Chapter 68: Chapter 63: Memory

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Edited a bunch of things...just reread XD

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Chapter 63: Memory

Days continued to pass as Lucas trained aboard the would-be Pirate King’s ship. Sometimes, when they reach an island, Lucas would simply stay on the ship. Sometimes, he would wear the helmet and join Roger and the others explore the island.

Because of this, he had also gained a bounty from the marines. They called him Shark Knight as they didn’t know his name and because of the shark fin-like blades of water that he would use when in the sea. The marines seemed to be fully convinced that he was a rare species of shark fishman or something.

Some rumors even say that he had a shark head which was why he keeps wearing a helmet. Roger and the others laughed at Lucas quite a lot because of this...

His training with Roger could be said to be even worse than he had imagined. Each day, Lucas would barely make it out alive as Roger became more and more serious.

Still, he does get stronger at a visible speed. Even Roger and Rayleigh had sighed in amazement when they saw his improvement.

One day, when Roger and the crew set out to explore an island in the New World, Lucas decided to stay on the ship to take a moment and rest his body.

As he laid down on the deck with a towel over his eyes, he was about to doze off when he sensed someone approach.

Lucas had spent a lot of time on Roger’s ship that he had already met all the crew and was quite familiar with them. Enough that he could tell that the person approaching wasn’t a part of the crew.

Add to the fact that Lucas had already gotten used to maintaining his Observation Haki at all times and even in his sleep, Lucas could already feel this intruder getting closer to attack him!

Lucas didn’t move and pretended to sleep. Once the intruder was near enough to strike, Lucas caught the intruder’s feet and threw him across the deck!

Quickly getting up, Lucas held the towel on his face and tied it to the back of his head so his face remained unseen.

Granted, he is basically blindfolded at this point, but with his Observation Haki, he didn’t need to use his eyes to see.

He can’t tell who the person attacking him was but he could tell that the intruder is about to make another move.

Despite the blindfold, Lucas dodged the attack and closed in to grab the intruder’s chest in an attempt to grab his clothes and throw him on the ground.

What he didn’t expect was that as soon as he did, he heard the intruder shout in surprise!

“Y-you bastard!”

En, there’s also this soft feeling in his hands...oh wait!

Lucas’ smile froze as he realized that the intruder was in fact, a woman!

While still pinned to the ground, Lucas could feel the woman’s anger rising. She grabbed on the rifle that she had on her back and aimed the muzzle at Lucas’ face!

*Bang!*

Lucas quickly dodged and jumped back with both his arms raised.

“Err, I think we got on the wrong foot here…”

“Shut up! Stay still so I can shoot your face!”

Lucas could only laugh dryly and continued to dodge. He could tell that the skill of this marine officer isn’t that high. She must’ve been a part of another marine force and simply found their ship by chance.

Seeing her attacks getting dodged easily, the marine felt annoyed. She can’t believe that some no-name pirate in the New World would be so much stronger than her!

Thinking back on it, her colleagues had warned her plenty of times that pirates in the New World are on a completely different level than those in Paradise. But she didn’t believe it. She requested to be transferred to a branch in the New World which had shocked her colleagues.

The first half of the Grand Line was one thing. The New World...this is where the big-time pirates all are!

Vice Admiral Tsuru noticed her and also tried to dissuade her. In the end, she put her under her wing so she can show her how dangerous the New World can be. At the same time, Tsuru can keep a closer eye on her.

Now, after they received word that Roger had appeared on this island, they went to try and capture him. It seems Vice Admiral Garp had also joined in.

She felt overwhelmed when she saw their fight and knew that there are indeed pirates in this part of the sea which she cannot hope to handle. Which was why she left to see if she could find their ship instead.

Maybe if she did, she will be recognized as well. Sure enough, she did find the ship and saw only one person on it.

That guy was simply sleeping on the deck without any guard up. His face was covered by the towel so she couldn't see his face. Still, she tried to match his features from the wanted posters of Roger’s crew and found no match.

This was just some no-name pirate. She may be too weak to battle with Roger and his main force, but she could handle this guy.

Thinking she got lucky, she crept close to attack.

But…

Obviously, we know how that all turned out.

Seeing the guy easily dodge her attacks in a laid back manner and even blindfolded made her more and more irritated!

Dammit! What the hell is wrong with this sea!? A no-name pirate is this strong!?

Only one thought was in her head at the moment.

I’m convinced! I just wanna go back home!

Naturally, no one answered her plea. On the other hand, Lucas felt troubled by taking care of this weak marine officer and sighed.

