The sound of steel cutting through the air echoed through the valley, the sword swinging in an almost perfect arc. Thorfinn's body was slick with sweat, his muscles screaming with the strain of his training. But the fire inside him—both his Lunarian heritage and the legacy of his father—kept him going. His blade was steady, his movements more fluid than they had been a week ago, but there was still a sense of impatience in the way he swung.
"I'm not there yet," Thorfinn muttered to himself, gritting his teeth as he adjusted his grip on the sword. "I need more strength."
He had been training for days—every moment when he wasn't with his brothers or helping Garp with various tasks, he was out here, pushing himself to the limit. He couldn't afford to be weak. Not when so many depended on him. Not when the ghosts of his father's legacy haunted him every step of the way.
The wind rustled through the trees, and Thorfinn paused, wiping the sweat from his brow. The silence of the mountain wrapped around him like a thick blanket, and for a moment, he allowed himself to breathe, to think.
He wasn't alone.
"Big bro!"
Thorfinn looked over his shoulder to see Luffy charging toward him, grinning as always. Despite his boundless energy, Luffy's eyes were focused, his expression showing determination as he approached.
"What's up, Luffy?" Thorfinn asked, leaning on his sword.
Luffy came to a halt in front of him, panting. "I want to train with you again. You're getting stronger every day! I wanna be as strong as you!"
Thorfinn's heart warmed at the sight of his younger brother's determination. Despite the chaos that lurked inside him—the fear, the uncertainty—Luffy never wavered. It was as if Luffy had this unshakable faith in him, a belief that Thorfinn didn't always feel for himself.
"You sure you're ready, Luffy? Training isn't easy."
"I don't care! I want to be strong, too!" Luffy's grin grew wider. "Teach me, Big bro!"
Thorfinn chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. But don't say I didn't warn you."
The two began to train, with Luffy enthusiastically trying to imitate Thorfinn's movements. Though Luffy's form was far from perfect, the energy he brought to the training was infectious. Thorfinn found himself smiling, caught up in the joy of watching his brother try. He couldn't help but be reminded of their shared bond, of the role he now had as the older sibling.
After hours of practice, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, Garp arrived, his usual grin plastered across his face.
"Good work, boys," Garp said, his eyes twinkling with pride. "But don't forget, swords aren't just about strength. You've got to learn to think on your feet. Every swing of the blade needs to have a purpose."
Thorfinn nodded, wiping his brow. "I know, Garp. It's just… it's harder than I thought. There's so much to control. So much I need to learn."
Garp's expression grew serious, and he crossed his arms. "Listen, Thorfinn, I've been where you are. Trying to learn a sword technique, trying to master a power I didn't fully understand. It takes time. Don't rush it. You've got the strength of a warrior. You just need to learn how to use it."
Thorfinn looked down at his sword, the weight of Garp's words settling in. He had always been quick to act, to fight when he felt threatened. But now, with the sword in his hands, he realized that fighting wasn't always about speed or power. It was about timing. Control. Patience.
Garp's voice brought him back to the moment. "Your father, Kouzuki Oden, was more than just a swordsman. He was a leader. And as the oldest brother, you're starting to take on that role. You'll need to lead the others, just like Oden led his crew. You've got a heavy burden on your shoulders, but you're not alone. We're all here to help."
Thorfinn swallowed hard, the weight of Garp's words settling like a stone in his stomach. He hadn't thought about it in those terms—his role as the protector, the big brother, the leader. He had been so focused on becoming stronger, mastering his Lunarian powers, that he had forgotten what it meant to guide others.
"I understand," Thorfinn said, his voice steady. "But… what if I'm not ready? What if I fail them?"
"You won't fail," Garp said firmly. "Not as long as you stay true to who you are. But you've got to stop carrying the world on your shoulders alone. You've got brothers here who want to help. Let them."
Thorfinn nodded, feeling the burden lift just a little. It wasn't about being perfect. It was about being there for the people he cared about. He had Luffy, Ace, and Sabo by his side—brothers who believed in him, who looked up to him, and who were willing to fight with him.
The next morning, Thorfinn woke early again, his mind still heavy with Garp's words. It wasn't just about the sword. It was about protecting those who couldn't protect themselves. It was about guiding his brothers, showing them the way.
As he sat by the fire, staring at the morning sky, he heard footsteps approaching. He turned to see Sabo, his face serious as always, his hands clasped behind his back.
"You're up early," Sabo remarked, sitting down beside him.
"I couldn't sleep," Thorfinn admitted. "There's too much on my mind."
Sabo raised an eyebrow. "You're thinking about the future?"
"Yeah. About my father. About my powers. About being a big brother."
Sabo's gaze softened. "You're not alone in this, Thorfinn. We're all in this together. No matter how strong you get, we'll always be here. You've got to remember that."
Thorfinn met his gaze, and for the first time in days, he felt the weight of his Lunarian heritage ease. His brothers were right. He didn't have to carry everything by himself. They would face whatever came together.
As the morning sun rose higher, Thorfinn stood up, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. His path as a swordsman was just beginning, but with the strength of his brothers by his side, he knew that he would not falter.