# AS A CREW

After embarking on several more adventures with the crew, it was not long after M/n realized that they were nearing at the end of their journey.

It has barely been a year, and yet, they've already roamed the entirety of Grand Line alongside Kozuki Oden who offered his uttermost assistance to their Captain.

They went to Skypiea, Fishman island, and Zou. All connecting back to poneglyphs.

In Skypiea, M/n watched as he sat on the ground, resting his chin against the palm of his hand, legs crisscrossed. It was the first few months since his injury and he was recovering speedily in a decent pace.

He was watching Kozuki carve using an ancient language as Roger spoke to him about what to write. They were leaving a poneglyph behind.

Next was Fishman island.

M/n particularly liked the sea, but diving in further than necessary does terrify him. It was the unfamiliarity of seeing the deepest parts of the ocean that made his fingers drum against the railings nervously.

And the fact that they were seeing all types of sea creatures did not help. Not at all.

On the other hand, the others were mesmerized.

"Have you ever seen the ocean this deep? No, right? It's. . . Beautiful!" His fellow apprentices were enthusiastic. Must be nice, he guesses.

Unfortunately, he can't share their absurd amount of optimism.

"M/n, how are you faring?" Buggy turned to look towards him, taking note of the beat he repeatedly drummed with his finger tips. His brows furrowed at the brunette, "Is that morse code?"

M/n shook his head, shrugging off the nerves getting to him.

"No, no. Just a song."

"If you say so."

Going to Fishman island allowed them the opportunity to meet the King and the fortune teller. It was predicted that the princess will be born in 10 years.

Upon hearing the time they have to wait for, M/n's eyes widened. Why did it seem like it was only he who was taken aback? In 10 years, he'll be 22, no longer apprentice.

What until then?

"Don't worry, we won't be stealing your hairy daughter." Roger teased Neptune who grew red upon hearing him say his daughter will be hairy like him in the future.

Feeling eyes dig wholes into the back of his head, M/n turned around to look-- only to see Shyarly narrowing her eyes at him.

Feeling uncomfortable, his brows knitted together.

"What?"

"You," She spoke to him directly, not raising her voice too much to attract the attention of others. "I advise you to be more careful in the future. An ill fate follows you."

M/n was not absolutely and utterly taken aback. What was that supposed to mean? Be more careful? An ill fate follows him? He shook his head, trying not get too absorbed into the negativity.

"What are you talking about--" Before he can ask her further about it, an arm slung around his shoulders.

"Ooh~" It was Shanks, the knucklehead. "M/n, are you finally receiving your very first confession?"

"A confession, you say?" Buggy piped in with confusion.

M/n couldn't focus on their words, feeling dizzy. Everything felt like a fever dream, he was prepared to wake back up in that island if ever that was the case. He was ready to face the possible harsh reality.

And a confession? As much as that repulsed him, it was more bearable to think about than the idea of suffering an ill fate.

Zou stunned him. Now that was a beauty.

It has been months since his recovery and approximately a few couple weeks since Fishman island.

Zunesha was stunning, that he could say. And also terrifying. The size of the elephant was just overwhelming.

In Zou, M/n met Pedro. A very determined mink who was around his age or younger. At first, Pedro had been hostile. Of course, who wouldn't be? Suddenly waltzing in the minks' homeland without a word? Anyone would be cautious and wary.

Up until Oden brought up the two minks he met during his time in Wano, they loosened up and welcomed them indefinitely.

"Do you know how to wield a sword?" Pedro asked after a few hours of warming up to the brunette who was perhaps his only company at the moment.

"Hmm? Well, I'm not a sword-type of person. I prefer using sabers or katanas." M/n shrugged, looking around the forest and admiring it for its scenery.

"Try."

That made M/n stop on his tracks, up until now, he wasn't paying attention to his path but rather to the trees around him. He failed to notice the large rock boulder in front of him, one that Pedro intentionally led him to.

"What?" He was naturally confused.

"Try." Pedro repeated. "I can tell you have a lot of pent-up frustrations in you. So, prove to me you're capable, and in exchange-- this can also grant you your release."