Finally, he disappeared and reappeared behind the marine to knock her out.

The marine fell unconscious in his hands. Judging that it should be safe now, he removed his towel blindfold/mask and looked at the marine in his hands.

He didn’t recognize who she was but it wasn’t as if he could just kill her too. He’s not that heartless after all.

After thinking about it, Lucas decided that he should just leave her in some village on the island. After she wakes up, she can just call for someone to pick her up.

Yep, that should be fine…

The only problem is...err, is there even a village here? Or a town?

Lucas had never been to this island and he also didn’t leave when Roger and the others left so he didn’t know the situation.

In the end, Lucas sighed and simply carried the unconscious marine on his back as he explored the island to look for civilization.

The result?

“...Where am I?”

Right...he got lost.

There was no helping it. The island was actually a huge jungle and everything looked the same to Lucas. It was hard to get a bearing when the trees are huge enough to cover the sun so he couldn’t tell which direction he had been walking.

Lucas thought that he had simply walked a straight line yet after hours of walking, he still hasn’t seen the other end of the island.

“What the hell is up with this island!?”

Despite shouting like that, no one was there to answer him at all and the marine on his back is still unconscious.

After another hour of walking around, he came across a waterfall and a small lake.

Thinking that it may be a good time to rest, Lucas let the marine down and walked to the lake to drink some water.

He was just about to grab some water when he saw something under the lake.

It seems to be...a person?

Looking at the attire, the person was also a marine…

“...Is this some marine island or something? Why do I keep meeting marines?”

Lucas sighed and thought about it. If the marine there is still alive, he can just leave the marine to him and leave. That way, he doesn’t have to deal with her…

Deciding as such, Lucas controlled the water to lift the marine up so he could simply grab the marine. However, the marine might ask some questions if he sees Lucas completely dry. Feeling that explaining will be troublesome, Lucas got in the water to get wet. He can just dry himself easily later.

After getting the marine up from the water, Lucas raised a brow seeing that the marine was also a woman. However, her face wasn’t familiar to Lucas at all so she should be some extra character. There was no need to cover his face.

Anyway, he can just say that he’s a local and not a pirate…

There was another problem though. The marine he pulled from the water wasn’t breathing anymore.

Lucas doesn’t need to care about it but since he already pulled her up, it would be a waste not to help her all the way. She’s also kind of a beauty...even though she seemed to be older than him.

Lucas performed CPR in an attempt to revive the marine.

Soon enough, the marine coughed up water and woke up groggily.

“Cough cough!...W-where...am I?”

“Ah, you’re awake?”

The marine stared at Lucas blankly as she was still trying to understand the situation.

Lucas scratched his head and tried to explain.

“Err, I’m not a bad guy, okay? I found you in the lake and uhh...performed CPR on you. It’s a good thing that you're okay…”

“CPR…?”

The marine touched her lips while still confused. Suddenly, everything seemed to have clicked in her head as she started blushing furiously.

Her hand turned black and she swung it towards Lucas at high speed!

It was a good thing that Lucas didn’t let go of his Observation Haki as he quickly dodged the haki-clad slap!

“Woah! Lady, you can’t just slap me for saving you!”

“Ah! Sorry...it was reflex…”

“...”

What damn reflex is that!? You actually used Armament Haki just to try and slap me!?

Who the hell is this woman!?

The marine coughed to clear her throat as she fixed her posture and bowed slightly.

“I apologize for trying to hit you. My name is Tsuru. Thank you for saving me just now.”

“Ah...it’s no problem…”

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Lucas nearly cursed! Gaddamit! This...this is supposed to be Tsuru!? That old hag!? Isn’t she about...44 years old by now? Why does she look so hot still!?

Then, he realized something. Tsuru saw his face!

...This...isn’t gonna cause problems in the future...right?

Lucas tried to act cool and not show anything in his expressions. He cleared his throat as well and spoke.

“Right. I also found this one here at the beach. She was unconscious already by the time I saw her...I’m trying to see if I can find any of her colleagues on the island as well. Since you’re okay now, it should be safe to leave her to you.”

Tsuru looked at where Lucas pointed and saw a familiar woman.

“I see. Thank you for saving her as well.”

“Err, it’s fine. I didn’t really do anything...”

Lucas felt weird talking to Tsuru. Even though he can see her as a beautiful woman now, his mind sees her as an old hag in the future...he didn’t know how to talk to her at all!

Damn! I can’t believe I kissed her in the mouth…

Lucas doesn’t know if he should feel shame or what…still, Tsuru didn’t really know what was going on in his mind. She continued to speak and asked Lucas.

