Elsewhere in the world, a ship burst with laughter. The waves of the waters jostled the vessel, while the wind made the pirate flag dance to its rhythm, waving hurriedly the breeze pushing it back and forth.

Leaning forward on the rails, a raven-haired woman gazed to the horizon, her thoughts rattled. She sighed her chin resting on the palm of her hand.

"We'll be approaching an island in three days." the speaker, sharing the same dark hair, had hers styled in a bun.

Though her expression was stoic, her friend could detect warmth within her brown eyes, "I'm sure we will find her this time."

The dejected woman stared back at her, "You said that the last time, Hanabi." Her friend kept telling her the same thing on every island they arrived on. Somehow, she couldn't blame her for it.

They both worried and missed their mistress.

Hanabi pursed her lips, "I can feel it this time." She clenched a katana at her hips, "Yue, I know she will be."

Yue responded with a sad smile, hopefully, her friend's hunch was on point. Though her previous hunches weren't successful, deep down she wanted her friend to be right.

"Ladies!" Both women turned to the captain of the ship, his red hair lifted by the passing breeze. A grin etched on his face, as he greeted them with a wave. "I see you're both in high spirits."

Hanabi got a whiff of the strong alcohol in the air. She shook her head in disappointment, "You're drinking this early in the morning."

Shanks chuckled, pulling back some strands of hair away from his face. "Just a little breakfast before hitting the road."

Hanabi gave him a look, not a single emotion expressed. "She crossed her arms, "You call alcohol a breakfast?"

They both banter back and forth for a moment before being interrupted by Yue. She got in between, "Hanabi." She pleaded with her friend, who looked away from her pleading gaze.

Though smaller in stature than both of them, Yue smiled at the captain, "Thanks again for letting us stay here, Sir Shanks." She bowed like a graceful bloom of a flower, "We are in debt to you."

Many of the crew members smiled, and Benn put a hand on Yue's shoulders. She lifted her head to meet his gaze,  warmth within them. "It's not a problem, saving beautiful women at sea."

Hanabi scoffed while Yue's face heated up at his flirtatious smile. It was thanks to them they were saved in time.

If it hadn't been for this pirate crew,they could have died.

No, they would have died.

Hanabi pointed to Shanks, "He could repay us by showering."

Yue gasped, a hand on her lips. Her ears caught the many members of the ship laughing along, "Hanabi!"

Shanks pouted, with a fake air of sadness while Benn clutched his stomach in laughter in the background. "I don't smell."

Hanabi responded with a deadpanned expression, " I know you're approaching by a mile."

That only made the crew of the Red-haired pirates laugh harder. The duo's occasional banters never ceased to bore them.

"She got you good, captain!" Yasopp slapped his knee, throwing his head back.

As the laughter died down, the day went on. The same old, them laughing together, eating together or whatever pirates were to do on their day off.

And partying, a lot of partying.

Currently, a party was what they had. And the day before...and the day before.

Yue wondered if pirates were just bored and preferred partying all day.

"Tell me about this mistress you're looking for," Shanks asked taking another sip of his bottle. "They must be very important to you if you came out here in the grand line."

Shanks observed their faces lighting up at the mention of it. He smiled as it reminded him of the expression he makes when he talks about Luffy.

Unable to keep her excitement, Yue smiled ear to ear, "She's the kindest person I had the pleasure of meeting."

Oh? Shanks thought to himself, it's a she.

Hanabi's mood changed, as flower petals surrounded her. She seemed softer than the rougher exterior gave out, "Also, she's really strong, smart and wise."

They all saw the softness within her gaze to their surprise. Their first encounter, was not so pleasant since she tried attacking the crew the moment she had to awaken from her coma

"She's also the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!" Yue gushed jumping in her seat, " Her eyes are so blue like the ocean, and her hair as curly, but soft like the finest silk."

Benn and Yasopp give each other a look at her comment. A beautiful woman they say, now, they were interested in meeting their guest's friend.

