After∆≈§Ω¥π transferring∆≈§Ω¥π from∆≈§Ω¥π Wano∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π Sabaody∆≈§Ω¥π Archipelago,∆≈§Ω¥π Papa∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π decided∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π have∆≈§Ω¥π tea∆≈§Ω¥π at∆≈§Ω¥π Shakky’s∆≈§Ω¥π bar.∆≈§Ω¥π

“I’m∆≈§Ω¥π back,∆≈§Ω¥π Shakky.”∆≈§Ω¥π

“Welcome∆≈§Ω¥π back,∆≈§Ω¥π Shirakawa-chan,∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh.”∆≈§Ω¥π

“Ah,∆≈§Ω¥π we’re∆≈§Ω¥π back,∆≈§Ω¥π Shakky.∆≈§Ω¥π Could∆≈§Ω¥π we∆≈§Ω¥π get∆≈§Ω¥π some∆≈§Ω¥π tea∆≈§Ω¥π for∆≈§Ω¥π me∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π Shu?”∆≈§Ω¥π

We∆≈§Ω¥π sat∆≈§Ω¥π at∆≈§Ω¥π our∆≈§Ω¥π usual∆≈§Ω¥π counter∆≈§Ω¥π seats∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π began∆≈§Ω¥π discussing∆≈§Ω¥π future∆≈§Ω¥π plans∆≈§Ω¥π while∆≈§Ω¥π waiting∆≈§Ω¥π for∆≈§Ω¥π our∆≈§Ω¥π tea.∆≈§Ω¥π

“So∆≈§Ω¥π what’s∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π training∆≈§Ω¥π schedule∆≈§Ω¥π going∆≈§Ω¥π forward?”∆≈§Ω¥π

“I’d∆≈§Ω¥π like∆≈§Ω¥π you∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π gain∆≈§Ω¥π real∆≈§Ω¥π combat∆≈§Ω¥π experience∆≈§Ω¥π as∆≈§Ω¥π a∆≈§Ω¥π bounty∆≈§Ω¥π hunter,∆≈§Ω¥π Shu.”∆≈§Ω¥π

A∆≈§Ω¥π bounty∆≈§Ω¥π hunter?∆≈§Ω¥π

“You∆≈§Ω¥π mean∆≈§Ω¥π fighting∆≈§Ω¥π pirates?”∆≈§Ω¥π

“Exactly.”∆≈§Ω¥π

The∆≈§Ω¥π thought∆≈§Ω¥π of∆≈§Ω¥π real∆≈§Ω¥π combat…∆≈§Ω¥π life-and-death∆≈§Ω¥π battles∆≈§Ω¥π made∆≈§Ω¥π me∆≈§Ω¥π anxious.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Shu,∆≈§Ω¥π you∆≈§Ω¥π overcame∆≈§Ω¥π Bunta’s∆≈§Ω¥π sword∆≈§Ω¥π pressure.∆≈§Ω¥π Have∆≈§Ω¥π confidence.”∆≈§Ω¥π

I∆≈§Ω¥π could∆≈§Ω¥π feel∆≈§Ω¥π that∆≈§Ω¥π growth,∆≈§Ω¥π but…∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π had∆≈§Ω¥π no∆≈§Ω¥π real∆≈§Ω¥π combat∆≈§Ω¥π experience.∆≈§Ω¥π

“I’ll∆≈§Ω¥π choose∆≈§Ω¥π your∆≈§Ω¥π opponents∆≈§Ω¥π carefully∆≈§Ω¥π at∆≈§Ω¥π first,∆≈§Ω¥π so∆≈§Ω¥π don’t∆≈§Ω¥π worry.∆≈§Ω¥π Though∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π won’t∆≈§Ω¥π pick∆≈§Ω¥π easy∆≈§Ω¥π fights,∆≈§Ω¥π so∆≈§Ω¥π don’t∆≈§Ω¥π let∆≈§Ω¥π your∆≈§Ω¥π guard∆≈§Ω¥π down.”∆≈§Ω¥π

I∆≈§Ω¥π nodded∆≈§Ω¥π at∆≈§Ω¥π Papa∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh’s∆≈§Ω¥π words.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Alright,∆≈§Ω¥π let’s∆≈§Ω¥π head∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π Marine∆≈§Ω¥π Headquarters∆≈§Ω¥π after∆≈§Ω¥π we∆≈§Ω¥π finish∆≈§Ω¥π our∆≈§Ω¥π tea.”∆≈§Ω¥π

