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Bellé-mer turned sharply toward Sterling, her voice rising. "Sterling! You cannot become a Pirate!"
Sterling blinked. "Why?"
Bellé-mer shot forward, desperate. "Sterling, do you remember what you told me before? How you wanted to live a free and calm life? If you become a Pirate, your freedom goes straight out the window!"
Shanks raised a hand casually. "Actually… on the seas is where one is most free."
Bellé-mer snapped her glare toward him instantly, eyes burning with rage. "You!! If you hadn't come to this village—"
Shanks gave a weary smile. "Come on, Bellé-mer-chan. I believe Sterling would've become a pirate sooner or later whether I arrived or not. That's what he was made for."
Bellé-mer ignored him completely, turning back to Sterling. "Sterling, there's still time to change your mind. Don't let Shanks feed you these misconceptions. Being a pirate is not when you're most free. How can you be free while being chased by Marines all over?"
Sterling sighed. "Look, Bellé-mer. I get where you're coming from. But I've made my decision, and I'm not a man who goes back on his word. Besides… you also know how much I admire Pirates like Rocks, Roger, and Whitebeard. Not all pirates are bad. If I can build a reputation strong enough to protect others just like them, wouldn't that be me doing good as a pirate?"
Bellé-mer slumped back in her chair with a defeated sigh. "It really seems you've made up your mind, huh. I can't change it…" She turned to Kushina. "And I probably can't convince you either, Mrs. Kushina."
Kushina smiled softly at her. "Come on, Bellé-mer-chan. Don't be so uptight. It's just three kids traveling around at sea."
Bellé-mer let out a dry chuckle. "Mrs. Kushina… these three are not so simple."
Noelle spoke up. "But Bellé-mer, why would you want to stop Sterling from achieving his dreams?"
Bellé-mer paused, exhaled, then admitted, "It's because I know the potential of Sterling's strength… and I already know the strength of Shanks and Benn Beckman. As a soon-to-be Marine… I feel like I've failed to stop the formation of a pirate crew that will be unstoppable in the future."
Shanks laughed. "Oh, is that the problem? I thought you were braver than that, Bellé-mer-chan."
Bellé-mer smirked faintly. "Don't get it wrong, Shanks. My plans haven't changed." She turned to Sterling. "If you truly leave this village with these criminals… friend or not, I'll add you to the list. I'll spend my entire life chasing you three down until I throw every single one of you in prison."
Sterling met her glare and chuckled. "That's a pretty good goal, Bellé-mer. Do your best, okay?"
Shanks added cheerfully, "I'm looking forward to clashing with you on the seas too, Bellé-mer-chan."
Bellé-mer felt their condescending tone and bristled. "You can treat me like a joke for now… but I'm joining the Marines. I'll only get stronger. By the next time we meet, I'll have the power to back up my words."
Sterling replied calmly, "That's true. But that's only if we assume that me and Shanks don't grow alongside you. That would mean we stagnate while you get stronger."
Bellé-mer froze. She hadn't considered that.
The realization and the despair of it hit her all at once.
Can I really catch up to them…?
Noelle clicked her tongue. "Mmh. As happy as I am that Sterling will finally be able to accomplish his dreams… it still pains me to think he'll leave soon."
Kushina chuckled. "You might've missed your chance, Noelle."
Noelle's face immediately turned red. She shot up, flustered. "W-What are you talking about, Mrs. Kushina!? I only meant as a friend! A friend!"
Kushina covered her mouth, chuckling. "Oh? But I didn't say anything about friends or not. What else could it have been?"
Noelle went even redder. "N-Nothing! I said nothing!" She sat back down stiffly.
The table filled with light laughter at the scene.
Shanks then stood up. "Well, it's time for us to leave." Benn Beckman quietly followed him to his feet.
Shanks looked at Sterling. "We leave in three days. Use that time to pack your belongings and say your goodbyes."
Sterling nodded. "Ai ai, Captain."
Benn nearly burst into laughter. It was shockingly out of character for Sterling to say something like that. Shanks glanced at him, equally stunned.
Shanks turned to Kushina. "Mrs. Kushina, thank you for your help."
Kushina waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, don't thank me. I had a selfish request mixed in there. Consider us even."
Shanks chuckled. "You mean finding your husband? That can't be considered a favor, Mrs. Kushina. It's the least we can do. I still have to repay the favor somehow."
Kushina realized he wouldn't back down, so she compromised. "Alright then. I'll keep my favor and use it once I've thought of something."
