ONE PIECE: Dawn of a New Era

"Remember what I promised you, Masa? I promised that we'd find each other on the Sea. But I haven't accomplished that second part."

His eyes were fierce, fiery and determined now. Freed from the burden he'd placed on himself. They had this hope in them that had been gone for so long. "I've spent so long searching for you, that now I think it's best for me to choose another. A Path that will take me to the one we've both seeked. Finally shoot for my goal that I've wanted since I could ever remember.

"To become the Strongest Swordsmen this World has ever seen."

"Heh..." A Smile grew across Masa's lips. "I don't think- After everything that's happened I can keep my head straight towards becoming a swordsmen. I have to keep them safe. Make sure that they life a life thats worth being called one." Masa looked over her shoulder to the women on the boat.

With a quick hop down, she embraced Kále! Arms tightly wrapped around his neck her voice slightly muffled. "Just do it for yourself you big goof. You don't worry about me anymore. Shoot for the Stars"

She pulled away, tears in her eyes "Okay?"

"Why else would I do it?" He held her gently, a soft grin on his face.

With a quick, deep kiss on his cheek. Masa put her hand against his face "I'll be at Shimotsuki. I'll be watching you every step of the way..."

The boats motor roared to life as it began to leave the dock. Leroy and Kále watching as it sailed off into the distance, Masa's blue hair fluttering as she watched the entire way.

He. Was finally free. He could finally start his journey to become. The Strongest.

He looked up into the sky for a moment, he was thinking. 'So... this is it Masa... This is where we depart... You can return home finally... your dad will be really happy to see you. I hope you don't tell him what I did, he doesn't need to know that... As for me, I'll carry our dream, I'll make sure my name is heard throughout the heavens... and then... I'll return and we can get back all those duels that we missed...'

"You know...I'm pretty sure it's 'Sought' not- Seeked." Leroy teased.

"Heh, yeah. I guess you're right."

Turning on his heel, the two looked at each other at eye level. "So, you wanna become the Strongest Swordsman this worlds ever seen?"

"Yeah, What about it?"

"Well...Sounds like a perfect goal for the Firstmate of the Future King of The Pirates!" Leroy crossed his arms as he smiled.

"You? King of the Pirates?" He questioned as he looked him up and down. And yet, despite how ridiculously hard that was. How absurd of a goal. He couldn't bring himself to question it.

Everything he'd seen from him. He'd taken out a company of Slavers. And that look, it radiated conviction.

"Yeah. Alright." He began to nod.

"Lets turn the world upside down." Leroy said, offering his hand, Kále clasping his own loudly.

*

It hadn't been long before Kirk had realized Leroy was gone. Obviously, he knew it would happen the second he didn't keep his eyes on the other, but still, he ended up having a bit too much fun with the gambling and got carried away.

Kirk had only stolen a bit more while looking all over the casino for Leroy before giving up and dragging Jeanne along to head back to the ship to wait for him. The Fishman already knew Leroy would be perfectly fine, considering how strong he was, but he still had a bit of worry in the back of his mind.

After stopping by a few tobacco shops for Jeanne, they were back at the ship. After Kirk sorted away all of the valuables he had gotten into the foot locker with the rest of the treasure, he sat on top of the railing closest to the dock, waiting and watching for his captain

Kirk leaned against the back railing when his ears twitched upon seeing Leroy!

"Leroy! Where the hell were you?" He held his self against the rail

While he was pleased to see him approaching, major confusion fell onto him as soon as he spotted the stranger following him along. Bristling in paranoia, he make sure his fins were covered by his sleeves and his gills were properly hidden before hopping down from the railing onto the sea-dampened planks of the dock.

"And who'd you drag along now?!"

"I looked all over the casino! You better have a good excuse" He grumbled to Leroy before giving the swordsman a wary look. Seeing all of those scars certainly worried him and put him on guard. Though, if he was with Leroy, then that must mean he was at least a bit alright.

Pulling himself up the side of the ship and onto the deck where Jeanne was smoking, he replied "I'll explain on the way, we've spent enough time on this damn Island, lets set sail!"

Leroy watched as Both Jeanne and Kirk nodded and Got the ship up and running and out into the open waters by the time he and Kale got on board.

It took only about an hour for him to fully explain what had happened and where he had gone Leroy had explained what he did. Why he disappeared and how he tracked down the woman

He didn't spare any details. He told them the full and horrify truth of the women in cages. Naked, Drugged, and Afraid.

He finished it all off with 'And then we made sure they got out, burned down the building and Kále and I watched. Oh, and he's out first mate now. Future King of The Pirates needs a Strong Swordsman! Especially one that aims to be the strongest ever!"

"WAIT WHAT?! LEROY?? YOU BURNT A BUILDING DOWN?!" It had been said so casually after such a heavy story that Kirk nearly glossed over it entirely, now worrying for the women and the swordsmen. "THERE WERE STILL SOME INNOCENT PEOPLE AROUND THERE! WHAT IF IT CATCHES TO THE REST OF THE TOWN?! Are you a complete idiot?! Ohh my goddd... those drunkards are definitely gonna blame us the first chance they get... If I get a bounty because of those racist alcoholics thinking we burned down a building in retaliation, I will DROWN you!"

"It was coming down anyway. It was abandoned. Not the actual casino! Besides it was all stone so it's not like it would've had a chance to spread before some sort of Fire Department showed up." He argued.

"I guess that's better than nothing, but don't be going around burning anything else down before coming to me!" Kirk said huffily before sighing.

"Well… it's good that you at least solved that issue for a while. I'm not sure who this De Leone is though… if he's apart of the Royal Marshall Privateers and he finds out who did this… we are gonna be in deep shit." He had been grabbing a towel for Kale when looking over at him again, frowning again in confusion.

"Yo, did you not hear me? C'mon, let's get you patched up before the sea water somehow sprays into your wounds." He waited a moment longer, staring, before furrowing his brow.

"Uh…yyyello? New guy? Can you…"

"…Is he asleep?!"