Please help me pay for my WiFi so I can post more frequently 🙏 [Patreon.com/tenten100?] It's only $5. Of course it's voluntary. Don't feel forced 😁
________________________________________
After a long string of stories from Shanks about his time with Gold D. Roger and the crew, the laughter and chatter around the table finally began to die down.
Noelle leaned forward slightly, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "You must really like this Buggy guy, Shanks-san."
Shanks smiled faintly, nostalgia softening his features. "You could say he was sort of like a first best friend to me. He should have been the first member of my crew, but… well, we had different life directions."
Noelle's lips curled in sympathy. "Sorry for that."
Shanks waved a hand dismissively. "Why are you getting sentimental? Buggy's not dead or anything."
Noelle chuckled. "I know that, it's just… it seems like you really did want him in your crew."
Shanks nodded. "Well… that's true."
Bellé-mer cut in, her voice sharp and measured. "No matter how much fun and caring Gold D. Roger was to you and the rest of the crew, the rosy picture you paint doesn't change the fact that he's the reason piracy is at an all-time high. He's a criminal, and anyone associated with him is a criminal. As a Marine, I cannot let that go unchallenged."
Shanks chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "That's fine. Really. Captain Roger, or any of us in the crew never saw ourselves as heroes. At the end of the day, we're Pirates, and Pirates must be hunted. In fact, Bellé-mer-chan, I welcome you to hunt me and my crew."
Bellé-mer's eyes narrowed slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I don't need an invitation. I was planning to do that anyway."
Sensing the rising tension, Kushina spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "Well then, Shanks-kun… when are you, Benn, and Sterling leaving?"
Sterling blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? Leave where?"
Kushina raised an eyebrow as if it were obvious. "To go and do more pirating, of course. Pirates don't stay in one place, do they?"
Sterling scratched his head. "Well… yes, that's true, but I'm not sure why that involves me."
Bellé-mer leaned forward, voice firm. "Yes, Mrs. Kushina. Sterling is not a Pirate."
Kushina tilted her head thoughtfully. "Oh… but isn't he part of Shanks-kun's crew?"
Sterling sighed deeply. "Mom… Shanks did ask me to join his crew, but I respectfully declined."
Kushina's gaze softened. "Oh… and why did you decline, Sterling-kun? I thought you liked being a Pirate."
Sterling shrugged. "I do like it, but I just don't feel like being a Pirate yet."
Kushina's eyes searched his, thoughtful. "It's because of me, isn't it? That's why you asked me yesterday about your father and how I felt about him leaving."
Bellé-mer's voice piped up again. "Wait a minute, Mrs. Kushina… why does it seem like you're actively trying to get Sterling to be a Pirate?"
Noelle shot her a sharp glance. "Keep quiet, Bellé-mer. Sometimes there are situations where you must learn to restrain your thoughts."
Bellé-mer frowned, undeterred. "But Mrs. Kushina is actively trying to get Sterling to become a Pirate." She then turned to face Kushina, "With all due respect, Mrs. Kushina, I cannot allow that."
Sterling's voice cut through the tension. "Bellé-mer, shut up." He's tone leaving no room for argument.
Bellé-mer hesitated for a moment, then wisely said nothing more.
Sterling turned to his mother, voice calmer now. "Mom… you're right. When I spoke to you yesterday, I was testing how you would feel if I left with Shanks. And I found out exactly how you'd feel, and for that reason, I cannot leave the village."
Shanks and Benn Beckman watched the exchange quietly, neither interrupting. Shanks had no intention of entering the conversation. His wingman Mrs Kushina would definitely, without a doubt convince Sterling for him.
Kushina smiled softly. "Sterling-kun… it makes me happy that you care so much about my feelings. But you must understand, as your mother, I don't want to be a chain keeping you from fulfilling your dreams. If you had to stay here in this village for years, wasting your youth taking care of me, it would sadden me far more than if you were to leave me alone."
Sterling's gaze fell to the floor. "But Mom… I wouldn't enjoy leaving either. I wouldn't be able to freely roam the seas knowing I left you alone. I'd feel guilty the entire time."
Kushina's voice was firm but gentle. "Left alone and lonely… don't underestimate me, Sterling-kun. Besides, I have Noelle-chan, Granny Chiyo, and the rest of the villagers. In this tiny village, everyone is like family. Loneliness is the last thing I'd feel."
Sterling remained uncertain, frowning slightly. "I still don't feel comfortable doing this, Mom."
Kushina paused for a moment, thinking, then a smile slowly spread across her face. She clapped her hands once. "Alright then, I have a good solution."
Shanks watched silently, a small smile on his lips. Okay… it seems she has something up her sleeve, he thought to himself.
Sterling looked at Kushina curiously. "What is it?" he asked.
Kushina smiled warmly. "Go out to sea with Shanks-kun and Benn-kun and find that useless father of yours and beat some sense into him to come back."
Sterling blinked, stunned. "Father!?"
Kushina nodded. "Yes, your father. If you can find him and remind him that he has a wife and a son waiting for him, then when he returns, I wouldn't feel lonely anymore, would I?"
She turned to Shanks and Benn. "Shanks-kun, Benn-kun… you two don't mind helping my boy find his useless father, right?"
Shanks smiled brightly. "Of course not. Besides, I know some people who might be knowledgeable in tracking people down."
Kushina turned back to Sterling, still smiling. "See? This should solve the problem now, right?"
Sterling fell into thought. "Well… I guess that would make me feel a little better. But finding Father might take some time… so during that time, you'd be left alone."
Noelle's eyes lit up. "Oh, that's easy! Mrs. Kushina can just come live with me and Granny Chiyo until your father comes back."
Kushina's smile brightened even further. "That's a wonderful idea, Noelle-chan."
Bellé-mer, unable to contain herself any longer, got up and slammed both her hands on the table in frustration. "I'm sorry, Sterling, but I can't stay quiet. This is ridiculous! I've spent the past three years trying to convince Sterling to join the Marines with me, and when I was so close to getting him to agree, you all are trying to turn him into a Pirate!"
Sterling chuckled lightly. "Ah… actually, I was never even close to agreeing to be a Marine. That had a 0% chance of happening."
Shanks leaned back slightly, a smile on his face. "You see, Sterling. Travel with me, and we can find your father. After that, we can traverse the seas freely. I'll extend an invitation once again. Sterling, please join my crew and let's turn the world upside down."
Bellé-mer's voice rang out, sharp and desperate. "Sterling! Don't do it!"
Sterling fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. Then a slow smile spread across his face. "Well… after such incredible arguments, you've left me no chance at saying no. I agree. I'll join your crew, Shanks."
Shanks stood and extended his hand, beaming. "Amazing. Welcome to the crew, Sterling."