Vacation Hi-Jinks! A Giant Suprise!

[Kami-Gaz]

A blazing sun, in a sky which had naught wispy cloud hanging in it, was hanging high and beating down on the jungles of the Goa Kingdom. A place that was sparse of people where stories told of a martial arts master living in a castle, a master who would only train those he deemed to have greatest potential. Some said it was just an urban legend and others swore it as fact, saying that they had tried to find this master. It was said finding his castle in the jungle was the first test to prove your worth.

A test that one marine recruit Rakka Hoshiko has completed some days ago with his friend, once the path was known it was relatively easy to find the remote dojo castle. He had been coming and going every day since initially finding it, some days with companions of the Ayoki household and other days alone to let the family have quality time.

Today the marine was stood in the courtyard alone I the mid-morning sun, practicing a new technique. One he had thought of one an excursion into the nearest town to get lunch. A method of attacking with his maximum power in the most minimal amount of time with zero build up. A variation on his standard attacks that may have a little less oomph to them but the trade was that they had unpredictability.

“Okay.” The young man spoke. “Let’s do this basic then try again.” Rakka carried on as he shifted his stance and pulled his arm back. From his shoulder a pool of oil formed at the very top of his arm. Then as the young man thrust his arm forward the oil surged along the arm until it met the end of the fist at the apex of the punch. Then that same oil pulsed forward and rippled through the wooden dummy and making it shatter out of the back.

A great big grin spread across the young man’s face as he finally came out of his mode of focus. He had to compress that into an inch punch… a rattle snakes kiss. A clapping could be heard at the back of the courtyard, right by the main entrance to the dojo as a fishman emerged from the darkness. A dangling light of bioluminescence dangled at his large, muscled chest, donning a white gi with a black belt. This one man had a marge chin and a mouth full of razor sharp teeth, small but focused eyes watched Rakka as the anglerfishman came closer. “Rak-boi, your ability to grasp the flow is astounding.”

“But Master Bubbles… I can perfect it…” Rakka spoke as he looked around and bowed to the man. As he stood upright he created some oil and shifted it around the skin of his hand. “If I time it right I can pack a lot of power into a smaller build up and deliver a quick surprising hit!”

“And when you master it Rak-boi, you’ll be a better master than me.” Jerimiah Bubbles replied with a soft chuckle, his eyes shifting to the front gate that led to the small path through the jungle. He always wanted more visitors, people to interact and train with… was today going to be a day when someone else arrived?

[Deleted]

Somewhere, somewhat lost in all the jungle trees that stretched as tall as her, Akane had carefully followed the path through the jungle in hopes of finding where it led. Whether out of sheer curiosity or to confirm whether the rumors were true of their being a dojo way out here where she could get stronger, she was determined to continue following this path, even if it led to nowhere at all. Akane was stubborn. The idea of training with real masters brought a glint of determination to her eye and a small, excited smirk to her lips. Her only hope was that they would accept a giant as a student, even temporarily. What's more, she hoped her current physical state wouldn't dissuade them. The last thing she wanted was to be pitied.

It had already been a decent walk by the time she started to hear something up ahead, and in a fit of impatience and eagerness, Akane picked up the pace and started to jog toward where the sounds were coming from. When she got closer, she could hear... shouting? It didn't sound like two people fighting, but rather a single person... training! This has to be it! The thought of training with real people caused her to trip over a fallen tree she neglected to notice. It wouldn't be a problem for a normal person, but to her it was the same as a rock one might mistake for being loose, when in reality it is stuck firmly in the ground. The clap of her body hitting the ground forced the surrounding ground, trees, and anything else in the way to shake, sending several birds fleeing from their nests and plenty of leaves falling to the ground.

"Aaaaah... That's embarrassing. I'm glad nobody was around to see that..."

Dusting herself off, Akane scraped the leaves and branches from her hair, stood back up and pierced through the trees until finally, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, she came across it; The castle she had been looking for! It was... smaller than she expected. She wasn't sure what she expected; Everything made by non-giants would seem small to a giant.

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Endo Akane | Dove Gray #7c6e7f | Post Count: 1

[Kami-Gaz]

Rakka had regained his stand and performed his original technique again, the Oil Baron Style: Cotton Mouth Strike. He focused on the feel of it the movements and the effects as the oil he produced pulsed in the air at the apex of his punch. It was possible, it just needed to be compressed but to do that he had to initiate the punch differen- THUD! The entire courtyard shook and a roof tile slid free from the castle Dojo and smashed on the floor a few dozen feet away.

Rakka himself stumbled with the small earthquake and looked over to see Master Bubbles standing perfectly fine, stroking his light stalk like it was a beard. “Seems we have company Rak-boi, it’s a good decade when I get two potential students in year… especially when they are so close together.” Jerimiah Bubbles spoke with a smile baring his rows of razor sharp teeth.

He looked over to Rakka and nodded for him to resume his practice. “Rak-Boi, try mastering another punch. If you can punch in an inch, with the power you use with your entire arm, then you can perfect this variant on your Cotton Mouth Strike.” The master spoke before twisting to walk forward to stand in his gate to look over the giant.

