The New Pirate

Butterfly Effect

Chapter 12: Butterfly Effect

Somewhere in the New World, Whitebeard's funeral took place. They wanted the burial to be in an island that held memories and beauty to commemorate the thousands lives that were lost during the war.

Sakura left a white carnation on the stone grave of Edward Newgate. His bisento embedded in the middle, the flag tied on its hilt and his white coat draped over it, flapping with the breeze. She couched, putting a stem of cherry blossom near the rows of assembled sunflowers, tulips, and lilies. They overshadowed her flower with their length but she liked it better that way. It represented her statue in this world as someone who shouldn't exist in it. A small smile crept on her lips as she soiled it well, keeping it upright near the grave of the only man who wished to adopt her. She dusted her hands off and turned, giving a chance for others to leave their wishes behind.

She sat on one of the arranged mats Marco had set on this lush, greenery island. It was originally plain and vacant, nothing adorned until the pirates brought spring with their colorful flowers, surrounding their view. They exchanged cups of sake in honor of their piracy. The mood, unlike few days ago, more light hearted and less depressing.

She took off the string from her neck and spun Luffy's strawhat with her fist, waiting for him to make an appearance. Izo gave her a newspaper of Luffy paying respect in MarineFord few days ago that she sent one of the pirates to fetch him. She was glad Trafalgar Law fulfilled his deal or his future was going to be bleak. I can't wait to give him his hat back. She hugged it, missing his contagious energy already.

Her pupil lowered, a fishnet overlay her neckline sinking deep to a tailored red kimono dress that reached her mid thighs. It had a cherry blossom tree decorated on the back. Underneath her breast, covered by the Strawhat, a black obi were tied around her waist. Her shorts longer than the ones she wore previously, with white protectors on her knees and elbows. A flashback passed her.

"What is this?" Sakura held on the layers of embroidery fabric in confusion, wondering why there were many wrapped up boxes in each corner of the room. Marco volunteered to give her his room since the commanders had their own while the rest of the crew slept together in bunkers based on their division. Since she was the only female in the ship, they didn't want to share rooms with her, which she was grateful for.

Marco titled his head in curiosity, shrugging as if his response was normal. "Gifts. There are more in the storage yoi. I'm sorry for rejecting most of them. We didn't have space in the ship but they promised to make it up to you yoi."

There were more? She grimaced at the thought. They were stacked up on top of each, taking the whole space. She can barely get in without transporting it."You should have rejected all of them! Why do I even have gifts?"

Sakura left the beautiful fabrics on top of a sturdy box and squeezed in the narrow space to get in to change into the ninja outfit Izo's tailored for her specifically.

"The captains of forty three ships are all indebted to you." Marco carried the boxes out, thinking of placing them with the other commanders. "We will not let a debt go unrepaid yoi."

She was shocked to find out shinobi existed in Izo's hometown. Izo mentioned how they lived in shadows, keeping their identity hidden but he wasn't familiar with them since he left young. She hoped she would visit that island for clues on how to get back home.