“Are∆≈§Ω¥π you∆≈§Ω¥π planning∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π get∆≈§Ω¥π pirate∆≈§Ω¥π information∆≈§Ω¥π from∆≈§Ω¥π Garp?”∆≈§Ω¥π

“Sharp∆≈§Ω¥π as∆≈§Ω¥π always,∆≈§Ω¥π Shu.∆≈§Ω¥π That’s∆≈§Ω¥π exactly∆≈§Ω¥π right.”∆≈§Ω¥π

Papa∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh∆≈§Ω¥π smiled∆≈§Ω¥π pleasantly.∆≈§Ω¥π

Afterwards,∆≈§Ω¥π we∆≈§Ω¥π played∆≈§Ω¥π chess∆≈§Ω¥π while∆≈§Ω¥π drinking∆≈§Ω¥π tea.∆≈§Ω¥π

The∆≈§Ω¥π result…∆≈§Ω¥π was∆≈§Ω¥π barely∆≈§Ω¥π a∆≈§Ω¥π draw.∆≈§Ω¥π

Someday∆≈§Ω¥π I’ll∆≈§Ω¥π beat∆≈§Ω¥π you,∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π thought,∆≈§Ω¥π my∆≈§Ω¥π competitive∆≈§Ω¥π spirit∆≈§Ω¥π ignited.∆≈§Ω¥π

---

After∆≈§Ω¥π our∆≈§Ω¥π break,∆≈§Ω¥π Papa∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π prepared∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π headed∆≈§Ω¥π for∆≈§Ω¥π Marine∆≈§Ω¥π Headquarters∆≈§Ω¥π in∆≈§Ω¥π our∆≈§Ω¥π small∆≈§Ω¥π boat.∆≈§Ω¥π

I’d∆≈§Ω¥π never∆≈§Ω¥π been∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π Marine∆≈§Ω¥π Headquarters∆≈§Ω¥π since∆≈§Ω¥π gaining∆≈§Ω¥π my∆≈§Ω¥π ability,∆≈§Ω¥π so∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π couldn’t∆≈§Ω¥π teleport∆≈§Ω¥π there.∆≈§Ω¥π

I∆≈§Ω¥π was∆≈§Ω¥π in∆≈§Ω¥π charge∆≈§Ω¥π of∆≈§Ω¥π navigation∆≈§Ω¥π during∆≈§Ω¥π our∆≈§Ω¥π voyage.∆≈§Ω¥π

This∆≈§Ω¥π was∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π test∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π seafaring∆≈§Ω¥π skills∆≈§Ω¥π I’d∆≈§Ω¥π learned∆≈§Ω¥π so∆≈§Ω¥π far.∆≈§Ω¥π

It∆≈§Ω¥π was∆≈§Ω¥π my∆≈§Ω¥π first∆≈§Ω¥π time,∆≈§Ω¥π so∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π journey∆≈§Ω¥π was∆≈§Ω¥π full∆≈§Ω¥π of∆≈§Ω¥π trial∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π error,∆≈§Ω¥π but∆≈§Ω¥π Papa∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh∆≈§Ω¥π watched∆≈§Ω¥π me∆≈§Ω¥π with∆≈§Ω¥π an∆≈§Ω¥π amused∆≈§Ω¥π expression.∆≈§Ω¥π

When∆≈§Ω¥π sharks∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π small∆≈§Ω¥π Sea∆≈§Ω¥π Kings∆≈§Ω¥π attacked∆≈§Ω¥π our∆≈§Ω¥π boat,∆≈§Ω¥π Papa∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh∆≈§Ω¥π suggested∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π fight∆≈§Ω¥π them∆≈§Ω¥π myself.∆≈§Ω¥π

I∆≈§Ω¥π drew∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π sword∆≈§Ω¥π Grandpa∆≈§Ω¥π Bunta∆≈§Ω¥π had∆≈§Ω¥π given∆≈§Ω¥π me∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π engaged∆≈§Ω¥π them.∆≈§Ω¥π

