Final Farewell #19

Author's note: I really can't think of anything, and I'm too lazy to wrack my brain right now. Just donate power stones, will you? 

...

In a secluded clearing on the first ring of the tutorial island, nestled amidst the trees near the shore, lay the resting place of an old pirate. Once a mere patch of grass with a crude cross marking the spot, it had undergone a transformation over time. 

Now, a large rock stood in place of the cross, bearing the inscription, "Here lies Old Barn, an old sea dog, a shrewd schemer, and an excellent teacher." 

The clearing was adorned with a variety of flowers, tended to diligently by several cliff-borrowing monkeys who frequented the area, ensuring the tombstone remained clean and the flowers well-watered.

As Blake entered the clearing, the monkeys scattered, a familiar sight that never failed to amuse him. He made his way to the tombstone and settled himself cross-legged beside it. 

"It's been a while, old man," Blake greeted, his fingers tracing the inscription on the rock. "Two years, I guess? I haven't visited since I gave your grave a makeover and got these pesky monkeys to tend to the place..." He sighed, a hint of remorse creeping into his voice. 

"We weren't exactly the best of friends, but I still feel bad for not coming to visit more often... I don't know why... I guess I'm just being sentimental..." he admitted, offering a wistful smile as he absentmindedly scratched his head.

"Well, I shouldn't torture a departed soul with my ranting, so I'll cut to the chase..." Blake chuckled softly, his voice carrying through the serene clearing. "I'm going to leave this island today, so I thought I'd swing by to say my goodbyes... I don't have plans of ever coming back, after all..." he explained, his smile genuine as he addressed the tombstone before him. 

"That's the gist of it, I guess. Farewell, and thanks for everything," he concluded, bowing his head respectfully.

Just as Blake prepared to rise and leave, a muffled chuckle disrupted the quiet moment. Something felt strangely familiar about the situation, but he was too incensed to make the connection. 

Assuming it was someone from the merchant ship, Blake turned around to face the trespasser with a vein bulging on his forehead, prepared to give the intruder a piece of his mind and the beating of a lifetime. 

However, what he saw caused Blake's expression to freeze in shock. 

An elderly man stood leisurely against a tree, a bottle of rum in hand, wearing a knowing smirk. "What's with that stupid look on yer face, lad? Ya look like you've seen a ghost..." he quipped, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Or maybe you're itching to put me back in the grave again?" he teased, his grin widening mischievously.

"Old Barn... you... how in the..." Blake's voice trailed off, his eyes widening in disbelief as he struggled to comprehend the sight before him. After a moment of stunned silence, he sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "I see... so I'm finally starting to lose my mind for real this time..." he muttered, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.

Old Barn let out a hearty chuckle at Blake's words. "Well, lad, life's full of surprises, ain't it? But whether I'm a benevolent ghost that's come to bid ya farewell, an evil spirit out to haunt ya, or just a figment of yer imagination, it don't change much, does it?" he said, taking another leisurely sip from his rum bottle. "Let's leave that philosophical debate for another day, eh?"

Blake couldn't help but chuckle at the old pirate's wry humor. "You always did have a way with words, Old Barn," he remarked, shaking his head in amusement. "But you're right, it doesn't change a thing. I've got my own path to walk, and I won't let ghosts or memories stand in my way."

"I really hope I won't be seeing you again, old man. So just rest in peace and stay dead, will you?" Blake said, giving Old Barn an annoyed look before propelling himself into the air with Geppo, leaving the old pirate to his rum and memories.

...

Several hours later, on the shore of Tutorial Island, Jack Blackwater's eyes widened as he watched Blake emerge from the dense tree line, a bulky backpack slung over his shoulders.

It wasn't the size of the backpack that surprised Jack but the towering figure accompanying Blake that left him speechless. It was none other than Sif, the great grey wolf.

"Um... when you mentioned having a companion, you didn't mean this creature, did you?" Jack asked, a bead of sweat forming on his brow as he eyed Sif cautiously.

Blake grinned and affectionately patted Sif's neck. "You got it. She's my one and only friend in this place..." he proudly declared. "Greet the good captain who will be getting us out of here, will you, Sif?" he prompted, but Sif responded with a pointed stare and a low growl directed at Jack.

As the growl reverberated through the air and Jack caught sight of Sif's piercing blue eyes, a chill danced down his spine. "I don't mean to offend, but are you absolutely sure this creature is safe...?" he asked tentatively, his voice laced with apprehension. 

He winced as Sif fixed him with a stare that could freeze the sun. "It-- I mean she won't eat anyone once we're aboard the ship, will she?" he inquired nervously, eyeing the wolf warily.

Blake's laughter filled the air, breaking the tension like a ray of sunlight through storm clouds as if the very notion of Sif posing a threat to someone was ridiculous. 

"Ah, don't pay attention to her fierce exterior. Sif's actually quite gentle... wouldn't harm a soul," he reassured, extending his hand to pat Sif's head once more. "Look at her, as friendly and well-behaved as can be," he added, his fingers finding their way to scratch behind Sif's ears, eliciting a low growl from the wolf.

Incensed by Blake's casual attitude and the audacity that drove Blake to touch her so casually, Sif let out a growl, leaning over Blake's shoulder and biting on his head from behind. 

Blake continued to smile as if nothing had happened, his expression undisturbed even as three streams of blood trickled down his face. 

Jack audibly gulped, his eyes widening in disbelief. "You do realize she's, uh, biting your head right now...?" he muttered incredulously, eyeing Blake with a mix of concern and bewilderment. "You're even bleeding..." 

In response to Jack's concern, Blake remained unfazed, his tone nonchalant as he addressed the situation. 

"What are you talking about? She's just giving me a tender kiss! That's just how Sif shows love," he declared matter-of-factly, making no attempt to deter the wolf's affections. "And this... well, it's just ketchup," he added, brushing off the blood dribbling down his face with a casual swipe of his hand. 

Observing this, Jack found himself torn between amusement and exasperation, a faint throbbing in his temples signaling the onset of a headache. It seemed reasoning with the young man might be a futile endeavor, yet he couldn't ignore the risk of allowing such a dangerous creature aboard his vessel.

"I see... that's certainly a unique display of affection, if I may say so," Jack remarked with a nervous chuckle, mopping his brow with a handkerchief. "But, you see, the boat may not be equipped to accommodate your companion's considerable weight, and our ship is quite a distance from the shore..." he continued, a sly gleam flickering in his eyes as he hinted at the logistical challenge. 

"Unless you can convince to this beast to swim a considerable distance I don't imagine it would be--" He said, However, before he could finish his thought, Blake interrupted him with a raised hand.

With an air of unwavering confidence, Blake dismissed Jack's concerns with a nonchalant wave of his hand and a playful smirk. "No need to fret about that... Sif and I will find our own way to the ship, so you needn't concern yourself," he declared, his tone laced with assurance as he addressed Jack. "Let's get going, shall we, Sif?" he added, prompting the wolf to release her hold on his head. 

In a swift motion, Blake propelled himself into the air using Geppo, and to Jack's horror and astonishment, Sif followed suit, her massive paws defying gravity as she soared alongside the young man.

Left speechless and dumbfounded, Jack could only watch as the young man and his extraordinary wolf companion departed without giving him a chance to protest. His eyes widened, jaw slackening once more in disbelief at the incredible display before him. 

"It's one thing for this young man to possess knowledge of the World Government's superhuman techniques, but to think that even a beast..." he murmured, a weary sigh escaping his lips. "I really shouldn't linger on this island for too long, lest I risk both life and sanity," he concluded, shaking his head in resignation.

...

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