Mid-sipping through his bottle of alcohol, Shanks raised a curious brow, he had seen many beautiful women while travelling at sea. Hell, he has seen things worth marvelling on the grand line. However, it seems that this mysterious friend had piqued his interest.

The party kept going on, a light-hearted atmosphere surrounding them. They both kept going as Shanks went deep in thought, hoping to meet this mysterious friend of theirs.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the sea, Rue tapped her fingers on the railing of the boat. The seas were still, with occasional waves here and there. In the early hours of the morning, the skies were dim in colour, like the cool greys from the smoke of a chimney. Thankfully, Aisha snored away in the cabin, enabling her with some privacy.

For her and her visitor.

Her eyes looked to the horizon as she awaited the arrival of a certain someone.

She gripped the newspaper in her other hand at her side, a slight frown on her features as her thoughts repeated the headlines over and over again.

Body of the Marine Captain of Gastonia found at the end of the cliff.

Her frown deepened, her silver brows furrowing as her eyes peered at the oncoming boat steering her way. It came with an upcoming speed as fast as the wind itself.

Coming to a rough jolt, the man jumped high, his shadow covered her before landing in a crouch. He stood up, his green eyes beaming as his loose strands of brown hair from his bun danced in the small breeze, the wind fanned his sun-kissed skin. In his usual long dark jacket along with a simple shirt underneath, his dark pants and boots. His right brow, etched a prominent scar, lifted playfully.

"I've arrived Milady-"

His words were muffled as Rue shoved the paper in his face, "What's this?"Her tone rose a few octaves, containing her frustrations.

Removing it from his eyes, he took a peek, his eyes following the flow of the sentence. He lifted his gaze to her with mischief, "It's a newspaper milady."

Rue crossed her arms, unamused with his antics, "What does it say?"

He shrugged his shoulders, his lips stretching into a smirk. "It certainly says something newsworthy- oops!"

He ducked from her incoming high kick, almost connecting with his face as the wind swirled in motion of the attack. If he had been even a second late it would have hit.

And would definitely hurt.

He performed a back flip, landing back on his feet his smirk widened, the gleaming mischievous attitude not leaving his aura. "You missed."

Before he could blink, a slight breeze like a whisper kissed his cheeks, his hair joining the rhythm. Her presence felt as her delicate fingers slowly wrapped the back of his neck; he lifted his hands in surrender with a knowing smile, her features copying his expression.

"You're a bit rusty, Ryuji," Rue commented, her words teasing his ear, making his body freeze momentarily. Heat began to rise through his body at her action, but thankfully she released him from her hold.

Who would blame him for his reaction when an attractive woman breathed in his ear?

He rubbed his neck to simmer the flush on his neck, "You always seem to enjoy randomly swinging at me." Though he knew there was no malice in her attacks, he couldn't help but think she did it on purpose to let out some steam.

Rue gave him a mischievous smile, picking up the newspaper, "It keeps you on your feet, does it not?"

He pouted, crossing his arms like an angry child, "Not when you're always winning."

The silver-haired woman huffed a laugh, giving him back the newspaper, "Read the rest of it."

With that, green eyes travelled to every syllable and sentence as he read the latest scoop about the slain officer. He scoffed at the blatant lies about how the Captain of Gastonia was loved and respected by the people despite it being further from the truth from what Rue communicated to him. What caught his eyes though wasn't exactly the lies, but the cause of his death. It described how the captain fought valiantly against the masked Winged Demon and the unfortunate life cut short. Another surprise was the rise of the bounty letting out a whistle.

A picture of the Winged Demon in action was on display his dark flying in the mid-wing his mask in clear. In bold letters, 500 million beries with the usual alive or dead written on it.

Ryuji chuckled at the number, only a 50 million difference from the previous bounty, "I guess the broke noble family still had some doe left in their pocket."

