"Second to last island in the Grand Line?" Law asked aloud in confusion, as Yamato looked around the mysterious island. "What do you mean?"
"There are only a few who have conquered this ocean. All of them were in the crew of the King of the Pirates…" Yamato murmured, as Drona went along the walls, eyes scanning over the scripture. "A man who I revered, Kozuki Oden, was a part of that crew. He mentioned it several times in his diary."
Law looked, seeing the violet lightning strikes and the floating rocks.
"And if there's one more island after this… is that…"
"The island where the One Piece resides, known only as Laugh Tale," Yamato confirmed. "But Oden never wrote down its location, any details about the island itself or what the One Piece treasure was. The pages were ripped out." She looked to the ground.
Both Shachi and Penguin immediately groaned angrily, looking like they'd just been cheated at Blackjack, while Law still looked utterly entranced by the tale. "I… would like to know more if you wouldn't mind, once we're back in Whitebeard's territory."
"You would? Of Oden?" Yamato turned to him, eyes bright for the first time in a while. He nodded, and she smiled a little. Izuku looked Law's way, beaming at the doctor with gratitude for getting Yamato's smile back; even if only a little. "I'd… be happy to. When we have the time."
"It's quite the story," added Izuku. "Yamato told me of Oden's life when I was healing within Onigashima."
"Wait if the One Piece is close by then…" Shachi uttered, looking Law's way. "Yo Izuku! Do you think you can do it!"
"Hmm?"
"Do you want to get the One Piece? I mean… if it's close by, then why not get it!" Shachi stated. "You can be the next King of the Pirates! Or like… you can make Whitebeard King!"
Law quirked an eyebrow.
The next King of the Pirates.
It was… tempting. Everything Roger left behind, all of his riches and weapons and who knows what else…
"I mean… The treasure of the King of the Pirates. Can we even fit it into the submarine?" Bepo mused.
"Shhhhh!" Shachi and Penguin shushed.
"He has a point." Law said, and Shachi and Penguin looked like they had swallowed lemons. "But… I'm not opposed to finding it… if he wants to." He turned to Izuku, Reiju and the others looking at him expectantly. The maids were walking towards them.
"Midoriya… given where we are, do you want to find it? The One Piece?"
"Roger's treasure?"
"Yes. IF this is the second to last island, the treasure shouldn't be far. We'd only have to search around. But, it's up to you."
Drona walked back towards the group, and Izuku looked at the ruins. Then to the group, Yamato, and the sea.
"I mean, you could claim it in the name of Whitebeard," Law mused.
Izuku was silent, eyes off to the side in thought.
Everyone was looking at them. All awaited his answer.
…
"No."
"No?!" Shachi barked. "Are you serious dude!"
"The Pirate King's treasure is so close! We-"
"I don't want it." Izuku interrupted Penguin. "Besides, we have other priorities at the moment." He looked to the ground, before looking at Yamato.
…
Priorities. Over finding the treasure of the King of the Pirates.
His eyes went to a rather surprised Yamato.
"Well… fair enough." Law surmised, turning to his crew. "No fuss, alright?"
"Bu-!"
"You're going along with this?!"
"It's not because it's Midoriya or Whitebeard ordering me around. He's right at the end of the day." Law answered. "There's more important things to do. And that's to get to Whitebeard as soon as possible."
Izuku looked sympathetically at the two downtrodden men. "Sorry to disappoint you guys. I mean, you're with pirates, and I shot down the idea of hunting for buried treasure." He gave a sad smile.
"Well… it's Captain's orders." Shachi uttered.
"Least this can be a nursery home story…" Penguin mused. Law couldn't help but smile a little.
"No not at all Izuku I…" Yamato rubbed her arm. "I…" She looked to the side, looking… torn.
"Should we maybe explore the island more?" Reiju asked. "Perhaps we can find something in the ruins?"
"How about that Yamato? Do you… wanna explore a little?" Izuku asked, and the white haired girl kept her eyes to the ground.
Law sighed through his nose. Before a gurgling rumble broke the tension, all eyes turning to Bepo.
"Oh. I'm sorry," he said. "Hungry."
"Well… why don't we stay close to the sub. I'll whip something nice for you all." Reiju smiled.
