One Piece : Wild Hunt

Though Astolfo also had Independent Action, the Mana within their body was still finite. Whenever she returned to the Hind, it was Thomas's job to replenish her reserves. Fortunately, while sex was indisputably the fastest way to restore and provide a Servant additional Mana, it was far from the only way...
While Astolfo used a towel to cover the front of her body, despite being a biological male, Thomas sat behind her with his palms against her back, slowly directing Mana into her body. She had made a few playful remarks about his Mana piercing deep inside of her and filling her belly until it was about to burst, but she eventually stopped when asked.
"So, how were things in Cocoyasi Village?" asked Thomas. "Did you get a glimpse of Nami...?"
Exhaling a sigh, Astolfo replied, "I hate that place. It took a lot of restraint for me not to sweep through all those cruel and hideous Fishmen. And no, I've yet to see Nami. I located the orchard you mentioned previously, but the only person tending to it was a cute, blue-haired woman."
Since Nami spent most of her time away from home, collecting Belly to buy her village's freedom, Thomas wasn't surprised to hear that Astolfo hadn't met her. The latter had only visited the Conomi Islands twice, so it would have been an amazing coincidence for their paths to cross.
"That blue-haired woman must have been Nojiko, the adoptive sister of Nami. Did the two of you talk?" asked Thomas.
Shaking her head, Astolfo replied, "I didn't stay for long. If I stay around a place like that for too long, I'll 'have' no choice but to take action. It pains my heart to see people being oppressed like that."
Adopting a wry, apologetic smile, Thomas said, "I'll talk to Drake and see if you can't take a break from scouting abroad. You've already done more than enough by establishing a route for us to follow over the Grand Line..."
Smiling broadly, Astolfo replied, "A break would be nice, but I'm not the type that can sit in one place for too long, especially when I know there are injustices occurring elsewhere. I'm thinking of scouting the Red Line and Reverse Mountain next. After that, I'll see if I can't find Wano, so we can sail there whenever you feel like it."
Though he appreciated Astolfo's enthusiasm, Thomas warned, "I've said it before, but the second half of the Grand Line is extremely dangerous. I know you and your Hippogriff are incredibly capable, but if you encounter one of the Four Emperors or their crew, they should be able to attack you. There was a lot of debate regarding the integrity of the calcs, but people in my previous world determined that certain individuals have relativistic, if not faster-than-light speed and reaction times. I always assumed it was Oda utilizing the 'Rule of Cool,' but there are people who can dodge lasers and predict lightspeed attacks at short range."
Leaning back slightly, Astolfo half-turned to face Thomas, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes as she asked, "Are you worried about me~?"
Exhaling a sigh, Thomas replied, "It would be stranger if I weren't...you were a fan-favorite character back in my previous world. Some even said things like, 'sometimes, it takes a real man to be the best girl.' Even I find your appearance pretty cute. I'm just not into dudes..."
Narrowing her eyes slightly, Astolfo asked, "Does that mean you 'would' be into me if I were a woman?"
Without hesitation, Thomas nodded, answering, "One hundred percent..." despite an awkward smile on his face. The truth was that he had thought of at least two ways to turn Astolfo into a girl. It was incredibly selfish and pretty fucked up to consider, but he felt he would regret it immensely if he didn't bone Astolfo at least once before their journey concluded...
Playing into Thomas's hand, even though he wasn't trying to lure her into a trap, Astolfo mused, "Well, there seems to be a lot of mysterious powers in this world. If I find a way to become a girl in the future, be sure to treat me kindly, okay~?"
With a 'serious' glimmer in his eye, Thomas revealed, "I know at least two ways you can become female..."
After blinking several times in surprise, a nervous laugh emanated from Astolfo's throat as she awkwardly replied, "That's...good? To be perfectly honest with you, I was mostly fooling around. However, if you 'really' want me to be a woman, I don't mind giving it a try..."
Though she didn't think their relationship would be very healthy, Astolfo would be lying if she said she wasn't curious about what it was like to be an actual woman. She didn't think people should have to change who they were to receive someone's care and affection, but if it was only for a short while, she didn't mind too much.
Noticing Astolfo's discomfort, Thomas's expression became apologetic as he shook his head and said, "Forget about it. I don't want to force you to do something you're uncomfortable with..."
