Liam Ross chuckled quietly to himself.
This task the system had given him was perfect. He had been waiting for a reason like this for a long time.
Damn it. He had been annoyed by Smog for ages.
But… he couldn't just start punishing him openly. Doing so would reveal his true strength, and that was a risk he wasn't willing to take yet. He needed to think this through carefully.
"Hey, Liam, why are you just standing there? Let's go," Smog called, noticing that Liam hadn't followed him out of the bathhouse. He turned and saw Liam lingering at the doorway, head slightly bowed in thought, and hurried to prod him along.
"Smog, I already told you yesterday that it's the last time. If you want the grove, go by yourself," Liam said lazily, turning back toward the dorm building. Inwardly, he rolled his eyes. This kid was one-track-minded to a fault. Was he addicted to picking fights? Did he really want to make this a daily ritual? Liam had no intention of being the punch bag for someone else's obsession.
"No way."
Smog couldn't let him go that easily. Failing to fight in the morning had left him restless all day, distracted during training, and scolded multiple times by Instructor Tom.
While waiting for Liam, he had reflected on his actions and realized he had developed an unhealthy fixation. The only way to alleviate it, he concluded, was a daily trip to the grove. In his mind, he silently apologized to Liam.
"Step aside, Smog. Once, twice, thrice don't push your luck," Liam warned coldly, scowling.
Damn it. Even taking a little advantage required tact.
Just then, a few male students emerged from the bathhouse. Seeing Liam and Smog in a stand-off, they started whispering.
"Hey, those two are at it again?"
"Smog is blocking Liam. Looks like a fight's about to break out!"
"Last time, Hina helped Liam. But this time… I don't think he'll get away so easily."
"Honestly, I'm curious why Smog targets Liam and not anyone else. Could it really be because of that fight six months ago?"
"Who knows? Maybe it's just a hobby."
Liam overheard everything, especially the last comment. His gaze flicked toward Smog, who blushed faintly, embarrassed. After all, he was only seventeen.
Seeing this, Liam had to stifle a laugh, thinking: Don't overthink it. He said he has no feelings for me, yet this expression… it's easy to misinterpret.
Breaking the awkward moment, Liam asked directly, "Smog, what exactly do you want? Just say it."
Smog glanced around at the watching students, then activated his Devil Fruit ability. "Come with me," he said. Smoke swirled around Liam, lifting him slightly, and together they moved toward the grove again.
"Can't we go somewhere else?" Liam asked, exasperated. Then, bluntly: "Alright, spill it. What's with these past few days? Why have you been targeting me?"
"Actually…"
Smog hesitated, his embarrassment plain. He fumbled, then confessed his inner anxiety.
Liam listened, utterly dumbfounded.
This was what it had come down to? Smog's jealousy, which had evolved into suspicion and now obsessive behavior. The ridiculous part, Liam thought, was that the boy could not focus on training for a single day without first venting his frustration on him.
What was this? Did Smog think Liam was a punching bag or some kind of outlet?
Damn it. This kid was impossible.
Smog, oblivious to Liam's thoughts, tried to negotiate. "What if… Liam, you let me hit you every day? Once we graduate, I'll… look out for you."
Liam's lips twitched. Trying to bribe me? You're bold.
His face darkened. The grove was shadowed, moonlight absent, and Smog probably couldn't even see him well.
"Here's one word for you: leave!" Liam snapped, turning without another glance.
But no sooner had he taken a few steps than Smog shouted behind him: "Finger Gun!"
Liam's Observation Haki instantly detected the attack. He dodged, spinning to face the boy. "You have no honor, kid," he growled.
"Fight me! You won't regret it," Smog insisted. He couldn't sleep otherwise tonight.
"Hit me? Don't push it. If I go all out, even I'd be scared," Liam replied flatly.
Hearing this, Smog's eyes lit up. He raised his hands again to attack.
The night was quiet. The grove echoed with the sounds of Smog's repeated attacks, each one narrowly avoided by Liam. He seethed inside, itching to unleash his full power and end it in one strike. But rationality won out; doing so risked serious harm, even death.
Ten minutes passed.
"Finally, maybe I can sleep peacefully tonight," Smog muttered, satisfied, leaving the grove with a smile of relief.
Liam snorted quietly. Kid, you think this ends today? If you sleep well tonight, consider me impressed.
That midnight, a shadow flitted silently outside a dorm window.
Yes, it was Liam Ross.
Wearing a makeshift mask he had just crafted, he surveyed the sleeping Smog on his bed. A mischievous smile crept across his face.
"Wake up!"
He smacked Smog lightly on the face, voice cold and teasing.
"Who's there?"
Smog jolted awake, meeting the sight of a strange mask.
"Ah " he started to speak.
"Bam!"
A fist, like a small sandbag, struck swiftly.
Seconds later, he was unconscious.
Liam lifted him effortlessly, like a small chick, carrying him through the broken window.
One minute later, he arrived at the grove, tying the boy to a tree before quietly departing.
The next morning, sunlight streamed in and the sea breeze ruffled the treetops.
Smog woke with a shiver, groggy, eyes blinking as he took in his surroundings. "Where… am I?"
Then, memory of the previous night came flooding back.
His eyes widened. Looking down, he realized he had been tied to a tree, wearing nothing but a loincloth.
His face immediately darkened in anger and embarrassment.
He scanned the grove again. Though he couldn't break free from the ropes, it wasn't made of Seastone. He considered elementalizing his body to escape.
At that moment, Liam strolled past whistling casually, pretending nothing had happened. Smog froze in panic.
Their eyes met.
Liam froze briefly, then exploded with mock fury. "Smog! Haven't you had enough? You better believe I'm going to Zephyr about this… wait, why are you walking around naked so early?"
Smog wanted nothing more than to disappear into the ground. Blushing furiously, he elementalized his body and fled, humiliated.
Watching him scramble away, Liam snorted. "Kid, you're not getting away this time. Consider this the very beginning."