Chapter 38: For the sake of one's Dreams
"Alright, listen up!"
With a mug filled with the finest beer they could salvage from the wreckage, Draconis gave his speech into the Den Den Mushi loudspeaker.
"For the past week, we have lost our headquarters to pirates, lost many fellow captains, survived an ambush, allied with some ourselves, and took back our home from them! Suffice to say, we have all been through a shit ton."
A series of chuckles and giggles arise from the veteran little humour; a sense of levity that was well deserved after everything that had happened.
"And now, after everything that happened, we now must go our separate ways. But lament not for the parting we must undertake tomorrow, instead rejoice for the new beginning! For we may be apart, we are still unified as one!"
Loud cheers erupted from all in attendance, as well as those that could not; many were cheers of motivation, others were cheers of celebration, all grateful to have lived to see the end of an era and the start of the new one.
"With that said, a toast!" One mug was raised which was soon joined by a sea of others, "To the end of the East Traders, and the founding of the East Merchant Federarion! CHEERS!"
"""""CHEERS!"""""
"Let the party begin!"
With that proclamation, a night of celebration commences.
The makeshift band played their one hastily rehearsed song as people paired up to dance with either their loved ones, or with random strangers; one pair of guys proceeded to start a dance battle with each other with ill-fitting moves that cracked everyone up.
Many had opened up the barrels to fill up their tankards and mugs and began drowning themselves in cheap alcohol, with a drinking game already long underway and had many already red-faced from overindulgence.
The rest that weren't fond of either took to delving into the spread of various finger foods on the buffet table, looking quite scrumptious despite made mostly from canned foods and salvaged military rations; with many taking their pick before settling at a corner to savor it.
That was where I had found myself sitting with Silvia and members of the Silver Fang I was close with, as well as Sen whom had taken an entire barrel of beer for himself much to the annoyance to the other alcoholics at the party.
"Huuuhuuu…!"
And Dva who was completely red in the face and clinging onto my waist while crying quite a storm, taking what I had told her earlier in the day not that well.
"I… I thought we finally get to work together… and now… you are leaviiinnngg!" She sobbed, "Whhyyyy!? I… I have sooooo many outfits I want you to try out!"
"That's why you're upset…?" I remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"First Gord, and now you? People sure are leaving my crew this past couple of days." Silvia noted all cuddled up with Lee, "You know you should at least give us some time to get you a replacement."
"Yeah, really sorry about that."
"I'm just pulling your leg. At the end of the day, it is what you have decided for yourself, right?"
"…yeah."
It was just after I'd woken up from my three days coma and gotten caught up with all the past life-changing events.
After Justin gave me the clear to leave the medical bay, I immediately made my way to the captain quarters to tell Silvia about my decision to leave the crew; suffice to say, she wasn't exactly pleased to hear that.
But she didn't give me too much flak about it, and instead guided me through the paperwork to formally quit before informing the rest of the crew of my departure.
Dva was just about to leave when she heard the news, and was not happy about it at all; she even begged me to change my mind and had nearly succeeded with her puppy dog eyes.
But I was not to be deterred in my choice and stood firm on it; she must have sensed my resolve and finally backed down, though she was very unhappy with it.
"First you asked me to join your crew, and now you're leaving to join a pirate one…?" Gin chuckled, "You are one fickle-minded girl, you know that."
"Hey, at least my recommendation works before I left." I pointed out.
"For that, I am grateful."
"You know, I'm really going to miss having you around." Justin noted, "Things won't be the same without witnessing you drowning every few weeks."
"Indeed." Kris nodded, "Fishing you out of the sea is kind of routine at this point."
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up some more, why don't you?"
I have to admit, I would be missing this little banter between us when I leave; the past two years here had turned this place into my second home.
"…Rein, you are absolutely sure about this?" Sen asked me, "That kid's dream is going to bring them to the Grand Line, and you know how dangerous that place is. Is it really worth giving away all of this?"
My mentor's words made me recall what happened this evening, after I had finished all the paperwork necessary for leaving the crew.
It wasn't that difficult to find the Straw Hat Pirates, for they had been allocated a place near the shipyard where the Going Merry was getting a tuned up courtesy of Silvia.
Though it was surprising to find Luffy with them instead of running amongst the wreckage.
"You wish to join us?" Zoro asked with a quirked eyebrow.
"That's right." I nodded, "Please, allow me to join your crew."
