Ten years had passed, and the underground laboratory had transformed from a mere training facility into a bustling hub of creativity and innovation. The once sterile and clinical environment now boasted personalized touches, with colorful posters on the walls depicting their dreams of adventure, sketches of treasure maps, and framed photos of their time together. The air buzzed with excitement, laughter, and the faint sound of bubbling experiments.
Te and Koby lounged in their favorite spots in the lab, both looking considerably more mature and battle-hardened. Te was perched on a sturdy workbench, flipping through a notebook filled with sketches and ideas for their next inventions, while Koby leaned back in a chair, his feet propped up on another bench, enjoying a bowl of homemade ramen.
Across the room, Lila was practicing spear techniques with a wooden training dummy, her movements fluid and precise. She had grown into a skilled fighter over the years, her confidence radiating as she executed each strike. Ronin was nearby, working on maintaining the edges of his sword while casually glancing over at Lila, a look of admiration on his face.
"Alright, Lila, try to incorporate some footwork with that thrust!" Te called out, looking up from his notebook. "Remember, it's not just about the strike; it's about positioning!"
"Yeah, I know!" Lila replied, grinning as she adjusted her stance and unleashed a powerful thrust. "I'm not a rookie anymore, you know!"
Ronin laughed, shaking his head. "You were never a rookie, Lila! You've been a monster since day one!"
As they continued their light banter, Te felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. It was hard to believe how much they had all grown.
Taking a break the four friends gathered around a table.
Te sat at the table, his shoulder-length black hair tied back in a loose ponytail, framing his youthful face. His bright blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, revealing a sense of adventure that hadn't dimmed over the years. He wore a fitted, sleeveless black shirt that showcased his toned arms, along with comfortable cargo shorts that allowed for easy movement.
Koby, now a bit taller than Te, sported a fresh, tousled haircut that fell playfully across his forehead. His deep green eyes, keen and observant, were full of determination and intellect. He wore a snug, long-sleeve green shirt that accentuated his athletic build, paired with dark shorts that reflected his practical style.
Lila had blossomed into a strong, confident young woman. Her long, flowing blond hair cascaded down her back, occasionally tied into a high ponytail to keep it out of her face during training. Her warm brown eyes sparkled with determination and an adventurous spirit. Lila wore a fitted blue tank top and combat shorts, designed for agility and ease of movement, with a spear resting nearby as a testament to her dedication to mastering the weapon.
Ronin stood beside Lila, his shaggy black hair framing his sharp features. His dark eyes glimmered with curiosity and a hint of mischief, always ready for the next adventure. He wore a loose-fitting black shirt with a hood that he often pulled up to blend into the shadows, paired with dark cargo pants that offered practicality. A well-maintained sword hung at his side, symbolizing his commitment to becoming a skilled fighter.
10 years had passed and the small group of friends had spent the majority of that time training. It had been reasonably peaceful except for when the boys had to still fight bisky once a month which wasn't as bad as it once was with her finally giving the boys a formal lesson on the basics of haki and the fights becoming 1v1 instead of 2v1.
Another instance that made the boys slightly nervous was when the Marines searched all of the South Blue to discover who defeated White Crow.
All the marines had to go off was two little people one with a black suit on and another with a demon face to go off of.
The marines had come to Greed Island but discovered nothing except a peaceful village and left after a few days. The issue was resolved after the World government came out and said they relinquished White Crow's title and executed him secretly to cover up the fact that someone secretly had defeated a warlord and the government didn't know who they were.
The boys didn't just spend their time training they had also spent time on their experiments.
Koby using his Engineering mind had used his time wisely over the past 10 years like improving on the gravity room, creating an Iron Man suit that was useless to him but excited him nonetheless, improving on the Exo suits, and creating one for Te, Lila and Ronin, and his last invention being the ship they planned to sail on.
Te was just as busy as Koby creating many different serums ,exploring the depths of their newfound abilities, and experimenting with various Nen techniques. He had perfected his explosive art, creating smaller, more controlled blasts that he could unleash at will and other techniques he was ready to showcase. His fascination with alchemy also grew, and he worked tirelessly with the Philosopher's Stone, attempting to create potions that could enhance their physical abilities further or heal injuries faster.
Lila leaned against a workbench, a spear propped against her shoulder as she watched the boys tinker with their latest projects. "So, what's next on the agenda? More training, or are we finally going to take that ship out for a sail?"
Te grinned, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. " we're starting our journey today. Time to say goodbye to our families."
Koby nodded, pulling up a holographic display of their ship design. "I've made some adjustments to the sails and reinforced the hull. We should be able to withstand some rough seas, and I added a few surprises if we run into any trouble."
Ronin, who had been busy sharpening his sword, chimed in with a smirk. "I can't wait to see how fast this thing can go. Just don't forget that you're not the only one with skills. I'll be ready for any pirates or Marines that try to mess with us!"
Lila laughed, her blond hair swaying as she moved. "I'm looking forward to practicing on the water. You boys better keep up with me!"
"Alright, team," Te said, straightening up and clapping his hands together. "Let's make sure everything is ready. Koby, can you do a final check on the ship's systems?"
"Already on it!" Koby replied, already multitasking as he pulled up various diagnostics on his holographic screen. "I just need to run a few more tests on the navigation systems and the emergency protocols."
Ronin and Lila moved to help Te gather supplies for their journey. "We should pack enough food and water for a while," Lila suggested, her voice full of determination. "I can handle that. And I'll grab some training gear too!"
"Good thinking," Te agreed, smiling at her enthusiasm. "We'll need to stay in top shape out there. And don't forget the maps! We want to explore as much as we can."
As they rushed around the lab, packing and checking off their lists, Te felt a mix of excitement and nostalgia wash over him. The lab had been their sanctuary, a place where they had trained, experimented, and dreamed. Now, they were ready to step into the world beyond its walls.
"Hey," Te called out, stopping everyone for a moment. "Before we go, let's take a picture to remember this moment."
Koby raised an eyebrow but smiled. "Alright, let's do it."
They gathered together in front of one of the lab's monitors, arms around each other, grinning widely. Te activated the camera function, capturing their excited expressions and the vibrant energy of their friendship.
"Ready?" he asked. "One… two… three!"
Click!
The flash illuminated their faces, freezing the moment in time. As they glanced at the image, they shared a collective smile, each of them aware that this was just the beginning of their journey.
"Okay, enough sentimental stuff! Let's get moving," Ronin urged, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
With their bags packed and hearts full of hope, they made their way to the exit of the lab. As they climbed the stairs leading to the surface, they could hear the sounds of the village beyond—the laughter of children, the calls of merchants, and the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind.
"Let's go say our goodbyes," Lila said, her expression softening at the thought of leaving. "But don't take too long! I want to see our ship in action!"
"Right! Let's make it quick, then!" Te replied, pushing the door open and stepping out into the warm sunlight.
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The boys arrived at their home they barely spent any time at ever since bisky gave them their freedom to train on their own.