Luca, A Pallum's Dream

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In his modest yet rugged home near the shoreline, Mont Blanc Cricket sat with his binoculars, watching the horizon intently. His gaze locked onto the small ship carrying Kai, the strange and strong youth who had recently shown up at his doorstep with an audacious dream of reaching Skypiea. Cricket leaned back momentarily, reflecting on the madness of it all.

"Crazy kid," he muttered, a faint smirk forming on his face. "I had my doubts when Luffy said he'd do it, too, and look how that turned out."

His grin widened as he brought the binoculars back up to his eyes. The ocean seemed unnaturally still, the calm before the storm. And then, in a moment that made Cricket's heart skip a beat, a massive glow emanated from the sea beneath Kai's ship. The water began to churn violently as a powerful surge of energy erupted upward.

"No way..." Cricket whispered, sitting up straighter. His pulse quickened as he realized what was happening. Kai had managed to trigger the Knock-Up Stream—and not just trigger it, but earlier than it was supposed to naturally occur.

"GO BOY!" Cricket roared, his excitement getting the better of him. He stood up, punching the air as he shouted, "THAT'S HOW IT IS! ACHIEVE YOUR DREAM!"

Realizing he'd been yelling to no one in particular, Cricket cleared his throat, embarrassed. He returned to his binoculars, focusing intently on Kai's ship as it was carried upward by the towering column of water. For a moment, he silently prayed.

"Let it hold together... Let them make it safely," he murmured.

But his prayers were interrupted by movement in the corner of his vision. His binoculars shifted to reveal a second ship, racing toward the base of the Knock-Up Stream, clearly following Kai. The sight of its flag sent a chill down Cricket's spine.

"Is that...?!" he stammered, gripping the binoculars tighter. His voice dropped to a murmur of disbelief. "No... it can't be... 

His hands trembled slightly as he muttered under his breath, the weight of recognition settling over him. "What the hell are they doing here?"

...

Kai stared at the blonde-haired boy standing before him, dressed sharply in a white suit. The kid's wide grin suggested familiarity, but Kai was drawing a blank. "Do I know you?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion. It wasn't every day someone casually recognized him, especially in a place like this.

The boy's grin widened. "Of course! Well, more like I know you. You helped us back in Impel Down! Remember? My name's Andrea Luca Toni, but you can call me Toni."

Hearing the mention of Impel Down, Kai chuckled dismissively. "Good joke, Little Toni. But seriously, how do you know me?"

Before Luca could respond, Mikita clasped her hands together, practically squealing. "Kai! Captain! He's so cute! Can we keep him?"

Luca's brow twitched in irritation. "Cute? Really? Listen here, Kai Silver, and you too, Miss 'Massive Ass'—"

"Massive?! Excuse me?!" Mikita protested, her face flushing red.

Luca ignored her outburst, his tone sharp. "I'm thirty-eight, kid. That's nearly double your age! I may look young, but it's because I'm a Pallum. So don't call me a kid again. Got it?"

Kai blinked, taking in the boy's uncharacteristically mature demeanor. "Wait... seriously? Oh, damn. My bad, man. Didn't realize."

Mikita tugged at Kai's sleeve. "Kai! Tell him I'm not fat! I'm good-looking, right? Tell him!"

"Shut up, Mikita," Kai replied flatly, his focus still on Luca.

The blonde grinned at Kai's sudden change in tone. "That's more like it. Respect your elders, boy. I'm the one who saved your life back in Newkama Land. I was Ivankov's ship doctor. That's how I know you."

Recognition dawned on Kai, memories of the post-battle haze after the wolf attack surfacing. "So it was you..." His voice softened. "I never got to thank you. You saved my life."

Luca waved a hand dismissively. "No big deal. I was just doing my job. But what are you doing here?"

Kai's brows furrowed. "Wait, what are you doing here? I forced the Knock-Up Stream early to get here. You shouldn't even be here!"

Luca leaned against a nearby tree, his casual stance contrasting with the gravity of his words. "It was Kuma. During Marineford, I was cornered—several officers and Kuma himself. But he was... different, We all knew something happened to him...But still the look in his eyes back then.... Almost like he recognized me. Instead of finishing me off, he sent me flying here. Ever since, I've been stuck on this island. I don't even know what happened after the war. Did Ivankov make it? Did Whitebeard win? Is that kid Luffy still alive?"

At the mention of the war, Kai's expression darkened. Mikita noticed the shift and fell silent, while Luca's perceptive gaze narrowed. "So it was bad, huh?" Luca said quietly.

