A.n I own Nothing
Here is part two. If you thought Part 1 was rough...oh boy are you all in for a surprise.
As always Please Review
Approaching the residence, Sanji and his companions noticed a group of Galley-La workers waiting at the entrance. As they drew near, the workers turned their attention to Sanji, Ezio, and Connor.
"Oh, there you are," one of the shipwrights exclaimed.
Curiosity etched on Sanji's face, he inquired, "What are you all doing out here?"
The shipwright explained, "We came by to take your crew's supplies and belongings to the new ship, but you weren't here. We waited just in case you had something that needed transport,"
"Thanks. Can you take the food then and make sure it's stored correctly?" Sanji requested.
"Sure, we can do that," the shipwright agreed, taking charge of the cart. Ezio efficiently retrieved his bag of salt from the cart and handed it over to the shipwrights before gracefully proceeding inside the residence.
Upon entering, Sanji found himself enveloped in an unexpectedly tense atmosphere. Nami and Robin looked up from their tasks, their eyes shifting to Sanji, while Luffy and Zoro stood abruptly, expressions betraying a hint of anxiety.
"Oi, cook, where's the kid?" Zoro demanded, his tone edged with concern.
"Huh, Connor? He's right here," Sanji replied, glancing down to confirm that Connor indeed stood close behind him.
A collective exhale of relief echoed through the room as Zoro and Luffy spotted the young boy. However, their shoulders tensed noticeably when Ezio strolled in behind Sanji.
"Kid, come over here," Zoro instructed. Confusion furrowed Connor's brow, but he obeyed, walking over to Zoro and standing by his side. Zoro placed a hand on his sword, eyes narrowing as he shot an intense gaze toward Ezio. Connor looked up at Zoro with a puzzled expression, and his eyes inevitably fell to Zoro's sash, which usually held three swords. The absence of the White Katana did not go unnoticed.
"Something wrong?" Sanji queried, sensing the tension in the air.
"No, it's fine," Luffy reassured after a few tense moments.
"Hey, Luffy, where's your hat?" Sanji inquired, attempting to shift the focus.
"Ah, that? I gave it away," Luffy replied with a carefree smile.
Nami's eyes widened in shock at Luffy's nonchalant mention of giving away his treasured hat. She understood the sentimental value it held for him.
"Hmm…don't worry about it. Oh, by the way, we're going to have a new crew member join us," Luffy announced casually.
"We are?" Chopper asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Did you find a shipwright willing to join us?"
"Nope," Luffy answered with a grin.
"Then who's joining us?" Nami inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Me," a new voice chimed in.
The crew turned, and in the back corner of the room, a hooded figure stood. Chopper and Connor froze, while Sanji, Nami, and Robin immediately assumed defensive positions at the unexpected intrusion.
"Buonasera La Volpe, how long have you been there?" Ezio asked in a pleasant tone, surprising the crew with his familiarity with the newcomer. Sanji, Robin, Chopper, and Nami turned to face Ezio in surprise. Ezio knew the intruder?
"Hey, quit doing that," Zoro warned, pushing Connor protectively behind him.
"Since those two got back," La Volpe answered, ignoring Zoro's concern. He pushed himself off the wall and walked over to the crew. Luffy and Zoro tensed up.
"You may have these back," the thief said, reaching into his robe and tossing Luffy's straw hat and Zoro's white katana onto the table. The whole crew stared at them wide-eyed.
"Wait, those are…" Nami gasped. "Why does this guy have Luffy's hat and Zoro's sword?"
"Because they gave them to me as payment," La Volpe answered cryptically.
"Payment for what?" Sanji demanded.
"For him," La Volpe responded, pointing at Connor.
Connor blinked in confusion and looked up at Luffy; the captain nodded in confirmation. "Payment… for me?" Connor asked, bewildered. "But why? They… they already…"
"Own you, yes, I am aware," La Volpe finished, revealing an unsettling knowledge about Connor's slave status. Robin, Sanji, Nami, and Chopper drew in a sharp breath. How could this stranger know about Connor's situation?
Suddenly, arms sprouted from the floor, attempting to grab La Volpe. But before they could, he vanished from sight, and the arms grabbed nothing. Robin narrowed her eyes, processing what she had just witnessed.
"Oh my, where are you aiming, Nico Robin?" La Volpe asked. Robin whirled around to see La Volpe behind Sanji. Even Sanji stepped back in shock; he hadn't seen the man move, let alone sensed his approach until he spoke from behind.
"La Volpe, stop showing off," Ezio commanded.
