Shackles Broken

"Hello there" Seth greeted Luffy as he took the chair beside him.

"MmgmmGgmmmgg" Luffy spoke out but with food in his mouth, was incomprehensible.

"Okay, okay. Swallow your food first" Seth giggled, then his expression turned serious. He came here for a reason.

The last battle made one thing clear. Even if a person had the ability and knew how to use, it wouldn't mean that he will able to exercise it. Battles aren't so simple. You need to have the quick reaction and be able to judge the correct move in the matter of seconds. And not just that, one should understand one's limitations and the way to use it as an advantage. And all this comes from experience and practice, both of which he seriously lacked.

Twice that night, he had narrowly escaped death. First, Luffy intervened saving him from imminent death and the second time, by chance, he had used the Conqueror's Haki knocking out all the pirates. If he wanted to survive in this world, he can't rely on his luck. He has to train and earn some basic combat experience. Going into real fights may seem like the fastest method but it is stupid. It will end with him being killed, so the only likely option left is to train with someone, someone who is more experienced in this department. Dueling it out time and time again, so that he can build a basic framework for himself. And in this village, the only one suitable enough as a training partner was Luffy who had trained since childhood under his grandpa and with his brothers.

Seth made up his mind and looked directly at Luffy "Please let me fight you."

Luffy tilted his head in surprise. He had no idea where this was coming from.

"In the last battle, I understood how inexperienced I am. So let me fight with you. I cannot stay like this depending on others forever. I need to become strong. Strong enough to defend myself from any harm. I want to be able to protect myself and the people who are dear to me. So please help me."

Seth bowed, kowtowing near Luffy.

The people in the bar were confused by the action. They hadn't listened to the conversation so this sudden action left them perplexed. Why was a hero of the village bowing to another hero? People murmured among themselves trying to guess the reason, even giving birth to new rumours.

Luffy may be stupid but not insensitive. Though in his mind, Seth was already strong enough that he was able to fight against the entire mob but he couldn't disrespect him by giving an excuse or praise him for his abilities. He clearly understood the feelings the boy in front of him held.

Luffy knew he himself wasn't strong enough to acheive his dreams as of now. He needed to grow too. And the boy in front, held a similar dream: to become stronger.

Dreams; it is such a strange word. It is the dream which has led to so many inventions. It is dream that brought birth to so many revolutions. It is dream that changed the human society and it is the dream that creates the legends.

"Okay" He replied. He had no reason to refuse. More like, he was moved by the determination of the young man.

On the other hand, Seth was very happy hearing the answer. He didn't want to live in this world as a simple person, as a no namer. But desiring something greater would require strength. He was lucky that he had full understanding of his devil fruit abilities because of the God and relying on it, he can achieve a lot in this life. Not taking the step would be cowardly and a huge waste of his talents, especially when he had been bestowed with the Supreme Haki.

"Thanks a lot. How does tomorrow early morning behind the village hall sounds?"

"Sure" Luffy asserted.

"Oh, so you have recovered" as the two were busy in their conversation, Makino arrived with a platter of local cuisines. She hadn't interfered earlier because of the gravity of the conversation but now that things have loosened up, she asked "And what would you like to have?"

"Just a cup of grape juice will do."

Makino nodded "I will bring it in a while" and went towards a bunch of customers at the back. She didn't even ask what the talks were about, for she knew it would be hurting the pride of the young man.

Seth knew the decision he made will change his life forever.

-:- Scene Change -:-

The next morning, behind the village hall, stood a boy eagerly waiting for someone. Judging from his partner's behavior, Seth was sure that he would be late but didn't expect that it would be this late. It was over two hours and now even he was having doubts if Luffy will arrive.

(Don't tell me he forgot about the promise. He dare not or else -)

He was just in the middle of thoughts that, "Yo!" Luffy arrived crash-landing in front of him. Seemed like he had jumped here from the top of a building.

"You sure took your time" Seth remarked sarcastically.

"He he he. I -" Luffy smiled apologetically.

"Don't say. Follow me"

Luffy silently followed Seth to a plain field a little far from the hall.

"Shall we start?" Seth asked. He didn't care about the result. What he wanted was the feel, the experience of a fight.

Just as Luffy affirmed, Seth dashed strengthening his arms and legs with Zoan powers.

Before Luffy could react, he was already in front of him. A full recovery after the battle appears to have increased his abilities from before.

Punch. But he missed. Instead, he was headbutted by Luffy.

(I was fast but I was so concentrated on my attack that I forgot to think about my defence. Even if I have the power it is useless if it doesn't hit.)

But Luffy didnot stop and started punching Seth. Seth tried to defend some, escape some. And he realised how difficult it is to defend than attack.

The battle went on for fifteen minutes with both using every thing in their arsenal and at last, Luffy came out victorious.

Seth laid on the ground. Even though it was his first one on one, he did a great job. He was able to be on par with Luffy.

(I didn't do a bad job)

He thought smiling at the achievement he had garnered. Now that he thought about it, his last fight was a feat on its own. He was fighting hundreds of opponents all by himself. That is not something anyone can boast.

Maybe because he was a diehard fan for Luffy, he was underestimating his own strength and abilities. He had been comparing himself with the big names of this world like Shanks and Whitebeard, and that was what created this hurdle. His life in this world has just started. Given time, he will achieve a lot. He forgot about such a simple fact.

'We can only take a step at a time'

And for a beginner, he was already more than just competent.

As he thought about all this, Seth started laughing at his own foolishness.

Just like how overestimating oneself is bad, so is underestimating.

(What I really needed was self-confidence)

He now realised that he was actually doing good.

Though he lacked any experience and that is something he has to work on in future, what he seriously lacked was confidence. He had been belittling himself all this time which in turn had shackled his true abilities.

Now that he realised it, he felt so free. He knew that he was no way inferior to anyone in this world.

(I have lost. But somehow it seems I have gained a lot more.)

Seth smiled, for the first time, wholeheartedly.