Epilogue
One Piece © Oda
Blizzard, Monkey D. Aika, Kumi, and other characters © Me
"Big Brother!" Aika cheered as she jumped into Luffy's arms. "You did it! You defeated Kyuubi! I knew you could do it!"
"Shishishi!" Luffy laughed. "Was there ever any doubt?"
Soon, the rest of the Straw Hats gathered around Luffy.
"Great job, Captain," Zoro praised, putting his hand on Luffy's shoulder. "I couldn't have done it better myself."
"It was nothing, really," Luffy said. "Besides, I only finished him off. Aika did all the real work for me."
"Shishishishishi!" Aika giggled, rubbing her finger under her nose.
"That's our Little Sister!" Nami said, petting the Wolf Girl on the head.
"Yeah, but next time, leave the crazy ideas to your brother, okay?" Blizzard asked.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Luffy questioned.
Everyone laughed at this, but then, Aika's ears seemed to twitch, and she looked off into the direction that Kyuubi went flying in.
"What's that?" she asked.
"What's what?" Robin asked.
Aika pulled herself out of Luffy's arms before she shifted into her Wolf Form and ran off, prompting the others to follow after her. As they did, they soon heard what sounded like wailing, and the closer they got to it, the louder it went.
"What is that?" Usopp asked. "Did one of the kids come out after all the commotion?"
"I don't think so," Luffy answered.
"Hey, guys!" Aika called, standing in front of a bush, where the wailing seemed to be emanating from. "Look over here!"
"What is it, Aika?" Sanji asked as he went over to her side. "Find something?"
"Yeah," Aika answered as she parted the bushes, and as the others came to look, they gasped.
"Oh, my!" Brook exclaimed. "This is quite unprecedented!"
"You're telling me ," Luffy said, scratching the back of his head. "This kinda thing usually doesn't happen."
"Yeah," Chopper agreed. "So…what now?"
XXX
"Whew…!" Franky sighed, wiping his forehead. "Well, it took a while, but the work's finally done."
He and the kids stood before a completely built ship…complete with a new paint job of green, and there was even a dragon for a figurehead.
"This should hold until we get you guys back home," said Franky. "Thanks for all your help!"
"No problem, Cyborg," Cilantro replied.
"Now we just have to wait for Aika and the others to get back here," said Ginger. "Where are they, anyway?"
"Hey, guys!"
Everyone looked back to see Luffy, Aika, and the others. For some reason, Aika seemed to be carrying something in her hat.
"Hey!" Franky greeted. "Judging by how everything's stopped rumbling, I'm guessing you beat Kyuubi?"
"Well…yes and no," Luffy answered.
"It's a bit complicated," Nami added.
Aika stepped forward and held her hat out, causing everyone to gasp, for inside…was a tiny little fox with a single tail, shivering and whimpering.
"A baby fox?" Ginger asked. "Where'd he come from?"
"Uh…about that," Aika said. "I think this baby fox…is actually Kyuubi."
"What?!" the kids questioned.
"We assume that this is actually Kyuubi's one true form," said Robin. "Years of corruption and malice probably turned this fox into what it became. When Aika destroyed his shrine, it caused Kyuubi to lose all his powers…in fact, he even lost all his extra tails."
"Reducing him to this weak, helpless form," Nami concluded.
A pause…but then, Cilantro stepped forward and grabbed the little kit by the scruff of his neck and put him on the ground. Then, he raised his sword, pointing it towards the animal's heart, but before he could plunge it into the fox's heart, Ginger gasped and grabbed his arm.
"Cilantro, no!" she cried. "What are you doing?!"
"What do you think I'm doing?!" Cilantro asked. "I'm gonna kill this damned fox! All he's done is cause us suffering! Well I'm ending it!"
"What good will that do?" Luffy asked, causing the twins to look at him. "Kyuubi's been beaten. You don't need to taint this victory with unnecessary bloodshed."
"But…what if he tries to attack us again?!" Cilantro asked.
"Look at him!" Aika said, standing in front of Kyuubi. "He's weak and helpless, now. He's lost all his powers…I don't think he could attack anyone if he wanted to."
As the kit whimpered, Ginger picked him up and cradled him gently.
"You poor thing," she said. "It's okay. You're safe, now."
The kit blinked its eyes, revealing them to a be soft, gentle amber color instead of Kyuubi's fierce, demonic red.
"Aww, look at that," Nami said. "Now does that look like the face of a monster to you?"
"…He looks innocent enough," said Cilantro.
The kit whimpered softly, causing Ginger to hold him close to her chest, and in response, he gently licked her cheek, which in turn caused the girl to giggle.
"Good little foxy," she said. "Don't worry…I'll take care of you."
"Aika…do you think this is a good idea?" asked the concerned Kumi.
"Ginger's choice," Aika replied, "not mine."
Luffy grinned at this.
"Hey!" Franky called. "The passenger ship's is all set! We're ready to leave whenever you are!"