"I was under the impression that pirates crew to show off," La Volpe responded.
"La Volpe," Ezio warned in a serious tone.
"Very well, as you wish," La Volpe said humbly, with a smile. "I can have my fun with any marines we may meet,"
"Luffy, who is this?" Chopper asked, still bewildered.
"My name is La Volpe, and I am the newest member of the Straw Hat Pirates," La Volpe introduced.
"What? Luffy, is this true?" Nami urged.
"Yeah, it is," Luffy confirmed. At that moment, Connor felt his brand pulse as it established a new connection to La Volpe. He looked up at his new master in fear, and Zoro put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Luffy walked up to La Volpe and looked him dead in the eyes. "Why are you giving our stuff back?" he demanded.
"Because I have no further use for it," La Volpe responded. His eyes then flickered over to Connor. "I assume from the boy's reaction my connection to him has been established,"
"I would believe that to be a safe bet," Ezio agreed as he walked over to stand next to La Volpe.
Connor started to panic, this stranger knew about his slave status and Ezio knew about the brand…how? He'd never told or mentioned anything to Ezio and surly none of the crew would have revealed it.
"Luffy, what is going on? Who is this?" Robin demanded. "How does he know about Connor?"
"I told him," Ezio revealed. The crew turned and looked at Ezio in shock. "I forced it out of Captain Luffy the day before yesterday,"
The blood drained from Connor's face.
"You did?" Robin asked in fear. So she had been right; Ezio was a threat to the crew… just not her. He was after Connor this whole time. She
"Wait, is that why he's been so quiet lately?" Nami asked.
"That is part of it," Zoro answered. "Luffy got some distressing news that day,"
"What news was that?" Sanji asked.
"Ezio told me that Connor wouldn't live past the next two or three years," Luffy said gravely.
The crew gasped in shock, and the atmosphere in the room became heavy with fear and dread. Nobody spoke as what Luffy said sank in, and their expressions filled with fear and concern for their youngest crewmate.
"Wh…what?" Robin gasped in horror. "Why would…"
"La Volpe and I possess the same gift as Connor," Ezio said, tapping the side of his eyes to emphasize what he was referring to. "It is called Eagle Vision, and it is that very gift that will end his life,"
"No way…Connor's sight will kill him…" Sanji whispered.
"But that's…not possible," Chopper shot back. "Right?...Right?" looking at Ezio to confirm this. But the Assassin mentor shook his head with regret in his eyes.
"It is. As powerful as Eagle Vision is, it can also be fatal if left untrained," Ezio said sadly.
"But how…how can it…" Connor started but couldn't finish his sentence.
"Kill you," La Volpe finished for him. The boy nodded. "Eagle Vision has the potential to evolve into a more powerful version of itself called Eagle Sense. The evolution process is what kills its users,"
"How long does he have?" Chopper asked going into doctor mode.
"Evolution usually takes place in adolescence, and signs start to show in the early to mid-teens. The evolution is extremely painful, and it is during this process that death occurs," Ezio explained.
"That's…that's…that's going to happen to me?" Connor asked fearfully. He wasn't sure how to take this; he was going to die, not at the hand of a cruel master but by his own untrained power.
"No, it won't," Luffy declared. "There's a treatment,"
"What is it?" Chopper demanded. "Tell me so I can make it,"
"It is not something that can be made, only something I can give," Ezio said.
"Then give it to him," Sanji demanded angrily. He was pissed that Ezio would withhold vital treatment from them.
"It would be pointless at this point," La Volpe spoke up. "The treatment will only work once the evolution has started, and it is not guaranteed to succeed unless one is prepared for it,"
"What does that mean?" Connor asked.
"It means you need to undergo special training. Training that will allow you to focus your Eagle Vision and strengthen your mind to prepare yourself for when the time comes and your sight evolves," Ezio claimed.
"Training only I can give," La Volpe added. "If it were not for your captain's forthcoming in regards to your affiliation with the Brand-Brand fruit, we would have already removed you from the Straw Hats by force, and we would not be having this conversation,"
"Are you serious?" Sanji asked in horror.
"Very," Ezio said in a deadly tone. "But worry not, we would not have killed any of you,"
"That doesn't make it any better," Nami yelled.
"Fortunately, your captain and I reached a very reasonable compromise," Ezio stated calmly.
"And that is?" Robin asked suspiciously.
"La Volpe joins my crew to train and monitor Connor's sight. Should evolution occur, Connor leaves with him to get treatment and doesn't return," Luffy said.
