I'm sitting on the beach, my sealing book in hand, reading as the waves lightly tap against my feet. Around me, five shadow clones are scattered across the shore, each engaged in focused training. One is balancing a leaf on his palm, refining chakra control through careful concentration. Another is furiously spinning chakra, attempting to form a stable Rasengan—frustration clear as the sphere wobbles apart. A third clone flashes from spot to spot, working on shunpo, blending Leaf Body Flicker and the basics of the Shunshin no Jutsu for faster, more efficient movement. The fourth draws intricate seals in the sand, practicing fuuinjutsu by replicating advanced kanji arrays from memory. The last clone is testing the seals, making sure what works and what doesn't, away from the ship.
I sigh as I stand up, cracking my back as I do. Today has been a rare, relaxing moment along the sea. Luffy ran off doing something undeniably crazy, Zoro walked in some direction, and I haven't heard from him since, and Nami is sketching up a map of the area.
I look up, seeing the sun start to set. Hopefully, everyone will be back soon; otherwise, I'll have to gather them manually. We promised to meet back at the ship by sundown.
I wince as the pain in my arm flares up. Most of my injuries have since healed from our last battle with the Buggy Pirates, but that one ran a bit deeper than the others.
I let each clone disperse one by one, absorbing their memories gradually to avoid the usual headache. The feedback is promising: my chakra control has noticeably improved, especially with the leaf and water-walking exercises. Just last month, during my first attempt to walk on water, I sank like driftwood. Now, I can maintain a consistent flow and even started experimenting with holding more kunai on my fingertips. I'm up to four on each hand. The Rasengan, however, remains my greatest challenge. I've managed the first step, rotating the chakra to pop the balloon, using the Naruto method of clone assistance, but doing it with just one hand eludes me. Without being able to perform Rasengan single-handedly, it loses its combat viability; relying on a shadow clone for every step is not practical, especially when high-level shinobi can disrupt clones with a single strike. Every improvement I make brings me closer to protecting my crew when it truly matters, to banishing the fear that I will not be able to stand beside them in critical times. It fuels my determination, knowing that one day I might face an enemy so formidable that only well-honed skills can prevent disaster.
But what excites me most is my progress in sealing techniques—fuuinjutsu. Not long ago, I could only decipher basic symbols, but now I can craft my own seals with confidence. I've mastered standard storage scrolls and can now seal and unseal objects at will, just like Tenten's arsenal. Temperature seals, which regulate the heat or cold of an environment, are now second nature to me. Today, I even attempted a basic explosive tag (kibaku fuda), though I'm still cautious with anything that might blow up in my face. Thanks to these advances, I've started using fuuinjutsu to enhance my physical training as well.
Now, with custom weight-increasing seals like the ones Gai-sensei uses, I can add resistance to clothing or objects, turning even a simple walk into an endurance exercise. Restriction seals are another breakthrough. By limiting my range of motion or tightening my limbs, I simulate the effect of training under gravity or in sand, forcing my muscles and chakra pathways to work harder for every movement. These seals are inspired by the ones used in the Chuunin Exams to suppress targets or restrain dangerous shinobi, but mine are tuned for self-improvement rather than immobilization. This relentless drive to push myself stems from a deep-seated fear of inadequacy that I've carried since childhood. I've always worried that I might not be strong enough when my friends need me the most. My battle with the Buggy Pirates only reinforced that fear, and now I use every moment to ensure I'm never caught unprepared again. This is why these seals are more than just tools for physical training; they are my way of overcoming the doubts that haunt me.
By combining these seals, even routine tasks, such as lifting the anchor, sprinting across the deck, or hauling supplies, become rigorous training sessions. My hope is to eventually use chakra to accelerate recovery, perhaps by learning the basics of medical ninjutsu to heal muscle fatigue. Every day on the ship becomes an opportunity for growth.
This progression could open the door to medical ninjutsu, or iryojutsu. While my current knowledge is limited to academy-level first aid and some theory on chakra scalpel techniques, I'm eager to learn more. Mastering basic healing jutsu, like the Shosen Jutsu, would drastically improve survival during adventures and could even let me help my crew recover faster from injuries.
Eventually, Chopper will take up the mantle of doctor for the crew, but knowing us, having an extra person who can help heal is a welcome addition. Besides, we need someone who can do that for us now, before he's a part of the crew.
I spot Nami strolling back to the ship, her eyes glued to the map she's been sketching with meticulous detail. She's muttering under her breath about currents and wind patterns. When she finally looks up and notices me, she frowns, tucking a strand of orange hair behind her ear. "Seriously? The others still aren't back yet?" Her voice is sharp but tinged with worry. "We're going to lose the daylight. If we don't make it to Syrup Village by nightfall, we'll have to anchor offshore. And I'm not missing a chance at a bigger, safer boat just because those two are off goofing around."
I shake my head with a slight smile. "No sign of them. I've been out here all day, and not a single shout or sword swing."