A win-win situation, Pedro meant.

M/n's brows furrowed as he bit his bottom lip in contemplation. "But I don't have my dagger with me‐-"

Pedro wordlessly handed his blade.

Seeing no reason to refuse, M/n gratefully accepted it before looking intensely at the huge rock boulder in front of him.

Taking a deep breath in, he was reminded about how their journey as a crew was coming to a close end. Having overheard Rayleigh and Roger's conversation once. And inevitably, he was conflicted.

Was he afraid of what would become of them? The ending, Roger becoming the Pirate King-- then what would happen? Obviously, there wouldn't be any more of a reason to keep the crew going. As much as M/n hopes they would still continue, that nothing in their lives as it is now would change-- that's hardly possible.

Everyone would move on with their lives. Roger would probably have a family, Rayleigh might as well, and perhaps all the rest of them. Hell, even Shanks and Buggy would have a direction in their lives.

But M/n? It would be like waking up from a dream, it would feel as if everything was simply a fever dream, one that was bound not to last. He would soon be cured and would return to the hard reality of how life really is in this world.

Alone.

Now that's depressing.

It's still a little too far ahead of them, he shouldn't think too much of such thoughts. Surely, he'll find his own direction too. Directions don't come immediately, they don't flash by in front of you just because you asked for it. It comes gradually, slowly-- but surely.

But what if it doesn't. What if while the people around him succeeds in life, he is stuck living aimlessly? What if--

"M/n! That's enough!"

M/n snapped back to reality, feeling the corner of his eyes sting and his vision gradually taking in his surroundings.

He was standing, in front of the boulder, holding Pedro's weapon.

But the boulder no longer greeted him, it was simply a mass of powder.

"You did it." Pedro breathed, stunned to see the large solid rock boulder he has been trying to slice into half for the past few months now. He was in awe.

With a single swift blow that was incomprehensible to the human eye, M/n reduced the boulder to dust.

"You're amazing!" There was basically stars in Pedro's eyes.

M/n breathed heavily.

Pedro may have thought it was amazing but M/n feared it. He didn't even realize it, he absolutely had no control over his actions. It was as if he was maneuvered like a machine, a vehicle. He hated it.

He hated how he had no control, and how he allowed his emotions to get the best of him.

"M/n!" Hearing a familiar voice call out, M/n felt inevitably relieved.

"Let's go, Pedro. I think we're leaving."

Reaching the civilization, M/n was instantly filled with relief upon seeing his crew. As much as he enjoyed Pedro's company, the crew was like his family and they provided the only comfort he would only ever need.

"Captain." M/n joined his side with a smile on his face.

"Roger! Oden-sama," Eyes turned towards Pedro who has been admiring the Oro Jackson during their stay. Pedro met M/n's curious eyes and looked at him meaningfully.

He was determined to follow them.

"Take me along!" He exclaimed. Roger didn't turn around. "I'll do anything! Take me with you!"

Finally, he turned around, placing his large hand on top of Pedro's head. "Kid, you still have to wait."

"I'm not a kid, I'm Pedro!"

At this, Roger laughed, boisterous as always. "My time is limited. Listen, everyone has their own turn."

Pedro was speechless upon digesting his words.

"Be patient and wait." He turned around and started walking again. M/n still stood in place, looking at Pedro in a meaningful gaze. "It'll come naturally. Your turn, I mean. . ."

M/n pursed his lips into a thin line before offering a smile to his new mink friend.

"Goodbye, Pedro." Roger said.

"Here." M/n returned his blade. "I hope we meet again. But this time, on the sea." He grinned.

Pedro looked up at him before nodding with newfound determination. "Mhm! I'll hope to see you again!"

"Come, M/n. Surely, Rayleigh is a mess right now since you've been gone for hours!" Roger mused. He enjoyed teasing Rayleigh even when he was not present

M/n returned to his Captain's side, not without casting Pedro once last glance.

And as easily, he witnessed someone gaining their own direction and purpose in life.

And with a frown, he wondered when he will see his own.