Chapter 10
"Thanks guys." he smiled.
"Windigo was the best doctor on this island before the incident. I hope he will find his former flame again." he said.
It was good seeing son and father bonding again. It made their crime all the more worth it.
"I should get to the library. Still have a long way to becoming a doctor." Law got up smiling at Timi.
"You want to be a doctor?" Windigo asked walking up to them with Bepo in his arms.
"Yes. And I want to become the Pirate King." he grinned declaring it proudly.
'so he finally grabbed a hold of his dreams eh?' Timi thought proudly.
"That's quite the dream you got there kid. I wish you luck, the both of you." he said gesturing to Timi as well.
"I wanna teach you to become a surgeon." he said, smiling at Law.
"Would you?" Law asked with practically stars in his eyes.
"Of course. You're staying in our house aren't you? I need to repay you for what you did." he said smiling.
So starting that day, the duo stayed with the surgeon and his polar bear turned son.
While Law was learning form Windigo, Timi was training and he taught Bepo how to fight as well as a little navigating. No surprise, he loved the martial arts.
One of the nights, Timi made a slip up as she still slept in the same room as Law. She forgot to put her binding back on when she went to the bathroom and Windigo saw her. They were staring at each other for a few seconds until he turned away.
"You have your reasons. I'll keep it a secret." he said and walked off. But then Bepo found out as well when he decided to try waking her up. She threatened to throw him in front of hungry wolves if he ever told a soul. It's safe to say that he learned how to keep a secret.
. . .
A lot happened in the next four years. Timi mastered martial arts with Bepo and the art of sneaking. He studied the art of killing and found copious amounts of ways to kill someone and with the help of Windigo, learned the weak points of the human body.
In the town's weaponry shop, Law found himself a Nodachi, Kikoku. It is a cursed blade and Law fell in love with it at first sight, just as Timi did with AkaKage. Through practice with Timi, he was able to use it quite well alongside his Devil Fruit, although he had a lot more to learn.
Timi was now 15 and Law 16. He managed catch up and pass her in height so now he rubbed it in her face whenever he could, just to return the favour.
Timi's hair grew out a little bit and reached down to his shoulders. He now wore black jeans with black lace up boots and an oversized burgundy sweater that goes over his fingers, along with the binding of course. A black belt held his sword on his hips.
Law had gotten him a thin black leather chocker with a silver buckle on it and a black skeletal hand medal attached to the buckle for his birthday. Timi cherished the jewellery ever since.
. . .
"Are you sure you want to go so soon?" Law asked Timi with sad eyes as they sat in their bedroom.
"Yeah. I want to learn how to use AkaKage properly and only one person can help me with it. I have to go." she smiled, looking him in the eyes.
"I guess. But you have to come back." he squeezed her hands.
"After my training, I'm going to take on jobs. Get my name out there and start the path to my dream." she explained.
"Then you have to join my crew. Promise me that." Law said desperately.
"Haha. Of course I will Law. I promise." she grinned happily.
"I'll become the best assassin out there and join your crew." she smiled.
"I'll be waiting." he pulled her into a tight hug, embracing her for several minutes. He hated to admit it but he loved the girl ever since that day she sang for him. He will definitely become a great surgeon and will meet her in the Grand Line.
Kissing her on the cheek, she kissed him on the forehead and they went to bed.
That night, neither could actually fall asleep. Too anxious about the next day, so they just lay there in each other's arms.
As morning rolled around, neither fancied getting up but Windigo dragged them out early.
Breakfast was quiet and awkward. Bepo has grown quite a bit since and he was nearly as tall as Windigo, standing on his hind legs like a human. He did everything like a human, he was one before, after all.
"So you're leaving today?" Bepo said tearing up as they stood by the boat Windigo gave Timi.
"Yeah. But you'll see me again. We'll meet on the Grand Line when you become great pirates and I become a proper assassin." Timi said grinning, making the bear smile.
"I can't wait." he grinned.
"As the navigator, I expect you to take care of Law and your future crew mates." he smiled jumping on board.
"And Law. I believe in you. So reach for the stars and don't let anything get in your way." he grinned.
The red head set sail and waved back as tears ran down his cheeks, just like Windigo and Bepo were weeping on shore.
This was it, his first step to reaching his dreams.
. . .
He hit a very harsh storm at Reverse Mountain . . . and by some god awful luck ended up in the East Blue.
He could only stare in shocked horror as his boat got swallowed up by the sea.
Cutting his hand, he dropped some blood in the water and made an oval board to fly to the nearest island. He can heal the cuts he makes now without any scarring.
The first island soon came to his view. Stepping on the docks, he dismissed his power and walked into town. It was oddly familiar.
Walking into a bar, he was greeted by a dark green haired woman. 'Holy shit, Makino. So I landed on Foosha Town.' he thought surprised.
He smiled at her and sat down ordering some food.
"So what brings the Blood Viper to this island?" she asked smiling, surprising the red head.
"I was headed for the Grand Line but somehow ended up in the East Blue. Stupid storm." he replied unimpressed.
"Haha. That must have been quite the storm." she laughed.
"Yup. Took my boat and food." Timi smiled no longer caring.
"What are you gonna do now?" she asked curiously.
"I don't need a boat. But do you know where I could find Luffy?" he asked smiling.
"Luffy? Why are you looking for him?" she asked a bit alarmed.
"I just want to meet the kid is all." Timi smiled.
After he paid for his meal and thanked the cook. Makino took him up to Dadan's house.
She asked how he knew about Luffy but all he answered with was 'birds sing'.
"Dadan. I got someone here that would like to see Luffy." Makino called. Soon the said woman came out and looked at Timi with critical eyes.
"And what does this twig want with him?" she asked glaring down at him.