Even∆≈§Ω¥π though∆≈§Ω¥π we∆≈§Ω¥π were∆≈§Ω¥π on∆≈§Ω¥π a∆≈§Ω¥π small∆≈§Ω¥π boat∆≈§Ω¥π rocking∆≈§Ω¥π with∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π waves,∆≈§Ω¥π thanks∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π Grandma∆≈§Ω¥π Shiori’s∆≈§Ω¥π training,∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π felt∆≈§Ω¥π no∆≈§Ω¥π unsteadiness∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π could∆≈§Ω¥π swing∆≈§Ω¥π my∆≈§Ω¥π sword∆≈§Ω¥π properly.∆≈§Ω¥π

The∆≈§Ω¥π blade∆≈§Ω¥π cut∆≈§Ω¥π true,∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π felt∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π sensation∆≈§Ω¥π of∆≈§Ω¥π cutting∆≈§Ω¥π flesh∆≈§Ω¥π through∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π sword.∆≈§Ω¥π

That∆≈§Ω¥π feeling∆≈§Ω¥π surprised∆≈§Ω¥π me,∆≈§Ω¥π but∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π managed∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π defeat∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π shark.∆≈§Ω¥π

For∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π small∆≈§Ω¥π Sea∆≈§Ω¥π King,∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π tried∆≈§Ω¥π coating∆≈§Ω¥π my∆≈§Ω¥π sword∆≈§Ω¥π with∆≈§Ω¥π Armament∆≈§Ω¥π Haki.∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π didn’t∆≈§Ω¥π feel∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π same∆≈§Ω¥π sensation∆≈§Ω¥π as∆≈§Ω¥π with∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π shark∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π thought∆≈§Ω¥π I’d∆≈§Ω¥π missed.∆≈§Ω¥π

But∆≈§Ω¥π what∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π saw∆≈§Ω¥π was∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π Sea∆≈§Ω¥π King’s∆≈§Ω¥π head∆≈§Ω¥π separated∆≈§Ω¥π from∆≈§Ω¥π its∆≈§Ω¥π body.∆≈§Ω¥π

I’d∆≈§Ω¥π only∆≈§Ω¥π used∆≈§Ω¥π Armament∆≈§Ω¥π Haki∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π enhance∆≈§Ω¥π my∆≈§Ω¥π physical∆≈§Ω¥π abilities∆≈§Ω¥π before,∆≈§Ω¥π so∆≈§Ω¥π this∆≈§Ω¥π result∆≈§Ω¥π amazed∆≈§Ω¥π me.∆≈§Ω¥π

Papa∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh∆≈§Ω¥π laughed∆≈§Ω¥π heartily∆≈§Ω¥π watching∆≈§Ω¥π me.∆≈§Ω¥π

After∆≈§Ω¥π various∆≈§Ω¥π experiences∆≈§Ω¥π during∆≈§Ω¥π our∆≈§Ω¥π sea∆≈§Ω¥π voyage,∆≈§Ω¥π Papa∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π arrived∆≈§Ω¥π at∆≈§Ω¥π Marine∆≈§Ω¥π Headquarters.∆≈§Ω¥π

---

“Good∆≈§Ω¥π work,∆≈§Ω¥π Shu.”∆≈§Ω¥π

“No,∆≈§Ω¥π I’m∆≈§Ω¥π sorry∆≈§Ω¥π it∆≈§Ω¥π took∆≈§Ω¥π so∆≈§Ω¥π long.”∆≈§Ω¥π

“You∆≈§Ω¥π crossed∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π Grand∆≈§Ω¥π Line∆≈§Ω¥π safely∆≈§Ω¥π on∆≈§Ω¥π your∆≈§Ω¥π first∆≈§Ω¥π voyage.∆≈§Ω¥π Well∆≈§Ω¥π done.”∆≈§Ω¥π

Papa∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh∆≈§Ω¥π patted∆≈§Ω¥π my∆≈§Ω¥π head.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Well,∆≈§Ω¥π we∆≈§Ω¥π came∆≈§Ω¥π without∆≈§Ω¥π notice.∆≈§Ω¥π Let’s∆≈§Ω¥π have∆≈§Ω¥π a∆≈§Ω¥π marine∆≈§Ω¥π call∆≈§Ω¥π Garp.”∆≈§Ω¥π