As there was no way he would become a woman just to let someone fuck him, Thomas wasn't going to force someone else. Astolfo might behave and dress like a girl, but it shouldn't have been difficult for her to become one if she really wanted to. The world she originated from was filled with Magic, various forms of faerie creatures, and even gods. Any one of them could have helped her to change her gender.
Since Thomas had made the proposal and she had already agreed to it, Astolfo adopted her characteristically carefree smile as she replied, "It's fine. I'm actually 'really' interested to know what it's like to be a woman, so I'd like to try becoming one. If nothing else, it will make wearing cute and feminine clothes a lot easier."
Though he got the impression Astolfo was forcing herself, Thomas gave a slight nod before explaining, "There is a Devil Fruit wielded by a shemale named Emporio Ivankov, also known as the Okama King. Their Devil Fruit, the Horu-Horu-no-Mi, allowed them to control and manipulate hormones. They have the power to turn men into women and vice versa with a single injection..."
Blinking in surprise, Astolfo remarked, "That's a pretty terrifying ability..." before asking, "Are there no side effects?"
Though he wasn't certain, Thomas replied, "People who swap genders frequently will end up becoming monstrous-looking Okama. However, if it's just a single injection, there don't seem to be any side effects. If there are, I'm certain that Asclepius could remedy them..."
"Mmm...and what's the second method?" asked Astolfo. She didn't like the sound of receiving an injection that forcibly changed her gender, so she wanted to hear what the alternatives were before making a decision.
Adopting a wry smile, Thomas revealed, "The second option is to ask Asclepius. There are numerous stories of Greek Gods changing people's genders, and if something like a hormone injection can get the job done, I imagine he could do something similar..."
With Thomas bringing up the notion of Greek Gods changing genders, Astolfo couldn't help asking, "Are you sure that's a good idea? If Asclepius truly can change a person's gender, Caenis might ask him to turn her into a man. I noticed the thoughtful looks she kept casting your way at dinner. Your butt might be in danger if you're not careful."
"..."
While trying and failing to suppress the image of a futa Caenis, Thomas retracted his hands from Astolfo's back, saying, "Let's just forget we had this conversation. You're fine the way you are. In fact, if you weren't right in front of me, I would probably criticize anyone that wanted to make you into a woman. I'm just being selfish..."
Understanding the 'greater meaning' behind Thomas's words, Astolfo narrowed her eyes in amusement as she teased, "No one here is going to judge you, you know? Well, some might, but does it matter? You came to this world to be free and have an adventure. We're even fated to become Pirates, so why should we live according to the conventions of others...?"
Shaking his head, Thomas stated, "It's just a personal preference. I'm not homophobic, but the notion of having sex with a man, even one that looks like a cute girl, makes me uncomfortable..."
Shrugging helplessly, Astoflo asserted, "Then you're arbitrarily limiting yourself. There are beautiful men and handsome women in this world. And if you knew you could change back, wouldn't you want to 'try' at least and be a woman? It sounds like a lot of fun to me."
Offering a casual shrug of his own, Thomas replied, "I guess I'm just not as comfortable with my sexuality as you are. I can easily imagine myself going to town on a beautiful woman, but if the situation was reversed...it's honestly terrifying. If I ended up enjoying it more than when I have sex as a man, it would fuck me up pretty badly..."
Exhaling a faint sigh, Astolfo was tempted to ask 'why' it would fuck him up but decided against it. She knew that Thomas's mentality was likely the result of his upbringing, so, without being 'forced' out of his comfort zone, he would likely remain close-minded on the matter. She believed he would be happier if he just did as he pleased, but not everyone could face the fears that had been ingrained into them since birth.
Rising to her feet, Astolfo kept her chest covered as she said, "We'll put a pin in this for now. And thanks for the top-up."
With nothing else to say, Astolfo promptly departed Thomas's room and made a beeline toward Asclepius to see if it was possible to change her gender. It was a little mean-spirited of her, but if it turned out he could do so without making it 'too' obvious, she intended to have him transition her in secret. Then, when Thomas eventually succumbed to her charms, she would be able to surprise and teach him a lesson...
Unaware of Astolfo's 'mischievous' thoughts, Thomas resisted the urge to sniff his hands as he began a late-evening workout. He only had five days left to complete Caenis's challenge, and he was determined to do so even if he had to sacrifice his sleep...
