Kapitel 17: Chapter 17:Proving Grounds
Three years had passed since Jason began his rigorous training with Rayleigh, and in that time, he had made remarkable progress. The natural talent granted by his unique body and Ultimate Talent allowed him to master both Observation Haki and Armament Haki to an impressive level. He was now at the intermediate stage, comparable to that of a Rear Admiral, a feat that left even his father, the legendary Dark King Rayleigh, quietly impressed.
Jason stood in the courtyard of their home on Sabaody Archipelago, lost in thought. His mastery of the two colors of Haki had advanced quickly, faster than even his parents had anticipated. Now, it was time to test those skills outside the confines of his training. He had another goal in mind: bounty hunting. With the money earned, he could purchase treasure maps that might one day benefit the crew he envisioned forming in the future.
He approached Rayleigh and Shakky with his request one day, his voice calm but resolute. "I want to start bounty hunting."
Shakky looked at him with raised eyebrows, and Rayleigh leaned back in his chair, exhaling a cloud of smoke from his pipe. "Bounty hunting, huh?" Rayleigh said, a small grin playing at his lips. "You think you're ready for that?"
Jason nodded. "I've been training with you for years now. It's time I put those skills to practical use."
Shakky crossed her arms, her expression firm. "It's dangerous out there, Jason. The pirates you'd face are seasoned and ruthless. You're strong, no doubt about that, but this isn't training anymore—this is the real world. They won't go easy on you."
Rayleigh glanced at Shakky, then back to Jason. "She's right. The pirates out there aren't like anything you've sparred with."
But Jason was undeterred. "I need to grow beyond what I've already learned. And I can't do that without real-world experience. If you're not sure, then let me spar with you one last time, Dad. Let me prove I'm ready."
Rayleigh looked at his son with a knowing smile. The boy had inherited his will and determination—there was no talking him out of this. After a long pause, Rayleigh stood up. "Alright, kid. We'll have a spar. If you can hold your own against me, maybe I'll consider letting you go out on your little bounty hunting adventure."
Shakky looked hesitant, but she knew that Jason wouldn't let this go. She sighed. "Just don't go easy on him, Ray."
The two men made their way to the training area, and soon they stood across from each other, Rayleigh's calm and seasoned stance opposite Jason's eager and focused one. The tension in the air was palpable as they both readied themselves for the spar.
Without warning, Jason made the first move, his Observation Haki sharp as he tried to predict Rayleigh's movements. He darted forward, his fists coated in Armament Haki, aiming for a powerful strike at his father's side.
Rayleigh sidestepped with ease, his Observation Haki just as sharp, if not sharper. "You've gotten faster," Rayleigh commented, his voice calm. "But speed alone won't be enough."
Jason pressed on, refusing to let up. His attacks came in rapid succession—punches, kicks, and Haki-infused strikes that would have overwhelmed most opponents. But Rayleigh was not most opponents. The Dark King effortlessly deflected Jason's blows, using minimal movement to dodge and block, as though he could read Jason's every thought.
"Don't lose your composure," Rayleigh said, and with a swift counter, he sent Jason stumbling back with a well-placed strike to his shoulder, his Armament Haki breaking through Jason's defense.
Jason grit his teeth, but instead of backing down, he advanced once more, this time with a more refined focus. He knew Rayleigh was leagues ahead of him, but that didn't mean he couldn't push himself further.
For a brief moment, Jason found an opening. He ducked low, sweeping his leg out in a fast kick aimed at Rayleigh's midsection. Rayleigh hadn't expected the low move and had to block with more force than before, skidding back slightly.
Jason grinned. "Didn't see that one, did you?"
Rayleigh chuckled, rubbing his chin. "You're getting cocky, kid."
They clashed again, this time with a burst of energy that sent shockwaves through the area. Jason unleashed everything he had, using the full extent of his Haki, his fists crackling with power. But despite his best efforts, Rayleigh remained one step ahead, always evading just before Jason could land a significant blow.
Then, with a final movement that Jason barely saw coming, Rayleigh appeared behind him and tapped him on the back of the neck with a gentle, Haki-infused strike, sending Jason sprawling to the ground.
Jason lay there for a moment, staring up at the sky, breathing hard. He had lost. But it wasn't the loss that weighed on him. It was the realization of just how far he still had to go.
Rayleigh extended a hand to help his son up. "You did well, Jason. Better than I expected."
Jason took his father's hand, standing up and brushing himself off. "I still lost."
"Of course you did," Rayleigh said with a grin. "But that doesn't mean you're not ready."
Shakky, who had been watching from the sidelines, stepped forward. Her expression was still concerned, but there was a softness in her eyes now. "You've gotten stronger, Jason. A lot stronger. But are you sure you want to do this?"
Jason nodded, his resolve unshaken. "I have to. This is part of my journey."
Shakky sighed again, but this time, she gave him a small smile. "Just don't get yourself killed out there."
Rayleigh clapped Jason on the shoulder. "You've got our blessing, kid. Go out there and make a name for yourself. But remember—this world is dangerous. Don't bite off more than you can chew."
Jason grinned. "Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Mom. I won't let you down."
And with that, Jason was ready to set off on his first bounty hunting expedition, eager to test his skills in the real world and begin earning the treasure
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein