__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________
The chapter got you itching for more? Read ahead and get exclusive content before anyone else? Join me on Patr -e-on! Your support would mean the world to me.
( | p@treon.com/FictionGoat | )
. . . .
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________
Toshi planted one foot forward before lunging, his fist hurtling toward the blue-haired boy's face. The boy met him with a wide grin, effortlessly ducking under the blow. Clenching his fist, he swung upward in a sharp arc directed at Toshi's chin.
Toshi twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the punch as it sliced through the air with an audible whoosh, whistling past his ear. Not missing a beat, Toshi lifted his leg and drove it forward, his heel slamming into the boy's stomach with enough force to make him stagger backward, clutching at his stomach as he struggled to maintain his balance.
Troy gritted his teeth, shaking off the blow as his feet slid into a firm stance. With a sudden burst of speed, he darted forward, faster this time. He cocked his arm back, muscles rippling, before he thrust his fist straight toward Toshi's solar plexus.
Toshi reacted instinctively, his back foot pressing hard against the floorboards as he raised his forearm just in time to block the incoming strike. The impact was like a hammer blow, rattling through his bones and sending a sharp ache coursing up his arm. He braced himself, the wooden floor creaking beneath his weight as he absorbed the force, standing firm despite the raw power behind Troy's attack.
"Heh—"
Toshi barely managed to scoff before a brutal kick smashed into his chin. The sheer force of the blow lifted him off his feet, his head snapping back as he was sent hurtling across the wooden floor.
His body skidded along the rough planks before slamming into the wall with a bone-jarring thud, the impact leaving a faint crack in the wood as he slumped to the ground, dazed.
Toshi groaned, his hand instinctively reaching for his jaw as a sharp pain throbbed through his face. He blinked a few times, trying to steady his vision, which blurred from the sheer force of the kick. Slowly, he pushed himself up, leaning against the wall for support.
Across the room, Troy stood tall, a smug grin plastered on his face. "What's the matter, Toshi? That all you got?" he taunted, casually cracking his knuckles.
Toshi wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Tch, cocky bastard," he muttered under his breath. His muscles ached, but he forced himself back to his feet.
He shifted into a defensive stance, his breathing steadying. "Alright then," Toshi growled, "let's see if you're still grinning after this."
Without warning, he dashed forward, closing the distance between, Toshi feinted with a low punch before pivoting on his heel, swinging his leg around in a roundhouse kick aimed at Troy's ribs.
Troy's grin faltered for a split second as Toshi's sudden burst of speed caught him off guard. He raised his arm to block, but Toshi's roundhouse kick struck hard, the force rippling through Troy's side and making him stagger a few steps back.
"Not bad," Troy hissed, shaking out his arm as if to brush off the sting. "Guess you're not as fragile as you look."
Toshi didn't respond. He stayed low, his eyes sharp, studying Troy's movements like a predator sizing up its prey. He darted in again, feinting with a jab to the face before shifting his weight to his back leg. With a quick twist, he delivered a low kick at Troy's ankles.
This time, Troy was ready. He leapt just in time, the kick passing harmlessly beneath him. Using the momentum from his dodge, he launched himself forward, his fist arcing downward like a hammer toward Toshi's shoulder.
Toshi sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strike as it smashed into the wooden floor, splintering the boards with a loud crack. "Close, but not close enough," Toshi said, his breathing getting heavier.
Troy straightened, his grin now replaced by a serious glare. "Looks like I'll have to stop playing around," he muttered, stepping forward.
The two circled each other, eye each other and waiting for an opening. However, Troy moved first, lunging forward with a burst of speed, his fists striking out in a fury of barrages. Toshi's instincts kicked in, his body weaving and twisting as he dodged each punch by the narrowest margins. One fist grazed his cheek, chipping away at the skin on his chin.
Toshi retaliated, ducking low and driving his fist into Troy's stomach. The impact made Troy grunt, but he barely flinched, countering immediately with an elbow aimed at Toshi's temple.