Rakka watched his master shift and walk as if nothing had happened and grinned with his hint… how had he not considered a one-inch punch! There were so many stories, but he had not thought of using it due to the fact he had initially boxed his mind into long sweeping strikes. That wasn’t the case however, the way his fruit worked just allowed him to cheat! He did not need to move water the same way a fishman did. "Yes Master Bubbles!" He called with a grin on his face.

Jerimiah looked over the giant and grinned. “Welcome student! You found my Dojo. Master Bubbles has lessons for anyone that is willing to learn.” The grizzled fishman announced to the giant that towered over him, she looked like she could be a fun one.

[Deleted]

Akane smiled and bent down on one knee before bowing her head, showing proper respect to a master of any dojo, as she was taught back on her home island. When she brought her head back up, she looked upon the anglerfishman with respect.

"It was a trial to find my way here using only rumors and intuition, but it was worth it. Greetings, Master Bubbles. My name is Endo Akane and I have come to better my skills and learn how to improve myself, both body and mind in the pursuit of greater strength."

Upon standing, she moved the hand of her one remaining arm across her waist, to the hilt of her blade.

"I was once a skilled swordsman, but through my naivety, I suffered an injury which nearly made me quit being a swordsman altogether. I recovered, and started training again, but I fear I still lack much of the skill I used to have when I still had both of my arms. I am hoping a true master might help me conquer my blade again... and perhaps help me conquer my fears as well."

Drawing her blade and putting it in front of the dojo as best she could, Akane looked upon her potential new master with hope. The blade itself was gargantuan compared to a normal person, and anyone without proper strength would never be able to wield such a beautiful weapon. In all respects it was a normal sword except for its size, yet that factor alone was enough to scare away weaker "masters". Akane knew that if she was going to take on a new master, they must be willing not only to train a giant but be capable of matching their strength to enough of a degree to wield her own weapon against her.

"I hope it is not rude of me to ask, but I have seen many masters cower at the size of my weapon, and It is my hope that you demonstrate your strength through the use of an unfamiliar weapon such as my own."

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Endo Akane | Dove Gray #7c6e7f | Post Count:2

[Kami-Gaz]

The fishman looked up at Akane and took in all the information she was giving away, both what was said and what was not said. She was a warrior descended from Elbaf, a race of people that were full of a pride that could boil the oceans if it was truly hot enough. Injured in a fight she was seemingly unwilling to change her approach despite her new handicap, admirable but stupid in the master’s opinion.

“Stay here one moment.” He spoke before turning back to the door and looking at Rakka who was still trying to perform a one-inch punch. “Rakboi! Fetch me a barrel of water!” He called, making Rakka stop instantly and dart to the side without acknowledgement or hesitation. With in moments the young man who had a few bandages around his upper torso and arms arrives and placed the barrel down next to Bubbles.

“Hey! I’m Rakka!” The young man spoke to the tall woman before bowing his head in a proper way and standing back and away from Master Bubbles. He were a big smile and was slick with a mixture of sweat due to working out and some strange black residue.

The fishman took the barrel, picked it up and tossed it towards the the cutting edge near the handle. “Young Akane, I will train you as best I can.” He spoke, leaping into the air with an unnatural strength and grabbing the very end of the pommel and pulling the blade out of the floor with him. In the air he twisted his entire body and used the momentum to swing the sword and as he did a slice of water left the cutting edge and travelled out to sea at an unreal pace as it sliced every treetop along the way. A moment later a blade of wind followed and picked up each of the treetops and launched them out to the ocean as well. In the same movement Bubbles stabbed the tip of the blade back into the dirt and landed with grace in his original position.

“Your issue is not mastering this weapon; it is mastering your own body.” He spoke before patting down his Gi and smiling a big toothy smile up to the woman. “I cannot teach you fishman karate, but I can help you learn to use your body as a weapon. Once you have done that handling your blade should be child’s play… as long as you are willing to adapt to your nature as a one-armed warrior.”

Rakka watched in awe, he had never seen a feat like this before and it put sparkles in his eyes, he knew Master Bubbles was amazing, but this was a feat only admirals and vice admirals could accomplish. “That was awesome…” He spoke before turning back to his master and bowing as he was taught. “With enough practice I can achieve similar feats?” The boy asked.

“I fear you can accomplish far more Rakboi…”

[Deleted]

Akane looked out toward the treetops in amazement. This instructor was the strongest she had yet met, and knowing he was willing to teach her filled her with hope that she might be able to conquer her sword once more. When Master Bubbles finished speaking and mentioned that it was her body that she needed to master and not her blade, she wasn't quite sure what he meant. Sure, she was missing an arm, but what did her missing arm have to do with her swordsmanship? When she switched sword arms, she trained for just as long as with her former primary, and she was for all intents and purposes just as good as she used to be. The problem wasn't necessarily her lack of skill, but more her inability to break through this wall she had been stuck on.

