Sanosuke POV

I opened the front door gently, hoping and prying that my father was passed out drunk on the couch. I shut the door quietly and was about to sneak up stairs to my room when I heard my father, stumbling around the corner and his bloodshot eyes lock on me.

“Where the hell have you been?! Do you know how late it is?! And what the hell happened to your face?!”

I took a step back, “I-I was at the library and I-I tripped on the way home.” I stuttered, casting my eyes down on to the ground as I held my bag of books close to my chest.

He could barely stand as he staggered his way over towards me, “don’t lie to me you worthless brat!” The back of his hand came in contact with my cheek but it lacked force because of his drunken state.

I covered my red cheek with my hand as I stared into his raging eyes and relief wash over me a little when I realized the beating wouldn't be to bad tonight.

“I’m not lying dad.” I whispered softly and he opened his mouth to say something but one of his legs gave out and I quickly rushed to his side to support him up but he was to heavy and we both crashed down on to the floor with him on top of me.

“Useless! Just like that deceased whore of a mother of yours!” He seethed, kicking me in the stomach when he manage to pull himself up off the ground. I dug my nails across the wooden floor, feeling my rage boil over. “Don’t speak ill of my mother, you drunken asshole!” I screamed at the top of my lungs but gasp in fear when I realized what I had said.

“What did you just call me!” My father growled, grabbed a fistful of my hair, smashing my face into the floor. “Your mother should have gotten an abortion like I told her to and she would still be alive today! It’s your fault she’s dead! She should have never given birth to a bastard like you!” I curled up into the beetle position as he stomped and kicked on me until he wore himself out.

He grumbled under his breath, throwing more insults in my direction as he picked up my bag, dumping my books onto the ground.

Damn, he’s just like Eric and his lackey’s. I guess rotten minds think alike.

“I thought I told you to stop wasting money on these useless books.”

“Their not mine. I borrowed them from the library.” I said dryly, rubbing the blood off my mouth with the back of my hand once again. He kicked me in the face before I had time to protect myself, “don’t talk back to me you little shit!” He grabbed one book after another, ripping the pages out of them.

I covered my nose, trying to keep the blood from pouring out but the blood just seeped through my fingers. “What are you doing?! I’ll get banned from ever being able to take another book home!” I shouted, pulling at my father’s pant leg but he just kicked me away from him.

“Good! It’s time for you to stop wasting your time on a dream you’ll never accomplish. You’ll never be smart enough to leave this town and even if you do, no one will hire a worthless brat like you, so give up already.” My father barked as he stumbled away, leaving me in a puddle of my own blood.

Fresh blood continued dripping out of nose and on to the floor as I leaned up on my hands and knees. That’s it! I had enough! Fuck my dad! Fuck Eric! Fuck my neighbors who hear everything but does nothing to stop it! Just fuck everyone!

I pushed my aching body up off the ground and limped my way up the stairs to my room. I pulled off my bloodly shirt and I saw a glimpse of my reflection in my mirror. I was covered in dark blue and purple bruises that overlapped the deep scars on my chest and back and my face was swollen and cut up.

"Tsk," I snarled, glaring at the young man in the reflection as I quickly pulled a clean shirt over my head.

I don’t even know that pirates name that I met earlier but his words replayed in my head as I packed my bags.

I am tired and I am ready for a change and if I have to become a wanted man in the process then so be it.

●●●

The sun was rising by the time I reached the docks and the pirate was leaning against the wooden railing as if he knew I would show up. “I was beginning to doubt you wouldn't come.” He snickered, “I guess your not as cowardly as you thought.”

I ignored his comment but I felt an ease overlapping my fears, “so what is this proposition you had in mind. . . Captain.”

I saw a flicker of admiration flash across his eyes before his mouth curled up into a smile. “I’ll explain it on the way. The names Leon. I’m 17. I hate Pirates but I hate the Government more. I like steak with red wine and I love the color red.” Leon announced as we boarded a small ship. I felt my eyebrows wrinkle together in confusion, “why are you telling me this? And if you hate pirates so much, why become one?”

He let out a sigh as if he already tired of talking to me, “I’m telling you this because I don’t like answering a lot of questions and becoming a pirate wasn’t the first ordeal I would have chosen but I didn’t really have much of a choice. The Government put a 500 million berry bounty on my head so it was either become a pirate or die, now it’s your turn. What’s your name, kid?”

I felt my eyes bulging out of my sockets and my tongue swirling as I let out a shriek, “EHHHHH?!?!?!? What could you have possible done to get a bounty that high at your age?!?!?!” I pointed my finger at him, taking a defensive stance but he just put his index finger in his ear as he closed his eyes, “I’m done talking about myself. It’s your turn to talk. I still don’t even know your name.” He stated boredly, avoiding my question.

“Oh yeah, sorry.” I sat down on the floor of the deck as the wind blew into the sails. We were drifting further and further away from my home and for once in my life, I felt like air could enter my lungs with ease. “My name is Sanosuke. I’m 15 and I like to learn anything and everything that I can.” I felt my cheeks warming up from humiliation, “and I want to become strong so that I never have feel this powerless ever again.” I mumbled the last part, expecting him to laugh but he didn’t if anything he seemed sympathetic.

