74 The Jackson-Pirates are back!
April, 1520
Jackson POV
It has been close to 6 years since the fight at Sabaody Archipelago happened. Ever since then we have been here, below the sea, continuously training ourselves.
Many things happened in that time and many more things changed. We grew, we fought, we got hurt, we healed and we got stronger.
And today it's time to say goodbye to this place that represents a turning point for us.
"Uhhh... Do you really have to leave already, Jackson?"
"She is right. Why don't you stay just a few more days?"
...Maybe there are also some other things, some of us did...*cough* mermaids *cough*
Adele and Ishilly sweetly whispered tempting words in one ear each as we were laying in bed, their bare big breasts pressed against my sides.
Both of them are mermaids I met in the mermaid café last year. Ishilly is a mermaid with freckles and a black and white striped tail. Her black wavy hair is arranged in two pigtails with flowery ribbons and her bangs are gathered mostly to the left.
Adele on the other hand is a youthful mermaid with beautiful curly hair that reaches past her shoulders, and has dark skin and pink lipstick.
During the last two years, I would come to the mermaid café after every few weeks of intense training. Having at least one day off after pushing your body to it's limit for extended periods of time is necessary to prevent it from breaking under the stress and pressure.
But our intimate relationship only started last year. Back then, I felt that me and Robin had shared special moments throughout the years. It happened quite often or at least I thought so until my confidence built high enough for me to risk it and ask her out.
'I'm sorry Jackson. Ever since I was 8, this crew and it's members have become my first real home. I don't feel the need for a partner nor do I feel the same romantic emotions.I am simply happy with how everything is right now. Even if I love you... it's not in that way...'
Was what Robin said when she practically family-zoned me. After feeling down for a while these two, who I had befriended since the year before, got an idea on how to cheer me up, during one of my visits.
Let's just say it worked meaning we would occasionally meet up and have fun together. It at least helped me to grow out of my affection equals relationship/love mentality I had before like a virgin teen.
'I will surely miss this... no no no. Don't fall for it... at least not again, I am already late!'
But it sure was amazing, Never knew that's how you sleep with a mermaid and if this was a fan fiction some guys would probably want lemon.
Of course this doesn't mean that I was horny all the time and lazed off. Summoning my cheat panel showed me just some of the progress that has been made.
[chosen character: Gol D. Roger]
[synchronization rate: 98%]
[synchronization speed: 5% every year]
[speed boost quest: win against a yonko without any casualties on your crew for additional 5%]
[second cheat: Ninja art creation rebirth! -Strength of a hundred technique!]
Taking a look, while getting up and dressing myself under the two mermaid's disappointed looks, made me smile without even realizing.
Against my believes, it is indeed possible to raise your completion rate manually. All that was needed was bone breaking and muscle tearing exercises on an almost daily basis paired with life and death matches against the possible world's largest sea creatures in the probably world's deepest sea region.
Did I win? No but I survived and then tried it again and again. In the end I got 3% more than what I was supposed to have at this point and let's not forget about the improved and new techniques.
After stepping out, it didn't even take 5 minutes to reach the ship. My guess was right, everyone else was already there.
"Finally! What the fuck took you so long?!"
Were the first words directed at me, instantly upon my arrival. Kuina, now as tall as Robin and almost as big, was the one that greeted me so rudely.
Wearing white jeans with flat shoes, a red sleeveless top that barely reached the top of her belly button and a black jacked above she looked nothing like her past self.
Her build was different from Robin's, with well defined muscles, her short hair and and the sword at her waist she resembled Mikasa during the second season.
"Nah! The right question should be WHO not what."
"You are both wrong! The right question should be how many took him so long!"
"You guys are really..."
The two wannabe jokers are of course Sachi and Penguin. Both of them evolved in their own ways. I haven't seen all their progress yet but they thought of techniques, and equipment to help them grow stronger in their own ways.
Rayleigh told me that they could learn haki and other techniques, but mastering it would be nearly impossible.
It was similar to Robin, who also didn't just focus on physical improvement but what I know for sure is that they have become plenty strong.
The third voice belonged to our newest crew member. Finally we have found a cook for our ship! He is a fishman and his name is Kench, full name being Tahm Kench. (Chef Kench skin!)
Four years ago we bypassed his food stand by chance while being hungry. Not many know about his stand since it's located in an unfavorable place but the food...
It was the first time for me to experience foodgasm. It was at that point I knew, I need him to join our crew.
