Chương 11: Chapter 11: Life After Loss
A few weeks had passed since the devastating news of Sabo's death reached Vulcan, Ace, and Luffy. The forest around Foosha Village remained as peaceful as ever, but for the three brothers, everything had changed. Sabo's absence was like a weight pressing down on them, but over time, they began to find their footing again. Mourning had given way to moments of quiet reflection, followed by training and the occasional bursts of fun, but the loss still lingered.
Training and Healing
For the first few days after Sabo's death, the brothers barely spoke. They had spent long hours together, mourning in silence. But as time passed, they started to return to their routines. Vulcan threw himself into his training, pushing his limits every day to grow stronger and make sure he never felt powerless again. Ace's fiery determination to become the strongest had grown fiercer, fueled by the memory of Sabo. And Luffy, still full of energy, dragged them into his mischief, helping them find joy even in the darkest moments.
The three brothers grew closer in the weeks that followed, their bond deepening as they continued to train and dream about their future together. But despite the shared laughs and adventures, there was an unspoken tension between them—an understanding that the world was pulling them in different directions.
Garp's Arrival
On a hot afternoon, the familiar sight of a Marine ship appeared on the horizon, its sails catching the wind as it sailed toward Foosha Village. The village buzzed with excitement as news spread quickly: Garp was back.
When Garp arrived, his booming laughter echoed through the village, his massive frame unmistakable as he made his way toward the clearing where Vulcan, Ace, and Luffy were sparring. He grinned widely as he approached, but there was a glint in his eyes that told Vulcan he wasn't just here for a visit.
"Well, well!" Garp called out, his voice loud and commanding. "Looks like you brats have been keeping busy!"
Ace, wiping sweat from his brow, turned toward Garp with a scowl. "What do you want, old man?"
Luffy, on the other hand, ran toward Garp with a big grin. "Grandpa! Are you here to train us?"
But Garp shook his head, his grin widening as he pointed at Vulcan. "I'm not here to train you, Luffy. I'm here for him."
Vulcan froze, his stomach tightening as he realized what Garp meant.
"It's time for you to join the Marines, Vulcan," Garp said, clapping his hands together. "You've trained long enough. Now it's time to put that strength to good use and become a Marine recruit."
The words hung in the air like a heavy weight.
Ace's Anger, Luffy's Confusion
Ace's eyes widened, his scowl deepening. "What?! You can't just take him away like that!"
Vulcan didn't say anything, but his heart pounded in his chest. He had known this day would come, but it didn't make hearing it any easier.
Luffy, ever the curious one, looked up at Garp with wide eyes, tilting his head in confusion. "Wait… does that mean Vulcan isn't going to be a pirate with us?"
Garp's eye twitched at Luffy's words, and his jovial grin suddenly darkened. He clenched his fists, and before either Luffy or Ace could react, Garp's Fist of Love came crashing down on them both.
WHAM!
Luffy and Ace hit the ground hard, clutching their heads in pain.
"Stupid brats!" Garp yelled, his fists still raised. "What did I tell you about talking nonsense about pirates?!"
Ace groaned, rubbing the lump on his head as he glared up at Garp. "We're all going to be pirates! Vulcan isn't going to be a Marine!"
Luffy sat up slowly, his face scrunched up in confusion. "But… I thought we were all going to the sea together…"
Garp crossed his arms, his expression fierce. "Enough of that nonsense! Vulcan's going to be a Marine, just like I've always planned. And so are you two, if I have anything to say about it!"
Ace shot back to his feet, fists clenched, his anger bubbling over. "No way! I'm not going to be a Marine, and neither is Luffy!"
Luffy, still rubbing his head, nodded in agreement. "Yeah! We're going to be pirates, Grandpa! Just like we promised!"
Garp's brow furrowed even more, and for a moment, it looked like he might hit them again. But instead, he turned his gaze back to Vulcan, his expression softening slightly.
Vulcan's Dilemma
Vulcan had stood quietly through the entire exchange, watching as his brothers fought back against Garp. His heart was torn—he had spent his whole life preparing for this moment, training to become a Marine under Garp's guidance. But now, with Ace and Luffy looking at him, their faces full of determination, the idea of leaving them behind felt wrong.
"You're ready, Vulcan," Garp said, his tone more serious now. "You've got the strength and the discipline. The Marines need people like you."
Vulcan's hands clenched into fists. He knew Garp was right—he had trained for this. He was strong, disciplined, and ready. But the thought of walking away from Ace and Luffy, after everything they had been through together, made his chest tighten with doubt.
"I…" Vulcan hesitated, glancing at his brothers. Ace's fiery glare was fixed on Garp, and Luffy was still looking at Vulcan with wide, innocent eyes.
Ace stepped forward, his voice firm. "Vulcan, you don't have to do what he says. We're brothers, and we're going to be pirates—together."
Luffy nodded eagerly. "Yeah! We'll all sail the seas and become the best pirates ever!"
For a moment, Vulcan wanted nothing more than to agree with them. To run off with Ace and Luffy, to chase the same dream they had all shared for so long. But the reality of Garp's expectations weighed heavily on his shoulders.
"I've trained my whole life for this," Vulcan said quietly, his voice filled with conflict. "I… I can't just walk away from it."
Ace's fists tightened, his frustration boiling over. "So what?! You don't have to be a Marine just because he says so!"
But Garp, ever stubborn, wasn't one to be swayed easily. "You've got a future with the Marines, Vulcan. Don't let these brats fill your head with nonsense about being pirates."
Vulcan looked back at his brothers, his heart torn between the path Garp had set for him and the bond he shared with Ace and Luffy.
A Night of Reflection
That night, the tension between the three brothers was palpable. They sat around the fire, the crackling flames casting long shadows across their faces. Ace's anger had simmered down into a quiet frustration, while Luffy, still confused by everything, stared into the flames with wide eyes.
"You don't have to go, you know," Ace said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was low, but the emotion in it was clear. "You can stay with us."
Luffy nodded quickly, his face brightening. "Yeah! We'll be pirates together!"
Vulcan didn't respond immediately. His gaze was fixed on the fire, his mind swirling with doubt. He wanted to stay. More than anything, he wanted to stay with Ace and Luffy, to protect them, to fight by their side. But Garp's expectations, the years of training—he couldn't just ignore it all.
"I don't want to disappoint him," Vulcan said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's done so much for me."
Ace's fists tightened, but his tone softened. "We're your family too, Vulcan. You don't have to choose him over us."
The silence stretched on, heavy with the weight of the decision that loomed over them all.
Garp's Final Call
The next morning, Garp stood by the shore, waiting. The Marine ship behind him bobbed gently in the water, its sails ready to catch the wind.
Vulcan stood before him, his heart still torn. He glanced back at Ace and Luffy, both of them standing on the shore, their faces filled with a mixture of sadness and defiance.
"I'll always be your brother," Vulcan said softly, his gaze lingering on Ace and Luffy. "No matter where I go."
Garp clapped a heavy hand on Vulcan's shoulder, grinning. "That's the spirit! You're going to be a great Marine, kid."
As the ship set sail, Vulcan stood on the deck, watching the shore grow smaller and smaller. Ace and Luffy stood there, watching him go, and though they were far apart, Vulcan knew they would always be connected—no matter what path they took.
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