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With the benefit of Chiron's Recovery Magecraft, Benienma's food, and Beethoven's music to help relax his mind, Thomas's progress was much faster than anyone expected. He advanced more in two weeks than most people would improve in two months. More importantly, his gut had all but disappeared, and while he might not have a six-pack, it was only a matter of time with the perfectly balanced diet Benienma had him on.
What surprised Thomas, even more so than his rapid growth, was that his height had noticeably increased. He had already been fairly tall at 6'2'', roughly 188cm, but after training with Chiron for around a month, he was now 6'4'', just over 193cm. It was a little disconcerting, but as he had girls like Yamato in his sights, Thomas was more excited than anything else. He couldn't imagine surpassing Yamato's tremendous height of 8'8''(263cm), but the closer he got, the better.
Fortunately, while Thomas's height and weight had increased, most of his newly acquired mass was muscle. His gait had also become longer, so if he went all out, he could complete a circuit around the island in under nine minutes. This was fast enough to shatter even the Olympic Record in his previous world, but, as his stamina was far from inexhaustible, Thomas gradually slowed down, barely managing seventeen laps in four hours. He pushed himself far beyond his limits, but it simply hadn't been enough...at least, that's what he believed.
Just as Thomas was preparing to stop and accept his defeat with grace, Caenis surprised him by asking, "Why are you stopping? I know for a fact you can complete twenty laps. Keep going."
As Benienma was already waiting with his lunch, Thomas pointed out, "But it's already been four hours..."
Crossing her arms, Caenis narrowed her eyes in an ostensibly threatening manner as she stated, "Our agreement was that you complete 20-30 laps, not that you do so within four hours. If you stop now, you will 'never' have another chance to be with me. Now show some spirit."
Though he got the distinct impression that Caenis was simply taking pity on him, Thomas wasn't going to protest. The moment he knew he still had a chance, he gained a second wind and increased his speed to around his maximum from a few weeks prior. Then, even though it took an additional six and a half hours, he kept running until he finished all thirty laps...
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(A/N: Thomas when he hears Caenis's words: *Neuron Activation*)

Though it was far from his first time having sex, Thomas felt nervous and slightly giddy as he waited in his room for Caenis to arrive. He was about to do something most Otakus could only imagine in their wildest dreams, so his heart was pounding faster than it had been near the end of his ten-and-a-half-hour marathon...
Without bothering to knock, Caenis let herself into Thomas's room, the only article of clothing on her toned yet voluptuous body being a black thong. She also had a towel around her shoulders, the two ends covering her breasts, but that didn't stop Thomas from gulping audibly as she ran her fingers there her silvery-white hair and remarked, "Sorry for taking so long. It's been a while since I did anything like this, so I wanted to clean myself properly before coming over."
Shaking his head rapidly, Thomas answered, "I don't mind. I'm honestly expecting to wake up at any moment to find out this was just a dream..."
Snorting through her nose, Caenis removed the towel from her shoulders, revealing her pale pink areola and visibly hardened nipples. She had some of the biggest tits Thomas had ever seen, but they didn't sag. Instead, as if to spite gravity, they held their shape perfectly until she crossed to ask, "So, how do you want to do this? Seeing how this is supposed to be your reward, I figured I may as well let you make a request or two..."
Though Caenis's words surprised him, Thomas didn't question her or ask if she was being serious. Instead, his expression and tone were sincere as he stated, "I'm just happy to be here..."
With furrowed brows, Caenis exhaled a faint sigh as she muttered, "You're hopeless..." Then, with a threatening look, she practically growled, "Sit on the edge of the bed and remove your trousers..."
Instead of responding with words, Thomas nodded before moving to the edge of the bed and stripping away his trousers. By the time he took his seat, his heart was beating powerfully enough that he could feel it in his throat. As for Caenis, she seemed much calmer as she made her way over to him, stopping in front of him before turning around to reveal her toned back muscles and remarkably voluptuous ass. Her long ponytail blocked her crack, but Canis quickly remedied that by pulling it over her shoulder and nestling it between her breasts.
After ensuring that her hair wouldn't get in the way, Caenis left Thomas's mouth agape as she abruptly reached behind herself, prying open her ass cheeks to reveal her already glistening cavern. She had taken the initiative to 'warm herself up' in the shower, so she was more than ready to receive him as she questioned, "Do I need to hold your hand and tell you what to do...?"
