章 12: Chapter 12 - The Journey Begins
With Xavier now safely aboard, Erwin felt a quiet but growing responsibility settle over him. The young boy had endured more than most, and though Xavier had found a temporary shelter on Erwin's ship, it was clear he'd need much more if he hoped to one day face the pirates who'd torn his life apart. In the meantime, Erwin planned to equip him with basic survival skills that would help him for what lay ahead.
Their ship continued its steady sail toward Foosha Village, and Erwin took the opportunity to share bits of his journey with Xavier. He recounted the long, grueling hours he had spent training on a deserted island, his body and mind pushed to their limits. Xavier listened intently, his eyes wide with wonder, as Erwin spoke of mastering the Blood Blood Fruit and learning the bits of his Devil Fruit abilities. He described the hardships he had faced—the exhaustion, the hunger, the isolation—all of which had shaped him into who he was.
"When you're alone, you have to depend on yourself for everything," Erwin explained, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "But that also means you discover strength you didn't know you had. Training alone teaches you patience and focus. It's a hard path, but it changes you."
Xavier nodded, clearly trying to absorb the lessons embedded in Erwin's words. He sat cross-legged on the deck, listening with a mixture of awe and resolve. "I want to learn that kind of strength," he murmured, almost to himself.
"Well, the journey is long," Erwin said, his tone both reassuring and challenging. "We can start with the basics."
As they navigated the waters, they established a routine that kept them engaged and prepared. They took turns keeping watch, an exercise Erwin emphasized as vital for any sailor or fighter. "The first rule is vigilance," he told Xavier one night, handing him a small spyglass. "You're never truly alone out here. There's always the sea, the sky, and other eyes watching. You keep yours open."
During the day, Erwin taught Xavier some basic maneuvers, guiding him through exercises to improve his balance, reflexes, and strength. Xavier's resilience impressed Erwin; though he was young, his determination shone through, and he approached each lesson with a quiet intensity.
Erwin began with survival skills. He taught Xavier how to handle a fishing rod, explaining the patience required to catch enough food to survive at sea. At first, Xavier struggled, tugging too eagerly at every nibble and scaring the fish away, but he quickly learned to wait, to feel the rhythm of the sea, and eventually managed to reel in a modest catch.
"Not bad," Erwin said, nodding in approval as Xavier held up a small fish, grinning with pride. "You're getting the hang of it. Fishing is about patience, but it teaches you more than that. It teaches you to observe, to understand the subtle changes around you."
Xavier, still energized from his success, listened attentively. "I never thought about it like that," he admitted. "It's like there's a lesson in everything, isn't there?"
Erwin chuckled, a rare warmth in his gaze. "Exactly. And if you keep looking for those lessons, you'll find yourself growing stronger every day."
"You really sounded like an old man." Xavier laughed, amused by Erwin's words that doesn't reflect his age.
"Well, can't help it." Erwin chuckled, while still looking on his fishing rod. Can't tell the boy that he is actually a middle aged man, mentally.
As the days passed, Erwin noticed Xavier's eagerness to learn, and he was moved by the boy's resilience. Despite his past, Xavier did not seem broken by grief; rather, he appeared to channel it, focusing his emotions into a drive to improve. Erwin could tell that Xavier's goal of facing the pirates who had wronged him remained at the forefront of his mind, and though he worried about the danger of revenge, he admired the boy's spirit.
One evening, as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow across the water, Xavier finally voiced the question that had been lingering in his mind.
"What will you do once we reach Foosha Village?" he asked, glancing up at Erwin with curiosity.
Erwin thought for a moment, taking in the peaceful scene. "First, we'll do a bit of sightseeing," he replied, keeping his tone casual. "It's always good to learn about new places. Then, we'll make some money, sell a few things, and resupply our food. It's nothing too exciting, but it's necessary."
Xavier looked thoughtful, as if processing the simplicity of Erwin's plan. "And then? What happens after Foosha Village?"
"For now, we'll keep moving," Erwin said with a reassuring smile. "There's no set destination in the short time. Just the journey itself. But there's always more to see, more to learn. And as long as we're learning and growing, we're moving in the right direction. Eventually, reaching the Karate Island."
The simplicity of Erwin's answer seemed to calm Xavier. The boy looked back toward the horizon, a quiet determination reflected in his expression. "I think I'll follow your lead, then," he said. "There's a lot I don't know, but I want to learn. I want to get stronger."
Erwin nodded, a sense of pride welling within him. "That's the right," he replied. "Strength doesn't come from rushing. It's a journey, one step at a time."
As night fell, they set about preparing for their time in Foosha Village. Erwin suggested that they start by making some money from the trinkets he had taken from the Hawk Pirates. "They're not worth much, but every little bit helps. It's better to have something than nothing," he explained.
Together, they sorted through the items, picking out anything that might appeal to the villagers. Some were small trinkets—worn jewelry, unusual coins, decorative carvings—that Erwin had gathered as spoils. They spent the evening carefully organizing the items, deciding how best to present them. For Xavier, this was a new experience, and he watched Erwin's methodical approach with fascination, observing the way he assessed each item's value and potential appeal.
"That's part of surviving too," Erwin told him as they worked. "Sometimes it's not about what you want to keep, but what you can let go of to make your journey easier. You don't need a lot to move forward."
Xavier nodded thoughtfully, understanding that even these small acts held lessons. By the time they finished, the moon was high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the deck. Erwin could sense the anticipation in Xavier, the thrill of arriving somewhere new, the curiosity about what lay ahead in Foosha Village. It was a feeling he shared, a reminder of the endless possibilities that came with each new place.
With their plans made, they settled in for the night. The ship rocked gently, lulling them into a peaceful silence as they lay beneath the stars. Erwin thought back to the villages he'd visited before, each one unique, each one leaving its own impression. Thinking about what would Foosha Village present him.
As they neared the village the following day, Erwin prepared Xavier, reminding him of the basics they had practiced—observation, patience, and above all, respect. "People can tell when you're genuine," he advised, his tone serious yet encouraging. "Respect them, and they'll respect you, most of the times. But if they don't, just remember that politeness is not a weakness."
Xavier nodded, absorbing the advice. For him, this was an exciting opportunity—a chance to start anew, to leave the pain of his past behind, if only for a little while.
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