Later that night, the crew partied hard, celebrating their newfound camaraderie as the sun dipped below the horizon, only to rise again with their laughter echoing across the water. Lila, still a little sore about her earlier loss, quickly turned her frown upside down by dominating Ronin in a series of party games.
"Ha! I told you I could beat you at this!" she laughed, throwing her hands up in triumph after winning yet another round of arm wrestling.
Ronin rubbed his arm, feigning injury. "You've got some sneaky techniques there, Lila. I demand a rematch when I'm not half-asleep!"
The night rolled on smoothly, with music, dancing, and plenty of food, each moment solidifying their bond as a pirate crew. As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, they sailed toward their next adventure, hearts full and spirits high, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them on the open sea.
Te woke up late in the morning clutching his head, " Ugh I have the worst hangover. How do the strawhats party like this."
Koby, already up and looking fresh despite the wild night, glanced over with a smirk. "Good morning, sunshine."
"Yeah, whatever..." Te grumbled, rubbing his temples. "I need some coffee. Lots of coffee."
Koby chuckled. "That bad, huh? Maybe next time you'll think twice before challenging Ronin to a drinking contest. Speaking of which, he's still passed out somewhere on the deck."
Te sighed. "No wonder I feel like a sea king sat on me." He stumbled toward the kitchen, his groggy state not hiding the faint grin on his face. "But I'm not going down alone next time. I'll drag him with me."
"Good morning, Te," Lila said cheerfully as she passed by him.
Te groaned, rubbing his temples. "Whatever..."
Lila raised an eyebrow, turning to Koby for answers. "What's wrong with him?"
Koby chuckled, shaking his head. "He's not really a morning person—especially after last night."
Lila laughed softly, watching Te drag himself toward the kitchen. "I guess Ronin isn't the only one who can't handle his fun."
"Let's just hope his mood improves after some coffee," Koby replied with a grin. "Otherwise, we're in for a long day."
The sun hung lazily in the sky as the crew sailed onward, the gentle breeze carrying their ship forward. The Sea King followed dutifully in the water beside them, a reminder of Te's bizarre taming skills. Te, now much more awake after his coffee, leaned against the railing, watching the horizon while Koby sat near the helm, occasionally glancing at the navigation instruments.
Ronin, lounging in his usual spot with his sword resting across his lap, yawned. "So, what's the plan? We just sail until we bump into something interesting?"
Lila, perched on a barrel, twirled her spear with one hand. "Hopefully not something like that Sea King again. I'm still mad I didn't get to fight it."
Te smirked. "Please, if you fought it, we'd be swimming to the next island after you broke the ship."
"That's rich coming from the guy who punched it across the sea," Koby added, grinning as he adjusted the sails. "I'm still amazed you didn't crack the hull."
Te shrugged with a smirk. "What can I say? I'm just that strong."
"Strong, but can't handle a little hangover," Lila teased. "How's your head, by the way?"
Te waved her off. "I'm fine now. Though I have to admit. I need to build up my tolerance."
"Or just not drink like an idiot next time," Koby suggested with a laugh.
Ronin chuckled from his spot. "The way you two handle alcohol, it's a wonder we made it through the night. I'm just glad I won most of the games."
Lila rolled her eyes. "Yeah, until I wiped the floor with you after that duel."
"Hey, the duel took a lot out of me. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it."
Lila flicked a pebble at him, which he swatted away lazily. "Sure, keep telling yourself that."
Koby stretched, leaning back. "Well, at least we didn't destroy the ship in the process. I was half-expecting someone to throw a party game too hard and punch a hole in the deck."
Te laughed. "Hey, I have more control than that!"
"Debatable," Lila smirked, spinning her spear casually. "But we'll see what the next island throws at us. Hopefully, something that'll actually put up a fight."
Koby grinned, leaning against the helm. "Yeah, maybe you two might find some competition, but I doubt there's anyone left in the Four Blues who can challenge me or Te."
Te nodded in agreement, but Ronin cut in with a smirk of his own. "The gap between us isn't that big. You're acting like you're leagues ahead."
Koby raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because last I checked, you two have never beaten us, and we were holding back… Alot"
Ronin crossed his arms, glaring playfully. "Just because you trained us, and we couldn't beat you in a spar," he emphasized the word with a smirk, "doesn't mean we can't give you some trouble when it counts."
Lila chimed in, leaning on her spear. "Yeah, don't think you're hot stuff just because you beat that sea king. We could've done the same thing."
Koby smirked. "You're not wrong—you could've beaten it. But the effort it takes you and me to pull off the same move? Completely different story."
"Prove it, then," Lila shot back, thrusting her spear toward Koby, daring him. "Go on, show me."
Koby took the spear with a confident grin. "Alright, but don't be mad when you realize just how easy this is for me."
Lila crossed her arms. "We'll see."
Lila and Ronin's doubts about Te and Koby's true strength weren't entirely unfounded. They had never seen the brothers at their full power—only glimpses during sparring sessions. Te and Koby always did their intense training away from prying eyes, not because they were trying to hide anything, but more to ensure everyone's safety.
"Te, anchor the ship," Koby said, a hint of challenge in his voice.
Te was already moving, not missing a beat. "Already on it."
Koby stepped to the ship's bow, gripping Lila's spear with a focused intensity. As he slid into the stance she had used in her duel, everything around him seemed to be still for a moment. His body moved with perfect precision, mimicking her earlier movements, but there was something different this time.
He closed his eyes briefly, channeling his Nen using Shu and coating the spear in Haki, the weapon shimmering ominously in his hands. When Koby opened his eyes again, they were sharp and determined.