Rue only stared at him, deciphering his actions and reactions to it. It was clear in a way what happened, yet she still wanted to know the details of it.

Because she was certain she didn't ask for things to lead to this.

Feeling her eyes on him, Ryuji met her judgemental eyes, "Tell me what's your mind Beautiful, before you drill holes in my head."

The rays of light began to slowly arrive on the horizon, Rue took a breath, the saltiness of the seas in her nose. "Did you do it?"

He made his way next to her on the railings. Leaning his back on it, his arms resting on the cold metal. "And if I did?"

She whipped her head in his direction. At first, Rue made no reaction to his words. Her eyes searched his as he stared back at her, and then his attention went back to the seas. The ocean waves collided filling their ears, and the light rose higher in the skies, announcing the upcoming day.

Ryuji and Rue had been in partnership for three years. Both with separate ambitions, yet overall the same goal. Their organization, the Winged Demon, wasn't as large as the world believed it to be. Though they would do missions for some people and return it with one of their own; once the favour was completed, they would go their separate ways as long as they promised to keep quiet on their relations. Though some were willing to become their spies, many were rejected due to circumstances. They may not be many, but it was better to be few in number instead of a large group. Though Rue had never shown them her face, Ryuji would often pass on the orders.

Orders that would sometimes be altered by Ryuji.

Rue slightly huffed a breath, "Those weren't my specific orders."

Ryuji said nothing, as his eyes remained looking at the nothingness of the ocean while feeling the breeze.

There was a rule they both shared.

As the Winged Demon, they must work in sync. Their movements must be the same, their fighting style must be the same and as the masked in visuals, they must never reveal their face. Though Ryuji was a man, and lean in muscle mass and weight, his height didn't surpass her as much and as the Winged Demon, no one would suspect or could tell the difference under the dark cloak.

It was a perfect deception, completely shrouding the Winged Demon's identity. No one would be able to tell two different people were posing as the criminal. A small difference between them would not only compromise themselves, but the organization as well.

"I told you that once you got your hands on that devil fruit, incapacitate the captain and do it discreetly," she gave him a disapproving look, her silver brows furrowing. She crossed her arms, "Not kill him."

The plan was simple and laid out for him. It was to originally steal the devil's fruit while Rue gathered information on the Captain's misdeeds along with government secrets. Though there was some tweaking in the plan, Rue only wanted Ryuji to render the captain incapable of fighting or harming anyone again.

In other words, to cripple the captain permanently.

Killing him wasn't a part of it nor was it necessary.

Ryuji shrugged without care, closing his eyes as he allowed the rays of the sun to brush his face. "I did the town a favour."

Rue directed her attention to the waves of the seas, her eyes filled with indifference. The captain of Gastonia, Alex, was many things. A jerk being one of them; she shivered as she remembered him trying to kiss her and trying to force a marriage on her. The thought of it made her skin crawl.

She couldn't care less what happened to him, but after finding out her superior wouldn't punish him, she decided to take matters into her own hands. After kidnapping her child, bringing harm to her and the people around her, trying to force himself on him and the list went on; a quick death was too easy for him.

However, it made Ryuji's motives pretty clear on the matter.

"His fate was sealed," Ryuji's gaze hardened, his green pupils dulled the darkness within them rivalling a night sky. The obvious hatred seeping in his voice, "the day he was born a noble."

The silence was drowned in by the incoming seagulls soaring through the skies. Rue's gaze shifted to her partner; she was aware of his views of nobles in general though she never knew of his reasons for it.

Honestly, both weren't aware of each other's reasons for participating in his criminal escapade. Both landed each other a hand for their selfish reasons, but were linked to the same sentiment.

Both detested the nobles and that common goal was enough.

Rue closed her eyes, a calm breeze flowing through her curls, there was no valid response to his sentiment, and neither was there a reason to be angry. After almost hurting her daughter, she was ready to tear the captain apart, therefore, she had no room for complaints. If it were her, she would have probably done the same.

