6 Joining the Roger Pirates

As soon as Roger officially made me a member of his crew we parted ways.

But that was only so I could go to the orphanage and collect my small amount of personal belongings.

Which is exactly what I did.

Not wasting a second I ran back to my room and cleaned it out.

Saying goodbye to the orphanage matron on my way back out as I did so.

I then quickly returned to the bar.

All within 30 minutes.

The moment I arrived back at the bar all of the Roger pirates were awake and functional. Even Shanks and Buggy.

Which just goes to show the people on the One Piece world are made of sterner stuff than the people back in my old world.

"Everyone, I have an announcement to make." Roger said. He then looked at me and I walked up to his side. "From today onwards Siegreich is a member of our crew. An apprentice." He told them.

"Captain, when did you make this decision?" Spencer asked him.

"Why just this morning. Right before all of you woke up." Roger said casually. A smile on his face as he did so. "Siegreich came to me and told me his dream of being a pirate. Liking the look he had in his eyes I agreed to let him join our crew after he asked me."

"Another one huh." Rayleigh mused. Rubbing his beard as he did so. "Well if that's your decision captain we won't argue with it." He said. "Right boys?"

"Yeah!" The rest of the crew cheered.

"Ah, thanks." I said to the crew. "And I promise I won't waste this opportunity that has been given to me. I will work hard to earn my keep." I said.

"That's the spirit kid." Rayleigh said. "We don't need another Buggy after all."

"Hey!" Buggy shouted.

When he did so everyone shared a laugh at his expense, even me.

We stopped a few moments later.

"Ok, now that that business is handled, Shanks and Buggy take Siegreich back to the Oro Jackson and show him around. Along with some of you others. Meanwhile the rest of us will gather supplies."

"Yes, captain." The crew said.

Then as soon as they did so we split into our groups.

Roger led one, while Rayleigh led our group back to the Oro Jackson.

As soon as we arrived we boarded the ship.

Then Shanks and Buggy took me into the interior and showed me to a room.

It had four bed and a small window.

"This is where we sleep." Shanks explained to me. Taking a seat on one of the beds as he did so. "Buggy and I have already claimed our beds, but you can pick whichever of the two that remain as yours." He told me.

"Understood." I told Shanks.

I then selected my bed.

The one right near the window.

So I could look out at the stars and sea during the night if I wished.

After selecting my bed I unpacked. Then once I did so I took a seat on my new bed and just took a moment to take everything in.

I am now a member of the Roger Pirates.

Sure I'm just an apprentice but still, it's the Roger Pirates we're talking about here.

I'm sure many people all over the world dream of traveling with these guys, and here I am doing it.

Which is both super exciting and super scary at the same time.

Still, I am not regretting my decision at all.

Not one bit.

I put a smile on my face.

Then I look towards Shanks and Buggy. "So, what exactly do we apprentices do?"

"We mostly clean the ship. Go into town and help retrieve supplies, and train." Shanks explained to me.

I nodded at that. "Ok. So, what do we do when other pirates attack us? Do we fight?"

"No." Buggy said. "All of the fighting is handled by captain and the others. We simply hang back and observe."

"I see." I said. "Well thanks for the explanation you guys. It's vey much appreciated."

"Of course." Shanks said. "We're fellow crewmates now after all. I'm going to help you out whenever I can Buggy as well."

"I will." Buggy added. "Even so we're senior to you on the ship, so never forget that." Buggy explained.

"Yeah, yeah." I said to Buggy.

Just as I did so Rayleigh opened the door to our room.

"You three, topside now. We're about to set sail." He said.

"Yes!" All three of us said in unison.

Right after we did so we left our room and followed Rayleigh topside.

Arriving we saw all the rest of the crew members on deck. Including the ones who went to gather supplies earlier.

Standing at the front of the ship, Roger looked at all of us. "Ok. Now that we're all here let's set sail!" He happily exclaimed.

"Yeah!" The rest of us shouted.

As soon as we did so the sails of the Oro Jackson were unfurled and we were off.

While we sailed away from Bunny Island I moved over to the left side of the ship and gazed at it.

The place had been my home for ten years in this world after all.

It's where my mother died, and where I got my devil fruit powers.

I am grateful to the island.

Maybe I'll come back and visit it someday.

But that's going to be far in the future.

Since now I am going to adventure on the high seas.

I continued looking at Bunny Island until I could see it no longer.

Once it was out of sight I turned back around, only to find Roger looking at me.

"Feeling homesick already?" He asked me.

I shook my head. "Not at all captain. I don't regret my choice to crew up with you guys." I told him.

"Well I would be disappointed if you did." He retorted.

"I'm sure." I said. Giving him a small smile as I did so. "On that note captain I have two things to tell you. Since I am a member of your crew now and all."

"Oh, and what my that be?" Roger asked me.

Several of his crew mates listening in on our conversation as he did so. Even Buggy and Shanks.

Which I have no problem with.

Since we are going to be traveling together for the foreseeable future.

Trust is a must in this regard.

Which is why I am doing what I am right now.

"First off. My full name is Siegreich D. Noctis." I said.

"Oh, so just like me you have D. in your name huh?" He asked.

"Yes." I told him. "And as for the second thing, I have devil fruit powers." I told him.

I then changed my left arm completely into a cloud and held it up for all to see. Then after a few minutes I changed it back.

"Oh, a devil fruit user eh." Roger said. "Now that I didn't expect at all. Especially outside of the Grand Line."

"What can I say, I just got lucky. Saw a devil fruit and decided to try my luck and ate it." I explained.

"Hahaha! Now that's the spirit." Roger said. "What's life without taking a few risks?"

"Exactly." I added.

"Hey Siegreich, who told you about devil fruits?" Rayleigh asked me. "I don't think there are too many people in the South Blue who know about them."

I figured this subject might come up, which is exactly why I have already created the perfect lie to answer it with.

"My mother." I told Rayleigh. "She passed when I was five years old. But before she did she told me about our name being D. and about devil fruits in general. Though I never had the chance to ask her how she knew about such things." I explained.

"I see." Rayleigh said. "Sorry for your loss kid."

"It's fine." I told him. "I came to terms with it a long time ago. And besides she was the type of woman who wouldn't want me mourning her for the rest of my life, but rather she would want me to live life without any regrets. Which is exactly what I'm doing." I said.

"Then keep it up and we'll help you out." Roger told me.

"I will captain." I said.

Smiling brightly as I did so.

Once again marveling at the fact I am now an apprentice of the Roger Pirates.

Life sure works in mysterious ways.