One Piece: The Saiyan Pirate

CHAPTER 34: TRAINING CONCLUSION

The early morning sun stretched lazily across the Conomi Islands, its warm rays flickering across the surface of the water. The Going Merry rocked gently in the harbor, nestled against the serene backdrop of the island's lush greenery. The previous night's excitement had long since faded, and now, Goku stood at the helm of the ship, gazing out into the horizon, gathering his thoughts.

One by one, the crew emerged onto the deck, yawning and stretching as the sunlight began to touch their skin. Zoro, as usual, was already up and doing his morning sword routines, while Sanji had his cigarette lit, casting lazy smoke rings into the sky. Usopp shuffled out, rubbing his eyes as he slung his tools over his shoulder, ready for the day. Gin leaned against the railing, watching the crew with silent intensity.

Nami appeared last, her steps light as she joined Goku at the front of the ship. Her cheeks were flushed, and her smile seemed brighter than usual. The crew didn't need an explanation, but Goku knew it was time to make things official.

"Gather up, everyone!" Goku called, his voice steady and commanding. Zoro paused his training, and Sanji straightened from where he stood, flicking the cigarette away. The rest of the crew came forward, circling around their captain, curious to hear what he had to say.

Goku cleared his throat. "I've got an announcement," he began. He glanced over at Nami and then continued, "Nami has officially joined us as our navigator. She's part of the crew, but she's also now my woman." There was a warmth in his voice as he spoke, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder.

There was a brief silence, followed by a wide grin from Usopp. "Wow, Captain! That's huge news! Congrats, Nami!" he cheered, earning nods and smiles from the others.

Zoro gave a single nod, his arms crossed. "Makes sense to me," he said coolly, his approval brief but genuine. Sanji, despite his usual fiery attitude toward anyone making a move on Nami, simply sighed in resignation. "Fine, fine... but if you screw this up, Goku, I'll be coming for you," he said, though his tone was playful.

Gin offered a rare grin. "It's about time," he commented, his rough demeanor hiding the respect he had for the decision.

Goku smiled at the reactions but quickly turned the conversation to business. "Remember, we've still got work to do. Two weeks of training—one week down, one more to go before we move on."

---

The first week had been grueling. Under Goku's direction, the crew underwent physical training every day. From sunrise to sunset, they pushed their bodies to their limits, testing their endurance and strength on the shores of the Conomi Islands.

Zoro's relentless swordsmanship exercises saw him slashing through trees and boulders as if they were nothing, his muscles tightening as he honed his skills. Sanji practiced his kicks against the rocks, each strike sending cracks through the earth. Even Usopp, usually more focused on tactics and marksmanship, threw himself into the physical regimen, running long distances and engaging in hand-to-hand sparring with Gin. Gin, who was no stranger to physical exertion, relished the intensity of the training, seeing it as an opportunity to sharpen his skills.

Every evening, as the sun set, the crew would collapse onto the ship's deck, sore but satisfied with their progress. Nami, though given an extra day of rest after her encounter with Aokiji, joined them on the second day. She participated in the training with the same determination, refusing to fall behind. Her natural athleticism and strong will made her a quick learner, and by the end of the week, she was keeping up with the others, her eyes filled with renewed purpose.

---

As the first week of training came to a close, Johnny and Yosaku approached Goku on the Going Merry. They had been silent observers during the week, occasionally offering support or joining in on lighter training exercises, but now they stood side by side, their expressions determined.

"Captain Goku," Johnny began, scratching the back of his head awkwardly, "we've been thinking…"

Yosaku nodded in agreement, stepping forward. "Yeah, it's time for us to head back to our bounty hunting duties. We've learned a lot from you and the crew, but there are bounties waiting for us out there."

The crew had grown accustomed to Johnny and Yosaku's presence, and their departure was met with mixed feelings. Usopp looked disappointed, having formed a bond with the two bounty hunters, while Zoro gave them a nod of approval, understanding the call of the road.

Goku stepped forward, extending a hand to each of them. "You guys have been great to have around," he said sincerely. "But I get it. There's work to be done out there. Don't forget—you'll always have a place here with us."

Johnny and Yosaku grinned broadly, clearly touched by the sentiment. They shook hands with the rest of the crew, saying their goodbyes. Zoro gave them a casual salute, while Sanji offered a few kind words, and Usopp waved energetically, shouting, "Don't let the bounties get the better of you!"

The two bounty hunters laughed and waved back, before boarding their tiny boat, which rocked gently beside the Going Merry. With one last wave, they pushed off, sailing into the horizon as the crew watched them go.

"Safe travels, you two!" Goku called out from the deck, his voice carrying over the water. The others joined in, their voices echoing across the harbor as the small boat drifted further away.

As the sun began to dip beneath the horizon, the Going Merry fell into a peaceful silence once more. Goku stood by Nami, watching the boat disappear from sight, his hand resting on the hilt of his staff. There was still one more week of training ahead, but for now, they could enjoy the quiet moment, knowing that they were stronger as a crew and ready for whatever challenges awaited them on the Grand Line.

