Chapter 5: Pirates

' What's up'- Thoughts

"What's up"- Speech

*What's up*- Sounds

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

►The next morning◄

The sun was shining in all its splendor on the island. There was enough light to reach all parts of the landscape.

"Wake up Pride. Your swordsmanship training will begin."

"Coming," muttered Pride as he slowly but surely rose to his feet.

*yawn*

He stretched while sitting on his bed and then got up to change his clothes.

He and his grandfather reappeared in the garden a few minutes later.

"Here," Rey said, handing Pride a wooden sword that he had recently commissioned to be made.

"If there is something you don't understand, please say so."

"Got it, Grandpa."

"In the beginning, the most important step is the understanding of the basic principles of a sword. You must first learn how to handle a sword.

*woosh*

This is called a draw cut: A cut that uses the momentum of drawing the sword as fast as possible to create more speed and thus more damage.

*woosh*

And this is a chop: cutting the sword from top to bottom, left to right, and vice versa. Once you have mastered this technique, you will really be able to do a chop from any angle you like.

*woosh*

This is called parrying: using your "sword" to deflect an enemy's blade.

*woosh*

Finally, riposte: use the opening created by parrying to counterattack.

Every swordsman must be able to use the following applications.

Once the movements of these four stances have been ingrained in your muscle memory, you will be able to claim to have mastered the sword as a beginner.

During a fight, the following movements have to be intuitive. Without having to think at all.

Now, start doing as many executions as you can. Until you can no longer stand!"

►A few hours later◄

*wosh*

*wosh*

Standing in the sunshine was a young man, no more than ten years old. Looking closer, one could hear him muttering something.

„93"

„94"

„95"

….

„99"

„100"

*thud*

Drenched in sweat, he fell to the ground, his wooden sword with him.

*hehh*

"It's a lot harder than I thought it would be!" said Pride, in a series of rapid breaths.

"That is enough for the moment. Take a rest for a while before you continue with the rest of the training. You should not neglect your body just because you are training in swordsmanship."

"Alright, Grandpa."

Finally, after Pride had finished his morning swordsmanship practice, he went to the kitchen for a drink.

After resting for a short while, he began to train as he used to. In other words, several kilometers of running and the rest of the following exercises.

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►5 hours later◄

*hehh*

*hehh*

After completing the rest of the training, he took a short break. Then he practiced his Devil Fruit utilization.

The night was beginning to dawn. The twinkling stars were in full bloom across Centaurea Island.

In the vicinity of a forest, a young man was to be seen. He was standing there. His eyes were closed.

*trktrktrk*

One might have thought that he had fallen asleep while he was standing there. But on closer inspection, many small stones were floating lightly in the air close to him.

"Phew, at least I have better control of gravity now. However, I have to admit that it is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. To control meteors from the thermosphere, Fujitora really had to be a monster."

The ensuing training to better control his Devil Fruit continued for as long as Pride had the stamina to continue.

►the next morning◄

Pride has been thinking about it all evening. He has even made up a story to tell his grandfather Rey about being in possession of a devil fruit.

"Grandpa Rey, yesterday I was in the woods for some exercise and I came across a strange-looking fruit. It looked quite delicious, though. So I tried it and realized that it tasted disgusting. Now I am able to use powers," Pride said in the middle of the dining table as they munched.

"Pride, whatever you ate was a devil fruit!" Rey said, grabbing Pride's arms tightly.

"What abilities do you have?"

"I am able to control the gravity around myself."

"How fascinating. I have never heard of the Devil Fruit before, but if what you say is true, it possesses extraordinary power!" said Rey, grinning broadly with delight.

Grandpa Rey then told him all he knew about devil fruits and their side effects.

-----------------

Another nine months had passed since that conversation with his grandfather. Pride completed the upcoming training sessions every day.

He has made tremendous progress over the past few months. He is almost at the point where he can do the four movements using only his muscle memory. There's still a bit of work to be done, but he's close to his goal.

For the past three months, he has stopped practicing with his wooden sword. Instead, his grandfather has given him a real sword.

►Calendar year, 1471◄

The island where Pride grew up hasn't been attacked in over two years.

But from afar, a pirate ship approached Centaurea Island.

There was a sense of panic among the local residents, who had a view of the scene from a distance.

The majority of them had evacuated the women and children in advance.

"Pirates in sight! Quick, get someone into the forest and call Rey!"

It wasn't long before a fellow townsman was standing outside Rey's hut, gasping for air.

*knock*

*knock*

"Oh, Dokai. What's wrong? Why are you so out of breath?"

*hehh*

"Rey, pirates have been sighted again and they should reach us in about twenty minutes, so please hurry."

"We are coming."

"Pride, take your sword. It's time to experience the dark side of the world."

"Understood," said Pride as he reflected on his progress.

*ding*

[Name: Pride]

[Age: 11 years old]

[The template "Shanks" extraction 7%]

[Abilities:] Novice Swordsman: In this stage, the swordsman is capable to attack and defend fluently with a sword.

[Devil Fruit: Zushi Zushi no Mi, progress 6%]

Abilities: gravity suppression, gravity alleviation

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