Chapter 24: 24: Warrior Assessment
Even the soldiers' weapons were muzzle-loaded flintlock guns. Haibara Ai wasn't particularly knowledgeable about firearms, but she knew that muzzle-loaded flintlock guns could only be found in museums nowadays.
If she could send the latest firearms to Kizaru's world, it would undoubtedly strengthen the Navy there.
At the very least, she had Dr. Agasa by her side. While Dr. Agasa wasn't the most reliable at times, the inventions he created were always quite remarkable.
She could always ask Dr. Agasa to help invent battle tools. After all, Kizaru's Navy was on the side of justice, so Haibara Ai wasn't worried about him using them for evil purposes.
[Random Guy: A world almost without magic is really hard to compare, but you can roughly understand it as a Marine Lieutenant Commander, who could fight ten Gin, and in unarmed combat, could fight a hundred. Hmm, that's a conservative estimate..]
(A/N: Gin is a main antagonist from Detective Conan world)
[Haibara Ai: ...Then it's fine, sorry for the interruption.]
[Kobayashi: Uh, I asked Tohru, but she doesn't have any good solutions.]
[Jotaro Kujo: Kizaru, if it really comes to it, I can ask my grandfather for the Ripple martial arts techniques, but you might not be able to master them.]
[Zhang Sanfeng: More haste, less speed.]
[Random Guy: Kizaru, why don't you ask Orochimaru? Maybe he has a solution.]
[Kizaru: @Orochimaru, do you have any quick-to-learn techniques or skills? Preferably with minimal side effects!]
[Orochimaru: Heh, I've been busy researching Devil Fruits lately, so I haven't had much free time. As for quick-to-learn abilities… I have a simplified version of the Lightning Release Body Flicker technique. If the person has decent talent, they should be able to learn it.]
[Orochimaru: While the practical combat effectiveness isn't that great, as long as they can control the nature transformation of Lightning Chakra, they shouldn't be any weaker than an elite Jonin…]
[Kizaru: Sounds good, I'll take it. Should I trade a Devil Fruit for it?]
[Orochimaru: Heh, not necessary for now. I haven't finished researching the two Devil Fruits from last time.]
[Orochimaru: The original intent behind developing this set of ninjutsu was to counter the Iwa Ninja, but the war ended before it was completed. The unfinished version is of no use to me, so feel free to take it if you want.]
Kizaru: "I understand. Then I'll trade you the Six Powers of the Navy. I'll send you the materials later, and you can pick two techniques."
The Six Powers of the Navy might seem simple, but they are a classic set of techniques refined through the hard work of countless Navy soldiers. Trading two of them for a half-finished ninjutsu technique wasn't exactly taking advantage of Orochimaru.
Not long after, Orochimaru sent over the scroll with the ninjutsu technique.
Although Kizaru had never truly experienced the Lightning Release Body Flicker technique, after seeing the records on the scroll, he could immediately tell there were elements of imitation.
The Lightning Release Body Flicker technique developed by Orochimaru had abandoned the method of using Lightning Release to stimulate the body, which would have activated its vitality.
It was unclear whether this was due to limitations in ability or if it was part of the original development idea to not include such a function.
However, Kizaru was more inclined to believe it was the latter, as Orochimaru's talents were undeniable. And by abandoning the activation of physical vitality, the technique's release of Lightning Release was significantly strengthened.
Simply put, it was similar to the abilities of the Mink Tribe: in close combat, everyone could generate 100,000 volts of electricity. Weak opponents would be easily defeated, and even opponents of similar strength would find themselves at a significant disadvantage.
Unfortunately, in the face of truly powerful beings, this ninjutsu technique didn't hold much value.
It was not only ineffective against top-tier beings like Kizaru, but even Hancock could easily disregard this level of Lightning Release.
"It's just so-so, I guess I'll have to make do for now..."
Kizaru grimaced, casually shoving the scroll into the pocket of his beach shorts, before following Hancock to the warrior training grounds.
The female warriors of Amazon Lily, who were participating in the exam, were already prepared. The process for becoming a Guardian Warrior was simple and straightforward: defeating a legitimate Guardian Warrior in a one-on-one battle meant passing the test.
Moreover, if a Guardian Warrior was defeated more than three times during the exam, they would lose their status as a Guardian Warrior. To regain it, they would have to retake the exam.
Before this, Kizaru had often criticized the test method as unreasonable—those Amazon Lily warriors who weren't skilled in direct combat would almost never pass the test.
However, the women of Amazon Lily were stubborn, convinced that true strength was proven through direct confrontation.
But this exam method did have its merits: at least, every Guardian Warrior selected through this method was, without exception, an elite among elites.
Becoming a Guardian Warrior was just the beginning. If one couldn't continue to grow stronger, they would eventually be overtaken and eliminated by a constant stream of newcomers.
This brutal custom and system might be the real reason why the female warriors of Amazon Lily all possess the ability to use Armament Haki.
"Let the exam begin!"
The one presiding over the exam was the Guardian Warrior Kikyo, a fierce-looking female warrior who also mastered two types of Haki. Even within the ranks of the Kuja Pirates, she was among the top five strongest.
At Kikyo's command, the twenty or so female warriors from Amazon Lily participating in the exam immediately charged forward. To defeat the Guardian Warriors, who were theoretically only slightly stronger than them, they had to give it their all.
Even though the female warriors of Amazon Lily all possessed the power of Armament Haki, many still lost their lives during the Guardian Warrior exam.
"Dear, how many do you think will pass the exam this time?"
Noticing that Kizaru seemed a bit distracted, Hancock actively snuggled into his arms, not caring that there were still plenty of female warriors from Amazon Lily around. She simply wanted to be close to him.
"Hmm? Want to make a bet? Three… maybe four."
Kizaru glanced over at the scene. The female warriors of Amazon Lily were incredibly fierce, wearing only a set of nearly useless armor, swinging their swords and battling their opponents.
Even the weakest of them, if they ventured to the Four Seas or even the first half of the Grand Line, would be able to make a name for themselves.
Among them was even a female giant, wielding a sword that was at least seven or eight meters long, chasing after a Guardian Warrior to strike.
Giants were natural-born warriors, and upon reaching adulthood, they possessed the strength of a Navy Lieutenant Commander. With some training, they could reach the level of Navy Commander or even Commodore.
Although the female giant looked to be in her youth, she had grown up on Amazon Lily and was already a seasoned warrior.
Her opponent, the Guardian Warrior, was not weak by any means, but under the overwhelming pressure of strength, even the most exceptional swordsmanship could not find its way to the surface.
°°°
A/N: I'll do double release again tomorrow if we reach 200 stones by then. Since we already have 150, I think it'll be easy. Go guys!
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