Stepping Stones: The Frog Makes a Frienemy (Senshi)

[Happy Cappy]

Winchester, which first had looked like an emerald jewel in the midst of the ocean, with an imposing naval base at war with equally impressive pirate crews, was now stained in the eyes of the slightly-less-bright-eyed aspiring adventurer. She'd slipped away from the simple supply ship she'd been cooking for in order to find a respectable crew, and she had been assaulted by bandits en route to her destination. They hadn't exactly expected a devil fruit power, so she thought she might have been able to escape them, but she felt grateful nonetheless to the mink bounty hunter who'd overpowered them. It was not that obstacle to her goals which stained the island for her, however, but achieving the step toward them.

When she'd left the barber's company, she had completed her journey. Bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and fueled by nervous exhilaration, she'd gone into the midst of pirates at the bar. In the streets, she could blend in with the crowd with her hood pulled over her face, simply a passer-by in the midst of the bar. In closed quarters within the major hub of activity – the tavern, of course – she'd drawn some rather unsettling attention as quickly as she'd lowered her hood. She hadn't quite noticed that the female demographic was under-represented, and by quite a lot. She'd gotten a couple of offers she had to refuse, then a fight had broken out over whose trophy she would be. That had humiliated her until she'd inadvertently puffed up like a bull frog and send a blast of air through one of the rafters, which split in half sent a broken board swinging into the back of the head of a third man who was built like a wall. She imagined the gathered crowd was probably still beating each other's asses as a collective when she'd reached the naval base again.

She'd made her way to a small “park” which was simply an unpaved grove left in the midst of the streets to serve as a respite area. The moonlight had provided her plenty of pale, almost ethereal light, and she found herself sitting in a jagged circle of it between a couple of the trees.

The streets had been deserted except for the guard details passing through, and she'd evaded detection. She might have been breaking a curfew. She wasn't entirely sure, but she had wanted to be alone for a while to deal with some of her grief over Winchester truly putting her no closer to her dream.

She had her mother's sword sheathed in the leather scabbard she'd left – a weapon that she barely knew the use of beyond which end to hold. Looking down at her plain white cotton shirt, brown trousers, and dusty boots, she realized she looked like a commoner. She looked like a peasant in the midst of criminals. Or seemingly worse: a wench to be passed like sharing a tankard. She could feel her face redden with humiliation just thinking about the nerve of what that pirate whispered in her ear, the familiar lead of tension in her chest... then rapid ballooning in her diaphragm.

Oh no...

Her head snapped back when her throat exploded outward, air rushing into her throat until she felt she would burst open. She couldn't even lower her head at that point, and so released it into a blast that cracked a branch as thick as her arm off of the tree above her, and she rolled out of the way just in time to avoid getting cracked on the head by it.

The branch was an excellent metaphor for her day. If she couldn't control her own emotions, how was she ever going to get where she wanted to be? Not for the first time, she wished she could be as stone-faced and seemingly impervious to brushing as the marines marching rank-and-file through the city.

[Dandead10]

Winchester. Recently having dealt with a pirate crew that had inhabited the area, she was finally taking a break day. She still wore her Ensign uniform consisting of her Justice Coat which, her white and navy blue shirt and long pants. It was an extremely...boring day as Winchester did not have anything that interested her. She was not 21 so she did not drink, she did not gamble, and most certainly didn't smoke. Therefore, she walked through the street completely unarmed also by the looks of it. She feared not of being robbed or of confrontation seeing she was more than capable of taking care of herself. She was a warrior of justice, although she seriously has been questioning what the world government defines as that. Senshi was a redheaded young lady at the age of seventeen. Her hair was long and wavy to around midback length and smelled of strawberries. Her eyes were a sparkling cerulean blue. Also...her face was attractive for sure with no flaws in her complexion and smooth silky skin. As for what she looked like under her clothes, that was only up for the lewd of mind to interpret as some of the drunks of this island had. 

The island was beautiful if not for the heavy presence of crime. Taking in the sights, she saw a small unpaved plot of nature among the endless streets of the land. Several guards greeted the officer before walking past on their patrols, and Senshi wondered at this moment what she could do that was actually fun on this island. The marine was dedicated to her work and lived for little else other than exploring the land and withholding the peace. It was quiet and peaceful by the looks of it, so her job was obviously well kept. Well, it was until suddenly a gigantic croak had filled the air to draw her attention. She immediately covered her ears, but then heard another sound as soon as the first had ended. A large branch was falling towards a woman who quickly rolled in an attempt to avoid it's grasp. Senshi wasn't the kind of woman who liked taking risks very much. "Soru!" Vanishing in a blur of intense speed, she took place of where the commoner woman was standing right before. "Brick Break!" With a single strong kick from her right leg, the wood shattered to pieces. Senshi then lowered her limb before turning to the woman with a light smile.

"Are you alright miss?" Odayakama Senshi seemed friendly enough, but yet had a thought in her mind...a suspicion. She wondered if this woman in front of her had also eaten one of the devils fruits to produce such a sound. She had met a few of these fruit eaters in her time and she herself was one of them. Looking the woman up and down, she saw the weapon in her position. It was a sword...not just a sword, a katana. Senshi kicked her left foot back and forth brushing away wood splinters away from her shined boots. Awaiting a response, Senshi suddenly felt extremely interested in this figure. The marine officer was compelled to introduce herself. "I am Ensign Odayakama Senshi, but feel free to address me by my first name. May I ask for yours? If I may also ask. Have you eaten a Devil Fruit? I am not meaning to impede, but I am just highly interested on which one it is. I too ate one." If that was the case, perhaps she had found something interesting to do for the day. Senshi just wondered who this woman was and was wondering if there was potential. She had a habit of training with all of the devil fruit eats she meets, and so perhaps if this woman was a bounty hunter or a sort of combatant, she would be interested in...how to say gaining experience with her.