"Watch this," he muttered.
With one swift, powerful thrust, Koby drove the spear forward.
CRACK!
The air itself seemed to fracture, a sharp splitting sound reverberating across the sea. The force of the thrust didn't just send out a shockwave—it tore the atmosphere apart, creating a visible fissure that stretched out from the tip of the spear. The sea below the ship responded violently, parting down the middle in a massive wave, splitting open as if cut by an invisible blade. The crew watched, wide-eyed, as a deep canyon formed in the ocean in front of them, water surging to the sides before crashing back together with a deafening roar.
The impact sent towering waves crashing in every direction, the entire ship rocking from the sheer force of Koby's thrust.
Lila and Ronin stood frozen, staring in awe at the aftermath. Lila's mouth opened in disbelief, while Ronin just blinked, his usual smugness gone.
Koby casually handed the spear back to Lila. "Like I said, it's about the difference in how we perform it."
The sea finally settled, the ocean still swirling with the remnants of the chaos Koby had unleashed. Te, leaning lazily against the ship's railing, smirked and shook his head.
"Effortless," Te said, a grin spreading across his face.
Lila stared at the spear in her hands, still feeling the residual energy, and could only mutter, "What... was that?"
"That," Koby said, turning away, "is what happens when we stop holding back."
Lila's eyes sparkled with excitement as she stared at Koby, practically bouncing on her feet. "That was incredible! You have to teach me how you did that! I mean, seriously, I've never seen anything like it!"
Koby, leaning casually against the ship's railing, shrugged with a nonchalant smile. "Yeah, it was just a little thrust. Nothing special."
"Nothing special?!" Lila exclaimed, her voice rising. "That was like… like a display of pure power! You split the ocean in half! I need to learn how to do that! Please, Koby, teach me!"
Ronin, still recovering from the earlier spectacle, chuckled at Lila's enthusiasm. "Looks like someone's found a new hero."
Koby scratched the back of his head, trying to play it cool. "Maybe later, Lila. I'm kind of busy sailing right now."
"Busy sailing? You just showed off like a legendary warrior!" Lila leaned closer, her eyes wide with eagerness. "C'mon, just a few tips? What's the secret? Is it the spear? The stance? The way you concentrate?"
"Honestly, it's just practice," Koby replied, waving his hand dismissively. "A lot of trial and error. Nothing to write home about."
"Not to write home about? Are you serious?" Lila's hands flew to her cheeks, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and adoration. "I can't believe you're so humble! You're like a super ninja! You have to give me something to work with here!"
Te, unable to hold back any longer, chimed in with a grin. "Just give him some time, Lila. You know how he gets. He'll come around."
"Fine, but don't think I'm letting this go," Lila said, crossing her arms with a pout. "I'm going to bug you until you teach me!"
Koby chuckled, finally relenting. "Alright, alright. I promise I'll show you some basics later. Just don't expect to master it overnight."
Lila squealed in delight, her excitement infectious. "Yes! I can't wait! This is going to be amazing!"
As she turned to bounce away, Koby couldn't help but smile, shaking his head. "What have I gotten myself into?"
Ronin leaned against the railing of the ship, watching Te as he practiced his meditation. A smirk crept onto his face. "Hey, Te, you think you're strong enough to back up all that talk? Or is it just for show?"
Te opened one eye, a faint smile on his lips. "You want to find out?"
"Yeah," Ronin replied, crossing his arms. "I want to see you in action. Show me what you've got."
Te stood up, brushing off his training clothes. "Alright. Hand me your sword."
Ronin raised an eyebrow. "You don't have your own weapon?"
"Nope," Te said casually. "But I can work with yours."
Ronin hesitated for a moment but then pulled out his sword, handing it over with a confident grin. "Just don't break it."
Te took the sword, inspecting it for a moment before turning to face the open sea. He drew in a deep breath, channeling his aura as he focused. With a swift movement, he slashed the air with Ronin's sword, unleashing a powerful wave of energy.
The air around them crackled, and a fierce wind whipped through the ship. As the sword cut through the sky, a massive arc of energy burst forth, splitting the clouds above and creating a deafening boom. The sky seemed to tremble, and for a brief moment, it felt like the world held its breath.
"Whoa…" Ronin muttered, eyes wide as he watched the spectacle unfold.
Te lowered the sword, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "That's how it's done."
"Alright, I admit it," Ronin said, still staring at the sky. "You two are both monsters."
"We're just putting in the work, that's all."
"Monsters, sure. But you're also making it hard for the rest of us," Ronin replied, a hint of frustration lacing his voice. "How am I supposed to keep up with that?"
Koby, who had been watching from the sidelines, chimed in, "You just have to train harder, Ronin. But hey, at least you've got us to inspire you."
"More like intimidate," he muttered, sheathing his sword. "I can barely keep up with you two in sparring, and now this?"
Te smirked, crossing his arms. "You'll get there. Just don't shy away from the challenge. We're all on this journey together, right?"
"Right, but you guys make it look easy," Ronin replied, shaking his head. "I feel like I'm still stuck in the kiddie pool while you're both out there swimming with the sharks."
"Then dive in," Koby encouraged, his expression turning serious. "You've got potential, Ronin. Just push yourself a little harder."
"Yeah, yeah," he said, rolling his eyes. "I'll just summon a lightning storm next time."
Te laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "You never know! Maybe you'll surprise us all."
Ronin took a deep breath, determination shining in his eyes. "Alright, I'm in. Let's get back to training. I refuse to be outdone."