It has been about two years since I've first been introduced to Sabo. My abilities training has been going well. I can make things down to 1/50 of their original size.
For my physical training... well, I built myself up.
Running, sit-ups, pushups, squats... I added repetitions every day, and gradually increased the amount I could do.
And in the end, my hard work paid off. Continued effort is strength!
Actually, the training was going abnormally well... I feel like the cheat code of the [ONE PIECE] world is taking effect. The old geezer had said that my strength will only increase with every effort and training I put into it.
I actually got use to going between Mt. Colubo and Gray Terminal. I've started helping Ace steal and collect things for our pirate fund for a little more than a year now.
But I still can't win against Ace and Sabo. I lose every time I go to fight them.
... It's fine, I'm still building up my strength. I'm still working on building up my strength for fighting... I'm sorry, I'm a bit frustrated. I still have a long way to go.
Another short-term goal I have is mastering Rokushiki! Especially Geppo. Sky Walking is so cool! Stuff about is was written in Mom's diary, so it's not weird for me to know about it. I kind of understand how they work too, so I think I can work with it.
I couldn't figure out how to learn Haki. It wasn't written in the diary, and canon never explicitly had directions on how to learn it. But I want to for something about it... Otherwise, I can't figure out what else to do about the Logia types. I mean, I can utilize their elemental weaknesses, like Crocodile and water, or Enel and rubber. But figuring it out during a fight takes effort, and I would need to have the weakness on hand. I guess I'll just try harder.
I've also tried fighting the wild beasts. Well, it's more like hunting than fighting. Any animals we get this way comes back with us and onto our plates anyway.
It wasn't really favorable end though. I was only able to help Ace get the thing. There is still much to learn.
You might think I could just make my opponents smaller with my powers. But in reality, there is a time lug that happens when I use my powers. There is no problem if what I'm shrinking is a plant, or someone who wants to be smaller like Ace when he's eating. But if it's against a living opponent, then I have a problem. The smaller I try, the longer the time lug... even if returning it to its original size is immediate. Using it now will just cost me my victory.
...I actually tried it against a wild boar, and got sent flying. I actually thought I was going to die. It was really lucky that I didn't hit anything important.
I'm still trying to figure out if I train my powers more, my time lug would become shorter.
Recently, we've had more chances to eat different dishes. We started to go to restaurants in the Goa kingdom. We only fried or boiled things at Dadan's, so I was very happy about it.
... Of course, its dining and dashing. It's scary how I've started to lose reservations against dine and dash.
Every few days, we go into town to dine and dash... This is what happened on one of those days.
"They're running away!"
The waiter was angrily shouting behind us, while we ran as fast as we could. Sorry, we'll pay you back some day on a treasure tab! ...wait, he's coming after us!?
Dammit, they usually give up once we get this far!
"Hey, we're splitting up!" Ace suggested as we ran. "Sabo, I'll lead them away. Take Yuwan and go on ahead!"
"Got it!"
I hate that I'm being protected, but it can't be helped. I'm the slowest in our group. Well, if we think about our age, I'm pretty fast. But comparing it to these two, and if we're running from this guy, I'm definitely the slowest.
"This way, Yuwan!"
Sabo pulled my arm, and we turned into an ally and ran as fast as we could.
We continued running, and finally stopped about ten minutes later.
"You think Ace will be alright? I asked Sabo, breathing heavily. Sabo shrugged.
"It's Ace. He'll be fine, don't worry about it."
Yeah, that's about what I figured too. I'm actually more worried for the waiter. I hope Ace didn't beat him up too bad. We were the ones in the wrong, after all.
"What, should we look for him? Or go back to Gray Terminal?"
It would be a hassle if we wandered around, and they find us again. Sabo looked to be thinking the same thing.
"Let's go back. He did tell us to go on ahead."
We went with that decision, and left the town... Whether that choice was the correct one or not, I don't know.
Ace came back a lot later than we did.
What surprised us was that Ace looked battered. Ace thankfully didn't have any large injuries. Most were small cuts and bruises across his whole body.
"Ace, what happened!?" Sabo's eyes were wide... But Ace was in a really bad mood.
"... Nothing."
Yeah no, that's a lie! No one will believe someone who is so battered and angry but tells them that it was nothing!
"Did you get caught by that Ossan? Did he beat you up?"
But that doesn't sound right. He wouldn't have come back if that was case. And his bad mood wasn't a 'I'm irritated because I got caught' mood. It was more like 'something really upsetting happened' mood.
Ace looked at me, then smiled... It clearly was a forced one.
"I said nothing happened. ...Yuwan, let's go. See you later, Sabo!"
"Eh, wh- wait, Ace!?"
Sabo seemed a bit alarmed at his quick retreat, but Ace grabbed my arm, and pulled me along.
"... See you Sabo!"
I debated with myself, but decided not to ask in the end.
Ace wouldn't answer me even if I did. That's because to Ace, I am someone to protect. Me being the younger brother, he would never show me weakness, or hurt. In this case... I think I will ask someone else to do it for me.
Good luck or bad, its nearing that time of year anyway.