Matsuno lounged against the same tree he always laid against. The sounds of sparing filled his ears. Emma and Clive were training again huh? Matsuno did not mind the sounds, it was part of his nature at this point, similar to a buzzing bee or a singing bird.
“Matsuno!” Emma called out.
Here we go again. “Yeah.” Matsuno said, not opening his eyes.
“Teach me!” Emma said.
“Teach you what?” Matsuno said, feigning ignorance.
“Niten-ichiryu” Emma said, standing before Matsuno.
“I told you, I can't teach you.” Matsuno said.
“You just don't want to!” Emma said angrily. “Stop being lazy, it will only make all of us stronger.”
Matsuno sighed. He really couldn't teach her. He only knew Earth style, and Emma wasn't built for that style of fighting. Niten-ichiryu was the power of the body, and a person could be locked out of certain abilities from birth. It mirrored the power of Haki, which was a manipulation of spirit. There was also the third technique, the power of the mind, but Matsuno never cared to learn that one.
Niten was strong, but Matsuno was no master. Hell he could teach Emma how to utilize it, but he would probably teach her wrong. Matsuno’s brother would be way better, though again Earth style wasn't for her. Now, how could he explain it? Oh she is gone. Matsuno lounged, letting the day overcome him.
Vice Admiral Wymar had become Matsuno’s trainer once they all began learning from personal teachers. Clive was given training by Huis, while Emma was given Vice Admiral Odo. Wymar was harsh, telling Matsuno he can't nap while training was harsh!
Thankfully, Wymar was a good teacher. He also used a Katana similar to Matsuno, only half the size of Matsunos. He taught him a few techniques that he had not expected to be of use. Of course it was nothing like his brother’s Niten-ichiryu but hey it was something. The most useful things were Rokushiki.
Niten-ichiryu had the weakness of lacking defense, which Rokushiki helped Matsuno make up for. Tekkai helped him, making his body like iron, while Kami-e helped dodge attacks. Soru helped with his speed, and Rankyaku helped him channel his energy into a larger attack.
It was late at night. Matsuno was awoken from his slumber to the image of Huis’s face in front of Matsuno. Matsuno jumped, reaching for his sword that was within reach and swung the sheathed blade at the demon in front of him.
Huis took the sword hit and recovered quickly, avoiding making a noise. He held his finger to his lips as if to shush Matsuno.
“Get changed, you and Clive are coming with me.” Huis whispered.
Matsuno, drowsy, did as said. Whenever he had resisted being awoken it ended up badly for him. The first punishment was running for the entire next day, a task that was tiring but doable to Matsuno. The second involved cleaning the latrines. It was the third that made Matsuno realize how far they would go, they took away his meal privilege for the day.
Ever since Matsuno was on time to all events he needed to be there for. The trainers made sure to hold that advantage above Matsuno to keep him from slacking.
Matsuno and Clive got up to dress in uniform before Huis stopped them. “Civilian clothing tonight.” He had said in a hushed tone. With that, they dressed in their normal clothes.
Huis led them out of their bunks, closing the door behind them quietly. Why was he acting so strangely tonight? He seemed to be so sneaky for no real reason, Matsuno wondered why.
It was late into the night, well past the time for sleeping but far too early for anyone to be awake for duty. Matsuno realized in horror what must be happening, the legendary hazing rituals the sailors talked about.
Back on Mediogashima he had traveled to the port town of Takamoshi to see the ships the shipwrights would craft. There he would find a wide selection of sailors restocking for long voyages. All sorts would be found in that town, Marines, Traders, Bounty Hunters, and Pirates. Each would tell tales of adventure on the high seas.
However, there was one thing they spoke of, hazing rituals. A trade ship run by a group of long leg tribe members spoke about how they would convince a new crew member to sleep an entire night under the captain's bed without being noticed. This was especially bad as the captain was a woman who hated the way the men hit on her.
The Sapphire pirates had come to their island at one point to upgrade their ship. The glorious ship was known as the Execution Parade and was one of the finest ships he had ever seen. Apparently their hazing involved newbies to suffer the effects of their Captian’s Devil fruit power. Said it was necessary for fights with him.
Matsuno had heard story after story about the strange things new people were forced into for hazing rituals. All Matsuno wanted was to become a marine Vice admiral in peace, but what would he have to do to achieve that? This would be torture, not only was he not able to slack off but now he would suffer some sort of punishment for just being new? Damn, he wanted to go home.
They stopped outside their room, a light shining on them. Matsuno recognized the person behind the light instantly, no one else here was that short. Emma stood with her uniform on and hands on her hips. She had been out again with her dad, receiving even more training. Matsuno had picked up on the training early on in his time here, and could tell when Emma was forced into the intensive training based on new bruises that she would hide behind her long sleeved clothing.
“What is going on here?” Emma asked, the flashlight bright in Huis’s face.
“We just were uh, going out for a stroll.” Huis said nervously.
Emma glared at him.
“Fine, I was taking them for some. Special training.” Huis said, eyes darting away from Emma.
It was hazing! Matsuno felt panic rising, maybe Emma could save him from this torment.
