Chapter 15: Solutions
Two weeks after the Paramount War…
The wooden door creaked as Garp opened it. Light shines through the darkness onto Koby, lying in bed covered in bandages.
-How are you doing, kid? Koby stays silent.
-He's been acting that ever since the Paramount War, Helmeppo looked at the floor, burdened with his inability to help.
Garp sat down on Koby's bed.
-I swear, when I get a hold of that idiot grandchild of mine…
-No, it's not Luffy, Koby turned around; he was pale, malnourished and had heavy bags under his eyes.
-II heard them, the men during the war, shouting their last words. They didn't have to die!
Garp sighed; all his years as a Navy hero, yet he had no idea how to handle what Koby was going through.
-Well, you awakened to your Haki! Congratulations! He attempted a joke. Koby flashed a smile.
-Look, I get it; after what Kizaru pulled, it's completely understandable to be shell shocked. It took a lot of favors, but you are absolutely safe from his ire.
-You still don't get it, do you? Koby turned away once more.
-The war should have been over, yet there was still fighting! Both the pirates and the Navy recruits died because of nothing! And after all of my training, I still couldn't save them! Koby hid his face in his pillow.
-I might as well have died.
Giving up on talking, Garp unceremoniously smacked him.
-Are you a fool! That speech of yours managed to stop the fighting! If Kizaru refuses to acknowledge that, he can go die!
Koby sat up, getting frustrated at his mentor.
-I didn't change anything! Shanks stopped the fighting, but Kizaru became an admiral! They're powerful, they can change things! I'm a weakling!
-And why do you think that they became strong? Garp asked.
-Huh? Koby was surprised by the sudden confrontation.
-They had dreams to work towards, a reason to change things! Don't you have that?
-Y-yes, I want to become an admiral, but with how the Navy is now, I'm going to have to hurt innocent people! Koby and Garp stared each other down.
-Then let me ask you; why did you want to become an admiral? Wealth, fame…
-To protect people! Garp put a hand on his pupils shoulder.
-You don't have to be an admiral or an emperor to do that. Use whatever strength you have to save the people that you can. Then, slowly but surely, you will reach your dream.
Garp stood up from his chair and stretched out a hand to Koby.
-But if you're going to do that, you need to get out of bed!
Valentina, present…
Koby returned to consciousness, still stuck under Omir's pressure. The full weight of the massive shark-man made it impossible to move his chest, but his legs were still free.
-Moon Walk!
Coiling them tightly before kicking away, Koby managed to push out from under Omir. The wounds in his chest deepend but he was free. Conserving energy, Koby started swimming away. Omir scoffed, seeing Koby attempt to outspeed him.
-Reverse Whirlpool Right!
Omir twisted his arm around, sending a rotating stream of sea water towards Koby. The force of the stream sent him flying straight out of the water, placing him straight outside of the gate to the seashell hotel.
Omir shook the ground as he slammed down next to Koby. At first he prepared to finish the job, before coming to a realization. He put the boy over his shoulder and staggered into the hotel lobby, shocking the guests. Hina had tied up Marcus in the middle of the room.
-You! Woman from HQ! Your associate attacked me! And I see that you have captured an innocent pillar of our community! If you want this man back, hand over Marcus Cassho and call over an inspector! Omir declared to the guests.
Tashigi put her hand on her sword, but was held back by Hina.
-He's sharp; he's both holding Koby hostage and turning the audience to his side. I'll handle this, Hina's voice was ice cold. She pointed forward with her cigarette.
-We have reason to not trust the local navy; let Koby go and we'll be able to handle this in a peaceful, diplomatic way.
Omir scoffed, readying his fist.
-If you don't want this to go smoothly, I'll handle this my way!
-Now, now, now, let's not go crazy here, Marcus spoke up.
-I'll stay here with these…gentlemen, and you'll take that pink-haired brat to our local jail; if he tries to attack you, you may have to fight him in self-defense, a devilish smile appeared on Marcus's face.
Helmeppo fought back anxious tears.
-Perhaps if we give over Marcu… He was interrupted by an awkwardly long series of coughs from Koby.
-Oh! How lucky I am! He dramatically posed for the audience, escaping Omir's grasp.
- I fell into the sea, but this young man saved me! Helmeppo, we'll have to get Sengoku on the line, and immediately give this man a chance at HQ for his bravery! All heads in the room were turned to Koby.
Omir readied a counterargument, but was silenced by a hug from Koby.
-Please, go your own way. Leave the Cassho family, protect Valentina!