"Well, this is definitely a first." Nami noted, "No one has actually asked to join the crew before."
"Yeah, it is usually just… happens." Usopp noted, "I mean, there's Sanji, but…"
"Allow her aboard, Luffy!" Sanji pleaded, "We could always use more girls on the crew!"
"You know that could be interpreted in a less tasteful manner, right?" Usopp pointed out, "But wouldn't your colleagues disagree with this? You are joining a pirate crew."
"I have already informed them and done all the necessary paperwork to leave." I assured him, "Come tomorrow, I'm officially unemployed."
Never in my life that I would ever call myself unemployed in any kind of positive context…
"In that case, I'm not against getting another crewmate, especially one with dragon powers!"
"Yeah, I love to have another girl with us." Nami agreed, "It is becoming too much of a sausage fest."
"At the end of the day, it is up to the captain to decide." Zoro noted as he turned to the kid in question, "So what's your verdict, Luffy? Is she joining the crew?"
"Huh?" Luffy looked at his first mate like he was crazy, "What are you saying? There's no point in deciding that!"
"Ah… I see…"
I guess he wasn't that much of an idiot to accept just about anyone in his crew; he probably need me to convince him why he should allow me to join.
"Then allow me to—"
"I mean, she's already a part of the crew!"
"Huh?"
That got me and his entire crew staring at him in complete disbelief over his words, along with the implication behind them; with Zoro looking particularly befuddled by them.
"Wait, when did that happen?" He asked, "And why weren't any of us aware of it?"
"Because I haven't told you guys yet, Ushishishi!"
His signature massive grin stretched across his face as his crew all had their hands on their face while slouching over to the side in a collective sigh, with the lone exception of Sanji who was dancing about in celebration.
"Uh… so when have you decided on that?" I asked the rubber pirate.
"Back when you fought Gin."
"All the way back then!?"
It was honestly kind of flattering that he had already decided that I would be part of his crew that far back; even if it was selfish of him to decide that without even asking me for my opinion.
But that was to be expected from the stubborn and selfish idiot and future Pirate King that was Monkey D Luffy.
"Then… I guess I'm part of the crew now?" I noted.
"It appears so." Zoro shrugged his shoulder with a wry smile, "Well, all I can say is welcome aboard."
"Looking forward to sailing with your lot."
"And just as they finished remodeling the Going Merry too." Usopp noted, "Man, now I can't wait!"
"Woohoo!" Luffy cheered, "Next stop, the Grand Line!"
I glanced about the party, spying Zoro and Nami winning the drinking contest amongst the drunkards, Usopp boasting to curious listeners about his victory against Skunk One yet again, Sanji having a time of his life with several beautiful ladies.
And Luffy getting chased away from the buffet for seventh time tonight for gouging too much of the food.
The captain and his crew was as chaotic as always, and I wouldn't have it any other way; for this was what I had already prepared myself when I'd decided to pursue my own ambition.
So I turned to my mentor, and told him with firm conviction in my tone, "Yes. I am sure."
"…is that right?"
Without a word, Sen returned back to drinking from his barrel as the night of celebration carried on without much of a fuss.
"How many times do I have to tell you this, you rubber monkey!?"
"Ushishishi!"
Well, as little of a fuss as possible with Luffy, anyways…
"This should be… the last… of it…! There!"
After shoving the last of my clothes into my rucksack, I closed it up and tightened the buckle keeping it closed; the bag stuffed to the brim with all my belongings that I had gathered in the past two years or so.
I took a look around the room that was once mine, now empty of all of my memorabilia and personal belongings; a sense of nostalgia began to surface as memories of my days here began to flash through my mind.
My first day on this island and the only time I had ever gotten drunk and hungover; that day I'd swore off alcohol at all cost.
The early mornings where Sen woke me up from my peaceful slumber and dragged me off for another intense training session.
The late evenings after a successful delivery as we celebrated at the district's tavern as drunk escapades were sure to ensue.
Silvia loudly boasting my heroics at the Britt Kingdom to everyone much to my embarrassment.
Dva meeting me for the first time and dragged me from clothing store to clothing store in order to find the perfect outfit for me.
That time Gord needed some input for some new dishes for the ship's menu and I nearly fell into a food coma from eating too much.
The quiet nights spent with Kris as we simply sat around the dock and enjoying the cool night wind.
