Chapter 2: The Training Continues

Garp's ship disappeared on the horizon, leaving me with nothing but the whisper of the waves and the lingering ache of his final "Fist of Love." Alone once more, I felt the weight of responsibility pressing heavier on my chest. I had made a vow to be stronger—not just for myself but for the crew I would gather, the friends I would protect, and the world I had sworn to change.

With Bran gone as well, the lessons he drilled into me echoed in my mind. "Strength is nothing without control, Luffy! Balance, focus, precision!" Though I had grasped the basics, the steel-cutting technique still eluded me. My frustration built as days passed. Wooden practice targets shattered with ease, but when I tested against iron, my blade only bounced off with a dull clang.

The memories of Zoro's own struggle surfaced in my mind. The key to cutting steel wasn't strength—it was presence, willpower, and intent. I knew it, yet the application still felt just out of reach.

So, I adapted.

Mornings started with physical conditioning. I forced my rubber body through grueling drills—weighted runs, one-finger pushups, and endless repetitions of stretching exercises to expand my body's range and strength. My punches grew sharper, my rubber limbs snapping back faster and stronger with each passing day.

Afternoons were reserved for Haki. I closed my eyes, trying to feel the rhythm of life around me. The wind, the ocean, the pulse of the earth. Armament Haki training was equally brutal. I would coat my fists with the faintest trace of blackened willpower, only for it to flicker and fail moments later. But progress was progress, no matter how slow.

Swordsmanship filled my evenings. Alone in the clearing where Bran had once trained me, I practiced my strikes relentlessly. Horizontal, vertical, diagonal—each swing of the blade repeated a hundred times under the moonlight. Yet, when I stood before a steel bar, my sword still refused to obey my will.

One night, as the moonlight shimmered across the water, I remembered something Zoro had said during his fight with Mr. 1: "A swordsman can cut nothing and cut everything. It's all about intent."

I inhaled deeply, grounding myself. My mind cleared, the noise of my frustration fading. I imagined the steel not as an obstacle but as part of the flow around me. My blade became an extension of my will.

"Flow," I whispered.

I slashed. The steel bar shuddered. A thin line formed—clean, precise. Though not fully severed, I had finally made progress.

The days stretched into weeks, and though progress was steady, I knew I had much further to go. But I wasn't discouraged. The next step of my journey was coming, and when it did, I would be ready.

During one of these intense training sessions, Ace and Sabo visited the village, curious about my progress. Our sparring sessions were fierce, their teamwork relentless, but it only fueled my determination. I sparred Ace using my growing Haki control while testing my sword against Sabo's pipe skills.

After one particularly intense fight, where I barely held my ground against their combined assault, I took Sabo aside. "Sabo, you can't set sail too early. Trust me. I... I've seen what happens. You need to find someone stronger to train you first. Join Revolutionary Army. , and they'll make you stronger than you can imagine."

Sabo looked at me with wide eyes, hesitant but thoughtful. "Dragon? You sure, Luffy? I just want to be free."

"Freedom comes with strength," I insisted. "Trust me. Dragon will teach you how to protect that freedom. Please, listen to me this once."

Though unsure, Sabo nodded. I could only hope I had nudged fate in the right direction.

Later that night, I sat beside Ace under the stars, the remnants of our sparring match still evident in the bruises on both our bodies. "Ace," I said quietly, breaking the comfortable silence. "You can't set sail yet either. Not without mastering Haki."

Ace blinked, frowning. "Haki? What's that?"

I clenched my fist, focusing as a faint black coating flickered over my knuckles before vanishing. "It's a power you need to survive out there. Observation Haki lets you sense attacks before they happen. Armament Haki... it lets you hit Logia users and strengthen your attacks."

His eyes widened. "You mean... I could actually fight people like Smoker without relying only on my Devil Fruit?"

I nodded. "Exactly. The sea is dangerous, Ace. If you're serious about being free and protecting your crew, you need this power. I'll teach you what I've learned so far, but we both need to get stronger. Promise me you won't leave until you've trained enough."

Ace grinned, the fire in his heart burning just as fiercely in his eyes. "Alright, Luffy. Teach me everything you know!"

We trained together under the stars, and for the first time, I felt like I was truly shaping the future.