Dawn broke over the South Blue, the sea shimmering. Their boat rocked gently.
On deck, a black-haired, crimson-eyed boy—Rhett—lay flat on his stomach, panting as he pumped out push-ups.
Sweat dripped from his face, splattering against the wood. His arms trembled violently. Rhett was exhausted. Truly exhausted. He really didn't want to train in Tekkai—getting whipped by Rayleigh hurt like hell.
"199… 200… Hah… Finally done…"
Just as he was about to collapse, a heavy foot stomped onto his back.
"Well, well. If it isn't little Rhett. Who said you could stop? Weren't you just bragging yesterday about sailing the seas freely?"
Rhett craned his neck with effort, spotting Rayleigh adjusting his glasses while staring down at him.
"Big Bro Rayleigh… I'm only four…"
"So what? Didn't you ask me the other day if I was always this half-assed? Besides, Roger told me he was chasing wild beasts all over the place at your age."
"That's because he was a feral child! I'm normal!"
"Oh? So you're saying you're weaker than Roger?"
Rhett's eye twitched. A damn taunt!
I'm a man of the modern era—I see right through your tricks.
"Old Man Rayleigh, who the hell do you think you're looking down on?"
Rayleigh's own eye twitched. He was only twenty. This brat had a mouth on him—when he needed something, it was Big Bro Rayleigh. Normally, it was Uncle Rayleigh. And when he was picking a fight? Old Man Rayleigh.
Fine. Fine.
"...Another two hundred. Since you're clearly not tired yet, get to it."
"Watch me, old man. Two hundred's nothing."
Rayleigh smirked, satisfied, as Rhett gritted his teeth and kept going.
By the time Rhett finally flopped onto the deck, gasping—
"Gahahaha! Little Rhett, today's the day I teach you Haki!"
Roger's booming laugh preceded a slap on Rhett's shoulder—one that nearly embedded him into the wood.
Rhett snapped. "Are you two training a police dog here? You're just bored, taking turns torturing me!"
"Captain… You sure about this? He can barely hold a sword," Rayleigh sighed.
"What's the big deal? His body's tough enough now. Kid's got all three Haki types—just couldn't use 'em before 'cause his body was too weak. Haki's gotta be trained young!"
Rubbing his numb shoulder, Rhett felt equal parts excitement and dread. God knows what insane training's coming next.
"First up—Armament Haki! It's the clearest reflection of physical strength! Imagine your fist harder than steel!"
Roger demonstrated by slamming his fist into the deck—
*BOOM!*
A massive hole splintered open.
Rhett's soul left his body: "???????"
"Now you try!"
Grabbing Roger's pant leg, Rhett roared: "Do you know how much repairs cost, you bastard?!"
Grumbling, Rhett conjured mist to kinda cover the hole. Useless, but at least it looked less depressing.
"Relax, we'll get our own ship someday."
"Alright, alright—your turn."
Taking a deep breath, Rhett mimicked Roger's stance, coating his fist in Armament Haki—
*SMACK!*
His hand swelled instantly.
"Agh—OW OW OW!"
Roger cackled. "Not bad! Again!"
Rhett bared shark teeth. "Again?! Don't think I didn't see you Armament-Haki'ing the spot I just punched!"
Roger adjusted his straw hat. "Oops, caught me."
"Keep going 'til you break the deck!"
"Is this Garp's grandson-training method?! Did YOU teach him that, you bastard?!"
Compared to Roger's brute-force approach, Rayleigh's training was more systematic—but no less brutal.
Days passed in this cycle of chaos and discipline.
*CRASH! WHOOSH!*
Under the scorching sun, waves crashed against the shore as Roger stood at the bow, pointing excitedly.
"Oi, Rayleigh! An island! Let's check it out!"
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses calmly. "Captain, we've got supplies. No need to waste time. We're saving for a new ship—no more reckless spending."
"Gahaha! Since when is adventure a waste?!" Roger leaped off the boat. "Might be treasure! Worst case, we bag some fellow pirates for bounties!"
Slumped over the railing, Rhett groaned. "Captain, you said that last time. All we found were bitey crabs. Tasty, but still."
"This time's different!" Roger thumped his chest, then scooped Rhett under his arm. "C'mon! Real adventure awaits! That's what makes it fun, right?!"
Resistance futile, Rhett accepted his fate as they trekked inland.
Roger led the way, cutting through vines with his sword—until he suddenly stopped, sniffing.
"Huh. Smells like roast meat."
Rayleigh frowned. "Who'd be on a deserted island?"
Rhett's Observation Haki flickered—someone was ahead, masking their presence deliberately.
"Let's find out!" Roger charged ahead.
Pushing through bushes, they found a clearing with a campfire, a roasting beast, and a black-haired man lounging beside it—sunglasses on, twin axes at his hips.
He took a bite, utterly unfazed by their arrival.
"Yo. You guys get washed up here too?"
Roger's eyes lit up. "You a pirate? You've got strong vibes—we might get along!"
The man shrugged. "Guess so. Name's Scopper Gaban. Hitched a ride on a merchant ship 'til a storm wrecked it."
Rayleigh studied him sharply. "Your aura's not exactly weak."
Gaban smirked. "Neither's yours. Never seen pirates with a kid, though."
Roger plopped down by the fire, grabbing meat. "I'm Gol D. Roger! This is Rayleigh and Rhett. We're pirates!"
Gaban raised a brow. "Pirates? Just you three? Sea's a dangerous place."
Rhett huffed. "Don't let numbers fool you. We're strong!"
Rhett already knew—this was the future right-hand man of the Pirate King. And damn if Gaban wasn't impressive.
Gaban chuckled. "Kid, how old are you? Four? Five?"
A vein bulged on Rhett's forehead. "I'm the 'Crimson Mist'! Don't you read bounties?!"
Gaban blinked, then laughed. "First time meeting a toddler pirate!"
Roger, mouth full, waved a drumstick. "Gaban, wanna join us?"
Wiping grease off his lips, Gaban's eyes gleamed. "What's your goal?"
Roger stood, pointing skyward. "To be the freest man on the seas!"
A beat of silence—then Gaban roared with laughter. "Hell yeah! Sold!"
Ah, classic shonen logic—no benefits, no retirement plan, just "I believe in your dream." Rhett felt the hype anyway.
Is this the charisma of the Sea's Siren, Gol D. Roger?
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, smirking. "Welcome aboard."
Watching the three toast with booze, Rhett sighed.
Now this… this is what safety feels like.