Toshi jerked his head back just in time, the elbow cutting through empty space, but Troy wasn't done. Using the missed strike to pivot, Troy spun into a roundhouse kick.
This time, Toshi braced himself. He raised his forearms to block the kick, but the sheer force of the impact sent him skidding backward, his heels digging into the splintered wood. The vibration rattled up his arms, numbing them slightly.
"Not bad," Toshi admitted, his voice steady despite his ragged breaths. He shook out his arms, regaining his composure. "But you're not the only one who can hit hard."
With a surge of energy, Toshi dashed forward, his fists a blur as he unleashed a rapid combination of punches aimed at Troy's torso. Troy blocked the first few, but Toshi's speed forced him onto the defensive.
Toshi saw his opening—a slight crack in Troy's guard. He drove his knee upward into Troy's ribs, earning a pained grunt, before spinning into a kick aimed at Troy's jaw. His foot landed squarely connecting with Troy's jaw, flinging his head and body back.
Both of Troy's arms hung limply at his sides, his entire body seemingly exposed. Toshi's instincts flared—this was it, the perfect opening. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, cocking his right arm back and driving it forward with all his strength straight for Troy's jaw.
"I WIN, MOTHERFUCKER!" Toshi roared, his fist cutting through the air, mere inches from Troy's face.
But then, Troy's lips curled into a smirk. In a split second, he twisted his core, snapping his head to the side and narrowly dodging Toshi's strike. The momentum of the missed punch left Toshi off balance, and Troy wasted no time capitalizing.
Troy's hand shot out, his fingers latching onto Toshi's face in a vice-like grip. Toshi's eyes widened in shock, but before he could react, Troy's other hand clamped down on Toshi's outstretched arm, locking him in place.
"Gotcha now," Troy muttered, his voice low but brimming with confidence.
With a swift motion, Troy slid his foot behind Toshi's, destabilizing him further. His smirk widened as he pulled Toshi closer.
"SUPER LARIAT!" Troy bellowed, his voice echoing through the room as he slammed Toshi's head into the floorboards with a thunderous crash.
BAAAAAMM
The impact was devastating. The wooden floor cracked and splintered beneath the force, shards flying in all directions. Toshi's body went limp for a moment, the sheer power of the blow leaving him sprawled on the broken boards.
Troy stood over him, breathing heavily but grinning triumphantly. "Told you not to underestimate me," he said, shaking his hand out as if brushing off the effort.
Toshi groaned, clutching his head as pain pulsed through his skull. "Fuucckkk... I thought we were sparring, you bastard," he muttered wearily. He dragged himself out of the cracked floorboards and rolled onto his side, wincing with every movement.
Troy chuckled nervously, scratching at his chin. "Hehe... Sorry," he said bluntly, his tone more sheepish than sincere.
Toshi shot him a glare but didn't have the energy to follow it up with more words. Instead, he straightened himself up, still cradling his head as the throbbing subsided just enough for him to push through. Slowly, he rose to his feet, his movements sluggish like someone recovering from a particularly bad hangover.
"Yeah, real convincing," Toshi grumbled, shaking his head slightly, though the motion only made it hurt more. "You're lucky I didn't pass out, or you'd be dragging my ass out of here."
Troy shrugged, a lopsided grin spreading across his face. "Hey, you're still standing, aren't you? That means you're tougher than you look."
Toshi rolled his eyes, his hand still massaging the side of his head. "Yeah, because getting slammed through the floorboards is the new gold standard for toughness." He stumbled slightly, catching himself on a nearby wall. "Next time, maybe stick to the 'sparring' part of sparring, huh?"
Troy crossed his arms, leaning casually against the wall. "Alright, alright. No more 'Super Lariots.'" He smirked, but the hint of pride in his tone made it clear he wasn't exactly sorry.
Toshi shot him a sidelong glance. "Yeah, no more wrestling moves, period. Unless you want me to try one on you."
Troy's lips twitched as he opened his mouth to respond, but—
BOOM!
