19- A Complicated Family and a Dream Filled with Regrets
After defeating Baroque Works' ships, Ace returned to the Straw Hats' ship.
—That was awesome, Ace! —said Luffy with a big smile.
—Well, if a Warlord of the Sea wasn't that strong, they'd be taken down by those aiming for their position —said Kara, surprising everyone even more.
—W-Warlord of the Sea?! —they all shouted in shock, staring at Ace.
—Hey, if all Warlords are as strong as Ace, we're doomed —said Usopp, running around the ship in panic.
Meanwhile, Vivi looked even more frustrated, and Nami held her head.
—You guys are interesting —said Kara, watching them with amusement.
—Huh? Are you planning to fight the sand guy? —asked Ace, having overheard their conversation.
—Do you know him? —asked Luffy quickly.
—I've crossed paths with him a couple of times. He's a pain… If I remember correctly, he's afraid of Kara —Ace said casually.
Everyone turned to look at Kara.
—To be precise, all the Warlords fear me… well, maybe except for one —said Kara with a smile—. But Crocodile, huh… well, good luck with that. —She turned around, as it was time for her to leave.
—Wait! Can't you help us…? If Crocodile fears you, that means you're strong —Nami quickly said, looking at her with hope.
—I'm very strong, but I can't defeat another Warlord without reason or solid proof that he's doing something shady. If I did, I'd be punished by the old man —Kara said calmly—. However… if you have tangible proof, I can take him down in one hit right now —she said, looking at Vivi.
—I don't have tangible proof… only what I've discovered —said Vivi, biting her lip.
—Why do you need proof? —asked Usopp.
—Mmm… well, because I'm a Marine. By the way, I'm traveling with Smoker, who's been following you —said Kara with a smile, leaving everyone in shock.
—A Marine aboard the ship?! —Usopp shouted in fear.
—A pirate, a Warlord, and a Marine… what a crazy family —said Rab, amazed.
—Well, Sabo is missing—he's a Revolutionary —Luffy casually added, revealing his family's secrets without a care.
—By the way, if Smoker lost track of you, he's probably looking for me angrily, so I have to go… But if you can defeat Crocodile and have proof, I'll make sure he ends up in Impel Down —Kara said seriously.
—I'll take care of kicking his ass! —said Luffy confidently.
Kara glanced at him, appeared behind him, and punched him in the head, knocking him out in one hit.
—Well, I'll leave my little brother to you guys. He can be reckless, but when the time comes, he's the most reliable —she said before jumping into the air and leaving using Sky Walk.
Everyone was in shock at how easily Kara knocked Luffy out, unable to say anything until she was gone.
—Sigh… Kara doesn't know how to show her affection for Luffy —said Ace, smiling as he looked at his unconscious brother.
After all, even though Kara hit Luffy, she was also the one who spoiled him the most. If she had really wanted to stop him from becoming a pirate, she could have done the same thing the old man did to her. And she never skipped a single vacation when it came to visiting him. The fact that she had accepted them as her brothers was thanks to Luffy, and she never rejected them, just like the old man Garp.
—Kara, where the hell were you?! We have to leave —said Smoker as soon as he saw her arrive on the ship, glaring at her angrily.
Kara noticed the bruise on his face and smirked mockingly.
—Looks like you fell down the stairs —she said, pointing at his injury.
—Tsk… I ran into "Thunder Fist" Ace. That guy was protecting Straw Hat —Smoker said, annoyed at having been easily defeated.
—Let's set sail —he ordered immediately, wanting to leave the port as soon as possible.
Kara, not too concerned, lay back on a folding chair and began reading the newspaper.
—What's wrong, Cana? —asked a black-haired girl, looking at another one hiding in the hollow of a tree.
—Nothing —grumbled Cana, hugging her knees, refusing to look at the girl.
—Come on, I'm your sister. Tell me what's wrong —the girl asked again, speaking gently.
After a while, Cana spoke, holding back her tears.