After all, in a way, he did a favour to the town and herself.

Ryuji released a sigh, his shoulders sagging, "Not this time though."

Oh? Now, this was new.

Rue gave him a fixated look from the corner of her eyes. Her voice held suspicion yet a subtle mockery, "You didn't?"

He shook his head, yet when he met her eyes, Rue could notice a glint in them. A slight mischief dancing within his brown pools, "I messed with him a bit, nothing more."

Seeing her raised brow, he continued hands in the pocket of his pants, "he wasn't worth killing."

For a moment, Rue was uncertain, her gaze roaming his form, silver brows furrowed in suspicion. Though she couldn't say she knew him well enough, but what she did know was what type of person Ryuji was so far. It was strange for him to even let him live.

If Ryuji didn't kill him...Then who did? And why?

The man had many enemies, but justified enemies if she had to be honest. The captain made many people miserable due to his greed; therefore, it wasn't far fetched if someone did take the opportunity.

Though there haven't been any assassination attempts on him in the past, why all of a sudden...

She wanted to ponder on it, however, instead, Rue decided to put the situation to rest. What happened has happened and nothing will change that.

There was no point in thinking over a meaningless death.

"I see," was all Rue could say. "I am certain the press will blame the Winged Demon."

Ryuji nodded, boredom in his eyes while resting his hands behind his head. "Of course they will, we were the only major threat on the island."

Rue hummed in response. Ever since they've joined hands, she has seen the grand difference between herself and Ryuji. She wouldn't take a life unless...absolutely necessary for her survival as well as her daughters.

However, Ryuji was a completely different story when it came to that matter. The only thing they shared was their strong dislike for the nobles, yet both of their reasons for their sentiments were unknown.

And if she had to be honest, them not knowing each other's reasons were better. A professional relationship was best for both of them.

She turned to him, eyes calm as the glistening of the sun on the ocean. "Where is it?"

Without another word, Ryuji jumped high, the air springing upwards, lading back on his small boat. As he picked up the small box, he leaped in the air and landed in a crouch, wind propelled around him and soon disappeared.

Rue slightly huffed as her fingertips brushed her curls from the strong gust of air. She took the wooden box from his hand, and the clanged as she opened the top to reveal the devil's fruit inside.

It was as dark as an abyss with an intriguing hue of purple in the middle of the swirling fruit, oddly shaped into a pear. The light glimmered then reduced its flare then brightened up again repeatedly.

"So," Ryuji said, his gaze on the vibrant fruit. Intrigued at the mysterious abilities of it,"What now?"

The wooden box creaked as Rue shut the lid, locking it with a clang. "How many spies do we have on standby?"

Ryuji raised an amused brow, his lips curving into a smirk, "How many? You mean the only two people you can trust at out the hundreds who begged me to join after doing them a favour."

Rue graced him with a nonchalant smile, "The fewer the number, the less chances to get caught."

"The fewer the number means more work for me." Ryuji sighed exhaustingly at the thought.

Rue strolled to her cabin, "Then you better get to work."

Ryuji sighed as he followed behind her, both entering the cabin. He logged himself right on the seat near the entrance. His head hit the softness of the lemon pillow.

Meanwhile, the silver-haired woman began to prepare breakfast. From the friction of pans along with the awakened the ravenette from her slumber although Rue knew it was probably from the aroma of the omelette she made.  Aisha greeted her mother with a bright smile. Seeing the addition to their travels, the child sought her opportunity at the resting male on the couch.

"Jiji!" Aisha squealed in excitement, floorboards creaked as her feet sped up towards him.

Right on cue, Aisha jumped on his stomach as Ryuji spat out the gulf of air from his lungs. She giggled at his funny yet pained expression.

Let's just say the child's morning greeting left a mark.

