Departure

A few months later,

Everyone was at the harbour of Foosha Village. Ace and Sabo didn't come because they had to take care of Fitz. They already have said their goodbyes to Uta. Some of Shanks's crewmates were carrying supplies to the ship.

"I thought you guys were going to stay a bit longer" Mori asked Shanks.

"Nah....our work here is done. There's no point in staying here any longer. After all we are pirates. We can't stay at a place for that long, the sea is calling us." Shanks said in an enthusiastic manner.

"Are you sure you guys are not running away because Grandpa will return soon. He is getting old but I am sure he can give you a good welcome." Mori said while smirking.

"Dahahahaha!!! That is also part of the reason, you could say." Shanks said while chuckling in an awkward manner.

"So, where are you guys going next?" Mori asked, curiosity evident in his eyes.

"To the new world" Shanks said while grinning.

"Oh! that's not what happened in the original plot. Looks like my existence changed many things. Originally, Shanks crew would have travelled to Elegia Kingdom where the Tot Musica incident would have happened. But this time around Shanks already found the candidate for Nika fruit. So there's no need to waste time searching around. Looks like Uta would be safe this time around." Mori pondered inwardly.

"Shanks, I will become stronger and challenge you guys to become the Pirate King!!!!" Luffy declared, seriousness evident in his tone.

Shanks chuckled slightly before taking off his hat and putting it over Luffy's head.

"Then, I will be waiting for you in the New World. Keep that hat, return it to me when we meet again." Shanks said in a gentle tone.

"Looks like Shanks acknowledged you, I will also trust your words then. Don't disappoint us Luffy." Uta said while sticking out her tongue.

"Of course. I will be a lot stronger next time we meet." Luffy said confidently.

Then the rest of Shanks's crew boarded the ship along with Shanks and Uta.

"Shanks, next time we meet let's have a spar!!" Mori shouted.

Shanks raised an eyebrow, then grinned slightly, "sure I will be waiting!"

"Guys! Set sail!!" Shanks commanded his crew.

Yeah!!

Every member of his crew shouted while raising their fist in the air.

"Mori! Luffy! Say my goodbyes to Ace, Sabo and Fitz." Uta shouted.

"Uta! Nyah, nyah, bleah!" Luffy shouted while making funny faces to mock Uta.

In response Uta puffed her checks.

"When we meet next time I will test you to see if you become any stronger, Luffy" Uta said while waving goodbye.

The ship started to set sail. Before long it disappeared into the horizon.

.....

Mori glanced over his shoulder to see Luffy, who was standing head down with a sad face. He put his hand over Luffy's shoulder, trying to calm him down.

"Don't be sad Luffy, we will meet them again in the future. And you have a promise to keep, you have to show them your worth." Mori said in a calm voice.

Luffy looked up at Mori and nodded with a firm resolve in his expression.

"Train me, Mori! I want to get stronger" Luffy said while looking straight at Mori's eyes.

A grin appeared on Mori's face.

"Then, prepare yourself for a hellish training"

"Let's go back to our hideout"

.....

After a while later they reached the hideout. Opening the door they saw Sabo and Ace looking out of the window quietly.

"Did they leave already?" Ace asked while looking back at Mori.

"Ohh....are you feeling sad perhaps, Ace?" Mori asked in a teasing manner.

"Why would I feel sad!!" Ace protested.

"He is putting up a tough front but I am sure he will cry when he is alone" Sabo chimed in.

"What did you say? When did you see me crying?" Ace shouted and charged at them.

"Bahh....big softie!!" Sabo and Luffy teased him while making funny faces.

"Gahahahaha!!!" Mori started laughing aloud.

Fitz was looking at their fuss with a tilted head.

"Aghmm... Stop you guys, I have something to announce" Mori stated after clearing his throat.

Three of them stopped at their tracks and looked back at Mori.

"What is it" Sabo asked.

"Starting today I will increase the intensity of our training." Mori declared.

"Ahh..what for?? The training is already as difficult as it is." Three of them protested.

Bang!!!

A fist of love landed on Luffy's head.

"Why are you only hitting me?" Luffy protested teary-eyed.

" Didn't you say a few moments ago that you want to become much stronger. Where did all of your resolve go now?" Mori asked while glaring at Luffy.

"Oh...I remember now!" Luffy said while picking his nose.

"Sigh... what will I do with this idiot. His IQ might turn out to be lower than a monkey." Mori sighed inwardly.

"Back to topic. Each of you has to run across the island 3 times. After that you have to do 250 pushups and squats. Then you have to do your Rokushiki training and finally three of you will spar against me. Whoever doesn't comply with my plans will receive severe punishment." Mori stated with a devilish grin present on his face.

Three of them gulped and looked at him in horror.

"Has he gone mad" three of them whispered to each other.

"Do you guys have any complaints, say it louder" Mori asked them while raising an eyebrow.

"No..no complains sir" three of them said in harmony while saluting like a Marine soldier.

"Ok then... let's start!!"

....

End of chapter

...

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