[Happy Cappy]

Bethany heard the branch break into fragments and felt some flecks of wood bounce harmlessly from her skin. Her emerald eyes were wide and she felt a rigidness in her spine until the woman's voice spoke, Are you alright, miss? She exhaled deeply, realizing in that moment she'd held her breath. She was glad it was a woman's voice. She felt rather nervous at the prospect of speaking to a male in that moment, and probably would for the next couple of days.

”Yes... Yes, I'm fine.” She said breathily, almost in a sigh of relief, and turned to face the woman, then bowed her head low with her palms pressed into the grass. ”Thank you, - Senshi.” she added the woman's name after short pause, her mind belatedly registering that the woman had given her permission to do so.

She pushed up from the ground and rose to stand as the woman asked her, If I may also ask. Have you eaten a Devil Fruit? She froze a bit, that same rigidity returning to her back, as if she'd been caught at something. She felt exposed, suddenly very aware of her limbs and uncertain whether her body language was betraying her uncertainty as the woman continued speaking. Bethany's attention skimmed over her words until the phrase I too ate one stood out at the end. It was that kinship, and the kinship of their common sex, that set her more at ease.

”Yes... I ate the gulp-gulp fruit a few years ago. I still have a lot of issues controlling it,” she admitted, and averted her gaze a little ashamedly before making eye contact again. The woman before her wasn't approaching with an intimidating and commanding demeanor. Her face and manner seemed very open, inviting trust and comfort, both of which Bethany found herself giving over to this Ensign Odayakama. In truth, Bethany didn't know the ranks of the marines, and had never had reason to, but the woman seemed nice enough. She wasn't staring straight ahead or mustering an imposing presence and glaring her down, at the very least, both of which felt like marine nature. She had also splintered a thick branch on Bethany's behalf and for her protection, which implied that she meant no harm.

”What fruit did you eat?” She added, as if it were a simple polite normalcy in conversation. The woman looked so friendly and unimposing that she couldn't imagine what hidden power she held.

[Dandead10]

The woman stated that she was fine, and so Senshi sighed contently. When the woman had bowed her head to the ground with her palms on the grass, the marine officer was a little more than surprised at the gesture. "No need to bow to me. One should never bow to another other than Kami himself." The plain, likely poverty stricken woman in front of her seemed nervous when the redhead began her inquiries. It was somewhat suspicious almost as if the person in front of her had done something wrong. Was she a wanted criminal seeking to escape? Or was this just a humble person who was a bit scared to be afraid of meeting a marine officer of a high rank? Regardless, Senshi had remained polite about the whole situation as it rewarded her with an answer. The gulp gulp fruit? Based on the name alone, Senshi had imagined a general description of what her fruit did. Using her analytical mind, she assumed the sound she heard just then was a rapid swallowing of air before releasing it into a giant croak and expulsion. Apparently it had been eaten a few years ago but yet was not delved deeply into. That immediately threw aside the thought that this woman was a combatant. More likely she had eaten it by accident, but then why have the sword? Now many theories were going through her mind.

The marine took notice of everything that was being spoken. She never mentioned her name, so perhaps she should have mentioned that. Before she would ask though, it seemed she was asked yet another question. "My fruit? Nama Nama no Mi (Lead Lead Fruit). I turned into a lead human who is capable of creating and controlling lead. Although I've only had it for a short amount of time and have already learned how to use this power to greater extents." Clenching her left hand, she formed a lead katana standing at around three feet tall. It was not intricate in design, but this was only because Senshi did not will it to be. Observing her new found friend closer, she wanted to analyze more details. "Excuse me, but I was wondering what your name was. Also...I am curious on that sword of yours. Any idea on how to use it? If not, I'd like to make you an offer. I will offer you training in the sword and combat if in exchange you join the marine corps. What do you say? It seemed the figure in front of her was a bit calmer knowing that Senshi had no ill intention, but just to ensure that the Gulp Gulp woman was doubting marine's prowess in the blade, she would provide an example.

Taking three steps to the tree, Senshi swiftly slashed seemingly only once before lowering the sword. The tree groaned before it began to fall as several small circular pieces from the top to the bottom. The guards who had arrived at the scene widened their eyes, gawking before one yelled out angrily. "HEY! YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT!" Whoops. It seemed that she made a small mistake. She chuckled nervously before reaching into her wallet and the guard approached her. Next time she should be a little bit more aware. The lead blade had turned into liquid before absorbing into her palm. "Sorry about that. Hopefully this should cover the costs." Handing over a good sum of bills, the embarrassed teenager turned back to her companion. They would have to go into the wilderness if Bethany was interested in the offer, but of course that was where many cutthroats and vagabonds hide from the law. "Next time I'm gonna report you! E-Ergh...uhh have a nice day." Thus the guard ran away in fear hoping he did not anger the young woman.

[Happy Cappy]

When the woman spoke of bowing to none but Kami himself, Bethany nodded slightly in response. It seemed she had some cultural differences in gestures of gratitude, but that was good to know and to be expected. She was a long way from home, and home was rather cut off from the world.

She listened in awe as the woman described her power, her eyes growing wide as she marveled at the katana which grew from the woman's expectant hand. It was only when the woman repeated her question that she realized she'd forgotten to answer her name.

