Chapter 21: Joining the Hunting Team
At night, on the edge of the first-level plaza, atop the great tree roots—
Uncle Kate and Uncle Witt sat together, each holding a jug of wine. Gentle moonlight filtered through the layers of divine tree roots, illuminating them softly.
Gulp, gulp…
"Haha! It's already been thirteen years! Thinking back to those early days at sea, Witt, it all feels so nostalgic!" Kate wiped the wine from his mouth and laughed heartily at Witt.
Witt said nothing—he just glanced at Kate and took another swig, his eyes filled with memories.
Kate didn't interrupt. He smiled and let Witt reminisce quietly.
He found himself reminiscing, too.
After the three of them were separated by the storm all those years ago, Kate had ended up in the land of giants and had lived there ever since.
There had been some mistrust at first, but eventually, he'd made friends with the giants.
Unfortunately, he'd never gotten to meet the captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates.
"Heh…" The memories made Kate chuckle to himself.
"Kate, I think it's time Cole and Luo Han join the hunting team," Witt said, putting down his jug. His eyes were calm but serious.
"I sense a great wave coming in the sea. If Cole and Luo Han don't grow stronger fast, Ring Tree Island won't be safe."
Kate replied, "Are you sure? You want to start now and not wait for the next Fish Scale Festival? It's only a year away."
He didn't quite understand. Couldn't they hold out a little longer?
"In the past few years, News Coo has flown past Ring Tree Island at least eight times!" Witt said.
"They never used to reach this far. That means the outside world is far more active than before.
Who knows when someone might stumble across Ring Tree Island?
And we both know what kind of power it takes to survive in the second half of the Grand Line."
"What's more… we're wanted by the World Government. If Ring Tree Island is discovered, the villagers will pay the price."
Witt looked solemn.
After hearing that, Kate's expression became serious too. This was about their homeland—better to be overly cautious than careless.
"Alright! I'll start training them tomorrow. In the afternoon, I'll bring them to hunt Sea Kings."
They clinked their jugs and drank again, the moonlight continuing to pour down.
The next morning, Luo Han and Cole were dragged out to the hunting team's training grounds by Uncle Kate.
The site was on the opposite side of Green Cliff. The team members were already present, energetic and alert.
Only Luo Han and Cole looked half-asleep, clearly not fully awake yet.
"Hey, Cole! Luo Han! Why'd my uncle bring you two here? Are you joining the hunting team now?" Brother Ryan came over with a guess in mind.
"No need to ask," said Uncle Kate. "They've been ready for a while. This is just earlier than planned."
"Get them fully awake—we're starting training now!"
Kate scowled at their sleepy expressions and told Ryan to deal with them.
After taking in a bit of cold morning air on the summit, Luo Han gradually woke up.
"This is the summit? What are we doing here so early? The sun isn't even up yet!"
He shivered and quickly wrapped himself in psychokinesis to stay warm.
Hehe, psychokinesis works for heat, too.
"That's right," Ryan said. "You and Cole are joining the hunting team starting today. So from now on, you'll train with them."
"Cole! Quit pretending you're in bed—you're on the summit!" Ryan turned and shook Cole awake.
Joining the hunting team? Luo Han thought. Must be because of yesterday's fight with Cole.
After all, I went from basic soldier to Vice Admiral-level strength in just one morning! Haha!
Cole also slowly came to his senses.
"Where am I? Huh? Han-ge, why are you at my house?"
"…Wait, I think my dad threw me out."
"Stop overthinking it. We're on the summit. Uncle Kate dragged us here," Luo Han replied.
"You and Luo Han are officially in the hunting team now," Ryan said. "Training starts now—go find Uncle Kate."
After Ryan left, Luo Han said, "Let's go, Cole. Let's hear what Uncle Kate has to say."
They walked toward Uncle Kate, who stood at the cliff's edge.
As they passed by, the hunting team members were practicing their "military boxing," but slowly—like a form of Tai Chi. Their muscles trembled visibly with effort.
They looked like they were straining with each move.
Huh? Could this boxing style be a secret technique? Luo Han wondered.
When they reached him, Uncle Kate turned to face them.
"Luo Han, Cole! Originally, we planned to bring you into the hunting team next year.
But Witt and I both agree that your bodies are ready for the enhanced version of the nameless boxing style."
So that's what they were practicing… Luo Han thought.
"There's an enhanced version? I want to learn it, Uncle Kate!" Cole, always interested in combat techniques, immediately perked up.
"Haha, alright. Let me explain how it came about."
Uncle Kate laughed and began:
"The enhanced version is a deeper form of the nameless style. Only those whose bodies have been strengthened by the Fish Scale Fruit can train in it."
"At its core, the style focuses on vibrations—vibrations of the body.
The reason the Fish Scale Fruit transformation accelerates is because of training with this boxing style."
He pointed at the other team members practicing in the distance.
"Once your transformation is complete, and your body strong enough, you can train the enhanced version like they are."
"Even though it's called the enhanced version, the movements themselves haven't changed. What's different is the inner awareness it develops.
And that awareness is only possible once your body reaches a certain strength."
Luo Han raised his hand, smiling awkwardly.
"Uncle Kate… my body probably isn't ready yet. I was able to fight Cole yesterday only because of my Devil Fruit ability."
"We know. You're talking about the psychokinetic body infusion, right?"
Wait—you knew? Then why drag me out so early? Luo Han thought with a sigh.
"Haha! Even if your body isn't ready inside, your strength is.
You'll train alongside Cole—this way, both of you can grow together."
(END CHAPTER)
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