Deep in thought, Rue's mind went to the candidates to inherit the fruit's power. Though she was aware that Ryuji wasn't wrong about the slim choices of candidates, it wasn't the fact that she was limited in choices.

Rue wasn't so trusting of the ones she had never met. Trusting someone with the fruit's power could do more harm than good. Ryuji and herself were so careful of their identities and adding more people with a devil fruit would just complicate things.

The silver-haired woman flipped the pancake; it sizzled from the heat a sweet and buttery aroma rose in the atmosphere. Then, she took hold of more eggs breaking the shell, an ooze of yellow coming out of it. She seasoned it with some salt and added a small dose of sugar for balance. Then in a small pot filled with water that boiled, she began placing herbs, allowing the water to absorb the substance.

Allies, the thought of having a few only made her cringe. The group enlarging did not sit well with her, she wasn't sure of their intentions nor of their reasons for joining. Though they had received numerous requests when under the mask, but never sought to add more additions.

Though Ryuji did add some of his own without her knowledge at first, but had let it slide as long as they promised to keep quiet.

However, her partner didn't particularly roll that way.

After finishing cooking breakfast, she placed the many dishes in front of them. A large plate of fluffy pancakes, along with seasoned omelettes many different berries of fruit, and maple syrup along with a large jug of orange juice located on the counter.

Though the table was small, Ryuji took his plate on his lap to allow room for the child to sit on it. Rue sat down, and Aisha seated between the two adults.

The display of it made Aisha drool while Ryuji practically gushed. They both sat down with sweetness in their nostril as their eyes devoured the meal.

They clasped their hands together, "Thank you for the food." They both dug in their plate after plate being consumed like the air they breathe.

As he enjoyed his meal, Ryuji noticed the woman's lack of food on her plate as she read a book instead of consuming her meal. He rose a brow. "Aren't you eating?"

Silently, Rue pointed to her daughter. Following her finger, Ryuji gawked, his jaw-dropping as his eyes widened like saucers. He observed the child consuming what seemed to be a sixth plate of food. Aisha hummed, squishing her chubby cheeks filled with food, a big smile on her face. His eyes bulged out as the child added more food to her plate.

Though Ryuji was a glutton himself, he never thought a child could outrank him.

A moment later, Rue went back to the small pot. Taking out a teacup from the cabinets above the stove, she poured her tea into it. Ryuji and Aisha almost gagged at the smell of it, the room filling up with the strange aroma.

Ryuji pinched his nose, a muffled nasal tone as he spoke, "What the hell kind of drink is that?" He scoffed at the mischief in her eyes, as she gave him her polite smile. They both gagged once more as they watched Rue take a sip, her face lighting up.

"Mommy the hell smelly!" Aisha exclaimed covering her nose, fanning the aroma away from her. She never knew why her mother liked to consume the nasty drink.

Gently, Rue gave her a little warning to not repeat his words. Ryuji flinched from the kick he received from Rue under the table. Though she was smiling she obviously seemed forced and a bit cold.

A clear signal to watch his mouth around her child.

With occasional sips, Rue took an omelet and began to eat, occasionally glancing towards her book. Her stomach was slightly charred, accepting the food, yet apart wasn't satisfied. As she kept consuming the tea, her body calmed down as it slowly suppressed her appetite.

However, her thoughts went back to their previous conversation, despite trying to distract herself with her novel.

As minutes went by, all silently consuming their meal, the clangs from the fork filled the air. Ryuji's words cut through the atmosphere, like a gunfire disrupting the peace.

Unbeknownst to Rue, Ryuji's mind went back to it as well. Not wanting to draw attention to themselves with the child sitting next to him, he tip-toed around the topic. "I think we should add more people to our operation. Think of it as adding seeds to the field." He began munching on his fifth plate, humming as the flavours hit his tongue.

"The more the merrier as they always say. Less work for the farmer."

Plus, he got to take some weight on his shoulders. Though they were partnered for some time, for him to be in many places at once wasn't easy.

