14. Party

„Stay."

„Wahahaha. Good. To think I would journey with someone else again, after my big adventure. Wahahah, truly! Life is really unpredictable."

After that I spoke with Rodger. And the man is really carefree and easy to talk to.

We talked about anything under the sky, and he told me a bit about his adventures, of course he didn't go that deep into the details, as that was something that I didn't want. I wanted to explore the whole world on my own. I wanted to see everything the world had t offer.

And it seemed with this attitude I gained a higher level of respect from Rodger.

He also told me about the world of pirates, as that was something mother Aria never did, obviously she didn't want me to guess that Whitebeard is my father, as you simply can't talk about pirates without Whitebeard, the rival of the king of pirates.

Some times after we started our journey I even asked Rodger if I could navigate. Even so he was a bit sceptical he really let me do it and h was stunned pretty soon as I easily navigated us through the strange weather of the Grand Line.

And with a new goal to reach I of course didn't neglect my training. And since our ship was pretty small, it was now the time to shine for my Compress Domain.

When Rodger first saw it he was pretty surprised, as even though I mentioned that I had w devil fruit, and even a the Domain fruit, but still seeing and hearing are two different pair of shoes.

Anyways thanks to my domain I could still continue my training.

I would run within my domain as long as I lasted, which was barely half a hour, as with the double exertion of domain and running, my stamina really was too small.

Next since I couldn't train with the training equipment of the island, I went back to my early days of push up sit ups and squats. Of course I still made some progress since I still had my training suit, which is by the way over three tons now and the restriction on my movement was still there, and even harsher than the first time.

Then I spent the rest of the day, either on my fruit, my swordsmanship or chatting with Rodger.

The man even gave me some pointers occasionally. And his pointers were even better than those of my Master.

Truly worthy of the Pirate King.

...

Like this two months passed and we were currently about to arrive at Sabaody.

But since the face of Rodger was known everywhere, and this was pretty close to the Marine Headquarters, we didn't dock the ship anywhere normal, we simply sailed as close to the shore as we could and then Rodger jumped the rest of the way while carrying me.

„Wahahaha, these last two months were truly fun, Yuno. Come I want to introduce you to someone."

Rodger was then leading us towards a place I already knew, Shakkys Rip-Off Bar.

As we entered, we were lucky as Rayleigh was there. I knew that he was normally out having fun gambling or selling himself for money. Or he did that at least in the show, maybe he hadn't picked that hobby up yet.

„Wahaha, Rayleigh! You look good, how was the past year? Look I met someone interesting on the way, you will never guess who's son this is."

At first Rayleigh had ignored us, probably due to Rodger, as there was no other way a master in Observation Haki wouldn't have noticed who entered.

He was still drinking leisurely from his glass when he stiffened after hearing Rodger. A short moment later he turned around stared at Rodger and smiled.

„Oh Rodger, you are here. How was your trip? I was doing fine the last year, enjoying my retirement. Did you accomplish what you wanted to do?"

„Wahaha, of course I got everything settled except one thing. But I met this kid here on my trip and thought to drop him with you before settling the last thing."

Rayleigh smiled slightly and looked at me. First he just looked at me for some time, but soon he got big eyes and his mouth opened a bit, seemed like he guessed it.

„Wahahaha. You should look at you face, partner. You look hilarious! You probably guessed it, this here is the son of that old bastard, Whitebeard."

Rayleigh smiled wryly and inquired.

„Yeah the similarities between them is really shocking, especially their breaths. But with the personality of him he would never let his son roam the sea by himself, especially when he is still so young."

„Well the situation is kinda complicated, but it is not my place to speak about it. Kid, this is Rayleigh, my friend and first mate. You can trust him."

I smiled a bit. Of course I already knew that. The whole crew of the Rodger pirates are all very cool and nice, at least the most of the ones that were in the show. The only exceptions were Bullet, up till the point I remember. And buggy. Well at least for me. I never really liked the clown.

So I hadn't any problem with sharing my past with him. But since it was a longer story I first handed him the letter of my mother and then started with my explanation.

„Well the maid, whom my mother gave the letter to brought me away, after the worst case happened and mother sacrificed herself to enable us to escape. That was 14 years ago. After that the maid, or as I saw her, my other mother, brought me up on an isolated island somewhere in the calm belt.

