The marines nodded fervently as they apprehended the man and gave word to their superiors that the conflict was over. A fellow amidst the group spoke, “We’d be happy to have you on board the marines, you are very talented. What is your name?” He asked.

“Ortis...Ortis B. Herald.” He crossed his arms. Ryuke and the bunch sped past Pogo and went to hug Ortis. “Bro! You were so cool! I can’t believe how strong you are! Wow!” A bunch of incoherent praises were given to him.

He smiled and laughed before realizing Pogo wasn’t apart of the victory celebration, in fact he was frowning, and his fists were clasped tightly enough to draw blood. He was doing everything he could to prevent himself from crying. Even still, the tears would flow.

Why was he so weak? What was this burning passion that he felt invigorate his soul and enthrall his heart? “I swear by it… I swear by it.” He would mumble repeatedly on the ground. Ortis walked over to confront his internal issue.

“What is it Pogo? Why do you curse yourself and cry? We have won victory and saved the village, you should be happy!” Ortis’s voice had a certain irredeemable irritation to it as he spoke. “Why on earth do you want to become a pirate?! I’m sick of your shit!” He exploded in anger, punching Pogo in the face and mounting on top of him to begin pummeling him.

Ryuke and Tibo held him back and threw Ortis off of Pogo. “Get a grip man! You shouldn’t hit your friends!” Ryuke said angrily. Pogo’s tears had long dried up, an arm masked his face as anger resonated deeply within him. A hatred deeper than hell itself.

Ortis brushed himself off and spat. “Tchh.” He was clearly annoyed. Ryuke, usually the timid and passive boy, stood up for his friends. He was the brown headed resemblance of his loving father who had passed away on the high seas as a pirate. He was still determined to follow in his footsteps.

Edric and Gato stood behind Ortis with a strong line clearly divided between the boys. It was a clear bitterness that surged in the air. The line between justice and piracy. Ortis, Edric, and Gato were clearly the stronger bunch of boys. They would destroy Pogo and his two friends right now. Ryuke and Tibo were going to defend Pogo though.

Things were getting tense when a burst of laughter erupted from Pogo’s demeanor. He laid on the ground and a smile bursted into a frown once his laughter died off. Pushing himself off the ground. “Not only will I become the king of the pirates...but I’m gonna kick the three of your asses real good.” Blood dripped from his hands as he gripped them even harder.

“I’ll win! I’ll have the last laugh!” He raised his fist into the air, a shadow piercing over him as the sunlight rays made it difficult to look at Pogo. He smiled widely and darted off to his boat along the coast. “Raftel is calling my name!”

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The marine boys ran after him, as well as Ryuke and Tibo. They were going to give Pogo a chance to escape Foosha Village. “I believe in you Pogo!” Tibo said. “Yeah, me too!” Ryuke did the unthinkable and sent an uppercut at Ortis’s jaw, knocking him back a little.

The burning village had just sparked the feud of the century. A rivalry against all odds, as the three bigger boys resembled strength and justice, while the other three were a striking difference of the former.

Pogo jumped into his boat after pushing it off the sand, the water made a clopping noise as he powered through it and adjusted the sail. “I love you Ryuke, I love you Tibo. You’ve always been on my side more than Ortis or the others. Thank you! I will see you on the seas again one day!” Pogo began paddling, shifting his weight in each row.

Ortis pushed Ryuke to the ground and began stomping in the water, chasing after Pogo and breaking into a swim. The other two stopped, and started beating up Ryuke and Tibo. “Ow oh agh!” They scrunched their faces in pain.

Pogo could only pray they would be okay. He turned around to see Ortis getting close as his eyes enlarged. Ortis had a greedy look in his eyes as he reached for the boat. “This is for always bullying me! Let me return the favor you bastard!” Pogo said.

The head of the paddle found the air and compacted against Ortis’s head. The strike was hard hitting and sent Ortis underwater. The other two boys had to swim out and get him, because it was obvious Pogo had hit him critically.

The little boat with the aspiring eighteen year old boy sailed away on the winds. He wasn’t a navigator and didn’t necessarily have any direction or intention. The only intention he had was to move forward in every passing moment.

Dawn Island was crossed off the list of destinations, as Foosha village was burning in the background, and the figure of the five boys was still present on the beach. They were clearly pumping at Ortis’s chest to try and save him from drowning.

A marine vessel was seen off the docks of Dawn Island, as Pogo simply put a straw in his mouth. Pogo had brownish-black hair, and a lean muscular figure. He wasn’t strong, but he will be. The glare in his eyes said that much in the least.

The sun was setting and the start of a new adventure had begun. It was time to make history, and show the world who would be the third pirate king! Gol D. Roger had ascended the throne, and Luffy followed similarly in his footsteps, but Pogo would reach even higher.

The sun set, and Pogo stopped paddling. He was in the clear. Hopefully he’d arrive at the next island sooner rather than later. He needed a bunch of crew members, a grand pirate ship, a fleet, and...a lot of knowledge. Pogo gestured that he’d need at least ten crewmates to become the pirate king!