Burning Hearts [SEQUEL INCLUDED]

Chapter 20.5

Part 2 of Chapter 19.5 and yeah. Ok, enjoy!

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Shimizu

In the memory, a little girl was on a boat, crying as she witnessed a town burning. Everyone knew it was Robin's but she didn't say anything about it so it was a secret until now. The memories were displayed as short clips so they were lucky. Wait until they see what I want to show them. Or what she wants to show them.

Next was Usopp, who thought about his mother's death. Everyone, except me, hugged him, making him smile lightly. Next up was Luffy, who thought about when Shanks saved him from the Sea King and when he gave Luffy the straw hat and made a promise with him.

"Oh, that's why you wanna beat Shanks. It was a promise," Chopper said.

Luffy thought of Ace's death. The crew felt guilty they weren't there for him when he lost his older brother. Then, it faded away. It was my turn. I was hesitant to share but they had to know. I thought of that memory and it appeared in front of them.

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Sanji

I was horrified. The memory showed a girl with familiar brown pupils and red hair on the ground, motionless. There was another person, kneeling in front of her, crying. They had bleeding wounds on their back. The crew and I exchanged looks. Was it a future or a past memory?

"Oi, figure. Are you here?" I called it out and the figure appeared.

"Yes?" It answered.

"Is... this true? Is Miharu-chan..." I asked, receiving a nod.

"Yes. And, someone had witnessed it. They feel remorse and self-hatred that they didn't save her. That they should've been the one to die. And that person is with you." The figure answered.

I looked at the others and only one was looking away, with a dark expression. Shimizu. The crew looked at them and they sighed shakily.

"I... I was there. Before she died, Miharu told me to keep it a secret until the time was right. I... I didn't really know what to do at that time. Shanks came to stop the war and helped out with Ace's, Whitebeard's and her funeral. I... I should've..." Shimizu said before turning away, clenching their fists.

I could hear tears trickle to the floor. The crew heard, too. Shimizu said it was just a leak but I surely knew it's a human's tears.

"Shimizu-san, what's-" I said but stopped.

Shimizu had stumbled to the ground, sobbing. I abruptly hugged them. The crew joins in, feeling more guilty that they paid more attention to their captain than their crewmate. The memory fades away and a spirit shows up. Only Zoro and I could see her. I looked at Zoro in disbelief and Zoro was shocked himself. It was...

"Shh, don't tell them. I just need to do one final thing before I go off," Miharu said, receiving small nods from the both of us.

Miharu approached Shimizu and kissed their forehead.

"Stay strong, Shimi. I'll be with you whenever and wherever." She whispered to them before moving away and looking at me and Zoro.

"Take care of them for me, alright? Make sure they don't do anything stupid." Miharu asked before fading away.

We nodded before she left and looked at Shimizu, who fell asleep crying. The figure appeared again and sighed.

"I'll teleport you all back to your ship. I hope you can take care of them. They had the same trauma as Straw Hat so be gentle." The figure says before clapping its hands and a light shone upon us.

The next thing we knew, we were back on Sunny. Shimizu was still asleep and she had a necklace around her. I looked at the pendant and it was a key. The crew noticed as well and had a feeling it could be something Miharu left her.

"So... should we halt our adventures for a while?" Luffy suggested.

Everyone agreed. They need to help Shimizu. Especially Zoro and I whom Miharu asked to take care of them. I'll make sure not to let Miharu down, as a best friend of hers.

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Zoro

I already lost Kuina, a close friend of mine. Now, I lost Miharu, my best friend. I can't afford to lose her most special best friend. I'll protect them no matter what. And so will Sanji and everyone. I won't disappoint Miharu.

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[End]

A/N: This is the end of Chapter 19.5. I hope I don't confuse you guys with this. Anyway, I hope you're ready for the last chapters of this long story. Also, remember what I said about some blood or gore warnings in one of the chapters? (you're an og if u remember 😔✊) Ignore that. I'm not making all of you cry or get mad with the last few chapters. I hope you're enjoying the long story. Alright, bye, loves. See you soon!