Chapter 12 - A Test and A Tearful Goodbye

Before Terumi headed outside, he looked at his father to ask him a question.

"Where's mom and Kuina? Are they around here?"

"Yes, they're outside. They already said their greetings to Garp-san early. You should go tell them you're home."

"Okay, Garp-san, if you don't mind, let's head to my backyard."

"Alright kid."

Heading outside to the yard, Terumi saw his mother and Kuina training. The two stopped as they noticed him.

"Oh, you're back."

"Nii-san."

"Hello mom, Kuina. Would you mind us borrowing the field for a second?"

Hana and Kuina were confused for a second but their confusion was immediately lifted as soon as they saw Garp. They gave an understanding nod and moved towards the house, joining Akira who also just exited. Kuina looked slightly worried whereas Hana had a confident smirk on her face.

Terumi and Garp took their positions a far distance away from the house, readying for their spar.

"Okay kid, show me what you've learned over the past four years. Be careful, or my fist of love might knock you out."

Garp had a wide taunting grin. Terumi didn't answer, sharpening his mind for combat.

Breathing in and out, his breath slowly turned visible, as white steam came out of his mouth, and he pulled Asahi out of its sheath.

Hissss

"Oh? That's a peculiar method of breathing you got there, kid, and that sword, does it have a name?"

"This is my partner, Asahi."

As Terumi answered, his spiritual aura came bursting out of him, shining bright like the sun.

Garp's eyes sharpened, his previous joking manner disappeared replaced with the look of a warrior.

"A Good name. You're more impressive than I thought kid! Here I come!"

Garp dashed forward, readying his fist of love. Danger oozed from it, as Terumi's senses kicked into high gear.

'Breath of Sun, Third Form.'

Terumi jumped slightly, prepared to meet Garp head-on.

"Raging Sun!"

Terumi unleashed two horizontal slashes clad in illusory flames at the same time. Its blinding speeds made it seem like it was coming in from both the left and right sides at the same time.

"Take this, kid!"

Garp's fist made contact with both hits of Terumi's attack.

Boom!

A shockwave was released by the clash of their attack.

"Shit!"

Terumi's attack could not overcome the old man's fist, as he get sent flying back. He backflipped to get his feet back on the ground and slid a few meters further before stopping.

'His fist is so heavy. Did he use Haki?'

"Wahahaha. That wasn't half-bad kid. Almost made me sweat."

Terumi had a wry smile on his face hearing Garp's words.

"Just what are those hands made of?"

Garp grinned widely, blowing the smoke off his fist from the clash.

"It's made of love."

'Heh, time to try a little harder.'

Terumi readied himself once more.

'Breath of Sun, Seventh Form.'

"Beneficent Radiance!"

Terumi spun, waving his sword in the air, sending waves of illusory flames, surrounding Garp.

"Hmph, cheap tricks kid, what are you planning?"

'Telling you would defeat the point of this setup.'

Terumi flipped back once more, getting a good distance away as Garp avoids the flame circle raging around him.

'This is my strongest combination form. If this doesn't work, then I don't know what will.'

Terumi raised his sword high above him.

'Breath of Sun, Twelfth form, Kai!'

"Rengoku Enbu! (Purgatory Flame Dance)"

Taking one heavy step, Terumi dashed forward like a ray of light surrounded by fire, its figure transformed into a dragon.

As soon as he reached Garp's position, he sent down one swift heavy vertical slash boosted by his momentum, followed by a secondary horizontal slash, forming a cross of flames threatening to dice Garp into four pieces.

Garp's eyes lit up in excitement, his fist turning black with armament Haki.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!"

Garp arched his arm backward, before unleashing a heavy swing forward. The pressure from his explosive launch made it seem like his fist's size had increased one-hundred fold.

BOOM!

"Ah!"

Akira, Hana, and Kuina were blown back by the shockwave of the attack. The ground around Terumi and Garp shook and exploded with them as the epicenter, forming a crater that got bigger and bigger as their clash continued.

"STOP! You're going to destroy my house!"

Hana yelled, her voice barely reaching Garp's ears in time, making him shift his attack upward, guiding Terumi's slash towards the sky and sliding backward.

As soon as Terumi saw his attack diverted, he got ready to strike once more before Garp disappeared and reappeared in front of him, his fist covered in Haki.

"Stop kid, didn't you hear your mother? Unfilial children deserve to be punished, eat my fist of love!"

