Three Months Later, The Back Mountain
Beneath the thick canopy of the back mountain, sunlight struggled to break through the dense leaves. Only faint, scattered patches of light managed to reach the forest floor, leaving most of the ground in a cool, green-tinted gloom. The air was heavy with the scent of moss and earth, and the silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant cry of a bird.
In the heart of this shadowy jungle, a tense confrontation was unfolding between a boy and a beast. Shibi stood tall, his right hand gripping an iron-wood sword, his posture unwavering. The blade pointed directly at the black panther across from him, its surface catching what little sunlight managed to filter through the leaves. Shibi's broad smile was filled with confidence, but his sapphire eyes glimmered with fierce determination.
"Hey, Smelly Black Panther, I was bullied so badly by you three months ago. Today I'm here to collect some interest." Shibi's voice was light, almost playful, but the energy radiating from him was unmistakable.
The black panther, muscles tensed and eyes narrowed, watched Shibi warily. Its instincts screamed that the human before it was no longer the same as the frightened child from three months ago. The panther's dark yellow eyes, usually full of arrogance, now flickered with uncertainty. Still, as a beast who ruled its territory, pride would not allow it to back down. Except for that one day, three months ago, when a deep, primal fear had forced it to flee, the panther had never retreated from a fight. Now, it crouched low, gathering its strength, ready to erase the shame of that past defeat.
The panther's posture was full of explosive power, its killing intent clear in the cold glint of its eyes. Yet Shibi did not flinch. He stood like a pillar, the iron-wood sword steady as a spear, his courage radiating through the clearing.
With a guttural roar, the black panther lunged. Its claws flashed as it pushed off the ground, the grass flattening beneath its powerful paws. In an instant, it became a streak of black lightning, tearing through the air toward Shibi.
Shibi's senses were sharper than ever. He saw the panther's every movement with perfect clarity. As the beast closed in, he raised his sword above his head, both hands gripping the hilt. In a single, fluid motion, he brought the sword down in a powerful arc, aiming straight at the oncoming panther.
The panther, agile and cunning, twisted its body at the last moment. It slid past the descending blade, its eyes flashing with what almost seemed like mockery. Using the momentum, it sprang toward a nearby tree, its limbs slamming into the trunk with such force that the thick wood cracked and splintered. Rebounding off the tree, the panther launched itself at Shibi again, moving even faster than before.
Shibi's sword struck the ground with a heavy thud, sending cracks spider webbing through the earth. But he was not discouraged. He had expected this. His training had sharpened not just his body, but his instincts. Without hesitation, he swung the sword upward, just as the panther came in for a second attack.
This time, the panther was caught off guard. The blade connected with its chin, sending the beast hurtling backward in a blur of black fur. It crashed through four or five trees before finally tumbling to the ground, where it lay motionless, overcome by pain and exhaustion.
The battle was over in a heartbeat. Shibi stood tall, breathing hard but triumphant. Nearby, Reo watched in awe, silently comparing himself to his friend.
If it were me against the black panther, I could win, but not as quickly as Shibi. I'd probably get hurt, too. I don't have his animal-like fighting instincts or his incredible reflexes. If I ever face an enemy faster than me, I'll have to wait for an opening and strike at the right moment. But that means I might get hit first. Without those reflexes, I'll have to rely on my Devil Fruit ability to keep me going.
Uncle Kunkei always said that the recovery fruit doesn't make me stronger in a fight. It's only advantage is that I can keep going longer. My stamina recovers quickly now, almost without me thinking about it, but my injuries still heal slowly. If I could recover from injuries as fast as I recover my energy, then I'd only need to protect my vital points in battle. The idea sparked in Reo's mind, and he began to think through the possibilities.
"Hey, Reo, what are you thinking about?"
Shibi had already walked over, his excitement barely contained. He'd been ready to boast about his victory, but when he saw Reo deep in thought, he waited patiently before finally speaking.
"Er, it's nothing, Shibi. You were amazing, though." Reo smiled, brushing off his thoughts for now.
Shibi lifted his chin, pride shining in his eyes. "That's natural. It's in my blood."
"Let's go, let's head back to Uncle Kunkei." Reo turned toward the path leading out of the forest, not waiting for a reply. Shibi hurried to catch up, falling into step beside him.
How can I make my injury recovery as fast as my stamina recovery? Reo's mind raced as he walked. He recalled how Kunkei had trained him: pushing his stamina to the limit, then letting him recover, over and over again. Maybe, if I keep getting injured and then recovering, I can train my healing ability the same way. If I repeat the cycle enough, maybe my body will learn to heal faster. I'll try it tonight, here in the back mountain.
A grin spread across Reo's face as the plan formed in his mind. He turned to Shibi and said, "Shibi, let's eat roasted sweet potatoes tonight."
"Roasted sweet potatoes? Really?!" Shibi's eyes lit up with excitement, and he practically bounced with joy.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
"Oh yeah, roasted sweet potatoes!" Shibi cheered, already imagining the taste.
At that moment, Reo wasn't thinking about the pain that might come from his new training idea. After three months of Kunkei's brutal regimen, he often wondered if he could have made it this far without the power of the Devil Fruit. Most people, even strong young men, would have given up after just a few days. But Reo's body had grown tougher, and his mind had changed too. Now, as he pondered how to become even stronger, the pain he might have to endure didn't even cross his mind.
The two boys walked side by side through the dappled shadows, their laughter echoing through the trees. Above them, the sun finally found a gap in the leaves, sending a single, golden ray to light their path home.
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A/N: Hey Everyone, If you like the chapter please share your reviews and feedbacks. Thanks for reading.