"AND YOU AGREED TO THAT!" Robin yelled.
"Yeah, I did," Luffy said.
"Why would you do that?" Nami yelled.
"Because the alternative is we keep Connor, and he receives no training, no treatment and dies a painful death before he's even old enough to drink," Zoro said gravely. "Believe me, Luffy thought long and hard, and this was not an easy decision to make,"
A grim silence settled on the room as Zoro's words settled in and the impossible choice Luffy had been struggling with the last couple of days. No wonder the hyper captain had been quiet and adamant about being close to Connor the last day or two.
"But then… why does La Volpe have your hat, Luffy?" Chopper asked, "and Zoro's sword?"
"La Volpe wanted them as payment," Luffy answered, "so we gave it to him,"
Connor stood shaking in fear and dread as he listened to the conversation. He couldn't believe that this would happen… was going to happen or that he would go through something like this. His mind raced with thoughts and fears. His power could be the thing that kills him in less than a few years. Why hadn't he known this? Why hadn't Edward mentioned it when he'd told him about the sight? He was somewhat relieved there was a way for him to survive, but in order for that to happen… Luffy and Zoro had given up their most prized possessions… for him.
"Ah, that…the truth is I never needed payment. I took what was most precious to both the Captain and First Mate of this crew as a test, to see just how much Connor's life meant to you. I then watched you two for the rest of the day to see if you were sincere, and not once did you change your mind or regret the decision," La Volpe explained.
"In short, they not only passed but also impressed him," Ezio summarized.
Connor wrapped his arms around himself as he used all his willpower to stop himself from crying. This was becoming too much for him to handle.
"Will the training hurt?" Chopper asked worriedly.
"The only side effects will be some minor eye strain and exhaustion," La Volpe answered.
"You mentioned Connor's gift would evolve, what will it evolve into?" Robin asked curiously. Connor perked up at that; it was a good point. If his sight evolved, what would it turn into, and could he still use it as he always has?
"That is something we cannot answer," Ezio admitted.
"Why not?" Zoro accused.
"Because the outcome is different for each person," La Volpe claimed. "Both Ezio and I have an evolved sense, but our powers are not identical,"
"So it will be different from what it is now," Sanji pondered.
"When Eagle Vision evolves into Eagle Sense, the base power will be the same. Connor will still be able to see auras and tell a person's intentions by them, along with track them and a few other things that La Volpe will teach him. Upon evolving, the range his sight will cover will increase dramatically. Additionally, Connor will get an ability unique to him when his sight is active on top of everything else I just mentioned," Ezio explained.
"How big of a range are we talking about?" Zoro asked, trying to get an understanding of just how powerful Connor's sight would become.
"I would have to test his current range, but if he is anything like my previous students, his range is currently limited up to 2-5 miles. He should not be able to make full use of it unless he is at a high vantage point. However, once it evolves, Connor's range will cover anywhere from where he is standing to… up to 500 or 600 miles," La Volpe assumed
"That is in a full 360 degrees, by the way, not just in one direction," Ezio clarified.
The crew gasped at that, and Connor's eyes went wide. He'd be able to see that far ahead in all directions.
"That is assuming there are no obstacles in his way and he is at a vantage point," La Volpe added "though there are other ways to utilise such an extended range which I will teach you,"
"That is…quite the improvement," Robin commented. She glanced down at Connor and could see the boy was struggling with all this.
"It'll grow that much?" Zoro whistled, impressed.
"The range could be even greater than that. The increased range is impressive, but it does not include his unique power that will come when Eagle Vision becomes Eagle Sense," Ezio reminded.
"I…is there any way to know what my unique ability is before my sight changes?" Connor asked softly. his voice was faint with fear
"Regrettably there is not," Ezio answered. "That is born during the evolution process, so there is no way to determine or predict what it will be. But should you survive, your unique power will make itself known within a week or two after the evolution is complete. After that, further training is required to master that aspect of your gift as well,"
"Will…will that kill me too if I don't master it?" Connor asked. He was trembling and on the verge of tears, but he was doing his best to keep it in.
"No, once you acquire Eagle Sense, the threat of death is no longer present. Even if you don't master your unique power. Your sight will no longer be a danger to you," La Volpe finished.
Connor let out a relieved sigh, and it was a relief for the other Straw Hats to hear as well.
"What about your powers?" Nami asked. "Surely if you tell us what you two have, it will give us an idea of what to expect Connor to develop,"
La Volpe and Ezio glanced at each other. They were hesitant to give this information out but decided it would be best.
