บท 5: Farewells
The days passed in a blur of activity. It had been a week since Ace and his crew had arrived on the island, and in that time, Ling had learned more about surviving in this world than he ever could have imagined. Ace was always full of energy, eager to explore and get into some sort of adventure, even if it was just investigating the island they had found themselves on. It didn't take long for Ling to fall into a routine with them. They spent their days trekking through the dense forests, discovering every nook and cranny of the island, while their nights were filled with stories, food, and laughter around the campfire.
Ling quickly found that Ace wasn't the kind of pirate captain who liked to sit still. From the moment they'd met, Ace had always been in motion, either hunting down wild beasts for food or racing through the forest in search of something interesting. He had a carefree energy about him that was contagious, and despite the dangers of the Grand Line, Ace treated every day like a new adventure.
The island itself was vast and untamed, its landscape dominated by thick jungle and towering cliffs. Wild beasts roamed freely, some small and harmless, while others were much more dangerous. On one occasion, Ling and Ace stumbled across a massive eagle that nearly gored them with its beak. It had taken all of Ace's strength to bring the beast down, and even then, it was a close call.
Despite the dangers, there was a certain peace to the island. It was remote, far from the bustling trade routes and pirate-infested waters of the Grand Line. As far as Ling could tell, no one lived here—no villages, no settlements, just wild beasts and the endless sea. It was the perfect place to lay low, to plan, and to grow stronger. But it was also a reminder of how vast and wild the world of One Piece could be.
Ace took it upon himself to teach Ling about survival, showing him how to track animals, find fresh water, and build simple shelters. Ling had always thought he knew a thing or two about survival from all the shows he'd watched back in his old life, but none of that had truly prepared him for the real thing. Out here, in the middle of nowhere, with no one to rely on but himself and Ace, it was a completely different experience.
"Living in the wild isn't so bad once you get used to it," Ace said one afternoon as they sat by a river, filling their water skins. The sun was high in the sky, and the heat was intense, but the cool water of the river helped keep them refreshed.
"I grew up in a pretty dangerous place myself," Ace continued, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "Back in the East Blue, on Mt. Colubo, I lived in the wilderness for years. My little brother and I… we spent a lot of time fending for ourselves. We had to learn to hunt, build shelters, fight off wild animals. It wasn't easy, but it made us strong."
Ling listened intently, even though he already knew much of Ace's backstory. Still, hearing it from Ace himself, the weight of his experiences felt more real. Ace wasn't just the cheerful, easygoing pirate he appeared to be—he had survived hardships that most people couldn't even imagine. And despite everything, he had come out the other side stronger, more determined to live life on his own terms.
Ace taught Ling how to set traps for small game, how to tell which plants were edible and which were poisonous, and how to use the environment to his advantage. They spent hours hunting together, tracking wild boars and other animals through the dense jungle. Ling had never considered himself much of a hunter, but under Ace's guidance, he found himself getting better day by day. His confidence grew, and slowly but surely, he started to feel like he could handle himself out here in the wild.
At night, they would sit by the fire with Ace's crew, eating their meals and sharing stories. Deuce, who had been suspicious of Ling at first, gradually let his guard down. The first mate had been cautious, clearly worried that Ling might have ulterior motives for tagging along with them, but as the week passed, Deuce started to relax around him. The tension between them faded, and eventually, Deuce became just another member of the group, laughing and sharing stories around the campfire.
"I guess you're not a bounty hunter after all," Deuce said one night, offering Ling a small grin as he passed him a bottle of rum. "I've been keeping an eye on you, but you're just a guy trying to survive like the rest of us, huh?"
Ling accepted the bottle with a chuckle. "Yeah, something like that. I'm not exactly cut out to be a bounty hunter."
Deuce nodded, taking a sip from his own bottle. "Good thing too. You wouldn't have lasted long if you tried anything against Ace."
Ling laughed, though he knew Deuce wasn't wrong. Ace's strength was beyond anything he had ever seen, and the thought of going up against him in any kind of fight was laughable. He wasn't just strong—Ace had a presence about him, a raw confidence that made it clear he would protect his crew and his freedom at all costs.
The week passed faster than Ling had anticipated, and before he knew it, the time had come for Ace and his crew to leave the island. It was a bittersweet moment. Ling had grown comfortable with them, and despite knowing that their paths would have to diverge eventually, part of him didn't want to say goodbye just yet. But the sea was calling to Ace, as it always did, and the young pirate captain couldn't stay in one place for long.
On the morning of their departure, Ace stood by the shoreline, his arms crossed as he gazed out over the horizon. His crew was preparing their ship, loading supplies and making sure everything was ready for the next leg of their journey. The wind was picking up, and the waves lapped gently against the shore, as if urging them onward.
"You sure you're gonna be okay here?" Ace asked, turning to Ling. There was a hint of concern in his voice, though his usual carefree grin was still in place.
Ling nodded. "Yeah. Thanks to you, I've got a much better handle on things now. I'll be fine."
Ace studied him for a moment, then smiled. "Good. I figured you'd be alright." He slapped Ling on the shoulder, his grip strong and reassuring. "You've got a lot of potential, you know? Don't waste it."
Ling felt a warmth in his chest at the compliment. Coming from someone like Ace, it meant a lot. "I won't," he promised. "I'll keep getting stronger."
Ace's grin widened. "That's the spirit. And hey, if you ever make it out to sea, maybe we'll cross paths again."
Deuce and the rest of the crew gathered nearby, giving Ling nods of farewell. Deuce, who had been the most guarded around Ling, now looked at him with a sense of respect. "Take care of yourself, Ling," he said, his voice calm. "The Grand Line isn't kind to anyone, so stay sharp."
Ling nodded. "I will. Thanks, Deuce."
With their farewells said, Ace and his crew boarded their ship. The sails were unfurled, catching the wind, and the ship began to move away from the island, cutting through the waves with ease. Ling stood on the beach, watching them go, a mixture of emotions swirling inside him.
In just a week, he had experienced so much. He had learned about survival, had gotten to know a group of pirates who treated him like one of their own, and had shared meals with a man who was destined to become a legend. And now, standing alone on the beach, Ling felt the weight of what lay ahead of him.
The Grand Line was vast and unforgiving. The Reverie would take place this year, setting off a chain of events that would ripple across the world. Somewhere out there, powerful figures were already making moves, shaping the future of this world. And Ling? He was just one person, stranded on an island with nothing but his wits and his determination to survive.
But despite the uncertainty, despite the dangers, Ling couldn't help but feel excited. This was what he had dreamed of—an adventure in the world of One Piece. And now, he was living it. He wasn't sure what his next step would be, but he knew one thing for certain: he was ready for whatever came next.
As the ship disappeared over the horizon, Ling turned his back to the sea and began making his way inland. He still had much to learn, much to prepare for. But for now, he had time. The island would be his training ground, a place to hone his skills, to grow stronger, to prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.
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