Papa∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh∆≈§Ω¥π approached∆≈§Ω¥π a∆≈§Ω¥π man∆≈§Ω¥π in∆≈§Ω¥π marine∆≈§Ω¥π uniform∆≈§Ω¥π walking∆≈§Ω¥π nearby.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Hey,∆≈§Ω¥π old∆≈§Ω¥π man.∆≈§Ω¥π What∆≈§Ω¥π do∆≈§Ω¥π you∆≈§Ω¥π want?”∆≈§Ω¥π

“Sorry,∆≈§Ω¥π but∆≈§Ω¥π could∆≈§Ω¥π you∆≈§Ω¥π call∆≈§Ω¥π Garp?”∆≈§Ω¥π

The∆≈§Ω¥π man∆≈§Ω¥π I’d∆≈§Ω¥π approached∆≈§Ω¥π looked∆≈§Ω¥π younger∆≈§Ω¥π than∆≈§Ω¥π me∆≈§Ω¥π –∆≈§Ω¥π more∆≈§Ω¥π like∆≈§Ω¥π a∆≈§Ω¥π boy,∆≈§Ω¥π really.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Huh?∆≈§Ω¥π Why∆≈§Ω¥π should∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π call∆≈§Ω¥π that∆≈§Ω¥π old∆≈§Ω¥π geezer!”∆≈§Ω¥π

Papa∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh∆≈§Ω¥π sighed∆≈§Ω¥π in∆≈§Ω¥π confusion.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Excuse∆≈§Ω¥π me.∆≈§Ω¥π Could∆≈§Ω¥π you∆≈§Ω¥π tell∆≈§Ω¥π Garp∆≈§Ω¥π that∆≈§Ω¥π Shu∆≈§Ω¥π has∆≈§Ω¥π arrived…”∆≈§Ω¥π

“Shut∆≈§Ω¥π up,∆≈§Ω¥π mob!”∆≈§Ω¥π

The∆≈§Ω¥π boy∆≈§Ω¥π glared∆≈§Ω¥π at∆≈§Ω¥π me∆≈§Ω¥π with∆≈§Ω¥π one∆≈§Ω¥π raised∆≈§Ω¥π eyebrow.∆≈§Ω¥π

“You∆≈§Ω¥π mobs∆≈§Ω¥π like∆≈§Ω¥π you∆≈§Ω¥π who∆≈§Ω¥π are∆≈§Ω¥π just∆≈§Ω¥π background∆≈§Ω¥π characters∆≈§Ω¥π for∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π protagonist∆≈§Ω¥π like∆≈§Ω¥π me…”∆≈§Ω¥π

Bonk!∆≈§Ω¥π

A∆≈§Ω¥π fist∆≈§Ω¥π slammed∆≈§Ω¥π down∆≈§Ω¥π on∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π boy’s∆≈§Ω¥π head,∆≈§Ω¥π cutting∆≈§Ω¥π off∆≈§Ω¥π his∆≈§Ω¥π words.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Owww!”∆≈§Ω¥π

“You∆≈§Ω¥π fool!∆≈§Ω¥π Show∆≈§Ω¥π some∆≈§Ω¥π manners!”∆≈§Ω¥π

Garp∆≈§Ω¥π scolded∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π boy∆≈§Ω¥π after∆≈§Ω¥π punching∆≈§Ω¥π him.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Sorry∆≈§Ω¥π about∆≈§Ω¥π that,∆≈§Ω¥π Rayleigh.”∆≈§Ω¥π

“No∆≈§Ω¥π problem,∆≈§Ω¥π Garp.”∆≈§Ω¥π

The∆≈§Ω¥π boy∆≈§Ω¥π held∆≈§Ω¥π his∆≈§Ω¥π beautiful∆≈§Ω¥π blonde∆≈§Ω¥π head,∆≈§Ω¥π tears∆≈§Ω¥π in∆≈§Ω¥π his∆≈§Ω¥π red∆≈§Ω¥π eyes.∆≈§Ω¥π

“What∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π hell,∆≈§Ω¥π you∆≈§Ω¥π damn∆≈§Ω¥π old…”∆≈§Ω¥π