Nami lets out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes. "Those idiots. I swear, if they got themselves into trouble again, I'm charging them double." As if on cue, a distant rumbling echoes from the forest, growing louder with every passing second. We both freeze as the rustling of leaves turns into a violent crashing sound, and the ground seems to tremble beneath us. I squint toward the trees, and sure enough, a massive dust cloud is barreling toward us, with two chaotic shapes at the front. Luffy and Zoro, unmistakable even from this distance, sprinting for their lives.
As they get closer, I see the wild animals hot on their heels—wolves with snarling fangs bared and eyes glinting under the dimming light, deer leaping with muscles taut and ready to strike, squirrels chittering in a frenzy, and even a boar or two with tusks ready to gore. All charge after Luffy and Zoro as though they're the main course at a feast. The chaotic calls and the sheer presence of a stampede send a thrill of urgency through our bones. Luffy's laughter rings out even over the thundering paws, while Zoro just looks annoyed, sword drawn but not bothering to actually fight the animals off.
"Daichi! Nami! Let's go, adventure!" Luffy shouts, grinning from ear to ear, rubber arms stretching as he grabs Zoro and slingshots them both toward the ship like human cannonballs. I can't help but sweatdrop as I scramble to secure the sails, stash the food, and make sure my sealing scrolls aren't about to fly overboard. The impact shakes the planks as Luffy and Zoro crash-land onto the deck, the sharp splinter of wood and a tang of salt spray filling the air, their landing so forceful it yanks both our little rowboat and Nami's small ship into open water.
"Are you out of your mind?!" Nami screams, clocking Luffy on the head hard enough to make even his rubbery skull wobble. "Every single island, you do this! I am not getting trampled by a herd of wild animals because you wanted to play jungle king!" Luffy just beams, rubbing his head. "But it was fun, Nami! And Zoro found a shortcut, right, Zoro?"
Zoro drops to the deck, arms crossed behind his head, already half-asleep. "Hn. I just followed the loudest idiot. Woke me up, anyway."
I glance at the sky, watching as streaks of orange and purple bleed into the clouds. We're losing daylight fast. Before I can even say a word, Luffy appears at my side—seemingly out of nowhere—his grin impossibly wide and his straw hat askew from whatever trouble he's just been in. "Nami! Can we get to Syrup Village before dinner? I'm starving!" he pleads, bouncing on the balls of his feet like a coiled spring. The way his stomach growls, it's a wonder he hasn't tried eating the oars yet.
Nami levels him with a glare so sharp it could cut rope. She plants her hands firmly on her hips, exuding an authority that would make most pirates shrink. "Maybe if you'd stop causing chaos for five minutes, we wouldn't be behind schedule! Honestly, Luffy! I swear, you're like a hurricane in sandals."
She doesn't wait for a response, snatching her maps from a nearby crate and squinting at the faint outline of the island ahead. "We'll go as far as we can tonight, then tomorrow I'll get us to Syrup Village, got it?" She jabs a finger at Luffy, but he's already forgotten the question, his wide eyes fixed on something glinting in the dark water—a fish, a coin, maybe just the moon reflected off a wave.
Luffy bounces so energetically that the little boat rocks side to side, earning an immediate chorus of protests. "Yeah! Adventure! I hope there's meat!" he shouts, his enthusiasm undampened by Nami's scolding. He cranes his neck over the edge, clearly debating whether he could catch something edible right now.
"Luffy! Knock it off before you dump us all in the water!" I snap, bracing myself with one hand on the side of the boat. Zoro, sprawled out across a pile of rope, cracks open one eye—not out of concern, but more out of annoyance at being disturbed.
Zoro lets out a lazy sigh, shifting just enough to avoid the sunlight hitting his face. "If you fall in, I'm not fishing you out," he mutters, already drifting back toward sleep. His swords rest within arm's reach, but he looks ready to nap through a storm.
Nami pointedly ignores the chaos, deftly steering the boat back on course with practiced hands. She's all business, her focus unshakeable. "If any of you touch the rudder, I'm throwing you overboard myself." The threat is so routine it might as well be a ship's rule by now.
Time drags on as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the ocean in streaks of gold and indigo. The boat rocks lazily with the waves, and the only sounds are Zoro's soft snoring and Luffy's dramatically loud complaint. "Nami, I'm starving! Are we there yet?" he groans, clutching his stomach as if he might waste away at any moment. His moan is the very picture of theatrical suffering.
Nami sighs, exasperated, but doesn't look up from her charts. "You said that ten minutes ago, Luffy."
I finally speak up, breaking the repetitive rhythm of the waves. "Nami, there's an island coming up, and we need to make a decision now. It's getting too dark to keep going safely, and the tides can be tricky this time of night. We should stop here for the night to ensure everyone's safety and take advantage of the daylight for navigation tomorrow. Setting anchor here is our best option tonight."
"Yeah, alright, Daichi. Drop the anchor." Nami waves a hand, her attention already back on her maps. "Those two are useless when they're hungry or asleep." At the mention of food, Luffy sits bolt upright, eyes shining hopefully, while Zoro doesn't so much as twitch.
"You got it, Miss Navigator." I give her a mock salute, fighting a grin as Luffy watches me like I might pull a feast out of thin air, and Zoro remains blissfully uninterested in anything but his nap.
