Bound by Fate | Eustass Kid X OC

Ch 1 • Memories & Ambition

••Hanmee's P.O.V••

High atop a craggy cliff overlooking the serene waters of Loguetown, I sat in quiet contemplation. The wind whispered through the tall grass, carrying memories that stirred my soul. I held a weathered locket in my hands, tracing its edges with a mix of nostalgia and longing.

In my mind's eye, flashes of my childhood danced like shadows in the fading light—a sunlit alley where I and a boy with blond hair sparred playfully with wooden swords. I believed him to be my brother, though the details remained hazy and unconfirmed.

"San... Sanji?," I murmured softly, the name rolling off my tongue like a cherished secret. I imagined conversations we might have had, promises made in innocence that time and circumstance had fractured.

My dream had been clear and noble—to become a marine, to uphold justice, and to defend the innocent. The ideals of duty and honor had guided me through rigorous training and demanding missions, shaping me into a formidable soldier.

But everything changed when I stumbled upon classified documents that exposed the World Government's sinister machinations. The revelations shattered my faith in the system I had sworn to protect, branding me a traitor and a threat.

"They fear the truth," I whispered to myself, steeling my resolve against the chilling realization that I was now a target, hunted by those I once served, idolised and had so much pride in.

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••Kid's P.O.V••

Amidst the bustling streets of Sabaody Archipelago, I, Eustass 'Captain' Kid, moved with purpose and authority, my presence a stark contrast to the chaotic surroundings. The news of my recent triumphs buzzed through the air—the audacious defeat of Big Mom in Wano Country alongside Trafalgar Law.

That surgeon, huh? I thought to myself.

Our bounty had skyrocketed to unprecedented heights, a testament to his strength, cunning, and willingness to challenge the titans of the sea. As I navigated through the market, preparing for the journey ahead, whispers of Phoenix Isle beckoned—a mythical destination rumored to hold untold treasures and dark secrets.

"Phoenix Isle," one of my crewmates and my best friend, my brother from another mother remarked with a mixture of awe and caution. "They say it's cursed. No one returns from there alive."

My crimson eyes glittered with a blend of curiosity and determination. "Good. I'm not interested in easy paths, you know it very well, Killer."

As the crew bustled around me, preparing the Victoria Punk for departure, my thoughts wandered to the challenges that awaited. I was a man driven by ambition, unafraid to grasp destiny by the throat and bend it to my will. The world had already started to tremble at the mere mention of my name, and with each victory, my legend grew.

With a final nod to my crew, I boarded the ship, the anticipation of the journey ahead electrifying the air. The voyage to Phoenix Isle would test my resolve and cunning—a journey where alliances would be forged, enemies vanquished, and legends forged in blood and steel.

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••Hanmee's P.O.V••

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the tranquil sea. I remained perched on the cliff, my thoughts drifting between the past and the uncertain future that lay ahead.

I closed my eyes, allowing memories to wash over me like gentle waves lapping at the shore. Fragments of moments with the boy I believed to be my brother flickered in my mind—laughter echoing through narrow alleys, our childish banter filled with promises of adventures yet to come.

But each memory was a fleeting glimpse, like trying to grasp a fading dream upon waking. I clutched the locket tighter, hoping to unearth more clues buried within its worn surface. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, the details remained elusive, as if fate had woven a veil of secrecy around my past.

My dream of becoming a marine had been born from a deep-seated desire to make a difference, to uphold justice in a world plagued by uncertainty. The academy had molded me into a disciplined soldier, teaching me the values of courage, integrity, and sacrifice.

The turning point came during a routine mission—a cache of documents hidden in the depths of a remote outpost. As I pored over the contents, my heart sank with each revelation. The World Government, revered as bastions of order and guardians of peace, harbored dark secrets that threatened to unravel everything she believed in.

"They can't be allowed to get away with this," I muttered, my voice a whisper against the wind. The weight of my knowledge bore down upon me, a burden I couldn't shake. I had become a liability, a loose end that needed to be tied.

My hands trembled slightly as I reached into my pocket, withdrawing a crumpled wanted poster—the same one that now adorned walls across the seas, branding me as a traitor to be captured at all costs. The bounty placed upon my head was a stark reminder of the perilous path I now walked.

I glanced back towards the town below, where the marines I once served with pride now hunted me with relentless fervor. My dedication to justice had turned into a betrayal, my ideals tested against the harsh realities of a world where power and corruption intertwined.

With a heavy sigh, I tucked the wanted poster away, my resolve hardening like tempered steel. I couldn't afford to dwell on the past or the uncertain future. For now, survival meant staying one step ahead, navigating the treacherous currents of fate that threatened to pull me under.

As twilight descended upon Loguetown, I made a silent vow to uncover the truth behind my  fragmented memories and expose the darkness that lurked within the heart of the World Government. My journey was far from over, and with each passing moment, the shadows of my past drew closer to the light.

>> As it seems, Ch 1 closed, thank you❣️ <<