The moment Silvia accepted Lee's insanely elaborate proposal that he had roped most of the crew into helping out.
These past two years had been quite the ride, especially for me who had been thrown into this world with nothing but the clothes I'd died in, a guidebook, and a special knife.
On this island, on Temasek, I had made myself a home, as well as many comrades and friends that I would soon be parting ways and probably never see for a very long time.
But like Draconis had said last night; lament not for the parting, and rejoice for the new beginning.
Maybe one day, once this insane journey with the Straw Hat Pirates had concluded, and I had achieve my dream, I would return and find Silver Fang, and reunite with Silvia and the others.
A shimmer of sunlight caught my eye as I looked out the window, seeing the sun had just begun to rise over the horizon, signalling that the time of departure had arrived.
We had decided that we would leave Temasek at daybreak tomorrow and agreed to meet up at the port then, so not to clash with the other ships leaving the port later in the afternoon.
And I was already late for the rendezvous.
Picking up my rucksack, I took another good look at the empty room, before opening the door and—
"Oof! Huh?"
Walked into the firm chest that bounced me back a step. Rubbing my sore nose, I looked up and saw Sen standing at the doorway with arms cross, with a long object wrapped in cloth in one hand and a book in the other.
There was something off about him, the way his fedora was overshadowing his eyes and keeping me from seeing them wasn't making it any easier to tell either.
"Sen? Sorry, but can you—URGK!?"
An imposing yet familiar pressure washed over me and nearly forced me to my knees, the air around me weighing down on me as every muscle in my body was screaming for me to submit, all the while my lungs struggled to take in any air.
It was the same thing he pulled years ago when I tried to asked him about the Void Century; a blast of Conquerer Haki directly into my being, only this felt even more intense than the previous time.
"S…Sen…!? Why… are… you…!?"
"The Grand Line is unlike any stretch of ocean you will come across. Heading in on a whim is epitome of insanity and will lead to your death."
Sen took a step into my room and the pressure doubled, forcing me to my knees as the very air itself felt like crushing down on me from all sides.
"And that goes double if you are seeking what I believe you are seeking; to uncover and search for the truths being the Void Century and all it encompasses is the same seeking death, and that is if you even understand why they kept it from the world."
Another step, and even my bones felt like they were just moments away from breaking, my consciousness was starting to fade; a sense of fear permeated my entire body towards him.
"So if you truly wish to seek them, to find the truths and answers to all of that, then prove to me your conviction; show me your resolve to see this through to the end! Overcome my will and stand up against me!"
A challenge was issued and my vision began to grow dark, my body now screaming at me to stop resisting, that it was alright to allow myself to submit to the intense will Sen had forced upon me, and drift off into the blissful and painless unconscious.
And it was tempting to do so, extremely tempting to not fight against what could be argued the strongest being in existence, someone who could rival Whitebeard in power and strength.
But I could not do so.
For the moment I did, I would sure to regret it for the rest of my life.
"Urrgggghhhh…!"
Pushing as hard as I could, even to the point that I went into my half-dragon form to do so, I lifted myself off the ground; I nearly buckled and collapse back down, but I forced every muscle within me not to.
Slowly, I placed one foot under me and pushed myself up to my knees, followed by another and steadily got onto my feet; knees shaking from the stress behind it yet still held strong.
"RrrraaAAAAHHHHH!"
With a loud roar, ignoring the screams from my body to stop and the cries of my aching muscles, I pushed myself up and stood eye to eye with my mentor; teeth gritted tight as I struggled with all my might against his will.
Then the pressure increased again and nearly pressed me back down to the ground hard, but I managed to hold firm and stayed on my feet.
"I'm… aware… of the… dangers of my… ambition…!" I grunted out as I took slow but unsteady steps towards Sen, "But I… had already… made up… my mind…! For if I… let this chance… go…! There… won't be… another…!"
"Even if it meant risking your life? Even if it might be for nothing?"
"I'm already… risking my… life anyways…! And for… nothing…? Heheh… who are you… to decide… if it is… for nothing…? The only one… that could… decide that…!"
"Is ME!"
Once close enough, I swung my fist and slammed my fist into his chest with all the strength and will I could muster, all resulting in just a dull thump that dealt no damage at all and earned some aching knuckles in said hand.
But it was what Sen was looking for, and the intense pressure of his Conquerer Haki quickly dissipate; air came rushing back into my lungs as I took in as much as air I could in each desperate breath.