Nami's sigh is barely audible over the sound of the anchor chain, but there's a spark of satisfaction in her eyes as she lays out tomorrow's course. I haul up the anchor, muscles straining with the extra weight of my seals, grateful for the distraction from the constant bickering. As the boat finally settles for the night, the mismatched harmony of our crew feels, somehow, exactly right.
I unroll a scroll from my weapon pouch with a flourish and tap a storage seal. With a soft burst of chakra, a whole barrel of fresh, glistening oranges appears on the deck. The sweet scent fills the air, instantly grabbing everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone, grab some while you can. If we're not quick, Luffy's going to inhale the whole barrel."
Luffy's eyes go wide as dinner plates. "ORANGES!" he shouts, practically leaping over Zoro and sprawling across the deck to get to the barrel first. In seconds, he's stuffing oranges into his mouth two at a time, juice running down his chin, cheeks bulging like a chipmunk. "So goooood!"
Nami darts in with practiced speed, snatching several oranges before Luffy can eat them all. She shoots me a grateful but businesslike look. "About time you put those seals to good use. I'll be in my cabin." She clutches her precious haul close and heads toward her small cabin space, making sure Luffy can't follow.
Zoro, however, just sits back against the mast, arms folded and eyes half-lidded, unimpressed by Luffy's frenzy. He lazily peels an orange and pops a slice into his mouth, watching the chaos with the air of a man who's seen it all before. "You mean you could do that the whole time?" he asks, voice drier than sandpaper. Luffy pauses mid-chew, orange pulp smeared across his face, and blinks at me with genuine confusion—like this is the biggest revelation of the day.
I nod, trying not to laugh at their expressions. Zoro gives me a long, exasperated look, as though I've just revealed some deeply inconvenient secret. "And you didn't think to try and feed Luffy earlier?" he grumbles, shaking his head.
I raise an eyebrow, matching Zoro's dry tone. "If I gave in every time Luffy complained about food, do you think we'd have any left by the end of the day? The whole point is making it last."
He shrugs, conceding the point. "Yeah, you've got a point. Still, next time, warn us before Luffy tries to eat the woodwork."
Luffy, oblivious, waves a half-eaten orange in the air. "I'd eat the boat if it tasted like meat!"
I sweatdrop at Luffy, "If you ate the boat, wouldn't you just drown? Devil fruit users can't swim, right?" Even as the laughter echoes around us, the vast ocean, stretching into infinity, serves as a silent reminder of its threats. With its depth teeming with enigmas and potential perils in every uncharted wave, it's a hazardous ally in our quests. It underscores the stakes that lie beyond our cheerful reprieves.
Luffy just laughs, completely unfazed. "But if the boat tasted like meat, I'd go happy!" His eyes sparkle with a mix of innocence and single-minded hunger, and he grins wide enough for a piece of orange to fall out of his mouth onto the deck. He doesn't even notice.
He nods, still munching. "Yeah, I can't swim. Shanks always called me anchor! He'd laugh when I sank right to the bottom!" Luffy laughs too, as if sinking like a stone was the best adventure ever. He proudly thumps his chest, orange juice spraying.
"Is that something you should be happy about?" I ask, bewildered.
Luffy grins even wider, stretching his arms behind his head as he lounges back. "Of course! Shanks always saved me. I knew I'd be King of the Pirates someday!" He chomps another orange, completely carefree, as if his logic is perfectly obvious.
Zoro just sighs once more, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're an idiot."
Luffy, true to form, just grins—utterly unbothered. "Hehehe, meat-boat…" he mumbles, trailing off as he sprawls out on the deck. Within seconds, he's snoring, a half-eaten orange still clutched in his hand. Only Luffy could fall asleep in the middle of a conversation about drowning.
Zoro gives me a look of disbelief, as if asking how any of us survive with Luffy at the helm. Then he shrugs, rolls onto his side, and is asleep almost as quickly.
I settle in, letting the gentle rocking of the boat lull me. Above, the stars shimmer, and Nami's quiet shuffling can be heard as she double-checks her maps one last time. For a moment, everything is peaceful—the chaos of the day replaced by the steady rhythm of waves against the hull and the soft breathing of my crewmates.
Morning comes all too quickly. I wake to the sound of seabirds wheeling overhead, their calls echoing across the open water. The sky is still streaked with the last traces of night, a soft glow rising behind the distant silhouette of Syrup Village. The others are still asleep, Luffy curled up like a cat beside the empty orange barrel.
Moving quietly, I create five clones and send them off to train, refining my techniques while the world is still calm. I take a seat at the stern and close my eyes, focusing inward—swirling chakra through my body, cultivating it further with every breath. The steady presence of my clones at work stretches my reserves and sharpens my senses, a silent promise that I'll be stronger tomorrow than I was today.
As the first rays of sunlight spill over the horizon, the boat stirs. Luffy rolls over, mumbling about breakfast and adventure. Nami's already at the bow, eyes fixed on the shoreline like a predator on prowl, and Zoro blinks awake, reaching instinctively for his swords.
Syrup Village awaits—another day, another adventure, and a new friend to welcome aboard.