"Hmm…I suppose that is reasonable," Ezio said. "And I did promise Captain Luffy I would tell him what I could do with my gift,"
"You did?" La Volpe asked in surprise.
"I did. My unique ability is called the All-Seeing Eyes," Ezio announced.
"All-seeing eyes?" Connor asked.
"He was being pretentious when he named it," La Volpe commented.
"You name your own power?" Sanji asked.
"Of course, it is my power and unique to me," Ezio said.
"So what exactly does it do?" Chopper asked.
"My sense is considered one of the two most powerful of the unique abilities to date. It lets me see, track, and locate anyone or anything I wish simply by observing particles in the air or the environment and objects that the individual may have interacted with, no matter where they may be hiding in the world. I can track them down," Ezio explained. "I can also identify and determine external threats to a person's body,"
"You can see infections and viruses?" Chopper gasped.
"Not quite. Let's say someone poisoned Sanji here," Ezio said.
"Why am I the example?" Sanji muttered.
"Because the poison is an external threat, my sense would be able to tell the type of poison, how long it had been in their system, its molecular breakdown, and whether or not different types of medicine or antidotes would work. This also extends to injuries, so I can determine how a person was injured, what weapon was used, and as for viruses… that is a bit trickier but it functions the same way. Finally, I can see future events before they happen for up to 10 minutes,"
The Straw Hats' eyes widened at that. The thought of being able to track anyone down, no matter where they were in the entire world, from particles alone was terrifying. But Ezio could also use his sight to predict people's health, what they had previously ingested, and even see into the future.
Connor felt his legs give way under him, the thought of being able to do all that and possibly more. The power he would have at his command... it was mind-blowing. The Straw Hats seemed to have similar reactions and thoughts running through their heads, and this was just one example of how Connor's power could evolve.
Connor started to hyperventilate, his chest was hurting and he was starting to feel dizzy from the overload of information and what both Ezio and La Volpe were telling them. Connor thought back to Enis Lobby when Ezio promised to tell him how he knew the secret passage was there. Now he knew, Ezio used an evolved sight…Connor had to wonder just how much he'd used it in Enis Lobby to keep him and the Straw Hats safe from CP9.
Robin noticed that Connor was not doing well and moved over to him. She knelt down and pulled the boy into a hug as he leaned into it. Still very much afraid of what the future would hold. It was bad enough finding out Connor may not survive the next few years, but now knowing he could and would have all this power at his command. It was no wonder the boy was terrified.
Zoro glanced down at Connor and Robin.
"What about you, La Volpe?" Zoro asked, turning his attention back to the thief. "If you're going to be sailing with us, we deserve to know what yours is,"
"I agree," Sanji said. "We need to know if we can trust you,"
"Very well, my ability is called Penetrating Eye," La Volpe answered. "It allows me to see through any and all solid objects,"
"Did you say solid objects?" Sanji demanded eagerly. "Does that mean you can see through walls?"
"Yes, it does, and I can," La Volpe confirmed.
"I fully support and welcome our new shipmate," Sanji announced with a red face and hearts in his eyes. He moved over and put an arm around La Volpe's shoulders. "Together we shall peek in all the women's bathrooms," He then looked over at Nami and Robin with hearts in his eyes.
"NO!" Nami shouted and threw part of her Climatact at Sanji. It hit him in the face and knocked the cook down.
"Sanji," Chopper cried out and ran over to the cook.
"LUFFY, YOU CANNOT LET THIS PERVERT ONTO OUR SHIP!" Nami yelled violently and pointed at La Volpe.
"Do not worry, I never have and never will waste my power on something so pathetic," La Volpe assured. "To use my power to peek in on women would be a waste of my time and energy,"
"I disagree. It would be a perfectly acceptable use of our gift," Ezio spoke up. Nami threw the second part of her Climatact, and it hit him in the head too.
"Eh, you mean you won't help me peek?" Sanji cried. He then turned to Connor and grabbed the boy by his shoulders. "Connor, promise me you will do your best to get the same power as La Volpe. Promise me that when you do, you will help me peek on all the ladies,"
"Umm... sure... I'll try," Connor responded nervously, and he subconsciously tried to get closer to Robin. Though he felt very uncomfortable about Sanji's request.
"Don't teach him bad habits," Nami shouted and threw the last part of her Climatact at Sanji's head, knocking him over again.
"Idiot," Zoro sighed.
"If peeking on women is a waste of time, what do you use your sight for?" Robin asked curiously.
