Next day
Early Morning
On board the Merchant ship
Ryu and Musashi stood on the deck of a merchant ship as it sailed toward the East Blue.
Ryu's face lit up with a wide smile as the boundless sea unfolded before him, filling him with freedom and joy.
'One day, I want to sail around the world, and discover everything this world has to offer.'
Musashi smiled when he saw the wide smile on Ryu's face.
"Enjoying this journey kid?"
Ryu looked up at his grandfather and nodded eagerly. Seeing his bright smile, Musashi let out a warm chuckle.
"Listen, kid. You can enjoy the journey later. Right now, we train. That's why we left the village—to make you stronger."
Upon hearing this Ryu looked seriously at Musashi and nodded his head.
"From this day forward, your mornings will begin with 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 pull-ups, and 100 crunches."
Ryu's eyes widened as he stared at Musashi in horror.
"Grandfather, you can't be serious! Have you lost your mind? I'm only three years old kid—are you trying to get me killed?"
A low chuckle escaped Musashi, sending an involuntary shiver down Ryu's back.
"I told you yesterday, Ryu—you must surpass human limits. You have to become a monster, a true beast. To do that, you must forget that you're human and push yourself beyond your limits every single day."
"To achieve that, I'll push you beyond your limits. When your body adapts to the current training, I'll increase the difficulty until you're transformed into a monster."
A chill slid down Ryu's spine, accompanied by a sudden sweatdrop.
'This wrinkled lunatic is out of his mind. Asking him to train me was a mistake.'
After taking a deep breath, Ryu clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles whitened. The memory of his defeat in the Young Talent Swordsmanship Competition flashed through his mind, and he turned to Musashi, eyes blazing with determination.
"Grandfather, I'm ready. I want to grow stronger. I want to become a true monster."
Musashi's lips curled into a broad smile as he nodded in quiet satisfaction.
"Good answer Ryu start doing your pushups after you finish those exercises you will have a short break get going."
Nodding to Musashi, Ryu began his push-ups. After completing the first 100, he pushed through 100 sit-ups and then tackled 100 crunches, sweat already starting to form on his brow.
The merchant crew and passengers watched Ryu's training with gleaming eyes, amusement dancing across their faces, especially whenever Musashi slammed his sheathed katana against Ryu's back each time Ryu slowed down.
Sweat soaked Ryu's shirt, his lungs burning as he panted heavily. Musashi's cries echoed as he struck repeatedly with his sheathed blade, yet Ryu's determination only hardened.
He kept pushing himself until he fully finished the exercises.
Musashi didn't give Ryu a time to catch his breath and hung him in the mast.
"Alright kid, get to it—100 pull-ups, no excuses."
Ryu let out a deep sigh, yet his eyes burned with determination as he began his pull-ups. After completing a grueling 100, he collapsed onto the ship's deck, every muscle screaming and his breaths ragged.
Musashi gave a small smile and walked towards Ryu.
"Well done, Ryu. Starting tomorrow, each morning after you wake and each night before bed, you will do these exercises. Understood?"
Ryu nodded and stood tall, while Musashi pivoted and began walking away.
"Go to the kitchen and grab some snacks, Ryu. You'll need your strength. Your training will resume after you finish eating."
Ryu nodded, then spun around and made his way to the kitchen to grab a few snacks.
______
After the snacks
Ryu stood before Musashi, his hands at his sides, he looked at Musashi waiting for his instructions..
Musashi smiled at Ryu and said to him.
"Ryu, I'm going to teach you a martial art called Karate. I learned it when I was traveling through the South Blue in my youth."
Ryu was confused when he heard what Musashi said and asked.
"Grandfather, I'm training to be a swordsman, a true samurai. Why are you teaching me martial arts?"
Musashi's lips curved into a satisfied smile as he heard the question, and he gave a slow nod.
"Good question. To truly harness the full potential of your body, and learn to control it the martial arts is the best method to achieve this."
"When I was younger and sailed the seas, I once reached Karate Island in the South Blue. There, I learned various martial arts, which helped develop my own sword style."
Ryu's eyes widened in surprise at Musashi's words, but his grandfather paid no attention to his expression and pressed on.
"I might not be a grandmaster in Karate but I am fully capable in teaching you the basics so get ready."
