5 Chapter 5: First Crewmate

(Roberts: POV)

Feeling the soft rays of sunlight on my face I slowly but surely opened my eyes.

In doing so I was met with the sight of a sleeping Alfia.

Who looks incredibly cute at the moment.

But just to be clear I am not a lolicon.

I live by the phrase "Thicc thighs save lives" and am a lifelong member of the church of Thicc.

Now and forever, no mater what life I live.

However once Alfia and I grow up a bit....

Well, there's not telling what the future holds.

Moving on.

I gently slipped out of Alfia's embrace so as to not wake up up.

Once I did so I went to go take care of some business in the woods.

Returning to the treehouse I went to take a seat on my makeshift couch. Once I did so my mind started wandering back towards yesterdays events.

Specifically the fact that I killed people.

I'm not ashamed of that mind you. If I was in the same situation I would do it all over again. Since I know if I hadn't killed those pirates they would've definitely killed me. That is not the issue here.

What is the issue for me is how Alfia will see me from now on.

Despite her personality and intelligence she is still just a little girl. Who yesterday saw me murder people without any hesitation.

If I was in her position I definitely wouldn't look at me the same.

Then there's the fact those pieces of human filth were Alfia's very first experience with pirates. I know for sure that has affected her.

Which is horrible for her. But also puts me in an awkward position since I planned on asking Alfia to join my pirate crew.

She is my best friend, and I want her to sail the seas with me and go on adventures. Maybe even more when we are old enough.

Now though.

I wouldn't be surprised if she started hating me once I reveal to her my intentions to become a pirate myself.

Even so that is exactly what I'm going to do.

Since after yesterday events I feel keeping my dreams from Alfia any longer will definitely do more harm than good long term. That is why I am going to lay everything on the table and let the chips fall wherever they may.

Even if that means I lose my best friend.

My mind made up I look several deep calming breaths after it was.

I then waited for Alfia to wake up.

While getting myself some food in the meantime.

Since I was starving.

Yet despite my hunger I didn't feel physically drained in the slightest. My body felt great. Better than great actually.

I feel like I have energy to burn for days on end.

I also feel a strange and large pool of energy deep within me. Which I can control quite easily.

This is definitely part of my devil fruit abilities, and I have to say it's quite amazing. Being able to store the excess energy and vitality I steal from my victims rather than having to immediately use it opens up so many possibilities for me.

Though I will have to watch out for mental fatigue, since it seems the vitality and energy I absorb does nothing to restore that. I also need to be careful about how much energy I try to absorb and store at once. Since while I haven't hit a cap on what I can absorb I have this sneaking suspicion there is one and if and when I hit it the consequences won't be pretty. I'm sure it won't kill me, but it will definitely be inconvenient.

That's why I'm going to pace myself as much as possible whenever possible. So when the time does come for me to exceed my limits I'll have more room to maneuver.

It's like they say: Preparation is the key to success.

Once I finished off my food I read a book to pass the time.

But fifteen minutes into it I heard Alfia start to stir awake.

The moment I did so I closed the book and turned in her direction.

As soon as I did so she smiled at me. "Good morning, Roberts." She said.

"It's actually the afternoon." I retorted. "But considering what we went through yesterday I can't say I blame you for sleeping so long."

"Right." Alfia mused. "So um, yesterday when the...pirate was about to start stomping me. I'm pretty sure I saw a weird white-colored energy fly out of his body. Do you know anything about that?"

"Yeah. I do." I said. "Alfia, we need to talk."

Nodding her head slowly Alfia focused entirely on me.

Once she did so I told her pretty much everything.

Me obtaining devil fruits powers, the short version of what a devil fruit is when she asked, and most importantly my dreams about becoming a pirate.

I told all of this to Alfia without holding back.

"And there you have it." I said, once I finished speaking.

When I did Alfia didn't say anything in response. Instead she's just looking at me with this blank expression on her face.

"If you hate me or never want to speak to me again I completely understand." I said. "But just so you know I won't change my mind about becoming a pirate Alfia. No matter what you say to me my mind won't be changed regarding the matter. Though I can promise you if I ever sink to the level of those pieces of shit I killed yesterday I'll kill myself without hesitation."

I'm serious.

Since if I ever stoop to the level of pirates like that it means I've lost who I truly am inside in the first place.

And I'd rather die again than live like that.

"I see." Alfia said. "Well alright then, if this is what you have decided Roberts."

Hearing Alfia's response I made a surprised pikachu face.

"Alfia, you're being serious right now right? You're not messing with me right now are you?" I asked.

"No, not at all." Alfia replied.

"But I just told you I want to be a pirate. And considering what happened yesterday..."

"Yes, those men were scum. Worse than scum." Alfia sharply spoke. "If I could I would grind them to dust myself." She said. Getting a slightly evil look on her face as she did so.

But it only lasted for a moment before her expression returned to normal.

"But Roberts I know you are nothing like those men. I know that if you become a pirate you will never commit the atrocities they did." Alfia said.

"That's some pretty heavy faith you have in me." I retorted.

"Of course. Who wouldn't have such faith in their best friend." Alfia said. Giving me a rare smile as she did so.

Seeing this I couldn't help but smile back.

"Thank you Alfia." I said. "Also, thank you for supporting my dream. And since we're on the subject there is something I want to ask you. Would you perhaps be open to joining my pirate crew? Because I want to go on adventures with you and see the wonders and mysteries the world has to offer. So, want to join me in turning this world upside down?"

"Yes." Alfia said without any hesitation.

'Wow, she's putting a lot of trust and faith in me with her answers today.' I thought.

But that just means I will need to live up to them.

Which I most certainly will.

I guarantee it.