ONE PIECE: Dawn of a New Era

Soon... The Horizons Palm rocked gently against the docks, being lined up to drop anchor and to be tied up to remain stationary.

First, a foot locker dropped to the deck... soon followed by a chest.

The heaviness of each thud revealed how much treasure was crammed into each one.

Soon after, there was a new thud. A lighter one. The sound of feet hitting the planks of the deck.

Kirk regained his balance from jumping down, letting out a bit of a heavy sigh as he did.

For a moment, almost in hesitation, he looked up at the ship, standing beside the treasures he had with tight, closed fists. A grim look was stained on his face. His hands were nearly shaking, his knuckles turning white from how hard he was clenching his fists. He only stared for a moment longer before turning down to the chests, picking one up with extreme ease and holding it underneath his arm while taking the other and hoisting it up over his shoulder, wrapping his arm around it.

Kirk turned away from the ship before walking across the docks and into the town of Cocoyashi.

Silently, he strode into the town, his eyes somewhat cast down at the dirt road.

His guilt hung over his mind like a thick, woolen blanket that he wasn't even bothering to tear off now.

Kirk knew too well he deserved this feeling of dread. He had just abandoned people who had called him a friend. And the middle of a dangerous fight. But he knew this was best.

If that loverboy cook had joined the crew and gotten used to Kirk, his departure just would've hurt more people. Like this though? He only hurt Leroy and Jeanne, maybe Kale if he even cared. Though Kirk was thinking darkly about how that man may be dead by now, last seeing him standing straight across from Hannibal Wolfheart. With Leroy there though, he doubted that would've happened. He was a man who could even take down the man Kirk was about to face alone... but Kirk didn't need help.

This was his battle, wasn't it? Even if it wasn't a fight, he was dealing with this himself.

He already knew Leroy was coming for him, his old captain wasn't the kind to just sit back and let his navigator runoff. He was coming after Kirk as soon as he realized he was gone, despite what the Fishman had written down. That's why Kirk was gonna have to do this quickly. Before Leroy could force his way in to help. He could handle this by himself. All he had to do was give away the savings he had been collecting for his entire life, right?

Wasn't it as simple as that?

Even if it wasn't a fight, he was dealing with this himself. He already knew Leroy was coming for him, his old captain wasn't the kind to just sit back and let his navigator runoff. He was coming after Kirk as soon as he realized he was gone, despite what the Fishman had written down.

That's why Kirk was gonna have to do this quickly. Before Leroy could force his way in to help.

He could handle this by himself. All he had to do was give away the savings he had been collecting for his entire life, right? Wasn't it as simple as that? His name would be tarnished for years to come. He and his sister would probably have to move to a different sea after this, but at least then, they could get a brand new start.

He would be able to hide away from the people he had stolen from, the people he had destroyed the trust of, and the people who had the misfortune of ever getting close to him.

Kirk was already planning the apology speech to his dear sister, Oliko.

He was completely unsure of if she would ever forgive him for just leaving her here for years... but honestly? He would fully accept if she didn't. What would he do now though? After all of this was finished?

Yeah, he would run off with Oliko, show her the world, and just.. catch up with her. But what next? Would he still follow his dream of being able to chart the world? To map every island, from sea to sky? Well, that was something to think about later, he determined, and he continued to drudge through the silent town. The simple wooden stilt buildings passing him.

...Wait, silent?

Kirk perked up, breaking through his burden of thoughts just creating a mist in his mind to be able to process what was going on around him.

Typically, there would be at least people milling about. The citizens went on about their day until they laid their eyes on the Fishman walking past. Maybe they would hurl an insult or two, maybe herd their children away to safety, or just shake their heads in disappointment that such a young, outstanding, and gifted kid they had once known had been reduced to an errand boy for the man who controlled their whole island.

Where had everyone gone?

Kirk stood still for a moment, his gaze raking across the markets and homes along the sides of the road. He saw absolutely no one.

His eyes narrowed and his confusion turned into a bit of anger. As much as everyone hated him, he still worried for them. Kirk hadn't been gone too long, right? It may have been a bit longer, but it wasn't too much longer!

Kirk was gonna have to get the rest of the money quickly. Then he would head straight toward what he dreaded the most.

Where had he been hiding that treasure for years upon years? Where he had buried his mother, of course. While it may have been an obvious place, he made sure it was hidden well. Almost making it so obvious that it would've been a stupid place to look.