51 Chapter 51

51

Even Luffy nodded in appreciation. He was right… Coby did have a talent. Coby had a talent for adaptability. He was like a coal right now, with enough pressure he would able to shine like a diamond.

Luffy had actually taught him the basics about using a pitchfork last night. They mostly trained on his ability to dodge and some basic combat training. But it seemed that the boy had taken every lesson to the heart.

That and the fact that he had to run and hide from his former 'crewmates' helped him build a good physique. 

But one of the pirates managed to destroy Coby's pitchfork so now he was fighting hand to hand, and the occasional swords he picked up with.

"He might be in trouble now," Zoro said, he and Kuina had already sheathed their swords as it seemed they weren't needed in handling that sort of pirate.

"Hey, why the fuck are we fighting with our swords, shoot the…" Jango was cut of as every pistol, guns, and riflery on the pirate's hands were snatched away by something. And it just so happened to be a six-armed monkey.

"I mean come on, who brings a gun to fist fight." Luffy mused. As Coby was getting exhausted right now, and a pirate found the chance to slash at his back, making the boy fall.

"Coby!" Nami and Usopp shouted as Coby fell.

"You are dead now, boy." The same pirate that hit him from the back held his sword up trying to stab him. But suddenly he winched in pain, as both of his hands exploded over his head. "Uh… my hands."

The pirate fell on the ground… crying and cursing.

"You should be glad that the wounds on my crewmate is only skin deep… if it was any more serious, I would have shot out your balls," Luffy said, grimly, while he had one of his hands in a handgun position.

He kind of felt bad for Coby, but he had to do this if he wanted to toughen the boy up.

Those words sent shivers down all the pirate's spine.

"Now, you lot play fair… and fight with just your hands." Luffy said crossing his arms, as all of them dropped their swords and knives. "Now, Coby get up… and fight em like the hero you want to be."

Zoro and Kuina were both surprised that Coby stood up with shaky legs, his eyes seemed to be foggy, and yet was determined. He had his hands held up high as he charged at a nearby pirate.

"Uh…" he screamed as he punched the first pirate, before blocking the second pirate's incoming jab. He head-butted the second as he went full street fights on the pirate thugs.

"He's unconscious isn't he…" Kuina said, and Zoro nodded. Nami was surprised what did she mean?

"Yes, he somehow in a semi-conscious state, and he entered the state of flow unknowingly." Luffy said grinning wide. "Now that's some super talent right there."

The state of flow, is something that's even not fully supernatural. As many athletes or even general workers could tap into the state of flow when concentrating on their work fully without any distractions.

It seems that the pink nerd can do some amazing stuff if he put his mind into it.

Luffy had entered this state multiple times before. It wasn't something like Observation Haki. But as important in its own right. Actually, this might be actually a sing of how talented Coby was in observation.

If by training one day, Coby was able to get at that state, he had no doubt about Coby's hidden potential. God! He wanted the boy in his crew.

But then again, the state of flow is easily more noticeable in hand-to-hand combat. Luffy remembered some of the UFC fights or boxing fights he saw back. Like for Muhammad Ali, and his amazing footwork and dodging might be considered being a flow state. Though other than fighting people who enjoy work —any work, even working on a boring business, if they find it interesting— then time becomes distorted and your focus reaches a level that makes thing easier.

Though, it seemed that while Coby had all the intentions, his body couldn't keep up. Still Coby had some amazing stamina for someone that didn't know how to fight. All the odd jobs in his earlier life in Alivida Pirates made him build up a good amount of stamina.

But the pink-haired boy lacked the muscle and soon dropped on the ground, as his body gave up. In total he had beaten almost half of Black Cat Pirates with the help of Usopp, now that was saying something.

All of the pirates that were still on their feet were actually scared to get near the fallen Coby right now. Anytime he might pop right up and start punching them again.

Coby looked bloodied right now, a big gash on his back. His left cheek swollen, and his glass broke. But most of them all, his fist was all mangled up. His once vibrant pink hair was now dyed red due to all his opponent's blood.

"Zoro clean off the canon folders," Luffy said.

"What am I cleaner to you." Zoro wasn't complaining though, as he had a bloodthirsty smirk on his face. He took his three swords out getting ready.

"Hey this isn't fair… we can't even use our guns." One of the pirates from the Black Cat Pirates complained.

"Eh, Sparky give them their guns back," Luffy said, amused. Were they actually waiting for his permission to attack them? "You lots can use any weapons you want… not that it will work against my badass green-cabaged swordsman."

Zoro snapped his head back to Luffy, narrowing his eyes. "Did you just call me a cabbage?"

"Eh? Me? Never." Luffy denied looking at Kuina. "Did I say anything about our swordsman looking like cabbage?"

Kuina looked amused and shook her head. "Nope, I'm sure he must be hearing things."

Zoro's eyes twitched but he sighed. They were messing with him. He took his three blades out, putting one on his mouth. It's time to cut some pirates.