Shanks and his crew stayed around for a month or so until both Shanks and I healed up. The doctor keeps an eye on both of us as both Luffy and I hang around Shanks' most of the time anyway. Doctor said I'm pretty lucky that I'm a child, so my broken bones will heal up in no time, compared to adults.

Eventually, they're getting ready to continue their adventure again as they're gathering up supplies for their journey. It's such a shame that I can't help because of my broken bones, and sometimes Shanks scolds me to take a rest until I healed up, but I just stick my tongue out at him.

I won't be seeing him again for years, after all. So I want to at least savor every moment with him.

And of course, Luffy is thinking the same as he's always around Shanks too.

But now it's time for them to leave. We're at the docks and Shanks' crew finally loaded up the last supplies for their journey as Shanks stands in front of us and turns to look at us.

"Hey Luffy, I'm sure you're going to miss us. Do you still wanna come?" Shanks asks and Luffy shakes his head in reply.

"Yeah I'll miss you, but I'm not going to beg you to take me with you." Luffy replies in confidence and Shanks starts to mess with him, which annoys Luffy a bit that he eventually yells that he himself is going to have a better crew than Shanks and become the Pirate King. Shanks seems amused by that as he takes off his straw hat and puts it on Luffy's head.

"This hat means a lot to me. I want you to keep an eye on it until you become the Pirate King, and then return it to me." Shanks tells Luffy with a happy smile.

Luffy holding the hat to his chest and looking down as tears fall down to his face while Shanks turns to look at me and grins.

"I haven't known you for a while, but it was really nice meeting you." Shanks says as he digs into his pocket to grab something and slips it around my neck. I try to look closer at it, only to realize it's some kind of a necklace with a heart-shaped pendant.

Eventually Shanks fiddles with it and opens the pendant, only to make it play a beautiful music box song. Turns out, the pendant is a music box locket, with unknown symbols on the front. It's very pretty and I've never seen anything like it.

"It's a gift from an old friend. I want you to have it and keep it safe for me. Can you do that for me?" Shanks asks and I nod eagerly.

"But are you sure? It's a gift from your friend, after all." I ask back. I don't want to take someone's important gift! I'm pretty clumsy sometimes and it's the last thing I need for my future journeys.

Shanks laughs as he pats my head.

"It's fine! I'm sure she'll be fine with it too. Besides, you remind me of her, so I want you to have it and keep it safe for me." He replies, "Or you can return it to me someday when we meet again? Sounds good?"

I look down and slowly take the locket closer to my face, as my arms are still healing. I can see some carvings in the locket, but it's too worn out for me. I flip it and I can see carvings of flowers on the back along with the wind-up, while the front has unknown symbols.

"Okay. Thanks Shanks! I'll be sure to keep an eye on it!" I grin at him. I never really got a gift from anyone, or at least not a pretty important gift like this one. Somehow, tears fill up my eyes and I wipe it off with the back of my eyes while Shanks just pats my head gently.

"Oh, but I never got to pay you back…" I add and Shanks just gives me a hearty laugh.

"Yeah, like a kid like you could repay a big pirate like me." Shanks teases and I frown in annoyance at him, making him laugh and ruffling my hair for the last time before he leaves for his ship.

This is the first time I feel alone when someone leaves me, but I just shake my head and brush it off. I'll be okay. I have Luffy and Makino here. I won't be lonely. We're all watching them until they're far off to the horizon.

XXX

It's been a few weeks since Shanks and his crew sailed off. My arms finally healed up after a week Shanks left. I guess children's bones have different healing times huh? I heard children with broken bones healed fast, but I never thought that it's going to be this fast.

Anyway, Luffy and I hang out and live at Makino's bar-slash-diner. Sometimes I wonder why she lets two children hanging out in a place where adults sometimes came to get stupid drunk, but whatever. It's her property, so she can do whatever she wants. But still…

It's almost lunchtime when I play tag with Luffy and stop when Makino calls us for lunch. We quickly sat down on the stools and started eating our lunch that was already served by Makino. The bar is pretty crowded today. And as usual, Luffy finishes his meal first.

And suddenly I hear a loud crash and a yell from behind us.

"WHERE IS MY GRANDSON?!"

Luffy squeaks out in fear as he immediately dives behind the counter. I turn around to look at the person, and I already know who it is. A huge old man in a tan shorts and Hawaiian shirt with gray hair and beard. Yep, he's Garp alright.

But also bad news is Makino just went out when we ate our lunch, and now one by one people start to exit the bar as if they know this is none of their business and they better get out ASAP. Can't blame them, to be honest.

Though I admit, Garp is huge. Probably as big as a gorilla, or maybe bigger.

Eventually after everyone left and only leaving us in the bar, Garp grins at me and approaches me.

"Have you seen my grandson?" Garp asks, pretty loudly, that I wince for my poor ears. Damn, is his volume always in constant high volume? My ears are ringing as I look up at his face with slight annoyance.

"Yeah," I answered, "He just ran away when you broke the wall." I add as I stretch out and lean on the counter while still staring at him. Not exactly a lie, but also not a truth either.