Rue immediately caught on, her eyes never leaving the book in her hands. "The field is already flourishing, there's no need to add more to it." She took another bite of her omelette, " Therefore, the farmer doesn't need extra seeds."

Like she told him previously, they didn't need more people in their organization they were doing just fine on their own along with the two spies.

Ryuji pushed forward, his knife slicing the fluffy pancake delicately, "The farmer could use other types of seeds, that see things that the farmer does not. It will be a huge plus."

More people means a larger perspective on things. Being their eyes and ears in other places where they are unable to attend or access.

Rue gave him a pointed look, her gaze as sharp as a blade, "Or these seeds could poison the rest of the field, putting the farmer's crops at stake."

These additions could be more harmful than good. A risk of putting their lives in jeopardy.

Her partner's fixed eyes matched hers, his resolve unwavering, " Or those seeds would add more benefit to the field by gathering more information to prevent that from happening."

She whipped her gaze to him, a slight flare within her gaze."And if those seeds spread and end up infecting the farmer, hurting and destroying everything the farmer has built up until now."

Rue's voice grew louder little by little, her words flowing off her tongue like spice, "What then? How do we deal with all those seeds who have grown on this field?"

His next words, not only did not surprise her, but kept her even more firm in her decision, "then we cut it from its roots."

The air froze their chilled gazes on one another. Not even the sharpest blade could cut the tension.

This was exactly what Rue wanted to avoid. She knew Ryuji wouldn't hesitate to get rid of their threats without question. He was prepared for bloodshed if necessary.

However, Rue didn't want blood on her hands.

She had enough of it on her already.

Ryuji sighed, his shoulders slumping while Rue plotted her behind on her seat. It was clear this whole argument wasn't getting anywhere. But he realized something, there was more to it.

"You don't trust anyone do you?"

He watched her lower her silver lashes, shielding her eyes from him.

"Or is it you're unable to trust anyone."

Everything went quiet, except for Aisha happily consuming her meal. For a moment, the child peered at her mother who kept her gaze to her plate. Chewing on her fork, she tilted her head in curiosity at her mother's behaviour.

Ryuji's gaze lingered on the woman who squeezed her crystal and bit her lip deep in thought. He had wondered why the woman kept a small circle, but slowly began to understand why.

She trusted very few and placed solid walls around herself, walls that seemed almost impossible to break. Though he hadn't actively tried to peel the layers, it did spark his curiosity as to why she hadn't wanted more people in their operation.

Stomach satisfied from the meal, he leaned back, the soft cushion deepened from his weight. Eyes gazing blankly into the drops of water from the sink. His words became the final nail in the coffin, "Our hands won't always remain clean. Should I remind you of that one time?"

Rue's breath hitched momentarily, her form growing rigid. Her voice barely audible, frustration lingered within it, "It wasn't on purpose.."

"That doesn't change anything."

For some reason, a hunger lingered in her stomach, but stopped herself from eating more, "It wasn't my intention."

Ryuji's gaze hardened, his green eyes as dark as musk, "it doesn't change that they're dead."

The memory flashed like a camera, yet it was a blur in her eyes. Her mind, her vision blinded by uncontrollable rage. However, one thing was retained that day, it was as clear as the tunes of a melody.

Yet, those tunes were nothing pleasant. These were voices filled with terror.

They were pleading for their lives.

And oddly enough.

It was the same day they met.

And the day they forged their relationship.

Rue shut her eyes tightly, pushing back the thought at the back of her mind. She squeezed her crystal, trying to keep her emotions at bay.

Though guilt covered her like a blanket, somehow not a tinge of regret for her actions.

"I don't blame you, you were defending yourself against those bastards." The man's eyes gleamed with a hint of satisfaction, "they deserved what was coming."

Taking his plate, Ryuji placed it in the sink. He turned to her, his gaze lingering melancholy, "I get it, not everyone is worth trusting."

