Chapter 7: King's Request & Settling In

(Third Person POV) Year: 1504 Location: Wano

"Sir, before we take our leave, I have a request," everyone except the young couple looked at the older Lunarian with shock and curiosity, as it wasn't often he'd request something from Kaido.

"What is it?" the dragon fruit user knew it had to do with the newest recruits.

"I wish to train Crow personally," everyone's eyes besides Kaido's widen in surprise.

Again, everybody was surprised. Not only did King request something from Kaido, but he took a personal interest in someone.

However, when they thought about it wasn't that surprising since Crow is the only other Lunarian the All-Star has interacted with in decades and most likely wants to build a bond with his own kind.

"Why?" the Yonko asked with narrowed eyes.

"The boy has Conqueror's Haki," he revealed swiftly, shocking everyone again.

Even Kaido was taken aback by this information. Only one in a million had Conqueror's Haki; those who possessed it most of the time became legends.

A grin formed on Kaido's face as the implications weren't lost on him. Not only did he gain another Lunarian into his ranks, but one that had Conquerors Haki!

With King's training, the younger Lunarian could be a force to be reckoned with. If trained correctly, the boy could surpass King and, if lucky enough, potentially rival him in power!

If that became the case, the battle between them could be legendary and give the Oni the thrill he's been looking for so long!

And if fate were on his side, some of Crow's offspring would inherit the power from him. Such a potential possibility made the Oni look forward to the future. Until then, however, he'll just have to be patient and wait until that time comes, unfortunately.

"I'll allow it," his gaze lingered on Uta, who squirmed under his stare. "What about the girl?" Kaido gestured toward Uta.

King glanced at Uta. "She'll temporally become my secretary, and after she gives birth, I'll train her as well," Uta looked at the older man in surprise.

Kaido looked back at King and nodded in agreement. "Is that all?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then the three of you are dismissed," he waved them off, and three made their way out.

Once they were out of the throne room, Crow stopped causing King and Uta as well

"Why?" Crow asked.

"Why's what?" King glanced at him, feigning ignorance which only served to piss the teen off.

"Why are you helping us?" Crow snarled agitatedly, surprising Uta. "Is it because I'm like you?"

King stiffed. "You know?" he turned to look at the teen.

Both teens looked at him with deadpanned expressions. Did he really just ask that stupid ass question?

"What the fuck do you mean, you know?!" Crow asked rhetorically with a mocking tone.

"It was pretty obvious," Uta pointed out, gesturing toward his wings, which resemble Crows, except the red tips.

King sheepishly chuckled and was inwardly cursing himself for his stupidity. "Yeah, I guess you're right..." he admitted. "But yeah, that's part of why I took you both in...but it's also because I want to ensure your safety. I thought bringing back our people was a dream of the past, but once you were discovered, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time...hope. I know you're upset about it, especially you," he looked at Uta and then back at Crow. "But the continuance of our race rests on your shoulders, and I'll be damned if I let anyone bring our people to extinction. So please don't make this any harder than it has to be," he pleaded.

Both looked at him with understanding and sympathy. They may not like their situation, but it wasn't all bad. Not many can say they helped bring a species back from the brink of extinction, can they? Coming to an understanding, they took the older Lunarian's words to heart.

Crow sighed. "Fine, we'll do our best not to be a pain in the ass...well, mostly," the teen joked, making the older of the two roll his eyes. "But in return, we wish to visit Elegia occasionally, and we promise we won't say anything about the Beast Pirates abducting us."

King narrowed his eyes at the teen's request. "How do I know you'll keep your word?"

"Dude," Crow deadpanned. "The man we're living with is old, has no connections, and is a non-combatant. He's not much of a threat," he pointed out. "Plus, I'd rather not worry the old man if I can help it...this is our burden to endure. Besides, it's not like we can't develop a convincing cover story. Right Uta?" he asked his girlfriend, and she nodded.

"Right."

King hummed for a moment. "Fine. However, I'll have someone go with you two whenever you're there to ensure you don't try anything stupid. Understand?" he demanded, and they nodded. "Good," the two Lunarians shook hands, sealing the agreement.

"Before we go to wherever you're taking us, can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure," King shrugged.

"How come I'm forced to be a manwhore and your not?" Crow asked with annoyance and curiosity in his tone.

Like seriously, how come he was the only one who had to bang a bunch of chicks?! Sure, getting to have a bunch of women to himself is most men's greatest fantasies, but Crow was content with just Uta!

