Chapter 8: A Test of Strength
The morning after their encounter with the mysterious figure, the compound felt unusually tense. Lucky couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was at play, but for now, he pushed those thoughts aside. He had a task at hand—training Luffy and himself. There was no time to waste, and the training had to be intense.
Garp's arrival the next day was as explosive as always. He was standing at the gate, hands on his hips, wearing that usual grin, but his eyes were sharp with purpose. "You two," Garp called out, looking at Luffy and Lucky. "Pack up. I'm sending you up the mountains. Time to train. Ace and Sabo are waiting for you."
Luffy, as always, was brimming with excitement. He didn't fully grasp the gravity of the situation but couldn't wait to meet these older kids. "Ace and Sabo? Awesome! I'm gonna be the King of the Pirates! Can't wait to learn from them!"
Lucky was much more serious, his mind already running through the types of training that would be needed. "Luffy, remember, this isn't just about having fun. We've been pushing ourselves harder, and they'll push us even more. Focus."
Garp's eyes softened as he nodded to Lucky. "Good. I want you both to take this seriously. But don't worry. You'll be alright. I've got my faith in you."
Without further words, Garp sent them on their way. The trek up the mountain was a quiet one, with only Luffy's usual chatter to break the silence. Luffy had no idea who Ace and Sabo were, but he knew one thing: if they could help him become the Pirate King, he'd do whatever it took.
When they finally reached the top of the mountain, Luffy's enthusiasm was through the roof. His eyes gleamed as he took in the sight of Ace and Sabo.
But there was no warm greeting. No welcoming hugs. No playful teasing. Instead, Ace and Sabo stood silently, arms crossed, sizing up the new arrivals.
"Who are these two?" Luffy asked, looking at the older boys curiously.
"I'm Ace," said Ace, his tone serious but not unkind. "And this is Sabo. We're the ones who'll be training you. Don't think this is just about fun and games. We're here to toughen you up, and you'll earn every bit of it."
Luffy grinned, showing no fear. "I'm gonna be the King of the Pirates! I'll handle whatever you throw at me!"
Lucky, always calm and calculating, sized up the situation. He noticed that Ace and Sabo had a confidence that came from years of training, but they hadn't yet felt the full strength of Luffy and himself. They didn't know what kind of power the twins possessed.
Then, in a split second, it happened. Without warning, Luffy and Lucky charged.
Luffy, with his Gomu Gomu no Mi powers, bounced across the ground like a wild whirlwind. His punches flew with remarkable speed and unpredictability, reinforced by his mastery of Armament Haki, which coated his body and attacks, adding extra power. He aimed a punch at Ace, who barely dodged it. But the force of Luffy's attack cracked the earth beneath them.
Ace tried to retaliate, but Luffy's Observation Haki flared up. He could read Ace's movements before they even happened, and with an almost instinctual dodge, Luffy weaved around Ace's fire-based attacks. "You're gonna need more than fire to beat me!" Luffy laughed, dodging a massive burst of flame.
Lucky, on the other hand, was more methodical. His body was also covered in Armament Haki, turning his strikes into unyielding blows. He moved with a fluid grace, his Observation Haki allowing him to read Sabo's every move. Sabo tried to strike, but Lucky's speed outmatched him. With one precise move, Lucky dodged Sabo's attack and countered with a quick punch to his gut. The force sent Sabo stumbling back, momentarily knocked off balance.
"What the hell…?" Sabo gasped, clearly shocked at how easily Lucky had anticipated his every move. The impact of Lucky's strike, combined with his Haki, left a lingering sting.
"Guess we're not as tough as we thought," Ace said, wiping the sweat from his brow. He was still standing, but it was clear that Luffy and Lucky's combined strength had put them on the defensive.
Luffy grinned even wider, barely even winded from the exchange. "This is nothing! I'm gonna be the Pirate King!"
Ace and Sabo exchanged a glance, both clearly impressed by the strength and potential of the twins. But they also understood that strength wasn't everything. They still had to work hard, learn discipline, and refine their techniques.
"Alright, you two," Ace said, grinning despite the bruises he was starting to feel. "We'll give you that round. But don't get cocky. The real training starts now. And it won't be easy."
Lucky's expression softened for a moment, nodding in understanding. "We're ready."
The battle wasn't over, but it had proven something: Luffy and Lucky weren't just strong—they were already becoming monsters in their own right. Their combination of Devil Fruit powers and mastery of Haki made them an unstoppable force, one that even seasoned veterans like Ace and Sabo had trouble keeping up with.
"Remember, it's not all about strength," Sabo said, rubbing his sore ribs. "You're going to need more than that if you want to survive in this world. Strength won't always win every battle."
Luffy, ever the optimist, smirked. "I'll make it work! I'm gonna be the Pirate King no matter what!"
Lucky, though not as outwardly eager as Luffy, nodded. "We'll get there. But we're not stopping here. We need to learn more, get stronger, and prepare for the challenges ahead."
With that, the real training began. Over the next several months, Ace, Sabo, Luffy, and Lucky pushed each other beyond their limits. Luffy's Gomu Gomu no Mi powers grew even stronger, and his Haki abilities expanded rapidly, especially his Armament and Observation. Lucky, too, continued to refine his mastery over both Haki and his own Devil Fruit powers, becoming an even more formidable force.
But during this time, the old man who had initially overseen their training disappeared without a trace. No farewell, no explanation. He was just gone.
Lucky, though, wasn't about to let the absence disrupt their training. Taking charge, he began to lead the group, overseeing their growth and continuing to push them to be better. His leadership skills were clear as he directed the boys in their training sessions, ensuring that no one slacked off.
As they worked, more people started to arrive at the compound. Some came to train, while others helped with the daily chores. Over time, the small mountain compound transformed into something much larger: the headquarters of the Monkey D. family. A place for training, for growth, and for becoming stronger. It wasn't just a place to survive—it was becoming a place to thrive.
And as Lucky stood on the edge of the compound, overlooking the mountain ranges below, he felt the weight of the future press against him. The journey was only just beginning. They were all on the cusp of something huge.
Luffy, still in the middle of perfecting his moves, grinned. "We'll be ready. I'm gonna be the Pirate King! I'll show the world!"