“Well, if it's training, I want in too.” Emma said.
Matsuno looked Emma over again, she was showing signs of exhaustion. She couldn't be expected to do more training before resting right? She looked on the verge of collapse.
“Well, it's a different kind of training. One you can't be a part of.” Huis said, still avoiding her eyes.
“Fine, then im assuming you got this approved with Matsuno’s trainer right? I will just ask Vice Admiral Wymar if I can join.” Emma said, turning towards Wymar’s room.
“Fine fine!” Huis said quickly. “But, you all must make a solemn oath on your honor that you will not speak of the things I show you tonight, especially you Emma! Not even your dad!”
Emma’s face was hidden in shadow, yet Matsuno could see clearly. She had made a disgusted face at the mention of her dad, the look she used for him when she thought no one was watching. Matsuno noticed it quite often as she thought he was sleeping more often than not. Normally he was trying too, but really he often just tried to enjoy the day and the sun was too bright.
“Fine, I promise not to mention anything.” Emma said with a wave of her hand.
“Me too sir.” Clive said proudly.
“I guess I won't either.” Matsuno said, defeated.
“Good, now follow me.” Huis said. “However, Emma I don't think you will enjoy this.”
“I don't care.” Emma said, turning off her light so they could sneak out.
Huis let out a heavy sigh as they walked. They had slipped out of the base and began walking into the woods. It was dark, but Huis held out a lantern that illuminated a small area around them. Emma struggled to keep pace with the others. Clive and Matsuno had grown significantly since they began their training, but Emma had not at all. Matsuno made sure to step towards her whenever he saw her trip. He would move to let her use him for support, then back away as soon as he could.
Emma smiled with each trip, though she thought it was unseen in the dark. Why was she always trying to be so serious? Always hiding her sincerity, trying to act like she did not care about Matsuno or Clive. It was clear she was after their first overnight training.
The assignment had been to get thru a large set of woods, similar to what they were trekking through now. They each had a pack of supplies to help with the objective. The goal was to reach the other side of the island they were on as soon as possible. Vice Admiral Wymar had said the last to arrive would be shipped back, while the first would receive a special prize. They had planned to turn this into a competition instantly.
Once they had begun trekking Clive injured himself, tripping on a stick and losing his bag over a cliff side where a nearby Tree Bear caught it in the air and took it away. Matsuno knew that Tree Bears were not to be messed with, though Clive wanted to go after it. Matsuno had talked Clive down, but they then noticed that Emma was already far ahead of them. Matsuno had decided to stay back with Clive and help him get through the island's trials.
“Why don't you just run ahead.” Clive said as they sat around a small campfire that night.
“Huh?” Matsuno said, handing Clive half of Matsuno’s rations. “Why would I? You got hurt. You wouldn't last long without someone, and as your buddy I decided to stay behind with you.”
Clive looked down at the food. “I'm sorry, but I need to stay in the Marines. I have nothing else.”
Matsuno smiled. “I get you, don't stress too much.”
“I bet Emma is already at the finish line.” Clive said, munching on some jerky.
“I wouldn't think that.” Matsuno said, looking out into the darkness. He could see the small flicker of a campfire just far enough away to not be noticed by normal eyes.
The next day was a slow one, but they crossed the forest and had spotted Emma at the edge of the tree line. She was wrapping her leg in a bandage.
“You okay?” Matsuno asked, Clive holding onto his shoulder for support.
“Tripped.” Emma said angrily as she finished wrapping the leg. She got to her feet as Matsuno began to pass her, limping as fast as she could to keep pace with them.
They all ended up crossing the line at the same time. Turns out Wymar had set the conditions as a test to see how they would act. No one would be sent home, but since none of them got first place no reward was given. Matsuno had never mentioned to anyone how he watched Emma peek around the trees waiting for them to get close enough, then sat down and wrapped her own leg.
“We're almost there.” Huis said, turning his lantern off.
Everyone tensed. Matsuno braced for the hell he was about to endure. He could hear voices not far, but they were muffled by trees. Wait, was that water he heard?
Huis bent low by a bush. “Alright, take a look threw here, but keep quiet.”
Everyone nodded and followed orders. What Matsuno saw as he pushed back the leaves was something wonderful. Women! They sat in a hot spring, talking to each other with their parts exposed. Bare flesh, details that Matsuno thought he would have to spend money to see, laid before him.
Matsuno turned to see Emma, staring blankly forward. “I'm going to bed.” She said, then turned and left into the night.
Huis had a dumb look on his face, as if this was his proudest moment in his life. Clive had an expression of bliss, probably similar to Matsuno’s at the time.
“I'm going to go help her get back.” Matsuno said, rushing after Emma.
“Be safe.” Clive and Huis said, waving at Matsuno as he left.
They didn't speak of that night to anyone else. Emma had made a deal about it, however she did keep a distance from Huis after that. She had learned of his perviness.
It was only a few years later that they moved on to their next piece of training. They would all serve on different ships for a time, learning first hand leadership experience from a captain. It wouldn't be long before they too became captains at this rate. Matsuno was sad to see his friends go off in different directions, but looked forward to seeing them again.
