The shower was possibly the greatest experience 427 had had since he arrived in this world.
Not including Sea King meat.
The water was just below scalding, and the pressure was incredible.
The best part? No time limits, despite being communal!
He sighed in relief as the heat worked out kinks from sitting still for two days straight.
After drying himself off, he headed to his bunk, and pulled on some casual training clothes. The barracks were relatively empty, with the other clones presumably having gone out to train.
He looked around absentmindedly as he toweled his buzzcut.
I wonder how many of them made it back?
Honestly, the first mission where they were sent out in small groups was just bizarre. It was inefficient, and the number of clones that died was probably no small amount.
Maybe it's to weed out the "defects"?
Thinking back to Kaido-lite, he sent out a silent prayer in his heart.
As he opened the chest to put away his towel, he paused. On the mirror attached to the inside, he saw his face. The scar, perfectly horizontal across the bridge of his nose, gave him an even more rugged look.
If only I could grow a beard. Just one more reason to leave: the dress code.
He held back a laugh. Not a good look, laughing after seeing yourself in the mirror. Not that there was anyone else there.
Standing up, he sighed.
Who knows if I can even grow a beard? This body looks like… sixteen or seventeen.
He walked outside the tent. It was around 9:00 AM, and the sun had been up for quite some time. He looked out at the vast blue expanse around the snails.
Unlike the speed-based individual snail formation they had used to arrive at Lvneel, this time all the snails were moving together. It meant they were slower, but allowed for medical treatment of injured clones, access to the dining hall, and limited training grounds.
Didn't Nine say he would find me for training? Where-
A sudden thought hit him.
He spun around just in time to see Nine's massive hand approaching his shoulder.
I KNEW IT!
That guess didn't save him from jumping a foot in the air like a startled cat and letting out a little squeak.
Think it's weird to get startled even when you expect it?
Try getting jump-scared by a nine-foot dude, jacked like Whitebeard, and then talk.
Nine, surprisingly, didn't laugh or say anything. He just looked at him. Stepping out from behind Nine, 341 joined in the silent judgement.
Why are they teaming against me?! I thought they'd start sparking off each other! There goes my free entertainment, I guess.
"So, what are we doing?" 427 asked, casually brushing off his pants like nothing happened.
It had to be said, 427's Dao of shamelessness was growing more and more skilled.
Nine and 341 looked at each other, and tacitly agreed to drop it. The big clone turned back to 427 and said:
"Come with me."
427 bit back a movie reference that didn't exist in this world, trailing behind them toward the temporary training grounds.
As they walked, Nine started explaining the plan.
"Normally, I have a fully equipped training ground that I use, but in this formation we'll have to make do."
The first line alone sent 427 reeling. A fully equipped training ground? As a clone? Just thinking about how valuable Nine had to be considered - WITH JUDGE IN CHARGE - to have that was staggering.
Of course, it wasn't like he was aware of Germa's politics or bureaucracy. Maybe Judge had underlings that weren't shown in the anime.
It would make more sense then him personally giving it out, I suppose.
Nine kept talking, dragging him out of his shock.
"Both of you have been doing physical training. That continues. Don't stop that, ever. Understood?"
He looked back to catch the two of them nodding, and then continued.
"I'll review your more targeted workouts, like, say, legs for 427, but I don't anticipate many changes. What I'll really be focusing on is combat."
Everything sounded pretty reasonable to 427. He had some questions, like why Nine was doing this with just a single request, but why look a gift horse in the mouth?
What he was really curious about was who he reminded Nine of. It had to be another clone, right?
I wonder if they're still alive.
Even 427 wasn't stupid enough to ask that.
Judging by clone mortality rates, I'm guessing no.
The training grounds were severely overcrowded. With no other hobbies, every clone flocked here during downtime.
Thankfully, the clones who worked directly in the castle and "medical" (cough labs cough cough) department had their own, slightly separated area. Since Nine was training them, they got to tag along.
Privileges of seniority, I suppose.
"Alright, show me your routines."
427 and 341 exchanged a look, then went to do their lifting. Nine didn't say much, just a few tips here and there when they weren't using the proper form.
One thing he did do, though, was give them weighted gear. A vest, arm and leg bands, the works.
Normally 427 would've been ecstatic. This was what he was searching for!
The only problem was, they were given right at the start of the workout.
He did this shit on purpose! I knew his bipolar ass was being too serious!
427 and 341 looked accusingly at Nine, only to see him standing with his arms crossed, facing the horizon. From the back, it looked as though he were admiring the beautiful ocean.
Of course, the entire attempt was ruined by his visibly shaking shoulders.
"I can see you laughing," 427 grumbled.
That was the straw that broke the camel's back - Nine erupted with laughter.
"BWAHAHAHA! No pain no gain!"
He continued laughing. All of a sudden he stopped, like a switch was flipped.
"Now get to the pain."
"Yes sir!" x2
Oh Lord, there was pain. There was a hell of a lot of it. Since arriving in this world, 427 thought he had been pushing himself, and he had.
If he had attempted his original workout routine on Earth, it would have definitely caused permanent damage. This wasn't Earth.
Because of that - and thanks to proto-life return plus augmented muscles - he'd underestimated just how much damage his body could take and still recover from.
Unfortunately, Nine knew the exact amount.
---
427 wheezed as Nine, acting like a spotter, re-racked the bar with one hand.
Way… way to make a guy feel small.
He was so tired, he had to take breaths in between thoughts.
"Rest up for a bit, then get lunch. Afterwards, we'll spar."
427 managed to get out a nod, before he collapsed back onto the bench. Every single muscle in his body screamed in protest.
He turned his head to see Nine striding away. He turned to the other side to see 341 spread eagle on the ground.
Neither of them had the energy to move. After about ten minutes, they finally forced themselves up onto their feet.
Supporting each other, arm in arm, they trudged towards the dining hall. Neither of them were interested in conversation.
How the hell is a single lunch going to get us ready for sparring?
He was clearly underestimating the power of his stomach. In a shocking turn of events, after walking into the dining hall and seeing the nutrient goop, it looked… appetizing.
He was so hungry, he shoveled down multiple bowls of it. Not Luffy-level, no - but still far more than was reasonable. 341 clearly shared the sentiment, judging by the tower of empty bowls beside him.
427 ended up cutting his feast of goop off, and heading back to his tent. He still had some meager jerky reserves, and honestly anything that could stop the ache faster would be appreciated right now.
After blessing his taste buds with the infinitely superior jerky, he made his way back to the training field. Nine wasn't there yet, but 341 was waiting.
He wasn't even under any shade, just baking in the midday sun by the sparring ring.
Typical 341.
427 sauntered up beside him.
"Here."
He handed him a handful of jerky. It hurt his heart to give some away, but wasn't 341 in an impressionable phase? He needed to set a good example!
341 looked down at the jerky, and back up at 427.
"Was that in your pocket?"
427 blinked in response.
"Yeah. Why?"
341 rarely made facial expressions, but in that moment, the best way 427 could describe him was constipated.
"No reason. Thanks."
"No problem."
427 smiled internally, feeling smug.
I feel like an older brother!
If 341 knew what he was thinking, he would undoubtedly attempt to beat his ass.
"Look at you two, bonding!" two massive hands clapped down on each of their shoulders, triggering a series of aches that had just faded away.
Definitely on purpose.
"Right, 341, you're up first."
427 perked up. This was his first time seeing 341 in close, melee combat.
The results? Surprisingly unimpressive.
Don't get me wrong he's not bad but… that's it?
427 supposed it made sense. If 341 solely focused on sniping, then it would make sense he only knew the bare minimum.
Nine did not agree. His frown grew more and more pronounced.
341 threw a jab, a kick, a punch, and Nine casually sidestepped them all.
"I've seen enough."
Thud!
A blow to the top of 341's head collapsed him like a sack of potatoes.
"You may have acquired almost textbook moves through basic training -" 427 supposed that was how they explained the programming. "- but you haven't even begun to chain them together instead of just using each individually."
341 nodded, still dazed.
"The only way to really solve that is through fighting. I'll find some other guys to beat some sense into you. Also, next time bring your knife. I'll teach you how to use it, because you are definitely not built for hand-to-hand."
341 nodded, albeit a bit reluctantly this time. Getting told regular beatings were in your future would tend to do that. 427 helped him to his feet, and 341 stumbled out of the ring.