The entire ship jolted violently, shaking from the impact. Toshi lost his balance, falling flat onto the floorboards. "Ow... what the hell was that?" he groaned, rubbing his sore backside as he scrambled to his feet.
Troy staggered, catching himself against the wall. His brow furrowed, his usual smug grin replaced by a concerned frown. "An attack, maybe?" he muttered, glancing around the ship.
*THUD* *THUD*
Before they could say another word, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the training room, growing louder with every second. Which was accompanied by muffled shouting, though the words were indistinguishable through the thick wooden walls.
Toshi and Troy exchanged a glance, without hesitation, they scrambled to their feet and dashed for the door. Troy yanked it open, and they both burst into the narrow hallway.
Their eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of the crew, rushing back and forth with supplies slung over their shoulders—crates, knapsacks, and other essentials.
Toshi stopped one of them, a younger man who looked barely older than himself. "What's going on? Is there an attack?" he asked the crew member.
The man hesitated, shifting the knapsack strapped to his back. His mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came out.
"No."
Toshi turned his head just in time to see Ragnar approaching, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. The man's sheer presence made the crew member flinch, his body stiffening like a deer caught in headlights.
"What are you gawking at? Move it," Ragnar barked. The crew member didn't waste another second. "YES SIR!" he shouted, practically tripping over himself as he scrambled to catch up with the others.
"So... why did the ship shake?" Toshi asked, glancing over at Ragnar.
Ragnar didn't even turn, his voice calm as he answered, "We've arrived."
Toshi and Troy froze. Their eyes widened in unison as the words sank in.
Finally. Land.
After what felt like months of endless waves and water, they were desperate to set foot on solid ground. The constant motion of the ship had worn them down, to point they had seasickness on bad days.
They turned to each other, a spark lighting up in their eyes.
"Woaaahhh!" they shouted together, their voices overlapping with pure excitement.
This was it—their first island in the Grand Line and they had every right to be excited.
"Last one off the ship's a sore loser!" Troy blurted, dropping into a running stance, a wide grin plastered across his face.
"You're onnn..." Toshi shot back, mimicking him but crouching into his own stance. Just as they were about to spring forward, Ragnar's deep voice rumbled from behind them.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Before they could react, two massive palms clamped down on the tops of their heads, pinning them in place.
"You've got supplies to carry," Ragnar said, his tone as firm as his grip. His burly frame towered over them, leaving no room for any arguments.
Toshi and Troy stiffened, their postures shrinking under the weight of his palms. "A-Alright..." Toshi stammered, ending with a resigned sigh.
Ragnar let loose of his grip from their heads, his boot sliding two massive crates across the floor toward them. The wooden boxes thudded into place at their feet, the force of his push enough to jolt the planks beneath them.
"Come back when you're done," Ragnar said bluntly, he then pointed toward a towering stack of crates behind him. "We've got more."
Troy and Toshi exchanged a quick, defeated glance, both swallowing hard.
"What a draggg..." Troy muttered under his breath. He bent down, hefting the crate onto his back with a grunt, while Toshi propped his overhead with both hands.
The weight was heavy, but nothing they couldn't manage.
Their movements were slow but steady as they walked forward, the floor creaking as they took each step. Beads of sweat started to form on their brows, but they kept walking.
"You would've lost," Troy said bluntly, a smug grin tugging at the corner of his mouth as he shot Toshi a side glance.
Toshi scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You wish," he fired back. Without another word, Toshi picked up his pace, his steps quickening as he edged just ahead of Troy.
Troy noticed immediately. His grin widened.
"Oh, it's like that, huh?" he muttered under his breath, matching Toshi's speed and overtaking him with ease.
Neither of them spoke after that. As them walking turned into a full-blown sprint. Before they even realized it, they were racing down the hallway, crates bouncing as they ran. Trying to best the other...
TO BE CONTINUED.
_________________________________
________________________________________________________
Want to read ahead? Check out my P@TREON.
( Patre0n.com/FictionGoat )