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Chapter 9: A New Start
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"Well… as you know, I'm immortal and have lived for several millennia," I began, my voice calm, though the weight of my words hung heavily in the air. Aria listened intently, her eyes unwavering, as if already bracing herself for what was to come.
"When I was young, I tried to be close to as many people as I could," I continued, my gaze drifting slightly as memories from countless lifetimes flickered in the back of my mind. "But soon, I noticed something. Everyone around me grew older as time passed, yet I was unaffected." I paused, the subtle pain of those recollections surfacing, though I kept my voice steady.
"This led to a situation where everyone I knew would eventually die, leaving me alone." The words felt heavier than they should have, given how many times I had lived through such losses. "From time to time, in different places, I've had many friends, some even like family. But one thing remains constant—they all died, leaving me alone."
A part of me wanted to avoid going deeper, but I owed Aria the full truth. "In such desperation, a thought awakened in my mind… maybe I could use my divinity to grant those dear to me something akin to immortality." I glanced at her, watching her expression remain fixed, absorbing everything. "Of course, this was only a thought . I had to create a way to do it."
"But on the other hand, as a god, I also knew that immortality cannot be given casually—it would break the very balance and cycle the world runs on," I added, the severity of my realization reflecting in my tone.
I babbled on, my mind drifted to my previous world, reminiscing while Aria hung on every word of mine. My time in this world had changed me a lot. Heck, I had even forgotten many things about my previous life. Of course, I still remember all my crewmates, the time I spent with Hancock, most of my journey to becoming the Pirate King... but it all seemed so distant now.
Maybe they'd be shocked to see the current me, protecting the balance of the world. After all, in my previous world, the World Government also said they protected some so-called balance, and I destroyed it myself…
But what I protect here isn't something hypocritical like the World Government. Having too many immortals running around would literally wreck the world. It would put a full stop to things like the food cycle and the life cycle.
I shook my head, refocusing on the present. "But enough about that. Let's talk about the reason I'm here in the first place."
I saw Aria straighten slightly, knowing we were nearing the heart of the matter.
"Yeah, so keeping everything in mind, I devised a skill. A way to grant others a form of immortality," I explained, my tone more direct now. "I call it 'The Grace of the Sun.' It won't completely make you immortal. You'll gradually grow stronger by basking in sunlight and won't have to worry about ever dying of old age."
Aria's face turned serious, and I could tell she had already guessed where I was going with this. "But," I continued, "the blessed ones can still be killed. So, there's that limitation."
I watched her closely, waiting for her reaction. The air between us grew heavier, her silence signaling the weight of the choice she now faced.
"So, Aria," I said, my voice softer yet firm, "the reason I'm here today is to ask you: Do you wish to be immortal? Almost all mortals would say immortality is the greatest gift there is. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Everyone has their own answer to that."
I paused, letting the significance of the moment settle. "Things can't be easily defined in terms of right and wrong. But it's for you to decide. Personally, though, I'd very much wish for you to choose it… so I won't have to part with you."
Her breath caught at those words, and I could see the conflicting emotions in her eyes. She was processing the enormity of what I'd just offered her, the weight of a choice that would forever change her fate.
But then, something shifted. Slowly, a smile crept across her face, soft and tearful. She suddenly lunged forward and hugged me tightly, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Of course, I accept, silly," she said, her words both happy and tearful. "I wouldn't leave you. Ever."
I felt a surge of warmth in my chest, and it was all I could do to keep my emotions in check. I was really happy, though, and could hardly contain my excitement.
"Alright then, stand still for a moment," I instructed, my heart racing as I prepared to cast the blessing. I raised my hand, the golden rays of sunlight radiating from my palm, reaching out toward Aria.
As the light connected with her, I could feel her soul anchoring to the sun, the warmth and vitality of the sun's light flooding her being. The blessing had worked.
"So?" I asked, watching her with a grin. "How do you feel?"
"Never felt this good in my entire life," she said, practically buzzing with excitement. "It's like my whole body has been remade."
I chuckled softly. "Well, the sun's light does have a healing effect, so yeah, it feels pretty great. But now that this is done, I've got places to be."
Her face fell slightly at the mention of my departure, but I raised a hand, cutting off her protest before it could begin. "During these years, you've got a job to do. Train successors for yourself, people to take care of Braavos. When I return, I'll take you with me. Oh, and I'll teach you magic too—your talent for it has improved."
She listened to every word intently, though the sadness of my impending departure was clear in her eyes. Still, when I mentioned taking her with me next time, a bright smile broke through.
"Yes, Lord Luffy, I will make sure to train worthy successors so Braavos can prosper," she promised, her serious tone clashing with the joy she was trying to hide.
Though I hated when she called me "Lord," I let it slide this time. "Well, let's take a tour of Braavos before I head out."
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