Day 23

I've been staying on Baterilla for just a little over a year now.

Some might call this life dull and boring, but I'm content. Some days I wake up and head to the docks to go fishing with the others. On other days I go help the miners with their...well, mining. My quake powers come in handy there, but I'm reluctant to use them because of what...what happened.

Anyway, most people don't bother me much and I spend most of my time with George in the bar or with Chip. The kid's really adventurous. In the past year I had to bail him out of trouble more times than I can count. Some people even call us brothers.

Heh, a brother. I never had one.

Moulin turned out to be my neighbour and she's a really nice woman. Sometimes if she's got time, she'll come over and cook for me or invite me and Chip over for lunch or dinner at her place. She also helps me with other stuff, like mending my clothes and so on. In return, I help her with fixing her house when there's anything broken or babysitting her little girl, Rouge.

Moulin would often tell me of her husband, though I've never seen him. Tells me her husband would go away for long periods of time and just drop in unexpected. Sounds like a good man.

Anyway, the reason I suddenly decided to write today was because Chip brought me a newspaper. Seems that a rookie pirate whose strength was pretty awesome has been terrorising the Marines in Grand Line. That wouldn't bother me, except that this rookie's name is Gol D. Roger.

That bastard I fought back in East Blue in what feels like a different life.

The thing is, hearing about this rookie making a name for himself seems to have woken some competitive spirit of mine. I suddenly feel restless. I feel the urge to go back out there. I still remember what we both said back in Loguetown.

"I'm Gol D. Roger. Remember the name, 'cause I'm the guy who'll conquer the Grand Line!"

"I'm Edward Newgate. If there's anyone who'll conquer the Grand Line, it's going to be me!"

Those words have always stayed with me somehow, as though to remind me of what I truly am: a Pirate.

Of course, if anyone else read this journal, they can argue I only remember those words because I went back all the way to that particular entry to refresh my memory.

And they wouldn't be wrong.

But while it's not the words in particular, is this weird feeling...kind of like a bond that may fade into the background, but is always there. I suddenly feel the urge to get back out to the sea and sail around freely.

But there are too many things I have to hold on to back here; Chip, Moulin and this peaceful island that I've adopted as my own home.

I'm confusing myself now.

Screw it; I'm going over to George's for a drink.