Vacation Hi-jinks! The Eye of the Tiger Training Montage!

[Sam]

It had been three days since Rakka had left for the mountain top but there had been no answer from him. No he hadn't returned? For all Reynard knew his friend could have fallen prey to one of the tigers inhabiting the mountain tops although he found that doubtful given his prowess. Reynard himself had mangled one of those tigers at only age twelve when it got too close to the farm. It was one of the first few times when his fledging superhuman strength was surfacing and in act that left many of the locals dumbfound. Whatever the case the young Seaman found himself walking into the Gao forest with his sister in toe.

"I really hope your friend is okay!"

Rouge piped up only to get a side eye glance from Reynard. She sure as hell never worried about him like that. The young boy trudged along forward cutting down foliage with the claws of his transformed claw. As far as he was aware this was the general direction Rakka said he was heading? Something about a waterfall hidden in the depths of the jungle... Rouge apperently knew the way since it had been a hanging out spot for her friends in earlier teenage years.

"Rakka!!! You there!!?"

Reynard piped up, but the only thing that responded were birds and monkeys making their own calls back into the wild. He had to be careful with calling out too much or they might attract more dangerous predators than a tiger. Or worse, they could attract the attention of mountain bandits. That scum always loved hanging out in between the foliage.

"Well I hear nothing... you sure this is the way?"

He turned to look at Rouge who gave him a nod. She pursed her lips, this was the way. Or at least how she remembered it? Reynard's ears flickered. A part of him had not been too keen on letting Rakka encounter this Bubbles fellow on his own. But the boy could not be pressed in waiting a couple of days before going up the mountain. Reynard shook his head sighed.

"Mm... okay I'll trust your instincts."

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Reynard | Tangerine | #FA8128 | (Post Count: 1)
Rouge | Crimson | #ED2939

[Kami-Gaz]

The sounds of wildlife surrounded the dojo at the summit of the mountain, birds called, monkeys howled, and predators crept. Weapons lay discarded all around the walled monastery all shapes and sizes from swords and pistols to staves and rifles, they were fresh too. Left there after a bandit attack just the day prior where the master of this Dojo and his only student fended them off. All with minimal damage to the dojo itself, at most there was a scorch mark where a gun when off when it landed on the cobbles.

“Rakka-Fella!” A gruff voice called from inside of the dojo building proper, the owner emerged the first visible point being a dangling bioluminescent light from his dragonfish face, the rows of sharp teeth on display. “Rakka-Fella! Are you already practicing?” He called, his white and blue gi finally coming into the light of day as he entered the courtyard.

There was a popping sound as a fist moved at an incredible speed and a burst of black oil erupted from said fist, causing a sound akin to a gunshot. The dirty blond haired young man that caused that said looked up from the training dummy that just shattered from the impact of his attack looked up with a bright grin. “Yes sensei!” He called before returning to his stance. “Cottonmouth Strike, Cobra’s Kiss!” He punched forward rapidly, hitting a new dummy with another shockwave of black oil and then in the instant his attack landed his fist unclenched and he pushed forward to form a fist again and snapped a second punch with a shockwave.

The master looked at Rakka with an open mouth… he was here for three days and was already pulling moves trained practitioners struggled to pull off… Rakka was good. “Rakka-Fella, you are good!” He announced as he walked over to the man who was training, noticing that most of the bandages that were being worn when Rakka arrived were already gone, he had a series of nasty scars all over his torso, but his face healed up well aside from the line that ran over his left eye.

“Thank you, Master Bubbles…” The young man said apprehensively but gave the master a smile as he bowed to the man, only now did he realise the sound from his two attacks cracking like gunshots had made the birds nearby take flight and the monkeys scream in fear like they had done yesterday. “I can always be better though.”

---

Rakka: ffffff
Master Bubbles: 1979e6

[Sam]

After much marching through the humid forests of Goa, the foxy duel finally arrived at the waterfall that Rouge had mentioned and just to its right was Dojo made of stone. The mist from the waterfall made the location seem rather dramatic. Reynard tilted his head and looked at the place. He didn't know of any Dojos like these in the area and judging by Rouge's quizzical expression it seemed she didn't know either.

"You know anything about this."

Reynard inquired, to which Rouge shook her head staring intently at the location with her golden eyes that mirrored Reynard's own. It had been a good five years since she last had been here... a lot happens in five years... whatever the case maybe they should investigate. But before she could mention anything her little brother was already on the matter walking up to the Dojo's big studded door and knocking with brass knob-like handle that dangled from its front.