"Good idea. Let's see about making camp for now. We can stretch our legs and get some rest. I'll need it for carrying the sub at night." Izuku flexed his arms and legs.
"Alright. Let's go grab some bedding. We're sleeping under the stars tonight." Law added. It didn't even feel too cold or too hot. The temperature was just right, despite the odd hum in the air. Izuku went on ahead, Yamato following behind.
Drona stood silently, as if observing it all. "Hmm." He then followed Reiju.
"Right…" Shachi and Penguin nodded as they went back to the submarine to unload. They were dejected, he could tell; but Midoriya was right.
There were priorities to handle first.
(X)
Drona moved to Izuku's side.
"You turned down the chance to find this treasure. A treasure of world renown," He mused.
"I did."
"Most men would be salivating at the chance. Those two certainly were." Drona gestured to Shachi and Penguin. "And I imagine Law would have supported you if you said yes."
"I know but… I don't want to be King. I know a King, and that life's not for me."
An odd thing to say. Most men would give almost anything to become a King and rule with absolute authority and power. But then again…
"So, if not a King, then what do you want to be young man?"
Izuku merely looked the aged warrior in the eye and gave perhaps the most honest and genuine smile he'd ever seen.
Not since he saw that man Raja.
And the boy he raised once.
"A hero who saves everyone with a smile on their face. I just… want to help people."
…
A hero who saves all with joy and glee.
"Is that so?" Drona asked with a mirthful chuckle.
"Yeah. I'm only a pirate out of necessity. I'll tell you more some other time, if you like." He looked back to Yamato.
"Well, I'll be happy to hear your tale whenever you're comfortable Izuku. Though, you must rest for the journey ahead." He nodded as Izuku seemed relieved.
"Thank you sir." He took off, flying towards the sub. Drona made to follow, looking back at the ruins.
Then he paused, as he saw the symbols. Some of them were…familiar.
He stepped closer, wondering if his eyes were finally failing him; but they weren't. There was the old symbol of his kingdom; before Delhi rose to prominence in the Court, before the Order of Sages was disbanded.
This Ancient Kingdom… could it be the same civilization the Winged Arbiter spoke of nearly a thousand years ago?
He didn't understand the script… but the sun within the black expanse. Was it a flame, or the sun itself? Or the circle surrounded by smaller circles. Eight in total.
Curious…
He wasn't a student of ancient history.
Drona closed his eyes.
He set himself down, arms and legs crossed. He needed to meditate on this matter; and it felt good to hear the sounds of nature, and not be constrained by that hulk of metal.
He must go to this Whitebeard. Izuku spoke highly of him, and seemed to think he could find Raja and Rali.
They are the Kingdom's only hope…
(X)
Izuku walked back from the sub, pack in hand, and sat down on a rock. Law was working on a fire, and Reiju was setting up a Germa-66 field kitchen she had found in the cargo hold. Cosette was peeling potatoes, while the other maids were arranging the blankets, plates, and cutlery.
Yamato was squatting by the fire, staring into the flames. Izuku pulled the snails from the pack, and headed over to her.
"Hey." He smiled as she perked up. "Wanna call Uta?" He held out the snail. Yamato took it, and dialed in.
"Riiiiiiiiiiiiii-!" The snail spasmed, its body bulging and face twisting.
"W-What's going on?" said Yamato, near panic. Izuku tapped on the button, and the snail let out an electric squawk before settling back to normal, blinking.
"Huh" Izuku mused, looking the snail over "What could have caused that? Is the island blocking the signal?"
"Well… let's try Pops then," suggested Yamato. Izuku brought out the other snail, and tapped it.
"Riiiiiiiiiiiiii-!" screeched the snail, just like its fellow. Izuku sighed and shut it off.
"It has to be the island's magnetic field. You saw how the submarine was being dragged," he surmised. "The same thing would happen in my world too."
"So much for getting in touch with them…" Yamato sighed. "Guess we can call them later."
"Yeah," Izuku gave her an assuring pat on the back. "Pops is worried about you." She flinched at that, and he wished he hadn't said it.
"They all miss us. We'll be back on the Moby Dick in no time," he added quickly.
She didn't look him in the eye, shoulders slumped still.
"Kay," she murmured. Izuku's nose twitched, as a pleasant scent wafted through the air.
