ONE PIECE : ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Chapter 12: Time to say goodbye

Whitebeard stood outside the door, hesitating. Nami patted his arm, gave him an encouraging smile. Whitebeard closed his eyes, and opened the door quietly.

When Ace was asleep, nothing could wake him up. Whitebeard knew this very well so he didn't worry Ace would hear anything. He stood beside the bed, looked at Ace's sleeping face, his eyes had softened. He rubbed Ace's head gently and lightly, released a soft smile.

"... I'm sorry, Ace." 

Whitebeard whispered. He looked at Ace one last time, then left the room. Nami was waiting outside the room, she gave Whitebeard a small smile.

Whitebeard didn't say a word, just walked straight to the deck. Nami followed him and found out he had already packed his thing. Whitebeard took his bag, looked at the sea. 

"I will leave before dawn." Nami nodded and stood beside him. 

They didn't say anything, just stared at the sea liked the first day they met. After a while, Nami broke the silence. 

"Will you go to find your crews? When everything is settle?" 

Whitebeard gave a bitter smile and shake his head. "Who knows."

At the moment, the sky began to change from dark blue to the combination of white and light gold. Nami knew it was time. Whitebeard tightened his hand and turned to Nami.

"Girl, I have something for you." 

Whitebeard took out a broken blade and handed it to Nami. She realized this was a part of Whitebeard's weapon bisento. 

"A souvenir for you. My bisento seems unable to be fixed already." 

Nami smiled and took the broken bisento, thanked him sincerely. 

"Have you told Shanks about your leaving?" Nami asked. 

Whitebeard waved his hand and released a life boat. "Too troublesome, leave it." 

Nami gave him a helpless glance, shook her head. "Whitwbeard-"

"That is too cold heart, Whitebeard." 

Nami and Whitebeard turned to the voice and saw Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates. 

"After all, I have saved your life. Couldn't you inform me about your departure?" Shanks grinned.

 Whitebeard sighed and frowned. "Every time I see your smile, it reminds me the pain in my ass."

Shanks laughed. "Well, at least I have something for you." 

Yasopp took out a box of rum and handed it to Whitebeard. While the latter seemed satisfied to this gift, someone wasn't that happy.

"Hey! Are you planning to kill him?!" Nami glared at Shanks and gave him a fist of love. Shanks smiled weakly and rubbed his head, complaining. 

"Nami, be more gentle to me~" 

Nami crossed her arms and smiled. "Sure, after you pay me 100,0000 Beli."

Shanks chuckled nervously, shut his mouth up before the girl spoke something more serious and shocking. Whitebeard cleared his voice, tried his best not to laugh. 

Yasopp and Beckman helped Whitebeard to released the life boat. Whitebeard nodded to them and patted Nami's head, smiling.

"Thank you for take care of me, girl."

He jumped into the boat swiftly. Nami watched the boat floating away from them, felt her eyes welling up. She lowered her head, refused to let her tears dropped.

"Nami!"

Nami widened her eyes. She looked up and saw Whitebeard stood straight and grinned.

"Take care of Ace."

Tears fell from Nami's face. While everyone waving goodbye to Whitebeard, Shanks glanced at her, smiled.

"Your answer?"

Nami wiped off her tears, released a bright smile. She cupped her hands and used all her strength to yell.

"Take care, old man!"