My life has become chaos.

legacy

⸻

Ah, decided what? Should I run before he decides to keep me here by force?

He gave me an amused smile as he saw the hesitation in my eyes. "Relax, brat, it's just a gift," he said.

Yeah, maybe I really should run.

I gave him a suspicious look when he told me to close my eyes. I glanced at Shanks to see if this was a good idea, but he just averted his gaze innocently. Little bastard.

Anyway, I closed my eyes, and for a few seconds, nothing happened—until I felt him attaching something to my left wrist. I had put on a short black shirt this morning since it was a hot day, so I could feel him fastening something around my wrist. What is this? A bracelet?

I heard a quiet gasp from Shanks' side, and his Haki radiated shades of surprise, shock, and warmth.

What the hell did Buggy just put on my damn hand?

"You can open your eyes," Buggy told me.

I immediately opened them to his warm smile. His Haki was so warm right now that it made me feel more comfortable than usual. Curious, I looked at what he had put on my wrist, and my eyes widened in surprise.

It really was a bracelet—a beautiful one, no doubt. It was a black fabric band with special circular gemstones embedded in it. Their color was a sparkling blue that matched my eyes, and the sunlight reflected off them, enhancing their dazzling beauty.

To be honest, it kind of reminded me of the bracelet Luffy found on Skypiea, but the one Buggy gave me looked more regal, shinier. "Blue, are you sure?" I asked hesitantly. It looked expensive. Honestly, I was pretty surprised he even gave me something like this.

Buggy ruffled my hair warmly. "Of course, brat. This is very precious to me, so take good care of it, okay?" he said with a wink.

Shanks was still frozen in shock. In all these years, he had never seen Buggy give anyone something that was dear to him—something priceless, something no amount of money could replace.

I stood there, my cheeks flushed, warmth spreading in my stomach. A huge smile stretched across my lips. "Of course, Blue!"

Whoa, wait—hold on a second. Why is this bastard giving off main-character energy? That villainous laughter, and—wait, am I trapped now?

I looked at Buggy and shrugged inwardly. Oh well, I'd think about it later. I jumped up and hugged him. "Thank you!"

Buggy let out a dramatic scream at the sudden hug, but soon he hugged me back, rolling his eyes fondly. A smile tugged at his lips as he heard Yuki's laughter filling the ship.

After a while, I boarded my ship and glanced back. I saw Shanks and Buggy, along with the rest of the crew, waving me off. I smirked at them and set sail.

Another Perspective

Buggy and Shanks stood side by side, watching Yuki board her small boat. The new bracelet Buggy had given her sparkled under the sunlight, stirring old memories for both of them. They watched as Yuki glanced back over her shoulder and flashed them a wide grin. For a moment, they both took a deep breath—because they recognized that grin.

It was the smile of a free person. Someone no one could stop. Someone who would bring a storm to this world. Someone who would turn everything upside down.

For a brief moment, they didn't see Yuki. They saw their captain—their father, Roger. The bracelet on her wrist only made the resemblance stronger.

Shanks hummed as he watched Yuki disappear into the distance. "I didn't expect you to give that bracelet to anyone," he said, glancing at his brother with a soft smile.

Buggy crossed his arms mockingly, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Well, I didn't expect you to give away your hat," he shot back.

Shanks' smile only widened into something mischievous. "Well, that makes two of us, doesn't it?"

Buggy smirked. "Just like you made your bet, I made mine," he said, before turning his back and walking away.

Shanks lifted his gaze to the sky, a gentle smile on his lips as he thought about the boy who had been given his hat. He knew that Luffy would stir up a storm the moment he saw him—the moment he declared himself the Pirate King. And he knew that Buggy saw the same thing in Yuki.

After all, Buggy wouldn't have given her that special bracelet—the one Roger had given him when they parted—if he didn't believe in her.

In another world, Roger had given Shanks his hat, his legacy, while leaving Buggy with nothing.

In another world, they would have parted ways in Loguetown after Roger's execution and become nothing more than acquaintances.

But in this world, Roger had given Shanks his hat and his legacy—and he had given Buggy his special bracelet, his strength and will.

In this world, they had chosen to stay together after Roger's execution. They remained brothers.

Two different worlds, and yet, so similar.

But was that really such a bad thing?

Behind the Keyboard

Author: "So yeah, I know I disappeared for a long time, but life happened 🥲. I hope you like this chapter even though it's short! I'll try to upload a new one soon! 🤩"