At The Peak of One Piece

Victor arrived at Rebecca's house but didn't see either of them. Only a young, unfamiliar woman was cleaning. Startled by the tall figure entering, she dropped her broom. Victor awkwardly rubbed his nose. Two months of high life-essence food had made him grow significantly taller; he now stood at 2.2 meters(7.2f) and had to duck through the doorway. He guessed this woman was likely arranged by the mayor to care for Grandma Maria.

"You must be Victor! I'm Toya. I've seen you before. It's good you're back; they've missed you terribly," Toya said, recovering from her shock and recognizing him.

"Toya, hello! Thank you for taking care of Grandma Maria," Victor greeted gratefully. "Do you know where Grandma and Rebecca are?"

"Please, don't mention it. The mayor pays me to look after Grandma. Besides, you and Rebecca are the island's heroes. Helping a hero's family is an honor," Toya replied with a warm smile.

"Rebecca is practicing her swordsmanship in the forest. Grandma is watering the vegetables in the garden."

"Got it. Thanks. I'll go see them," Victor said, waving as he left.

Victor knew the garden's location. Grandma Maria, with little else to occupy her time, loved tending her vegetables. She'd often work there while Victor and Rebecca trained in the forest.

Arriving at the garden's edge, Victor saw Grandma Maria. A small bucket sat by her feet as she scooped water with a wooden ladle.

'Her back is even more stooped now,' Victor thought, watching her silhouette. 'She looks so much older. How much longer can she hold on? Rebecca would be heartbroken if... I need to leave more of that high life-essence meat behind when I go. It might help.'

"Whose grandma is this, working so hard at her age?" Victor called out, his voice teasing but warm. "Shouldn't you be resting? Worrying your grandkids like this!"

Hearing a voice, Grandma Maria turned. She froze, seeing the familiar, smiling figure walking towards her.

"Victor! You're back!" Tears welled in her eyes, yet a smile spread across her face. As Victor drew near, she playfully thumped his arm twice. "You rascal! Staying away so long without visiting your grandma!"

"Heh, Grandma, I'm here now," Victor grinned, catching her frail hand gently. "And I brought you some delicious things."

"Just being back is enough. Rebecca has missed you terribly these past months. I know she wanted to go find you... but this old woman held her back. She wouldn't leave me. Such a good girl... I'm entrusting her to you now, Victor."

"Don't worry, Grandma. You didn't even need to ask. She's my sister," Victor said firmly, his voice softening. "I'll always look out for her."

Victor finished watering the garden for Grandma Maria and carefully carried her home on his back. Back at the house, Rebecca hadn't returned yet; only Toya was preparing lunch.

"Grandma, does Rebecca usually come back for lunch?" Victor asked softly.

"Usually not. Only if it rains," Grandma Maria replied with a kind smile.

"Then I'll go fetch her for lunch."

"Go on. It's been so long since you've seen each other. It will be good for us all to be together."

Victor stepped outside and immediately launched himself into the air with Geppo. His speed now was incredible. In no time, he reached the forest's edge.

Not seeing Rebecca immediately, Victor guessed she might be hunting deeper inside. He stretched out his Observation Haki but couldn't sense her – its range wasn't far enough yet.

Soaring higher with Geppo, Victor flew towards the forest center, continuously scanning with Observation Haki. Soon, Rebecca appeared at the very edge of his perception. He shot towards her location in a straight aerial path.

When Victor arrived, Rebecca was locked in combat with a giant boar. Hearing the sonic boom of his approach, she disengaged and looked towards the sound. Her eyes widened as she saw a tall, lean figure striding through the air towards her. Dressed in black, a cloak billowing behind him, a sword at his waist, and a familiar face – it was Victor.

When Rebecca saw Victor descending from the sky, she thought it was an illusion—rubbing her eyes in disbelief. But when she looked again, he was still there. 

"Look out!" 

Dazed by his sudden appearance, Rebecca forgot she was mid-battle. The giant elephant charged, its tusks aimed straight for her. 

In a flash, Victor vanished from the air with "Soru" and reappeared in front of her. Yubashiri left its sheath— 

Swish! 

The twin tusks split cleanly, the blade's momentum carrying through to sever the elephant's head. 

Click. 

As the sword returned to its scabbard, the massive corpse thudded to the ground. Rebecca barely processed it—Victor's speed was so absurd that the echo of his warning still lingered in her ears. 

"Victor! You're back! You came back for me!" She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his waist, her face alight with joy. 

Four months was the longest he'd ever been gone. Training alone had left her lonelier than she'd admit—even with Grandma around, something always felt missing. 

Victor pried her off, turned around, and ruffled her hair with a grin. "You've grown taller, Rebecca. Been behaving for Grandma?" 

At barely 14, she was still a kid—though four years of meditation under Victor's training had sharpened her mind far beyond her years. 

"Stop patting my head! I'm not a child anymore!" She bared her little fangs, putting on her fiercest pout. 

(Admittedly, the act fell flat. At 170 cm, she looked grown-up from behind—but from the front? "Hills so small a bicycle could climb them without effort," as Victor privately teased. Her waist lacked curves, yet she insisted on playing adult. It was almost cute.) 

"Alright, alright. Rebecca's all grown up." 

"Victor, you've gotten taller too! And—were you flying just now?! Teach me!" She sheathed her sword and clung to his arm, swinging it like a pendulum. 

"I've got plenty to teach you, but not now. Let's head back—Grandma and Toya are waiting." 

With that, he hoisted the elephant carcass onto his shoulders. 

"Why bother carrying that? Let's just go!" Rebecca huffed. 

"Waste not. We'll keep some and share the rest with the neighbors. Old Man Ba's coming for dinner—this'll be the main course." 

"Race you home! I'll take the aerial route with this guy. You run. Let's see who's faster." 

"You're on!" She stuck out her tongue, childish pride overriding her desire to hitch a skyride. 

Without another word, Victor kicked off the air, hauling his prize effortlessly. Rebecca sprinted below, giving it her all. 

Even burdened, Victor could've left her in the dust—but he held back. No need to crush her spirit. 

As she watched him stride through the sky, Rebecca burned with envy. Humans' yearning for the skies was primal. Victor had never mentioned the Six Powers before—she'd learn them eventually at Marine HQ. 

Right now, her body wasn't ready. At her age, forcing such training would damage her foundation. Unlike Victor's monstrous physique, her talent lay in swordsmanship. So he'd focus her on steel-cutting and Observation Haki, leaving the rest for later. 

Some lessons could wait.