034 -- [Video | Action]

[endgames]

[Video]

[The feed kicks on to a counter in the convenience store, height adjusting a split second after as if the person holding the journal realized he needs to hold it higher if anyone is going to see what's on the counter.

Correction made, the journal reveals a SLURPEE MACHINE, clean and ready to go with cups stacked to the side. The labels of the four flavors it offers are clearly displayed, from left to right: Mountain Dew, Blue Raspberry, Orange, and Dr. Pepper.

After holding it there for a good thirty seconds, Shikamaru turns his journal back to himself, straight-faced as he checks to make sure he got all the important bits shown. When it's confirmed, he focuses back on the feed itself with a grin.]

You're welcome.

[/end video]

[Shikamaru spends most of his day in the convenience store, prideful over the new working addition. Less so over what to do about the fresh-to-go items the store should be offering. At least he was able to get a Shift so the refrigerated items in the store self-replenish, and one for the slurpee machine too. The rest he'll have to figure out.

When evening comes along, Shikamaru goes into the tunnels to work more on the computer in there. After that, he detours for the bar instead of going home. Both of his roommates/two of his best friends are gone on a mission, so it's not like anyone will miss him. The least tidy out of the three of them, the apartment will be a mess when they get back so might as well take one day off from dirtying it up further. Besides, he has some items to drop off for Buffy anyways.

He'll just have a couple drinks after (no repeat of that other time) and go home.]

Comments

[action]

[deathsdoctor]

Rookies, just like me. [Thoughtful.] Generations of pirates aren't measured by age, but when they come to attention by the authorities.

[Thoughtful, because he knows where this subject came from.] There's twelve of us that are considered the elite - the Supernovas. We range all the way up to about fifty years old. Kicker is, we're all around the same strength.

[action]

[endgames]

Aa. You're counting it different than I am. There's little limit when it comes to developing that kind of strength.

[action]

[deathsdoctor]

[As a Devil Fruit user increases their mastery of their fruit, they begin to understand the difference between the natural limits of the fruit and the limits set by their own mentality. Belief something is impossible makes it impossible.

... so he's skeptical of that. Curious how many people his age and beyond have actually been bothered to been taught - Shikamaru's society puts such a premium on youth after all. Wonders how many approached it with the mindset of it was impossible - being told they were too old. Wonders how old the first ones were when they developed it. Certainly when it was being spread all over, not only children were being taught?]

Then what makes this different?

[Law's genuinely curious here.]

[action]

[endgames]

[If their world was anything like how it was a hundred years ago, it's unlikely. When most of your children can be expected to die off before puberty, there's no other chances to learn.]

It becomes progressively harder to learn how to mold and increase your chakra reserves the older you get. Since chakra is the combination of physical and mental energies, the single best time to go about this is as a child, when you're still rapidly developing. It's the time in which we learn the most, and our bodies are also at their most adaptable.

[He raises a finger.] It's not impossible to teach someone who's older, but it will take more time to achieve the same results, with added difficulty for the student. I've noticed this, in training Masaomi.