Setting Sail

"Thank you Alex." Franco suddenly spoke up

"For what? I didn't do anything." asked Alex

"For believing in me and my potential to be something greater than myself. Thank you for changing my life captain." said Franco

"All I did was to give you a chance to change your life, but I really didn't do anything. It was you who changed your own life. The moment you shook my hand eleven years ago, was the moment you changed your fate and joined something that was bigger than anything you can ever imagine. So don't thank me, thank your six-year-old self for accepting six-year-old me's dreams even if they were considered childish remarks back then." said Alex

"I'm still glad that I accepted that deal." said Franco as he raised his fist for a fist bump.

Alex also did the same and bumped his fist and said, "Well I am glad I picked you as my first mate."

(Timeskip)

A year later on a sunny morning in Momon Island, two seventeen-year-old boys woke up and are getting ready to start an adventure of a lifetime.

Of course, this is a time of saying a lot of goodbyes. Goodbye to their families. Goodbye to their village. Goodbye to their island. And most of all, Goodbye to their previous lives.

One chapter of their lives closes, and another chapter of their lives opens.

Alex and Franco prepare their things with the help of their families as their mothers and sisters are all crying because their sons/brothers are leaving to set sail. After preparing their things they went to the port and saw the whole village waiting for them.

"Good luck out there fellas." said Gabon

"Make us proud and get big bounties." said Bors

"Take care of your boat so it takes care of you as well!" shouted Oberin

The other villagers also gave their good lucks and well wishes to the two boys and waited for them to board the ship.

Before they board the ship, they talked to their families first and said their goodbyes.

"Take care out there son. The sea is an unforgiving place. You gotta be prepared for anything and always have each other's backs. Most of all, have fun and treat your crewmates as family and you will have a memorable journey. Always remember 'It is not about the destination, it is about the journey' so appreciate the little things and you will always be happy." said Vincent as he knew how difficult it was to sail in the sea.

"Yes pops I will remember that." Alex said as tears were building up in his eyes.

"I'm going to miss you son. Make sure you write a lot of letters and update us regularly as we also want to experience your adventure. Here a necklace I asked Durin and Oberin to make, to help you when you're feeling down in your journey. The necklace has our family's picture in it, so you know that you have us with you wherever you go." said Maria as she hugged her son tightly.

"Thank you, mom, I will treasure this necklace forever." said Alex as he was crying while hugging his mom

"Onii-chan why are you leaving? Has Elizabeth been a bad girl? I will become a good girl just don't leave me." said Elizabeth as she was crying because of her brother leaving

Alex seeing his precious little sister cry, poked her forehead then hugged her while saying "Elizabeth, your onii-chan will be leaving because your onii-chan's dream is to become the Pirate King. So don't think that you are the reason your onii-chan is leaving okay? We could still talk by sending letters so promise me that you'll send me letters."

Elizabeth stuck out her pinky finger and said, "Pinky promise?"

Alex did the same thing and interlocked pinkies with her and said, "Pinky promise." then Elizabeth hugged Alex before letting go and waving goodbye to her brother.

On Franco's side his father told him to be careful and take care of each other. He also told Franco to live his own dream and work hard to achieve his goals. His mom told him to write a lot of letters and to promise her that no matter what happens, he should stay alive to come home to them. While his sister just hugged him and said to come home alive in one piece and to send her some gifts so that she could brag about it to her friends. Franco just thanked and embraced his family because he wouldn't see them for a long time.

After saying their final messages and goodbyes to their families and friends, Alex and Franco boarded their ship and removed the rope from the port that was keeping the ship from being swept away by the waves. And they started sailing while looking and waving back to their families, friends, and to their home for the past seventeen years. And as they sail towards the horizon, they begin to look forward to new adventures, people, friends, enemies, and most of all their new futures.

"Where to captain?" asked Franco as he fixes the sail.

"To wherever the sea takes us." said Alex

And this starts the story of the Alex's journey to become the Pirate King.

(Volume 1 End)