The soft hum of machines and the gentle glow of monitors filled the air as Te and Koby sat slumped in their recovery pods back in their secret lab. After the intense battle with White Crow and his crew, they were finally back home, safe but exhausted. Their lab, a high-tech underground bunker filled with gadgets, healing tech, and notes from their many experiments, provided the perfect hideaway for them to rest and recuperate.
Te sighed contentedly as the healing liquid in the pod worked its magic, restoring his bruised muscles and strained nen reserves. "Man, these recovery pods were the best idea we ever had," he muttered, closing his eyes.
Koby, sitting in the neighboring pod, adjusted his visor, which was still linked to the lab's monitoring systems. "Yeah. After that fight, I don't know what I'd do without these. Worg was no joke… but White Crow? That guy gave me the creeps."
Te grinned lazily. "Don't remind me. I'm just glad we don't have to deal with that mess again."
Purururururu
Purururururu
Purururururu
Purururururu
Purururururu
Purururururu
Just as the silence was starting to settle comfortably, the Den Den Mushi on the desk croaked to life, mimicking Bisky's voice.
"Oi, you two! Where are you?" Bisky's voice echoed from the snail, sounding slightly annoyed but mostly curious. "Lila's here to visit, and you're nowhere to be found!"
Koby and Te exchanged glances. They had just met Lila at her birthday party last night, and Bisky didn't know a thing about their recent mission.
Te gave a low whistle. "Lila, huh? We should probably head back."
Koby nodded, already standing up and stretching. "Yeah, let's go before Bisky gets suspicious."
"Right," Te grinned, gathering their things. "Don't want her asking too many questions."
They hurried out of the lab, heading back to the house where Lila awaited their return.
As the boys made their way back home, they couldn't help but exchange nervous glances. They had to be careful not to let anything slip about their mission. Bisky was sharp, and if she caught wind of what they'd been up to, the questions would be endless.
"Think she knows?" Te asked, keeping his voice low.
Koby shook his head, eyes forward. "Nah, Bisky's too focused on Lila right now. But we need to stay sharp. One slip-up and she'll figure it out."
They approached the house, and as they entered, the familiar smell of food greeted them. Bisky stood in the living room, arms crossed, but with a raised eyebrow rather than her usual annoyed glare.
"Finally," she said, her voice still carrying an edge, "I was starting to think you two were avoiding me."
Te grinned sheepishly. "We were just, uh, busy in the lab."
Koby nodded, quickly backing him up. "Yeah, testing some new upgrades."
Bisky gave them a long look, clearly not entirely convinced, but before she could press further, Lila appeared from behind her, a bright smile lighting up her face.
"There you are!" she said cheerfully. "I was hoping to hang out after last night!"
The tension broke instantly. Te and Koby smiled, grateful for the distraction.
"We're here now," Te said with a grin, rubbing the back of his neck. "Let's hang out."
Koby gave Lila a warm smile. "Yeah, anything in particular you want to do?"
Bisky eyed them suspiciously for another moment before shrugging. "Don't get into trouble, you three. I've got my eye on you."
As Bisky walked off, the boys finally relaxed, exchanging a quick look of relief before turning their attention back to Lila.
The trio wandered into the forest behind their house, where the dappled sunlight filtered through the trees, casting playful shadows on the ground. The air was fresh, and the sounds of nature surrounded them, providing a soothing backdrop.
Lila, her eyes wide with wonder, took a deep breath. "I love it out here. It's so peaceful," she said, twirling in a small clearing. "You guys are lucky to live so close to all this."
Te chuckled, watching her spin. "Yeah, we do spend a lot of time out here. It's our little escape."
Koby nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "What about you, Lila? What do you want to do when you grow up?"
She paused, considering the question as she plucked a flower from the ground, admiring its vibrant colors. "I want to explore the world," she said, her voice brightening. "Maybe travel to different islands, meet all kinds of people. I want to see the ocean, go on adventures—like in the stories!"
Te grinned, leaning forward. "Sounds amazing! But for us, it's a bit different. Right, Koby?"
Koby smiled, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Yeah! We both want to be pirates. We dream of traveling the world, experiencing freedom, and going on adventures!"
Lila's eyes widened in surprise. "Pirates? Really? That sounds incredible! But… aren't pirates bad?"
Te laughed, shaking his head. "Not all pirates are bad! We want to be the kind of pirates who help people, explore the seas, and make our own rules."