"Oiiii!!! Rakka!!! You there!?"

He yelled out and put his hands on his hips. Rouge followed right behind him and stared at the dark oak doors studded in black iron.

"Its very beautiful whatever this place is... scenic you know?"

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Reynard | Tangerine | #FA8128 | (Post Count: 2)

[Kami-Gaz]

*THUD* *THUD* *THUD* “OIIIII!!! RAKKA! YOU THERE?!” a familiar voice called after the knocker to the main gate to the Dojo was used. That was Reynard and Rakka instantly grinned to his sensei before shifting and darting to the door, his lower legs shifting into oil and propelling him there faster than he could run… however because of the nature of his power he didn’t even leave a drop of oil behind. It was only respectful to Master Bubbles.

“Rey!” Rakka called as he pulled the giant dark wooden iron studded door open from the inside. As he did he revealed a courtyard full of smashed training dummies and broken weapons. Behind him was a large ugly looking fishman with a bioluminescent light dangling from his chin. “It’s good to see you!” He said before launching into a hug that pulled him and Rouge in.

Then he realised Rouge was there and he hopped back, releasing the pair of foxes and let out a nervous chuckle. She had a strange effect on him for some reason. ”Hey Rouge, I kept my promise and didn’t get hurt anymore.” He spoke softly, looking away from her as his foot gently tapped the floor and one of his hands ran through the back of his own hair.

The master of the Dojo chuckled and moved back a step and gestured for the guests to come inside. “Do I have more students? Or are we just here to check up on Rakka-Fella?” He asked as Rakka also stepped back to let the newcomers into the Dojo. Master Bubbles stood tall, even taller than what the Ayoki’s would remember their elder sister being.

“I’ve got so many new things to show you both! I stopped holding back!” Rakka chattered with excitement; he had grown a lot in the last three days of hard training. Learning how to take away his own mental limitations that he put in place through a naïve trust and misunderstanding of his own mothers’ words. “Punch me! Like as hard as you can Rey! I’ll be fine. I swear.”

---

Rakka: ffffff
Master Bubbles: 1979e6

[Sam]

The heavy studded doors parted revealing the pristine Dojo behind and of course a very excitable Rakka who immediately pulled in the siblings for a strong hug. One which surprised Reynard initially before he formally reciprocated. Once they were hastily released from the embrace Reynard dusted himself a bit before commenting on why they'd arrived on the first place.

"Oh good, you're alive you had us worried. Well... Rouge was."

Reynard smirked only to be slapped in the back of his head by the ivory skinned young woman who glared at him in annoyance. An annoyed huff coming from her nose. Reynard rubbed the back of his head wondering what had gotten her so flustered from a simple tease.

"Don't pretend you weren't worried too!"

The young man let out a sigh and returned his gaze to Rakka deciding to ignore this ordeal. Taking note of the fishman behind his best friend... this would be the second? Yes, the second fishfolk he'd ever met. The first, of course had been Shiromi who had been a bit of a dunder head although she was also p-pretty. Nonetheless it was a curious sight which got a friendly wave from Reynard and an amused stare from his sister who had never seen a Fishman before. But there was yet another thing that came up. Rakka asked to be punch. Reynard didn't flinch or hesitate... surely the fellow young man had an ace up his sleeve. Perhaps a hidden martial art technique of sorts. Rouge of course was in utter shock seeing what her brother did next.

"Okay."

With a simple reply Reynard punched Rakka with all his might using one of his stone shattering techniques. As his fist made there was some tension against Rakka's face but soon-

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Reynard | Tangerine | #FA8128 | (Post Count: 3)

[Kami-Gaz]

After the pair reacted Rey did as he was asked and reared back for a punch, and not just any punch the hardest punch he could muster. Perfect! Rakka prepared himself and watched as the fist closed the space from Reynard to his face. In that instant of impact his entire head turned to oil and exploded around Rey’s fist. He let his body stay stood up for just a moment then it leaned to the side as the oil gathered and coalesced at the black stump where the neck was. In just a second his head reformed perfectly with not even a bruise from Rey’s attack.

Master bubbles watched the situation and let his hand cover his eyes, there was revealing one’s ability and then there was making a show of it in a manner that could make friends or loved ones concerned. This was the latter, the smiles the Fishman Karate master had though proved it was a show he was enjoying none the less. “Rakka-Fella, don’t go scaring them like that my boi.”

