As the small boat rocked gently, the looming shadow of Sabaody Archipelago came into view. Jason gazed ahead, his thoughts tangled in a mix of regret, anger, and a growing sense of resolve. The familiar sight of the mangrove trees and bubbles floating through the air stirred something in him, a sense of home, but it didn't ease the weariness he felt deep in his bones. He had changed since he left—naïve optimism replaced by a cold, calculating clarity.
"Koala, wake up. We're almost there," Jason said softly, his voice calm despite the storm of thoughts swirling inside him.
Koala stirred, rubbing her eyes, still exhausted from their harrowing escape and the emotional toll of the betrayal in Foulshout Village. "Are we there yet?" she asked groggily.
Jason nodded, his gaze fixed ahead. "We're about to dock. It's safe now."
As they reached the dock, Jason anchored the small boat and helped Koala onto the pier. The familiar atmosphere of Sabaody did little to comfort him this time. The weight of recent events hung heavy over him like a storm cloud. Together, they walked in silence toward his parents' bar.
Upon reaching the bar, Jason hesitated for a moment before pushing open the door. As soon as he stepped inside, a black blur rushed toward him. Jason barely had time to react before he was engulfed in a tight hug, his mother, Shakky, clinging to him with tears in her eyes.
"Jason!" Shakky cried, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and joy. "You're safe… I was so worried."
Jason hugged her back, his heart softening for a moment. "I'm alright, Mom," he whispered, though he knew that deep inside, something had changed.
Shakky pulled back slightly, looking up into his eyes. Her smile faltered as she saw something different in her son's gaze—a hardness, a coldness that hadn't been there before. "Jason…" she began, but the words caught in her throat. She didn't know what to say.
Rayleigh stepped into the room, his usual calm demeanor intact, but even he could sense something was off. He walked over and greeted Jason with a nod. "Welcome back, son," he said, studying Jason closely. "I can see you've been through a lot."
Rayleigh's eyes then shifted to the small girl standing beside Jason. "And who is this?" he asked, his tone gentle.
Jason glanced down at Koala, then back at his parents. "This is Koala," he began. "She's… been through more than any child should. She was a slave, saved by Fisher Tiger and the Sun Pirates."
Shakky's eyes widened, and she knelt down to Koala's level, her maternal instincts taking over. "Oh, sweetie…" Shakky said, tears welling up in her eyes as she gently placed a hand on Koala's shoulder. Koala stood quietly, unsure of how to react, still processing everything that had happened.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a newscow bird flew in, dropping a newspaper in front of Rayleigh. Rayleigh picked it up, and as his eyes scanned the headline, his expression darkened. He glanced over at Jason with a grave look.
"Jason," Rayleigh said slowly, his voice laced with concern. "Is it true? Did Fisher Tiger really die?"
Jason's face fell, the weight of the question hitting him like a punch to the gut. He hadn't wanted to relive it so soon, but there was no escaping it. The guilt, the anger—it all came rushing back. His parents were waiting for an answer, but for a moment, Jason couldn't speak.
Shakky took the newspaper from Rayleigh and scanned the front page. The headline read: "Criminal of the Sea: Fisher Tiger Slain by Rear Admiral Strawberry, Phantom Blade Jason Fleeing for His Life!" Her eyes darted back to her son, searching for the truth in his expression.
With a heavy heart, Jason told them everything. The betrayal by the villagers, the ambush by the marines, and how Fisher Tiger had sacrificed himself to save him. His voice was steady, but underneath, a deep sorrow lingered.
When he finished, silence fell over the room. Shakky and Rayleigh stood there for a moment, processing the gravity of the situation. Then, without a word, they both embraced Jason in a tight, comforting hug, offering him the support only family could provide.
"It wasn't your fault," Rayleigh said softly, his voice firm yet gentle. "Fisher Tiger knew the risks. You did what you could."
Jason nodded, but the guilt still gnawed at him. "I… I should've been stronger. I should've been more prepared."
Shakky wiped away a tear as she pulled back from the hug. "Jason, what happened was terrible, but don't let it destroy you. Learn from it, grow from it. That's what Fisher Tiger would want."
Jason looked at them both, a mix of emotions swirling inside him. He was grateful for their support, but he knew that something inside him had shifted. He wasn't the same person he was when he first set out. He wasn't the naïve boy who thought he could save everyone anymore.
"I know," Jason said quietly. "I'm going to get stronger. I can't afford to be weak, not anymore."
Rayleigh nodded, a look of understanding in his eyes. "And what do you plan to do now?"
Jason straightened up, his resolve hardening. "I'm going to train," he said firmly. "Seven years. Koala and I will train for seven years, and after that, we'll set sail as true pirates."
Shakky's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't object. She could see the determination in her son's eyes, the same fire she had seen in Rayleigh's long ago. "If that's what you want, we'll support you, Jason."
Rayleigh crossed his arms, a small smile playing on his lips. "Seven years, huh? That's a good amount of time to get stronger. I'll help you with your training when I can. But remember, Jason, strength isn't everything. You'll need more than power to survive in this world."
Jason nodded, fully aware of what Rayleigh was saying. "I know. But power is where it starts."
Koala, who had been silent this whole time, looked up at Jason. "Seven years?" she asked, her voice small. "What if… what if something like that happens again?"
Jason knelt down in front of her, his eyes softening as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "It won't," he said firmly. "I'll make sure of it. I won't let anyone hurt us again."
Koala nodded, though the fear still lingered in her eyes. She had seen too much, but there was a small part of her that believed Jason could keep his promise.
As the conversation wound down, Rayleigh placed a hand on Jason's shoulder. "You're doing the right thing, Jason. Just remember, you don't have to do it alone."
Jason gave a small smile, grateful for his parents' unwavering support. "I won't. I've got you, and I've got Koala."
Rayleigh smiled back. "And we've got you, son."
With that, Jason and Koala prepared to settle in, knowing that the next seven years would shape the rest of their lives. Jason's resolve had been tempered by loss, but it had grown stronger, sharper. He wasn't the same naïve boy anymore—he was a man who knew the price of arrogance, and he would never let himself be that vulnerable again