ONE PIECE: Dawn of a New Era

Leroy watched the intense bout sweat beading down his brow. Wincing and grimacing as he watched his first mate become more and more injured.

Then he saw what he thought was his first mate perish...And he could contain it any more

"Fuck!" Suddenly Leroy Disappeared and lunged straight at the Strongest Swordsman!

Ducasse whipped around and pointed behind him

"Bendare! Laccio! Get out there! Quickly!" He spoke to the restaurants only doctors. The two rushed out as Leroy landed in front of Hannibal!

Leroy shot his fist out at the man! Attempting to plunge his fist straight into the Mans masked face! He didn't care how strong he was! He had to do something!

Hannibal simply dodged out of the way. His arms crossed as he looked to Leroy with a look of understanding

"You must be that Young mans compatriot. Calm yourself He's not going to die..." He spoke simply as he sheathed his sword while effortlessly dodging the attacks.

Leroys arms snapped back into place as he scowled at the man. Hannibal questioning him even further. Tilting his head and looking down to the sashed man.

"Tell me boy. What is that you are seeking after?" Hannibal knew that if a man who wished to become the strongest swordsman was with someone, they'd have to have similar strong ideals.

"To become King of the pirates..." Leroy steadied himself as he looked up to the tall man. The scowl only softening for a moment. He could tell that Hannibal was not Lying.

"Now...That's an even more lofty goal than your friends goal...One that won't be easy." He moved his head as he emphasized his words.

"His names Kále. Masamune Kále. And he's my First-Mate. And We'll both achieve our goals no matter what!" Leroy spoke after, correcting him and telling him the name of his friend, in full.

"Then it seems like I was correct in assuming that you were his Captain. You must be the very man Sparrow spoke to me about. That Red Sash of yours gives it away clear as day..." Spoke Hannibal, causing a confused look to come over the Captains face.

"Sparrow? How do you know Sparrow?"

"He was My rival once upon a time. But enough that now." Hannibal then looked up and called out to Kale, crossing his arms.

"Masamune! Are you still with us?!"

"Hang in their sir!" Spoke the two chefs as they began putting their hands on the Swordsmen. Having Pulled him out of the Ocean and onto the Deck once more. The blood and water mixing together, running down his form in a cloudy diluted liquid.

As Kále was pulled from the water it became apparent that he was just unconscious. Still breathing but he was out cold from his injuries. The chefs dragged him onto the deck and laid him on his back, his bare feet still dangling in the cold water. After Leroy and Wolfheart were done speaking, Kále's eyes slowly opened. He was in some amount of pain, the salty water mixing into his wound made it excruciating but... that wasn't even the worst part.

Kále was still alive and he realized that. He stared into the blank sky above him and he was disappointed. He was meant to die, he lost his fight... why was he still here?! He slightly lifted his hand and slammed it into the deck. He was frustrated and tears appeared in his eyes.

He remembered everything, his journey... his friends... He thought to himself, 'Friends eh? For years it's only been one friend but... but now...' There was more than just one friend. Leroy, Kirk, Jeanne... they all were there alongside his childhood friend, at that moment he realised...

Slowly, Kále's fist raised into the air, the chefs at his side worrying about how he still had the strength to do that. "

Yeah... I'm still here..." He said through clenched teeth, how could that swordsman leave him alive...

"LEROY... CAN YOU HEAR ME...?! I'm sorry for worrying you there... Tell me something, The King of the Pirates needs a strong right hand... don't you?" Kale's fist was shaking in the air as he yelled out.

"If I wasn't the strongest then you'd be screwed... so I'm done half-assing my dream! So... so I swear... until I defeat him... until I become the Greatest... I'll never be defeated again!" Tears streamed down Kále's face as he continued speaking, he hadn't cried in years not since he lost himself...

"GOT ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT, KING OF THE PIRATES?!"

With that final yell it was apparent, Kále's passion, his fire had returned. No longer was he fighting for just his childhood friend, now he was fighting for his crew, his friends, and, perhaps most importantly... himself.

A chill ran down his back as he heard the words of his first mate. A Smile of relief washing over him. The declaration of the first mate. His declaration to his goal. To the Crew. To live.

"No. Absolutey not!" Leroy smiled that familiar smile to his swordsmen. He knew that he was the right choice. He knew that one day. He'd do it.

"Masamune!" A surprising yell was heard from the strongest. Calling out to the man that had survived his blade through sheer will

"It is still to early for you to perish just yet! You know my Name! You Seek my title! So strive for it and earn it! Live and learn about yourself and This world! Become strong! No matter how many years it will take! I will hold this seat of the strongest in wait for you! Surpass this sword! Surpass me! Masamune Kále!"

Turning quick on his feet, his coat, almost like a cape flapped harshly. Hannibal then turned to Leroy and spoke "That goal of yours. You'll need to do the very same. Even more so than him, there are more out there that seek that title than those that seek my head."

"Then I'll just have to beat them too!" He showed that same Confident smile.

Hannibal then turned around as he spoke "With this, I bid you adieu."

Stepping onto his Canoe. He spoke a final time before floating away "I shall await the next we meet"

The doctors then set up the wounded swordsmen. Having quickly bandaged him as Wolfheart began to leave. "Steady Steady! Try not to talk any more..."

Leroy Came jogging over to them waving for the others to come over. Ducasse even came over as well. "To think you got Wolfheart of all people to say that..."

"Yeah! It was awesome!" Said Leroy with a grin as he squatted down next to his first mate.