"You heard him, guys," Nami said. "Everybody on the ship!"
XXX
Later on, the Thousand Sunny is seen sailing away from Kinderinsel, towing the passenger ship full of children behind her. Without Kyuubi's power, there was no longer a danger of getting sucked down to the bottom of the sea by a whirlpool, which meant a safe voyage. The Straw Hats stood at the helm, watching the horizon as Franky steered.
"Full speed ahead to Humdrum Island, Franky!" Nami ordered.
"You got it!" Franky answered.
"What an adventure that turned out to be," Brook said. "My bones are still shaking! Yohohoho!"
"Hey, where are Luffy and Aika?" Zoro asked.
"They're on the passenger ship," Robin answered.
On said ship, Luffy is sitting on the dragon-shaped figurehead with Aika in his lap.
"Well, I'm glad that's all over," Luffy said.
"Me, too," Aika answered.
A beat passes…but then the older D. Carrier gently ruffled Aika's hair.
"You showed real grit, Aika," the grinning teen said. "It was pretty reckless, though."
"You're reckless, too," Aika countered, causing Luffy to laugh.
"I guess you got me there!" he said. "Still…I'm proud of you, Aika."
(BGM: Rakuen by Do As Infinity)
Aika smiled before she hugged Luffy tightly, causing him to return her hug.
At the back of the ship, Ginger, still cradling the kit in her arms, stared off into the distance as Kinderinsel grew farther and farther away. Then, Cilantro approached her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, prompting his sister to look at him and smile.
"…It's all over, now," Cilantro said.
"Yeah," Ginger replied before the two siblings embraced.
"All right!" Luffy exclaimed as he stood up. "Let's get you guys home!"
"YEAH~!" the kids all cheered.
Daremo ga minna shitteru
(Everybody knows)
Kesa ya shinai kizu wo
(A wound that cannot be erased)
After a long time of sailing, the Straw Hats finally arrived at Humdrum Island, where the children soon had a happy, tearful reunion with their families…including Tarragon, who embraced his grandchildren and was surprised by Cilantro's change over the past six years, plus the fact that Ginger had come home with a baby fox in her arms.
Dore gurai tudzuku no
(How long will this go on?)
As the Straw Hats watched the reunion, Luffy suddenly collapsed, causing everyone to gather around him in concern. It turned out he had not yet fully recovered from his fight with Kyuubi, and he had developed a fever to boot.
Mou iranai yo
(It's not needed anymore)
Later, Luffy was taken to the Sunny's sick bay, where he was left to rest. There, he was under sharp watch by Blizzard, Aika, and Kumi.
Daremo ga minna matteru
(Everybody is waiting)
Arasoi no nai hibi wo
(For days without fighting)
Meanwhile, Usopp is in the Men's Quarters with Cilantro, holding up a pair of scissors as he prepares to cut the boy's hair down to the right length.
Senjyou no heishitachi
(All you soldiers on the battlefield)
Omoidashite yo
(Remember now)
After sleeping overnight, Luffy finally awakens, only to see Aika, Kumi, Chopper, Ginger, the fox kit, and Cilantro, who now had his hair cut, combed, and washed and is wearing a blue Criminal Shirt and a pair of beige shorts, all smiled at him.
Ima haha no nukumori wo
(The warmth of your mothers)
Suddenly, the children, puppy, and Chopper, all jumped on Luffy, embracing him in a hug, causing the Straw Hat Captain to laugh.
Kono hateshinaku hiroi sekai ni
(In this wide, never-ending world)
Jibun dake wo chizu egaite
(Only you can draw your map)
Soon after, the rest of the Straw Hats come in and greet their captain. Sanji holds up a big plate of meat, causing Luffy to drool.
Namida koraete bokura wa
(Hold back your tears and together)
Aruite yukou
(Let's walk forward)
Later, Luffy is lying next to Nami in the grass, his stomach comically bloated after eating so much. The navigator chuckles, bemused, as she looks at him.
Tachiagare ima hora nando demo
(However many times it takes, stand up now)
Then, Zoro and Robin are sitting back-to-back, the latter reading a book while the former snoozes.
Nemuru shishi yobioshikute
(Waking the sleeping lion)
Aika is seen, playfully running alongside Ginger with Kumi chasing after them.
Ikite kunda ashite he
(And go on living towards tomorrow)
Chopper is sitting in the sick bay, trying to make a new medicine, but when he adds a different chemical, the concoction explodes, leaving Chopper comically charred. The scene then switches to Brook and Franky, who are performing a ukulele-and-guitar duet for some kids.
Daremo ga minna
(Everybody possesses)
Hito kakera no ai wo
(One piece of love)
Later, Kumi is chewing on a rope that she found, but the kit tries to snatch it from her, resulting in a game of tug-of-war.
