Hey gang! Long time no read! I thought I'd hop on and post a message on the 15-year anniversary of my first Another Nakama chapter.
Let's get right to it, *I* am not writing the continuation mentioned in the chapter title. (Which to some people could be considered a benefit.) Fanfiction was a very time-consuming hobby and I'm too busy with my wife, our son, my job, and various social obligations to pick it up again.
But in the years since I've been away, I've discovered that Phearless14 aka Gum Studios has taken my Another Nakama series and started posting it on Wattpad as One Eye, Demon Eye. I wasn't around to give my permission when they started, but the first thing I did when I finally logged back into my account a couple of months ago was respond to Phearless14's PM granting them full permission to use my work in their continuation. I was touched that someone appreciated a story I started writing fifteen years ago so much that they refused to let it die and continued with it themselves.
So, for any of you who are swimming in nostalgia and still check back in on this old story now and then, Pheareless14 is the one to look at for NEW content. Phearless14 made use of the generic, self-insert nature of my old OC and swapped out the name 'Ricky' for Y/N = Your Name. It seems that was a popular decision on Wattpad because the first story (which I'm going to take SOME credit for since it's mostly my old writing) is currently - as of 1-1-2025 - ranked #6 in the OnePiecexMaleReader category and often shifts around in the Top 10. At one point, it jumped up to #4.
The first One Eye, Demon Eye mostly skips the Foxy Arc and continues into Water 7 then abruptly ends with the Luffy vs Usopp fight. The sequel story One Eye Demon Eye 2 is ALL Phearless14. It picks up at the Enies Lobby Nico Robin flashback and was last updated October 17th, 2024. I believe the reason for the abrupt jump is because one of the stories got taken down and had to be reposted – so some chapters are missing. I'm publicly endorsing Phearless14's continuation in the hopes they won't face any further trouble for using my old work.
That's the story update, the LIFE update – for anyone interested – is that things are going GREAT! I met my Nami! Ironically, One Piece was one of the things that brought us together. I told her early on that I basically grew up with One Piece, that it's my favorite series, and the basis for a large portion of my sense of humor. She showed Nami-levels of commitment and watched the whole series with me! Now SHE'S the one updating me when they announce new cast members for the Netflix live action One Piece. I even showed her Another Nakama and we both laughed at my early writing. She'll occasionally quote awkward bits to tease me. Of course, because she caught up to current One Piece… that means I am now obligated to watch anything she wants. At times, it feels like I'm paying Nami's 300% interest rates, but I don't really mind that much since I'm spending time with her watching things she enjoys.
After we finished the catch up and when Sanji was preparing for his wedding… I proposed. We had a 2020 Pandemic wedding. While not ideal, it meant saving a lot of money because of the small guest list. (Guess whose idea that was.) We recorded the ceremony and reception then distributed the videos to friends and family members who were unable to attend. After making a career in post-production video editing, I'll happily say that those wedding videos are my PROUDEST work! Although, I have some recent home movies I'm particularly proud of. The 'actors' are amateurs and often miss their cues, but I love them anyway!
Two years ago, our crew of two gained 'Another Nakama' with the birth of my son. That little guy and the wonderful woman who brought him into this world are my whole life now. 'Nami' went back to work when her maternity leave ended – in environmental science, if you'll believe that – but I've been set up to edit from home since the Pandemic, so I'm MISTER DAD now! The three of us even watch One Piece together! (In Japanese with English subtitles.) He doesn't know what's going on, but he likes the bright colors, loud voices, and the (usually) upbeat background score. I'm eager to share it with him for real when he's old enough to understand and appreciate it. Speaking of which, what IS a good age to introduce a child to One Piece? We all know it's not 4Kids, but I definitely want to share it with MY kid at some point.
Anyway, that's it for me. I'm still alive and THRIVING! I wish you all well and hope you and your Nakama can be as happy as I am with mine.
Take care of yourselves!
Peace!