'Twig? I'm not that skinny, jeez.'Timi thought, his eye twitching in annoyance.
"I simply want to meet him, ma'am." the red head smiled politely at the ginger woman.
"He's in the forest with his brother. Go find him if you want to meet him." she said and walked back into the house.
"Sorry about Dadan. She doesn't like strangers." Makino apologised.
"Haha. Don't worry about it. See ya." and with that he was off.
Following his instincts, he soon came to a halt as he caught a glimpse of the sparring duo.
'I think Luffy's 9 now and Ace is about 12.'he thought walking up to them and smiled at the two.
"Hello. Sorry to interrupt." Timi said as they stopped and looked at the intruder.
"Who are you?" Luffy asked curiously.
"Blood Viper Timi. What does a wanted guy want with us?" Ace asked protective of his younger brother.
"Bulls eye. But I don't mean any harm. Trust me." he said with his hands up in surrender.
"You're really wanted? Are you a pirate? How big is your bounty?" Luffy asked excitedly and ran up to him.
"One question at a time Luffy." Ace shook his head amused.
"I am wanted. I got that four years ago, cause I killed some doctors but only because they made the person dear to me cry. I'm not a pirate but I want to be an assassin, then join my friend's pirate crew. And my bounty is 60,000,000 Beli." Timi answered the hyper kid.
"Wow. Who is that person dear to you?" Luffy asked.
"He's name is Law. I met him when I was 9 and just parted from him earlier today." it's around the afternoon now and Timi set sail early.
"So what do you want from us?" Ace asked nicely now as they sat down on the grass by a tree.
"I just wanted to meet you, that's all." he smiled.
"You did? I'm Luffy. I'm going to be King of the Pirates." he said standing up and putting his hands on his hips.
"Make your dreams come true kid." Timi grinned at him.
"Can I see your sword?" Ace asked spotting the katana.
"Sure. She's called AkaKage. A cursed katana." the red head said as he pulled the blade off his belt and handed it to Ace.
"Wow. It's black." the two said in awe.
"She's beautiful. I'm on a journey to find my teacher, so I can use her properly." he smiled looking at the blade.
"Who is it that you're looking for?" Ace asked.
"The world's greatest swordsman. Hawkeyes Mihawk." he smiled.
"Wow. Will he really teach you?" Luffy asked in awe.
"Uh. I can only try. And if he refuses, I will bug him until he does." Timi said determined.
"Good luck." Ace said grinning.
"Thanks. Oh it's getting dark. I need to find a place to sleep." Timi said as he stood up, putting AkaKage back on his belt.
"You can sleep with us." Luffy grinned up at the tall red head.
"You sure about that?" he looked sceptical.
"Of course. Come on." Ace grinned, running ahead with Luffy close behind.
"Thanks guys." Timi was allowed to stay with them that night and rested up for the next day.
He could only watch amused in the morning as Luffy stuffed his face full of food and burst out laughing as Ace fell asleep in the middle of his meal.
Saying his thanks and good byes, he took off on his blood board, amazing the brothers.
Flying over the Baratie, he grinned and landed on the deck. It was about lunch time-ish and he was hungry. Why not eat at the sea restaurant? Sanji shouldn't be older than 11 now. Would be interesting to see him.
Walking in, he was greeted by a mostly empty restaurant and some cooks going about their business.
Sitting down at one of the tables, one of them came up to him.
"Good day for you young man. Here's the menu. Would you like something to drink?" he asked.
"Thank you. Can I have a glass of milk please?" he smiled up at the guy surprising him with his order but he nodded and went to get it none the less.
The food on the menu all looked amazing. Timi could hardly pick from them.
"Have you decided what you want to eat?" asked a child's voice, drawing his attention to it.
Looking to his left, Timi found young Sanji standing there, waiting for his answer.
"Um. No, everything looks so delicious. What would you recommend?" Timi asked in thought.
He listed a very fancy sounding dish, that Timi could only nod at in awe.
"I'll have that then. I'm always up for new things. Thanks." he laughed.
"How old are you to be out here by yourself? You may be tall but you still look young." Sanji commented after delivering his order.
"I'm 15. And I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself, thanks." the red head glared resting his head in the palm on his hand and rested his elbow on the table.
"Ah. But you know, you're quite girly for a guy. I mean your voice is higher than expected." he commented, pissing Timi off slightly.
"What's your name kid?" he asked annoyed.
"Sanji and you can't call me a kid. I'm only 4 years younger than you." he fumed.
"Let me tell you something Sanji. I don't take kindly to being called girly. Why don't you just go back to the kitchen and stop sucking on that cancer stick?" he growled getting up and taking the cigarette from his mouth.
"Oy, give that back. It makes me a man." Sanji yelled back, trying to get it but he was too short.
"This doesn't make you a man. What makes a man is his dream and his will, along with the power to make his dreams come true. Do you have all that?" Timi asked the blond.
"Of course. I will find the All Blue and become the best chef in the world." he declared proudly.
"Then you are a man." Timi grinned happily and sat back down.
As Sanji ran off, an unexpected customer stepped through the door, making Timi choke on his milk.
"Hawkeyes Mihawk!" Timi yelled standing up and running up to the guy.
"Who are you and what do you want?" the man asked in a dark, cold tone, slightly surprised about the kid's sudden outburst.
"Teach me how to use AkaKage. I want to be the best assassin this world has ever seen!" he yelled determined as he held the cursed katana out in front of him.
"And why should I do that?" Mihawk asked.
"You have someone important to me at your home, do you not? A blond man?" he said smiling in anticipation.
"Are you Blood Viper Timi by any chance?" he asked surprised as the red head just nodded.
"Rosinante has been rambling on a lot about you. Fine. I'll teach you." Mihawk said walking past him.