One Piece: Circle Of Chaos

The Garden was elegantly decorated with chairs and tables. However, something felt off. Guards stood at a strategic point, resting their arms on the rifles. It was very unusual for a birthday party.

Akira moved through the garden, With his freshly cut short haircut a stark contrast to the shoulder-length style he wore yesterday at the engagement, He meticulously checked every detail, ensuring everything was in place. He reached to the cameramen, Who shifted the camera to show, how it looked.

Akira checked the picture, In it sat an elderly man on a green comfy sofa positioned near the stairs, White-haired, Deep crimson eyes along with a faint smile.

Edgar Hawthrone.

From the staircase, Zenjiro descended, Towards the back of the sofa, he turned to his right.

"Masashi, Where is everyone?"

A young man approached, clad in a sleek black suit. His features did not mirror any of the two.

"They're on their way, Dad."

Akira joined them and said.

"Hold on a second, Masashi."

Zenjiro and Edgar turned toward him, Zenjiro asked.

"What is it?"

Akira replied,

"Dad, How about a picture of just three of us?"

"You, Grandpa, and me."

Zenjiro considered it for a second before and replied.

"Okay"

Masashi steped aside.

"Well done on the Gekko deal, You did a good job."

Zenjiro congratulated him.

Masahi smiled.

"It's my birthday gift to you, Dad"

Edgar nodded in approval.

"Well done, Son."

"Thank you, Grandpa"

Akira watched the exchange then he signaled the cameramen.

He captured the image.

Edgar sat in the center, Zenjiro stood behind the sofa, and Akira was positioned to his left.

A few minutes later…

Family members arrived one by one.

Yuri and Mina were the first to join, followed shortly by Mayumi and her family joined them, With Akira the only one to be missing.

Yuri surveyed the group and mused.

"It's good that we were able to organize to have some family photographs taken before the guests arrived."

"Come here, Kids."

Edgar called warmly.

Two kids ran towards him, giggling, as he lifted them onto his lap. Mayumi stepped forward, holding out a small box to Zenjiro.

"Happy birthday, Dad"

Zenjiro opened it.

"Thank you, Mayumi... That's a terrific watch."

Finally, Akira approached the group. Mina and Edgar turned to him, He stood beside Mina, draping an arm over her shoulder.

"What happened to your hair, brother?"

Eyeing his hair.

Akira shook his head, then gestured towards an unfamiliar man.

"What's he doing here?"

Mina glanced at the unfamiliar face while Yuri explained.

"He is Mayumi's brother-in-law, Masashi's younger brother. Mayumi invited him for the group photo."

Zenjiro exchanged his current watch for the new one.

"Dad, Do you like it?"

Mayumi asked.

"Of course"

Zenjiro replied with a small nod.

Mina then presented her gift.

"Happy birthday, Dad."

"Thank you."

Zenjiro accepted the case and opened it to reveal stylish sunglasses, he then put them on.

Mina nodded and turned to Akira.

"You didn't get anything for dad?"

Mayumi scoffed.

"You returned with empty handed?"

Akira turned towards Zenjiro.

"I've cut my hair… Dad prefers short hair."

Mina rolled her eyes.

"It's Dad's sixtieth birthday. You should've given him something special. A haircut, really?"

Yuri glanced at Zenjiro for a second and then replied to Mina.

"A haircut is a commitment. It's a very special gift."

Mayumi sighed.

"Mom, you always defend him."

Zenjiro gave a small nod and replied.

"Nice haircut… But you looked good with long hair too. It suited you."

Akira grinned,

"I'll grow it again, Dad."

Akira moved and leaned closer to Yuri and whispered.

"Mom, did you invite Grandpa's family back to the village?"

Grandpa who heard that, closed his eyes for a moment, While Yuri gazed at Akira and replied.

"No."

"This was the perfect opportunity to make things right."

"We send them an invitation to Mayumi's wedding. Did any of them show up?"

Yuri countered.

Akira sighed.

"We just sent the invite. We didn't personally go there to invite them."

"Come on, guys. The photographer's waiting."

Zenjiro's voice cut through the conversation. 

Akira grumbled but stepped back with a frown.

Photo captured.

In the center sat Edgar, In his lap sat Shin and Sachi, kids of Mayumi, and at the back of the sofa stood Zenjiro along with Yuri, On the right side of them stood Masashi, In front of him one stair below stood Mayumi on his left with His brother on the right, To Yuri's left side one stair below stood Mina, They formed a perfect group.

Except for Akira, Who stood slightly apart, As if he didn't belong with the rest of them.

Some times later…

As the evening progressed, Garden gathered guests one by one, filling it with chatter and laughter.

Then an old man entered flanked by guards, They, too, had guns with them. Masashi who waited for him near the entrance walked towards him and then he showed him around the place.

The Garden is situated at the back side of the mansion, with a pavement connecting the garden to the Mansion.

On one such pavement around the garden, Akira walked beside Edgar, His grandfather's hand on his shoulder, They moved slowly, in no rush.

Akira asked quietly.

"Grandpa?"

Edgar took his eyes from the pavement to him.

"Yes, My boy?"

"None of your family ever visits us. Why is that?"

Edgar paused, then sighed.

"My family got broken and now they are scattered across the world."

Akira frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Edgar shook his head.

"It'd take me forever to explain."

He hesitated then added,

"I had to let go of my older brother's hand. But I didn't even realize I lost grip on the younger one too."

His gaze lingered on Akira for a second and continued.

"Come visit me and I will tell you everything."

Edgar stopped, letting Akira and the one who followed them stop, Akira glanced at the guard who stood at the back of his grandpa and turned towards his Grandpa.

"Do you still remember our village?"

"I never forget anything, Grandpa."

Akira answered,

But before Edgar continued, a voice interrupted them.

"Hey, Hero, Come… I'll introduce you to the Governor, Come with me."

Masashi stood on the ground below the small stairs that stood between them.

Akira shook his head.

"No, I'm not interested… It's okay."

Masashi frowned.

"Now that you're back, If you want to run the business, then you need to know who the big players are, come."

"I'm not interested in this game… It's fine."

Edgar observed them for a second and motioned Akira to walk along with him,

"Come."

But Akira sent off his Grandpa.

"I'll see you later, Grandpa."

Edgar nodded and walked away.

He took the stairs down and stood two steps away from him, Looking down at him, Masashi looked up and scoffed.

"You first have to understand the game… What do you even want to do with your life?"

Akira smirked.

"That's a tough question."

Masashi raised his eyebrow.

"Do you have an answer to it?"

Akira's smirk widened.

"Will you be able to hear it?"

Masashi grumbled,

"Let's see what you do."

Akira shook his head,

"You won't be able to see it."