He had unfortunately his share of experience.

He took a few steps, one foot on the staircase, "But to reach our goal, we can't expect ourselves not to remain virtuous."

Ryuji reached the exit opening the door, he peered at her over his shoulders, "Excuse me while I go and anchor my boat. I can't have my ride floating away."

Seeing him leave through the door, Aisha quickly consumed the last bits of her meal by sucking it up like a vacuum. She attempted to catch up with him before he left.

"Mommy finished!" Before her mother could protest, she quickly followed Ryuji out the door. A thud rang through the cabin as she slammed it behind her.

In the quietness of the cabin, the air became bitter and it was not the tea.

It was the feeling that boiled in her stomach.

With a heavy sigh, Rue pinched the bridge of her nose at it all. Admittedly, more allies wasn't a bad thing, but in her case and her situation, adding more people was too risky, adding more to the mix would destroy everything she built, carefully.

All for the sake of keeping his legacy.

The world had no idea that his child existed, no idea she had relations to him neither do they know who she really was. To the rest of the world, he was the Winged Demon.

Rue clenched her crystal, a deep frown on her features at the thought. Neither did the world know that someone like her existed.

That power like hers existed.

She bit her bottom lip, her worries not easing up. Her mind travelled deeper into endless amounts of possible outcomes of the situation.

Rue began biting the nail on her finger, her nerves making her cold sending a shiver up her spine.

If he knew she was alive...

No, she told herself. She will ensure that never happens.

To take her mind off it, she began placing the dishes together and compiling them in the sink. Instead of washing them immediately, she took the time to search in the cabinet near the bed. She saw her folded navy cape, her flute and a small chest embroidered with cherry blossoms.

Taking the box, in her hand, she opened it. She sought her eyes on the main object she searched for.

A small slightly crumpled picture of a group. All smiled from ear to ear, but her eyes focused on two people. Her lips curved into a sad smile, her vision getting slightly blurry while gazing at the grinning raven-haired man.

Kaien, the man she owed her life to.

And a life she tragically took away.

She really wished things hadn't ended up the way they did.

Her eyes travelled to another face, an arm linked around his neck. A small smile on his face gazing, a hand on the little Rue's back.

Sorrow washed over her like a storm. Her fingertips gently against both their faces, eyes becoming blurry with tears about to spill.

She wished she could go back to those times.

She wondered what would they think of her if they saw her now.

What would they think if she knew what she had done?

Suddenly her body jolted as her crystal glowed, her eyes blazed in a blue hue. The box fell from her hands as she collapsed on all fours. A sharp pain coursed through her body from her fingertips to the soles of her feet.

No...

A grunt left her lips as the pain increased.

Stop...

She gripped the floors, scratching it with
her fingernails that began to grow white and large.

Stop it...

The glow of blue getting slightly brighter by the second.

Please, stop...

As she attempted to take control of herself, she gritted her teeth, bit her lips and drew blood. It became sharper and more prominent.

Stop!

A sharp breath left her as she inhaled. A hand gripping a crystal while the other scratched the surface of the floors. Slowly, her eyes lowered to the wooden floorboards, her nails back to normal.

Her hands shook as she brought them closer to herself. Eyes widening understanding the circumstances.

It was a clear signal, she could have transformed.

She only had a week no, maybe even a few days.

Standing up hastily, she searched in her closet for her map. Finding it, she immediately began looking for the nearest island.

She needed to find one fast.

Snap! We are practically at 6k! Thanks again for choosing this book to read!

Tell me what you think of Ryuji so far. Even though I just introduced him like now, lol!

I introduced Hanabi and Yue, though there isn't much I revealed about them, I hope you guys liked their little introduction to the story.

And finally, our next guy she will be meeting is Shanks along with other members of the Red Hair pirates.

I wonder how he will react to her, once they meet?! I'm really excited for the next chapter!

Anywho bye for now!