This is the sequel to 'Ace of Spades.'
Do not read unless you've already finished the first installment.
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❝This world is cruel.❞
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Bound by the tethers of rage and revenge, you went off to s...
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2023 - Three Years Later
Nami mounted the stairs to Shakky's bar, clutching her purse to her chest in anxiety when she finally took the last step. The little bell above the door tinkled as she opened it, and a few heads turned her way, distracted by the sight of her before they refocused on what they were doing before. Upon seeing the ginger, the friendly bartender waved her over to a small nook in the corner of the bar, where Nami found only a few of her friends awaiting her arrival: Chopper, who for once wasn't in his doctoral robes.
He'd managed to secure a job as an intern in a nearby hospital, and a prestigious one at that -- one Law had worked in before he... went rogue.
In the next seat over was Franky, grumbling into his drink with an uncharacteristic scowl that didn't use to be there before, and, who so happened to be lacking a certain someone -- Robin who was always usually around her boyfriend. As odd as it was, it wouldn't have been all that crazy to assume that the two had broken up since your departure. In fact, Nami would go as far as to say that's exactly what happened, seeing as the same thing had occurred with her relationship with Sanji.
Speaking of the devil, he was also there -- slouching in the furthermost corner with a pint of beer in his hand; absentmindedly swirling the drink as his eyes lifted to the entrance of the bar, spotting the girl idly loitering by the front -- unsure of what to do next. Nami awkwardly crossed to the other side of the room and greeted the three members with a small wave of her hand before she seated herself beside Chopper, unwilling to make things awkwarder if she sat next to Sanji.
She expected a few of the Mugiwara's not to have shown, but for this much to have ignored the call was disheartening, to say the least. Sure, she expected Zoro and Robin not to show, but Usopp?
Although he had enlisted in the military as some sort of sharpshooter, she assumed he'd have shown up. If not to see Chopper, then to see his old friends one last time. But, Nami didn't expect much from him, seeing as how it would only open up new scars, especially since everyone had moved on with their lives by now. Hell, even she did. Despite not talking to them anymore, she'd become a successful news anchor in the heart of NYC with a salary most would kill for, and Zoro was an internationally renowned swordsmith; competing in every competition hosted worldwide, while Sanji was an infamous cook who'd gone ahead as head chef in a three-star Michelin restaurant.
Need she say more?
Franky became an ingenious mechanic who worked for a large conglomerate; Robin, a sought out writer, but you...
Nami sucked in a shaky breath -- tears stung her cheeks, but she dabbed it with a quick finger and recomposed herself.
After Law took you away and Luffy -- who was the glue to the friendship between the Mugiwara's -- went into a coma, everyone scattered. Nami would have liked to have said that her bond between the others, even without you or Luffy, was strong, but she'd only be lying. It was because of that rough-headed ravenette that everyone had been gathered in the first place, despite the fact that they hardly shared any traits in common.