"…you will be rushing to your death."
"I am very aware."
"You will be hounded everywhere you go."
"I am prepared for that."
"…you won't die a peaceful death."
"…I have already died once."
Death was already a concept I was well acquainted with, so the thought of me dying a second time didn't really bother me; what did bother me was me wasting this second life not pursuing what I wanted and then dying regretting my inaction.
Rather than living a peaceful and safe existence like I did in my last life, might as well risk it all chasing my dreams.
Sen let out a huge sigh and a grumble, "Looks like I can't dissuade you from this path after all… you will most definitely fit well with that crew."
"I'll take that as a compliment." I grinned as I adjusted my rucksack, "Now, if you don't mind, I have to head to my new ship now—"
"Hold it." I stopped when he blocked my way once more, "I can't let any pupil of mine head off on a journey into the Grand Line unarmed. Here, take this."
I took the long bundle that he handed to me and unwrapped the cloth to reveal what was inside.
A katana in an ebony-black scabbard with a white leather-wrapped hilt and steel edged black rounded square tsuba, with an small bead tied to the pummel with a red silk cord.
"This is…!"
"Its name is Ryuga. It was supposed to be your graduation gift when you finally mastered all ten forms, but guess you are getting it early."
Another named sword!? Those kinds were usually insanely sharp and durable! Though this one was a little lighter than Nanashi, so that might not be the case for this one.
I originally planned to get one when we got to Loguetown, the severance pay I had received was more than enough to get me a decent sword that wouldn't break immediately; now I could use that for something that would be of use for the whole crew.
"Thank you, Sen!"
"Ah, ah, I'm not done. There's also this, the Dragon Sword Style Manuscript."
He then handed me a book that had that exact words as its title; the book was half the thickness than the guidebook the goddess had given me, with a light blue cover and was bound with string like those ancient Chinese books in the movies.
In fact, its appearance and title would make it exactly like a martial arts manuscript that were many wuxia books and movies.
"Within that book contains everything about the Dragon Sword Style that I have taught you and many that I hadn't. Since now I couldn't do so, you will need to teach yourself the rest of it"
"Does it also mean that the style's secret techniques are in here as well?"
"I mean, if you want it call it that… then yeah."
"Nice! This is awesome!"
Now I have a way to improve my repertoire of techniques and keep up with the increasing difficult enemies further down the Grand Line we go, instead having to rely solely on the eight that I had somewhat mastered.
Hopefully, I could get the nineth stance down before Whiskey Peak rolls around…
I then glanced at my window and panicked when I saw the dawn sky, "Shit, the sun is almost up! I'm already late!"
"Ah, guess I took too much of your time with that challenge… don't worry, I'll help you get there in record time!"
"Eh, how?"
The slowly widening grin he had on his face did not bode well for my well-being.
The dawn rays shone down on the port where a newly upgraded caravel was docked and ready for its debut into the open seas.
Metal reinforcements were nailed along the vessel's keel like a steel ribcage with a keel breaker extending out from beneath its bow, with more metal plates nailed along the edges of its hull.
Even its goat figurehead now donning knight's helmet to match up with all the armor plating it now had, something that the pirate captain was quite pleased with.
Its rear balcony had also been extended out a couple of planks to balance out its new keel breaker and was mounted with an experimental rotating cylinder swivel gun on its railing.
All in all, it now looked ready for naval warfare and the choppy seas; no longer was it a simple civilian vessel designed for the needs of a wealthy lady in mind, for it was now a proper pirate ship.
That being said, it still could not set sail to show off its new look and armaments to the world; not when their latest recruit had yet to board.
"Rein's late…" Luffy groaned.
"Maybe she's also pulling a Nami?" Usopp suggested.
"Or maybe she changed her mind last minute?" Nami noted, "She could have second thoughts or someone managed to convince her otherwise?"
"Huh!? You mean Miss Rein is not coming!?" Sanji cried.
"I doubt it." Zoro stated, "She was quite determined to join up with us to just change her mind in the last second. Maybe she got held up by something. Let's just wait a little longer."
"Muh…! Hurry up, Rein! I want to test out the new Armadillo Merry!"
"Hey, didn't we agree that her new name be Knight Merry!"
"Wouldn't Iron Merry suit it more?"
"—AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
"Huh? Isn't that…?"
A loud shrill scream tore through the air as they all turned to see the source of it, eyes widening in shock when they saw their new member rocketting towards them unlike how their captain loved to do on many occasions.