Garp pouts at that (which is weird and hilarious for an old man like him to do that) before he grins at me.

"Well if you see him, tell me!" He tells me.

I just give him a mock salute and try my best to hide my amusement. I'm not great at hiding things and deceiving people, so I guess Garp knows that I was deceiving him as he narrows his eyes at the counter and laughs loudly. As expected from the Marine's Vice Admiral…

"Too bad, I have meat!" He exclaims out and I just snort at that as I can hear Luffy rustling around from behind the counter.

"YAY MEAT!" Luffy exclaims out as he jumps on the counter, while I'm just losing my composure and just starts to laugh because of Luffy's dumbness. Eventually Luffy backs up, realizing he has been tricked and Garp laughs again.

"Luffy! I found you!"

Considering the chaotic nature of the family reunion, I immediately hop off the stool and about to leave, but my wish is not granted because Luffy jumps off and tackles me down. Now he's sitting on my back while I'm sprawling on the floor face down.

"Luffy, what are you doing…" I say as I try to get up and throw Luffy off my body, turning around to face him unhappily. He falls backwards and quickly hugs me before hiding behind me. I widen my eyes at the realization.

"No, let me go! Handle this yourself!" I exclaim out as I try to peel him off of me, to no avail.

Eventually Makino is finally back and I look at her in annoyance because of Luffy. Her eyes widen when she sees Garp and the huge hole on the wall behind him.

"Garp, you're back." Makino simply says and Garp turns to grin at her.

"Yep!" He looks so proud of himself while Makino seems unhappy with Garp's decision to break her wall. Man, poor Makino and her walls.

"Hey gramps. Why did you break the wall like that?" I ask as I'm still trying to peel Luffy off of me, but he clings to me even tighter and I just give up eventually.

"Because it looks cooler!" Garp answers with a huge grin and I stare at him blankly. Of course it looks cooler to him.

Eventually, Makino breaks the silence.

"Do you need something?" Makino asks with a polite tone, but I can see it in her eyes that she's not happy about the messes Garp brings to her property as Garp grins at her.

"Yeah! I'm taking my grandson with me!" Garp says. Luffy freezes up behind me and I do too. I know Luffy will be taken by Garp, but I don't want him to leave me behind! Not this time! There are no other kids around here, Makino will be busy at the bar, and I will be all by myself! I don't want that!

I shake my head vigorously while Makino just nods and Garp walks out to the broken wall.

"LET'S GO LUFFY!" He thunders out. No… No, I don't want to be left behind again!

"No! Don't take Luffy! I don't wanna be left behind!" I yell at him while spreading my arms and covering Luffy behind me. Garp looks at me, surprised at that and I just glare at him with a snarl.

"Yeah, I'm not leaving Eris behind." Luffy adds and I relax a bit, but Garp also won't let go of Luffy. He's big and strong, and I'm just a snotty brat to him. Kicking him in the shin won't affect him and his decision.

Garp laughs again and it annoys me a bit, but then Garp says 'fine!' and grabs Luffy from behind me before walking out from the actual door this time. My eyes widen at realization. No! This is worse than fighting with my classmates! At least someone was around!

I quickly ran after them, ignoring Makino's call. Garp notices me running after them.

"Kid, go away!" I ignore him and continue following him while Luffy is shouting and struggling from Garp's arm to no avail. It's tiring as heck because we go up some hills and into the deep forest.

Great, it will be bad if I get lost here. Better keep an eye on Garp and not be a Zoro for once.

Eventually, Garp lets Luffy down when he figures he won't run away. He can't get rid of me either. He tells me to leave but I follow. He walks faster and I do too. He even tries to kick me away but I quickly dodge it and quickly follow them again.

He looks surprised that I'm able to dodge it, but quickly shrugs it off with a booming laugh and says, "YOU'VE GOT A GOOD SPIRIT, BRAT!" I twitch in annoyance at the brat part, but I stay silent. That kick almost got me, but thankfully I managed to dodge it for some reason. It could stumble back if it got me.

"You'll be a good Marine, Luffy!" Garp says as we walk to wherever our destination is, and Luffy glares at him.

"I'm gonna be a pirate!" Garp turns to glare at him before giving him a punch on the head. I wince slightly when he did that and giving Luffy a huge bump on his head. Quite a tough love Garp is giving Luffy, huh. Definitely can relate to that.

Then Garp turned to me, "What about ya?" He asks and I blink.

"Well, Marines can kiss my ass with their just bullshit attitudes, but I'll be following Luffy. Making sure he didn't accidentally kill himself. He can be a Marine or a pirate, I don't care. As long as I follow him." I reply with a huff.

I'm serious. Marine can seriously kiss my ass, but I'll be with Luffy until I reach my goal being here; to save Ace from his death.

Garp just gives me a thoughtful look before looking back straight. Huh, so he gives no crap about me, just crap-talking Marine. Good. The last thing I want is joining the government army bullcrap.

Eventually, we finally reached the place Garp was leading us. I know this place. It's Dadan Family's shack! I never thought that meeting Ace would be this fast, but whatever.