"Seems like Reiju is finished with dinner too." He looked up at the night sky laden with stars. "Shall we?"
She nodded, and he led the way. She followed him, but there was still no spring in her step.
He was missing it, as he missed her smile, and her bright eyes, and her laughter.
"Alright. Hope you all enjoy this sauteed spam!" Reiju declared. Izuku and Yamato joined the line, taking their filled plates from the maids, then sitting down on the blankets. On Izuku's plate was some kind of pink meat, cooked with herbs and spices, with a side of baked potatoes. Law apparently didn't mind potatoes the way he minded bread.
Drona passed on the spam, settling for the potatoes instead. "Where I am from I am not keen on consuming pork thank you," he explained
The maids soon arrived with their plates, and all began to eat. The food was delicious, as Izuku had never doubted, and the company was even better; as they ate and talked and smiled. He could see relief on Reiju's face, and fulfillment in her eyes.
Even Yamato looked a little happier; or at least a little more at peace.
"This is great, Reiju!" he called out.
"It's not the fanciest of cuisine, but I'm following what I learned from various books," replied Reiju, cheeks reddening just a little. "Only substituting chicken with spam."
"It's the best I've tasted since forever," Shachi cut in. "Would ya give some thought to bein' my wife?"
Law bopped Shachi on the head, making him blither, and Penguin scraped Shachi's food onto his own plate, grinning all the while.
They finished their much-needed meal, cleaned the plates and cutlery, then returned to their places around the fire; replete and content. Izuku was starting to feel sleepy.
"So, this Kozuki Oden. What's he like?" Law asked, looking to Yamato. He was smiling, and something in his eyes told Izuku that he understood.
'Thank you Law.' Izuku thought as he saw Yamato perk up, reaching for the journal from her pack. Everyone turned towards her, like children eager for a story.
"That's one old-looking logbook," Cosette mused.
"He was a great man. One that I… wished I could be like." Yamato paused, holding the book tightly against her chest. "He was a samurai from the Land of Wano." She took a deep breath. "Do you want the short version, or…"
"You can tell it from the beginning. It's fine." Izuku assured her with a smile.
She turned the page, and in a chipper tone began the story of Kozuki Oden; from his raucous childhood to his rambunctious adulthood. The maids looked horrified as she described his harem, while Shachi and Penguin looked on in awe.
Then she came to his rule over Kuri, and his first retainers. Only then did she pause.
"The Retainers, who were they?" Cosette asked.
"Well… there was 'Foxfire' Kin'emon. Denjiro. Kanjuro. Kawamatsu. Ashura Doji. Raizo the Ninja. Kiku of the Snow and… Izou…"
Izuku breathed out through his nose and gripped his fist. That jerk had corrupted her memories, despoiled her dreams.
He had never wanted to hurt someone before coming to this world. Not like this. Not like Izou.
She pressed on, but the zest was somehow gone. The more she told, the more forlorn she seemed to become.
"Soon Oden met Whitebeard and… and…" She paused, biting her lip and rubbing her head with her free hand. Rubbing at the base of her horns.
"If you wish to stop, you may," Drona said, frowning. He had sat there in silence, still as a statue. Yamato sighed.
"Y-Yeah. You're right. I-I'll continue later." She looked up at the sky, the night sky tinted violet due to the island. "We should get some rest. What time is it?" Eponi reached for a pocket watch.
"My goodness, well past five in the morning."
"Seriously?" Azmel asked. "Could have fooled me. The sky hasn't changed a bit!"
"Yamato's right. If we don't want our sleep schedules to be screwed up, we should rest while we can. Midoriya, you feel comfortable taking us off in twelve hours or so?" Law asked as Izuku nodded.
"Yeah. Got anything to help me sleep for that long a time?" Law nodded, going into a bag and pulling out a Sleepshroom drought.
"I'll give you a Wake drought when you wake up." He looked around.
"Me and the girls will return back to the sub. We can catch up on some much needed tidying up there too," Eponi suggested.
"Fine by us," Law replied as Izuku drank from the vial and rested on his pack. He saw Yamato do likewise; looking up at the starry sky. "Me and the other's are going to get some of the inflatable rafts and rummage through those derelicts by the shoal. Might as well do something to kill time." He gestured. "Care to join us old man?"