---

The dawn broke softly over the Conomi Islands, the warm morning sun rising slowly into the sky, casting its golden glow over the Going Merry. The crew gathered on deck as the soft sound of waves lapping against the hull echoed in the background. They had spent the past week pushing their bodies to the limit, training relentlessly under Goku's guidance, but this morning felt different. There was a palpable sense of anticipation as Goku stood before them, ready to take their training to the next level.

"Alright, everyone," Goku began, his tone serious but calm. "You've all done great with the physical training, but today we're going to step things up. There's something I need to teach you—something that will change the way you fight, and the way you live."

The crew looked at him curiously, their faces marked with exhaustion but also intrigue. Zoro stood with his arms crossed, his swords at his side, while Sanji leaned against the railing, cigarette dangling lazily from his lips. Usopp stood between them, fidgeting with his slingshot, and Nami, still showing signs of recovery from her ordeal with Aokiji, watched closely from the helm. Gin, ever silent, observed with intensity.

Goku turned away from the crew and directed their attention toward a large cliff that jutted out from the nearby shoreline. He raised his hand, focusing his energy. A faint blue glow appeared in his palm, and the air around him seemed to shimmer with an invisible force.

"This... is called Ki," Goku explained, his voice steady. "It's the energy that exists in every living thing. It's what fuels your strength, your willpower, your very life."

With a quick thrust of his hand, Goku launched the ball of energy toward the cliff. It streaked through the air like a bolt of lightning, striking the cliffside with an explosive force. Rocks crumbled and fell into the sea as the entire side of the cliff collapsed, sending a massive plume of dust and debris into the air.

The crew stood frozen, eyes wide with disbelief. Zoro's jaw clenched as he watched the destruction unfold. Usopp's hands trembled as he tried to process what he had just witnessed, while Sanji's cigarette fell from his mouth, bouncing off the deck.

"What... the hell?" Sanji muttered, completely stunned.

"That's... that's impossible," Usopp stammered, his voice barely a whisper.

Goku turned back to the crew, his expression calm but serious. "I know it seems unbelievable, but what you just saw is real. It's the power of Ki—and it's not something only I can use. You all have it inside of you too."

Zoro raised an eyebrow, skepticism clear on his face. "You're saying we can do that? Blow up cliffs?"

Goku nodded. "In time, yes. But Ki isn't just about destruction. It's about enhancing your body and mind—making you faster, stronger, more durable. Everything I've done up until now—the way I fight, my strength—it all comes from learning to control my Ki."

The crew remained silent, still processing what they had seen. Goku could sense their doubt and reluctance, so he decided to show them something else—something that would ignite their excitement.

"There's more to it than just blasting things," Goku said with a grin. He crouched slightly and, in the blink of an eye, lifted off the deck of the ship, soaring straight up into the air. His body hovered effortlessly above the Going Merry, the wind rushing around him as he floated high above the crew.

The reaction was immediate.

"What the—?!" Usopp shouted, pointing up at Goku, his eyes wide with amazement. "He's... he's flying!"

Sanji's eyes followed Goku, disbelief written all over his face. "You've gotta be kidding me," he muttered, though there was a glint of excitement behind his usual calm.

Even Zoro, who rarely let his emotions show, couldn't hide his intrigue. He stood with his arms crossed, watching Goku with a newfound curiosity. Nami's eyes widened in shock, but beneath her surprise, there was a flicker of determination.

Goku hovered for a moment longer before gently descending back onto the deck, landing gracefully in front of his crew. He could feel the energy in the air shift—their skepticism giving way to excitement and interest.

"This is the potential of Ki," Goku explained, his voice firm but encouraging. "It's not just about fighting—it can do so much more. And if you're willing to learn, I can teach you."

Usopp was the first to speak, his excitement bubbling over. "You mean... we can fly too?!"

Goku chuckled. "Eventually, yes. But before we get to that, you need to learn how to sense your Ki—how to feel the energy inside you. It's there, but you've never focused on it. That's what we're going to work on this week."

---

The next few days were a frustrating experience for most of the crew. Goku had instructed them to sit in meditation, close their eyes, and focus on their breathing, trying to feel the flow of energy inside their bodies. But despite their efforts, progress was slow.

Zoro, who had the most discipline, struggled to even sense a flicker of Ki, despite hours of meditation. His frustration grew with each passing day, his brows constantly furrowed as he fought to focus. He clenched his fists tightly, trying to feel the energy Goku described, but every time it eluded him like a wisp of smoke slipping through his fingers.

"It's like trying to grab something that's not there," Zoro muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with irritation. "I've trained for years, pushed my body to the limit, but this…"

Nearby, Sanji wasn't faring much better. The cook, though agile and powerful in his own right, found it difficult to stay still long enough to sense anything. His patience, usually only tested when dealing with Zoro, was wearing thin.

"Damn it, I don't get it either," Sanji grumbled, his usual calm replaced by annoyance. "This whole Ki thing… it feels like I'm chasing a shadow."