Long story short, after a lot of visits, persuasion and arguments he gave in when it came down to his dreaming of finding a worthy cooking rival. Ever since then Kench joined us as a crew member and training partner.
Of course the second one he came to know about only after he joined.
"Should you really gossip about my private life just because your's is nonexistent?"
*lightning sfx*
"Captain! How can you say something so cruel, out loud?!!!" (Sachi)
"Do you think we don't have one because we don't want one?!!!" (Penguin)
"Sorry?! I missed the point where it's my problem!"
Like it often did, a small quarrel broke out until the door to the deck opened and two people stepped out, namely Sabo and...
"Koala? You were here?"
"Hihi, Hey Jackson!"
Now where do I begin to explain this. At some point during the years the Revolutionary army found out about my survival so they send someone to reconfirm our existing pact and possible negotiate another one while at it.
Since we are on fishman island they naturally sent Hak, who we are already acquainted with, who in turn, brought with him his disciple and also a contact person.
Now Sabo and Koala... The best way to describe it is as a rom-com with a typically dense mc to the point of frustration and a fmc that denies her own feelings but ends up falling even harder for mc in return.
Anyways, that's definitely their problem and relationship or whatever... Anyways, soon everyone had gathered on the deck waiting for Rayleigh, Shakky, Tom and the royals.
They asked us to wait just to see us off so...
"Speak of the devil."
They turned up that exact moment they were mentioned even if just in thoughts but this time with the little princess. At some point we simply dealt with Van der Decken, freeing her from that pedophile and allowing the little princess to leave her room without fearing for her life.
She started to swim faster, reaching our ship before the old people and brothers behind her.
"Uhhh... Do you guys really have to leave already? Why don't you stay just a few more days?"
'Deja vu?'
Play with a kid a few times and free her from a psychopathic stalker is all that is needed for her to regard you as a good friend it seems.
She pleaded with her big teary eyes but we have already decided that today shall be our departure. The others also reached the ship by now.
"You guys helped us really a lot. So much that in fact we consider ourselves still in your dept-jamon."
"One hand washed the other. You already did enough."
"The captain is right. Any more would be too much." (Augur)
"Make sure to visit us again and if you can even the fishmen district on Sabaody Archipelago will welcome you warmly."
The fishmen district queen Otohime is talking about is what she achieved during these last 6 years for her dream. The destroyed Grooves were partly replaced by artificial small islands.
Donquixote Mjosgard, the world noble that was saved by Otohime, helped her to make one of these new Grooves a place where fishmen can live on land, next to humans.
That Groove is guarded by agents, knights and the law, but no one can say for sure whether it will be enough to guard them from people's greed. Since it is her dream she will have to confront it whatever the consequences might be, of course if asked we would help but still, it's mainly her business.
The last ones we need to talk with were Rayleigh and Shakky. Unlike me, they had learned haki, the normal way, allowing them to share it with the others.
Mostly it's been these two who trained the others, where as I only assisted at times. In my defense I also had a lot of training to do but the results are better shown than told.
"Rayleigh! Shakky! Watch us how we sail the word and turn it whatever side we want! Maybe we will go and take a look at the legendary one piece on the way!"
!
(Seriously play 'I'm back' by Royale Deluxe)
"Haaaa... Hahahahahahaha!"
His answer was only laughter. Finally we departed towards the surface while watching the wonders of the deep sea on our way.
"The Jackson-Pirates are back!"
Something in me just suddenly felt like shouting so I spouted the best thing that came to my mind, yet the others responded in kind to my surprise.
"Stronger than ever before." (Sabo)
"We will never loose, no matter against who." (Kuina)
"And overcome any obstacle." (Sachi)
"No place is unreachable for us." (Penguin)
"Nothing can kill us." (Law)
"And we will always stay together." (Bepo)
"Uncovering every mystery." (Robin)
"Conquering even Fate itself." (Augur)
"Defying the gods without fear." (Enel)
"Achieving whatever we want to Achieve." (Kench)
Everyone said what they wanted to say as if announcing their presence to the world, like we did before we entered the Grand Line. Little did anyone know at this point how much notice of our presence the world would take, soon.
(AN: Hey! Longass chapter again but a setup is half the work. So yeah this was like a rundown on what went on in these 6 years since they fought the navy. Also for those that are still confused, current date is April 1520. Luffy sets sail in year 1522 and Ace started his journey last year. They already met but more about that in future chapters. Any questions remaining that are not spoilers? Since you read it all, might as well leave some stones ne?)
