ONE PEICE: LONG ROAD

Xibei Village - Seaside

The sky hung heavy with a gray mist as the thin veil of morning hung over the horizon. The sea breeze, carrying the salty tang of the ocean, caressed Wang Li and Siby's faces. Its chill was invigorating, though it sent a shiver down their spines. Early in the morning, Kunke had dragged the two of them to the beach, announcing the start of their grueling training regimen.

Their first day of training seemed deceptively simple. Siby was tasked with hoisting a massive boulder that appeared absurdly disproportionate to his small frame. His feet sank into the sand beneath the weight, leaving visible imprints that testified to its heaviness. Kunke seemed to have an uncanny ability to measure Siby's exact limits—pushing him right to the edge without going over.

Wang Li's task differed slightly. Though his boulder was smaller, he was made to lift it while standing in the shallows of the ocean. The water, which only rose to his calves, sapped his strength by destabilizing his footing and absorbing his every movement. Each time he raised the stone, it felt as though the sea itself resisted him, forcing him to fight not just the weight but his own fatigue.

Wang Li clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth as he strained to maintain his grip. The only thing keeping him going was Kunke's words echoing in his mind:

"Your Devil Fruit is unlike any other. It doesn't grant you immediate strength or powers, so you must cultivate an indomitable will. Push past your limits, again and again. Only when your stamina recovery becomes instinctive can you begin to master your ability. For now, focus on this alone—don't get ahead of yourself."

His muscles trembled with exhaustion, but every time he felt his strength give out, he tapped into the restorative power of his Recovery Fruit, regaining just enough to continue.

The horizon began to shift as the first streaks of dawn painted the sky. The soft glow of the sun rose slowly from the sea, casting its golden light on the two trainees. They were utterly spent. Their bodies fell to the ground as they dropped their respective burdens, sinking into the sand in a heap.

"Stupid Uncle Kunke!" Siby growled, rubbing his sore shoulders. "He probably went back to sleep and left us here to die!"

"I'm starving…" Wang Li muttered, clutching his stomach.

"Me too!" Siby groaned in agreement, her earlier indignation replaced by a hollow ache in her belly.

"Lazy, aren't we?"

Their complaints were cut short as Kunke's booming voice came from the distance. The two looked up to see him striding down the beach, carrying several fruits from the island's back mountain in his hands. Siby's face lit up, and whatever exhaustion she'd felt moments ago vanished as she dashed toward him.

"Finally, food!" Siby exclaimed, grabbing a fruit and devouring it ravenously.

"Meat would've been better for breakfast," she mumbled between bites, barely acknowledging the fruit's flavor.

Kunke's brow twitched. With a fist as large as a cannonball, he smacked Siby on the head, sending her reeling.

"Show some respect!" Kunke bellowed. "These fruits from the back mountain are better than meat—they're packed with nutrients and help restore your stamina. They're perfect for training!"

"Oh… well, you could've just said that," Siby retorted, rubbing the growing lump on her head. "I thought you were just being cheap."

Kunke's face darkened. "Cheap?! I'll show you cheap!" He raised his fist again, but this time Siby was ready, hopping back with a smug grin.

Before she could celebrate her escape, a second fist came down, landing squarely on the fresh lump atop her head. She yelped in pain, her defiance replaced by tears.

"Idiot," Kunke said flatly. "In battle, always exploit the enemy's weaknesses. A second strike where it hurts the most guarantees victory."

Wang Li, who had been quietly eating his fruit, couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. The lighthearted moment lifted his spirits, and for a brief moment, the weight of training felt lighter.

Kunke clapped his hands, drawing their attention. His deep voice echoed across the beach. "Alright, break time's over! Back to training!"

"Already?!" Siby groaned.

"What happened to the resolve you showed yesterday?" Kunke shot back, his piercing gaze silencing her complaints.

The sun climbed higher into the sky, marking the beginning of a new day. Under Kunke's watchful eye, Wang Li and Siby resumed their training, their determination unshaken.