Chapter 9 Truths and Goals

"I don't understand how does their support give me freedom? Aren't I free already as part of the main family?"

Hearing this Alexie looked at me like he was looking at a dumb cat, he then proceeded to punch me on my head but not wanting to get punched by a scummy father. I relied on my experience of being punched in the head by mom a thousand times, and on my protagonist's aura, I thought back to the observation Haki trying to use it, at this moment.

"POW"

But alas as I thought previously I might really be out of plot armor power.

I felt disgusted seeing Alexie's stupid green while he was proudly looking at the bumps that he planted on my head, I swear to take revenge as soon as I learned how to fight and use Haki to give him a fist of love in Garp's style.

"You dimwit. Didn't you listen to the all info that I dumped a minute ago? Sigh... sorry Jimmy, sometimes I forget that you are only two years old."

Then he went on explaining:

"As I already told you, nowadays being part of the main family doesn't matter that much. Leaving Armstrong's territory without the permission of the council would be considered an act of treason, declaring you as a criminal and in some cases selling you to the world government. That's why we named you after your mothers name rather than mine, giving you the freedom of choice when you get older, and because of that we need my uncle's and grandfather's support otherwise the council might not accept our decision in naming you after your mom."

"Creek...."

Opening the door the face that greeted us was our new guest and relative Ms. Carrie bringing a tray with glasses of hot milk and some crackers. Seeing our questioning and serious looks. She glances at the pale Wednesday and Ava. Then opening her tiny ghastly looking lips:

"Sorry for disturbing your precious time together. But I thought you might be hungry since it was well past midnight and all the other maids were resting. I took it upon myself to start my job sooner and bring you some snacks. Looking at the estimated lady I might have been correct."

After hearing what Carrie said Ava felt relieved while Wednesday squinted apparently thinking about something. Ava then said:

"Oh, Carrie you are a lifesaver. Wednesday and I were starving here. You know what it's already close to sunrise. So let's go to the pantry in order to start preparing the breakfast, and we can also get to know each other better in the process."

Afterward, mom pulled both Wednesday and Carrie winking at us in the process.

"Creak..."

As the dimly lit hallway disappeared from my sight, Alexie continued from where he was cut off:

"As I was saying, for the council every Armstrong is an asset regardless of them being from the main or side branch. Well, to be more precise there is no longer a main family, instead 4 main branches each responsible for their own kingdom's internal affairs united under the council of elders composed of the 4 main and side branches."

Hearing all this I felt like I'd just dodged a bullet. I never knew that even the seemingly harmless and incompetent nobility as shown by Goda had such complicated machinations.

Alexie then went on to add:

"Well, I hope what we've discussed tonight answered most of your questions. And as for us not letting Wednesday teach you freely it's mostly because we were afraid that you might leak stuff out, after all, you are just a baby. Also, that's why we would rather have you remain ignorant, and if worst come to worst we also had the plan to send you to a good friend of ours to take care of you until the council agreed with our requests."

I was genuinely taken aback by the amount of care and planning that Alexie had for me, making me feel kinda bad since I never held him in that high regard.

"Oh, what about my mysterious grandpa?"

As I reminded him of grandpa, for the first time tonight, I saw a genuine look of confusion on Alexie's face.

"Well... how to say this, but your Grandfather is just well... your grandfather. I guess."

What am I even supposed to understand from what you said, you dummy? Noticing my angry look Alexie apologetically said:

"My bad sonny, but to be honest even I don't know that much about my father. He did spend that much time with me since he was always busy with his job as an intelligence inspector responsible for communication between the navy and world government. But he gives me a hand whenever I ask for help. So not that bad of a dude honestly to be honest."

I was surprised by the tone that Alexie was talking about his father and their relationship, soundly oddly familiar with the way that I was currently feeling toward Alexie.

Seeing the first rays of morning light peeking through the closed windows both me and Alexie decided to put an end to our long session of info dump.

Wanting a much-needed breather before going to the ladies for breakfast. I decided to walk in our beautiful garden.

Sigh... thinking back on it. I don't know Alexie that well. I should probably try to get closer to him while I have the chance because despite him being a deviant scum he has done a lot for me and my future freedom.

Hearing all that my parents have done for the sake of my future and freedom. Plus my inherent curiosity and excitement for the one piece world, it would be a crime if I don't go out to face mother ocean and its challenges.

I let out a burst of excited laughter thinking about the opportunities and adventures that I will have.

Perhaps I could be the protagonist of my own story. Realizing my dream of establishing an organization of bounty hunters, and bringing fear to all those with a bounty be it pirates and wrongdoers alike.

First and most important is my personal strength. Because having enough strength I could be master of my fate. If had the strength of whitebeard could the family claim to own me? No.

The second would be knowledge. Things like the basics of navigation, ship writing, and my previous knowledge of medicine would come in rather handy in this oceanic world.

The third would be getting closer to the Armstrongs. From what I heard tonight they seem to be unimaginably powerful and influential, at least compared to other royalties and kingdoms of which I am aware. therefore, they might be useful, providing me with political immunity from the navy and world government,

after all most Bounty hunters will eventually be labeled criminals by the world government when they reach a certain level of fame and power thereby forcing them to either join them or rot in some prison.

Fourth on the order of things would be looking for other members. Who said that I will act solo after all an organization can't be called one with only an open person.

On top of that, every prestigious organization will have an assortment of members doing all sorts of stuff from the most menial to fighting against the most heinous criminals and even the current rotten government if the opportunity ever arises with the return of joy boy.

"JIIIIIIIIIII HAHAHAHAHA. JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII HHHHHHAHAHAAHHA......"

Being in the proximity of the courtyard, one would hear a peal of manic laughter, sending chills to the innocent bystanders working for the Armstrong mansion.

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Authors note:

At last, our boy knows more about his mysterious family and its accompanying predicament, or maybe fortune. If luck will be on his side he could even make use of his powerful family and resources for his own needs. Knowing this he can now confidently plan for his future goals.

I've been writing the last four chapters in one day, suffice it to say I've lost all feeling in my lower back and wrist joint. So please pray for me by cheering me up.

Also, keep a look for the next chapter since it is a rather exciting one. finally getting some action.