Everyday Life with the Straw Hats
Authors Notes: it is finally time for the "Liminal Tournament arc" to begin! I just want to thank everybody who has been following my story so far, it really means a lot to me. Now that the Mariejois arc is complete, I have big plans for how the story will progress.
Liminal Tournament arc: part 1: Final moments of preparation
It's been a month and a half since Ms. Smith recruited Luffy and his friends to fight in the liminal tournament. The tournament was going to begin in a few days. But it was time that everybody was ready to sail out to the island where the tournament was being held. Ms. Smith stopped by the house to pick them all up so they could leave on time. Everybody was at the house waiting, except for 4 of them. "What do you mean they aren't here?!" Smith exclaimed, she usually kept her cool, but this time she needed everything to go according to plan, or else she would be getting a major scolding from Commander Lucci when she got back to base. "All right, just…tell me where they went." She asked.
Miia spoke up, "I think darling, Sanji, Zoro and Centorea all went to this nearby fitness center called Sports Club Kobold or something like that.
Smith sighed, "All right, everybody pack up your things and meet me at the shipyard in a half an hour. Okay?"
Everybody agreed.
Smith made her way to the fitness center. When she went inside, she was instantly greeted by this cheerful dog/human hybrid liminal.
"hello, my name is Polt! And this is my sports club, would you like a tour around our facility?"
Smith declined her offer, "Sorry but, I'm kind of in a hurry, I'm here to pick up three gentlemen and a centaur. Would you by chance know who I'm referring to?"
Polt nodded her yes, "We don't get many human visitors here, so I know exactly who you are referring to! And the centaur girl arrived along with them." Polt explained. She started guiding Smith to where they were currently at. "and I must say, those three men are incredibly strong, they have been training hard all day, and they have been showing up almost every day for the past month, and have been working hard the entire time they've been here." Polt stated.
Finally they came to one of the training rooms filled with sparring dumbies, Luffy and Sanji were striking these punching bags with continuous force. Not letting up for a second. After a few moments, Sanji noticed Smith in the corner of his eye. "Hey Luffy, Smith is here, I think its time for us to leave" Sanji yelled over to Luffy. Luffy stopped for a second, looked at Sanji and then at Smith. He smiled and exited the training room alongside Sanji.
Smith explained that today was the day they were leaving for the tournament because it would take about a day to reach the island where it was being held. She asked them where Zoro and Centorea were. Sanji pointed to a room across the hall and explained that they have been doing nonstop sword sparring every single day for 8 hours straight. "The only time they aren't sparring is when they come home for dinner and then go to sleep, then next morning after breakfast, they come back here to spar for the rest of the day until dinner." Sanji stated.
Zoro and Cerea came out of the training room to get some water when they also noticed Smith was there.
"Pack it up, its time for us to go to the tournament." Smith said.
Cerea spoke up because she wanted to ask something. "Excuse me Ms. Smith, but since my master has been training me for the last month, and I've learned a lot from his sword skills. I would like to also fight in the tournament alongside my master, there would be no greater honor." Cerea asked with a grand bow in an effort of trying to convince Smith to say yes.
"Fine" Smith said bluntly, "I believe that Zoro has taught you well, and I know that honor is a great priority to your people, so I won't get in the way of your tradition." Smith said with a slight smile. "Now enough chit chat, everybody else is waiting for us, its time to go." Smith finished.
And with that they made their way to the shipyard to set sail for the next big adventure for the straw hats. Who knows what dark secrets will be discovered at the Liminal Tournament?