One Piece: Fear [Reboot]

Sakura had been by my side since I'd arrived on shore. She busied herself with the feast preparations, ensuring everything was set up to perfection.

Even when some of the villagers attempted to carve the Sea King haphazardly, she intervened, her hands on her hips. "No, no, it has to be done properly," she insisted. "If we're going to honour Fuuma's catch, we need to do this right."

I couldn't help but chuckle as I watched her boss everyone around with her adorable face. Francis approached, shaking his head with a grin. "Your sister, Fuuma, she's got more spirit than most men," he said.

"Aye," I agreed, smiling fondly. "She keeps me in line." The villagers worked together, setting up tables and lighting bonfires along the shore, transforming the beach into a grand banquet hall.

Musicians brought out their instruments, and soon, a lively tune filled the air, promising a long, celebratory night. Some of the village's top cooks had come out to help prepare the feast. Akutami, barely containing his excitement, supervised the grilling, turning the massive cuts of Sea King meat with a grin. "This is going to be the best meal of my life!"

With the tables overflowing with food, Sakura set up a small dais and tapped a spoon against her glass, commanding everyone's attention. She looked out over the crowd, her voice ringing clear. "Everyone, tonight, we celebrate my brother, Fuuma. Thanks to him, we not only have enough food for the upcoming winter but a tale that'll be told for generations!"

A loud cheer erupted from the crowd, the villagers raising their mugs and calling out my name. I felt a blush rise to my cheeks, and I raised a hand in acknowledgement, trying to maintain my composure.

"To Fuuma!" Francis shouted, holding up his mug, and everyone followed suit. I clinked my cup against Sakura's and gave her a warm smile. As the feast began in earnest, people crowded around the tables, laughing and toasting, eager to dig into the meat. Francis sidled up to me, a mug in each hand. He passed one to me, smirking. "You've done it, mate," he said. "Not only saved Akutami's skin but brought back enough to feed the whole East Blue if we wanted to... probably."

I clinked my mug against him, taking a deep drink. The warmth of the ale spread through me, mixing with the pride and exhaustion that lingered from the night's battle. "Aye, it was a night I'll not soon forget," I said, looking out at the ocean. "But if I'm being honest, I don't think I could've managed it without thinking of Sakura waiting back home. Knowing she was here gave me all the strength I needed."

Francis laughed, nudging me. "Sounds like you're getting soft on us, Fuuma. But I'd say that's what makes you the best captain we could ask for. Family… it's what keeps us grounded."

Just then, Sakura ran over, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the centre of the celebration. "Big brother, come on, you've been sitting around long enough. Time to dance!" She beamed, her face alight with joy.

Reluctantly, Sakura pulled me onto the dance floor as the music gained momentum. Sakura's infectious enthusiasm made me forget my shyness. She spun me around, her laughter carrying on the air, and before I knew it, I was swept up in the joy of the celebration.

The villagers joined in, clapping and cheering. "Ha! Big brother, you're not just a fisherman, are you?" Sakura teased, her eyes flashing with glee as she skipped around me. Time flew by in the blink of an eye, and before I knew it, hours had passed.

Finally, as the fires began to die down and the last of the ale was poured, Sakura leaned against me, her eyes heavy with sleep. "Big brother," she mumbled, her voice soft, "you'll always be here, right?"

I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "Always, Sakura. I'm not going anywhere."

She looked up at me with a small smile, her eyelids drooping. "Good… because I couldn't ask for a better big brother."

With that, she drifted off to sleep against my shoulder, and I sat there, watching the fire's last embers. The village was quiet now, except for the occasional laugh from those still awake. I hope that every day is as peaceful as this day. A slight smile crept into my face as I looked at my sister again. She was gone... I looked around, the village was burnt. 

...

...

...

The warden's voice cut through my slumber, the sound of clinking metal jolting me awake. "Rise and shine, pirate! Time to face the music." I'd had this same dream every day, the same vision of her haunting me. Just when I gazed at her, I snapped back to reality.

I couldn't recall what had happened, only that I'd been told I'd killed the village. The dream lingered, taunting me with its familiarity. The warden's smirk as he peered into my cell was a cruel reminder of my fate. "Dreaming about your precious little sister again, pirate? Too bad she can't save you now. You'll hang for what you've done."

He unlocked my cell and dragged me out, his words dripping with malice. "Get moving, you're going to face justice today. I wonder what answers you'll have for your village, 'I don't remember anything'." He mimicked my voice, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

The warden shoved me forward, and I didn't respond. The dream still lingered, Sakura's laughter echoing in my mind, but it always ended the same. We stepped into the prison yard, a crowd gathered – a mix of marines and civilians.

The warden leaned in close, his voice barely audible. "Funny thing, dreams. Sometimes they show you what you want most. Other times, they show you the truth." I didn't flinch as he pushed me up the steps. The noose hung in the air, waiting. A marine officer stepped forward, unrolling a scroll. His voice was steady, devoid of emotion. "Fuuma of the East Blue, for the slaughter of your village and the murder of thirty marines, you are sentenced to death by hanging. Do you have any final words?"

I stammered, "I don't remember... I don't remember what happened. But I swear, whatever it was... I didn't mean to..." The officer snorted. "Spare us your excuses." He nodded to the executioner. The noose tightened around my neck. I closed my eyes, resigned to my fate.

"Francis... they killed him, brother." I heard someone say, but there was no one there. I'm going crazy, aren't I? "BROTHER!" I heard again. I opened my eyes to find myself lying on the cold ground of our village, the familiar sight of burning huts before me.

Sakura stood over me, her face smeared with blood, her eyes wide with fear. "Sakura?" I called out, but she just grabbed my arm, her grip desperate. "Brother, they're killing everyone! We have to stop them!"

The chaos around me felt real – too real. Villagers screamed as shadowy figures rampaged through the streets, their swords gleaming.

"What happened? Where's everyone? Where's Francis?" I demanded, my panic rising.

Sakura's response was a heart-wrenching sob, as tears streamed down her face. "Francis... they killed him," she choked out, her voice barely audible.

My eyes widened as the truth hit me: I was reliving a memory, a past moment frozen in time.