”Abigail,” she lied, but she did so with a swiftness that surprised her at how easily it came up. She didn't want to give her true name to a marine simply because she had family to look to. She didn't want them involved or connected with the life she intended to lead lest she put them in danger. ”Abigail Gunn.” That name came easily to her, and a slight warm smile with it.

It was her mother's name, a woman she'd never known.

”I thought I should wear a sword for protection. I honestly don't know how to use or care for it.” She returned to truth swiftly as she answered. The offer that followed made her breath catch a little and her heart pound.

Sword training? What a difference that could make. Suddenly, Winchester didn't seem so grey anymore. If she could learn a combat skill, that would be the foundation on which she'd build her life of adventure. A swell of guilt rose in her, though. She knew she couldn't be a marine and pursue her dream.

”I would love that very much. Thank you, Senshi!” she cried enthusiastically, her face bright and her smile broad. The guilt dissipated in the light of her dream.

When Senshi slashed the tree, Bethany understandably watched with captivation. The day would come when she would betray Senshi's trust, and she knew it. And on that day, this fearsome power belonging to the marine would be turned toward her. Even so... she felt she was bound by fate to accept.

She was called from her reverie by a guard who incredulously demanded payment for the damage to the park, and was amazed by the sheepishness by which Senshi responded. A woman so powerful, who just as easily shifted into such an easy-going nature... Senshi was different. Perhaps all of the marines had more of a human side and only morphed into their hard facades at the call of duty.

”You're so amazing!” Bethany breathed when the exchanged was over and the guards had left (lest she offend them for her compliment over the property damage). ”You seem to control it so much better... I wish I could be stoic like a marine, then my emotions wouldn't get in my way.” Her cheeks pinkened a little with the vulnerable nature of her admission.

[Dandead10]

The sun was sinking over the horizon and so Senshi was of course a bit concerned on a why Abigail was out here alone. The thought that the woman was homeless crossed her mind and immediately she felt worried for her. "Well it is nice knowing you Abigail. It's alright that you don't know how to use your blade because I will teach you. Although I would like to say that having a blade that you don't know how to use is essentially the same as being unarmed. I'm sure you're rather tired at the moment and it's getting dark. Why don't you come with me to my hotel room? Or do you have a place to stay? I could also get us something warm to eat." Abigail seemed overly impressed by Senshi's power but also the ability to control her emotions. Depending on her answer, Senshi had walked with the liar to her hotel. That night, she would order them a meal of spaghetti and garlic bread for each of them and ordered another mattress for her to sleep on. "Enjoy the meal. I'm thinking tomorrow morning we head out into the wilderness to teach you a bit about how swords work. I'll be asking for an extended leave of break. After all, I just came back from fighting in a war. I'm sure they'll let me know if they truly need me again." She smiled brightly to Abigail before eating her food with vigor. She had no problem helping this woman out with some skills, and to be honest even if she didn't want to join the marines that wouldn't be a problem. 

Senshi just was so bored while on leave and could use something to do. Besides, teaching someone was rather appealing in Senshi's eyes. After they would eat, Senshi was actually pretty tired and so she laid on her mattress. "Say...tomorrow I'm going to buy yourself a new wardrobe as well. Those clothes look like as if they are falling apart." Unless there was any dialogue she wanted to ask, Senshi would sleep peacefully that night with little on her mind whatsoever. The next day after both her and "Abigail" awoke to a fresh new morning full of potential. Seeing they were both women, Senshi had no problems with stripping and switching to a new and freshly clean marine uniform before eating with her. "So. Let's head out to the local clothes store and see if there is anything you'd like to wear. Choose something that won't be unconventional to fighting and running, but yet stylish." The lead marine winked before guiding her charge and soon to be student to a local clothes store.

Inside were a variety of clothing styles from dresses, skirts, jeans, blouses, etc. "Go ahead and look for whatever you'd like to wear. I'll buy you a few outfits and use the changing room in the back. I'll judge how good you look. I need to think of a training regimen real quick for you seeing we need to get a lot done today." Senshi realized that with no sword experience, teaching Abigail would be a challenge. Another question was if she was even really fit at all. The best way to start would be teaching her the importance of footstance, posture, and then a lot of repetitive kata and such. Afterwards, they could practice getting her physically fit before doing some spars. As for combat in general, that could only come with experience. Perhaps Senshi could organize something for them to do together to get them that experience. Bandits and thugs were common in the area so maybe if they were fortunate they could run into a few of those. She saw a lot of potential in the woman she saw but knew it would take a lot of work. How much time could she spare she wondered? Possibly a month at best before she would be relocated and sent back into service. Using a rational mind, that meant that for what Senshi planned she was going to divide her training into one segment per week for four weeks. Afterwards, the last two days would be spent on sparring with Abigail to get her some experience. 

Then again, Senshi was always pretty lucky. Maybe she would be able to stay on Winchester longer on the guise of dealing with the heavy crime in the area and continue her lessons. Whatever the case. The woman known as Abigail seemed shy, and a bit overly humble if Senshi were to say so herself. Perhaps after some training her personality would change so that she could be a little bit more determined about herself. In her time thinking, this would give the change for Abigail to explore and get dressed here and there. 

SPOILER: Click to show

Cap gave me permission to do the timeskip and do some minor character controlling. Anywho. Continuing the plot. There will be more timeskips but the training moments that are very important will be used for the plot.

[Happy Cappy]

...I would like to say, having a blade you don't know how to use is essentially the same as being unarmed...