Kai exhaled deeply. "You fought with us. You deserve to know."

"Follow me," Luca said, gesturing toward the forest. "I've got a camp nearby. We can talk there."

.....

As night fell, the trio sat around a crackling bonfire at Luca's makeshift camp. The warm glow flickered across their faces as Kai recounted his experiences during the Paramount War. From the chaos of the battlefield to his clashes with Vice Admirals, warlords, and even admirals like Akainu and Kizaru, he told the tale with grim honesty.

Mikita listened in awe, her respect for Kai growing with every word. She'd never realized just how strong or resilient her new captain was, nor that he had crossed paths with her former leader, Crocodile, to free him from Impel Down.

"So, Ivankov survived," Luca murmured when Kai finished. "But Little Luffy's Bother didn't... And Whitebeard's gone, too." He sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging. "The Marines and the World Government might think they've tamed the seas, but they've only set the stage for more chaos. Still, that's none of my concern. I left that life behind the moment Kuma sent me here."

Luca gazed into the fire, his tone resolute. "I'm a casualty of that war, just like so many others. Now, I have a different goal. No more revolution. No more fighting."

Kai stared at Luca, respect flickering in his eyes. "Fair enough," he said simply.

The camp fell silent, save for the crackling of the fire, each of them lost in their own thoughts about the war and the uncertain future ahead.

...

Kai leaned against a nearby tree, gazing at the firelight that danced across Luca's face. After a moment, he spoke, his tone both curious and challenging. "May I ask why you're done with the fight? I mean, I'd expect this from a pirate or a Marine, but not a Revolutionary. Your kind are always hell-bent on ending the government."

Luca sighed, nodding slowly. "Yeah, honestly, we are," he admitted, his voice carrying a weight of bitterness. "And to be frank with you, I still wish them all dead. I'd kill them in a heartbeat if I had the power. I hate them with all my soul. But when I was sent here…" His voice trailed off as he looked into the distance. "I don't know. Something changed. I realized I should shift my focus... focus on my own race."

Kai tilted his head, intrigued. "Race? What do you mean?"

Luca's expression darkened, but his resolve didn't waver. "I'm a Pallum," he stated firmly. "Do you even know any others of my race? Like so many others, we've been eliminated by the damn World Government." His voice cracked slightly as he continued. "I lost… I lost my wife and daughter fifteen years ago."

Kai frowned, his gaze softening. Luca's hands clenched into fists as he explained further. "My race is deeply protective of our history. We kept archives going back millennia, tracing our heritage and the truth of the world. When the government discovered what we had... they wiped us out. Burned our archives, our cities, our people." He took a deep, trembling breath. "I survived only because I was away fishing. When I returned…" His voice faltered momentarily, but he steadied himself. "I came back to my home in flames."

Kai lowered his head, his voice quiet. "That must've been hard for you. I'm sorry."

Luca nodded, the flickering fire reflecting the sorrow in his eyes. "My daughter… she was the last Pallum I ever laid eyes on. Ever since that day, I haven't met another of my kind. I was angry, consumed by it. I joined the Revolutionary Army because I thought it would help me get revenge. But I wasn't much of a fighter, so I became a doctor instead. I still carry the fire of revenge deep inside… but my time here has made me reflect. I don't want my anger to consume me forever."

He looked at Kai with a fierce determination. "I want to find my people, reunite with them. I want to recreate Pallumiana. I don't want to be the last Pallum. That's my new dream."

Kai's heart ached for the man. Beside him, Mikita wiped at her tear-streaked cheeks, unable to hold back her emotions. For once, her usual playful demeanor was replaced by genuine empathy.

Kai lifted his gaze to the stars, speaking with conviction. "Luca… come with me."

Luca's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"I don't have much power now," Kai continued. "In this world full of monsters, I'm practically a nobody. But one thing I know for certain… one day, I'll become a god. Someone powerful enough to achieve all my dreams. And I want your dream to be mine as well. I'll help you find your people, reunite with them, and recreate your home."

For a moment, Luca was speechless. Then, his lips curled into a small, appreciative smile. "I appreciate that, kid," he said softly. "I don't know what to do moving forward, to be honest. So, joining you isn't a bad idea. At the very least, you can help me leave this island. In return, I'll owe you my life."

Kai stood, extending a hand to Luca. "There will be no debt. If anything, I'll be repaying you for saving my life."

Luca stared at the offered hand, then clasped it firmly, a renewed sense of purpose igniting in his heart. "Alright then. Let's make it happen."

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If you wish to read up to 5 Chapters Ahead! or simply support me just because? then check out my patréon at

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