A New Path

In the remote Patola Mountain Range there stood a proud and peaceful looking temple. It was surrounded by grassy mountain tops that added a feeling of tranquillity to the temple.

On top one of these mighty and beautiful grassy mountain tops, a portal appeared. And out from this portal stepped Dragon. Because of the high altitude, he felt like he stood inside a tornado. The winds were ruthless but at the same time they felt nice against his skin and added a relaxing feeling.

Dragon had to take a step back just to find his balance inside this powerful storm. He looked around this empty mountain top and saw a few trees and some rocks.

He looked at the trees and gave a silent compliment to these trees. They managed to grow here without getting uprooted by the wind storms.

'What a beautiful temple.' Dragon stood at the edge of this little mountain top plateau. His eyes were piercing the clouds and all the fog and landed on some of the people running around inside the temple in the middle of all these mountains.

'It's an active temple. And is that wind magic?' Dragon saw both kids and old men using what he believed to be wind magic.

'But why does it feel so strange? That's not wind magic! Wind magic is taking command of the winds, but that's not what these people are doing.'

Dragon closed his eyes and started moving his hand with the wind. But he had no result with this. He had tried to command the winds, but it was like they were alive and were refusing his commands.

'How peculiar. This is so strange." Dragon sat down with closed eyes in the lotus position. Suddenly he sensed something behind him. It was faint and almost invisible, but it felt like a human signature.

Dragon turned his head around and there stood an old man with a classic orange Munk outfit on. He had an impressive moustache on his face and a peaceful smile.

"Hello there, old-timer." Dragon said and the man tilted his head and smiled even wider before saying.

"It is not good to lie... old man." He also sat down in the lotus position.

"Are you calling me an old man?" Dragon was smart, and he had a lot of life experience. He knew that this strange but kind-looking old man figured out that he did not look his actual age.

"I have studied the spirit, the soul and the heart all my life. It was not difficult to notice that you are at least twice my age. The only question is, who are you?" He was still smiling and he had no malicious intent coming off his body. He was a genuinely good person inside and out.

"I'm a nobody. A traveller trying to find himself." Dragon said and went back to inspecting the temple.

"And what are you seeking here, traveller?" The old Munk asked with his hands hidden in his sleeves.

"Answers. Question about myself and my purpose. I am here to have them answered."

"aah, yes, that is a tricky one. So have you gotten anywhere with it?"

"No. I got a little sidetracked when I discovered your people's amazing control over the wind. But at the same time, it's not controlling. It's more like you are cooperating with them. Can you explain." Dragon swiped his hand passed his body and the winds swirled around it for less than a second before going away again.

The stranger saw what Dragon did and his eyes dilated in surprise. After the shock settled he looked at Dragon with an interesting smile.

'What an amazing talent he possesses. I wonder who he is."

"Excuse my rude behaviour until now, so let me introduce myself. My name is Gyatso, an air nomad and a council member of the Southern Air temple. And that would be the temple that you are starting at." He smiled.

"My name is Portgas D Dragon. Nice to meet you, Gyatso." Dragon didn't turn around, but he just kept moving his hands and trying to understand this strange energy in the air and even stranger connection he could feel towards the wind in the air.

"That's an odd but domineering name. Would you mind if I asked where you are from?" Gyatso said while sitting there calmly. The winds that were hitting Dragon's body and trying to throw him off the plateau didn't even seem to notice Gyatso's presence.

"A place very far away. I promise you wouldn't not it. How about you explain how you noticed me arriving. I'm quite good at staying out of sight." Now Dragon turned around and looked at Gyatso.

"The winds can do more than push you off a cliff." Gyatso winked at Dragon while smiling.

"I figured, I have some experience in that field myself. When I look at the people inside that temple and then at you. I see a huge difference. you have something figured out that they don't. You are ten times stronger, why?"

"So many years alive but you have still not figured it out. It is not about seeking some true hidden power. It never is and will never be. Find your balance, find your power." Gyatso said and his body started to float and hover in the air for a moment. And he sank back down onto the ground again.

'This man is powerful. His manipulation of wind is even better than wind magic. This is unlike anything I have ever seen.' Dragon was here to find his path, and what he was looking at is what he believed to be the beginning.

"How do I find balance?" Dragon had told Sasuke and his sons just a while ago how to solve these issues. But here he is, asking for advice about the same issue.

"How about you follow me down to the temple and we can talk more about it."

"I suppose it can't hurt. Lead the way." Gyatso smiled and in one swift motion, he rotated his body while standing up. Not a single wasted movement and he had perfect bodily control.

"Follow me!" He said and started walking with his hands behind his back.

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End