Chapter 28: Training Montage (Part 2)

(3rd Person: POV)

Lying on the ground Weisz was breathing heavily, battered and bruised all over.

Reiju and Bepo standing over him.

The reason for this.

Training.

Weisz had asked Bepo and Reiju to help him strengthen his hand-to-hand combat skills.

For the past week they had been having spars against each other, where the two of them would come at Weisz at the same time. While at other times Weisz would fight one of them until he was exhausted, then the two would switch positions and Weisz would fight the other person instead.

The result is usually what is happening right now.

Weisz on his ass, his entire body covered in black and blue bruises from the beatings he was basically self-imposing.

To say Weisz was in pain would be an understatement.

His entire body hurt all over. Weisz even had parts of his body hurting he didn't know existed before. Even so throughout the entire week the determined expression he wore on his face never wavered once.

Even now, he is still sporting it.

That's just how much determination Weisz has to become stronger.

And seeing this determination from day one both Reiju and Bepo agreed to help Weisz with his training when he requested it of them. As well as why they are still continuing to help him.

As the pain across his body started to slightly dull and it became easier for him to breathe again Weisz pushed himself to his feet and brought up his fists. "Alright, I'm ready to continue." He said.

"No, I think that's enough for today." Reiju spoke.

"What, no. I'm still raring to go." Weisz spoke in protest.

But Reiju didn't move to attack him.

Seeing this Weisz sent a sharp glare in Reiju's direction, but the younger pink-haired girl didn't even flinch from it. She also didn't back down.

Looking between Weisz and Reiju Bepo had no clue whose side to take.

"Guys, stop fighting." Bepo spoke.

"We're not fighting Bepo, no need to worry. This is simply a friendly disagreement." Weisz said.

"Yes Bepo, everything is fine. So why don't you go back to the ship." Reiju said. "I think Weisz and I need to finish this chat alone."

"Am, ok." Bepo said.

He then started making his way back to the Black Pearl, hoping his crewmates and friends would resolve their issue. Since Bepo didn't like it when his friends fought.

Weisz and Reiju didn't speak for a few moments.

They waited until they were sure Bepo was nowhere within earshot.

Once they both were the discussion resumed.

"Ok, what's up?" Weisz asked. "I thought you said you were going to help me with my training."

"And I have been and will. But I will not help you destroy your body." Reiju replied.

"What?! I'm not trying to destroy my body. I am simply training to get stronger is all." Weisz retorted.

"There's training and then there's recklessness." Reiju said.

"Oh, don't give me that. The captain acts more reckless than this all the time." Weisz said.

"True." Reiju replied. "But still, you and him are very different."

"Oh I know, no need to remind me." Weisz spat.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Reiju asked.

"It means compared to everyone else on this crew I don't measure up." Weisz spoke.

Revealing the true feelings in his heart.

The reason he wanted to get stronger as quickly as possible is because he wanted to catch up to the strength of his crewmates. But also not be a liability to them.

"Is that what you think?" Reiju asked Weisz.

He then snorted. "Come on, we all know out of everyone on board I am the weakest link." Weisz said. "The captain, Law, and Alfia all have devil fruit powers, Bepo can use electricity and his a mink, you can literally produce poison from your body, and even the new woman Robin is stronger than me due to her devil fruit powers. So yeah, I'm the bottom of the barrel. I don't even know why the captain asked me to join the crew in the first place?"

"I have no idea either. But in the short time I've known Roberts I have come to learn one thing about him. He doesn't ask anyone to join his crew unless he absolutely wants them to be a part of it." Reiju explained.

Since she remembers the day she was allowed to join the crew.

The calculating gaze Roberts gave her.

Reiju has no doubt if necessary he would've tossed her into the ocean without hesitation.

But he didn't.

Instead he took a chance on her and allowed her to become a member of the Thanatos pirates. Granted she basically bribed her way into the crew, but still Roberts didn't have to accept her offer.

Which is why Reiju is grateful he did.

"Sure, you may not have the same level of strength as the rest of us and you may never reach it. But you also have strengths none of the rest of us could ever hope to match." Reiju spoke. "So I ask you not to compare yourself to us too much. Because no matter what you are a member of this crew, plain and simple."

As Weisz listened to Reiju's words he couldn't help but smile.

Then when she was done speaking he let out a sigh. "Yeah, you're right." He admitted.

"I know I am. So you feel better now?" Reiju spoke.

"Sort of." Weisz replied. "Damn, to think the day would come when I would be getting advice from someone younger than me. Life sure is strange."

"It sure is." Reiju agreed.

After the two of them settled their minor argument Reiju helped Weisz return to the Black Pearl.

The following day Weisz decided to shift his focus from solely physical training.

Just like Reiju told him he had strengths no one else on the crew could match, so Weisz decided to train them.

A decision that would bear fruit.

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Sitting on the floor in the map room aboard the Black Pearl Bepo was surrounded by books.

The polar bear mink had one of said books in his grasp, focusing intently as he read its contents.

The contents of the book pertained to various weather patterns. As did most of the books surrounding Bepo. While others contained map-making and map-reading techniques, and a few contained instructions on navigating by the stars during the night.

Bepo is studying all of them.

For he is the ships navigator and he takes his duties seriously.

He likes his crewmates and considers them friends, so he wants to do his best and be the best at his job. So he can support them like they support him.

That is why he currently studying so hard.

In no time at all Bepo finished the book he was reading and closed it.

He then picked up another from one of the various stacks on the floor surrounding him and cracked it open, beginning to read it as soon as he did so.

One thing for certain, Bepo is working very hard.