My Brother's Keepsake (Sabo x Reader)

Chapter Twenty: Ace's Will

You were happier on your journey back home than you were going to the Tombe kingdom. There was no love lost between you and your brother, but there were no sweet words either. After you bid a lovely farewell to your nephews and your sister-in-law, you bowed before him, and said goodbye.

All he said back to you was, "Travel safely, and come back anytime. There is always a place for you here, my dear sister."

You refused to cry, but well, the tears came on their own. It was good to know that you had a place to come back to if things ever got too hard.

"Thank you." You said that night on the ship as you lay next to Sabo.

"What for?" He asked.

"You know, reuniting me with Kairo. I don't think I would have been brave enough to go back to that place if it wasn't for you." You told him. "I'm really grateful."

"I don't think I did much. You're the one who wanted to save them."

You smiled. "That's true, but I learned to be braver by watching you. And I could only do this because I knew that you were watching my back."

"Hmm, well, the good thing is, I scored points with your brother." Sabo said.

"I think he liked you, yeah." You laughed. "Say, do you think Luffy will like me too?"

"I know he will." Sabo said putting an arm around you.

"I hope so, I can't wait to meet him." You said leaning into Sabo to allow yourself to fall asleep for the rest of the journey back home.

***

As the seasons changed in Baltigo, the place became even emptier. No more refugees were brought here, and the students in Mesland School were relocated to different places around the world for training, and those who were old enough, became Revolutionary Army soldiers.

Kai, now living with you was training harder than ever, and accompanied Sabo on nearly every mission he was going to. Maya was staying with Robin and Koala as well. By the end of June the only families left in Baltigo were those of a few executive officers including you and the place seemed drearier than ever.

Your move was delayed for a couple of weeks because you suddenly contracted a stomach bug, nothing too serious, you just stayed at home and rested for a few days. However, a few nights before you were due to leave for Momoiro Island, Sabo received a strange call in the middle of the night.

Ring, ring, ring, ring. Gotcha.

"Hello?" Sabo answered.

"Is this the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army?" The voice on the other side asked.

Sabo frowned, not recognising it. "Depends on who's asking."

"Please hold." The man said, and then to someone else, he said. "Boss, he's on the line."

They must have switched places, because it was someone else who spoke next. "Hello kid. It's been a while."

Sabo sat up really fast, and cursed. "Crocodile." He said. "How the hell did you get this number?"

A sinister laugh came from the former warlord. "I sell all kinds of things, information is one of the ways people can pay."

"Whatever. What do you want, Crocodile?" Sabo asked.

"Someone seized my freighter in Fishman Island two days ago. There's something very important for me in there. I would like you to get it back for me." He said.

"Why the hell would I do anything for you? It's probably something dangerous anyway, so good riddance I say."

"I figured you'd say that. That's why I want to make a deal." Crocodile negotiated.