15. Goodbye

3rd person PoV

There were four people inside of a rundown bar on Sabaody, the last island of the first half of the Grandline.

They were currently having a party, although one of them, a young kid, that even though way younger then them, was still taller, was unconscious.

The other three looked at them in silence.

„Sigh so young, but had to through so much already. The world sure is cruel."

It was the woman.

„Yeah in a world full of blood and war such things happen too often."

The man with something similar to a goatsbeard.

„But the kid is already pretty good. Especially his swordsmanship. Could already rival most of the swordsmen in the new world."

The last man, with the curly mustache said, which shocked the other two.

„Rodger, you can't be serious. The kid is only 14. He is even a year younger than Shanks. Do you mean to say he is as strong as him, and that without haki?"

The first man asked with disbelief written all over his face.

„No. I didn't mean it like that, I meant, that the kids pure swordsmanship could rival most swordsmen of the new world. And also only those who haven't comprehended Sword Force yet. You remember the wall he hit in his swordsmanship, that he mentioned earlier. It is the wall that will lead to Sword Force, once he breaks it."

These words didn't help to alleviate the shock in the other two the least, it even further intensified it.

The kid was just 14 and was already ready to break through to the second realm in swordsmanship.

One should know that even the most promising young swordsmen of the last century, Dracule Mihawk only reached this realm a year ago, when he was 18.

A gap of four years wasn't anything small or big, but that was when one was older. But to reach a realm four years prior to someone els in their teens, then that gap could be said to be massive. The teens were the best years to learn after all. And the difference in total amount of training time could be also considered huge. After all it was something different if one trained for 6 years and the other 10 or if one trained 16 years and the other 20.

„Are you sure Rodger-san?"

This time Shakky asked, to make sure.

„Wahahah! Yeah I'm sure, the kid had trained in his swordsmanship before me for the last two months of traveling with me after all. Even though I'm sick, my judgement wouldn't be wrong."

A silence ensured for a while. Which was then broken by Rayleigh.

„So anyways, why did you bring him here and even with you on your return journey?"

„Wahaha, isn't it obvious? Wouldn't it be fun to see the face of Whitebeard that old bastard, when he learns that not only his brother but even his son traveled with me. And was then trained by you, making you his Master. And since I'm your captain, I would win in seniority against him again? Wahaha, it's just a pity, I can't see it anymore."

What he didn't mention was, that he was touched, and pitied this child a bit. He was there on the day after all. He saw the pain, the desperation and the fury of that kid when he lost his mother. That coupled with Yunos similarity with his old friend and rival, let him to the decision to take him with himself.

After he was then on the boat and saw the desperation and emotions of the kid again, he felt a bit moved.

But the most important reason was, that as he got to know Yuno, over these past two months, he saw the personality he possessed. Coupled with his talent, that was simply monstrous, his personality that was somewhat similar with his own, let him to truly care for the kids well being. He was just as carefree and adventurous as he was. They also had somewhat similar dreams.

The kid really reminded him of himself when he was younger.

„Oh is that so?"

Rayleigh knew there was more to it, but he decided to not ask again, he knew Rodger the most in this world. And he knew he wouldn't get anything more out of him, even if he asked again. So he let is slip and decided to see for himself later.

The conversation then went away from Yuno and instead the two men wallowed in old memories and chatted about the good old times.

Time passed and soon it was already morning.

Shakky took Yuno with her to the backside of the bar and lay him on a bed in the guest room, she then went to the master bedroom to sleep herself, letting the two men some private space.

But it was silent.

The two men simply enjoyed the probably last moment they would share together. One standing, one sitting on a barstool before the bar.

One leaning against the counter, looking in the direction of the door, one leaning on the counter, glass in hand, looking at the opposite wall.

They didn't speak.

All that had to be said, was already said.

….

After a while

Rodger simply started walking towards the door, still smiling.

But he stopped halfway and said.

„I won't die, partner."

And left.

…..

When noon came

MC PoV

Ugh, my head….

I feel like a truck just smashed into it.

No that's still not enough…..

Maybe a plane?

Yeah, that sounds about right.

So, where am I? And what were I doing?

As I tried to remember the last thing I could, the door to the room I was in suddenly opened.

And in came a woman I only saw in a show.

