justicereigns | [Voice / Action]

[There is absolutely no preamble to this, Smoker just jumps straight into what he considers the most important part in his usual growling tone. And he might be a little extra ticked off with his justice bro being gone. So there's that.]

I'm not sure which of you idiot pirates has my cuffs or what you're planning to do with them, but rest assured if I do not get them returned immediately, I will hunt you down to find them. And I will not be happy when I do. [He says like he's ever happy.]

For the rest of Luceti, welcome new feathers.

My name is Smoker and I'm still offering a variety of self defense classes outside the barracks daily, rain or shine. Jitte, kickboxing, it doesn't matter if you have no experience, if you want to learn you can stop by. Just because you're stuck here doesn't mean you can't keep getting stronger.

[And just like that he slams the journal shut, back to practicing jitte over by the barracks if someone wants to find him in person. He'll also be at the bar later that night drinking alone and looking grumpy.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Smoker narrows his eyes and takes note of worn down feel. So not just speedy but very precise. Hm. Interesting.

The wide sweeping sleeves made it harder to pinpoint her exact movements, but when Smoker pursued, he aimed his kick high and to the right side so she'd left. That way if she did there'd be a follow up blow waiting to push her further back.

Usually his blows were pretty heavy, but between her technique and wanting to keep it a friendly sparring match, Smoker held back, keep the blows light enough that even if they did connect they wouldn't do so much as bruise. He'd gotten used to training kids in this place and he didn't believe in teaching them by beating them up.]

[Saori didn't feint, lash out, or even move. She calmly accepted Smoker's kick, not even flinching. The boot is met with nothing but an unyielding wall of bone and muscle. Rather than retaliate with an attack, the stoic martial artist grabbed hold of the boot, ignoring the stinging that accompanied the strike.

Her hands firmly latched hold and she dipped low, gaining leverage by nestling her shoulder into his knee. She was holding back too, breaking it would've been an easy thing, so instead she started to spin, pulling Smoker with her...]

[Smoker arches an eyebrow in the split second she grabs his boot. That's definitely unexpected. He wonders vaguely if she has observational haki, and if so he better start fighting purely on instinct.

As Smoker gets pulled off his feet, he frowns and leans back to put a hand on the ground for balance, locking her in both legs. He's not keen on such a thing, with the proximity of his knee to her neck, it's too dangerous; risking more damage than he intends. So the second leg goes into a kick near her abdomen, meant to knock the wind out of her, or get her to back off, but nothing more.]

[Saori again accepts the blow, twisting to take it in the side and stumbling sideways a step under the force, but she does not give anything more than a grunt. Her retaliation is simple: she keeps spinning in a half turn, lashing out with her leg to trip Smoker up. As his balance goes, she keeps spinning, flipping underneath him and rolling into a throw, sending him sailing a few yards through the air]

[And there he goes. Up, up, and away.]

[The sky is so blue today...]

[Smoker's not one to underestimate women's strength: Tashigi is the strongest person in his crew, and Hina could take down a thousand men or more without thinking about it. And certainly Boa Hancock could more than hold her own. He did underestimate Saori however, much in the same he underestimated a few pirates. Hardly based on looks, but overestimating his own skills.]

[There's a couple blinks as he gets to his feet and holds a hand up.]

All right, I think I can stop assessing your skills. [Have a rare almost-grin.]

[Saori finishes her spin as he sails, dropping her stance and offering a half smile of her own. Tightly, she closes her legs and dips into a gracious bow]

And, what is your verdict? Am I good enough to train with you?

[Snorts in amusement.]

If you think I'm still good enough that you can learn something, then yes. I'd love to keep training with you.

Smoker, you're many years my junior but I'm sure there are things that we can learn from each other. I know nothing of jitte fighting, its not a weapon common to my home region. And if you're willing to learn...

[Arches an eyebrow at being her junior. By "many years"? It doesn't seem possible, but Luceti gets all types. And he nods his head.]

I am, so it'd be my pleasure. What times are good for you?

Anytime in the afternoon should be fine. I'm not too busy, and I think I can squeeze in practices with you, or help your students out if you're busy.

Sounds like a perfect plan to me, thanks Saori.

[He'd salute, but despite being a marine, that is not a thing he does. Worst marine ever.]

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