Shaking his head rapidly, Thomas placed his left hand on Caenis's ass, his heart skipping a beat when he came into contact with her warm and pliant flesh. At the same time, he grabbed his cock, adjusting its angle as Caenis slowly lowered herself onto his lap. He felt like he would cum the moment her moist, hot, and remarkably firm folds wrapped around his cock, but he managed to endure as her back came to rest against his chest.
Seeing how Thomas was reacting, Caenis's brows furrowed as she asked, "Is this your first time? You're acting like a sissy..."
Adopting a wry smile, Thomas asserted, "It's not my first time. I just can't believe such an amazing woman is sitting on my lap with my dick inside of her. I haven't felt this fortunate since the moment I lost my virginity..."
As she could tell that Thomas was being sincere, the furrow on Caenis's face turned into a scowl. She didn't want him thinking there was anything between them, but, at the same time, a very small part of her appreciated his words. Such 'sentimentality' disgusted her, however, so she said, "Cut it with the flowery bullshit and start moving your hips. I didn't come here to listen to you prattle on like an idiot. If you're going to keep wasting my time, I'm going to take matters into my own hands..."
Though he nodded, Thomas didn't immediately start thrusting his hips. He 'really' wanted to leave a good impression on the bronze-skinned warrior woman, so he reached around to the front of her body, gently cupping her right breast with his left hand as his right made its way to her remarkably wet and slightly pulsing vulva. At the same time, he lowered his lips to her shoulder, kissing her developed traps as he began to knead and massage both her breast and her already swollen clit.
Despite clenching her teeth and looking as though she was about to beat the shit out of him, Caenis tolerated Thomas's actions. She knew that he was just trying to make her feel good, so she didn't immediately lash out at him. The reality was that Poseidon's 'blessing' placed her in an estrus-like state when she received direct stimulation or had her vagina pierced by a cock. Even if Thomas was completely inept in the bedroom, he could make her cum with relative ease...
Feeling Caenis's body shudder after only a few seconds, a confused look marred Thomas's face. He knew some women were more sensitive than others, but he never imagined someone as bold and aggressive as Caenis to be 'this' sensitive. Even the ears atop her head were twitching as she clenched her teeth hard enough to produce an audible grinding sound. It was...surprisingly cute.
Instead of voicing that particular thought aloud, Thomas asked, "Can you lean forward a bit...?" so that he would have some space to maneuver. His cock wasn't exactly porn star level, but it had actually increased in size since his arrival in One Piece. Before, he had a 'gentlemen's' seven inches, but now he was closing in on a commendable eight(20cm). It was one of the things he was most enthusiastic about, as, even if he did somehow get with Yamato, he was secretly afraid it would be like throwing a hotdog down a hallway...
With Caenis obliging him, Thomas took advantage of the springiness of his bed and the leverage provided by the bronze-skinned beauty's hips to establish a steady rhythm, sinking his cock as deeply as possible into her insides before scraping his glans along the back of her vagina. Before her arrival, Thomas had been worried that Caenis's tremendous core strength might lead to her crushing his cock. Fortunately, while she was clamping down on him tighter than any woman he had ever encountered, there was so much fluid lubricating his dick that he could pump his hips with relative ease...
Seeing Caenis abruptly 'hug' herself as another powerful tremor wracked her body, Thomas couldn't help swallowing hard as 'malicious' thoughts formed within his head. Caenis was way more sensitive than he imagined, so, even though such things were only possible in adult films and hentai doujinshi, the notion that he could fuck her silly or 'conquer' her gradually invaded his mind.
Unfortunately, as excited as he was by the prospect of having a massive dick in the future, Thomas wasn't a hentai protagonist. He couldn't fuck a woman for hours on end or blow his load dozens of times without draining his balls. Even if he paced himself or rubbed one out in secret before they got started, he could only endure for around ten minutes before busting a nut. And that was against 'normal' women. In the fact of Caenis's almost vacuous, perpetually writhing pussy, Thomas barely endured a full two minutes before releasing his seed as deep as possible into her insides...
Feeling Thomas cum, a relieved sigh emanated from Caenis's throat as she sat back down, leaning against his chest as she teased, "Someone's a quick shot..." At the same time, the crimson, tribal-like tattoos on her body began to light up as the semen in her vagina converted to Mana, even the remnants within Thomas's urethra.
