As days turned into months, and the months quietly flowed into a full year, the Wicked Wench had now been anchored in the port of Ohara for exactly twelve months.
During that time, several significant modifications were made to the ship, thanks to Aramaki's growing understanding of the fauna and plants that were written in the countless books of Ohara.
The propeller system, for example, had been completely rebuilt. It now had a larger size, as well as more petals than the original sunflower design.
This change came from Aramaki's discovery of a rare variant of the sunflower, one that not only had thicker and more durable petals but also possessed stems that could move on their own, almost like tentacles, capable of capturing anyone or anything that tried to harm or consume the flower.
In addition, the ship's wooden hull was now covered in a layer of protective mushrooms called Surprised Mushrooms.
These strange fungi had the unique ability to instantly expand upon impact, creating a bouncy shield that could repel cannonballs, arrows, and even blunt strikes.
The effectiveness of these mushrooms meant that the Wicked Wench was now far more durable and resistant to external attacks than before.
Adding to its defensive capabilities, there was also a newly integrated mini mangrove tree that Aramaki called the Hustle Muscle Mangrove.
This small tree was capable of producing the same type of resin used in coating ships for underwater travel, which meant that whenever they wished, the crew could coat the entire Wicked Wench and dive beneath the sea like the ships that visited Fishman Island.
Aramaki's studies didn't stop there. He also learned to identify various medicinal mushrooms and plants, ensuring that they would have a stable supply of natural remedies and rare extracts if they ever brought a doctor into the crew.
Alongside those discoveries, he found several offensive plants as well, one of which resembled a cannon capable of firing explosive peas.
The blast produced by this plant was even stronger than the average cannonball, creating a highly effective weapon system.
Through all of this, Aramaki's haki also improved significantly. His continuous sparring against
Jack forced him to sharpen his skills, and his pride as the vice captain drove him to push himself even further, unwilling to be left behind by anyone in the crew.
Of course, Aramaki was not the only one who had grown stronger. B, who at first studied linguistics only to expand his vocabulary for rapping, also made remarkable progress.
His daily duels against Jack improved his swordsmanship, and his mastery of haki reached the same level that Aramaki had a year prior.
The massive gap in strength between him and Jack only served as motivation, forcing B to refine both the quality and quantity of his haki.
In his free time, he trained with his Devil Fruit as well, learning to control it more precisely and explore new techniques that could be combined with his rhythm-based fighting style.
Laffitte, too, developed in his own way. While he began by studying the ancient language alongside Jack, after nine months of study, they had already completed the lessons under Clover's supervision.
From that point on, Laffitte turned his attention toward the study of ancient weather patterns and the navigation techniques of early civilizations.
This gave him a deeper understanding of how storms formed and how ancient sailors managed to travel safely through violent seas.
Over time, Laffitte became skilled at reading the skies and predicting the weather, a skill that would later prove invaluable for the crew's voyages.
As for Jack, his progress was the most profound. He continued to refine the control of his Devil Fruit to a level that surpassed what anyone expected.
Through his constant alignment of body, spirit, and mind, Jack achieved a state of connection that allowed him to control the lightning within his body as if it were a living extension of himself.
He could compress lightning until it formed plasma and release it with terrifying precision.
He also discovered how to merge his hybrid form with pure lightning, letting him move faster than the human eye could follow.
His swordsmanship reached a level of mastery as he learned the Breath of All Things, granting him the ability to cut only what he intended and leave untouched what he wished to spare.
Despite wielding a Saijo Owazamono blade, Jack's control ensured that his strikes were deliberate and measured.
He even learned to send concussive shockwaves with his slashes, combining refined technique with raw destructive power.
Club, too, had not been idle. Under Jack's guidance, his Observation Haki advanced to an extraordinary level, allowing him to see several seconds into the future.
This was achieved through countless hours of training and through the pressure of Jack's rigorous sparring sessions, which pushed him far beyond his limits.
Clover, who quietly watched all of this unfold, noticed the gradual change in his son. Every day, Club grew more connected to Jack and his crew, as if a bond had been naturally formed between them through the shared effort and training.
