The sky over Seihoku Village was still painted in shades of gray, the lingering morning mist curling along the coastline but never thick enough to hide the world. The sea breeze, cool and gentle, caressed Reo and Shibi's faces, brushing against their cheeks with the tenderness of a lover's touch. It was early, far earlier than most children would willingly rise, but today was different. Today, Kunkei had dragged them from their beds and led them down to the beach for their very first day of training.
The sand was cold beneath their feet, and the rhythmic sound of waves rolling in and out was both calming and invigorating. Kunkei stood a short distance away, his arms crossed, watching the two boys with a stern but kind expression. The training he had in mind was simple, but that simplicity was deceptive.
Shibi's task was straightforward but grueling. He had to lift a massive boulder, one that dwarfed his own small frame. The stone was so heavy that his feet sank deep into the sand with every attempt to hoist it. It was a mystery to Shibi how Kunkei had managed to find a rock that weighed precisely as much as he could possibly lift-no more, no less. But Kunkei always seemed to know these things, as if he could read the limits of a person's strength just by looking at them.
Reo's challenge was different. Instead of the beach, Kunkei had sent him into the shallow surf, where the sea water lapped at his calves. His rock was smaller than Shibi's, but the water made everything harder. Every step was a struggle, his legs heavy and his muscles refusing to obey. The saltwater seemed to sap his strength, and he had to grip the stone tightly to keep it from slipping away and sinking beneath the waves. If not for the mysterious recovery strength granted by the fruit he had eaten, Reo was certain he would have dropped the rock long ago.
The training was relentless. Reo felt as if he was being pushed to the very edge of his endurance, his arms trembling, his breath coming in ragged gasps. It was like being forced to fight with fists that refused to clench, to struggle against an invisible force that wanted nothing more than to see him fail. But every time he felt himself falter, he remembered Kunkei's words from before their training began.
"Reo, the devil fruit you ate is different from the others. It doesn't make you stronger in battle, not directly. That means you'll need more determination than anyone else. If you can master the fruit's power, you won't have to worry about running out of stamina in a fight. For now, your goal is to keep using your strength until it's gone, then recover and do it again. This is just the first step. Don't think about anything else yet."
Those words echoed in Reo's mind as he gritted his teeth and pushed on. He was determined to persevere, to prove himself worthy of this gift and this training.
As the first light of dawn crept across the horizon, the sun began to rise from the sea, casting a warm golden glow that chased away the grayness and bathed the beach in gentle light. Reo and Shibi, exhausted but satisfied, finally dropped their stones onto the sand and collapsed beside them, breathing hard.
"Bastard Uncle Kunkei, I bet he left us here and went back to sleep," Shibi grumbled, rubbing his aching shoulders.
"I'm so hungry right now," Reo replied, clutching his stomach as it growled in protest.
"Gu... Ah, I'm really hungry too," Shibi admitted, letting his arms fall to his sides in defeat.
Just then, a familiar voice called out across the sand. "Yo, these idiots are lazing around when I'm not here?" Kunkei approached, carrying two large fruits from the back mountain, one in each hand.
At the sight of food, Shibi's exhaustion vanished. He scrambled to his feet and dashed toward Kunkei, calling out, "The fruits are calling me!"
Reo followed, and soon both boys were devouring the fruit, their hunger momentarily forgotten. Shibi, his mouth full, mumbled, "Wow... what a meal. It'd be better to eat meat in the morning, but this is okay!" He grinned at Kunkei, hoping for approval.
This made Kunkei greet Shibi with a big fist on the head "Don't look down on the fruits from the back mountain. They're better than meat, and they're important for your strength."
"Oh, is that so?" Shibi replied, while cherishing the swollen bag on his head, rubbing. He looked at the fruit in his hand as if seeing it for the first time, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Kunkei sighed, his tone softening. "The nutrition in these fruits is much greater than meat. They help restore your strength. You'll see the difference soon enough."
"You could have just said so earlier," Shibi complained, though his words were muffled by another bite of fruit. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have asked for meat. I thought you were just being stingy as always."
A few veins popped on Kunkei's forehead, and he raised his fist again, but this time Shibi was ready. He dodged nimbly, a triumphant smile on his face-until Kunkei's second swing landed, adding another bump to his head.
"Ah... you greeted my bag again."" Shibi wailed, clutching his head.
Kunkei smirked. "In battle, you have to strike at your enemy's weakness. Remember that, idiot."
Reo, watching the exchange, couldn't help but smile. Despite the pain and the exhaustion, he felt a warmth in his chest-a sense of belonging and hope.
Kunkei clapped his hands, his deep voice carrying across the beach. "Alright, enough rest and enough food. Time to get back to training."
"Ah, such a short break?" Shibi protested, but there was no real anger in his voice.
Kunkei fixed him with a stern look. "What happened to your resolution from yesterday? If you want to get stronger, you can't waste time."
The sun climbed higher, its rays sparkling on the waves and warming the sand beneath their feet. The new day has truly begun, and with it, a new chapter in Reo and Shibi's journey. They stood, side by side, ready to face whatever challenges their training and their destiny would bring.
The beach, once empty and silent, was now alive with the laughter and determination of two boys who refused to give up, no matter how hard the path ahead might be. And as Kunkei watched them, a small, proud smile played at the corners of his mouth. In their youthful energy, he saw the hope of Seihoku Village-a hope that, perhaps, would one day change everything.
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A/N: If you like the fanfic please show your support. Throw some stones ;)