While he was a little embarrassed by Caenis's teasing remark, Thomas insisted, "It's because your pussy is a monster. I've never had a woman gobble me up and practically milk me like this..."
Though Caenis was sitting still, her insides continued to writhe about, literally sucking Thomas's cock as the ever-changing folds of her pussy oscillated in a manner that attempted to draw him further inside. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced, and even though he had already blown his load, the intensifying suction of her pussy prevented the blood within his dick from abating. It was actually starting to get uncomfortable, similar to the time he had experimented with a penis pump...
As she had already gotten what she came for, the suction of Ceanis's pussy nearly pulled Thomas to his feet as she abruptly stood up, fixing her hair as she said, "Well, it was brief but enjoyable. I'll be sure to come by if I ever need a top-up. In the meantime, you should continue to work hard. Who knows, I might 'reward' you daily if you keep improving at your current rate..."
Finished with what she had to say, Caenis attempted to leave Thomas's room without bothering to don an outfit. Before she could go, however, Thomas called out to her, asking, "Is it too late to make a request...?"
Without turning fully, Caenis looked back at Thomas with raised brows, asking, "You can keep going...?" in a challenging tone. What she could never have anticipated was Thomas scratching the back of his head, an awkward smile on his face as he replied, "I was thinking we could cuddle and talk for a bit...I mean, you're already here. You might as well stay the rest of the night..."
Though she furrowed her brows in 'disgust,' Caenis didn't immediately refuse Thomas's request. She was the one who had given him the leeway to request a reward, so, while she was annoyed by the sentimental nature of his appeal, she didn't consider it unreasonable.
After thinking things through, Caenis gave a slight nod as she answered, "Fine. I'll spend the night here. However, I'll warn you now. If you end up falling in love with me, you're going to regret it. I don't have the capacity for things like love. Even if you ascend to my level and help me slaughter every god in every world, I will never love you. The most we'll ever be is fuck buddies...understood?"
As he wasn't trying to get Caenis to fall in love with him, Thomas nodded his head and replied, "That's fine. It's just been a while since I shared a bed with a beautiful woman, and I figured this was a good opportunity to deepen our...friendship..."
Rolling her eyes, Caenis retorted, "We're not at that level yet. I don't mind sharing the same bed, but if you start getting overly familiar or behaving all lovey-dovey, I'm tossing you into the sea. Also, if we end up spooning, you'll be on the receiving end. I don't want your dick poking me in the ass while I'm trying to sleep. In exchange, you can enjoy the feeling of my tits against your back, and I might help you rub one out if you get hard."
Though Caenis's directness was a little jarring, Thomas didn't hesitate to nod his head, answering, "Sounds good." He actually enjoyed being held, so he didn't mind if Caenis treated him as the little spoon. As for her offer to help him rub one out...he would probably refuse as he really didn't want Benienma finding cum stains on his bedding. He knew she was well over a thousand years old, but still...
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(A/N: That ended fairly quickly, but anyone who's had sex knows it's usually a pretty anti-climactic affair. For those of you who are looking forward to the MC being a hentai protagonist, don't worry. Magic is a pathway to many abilities...)

Though pretty much everyone agreed with Thomas's proposal, it was decided they would remain on the island for an additional 2-5 months before setting sail. If they departed now, he would be stuck watching battles from the sideline, unable to contribute. That wouldn't give him a lot of opportunities to grow, so, for the time being, Thomas was to focus on strengthening his body, improving his survival skills, and deepening his understanding of Reinforcement Magecraft.
After rowing everyone to shore, Thomas was preparing to race Atalanta, Benienma, and Caenis around the island when the latter stopped him, an accusatory expression on her face as she asked, "What was that remark about considering yourself the luckiest man in the world? Are you trying to court me or something...?"
Not expecting such a question, nor such an outdated term, Thomas was a little slow to respond, causing Caenis's ears to flatten like an angry dog as she growled, "Stop fucking around and answer me..."
Adopting an awkward smile, Thomas asked, "What do you want me to say? You're an attractive woman, and your figure is incredible. Any man would be lucky to be your partner, making me one of the luckiest men in the world just to have your consideration..."
Exhaling a sigh of relief, Caenis muttered, "So, that's how it is..." before adopting a significantly less hostile expression. She hated when people treated her overtly like a woman, attempting to charm her with flowery words and compliments. She also despised being regarded as something to obtain, so Thomas had dodged a speartip by pointing out that she was the one considering him as a partner.
