Chapter 8: Growth

A ship sailed across the sea, and at the helm sttod a barechested man with an impressive beard humming a song.

"Captain, we are almost at Cresendmoon Island."

"Mmmh, good work. And during this vacation, find someone to marry and make a child. You loner. Look at me. You need to strife to be as happy as I am.", said Captain Edel Steel to his subordinate, who forced a smile.

"Yes Captain Steel, of course."

"Gehehehe. I can't wait to see my little boy. He should have grown a bit since I last saw him. Oh the tragedy. Work is keeping my family apart. Maybe I should quit the marines and raid like pirates. They make so much money."

Steel turned around and said : "Toro, you just became an Ensign, but remember. Don't overwork yourself. Your base and your men need you at your best.Not for 1 day or 2 weeks. Every day. And my way is to relax a little with words. No need to be so stiff always. But you will figure out your way yourself."

"Yes Captain Steel."

Toro saluted and left.

"Well, he will figure it out with time.", said Steel as he turned around again and looked at the horizon.

- Cresentmoon Island

Weis was sitting on the beach again, at his favorite tree. It has been a year since his father left for Baterilla. And in this year he had meditated a lot. He gained nothing but relaxation through it but truthfully it was kind of addicting for him. The closeness to nature he felt, didn't help either.

Since he was feeling good about doing it, he didn't stop. He kept going with his meditation sessions, as he felt good about it and it allowed him to observe himself. With the changes he felt, it was becoming apparent, that he was changing. Gone was the melancholic and bitter but loving man from before.

Gentle and loving he became. Steady and determined.

Those changes were good by themselves. But his memories were the dowside. He remembered nothing of Earth. Only the feeling of nature remained. He forgot the History and Technologie. How did the Earth look like? Sorry, that was gone too.

The only thing he remembered, was the feeling of being in nature, as this was the feeling Terra's voice brought him. Terra, in essence was the Earth and all he remembered was Terra.

Maybe that was why he meditated so much. Chasing the feeling, he remembered.

As he was watching the sea, he saw a sail appear in the distance.

"Oh? Who could that be?"

Weis stood up and observed the horizon.

The sail of the shipped looked torn, and the ship itself looked shabby and beaten up. Cracks and pieces missing were the main feature.

Weis could not see anyone on the ship, as it slowly sailed to the beach infront.

"Nice, my first adventure is here.", cheered Weis as he took of to the shore.

As here came to the shore the boat was run aground.

"With this small size it is a 1 man vessel. So no ship. But look at these scars. Maybe it was attacked by Seakings."

Weis looked around the boat and looked at the damage it sustained.

"Hello? Anybody on there?", he shouted.

*Woooosh*

Only the wind answered him.

"Alright then."

Weis walked into the water and came to the side of the boat. He reached out with his hands and grapped the ledge. He pulled himself up and on the boat and looked around.

There were splinters and chipped wood lying around, as well as 2 crates and a barrel. The mast of the ship was half-broken at the sides. No one was here.

"Hmm. No blood and only 2 crates and a barrel. Let's see what's inside the barrel first."

Water.

"Well that was disapointing. Then let's see the crates."

He walked to the crates and opened the first. There were some clothes and some rations inside. So he turned to the last crate.

"The first 2 were nothing but maybe some gold in the last crate would be nice pocketmoney."

He turned and opened the last crate.

"Wow. More clothes. Should have expected this I guess. Hm? And apples. Nice. Now I can plant apple trees."

So Weis took a white shirt and made a blanket on the floor boards. He began loading the apples on it, but when he grapped the last fruit he stopped. He lowered his eyes and saw a brown apple with little swirls on it.

"Holy heavens in all Tarnation. I found one. Oh my god. I FOUND A DEVILFRUIT. GEHAHAHA."

Weis was laughing and was estatic. His little adventure was rewarded. But he quickly calmed down.

"Should I eat it?"

Weis stored all apples and the Devilfruit in the shirt, pulled the 4 ends up and tied them together. After that he stood up and jumped off the ship. After that he turned around and looked at the boat.

"Maybe we can keep it. I will tell mama all about it."

So Weis made his way home running carefully with the apples.

As he reached home, he took the Devilfruit out the sack. After leaving it at his window under some dirt, he turned around and took the sack over his shoulders and entered his home.

"Mama come quick. I have fruits from a stranded ship.", he yelled.

Sera came and looked at the with happiness brimming Weis.

"Ok then, show me the haul you got there."

Weis lowered the sack and opened it. The apples fell and rolled out.

"Ooh apples. Wonderful. Now we can plant some near the courtyard."

"I thought the same mama. Shall we eat some?"

"Sure we can. I will peel them. But first." Sera raised her gaize from the apples and looked at Weis.

"Was there someone on the ship?"

"No. I watched as it came to the beach. Then I went there and asked if someone was there. After no answer i looked inside."

"Good. If there was a Pirate on it he could have killed you."

Sera nodded with a satisfied grin and took the apples to the kitchen.

'Now what to do with the Devilfruit?', thought Weis.

"HONEY I'M HOME. WHERE'S MY LITTLE WEIS", screamed a booming voice outside.

After calming his heart he thought, 'Papa is home I guess'