His∆≈§Ω¥π words∆≈§Ω¥π were∆≈§Ω¥π cut∆≈§Ω¥π off∆≈§Ω¥π again.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Really∆≈§Ω¥π sorry∆≈§Ω¥π about∆≈§Ω¥π that,∆≈§Ω¥π you∆≈§Ω¥π two.∆≈§Ω¥π I’ll∆≈§Ω¥π beat∆≈§Ω¥π some∆≈§Ω¥π manners∆≈§Ω¥π into∆≈§Ω¥π him∆≈§Ω¥π later.”∆≈§Ω¥π

The∆≈§Ω¥π boy∆≈§Ω¥π was∆≈§Ω¥π rolling∆≈§Ω¥π on∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π ground∆≈§Ω¥π holding∆≈§Ω¥π his∆≈§Ω¥π head,∆≈§Ω¥π apparently∆≈§Ω¥π in∆≈§Ω¥π serious∆≈§Ω¥π pain.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Well,∆≈§Ω¥π let’s∆≈§Ω¥π go∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π my∆≈§Ω¥π office.∆≈§Ω¥π Light!∆≈§Ω¥π Run∆≈§Ω¥π laps∆≈§Ω¥π around∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π training∆≈§Ω¥π ground!”∆≈§Ω¥π

“Like∆≈§Ω¥π hell!∆≈§Ω¥π Why∆≈§Ω¥π should∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π protagonist∆≈§Ω¥π do∆≈§Ω¥π that!”∆≈§Ω¥π

Garp∆≈§Ω¥π showed∆≈§Ω¥π his∆≈§Ω¥π fist∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π boy∆≈§Ω¥π called∆≈§Ω¥π Light.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Damn∆≈§Ω¥π it!”∆≈§Ω¥π

The∆≈§Ω¥π boy∆≈§Ω¥π ran∆≈§Ω¥π off∆≈§Ω¥π yelling.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Sorry∆≈§Ω¥π about∆≈§Ω¥π the∆≈§Ω¥π wait.”∆≈§Ω¥π

“Garp,∆≈§Ω¥π who∆≈§Ω¥π was∆≈§Ω¥π that∆≈§Ω¥π boy?”∆≈§Ω¥π

“When∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π was∆≈§Ω¥π on∆≈§Ω¥π vacation∆≈§Ω¥π in∆≈§Ω¥π East∆≈§Ω¥π Blue,∆≈§Ω¥π Light∆≈§Ω¥π was∆≈§Ω¥π playing∆≈§Ω¥π pirate∆≈§Ω¥π without∆≈§Ω¥π any∆≈§Ω¥π navigation∆≈§Ω¥π skills∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π got∆≈§Ω¥π lost∆≈§Ω¥π at∆≈§Ω¥π sea…∆≈§Ω¥π so∆≈§Ω¥π I∆≈§Ω¥π picked∆≈§Ω¥π him∆≈§Ω¥π up.”∆≈§Ω¥π

Garp∆≈§Ω¥π looked∆≈§Ω¥π exasperated∆≈§Ω¥π as∆≈§Ω¥π he∆≈§Ω¥π watched∆≈§Ω¥π Light∆≈§Ω¥π run∆≈§Ω¥π away.∆≈§Ω¥π

“Anyway,∆≈§Ω¥π let’s∆≈§Ω¥π go.∆≈§Ω¥π You∆≈§Ω¥π came∆≈§Ω¥π here∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π talk∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π me,∆≈§Ω¥π right?”∆≈§Ω¥π

Garp∆≈§Ω¥π urged∆≈§Ω¥π us∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π follow∆≈§Ω¥π him.∆≈§Ω¥π

Mob∆≈§Ω¥π and∆≈§Ω¥π protagonist,∆≈§Ω¥π huh…∆≈§Ω¥π

I∆≈§Ω¥π felt∆≈§Ω¥π like∆≈§Ω¥π I’d∆≈§Ω¥π heard∆≈§Ω¥π those∆≈§Ω¥π terms∆≈§Ω¥π before.∆≈§Ω¥π

So∆≈§Ω¥π it’s∆≈§Ω¥π related∆≈§Ω¥π to∆≈§Ω¥π those∆≈§Ω¥π false∆≈§Ω¥π memories?∆≈§Ω¥π

I∆≈§Ω¥π wasn’t∆≈§Ω¥π certain,∆≈§Ω¥π but∆≈§Ω¥π probably∆≈§Ω¥π that∆≈§Ω¥π boy∆≈§Ω¥π was…∆≈§Ω¥π

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