One Piece (Love Story) [Part Two]

Chapter Three Hundred and Three [Rewritten]

-Chapter Three Hundred and Three-

"He seemed to take pleasure in thinking out plans for the future as well even though he wouldn't be a part of it" Rayleigh continued. "Eventually, as per captain's orders, the Roger Pirates were secretly disbanded" he revealed. "One by one, everyone discreetly left the crew and went their own ways—as comrades we risked our lives together, but I know next to nothing about where they are or what they're doing now" he admitted. "Then about a year after we disbanded, Roger turned himself in and was incarcerated, shortly after it was announced that he would be publicly executed in Loguetown—the settlement in the East Blue he was born.

"I've heard that many of the young faces that bore witness in the town square that fateful day went on to make names for themselves on the high sea" he said. "There was a silence that covered the entire world the day of his execution. I wasn't there in attendance myself, but I hear that his final words went a little something like this: "Even though they may execute me, I won't die," the World Government and Marines must have been shocked with that last remark from Roger" he chuckled. "The public execution was meant to serve as an example and a warning to other pirates, instead it became the opening ceremony to what would become the Great Pirate Era.

"In seconds, he changed the dim flame of his life into a raging hellfire that spread across the world" he grinned. "I've never laughed as much nor have cried as much nor drink as much as I did that day—the captain was an amazing man and he sure lived one hell of a life."

"I've heard it before, but it's still so amazing" Nami breathlessly breathed out as Luffy began to shake with utter excitement. "When one of Roger's old friends tells it, it's like a whole new story" she said.

"Maybe because it is—we're seeing a different viewpoint from the one we're taught through history books" I hummed as I closed my eyes for a moment.

"Wait, it sounds like you're trying to say that Roger created the Great Pirate Era on purpose" Usopp frowned.

"That I couldn't tell you—no way to know for sure, Roger is no longer with us" Rayleigh shrugged as he downed his drink. "It's only the people who are living now who can create and shape such an era. I'm certain that there are people who inherited that same spirited adventure from Roger that faithful day in the town square" he confessed. "Your good friend Shanks is probably one of them."

"Whoa! You know Shanks too, old man?" Luffy asked through a mouthful.

"Perhaps you heard of a pirate named Buggy from the East Blue?" Rayleigh asked.

"Buggy?" Nami and Zoro frowned.

"He and Shanks served us well, they were both apprentices aboard Roger's ship" Rayleigh nodded.

"You mean Shanks was on the King of the Pirates ship!" Luffy gaped.

"I take it he never told you then" Rayleigh said the minute he spotted the shocked expression the captain now wore. "I ran into him again, right here on this Archipelago, about ten years ago—I noticed he lost his trademark straw hat as well as his left arm" as he said this, Luffy brought a hand up to cover his mouth, thickly swallowing the food in his mouth. "When I asked him what happened, he spoke about you with a smile and ever since, I've always wanted to meet you, Luffy, and see the spirited boy for myself."

"Aw, Shanks!" Luffy laughed as he bashfully pulled his hat over his eyes as if trying to hide just how happy he was.

"But I can't in good conscious talk about things involving Shanks that he hasn't mentioned himself" Rayleigh said. "In any case, you've done well to make it this far, I'm sure Shanks is eagerly awaiting your arrival in the New World."