Chapter 6-I wanna be strong

Marcus Mars office

Marcus Mars had always been a busy man, but these past few days had weighed heavily on him. The deaths of his son Charles and daughter-in-law Casey had left him devastated. But seeing his grandson's face when he had to tell him that his parents had been murdered was horrible for him.

Now he was reviewing the information about the slaves, servants, properties, assignments, and events that Ethan's parents had. Marcus was considering what to do with them, thinking he would probably dismiss most of the servants who worked for them and sell the slaves they had, as they were unnecessary for him and Ethan. Regarding the properties, he would give them to Ethan when he turned 15. He canceled all the assignments and events that Ethan's parents had planned after reviewing what they were.

Although he was handling this with enviable efficiency, his mind was on another matter, specifically his grandson and what he would do with him.

Time skip to the afternoon

Mars Family House

Alice was at the door of Ethan's house, holding a small bouquet and a bag with the same things she had brought yesterday. She had been there for a while, waiting for Ethan to come out of his house so she could talk to him, hoping to see her friend and bring a smile back to his face. But she was growing frustrated with Ethan's indifference.

Today, she was determined to try again, to have a conversation with Ethan and get her best friend back. She took a deep breath, approached the door, and knocked harder this time, hoping Ethan would open the door.

"Ethan? It's me, Alice," she called, her voice trembling slightly. "I brought your favorite candies; they're in my bag, and I brought you flowers again. Can we talk?"

The door creaked open, and Ethan came out, his face pale and his eyes dull. The boy who once radiated joy and energy now seemed a shadow of his former self. He looked more depressed than yesterday, Alice thought.

"What do you want, Alice?" he asked, his voice showing his indifference towards her.

Alice took a hesitant step forward, extending the flowers. "Can we talk, Ethan? I have something important to tell you, and I also know that what you said yesterday wasn't true and that your emotions made you say that, and I... I miss you, Ethan," she said with a shaky voice.

Ethan looked at the flowers and then turned away. "Talk? We have nothing to talk about," he said disinterestedly.

Alice's heart sank. She had prepared for this, but it still hurt. "Ethan, I know you're hurting, but saying that is selfish. I just told you I had something important to tell you, and you say we have nothing to talk about..."

"You don't understand," Ethan murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "My parents are dead, Alice. I'll never see them again. Can you really understand how I feel now?"

Tears filled Alice's eyes. "But Ethan, I know I don't really understand how you feel, but we promised we would always be there for each other. Does that promise mean nothing to you? All those days we played together, do all those moments mean nothing to you?" Alice shouted.

Ethan was silent for a few seconds, and when he spoke, he did so with a tone she didn't recognize. "You don't understand. It's obvious that I care about our promise, but it's not as important as my parents. You have to understand that I have no interest in having a friend now. I just want to get stronger to avenge my parents, Alice."

Alice stepped back, her heart aching. "I just wanted to help you, Ethan. I thought you needed a friend, but it seems you think you'll be better off alone, don't you?" Alice said in an unsatisfied tone. "Well, if that's what you really want, I have to tell you something. I'll be leaving Marie Geoise for a while tomorrow. I originally came to invite you, but it seems Mr. Revenge doesn't need friends."

Ethan's face was a mix of surprise, with traces of sadness and resignation also visible in his expression. "You're right, Alice. I'll be better off alone," Ethan said with less and less conviction every second.

Alice dropped the flowers with trembling hands. "Ethan, if that's the case, I just want to ask you one question. When I return from my trip to Marie Geoise with my father, will you be willing to put your revenge aside for a while and be my friend again?"

Ethan took a deep breath, his voice trembling. "I'll try, Alice. I can't promise anything, but... I'll try."

Alice gave a small, sad smile, wiping away her tears. "That's all I need to hear now. When I come back, I'll make sure you remember how to smile again. I promise."

Ethan watched her leave, his heart heavy with guilt and pain. He wanted to believe her, to cling to the hope she offered him. But as he stood there watching her, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was losing something precious. He hoped, deep down, not to disappoint her again.

Alice walked away slowly, leaving the flowers and candies on the ground. She turned one last time, her voice barely audible from the distance she had covered. "Take care, Ethan. I'll be back soon."

Ethan stood there, watching her disappear into the distance, his determination wavering. He knew he had a long road ahead, but her words stayed in his mind, a small beacon of hope in the darkness that had lately surrounded his life.

