[OPFS] Chapter : 5

**3 months later**

Smoker stands by the edge of the training grounds, his arms crossed and his ever-present cigars dangling from his mouth. He watches as the morning sun casts long shadows across the training field, observing the activity with a mix of boredom and curiosity. His eyes narrow as he focuses on two chore boys stepping into the sparring ring: Tashigi and Logan.

Tashigi, fourteen years old, stands with a kendo stick in hand, her eyes sharp and determined. Logan, now sixteen, cracks his knuckles, his stance indicating that he’s ready for hand-to-hand combat. Smoker knows that Logan has been dedicating himself to intense training over the past three months, honing his strength, speed, and combat skills.

Smoker took a deep drag from his cigars, the smoke curling around his head. He signals the start of the spar with a curt nod.

Tashigi immediately takes the initiative, darting forward with a swift strike with both hands aimed at Logan’s midsection. Logan sidesteps, his movements fluid and precise. He counters with a quick jab that Tashigi barely manages to block with her kendo stick handle.

“Good reflexes, Tashigi,” Smoker mutters under his breath, his eyes fixed on the young swordswoman. “But Logan’s not going to make this easy.”

Logan presses his advantage, launching a series of rapid punches. Each blow is aimed with precision, targeting Tashigi’s weak spots like her hands and not allowing her to keep distance from him to make powerful slashes. Tashigi, however, meets his assault with impressive skill, parrying his strikes with her kendo stick and countering with swift, controlled attacks.

Smoker watched as Logan adjusted his strategy, shifting his stance to be more defensive. He’s testing Tashigi, gauging her responses, and looking for an opening. Tashigi doesn’t let up; her strikes are becoming more aggressive and forceful.

“Come on, Logan,” Smoker thinks, his eyes narrowing. “Show me what you’ve learned.”

Logan suddenly ducks low, avoiding a horizontal swing from Tashigi. He rolls to the side and springs up, landing a solid punch on Tashigi’s left side. She stumbles slightly but quickly regains her balance, her eyes flashing with pain and determination.

“Not bad, Logan,” Smoker murmurs, impressed by Tashigi’s resilience. “But Tashigi’s not one to back down.”

Tashigi retaliates with a quick series of thrusts, forcing Logan to backpedal. She follows up with a high strike, which Logan barely manages to block with his forearm. The force of the blow sends a shockwave through his arm, but he grits his teeth and pushes forward.

Logan switches tactics, using his speed to his advantage. He dodges Tashigi’s next strike and moves inside her guard, launching a flurry of punches. Each hit lands with precision, targeting her torso and arms. Tashigi tries to counter, but Logan’s relentless assault overwhelms her.

“Good,” Smoker thinks, his eyes gleaming with approval. “He’s learned to use his strength and speed effectively.”

Logan lands a solid uppercut, knocking the kendo stick out of Tashigi’s hands. Before she can react, he sweeps her legs out from under her, sending her crashing to the ground. He stands over her, panting heavily, but is ready to continue if needed.

Smoker steps forward, signaling the end of the spar. “That’s enough,” he calls out, his voice commanding.

Logan extends a hand to Tashigi, helping her to her feet. She takes it; her expression is a mix of frustration and respect.

“You’ve both improved,” Smoker says, his tone gruff but approving. “Logan, your hand-to-hand combat skills are getting impressive. Tashigi, your resilience and technique are commendable.”

He pauses, looking at each of them in turn. “Keep training hard. There’s always room for improvement.”

As Tashigi and Logan leave the ring, Smoker watches them with a sense of satisfaction. They have potential, and with the right guidance, they could become formidable Marines.

“Not bad, you brats,” he thinks, taking another drag from his cigars. “Not bad at all.”

After the spar, Tashigi hadn't talked with Logan at all. They had this awkward silence between them during the day while they were doing chores around the base. This was the first time Logan had defeated Tashigi in a spar, and it seems to have stung. Even during the daily training after their chores, Tashigi just went on with her training, carrying more weight than usual.