“Abigail” nodded in agreement. Senshi spoke the truth, and she was acutely aware of it. In truth, she didn't know the slightest thing about caring for the blade. She imagined it needed sharpened, but she hadn't touched it out of fear of ruining it with her fumbling somehow. She sorely needed a mentor, and she'd daydreamed of finding it among a group of pirates, but this felt fate-sent. Her eyes widened slightly when Senshi offered to share her room with her.

”I would appreciate that,” she answered honestly, dropping her head slightly and sending her long, raven hair to hang on either side of her face like a curtain. It felt like a sin to eventually betray the trust of someone so kind to her, but she would accept the karma it brought her way. The universe would punish her for that alone, so she would honor Senshi in every way until that moment to balance out what she would later do.

She walked alongside Senshi to her room, listening to the woman speak about the base almost in the manner of a tour guide, and asking her questions. In truth, the would-be pirate held no ill will toward the marines. She'd known in a nebulous, abstract way that, one day, she would be wanted by the marines and would automatically be hunted by them for the nature of what she would become. She imagined she would never feel the weight of that so acutely as in this moment with Senshi walking beside her with all the kindness and respect of a fellow human being navigating this world in the same way she was. Senshi wasn't her enemy now, but that would change with time. Bethany made a bow to herself to appreciate Senshi's company and companionship while it lasted, as the day would come when she was no longer be in the woman's favor.

Senshi had a rather utilitarian hotel room, and ordered an extra mattress for her. After months aboard a ship and sleeping in a hammock, this room might as well have been in a palace somewhere to Bethany. Over spaghetti and garlic bread, Bethany spoke to her about working on a supplier's ship as simple labor simply so she could travel. She didn't lie to her when he discussed some of the sights she'd seen and experiences she had. She also intentionally didn't share the names of ships she'd boarded, but made it as casual as possible by speaking more of the sorts of social encounters she'd witnesses.

At the end of their meal, Senshi discussed going out the next day into the wilderness to learn swordplay. She spoke of her leave because she'd been to war. It seemed so strange to hear the younger woman speak of war so nonchalantly. It was a fact of life for her, it seemed, when the world held sort of otherworldly echoes of violence and hardship that Bethany had never known.

”You've just been to war, and you want to spend what break you have training me?” She echoed the fact with an almost incredulous tone.

What a charitable woman Senshi was...

”Oh, my clothes?' Bethany glanced sheepishly at her clothing. These were clothes that had gotten her through in Doko village. Immediately, it identified her as a commoner or a peasant, and she knew that, but unfortunately fashion was lost on her.


”I have a bit of money. I spend very little, and I was eating in the galley with the crew.” She admitted, again a bit sheepishly. She didn't want Senshi to spend money on her. She felt indebted enough for this woman's free time, which she knew she would never adequately be able to repay. ”I'm afraid 'stylish' is a bit lost on me... What would you recommend?” She consulted her friend with a smile, and it occurred to her that she currently considered the woman her friend despite keeping herself at a slight distance with her. She couldn't imagine losing that feeling of gratitude toward Senshi regardless of what happened between them. What would she do when the time came...?

[Dandead10]

The untrained swordsman accepted the redheaded marines offer to come to her hotel, and the whole time she was unaware of “Abigail’s” plans of betrayal. She did not know she was being used like a pawn to be tossed aside after her use was exhausted. It was true that inevitably that if the wannabe pirate was to continue her desires, it would mean Senshi and Bethany would one day eventually become enemies in the natural order of this world. “Abigail” listened to everything that Senshi told her about the base, answered all of her questions, and even told her about her travels and how she worked as a simple laborer on a ship. She was grateful seemingly for everything Senshi did, and so it made her feel good on the inside as if she were doing a good deed. However, it seemed that “Abigail” was not someone who was overly talkative and was not the type to reveal much about herself. That was fine for Senshi in all honesty as she wasn’t going to push for anything she didn’t want to reveal. The teenager supposed if she were in her shoes, she wouldn’t want a stranger to be asking her hordes of questions either. However, it seemed that there was one question that Abigail wanted to ask...and seemed rather surprised about.

Abigail asked her if Senshi really felt like training her after just coming back from war? “If it’s to help somebody in need, why not? Besides, I really don’t have much better to be doing with my life at the moment. Life is too short and so I want to enjoy doing all sorts of things. Teaching is just something I haven't tried yet.” She stared at the raven haired girl before she mentioned the clothes. Clothes themselves could change the outcome of a battle seeing they at times could restrict the people wearing them. It was one of the reasons why in most battles she would have to get rid of her justice coat when fights got serious. Besides, a warrior needed to look more important than a mere peasant after all. Abigail then mentioned to the generous marine that she had money and would prefer to spend her own money rather than burden Senshi any further.

“If that's what you'd like to do, I'll indulge you Abigail. Although, do not hesitate to ask me for financial help. My job pays me decently but other than that, I haven't had to spend a single beri of my paycheck ever since I started other than the hotel and everything else. I wouldn't say I'm rich, but I have a good amount stockpiled under my name.” Senshi and Abigail rested up before the next day. After all of the daily hassle and travel to the clothes store, Senshi was a little bit surprised to see that Abigail was coming to her for fashion advice. Seeing the marine wore most of the time only her uniform, it's been awhile since she's actually looked at styles and trends. “Give me a few moments to figure out what I think you could wear.” This would be a fun experience for Senshi and for Abigail as well hopefully.