The young marine chuckled as his head returned entirely to normal and he patted Rey’s arm. “So, I didn’t tell the truth with my fruit…” He spoke with that same smile, looking past his best friend to the young woman that was standing just behind. “I was a logia all along… Something my Mum said to not rely on and to hide so people didn’t target me.” Rakka explained before stepping back, letting the breeze that was coming from the open door behind the Ayoki siblings ruffle his own hair.

“Sorry if I made you both worry! I just got really into my Fishman Karate Training!” He carried on, announcing how happy he was with what was going on. It was good to see them both, in the short time he spent at their home he had grown quite close to Rouge over the other sisters. Why? He didn’t know but she seemed to always be close and want to listen to his ramblings.

---

Rakka: ffffff
Master Bubbles: 1979e6

[Sam]

Upon seeing the fist collide with Rakka’s face and the young man’s head explode, Rouge simply fainted right then and there. Reynard on the other hand flinched as his face went pale and his eyes slit in despair. Had he just… killed his best friend… his heart sank… tears were about form… he really was a monster!! Many thoughts raced through his head. Until Rakka’s head reformed like nothing.

“FOOL YOU HAD ME WORRIED! I was already thinking of ways to explain this to Rosalyn without her disowning me…”

Reynard flopped on his back and stared at the sky not having noticed his sister faint from his own shock. So this was Rakka’s new technique? It was an odd one… was that a Paramecia thing? Certainly it wasn’t something Reynard could do with his fruit as he couldn’t produce a substance. But that's when the reveal came as Reynard stood up and Rakka gently patted his shoulder. His master in toe reprimanding him for his actions.

“Logia? What's that another class of Devil Fruit? I thought… it was just Paramecia and Zoan…”

The vulpine man scratched his head thinking about it. Well Daniel did have a weird zoan… he had heard Rosalyn call it a mythical zoan as it was based on some creature from an ancient civilization. Whatever that meant… All he knew was Daniel could become a zappy bird and that was pretty potent truth be told. But now there was a third class entirely.

Before he has to worry about the wild card paramecia types and the beastly zoan types such as himself. It was all so straightforward. But now what? People who could turn their bodies into things? Like… dirt… maybe? Ash? Clay…? What was the limit on that? It seemed pretty busted too as it gave a good defense if his physical attacks just pushed through it. But every armor had its weakness. Likewise every element had its counter.

“That's neat… damn Rakka you’ve been holding out on me?”

Reynard teased him as he stood up on his two legs and turned around.

“Oi Rouge! Can you believe that! Rouge… OH GOD!”

He dashed toward his sister and held her head up. A frown spread across his face. Perhaps the excitement had been a little too much for his poor older sister.

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Reynard | Tangerine | #FA8128 | (Post Count: 4)

[Kami-Gaz]

“Holding out?” Rakka asked wit ha bit of confusion. “Kinda… My mum always told me that relying on my fruit like that was going to get me killed, or hurt really bad. Apparently people can have seastone coated weapons…” He explained before kneeling down by Rouge and frown on his own face. “I… didn’t think she would pass out.” He spoke softly as he moved to sit the young woman up.

The elder fishman had already brought one of the benches that were for resting and placed it down nearby, his gruff form soiled by the great big toothy smile he had. “Rakka-fella, Foxxy-gal just watched your head explode” The man spoke as he watched Rakka and his friend deal with the young lady and getting her into a comfortable position on said bench to rest.

“Ahh, Sorry Bubbles-man,” the young marine replied with an awkward smile after the move was said and done. “Mister Bubbles taught me that I was holding myself back… that holding back like I was, it’s just going to get all of you hurt.” He said sincerely to the young man he had come to see as a brother after everything they had been through in the short time that they had been nakama in the 22nd division.

He cracked a big happy smile as she moved without walking, transforming his feet and sliding across the cobbled stones of the courtyard to the middle. He didn’t even leave a trail of oil on the floor with his movement now… it was as if this revelation gave him so much more control. “Wanna have a sparring match until Rouge wakes up? I want to go all out against someone I know can really push me.” He said giving his brother a great grin as he assumed combat stance.

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Rakka: ffffff
Master Bubbles: 1979e6

[Sam]

Reynard helped Rakka prop up Rouge against a wall. He frowned, well hopefully she’d be okay… that scare really was a lot for her wasn’t it. Letting out a sigh he motioned toward the fishman and stuck his tongue out at Rakka.