Upon entering the Dojo's grounds, Akane bowed her head to her new master's other student. "Greetings, Rakka. I am Endo Akane, but please, call me Akane." Her face lit up with a smile as she lifted her head again. Normally, those who have less seniority would bow their heads lower than those with higher seniority in the dojo she used to train in, but that was a little difficult given the difference in stature. Still, she tried her best to show the proper respect to her new classmate. She was ready to learn what it meant to 'master one's body.' She looked back at her sword before sighing and looking towards Bubbles.

"If... it's alright with you, Master Bubbles... May I leave my sword at the gate? I feel the only way I will... master my body?" She cleared her throat, still a little confused by the phrase. "Is to do so without relying on my sword."

Now sitting on her knees in front of the fishman, Akane prepared for her first lesson under a new instructor.

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Endo Akane | Dove Gray #7c6e7f | Post Count: 3

[Kami-Gaz]

Rakka offered a huge grin that could melt the iciest of hearts to the giant woman and bowed his head to her in the same way she had done for him. Which was dumb because he had already done it before Master Bubbles’ demonstration, but it had been so awesome he forgot that fact. He moved and sat by his new companion and awaited the fishman to impart his teachings.

“Yes, Aka-gal, if that is what helps you come over this block you have gained then you may leave your sword by the gate… There are not many here who could steal it anyway.” Bubbles remarked as he walked to get in front of his students, a toothy smile on his face as he felt the pride of being a teacher. Each step seemed so small than the giant ones that Akane had taken, so to him it may have felt a little slow.

“So.” He spoke and looked from Rakka up to the giant woman. “I will need to see your current skill by fighting young Rakboi here, I need you to not hold anything back. Use every ability that is in your arsenal.” He spoke, moving his eyes back down to Rakka. The eyes he peered at the boy with were full of knowing. Being a master and having taken many a punch he could tell when someone was holding back.

The topless marine recruit looked at the man with a steely determination, a bead of oily sweat forming on his forehead. He knew that Master Bubbles knew everything about him… it was unnerving how strong people could read a person in a fight. “Master… you want me to use everything? My first master taught me to never rely on that ability though… I was told that over reliance on it was something that killed people with fruits like mine.” He sounded panicked, this was a core part of his belief, what his own now deceased mother had drilled into his thick skull… this was not going to be an easy habit to break.

“Aka-gal, do not be afraid to kill Rakboi. He cannot be killed by even your massive strength.” Bubbles spoke as he jumped high into the air and backwards to the other side of the courtyard. This was to allow the pair to get into position and ready for him to announce the start of this sparring match.

[Deleted]

Akane followed the anglerfishman's instruction and walked to one side of the courtyard. While it was large for a non-giant courtyard, it was still a bit cramped for her. Still, a look of steely determination lit in her eyes as she raised her one arm and formed her hand into a blade-like stance. Just because she wasn't using her own blade doesn't mean she had to stop using her fighting style. It is what she was used to, after all. This was to be a test of her current skills, and she knew that it meant using her full power.

"I am ready, sensei."

Akane's body felt light without her sword, and somewhat empty, yet if he wanted to learn anything, then he had to try something different. This was the first step. Several more moments passed as her opponent, this boy Rakka, readied himself as well. As the tension between the two fighters increased, Master bubbles signaled for the fight to begin, causing Akane's foot to crack the ground beneath them as she charged the few steps forward, bringing her hand-blade down diagonally towards Rakka without hesitation or any sign of holding back.

Though she was large, her hand swam through the air as if unhindered by the wind. The massive strength in her arm was evident by the momentum with which her hand cut through towards her opponent. If this was not dodged or otherwise blocked, it would spell the end for any average swordsman, yet she knew based on Master Bubbles' praise alone that this was no average swordsman. Would he be able to counter her strike? Or would it end in one swift motion? Akane was eager to find out!

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Endo Akane | Dove Gray #7c6e7f | Post Count: 4

[Kami-Gaz]

"I am ready, sensei." The giant confirmed, they got into a stance and charged at Rakka who finally took in the scope of the fight and adjusted his own stance accordingly to try his best to move like the flow of water to maybe counter this attack in some way. No… This was impossible to counter he needed more experience before ever attempting something that Master Bubbles could do. The Fist that approached was vast, like a falling cliff face that was going to flatten him as if he were just a leaf on the wind.

Then the master’s words rung true, and Rakka embraced the one thing he had refused his entire life as a devil fruit eater. He sought to become one with the oil, to transform and let the blow become entirely ineffective as the best it did was splash parts of him away. Instead of aiming to block this blow Rakka pushed forward and threw a punch of his own. As his arm flew forward it transformed into oil and a wave surged up it as his fist made contact with Akane’s causing his impact to send a shockwave through her fist. To what effect the young man didn’t know, but he used that moment to allow the rest of his body to transform.

Once the punch landed there was naught left of Rakka in his original form, all that was there was a splash of oil on the floor and what oil that stuck to the knuckles that made the impact in the floor.

Bubbles looked at his new student and smirked, a toothy grin. The stalk under his chin jiggled as a soft chuckle emanated from his throat. “Aka-Gal, you’ve gone and done the one thing I’ve struggled to do the entire time I’ve been teaching Rakka-Boi.” He spoke, his voice as raspy as ever. “You made him embrace himself.“ He spoke with a tone of pride for his new student.