Mission #49: A Novice's Pilgrimage

[jossar]

(OOC: In case things seem a bit messed up, it's because this has had to be reposted twice due to "interest difficulties. It's here to stay this time, though.)

Despite the island's reputation of having fairly temperate weather, today the sun beat down on Shimoshiki Island with a vengeance, with most of the villagers remaining in their homes to avoid the heat. Nevertheless, a lone figure dressed in Marine attire could be seen walking down a dirt road, unerring in his pursuit of whatever goal lay ahead. Any casual observer would step back in awe at the dedication that the young man was showing in...

"Man it's hot out today..." John said, "How did I ever get into this situation in the first place!"

Well, maybe not.

Anyway, the reason why John Bronze had come to the island was not out of any particular fascination with the island, but rather a clerical error in the paperwork that was supposed to have transferred him to the Grand Line: He was given the clearance alright, but someone had forgotten to request a boat to actually ship him there. Furthermore, the paperwork also removed his status at the base in Shell Island, meaning that the Marine couldn't go back to the usual office and refile the documents because Grand Line personnel had to fill out a different set of forms which no Blue base carried. So it was that John found himself stranded on Shell Island with no way to get to the Grand Line.

But even in such dark circumstances, a beam of light shone through: John was able to hitch a ride on a Marine ship leaving Shell Island and heading for Shimoshiki, and during the trip overheard a few of the recruits talking about the prize that the local dojo master was offering. The marine took the news excitedly: even in the worst case scenario he would be able to heighten his skill with the sword, and if all went well, John would have his ticket out of the Blue and into his proper assignment!

John shook his head in an attempt to drive out the flashback, which itself was a severe sign that the mid-day sun was affecting him. There was still a while down the road to go before he reached the dojo, and the marine wanted to be in peak condition when he presented himself before the dojo's master.

[jubakilaque]

The midday sun was trying to melt everything in sight. Nothing was really safe, and it was advised to stay inside.
"Hmm, sure is hot today."
Which is why Silo was plodding along the dirt roads of Shimoshiki island. Silo really had no business there, and to the untrained eye, was doing absolutely nothing, a-chewing, a-mooing....

Anyways, Silo was really practising moves-changing parts of his body to match the scenery, using the natural talents bestowed upon him by his race.
"I wonder if there's any place I can train. If I want to get stronger I gotta train harder!"
Newly inspired with vigor, Silo started to sprint towards the town, where unknown adventures awaited him!

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A punk rocker was strolling the streets of Shimoshiki Island. From afar, he looked dissatisfied, but to anyone that knew him, this would not be unusual.
"This place is weak."
Ezra, was in the house.
"Not even a decent music store around." he sighed. " Maybe I should train, but then again, training's for conformists."
Seems like he hasn't changed since we last saw him. He was walking the back alley of the town, when he saw a dojo.
"Speak of the devil, Simmons is in town."
Smirking, he entered.

[jossar]

Eventually, despite the heat, the young Marine made it to the outer courtyard of the dojo: only to find it crowded by the host of characters already assembled there. Ostensibly they were all present for the purpose of proving themselves to be proper swordsmen, but John knew that they could have come for any number of things - from wanting the 10,000 Beri reward, to burning down the dojo, and maybe even the straightforward reason!

Of course John was so busy scouting out the competition, that he failed to notice another competitor loitering around in the yard, and ended up bumping into the punk rocker...

[jubakilaque]

As Ezra was loitering, he was bumped into. This angered him greatly, nearly causing him to spark at the fingertips.
"Watch it sunshine, or next time I might not be so pleasant."
He snarled.
"What's all these people doing 'round here anyways?" He asked, suddenly interested in his surroundings. Without waiting for an answer, he pushed to the front of the que, to a lot of "Hey!"s and "What the hell d'you think you're doing!?"s When he reached the front, a small poster on the front of the dojo's screen door told him everything he needed to know.
"A sword contest-crap!"
Ezra hadn't anticipated a sword fight.
"Wait-10,000 beri?"
His eyes changed into dollar signs, and he quickly ran to the nearest sword shop.
"Any sword, any quality!" He exlaimed, placing a bag of 2000 beri on the table. The swordsmith looked puzzled, then smiled. He went "out back" and came back with a short steel dagger.
"Wut?"
Ezra sweatdropped. He had been expecting at least a wooden bokken, but this was just an insult. Still, he had no choice, so he took it and ran out, arriving back at the dojo just as the door opened, and Koushirou came out.
"Hello all. This is a grand accolade to aquire-to be one with one's sword is no mean feat. Any man who accomplishes this shall receive 10,000 beri."
The old man spoke slowly, with emphasis on "10,000".

The crowd buzzed a little at this, shifting with eagerness. Ezra once again found himself next to "Sunshine".
"What's your name?" he asked. "I need to know who's ar*e I'm kicking."

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Silo had arrived in the dojo, and found no trouble with the crowds unruliness, due to his huge size. After Koushirou had finished speaking, he raised his hand.
"I don't have a sword, can I train anyways?"
Koushirou, amused by his innocence didn't decline. Besides, he thought, a man without a sword can't possibly win a sword contest right?