Looking through the clothes, she saw a pair of black cargo jeans which came with a utility belt for storing things inside. It was 50% off so that was a bonus to her. Senshi walked by before picking up a nice turquoise blouse. Then for some heavier wear, she would pick a light but warm grey jacket. Finally, she looked around and found some twin stylish boots. Just guesstimating Abigail’s foot size, she picked out a pair. This seemed like a fine first outfit for her friend to choose. “I think this should be good for now. Nothing restricting your movements, warm, not too revealing, and while not the most stylish thing, looks fine. Looks pretty comfortable as well. Please try it on and tell me what you think. You might want to keep the clothes that you are wearing though on when we train. You will be working on your physical strength to warm up before we work on some sword Kata. If you want to be strong, we are going to be working from sun up to sun down.” Senshi chuckled as she put both arms behind her back. She wasn't an insane trainer, but she would definitely make sure that Abigail works hard.

[Happy Cappy]

If it's to help someone in need, why not?

That attitude was fairly common amongst the people in Bethany's village; and, indeed, with Bethany herself. Still, it was humbling to meet someone who put her life on the line in a war-zone and still carried with her charity and compassion outside of it. She could only hope to be as gracious as the marine one day.

It seemed that Senshi was not unlike herself in that she was not much of a spender. In fact, she hadn't had a great deal of a social life beyond the confines of the ship, not even spending her land leave in hotels or inns, but in the wilderness camping and biding her time. Bethany had kept a lot of daylight between herself and social ties. Even though she hadn't acted substantially on it, she was going about a clandestine mission that only she and those she'd left behind would be aware of.

She follow Senshi, talking and browsing through things. She hadn't really shopped in the towns she'd stopped by. Honestly, she couldn't remember ever seeing so many clothes. It seemed people beyond her little village were bombarded with choices and colors, whereas it had been mostly plain and affordable material within her own.

When Senshi gathered the clothing together, she couldn't help but remark of the blouse, ”Oh, that's a lovely color... Like tones you see in the ocean...”

She tried on the outfit. It was a little odd to have clothing fit her so well, shaving down where the billowing white cotton shirt had swallowed her to show the curves of her figure, though not in an unflattering way. It was the difference in clothing that was bought with her in mind, and clothing that was passed to her.

”I like it. It's very light on me... and don't worry, I will happily work every waking hour,” She replied, and she meant it sincerely. She wasn't afraid of the physical challenge, though she had no doubt it would be difficult. It was worth it. She could imagine drilling until it became second nature to her body with almost religious fervor. She wanted this more than her body wanted its next breath, more than her stomach its next meal... more even than she preferred to maintain honesty. The price of karma was worth the endeavor. And one day, somehow, she vowed she'd repay the wrong she was doing. If fate had woven Senshi into her life in this time when she was most needed, she had faith that fate would also give her that chance.

[Dandead10]

Abigail seemingly enjoyed the Blouse out of everything else picked out for her, and found she liked the color Turquoise. Senshi nodded and smiled before showing her to the dressing room. The redhead waited patiently for around five minutes before seeing the once dreary looking peasant come out as a modern day young lady. “You look utterly dashing Abigail! Why it fits you perfectly.” The marine on break gave a thumbs up as her friend said that she too enjoyed it. Now however was the time to bring up the training. Abigail stated she was going to work hard, and that was an excellent first step. Eagerness to learn was the key to success in anything in life. The price of karma was the very least that “Abigail” was going to worry about as now, they had training to do.

Guiding her student out from the store after making their purchase, the marine would share details of how the training would begin. The streets were bustling as the two walked in the early morning. Mostly marine guards and civilians going to work their everyday lives. “So Abigail. I'm going to start you on a light training regimen warm up before we begin training anything with swords. It will become progressively harder each week that passes by so I do expect you to continue training and increasing this regimen even when I am gone. For a swordsman, depending on the type, one must focus on their upper body strength and the legs. I am going to have you do twenty five pushups to begin with. A light workout and refresher to the arms. Then, I will have you do twenty five squats. Afterwards I am going to have you run three kilometers while lifting your sword up and down above your head. This is the workout I had to do every morning I started and ended my swords training as a child. I must discern how physically astute you are and depending on how out of shape you are, I will focus more on exercise than sword training.” She would answer any questions the woman would have before the scenery began to change. Leaving the city, they soon found themselves within a teeming green clearing surrounded by trees and boulders. Odayakama Senshi stopped here before nodding. “This is where we will be training. Just to give you support, if you would like I’ll do the workout with you.”

It was a relatively cool day which was nice for them. Now was the time that they would work this warm up. Senshi was able of doing this routine with ease at this age so she had to do something to make it interesting. Lowering herself with her arms to a ninety degree angle and her back leveled, the ensign went from being on both hands to just one with the other curled around her back. “Alright Abigail. Let's begin this. Down. Up one. Down. Up two.” The rest of the warm up was performed with Senshi freakishly excelling in all of these areas. Senshi had to get Abigail strong and fast in order to be a strong and capable fighter. This was just the beginning but the rewards would definitely show themselves later. The marine was going to be there not only as an educator but also as an emotional support the whole nine yards. During the squats, Senshi had done so by forming a large ball of lead nearly weighing one hundred pounds on her arms. Abigail would only be doing the squats with her sword in her arms. Finally, then they would run, Senshi had forced herself to run while carrying this ridiculously heavy ball on her back. Senshi was no normal human, and that showed she was freakishly strong and driven in her training.

Sweat was dripping rapidly down her head as she still wasn't used to this. It was harder than it looked, but the ensign knew that just like her past regimens her body would get used to it. She thought back to her childhood days when her father made her work grueling training regimens and how she absolutely dreaded it. However, now as a marine herself she appreciated the man's drive to make her train and continued to grow stronger. The man knew that training was the only way to become stronger as a marine. She faced quite a few powerful people in her time, and knew that the only way to survive in her line of work was by constantly improving oneself. Then again, that was probably self evident and a universal truth in most everything that involved this world.

