Time for some first mate of the pirate king and first mate of the next pirate king angst. Because I cannot write a story without angst because my writing style is amateurish and lazy. So like, here you go! reviews, criticisms, favourites and requests are Greatly appreciated and keep me going!
K is for the Katanas which he forgets to dodge.
Schwing!
The sharp sound pierces through the air, making the animals observing the debacle flinch violently. But it stops just short of the opponent, never really connecting, or intending to connect.
A deep sigh escapes from the wielder, the sabre being sheathed. The same thing had occurred five times already, and despite the boy learning observation haki, he still refused to shield himself against Katanas, and other sharp objects. This is a rather major problem since the child is rubber, and sharp objects will for sure damage him.
"Luffy. Why did you forget to dodge. Again." Rayleigh asks, hoping to finally ingrain in the boy's head that he needs to dodge the weapons properly.
"Hm? Ummmm.. I don't know!" The boy answered cheerily, completely oblivious to the seriousness of his inaction.
"You need to dodge, otherwise you'll end up impaled on a sword. Haven't I told you that already, Luffy?"
"But.. Zoro usually handles that."
"He won't be there all the time."
The sentence always leaves Rayleigh's mouth with a bitter taste. A bitter truth. Despite the captain and the first mate usually being inseparable, there are times when you need to know that the won't always be together.
It's a harsh, bitter truth, but he needs to tell Luffy already. Needs to ingrain it in his mind to not be so dependent. Wishes, hopes that the fate of his crew doesn't carry on to theirs.
But most importantly, he needs to teach them to be strong without each other. Even if it is just a farce.
Even if they are a family.
All good things come to an end.
Luffy pouts slightly, but heeds Rayleigh's advice, letting his reflexes take control. Allowing himself to dodge the swords, albeit reluctantly. It takes time, but he learns to avoid them. Even if his reaction is delayed a bit.
Rayleigh knows that two years is not long enough to forget the bonds and habits they gained. But he needs them to be able to function without each other, so that they don't fall apart. Like them.
He needs Luffy to know. The bond between a captain and first mate is like no other.
Selfishly hope that they stick together. Forever. No matter what happens.
"But Rayleigh, you don't understand. He's zoro. He will be there no matter what. He's zoro."
Yes, Rayleigh knows. He's the first mate, the one Luffy trusts implicitly. A bond that will last for centuries.
Because even after all the years that have passed, he still looks up to the same sky they sailed under, the same sea they conquered, but just without his captain.
Even now he expects to hear the cheers and pandemonium of his crew, the familiar laughter and songs.
It is in the past now. Because all good things come to an end.
But he still expects his captain to rush into a battle with the same recklessness as before.
Even if all good things come to an end.
For people don't die when they are killed. They die when they are forgotten.
Maybe there is a bit of merit in living longer. Just a little bit more.
Who cares if all good things come to an end?
Okay! Another chapter done! I literally have to give so much credit to @akurosa cause they gave me the idea of the entire book lol.