Fist techniques

Dawn had only just begun to break.

Charlos slowly woke, reached out to gently nudge Nico Robin, who was resting her head on him, and propped himself up.

"So sleepy... Let me sleep a little longer."

Robin murmured groggily, then dropped her head heavily back onto Charlos's chest.

Charlos sighed helplessly. "Move over a little. And all of you, what kind of sleeping positions were those last night?"

His voice woke everyone.

Rukia's eyes flew open, her face full of panic. "Ah! How did I end up sleeping with you?"

Amira and Amina woke one after the other, looking apologetic. "Sorry, Charlos."

"Stop apologizing and get up. My arm's gone numb."

Only Nico Robin remained sprawled against his chest, refusing to move with her eyes closed.

"Let me sleep a little longer."

"Move over. There's a pillow right there. Why do you have to use my chest?"

Robin stubbornly whispered, "No."

Utterly helpless, Charlos carefully moved Robin's head onto the pillow, then crouched down to look at Amira.

"Get me a fresh set of clothes. She's drooled all over my chest."

The doors to Charlos's bedchamber were suddenly pushed open.

Shalria walked straight in with Boa Hancock.

Charlos was changing his shirt, his arms raised. He immediately frowned at the sight. "Hey! Don't you know how to knock?"

Shalria looked as though it were perfectly natural. "Charlos, when have I ever knocked before coming into your room?"

Nico Robin slowly sat up beside him, wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, and gave a languid sigh. "Ah, I'm so tired."

Shalria glanced over everyone's disheveled sleeping positions and spoke with a teasing smile. "Oh my, you certainly had some wild fun last night."

Charlos looked utterly exasperated. "What nonsense are you talking about? They haven't even developed yet."

Shalria gestured with her little hands, raising an eyebrow teasingly. "Haven't they? I wouldn't be so sure. It looks like you're the only one who's different here, dear brother."

"What do you mean?"

"What if you gave in to your animal urges?"

"Shut up! I'm not that much of a beast."

"All right, all right, I was only joking."

Charlos didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Honestly, what goes through your head all day?"

Shalria tilted her head with a mischievous grin. "I was wondering whether you're developing too slowly. I'll have Akali give you a thorough examination later."

"No need. I can check myself."

"Feeling shy?"

Charlos glared at her irritably. "What do you think?"

Akali stepped into the room and reported respectfully, "Saint Charlos, Saint Shalria. The fist instructor Chief Rosy hired for you is waiting at the training grounds. You may go and receive his instruction."

"Mm, understood."

Charlos stood and finished dressing.

Shalria looked at him, sounding a little aggrieved. "Huh? You even hired a special instructor to train you?"

"What else would I do? Grandpa arranged this especially for me."

"That's so unfair."

Charlos said calmly, "A girl wouldn't look good covered in muscles."

"I know." Shalria nodded, then said thoughtfully, "That's why I've been wondering if there are other ways to become stronger."

"A Devil Fruit is the easiest way."

"I know. I just haven't found a Devil Fruit that catches my eye and suits me yet."

At the courtyard training grounds.

A Fist Master stood quietly in place.

Several captive pirates charged savagely toward him, wielding swords and sabers.

The Fist Master's expression remained composed, his stance as steady as a mountain. With just a few punches and kicks, he cleanly knocked every pirate to the ground.

Charlos slowly approached, applauding as he walked.

"Wow, that was really impressive."

The Fist Master bowed slightly in greeting. "Greetings, Saint Charlos."

"Hello, Fist Master. May I ask what that fist technique was called?"

"That was merely basic hand-to-hand combat, not a specific fist technique. If you wish to learn, I am proficient in many orthodox fist techniques and can demonstrate and teach them all."

Interest flickered in Charlos's eyes. "Oh? Really? Then demonstrate all of them for me."

The Fist Master answered solemnly, "Certainly. No problem."

Charlos silently committed every move the Fist Master made to memory and nodded slightly.

"Mm, very good."

Hearing this, the Fist Master bowed. "Was anything unsatisfactory, Saint Charlos?"

With a calm gaze, Charlos asked, "What level do you think your strength would rank at across the entire sea?"

The Fist Master froze, his voice turning awkward. "I... I'm not particularly strong."

Charlos gave a soft scoff. "So, in the end, it's all just flashy moves."

"That isn't true!" The Fist Master hurried to defend himself.

Just then, Amira and Amina walked over and gently urged him, "Charlos, why not give it a try? Even the simplest moves have their subtleties."

Charlos considered for a moment, then nodded slightly. "True enough."

Under the corridor beside a window, Shalria quietly watched the training grounds with Hancock and her two sisters.

She turned to the three of them and asked with a smile, "Say, would you three like to learn this fist technique?"

Boa Hancock gently shook her head. "On Amazon Lily, we have our own methods of training Haki, as well as our own hand-to-hand combat techniques."

Shalria's eyes lit up. "Oh? Really?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll have to ask you to teach me sometime."

"Of course, Saint Shalria."

Shalria reached out and lightly touched Hancock's lips with a fingertip, saying softly, "Just call me Shalria."

Hancock obediently whispered, "Shalria."

Shalria leaned a little closer and gently kissed Hancock's cheek.

"Good girl."

With that, she turned back to watch Charlos in the courtyard.

Charlos had already memorized all the Fist Master's techniques and demonstrated them before him on the spot.

The Fist Master watched his movements in astonishment. "Saint Charlos, you are truly a genius. I spent nearly twenty years diligently practicing these techniques, yet you mastered them all in a single afternoon."

Charlos smiled faintly. "I've only learned their outward form. I haven't grasped their essence yet. After twenty years of practice, you must understand their deeper meaning better than I do."

The Fist Master let out a long sigh. "To be honest, I too know only their form, not their essence."

Charlos said nothing more and looked toward Shalria by the distant window.

"Hey, have you watched enough?"

Shalria huffed. "Hmph, you caught me again."

"Is spotting you supposed to be difficult?"

"No."

Charlos asked, "When are you leaving for Amazon Lily?"

"Tomorrow."

At those words, Boa Hancock looked at Shalria and said worriedly, "Tomorrow... You've been away from home for so long. Your family must be terribly worried, right?"

"Yes."

"But..."

Shalria waved a hand, cutting her off. "No buts. If it's time to go home, then go home."

After hearing Shalria's words, Charlos suggested, "Then let's throw a private party tonight."

Shalria waved a hand and corrected him. "No, no, it's not a party. It's a private banquet. You must have gotten used to running wild at sea, dear brother."

"What do you mean, running wild? That was freedom, adventure, chasing the sea breeze."

"Fine, fine, you always have an answer."

Shalria turned to Boa Hancock, raised a hand to gently stroke her cheek, and said softly, "Remember, little girl. Come find me once you've grown stronger."

Boa Hancock stared at her in a daze. Just as she was about to speak, Shalria immediately added with a smile, "Just kidding. I'll definitely come find you before you come looking for me."