one, what turned countless ordinary men into warriors capable of standing firm against the tides of the sea.
After all—
Haki was not something that just anyone could learn.
Rokushiki, however, was different.
With enough training, every Marine could master it.
And when hundreds of thousands of Marines across the world wielded the same powerful techniques… that collective strength was unimaginable.
No one embodied Rokushiki more than its very creator—Vice Admiral Garp.
In truth, Garp did not wield six techniques, but nine.
Yet the other three were too destructive, too difficult to master, and so could never be spread across the Navy.
Thus, Rokushiki became six.
"See Bogard over there?"
Garp jabbed a finger at his subordinate standing not far away.
"That guy spent two full years before he could barely master all six techniques."
He turned back to Kai, his tone firm.
"I'm telling you this so you know what to expect. Rokushiki isn't as hard as Haki, but don't take it lightly. It'll still take years of grinding practice before you can call yourself proficient."
"If you think this is just child's play, then don't waste my time."
Because if Haki was the cornerstone of the Navy's high-end power—
then Rokushiki was the foundation of its middle ranks.
It was power that every Marine could learn.
"In fact…" Garp's voice softened slightly.
"Even that brat Aokiji took four whole months to master all six techniques."
His eyes narrowed as he looked at Kai.
"And that's still the fastest record in the history of Navy Headquarters."
Aokiji.
A Vice Admiral, a user of the Logia Ice-Ice Fruit, one of the strongest monsters in the sea even before becoming an Admiral.
His future promotion was all but guaranteed.
"And if even he needed four months… then don't think you can get away with less effort."
Garp's gaze grew solemn.
"Now tell me, boy. You still want to learn Rokushiki?"
Kai nodded without hesitation. "Yes."
"…Good."
A rare smile tugged at Garp's lips.
"Then remember this: even with your freakish talent, it'll take you at least three months to fully master Rokushiki. Don't think you can breeze through it. Don't give up halfway."
But in truth—deep inside—
Garp was eager.
Could his grandson break even Aokiji's record?
With talent like his, surely it was only natural.
The two walked to the open deck. Sunlight poured down, painting the boards in golden hues.
Garp began his lesson.
"Rokushiki combines everything—offense, defense, mobility, aerial combat, close-range, and ranged attacks. Let me tell you, there is no other martial art in this sea as complete as ours."
"Even when you've mastered Haki, Rokushiki will still serve you in battle."
"The Six Styles are…"
Shigan – the finger gun, for close-range strikes.
Rankyaku – the tempest kick, for ranged attacks.
Tekkai – the iron body, for defense.
Soru – the shave, for explosive speed.
Geppo – the moonwalk, for aerial movement.
Kami-e – the paper art, for evasion.
"Once you've mastered them, you'll have no weaknesses left. Every gap in your fighting style will be filled."
Then Garp walked to the ship's railing, where a wooden plank, thirty centimeters thick, had been set upright.
"Now…" he said, raising a single finger.
"Watch closely. This is the power of Shigan."
"All the force of the body gathered into the fingertip… a strike as fast and lethal as a bullet."
He tapped forward.
Pfft!
The thick plank was pierced through cleanly, a perfect bullet hole punched into its center. Not a single crack spread beyond it. The wood had been skewered as if it were tofu.
It was a display of pure penetration—all power condensed into one point, nothing wasted.
Garp turned back with a grin.
"See? That's Shigan in action. Faster and stronger than a bullet. From now on, this will be your focus. Don't bite off more than you can chew—master this first."
He expected it would take Kai at least a week or two. Long before then, they would reach Marineford, and there he would hand the boy over to Admiral Zephyr for proper instruction.
"Shigan…"
Kai's eyes narrowed as he recalled every motion of Garp's strike.
He raised his own hand, lifting his right index finger. He forced his strength to gather at the fingertip, compressing it, condensing it.
But at the last moment, the power slipped away.
The gathered energy scattered.
His first attempt ended in failure.
"Don't rush it."
Garp clapped him on the shoulder, laughing.
"You're still young. Even if it takes you half a month to get this right, it won't hurt your future."
Just as Kai prepared to try again—
Ding!
A voice rang within his head.
[Training completed. Skill acquired: Rokushiki – Shigan +0.01]
[After 100x amplification…]
[Host has acquired: Rokushiki – Shigan +1]
BOOM!
A torrent of foreign memories surged into his mind.
His consciousness drank them up like a sponge, absorbing knowledge and instinct that were never his. Techniques, motions, methods—burned into his nerves as though they had always been there.
As if he had practiced this move ten thousand times before.
As if it were etched into his very bones.
With a sharp breath, Kai raised his hand once more.
Before Garp's very eyes—
He struck out with Shigan.
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