Under her I started training when I was six for two years. After I was under the tutelage of my Master. That lasted until a year ago, when he was called back to his clan. Two months ago my Mother then tried to rescue my Grandfather, who was at that time imprisoned. But at the end they both died. My mother then send me away and gave me the letter. It was then I met Uncle Rodger."

Rayleigh was silent the whole time during my explanation and at the end he sighed.

„Sigh, poor kid. So whats your plan now? Wanna stay here with me and my wife?"

I fell silent after hearing this. Living with Rayleigh and Shakky? I was sure it would be very nice. I could also train a bit under Rayleigh.

But was this really what was best for the current me?

I didn't want to start my Haki training, at least not yet. I wanted to make my foundations firmer. That was something my Master explained to me.

That even though my body was already ready to start training Haki, but he still didn't each me, as he wanted to strengthen my foundations in body and mind even more.

As when I did this, then I could gain some unexpected boons then when I would start now.

And for it delaying my training? I didn't worry that much, as after I gain a more powerful body, it would make my training have no bottlenecks until I reach the limit of my body.

And for other skills?

Well the only thing in which I would need guidance is Haki.

For my body training? Well there would be no big difference, whether with or without a trainer. The only thing someone could teach me that would help in this regards is Rokushiki of the marines, and Rayleigh would be unable to teach me this.

Devil Fruit? Even in the archives of the Woo D. And Big Sword Clan , there are no real mentioning of past users, as this fruit seemed extremely rare and the last user was already from 150 years ago. So I doubt Rayleigh or Shakky would be able to help me with this.

And my swordsmanship? Well it was already time for me to create my own Core technique. And no one can help me with this.

So if I stay or leaf doesn't differ much.

It would be simply way safer I think if I were to stay.

But if that is really that good for me? I don't know, honestly.

As I was debating internally I couldn't really come to a conclusion so I decided to simply seek advise. The men in front of me are sure two of the wisest characters in one piece. And they were also very open minded, and not mind me asking something like that.

„Well I would lie if I said I wasn't really grateful and tested by this offer. So I wanna thank you for your offer at this point. But I don't know if this is what I really want and if its the best choice for me.

Let me explain what I mean.

I lived my whole life on that island. I was always protected and even when I was fighting beasts, I knew that no matter what I did and even if I messed up the mother would be there to protect me. I also feel that I kind of stagnated a bit in my recent training.

Sure my devil fruit powers grew stronger over the years, but I think that is mainly due to me growing up and my body slowly limiting the real strength of my devil fruit, to lower its burden. But I feel my swordsmanship hit a wall. And no matter what I did since half a year ago, when I hit it, seemed to weaken that wall even the slightest. And I think it has something to do with this protected environment of mine.

So I really can't decide what to do."

The two men in front of me smiled and stayed silent for a while, as they were calmly gazing at me.

It was Rayleigh who broke the silence.

„Haha, kid it seemed to me you already have your decision made. You don't have to worry about me, I don't mind it. It was an idea out of the spur of the moment for me. But here kid take this, my offer will still stand in the future, so use it when you want to find me."

Rayleigh laughed as he handed me his vivre card.

After I took it, I then took my own, and teared two pieces off from it and handed them to both Rodger and Rayleigh.

„Thanks Uncle Rayleigh, here is my own vivre card, for if you want t find me someday, for you too Uncle Rodger."

Rayleigh smiled again and took it. But Rodger laughed and didn't take it.

„Wahaha kid, I better not take something that lead to you."

„Ah, what do you mean Uncle?"

Even though I already knew the answer I still asked.

„Well I am ill and don't have much time left. And the last thing I have to settle, well let me say its dangerous, and if the guys there had something that led to you it would be quite troublesome to say the least. Wahaha!"

Sigh, he is indeed here to say his farewell to his best friend and then turn himself in.

„Wahaha, but enough with these depressing topics, let's party and chat."

„You really don't change do you? Always wanting to party? So what's the occasion today?"

„Wahaha, do you really need a reason to party? But well if you had to name one? How about meeting such an interesting young fellow like Yuno."

Rodgers words made both me and Rayleigh smile.

We then sat in a corner of the bar and started the party.

After around a hour into it Shakky came back from wherever she was. I was honestly already too tipsy to clearly remember. I also told her about me, and she supported the decision of Rayleigh to invite me to live with them.

The party continued.

I was silently drinking for the most part honestly, as I didn't want to interrupt the farewell of these two friends. And I later even simply passed out from all the alcohol. It was the first time for me to drink after all.