Newbie's Skill

Thirty-Seven

The next day, I was dropped off at Isle Island. I put my stuff down in the small home. This place was very cozy. I would definitely settle down here if I ever retired from being a pirate. I looked around the place.

There was a bookshelf, and I put my three sketchbooks on one shelf, and my few books on the second. There was a dresser next to it, and I put all of my pencils and pens inside. I didn't have much, so I was great on space.

I wondered who lived here. The place was a bit dusty like it hadn't been touched for a few years. Either way, it was a nice place. It was great for some solo training.

I headed outside to see a few animals greeting me at the door. I laughed a little, petting the hybrid animals. I got a few licks and tickles from all around. I closed and locked the door. Good thing it was in the middle of the woods with a key.

Marco had left me a small boat, and it had Pops' jolly roger on the flag. I was able to bring it in a small river that came over towards the house. The entrance was covered by vines, so the naked eye couldn't spot it, especially from a distance.

"I guess it's time to get in a good workout," I told myself. I did nothing but build up muscle strength and endurance all day. From 50 handstand push-ups to 50 tree pull-ups. From there I went to 50 tree sit-ups. I ran the entire island twice, which wasn't very fun. I even tried one-handed handstand push-ups, but I could only do 16 before falling on my face.

For the next four days, that was my training regiment. I saw a paper fall from the sky, and I immediately fell out of the handstand. I snatched the paper, reading every single word on the front page.

"THEY'RE GOING TO EXECUTE ACE?" I shouted. I only had a few days. Two to be exact. Could I get to Marineford from here? How far was it? A little sea lion approached me. I was on the edge of the island. He began to cough, and I immediately patted his back. "Are you okay, Buddy?" I asked, trying to soothe him. He puked, and I pet his head gently. "There there," I murmured. My eyes drifted to what he puked up. My jaw dropped, and my eyes fell out of my sockets. "Is that an eternal log pose to Marineford?" I exclaimed. "I'm not even going to ask where you got this or how you got this. All you need to know is that you're a life saver."

I ran back to the house. I grabbed my log poses and Ace's, Pops', and Marco's vivre cards. They were all still in tact. That's good news. I held onto them, sewing them onto my hat. I put my hat on and took off for my destination in the boat.