Chapter 3 | Obscure Changes, A Bit Too Fast Heeded
"How did you attack the beast? I didn't see any actions occurring."
Shanks raised his raven eyes that collected thoughtful hesitance in them. How should he respond? With the thought of haki or perhaps to be more specific conquerors haki? Then maybe he might have to go deeper into explaining what haki is. Seeing that the little girl before him is not the slightest bit normal, if he said that the monster fell on its own, she would definitely not buy it. He took his bright colored straw hat and covered his face for a moment, yet his lips still prominently shown with its small glimpse of joy.
At that moment, a strong jolly voice interrupted. It came from a tall male with a dark shade of blonde. "Our captain is amazing, little girl!" He winked at Leiya and stretched his arms forth calling for a handshake from the young girl.
"I'm Yassop by the way!"
Leiya gracefully placed her small hands on the callused skin. Yassop's hold was not only firm but strong. She could feel a bit of pain from the non-malicious grip and from behind emerged several crew members. Like Yassop, they have all shared the same personality of being happy-go-lucky. Leiya felt bewildered by their response towards her.
This is a dangerous island with ferocious beasts. The beasts are wild monsters that can't be tamed. For a human, wouldn't common sense be to avoid such islands or rather be alert when staying here? From her experience with humans, they would cower in fear if they are weak and she knows that the people she met are by far stronger than what a human should be.
Seeing Leiya's face scrunched in confusion, Lucky Roo jumped in to clarify for his captain. "Let's just say that he is a superman! Captain can generate a powerful dosage of magic and blast it to those he dislikes. And that power is called conqueror's haki."
Leiya tilted her head to the side, her eyes hazy with a blue mist gathered. Her instincts told her that what the round shaped man said was not entirely false but neither was it hundred percent correct. She turned to scan the redhead, indeed its color strongly stinging her eyes.
"Does everyone have that so-called power in this world?"
A tight laughter rose in Shanks' face and he didn't bother to hide it. He tucked himself in the small bench and squeezed to seat himself next to the raven girl. "Name?"
"Luciana R. Leiya, yours?" Shanks felt even more piqued at the young girl. He had heard of the Ds but never R. 'Luciana R. Leiya' he would recite secretly within his head.
"Shanks, but others call me Akagami no Shanks."
"As expected, even red is incorporated in your name. Have anyone told you that the redness of your hair is quite unforgettable?"
"Yes, in fact quite a lot. I have been told by both marines and other pirates but never from a child as young as you."
Leiya hummed a soft reply and nodded with understanding. Still, with her curiosity hitting her deeply, she questioned once more. "Does everyone have that so-called power in this world?"
Shanks tapped her head lightly and smoothed her bangs. His actions were extremely tender and comforting. "Leiya, you only said that you will ask me one question."
"Oh." The three years old slightly frowned.
"Now, how did you manage to fight like that?"
"I was born to fight."
"Your parents?"
The phrase parents never struck her like anyone could. It made her think of her professor, her dear master who created her. At the same time, it evoked her to think of her parents that existed in this world. She never bothered to question who her parents are because knowing won't revive them and knowing their identity won't change anything. She heard that her parents had died when she was born. One died giving birth and one died before she was born. Garp never particularly liked talking about her biological father but for her mother, his face would show glimpses of nostalgia and guilt. Regardless, they had all died.
"They died."
At this question, Shanks blanked out. His face adorned with an apologetic look and he took the chance to wrap his strong arms around the young girl. Leiya didn't hate the feeling, she could feel a soft feeling of warmness clutching tight onto her heart.
"Why don't you join my crew?"
Leiya shook her head. She has to go back to Garp and while her days with Garp is not too pleasant, it was now her home. As insidious as it can be, it seemed like she is going to be stuck with the old man. She was like those ducklings who call a pigeon as its mother. Besides, she could feel that Shanks wasn't entirely wishing her to join. It was just sympathy. She doesn't want sympathy because she believes she doesn't have anything to be sympathized with.
"Little Leiya, the Red Hair Pirates has many delicious types of meat you could eat!" Lucky Roo chided and Yassop rose to laughter.
Shanks folded his arms in and questioned with a smile, "Are you with a pirate crew?"
"I'm with the marines."
Her words surprised Shanks for a moment because the pieces didn't quite match. Why would a young girl be here without any protection and especially coming from the marines, did they track him down?
Ben Beckman came forth with a rather humored face. His voice was not polite but brash and he seemed to be intrigued by Leiya's appearance. "Are you here to capture us, little girl?"
Leiya shook her head. Her blue orbs glistening with a slight throb. It reflected that of a mystical light that could peer inside one's soul. She was by far too serene in emotions and rather too calm and collected for a child when facing the Red Hair Pirates. Despite Ben Beckman purposely putting on a rather threatening appearance, her expression remained still. It was because of this that made Ben Beckman wanting to test her.
He walked three strides front and took the attached dangerous weapons off the girl's body. His every action and every movement were recorded by Leiya's eyes. The crew watched in silence and occasionally Lucky Roo would giggle. Pulling out a lighter, he lit one of the bombs and threw it towards her direction. That moment, no one moved.
The bomb was by a few vicinities away from Leiya before being thrown rather far off. A loud crash can be heard from the background and what happened next made Ben Beckman rather surprised.