Clover, realizing this, began preparing himself for the day when his son would inevitably leave Ohara with the crew of the Wicked Wench. Deep inside, he already knew that it was only a matter of time.
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Now, we could see the crew, along with Clover and Club, gathered deep inside the Great Forest of Ohara. The sunlight broke through the thick canopy above, lighting small patches of the ground where they stood.
They were there for a purpose, not just to rest, but to repay Clover for everything he had done for them during their year-long stay on the island.
"Aramaki can modify your Great Tree of Knowledge," Jack began, his tone calm yet deliberate, "to ensure that, if something ever happens to Ohara—something unfortunate or catastrophic—there will be a failsafe, a way for the residents and the scholars you've taught to survive and continue your work."
Jack spoke these words because deep down, he already knew what fate awaited Ohara in the near future. Although he couldn't stop what was bound to happen, he believed he could at least help prepare a safeguard, one that might ensure the survival of some of its people.
"What are you saying, Jack?" Clover replied, confused but curious. "We are only scholars, seekers of the truth about the world. We don't intend to involve ourselves in conflicts beyond our studies."
Jack looked at him, his expression steady and almost disappointed. "You can't be this naive, Clover. You're a scholar of the past—the same past that the rulers of this world have spent centuries trying to erase. You and your people are digging into something they want buried forever."
Clover went silent for a while, processing Jack's words. The tone wasn't threatening, but the truth behind it carried weight.
After several long seconds of thought, Clover finally nodded slowly in agreement. "Alright then, I understand. But tell me, what exactly do you plan to do?"
Jack didn't answer directly. Instead, he turned to Laffitte, who had been quietly observing the discussion.
As the crew's Chief of Staff and Navigator, Laffitte was usually the one who handled the planning and logistics of their more complicated tasks.
Laffitte pulled out a rolled parchment from his coat and spread it on the ground. The paper revealed a detailed blueprint. "Here's the design I propose," Laffitte said. "Aramaki will help construct an underground sanctuary—something similar to Fishman Island's structure, but much deeper. We'll place it at least one thousand meters below ground level. The main chamber will be large enough to house several families, and we'll connect it to a specially grown mangrove tree that provides a steady oxygen flow."
Clover and the others leaned closer as Laffitte continued explaining. "Inside the chamber, we'll plant a large cluster of modified sunflowers that emit natural light. They'll keep the place bright even in complete darkness. There will also be a secondary escape tunnel beneath the main structure, leading to an exit far away from the main island, ensuring that anyone inside can flee safely once the danger passes."
Aramaki added his own input, nodding as he studied the blueprint. "I'll create a forest-like environment underground, full of edible fruits, vegetables, and useful plants. It'll be a sustainable system, one that can last for years if needed. Water will come from underground veins, and the entire structure will be supported by reinforced roots."
As the plan took shape, Clover found himself growing more and more convinced. Every detail was carefully thought out, and every risk had been considered.
By the time Laffitte and Aramaki finished explaining, Clover finally agreed.
Only a small circle of people he completely trusted would know of the project's existence. That way, the chances of infiltration or exposure would be minimal.
After a few more hours of discussion and adjustments to the design, Aramaki and Laffitte began the actual construction process, using their skills and abilities to bring the plan to life.
Jack, meanwhile, stayed behind with B and Club, watching the two work from a distance.
Jack then turned to Club, who had been quiet for most of the day. "Have you told your father yet?" he asked in a tone that was both casual and serious.
Jack had invited Club to join his crew more than five months ago, and Club had already accepted.
However, he still hadn't gathered the courage to tell his father about it, something that Jack understood and respected deeply.
Club sighed, glancing toward the direction where his father stood with the scholars. "No, not yet. I still don't dare to tell him. Every time I try, I just stop halfway."
Jack smiled faintly and placed a hand on Club's shoulder. "You're a strong young man. Be brave, and speak honestly. Your father will understand. He might even be proud to know that his son is choosing his own path and chasing his dream. Don't doubt that he'll support you when the time comes."
Club nodded, a small smile forming on his face. "Yeah, maybe you're right."