Only unlike Luffy, this one didn't appeared to be of her consent, especially with how terrified she was as she was screaming her lungs out.
"CATCHMECATCHMECATCHME—!"
"Oh! Gum-Gum Balloon!"
Her cries were heard as Luffy inflated his guts and allowing Rein to ram right into him like the many cannonballs he had deflected away with this technique.
But this time, instead of bouncing her off, he released all the air he had inhaled and deflated himself upon impact, allowing her to rolled off him and onto the deck mostly unharmed.
"Urgh… that was close…" She groaned out.
"Miss Rein, are you alright?" Sanji asked worriedly, "Anything injured?"
"I'm all good, thanks to Luffy catching me in time."
"I was not expecting to see you fly to us." Zoro noted, "I mean, I know you can fly, but never like that."
"That was not by choice, mind you." Rein sighed, "Sen has this bright idea to just throw me at you guys to make reach the ship in time."
"Wait, he threw you!?" Nami cried out, "That's him throwing you!?"
"You saw him take out a ship just by throwing a cannonball at it, and this surprises you?"
"Well, I was not expecting him to actually throw a person at that speeds. I'm surprised "
"Man, your mentor sure is fond of doing some crazy things." Usopp noted.
"I think he view this as penalty for me leaving before learning everything he has to teach me." Rein sighed, "That, or he just wanted to screw with me one last time."
"It must be his way of giving you his best wishes." Luffy stated with a grin, "My grandpa throw me around all the time."
"The fact you said that like it is normal is just… wow."
"Ushishishi! Well, everyone's here! Let's raise anchor and set sail!"
At his command, they all got to work lowering the sails and raising the anchor; seconds later, the sails caught the wind and the small vessel began to slowly pick up speed as they maneuvered the pirate ship towards the destroyed gate.
Nami walked up to Rein and asked her, "Are you sure you don't want to say farewell to your friends?"
"No, we have said our farewells last night." She told the navigator, "There's nothing left that's need to be said—"
"Ah crap! They are already leaving!"
"I've told you not to drink so much!"
"Urgh, my head hurts…!"
"Just deal with it!"
"Hurry! Before they are too far away!"
As if on cue, a dozen or so people came running out towards them; all of them familiar faces with their captain leading all of them onto the port.
"Silvia!? Justin!? Kris!? Sam too!?" Rein cried out in surprise, "What are you guys doing here!?"
"Sen told us you are leaving this morning." Silvia told her, "So I thought we ought to come and see you off."
"It is only right for us to bid farewell in person." Lee stated, "After all, we were crew mates for the past two years."
"You don't really have to…"
"Well, we all wanted to. Alright, you guys! You all know what to do!"
"Take care of yourself, Rein!"
"Safe travels!"
"Don't trip into the ocean now! Kris is no longer there to catch you!"
"Don't you dare forget about us, you hear!?"
"See you around!"
One after another, well wishes and farewells were shouted at her; from friendly teasing to heartfelt goodbyes, all were cried out by her former colleagues and friends.
Rein herself was left stunned by it all, moved by the overwhelming flood of emotions that she was having trouble processing through; lips wobbled, shoulder shaking and hands clenched tightly around the railings as she struggled not to break into tears.
Then…
"Rein!"
Calling out from atop the roof of one of the many buildings nearby was her mentor, Sen waved at his pupil with a big smile as he told her.
"Have a safe trip!"
The floodgates burst open and tears began flowing out her eyes by the galleons down her cheeks into the railings and planks below her, all the while sobs leave her trembling vocal cords one after another.
Then, with wobbly lips while choking on her tears and snot, she cried out for them with sincerity and gratitude.
"THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF ME THESE LAST TWO YEARS!"
With her words of gratitude echoing in everyone's ears, the newly crowned Knight Merry left the waters of the former East Traders's headquarters and made it to the open seas to new adventures.
…
To be continued…
Oh man, that last part was hard to write without it pulling on my heartstrings; hopefully I could convey all the emotions of the farewell probably.
With this chapter, the first saga of this fic has officially closed, the next saga will soon begin!
And with Rein officially joined the Straw Hat Pirates, we can finally get into Canon proper, and see all kinds of divergences with her inclusion.
What kind of divergences will they be? You just have to tune in and see it for yourself.
With that, I thank you all for reading this!