"Don't see why not. Never thought I'd have the chance to be a graverobber," Drona said. "And it'll be nice to stretch out all of my arms for change."
"Don't think of it like that. Better it be put to good use than left to rot," Law cut in. "Could find some valuables too. Maybe even maps."
"Finally, we can hunt for treasure!" Shachi grinned, and Penguin high-fived him.
"I'll be happy to assist, once I finish cleaning here," Reiju added.
"Sounds good."
Izuku laid back, and closed his eyes; willing himself to sleep. But he couldn't. He couldn't stop thinking about Yamato. She couldn't even get through telling Oden's tale now.
"Yamato. Is there… anything I can do for you?" he asked. The girl looked over to him.
"It's… fine." She turned over, facing away. "Don't worry about me." She looked out to sea, Izuku feeling a pit swell in his stomach.
'I can't.
Izuku's hand reached out to hers… but sleep took him.
(X)
Izuku groaned, half his face buried in his backpack and near the sand. He rose up, seeing friends tidying up the camp.
"You're awake."
Izuku turned, and saw Reiju kneeling beside him. "You were twisting your face, so I nudged you to wake you up.
"I… see." Izuku murmured, then took a deep breath and rose up. He felt refreshed, but he was… having a nightmare? He didn't remember it.
But what had he seen? The Vestiges would have known what he was dreaming of.
"Did Law and the Hearts find anything worthwhile in the derelicts?" Izuku rubbed his eyes, and Reiju offered him a full canteen of water. He took it, taking a swig.
"Plenty of old weapons, maps, some Eternal Poses, and some other stuff. There were even some treasure chests," Reiju surmised. "Not exactly the One Piece, but pirates and their treasure."
"Yeah…" He looked around, seeing Yamato wasn't present. "She in the sub?"
"Yes, as are the maids. We were letting you sleep as much as possible." She handed him his backpack, as he saw his Eternal Pose and goggles inside. He looked at his own loose white shirt and dark green pants and sash…
"Thanks. I'll need to put on some coats though. It can get cold up there and my Hero Costume needs repairs." Izuku stood up, shouldering his backpack, then began rolling up his blanket and pillow.
"Not a problem."
Izuku saw Law and the Hearts approaching, lugging chests and crates. Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo were grinning, and even Law looked less morose than usual.
"You ready?" he asked, holding out a vial of wakeshroom infusion. Izuku looked around, and saw the setting sun, and the first glimmer of stars.
Perfect time to fly.
"Yeah." He pocketed the vial. "Just need to put on a coat, eat something heavy and I'm good to go." Law nodded.
"We're just about finished." He looked up the beach towards the ruins. "Before we went salvaging, Cosette tried to sketch the symbols." He held up a book, and Izuku recognised it as one of the journals they had bought back in Plunja. "Not the greatest, but if we find someone who can read Poneglyphs, maybe they can make something of it."
"Good idea." Izuku nodded, as the Hearts lugged their booty up to the hatch. "Why don't I carry you up?"
Law and Reiju nodded, and Izuku wrapped Black Whip around them; flying them up onto the deck. It took only a few moments to reach his cabin, and pull out two heavy jackets and an extra pair of pants. They didn't have the same padding and insulation his Hero costume had, but they would have to do.
He looked at his costume, hanging on the wall in the corner. It was torn up pretty bad, worse than he'd realised. Hopefully Commander Curiel and his team could patch it up.
He grabbed his goggles, placing them on his head, then grabbed the Eternal Pose to Melville and headed back to the hatch.
Then, as he passed the infirmary, he saw Yamato; back in her corner, arms wrapped around her knees.
"Hey," he said, and the girl lifted her head. "We're heading home. First place we stop, we'll call up Uta and Pops. sound good?"
Yamato nodded. He walked up to her and knelt down.
"Listen…we'll get through this," he murmured. She looked him in the eyes, and she saw conflict there. "You know I'll always be there for you. You know that, right?" He laid a hand on her arm. "It's going to be okay."
She looked at his scarred hands.
"Will you be alright carrying… all of us?" she asked.
"I will" Izuku smiled. "Besides, this can be like training. I need to get stronger, far stronger."
"But if you get stronger you'll get hurt… again." Her hand reached out, her scarred and calloused digits around his. "I… I don't want you to get hurt. Not again."