-You knew that you were at a disadvantage, and that I would try this. So you used it to get me into a situation where we could talk without me being able to attack you, Omir cynically observed.
-Well, the offer still stands. It's a disgrace that you had to side with gangsters to get there, but you are a captain now. There are strings that I can pull to make sure you stay that way.
Looking around, Omir saw fish-men; people he wanted to protect, anxious and scared. Shame burrowed into his chest.
-Whatever I do, the Cassho family is still defeated, Omir took a step back.
-What are you doing!? Marcus weezed through his teeth.
-Doing something I should've done a long time ago, Omir said.
Having been able to settle the conflict in peace, Koby smiled at Omir, before coughing up large amounts of blood and falling unconscious on the floor.
The next couple of days went fast; while Omir was taking Marcus and his cohorts to the nearest actual neutral court on a ship to Navy HQ, Koby was carrying bags onto Minny and Esmeralda's ship.
-So, where are you planning to go now? With a heavy thud he put down the last bag.
-There is a house on a nearby island that is written in mom's name. I'm not sure what the plan is, but we won't be staying in Valentina.
-Well, whatever you do, I wish you luck! Koby began walking off.
-U-uhm, the ship doesn't actually go for fifteen minutes.
-I-I see! They both scratched the backs of their heads.
-I'm not going to lie, this is…a bit awkward, Koby stammered out.
-No, no, please don't feel that! You've saved me! Once again, uncomfortable silence.
-I've been meaning to ask; how has your mother dealt with, you know, everything? Koby asked in a somber tone.
-Not, not great. She's been crying and crying ever since she heard the news. When I try to comfort her, she just sends me away, Minny confessed.
-O-oh, oh no! Is there anything I can do? Minny gave a forced smile.
-No, you've done everything you could, and for that I am grateful. She will have to get used to it, one day at a time.
After talking for a little bit, Koby waved her off as she sailed into the mist. With slumped shoulders he wandered away.
-You can't always do everything, a grizzled voice spoke up from behind him.
-Oh, hi, Garp, Koby heard the words leave his mouth, only to realize what was happening.
-MASTER!? Garp hushed his star-struck pupil.
- I can't stay for long, so listen! I've just come to tell you what to do with the letter I gave you six months ago…
-Yes, I've wondered why you never told me its use; I presume that it was too classified to share at the time.
Garp scratched his head.
-I actually just forgot, he smiled. Koby wasn't surprised in the slightest.
-I've had a discussion with Sengoku, and your next mission will take place on an island called Doggy Valley. There you need to find Cooper; if you give him this letter he will continue to train you, now that I can't!
Koby had a thousand questions, but by now he had learned that his master wasn't great at answering.
-I'll do my best! He saluted.
-Im sure you will! Now, I'm off to do some sightseeing! Garp wandered off into Valentina, searching for the closest restaurant.
A couple of streets away from them was Valentina's largest graveyard. In front of her father's grave stood Hina, together with Smoker and, surprisingly, Lizzy. The golden plaque had long lost its color and the stone.
-This is the first time since he died that I visited this place; have to say, not impressed, Lizzy remarked.
-You liar, it reeks of smoke, Hina retorted. Smoker, having been relegated to umbrella holder, struggled not to laugh, hearing familial love expressed in such a stubborn way.
Afterwards they went to a nearby restaurant, to catch up on each other's lives; Hina had stayed silent to her mother for so long that she had difficulty choosing what to say.
While Lizzy went to the bathroom, Smoker turned to his girlfriend.
-So, you know about SWORD, he sighed.
-Out of all people, Hina expected you to be the last to join such a silly project.
-I know that you think it's stupid, but I've gotta do what I've gotta do. Bottomline, please, don't say a single word about this.
Hina burst out laughing.
-Oh, honey, of course Hina won't say anything. Even if it's stupid, it's a good thought. Unless you end up taking on the Celestial Dragons my lips are completely sealed.
-That's what I thought, Smoker breathed a sigh of relief.
Many days later, after both Smoker and Drake had healed up, SWORD was gathered in their ship's meeting room. Slamming open the door, Drake walked into the room.
-I've had my discussion with Sengoku; it's official. We are leaving for the New World, to the place called Doggy Valley!
I had some problems writing Koby's backstory, as we basically already know it; saved from Alvida, trained by Garp, stops the Paramount War; it's one of the best One Piece side stories. So I decided that instead of adding something that wasn't there, like I did with nearly all of the other characters, I just added a scene exploring Koby's new resolve. I'm actually very happy with it.
SWORD will be on a short hiatus as I prepare a backlog of chapters! Though I will update with a new cover very soon!
