"Alright," Luffy said, clapping his hands once.
"Partner practice."
Everyone straightened.
"Sanji," Luffy continued, pointing without looking, "you're with Zoro."
Sanji's face twisted instantly.
"WHY HIM!? I should be paired with—"
"No."
Sanji deflated.
"Usopp," Luffy said next, "you're with me."
Usopp swallowed hard and nodded like a soldier walking to execution.
"So what about us?" Nami asked, arms crossed. "Are we just watching?"
Luffy laughed softly.
"Nope."
He reached into the cloud hovering above the deck and pulled out several wooden sticks—plain, smooth, sturdy.
He tossed one to each pair.
Nami caught hers and immediately stared at it.
"…Why do you just have sticks?"
Luffy shrugged.
"Picked them up back in your hometown."
That answer raised more questions than it solved.
"The rules are simple," Luffy said. "One person wears a blindfold. The other hits them."
"…WHAT?" Nami snapped.
"On the head," Luffy clarified. "Not hard enough to kill you. Hard enough to teach you."
He paced slowly as he spoke.
"The blindfolded person's job is to avoid the hit. No guessing. No flinching randomly."
He tapped his temple.
"Clear your mind. Expand your awareness. Don't look for the attack—feel it."
Silence followed.
"Try to sense intent. Presence. The life aura around you."
No one complained after that.
They separated across the ship.
Zoro tied the blindfold tight and stood still, swords resting against his shoulder as Sanji circled him, smirking.
Usopp trembled visibly as Luffy raised his stick.
Nami and Nojiko took turns, neither enjoying being on either side of the exercise.
What became clear very quickly—
—was that the next two days were going to hurt.
---
Two Days Later
Bruises.
Everywhere.
The crew stood at the bow of the ship, staring at the massive island ahead.
Loguetown.
The City of Beginning and End.
No one complained.
They were tired. Sore. Frustrated.
But sharper.
Everyone—everyone—could now avoid most strikes.
Not perfectly.
Not cleanly.
But instinctively.
Luffy watched them quietly.
He hadn't expected results this fast.
Haki bloomed best under pressure. When the will to survive outweighed comfort. And while this wasn't real combat…
…it was close enough to wake something.
Usopp had surprised him the most.
During the final session, Usopp had hesitated, then spoken quietly.
"…Captain, I can kinda… feel where you are."
Not see.
Not predict.
Just feel.
Luffy hadn't smiled—but he'd noticed.
"That's it, huh?" Nojiko said quietly from behind him.
Luffy stared at the island.
"Yeah," he replied flatly.
"The City of Beginnings and Ends."
He turned and walked back toward the center of the deck.
"Everyone," he said, sitting down. "Gather up."
They did.
Luffy reached into the cloud storage and pulled out several small pouches.
"Sanji."
He tossed one over.
"That's one million Berries. Buy kitchen supplies. Whatever's left is yours."
Sanji caught it, stunned.
"…You serious?"
"Dead serious."
Next pouch—larger.
"Zoro."
Five million Berries hit Zoro's chest.
"Buy two new swords. Johnny, Yosaku—get weapons too."
The bounty hunters saluted instantly.
"THANK YOU, BIG BRO LUFFY!"
Luffy laughed once.
Another pouch.
"Nojiko."
She barely caught it.
"Two million," Luffy said. "For you and Nami."
Nami's eyes instantly turned into Berries—
—and immediately reverted when Luffy added:
"Nojiko manages it."
Nami froze.
"…WHAT?"
"I trust her judgment more," Luffy said calmly.
Nami looked personally betrayed.
"Nami," Luffy continued, "buy map supplies. As many as you can carry."
She nodded, serious now.
"And both of you—find weapons you're comfortable using."
Another pouch flew.
"Usopp. One million. Gear, parts, or whatever weird thing you want to build."
Usopp hugged the bag.
"But," Luffy added, "don't believe anyone selling 'Grand Line artifacts' or 'Roger's belongings.'"
Usopp nodded furiously.
"Good," Luffy said, standing. "Anchor somewhere quiet. Marines will be watching."
They moved.
Then Luffy spoke again.
"One more thing."
Everyone paused.
"There's a Marine Captain here," Luffy said. "Name's Smoker."
Sanji stiffened. Zoro's eyes sharpened.
"He's captured every pirate who ever set foot here."
Silence.
"He'll come for me," Luffy continued. "Not you."
"If anything involving me happens—drop everything and return to the ship."
No one argued.
No one questioned.
They understood.
Luffy looked up at the sky, wind tugging at his coat.
Loguetown was waiting.
And beyond it—
—the Grand Line.