The Going Merry drifted through calm, open seas. For once, the sea's chaos seemed to pause, offering the crew a rare moment of peace.
It was the beginning of three long but fruitful weeks.
Each day began the same.
Before the sun even peeked over the horizon, Zoro and Vihaan were already on the main deck, swords clashing and sweat glistening in the moonlight.
Vihaan's shirtless torso gleamed in the faint starlight, muscles more defined with each day. His dual-sword technique wasn't like Zoro's, but it was effective—his style focused more on precision and speed than brute power.
Zoro growled as he blocked a quick strike. "You're getting faster, mirror boy."
"And you're getting slower," Vihaan shot back, grinning as he ducked a horizontal slash.
They trained non-stop till 10 a.m., with barely any words between them—just the language of steel, sweat, and willpower.
Some days they'd collapse on the deck, panting. Other days, they'd spar till their blades dulled.
Zoro began practicing rotating his swords more fluidly, trying to reduce strain and improve control. Vihaan noticed and started mimicking the movement using mirrored kunai, eventually learning to spin short blades between his fingers like a juggler—deadly and fast.
At 10 a.m., Luffy joined them for what Vihaan called "sea resistance drills."
The three would jump into the shallow pool Vihaan formed with his Mirror-Mirror Fruit—a shimmering water basin that reflected the sea. At first, the saltwater stung and paralyzed them, the Devil Fruit curse making every movement a struggle.
But Vihaan had read something in his haki book weeks ago—"Endurance and exposure can condition the will. The sea rejects weakness, but it can be endured."
So they trained.
Vihaan forced himself to move his fingers first. It felt like lifting bricks underwater, but slowly, daily, he managed. First a twitch. Then a motion. Then full control of one hand by the end of Week 1.
By Week 2, he could swing his arm underwater for five full seconds.
By Week 3, he could grip a blade for ten.
Meanwhile, Luffy improved drastically—his neck could stretch at sharper angles now. Vihaan threw mirror kunai at random spots in the pool, forcing Luffy to dodge or catch them mid-twist. It wasn't just strength—it was fluid, rubberized finesse.
After training, they'd collapse on deck, laughing.
"You smell like wet socks," Vihaan said once.
"You smell like mirror fish," Luffy shot back, making both of them burst into laughter.
After lunch—always served hot and heavenly by Sanji—the crew dispersed into personal training.
Zoro, bandaged but determined, focused on finer sword control. His goal: be able to rotate his swords so quickly and gracefully that he could change forms mid-combat. He stood shirtless near the bow, blades swirling like metallic windmills.
Vihaan, deep in thought, sat cross-legged surrounded by mirror panels. He'd discovered he could conjure weapons from mirror essence: a whip, a bow, throwing stars, and even a double-bladed spear.
He tried to push further. "Form: Mirror Chain," he muttered, and the glimmering metal links began forming—a flail, dangerous and flexible.
But it shattered too quickly. He needed more durability.
So, he created solid mirror blocks and asked Luffy to punch them repeatedly. Not only did this test Luffy's increasing strength and speed—it was also how Vihaan figured out how long his weapons could last under pressure.
Every few days, the durability improved.
"I'll make a mirror fortress someday," Vihaan mused aloud.
"Make a mirror meat fridge first," Luffy replied.
They laughed again.
Usopp spent time on the top deck. Using Kaya's engineering books and some scrap metal they'd gathered from battles, he built a new slingshot—bigger, steadier, and with precision tuning knobs.
He placed a target on the mast 500 meters away (Vihaan helped by creating mirror signs to reflect light off it) and began sniping.
His accuracy improved from 50 to 300 meters within the first week.
By the third week?
Bulls-eye. 500 meters. Every single time.
Usopp cheered. "Captain Usopp, sniper king of the sea!"
"No one's calling you that," Zoro muttered.
"You all will when I save your lives," Usopp yelled, firing a pebble that barely missed Zoro's nose.
Sanji, meanwhile, trained with speed and elegance.
His kicks danced around the fridge, defending it like sacred treasure. Luffy's constant attempts to sneak in added spice to the training.
"Gomu Gomu no—"
"ANTI-THEFT ROUNDHOUSE!"
BOOM.
"OUCH!" Luffy flew into the sea.
Sanji smirked, lighting a cigarette. "The fridge is safe."
He also tested out new combos. "Spiral Blaze," "Meteor Kick," and his favorite—"Love Twister," which he swore he'd only use if Nami ever got in trouble.
Nami didn't laze around either.
She practiced yoga on deck at sunrise and sunset, her body becoming more toned and flexible. But most of her time went into a Grand Line navigation book Vihaan gave her. It was rare and weathered—probably stolen from a marine base library.
"Map the stars," she murmured. "Feel the wind. Anticipate the currents."
She'd even crafted early drafts of Grand Line storm trajectories by Week 3. Vihaan checked on her often, impressed.
"You'll be the best navigator in the world soon."
She smiled. "Not soon. Definitely."
One night, Vihaan sat quietly at the ship's edge, arms behind his head, gazing at the stars reflected in his mirror blade.
Nami walked over, sitting beside him.
"You don't rest, do you?"
"I do. I just don't stop thinking."
She smirked. "Same here. I've been trying to figure out the next few islands based on the book. But… it's gonna get rough."
"Good," Vihaan replied, eyes twinkling. "Rough means we get stronger."
Nami laid back, looking up. "It's weird. I never thought I'd feel safe on a pirate ship."
Vihaan turned to her. "And now?"
"I feel free."
She leaned closer.
He smiled. "So do I."
Vihaan's gaze held hers a little longer than usual. The reflection of the stars shimmered in his eyes, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause.
Nami leaned in gently, brushing her lips against his—soft, hesitant at first… then a little more firm as he kissed her back.
When they pulled away, Vihaan chuckled under his breath.
"You know… I love you, Nami."
Her eyes widened just slightly.
"But I'm being honest with you," he continued, brushing a strand of orange hair from her face. "I find a lot of women intriguing. If you were to date me… it wouldn't be just the two of us."
Nami blinked. "You mean… like a few more girls?"
Vihaan nodded slowly. "Only if you're okay with it. I'd never hide anything from you."
For a second, she looked thoughtful. Then with a smirk, she replied, "Fine. Just don't ignore me, mirror boy."
Vihaan smiled. "Never."
She laid her head on his shoulder as the ocean breeze swept across the deck, and the Going Merry drifted peacefully under the moonlight.
Moments later they both fell asleep on the deck with Vihaan's hand wraping around her waist as they both cuddle and sleep under the starry sky
I AM PLANNING TO EXPLAIN A FEW BACKSTORIES AND SOME OTHER STUFF WHILE COVERING A BIT OF OTHER STUFF GOING ON IN THE WORLD SO LOGUETOWN MIGHT BE CHAPTER AFTER OR AROUND CHAPTER 25, SEE YOU GUYS IN CHAPTER 23,DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR MORE CHAPTERS!