24. Just Like Me Part 7; Aftermath
One Piece © Oda
Blizzard © Me
The next day, it was time for us to leave.
Old Man Big Pine, Kodi, and Rena decided to see us off.
"Thanks for everything, Big Pine!" Nami shouted.
"My pleasure!" he shouted back. "Take care of yourselves, you hear?"
"We will!" Nami answered him.
I looked down at the pups, both of them wearing smiling faces.
"Thank you, Mister Blizzard," Rena said to me.
"We'll never forget you," Kodi added.
"I won't forget you, too," I said.
"Blizzard?" Kodi asked. "I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier. You were right. Not all humans are what I make them out to be. I guess I was so upset about losing my Mother, I forgot what was truly important."
"Oh?" I questioned. "And what would that be?"
Kodi's smile grew wider.
"Getting stronger," he said. "Not just for myself and Rena, but for Old Man Big Pine, too. I know that's what my Mother would want."
I smiled.
"I'll hold you to it," I told him. "Your mother would be very proud of you, Kodi."
"I know she would," Kodi said.
With that, we shoved off, and Kodi and Rena howled long and loud, saying their goodbyes. I howled back, and I could've sworn I heard a fourth howl in the wind.
And so, we sailed off in the Grand Line's great sea, headed for our next adventure.