Burning Hearts [SEQUEL INCLUDED]

Chapter 24

This is a LawLu POV. Hope you enjoy it!

Also, this is where Luffy had declared peace with the marines after becoming Pirate King.

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Law

It's another day in the house. Luffy is out at sea, sailing with Aiko and accompanying him. I stood at the garden, looking out to the sea which was once our territory. Pirates would go through the seas, hunting for the fabled One Piece, fighting for the prestigious title of the King of Pirates and making memories with our allies, crew and close friends. Other than nasty Sea Kings and awful people we met, everything was great. I miss the old days. Then, I saw a maroon ship sail towards the island. I recognized that distinct straw hat and smiled, knowing that Luffy was back. After the ship docked, Luffy, assisted by Aiko, alighted the ship.

"Hello, dear. How's it with Aiko?" I asked, kissing Luffy's cheek after.

"Oh, all's well. Honey, I need to talk to you about something. It's really important." Luffy answered.

Later

"Are you serious?" I asked sarcastically.

"Yes, I'm serious." Luffy answered.

"If you're gonna do... that, it means that you'll be executed and... there'll be competition for your title," I said.

"Yeah, but not only that. On my execution, you'll see what I'm planning." Luffy said.

On Luffy's execution day

As the executioners prepared to kill Luffy, I stood in the crowd beside Aiko and Zonji. Everyone in his crew, except Brook, died either of old age or illness. Once Luffy dies, Brook will be the last one standing in the Straw Hat Pirates. Everyone was surprised that Luffy chose to retire like this. As the blades were sitting on his neck, Luffy grinned and laughed, confusing those who were present.

"Before I die, I would like to say something." He spoke.

Everyone listened attentively, wondering what he's going to say.

"If you want Roger's treasure, which is mine... you can have it!" Luffy exclaimed, shocking everyone except me.

I knew the treasure he was talking about and its location. That place... I don't think I ever want to go back there again.

"I left it all there! And my straw hat is the key to finding that treasure. If you can find the straw hat, you'll be able to find the treasure and when you find it... don't hesitate to take the throne. Now... good luck to you all!" Luffy exclaimed, grinning widely.

The blades went through his neck and everyone stood there, shocked. He had started another era of piracy. All the aspiring pirates cheered aloud at Luffy's words. I looked at Aiko who was hiding his teary eyes under the straw hat. I took off my coat and placed it on him to hide the straw hat.

"Let's go." I said.

Aiko and Zonji walked quickly out of the crowd to the ship. We sailed away to avoid being chased. After we sailed far enough, I stopped the boat and checked on Aiko.

"Aiko, are you ok?" I asked as I sat beside him.

Aiko didn't say anything and sat there, looking down to the floor. I sighed softly and leaned his head on my shoulder. He then took off the straw hat and sighed.

"Why?" Aiko asked.

"Well, I can't say for sure but... he probably wants to reunite with the crew he had sailed with on his entire journey. At least that's what I assume. That guy is seriously dumb as shit," I replied, making Aiko chuckle a little.

"Is that so? Then, I guess I don't have to worry."

Then, a ship sailed towards us. We recognised the flag and smiled. The Whitebeard Pirates visited us after their long journey around the Grand Line.

"Eh? Uncle Luffy's amazing! Finally, an adventure for me!" Ember said after hearing the news from me.

"Yeah. Probably, our parents are gonna smack Luffy. Back then, that guy would get smacked in the back of the head for the dumbest things he did." Zonji said.

Everyone chuckled, hearing that. Then, I asked about someone.

"Oh, them? They're well. The orphans they took care of had grown up and became pirates like them. They must be a good parental figure. Oh, you guys might need to wait for my surprise," Ember answered, mumbling the last sentence.

"Well, it is Hatake D. Shimizu, former assassin of the Straw Hats and Ruler of Hell and Heaven. No way a person like them can't take care of kids." Aiko said.

"They still looked like the 17-year-old. Also, if I had to admit, that person is beautiful." Ember added.

"Well, immortality and eternal beauty were two of the perks when becoming ruler of two worlds," I said.

"Yeah. Anyway, pirates are gonna start chasing after us for the straw hat. Got more space for three?" Aiko asked.

Ember smirked and laughed.

"Of course! Why wouldn't my twin brother and his friends not be welcomed?" She answered.

We moved our stuff to the Moby Dick and looked at the Thousand Sunny that was once the Straw Hats' ship. We were upset at the death of Sunny. We didn't want pirates to find the ship so we had to burn the ship. As Aiko lit a torch and tossed it at the ship's deck, I looked at the ship with the familiar Straw Hat Pirates flag, watching as the flames engulfed it. After the ship burnt and sunk, we then sailed off on the Moby Dick. Aiko was talking to one of the last few members of the Whitebeard Pirates. Back then, it was a big family. After late Luffy's peace declaration with the marines, the crew started disbanding little by little. All had left except Izou, Jozu, Vista and Curiel. Recently, the captain had convinced a new member to join her crew. That person was not a stranger because it's none other than Hatake D. Shimizu.

"Amazing. You got them to join your crew. I envy you," Aiko said.

"Well, it's the nature of the captain to be able to get people to join you. Ain't that right, Shimizu-san?" Ember said.

"Yeah. Y'know, the kids told me there were role models that stood out to them and that they're the reason the orphanage became pirates. They wanted to see their role models badly but due to inconsistent journeys, they were off radar. And I'm looking at them now," Shimizu said as they looked at Ember and Aiko.

"Hehe... Well, could you apologise to them on our behalf?" Ember and Aiko asked Shimizu.

"You can do that yourselves because they're coming this way." Shimizu answered, pointing to a big ship of young pirates.

"Hello, Dad! Oh, look! Ember-san and Aiko-san are there too!"

"Eh?! B-But we... we don't like to talk to a huge audience," Ember and Aiko said.

"Why? Back then, you were social butterflies and could talk to anyone. What happened?" Shimizu asked.

"Uhm... after an awkward incident with a group of admirers, we decided not to talk a lot and... we had developed a slight fear of sociability." Ember answered.

"Yeah..." Aiko agreed.

Shimizu nodded and pushed them to the deck.

"Sorry but this shit, I can't understand even as an intelligent person. It's an essential human trait. It's good for you," Shimizu said.

"Fuck you!" Ember and Aiko swore.

I laughed at their moment and then looked up to the clouds. Luffy, everyone. Don't worry. They'll be fine. They're strong. Don't doubt them.

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[End]

*A/N: Sorry if it's confusing 😅