“Yeah he gets it haha…”

Standing up he stretched a bit and shrugged his ears, flickering slightly. It was no fuss. He was just happy that Rakka was okay and not actually dead. Reynard deep down had a huge worry and that was accidentally hurting his friends and allies with his own superhuman prowess. That said

“Don’t sweat it, Rak.”

That said, a nice spar against Rakka seemed like just the thing he needed. Especially after he’d been trained in this so-called fishman karate by the geezer. On top of the reveal that Rakka had another ability in store one he’d been holding out on. He still couldn’t wrap his head around why his mom told him not to use it to protect him. If anything it seemed like he’d get hurt less with it. That entire situation back on Tequila Wolf and his injuries would have never happened. Anyway he was a lot more curious on how Rakka would hold up against him now.

“Spar? Sure… I’d like to test you out. Although be warned I’ll be the one holding out this time.”

With a smug expression Reynard simply looked at his best friend. Of course Rakka wouldn’t know what he meant by that and he would rather tease it for later anyway. Although, come to think of it… it had been some days since he’d even felt the weights on his person. Only now that he reminded himself did he feel the cold metal pressing against the flesh of his ankles.

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Reynard | Tangerine | #FA8128 | (Post Count: 5)

[Kami-Gaz]

Seeing how Rey was game for this friendly fight the young marine shook out his extremities, giving them a nice quick stretch in anticipation for the fight that was to come. Rey was strong and he was only getting stronger from what Rakka had seen of his abilities, this would easily give the pair a nice workout. “I thought you would have a new trick up your sleeve!” Rakka called as he waited for his opponent to get into the courtyard area.

The fishman in his Gi walked to the edge of the arena and looked between the two young men that were before him and cracked a large sharp toothed grin. This was going to be fun to watch. He had seen Rakka go all out against himself and the explosive growth in the youth was unreal. “To first blood, unconsciousness or submission.” He called, the bioluminescent light that dangled beneath his chin flapping with each word. With a nod he stepped back, away from the edge and out of the natural sunlight. He was now in the shade where his natural light had a soft glow. “FIGHT!”

As the words were said Rakka charged forward, not actually moving but surfing on a wave of oil in an unnatural motion. He aimed to throw the incredibly fox off, whereas his own overall movement speed was not enough to run him down normally, confusing him would do. His reactions and other techniques could keep him going through the fox’s fast barrages.

“Oil Baron Karate:” He muttered, his eyes showing perfect focus. He was analysing even as he moved to fight, powered by instinct. “Cottonmouth strike!” His fist surged forward; a flow of black oil rushed down his hand to meet his knuckles at the point of impact. If Rey were to get hit this shockwave would even knock him for six as the sound of the oil exploding out sounded like a gunshot.

---

Rakka: ffffff
Master Bubbles: 1979e6

[Sam]

The young man tilted his head at Rakka’s remark. Well he didn’t have anything new. At least not yet… his training hadn’t ended. Not to mention he wasn’t feeling particularly pushed to improve anymore. But that was fine. His Ensign had promised they’d leave for the Grand Line in the near future? Right? That promise of growth kept him moving forward.

“Not yet Rak, Rosalyn is still training me. I have a surprise but I can’t reveal it yet, not until she gives the orders.”

It was okay that he was still confident in his abilities against Rakka. Reynard got into a battle ready position as the fishman began the count down until the words “FIGHT!” Where shouted out. Reynard had gotten ready almost immediately, partially transforming his eyes to start. Vulpine eyes were superior to human eyes being able to detect movements and parce what was happening at greater efficiency. It was a good call too, seeing as Rakka was attempting to use erratic movements to his advantage. Reynard’s ears perked up as the sound of a gunshot broke the serene silence of the dojo and was followed by a blast of oil. Immediately with extreme reflexes Reynard jumped out of the way with incredible speed.

“Geppou.” 

He lunged straight into the air and landed right behind Rakka flicking off some oil droplets that had landed on his shoulder. That was a close one. A few milliseconds too late and he’d gotten struck down by a slick thunderclap. This must be one of the special techniques he’d learned. It seemed rather destructive and combined well with his fruit abilities. At this point Reynard went into his hybrid form growing in size. He was going to need more than partially transformed eyes in this fight. The limber body of his hybrid form would endow him with the added reflexe and specialize senses of a predatory canid which would come in handy in this fight. His whiskers twitched slightly.

