Burning Hearts [SEQUEL INCLUDED]

Sequel Chapter 13

Ember

After my fun playtime with Hana, Hana fell asleep and I left the room to get some fresh air. Then, the transponder snail rang and I picked it up.

"Hello?" I answered.

"It's been a while, Ember-san. How's everything? Did you find Shimizu yet?"

It was Teach. That's weird. I mean, we're distant friends but I never knew he was quite concerned for Shimizu. Well, it's what friends are for so I'm not bothered by that.

"Everyone's well. No, we haven't found them but we'll bump into them somewhere along the way. Anyway, what's up?" I asked.

"About the One Piece, I... I'm not going to try and find it anymore. I knew you'd want it more than me and I wasn't planning on finding it in the first place so you can take it," Teach said.

"What...?"

I was shocked. Teach II. Son of Blackbeard the Bloodthirsty and Greedy. Why didn't he want One Piece?

"Yeah. I was dragged into the hunt by someone but now that he's dead, I don't have to follow him anymore. I'm not my father, Em. I'll never be my father," Teach said.

I stood there, speechless. I didn't know what to say. Does that mean all this time, he was following his dad's footsteps just for the sake of it?

"Well, if you say so. Thank you. I'll tell everyone about your announcement. Just don't get caught by marines," I advised him.

"Don't worry. Someone's handling our security well so we won't get caught," He told me.

"Well, whoever it is, they sure are a saviour. Oh, I got to go. The kitchen's in a mess again. Bye," I said before hanging up.

I then stormed into the kitchen with a frown.

"Alright, what's going on in here? I've heard too much noise in here and I swear if it's you guys, I'll personally-"

"Surprise!"

I froze as I looked at the galley wall. I gasped happily and looked at the trio before looking back at the border. It was a shelf with stuffed toys that looked like our former crew members, dead or alive. I never knew they'd put in this much effort just to make this. I then hugged Aiko, Zonji and Rosinante tightly, bursting out in tears of joy.

"Thank you, guys!" I exclaimed.

ꕤ

Teach II

After I placed the snail down, I looked at Shimizu. They fell asleep, flatly on the floor. Idiot. I then picked them up and laid them on the bed. As I laid them on the bed, I heard murmurs. It seemed concerning as it came from someone who tried to take their own life endlessly. And they almost succeeded, too. I couldn't help with the curiosity and urge to lean in on them but I held back. For once, I was doing something only I'd do and not what Dad would do.

"Well, I'm going off to do my bullshit of workload. I've also got to think about the major spoilers for One Piece that Shimi just filled me in with," I said.

ꕤ

Ember

I wasn't expecting much from the boys but they've done a good job doing this.

"Damn, boys. Y'all are going to make me cry," I said.

"Just don't wet my sleeves. These clothes are sentimental in value. Anyway, where's Hana?" Aiko asked.

"Oh, well... I may or may not have gone rough on her so she's resting on my bed," I answered.

"Damn, girl. Not only do you pack a mean punch but you also pack a rough thrust," Zonji remarked.

We laughed and then, we passed by Wano where we faced Momonosuke's daughter in a friendly duel.

ꕤ

Narrator

After a few months

Soon, the Whitebeards/Straw Hats found more members and Teach II turned himself in. He said it was the closure of the deal he made with someone. Uta had gone off the radar and there were rumours that she died from a Devil Fruit curse on an island.

"Hey, look! An island!" Rosinante shouted.

They approached the island and docked. They noticed the island was a field of dandelions and the sky was orange, like a sunset. Aiko, Ember and the others felt calmness and warmth blanket their hearts. The rest noticed a figure standing by an edge of a cliff. They approached the figure and next to them were the spirits of familiar people.

"Who're you?" Ember asked.

The spirits disappeared and the figure turned, revealing themselves. They had grey hair, black pupils and a tattoo of a butterfly on their neck. Aiko couldn't recognise them at first and Ember was shocked.

"Aiko, have you forgotten me already? I feel sad," The figure remarked.

Aiko recognised the voice and was shocked as well.

"Is that you?" Ember asked.

The figure smiled and giggled.

"Well done, you all. You made it."

ꕤ

Shimizu

I looked at the sea. It looks so peaceful but boring. After the twins found One Piece, they ended the tradition Gol D. Roger started and retired from the pirates' life. Aiko and Zonji got married in Wano, Ember and Hana hid in plain sight from the world and Rosinante became a mechanic. It was a perfect world then. I held the straw hat Aiko gave me before he left for his retirement and told me to keep it forever. I wore the straw hat and I felt a presence. I turned around and smiled.

"It's been a while."

"Yeah, Shimizu-san. Ready to go?"

"Yeah. Let's go."

I held the straw hat on my head and walked into the portal in front of me.

ꕤ

[End]

Finally, it's over. I don't have to worry about this anymore. I hope this book was good while it lasted. I apologise for the number of chapters and the major timeskips but I didn't want to drag this on. Anyway, peace out!