Plans

"Thank you both for everything." Aria turned to Sasha and Kaya. "But I should get going."

"Already?" Kaya frowned. "You've barely arrived."

"Places to be, people to see, you know how it is."

Reality hit Aria as she checked her empty pockets. "About the payment..."

"It's taken care of," Kaya said. "Consider it a thank you for dealing with that drunk."

"That's too much," Aria protested.

"You can and you will." Kaya's tone left no room for argument. She rushed to the counter and pulled out a small leather pouch. "Take this. You'll need supplies."

"I can't accept-"

"Please." Kaya pressed the pouch into her hands.

Aria weighed the pouch. At least fifty berries inside. The coins clinked against her palm, reminding her how quickly her life had changed. Yesterday, she'd been nursing college exam stress. Today, she needed money to survive in a world where pirates ruled the seas.

"Stay safe, Kaya." She met the younger woman's gaze. "And keep believing in those stories."

"I will. And if you see Usopp..."

"I'll tell him you're doing well." Aria turned to Sasha. "Thank you for the clothes."

"Don't get them torn up too quickly. The next ones won't be free."

Stepping into the morning sunlight, Aria fastened the pouch to her belt. The Grand Line waited beyond the horizon. Where Sea Kings are the least of your problems.

The Straw Hats will be heading there soon.

She found a quiet corner near a water barrel and took a drink. Her body still ached from the fight, a reminder of how unprepared she was for this world's dangers. The bruise on her shoulder throbbed when she moved. She needed to be stronger.

"First step - master this fruit. Can't help anyone if I'm dead."

She focused on a nearby barrel. Information flooded her mind – the barrel's construction, wood age, even the water level inside. She jerked back, startled by the sudden influx of knowledge.

"That's new," she muttered, rubbing her temples. She wondered what else she could do.

She picked up a small stone from the dock and concentrated. As its essence revealed itself, she pushed at the connections. The stone crumbled to dust in her palm.

With another pebble, she pushed more gently. It cracked but remained mostly intact. With a third, she focused on a specific point, splitting it cleanly in half.

She continued her experiments with larger stones. Each attempt taught her something new – larger stones required more focus while smaller objects yielded easily. The precision of her control improved with each try.

A dock worker passed by, giving her an odd look. Aria quickly brushed the stone dust from her hands and tried to look normal. Whatever that meant in a world where people stretched like rubber and transformed into animals.

The sun climbed higher. Ships came and went. Merchants haggled with sailors. A normal day for everyone but her.

Aria picked up a small wooden crate that had been discarded near the dock edge. She focused her awareness on the molecular structure, identifying the nails holding it together. With careful precision, she weakened the connections in the wood around each nail. The box fell apart in her hands, nails dropping to the ground with a metallic ping.

She reassembled the box. This time she strengthened the bonds between the wood fibers. The crate held together even without nails.

A stray dog darted between storage crates, scrounging for scraps. Its ribs showed through matted fur as it searched through market debris.

Aria spotted a discarded fish head nearby. She picked it up and tossed it halfway between them.

"Come on, buddy. You look like you need this more than the gulls do."

The dog froze, sniffing the air before edging toward the food. It snatched the fish head quickly, but Aria moved faster. Her fingers brushed its head as it bent down. A connection formed instantly.

Her fingers brushed its head as it bent down. Warmth rushed through her fingertips.

Her muscles firmed. Her breathing evened out. The pain from yesterday's fight disappeared.

The animal jerked back, eyes wide. It circled once, stumbled, then slunk beneath a nearby cart with its prize.

Aria's heart raced. She bounced on her toes, jumped higher than before, and ran the length of the alley and back. No tired muscles. No hard breathing. Even her bruised shoulder stopped hurting.

"Right, a plan." She brushed the stone dust from her hands and counted objectives on her fingers. "Find a boat, sail to the most dangerous sea in the world, track down the protagonists." She laughed at the absurdity. "Minor detail - I have zero sailing experience."

The realization sobered her quickly.

"Can't sail alone." The thought of Grand Line storms solo made her head hurt. "Need a crew. Or at least someone who knows which end of the boat goes forward."

She left the docks and headed into town. As she walked through the market, something caught her attention. People looked different now.

Her mind replayed the restaurant confrontation from earlier. That man's energy had transferred to her at her touch. His strength diminished as hers increased.

"Was that why he collapsed?" she wondered, looking at her hands.

She bumped into a merchant. Her hand brushed his arm, but nothing happened this time.

"Intent matters," she realized.

The bustling market provided the perfect testing ground. She spotted a woman struggling with heavy crates.

"Need a hand?" Aria stepped beside her.

"If you don't mind." The woman wiped sweat from her brow.

Aria touched the woman's arm as they lifted together. The crate lightened in Aria's grip while the woman's arms trembled slightly.

"Thanks," the woman said, adjusting her apron before returning to work.

Aria walked away and lifted a barrel that should have required two people, raising it with ease.

She tried something else. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the strength she'd absorbed. With careful focus, she directed it downward through her body. The warmth traveled from her arms to her torso, then settled into her legs.

A shadow moved along the wall. A gray cat balanced on a narrow ledge above the alley, watching with yellow eyes.

Aria pretended not to notice, continuing her exercises. The cat jumped silently to a lower crate, then to the ground. It walked toward her with casual disinterest.

"Just passing through, huh?" Aria remained still.

