11 Leaving The Island

(Starrk's POV)

"So are you guys actually leaving?" I asked Liam

We were at the port town at the other side of the island. After I killed the bear and the old man left, Liam and Ricky skinned it and harvested its meat.

They also packaged up the pelt and said they were going to sell it somewhere that pays well.

We were at the docks of the town, walking towards the ships.

"Yea." Liam said, "Its about time we leave this place and look for someplace new. Start a new life or something. Maybe start a bakery."

Ricky chuckled, "Don't be stupid, Liam!" He said, "None of us know how to bake!"

I nodded at this.

I just met this guys and I was already speaking to them as if we were sort of friends. Ricky stealing my sword and boots aside, they weren't that bad. Apparently they weren't on the good side of the law, whatever that means here.

I didn't ask them what they had done to be outlaws.

I stopped as I saw a large ship in front of us. It looked like a galleon, I believe. It didn't seem to have a figurehead so I assumed it wasn't a pirate ship.

On the edge of the ship, atop it, I saw the Old Man sitting on his horse. He was looking down at me with his serious cold eyes.

Why the hell is he still on his horse? On a ship at that.

"So, boy…have you come to join me?" He asked, "Onwards to my home island and to the tests I have for you."

What home island? What tests? This geezer wasn't making any damn sense to me.

Liam patted my shoulder, "Remember what we discussed last night, Starrk." He said, "You can come with us and start anew. I know we just met, but I got a feeling you're a good guy."

I looked at him, he gave me a slight smile. I watched as the others kept walking and making their way to another ship.

I gave him a nod, "Yea."

He nodded back and kept walking.

I then looked up at the Old Man, "What am I gonna do with you?" I asked, "I have other shit to deal with."

Yea. I really did. I had to find out why there are rumors about Whitebeard and I. That and the major, yet impossible, objective I was tasked. I couldn't waste time with this guy on his home island.

"Hmm." He said, "You have to make a choice, boy. Either come with me, learn the secrets of Ice and what you're truly made of. Or go out into the world and find out the terrible way. You must remember, this is The New World. Unfortunately, the seas aren't so safe."

Secrets of Ice? What I'm truly made of? What does that even mean?

Wait. Is this geezer connected to the goddess? Did she send him my way? For what? For an early training arc? Why the hell would she do that?

I sighed, "I have stuff to do." I said, "And why the hell should I trust you?! You made me fight a bear! Give me one good reason I should go!"

He gave me a serious glare, "Without me, you'll die." He said

That gave me goosebumps.

But can I really trust him? Can I really?

No. I don't think I can. Something was definitely off with this man. I had to go off on my own.

I have to walk my own path. There are things to be done. I have to find out who I gotta make Pirate King. I need to know who the candidates are. I cannot afford to waste time dealing with this.

At the same time, training doesn't sound so bad. It'll be nice to learn to master my sword and then go out to the world and try my luck.

But it doesn't bother me because the goddess say I can learn as i fight. Whatever that means. Also, my body was specially made.

I should be fine.

I shook my head as I turned around and walked towards where Liam and the others were walking.

"Sorry, no can do." I said, "Can't trust you."

I heard him scoff, "You'll regret this, boy!" He said, "But no matter. Soon you'll come to me and try to prove your worth. At least when you're out there, find the Royal Wolf's Pelt. When you cone to me with that, I'll know that you might be worthy of Ice."

I kept walking, acting as I ignored what he said.

Royal Wolf's Pelt? What the hell is that? And he keeps talking about my sword as its magical or something. He was a weird old man.

I saw as Liam waited for me on the ramp to the ship he was boarding.

"So, Bruv…" he said, "Made your choice?"

I nodded, "Yea." I said,

"Lets get out of here."