—It's because I'm not as strong as Sister Kara. Everyone probably thinks I'm not worthy of being Gildarts' daughter and the great Kara's sister —she said, pointing at her sister.
Kara looked at her in surprise.
—Even when I'm out in the streets, everyone talks about how beautiful Kara is, how strong she is, and how you can tell she's Gildarts' daughter… while all I can do is a few card tricks —she said, hiding her head between her knees.
—I want to be as strong as my dad and my sister too… —she whispered, but Kara heard her.
Without saying anything, Kara used her magic and destroyed part of the hollow tree, just enough to fit inside with her sister.
—The only reason I keep getting stronger is to protect my foolish little sister, who didn't have the courage to face her idiot father —Kara said, sitting beside her and speaking warmly.
—And Cana is strong too… You just tend to underestimate yourself. After all, you're my twin sister —she said, gently stroking her head.
—But we don't look alike at all… —Cana murmured, not lifting her head.
—Twins don't need to look alike. They just need the bond that connects them —Kara said with a smile, looking at her—. And our smiles are the same, right? —she asked, gently lifting her face.
—Come on, let's get out of here. Everyone at the guild is worried. They've been looking for you all morning —she said, pulling her out of her hiding spot.
Cana nodded and followed her back to the guild.
—Cana, my daughter, there you are! —exclaimed Gildarts, lifting her up and rubbing her against his face while she struggled to break free.
—Cana, it's good that you're safe. You had us worried —Makarov said with a smile.
—Welcome back, Cana! —everyone cheered, greeting her joyfully.
Meanwhile, Kara watched those who had been worried with a proud smile.
Even Laxus, who was an annoying brat at the time, had gone out to look for her. Now, he was sitting and eating as if he didn't care, but he kept glancing at Cana to make sure she was okay.
After that, everything went back to normal in the guild. Natsu was fighting with Gray, Erza was facing off against Mira, and the usual chaos reigned in Fairy Tail.
Then, as if time had fast-forwarded, the scene changed, and everyone was much older. Cana was no longer a crying little girl but was now drinking alcohol in an unflattering manner—something Kara always blamed on their father. Natsu, along with Lucy and Happy, were arguing about which mission to take.
Juvia was constantly bothering Gray, while Erza was happily eating a cake. Mira was tending to everyone with her usual smile, and Laxus was on the second floor with the Raijinshuu Team around him, acting like little fans. Wendy and Carla were with Levy, learning about history.
—What's wrong, Kara? —asked Gildarts, noticing his eldest daughter sitting there, watching everyone with a nostalgic smile.
—I miss them… —Kara murmured, her smile slowly starting to break—. I want to go back to everyone… —she said as tears began to fall down her face.
Everyone turned to look at her.
—When will you come for me? —she asked, breaking into sobs.
Makarov and Gildarts exchanged glances before giving her a reassuring smile.
—We're close… We just need to wake up —Gildarts said, gently stroking her head—. You just have to wait a little longer.
Kara watched in horror as everyone slowly began to fade away.
—Don't leave me! —she screamed, standing up and trying to hold onto her comrades, only to see them turn into air.
—Just a little longer, Kara… We'll come for you, just like you came for me —Cana said with a smile before disappearing before her eyes.
Kara fell to her knees, watching helplessly as everyone vanished.
…
—Kara! Are you okay? —Chopper asked, looking at her with concern as she woke up, still with tears in her eyes.
—I'm fine… —Kara said, quickly standing up and wiping her tears away.
Seeing Chopper's worried gaze, she gave him a few gentle pats on the head before walking toward the dining hall.
—Aaah, Vice Admiral Kara, use the door! —Tashigi shouted as Kara walked through the kitchen wall, despite the door being literally right next to the hole she had just created.
Thanks for Reading
Dear readers,
Thank you for joining me on this literary journey. If you enjoy my novel and want to keep reading, I invite you to support my work through Patreon and Ko-fi. Your contributions will allow me to continue creating and sharing more exciting chapters.
I hope to have your support and keep bringing you unforgettable stories!
patreon.com/c/YoDarki
ko-fi.com/yodarki