Koby nodded vigorously. "Exactly! We want to live life on our terms, not be tied down. The ocean is so vast and full of possibilities!"
Lila listened intently, her excitement growing. "You both have such awesome dreams! I can't wait to see you achieve them!
As they walked further into the forest, the sun filtering through the leaves created a warm and inviting atmosphere. Te and Koby exchanged glances, a mischievous spark in their eyes.
"Hey, Lila," Te said, casually kicking a small stone off the path. "What if you joined us when we become pirates?"
Lila's eyes lit up, her face beaming with excitement. "Really? You'd want me to come with you?"
"Absolutely!" Koby replied, grinning. "The more, the merrier. Plus, it'd be awesome to have a friend on board!"
Lila clasped her hands together, practically bouncing on her feet. "That sounds amazing! I'd love to travel the world with you guys!"
Te laughed, but then his expression shifted to a more serious tone. "But, you know, being a pirate isn't just about the fun and adventure. You've gotta be strong to face whatever comes our way. Right now, you're kind of weak."
Lila pouted, but Te quickly added, "But that's okay! We can train you! Koby and I have been working hard, and we'd love to help you get stronger."
Koby nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! We can show you our techniques, and you'll be able to hold your own in no time!"
Lila's face brightened again, and she nodded earnestly. "Really? You'd train me? That would be so cool! I want to be strong enough to fight alongside you!"
"Definitely!" Te replied, a grin spreading across his face. "We'll make a pirate out of you yet!"
Koby chuckled, playfully nudging her shoulder. "Just think of all the adventures we'll have. Training together will be part of it!"
Lila's eyes sparkled with determination. "I can't wait! I'll work hard and make you both proud!"
Te and Koby wanted Lila to join them as pirates not just for the sake of adventure, but because they had a plan in mind. With two years before Luffy started his journey, they envisioned using that time to explore the world, gather knowledge, and hone their skills. They dreamed of discovering hidden treasures and uncharted islands, all while growing stronger together. Their ultimate goal was to be ready to join Luffy on his quest when the time came, and they knew having Lila by their side would make their journey even more exciting and fulfilling.
As they wandered deeper into the forest, the sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs suddenly broke the tranquility of their stroll. Te and Koby exchanged glances, curiosity piqued, while Lila walked closely behind, her eyes wide with wonder.
"What was that?" Koby asked, tilting his head to listen more closely.
"Let's check it out," Te suggested, his adventurous spirit flaring up. They picked up their pace, Lila following eagerly as they trailed the noise until they reached a clearing.
In the center, a small boy was sprinting for his life, his face a mask of panic as a massive boar charged after him, tusks gleaming menacingly in the dappled sunlight.
"Hey! Watch out!" Te shouted, rushing forward without thinking.
"Wait, Te! We should—" Koby started, but Te was already in motion.
With a swift movement, Te used Soru to dart in front of the boar, positioning himself between the beast and the terrified boy. He threw a quick punch, enhanced by his Nen, striking the ground and sending a shockwave that startled the boar. The creature skidded to a halt, confused by the sudden shift in its target.
Koby quickly followed up, harnessing his energy to create a wall of flames that encircled the boar, forcing it to back off. "That should hold it for a bit!" he called out, glancing back at the boy. "You okay?"
The boy, panting and wide-eyed, nodded but seemed too stunned to speak.
"Come on! We need to get out of here before it charges again!" Te urged.
The boy took a shaky breath, grasping Te's hand and pulling himself up. "Th-thank you! I thought I was done for!"
Lila stepped forward, her voice gentle yet firm. "Let's go! We can talk later. This way!"
With a quick motion, Koby created a distraction, causing the flames to flicker and dance, diverting the boar's attention. The beast snorted in confusion, its focus now on the shifting fire rather than the boys.
"Run!" Te urged, leading the way back toward safety, Lila and Koby falling in step beside them. They dashed through the trees, weaving expertly until they reached a safer distance, the boar's snorts fading behind them.
Once they stopped to catch their breath, Te turned to the boy. "That was close! What were you doing out here?"
"My name is Ronin," he said, still catching his breath. "I was just exploring, but that boar must have thought I was a threat. I didn't think it would chase me like that!"
Koby smiled, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. "You handled that pretty well, Ronin. Most kids would have been too scared to run."
Ronin chuckled, a hint of pride in his voice. "I was scared, but I didn't want to be a coward either. I've always wanted to go on adventures and see the world."
Te grinned, leaning in with interest. "Adventures, huh? What kind of adventures are you dreaming of?"