[jossar]

As the purple mohawked man snarled at John, the marine silently wondered what he was getting himself into. Unfortunately before he could provide a proper reply, the punk rocker had rushed off to the front of the crowd, to find out what the contest was all about.

"It figures..." John sighed. "There would be somebody who had altogether no idea what this was all about. But somehow those kinds of people always do well in contests, so i'd better keep up my guard."

The marine's eyes then followed the man as he ran out of the dojo, and John was a bit confused until the punk rocker reappeared with a steel dagger. But at that time, the dojo master came out to speak, and so all eyes turned towards him.

"Hello all. This is a grand accolade: after all, to aquire - No, to be one with one's sword is no mean feat. Any man who accomplishes this shall receive 10,000 beri."

The dojo then burst out into the harsh loudness of a thousand whispers, before they were once again silenced by a large Cuttlefish fishman, who went straight through the crowds, knocking many people over in the process. His question as to whether or not one without a sword could enter was answered by Koshiro with a smile:

"Of course! This is not a contest of who has the better sword or skill... rather, it is a test to see whether a person possesses the heart to become a great swordsman. And you should be happy to note, that I have judged worthy a fair number of fine Mutoryu swordsmen in my time."

The quiet that had set in the room once again gave way to arguments as to whether or not the point was valid, but the sword master stated that his opinion on the matter was final. During this outburst, the punk rocker came up to John and asked him his name. The marine simply replied:

"John Bronze, Chief Petty Officer of the Marines, formerly assigned to Shell Island and currently in between assignments. But none of that matters today: All you need to know is that if it comes to a fight, I'm the one who isn't going to be lying on the dojo floor at the end."

[jubakilaque]

"John Bronze, Chief Petty Officer of the Marines, formerly assigned to Shell Island and currently in between assignments. But none of that matters today: All you need to know is that if it comes to a fight, I'm the one who isn't going to be lying on the dojo floor at the end."

Ezra did a double take, he had just bad-mouthed a marine officer, this brought him to a whole new level of "cool"

"Hmm, you conformists, always the confident type."
Ezra was silent as the crowd filed in. The sensei of the place had decided to put up a large poster.
"This is the first round of the test, the fight round read up to see who you are fighting, then file into the dojo."
A ruckus was brewing, so Ezra made sure to get to the list first.
"P.Almer? What kind of weak name is that?"

---------------------------------------------

Silo was the last to enter the building, due to his massive size.
"This is the first round of the test, the fight round read up to see who you are fighting, then file into the dojo."
"Ooh, that sounds fun, who am I fighting?" as Silo said this, a scrawny(from Silo's point of view, in human terms he is quite well built) man tapped him on the shoulder. This man carried himself with some swagger, and seemed confident.
"You Silo?"
Silo nodded.
"I'm Chad Ouche, your opponent, and your about to loose the first round."
nodding, Silo followed him into the next room. The competition had started.
(OOC: Sorry if you wanted to name the NPC characters for me to fight, just wanted to move the plot a little.)

[jubakilaque]

"John Bronze, Chief Petty Officer of the Marines, formerly assigned to Shell Island and currently in between assignments. But none of that matters today: All you need to know is that if it comes to a fight, I'm the one who isn't going to be lying on the dojo floor at the end."

Ezra did a double take, he had just bad-mouthed a marine officer, this brought him to a whole new level of "cool"

"Hmm, you conformists, always the confident type."
Ezra was silent as the crowd filed in. The sensei of the place had decided to put up a large poster.
"This is the first round of the test, the fight round read up to see who you are fighting, then file into the dojo."
A ruckus was brewing, so Ezra made sure to get to the list first.
"P.Almer? What kind of weak name is that?"

---------------------------------------------

Silo was the last to enter the building, due to his massive size.
"This is the first round of the test, the fight round read up to see who you are fighting, then file into the dojo."
"Ooh, that sounds fun, who am I fighting?" as Silo said this, a scrawny(from Silo's point of view, in human terms he is quite well built) man tapped him on the shoulder. This man carried himself with some swagger, and seemed confident.
"You Silo?"
Silo nodded.
"I'm Chad Ouche, your opponent, and your about to loose the first round."
nodding, Silo followed him into the next room. The competition had started.
(OOC: Sorry if you wanted to name the NPC characters for me to fight, just wanted to move the plot a little.)

[jossar]

John... didn't know how to react to what the punk rocker said, and weakly stammered out:

"C...Conformist? What's that even supposed to mean!"

But by that point it was too late, seeing as the man had run off to the front of the room in order to find his opponent. Resignedly, the marine also went to look at the poster, and found that he was going to be fighting a "Mr. Shaplu." Deciding not to wait and formally meet his opponent, John entered into the appointed room and spaced out for a minute or two.

This was interrupted by the creaking of the door as it opened. John reached for his swords, only to discover:

"A baby. I'm fighting against a baby."

For the opponent who had entered the room to face John, "Mr. Shaplu", appeared to be nothing more than a 2-year old carrying a nodachi in his mouth.

You've gotta be kidding me!