The morning sun climbed higher, scattering silver light across the deserted island. Waves lapped gently at the shore, their rhythm deceptively calm after the chaos of God Valley.
Argento sat on the sand, Veyra curled beside him, both bruised, exhausted, and weighed down by grief. The events of the past hours were etched into his mind: Celestia's defiance, her laughter, the flash of silver lightning—and her sacrifice.
He flexed his hands, staring at the faint metallic shimmer rippling across his skin. The Devil Fruit still tasted bitter on his tongue, its potential frustratingly dormant. His fists clenched, knuckles pressing into the sand.
"We have to get stronger," he murmured, mostly to himself. "I can't… I can't let her death be in vain."
Veyra stirred, her small voice tentative. "Big Brother… can you… really fight now?"
Argento forced a tired but resolute smile. "I don't know yet," he admitted. "But we'll learn. I'll learn… and we'll be ready next time. No one will take us by surprise again."
He stood slowly, exhaustion threatening to drag him back down. Fingers spread over the sand, the silver shimmer pulsed faintly, stretching and deforming as if testing him back.
"For now," he whispered, "we train. We survive. And then… we fight."
He climbed the ridge overlooking the island, the wind tugging at his hair and clothes. Veyra's small silhouette mirrored his determination beside him, her wide eyes bright with awe and fear from the day before.
"Today," he said, voice low but building with intensity, "I call for the creation of our pirate crew… the Mercurial Pirates! I will be the captain, and you… you will be the vice-captain! We will never let any family die again!"
Veyra's eyes widened, her tiny fists clenching in solidarity. The words settled between them like a vow forged from pain and hope alike.
"We start small," Argento said, voice tight with determination. "We run around the island—two hundred times."
Veyra's jaw dropped. "Two hundred?!"
"Yes, two hundred," he said, grinning fiercely, though inside he knew it was impossible. "No shortcuts. No giving up. Step by step, we get stronger."
They set off.
The first lap was brutal. Sand clung to sweaty skin, lungs burned, and muscles trembled. Argento's hands flexed automatically, silver shimmer flickering as he stumbled across uneven terrain. Veyra tripped over a rock, scraped her knee, but scrambled up, grinning through tears. "I can do this, Big Brother!"
By the second lap, both were panting, faces red, bodies trembling. The wind tugged at their hair and clothes; waves slapped against the shore in chaotic rhythm with their heartbeat.
"We… we'll stop for now," Argento gasped. "Two laps are enough today. We'll get stronger, step by step."
They collapsed on the sand, gasping and laughing, sweat and sand clinging to their bodies. Argento flexed his hands experimentally. The metallic shimmer pulsed faintly, deforming and stretching across his palms. The fruit was stubborn but alive, hinting at the power within.
Veyra nudged him with a tired elbow. "Captain," she said, grinning despite herself, "we survived… two laps. Tomorrow… maybe three?"
Argento laughed, dry and shaky. "Tomorrow," he said softly, voice resolute. "We train. We keep moving. We get stronger. No one will ever take us by surprise again."
The next morning, the sun barely peeked over the horizon, painting the sky in oranges and pinks. Argento was already on his feet, eyes sharp, muscles tense. Veyra followed reluctantly, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Ready, Vice-Captain?" Argento called, a grin tugging at his face.
Veyra groaned but nodded. "Ready…"
They ran along the shoreline. Sand kicked up behind their feet, lungs burned, muscles screamed. The silver shimmer pulsed faintly across Argento's hands with every movement.
"One lap," he gasped, holding up a hand. "That's enough for today. We build up gradually."
Veyra collapsed beside him, panting and laughing. "One lap… that's… okay…"
Argento smirked. "One lap is a start. Now… sparring."
He wiped sweat from his brow, crouching slightly. "Alright, Veyra… this time, you hit me. Hard. I want you to use all your strength."
Her eyes widened. "All my strength? But… I'll hurt you!"
"You won't," he said firmly. "I need to get stronger, too. If I can take your hits… I can protect you. Come on, Vice-Captain, show me what you've got."
Her tiny fists tapped against his arms more in curiosity than force. Argento guided her, exaggerating his movements to teach timing and aim.
"Not bad! Try a jab! One, two… see?" He moved with her, guiding her hands, careful to show her the mechanics of a proper strike.
"Faster this time!" he said, crouching slightly. Veyra giggled, swinging again, arms flailing. Each light tap made her laugh; each laugh tightened Argento's heart. She was safe. She was learning. But the memory of God Valley and their losses lingered.
"See, Vice-Captain?" he said, holding her hands steady. "It's not about hitting hard. It's about control. You'll grow stronger every day, and I'll be here to catch you if you fall."
Veyra nodded, determination furrowing her brows. "I… I can do it!"
"Exactly," Argento said, smiling. "One day, we'll both be ready. No fruit powers, no shortcuts… just strength, skill, and each other."