Adopting a smile, Caenis said, "Tell you what. You complete ten circuits around the island before lunch, and I'll consider rewarding you. Complete fifteen, and it's a guarantee."
As it was currently around 8 AM, and it took Thomas roughly 20 minutes to circle the island, it would take him approximately three and a half hours to finish ten laps. That was assuming he didn't slow down or take a break, so Caenis was fairly certain he couldn't complete her challenge. If he did, without cheating, he deserved at least a small reward. She might not give him a ride, but she could use her hands, tits, or mouth.
Feeling sufficiently motivated, Thomas skipped his usual warm-up and stretching routine, taking off as fast as his feet would carry him without immediately winding himself. His actions earned him confused looks from Atalanta and Benienma, but they effortlessly caught up to and overtook him while Caenis just observed his retreating figure with a smile...
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Though Thomas shaved nearly three and a half minutes off his previous record, surprising Chiron, his second lap was much slower at twenty-five minutes. By the time he was on his third, he could barely keep up a power walk, even with Caenis walking beside him, teasing, "Maybe I should have set the goal at five laps. But the island is only like 4-5 kilometers around. I never expected you to putter out after a mere ten."
Slowing to a stop, Thomas took several labored breaths, sweat covering his entire body as he stared at Caenis and replied, "Give me two weeks..." with as much solemnity as he could manage.
Shaking her head, Caenis retorted, "You've barely been training that long, and you've already improved by a decent amount. I'll give you two weeks, but you'll need to complete twenty laps. Thirty if you want a chance at the 'grand prize.'"
As his first lap around the island had taken him well over an hour, Thomas didn't think Caenis's request was too outrageous. Rather, even if she had set the bar at fifty, he would have done his best. Having a goal drastically impacted training results, and a woman like Caenis was worth a bit of pain and suffering.
Instead of answering Caenis's words directly, Thomas resumed his slow jog around the isle. There was no way he would be able to complete all ten laps, but he could at least continue running until it was time for lunch. With Caenis following behind him in little more than a black bikini, he had a lot of motivation to do so...
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After thoroughly exhausting himself in the morning, Thomas was given a half-hour for lunch before jumping into his Reinforcement training. Chiron had explained the fairly simple process to him multiple times, so Thomas sat shirtless and cross-legged atop a smooth stone platform with a bunch of twigs at his side. His goal was to Reinforce the twigs with the image of durability and elasticity in mind. When he could bend the easily breakable twigs to form a circle, he would be determined to have a very basic grasp of the simple yet infinitely complex form of Magecraft.
In accordance with Chiron's instructions, Thomas kept his eyes closed as he channeled his Magical Energy into the twig and slowly bent it. He had made decent progress since he first started the training, but the moment he had formed the twig into an arch with nearly parallel sides, it snapped in two.
Tossing the twig into his ever-growing pile of kindling, Thomas grabbed the next one and started the process anew. Unlike a typical Magus, who exhausted their internal Mana fairly quickly, requiring them to replenish it over time or draw it in from their surroundings, Thomas's body continually produced it at the cost of his stamina. However, because his control and output were still horrendous, he could continue the basic training exercise almost indefinitely.
While Thomas focused on his task, Chiron adopted a smooth and calming tone as he advised, "Try imagining that the twig was freshly pulled from a young sapling. At its highest levels, Reinforcement Magecraft can breathe new life into an object, rejuvenating corpses and granting corporeal forms to Phantoms. It's at that point that you enter into the domain of Projection Magecraft, allowing you to materialize weapons, armor, and materials that no longer exist. You mentioned an inordinately rare material known as Sea Prism Stone previously. Once you learn Projection Magic, you can produce as much of the material as you please. It will turn to ash once you cease supplying it with Magical Energy, but it will give you an edge against other Devil Fruit users."
Though there were at least two levels even higher than Projection, Chiron didn't mention them as one was considered a 'unique' Skill while the other delved into the realm of the Gods. To trespass that realm as a mortal, the only person Thomas could rely on was himself. If he continually relied on others, he would eventually hit a wall that could never be overcome as he simply wouldn't be 'qualified' to do so. At that point, the only way to reach even greater heights was if a God lent their Divinity to him in the form of a Blessing, effectively making him their Apostle even after death...
