In the forest near Dadan's home-
"Runt, you said you would beat me when you get older but after a month I hardly see any progress HAHAHAHA" Ray laughed as he dodged Ace's attacks. This time Ace was using his fists instead of his usual metal pipe, regardless he had yet to hit Ray in any of his spars.
Ace looked completely furious, he trained like he had never before the past month as he was humiliated by Ray in their first encounter. He felt helpless against Ray and also his little smirk as he fought pissed him off.
"Listen, there's no point in getting angry and just mindlessly attacking me, that will get you nowhere, instead look for openings and stop acting like a child, runt" said Ray as he tried to get Ace calm down, yet instead he looked even more furious.
"It's Ace you bastard!"
"Ah, language, you are still a child you know"
"Fuck you" said Ace as he gritted his teeth.
"BWA HAH HAH HAH, Ace didn't I say you should speak more politely to others" Ace's facial expression froze as he glanced at the direction of the laugh.
'So he's finally here, about time, Garp' I smirked as my opportunity had finally arrived.
Garp picked up Ace despite Ace's struggle and punched him on his head, "Here, this ought to teach you some manners" Ace shouted in pain, "AHHH, bastard!".
"What did you say to me brat?!?" Ace panicked and said "Nothing, I swear gramps, nothing!"
"BWA HAH HAH, that's what I thought" then Garp shifted his attention to me.
As Garp scanned me, I started sweating a little, I felt he could see right through me. "Hmm, brat what are you doing here?" Garp asked.
"I lost my memory a few months ago and I've been living here for a month or so sir, name is Ray by the way"
"Ray huh? Well who cares brat, come lets have a little fight"
"Ermm, I'd rather not die today sir"
"Oh stop being a pussy, I'll use a fraction of my strength"
'A fraction? Even that would knock me out in a single hit but it's best I try and attempt to impress this old man'
"Alright, sure"
Garp let go of Ace, who went back a few metres but stayed as he wanted to watch Ray get beat into a pulp.
"BWA HAH HAH HAH, here I come brat" Garp laughed as he instantly blurred in front of my eyes, 'Yeah, I can't keep up with his speed' I sensed Garp above me and stepped back quickly as if my life depended on it.
Garp's fist smashed onto the ground, shattering it and causing rocks to be flung everywhere. "Not bad brat you got some good sense, still, running won't get you anywhere in a fight"
I dashed towards Garp, as pointless as it was I needed to prove my worth to him, he was my ticket into the marines. I threw a jabs at him which all missed, then aimed a kick on his knees but he simply stepped back out of my range.
Garp then lunged towards me at a speed faster than before, leaving me no room to dodge. I crossed my arms and prayed to Jesus. Garp's fist connected, sending me back through a few trees.
As I lay on the ground, back in pain I realised what a monster Garp was, it wasn't only his sheer strength but mainly his control over it. He knew exactly how hard to hit me. "Fucking monster" I spat some blood on the ground as I could barely feel my arms and struggled to get up.
"That's not all you got is it you brat?" Irritated, I rushed at him releasing a flurry of attacks and various combinations, mixing feints as well. Garp simply blocked or dodged them all.
Garp then landed a simple jab on my nose which flung me back, causing me to bleed as well. "Hah, you got some strength and determination in you" said Garp, I smiled in response.
"However, your form and timing of attacks are all over the place, you simply don't know how to fight brat." Which made me frown but I knew it was the truth.
"What's your goal boy?" asked Garp
"My goal?"
"Yep, hurry up brat don't think all day now"
"Hmm, to be strong enough to live and do what I want to do" I replied
"Huh? That's boring, pick something else"
"Nothing wrong with that, those months spent by myself taught me that strength is above all in this world. If not for the little strength I have, I'd be tiger shit about now"
Garp stayed silent for a moment before he asked "What do you think about the marines brat?"
"Nothing really, just doing their job cleaning the mess filthy pirates make"
"Pirates are not filthy you bastard!" Ace shouted. Garp glanced at him making him run back to the house.
"BWA HAH HAH HAH, that's a good thought Ray" I smiled as he said my name, proof that he thought I was respectable at least.
"How about this brat? I'll get you up to shape for the next 2 months during my vacation and see if you're worth my time or not, if ya pass you can join the marines under my supervision"
I was a little surprised but I accepted none of the less. "Sure, I wanted to be a marine anyway".