Haki and my 12th birthday present

POV: Asahi

Sleep. Eat. Train. Repeat. That's been my routine for the last seven years. And even though it's been repetitive I wouldn't have it any other way. Choosing Rayleigh to have as my grandfather definitely paid off. His knowledge and his experiences while teaching me has been a boon to my improvement. Not to toot my own horn or anything but I'm probably the strongest twelve-year old in the world.

Currently standing at a respectable 5 foot 6 inches in height I give myself a nod as I look at myself in the mirror. Having grown my hair out just like my grandfather I was pretty happy with my appearance. Good genes indeed. Having pulled the top of my hair back to keep it from constantly getting in my eyes I start looking more and more like Mikey from Tokyo Revengers with each passing day. I'm not sure why as I didn't wish for it but I won't complain. After seven years my muscles certainly look more defined and compact, but I have reached a bottleneck concerning my physical growth. Although I expect a breakthrough concerning the bottleneck during puberty. During puberty there will be an approximate 30-fold increase in my testosterone production which is vital for muscle growth. So it's just a matter of time before I start to see real gains.

Putting on my loose white t-shirt, my black cropped trousers and my sandals I head to where gramps told me to come see him. Having recently turned twelve I assume it's got to do with the birthday present he would give me.

While walking to our agreed meeting spot I was thinking back on the last seven years. Nothing had come of our encounter with the celestial dragon, Shakky had heard rumors of an investigation, but nothing ever came of it. Thinking back of the altercation which nearly ended in my capture always leaves a bad taste in my mouth. 'I can at least take solace in the fact that if it ever happened again it would be a completely different result,'

All in all, it's been calm, not many stressful situations. The only notable thing that happened was me unlocking my observation haki not too long ago.

—------------------------------Flashback 1 month ago—--------------------------------------

Here I was, yet again, sitting completely still devoid of emotions. This meditation exercise I had to do for three hours straight each day had been good for keeping my emotions in check. I still feel emotions like everyone else, I'm just better than most at not outwardly showing it or letting my emotions control me.

Suddenly I started hearing gramps' footsteps, and I immediately became curious as to why he came here early. It's only been an hour since I started and this is the first time in the 6 years of my training that he has come early.

Without me realizing I had moved my head to the side as a rock passed me by. Turning back to look at my grandfather I see him staring at me, eyes wide open and a gaping mouth.

'... Did I just use observation haki?'

"Asahi, tell me exactly how you just did that," my grandfather told me.

"I'm not sure, my body just moved, I hadn't even realized until it was already done." I answered in an unsure tone.

Having collected his calm, he responded with a wistful gaze.

"Hmm, curious, let me tell you about a little something called haki," he told me.

—------------------------------------------Flashback end—--------------

Since that day he started training me while I was using a blindfold and he was attacking me. Turns out the reason Rayleigh made me meditate was not only to help me control my emotions which will be helpful in the future but also to prepare me to learn observation haki in the future since it's easier while keeping your calm. He hadn't been expecting me to unlock my haki by only meditating though. He was certainly proud, though, there was no missing the tone of satisfaction he had when telling Shakky of my achievement. When I asked when I would start training to unlock my armament haki he had told me we would save it for when I was older.

Saving my thoughts for later I walk into a familiar clearing. There I spot my grandfather looking at me with his signature smirk. But as I look around I can't see a sign of any birthday present… Which is suspicious….

Greeting him with a nod I speak my thoughts.

"Hey gramps, uhh, not to sound spoiled or anything but where's my gift?"

The smile on his face only grew wider as he answered. "The gift isn't here, in fact you could say the gift isn't even on this island." he told me.

Uh oh. Is this what I think it is?

"Asahi, for the last years you have been training, and while you have made great progress it's about time you go into the real world and gather some experience. Now, I wouldn't send you out on the seas where you could meet people far stronger than you. Yet. But I know an island filled with strong animals, if you go there you would improve far faster in every aspect than you can here." he told me.

"Of course, I won't send you away without your consent so what do you say?" he asked.

"I- I don't know it's so sudden, how long would I even be there for?" I asked him back.

"I think a year should suffice, and me and Shakky will visit once a month to check up on you," he answered.

This was the last thing I had expected to happen today, I mean, a year? But then again, it's a great opportunity to become stronger. If I go there I could perhaps achieve an unconscious elemental transformation with my fruit, I could even try to unlock my armament haki there in peace. My observation haki will also get a lot better.

After weighing in both the pros and cons I tell him of my decision.

"Success never comes to those who wait."

AN: Thanks for reading, reviews are appreciated!