This continues with Ravian realizing how fast he's growing… and then Garp announcing the disaster known as his "training trip."
Night fell by the time the boys limped back toward Foosha.
Ravian walked slower than the rest, every step sending a pulse through his sore legs. Even breathing felt like it required strength he didn't have.
But something else was happening too.
His senses… weren't the same.
The hum of insects.
The rustle of trees.
The subtle shift of footsteps behind him.
Everything felt sharper.
He lifted his hand slightly, watching how the moonlight caught the faint tremor in his fingers.
It was strange.
Even though he felt like he'd been hit by Garp's entire lifetime of mistakes…
he also felt lighter.
Stronger.
Almost like his body was beginning to understand the constant chaos it was being thrown into.
He focused quietly.
Just one breath.
One calm moment.
And something clicked inside him.
A quiet pulse.
A subtle alignment.
Almost like the world around him settled into a rhythm he could follow.
The system chimed softly.
[Physique Adaptation: Stage 1 Complete]
[Muscle Efficiency Increased]
[Response Time Improved]
[Instinct Flow — Active]
Ravian blinked.
That didn't feel like some dramatic transformation.
It felt… natural.
Like his body was learning the same way the others learned—just in its own way.
Ace slowed down beside him. "You're walking straighter. Not dying anymore."
"I'm still dying," Ravian said quietly. "Just… less."
Sabo watched him with a curious look. "You're adapting faster than we expected."
Luffy poked Ravian's shoulder. "You feel tougher!"
"I feel like a bruised potato," Ravian replied.
But deep down… he knew.
He wasn't the same weak kid from a few weeks ago.
He could dodge better.
Endure longer.
React quicker.
Not because of brute strength.
But because something inside him was evolving to survive this insane world.
He remembered how easily he'd stepped away from that boar earlier.
How his body reacted before his mind fully processed it.
He didn't understand it fully yet.
But he felt it.
This place was changing him.
The next morning, Ravian woke up sore… but not destroyed.
His body had recovered faster than usual.
He sat up, stretching carefully.
No sharp pain.
No collapsing.
Just a deep ache that felt… manageable.
He stepped outside, expecting a quiet morning.
Instead—
Garp stood in the clearing with his hands on his hips.
Ace, Sabo, and Luffy were already lined up in front of him with dead expressions.
Ravian stopped dead in his tracks.
"Why is he here," Ravian whispered, horrified.
Ace shook his head slowly. "Bad luck."
Sabo sighed. "He came at sunrise."
Luffy waved. "MORNING, RAVIAN!"
Ravian whispered to Mira, "If I run, will he chase me?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation.
Garp spotted him immediately.
"RAVIAN! Just the boy I wanted to see!"
Ravian froze. "…Why?"
Garp grinned like a warlord announcing a festival.
"I DECIDED IT'S TIME!"
"Time… for what?" Ravian asked weakly.
"A TRAINING TRIP!!"
Ace groaned. "No."
Sabo muttered, "We're going to die."
Luffy cheered like it was the best news in the world.
Ravian felt his soul leave his body. "A… trip?"
Garp nodded proudly. "That's right! INTO THE WILDS!"
Every word felt like a personal threat.
"W-we just trained yesterday—"
"EXACTLY!" Garp boomed. "Perfect timing! You're warmed up!"
Ravian swayed. "I'm not warmed up… I'm barely alive…"
Garp laughed and slapped Ravian on the back with enough force to shove him forward three steps.
"Quit whining! You boys are strong! Especially you, Ravian. You adapted faster than expected."
Ace and Sabo both turned to stare at Ravian.
Ravian's stomach twisted.
That wasn't the kind of attention he wanted.
Sabo raised a brow. "Adapted faster, huh?"
Ravian waved his hands quickly. "I'm normal! Just… surviving!"
Luffy grinned. "Ravian's getting stronger! He's like us!"
Ravian stepped back. "No, no, no—let's not say things like that—"
But Garp already hoisted all four of them under his arms.
"TRAINING TRIP BEGINS NOW!"
Ace shouted in protest.
Sabo panicked.
Luffy cheered.
Ravian made a noise that could only be described as despair.
Makino ran outside just as Garp began marching away with them.
"GARP!! WHERE ARE YOU TAKING THE CHILDREN?!"
"TO BECOME STRONG MEN!"
"They're already strong!"
"THEN THEY'LL BE STRONGER!"
Ravian stretched his hand out helplessly as he was carried off like luggage.
"MIRA—HELP—"
She waved casually. "Bring me a souvenir!"
"MIRA!!"
But it was too late.
And as the forest swallowed them again, Ravian felt that familiar sinking feeling return.
He had gotten stronger.
Yes.
But with Garp leading them into the wilds…
he wasn't sure it would matter.
Because whatever was coming next—
His strength would be tested all over again.