(Cregan's POV)
"Well, you're a faster learner than I ever was." I told Starrk as he sat on a rock panting, "The basics of Armament and Observation weren't much of a challenge for you to learn."
I saw as he reached for his blindfold, "You're one crazy bastard…." He grumbled, "You could've killed me if I didn't use armament to defend against your blade!!"
He took the blindfold off and gave me a glare.
"Ha!" I laughed at him as I planted my sword on the ground, "You'll be fine."
He stood up and checked his wounds. He had minor cuts all of his bodies, cuts that would've been much worse if he didn't combine his observation and armament haki to somewhat prevent them. I didn't hold back on him, so it's not surprising I hit him. At least he isn't dead.
We were on the remote island and have been training for almost a month. Its been a long time since I've last seen Whitebeard. I expect he is starting to get impatient.
Starrk is definitely growing in skill, but actual combat experience he lacks. I trust that'll change when I bring him aboard the crew.
Starrk walked up to me, "Can we take a break? We've been at it since sunrise." He told me, "I'm starving! The ship left last week and we don't got much good here, man…"
He looked up at the sky, past the treeline. We were deep in a forest, away from the beach where we are camped. The ship that I borrowed that to leave due some conflict the Whitebeard Pirates were having currently.
I chuckled, "You've been faring well despite that, eh?" I told him, "Haven't died of starvation."
"What choice do I got but eat grilled Sea King meat?" He grumbled, "Come on, we still got some leftovers from last night. Its almost nightfall, Cregan."
I nodded, "You have a point." I said, "Let us go."
He started to walk off and I followed.
"So, you think I can handle myself now?" Starrk asked me as I walked
"Yea I believe so." I replied, "You still have more to learn when it comes to haki but as you already know, haki blooms in battle. And you haven't been in a proper battle yet."
"I fought a Vice-Admiral before." He said
"How'd that end up for you?" I asked him
"How do you think?" He replied
I chuckled, "Maybe it'll be different now."
"Doubt it. This guy becomes an admiral and is a monster later on." He said
So there it is. He just slipped out another future scenario. He has done this before, telling me about how Cp9 collapses in the future. I don't know how we even talked about that but he did say that they get toppled but didn't say how or who did it.
I assume its that Dragon Knight Pirate that's got the Government's full attention right now.
After almost half an hour of walking, we reached the camp.
I watched as Starrk slumped on the log he claimed as his seat and grabbed some meat that was wrapped in parchments. He then immediately started gobbling on it without remorse.
Doesn't even heat it up or anything.
"Really hungry, eh?" I said
"Fuck yea." He said as he ate the meat, "Oh shit. Hey Cregan…."
I raised an eyebrow as he pointed past me and towards the sea.
I turned around to see the ship we had reaching the beach.
On top of the whale figurehead stood Marco, one of Whitebeard's officers. He stared down at me as we both looked up at him.
I stood up and shook the sand off my pants, "Oh Marco!" I said, "What're you doing here?"
Marco jumped off the ship and sprouted his flame wings, gliding towards us.
"Oi, Cregan!" He said as he landed in front of the camp, "Pops has been getting impatient-yoi! Quick, come with us, we got urgent business at the Beehive Island!"
The Beehive Island? What the hell could be going on over there?
"What's going on over there?" I asked him
He gave me a serious look, "Representatives of The Yonko are about to hold some sort of meeting…" he said, "Whatever it is, It could get ugly…."
"Pops is going to hold that meeting!"