“Try again…”

Sticking his hand out he motioned for Rakka to move forward as he tossed his top hat to the side. He wouldn’t go all out just yet… he wanted to see more from his best friend first. A foxish smirk was now spread across his mouth, sharp teeth inviting his contender forward.

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Reynard | Tangerine | #FA8128 | (Post Count: 6)

[Kami-Gaz]

Rey dodged his attack easily, though it was still close to landing on the marine. Rakka knew this would likely happen, there was no way he’d ever land a hit on Rey like that as an opener. Though it was worth a shot and it made the vulpine marine actually engage his fruit to a fuller capacity than he had previously had it at.

“Again?” He asked with a chuckle, watching the top hat get tossed to the side, where it landed next to the peg that held his Stetson hat. It was the first thing he did when he had arrived here… put his old life to the side to come at this like a new-born man, ready to learn everything he was given. That was somewhat rejuvenating to Rakka, approaching this as if he had learned nothing before allowed him to absorb so much more.

As his friend made the motion Rakka pushed forward, this time stepping normally into a flowing series of jabs and kicks that wasted no energy as small flows of oil exploded at the height of each attack. Though none of them carried the same sheer power the first did. These were simple, light probing attacks to test how Rey would react to a flowing assault that left little room for him to retaliate.

It was after a few of these light basic attacks where one of his fists was inconsequently pushed down towards Rey’s abdomen that there was a sudden surge of speed and power, a surge that pushed that fist that extra inch with the same power and weight as his first attack. It was a true one-inch punch that had the same gunshot sound as a true shockwave of oil exploded out. “Rattlesnakes Kiss!” He called, a satisfied grin appearing on his face as the attack was made.
 

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Rakka: ffffff
Master Bubbles: 1979e6

[Sam]

Clever, until now Reynard had been trying to read his opponents moves. It's why he’d been gracefully dodging them but Rakka had caught him in a corner with a larger attack. Normally Reynard would just geppou backwards or to the side in an effort to avoid the attack. But he wanted to test his friend further, he’d meet him halfway.

“Kumiho Jireugi: Gonbong | Ninetail Punch: Morningstar!” 

With a wide swing building up momentum Reynard met Rakka’s oil punch. Steel shattering strike meeting a concussive blast of kinetic power. Two opposing forces exerting on each other. As fist struck fist both exploded when a wave of power swept across the battlefield bending trees and pushing down training equipment in its wake. Reynard felt his entire body shake… if he hadn’t used his empowered punch then perhaps he’d been pulled alongside the wind riptide. That was for certain, there was no denying Rakka had come more than far with this strange new ability.

“Not bad… not bad…”

Reynard replied in between pants, this was starting to get very good. But he sorely left a moment pass as before Rakka knew it Reynard had retaliated with another overwhelming attack of his own. “Kumiho Chagi: Pyeongon | Ninetail Kick: War-Flail.” A flurry of kicks aimed at the would-be Oil Baron fast enough to catch him off guard. In the blink of an eye it would seem Reynard had sprouted nine legs as after images of his fast paced attack flickered. Each attack capable of overwhelming an opponent's defenses is a perfect tool for a powerful follow up.

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Reynard | Tangerine | #FA8128 | (Post Count: 7)

[Kami-Gaz]

With the pair of fists meeting in the middle and the full power of each punch cancelling the other out Rakka was shot backwards and slide along the cobbled floor of the courtyard. With such a big grin on his face the young Marine shifted his stance and started to block the fox’s attacks that came in retaliation. His own movements were like fluid going from one to the next without any wasted energy.

Then the big attack came in the blink of an eye Rey had split his legs into what looked like nine separate limbs and even the Oil Baron’s inhuman reflexes faltered, there was not real way to block this without taking what could be a serious hit. In a snap he let his body shift its form and as the kicks impacted he used tekkai whilst sliding back. “Pearlescent Shedding!” A move designed to capture the limbs of attackers and leave them vulnerable.

In the same heartbeat he surged forward and punched through the still standing oil clones head, using the oil already present to enhance his attack. Oil Baron Style: “Cottonmouth Strike!” He called as the fist was aimed to connect with the wily fox.

---

Time marches forward and this pair of fighters have the gumption and stamina to go far longer than the moments normal fights go. The sun has started to set and Master Bubbles has carefully placed Rouge onto a bench with a blanket over her body and a pillow under her head. He himself was sitting at the other side of said bench holding a freshly made cup of green tea. “Well, at least they will sleep well tonight young miss.”

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Rakka: ffffff
Master Bubbles: 1979e6