The Marionette

Chapter 23: I Must Get Stronger

"Get up, what are you doing!" Law shouted at you as your back hit the ground, beads of sweat forming on your forehead as you winced from the air being knocked out of your lungs. "Don't look away from an opponent, stand up!" He chastised you as you grit your teeth through the pain and stood back up on wobbly legs.

You gripped the hilt of your sword tighter while gasping for air and taking stance, it had been a while since you've sparred with someone. "You're too predictable," Law snapped as he went in for a strike, you just barely being able to dodge it. "You're too reliant on dodging, you need to learn to attack your opponent," he said while turning around quickly, your eyes widening as you defensively brought your sword up and blocked his attack.

The force from his blade hitting against yours caused you to slide back and attempt to stop his momentum by digging your heels into the ground. You huffed while wiping some sweat from your forehead, breathing hard as you could feel your arms beginning to shake from how much stamina you've been exerting. "I'm trying," you wheezed in between breaths, "we've been going at this for hours!" You said while hunching over slightly and then standing back up to take stance, your vision slightly going blurred.

Law let out a sigh while sheathing his katana and lazily swinging it over his shoulder. The white tank top he wore clung to his chest from sweat, allowing for more of his tattoo's to be visible, his hat was thrown off to the side along with some towels. "That's enough for today," Law spoke harshly while rustling some sweat out of his hair, you immediately dropping your stance.

You two were currently training in a secluded field on an island, the Log Pose had you stationed here for at least another day. After the last island, Law instructed the crew that there were to be no more parties until everyone trained more as the crew had been procrastinating too much. "I haven't trained this hard since Diamante," you said while sheathing your own sword and dropping it down by where Law's hat was.

"It's why I'm able to predict your movements," Law revealed while walking over and picking up a towel, tossing one your way which you caught. You pursed your lips while sitting down on the grass and began to wipe your face, Law taking a seat beside you.

"I've never been good with swords," you admitted with a sigh, "before Diamante, my father trained us on focusing on being stealthy and using snipers." You said while leaning back onto your hands and staring at the empty field in front of you. "I've used throwing knives, those I'm pretty good with," you added with a soft smirk, remembering when you'd challenge your father at who could aim the most accurate.

Law grunted while drying his hair off, "out here, pirates don't play fair. Most of the time you don't get the opportunity to be stealthy," he said as he picked up his hat and dusted it off. "You're going to have to get better with one sword style if you're going to make it as a pirate," he informed you with a frown.

You nodded your head solemnly while glancing down at your sword and then to your hands, they were calloused and bleeding from how hard you were gripping onto the hilt of your sword. You slowly closed your fingers, it wasn't bleeding much, but it stung a lot from your sweat agitating the cuts. "I'll patch you up once we get back," Law offered as he looked at your hands, "I train with Bepo tomorrow so you don't have to worry about messing up the bandages." He had made a training schedule for most of his crew, today was your turn and he didn't hold back.

"What is my job rotation tomorrow?" You asked while forcing yourself to stand up despite how tired you were. You lent Law a hand, half expecting him to decline it, but was surprised when he accepted it as you used both of your hands to help him up.

Law smirked as he picked up his hat and held it with one hand as you let go of his other, "I'll allow you to take the day off tomorrow," he said which caused you to smile. "Don't look too excited!" He reprimanded you while flicking your forehead, despite how often he does it, you still fail to dodge it in time.