Hi guys. I know I uploaded one chapter yesterday, but since I'm not home this weekend, I thought I might as well give you another chapter. I wish you a great weekend ;)
Lucinda stayed around for a month. Dragon had asked if she wanted to train Sabo. She had agreed and she took him into the jungle. It was nothing like Sabo knew from his childhood. Lucinda was hard, but he could feel that he got stronger. She helped him understand and train Haki in a way Dragon and his men never had or ever would be able to.
"So you are an old friend of Dragon?" Sabo looked at her.
"You can say that. I met him as he was younger, trying to oppose his father. I saw his strong soul and wanted to help him. Not that I told him what to do, but to help him doing what he think is right," said Lucinda.
"And now you are helping once more," he said.
"Yes. I wanted to see how far he had come and so I came back. He asked for help and so I decided to help him once more. And you are strong," smiled Lucinda.
Sabo smiled. He thought of Ace and was so eager to meet him again. To let him know he wasn't dead and that he had grown stronger too.
"Lost in thoughts?" Lucinda looked at Sabo.
They were walking through the groves at Sabaody Archipelago. She wanted to visit an old friend, before heading to the new world. Sabo followed her, not knowing where she led him, but he was glad she took him along. After this visit they would go straight to the New World and visit Whitebeard. It has been almost a year since the war and there had been some major changes. Lucinda however wasn't concerned yet.
"A Rip-off-Bar?" Sabo gazed at the small house.
"Shakky is an old pirate, friend of me and Rayleigh. She might know how the training of Luffy goes," said Lucinda.
She walked into the old, but familiar bar. A man, badly wounded, lied on a bed in the corner. He gazed at the newcomers. He was surrounded by other men. Shakky came out from behind the bar and looked first at Sabo and then at Lucinda. Her face lightened up in a smile.
"Lu… It's been far too long since you last came around," smiled Shakky.
"I know. I'm too lazy. Sorry Shakky. You look great and not a day older. I know my secret, but what is yours?" asked Lucinda with a smile, before hugging Shakky.
"I won't tell ya. So you got a new friend?"
"Sabo, this is Shakky. She met Luffy a year ago, just before he and his crew vanished. Or that was what Rayleigh told me," said Lucinda.
"Please to meet you. What do you think of Luffy? Was he alright? What happened? Lu won't tell me," said Sabo.
"You know Luffy-kun?" asked Shakky.
"I'm his sworn brother. Lu told me that Luffy think I'm dead," said Sabo.
"Oh. So that's why you want to know. Luffy came here with Hatchan. He was going to get his ship coated and Rayleigh is the man to do so, but Rayleigh wasn't here at the time. They went looking for him and at some point they ended up at an auction house. There he punched a Celestial Dragon and ran afterwards into Kizaru and some PX's. If it hadn't been for Kuma, Luffy and his crew would have been history by know," said Shakky.
Sabo felt a shiver running down his spine. So Kuma had saved his brother's life and his crew. And now Sabo couldn't even thank him for doing so. He felt relief running through him also. Knowing that Luffy had luck and was protected was comforting him.
"Luffy sure is lucky. I guess we all are eager to see him advance," said Lucinda.
"Yes. I'm betting on him to find One Piece. You know what it is, right?" Shakky smiled to Lucinda.
"I do. But I won't tell anybody," said Lucinda.
Shakky smiled and took out some wine. She poured it to all three of them. They talked about Luffy and his crew, what was going on in this world now and what lies ahead. As usual Lucinda just told what she wanted to and what she thought would be a good knowledge to Shakky. Sabo was amazed by his companion. He could understand why men fell for her and why many wanted to be her friend or kill her.
They walked through Marineford. Sabo gazed around, observing his surroundings. Even if the marines didn't know him or had seen Lucinda in her human form, he didn't like being here. Suddenly they were stopped and he had to pull himself together, so he didn't show them his fear or that he was uncomfortable. Especially after Lucinda had bought a Straw Hat that resembles Luffy's. She had done so to make a statement and point out some flaws at the marines.
"Stop right there, Lady. Where did you get that Straw Hat from?" asked a marine officer.
"It belonged to my Grandmother. Due to my skin I have to protect it from the sun, so I use this old Straw Hat. I know it resembles the one belonging to the infamous and dangerous pirate Straw Hat Luffy, but I love this hat. How could I just throw it away, when it belonged to my late grandmother?" Lucinda looked at the marine officer.
"I'm sorry my Lady. Please continue," he said and let them pass.
Several reporters and even some photographers were there, taking picture of Lucinda and Sabo, though he hid his face. He didn't want Luffy to know his he was alive through some newspaper. Or Ace for that sake. Lucinda continued to walk like nobody was taking pictures of her. Her little talk with the marine would be in the newspaper and the would would question the marines for accusing common people for wearing a Straw Hat.
As they were on the other side of the city, Lucinda stole a boat. Sabo grinned and jumped down. He couldn't help thinking about how she had treated the officer. It was so simple and funny. And then all the reporters and photographers. Sabo now knew he had no reason to be afraid around her. She could also handle situations without a fight. Lucinda sure was a smart woman.
"Next stop, the New World. Are you ready for that Sabo?" Lucinda looked at him.
"I am. Let's go," he smiled.
Yeah. Sabo on his way to meet Ace. How do you think Ace will react?
Well, you'll see. I'll upload next week.