[Happy Cappy]

She laughed off the compliment, and went to pay for the outfit, which was nicely folded and placed into a colorful bag. They stopped by the room to drop it off lest it get in the way, and headed out to the woods.

As Senshi described the work out, Bethany tried to commit it to memory. Twenty-five pushups, twenty-five squats, three kilometers... Twenty-five pushups, twenty-five squares, three kilometers... She gave a quick nod of her consent and agreement. In truth, she'd done some lifting, whether it was dragging large fallen branches to her campfire or stocking food in the galley, but she knew it would be a challenge. She was not accustomed to moving her muscles in the ways Senshi was describing even if she wasn't a pampered woman unaccustomed to work.

”How much do I increase the training regimen when you're gone?”

When they reached the clearing, Bethany removed her cloak and folded it into her satchel. She'd remained in her common dress so as not to mess up the clothing she'd just gotten, including her dusty, worn boots.

She moved out with Senshi and dropped to the ground. Simply holding herself up with her back and legs in a straight line was a challenge. Her insides felt like they were quavering, as did her arms, but she forced herself to hold the stance, and to hold it in the way the ensign held it.

When she lowered herself, she lacked the ability to go as low as Senshi. She truly felt she would have collapsed onto the ground had she tried, or been unable to peel herself from the ground. Senshi moved like a piece of machinery whose job it was to brush the ground with her bosom and come to a plank pose again. Bethany followed her, and did the required number, if a little breathlessly. If not for the pacing Senshi was keeping as well as calling out, Bethany would have done the last few rapidly. She gratefully collapsed when the last was complete and folded back onto her knees with her palms on the ground, stretching her arms, before rising to stand.

Bethany's jaw metaphorically hit the floor when she saw the weight of lead Senshi used when doing squats. Bethany simply held her sheathed sword up, and after about ten of the squats, her triceps were starting to burn. There was no way on earth or in heaven she was about to lower that sword while her mentor had a massive lead wrecking ball poised between her legs. She felt the sheen of sweat covering Senshi was very justified, while that misting her own face and skin, slicking stray strands of hair to her face, felt more like weakness oozing from her pours.

Bethany kept up with Senshi's stationary exercises, but even with the lead ball on her back, Senshi was off like a doe. She traversed the terrain like she belonged in it, with grace and ease. Bethany pushed herself to try to keep up, but what looked like a graceful endeavor for Senshi clearly looked like Bethany running as hard as she could to keep up. With the lead on Senshi's back, it was rather humbling. When they came to a stop, Bethany was gasping heavily. She inhaled to the point that the sacs expanding from her throat to form small balloons several times in her desperation to get oxygen back into her system. After a couple of minutes of that, her breath began to calm, and immediately the expanded anatomy deflated and melded seamlessly into her skin.

”It is humbling to follow your lead,” Bethany stated breathily, her lips drawing into a small grin. ”Especially while you're carrying such heavy weights...”

[Dandead10]

It seemed her eager pupil was curious on just how much she should increase the training regimen and how often. Senshi had to think about this for a moment before speaking her honest thoughts. “I would say if you want to get the most out of this you should increase the number of squats and pushups by five every week until you feel as if you find it impossible. Increase the distance of your running at least a bit. However, this is for your workout and when I am gone it is completely up to you on how to manage your training. Also feel free to make your training more difficult through other means. Allow me to show you some examples.” She lowered herself onto the ground and proceeded her stance. If she were feeling up to it, normally she would add the weight of the lead on her whole body as to be more accustomed to wearing her lead armor. However, she was still tired and recovering from her wounds of war to some extent. Bethany herself seemed eager to get to work despite the difficulties and so it would only be fair if the redheaded marine were to show equal devotion. This training was hard and it wasn't for everyone; she knew that fairly well. However this was the training she started as a child and gradually increased in the number of years until she was where she was. People called her a monster or unnatural because of her ferocious strength but also for her her tenacious attitude.

The pushups were completed, and it was relatively easy for the marine who had raised the maximum push ups she could do to over 300. The key to training and continuing was to not focus on the workout whatsoever. She thought of her goals and aspirations followed by leveling her breathing. Thinking of the pain or the strain on the body was a limitation which lead to failure. For her pupil however...what were her dreams and aspirations she wondered? She accepted her offer but something told her she did not truly want to become a marine. If that was the case, Senshi was content with helping the girl in her mission despite being deceived. The marine was going to help her not only become a skilled swordsman, but also if possible control her devil fruit powers. Based on what she had been told, the powers were unstable and needed to be managed as if it were a reflex. Senshi was so skilled at using her power that she hardly had to think about what she was creating to form it.

There was a slight look of shock when the redhead lowered herself into squats with essentially a giant boulder or perhaps a small lead mountain on her shoulders. It made her embarrassed as it was like as if Abigail were looking at Senshi if she were Atlas the titan carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. The squats were much harder for Senshi this way, but in some ways she didn't mind that. Her legs burned but it was as feeling she was accustomed to. Abigail should find that her arms and legs are the key recipients of the workout so far, but this was also for the sake of increasing stamina. There are hundreds maybe even thousands of other training methods, but sometimes starting simple was a good start. Finally, they began the running. She was surprised but pleasantly so when Abigail ran to keep up with her and was doing so fairly well. She couldn't complain about that, even more so seeing this was her first workout. This workout was nothing like what Senshi was doing nowadays. She was receiving training for Rokushiki and it was a painful process learning each of the four techniques she had not mastered.

