In the small and moderately peaceful town of Shells Town there weren't exactly anything similar to a gym, so Tetsuo ended up doing whatever he could come up with for training; fitness exercises, push-ups, sit ups, rock liftings and practice swordplay with a stick.
Apart from that, he also continued working at the tavern and spending time with Ririka and his daughter Rika. It was the least he felt he should do after all the help he had received from them.
"The whole place is very high in the sky, higher than any building or bird can reach. The houses and trees are held up high without falling to the surface by clouds so soft and springy you can bounce on them, and the people who live there have little white wings on their backs like if they were birds." Tetsuo narrates a flabbergasted Rika about Skypiea, the island in the sky.
"Woah. It's incredible. Are there really people with wings in the sky?" Rika asks very excitedly looking closely at Tetsuo.
"Yes, there are. And not just on the islands made of clouds. They also have an island made of land nearby with a beanstalk so tall that you can't see how far it reaches. And at the top of this beanstalk lives the lord of these islands: a very evil man with long ears who causes storms for his subjects whenever he gets upset." Tetsuo continues narrating, gesturing to make the story entertaining.
"That's wrong! That's a bad man! Someone come and knock him off his throne!" Rika exclaims, letting herself be carried away by the atmosphere.
"Okay, that's enough with the stories. Rika, go restock the kitchen and shelves with the food from the pantry, and then go upstairs and clean your room." Ririka intercedes.
"But mom..."
"Now."
At her mother's firm statement, Rika pouts before leaving to fulfill her request, allowing Ririka to start a private conversation with Tetsuo.
"And Tetsuo, can you stop kidding with my daughter? I don't like you putting so many fantastic ideas in her head."
"My stories entertain her on this dull and boring island. It's normal for children to dream of fantastical things. And besides... How do you know what I'm saying is false?"
"How could there be an island in the sky? It's complete nonsense."
"Whether it's islands in the sky, men as big as buildings, or a city made of chocolate, talking animals. By instilling in her the idea that there are such things in the world, you're encouraging her to want to explore the outside world."
"And what's so wrong with that?" Tetsuo asks.
"The sea is a very dangerous place, and I don't want my daughter to go out there and put her life in danger like her father did. The thought of that happening terrifies me. If something were to happen to her... I don't think I'd be able to get over it."
"I appreciate all the help and support you're giving us, but you're just my employee and she's my daughter, so I don't want you to keep feeding her those fantasies."
Ririka says in a gloomy tone as she turns around and walks away, refusing to accept.
Appareantly, Ririka had lost her husband, a Marine, to pirates a few years ago, making her hate the pirates and lose faith in Marines. That's why she'd also been stubbornly insisting that he forgot about joining the Marine during the last three months.
Tetsuo had followed this routine relentlessly all this time, and now that Commander Rhodes has returned and ordered flyers seeking new Marine recruits to be posted, it's finally time for him to move forward to the next phase of his life.
After hugging and comforting the crying little girl in front of him, Tetsuo rises up. "Don't worry, Rika. Your uncle is just going to join the Marines, not going at the war. I'll still see you on the town, and I'll come over to eat and chat with you sometimes."
"Even if I have to transfer to another branch, I'll find the opportunity to come back to visit you and your mom. I promise."
"But..." Rika remembers the sad events of yesterday, and her heart is filled with worry. She fears that Roya will end up like her father and those dead Marines, killed by the pirates. 'Being in the Marines is really dangerous!'
Seeing that Tetsuo is determined to leave and noticing that Rika face shows both hesitation and sadness, Ririka is overwhelmed by memories, her sadness for her dead husband coming back stronger than ever.
For the first time, she feels truly angry at Tetsuo for his decision to abandon them. A frustration born of helplessness and loss.
"Why?! Why?! Why?! Why do you men all need to join the Marines or become pirates?! It's so stupid!"
"You're all selfish fools who ignore the people who care about you to go out and seek adventure! Can't you just work on something that doesn't put your life at risk and live peacefully with your loved ones?!"
