"Hey uncle, how'd you get that scar?" Questioned Viktor.
Shanks looked down at the young boy, although with his naturally large stature, it was hard to look down at the boy by a large margin. He looked up and his eyes glazed over as he recalled his past and all the events that led up to his scar.
"Sigh, I... I don't think you're ready!" Smiled Shanks as he slapped Viktor on the back of his head, causing him to trip.
"HEY! Old uncle come back here!" Yelled Viktor as he chased after the red-head.
----------------
Shanks and his crew had been on the island for 2 weeks now, and all the fear towards them had completely subsided and was replaced by love and compassion for this jolly crew. Every night would be a celebration and Shanks would always win in drinking competitions, although he would wake up with a killer hangover, just to repeat the process again. Yet the most important changes were not in the villagers but in the young blue-eyed boy named Viktor. With Shanks around, he felt extremely comfortable and began to open up more and more. He, in fact, opened up to Shanks and co. than he ever did with Sarah. With clear eyes and a bright smile, Shanks was capable of obtaining everyone's trust easily. And just like Viktor was liking Shanks more and more, Shanks was truly liking this kid more and more as he opened up.
-----------------
"Uncle, why did you take me to this hill?" Said Viktor as he looked down at the town from his high vantage point.
Shanks smiled a mysterious smile as he waved his hand outwards to the setting sun and all the surroundings.
"Take a look, what do you see?" Said Shanks.
"The sunset?"
"Look harder!"
This made Viktor squeeze his eyes together and attempt to scrutinize every detail to try and figure out what was needed to be seen. Shanks gave a knowing smile as he shook his head.
"Don't look with these," he said as he pointed at his eyes," look with this!" He exclaimed enthusiastically as he bumped his fist against Viktors chest lightly.
Viktor's eyes widened as he looked over one more time. Closing his eyes, he began to slowly and rhythmically breathe. Calming his mind and emotions, he took in the smell of nature, the sounds of the waves crashing, the seagulls crying, the trees swaying, the people bustling in crowds. All of it. He opened his eyes and stretched out his hands to the sky as if trying to grasp it.
"I see," Viktor said slowly and calmly before his expression changed and he showed a joyful smile.
"THE WORLD IS MINE FOR THE TAKIN- OW!" Viktor was cut off by a chop to the head by Shanks.
"Sigh, I guess you were close enough, though that was too much of an antagonistic view of it."
Viktor just shrugged as he looked at Shanks sitting on the grass, motioning for him to sit next to him. Next came a long silence. Though it wasn't awkward nor was it boring, it was simply soothing and relaxing. Both sides understood this and kept a peace between them.
"What do you think about these people?" Said Shanks from out of nowhere.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Viktor turned to stare at him for a while before making up his mind and answering.
"I don't really hate them.... but I don't like them much either. I don't blame them for not taking care of me as it is not their responsibility but my parent's, yet deep down I feel discontent that it had to be me, you know? I don't know...... it's kinda dumb and immature but it's how my heart feels and I can't control it.
Shanks nodded while slightly smirking.
"Why don't you tell them how you feel?"
"Well won't that just be awkward?"
"Nah, just yell it right here," said the red-head.
"R-right now?" Viktor stumbled as he spoke.
"Yeah, remember? You said that the world is yours, so if you can't do something like this, then what hope do you have of doing something as big as taking the world?"
With these words, Viktor steeled his resolve and straightened his gaze as he stared at the horizon and walked forward.
"HEYYYYYYY! ALL YOU STUPID LOSERS!" He yelled out while sticking out his tongue in a childish way.
" I'M GONNA BECOME SOMEONE GREAT ONE DAY, JUST WATCH ME! AND WHEN I DO, YOU ALL WILL TAKE BACK YOUR WORDS AND WISHED THAT YOU HAD BECOME MY FRIENDS WHEN YOU HAD THE CHANCE!" Although his words were that of a conceited prick, he was but a child and this was a child's immature way of thinking, no matter how tall he is he is still but a child.
..........
1 more week flew by and Viktor began building some flesh on his body. Of course, this was mainly due to Shanks who began feeding this malnourished boy and began to teach him some exercises. Most of Shanks time was actually spent with Viktor, they seemed to have a sort of bond between each other that happened to keep them together. Of course, the villagers still didn't care much about Viktor, but they had to somewhat take care of him in the presence of Shanks.
-
"Hey Viktor, scurry off now, go to sleep." Said, Shanks, as he laid on the grass gazing at the stars along with Viktor who laid next to him watching the stars.
"Hmm, I don't feel like it..."
"Well, I said you should so it means you should." Stated Shanks simply.
"Alright...." Viktor agreed without much argument, which showed his trust in Shanks.
"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ"
A couple minutes later a loud snoring erupted, disrupting the tranquility that Shanks was feeling. As he stared over to look at the cute and youthful face of the boy, he couldn't help but have a sad look and frown. He liked this boy, he really did. He had something special in him, something that made him different from other kids, yet ultimately he had to leave and he surely couldn't bring this kid along with him.. could he?
"No.." Shanks shook his head after mulling the idea for a while. He simply couldn't bring the kid with him, for the seas are too dangerous for a child.
............
Morning,
"SHANKS, SHANKS!!!!!" Yelled Viktor as he searched around for the red-head.
'Whats going on?! Whats going on!?!?!?!?' His mind was in shambles right now as he searched for the man he considered his hero and the closest thing he had to a father figure in his life. He looked down at his sandals, a new pair...
"Shanks, why did you do all this for me... I wanted to buy my own new sandals damn it! You better come back!" He yelled while crying.
'!' An idea emerged in his tiny head...
"THE DOCKS!" He yelled as he ran.
Viktor now was an inch taller along with a fuller body, albeit not by much. Yet this was a vast contrast looking at his old self, so along with a better body, he had better stamina which allowed him to reach the docks without needing too much rest. There, he spotted a familiar wooden ship with a skull crossed by 2 blades and a scar running through its left eye, much like the actual captain himself.
"SHANKS!" Viktor cried when he found out the boat had sailed a couple of minutes ago and was now a bit far our in the sea.
Shanks looked towards the kid and waved his hand while showing a pained look on his face.
"Become strong! And set sail one day! Come and find me, then I will accept you into my crew!" Shanks said as he finally agreed to the boy's proposal which he was pestered with every day; to allow Viktor to join his crew.
"You-you! OLD WRINKLY BASTARD! I HOPE I NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN! LEAVE! LEAVE, AND NEVER COME BACK HERE AGAIN!" Yelled Viktor emotionally as he broke down crouching on the floor. The surrounding villagers sent looks of pity to the boy and scattered, going back to their daily routines after sending the boy off.
"tak-take me with you! Uncle, take me with you!" As he watched the ship leave out of sight, he broke down even more and fell asleep chanting some phrases every now and then.
"Uncle... why, why won't you take me with you...."
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