The next day

With a new resolve, Ethan marched back to the house. He arrived at his family's library, where ancient texts and scrolls about the world and formidable fighters were kept. He was looking for something that could be useful to fight Shiki, who had eaten the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows him to fly, as well as levitate surrounding non-living matter after coming into contact with it.

Ethan grabbed the same books on Devil Fruits and Haki that he had skimmed through yesterday, determined to learn everything he could to find a way to gain an advantage.

For the next few minutes, Ethan searched for information that could help him fight Shiki, but his reading was interrupted by his grandfather.

"So, you're looking for a way to defeat Shiki the Flying Pirate, aren't you, Ethan?" Marcus said, his voice calm but authoritative, standing behind his grandson.

Ethan jumped, nearly dropping the ancient tome he was holding. His heart pounded as he turned to face his grandfather. "Gran... Grandpa, when did you get here?" he stammered, fear evident. He clutched the book to his chest as if protecting his precious source of revenge.

Marcus, a tall man with a stern yet kind expression, looked at Ethan. His gray hair and deep eyes gave him an air of wisdom and experience. He crossed his arms, a slight smile playing on his lips as he watched his determined grandson.

"I've been here long enough to see what you're doing," Marcus replied, his voice softening. He pulled up a chair and sat down, his movements slow and deliberate. "Ethan, I know you're hurting, and I know you're looking for answers. But Shiki... he's not someone you can defeat easily. He's a legendary pirate for a reason, and you know that, Ethan."

Ethan's grip on the book tightened, his knuckles turning white. "I have to get stronger, Grandpa. I have to avenge Mom and Dad. I can't let him get away with it."

Marcus sighed deeply, placing a comforting hand on Ethan's shoulder. "I understand your pain, Ethan. I really do. Charles was my son. If I could make a wish, I would wish for the power to kill Shiki right now. But you need to know what you're up against." He leaned back, his gaze becoming distant as he began to recount stories of Shiki.

"Remember that Shiki the Golden Lion was once one of the most feared pirates on the seas," Marcus began, his voice taking on a narrative tone. "He commanded a massive fleet and had incredible power. With the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, he could make anything he touched float, including entire islands. His strength and cunning were unmatched. He even fought against Gol D. Roger and survived. His ambition knew no bounds, and his name instilled fear in the hearts of many."

Ethan listened intently, his eyes filling with fear at the prospect of facing such an enemy.

"Shiki was a force of nature, Ethan. He was relentless and had the power to back it up. He's not someone you can defeat with just willpower. It takes strategy, experience, and allies. Even Roger needed a crew to defeat him and his crew."

Ethan's shoulders slumped, the weight of his grandfather's words pressing down on him. He looked at the book in his hands, feeling a wave of despair. "But Grandpa, I... I have no way to defeat him. I've been reading these books, but nothing seems enough. I just... don't know what to do."

Marcus's expression softened even more, and he gently lifted Ethan's chin so their eyes met. "Ethan, it's okay to feel lost. It's okay not to have all the answers right now; you're only a 7-year-old child. What's important is that you're trying to learn and grow. That's the first step. You don't have to bear this burden alone; I will carry this with you."

Tears welled up in Ethan's eyes, and he blinked them away quickly. "But I have to do it, Grandpa. I promised myself that I would get stronger, that I would avenge them."

Marcus nodded, his gaze firm and unwavering. "And you will, Ethan. But not today, and not alone. Trust me

, in the future, we will kill Shiki. You have to be patient and wise. Train hard, learn all you can, and when the time comes, you'll know what to do. But for now, let me help you on this journey."

Ethan took a deep, shaky breath, feeling the weight of his emotions. He looked at the book again, then at his grandfather. "I'll keep trying, Grandpa. I'll keep learning and training. I just... hope I can be strong enough someday."

Marcus smiled warmly, ruffling Ethan's hair. "You will, Ethan. I believe in you. And remember, strength is not just about power. It's about heart, wisdom, and the bonds you forge. You have a good mind, and that's the strongest weapon of all."

Ethan managed a small smile, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, Grandpa. I'll remember that."

Marcus stood up, giving Ethan's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Good. Now, let's put these books to good use and find a proper way to awaken your Haki. We'll start with the basics tomorrow and build from there."

Ethan nodded, feeling a renewed determination. With his grandfather's guidance, he knew he could face the challenges ahead. Together, they began laying the groundwork for Ethan's journey, one step at a time.

As the sky darkened and the rain subsided, Ethan was panting, soaked, and exhausted after his first day of training with his grandfather. He looked up at the now clear sky, his eyes burning with determination.

"I will avenge you, Mom and Dad. I promise."