He nodded his head and his eyes told me that he understood the feeling but before I could read more into it, his eyes shifted towards the open sea but all I could think about at that moment was what could possibly scare a man with a 500 million berry bounty on his head.

●●●

I have traveled with Leon for almost a month now and I still haven’t figured him out but I have came to turns that he hates just about everything and everyone, exactly Marines.

I sat at the end of the small boat watching the waves rock against the ship as I recalled yesterday’s encounter with the Navy.

“Sanosuke, you haven’t said more then two words to me since yesterday, don’t tell me I have already scared you?” I didn’t have to turn around to know he was wearing a devious smirk.

I rolled my eyes but I asked him the question that has been weighing on my mind. “You killed all those marines yesterday and you don’t seem fazed by it in the slightest. . why is that?” I asked seriously and their was a long pause as if he wasn’t expecting me to burst out with that kind of question.

He let out a deep sigh and I could hear his foots steps approaching me as my shoulders stiffen slightly but he just sat down next to me, facing the opposite direction.

“Through out the years I’ve learned that there are two types of people. Those who get hurt and those who do the hurting but I’m not heartless. I feel sympathy for their families but not for them, they made their choices just like I did." His eyes never wavered from mine.

"It was either I kill them or they kill me and just because you didn’t want to fight them doesn’t mean they’ll hesitate on trying to eliminate you. If you recall, I had to come to your aid many times because you were to scared to fight.”

I sneered in detest, avoiding his eyes but he was right. I would have died yesterday if it wasn’t for him protecting me.

“If you don’t want to die you must fight to live, it’s as simple as that. Besides, why should I feel guilty when they could care less if either you or I were to die by their hands?” He asked, raising an eyebrow at me and my mouth fell open at his lack of remorse towards the lives that he took but in some shape and form, I knew he was right. I didn’t even have a weapon in my hand and yet, they still charged at me in intent to kill me.

“Anyways, I can’t allow myself to be killed by anyone until I make this world a better place for my sister to live in. She’s all that I care about and the only thing that keeps me going. If something were to happen to her then, I will no longer have the desire to live.” His words were absurd but he said them so casually that I had to repeat them to make sure I heard him correctly.

“That's just crazy talk! Do you honestly think she would be happy hearing you say such ridiculous words?!” I shouted before I could control the words coming out of my mouth but he just laughed genuinely. “No, I guess not but truth be told. She is the soul reason why I want the Government to fall. She is the reason why I am doing what I am doing. I don’t ever want her to feel threatened or scared to live and that’s why I must do whatever it takes, even if I have to become a monster to do it.” He stated to me, clutching his fist tight with determination burning in his eyes.

I fell silent for a while, processing his words. I have only travel with Leon for a short period of time and the things I have seen so far are quite disgusting. Slavery, abduction, murder, and the Government just turns a blind eye to those that hold power. That’s not justice, it’s inhumane and it’s truly unforgivable to allow such things to happen to those who are weak and can’t defend themselves properly. I may not agree with Leon’s perspective’s but we agree on one thing. The Government needs to fall off their thrown and right then, I made up my mind.

“Leon, I may not be strong at the moment but I swear, I’ll become strong. Stronger then anyone and put an end to everyone’s suffering!” I felt heat, creeping up when Leon’s eyes widen because I was only inches away from his face. I quickly leaned back away from him, “that is if your still willing to be patient with me but. . . I promise, I’ll help you on your conquest if you’ll allow me, Captain.”

The corner of his mouth slowly curled up and his eyes narrowed slightly as if he was challenging me. “Oh? Even stronger then me?” He asked almost in a taunting manner as he lifted his head, wearing an arrogant smirk.

I felt sweat drip off my chin but I never broke eye contact, “even stronger then you.” I boldly stated and he burst out laughing, a laugh that I’ll come to rarely hear. “Good, because if something were to happen to me. I want you to become my sisters guardian but I’ll warn you only this once. Don’t grow to emotionally attached to her like I foolish have. It’ll only cloud your judgment and I need someone to rely on if I begin to make fatal mistakes. . I need someone to depend on and I want that person to be you. Can I rely on you or not?” He asked me seriously and I didn’t hesitate to nod my head, "you can count on me, Captain!"

“Good and don’t go falling in love with her either or I will kill you.” He snarled, poking my chest.

“Dude, that’s just gross! She’s only seven if anything she’ll be like a little sister to me and nothing more!” I shouted, wrinkling my nose in disgust and his shoulders loosened as he smiled devilishly, throwing a paddle at me. “That's good to know, now be quiet and start rowing because we are about to enter the Clam Belt.”

My soul descended out of my body and I started screaming and crying at the top of my lungs. “AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! Wait, Leon! This is the nesting grounds for Sea King's!"

“I know.” He calmly stated, rowing into the Calm Belt without a second thought.

“Noooo! Hurry, turn back! I’m not ready to die yet! Somebody! Help me, please!!!!”