Although Crow would be lying if he said he wouldn't be down to fuck other women, most notably that blue-haired chick he saw earlier but Uta doesn't need to know that.

King frowned. "What makes you think I'm not?" Crow and Uta looked at the older Lunarian like he was an idiot.

"Because if you were, there would've been tons of Lunarians flying around already. It wouldn't make sense for Kaido not to make you repopulate our race since you've probably been working for him for decades," Crow pointed out, making the older Lunarian internally wince.

King let out a sigh. "It's because I'm infertile due to unfortunate circumstances in the past," he revealed bitterly, with unwanted memories of his time in captivity at Punk Hazard over thirty years ago reappearing in his mind.

Uta looked at him with sympathy. "I'm sorry to hear."

"Yeah, that must've really sucked ass," Crow commented with a tone of pity.

King chuckled bitterly. "That's a major understatement," he sighed. "Anyways, enough about me. Let's get you two to your new home."

(Timeskip)

King took the teens to a private floor in the Skull Dome accessible only to the All-Stars and Flying Six.

"Well, this is your guy's place," the trio stopped by a human-sized door. "I'd show you guys around, but I'm a bit too large to fit through the door," King joked, earning a snort from his fellow Lunarian.

"It's cool. We don't mind exploring for ourselves," Crow replied.

"So how do we get in?" Uta asked, looking at the dial pad on the right side of the door.

"The code is 12345. There should be instructions on how to change the password and operate all the tech installed in the place," King informed them, and they nodded. "I'll see you two tomorrow."

"Later," the teens waved the older man off, and Uta entered the password, causing the door to the apartment to open.

The teens entered their apartment, and Crow closed the door behind them.

"Wow, this is a nice ass place," Crow whistled, impressed by their new home.

"You can say that again," Uta said, equally awed as her boyfriend. "Let's check the place out."

Once they were done exploring, the teens could happily say their home was more than acceptable and perfect for a large family. Their apartment had three spacious levels, sixteen bedrooms, six bathrooms, all amenities one could ask for, an entertainment system, and an advanced security system.

The two were in the main bedroom, cuddling on their kingsized bed.

"Did I ever tell you how much I loved you?" Uta asked rhetorically, looking at Crow lovingly.

"Yeah, only all the time," Crow said amusedly, then kissed her head.

"Well, I don't think I say it enough," she replied, looking downcasted, making him frown.

"Why do you say that?"

"I don't know..." her tone became low and meek.

Crow looked at her in concern. "Everything alright?"

"No..." Uta took in a deep, shaky breath and let out. "I just feel like a shitty girlfriend...." she said, making the Lunarian angry and forcing her to look at him.

"You're not," he snarled, making her flinch. "Why would you ever think that?"

She looked away and whispered. "It's my fault..."

"What?"

"It's my fault..."

"What's your fault?" he asked, looking at her confused.

She pushed him away, surprising him, and sat up on her knees. "It's my fault that we're here!!" Uta screamed, looking at him with tear-filled eyes. "Before you woke up from being knocked out, I was awake, and King told me how he found us and why he was looking for you! He only knew about you because our concert was on the front page of a newspaper with us kissing in the picture! A concert you didn't wanna be in, but I forced you to participate in! If it weren't for me, we wouldn't be here, and you wouldn't have to burden yourself! It's my fault! It's my fault!!"

Crow got up and pulled her into a tight yet gentle embrace. Uta tried to break out of the hug, but after a few weak attempts, she just cried into his chest and held him tightly.

"It's not your fault, babe," he gently caressed her hair, causing her to calm down slightly. "You couldn't have possibly known this would happen," he logically reasoned with her.

"But--"

"Uta," he said firmly yet gently. "It's not your fault. Say it for me."

".... it's not my fault," she said hesitantly and meekly.

"Good," he broke the hug and looked at her with loving eyes, "Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" he used his hands to wipe away her tears.

She giggled slightly and placed her hands over his. "Yeah, all the time," she replied, making him smile.

Crow pressed his lips against her and kissed gently yet passionately. He broke the kiss and pressed his head against hers.

"Let's get some rest, yeah?" she nodded.

"Yeah..." The two lay down and went back to their previous position. "I love you..."

Crow smiled and closed his eyes. "I love you too."

A few minutes later, the two drifted off to sleep.

End.