The sea stretched endlessly before Erwin, the gentle sway of his ship soothing after the recent days of intense training. He leaned against the railing, scanning the horizon, his gaze steady and reflective. The journey toward Foosha Village had been peaceful so far, but the open waters held a sense of mystery—a reminder that even in the calmest seas, danger could appear without warning.
Just as he was about to turn away and check his course, something caught his eye: pieces of wood, splintered and scattered, drifting across the surface. He squinted, instinctively alert. The wreckage seemed fresh, the wood bobbing and creaking as it floated closer. Amid the debris, he spotted something that made his chest tighten—a young boy, barely conscious, clinging to a broken plank, his small body limp and barely above the surface.
Erwin's reaction was immediate. He grabbed a rope and prepared the small boat on the ship, lowering it into the water as quickly as he could. Lowering himself into the boat, he paddled swiftly toward the wreckage, his eyes locked on the boy. The closer he got, the clearer the boy's condition became. His face was pale, lips tinged blue, his clothes drenched and clinging to his thin frame. He looked no older than twelve or thirteen.
With careful but swift movements, Erwin pulled the boy from the plank, cradling him in his arms as he paddled back toward the ship. He kept his hand on the boy's chest, feeling the faint but reassuring pulse beneath his fingers. Once aboard, Erwin laid the boy down gently, quickly assessing his condition. The boy was breathing but unconscious, his skin clammy from the cold.
Erwin went to work immediately, removing the boy's soaked clothes and wrapping him in a dry blanket he fetched from below deck. He set the boy near the warmth of the sunlit deck, hoping it would help revive him. As he worked, he couldn't help but wonder what events had led the boy to this state. What could have caused a shipwreck, leaving this lone survivor clinging to a plank?
Hours passed, and Erwin waited nearby, keeping watch. His mind drifted to his own journey, to the path he was forging. Here was someone whose life had been completely overturned, a reminder of how suddenly things could change. He glanced at the boy every so often, hoping for a sign of life beyond the slow, steady breaths that rose and fell beneath the blanket.
Finally, after a couple of hours, he saw movement. The boy's eyes fluttered open, blinking against the sunlight, confusion flickering across his face. He pushed himself up weakly, his gaze darting around, his expression a mixture of fear and uncertainty.
"You're safe," Erwin said gently, keeping his voice calm. "Take it easy. You're on my ship, and I found you drifting near some wreckage."
The boy's expression softened, though confusion remained. He studied Erwin, as if trying to gauge whether he was truly safe.
"What…what happened?" the boy whispered, his voice hoarse and barely audible.
Erwin handed him a small cup of water, watching as he sipped slowly. "That's what I was hoping you could tell me. My name's Erwin. I'm just a sailor, passing through these waters on my way to the South Blue."
The boy lowered the cup, his eyes darkening as he seemed to recall what had happened. "Xavier Woodman," he began, his voice trembling. "I was on a merchant ship with my father. He's…he was the captain."
A silence settled between them as Erwin waited patiently, sensing there was more to the story. After a moment, Xavier continued, his voice wavering as he fought to steady himself.
"We were attacked," he said, his fists clenching as he recalled the events. "Pirates—they called themselves the Flamboyant Pirates. Their captain's name is Michael Whaleson. They came out of nowhere, flags waving and cannons firing. They destroyed everything. My father…he tried to fight them off, but…" His voice broke, and he looked away, staring out over the endless stretch of water.
Erwin's heart tightened. He could see the pain in Xavier's eyes, the raw loss and anger that simmered beneath the surface. The boy's journey had changed in an instant, his life shattered by the cruelty of pirates. It was a path Erwin understood—the way the world could change in a moment, leaving someone alone, lost, and desperate for justice.
Erwin took a breath, choosing his next words carefully. "I know you're hurting. What those pirates did…there's no excuse for it. But, do you still have any relatives somewhere? I could take you to them."
"There are no ones left, the rest of my family are already killed by those damned pirates." Xavier said, tears flowing from his red, puffy eyes.
Xavier looked back at him, anger flashing in his eyes. "I'm going to find them," he said, his voice filled with a resentment that is not suited to his young age. "I'm going to hunt them down and make them pay for what they did to my family."
Erwin studied him in silence, concerned. He recognized the fire in Xavier's eyes, but he also saw the danger it posed. Revenge, as Erwin knew, was not a simple path; it required more than just resolve. Without the strength and skills to back it up, Xavier's determination could lead him straight into the hands of the very pirates he sought. Because there was a saying, if you seek revenge dig two graves.
He rested a hand on the boy's shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. "I understand, Xavier. But as you are now, going after pirates like that would only end one way—and it wouldn't be in your favor." He watched as Xavier's expression faltered, the reality of Erwin's words sinking in. "Revenge is a powerful drive, but without strength, you're only putting yourself in danger."
Xavier's gaze fell, his fists still clenched but his resolve visibly shaken. "Then…what am I supposed to do?"
A pause settled over them, the only sound the gentle lapping of the waves against the ship. Erwin thought carefully, choosing his next words. "You're welcome to join me. I'm headed to Karate Island in the South Blue. It's a place where people go to become stronger, train, and hone their skills. If you come with me, you can learn what you need to take your path forward—whether it's revenge, protection, or something more."
Xavier looked up at him, hope beginning to glimmer in his eyes. "You'd…you'd really take me with you? Help me train?"
Erwin nodded, offering a faint smile. "Yes. But know that it won't be easy. Training is as much about patience as it is about strength. It will test you and challenge you in ways you can't imagine. But if you're willing to put in the work, then yes, I'll help you."
A moment passed before Xavier straightened, his shoulders set with newfound resolve. "Then I'll go with you," he said, his voice steady. "I'll do whatever it takes."
Erwin felt a sense of pride, mixed with respect, for the young boy standing before him. There was a growing sense of maturity in Xavier's response, a willingness to embrace a journey that would demand everything he had. Erwin could see that Xavier's heart was set, and the two of them had more in common than either might have initially realized.
Over the next few hours, Erwin explained more about his journey, sharing stories of the people and places he had encountered so far. Xavier listened intently, his curiosity and admiration evident as he absorbed each tale. It was clear that, despite his youth, Xavier possessed a fierce spirit and an openness to learning, qualities that would serve him well in the challenges ahead.
As night fell, the two of them set their course toward Foosha Village, now united by a common goal. Erwin glanced at Xavier, noting the quiet determination in his gaze as he looked out over the water. He knew that the journey ahead would be difficult, filled with trials and hardships, but he felt that with enough hard work, he would succeed.
And as the stars began to dot the sky, the ship continued its course, carrying Erwin and his new companion toward whatever lay ahead.