The Trump Pirates

The next morning marked the beginning of Adrian's rigorous training under Garp. True to the old Marine's style, Adrian found himself tasked with the most menial and exhausting chores on the ship. From scrubbing the decks to hoisting the sails and even peeling mountains of potatoes, his days were filled with endless work. This training reminded Adrian of the stories he knew from "One Piece," specifically the early days of Koby and Helmeppo under Garp's tough regime. He knew that eventually, those two would also join Garp's training, and Adrian planned to stay with the Marines until then, building strong connections within the organization before venturing out on his own.

Garp's training was relentless. During the day, Adrian was kept busy with chores, and at night, he trained with Garp and Bogart. This often involved grueling physical exercises, combat drills, and tactical lessons that pushed Adrian to his limits. Despite the exhaustion, Adrian's resolve to survive and thrive in this dangerous world kept him going, powering through the weeks of tough training with a fierce determination.

One evening, as their ship patrolled the East Blue, tension suddenly spiked. "Pirates on the horizon!" shouted a lookout from the crow's nest. As the crew scrambled to their battle stations, Adrian's heart raced with a mix of fear and excitement. This was his first real encounter with pirates—the Trump Pirates, a group he recalled as non-canon to the main story arc of "One Piece." This provided Adrian some relief; his involvement here wouldn't risk altering Luffy's crucial path towards becoming the Pirate King.

As the pirate ship drew closer, Garp turned to Adrian, his eyes sharp and assessing. "Ready to see what you've learned, kid?" he asked, a stern challenge in his tone.

Adrian nodded, gripping the standard-issue Marine sword he'd been training with. The Trump Pirates were known for their tricky and deceitful tactics, but they weren't particularly powerful, which gave him a bit of confidence. "Yes, sir. I'm ready," he responded, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart.

The Marines prepared their cannons, and orders were barked across the deck as both ships maneuvered closer. Adrian took his position beside the other Marines, ready to repel the pirates as they attempted to board.

"Remember, keep your head and stay alert," Bogart advised, his expression grim but focused. "Pirates are unpredictable."

As the pirate ship came alongside, grappling hooks flew through the air, clanking against the ship's side. Pirates began to swarm aboard, yelling and brandishing a variety of weapons. Adrian tightened his grip on his sword, stepping forward to meet the oncoming threat. This was it—his first real test in a live combat situation.

Adrian's mind raced with strategies and techniques he'd learned over the past weeks. Stay calm, analyze their movements, and strike with precision, he reminded himself as he moved to engage the first pirate who climbed over the rail.

The battle commenced with the clash of steel and the shouts of combatants.

As Adrian steadied himself with the sword in hand, preparing to face the incoming wave of pirates, he noticed Garp and Bogart stepping back, their postures relaxed as they observed from a distance. Garp's voice cut through the chaos with a grave tone, "In this world, it's either kill or be killed."

The weight of Garp's words hit Adrian hard, causing him to flinch. He hadn't expected that his training would lead to this stark reality so soon—or so bluntly. As he watched the skirmish unfold between the Marines and the Trump Pirates, the severity of the situation sank in. The clash wasn't just a training exercise; it was real, with real consequences. Fear and determination mingled in his eyes as he faced the stark truth of combat.

Just as Adrian was processing this, a subordinate from the Trump Pirates charged towards him, sword raised high and poised to strike. The imminent threat jolted Adrian back to the moment, his training momentarily frozen by the reality of his potential first kill.

Before the pirate could bring down his sword, Bogart intervened with swift precision. With a quick, decisive movement, Bogart's blade met the pirate, stopping him in his tracks and ending his threat permanently. The pirate collapsed, and Bogart turned to Adrian with a stern look. "Stay alert, and stay alive," he instructed before moving on to engage another enemy.

Emboldened by Bogart's intervention and driven by the desire to survive, Adrian shook off his initial shock. His training under Garp and Bogart had been grueling, and it was for this—real combat where hesitation could mean death. With a renewed sense of purpose, he lunged forward, engaging the pirates with more confidence.

Adrian's movements were a reflection of his rigorous training; each strike and parry showed a level of competence that belied his brief tenure as a Marine. He managed to hold his own against the pirates, who, despite their numbers, lacked the discipline and skill of Garp's harsh training regimen.

The deck became a blur of motion as Adrian, fueled by adrenaline, moved from one opponent to the next. His blade found its mark several times, and with each encounter, he felt his resolve hardening. This was no longer a drill; it was a fight for survival in a world that was as beautiful as it was brutal.

As the last of the pirates fell or retreated back to their ship, the battle wound down. Adrian stood amidst the chaos, breathing heavily, his sword dripping and his heart pounding. He had survived his first real test in combat.