Aragorn didn't linger long in the forest. Once he had his fill of fun and finished the rabbit snack, he returned to Gloria. The day passed with him lazing about, idly passing the time while waiting for the marine captain Mitsu had mentioned.
The following morning, Aragorn sat cross-legged in the wide dojo hall, Mitsu beside him. Before them sat a man who immediately commanded attention. His marine uniform was worn with ease, draped beneath the flowing coat of justice that swayed faintly with each movement. The man's bald head gleamed so brightly under the sunlight pouring in from the open windows that Aragorn almost squinted. Standing well over three meters tall, his most striking feature was a long, curly mustache that arched proudly across his face.
The giant of a man wore a wide, goofy grin as he leaned forward and chuckled, his voice rumbling like distant thunder.
"Heheh… Captain, is this the brat you told me about?"
Aragorn's eyes narrowed slightly, sizing him up.
'So this guy used to work under Mitsu… before taking his post after retirement. Figures.'
Mitsu let out a hearty laugh, his belly shaking.
"Hoho, I haven't been called 'Captain' in such a long time. I'm no longer one, Genya."
The now-named Captain Genya threw back his head and laughed aloud, the sound booming against the dojo walls.
"Hah! You'll always be my captain, no matter how much time passes!"
Aragorn's expression blanked as he watched the two old fools shower each other with nostalgia.
'Unbelievable. Are these two fools going to D-ride each other infront of me'
He let out a deliberate cough.
The noise snapped Mitsu from his pleased haze, the old man quickly covering his mouth with a hand and coughing awkwardly in return. Straightening his back, he finally gestured toward Aragorn.
"Yes—this is the boy I told you about. He's young, but his talent is remarkable. I thought it fitting he serve as a choreboy for now… until he's of age to enlist."
Aragorn gave Mitsu a side-eye, his lips twitching.
'Acting like this is the first time you're bringing it up, you old fart. My Observation Haki didn't miss you whispering away on the Den Den Mushi with him.'
Genya nodded, his mustache curling further as his grin widened.
"Ahhh, that I can do," he said smilingly.
"But I'm curious… What makes this brat so special that I should bend marine rules just for him?"
Mitsu chuckled mockingly, folding his arms across his chest.
"Hoho, if you're so doubtful, why not have a little spar with him and see for yourself?"
Genya slapped his thigh with such force the dojo floor vibrated, his laughter booming.
"Gahahaha! How could I, a marine captain, spar with a seven-year-old boy? People would call it bullying!"
Aragorn tuned out the theatrics in front of him. His gaze turned towards Genya slightly.
Stats.
Name: [Genya]
Race: Human
Title: Tough-Fist
Class: Marine Captain
Attributes:
STR: ??
DEX: ??
CON: ??
INT: 6.9
Skills:[Geppo]
[Tekkai]
[Soru]
Talent: None
'Tough fist? What is he, the cheap version of garp plus a mustache?' thought Aragorn, amused.
Soon Aragorn stood a couple of meters away from Genya, the dojo floor between them silent yet relaxed.
Genya's arms were folded, his towering body relaxed, the justice coat hanging loose on his shoulders. Aragorn, in contrast, stood with a real sword sheathed at his hip—a deliberate advantage granted by Genya, who thought it would make things "fairer."
Aragorn's eyes hardened, growing cold with focus.
'This is a good chance… to test the difference between peak normal human and superhuman.'
His right hand rose slowly, palm soon resting lightly on the hilt of the sword, his posture shifting ever so slightly.
Genya, still mid-conversation with Mitsu and not even looking at Aragorn, suddenly froze. His smile vanished.
Before he even realized it, his body moved on its own—his foot sliding back, his shoulders squaring, fists clenched. The instinct of a hardened warrior screamed danger, forcing him into a fighting stance.
Only then did realization dawn on his face. He glanced at Aragorn with wide eyes, a bead of sweat forming at his temple.
"I… apologize, kid,"
Genya said seriously, his booming, cheerful tone gone.
"It seems what Mitsu said… was real."
The musclehead's slip of words betrayed more than he intended, and Aragorn's sharp gaze caught it immediately.
'Heh, he cant even keep a secret, as expected of 6.9 intelligence.'
Genya steadied himself, his mustache twitching slightly as his jaw tightened.
'What terrifying presence… It's like standing before a conqueror; how could such a child carry such a presence?'
Genya lowered his stance slightly, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Go ahead, kid… I'll give you the first hit."
Aragorn didn't mind the arrogance. His knees bent lightly, his grip tightening around the hilt. Under his breath he muttered,
"One Sword Style…"
His toes dug into the floor, curling with tension before he launched forward in a sudden burst. The sword slid from the sheath in a smooth motion as his voice followed, low and sharp.
"Severing Tide."
Genya's eyes widened. From the half-drawn blade spilled a red and purplish glow, a cutting light that carried a weight he had only ever seen from the elite swordsmen of Marine HQ.
'That's… impossible at this age!'
Reacting on pure instinct, Genya crossed his thick arms before his chest, bellowing,
"Tekkai!"
His muscles hardened like iron, skin taut, every fiber of his being tensed against the strike.
The blade met him a heartbeat later. Aragorn, feeling the resistance, instantly knew.
'my sword will cut through his arms like butter.'
With a sharp breath, he shifted the angle, weakening the strike just before it connected.
The dojo rang with the impact, a shock of force bursting outward. Genya staggered back, his arms trembling despite the hardened defense. A thin line of blood trickled down his forearm, proof that the boy's blade had bitten through his Tekkai.
Aragorn reappeared behind him, sword sliding smoothly back into the sheath. His face was calm, but his eyes were sharp as ice.
Genya exhaled heavily, trying to mask his unease with a forced smirk. "Your attack's done now, kid… my turn."
What he didn't realize was that he wouldn't have arms left to swing if Aragorn hadn't held back.
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