Shanks smiled. "Thank you. Well then, thanks for the meal, Mrs. Kushina." He turned to Sterling. "Don't forget. Three days." He held up three fingers.
Sterling sighed. "I got it. I'm not an old man, I don't forget that easily."
Shanks laughed lightly, and he and Benn Beckman exited the dining hall.
Kushina watched them go and said softly, "They really are some good kids."
---
Three days later.
A small boat bobbed gently along the shoreline, the morning sun painting the water gold. Supplies were stacked inside, way too many supplies and Sterling pinched the bridge of his nose as Kushina placed yet another basket inside.
"Mom," he said, exasperated, "if you keep stacking up food like that, we won't have any space left to sit."
Kushina looked up at him with puffed cheeks and a motherly frown.
"But Sterling-kun, you eat a lot. I don't want you going hungry out there at sea."
Sterling gestured toward the horizon helplessly.
"Mom… it's the sea. There's an infinite amount of fish. The last thing that's going to happen is me going hungry."
Shanks laughed softly from the boat.
"Let it go, Sterling. I don't mind at all, you know. Mrs. Kushina's cooking is amazing. If only I could recruit her as the crew's chef."
Kushina giggled and waved her hand. "Oh, don't flatter me, Shanks-kun."
"It's not flattery," Shanks said. "It's the truth."
Footsteps shuffled across the sand.
An old man. Hair fully white, back slouched with age, face deeply wrinkled approached the group with a solemn, almost defeated look.
It was Mayor Dean.
He stopped in front of Sterling and sighed deeply.
"Sterling… is there truly no convincing you?"
Sterling shrugged casually. "You don't need me, old man. You have Yami. And even Noelle-chan."
The mayor grimaced immediately at the mention of Yami.
He slowly turned to look at him.
His face said it all.
Really? Him?
Yami scowled.
"What's with that look, old man? It's not like I want your damn position either."
A round of chuckles rippled through the villagers.
Benn Beckman stepped forward, glancing at the incoming clouds on the horizon.
"Shanks. We need to leave soon. The weather won't be good if we wait."
"Oh right." Shanks turned to Sterling. "Sterling. Say your last goodbyes so we can head out."
Sterling rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh, okay…"
He turned to Kushina.
She immediately grabbed his face with both hands and started kissing him all over,forehead, cheek, nose while spouting every motherly warning in existence.
"Eat properly, sleep early, don't pick fights with sea monsters, don't slack on your bathing, don't act cool around dangerous people, wash your clothes, don't skip meals, don't forget your vitamins, don't forget to write back, and—"
"Mooom!" Sterling complained. "Stop kissing me, it's embarrassing!"
Kushina smacked him lightly on the head.
"My son is about to leave me for who knows how long. Let me kiss you as much as I want!"
Sterling groaned. "Fine… fine…"
When she finally let go, he turned to Noelle.
She smiled softly.
He returned it.
"Noelle-chan. You were my first friend in the village… and still one of the closest people to me. Truly when I say this, I mean it. I'm going to miss you."
Noelle shook her head.
"Don't talk like you're not going to come back, Sterling-kun."
Sterling chuckled.
"You're right."
Next, he faced Yami.
"Yami. There are no words needed between men."
Yami, with Captain Frugal perched beside him, nodded seriously.
"It is indeed so."
"Just protect the village for me and my mother," Sterling said.
Yami grinned and gave a thumbs-up.
"You can count on me, Sensei."
Finally, Sterling looked at Bellé-mer.
She was standing stiffly with her arms crossed, pouting in exaggerated anger.
Sterling burst into laughter.
"You look ridiculous, Bellé-mer."
Bellé-mer snapped back, "No one looks good when angry!"
"Don't be angry," Sterling said gently. "Look—I'll find you again in the near future and give you a gift of apology. A gift that'll make you stronger, okay?"
Bellé-mer froze.
Then frowned suspiciously.
"…What gift?"
Sterling grinned.
"That's a secret."
"mphh!"
Bellé-mer turned away dramatically.
Sterling stepped back and looked at everyone gathered on the shore.
"Everyone… I'm leaving."
He turned, climbed into the boat.
Shanks and Benn Beckman were already aboard.
Benn unfurled the sail with practiced ease.
The wind caught instantly pulling the boat forward as it began drifting into open waters.
Shanks and Sterling waved to the villagers.
The villagers waved back, their silhouettes gradually growing smaller and smaller against the backdrop of the village.
The boat drifted farther.
And with the gentle rhythm of waves carrying them forward…
the legend of the Red-Haired Pirates quietly began.