"Stealing treasure and information, of course," La Volpe smirked. "I am a thief, after all,"
"Treasure?!" Nami asked gleefully.
"How does being able to see through solid objects allow you to steal treasure?" Luffy asked, not quite understanding.
"I can see into the chest to see what's inside, as well as into the lock itself and the exact position my picks would need to ensure that I always break in the first time without leaving a trace. Additionally, I could locate the quickest and safest route to any treasure room simply by viewing a building or ship from afar. No matter how many floors it has, I will be able to see anything and everything inside, as well as determine exactly how much the treasure is worth,"
"I fully support and welcome our new shipmate," Nami declared with Bells in her eyes, and she put an arm around La Volpe's shoulders. "Together we will make all the treasure in the world mine,"
"Don't you mean ours?" La Volpe corrected.
"Did I stutter?" Nami responded.
Zoro let out a sigh. Still, he had to admit from what both Ezio and La Volpe had said, the evolved sense was incredibly powerful. Zoro couldn't imagine what Connor's sight would turn into.
"Well then, now that we have gotten that out of the way, Captain Luffy, if I am to teach Connor, then there are two rules I expect you and everyone in your crew to follow," La Volpe said and moved away from Nami.
"What are they?" Luffy asked.
"The first is I have complete and total control over the boy's training. You and none of your crew may speak out or against my methods. If you or your crew do so, I will leave Connor to his fate, and you will never see me again. The second is, while I will fight for you, Connor is my first and top priority, and his safety will come first above anyone else's,"
"We can accommodate that, but I want someone nearby watching while you're teaching him," Luffy said.
"Most training will be done on the ship and will at some point require a volunteer, so I will agree to allow one or two members of your crew to observe when I can permit it. But be warned, that sometimes it will not be possible," La Volpe reasoned.
"Seems fair; okay, we can abide by those conditions," Luffy agreed.
"Good, now I will need to know Connor's daily routine so I can work my training into it," La Volpe continued.
"He gets up just after dawn to do sword training with me until breakfast. Afterwards, he helps prepare the ship, and once we've started sailing, he has lessons with Robin until lunch," Zoro answered.
"Lessons?" La Volpe asked curiously.
"I am teaching him to read and write as well as basic mathematics," Robin informed. La Volpe nodded in approval.
"He hangs out with everyone else until I call him to join me in the kitchen at about 4:30 pm," Sanji added.
"And why would you call for him at that time?" La Volpe asked.
"I'm teaching him how to cook. I use dinner prep as his lesson since it's when I make the most variety of dishes," Sanji added. "After that, we usually send him to bed an hour after dinner,"
"Very well, I will not disrupt any form of education; it is very important, nor will I interrupt his combat training, as it is beneficial that he learns to defend himself. That being the case, starting tomorrow from the end of lunch and until Connor is required for his cooking lesson, he will be training with me," La Volpe declared.
"That's over four hours," Nami argued. "Isn't that a bit much?"
"It is, but he has a lot to catch up on. Your captain just agreed that I was in charge of the boy's training," La Volpe stated "Thus I decided how long per day he trains and how,"
"But that means he will be working all day," Luffy urged.
"Not true, he will have that one hour after dinner to himself," La Volpe pointed out. "That should be more than enough time for him to enjoy himself,"
"Luffy's right, the kid needs time to be a kid, not training from the moment he wakes up till he goes to bed," Zoro agreed.
"I..it...it's fine... I'll do it," Connor spoke up. "I'll do it. I'll do any and all training that La Volpe demands of me,"
"Kid, are you sure?" Zoro asked, concern on his face.
"I have to. He's my master now too...so I'll do it," Connor said.
Luffy looked at Connor with sad eyes, knowing that he was only agreeing to it because Luffy had already made La Volpe part of the crew. The moment La Volpe agreed to travel and train Connor was the moment that Connor lost all choice and say in the matter. If he didn't agree his brand would punish him for not complying. Luffy would honestly rather see Connor go through whatever training La Volpe planned for him than watch the bran punish the boy. Though he wasn't sure which would be less painful on Connor.
"Good," La Volpe nodded, with a hint of approval in his voice. "Then I will teach you all you need to know about the Eagle Vision, but you must be committed. This training will not be easy nor is it for the faint of heart."
"I understand," Connor replied.
"Then we shall begin tomorrow once we have set out," La Volpe said.
The crew looked at each other, still processing what they had just learned. But they knew that it was for Connor's own good. They had to support Connor through this. They were his nakama, after all.