Garp sent down his fist toward Terumi at a speed he couldn't react at, it landing straight on top of his head.

"OWWW!"

Terumi got sent into the ground, making a half-meter deep Terumi-sized hole in the ground.

Garp relaxed, then looked at his hand. The part that made contact with the blade was slightly torched, leaving a small red mark.

"Hmph, you're something else kid. I knew I saw something in you all those years back. Wahahaha!"

Terumi dragged himself out of the hole, soothing the bumping on his head.

"That almost split my head open old man! What's wrong with you!?"

"Wahahaha! You better get used to it kid, my fist of love will make you into a real man."

'Damnn, this hurts! Now I know Luffy and Ace's pain. No wonder they were so scared of him.'

Bogard and the other Marines ran towards them from around the house, hearing all the commotion.

"Sir! Are you alright?"

"Wahahaha, I'm fine. I was just doing some light exercise."

Bogard looked around and then looked at Terumi's beaten figure on the ground, an ugly understanding smile appeared on his face.

"I see..."

"Alright, go prepare to set sail. We'll be leaving in a few hours."

"Yes, sir!"

Garp then looked back to Terumi.

"You pass kid. Go say your goodbyes. From today on you are a Marine. I'll be taking you to Marineford to get you trained up. Meet me at the pier in three hours."

Terumi continued rubbing his head with a tear in his eye as he looked up.

"Okay, I'll be there."

...

After Garp and the Marines left, Terumi gathered with his family and Kuina in the house.

"Make sure you write often, okay son? If not, I'll sail over there and come dragging you back, you hear me!?"

Hana yelled as she frantically packed the clothing she made for him. Terumi chuckled in response.

"Okay mom, I got it."

Akira packed some equipment for Terumi as well.

"There are some of my finest fishing rods in there, son, you're guaranteed to never go hungry as long as you have those with you."

Akira then leaned in closer and whispered in Terumi's ear.

"Also, I packed some alcohol for you as well, as a going-away present. Don't tell your mother."

Terumi smiled warmly upon seeing the scene in front of him, tears started welling up in his eyes.

'I am truly blessed. I have to accomplish my goal, not only for myself but for the people who supported me as well.'

Kuina then tugged at Terumi's arm.

"Nii-san, I promise I will catch up to you, just you wait."

Terumi nodded and patted her on the head.

"I know you will, train hard, okay?"

"I will."

Hana and Akira then came over, hugging their son goodbye, handing him a backpack and a suitcase full of things they packed for him.

"Please be safe, dear."

Hana said tearfully.

"If someone hurts you, make sure you hurt them back, twice fold! I'll miss you, you little rascal."

Akira said while patting Terumi's back, also choking back tears.

A few short moments later, Terumi separated from their embrace and started walking out the door.

"Let's go Kuina, I want to say goodbye to everyone at the dojo as well. Mom, Dad, please be well. I promise I'll write regularly."

""Okay.""

Terumi went to the Shimotsuki estate as Kuina followed him. After he entered, he waved at the training students and went to find Koushirou and Kasumi at the main hall.

"Koushirou-sensei, Kasumi-san, it's time. Garp-san has arrived to take me to Marineford."

Koushirou and Kasumi were surprised by the sudden news but nodded in understanding.

Koushirou said his farewells in a calm, reassuring voice, while Kasumi sniffled, holding back her tears.

"Terumi-kun, you have been a wonderful student all these years. Please, take care of yourself, okay?"

"Terumi! Make sure you write to us, okay! I'll miss having you around here..."

"I promise I will write regularly, please take care of yourself, Sensei, Kasumi-san."

Terumi did one last bow as he started heading outside. As he approached the entrance he heard voices behind him. Turning around, he saw all of the students including Zoro standing behind Koushirou, Kasumi, and Kuina.

""TAKE CARE! BECOME THE WORLD'S BEST SWORDSMAN!""

The students cheered.

"Terumi! Just you wait, one day I'll set sail and come challenge you!"

Zoro yelled with confidence in his voice, he bore a somewhat sadden expression as well.

Terumi bowed once more, with tears in his eyes.

"I WILL! I SWEAR IT!"

As he turned around, he started running towards the pier, fearing that staying any longer would affect his resolve.

'This is my beginning. A brand new journey awaits.'

'Goodbye, Shimotsuki village, when I come back, it will be as the world's best swordsman!'