Chapter 8

With multiple broken bones and immense pain, he lay there, unable to move. Brittles came to him and looked at his state. Alex said "If you want to ask whether I am fine or not, no, I definitely am not fine."

Brittles sat down near him and was also resting. It ran from the snake at full speed for more than five minutes. After a while, the monkey took care of him, helping him stand and taking him back to his cave.

He had broken bones in his hands, legs and ribs, but it only took him two months to heal. After two months, he was completely healed and for the next four months, he and Brittles trained in the jungle.

Seeing as both he and Brittles had great regenerative abilities, he concluded that the biology of this world is different. Alex came up with a training regimen that had significant increase in their strength with each day.

The thing Alex lacked most was strength. He had battle experience and survival instincts from both the games and the time he spent in the jungle. His goal before going to the grand line, was the amount of strength Luffy had when he left his village, enough strength to take down a sea king with one punch.

It is no easy feat, but he had hopes of reaching that level, as his training was showing satisfactory results daily.

*After a total 6 months in the jungle*

Alex was sitting on a huge dead tiger, which was around 5 feet high. Brittles came down from a tree nearby and said "You are getting too arrogant."

In these six months, they both came up with a sign language they both could understand. Alex said "It is just the way I am. I am arrogant even in front of a strong opponent." in a prideful tone.

Brittles decided to ignore him and walked to the tiger. Alex said "Brittles, get all the food you can. We are leaving tomorrow. If I remember correctly, the next merchant boat arrives tomorrow."

Brittles then went ahead and started dissecting the meat. Meanwhile, Alex went around and collected various berries, mushrooms, weird plants and weird animals.

He was taking them to gain immunity to poisons and various drugs. He knew how cruel the world is, and he didn't want to take any chance.

It took them a while and both of them returned to the cave at noon. They both then had lunch and after lunch, Brittles asked "What are you going to do tomorrow."

Alex thought for a while and said "You see, there are many things I need before we set sail to the grand line. Among those, first would be a weapon. Also, I have to get back into shape. It has been 6 months since I had a proper fight of skill and not strength."

"Where are we going then?" Brittles asked and Alex replied "We first need information and I know where to look."

They then rested for the rest of the day and feasted on the excess meat that they couldn't carry.

The next morning, they headed to the river, cleaned themselves, and wore clean clothes to look presentable. Alex had all the luggage ready and was ready to get going.

When he arrived at the village, everyone in the village looked at him like some kind of stranger, which isn't strange, as he was in the jungle all the time.

Alex headed straight to the port with Brittles and they didn't have to wait long for the ship. When it arrived, Alex headed to the person incharge of the ship, who was a fat middle aged man.

Alex walked to him and asked "Is it possible to give us a ride to the nearest island from here?"

The merchant head looked at Alex and said "Why the hell would I give you a ride? This is a goods ship."

Alex brought out a bag and handed it to the merchant. He then asked "What about now?" and his attitude immediately changed when he saw the contents of the bag. It contained crystals that were extracted from a flower. It is a very expensive aphrodisiacs.

The merchant said "Please come sir. I will ask the servants to prepare a room for you and your pet."

Brittles didn't like being called a pet and wanted to attack the merchant. Alex caught him and said "Sorry about that, I will educate him properly." dragging angry Brittles onto the ship.

A servant showed them the room and when they settled down, Alex noticed that Brittles was angry. Alex said "Sorry man, although we paid him, we need to make a good first impression. If he found out that you are my friend and I am talking to a monkey, he would think I am a freak, and he wouldn't let us on board."

"I will forgive you just because you accepted the fact that you are a freak." Brittles said and this started a small fight in the room.

After a while, they set sail and headed towards another unknown island. This island was the lawless island of the East blue and the merchant had to supply food supplies to the gangs there.

It was the exact place Alex wanted to go. Brittles then asked Alex "He is dealing with the underworld. He would be executed by the navy if they found out. Why did he tell us our destination?"

Alex smiled and asked "Remember one thing Brittles, merchants are someone who only think of their profits. He told us the destination because we are trapped in the middle of the sea. They made sure that we wouldn't be able to inform anyone, by spraying a special powder everywhere.

It is made from a plant that can put the Den Den mushi to sleep. We are basically trapped here and they are asking us to not try and do something foolish."

"So, what are we going to do? They are going to kill us." Brittles asked and Alex said "You see Brittles, I don't think I have enough money for a pirate ship. I guess we should request some from the merchant."

Brittles understood what he meant and smiled at Alex. It screeched and burst out of the door with its battle cry.