__________status____________
Name: Ashborn.
Age: 13[+17]
Character template: Archer.
Template progress: 8%
Observation Haki: Dormant.
Armament Haki: Dormant.
Conqueror's Haki: Awakened.
Conqueror's mastery: Novice.
Skills:
Basic swordsmanship: Intermediate mastery.
Water Breathing: 0% mastery.
overall strength: A pirate of east blue.
-> you are strong enough to venture out on sea though you survive or not will remain a mystery as you are , but an frog in a well.!!
_________________________________
'As I thought, obtaining the memories and mastering the actual technique are two different things.'
~sigh~
'Also, I unlocked conqueror's huh .....well, you know what the day couldn't get any better!...my overall strength increased too though the system is as stingy as always with it's compliments.'
'Well, 6 months in this place and this much progress is not that bad I guess.?'
~yawn~
'Anyways, let's.....sleep for now ....'
With that thought ash fell asleep as the hardwork and stress of the day finally caught upto him.
Sea calander: 1516
Shimotsuki village
Morning time
Two boys can be seen running side by side while carrying big boulders weighing around 50 kgs each.
As the morning sunrays fell on them two faces came into view - zoro and Ash .
After completing their daily run of 20 km with weights, they were drenched in sweat and were panting.Though none of them seemed tired at all-
Both of them stopped near a tree shade with cool breeze to calm down and rest before starting their next exercise.
A few breaths later zoro spoke
" ....Oye ...Ash ,
..... You know - when you came to dojo and were talking with master ....I kind of happend to be passing by .....so you know.....I ...uh heard you talk with sensei .."
" W- whatt !? Don't look at me like that ! I got curious okay ?!!! "
Ash said nothing but smirked
"Tsk-"
seeing ash smirk zoro tsked and scowled but continued.
" Well anyways ! The thing is ...I listened you talk about your dream- at first I thought you were an idiot. But then....when you elaborated. I realised you meant every word.
Though I was still not willing to accept you ."
"But ....after seeing you work hard for an year straight I finally accepted you and your dream."
" Haha ! Why , Thankyou my lord . "
Ash responded playfully.
" Tsk - listen idiot "
Zoro continued while hitting Ash's head with a light 'bam' of an punch.
" You see....I have a dream too - I want to be the greatest swordsman of this world. I promised a..... dear friend of mine although she is no more in this world . So... I have decided that I will make my name reach upto heavens itself so that she can hear it! "
Zoro declared with pride and certainity.
Ash smiled and gave an half nod of approval as he said in a low amused but respectful tone-
" Ofcourse, that's the minimum a man should consider in this world"
"Everybody else laughed .
.....except koushiro sensei ."
Zoro raised an eyebrow and looked into Ash's eyes as he spoke -
" You won't laugh ?"
Ash closed his eyes and said, while a ghastly smile touched his lips-
" Well.....you did not laugh at mine - moreover...
I see you putting the Hardwork every day.
It's almost same as mine - how can I laugh at someone who is so hardworking ...? On the contrary I admire and respect you zoro . "
"Admire ?" Zoro asked
Ash continued -
" Indeed ! A friend of your calliber is worth giving my back in every life and death situation."
" And as for people laughing at your dreams-
Remember zoro ' If people are not laughing at your dreams then you simply are not dreaming big enough !' "
Zoro was stunned by his friend's words and the respect he was putting in him.but soon he smiled and said
"I see"
Ash opened his eyes as he gazed onto the rising sun for few breaths and said in a firm voice-
"...nee. ..... Zoro ."
" I have a proposal."
" Proposal ?" Zoro raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah..." Ash smiled while looking at the sun rays reflecting from the ocean and said-
" You see.....in a few years we both will set sail on this endless ocean to fulfill our dreams....so-
How about we sail together ?"
" But there's a catch, you see.....we will need a crew to sail the seas...trustworthy companions.
.....and that would make us both the first companion of each other -"
Ash continued after a breath while zoro remained silent to let his friend complete his sentence.
" As you know - both of us have our own sword techniques. So how about this - after 4 years we will have a final duel before leaving this island.whoever wins the duel get's to have the position of captain. Ofcourse no party is allowed to get in eachother's way of dreams."
As ash completed speaking he looked into eyes of zoro with calm intensity.
Zoro remained silent for few seconds , then said with calm confidence and a bit of enthusiasm? He had a tone of challenge in his tone -
"Alright Ash - The bet is on "
Ding.
______________________________
System notification.
Mission: Win the bet with zoro !
Time limit: 4 years.
Reward: information on 'Rokushuki'.[navy
six styles].
Penalty: deduction of 5 years of host's life !
___________________________________
Seeing the notification and zoro's response Ash smirked and said-
"Heh, make sure to not let me win too easily.last I checked you were behind me in wins of duels we had ?"
Zoro responded with a scoff.
" As if I would loose ! You. ...!! .... are going to loose pretty face "
"Oii ! I am handsome ! Girls are dying to hold my hands you know ? "
Ash responded with an offended look.
" Yeah yeah.....whatever helps your narcissist ass sleep at nights..."
Zoro said as he got up and started walking .
"Tch...piece of shit!"
Ash clicked his tongue.
" Oye Ash ! .... I'll be training my swordsmanship by myself now .... can't let my opponent see all the tricks. can I ?"
Ash scoffed
" Yeah yeah do whatever you want - as if few tricks are going to help you win ! "
Zoro shook his head and walked away.
Ash raised and eyebrow but said nothing . Instead he turned around and gazed at the calm morning sea for few breaths and said in a low ghastly whisper -
" The sharpest sword should be held by the greatest swordsman only....."
~sigh~
"Guess I'll have to put some work in my training too-"
A breath.
" For the prize of your loyalty zoro..... I'll make sure to make you the brightest star that will light up the heavens itself."
He paused for a second and then said with a low chuckle as he got up.
" Heh...The hardest choices require the strongest wills ! ....Let's go ! I too gotta put some work into myself."
While mumbling to himself he walked off to a different path from zoro.
Unknown to both of them their master was nearby sitting behind a big tree listening everything.
He said nothing but smiled with pride and respect for zoro and Ash . Both as an teacher and swordsman.
____________to be continued ____________