Izuku saw the pleading in her eyes, and felt his heart go cold.
"You don't want me to fight Kaido. Do you," he said softly. She said nothing, closing her eyes.
Don't believe it. Don't let the thought come forth. Don't let that door open.
"I made a promise, Yamato." She opened them, her amber eyes alert as his voice… turned hard..
"I freed you from Onigashima but I understand now… as long as Kaido lives, you'll never be truly free." His eyes were hard. "Nor anyone else we care for. I will take him down. No matter what, I will win."
He rose back up, looking her in the eye.
"All for us."
He turned and walked away, feeling strange. The feeling came.
She doubted him. He knew she was only looking out for him but…
He didn't look behind to see the torn look on her face. He caught a glimpse on a mirror.
But that look…
Izuku felt a strange, sick feeling inside him.
After everything, she… doubted him.
His fists… tightened. How… How could-
He grabbed some of the Germa nutrition bars. They were easy to eat and very filling as he gnashed into them, feeling something rise in him to finish them quickly; and Reiju had added some flavor. He looked at the Elegia snail, and winced.
"Sorry Uta…" He put it in his pocket and rose up through the port. "Just hang in there a little longer."
He needed to get to Pops now.
"Midoriya!" He paused, looking down as Law clambered up through the hatch and held out a stick. Izuku took it, and saw a little snail on the top. "It's a mini Snail, for short ranges. We can use it to talk while you're out there."
"Like a Walkie Talkie. Good idea." Izuku took it. "Tell everyone to strap in and move sparingly. I'll increase the speed over time so you don't fall all over the place."
"Sounds good." Law nodded, and slid down the ladder. Izuku pocked the Mini-Snail, swung the hatch shut, and straightened up. For a moment he stood still, taking in the purple clouds and the crackling lightning, and the island of Lodestar within it all.
An island the whole world knew, but few had ever seen; let alone reached. An island that hid ancient secrets.
Many would kill just to be there. And some would do far worse to attain those secrets.
But it was time to go.
He floated up into the warm evening air, pulled down his goggles, and unleashed his Black Whip from his legs and arms. They wrapped around the sub like a net, connecting underneath.
He rose, feeling the weight as the tendrils pulled tight. It was a lot heavier than the Unicorn, though far lighter than Moby Dick; and that had only been a tow.
He closed his eyes. "Fifty-Five Percent…"
Lightning coursed around his body, and he felt the pressure ease. He rose higher and higher, fighting the magnetic pull of the island. With one strained hand, he reached into his pocket and drew out the Eternal Pose of Melville. The needle was steady.
Izuku turned slowly, and began to ascend. Higher and higher, faster and faster he flew into the night sky; following the needle. He downed the wakeshroom draught and focussed, his power carrying them up over the clouds, his Black Whip unfurling around him like great black wings. They sped along, like some winged monster of legend, the wind racing through his ears.
The sooner they got home, the better. He had to get Yamato to Pops. He had to find some way to heal her, to restore her wounded heart.
This sickening anxiety, this hopelessness, it was eating away at him.
He had no control over this.
This wasn't something he could smash away, like Overhaul for Eri, or Muscular for Kota, or All for One for the whole world.
This was something else, and he didn't know what to do about it. The Vestiges were silent, and he needed to get to Pops.
He needed to fix this. To save her. To erase that doubt.
He will fix this.
All for her sake. All for her peace. Her smile.
His words, his actions… were they even reaching her?
Was he just white noise?
Izuku gripped his fist, and glared ahead for the long solo flight as he pushed harder. Faster, body aglow with One for All.
All alone, save for his thoughts and his doubts.
Big thanks to the team for this. IKnowNothing WildJoker000 and Juubi-K
So yeah, we came and went into Lodestar but there are more priorities. That being to get back to Whitebeard. ASAP. Some thoughts into Drona, and well, more Yamato sadness. Izuku's trying, my god he is but...
You can't smash Depression.
She had the worst event of her life occur. In canon, it was seeing Ace's Vivre Card burn away. Here? Her biting Izuku. One she had no involvement and had the words he said echo in her head. Not the case here. Not when she was a participant in that event.
Got two more chapters left of the Homeward Bound Arc, then we will being the next arc proper. The big original one we have been building towards.
Hope you all enjoyed this. I'll see you in the next one.