427 looked back to see Nine crack his knuckles and smile.
"Now, it's your turn."
---
Shit. Welp, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
In this case, the venturing was a mad rush towards the opponent, because honestly, circling around a guy three feet taller than you was just asking to be slapped.
427 threw out a lightning fast left jab, all while watching closely for Nine's response. He didn't for a second believe that Nine would just let him exhaust himself like 341.
No chance this sadistic bastard isn't waiting to clobber me.
Surprisingly, no attack came in response. 427 threw another jab, then a straight, and a kick. Each was blindingly fast to a baseline human, making the wind whistle around his moves.
It wasn't even close to enough.
Like a mirage, Nine shifted from side to side, dodging each attack with minimal energy expenditure. He nodded in approval.
"Good. You've started fighting smart. Not smart enough though." 427 gritted his teeth. He knew he was weak, but it was never pleasant to hear.
He ramped up the intensity, The kicks and punches blurred through the air, making whistling noises. He had to stop himself from subconsciously forming claws with his hand - another thing to work on - as it would have been completely useless without haki.
Then, an idea occurred to him. Pretending to lose himself to anger and exhaustion, he started panting even harder, while clenching his teeth.
It looked like it was working, from the disapproving expression on Nine's face, but you could never tell with that sadistic bastard.
"That's enough." His massive arm raised up, and then began its descent.
A hand chop whistled towards his head, at a blinding speed. In that moment, even though he was faking exhaustion, his life flashed before his eyes. The entire two-week experience.
Shit!
His gamble had worked. The fact he could even see it meant Nine had reduced the speed of the blow.
In a burst of energy that visibly startled Nine, he stepped to the side, and swung out his arm.
Nagashi Uke!
A flowing fish-man karate parry meant to redirect instead of block. In an absurd scene, like a kitten leading a lion by the nose, Nine's arm slid aside as 427 stepped in.
He thrust out his right arm, remembering to curl his fingers into a fist at the last millisecond.
This is it!
Smack!
Nine's other fist moved too fast to visibly see, blocking his punch with his palm. The gust of wind blowing into 427's face was the only indicator that it had actually moved, and not teleported into place.
He looked up to see Nine's face. The grin was, in that moment, demonic in intensity.
"Very good."
"I know right?" 427 smiled, but inside? He was trembling.
Can't look nervous, cant look nervous, cant look-
He chanted it like a mantra.
"Any chance you could let go of my hand?"
"Sure." Nine's easy agreement only made him more wary.
His hesitation made no difference, as Nine's other hand formed an "ok" symbol in front of his head.
427 was pretty sure the following flick made his brain bounce like a pinball in his skull.
---
427 sat beside 341 on the edge of the field, as Nine drank from a canteen. With a final gulp, he capped it, and looked towards 427.
"I'm impressed. Didn't expect to say that today, but I am." 427 sat up a bit taller.
"You've started breaking the mold, you've somehow learned a fish-man karate technique, and you thought about bluffing mid spar…" Nine's voice trailed off towards the end. The look he gave 427 was unreadable.
Honestly, showing everything was a gamble on 427's part. It was probably highly unusual for a clone to develop to this degree, in such a short period of time. Just look at 341 for comparison!
Sorry, dude.
The only reason 427 bared everything was because, honestly, there was no way for Nine to effectively train him unless he knew everything he was capable of. Not only that, but he had genuine explanations for everything.
Everyone in this world knew life-or-death battles made you stronger. All he had to do was pretend every scrap he'd been in was a life-or-death scenario. It would transform him from a "genius" (Really just a clone with the memories of some average joe) to an extremely, extremely lucky person.
Yes, a bit of a stretch. But was it more of a stretch than assuming a lab-grown clone had somehow received the memories of someone else during incubation?
It's not even a crazy track record compared to Luffy's battle history!
Thankfully, Nine didn't seem inclined to pursue the topic. His voice picked up as he continued.
"I'll have to review your claw techniques later, but other than that, sparring is really the only thing you need as well. Unlike your teammate, you don't need to finalize the basics, but grow on them."
"Understood? Now, take the rest of the day off. We'll reconvene when we rejoin with the main fleet tomorrow. I'll find you at 4:00 AM"
With a final "Yes Sir!" The first day of training under Nine was complete.