The Chronicle

Chapter 19

Luffy, Flame, Takao and I were at the Ace Cliff. Luffy was lying on his stomach, Flame was right beside Luffy, Takao was beside me, while I was just hugging my knees and facing the sea. Then I heard footsteps get closer before it was revealed as Ace’s. Then he stood right beside Luffy and hit his head, making Luffy burying his face into his straw hat.

“How long are you gonna stay like that?” Ace asked as he was facing the sea, Luffy didn’t say anything in return but he was shaking, “Our treasures we hide in Midway Forest were completely gone. In the end, Sabo never gonna use it anyway. Besides, I’m didn’t care anymore. Even though we’re already stored it but can’t protected it, it was totally not worth it.” he said.

“A-Ace… I…” Luffy started, “Want become stronger!! More!! More!! More, more, more, more, more!! More, more, more, more!! More, more!! I want to become stronger!!!” he exclaimed.

“So I can protect everything and no one gonna die anymore!!!” he said, both Ace and I turned to look at him, “So please…” he started, “Ace and Eri… don’t die, okay!!” he finished as tears and snots were started streaming down.

Then Ace punched him in the head and replied, “Don’t be an idiot! Instead of worrying about us, just take care of yourself!! You’re still far weaker than us!!”

“You better remember this, Luffy!! I won’t die!!” he exclaimed, which was quite ironic because in the end he can’t fill that promise and died. “Sabo already told me, so I promise! I never will die!! How could I die?! Leaving a weak little brother like you and a little sister?!”

“I’m not smart, so I don’t know what the thing that killed Sabo was. But it must be something that the opposite of ‘Freedom’!! Sabo maybe was died without having a feeling of what freedom is, but we’re already shared drinks with Sabo and we’re still alive!!” he exclaimed, “That’s why Luffy… we must live a life without any regrets!!!”

“UN!!” Luffy replied.

“Someday we will set sail to the sea! And live with our own will!! Become freer than anybody else!! Because of it, we would face many kinds of enemies, including Jijii!! We will sacrifice our lives!!” Ace said, “We will set sail when we’re seventeen!! We’re gonna be Pirates!!!” he finished.

“Pirates… gonna be freer than anybody else…” I muttered and smiled before turning to Luffy and put an arm around Luffy’s shoulder, “That’s right, Lu-chan! We’re gonna be freer than anybody else and live without any regrets!” I told him and grinned at him, “That’s why you should wipe off your tears and snots from your face, K?”

He nodded and brushed off the snots and tears from his face using his shirt, “We should become stronger and more courageous than anybody so we can protect everyone that dear to us, then we’re gonna be freer than anybody.” I told them before giving Luffy a noogie as I snickered at him.

“I’m going to become stronger, so I can protect you guys from the cruel world that judging you guys. I’m gonna become you guys’ shadow, who is gonna protect you guys from behind and always following you guys everywhere.” I exclaimed and grinned.

Yes, I would definitely protect you guys no matter what, I promised myself.

XXX

It’s been a month since that incident. The three of us were training like usual and we moved out from our usual hideout to Dadan’s house, and yesterday I just taking a visit to Gray Terminal, which already build up again, completely repeating the same thing again. I was watching the place with dark look before turned back to the forest, where Luffy and Ace were training.

“Does my words were wrong?! You only could hold back big blow!!”

“Don’t you dare insulting Gomu Gomu fruit!! One day, I’m gonna make you cry!!”