The animal rubbed against her leg. She touched its back. The cat hissed, suddenly clumsy. It bumped into a crate before squeezing into a gap between buildings.

Her senses sharpened. She heard everything – a bird's wings overhead, a mouse under a crate. Smells became stronger—fish from the market, salt from the sea, sweat from workers. Colors brightened. Everything moved with sharper edges.

Aria straightened, feeling lightness in her body. She jumped to a nearby crate, landing balanced on its edge.

"Sorry, kitty," she whispered to the retreating animal.

She tested her new reflexes, moving quickly from standing to crouching and back again. Everything felt smoother, more coordinated.

Different creatures offered different strengths.

She noticed a loose clothesline stretching across the alley. Without thinking, she leapt, catching it with one hand. Her body swung in an arc before she flipped and landed on her feet.

"Whoa," she breathed, looking at her hands. This agility wasn't normal. She could jump higher, move faster, react quicker.

A child stared at her, mouth open. The boy clutched a wooden toy ship.

"How'd you do that?" His eyes were wide.

"Practice," Aria winked. "Lots of practice."

The boy ran off, clutching his toy ship. His excited voice carried back: "Papa! I saw a lady who can fly!"

Aria shook her head. Best not to attract too much attention. She still didn't understand the full extent of her abilities or the consequences of using them.

She sat on a bench near the harbor, watching ships come and go. 

She needed resources. Information. Training.

The scent of spices drew her attention to a nearby market stall.

"What foods would you recommend for someone sailing?"

"Setting sail?" The vendor selected items from his display. "Dried fish keeps well. Rice, beans, hardtack - staples of any proper voyage."

"I'll take some of each." Aria counted out coins from Kaya's pouch. "What about fresh water storage?"

"Barrels down by the docks. Old Matsuda sells the best ones." He wrapped her purchases. "Though if you're planning to sail, talk to Captain Gale first."

"Captain Gale?"

"Retired navigator. Teaches the basics to newcomers." He pointed toward the harbor. "Small blue house near the lighthouse. Twenty years sailing the Grand Line before settling here. Knows more about those waters than anyone."

Aria perked up at the mention of the Grand Line. Someone with direct experience where she needed to go.

"Thanks for the tip."

She headed toward the harbor, observing the ships and sailors.

Several captains shouted orders from their decks. Some vessels flew flags indicating commercial affiliations, while others displayed more obscure symbols. One ship flew the World Government flag, its presence causing tension among the locals.

The lighthouse came into view, tall and white against the blue sky. Beside it stood a small house with blue paint peeling from years of salt exposure.

"First sailing lessons. Then a boat. Then a crew." Aria adjusted her bag. "Simple three-step plan."

The yard contained nothing but necessities – a rain barrel, tools hanging on walls, rope coiled neatly by the door. A sextant and navigational charts were visible through the window, confirming she had the right place.

She knocked, paint flaking beneath her knuckles.

Silence at first. Then heavy footsteps approached from inside. The door opened with force.

An elderly man stood in the doorway. Deep wrinkles lined his face, and his eyes narrowed as he examined her. Despite his age, his arms showed the muscled strength of someone who had worked at sea for decades. A faded tattoo of a compass adorned his forearm – the mark of an experienced navigator.

"Captain Gale?"

"Former Captain." His hand gripped the doorframe. "What do you want?"

"I need to learn sailing basics. The vendor recommended you." Aria squared her shoulders, masking her inexperience. "Especially about navigating the Grand Line."

Gale's expression darkened at the mention of the Grand Line. His eyes assessed her clothes and supplies. "Another fool dreaming of adventure?"

"I need to learn-"

"No. I don't teach anymore. Especially not about that sea."

"Please, I-"

"Go home, girl. The sea's taken enough dreamers."

Aria stared at the door.

"Good thing I excel at being annoying."

She set her supplies down and sat on the doorstep, back against the door. If persistence was her only weapon, she'd use it.

"I'm not leaving," she called loud enough for him to hear. "The Grand Line doesn't scare me."

The sun climbed higher as an hour passed. She shifted position, trying to find comfort on the hard wooden step. No sound came from inside, though she sensed movement behind the door.

She knocked again. No response.

A second hour passed. Sweat trickled down her neck. Her legs cramped from sitting too long.

"He won't answer."

A fisherman stopped beside the steps, nets over his shoulder.

"Thanks for stating the obvious."

"You're wasting your time."

"I need to learn from him. There must be a way."

"Give it up, girl. Find another teacher."

"I can't. He's the best navigator in the village. I need the best if I'm going to survive the Grand Line."

The fisherman's eyes widened. "The Grand Line? Are you mad?"

"Probably. But I'm going anyway."

"Your funeral." He continued toward the fishing boats.

Another hour crawled by. The sun began its westward descent.

"At least I'm getting a tan while my dignity slowly dies." Aria stretched her legs, fighting off cramps.

She knocked again. Nothing. Not even a sound of movement inside.

This strategy clearly wasn't working.

Time for Plan B.

Her gaze returned to the ships preparing to leave. Perhaps one needed an extra hand. She could learn through direct experience, working her way from port to port.

"Guess there's no point waiting here anymore today." She stood up, wincing as circulation returned to her legs. "Skip the lessons. Find a ship first."

She cast one last glance at Gale's stubbornly closed door.

"Thanks for nothing, old man."