"I want to explore islands, meet new people, and maybe even find treasure," Ronin replied, his eyes shining with excitement. "It sounds so much better than just staying in the village."
Lila nodded enthusiastically. "That does sound amazing! We're actually thinking about becoming pirates ourselves. Would you want to join us?"
Ronin's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You'd want me to come with you?"
"Of course!" Koby said, crossing his arms with a smirk. "You seem like you can handle yourself out there. Plus, we could use another friend."
"But we'll need to train you," Te added with a grin. "I mean, right now you're kind of weak. No offense!"
Ronin laughed, not at all offended. "None taken! I'd love to train. I want to be strong enough to keep up with you guys!"
"That's the spirit!" Te said, clapping Ronin on the shoulder. " We'll start tomorrow shishishi"
"Please don't laugh like that."
----------------------
The underground laboratory buzzed with anticipation as Te and Koby prepared for the first day of training with their new friends, Lila and Ronin. The walls were lined with scientific equipment, and the air was cool, illuminated only by fluorescent lights that flickered to life as the boys entered the training room.
"Alright, everyone!" Koby called, clapping his hands together. "Today marks the beginning of our journey! We'll start with some intense physical exercises. Building your bodies is the first step toward becoming strong enough to handle whatever adventures await us."
Ronin bounced on the balls of his feet, a determined glint in his eyes. "I'm ready! What do we do first?"
Te smiled, feeling the enthusiasm in the room. "We're going to push you both to your limits. It won't be easy, but if you want to become pirates, you need to be strong!"
Lila, gripping her spear tightly, nodded in agreement. "I'm excited! I want to learn how to use this properly."
"Good choice," Koby said, glancing at her spear. "Spear fighting requires agility and precision, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to hone those skills. Just remember to stay light on your feet."
"And Ronin, you'll be focusing on swordsmanship," Te added, looking at the boy. "The sword can be an extension of yourself. You'll need to learn how to move fluidly and anticipate your opponent's moves."
"Got it!" Ronin exclaimed, his voice filled with eagerness. "I've always wanted to learn how to fight with a sword!"
"First, let's get warmed up," Koby instructed. "Start with some stretching exercises to loosen up your muscles. Then we'll jump into a series of strength and agility drills. You'll need to be able to run, jump, and dodge quickly."
As they went through the warm-up, Te and Koby demonstrated the exercises, guiding Ronin and Lila step by step. Lila focused on balance and control, practicing footwork with her spear, while Ronin attempted to mimic the fluid movements with an imaginary sword, his energy growing with each repetition.
"Remember to breathe!" Te called out, watching as Ronin struggled to keep up with the pace. "Don't push yourself too hard too soon. It's about building a foundation."
After the warm-up, they transitioned to more intense exercises. Koby led them through a series of strength training routines, focusing on bodyweight exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, and squats.
"Keep going!" Koby encouraged, pacing around the room. "You've got this! Focus on your breathing and stay in the zone!"
After an exhausting session, they took a short break. Lila leaned against a wall, her brow glistening with sweat, while Ronin wiped his forehead, panting.
"Okay, that was tough!" Lila said, her heart racing. "But I feel good!"
"Same here," Ronin agreed, a grin on his face despite his fatigue. "What's next?"
"Now we'll focus on weapon training," Te said, handing Lila her spear. "Lila, let's start with some basic techniques. You need to learn how to strike, thrust, and defend with it. Ronin, I'll help you with sword drills, focusing on your stances and movements."
As they transitioned into weapon training, Lila practiced her strikes against a practice dummy, while Ronin followed Te's guidance, learning the foundational footwork and stances of swordsmanship.
"Great! Now combine your movement with your breathing," Te instructed, watching Ronin carefully. "Feel the rhythm of your body and let it guide your strikes."
After hours of training, the air in the lab was filled with the sounds of determination and effort. The quartet took a break, their bodies weary but their spirits high.
"I can't believe how much we've done today," Ronin said, leaning against the wall. "This is just the beginning, huh?"
"Absolutely," Koby replied, a proud smile on his face. "We're going to train hard every day. With dedication, you'll both become formidable fighters. Just remember, it's not just about strength—it's about strategy and teamwork, too."
Lila nodded, her determination renewed. "I want to be strong enough to keep up with both of you! I'm so glad I decided to join you on this journey."
Te grinned, looking at his brother and their new friends. "This is just the start of our adventure. Let's make sure we enjoy every moment while we're training to become pirates!"