Nikunde mo nani hitotsu
(Through hatred)
Umarenainda yo
(Nothing can result)
Then, Blizzard comes up and takes the toy away, annoyed by the pups' selfishness.
Sonna no mou iranai yo
(This is not needed anymore)
The scene changes to some bottles of medicine, all of them labeled "For Ginger", and next to that is a blue dog bowl with the name "KITZU" in big red letters.
Kono kagiri aru toki no naka de
(In the limited time we have)
Everything goes black for a moment, but then, we get an image of Dragon, who was looking up to the sky.
Mada minu rakuen mezashite
(Reach for that unseen paradise)
Then there are images of Sabo, Koala, Hack, and Lucky, all standing back-to-back as they look up, as well.
Dokomade datte bokura wa aruite yukou
(No matter how far we have to go, let's walk forward)
Aika and Kumi stand by each other, staring up at the stars.
Kono hateshinaku hiroi sekai no
(In this wide, never-ending world)
Chopper sits up on Blizzard's head as they, too, stare up at the sky.
Mada minu rakuen mezashite
(Reach for that unseen paradise)
Sanji sits on a tree branch, holding a rose as he smokes a cigarette.
Dokomade datte bokura wa aruite yukou
(No matter how far we have to go, let's walk forward)
Then we see Brook sitting on the railing as he plays his violin while Usopp sits next to him, staring up at the starry sky while holding a fishing rod.
Hurimukanaide mae dake wo mite
(Without turning back, only look ahead)
Robin sits in the library, looking out the window to see the stars, while Zoro, up in the Crow's Nest, is busy training.
Sono karada kuchihateru made
(Until the body rots away)
Nami stands on the deck, holding a hot cup of tea and wearing a shawl around her shoulders as she watches the sky.
Ikite yukunda mirai he
(And go on living towards the future)
Finally, cut to Luffy, who sits on the figurehead as he stares up at the stars before bowing his head down and putting his hat on his head.
(A/N: End of song.)
XXX
"So….you're leaving now, huh?"
"Yeah. It's time for us to hit the seas."
The Straw Hats stood on the Sunny's aft as they looked back at Tarragon, Ginger, Cilantro, and Kitzu.
"Shame you couldn't stick around much longer," said Tarragon.
"Thanks for stocking up our food supply, nonetheless, old timer," Sanji spoke up.
"Think nothing of it," Tarragon replied. "It's the least I can do…after all, you pirates kept your word. Not only did you bring back my grandchildren, but you also brought back all the other kids. Your doctor even prescribed Ginger with medicine that will help her disease."
"Just so you know," Chopper began, "the medicine won't completely cure Ginger's illness, but it will at least prolong the effects. She has to take it every week. Make sure of that, and don't worry if she runs out. Just send me a letter in case you do, and I'll send more! I promise!"
"We seriously can't thank you enough," Cilantro said.
"Hey, c'mon, kid!" Franky exclaimed. "Now it's just embarrassing, getting thanked like this so much!"
"We're more used to getting chased outta town," Zoro added, "seeing as how we're pirates and all."
"For pirates, though, you're all right!" Tarragon said. "Please, feel free to come back anytime you want. All meals you eat at my restaurant will be on me!"
"You can count on it, Pops!" Luffy cheered.
"I think you said the magic word," said a bemused Nami.
"Isn't it about time we got going?" Robin asked.
"I agree," Brook chimed in. "We best be off, now!"
Aika looked at Ginger, who returned her glance while holding Kitzu in her arms.
"…I guess this is goodbye," Ginger said.
"Don't say goodbye," Aika replied. "You only say that if you never see someone again…and I really wanna see you again, Ginger!"
A pause…but then Ginger smiled.
"I wanna see you again, too," she said. "Right, Kitzu?"
Kitzu yipped excitedly in response, causing Aika to laugh.
"…Take care, Ginger."
"You, too, Aika…so long."
"Let's set sail, guys!" Luffy ordered.
"AYE~!" the Straw Hats shouted, and on that, the Straw Hats sailed off, leaving Tarragon, Cilantro, and Ginger to wave goodbye until they were out of their sight.
"…Thank you, Aika," whispered Ginger. "I never had a friend like you."
Cilantro put his hand on his sister's shoulder while Kitzu licked her cheek, causing her to laugh.
XXX
On the Sunny, Luffy is sitting on the figurehead once more with Aika in his lap.
"So where do you think our next adventure will be, Aika?" asked Luffy.
"It doesn't matter," Aika answered before she looked up at Luffy and grinned. "Everyday is an adventure as long as I'm with you, Big Brother!"
"Shishishishi!" Luffy laughed. "You got that right!"
THE END
Well, that's it! That's the end!
I know you guys might have mixed feelings about Kyuubi, or "Kitzu", being adopted by Ginger, but I just thought "Hey! At least he's not evil anymore!".
I had fun with this, and I thank you guys for sticking with it to the end. ^^ Next week, I start on One Piece: Unlimited Adventure!
Review, please!
