Cregan(Part2)

(3rd Person POV)

"We've been at it for weeks now, Starrk." Cregan said as he drank coffee from a mug, "You're showing signs of rapid improvement. Guess you just needed a good teacher."

Starrk narrowed his eyes as he clutched his forearm that was covered in bandages.

"Tch…" he grumbled, "You show up out of nowhere, kidnap me, and train me for whatever reason…"

They sat inside the ship that Cregan borrowed from the Yonko Whitebeard. It is still unknown how he managed to get someone like Edward Newgate to lend him a ship and a crew to man it.

They currently sailed the waters, on their way to a remote island where Cregan was sure he was going to finalize his quick training.

Cregan looked at him with a smirk, "I've told you time and time again, it is my duty to make you strong." He said

Starrk glared at him, "What the hell does that mean anyway?" He exclaimed, "All you've been doing is kicking my ass!"

"And you've been learning from that experience. Your body is special and can improve on its own." Cregan explained, "Your sword skills are getting better. But you still got ways to go if you wish to meet Whitebeard."

Starrk sighed, "What makes you think I want to do that?"

"Ha! It's not up to you!" Cregan laughed, "The old geezer declared for me to bring you in."

Starrk looked at him, "What?"

Cregan nodded, "But I can't have a weak-willed idiot who isn't strong enough to wield Ice meet the Great Whitebeard." He said seriously, "Oh no, you're to improve your skills and learn the basics of haki at the very least."

Starrk rubbed his hair, "Weak-willed, huh?"

Starrk did feel like he wasn't up to the standards of the New World. He spent a lot of time just dealing with low-level bandits that he never touched the actual threats of the sea. If he is to complete his assignment, he has to get stronger.

He had just met Cregan and somewhat caved in to his demands to get trained. He felt ashamed that he let a total stranger assert dominance over him so easily. But Cregan was stronger than he was currently and he knew he wasn't able to do anything about it.

Over the past few weeks, they somewhat created a friendly relationship. That is dude to Cregan's non-hostile nature to him.

Cregan looked at a newspaper that was on the table next to him.

"Huh?" He said as he read it, "Oh so that bastard is at it again?"

Starrk raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"

"Oh, some new-name pirate running amok and causing chaos." He said as he drank coffee, "They call him the Dragon Knight or something. Wears this black armor and is swinging a massive sword. Don't know much about him but the old geezer says he isn't a threat."

"Oh?" Starrk said

"Yea I guess he's trying to oppose the government." Cregan continued, "Apparently he sunk a cipher pol ship on sight. And word is, he has some valuable target the government wants. I don't know much about politics these days. They say she caused some sort of incident at an island."

Starrk stared at him a bit confused at the bit of the valuable target. Something bothered him about that. It's as if he knew exactly what that meant but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Anyways." Cregan said, "Once we reach the island, I'll teach you how to use Armament and Observation. I feel you have the potential to learn it so I'll at least force the basics on you."

Starrk frowned, "Force…." He said

He wasn't sure if he wanted to trust Cregan but so far the man hasn't done anything that raised any red flags. Guess Starrk was still confused as to why Cregan is adamant about training him and saying it is his duty. But if he wanted to get strong, he'll go along with it.

Starrk looked at Cregan, "So about the Old Man on the horse…" he said

Cregan looked at him, "Hm, you haven't mentioned him all this time, why now?"

He shrugged, "Never occurred to me." He said, "What's his deal? Who is he and why did he want me to find this Royal Wolf's Pelt?"

Cregan sighed, "That Torrhen…" he said, "Ignore him. He's one of those nomadic shaman-types. His type of upbringing was different than the rest of us. He's not all there."

"Rest of us..?" Starrk was starting to get confused, "Wait, he's crazy?"

"I think so." Cregan nodded as he patted his wolf pelt, "He believes these have some sort of mystical properties that bring us good fortune. Frankly, I don't believe any of that bullshit. I just thought this looked cool. Besides, I didn't find it. Newgate gifted it to me."

Starrk nodded, "So yours is one too?" He said, "Huh, I did wonder."

"If you wish for him to take you under his wing, you have to find yours." Cregan said as he leaned back on his chair, "But I advise against it. Not now at least. Do it when you're in desperate need of it. He is one of the reasons I'm doing you the favor now. His methods are….unconventional. More than mine at least."

Starrk looked at him with a serious face, "Just who are you people? And what's the deal with this sword?" He said pointing at Ice next to him, "What's so special?"

Cregan smirked slightly, "That right there is Ice. Our country's national treasure." He said,

"One of the Supreme Grade Swords!"