They stopped together and at this point, Senshi lightly panted as the young woman in front of her was breathing hard enough to cause a passive result of her devil fruit. She wondered partially if Abigail was recovering oxygen at a faster rate than she was. If so, that fruit may be a strong blessing despite the odd appearances she had when using it. Realizing she was still carrying a 100 pound lump of lead, the woman tossed it far onto one end of the field with a crash to the floor. “Good workout Abigail-Chan. These weights may seem heavy true, but nothing compared to the burdens I've had to hold out of training. Seeing I'm not trying to exert my energy so that I may teach you, I may normally carry five hundred pounds believe it or not.” It was a bold claim and she wasn't meaning to brag but clarify the limits she had so she may inspire her pupil to become stronger. To train night and day. However, now she wanted to know how Bethany felt. “Now. We may finally begin your blade training. There was a brief silence for a second before Senshi smiled. The woman would again see that there was a manipulation of lead as a black liquid formed twisting itself into the shape of a katana. One was in Senshi’s left and another one on the right. Stabbing one blade into the floor for the pirate wannabe, the sword mentor began to speak. “The blade I stabbed into the floor is blunt and is for you. Before you train with your actual blade, I will explain some things for you. The blade is an extension of one's body and one should treat it with equal or even greater respect than themselves. This is true for all swordsman across the seas. Every movement that is possible with the body is capable with a sword as well. Speed, power, flexibility, and momentum. These are all things that a swordsman needs to become great.” Swinging her left arm back, Senshi built power and momentum before flinging her sword arm diagonally launching a flying crescent of wind to slam into a tree to split it evenly in half. “This is one of those results and is called a flying slash. Now, let's go over the basic kata and movements. I will train you to be able to perform the flying slash yourself. Abigail-Chan.” They would begin with horizontal slashes, diagonal, and vertical in repetition to get the muscles into memory before she would teach parrying and more complex movements.

[Happy Cappy]

As Senshi described her normal training regimen, Bethany caught her breath bent over with her palms pressing into her thighs, her breath moving from her extraneous anatomical features to simply her lungs and then calming. She realized how many levels above her in strength Senshi was from her description of lifting hundreds of pounds of lead daily. When she stood upright, she'd clutched onto the long, black ponytail behind her and drawn it over her shoulder to stroke and fiddle with thoughtfully, a self-soothing habit of her childhood. It felt like an almost insurmountable task, to train to be so strong.... is that what it would take for her to be a woman like the one she aspired to?

Her typical fantasy of success was images of being formidable, a beaten foe or a commanding presence, not blushing in the face of crassness or any manner of challenge, a total removal of self-doubt... And yet, at the level Senshi was, she still remembered the young woman's sheepishness over having to pay for damage she'd done at the park. Senshi was leaps and bounds beyond her in strength, and it felt it would take her entire lifetime to get there---if her body was even capable of it.

Senshi's description of a sword showed that she clearly thought of it as an assimilated appendage, more valuable than any feature she had. She honored the weapon, and the way she spoke of it gave the weapon a mystique that she hadn't appreciated in it before. She described treating it with equal or greater respect than oneself. Of course she would. In a time of battle, that weapon probably meant the difference between coming home or not...

”You didn't even touch it,” she marveled aloud with widened eyes, mystified by the technique. She was dumbfounded when Senshi said she would be taught to learn such a technique. It was a power she could barely understand, and felt in no way capable of replicating. ”I will do my best,” She promised to Senshi as much as to herself.

She took the blunt katana replica that Senshi had created, and followed her movements for the rest of the afternoon. She felt that the sword was becoming heavier and harder to lift over time, which she knew was the weakness in her own muscles. She pushed herself in a way that it seemed obvious Senshi was not having to, straining to not show her own weakness. She was amazed that she felt as good as she did.

Later in the evening, she would feel an intense ache and find that she'd experienced soreness during even activities of daily living that engaged the muscles she'd worked in ways she'd taken for granted, but for that moment, she thought she'd gotten away with such exertion without repercussions.

”Why did you choose to become a marine?” She asked as they made the trek back to the base after their training, using the deep crimson sky as a signal to return.

[Dandead10]

The warmup was completed and Bethany seemed a bit amazed that Senshi was as strong as she was. The less experienced woman listened intently to everything she had to say about training and the sword. Abigail was especially impressed with the flying slash and the notion that they would be training to help her unlock that technique. The training was long and fruitful that day and afternoon into the evening. Bethany was showing progress and worked hard, which was nice seeing Senshi liked strong spirit. The redheaded woman was a passionate person who believed that when doing something someone should put their whole heart into it or not at all. Now, the marine and her student would be walking back from the woods together. The swordswoman teacher thought about the sudden question that was asked of her. Why was she a marine? Sometimes she asked herself that question although she was sure she didn't regret it...yet. The corruption of the nobles that the world government protected deterred her moral compass as she wondered if what she was doing was right. She had no doubt that some marines fought truly for justice and the good of the people but...the young teenager had done some bad things for the government recently.

A rustle in the wind would deliver a cool breeze; shaking the trees. Senshi looked to one of the youthful pine trees before a plain brown pinecone fell to the floor. She directed her cerulean eyes to her student before speaking as if questioning herself. “Well. I suppose one of the reasons was because my father is a marine. He's a Vice Admiral and he trained me ever since I was a little kid. He taught me that while freedom is good, without laws or regulations, there would be no order. Heh. When I was just a little girl he held in his arms I remember I wanted to be strong like him. I used to dream I would become famous and rich, so I actually considered becoming a super powerful pirate. My dad left us for work again and I grew up with mom. She eventually got sick of some sort of terminal illness and she died. Seeing I didn't have any money, I had decided that becoming a marine and making my dad proud was what I wanted to do. My dad’s friend who was also a marine took me in and taught me some more stuff before I applied earlier this year. I quickly progressed through ranks although I am definitely prepared for it.” Senshi was a bit crestfallen thinking of her mother. She died a long time ago, but the love they shared between mother and daughter couldn’t be replaced.

Suddenly. A loud snap could be heard followed by a loud roar. A second piercing growl had been heard before a tree was snapped in half by an angry bear. The bear stood on its hind legs at around eight feet and had a pure brown coat. A grizzly bear if Senshi identified it correctly. The beast seemed rather odd and was acting oddly at the moment. What had the marine and Abigail done to antagonize it? The large bear had went back on all fours before looking to both the marine and young woman with glares before rushing at them both. “Stand back Abigail. Now that we are in this situation, I will show you how a swordsman should move to dodge attacks. Pay attention to footwork and stay aware of your surroundings. I’ll be teaching you how to dodge strikes as well as delivering them.” The animal growled in rage as it had rushed to Senshi with its right paw delivering a side swipe for Senshi’s chest. She had kept her stance wide and her body lowered as she had simply took a large step backwards to avoid taking damage. The antagonized grizzly had then aimed to charge straight into her in a charge. With impressive speed and skill, the redheaded marine had leaped before performing a handstand on the bear's head and then propelling herself off to land on her feet behind it. “Speed, Power, Agility, and Flexibility. These are all important but this is my method. I follow the movement of a blow like the flow of water. If water is poured into a cup it becomes the cup. Pour it into a pot...it becomes the pot. I am now the bear.

Forming a blunt sword, the woman had spun it in her hands as the bear approached her for another charge. Building the strength in her arms, she awaited the third attack. Going onto it’s hind legs, the angry bear had planned to swipe at her rapidly with its claws. In the most basic overhead swing that she had taught Abigail, Senshi swung down right onto the bear’s head. “Baka.” The bear had frozen before growling to prepare its assault again. Once again the lead blade had slammed down on its head. “Baka!” Then the woman had slammed her blade over and over at a faster and faster pace before the bear laid on the ground with anime dishplate eyes and 20 large lumps on its head. “Baka Kuma.” Sucking the blunt blade back into her body, Odayakama Senshi motioned for Abigail to follow her. The bear did not dare stand nor move the whole time as it held its poor head.  

[Happy Cappy]

When Senshi shared, Bethany became absorbed in her story. She imagined the Ensign not as the powerhouse of a marine who created swords from her body and ran with massive weights, but as a child, bright-eyed, loved by her family. She imagined the girl that would dream of adventure, fame, and glory, and tried not to visibly show her amazement when she shared having fantasized of being a pirate. Even though she didn't know Senshi's life before then, she felt a pang of sadness when she mentioned the passing of her mother. She'd never known any such loss. Her parents had been gone before she'd been very old, and she wouldn't learn that story for years. She felt their absence, a hole where that life with them could have been... but then, her biological mother's journal revealed in no uncertain terms that the pirate woman hadn't had any intention of raising her, but leaving her with a nice, stable family in a quaint little village somewhere. While she couldn't relate to that direct loss, she could sense Senshi's sadness by her tone and expressions and empathize with her.

Senshi's story of becoming a marine to make her dad proud as well as to have a job resonated with Bethany. It drew out that part of her mind, the part that said, It wouldn't be such a bad life. It would still involve adventure, being a marine. And it would be legal. Safer, in that sense... It was a voice not unlike her adopted mother's, pushing something safer but more mundane into her path. As a heavier warning, the thought emerged, Once you go that way, you can never go back. She had spent most of her life not leaving a mark... even her initial years of leaving home and adventure had been spent that way, only in learning and menial labor as a crew member, getting over seasickness and getting her bearings.... it was time. It was time she did something that couldn't be undone, and wasn't afraid to make a mark in this world.

”I'm sorry about your mother... and I bet you do make your father proud,” Bethany spoke her condolences and added what comfort she could, offering the other woman a slight smile.

She noticed Senshi's shift in demeanor before she fully heard the noise of the animal, and then she got stings of fear in the back of her neck and shoulders. What on earth is that?! It occurred to her that she was exhausted, and she didn't know if her body could handle what it would take to flee. When the bear came crashing through, she began a scream which cut short when her throat filled with air, and this time she held the breath in her fear, the skin of her throat distended with an amount of air that could have filled a massive balloon and forced her gaze slightly upward.

She almost didn't hear the words Senshi was saying, and processed them a moment after. She was going to use the bear attack as a lesson?! Then again, Senshi was about the most powerful person Bethany had ever met. She moved away from the combatants as Senshi leaped onto the bear and over as if it were a stationary prop. Bethany was still highly alarmed, but she was able to exhale more slowly as her focal point became Senshi instead of her own fear.

When Senshi assaulted the bear until she left it lying, Bethany noted that she had to have chosen not to kill the animal intentionally, for she surely could have. Her breathing was returning to normal, her throat showing no sign of her anatomical oddities.

”That was incredible!” Bethany gushed as she followed behind Senshi, quickening her pace at a small, pained moan from the animal, feeling the stinging of fear and panic at her spine and puffing up slightly at her throat before taking on Senshi's more relaxed pace.