Ryu smiled and nodded. Musashi then began demonstrating the basic Karate stances, guiding Ryu through the proper way to throw punches and kicks.
Ryu's eyes traced Musashi's stance, noting flow of each punch and kick, and he followed suit executing them all perfectly.
Musashi's lips curved into a satisfied smile as he watched Ryu flawlessly execute the stance, each punch and kick mirroring his own demonstration.
"Good. Now give me 1,000 punches with each arm and 1,000 kicks with each leg."
Obediently, Ryu nodded and launched a flurry of punches and kicks into the air.
Musashi grinned at Ryu after completing his sets, a spark of pride in his eyes.
"That's enough for today, Ryu-kun. Be sure to complete your pushups, situps, crunches, and pullups sets before you go to bed."
Ryu nodded to Musashi and replied.
"Got it grandfather."
Musashi spun around, took out his pipe, and began smoking as he settled onto the deck.
_______
After Three Months
The merchant ship reached the East Blue and docked beside a dense forest.
The captain made his way to Musashi and asked.
"Musashi-san, are you sure about staying in this forest? Gao Kingdom lies not far from here, and it's our intended destination."
Musashi chuckled and shook his head.
"This forest is the perfect place for me to train my grandson captain thanks for the left."
Without another word, he jumped from the merchant ship, the wind rushing past him as Ryu followed close behind.
Seeing this, the captain chuckled softly before directing his crew.
"Set sail to Gao Kingdom."
"Aye, Aye, captain."
The merchant ship quickly glided across the sea towards Gao Kingdom.
_____
With Ryu
After the Merchant ship sailed away from the forest Musashi tossed the training sword to Ryu .
"Listen carefully, Ryu. Your objective is to survive in this forest for an entire year. Don't expect me to come save you if you messed up."
Ryu widened his eyes upon hearing this and Musashi continued.
"This forest is called the Crescent Moon Forest. It's teeming with wild animals, each guarding its own territory, so stay alert at all times."
Unable to hold back any longer, Ryu barked at Musashi.
"Hey, are you crazy or something?! I'm a three-year-old child! There's no way I can survive in the forest by myself for a whole year!"
"BAM."
Ryu yelped as Musashi's fist collided with his head, his hand going up instinctively to holding his head in pain.
"OUCH."
Musashi shook his head slightly, disappointment clear in his eyes, and sighed softly.
"Ryu, to become a true swordsman, a true Samurai, you must look death in the eye without an ounce of fear. Only then will you stand a chance of reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship."
Ryu widened his eyes but Musashi continued.
"Life back in the village is safe the Samurai protect you, but beyond its borders, danger waits at every turn. One wrong move can mean your end. I've survived death more times than I can count."
"If one day you wish to set sail upon the seas, to roam the Grand Line, you must accept that death will stalk you at every turn."
"If this life isn't what you want, then step away from the path of the samurai and live peacefully in Commy Village."
Ryu's hand curled into a tight fist, the whiteness of his knuckles sharp against his skin. With a feral grin, he addressed Musashi.
"I'll do it, Grandfather. I'll survive in this forest for a whole year."
Musashi smiled in approval upon hearing this and nodded his head.
"Before you go, Ryu, I must warn you: if you ever come across a strange fruit covered in spiral patterns, don't eat it. They are cursed by the sea, it is known as Devil Fruits."
Ryu looked at Musashi in surprised and asked.
"Devil fruits?"
Musashi nodded.
Yes, they are called Devil Fruits. If you eat one, it grants you unimaginable power, but in return, you lose the ability to swim. The sea will hate you, and if you fall into it, you will drown."
Ryu smiled upon hearing this and thought.
"This world is fascinating, but eating one of these fruits would be foolish. After all, most of it is covered by the sea—I'd be a complete idiot to do that."
"Now get going, Ryu, I will see you in one year good luck."
After uttering those words, Musashi disappeared in a blur, leaving Ryu utterly stunned.
'I can't believe it… the speed is unreal! Grandfather must have worked himself to the bone to reach this.'
Ryu smiled, drawing his training sword, and ventured deeper into the forest.
His heart was pounding hard in excitement.
"This training is going to be interesting."
______
Poll
A) Mc create his own crew (4)
B) Mc join Hawkeye crew (1)
C) Mc join red-haired pirates (4)
D) Mc join revolutionary army (1)
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