One Piece: With Sign-in System

Near a small uninhabited island in the North Blue.

The Traveler docked along the island's coast.

Robin and Conis headed inland to gather fresh water and fruits, while Bonney and the Kung Fu Dugong, Enzo, went hunting to stock up on meat.

Meanwhile, Ron and Kuina were locked in a swordsmanship duel near the shoreline.

Ron, wielding his black blade, effortlessly broke through Kuina's dual-sword technique. The crescent-shaped black slash he unleashed didn't stop there—it surged forward, slicing a section of the coastline clean off. The severed landmass tumbled into the ocean with a resounding crash.

Kuina turned to glance at the collapsing shoreline behind her, then shifted her gaze back to Ron, who was calmly sheathing his blade. With a sigh, she admitted, "I still can't beat you."

"You've grown a lot stronger than before. Honestly, it's surprising," Ron replied earnestly.

Kuina's swordsmanship had now reached the level of cutting iron, and her Armament Haki had progressed to Level 3. Combined with her refined dual-sword techniques and basics of the breathing technique, she was far from weak.

Hearing Ron's acknowledgment, Kuina smiled and asked, "So, does this mean I've fulfilled our promise from that snowy night?"

On that night before their separation, she had promised Ron that the next time they met, she would have grown strong enough to leave him astonished as a female swordsman.

Ron, with his black blade at his side, smiled and nodded.

"You certainly have."

After collecting a bunch of supplies, the crew departed from the island.

While sailing through the North Blue, they learned the latest updates about themselves, including the Marine's new codename for their ship, as well as their individual bounties.

Ron found the codename a bit overdramatic, bordering on edgy, but Conis and Bonney thought it was cool.

Bonney and Conis were especially thrilled about being officially recognized with bounties, while Enzo, the Kung Fu Dugong, felt utterly dejected for being excluded.

Robin, however, harbored a sense of guilt. After all, it was her presence aboard the ship that had branded everyone as outlaws despised by the World Government and Marines.

But she quickly resolved her feelings.

What's done was done, and dwelling on it wouldn't change anything. Instead, she focused on becoming stronger so that in the face of future dangers, she could contribute more to the group's survival.

With her mind clear, Robin dedicated herself to honing the abilities of her Flower-Flower Fruit. While her offensive capabilities remained limited, she decided to specialize in support-oriented techniques.

Not long after gathering intelligence in the North Blue, Ron used his abilities to once again lift the ship into the sky.

One day, after evaluating the current strength of Bonney, Robin, Conis, and even Enzo, Ron gathered the entire crew, including Kuina, to announce something significant.

"From today onward, I'll be formally teaching all of you the breathing method."

"Breathing… method?"

Except for Kuina, everyone else appeared puzzled.

Kuina, having some familiarity with it, explained, "It's a unique breathing technique that helps circulate blood, increase strength, and recover stamina."

Robin and the others looked both amazed and intrigued.

But Ron's voice interrupted their thoughts.

"That's not all."

Ron glanced at Kuina and added, "What I taught you before wasn't the full breathing method. It was just a rough, simplified version."

"What?"

Kuina was stunned. The technique that had significantly boosted her abilities was merely an incomplete version?

"The complete breathing method is far more powerful," Ron stated firmly.

As the crew watched intently, Ron clenched his right fist and swung it through the air towards the distant sea of clouds.

…

What happens next sends shockwaves through the crew—literally and figuratively—as Ron reveals the true power of the breathing method, setting the stage for a new chapter in their journey.

A ferocious gust from Ron's punch instantly cleared a massive swath of clouds ahead, leaving a fan-shaped, cloudless area with a radius of several dozen meters.

"This is the force of my punch without using the breathing method. Now, watch closely as I demonstrate the same punch while using the breathing method," Ron explained, his calm voice steady yet commanding.

Under the watchful eyes of Kuina and the others, Ron took a slow, deep breath. The breathing method of the Sun activated, causing his blood to surge and boil within him. His long black hair began to sway, though there was no wind, and a spiraling aura of invisible force coiled around his clenched fist.

This time, he launched the same punch toward the clouds that had naturally reformed in the distance.

A deafening boom echoed as the air itself seemed to explode.

The powerful blast swept out, creating visible shockwaves that rippled to either side. The crew's hair whipped wildly in the turbulent air as the clouds surrounding the ship were obliterated entirely.

Directly in front of Ron's fist, a massive, elongated gap appeared in the sea of clouds—a stretch over two hundred meters long and several dozen meters wide where no clouds dared linger.

Lowering his fist, Ron turned back to his crew, who were frozen in stunned silence, their faces a mix of awe and disbelief. He smiled and said, "This is the difference between a punch using the breathing method and one without it. The breathing method allows you to condense and control your power more effectively, amplifying the force of the same attack."

"Of course," he added, crossing his arms casually, "I've mastered the breathing method to its pinnacle. You won't be able to reach this level immediately."

"But," he continued, "even as you learn to control your blood flow with the breathing method, it will greatly enhance your ability to sense and strengthen your Armament Haki."

Ron glanced at Kuina and asked, "You've noticed that, haven't you?"

Kuina nodded lightly, a subtle acknowledgment of the profound impact the breathing method had already made on her abilities.

"Master! Master! Teach me!" Enzo could no longer contain its excitement. Its eyes sparkled with eagerness as it hopped toward Ron, its enthusiasm almost tangible.

"Don't rush," Ron chuckled. "The breathing method has various unique traits. I'll teach each of you according to your individual strengths and characteristics."

He paused, his expression growing serious. "Since we've become enemies of the World Government and the Marines, unless we remain in the sky forever, the moment we return to the sea, we'll inevitably face pursuit. It's likely that even Admiral-level forces will come after us. The risks are high, so it's essential that all of you improve your combat capabilities as much as possible in the coming months."

Ron's voice carried an unyielding determination as he announced, "Six months from now, we'll enter the Grand Line."

Six months. That was the time Ron estimated he would need to fully master and familiarize himself with the abilities of the Float-Float Fruit. It was also the time he believed necessary for his crew to proficiently grasp the breathing method.

"I'm ready," Conis declared with firm resolve.

Robin and the others nodded in agreement, their faces equally serious and focused.

Seeing their determination, Ron smiled. "There's no need to be so tense. Relax a little."

The crew exchanged glances, and then their eyes landed on Enzo. The Kung Fu Dugong stood stiffly upright, arms at its sides. Its serious expression and resolute stance were so comical that everyone burst into laughter.

Their laughter, as light and cheerful as the ringing of bells, instantly dispelled the tense atmosphere, replacing it with the familiar warmth and camaraderie that defined their days aboard the Traveler.

Enzo turned its head toward the sound of their laughter, scratching its head in confusion. "Master? What's so funny?"

Looking at its clueless, earnest expression, Ron couldn't help but chuckle as well.

"Nothing," he replied with a grin, his voice tinged with amusement.