"I want revenge."
That caught Tengen off guard, his face immediately losing his grin.
Sure he found the kid poisoned in the forrest about to become a demons snack, but that wasn't what he expected to hear. Shit, he wasn't even expecting him to ask for training.
'This is getting interesting.' He thought, his face still somewhat neutral.
"Revenge against what?" Tengen asked after a moment of silence, "And why?"
It was probably related to what led him into the forrest, but he wanted to here the full story from the kid.
"The Church." The kid replied, stunning Tengen even more. "More-so a certain Archbishop, but I don't believe the church is free of blame. Free from my wrath."
His eyes were filled with barely restrained hatred, but beyond that, a lingering sadness. Tengen just stayed quite, letting the child work out his thoughts.
"They–" He continued, tears welling up in his eyes, his voice choking, "They killed my friends– my family. They killed the only people that I cared for, and for that I will never forgive them."
Tengen had no words. He understood the child as he had also lost family at a young age, however unlike him, the boy has no one else. Tengen at least found the Demon Slayer organisation quickly. Maybe it was fate that he found him.
But he couldn't just take him in that easily. A life of revenge is not worth living. If there was one thing he would do, it would be to point him to a different path. He'd seen enough people waste their lives away in the pursuit of revenge. They were never happy at the end of it.
"So you want revenge then?" Tengen started, his face betraying the seriousness of the situation, "Is this what they would have wanted? Your friends. Your family. Is this what they would have wanted for you?" That got a reaction from the boy.
His breath hitched, pupils constricted, and tears swelled. It was clear he hadn't thought about that. Tengen decided to press on.
"I'm sure they had some very choice final words for you. What were they?" He was basing this on his own experiences.
"They– they told me to live." The boy got out through choked breaths, fighting back the tears.
"And does a life of revenge sound like living? Or does it sound like spitting in the face of their wishes?"
His plan, if you could call it that, was working. The kid was clenching the blankets on top of his lap, head down with tears streaming silently down his face.
"No *hic* it doesn't." He sobbed "What was I thinking?"
"Hey, little man, wanting revenge isn't bad." Tengen said, stepping closer to the boy, "What is, is letting it consume you. You can't let that type– any type– of hate fester. It will eat you up from the inside." He was currently rubbing the boys head. He'd learned that this was a good way of calming people, especially children, down.
"Now are you going to tell me your name? I can't keep calling you kid in my head." He was still rubbing his head. His hair was surprisingly soft.
"Sorry." He said clearing his face and eyes of tears, "My name's Ash."
"What, no last na–"
"I'm an orphan." He said, cutting Tengen off, "Well I was raised in one. So..."
"Oh. *ahem* Well, it doesn't matter anyways." There were only 4 people that Tengen allowed to cut him off. He was making this one an exception, but only for now. "You can always find out later. Why don't you make that a goal of yours. Better than revenge." He muttered that last part to himself, uncaring if Ash heard or not.
"...I might, but I don't really care much about my parents. Or my lineage for that matter." He was becoming more aware of the situation, now that he'd stopped crying.
"...Ca- can you stop stroking my head please. It feels weird." Now that Ash fully aware, he was feeling quite awkward at Tengens' actions. He felt patronised and treated like a child. He was fully aware that he was one again, but he didn't like being treated like one.
"No. I am the God of Festivities, so I shall do as I please." Tengen replied, his signature grin back on his face. Ash just grumbled at him, only further entertaining Tengen.
"Anyway," Tengen started, taking his hand away from Ashs' head, "You were in critical condition when I got you here. Rest up while I get a nurse." He then turned towards the doo, intending to leave.
"You still haven't answered me. Will you train me?" Ash asked. No matter what, he wanted to find a way to get stronger quickly (and safely), and who better than Tengen. Ignore that he doesn't know anyone else that could train him.
"Maybe I will, maybe I won't." Tengen goaded, "But one thing's for sure, I won't train anyone dedicating their lie to revenge. Prove to me you deserve my training." His voice lost the jovialty normally found in it.
"Now rest up. You need it." With that, Tengen left the room. Not forgetting to close the door on his way out.
"Well, that was something."
________________________
I don't want to admit it, but I think Tengen just saved me from a shitty future.
And how am I supposed to convince him to train me? I still want revenge on the church, especially on Valper. If there's one thing I must do, it's to rid the world of that filth.
"Fuck." I muttered. This is a little exacerbating.
*Ding*
⌜Emergency Quest Completed⌟
⌜Generating Rewards⌟
Hm? I completed a quest? When?
"Oh shit, that escape quest. I completely forgot about it." I barely even remember getting it. I wonder what I'll get.
⌜Congratulations on awakening the One Piece Physique⌟
I got the One Piece physique? Nice. If I'm not mistaken, the people of OP have great durability and endurance. Just look at Alabasta Usopp. The nigga tanked a 4 ton bat to the face.
Just that boost is more than enough for me.
'Why don't I feel any different?' You'd think awakening a new physique would feel at least somewhat weird. I mean, your DNA is being rewritten. That's got to make you feel something.
*Ding*
⌜Reward was given on quest completion 2 days ago⌟
Okay, I've alre-
"2 days?! I've been asleep for 2 days?!" Holy fuck. What was that poison made of?
Thank god– no– Ass?... Nahhh.... Thank Spark I got the OP physique. It probably contributed a lot to my survival.
'Wait, can I awaken Haki? I mean, I've got the physi-'
⌜Skill: Haki (Unawakened)
Description:
-The quintessential Power System within the world of One Piece. Usable by all life, it is the manifestation and utilisation of ones own willpower. With it one can hit harder, sense presences, intimidate others, and much more. The only limitation is your own will.
Awakening conditions:
-Armament: Throw 100 Strikes in a row
-Observation: Expand your awareness
-Conquerors: Solidify your will and release it on the world⌟
"Well damn. I can." I can't wait to unlock Haki. I remember Kaido saying only Haki transcends all, and considering the feats in Egghead, I'm inclined to believe him. Let's see how well that sticks in this world.
It saddens me that I can't finish OP now. Maybe this world also has an Oda. Hopefully it does. If it doesn't, I'll just go see the plot in person... eventually. I doubt I'll get multiversal travel anytime soon.
These awakening conditions seem in line with how Haki works, I can at least see the reasoning behind them. The easiest to awaken seems to be armament, but I'll see when I get there.
*Knock* *Knock*
Just then, someone knocked on my door before opening it.
__________ End of Chapter __________
Ash here,
Sorry it took so long for this chapter to come out. I kinda got writers block halfway through it and only "got over it" earlier today. This one is just over 1300 words. It would've been longer, but I've cut out the rest and put it in the next chap.
So yeah... I've given our loveable(?) MC Haki. At least the potential for it. And don't worry, he won't be getting the advanced versions anytime soon. I don't even plan to give him CoC until he's a teen. So at least 20 chapters. I don't fully know how long it will take, I just have the scene in my head.
I don't have any little secrets, so I might just switch them out for Fun Facts™.
Here's one: In this fic, the Hatake and Uzui clans are cousins that marry into eachother every know and again. It's Tengens turn to do the wincest this time.
Ash out.