Usopp, ever the pessimist when it came to his own abilities, was at the brink of giving up altogether. "We're not monks! This is impossible," he groaned, flopping onto his back. "There's no way I'm gonna blow up anything, let alone fly."

Nami was more measured in her frustration, though she too found the task difficult. Despite her sharp mind and tactical thinking, feeling the energy inside her body was like trying to listen to a whisper in a storm. "I can sense something, but I can't control it," she said, furrowing her brow as she closed her eyes again, focusing intently.

---

The crew's doubts persisted until the third day. That was when everything changed.

They were all seated on the deck of the Going Merry, as usual, concentrating in their individual spaces. The gentle sound of the waves and the occasional caw of seagulls were the only sounds around them. Goku stood nearby, observing them patiently, waiting for a breakthrough.

Suddenly, Usopp, of all people, let out a surprised gasp. His hands trembled as he looked down at his palm, his eyes wide with astonishment. A tiny flicker of energy—no bigger than a marble—danced in his hand. It was weak and unstable, but it was unmistakably Ki.

"I-I did it! I actually did it!" Usopp shouted, leaping to his feet in excitement. He held up the small ball of energy for everyone to see, his face beaming with pride. "Look! Look! I made a Ki blast!"

The rest of the crew turned to him, their eyes wide with disbelief. Usopp—the least likely among them to succeed—had been the first to manifest Ki. Even Zoro couldn't hide his surprise as he stared at the small ball of energy flickering in Usopp's hand.

"Well, I'll be damned," Zoro muttered, shaking his head.

Sanji, equally stunned, stared at Usopp with a mixture of disbelief and begrudging respect. "The long-nosed idiot actually did it."

Encouraged by Usopp's success, Nami redoubled her efforts, focusing harder than before. Not long after, she too managed to gather a small ball of Ki in her hand. It was faint and flickered weakly, but it was there. She smiled, her frustration melting away as she held the tiny energy orb.

"We did it, Usopp," Nami said with a proud grin, exchanging a glance with the sharpshooter. The two of them shared a triumphant moment as Zoro and Sanji watched, clearly impressed despite themselves.

The next few days saw the rest of the crew slowly making progress. By the fifth day, Zoro, Sanji, and Gin had all managed to sense their Ki, though their control over it was still shaky. Zoro, true to his nature, pushed himself harder than anyone, refusing to let Usopp and Nami's success overshadow his own efforts.

Zoro's first successful Ki blast, though small, came with a fierce sense of satisfaction. "Took long enough," he muttered, though a small grin tugged at the corners of his lips. Sanji followed shortly after, manifesting his own energy in a display of concentrated effort.

But it was Usopp and Nami who took every opportunity to tease the others.

"Looks like the big tough guys had a hard time, huh?" Usopp said, puffing out his chest with mock bravado. "I mean, come on, if I can do it, you guys should've figured it out on day one!"

Nami joined in, her laughter light and teasing. "Yeah, maybe we should give you some pointers," she said, nudging Zoro playfully. Zoro responded with a smirk, not taking the bait, while Sanji glared daggers at Usopp.

---

By the seventh day, the crew had grown more accustomed to their Ki. The earlier frustration gave way to a sense of accomplishment as they learned to feel the energy more naturally. Although none of them were yet able to replicate the power Goku demonstrated with his blast or his ability to fly, they could at least sense and gather their Ki with some control.

Goku stood before them on the final day of training, his arms crossed and a satisfied smile on his face. "You've all done well," he said, his tone full of pride. "I didn't expect you to progress this quickly. You've made huge strides in just one week."

The crew stood before him, tired but proud of what they had achieved. Zoro and Sanji, though normally rivals, shared a mutual respect for the difficulty of the training. Nami and Usopp, still reveling in their early success, couldn't help but smile. Gin, ever the quiet observer, stood tall, his eyes reflecting his growing confidence.

"Tomorrow," Goku continued, "we set sail for Logue Town. But remember—this is just the beginning. You've all learned to sense your Ki, but there's a lot more to mastering it. As we continue our journey, I'll teach you more."

The crew, though exhausted from two weeks of intense training, smiled back at him. The promise of new challenges and the potential for greater power filled them with excitement. They were ready to move forward, stronger and more united than ever.

---

Meanwhile, on a distant island in the East Blue, a lone figure disembarked from a ship. His heavy boots thudded against the wooden dock as he stepped onto solid ground, a sly grin spreading across his face. He wore a long, tattered coat, and bells jingled softly from his outfit with each step. Though his face remained shadowed by the wide brim of his hat, his grin was unmistakably sinister.

As he walked inland, his eyes gleamed with mischief and revenge. "It's about time I got my sweet revenge," the mysterious figure muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with venom.

The man's identity remained hidden for now, but his presence alone signaled that something dark was brewing in the East Blue.

And the Going Merry would soon find itself caught in the storm.

[A/N: Read 20 chapters ahead available on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]