Garp is knocking on the door while Luffy and I are waiting right behind him. I hold his hand, in case he's going to run away (which is impossible). Then Luffy is being held in the air by Garp by the back of his shirt and I let go of his hand just in time.

I look up to see everyone. Man, being a kid sucks. Everyone and everything is so huge in my eyes it hurts both my neck and head. I see Dadan, Dogra and Magra are at the door, looking at us with shocked expressions while Garp breaks the silence.

"Look after him too," Garp says and Dadan looks too shocked to protest as Garp turns to Luffy, "Hey Luffy, say hi to them."

"Yo." Luffy greets as he waves a hand while I'm just amused at his antics as Garp turns to look at me.

"What's your name, kid?" Garp asks.

"Name's Ryuuen A. Eris." I answer and I can see Garp's eye twitch a bit, but he quickly turns to the bandits again.

"And this kid too." Garp continues as he pushes me forward. I almost stumbled forward because of the push. Plus it's quite a strong push.

"Sup." I greet them as I give them a mocked salute.

Dogra and Magra are looking at Luffy and me with astonished looks. "Who are these kids?" They ask.

"My grandchildren." Garp easily replies. I twitch at that and turn to give him a disbelief look. What the heck, I just met him just a few moments ago and he already decided to make me his granddaughter? Somehow, I'm not even surprised anymore. As expected from the D. family…

Eventually the mountain bandits yell 'WHAT' and I cover my ears. Even though Luffy always yells around me, I'm still not used to loud voices. Hell, I always hate loud sounds, except for thunder. I sigh at that as I hold onto my locket and fiddle with it before fully realizing what Garp just said.

"I never agreed on that! You're not my grandpa!" I exclaim out in protest to Garp. But he just laughs.

"Well, I decided on that already!" I slap my face and just sigh in defeat at that revelation.

"Another two of them?! Garp's grandkids?!" Dadan shouted at us. I just scratch my cheek and look at them. How did they think of me being related to Garp? Honestly, I don't understand. Especially when Garp left his grandchildren (including me, I guess) to mountain bandits and expect us to join the Marine? I'll never understand Garp and his surprises…

"Uhh, gramps? Why did you leave your grandkids, including me, to the mountain bandits?" I ask him.

"So you can become stronger!" He replies and just laughs, while I just stare at him blankly. Of course, why did I ask him anyway.

Then he drops Luffy down and we start looking around ourselves. Dadan, Dogra, and Magra get to their knees and say, "We can't."

In which Garp replies, "Alright then, here's your choice! Do you want to spend your life in prison or raise them? There are many crimes I overlooked." That's blackmailing!

"Crappy shack." Luffy comments while I sigh and just leave him be as he continues on walking around. Eventually he stops and puts a hand to his face.

"What is this? Ugh, spit? Gross!" Luffy grimace and I approach him to look at it. Yep, there's that spit, alright. Really nasty.

I take out a handkerchief and wipe it off while I turn to look at the main suspect, who's sitting on something big with a pipe pole in his hand, just giving us deathly stares. Hell, that's pretty scary!

"So you're Ace, huh?" I start as I return his stare. He's scary alright, but he's just a lonely kid inside.

He looks surprised that I know his name and asks, "How'd you know my name, brat?"

I just huff and point my thumb behind to Garp, who's still having a conversation with the bandits before calling both Luffy and I.

"Luffy, Eris, this is Ace. He's 3 years older than Luffy. You both are going to live here starting from today." Garp explains. Luffy is growling at Ace while I just roll my eyes and turn my face to the side with a huff.

And then for some reason, Garp punched both of us in the head. I wince and groan in pain while holding my head. Damnit, that hurt!

"That's all from me. I'll stop by from time to time." Garp says before he starts to walk away.

"Uh, what about child support?" Dadan and the others ask.

"Put it in my bill." Garp replies nonchalantly. And just like that, he left us with the bandits with zero child support.

I just let out a huge sigh at that. "Gramps, you're such an asshole. I can't believe you just left us here in the hands of bandits and then expecting us to be Marines." I comment out when he's finally far off, massaging the bridge of my nose in annoyance.

Ace eventually jumps down and glares at both Luffy and I. I glare back at him and he just clicks his tongue while walking past us to enter the crappy shack. Well, I feel very welcomed here indeed. Thanks a lot gramps.

Despite that, I'm pretty nervous to set my mission on course. What if I failed? Or what if I succeeded? And then what? Just continue on living in this world until Luffy reaches his one goal to be the Pirate King? But after that, what else?

I groan and massage my temple. Gosh, thinking about it all is hurting my head and tiring me down…

"H-hey, Eris? You okay?" Luffy asks in concern and I turn to look at him before giving him a smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I just need to rest my brain and eyes." I reply and Luffy seems relieved by that.

Well, I guess I'll just deal with all of those later in the future. Right now, I'll just deal with our new lives here, living in the middle of nowhere and with mountain bandits after our useless gramps literally threw us out.

I just hope I can prevent Ace's death later in the future.

Until then, I'll just deal with the present time.

I hope Oda doesn't mind my intentions.

(Posted on January 28th, 2022)