The New World

After two weeks of traveling Markus and his crew finally passed into the New World. During those two weeks, Markus spent his time honing his skills alongside the many men and women that inhabited his ship. 

And needless to say, things weren't going as smooth as he'd hoped.

Hakoda and Russ were both already proficient in the use of Haki. Hakoda in armament and Russ in observation but lacked in skill in the other categories. Garis, had no skill in either at all. And everyone else struggled to grasp even the basic concept. Markus began to wonder if trying to teach them was even going to work while travelling. But then again, no one said it would be easy.

...

" Good morning Captain, the crew are well rested and we're going to be reaching our first island in a few hours."

"Thank you, Hakoda, you're dismissed." Markus told the man.

" What's the matter, sir?" Hakoda asked, obviously feeling the tension coming from the captain.

" Huh? Oh, just bored. I was hoping there'd be a pirate or two for us to smash up here, since it is the New World and all. But I guess it makes sense that there wouldn't be a pirate everywhere we go."

" Ah, well. Yes."

Markus got up from his desk and stretched his arms. 

" Alright, let's see how things are going on deck." 

Markus walked with Hakoda out to the deck and looked around as the men and women on the ship went about their daily duties.

" The crew is moving a little sluggish."

" I can see that." Markus remarked. " Tell them once we get to the Island, wait what are we close to?"

" We're close to the G-5 base, which is currently being supervised by Vice Admiral Doberman."

" Huh? Old man, Doberman is on G-5?" Markus muttered. " Well, give him a call on the den-den Mushi and let him know we'll be docking there in a few hours. I'm going to the mess hall for a bit." Markus told the man.

" Right away, sir." 

........

" Yo, Hakoda, what are you working on?" Garis asked.

" I'm getting our docking paperwork in line. We're going to be taking a reprieve at G-5 for a bit." The older man responded.

" G-5? Those band of misfits? Why are we stopping there?"

" Restocking and supplies we might need, and to give the crew a moment to rest." Hakoda told the young man.

" Rest. Right? Well, have you seen the captain?" Garis asked.

" He's in the Mess hall." Hakoda responded.

" Thanks." Garis waved goodbye to the man. 

" Wait one moment. Garis, before you go, could you take this to the captain and have him read it over and sign it. I need to make sure his signature is on this, before sending a copy to Base." Hakoda told the young man. He finished processing the paperwork and handed it over to Garis.

Garis took the sheet from Hakoda and sighed before walking out. 

Hakoda noticed that Garis, for some reason, had a bit of a pep in his step today. Not unheard of from the explosive kid, but not when it came to paperwork.

.....

Garis walked into the Mess Hall to find Captain Markus sitting at a table with a bunch of the other marines. He was busy telling stories about his travels with his former unit before becoming captain, when Garis approached him. 

" Hey, Captain!" Garis called out.

Markus turned and looked at the man.

" What's up?" He asked.

Garis held out his hand and handed him the paperwork from Hakoda.

" Lieutenant, needs you to look over this and sign it." He said.

" Oh, one sec." Markus looked at the sheet in front of him and quietly looked over the information, before nodding. " Alright, let me go see him. Is there anything else, Garis?"

" Yeah, if you got the time, I want your opinion on something." 

" Alright, let me drop this off to Hakoda, and I'll meet you on deck.":

" Thanks, Captain." Garis muttered.

...

Markus walked into the private areas of the ship, where Hakoda was still going over some paperwork.

" Captain."

" Lieutenant. I've gone over what you gave me. It appears to be good to me. I just needed some ink to sign it." Markus told the man. He took up the quill and ink from the desk and promptly signed his name on the paper. " Here you go." 

" Thank you, captain." Hakoda muttered. He quickly grabbed the sheets and stuffed them in the pile on the desk, before digging back into the remaining sheets on his desk. 

" Anything else?"

" No, that should take care of it all, but I'll come see you immediately if anything else comes up. Did you ever find out what Garis wanted?"

" Not yet. But I'm expecting something explosive." Markus joked. It had become a little-known fact that Garis tended to blow things up. Sometimes unintentionally due to his devil fruits abilities. " Keep the fire crew on standby just in-case." Markus grumbled.

He walked back on deck and was immediately greeted by Warrant Officer Garis. Despite being young himself, he had already achieved the rank of a warrant officer, which itself was impressive. 

" Alright, Garis, what can I do for you?" Markus asked.

" I want you to spar with me."

Markus raised an eyebrow in confusion. 

" Really?"

" Yes! I was hoping to get a grip on this damned Haki thing. I'm tired of looking like an idiot." Garis muttered.

" Alright. Let's do it then." Markus took his coat off and set it to the side. " But I'm sure you know by now, no devil fruit powers." He added.

" Right."

" Come!"

With a shout and a burst of energy, Garis rushed Markus, swing wildly at the man.

Markus easily swatted away his soldier's punches. 

" Come on, Garis, this is sloppy. You need to focus, instead of raging like a wild animal. It might work elsewhere, but not here. You've been around long enough to know that.

The sound of skin hitting skin sounded off on the ship like cannons. 

From the outside, it looked like Garis' punches were as thin as paper. But those who knew him, knew that getting hit by him was like getting hit by a cannon ball. 

" Feel the flow of your energy. Stop trying to force it." Markus explained. " Your punches have weight behind them, but your anger and your intensity are all over the place. Without proper concentration, you'll fail every time!"*Bam!

Markus stuck his palm out and struck Garis hard in his face. 

" Gah!"

Garis stumbled backwards, trying desperately to stay upright.

" Damn it! You're tough. But I ain't giving up."

" Good. Let's keep going." 

Garis, full of life, charged Markus once more. 

Markus met the older man's fists with his own. 

Markus began preparing his men for all of the things that were to come. For the New places, the friends, and more importantly the strong foes.