"So you ate the Flame Flame fruit huh? When'd you do that?!" Leroy asked inquisitively. Azar hunched his shoulders as he remembered "It was like putting a lump of hot coal in my mouth. But the heat only hit as it slid down my throat. And it tasted like shit too...Like that time Pib tried to make Buffalo wings without even using the right ingredients" The bother shivered in unison at the memory of the horrid taste.
"I know you were around when I ate the Gomu Gomu no mi, but I remember when I ate it felt like having the thickest lump of Gum in my mouth. And tasted like spoiled milk too. Didn't realize it until after I'd swallowed. Cuz for like a moment, I felt lighter, weirdly enough."
"Huh. That is weird, I know when I found the fruit I was starving on an Island...It just had this heat to it when I picked it up. And afterward, I felt something small too, like I just got warmer for a second. Like a hot flash that was pleasant came over me!" He said as he shook slightly. Imitating what it was like.
”Wow, you guys are sure two peas in a pod” Noir spoke up, instantly seeing the connection and history between the two making them close. It was interesting to the cook to learn more about their captain, considering they… didn’t really know that much. “This Mamtha lady must’ve had a rough time wrangling you two if you guys were as stubborn as Leroy is now when you were younger, huh?”
They were in the middle of talking about their Epithets that the Papers had been calling the other. Azar mentions how 'Redsash' really fits his Brother, and the other says the same. Azar also mentions that the Papers called him 'The Blaze' on top of 'The Fire Brand.' They were about to get into the different people that they'd fought when the Captain finally snapped out of his conversation at Noir's comment
They were in the middle of talking about their Epithets that the Papers had been calling the other. Azar mentions how 'Redsash' really fits his Brother, and the other says the same. Azar also mentions that the Papers called him 'The Blaze' on top of 'The Fire Brand.' They were about to get into the different people that they'd fought when the Captain finally snapped out of his conversation at Noir's comment
"Oh, Mamtha? She was a badass! Raised Me, Azar, and My Sister Sara every step of the way! On top of also leading a group of bandits that regularly stole from the rich populations of the Nearby kingdom..." He spoke proudly of his adoptive mother. It made all the sense; just as the chef had mentioned, someone would need to be tough to raise people like Azar and Leroy. "But she's more of like a banker now...giving out loans from the money she steals."
"Maybe that's where we got our lack of reservation for snagging things, huh?" Azar joked as he leaned back on the railing, letting his elbows rest. Leroy smirked "Yeah, probably. You know I think it's getting close to the Anniversary..." Leroy's mood seemed to shift for a second
Azar's mood complimented his brothers and darkened too. "Yeah...I think so too." The two sighed, taking a moment to think about whatever it was the two were talking about before Leroy broke the Silence "Anyway- " He said with a wave
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"What were you sayin' earlier about the People you've fought?" And like that, the two were back in their bubble. "Oh yeah! I came across this one used swords on his like- Arms." He said, gesturing with his hands trying to figure out the right words "He was the first guy I fought after I left. He was weird. He could shoot the blades out of these gauntlets. This was before I even eaten my Mera Mera..."
"So many strange people..." Leroy said, thinking aloud. Every pirate in the world tried to have something that defined them from the rest, trying to make sure they didn't just fall into the background of the numerous nameless masses. "You're one to talk!" Teased Azar causing the other to scoff
"Tch- Yeah Yeah, I know..."
With the Two deep in talk, catching up with the other. The Horizons Palm sped across the ocean, wind filling it's sails and causing the Jolly Roger to wave with high energy as they closed in on their eventual destination.
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"Woah..." Leroy said as he finally caught a glance of his brothers back. Azar in the Galley with Noir and Him, Noir having whipped up a quick snack of cheese and crackers. "When'd you get that tat Azar?" Leroy said leaning forward and looking at the large tapestry of ink on the back of his brothers back. It was a large skull with the jaw and teeth in detail slightly morphed into a smile, with the sockets curved into a hard grin. The jaw and upper lip had long flowing dark red shapes forming into a long lush beard. Bits of accessories and braiding detailing the tapestry.
"Oh that? Thats The jolly roger of my Captain. Didn't I tell you? I'm a part of a Huge crew now, Red Beards crew. And I'm gonna make sure that man can become Pirate King!" *He proudly declared giving a flex of his bicep and patting his arm.
"Yeah sure. But the only person thats gonna become King is ME. So unfortunately for your dear Captain, he's gonna have to get in line behind me!"
Another fifteen minutes passed on the voyage to the Nile; Azar and Leroy were still conversing deeply, discussing one another's journeys. The Captain was surprised to hear that his brother had joined a huge Crew! Though Leroy was unaware of who this Redbeard was, he guessed he'd have to be impressive for Azar to willingly join after making his own Crew. A look of surprise came over Azar as he spoke “You know! I just realized, what are you all doing now? You're sticking pretty close to the coast.”
"Now that you mention it, I guess we didn't mention it, but we're on our way to kick the Royal Marshal in charge of this island's Ass!”
“Oh really? Sounds just like you- running on into trouble.” Azar rubs his neck, almost nervous as he continues to speak “I heard about the Marshal here, heard some recent whispers that he'd taken over or something. But that's none of my business!”