Garp in the training space was not the real Marine Hero, but a simulated opponent created with identical physical strength and skills. However, in order to ensure Rin could benefit from the battle, Garp's strength had been carefully calibrated to match Rin's current level. Still, his mastery of Armament Haki and raw physical prowess demanded Rin's full focus.
Without hesitation, Rin drew the Thunder Tribulation Blade, his most reliable and devastating weapon to date crafted with seastone fragments and capable of channeling his lightning energy.
"Drink!"
With a sharp cry, Rin burst forward, legs kicking off the grassy field, slashing downward at Garp's head. His blade crackled violently with electricity.
Boom!
Garp raised a single fist, his arm sheathed in black Haki. The blade clashed against the iron-like punch, sending a shower of sparks flying.
"Urahhh!"
Garp let out a thunderous roar as he parried the Thunder Tribulation Blade, and without giving Rin a moment to recover, threw a heavy right hook.
"Soru!"
With a breathless shout, Rin activated a technique from the Rokushiki style, vanishing from sight and reappearing behind Garp. He moved with blinding speed, striking again.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The clash continued.
Fist met blade, Haki met thunder, shockwaves tore across the grasslands. The air trembled with every blow exchanged. Despite the limitation on Garp's physical power, the experience and brutal precision of his blows constantly pushed Rin to adapt and evolve.
Time slipped away unnoticed in that endless battlefield…
———
A day passed.
Rin emerged from the training space, his knees buckling slightly from fatigue.
Grrruuu…
His stomach rumbled loudly, a gnawing emptiness gnashing at his gut.
"Damn, I'm starving," he muttered, clutching his abdomen but even through the hunger, a grin tugged at his lips. The bruises he sustained inside the space didn't carry over, but the experience, the instincts that was real.
He'd fought a simulated Garp for hours. And while he had been knocked to the ground dozens of times, Rin had absorbed a great deal of combat awareness.
More importantly…
He held out his hand, focusing.
A thin sheen of black armor began to spread over the back of his fist.
Armament Haki.
He had done it finally grasped the fundamentals of Busoshoku Haki. Though his current control only allowed him to coat small areas of his hand, the significance of this breakthrough was immense.
In this world, Armament Haki was the countermeasure to Devil Fruit users and monstrous beasts alike.
"Not bad," Rin whispered, clenching his fist with satisfaction. "I can build on this."
He shook off his fatigue and exited the room.
Outside, Artoria was already waiting, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.
"Mr. Captain," she said with a hint of irritation. "What were you doing in your room all day?"
Worried curiosity flickered in her eyes. She and Casa had respected Rin's privacy, but their concern was clear.
"Ah… just figured something out," Rin replied, scratching the back of his head and chuckling.
"Is that so?" Artoria narrowed her eyes, then changed the subject with a dramatic sigh. "Well, never mind that. You're cooking today. I've had enough of Casa's bland rations I'm starving!"
Rin burst out laughing. "Didn't know you were such a foodie."
At that, Artoria's cheeks turned a rare shade of pink. She looked away quickly, but Rin had already turned toward the kitchen, missing it entirely.
He set to work preparing their meal, telling Casa and Artoria about the simulated training and his progress while chopping ingredients. Though he was their captain, he didn't mind these small acts it kept their bond strong, and in this chaotic world, trust among crewmates was everything.
———
Two more days passed in peace.
A dark shadow loomed on the horizon the silhouette of an island came into view.
Little Garden.
A prehistoric island located in the first half of the Grand Line, known for harboring gigantic plants, ancient creatures, and, most famously, two dueling Elbaf giants. The eternal log pose they received from Crocus pointed them here first.
After anchoring the ship along the rocky shore, Rin turned to his crew.
"Alright, you two—what's your plan?"
Casa stepped out, holding a thick herbal compendium. "This island is full of ancient flora. I'm going to search for some of the medicinal herbs listed here. Since we don't have a ship's doctor, these could come in handy for treating wounds or infections."
"Be careful," Rin reminded him. "There are giants here—Dorry and Brogy of the Giant Warrior Pirates. Each of them had a bounty of 100 million berries a century ago."
"I know the stories," Casa nodded. "But unless we provoke them, they shouldn't bother us. The Elbaf giants are known for their honor. I'll steer clear of their battle area."
With that, he walked off into the thick jungle.
Rin turned to Artoria.
She didn't speak immediately. Instead, she held up two wide-brimmed hats ones she had bought back in Loguetown, the town where Gol D. Roger was executed.
"There's no navy here," Rin noted with a small smile. "You don't have to hide your identity."
"It's not about the navy," Artoria replied seriously. "Little Garden is ancient—bacteria, toxic spores, and parasitic insects thrive here. A single bite can kill. Better to be protected."
"Huh. Good point." Rin took the hat and adjusted it on his head. He didn't catch the brief flash of joy in her eyes as she donned her own.
"Well then," Rin said, adjusting his belt. "Let's do some exploring. Maybe we'll get lucky."
Little Garden was largely untouched by civilization. And where there was wild, untamed nature, there was always the chance of…
Devil Fruits.
They weren't always found in treasure chests—Devil Fruits could sprout in the middle of forests, buried under roots, or even inside animal dens.
"With any luck," Rin said with a smirk, "we might stumble upon a Zoan-type Devil Fruit
maybe even an ancient model. That would be a jackpot."
Artoria nodded as the two of them stepped off the ship and disappeared into the forested interior of Little Garden…
———
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