Logan did not press her on her silence. He just went on with his training, too.

In the mess hall, they were having lunch at the same table. And the lunch rush hadn't started yet. So there were around 10 members in the hall having their meals.

Logan, not being able to take the silence any longer. Asked Tashigi.

"Hey, Tashigi. Is anything bothering you? You've been quiet since the morning spar."

She just kept on eating absent-mindedly. After about a minute, she seemed to have gathered her thoughts.

"This is the first time someone in our age group has bested me.." she said quietly.

"Oh.. Is that all?" replied Logan.

"What do you mean, 'is that all', This is a big thing for me. How am I going to be a strong swordswoman and collect all the Meito swords if I can't even beat you..." She replied animatedly, waving her hands at me.

"Hey, there's no need to belittle me or yourself. But did you really think you could take on all those swordsmen without ever experiencing defeat?" Logan asked, his face showing how ridiculous he thought that was.

Realization seemed to sink into her mind at that question. And she slowly replied.

"Well, when you put it like that…It does seem quite absurd."

"And it's not like I'll always stay at the same strength level, right? Me beating you was bound to happen. And if it's any consolation, I did not beat you in a swordsmanship spar. So you still have that.." Logan said it jokingly.

"Hey, now who is being ridiculous? You've beat me once, and you're already getting a big head. Next time, I'll definitely win."

"We'll see about that. How about a spar every week? Not daily?"

"Why? You chickening out?" she asked haughtily.

"Hey, don't go all princess mode on me. I'll be sparring with others in hand-to-hand combat starting tomorrow. I've already asked the lieutenant. He agreed to spar with me daily."

"Oh.. Is that so.." she responded, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Yes, I am now going to take a brief nap in the dormitory. Wake me up in an hour."

"Ok," she replied, and after that, they went their separate ways.

**Logan's POV**

'Phew! That got resolved better than I had imagined.'

All the work I have put in for the last three months has bore fruit. Now let's get our beauty sleep and rest. Later in the evening, I can go to the doctor and have my body checked again. Let's see if there are any tangible improvements.

This was the only tangible way he could check his progress. There was no system for him to show what his strength, speed, and body resilience were.

According to the doctor, during my last visit a month ago, my body resilience and vitality had reached the average level of a petty officer. Even though it was nothing to be proud of compared to Zoro and Sanji, it was a great increase from where it was at the start. I only had the resilience of a Seaman recruit. In two months, my body's base level has increased by three levels.

During the last two months, I have pushed myself to my limits every day. Gradually increasing the weight and pushing through the pain in my workouts. The thing with the Marine workouts, is that they increase the overall strength of the body, not focusing on a single aspect, whether it be hand-to-hand combat, sword training, or overall strength.

This is all well and good, but the issue arises, when a person keeps focusing on all the above and never truly tries to master any one skill, he gets overwhelmed with the number of things to work on and becomes a jack of all trades and a master of none.

This is also one of the reasons why marine fodder is weak against pirates, who specialize in specific combat. And also their weak willpower to power through the training and become truly strong.

Hence, only the elite who have brought their base skills, like hand-to-hand combat, swordmanship, and marksmanship, to elite levels are selected for training at the Elite-Naval Training at the Marineford HQ.

That is the goal that Logan has set himself to achieve. Polishing his sword skills by sparring against Tashigi, Strength and agility training by doing ridiculous amounts of physical exercises with increasing weights. Logan wants to increase his hand-to-hand combat skills, which is why he asked Lieutenant John to spar with him daily.

He had also asked Captain Smoker for any training manuals or tips he learned from the training camp at Marineford. But he was very tight lipped about it. He just said to keep working as I am currently, and maybe when he feels like I can handle the next level of training, he will help me.

But for now, that is a bust.

On a side note, during the last two months, I've started going to clubs on Saturdays, and it has been a great way to unwind and socialize. meet new people and make friends.

I even got to meet Bartolomeo and his friends at the club last weekend. But more on that later.

This weekend, he's got a date linedup.