Unaware of Chiron's thoughts, Thomas nearly got the ends of the twig to touch before it snapped. This time, however, it didn't snap in two. Instead, there was a 'very' thin strip of healthy wooden fiber connecting the pieces together...
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With the promise of Caenis's 'reward' driving him, Thomas managed to go from being unable to complete five laps within four hours to finishing ten within the first week. This garnered him a considerable amount of teasing from Drake, Musashi, and Caenis herself, but that wasn't anything new. So long as he could get stronger and achieve his goals, he convinced himself he could endure just about anything...
Fortunately, while Thomas was pushing himself well beyond his limits, he had the blessed trinity of Chiron, Benienma, and Asclepius to prevent him from breaking. Chiron motivated him and helped to replenish his stamina, Benienma provided him upwards of five meals a day, and Asclepius would treat any injuries he sustained during his intensive training. The only thing the errant God of Medicine couldn't treat was mental exhaustion. Well, he could, but Thomas elected to decline Asclepius's experimental medicines and narcotics, even if the silvery-haired God assured him that there would be no 'untreatable' sequelae.
Upon realizing that there was a very real chance of Thomas completing her challenge, Caenis began avoiding him. Not completely, but she wasn't nearly as chatty as she used to be. Instead, she just silently observed his training with her arms crossed or spent her time conversing with Musashi. The two of them had become close frenemies, so they spent a substantial amount of time together despite constantly heckling one another.
On the eve of Thomas's ninth day of 'serious' training, Astolfo returned from her most recent scouting trip. Her Hippogriff could casually exceed the speed of sound while flying, so she could cover the 6,835 kilometers between their present location and the Conomi Islands in under six hours. Establishing a route took much longer as, even if she flew side to side like a laser-jet scanner, it would take more than a hundred passes to map one of the grid spaces on Drake's nearly blank world map.
With Drake's map having 17,712 grid spaces, it was estimated that Astolfo would need just as many days to map the entire world. That was roughly 48 years, so while Astolfo's ability to map the regions she flew over was 'incredibly' useful, it wasn't absolute. Even if she flew at a cruising speed and didn't stop to rest 'at all,' it would still take sixteen years to complete an accurate map.
Fortunately, while it would certainly be useful to have a detailed map of the entire world, it wasn't really necessary. The most important thing was knowing the location and names of various islands, so instead of mapping every meter of a region, Astolfo flew from island to island until she found a city or a large settlement. After landing, she would ask one of the local children for information before purchasing any maps they had available. If it were an island Thomas had informed her about, she would spend extra time ascertaining the 'situation' on the island before quickly moving on to her next target.
In the span of a single month, Astolfo had not only located the Conomi Islands, she had uncovered the Marine's G2 Base, Jaya, Alabasta, Baratie, Syrup Village, Cocoyasi Village, and, most surprisingly, Skypiea. Once she had discovered Jaya, she just needed to ascend ten thousand meters and fly around for a bit before locating the legendary sky island without much of a fuss. She ended up being attacked by lightning, but one of the many capabilities of the Hippogriff was the ability to teleport to avoid danger. It could even pass through the boundaries between worlds and ascend into space, so there wasn't a lot that could hinder Astolfo from flying wherever she pleased.
The only real downside to Astolfo's scouting was that it meant she was alone when she faced dangers or witnessed the 'many' tragedies present within the world of One Piece. She was a very kind-hearted girl, so it was difficult for her to see suffering and atrocities without doing something to help. As a result, she became the first member of the Wild Hunt to have a Bounty after using her golden-tipped lance, Trap of Argalia, to assault a group of Marines tormenting a small village.
One of the unique abilities of Astolfo's lance was to inflict a curse that caused them to fall incessantly. It had been 'unstrengthened' to such an extent that it was nearly impossible to kill with it, but it was remarkably effective against even the most powerful foes unless they possessed a high curse immunity. Marines in the East Blue were among the weakest in the entire world, so by the time Astolfo was finished with them, the group couldn't take more than three full steps before stumbling. As a result, she had earned herself the curious epithet 'Pink-haired Trap' due to shouting the name of her spear upon its release...
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(A/N: For those curious about Astolfo's Bounty, it's only 3,000,000. She didn't kill anyone, and the existence of her Hippogriff is unknown as, due to its nature as an 'impossible' existence, it's basically invisible to anyone that doesn't possess Advanced Observation Haki.)

Chapter 15: Fixation