Six months passed.
Not all at once.
Not cleanly.
They passed in bruises that faded only to be replaced by new ones. In aching muscles and scraped knuckles. In early mornings and restless nights. In failures that left Ryu staring at the ceiling, wondering what oʻ done wrong.
The sea didn't change.
But he did.
Not dramatically. Not in ways anyone would point out at first glance. He didn't grow taller or broader. He didn't move like a warrior. But his steps had become quieter. His breathing steadier. His eyes more aware of things that most people missed.
He trained every day.
Sometimes alone.
Sometimes with Kenji watching from the shade, offering commentary that was rarely helpful and occasionally cruel.
"You're leaning again."
"I know."
"You're thinking too much."
"I know."
"Then sLtop."
"…I'm trying."
There was no structure to it. No routine given to him. No one correcting his stance or telling him where to place his feet.
Just repetitn.
Just effort.
Just stubborn refusal to stay weak.
The old man—Jiro—appeared only twice during those six months.
Once, standing at the edge of the forest as Ryu trained until his arms shook. He said nothing. Only watched. When Ryu noticed him and turned, he was already gone.
The second time, he passed Ryu on the road, paused briefly, and said only:
"You're still rushing."
Then he continued walking.
No explanation.
No lesson.
And somehow, that frustrated Ryu more than silence ever could.
---
The bounty appeared on a gray morning.
It was pinned to the board near the docks, fluttering slightly in the sea breeze. Ryu noticed it immediately—not because of the number, but because of the face.
Young.
Too young.
A man with hollow eyes and a jagged scar across his cheek. His name was printed in bold beneath the image.
--Kale "Blackfin" Marr
Bounty: 3,000,000 Berries
Alive or Dead--
Below it, a brief list of crimes:
– Armed robbery
– Assault
– Destruction of property
– Suspected piracy
Ryu stared at it longer than he should have.
Three million.
Not high.
Not low.
But real.
"This one's close," Kenji said quietly beside him. "Two islands east. Fishing routes."
Ryu nodded.
He felt it again—that tightening in his chest.
Not fear.
Anticipation.
"This is stupid," Kenji muttered. "We're not ready."
Ryu didn't look at him. "We'll never be ready."
Kenji frowned. "That's not comforting."
"It's honest."
They didn't tell anyone they were going.
There was no dramatic farewell. No speech. Just a small boat, basic supplies, and a destination marked by rumor rather than certainty.
The sea was calm when they left.
That made it worse.
---
They found him near dusk.
The village was smaller than Gosa, barely more than a cluster of huts hugging the shoreline. Smoke drifted lazily from cooking fires. Nets lay abandoned near the water.
Too quiet.
Ryu felt it the moment they stepped onto shore.
Something was wrong.
Kenji whispered, "Do you feel that?"
Ryu nodded.
They followed the tension inland, moving slowly, carefully. A broken crate lay near the path. A smear of blood darkened the sand near the treeline.
Then they heard it.
Laughter.
Rough. Uneven.
They crept closer.
The pirate stood in the center of the clearing, sword resting casually on his shoulder. Two villagers knelt nearby, hands raised, faces pale with fear.
Kale "Blackfin" Marr.
He looked smaller than his poster suggested.
That didn't make him less dangerous.
"Thought you could hide it?" Kale sneered, nudging one of the villagers with his boot. "You people are all the same."
Ryu's heart pounded.
This was it.
No Marine backup.
No second chances.
Just them.
He took a step forward.
A branch snapped beneath his foot.
Kale turned instantly.
His eyes locked onto Ryu.
"Well," the pirate said slowly, "that explains the tension."
Kenji moved beside Ryu. "Let them go."
Kale laughed. "You two lost?"
Ryu didn't answer.
He felt the shift before it happened.
The weight change.
The intent.
He moved.
Kale swung.
Ryu barely avoided the blade, heat slicing past his cheek. He stumbled back, heart hammering, mind screaming.
Too fast.
Too strong.
Kenji rushed in, tackling Kale from the side. The pirate staggered but didn't fall. He slammed an elbow into Kenji's ribs, sending him crashing to the dirt.
Ryu felt it again.
That sensation.
Like the air tightening.
He didn't think.
He moved.
His fist connected with Kale's jaw.
It wasn't clean. It wasn't powerful.
But it surprised him.
That was enough.
The fight turned messy.
No technique. No rhythm. Just grit and desperation.
Ryu took a blow to the shoulder that sent pain screaming down his arm. He nearly dropped. Kale laughed, pressing the attack.
"Is that all you've got?"
Ryu staggered back, vision blurring.
Then—
Silence.
Not around him.
Inside him.
The panic fell away.
He felt Kale's next move before it happened.
A shift in stance.
A breath drawn in.
Ryu ducked.
The blade passed overhead.
He stepped forward, drove his shoulder into Kale's chest, and sent him stumbling.
Kenji recovered enough to sweep the pirate's legs.
Kale hit the ground hard.
Ryu didn't hesitate.
He brought his foot down on the man's wrist.
The sword clattered away.
The fight ended there.
Kale lay gasping, staring up at them in disbelief.
Ryu stood over him, chest heaving.
For a moment, he considered it.
The bounty poster said *Alive or Dead*
His hands shook.
Then he exhaled and stepped back.
Kenji tied the pirate's hands with rope, hands trembling slightly.
"You okay?" Kenji asked.
Ryu nodded slowly. "Yeah."
He wasn't sure if it was true.
---
The villagers were silent as they left.
Not grateful.
Not angry.
Just exhausted.
By the time they returned to Gosa, the sun was rising.
The Marine ship arrived later that morning.
The officer looked surprised when he saw the bound pirate.
"Who did this?"
Ryu hesitated
Kenji nudged him.
"We did," Ryu said.
The officer studied him for a long moment.
Then nodded. "You're lucky."
Ryu didn't respond.
The bounty was paid.
Three million berries.
Heavy in his hands.
That night, Ryu sat alone by the shore.
The moon reflected off the water, just as it had months ago.
Only now, it felt different.
Jiro appeared beside him without a sound.
"You fought," the old man said.
Ryu didn't look up. "Barely."
"You hesitated."
"Yes."
"You adapted."
Ryu swallowed. "I was scared."
Jiro nodded. "Good."
Ryu finally looked at him. "You knew this would happen."
Jiro smiled faintly. "I hoped."
Ryu frowned. "What now?"
Jiro stood, resting his staff against his shoulder.
"Now," he said, "you learn why strength without understanding gets people killed."
He turned and walked away.
Ryu watched him go.
For the first time, he didn't feel lost.
Just… aware of how far he still had to go.
---