“I shall take care of her then. But, can I ask, where did you come from?”

“Hm? I live here...I guess?”

“You...guess?”

“Err, that...ah! See, some pirates captured me from my hometown a few years back. Things happened and I got marooned on this island. I don’t have a way back home.”

The confusion Lucas had felt facing Tsuru completely threw his excuses all over the place. As such, he could only start to bullshit an excuse.

Tsuru nodded and seemed to be in deep thought.

Lucas saw this and started to sweat.

Did she buy it…? Nah, this is Tsuru we’re talking about, she’s probably had me figured out already and is planning on attacking!

“I see. In that case, come with me to my ship. I shall give you a ride.”

“Ah?”

“Hm?”

“...”

SHE BOUGHT IT!!!???

Therein lays another problem. Obviously, Lucas had lied. He can’t go with her! Now he had to think of another bullshit reason to decline!

“I…”

“No need to be thankful. I am merely doing my job. Plus, I can get to thank you properly for saving me.”

Tsuru let out a sweet smile which made Lucas choke up his excuse.

In the end…

“...Thank you…”

He accepted…

“Great! Come, let’s go to my ship!”

Tsuru picked up the female marine and carried her on her back as she started to walk. Lucas was following behind with tears on his face.

What am I meant to do now…!?

As they began to walk, they came across a group of pirates.

“Ah?”

“Hm?”

“...”

It was Roger’s group…

Roger looked at Lucas with eyes that seemed to ask ‘What the hell are you doing over there!?’

Lucas could only smile wryly with eyes that seemed to say ‘It’s a long story…’

The two of them continued to communicate with their eyes.

‘What do you mean long story!? Explain!’

‘...’

‘You performed CPR!? You actually kissed that cold-hearted woman!?’

‘...’

‘Hahahahaha! And now she’s repaying her debt to you by getting you out of this island!?’

‘...’

‘Hahahahahahahaha! This...Hahahahaha!’

‘...’

‘Hahahahahahahahahaha’

‘...’

Lucas could already see Roger’s shoulder shaking as he tried to stop himself from laughing. Lucas had no idea how Roger actually understood what was happening though…

However, this was an opportunity to get away from Tsuru.

Just as he was about to start speaking, Tsuru pushed the marine on him and shouted.

“Go! Take her and run straight north! I’ll hold him off!”

“But-...”

“No buts! This man is Gol D. Roger! He is unlike any pirate that you have ever seen! Quickly get out of here!”

Lucas became teary-eyed. That was supposed to be his line!!!

Lucas gritted his teeth and grabbed Tsuru’s hand as he threw her to the back.

“Wh-!?”

Before she could speak, Lucas tossed the marine back to her and stomped his feet to the ground.

As soon as he did, he created a thin blade of water that sliced the entire island in half!

He also controlled the ocean currents to push each half apart to lengthen their distance.

Looking at Tsuru on the other half of the island, Lucas smiled.

“At times like this, it’s supposed to be the man’s job to get left behind. Take care not to drown again, Tsuru.”

Having said that, Lucas charged at Roger and pushed him further in the jungle to disappear for Tsuru’s sight.

As soon as they did…

“Hahahahahahahaha! Hahahaha! Ha! Hahahahahahahahahahaha!”

“At times like this, it’s supposed to be the man’s job to get left behind...Pft-!”

“Take care not to drown again, Tsuru…Pft-!”

“Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!”

Lucas’ face started blushing from shame while Roger and the rest laughed their asses off!

Right now, Lucas just wants to find a hole to bury himself!

“I can’t help it! She needs to think I’m dead and not connect the CURRENT me to the FUTURE me! Otherwise, there will be a whole lot of problems!”

“Hahahahahahahaha! Still doesn’t make it any less funny! Hahahahahahaha!”

Needless to say, Roger and the rest didn’t seem to get over it after years had passed…

This memory had become a black stain in Lucas’ history...

As for Tsuru…

Tsuru had already returned to their ship along with Garp and the remaining marines.

The female marine who Lucas knocked out had voiced her wish of returning back to Paradise after encountering setbacks in the New World. She wished she could simply stop the small-time pirates in her home sea instead.

On the other hand, Garp was scratching his beard when he saw Tsuru stare off in the distance.

“Tsuru-chan, everything okay?”

“...I’m fine.”

“But…”

“I said I’m fine. Leave.”

“...”

Garp sighed and turned to leave.

Tsuru continued to stare into the distance. It was unknown what she was thinking.