One Piece (Love Story) [Part Two]

Chapter Two Hundred and Fifty Two [Rewritten]

-Chapter Two Hundred and Fifty-Two-

"Hm?" Luffy curiously tilted his head, his interest was now piqued.

"On the other side of the Red Line, at the far reaches of the ocean, is the place that few pirates or Marines have ever seen—they call it the New World" Coby said.

"The New World?" I mumbled, raising an eyebrow as I blinked my eyes. Ignoring the way they still stung from my earlier crying.

"The New World?" Luffy echoed, speaking much louder than I had.

"There's a new era coming and the people who can guide it are gathering on those seas—they say the one who can master those waters will become King of the Pirates" Coby explained. "And I believe that one of these days, you and I will meet on those waters. When that time comes, I'll be even stronger—strong enough to catch you because I promised myself that I'd keep trying" he confessed. "Until...until I become a Marine Admiral!" my smile dropped at those words, not wanting to think back on the conversation shared between Robin and me just moments ago.

"N-no! I'm sorry, I got carried away!" he quickly apologized as he stumbled back until he fell on his ass. "Aurgh...this is so embarrassing..." he blushed, flustered by his bold declaration. "I just want to dig a hole and bury my head in it—that was really arrogant of me, I got worked up after seeing you again and I just..." he rambled.

"Coby, you said you're going to fight me, right?" Luffy asked. "Then you will become that strong, you'll have to!" he grinned.

"Yeah, but a Marine Admiral..." Coby trailed off as I tensed. I really don't want to hear that word right now after everything Robin and I had just talked about. I soon relaxed though the minute I felt Zoro take my hand and gently rub his thumb against the back of it as if he just knew that I was becoming distressed and needed comfort.

"Next time I see you, we're going to be stronger too—a whole lot stronger!" Luffy boasted, causing me to smile as I watched how the pink-haired teen's eyes watered upon hearing the rubber man's encouraging words.

"Look at that—turns out you're still a crybaby after all, huh? Coby?" Zoro teased as the man wiped at his eyes before quickly bowing.

"I'm truly grateful that I was able to see you again today!" he smiled. "Just wait, we're going to get tougher and tougher! You'll see!" he proclaimed as he straightened his back and gave a determined huff. "Next time when we all meet, it'll be in the New World—farewell!" and with that, he ran away.

"Hey, wait! You two better prepare yourselves because Coby and I are going to blow you away! You hear?!" Helmeppo huffed before quickly running after the teen. "Coby, slow down!" he shouted as he tried to catch up with his friend.

"I can't slow down! I'm going to run all the way to the New World!" Coby shouted back.

"What?! You lost your mind!" Helmeppo exclaimed.

"They sure seem lively!" I laughed.

"Well, Luffy, you've done it again—you found another powerful rival for our crew to fight" Zoro grinned.

"If Coby says he can do it, then I believe him!" Luffy happily laughed.

-Later-

Lightly kicking my feet in the cool water of the pool as I sat down, I listened as Nami and Chopper played around in the water together. Occasionally, I would tug at the bottom of my bathing suit anytime I felt it start to ride up a little. It was an old white one-piece with black polka dots I owned and, embarrassingly enough, I feared was a bit too short even though it still fit me quite comfortably. Sure, it was a little tight compared to the last time I wore it, but I didn't exactly have many options when it came to swimwear.