In the show she was already pretty old, even though she had aged well, but compared to now,  22 years earlier as her first appearance, she couldn't compare at all.

She now seemed like a very attractive woman in her early twenty's at most.

She had a tray of food with her as she smiled to me.

„Oh my, you really can sleep. You slept now for around 16 hours. The first time you drank s much?"

It seemed kinda familiar, but I didn't think further, as it was still painful.

„Ugh, the first time I drank at all. Is it always that you feel like a plane crashed into your head if you drink alcohol?"

Even if I know that this wasn't the case, I still played the innocent child.

Sure my memories about my personal life of my first life were erased, but I still have the common knowledge of that time, together with my memories of one piece and the other anime and movies and so on were enough to at least secure me having some common sense.

„Only if you drink so much. Here this will help."

She placed the tray on the nightstand smiled at me and then turned to leave. But before she got out I thanked her.

She stopped for a moment and then walked out.

I then looked at the tray, and there was all kinds of foods that helped with a hangover.

I devoured everything, and I had the feeling, that it was indeed very helpful.

Then I stood up and walked outside. Out of the backside and into the main part of the bar.

There I saw Rayleigh sitting on a chair, and Shakky behind the bar counter smoking a cigarette. But Rodger was nowhere in sight.

So he already left, huh?

He really was a great man, its really sad he got that illness.

„Wheres Uncle Rodger?"

„Oh the Captain left already to finish his last business. He left this morning."

„Oh, that's a shame, I couldn't even say my thanks and goodbye."

„Haha that's just how Roger is, don't over think kid. So, what are you gonna do now?"

Yeah that's a good question what do I do now? I came to the decision yesterday to explore. But where to go now?

Well I kinda want to see the legendary moment, of Uncle Roger starting the pirate era.

Ok!

Then ts decided.

„I will go to the East Blue. And from there I will start my dream of traveling the whole world, from the four Blues to Paradise to the New World. And when I finished my journey and am strong enough, I will start my revenge against my clan and the world government."

My answer was filled with my conviction to fullifile my dream and revenge, which let Rayleigh smile a bit.

„Haha good kid. Do as your heart desires. If you ever feel the need to meet again, you have already my vivre card. Also let me help with you journey a bit. In order to travel to the different blues, you normally have to travel over Mary Geois. But I have a friend, who will be able to help you cross from another way.

Here is an Eternal Port to his place. I will send him a letter in advance, so that he will know that you are coming. Roger said you were pretty good at navigating so you shouldn't ave any problems sailing alone here in Paradise. I will also give you a good boat later, but first let's eat something."

Rayleigh threw an Eternal Pose and then waved me over to eat. Even though Shakky brought me food just now. But I was still kinda hungry, so I happily took him on his offer.

We sat there and chatted for a while more.

But soon it was time for me to leave too. So Rayleigh then took me and brought me to a deserted port, where there were a few docks with small boats. But although these boats were small, they were of good quality.

„So Yuno this ship here will be yours from now on, I have also told some friends to load it with food and water that will last you for a month or two, and if you are fast, then this should be enough to last you until you reach the place of my friend. And if it doesn't then here's some berry that you can use to your hearts content."

Sigh Rayleigh is really a nice and cool guy. I even slightly regret not taking his offer of staying wit him.

Ah don't think about something like that. Leaving will be the best for me, to reach my goal of taking revenge.

And to start my journey and fullifiling my dream also fills me with excitement.

So I took the money while slightly hesitating, also mother Aria left me some money, but more money is never wrong.

This kindness of the old man, I will never forget. Someday I will pay him, Shakky and Roger back.

Then I smiled and thanked Rayleigh.

„Thanks Rayleigh! For everything. I will one day pay you back for sure. And if there is something, you have my vivre card too. So come and find me. Or you can even just send me a letter. I will send you some, I promise. And if you ever saw my father, please don't tell him about me, I will one day meet him in person when I'm ready and explain everything."

With my last words I hugged the old man, then decisively turning around, boarding my boat and then start sailing, while waving to the old man.

„Don't worry, kid. I will also try to sent you letters. And I won't tell that old man anything, not like we would meet anyways. I will wait for news of you! I have the feeling it will not take long or be difficult anyways."

Rayleigh waved back at me.

....

My journey starts now.