Faced with Ririka's unexpected, tearful outburst, Tetsuo struggles a bit to snap out of his stunness before responding.
"Ririka," Roya says gently.
He then reaches into his pocket and takes out a pack of cigarettes, pulling one out. He puts it between his lips, lits it with a match, and takes a deep breath, enjoying the nicotine. The burning tip of the cigarette lits up his face, showing the ambition in his eyes before continuing talking.
"I want to make something of myself!" He declares, his voice strong.
In both his past life and this one, his motivations were the same. He's an ambitious man who wants to achieve something meaningful, something important, damn it! He wants to reach the top!
He wants power, beautiful women, status, respect, adventure and accomplish a dream - anything but the life of a lowly bartender, always doing what others told him, stuck at the bottom of society.
Well, it's not like Tetsuo doesn't feel a little down about having to leave Rika and Ririka. Spending every day together for three months naturally led to some feelings with the girls, and Tetsuo had thought sometimes about staying with Ririka and Rika as a family and enjoying an easy life.
While not young or especially handsome, he looks pleasant and normal in a world full of strange and exaggerated human characters, so he saw it as possible to get the attention of women, including Ririka, especially if he has already won over her daughter Rika.
At least, he was sure that strong feelings could develop over time between the two of them. He had no doubt about that given her recent display of concern for him.
But a real man, meant to walk the earth, can't hide under a woman's skirts forever! He still has many things to achieve and many adventures to live in this fantastic and chaotic world, so he can't stick around them in this small, unimportant town! He is a man, and he refuses to be looked down on!
With this resolve, Tetsuo pushes away those thoughts of a comfortable and easy life, and exhaling a good puff of smoke he prepares to continue speaking.
"You're right in everything you say: Marines and pirates alike, all those who venture out to sea are fools who abandon their families and loved ones for their selfish dreams. But what if that's true?"
"You can't live life without upsetting other people, and trying to give up your hopes and dreams to achieve that will only bring misery and regret. There's nothing wrong with wanting to raise a happy family and live a peaceful, relaxing life, of course not. But not everyone is content with just that."
"Some people develop a longing for something more. A desire so great and important that they're willing to leave everything behind in pursuit of it. And that's my case too."
"I have dreams and ambitions I want to fulfill, and so I must follow the path to fulfill them. It's that simple. This is how the world has always been and always will be, because people's dreams never end."
At Tetsuo's speech, Ririka stands there with trembling lips and words stuck in her mouth, not feeling able to respond to his determination.
"And can't you get rid of those dreams? Can't you give up on pursuing them and living a happy, fulfilling life with mommy and me? I really think we would make you very happy." Rika asks on her mother's behalf, clutching her little dress and with tears still in the corners of her eyes as she looks up at Tetsuo.
"There are people who put aside their dreams in pursuit of something they find more important, like a family, and honestly, it would be easier to live that way. But unfortunately, people's dreams have no limits." Tetsuo starts again.
"Even if dreams may change over time, people can't just abandon them. That's just cowardice."
"Dreams are the desire of the heart that allows people to live their lives, and if they don't even try to fulfill that desire and instead try to ignore it, it becomes a regret that haunts them for life."
"I don't want to live that kind of life, and that's why I can't stay with you now. Do you understand?"
Although still distressed by the sad situation, Rika gives a nod of affirmation and walks back to be wrapped in her mother's arms as the two continue to watch Tetsuo with worried expressions. At this sight, Tetsuo takes another drag before speaking once more.
"As I've already told you, this isn't goodbye. I'll continue to visit you, and you can also visit me at the base. So when we see each other, I hope you'll greet me with your warm smiles. Okay?" Tetsuo asks giving them a cheerful smile of his own.
Seeing Tetsuo's lively and willing disposition, Ririka and Rika finally give up on trying to convince him not to join the Marine and give him soft, weak smiles in farewell.
Finally managing to easy their worries and sadness, Tetsuo turns around and sets off towards the great jutting towers of Shells Town Island to enlist in the 153rd Marine Branch and begin his adventure in the world of One Piece.