Chapter 7: Oykot Kingdom
The training ground at sunset.
The setting sun cast a red glow over the field. Only Roy and Zephyr were left.
Zephyr flexed his wrist, the muscles on his calloused right arm bulging like steel. "Final test. Warp-Assault."
His tone was serious, but held a hint of anticipation. "The rules are simple. Land three clean hits on me in a row, and you pass."
Roy's breathing hitched, his gaze turning sharp. "Understood!"
Zephyr sank into his combat stance. "Begin!"
FWOOSH!
Roy's figure vanished and reappeared at Zephyr's left, his blackened Armament fist whistling through the air!
Zephyr didn't even turn his head, countering with his own punch. The air cracked!
"BAM!!"
Roy was thrown back by the shockwave, blood trickling from his lip. He gritted his teeth and immediately warped again.
FWOOSH!
This time, he appeared above Zephyr, diving down with a punch aimed straight at his head!
Zephyr blocked, a smirk on his face. "Too slow!"
"One chance left!"
The sunset lit Roy's face, but he was grinning. "In that case... try this!"
The next moment, Roy vanished completely. The training ground was silent.
Zephyr frowned, his Observation Haki spreading, but this time... he couldn't sense him. "Where is he?!"
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, a training sandbag appeared out of thin air, flying right at him!
"A distraction?!"
Zephyr backhanded the bag away. The instant he did—
"Over here!"
Roy's voice came from behind him. Zephyr spun, but as he did, three phantoms of Roy appeared, all punching at the same time!
"Warp: Phantom Combo!"
"BAM! BAM! BAM!!"
Three fists struck Zephyr's chest, shoulder, and side, knocking him back several steps and cracking the pavement beneath his feet!
The field was silent, dust motes dancing in the last ray of sunlight.
Zephyr steadied himself, looked down at the fist marks on his uniform, and then burst out laughing. "Good kid!"
He looked up, his eyes filled with shock and admiration. "To think you'd warp an object to distract me, then use multiple warps to create afterimages... You're pulling Logia-level tricks with a Paramecia fruit!"
Roy was panting, but his eyes were bright. "I did it!"
Zephyr nodded, pleased. "Not bad. Your fruit development has surpassed the normal scope of a Paramecia. Combined with the Rokushiki, Haki, and psychological tactics... You pass this test!"
The setting sun lit Roy's face, covered in sweat and bruises, but shining with an incomparable, sharp determination.
Zephyr's gaze softened. "Brat, next up... is a real battle."
Roy took a deep breath, his fists clenched. "Yes, Instructor Zephyr!"
In the distance, Smoker, Hina, and several other senior cadets were watching, dumbfounded.
Smoker's mouth twitched. "Just how much of a monster is he going to become?"
Hina's eyes sparkled. "Hina thinks he's gotten stronger again."
Sea Calendar 1502 - Marineford.
Morning light shone on the orderly training field.
Smoker, cigar in his mouth, was staring daggers at Roy. The 12-year-old kid was already pushing 6'6", while Smoker himself, at 14, was barely 5'7"!
"Hey, Roy..." Veins bulged on Smoker's forehead, a wisp of smoke rising from his head. "Are you secretly on growth hormones or something?!"
Roy scratched his head, looking innocent. "Nope, just eating my meals."
(Author's Note: With his 'Giant's Physique,' there was no way he'd be stuck at 6'0", which is practically a midget in the One Piece world!)
Hina stood nearby, sipping her juice, and couldn't help but giggle. "Smoker, Hina thinks you're adorable when you're jealous!"
Smoker glared at her. "Shut it!"
Zephyr, arms crossed, let his gaze rest on Roy for a moment before speaking. "Roy, at your pace, you could have graduated two years ago."
Roy paused. "That early?"
Zephyr nodded. "But I wanted to keep you here one more year to solidify your foundation. After all... you're still young. The seas are treacherous, and I was afraid you weren't ready for what's out there."
Roy sensed the care in Zephyr's words and smiled as he saluted. "I'll follow your lead, Instructor."
Smoker snorted. "Hmph. I'm applying for graduation next year. Don't come crying to me when I leave you in the dust."
Hina glanced at him, flicking her pink hair. "Hina suggests you actually beat Roy first."
Smoker: "...(smoke explodes from his head)"
As they bickered, the sound of CRUNCH, CRUNCH came from nearby.
Garp strode over, carrying a massive bag of rice crackers. "Zephyr! I need to borrow the brat!"
Zephyr frowned. "What are you up to now?"
Garp dug at his nose, laughing. "A little trouble back in the East Blue. The Oykot Kingdom was attacked by pirates. I'm heading that way anyway, so I'll check it out."
"Oykot Kingdom?!"
Roy's pupils shrank. His mind flashed. (Nami's homeland! The kingdom where Belle-mère was! A pirate attack... could it be...?)
Roy's heart pounded, but he looked to Zephyr first, asking for permission with his eyes.
Zephyr noticed his expression. "You want to go?"
Roy nodded, his voice steady. "I'm from the East Blue, too. If it's okay, I'd like to go with him."
Smoker eyed him suspiciously. "You're just trying to slack off, aren't you?"
"Hina doesn't think Roy is that type," Hina said, blinking.
Zephyr thought for a moment and finally nodded. "Fine. Go. But come straight back."
"Sir!" Roy replied firmly, only then turning to Garp.
Garp grinned, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "Let's go, let's go! My ship's not waiting for slowpokes!"
FWOOSH!
Roy grabbed Garp's arm, and they vanished into thin air, leaving Smoker and Hina staring.
Smoker grimaced. "That warping is getting way too convenient."
Hina tilted her head. "Hina wants to try that."
Zephyr watched them go, his gaze distant. "Oykot Kingdom... Still, with Garp there, it should be fine."
On the open sea, Garp's dog-headed warship cut through the waves.
Roy stood on the deck, gripping the railing, his heart pounding.
(If I remember right, Oykot Kingdom is Nami and Nojiko's original home... This is where Belle-mère finds them.)
Garp, crunching on a cracker, laughed. "Brat, you seem awful interested in the Oykot Kingdom."
Roy snapped back to attention. "Just heard there's trouble."
Garp grinned, cracker crumbs falling onto the deck. "Relax! With me here, no pirate alive can cause any trouble!"
Roy stared at the horizon, his gaze hardening.
(Maybe... just maybe... I can interfere with 'destiny' a little?)
As Garp's laughter boomed in the sea breeze, Roy's fists quietly clenched. This was the boy's first true test against fate.