Chapter Thirteen
"So where are we going now?" Adam asked his Captain. They have left Loguetown a while ago. He didn't told them their destiny yet. Buggy looked at Adam and Toshiro. They have become his family in such a short time. He knew he can't overlook the soft fondness for them. The vision of his mother and Captain dead appeared suddenly. He shook off his thoughts. No, He will not allow that to happen to his crew.
He gazed the ocean. The waves pushing us. "We're going to Rusukaina." I told them quietly.
Adam paled. "What!?" he shaked my shoulder. "Are you crazy!? Don't you know it's dangerous over there? We won't survive a day over there!"
"I will. Don't worry, I'll take of you guys." I reassured him.
He gaped at me. "We'll be captured by the amazons! Do you comprehend that?"
"Stop that, Adam." We turned to Toshiro. He was oddly taking in the situation, calmly. He crossed his arm and glared at Adam. "He told us we'll be fine."
"B-but-" Adam tried to reason.
"If you can't trust your Captain, then you don't deserve to be in this crew." He harshly told him. Adam flinched. I admired his faith and courage in me. I was glad I choose him as my first mate. Adam stared at us, conflicted. Then sighted in defeat.
"If I die, take care of my guns."
We arrived at Rusukaina some weeks later. A Sea king toiled us towards the island. It was easily tamed by my Conqueror's haki. The islands tall mountains and strange trees stood tall proudly. We slowly came across its edge. Toshiro and Adam looked at me when they finished tying the ship to a tree. I looked at them seriously.
"I will come tonight with dinner and medicine. Take care of each other and don't die." I ordered and left them.
"W-wait!" I disappeared from their sight. I heard a roar near them. I knew leaving them was unexpected of me but it was only for their good. Sure I knew I could protect them but I can't be there for them forever. I had full confidence in them. They would survive after all I trained them.
I heard a growl behind me. I sighted and gripped my hands. Guess I'll start my training too.
"WHAT THE HELL, BRAT!" Adam shouted in my ears. I winced and rubbed my ears. Food and medicine dropped down to the ground. It was already night. I noticed both of them had bruises and scratches on them but no serious injury.
"Shut up, Adam." Toshiro tiredly said. He laid on the ground in exhaustion. I winced. Maybe I had overestimated my confidence in them.
"HEY! LOOK AT ME WHEN I TALK TO YOU!" Slam.
"OW!" I cried and rubbed my bum on my head. "I'm listening! I'm listening!"
Adam calmed down and glared at me. "What the hell, Cap? What was that crap of 'protecting'!?"
I stared at him. "Look as your Captain, I'll try my best to protect my crew but I know I won't be always there for you." I looked away from him. "I tried to do that but it only brought me pain and misery."
A hand shuffled my hair. I looked back in surprise. Adam and Toshiro looked each other and grinned at me.
"Hey, Captain." Toshiro directed my attention towards him. "You don't have to shoulder all the weight. You're still a kid. We don't need you protect us all the time. We'll have each other's back. Right, Adam?"
"Always." He confirmed. My lips trembled. I bit them to control the raging emotions. Toshiro and Adam smiled at me. I realized I have been hiding behind my walls. Which were supposed to make me stronger and in control. But it only managed to make my worries and doubts worsen. Tears fell.
"Come on, Cap. You're supposed to be our strong Captain." He scolded in fake disappointment.
I flushed in embarrassment. "Shut up! These are my manly tears."
It only managed to make them laugh louder. That night, drinks and laughter was shared. A brotherhood was formed between us.
"By the way when are we going to name our pirate crew?"
I panted. My breath immediately froze and become vapour into the cold air. Strong howls of wind passed me. My coat was rimmed with frost. My hands were slowly turning into ice. A little closer. Come on. I blinked my eyes to keep them moist. I grinned when I felt the edge. I pulled myself up. I immediately slammed my body into the icy ground. I took gulps of air. I turned myself and looked at the stars in the night.
I can't believe it's been a year already. Adam is going to be so happy to leave this island. He and Toshiro made a great team but after some time I told them to separate. It's been whole month since I left them. Climbing the tallest mountain was our last training and also a meeting point. Now I have to wait for them. Last time I saw them, they had become strong in their own way. Both of them greatly increased their stamina and strength. I was quite happy when they covered their whole body in haki. But Adam's ability to sense was greater than mine and Toshiro. He could literally sense miles away from the island. Maybe because of him being a sniper or something. They weren't the only ones to get strong. I could control my Conquerors haki easily. Not only that, the theory that I had with devil fruit was also obtained. I could easily assemble and disintegrate myself whenever I wanted. How cool was that!?
"Hey!" I turned to see Adam running towards me while Toshiro calmly walked.
"OF!" I gasped when Adam crushed me in his hug. "I can't believe we're leaving this island. Finally!" Tears of joy left his eyes. I sweatdropped.
"Let go of the kid before you crush him." Toshiro grunted. Adam blinked and saw me. My face was purple from lack of air. "A-air." I hoarsed out. He let go of me. I inhaled precious air.
Adam sheepishly rubbed his head and laughed nervously. "Sorry! Didn't see that!"
"I-it's okay." I waved him off. And stood on the edge of the mountain. I took a deep breath and bellowed.
"WE CONQUERED THIS ISLAND!" My shout started an avalanche. Toshiro quickly grabbed me before I fell off the mountain.
"Did you have to do that?" he deadpanned. Adam looked down the mountain. "Whoa." I grinned triumphtly.
"Of course!"
We left as soon as possible. Adam's request. We had log pose which was pointing towards our next island. Thankfully Adam and Toshiro learned to cook on Rusukaina. Well they had too or death was expected. Any way we were currently on the deck, deciding our flag and crew name.
"Count me out, my drawings bad." Adam warned us. Toshiro looked at him. "Maybe you're underestimating your ability. Here." He passed him a paper and pencil. He sighted and turned his back towards us. We looked at each other, confused.
He pulled up his picture, smiling at us. Oh god. It was the most horrible drawing I ever seen in my life. Toshiro twitched his eyes and looked at me. "Well, we are pirates. Maybe others will see this and run away in fear."
"Shut up!" Adam glared and muttered. "I told you, guys." He pouted.
"Okay. Our sniper is useless in drawing." He scowled. "What about you Toshiro?" I questioned him. He smirked and grabbed a paper. We waited for a while. He gave his drawing to us. We looked at it. Wow it was ten times, no thousand times better than Adam. He looked at me as if he listened to my thoughts. I ignored it and admired Toshiro.
"Toshiro! This is amazing! The ocean looks so real." He smirked at Adam. "Of course, it is." He scowled at him. "I get it. Stop."
Adam suddenly brightened and whispered something in Toshiro's ear. He grinned at him. "What are you guys planning?" I suspiciously asked them. They ignored me and started to draw. "Hey! What are doing? I wanna see!" I whined.
"This is perfect for our new flag." I saw the flag had a normal skull with bones behind it but there was red ball instead of a nose and its eyes had four lines in each of them. I liked the style but the red nose ticked me off.
"Hey! Are you guys mocking me!?" I grabbed their shirts and shouted. They laughed at me. These bastards. Hope they go to hell teasing their young.
"How rude!" Adam innocently scolded me. What? "Why Captain, we only wanted the flag to show who's the captain of this crew." Toshiro joined him. "After all your most distinct feature is your adorable nose."
A vein popped. "I'LL KILL YOU TWO!" They ran, laughing.
In the end, I decided let the flag fly. More like they both refused to make any other flag. I know they'll be a headache to me. I smiled. But I won't mind. Let the adventures of Buggy pirates start. I don't care if that name is egotistical. Enemies beware.