There was no tears nor shouts of terror, neither was there a sound of anger or astonishment. As though nothing could faze Leiya, she bowed from her seating position and said thank you. It was a sweet tone that was laced with a brimming touch of warmth.
This time, Shanks wasn't the only one laughing but the whole crew. Their crisp sound of amusement and joy resounded through the rather desolate land. They were astonished, amazed and entertained by every action coming from the girl. The bomb that Ben Beckman threw earlier was targeted at a large beast hiding in the bushes in silence. While Ben Beckman could've warned her, he chose not to do so on purpose to break past the young girl's composure. Above all for a rather carefree group of pirates, they are definitely never the type to tease young children but this one was a rare type they were itching to play with. And Shanks trusted Ben for he is not the type to harm an innocent child.
"Little girl, how did you know?"
"I'm sure knowing how a killing aura feels is not hard to explain."
Did the marine's birth a monster? Whether they did or not, Lucianna R. Leiya will not live a normal life. She said it and Shanks had seen it; she was a bonafide fighter. If she is their future enemy, it would be quite troublesome.
。。。
As the bright sky begins dying itself in sleek darkness, the Red Hair Pirates grew more cheerily than the morning. A bonfire was started and although the crew suggested for the young girl to accompany them in their small joy at night, Shanks shooed them away. He claimed that a child is like a fragile pearl in the night. They need their beauty sleep when the dark hits else they wouldn't glow as brightly in the light. And while Leiya is not the usual child, her body was quite young and undeveloped. Truthfully, her activities during the day had given her a miracle for not dying in the forest. Such severe injuries would lead to a fatal death in a young child, and something in Shanks knew that Leiya would not die with such injuries because she is different. The reason why he didn't pursue the thought of Leiya being with the Marines was due to her fighting style. Every person's fighting style reveals their personality and her's was not the type to serve the "justice side."
For a mere three years old, he seemed to be influenced rather deeply.
The glowing sparks danced as it illuminated the dark. Shanks hushed the rowdy fellows to quiet for the young raven child to sleep. The crew knew that their Captain was not quite in the mood to party today. While boozes were gathered and hulled by the hands of the Red Hair Pirates, Shanks silently sipped his liquor. His eyes reflected a small hue of intellect, mind only conscious of the girl sleeping. She was a doll that seemed surreal and he is interested in how rather detached she is with her surroundings. It's a shame indeed for Leiya to be such a young girl. If she was older, he would woo her to be his woman.
The night passed as the fire slowly dimmed off of its glow. By the time the heat was no longer captured around the center of the burnt wood, Leiya slowly opened her eyes. She recounted her experience the prior daylight and how she had come to meet such an eccentric group of humans. In fact, since being reborn into this world, her encounter with humans were all rather strange; as if no sadness or grief could touch them. The navy would be persistent in pursuing the pirates and pirates would be persistent to find the great treasure called 'One Piece.'
It was an endless cycle of chase.
A ruffling sound was heard when she silently got up. It was from the black cape that Shanks that he wore earlier. She grabbed the cape and tiptoed her way to its owner. The redhead was still sleeping as peacefully as always but with quite a terrible sleeping manner. She draped the cloth back to where it belonged and slipped away into the darkness. The island is dangerous and she shouldn't be moving out of the safe haven but she could feel something calling out for her. It was an exquisite tune lulling her into the seas and she soon safely arrived at the ocean where a large warship was docked against the harbor.
Under the moonlight, she found Garp standing with a solemn face. He had a defensive body posture, arms crossed one another. Leiya thought she was in trouble since she didn't bring her own portion of the meal back to the ship. Hitting the back of her heels, she tore her gaze away and retreated back to where she came from.
"Leiya, where are you going?" His voice was serious losing the usual foolishness and nonchalant tone.
Leiya stopping by her tracks turned to sideways and replied, "I will come back when I get my share of food."
"Enough, we are leaving now. Didn't you hear the fishes calling you out?"
The young child threw a glance at the tiny group of fishes gathered by the dock. Yes, they were calling her out. Their sweet sound of melody was perceived more clearly than usual with a foreboding sense.
"Yes, I heard it well and clear."
And that night she took off as quickly as she appeared in front of the Red Hair Pirates. Her countenance with them may have sparked an unusual impression for both parties but for the young girl, it was quickly forgotten. Humans tend to leave, they will also be quickly forgotten if no interaction ensued.
As the night slowly switched to the day, the crew finally arose from their comfortable slumber. Leiya's disappearance left a rather bitter taste in Shanks' mouth. At the very least, he hoped for a pleasant farewell and that their next meeting will be quicker. The Red Hair Pirates had spent about a month in relaxation towards their temporary home, being on land is nonetheless better than on ocean. It was no wonder they were humans and not fishmans. Still, the blue expansive sea is where the romance of all pirates hide. Thus, Shanks and his crew decided to set out to sea in about a few more days.
So their meeting...is a small impression to set up for something later. Will it be bad or good? Haha...and why did Garp decide to leave all of a sudden? I'm still thinking when I should drop off her birth identity... I mean it will be the driving force for her later.
A big thank you to those who have followed and favorited my story so far. You are the ones who have prompted me to update faster. I hope you can enjoy along with me as we discover how an android will come to live a -humane- life.