Ultimate Fruit

Chapter 89: Walk Beside Me

The New World is quite different from the first half of the Grand Line.

After leaving Fishman island, there are three islands the Log Pose would point towards. These islands are Risky Red Island, Raijin Island, and Mystoria Island.

The needle shaking the most would be pointing at Raijin Island where lightning strikes all day long.

Lucas had forgotten about this island and only remembered that after Fishman Island was the Punk Hazard arc.

He thought that the needle shaking the most would definitely be Punk Hazard.

But…

Lucas looked at the Log Pose in his hand then to the island at the distance.

The island was quite peculiar as lightning keeps raining down on it.

“...Where the hell are we?”

Lucas didn’t actually have any navigation sense. He mostly just controlled the water beneath them to sail towards where the needle was pointing.

As for whatever disaster weather that struck, Luna slapped them all away.

At this moment, Lucas felt like Zoro who didn’t know where left and right was…

He scratched his head and looked back at the Log Pose.

“...How am I supposed to reach Punk Hazard now?”

After thinking for a while, Lucas decided to just go to the lightning island to ask around. Anyway, if all else fails, he can just ask Kohza…

Hm? Why didn’t he just ask Kohza then?

“Waaaoooww! Look Daddy! The lights are so pretty!”

“Luna, aren’t you scared?”

“Nope! Because Daddy will protect me!”

Lucas smiled at that and rubbed her head dearly.

Yep, since his little miss seems like she wants to visit the island, might as well go then.

They settled Merry a bit away from the island so it wouldn’t be hit by the lightning. After which, Lucas carried Luna and jumped to the sea.

He walked leisurely on top of the water while chatting with Luna.

It was a surreal scene where a man and a child were chatting and laughing while on the background was an island being struck by thousands of lightning…

Lucas had worn a hoodie to lie low and had a mask ready in case he needed to cover his face. He didn’t bother to wear his Shark Knight armor as that thing stands out too much. He just wanted information on the island.

At a distance, a Marine ship was also waiting a few distances away from the island.

Onboard was a man with a scar stretching from his forehead to his right cheek wearing sunglasses and two cigars on his mouth. You could also see a few dozen cigars placed on his jacket.

Beside him, a woman with glasses and a sword on her waist asked.

“Smoker-san! Will the Strawhats really appear here?”

“There’s a 1 in 3 chance. Normally, at least.”

“What do you mean?”

Smoker shook his head and sighed.

“I don’t know...I just have a feeling we won’t be seeing Strawhat here. I doubt he will choose the other two islands which were stable. If it isn’t these three islands...then the only island left would be Punk Hazard.”

Tashigi blinked in confusion then asked.

“What do we do then? Should I call back Hina?”

“Tell her to stop moping around and get a move on.”

Hearing that, Tashigi’s face twitched.

If you’re that gutsy, why don’t you tell her instead!? Why me!? Do you want me to die, Smoker-san!?

Tashigi sighed again and tried to use a denden mushi to contact Hina but was only met with silence.

Smoker saw this as well and waved her off.

“She must’ve gotten drunk and fell asleep again. Go fetch her before things escalate again.”

Tashigi’s face went pale as she heard that. She remembered that there was also a time where Hina got drunk and fell asleep.

Some pirates tried to take advantage of her but...in the end, they were all killed and even destroyed a quarter of the island with them.

Tashigi quickly ordered some men to drop a boat and went in while bringing a few people as well.

Smoker looked into the distance where the island was and shook his head.

Suddenly, he saw a shadow seemingly walking on the sea towards the island.

A flash of lightning appeared and the next moment, the shadow was gone.

“Was I seeing things?”

Smoker frowned then shook his head again.

Back on the island, Lucas and Luna had just landed when they were met with a few locals who were trying to sell special umbrellas to them.

These umbrellas were made for the island in order for them to walk freely on the island without dying from the lightning.

Lucas could easily block the lightning but felt like there’s no need to intentionally show off and gain attention. Better to just buy an umbrella and blend in.

And so, Lucas held the umbrella with one hand while carrying Luna in another as they walked on the city.

The city on the island was also special as the building and houses were made of special materials that can ward off the lightning.

Lucas walked around with Luna for a bit before going into a pub to ask around.

As he went inside, he folded the umbrella and walked to the counter while settling Luna on his lap.

He took a glance at the lady who was drunk unconscious beside him and saw that she had pink hair which reminded him of someone. Then again, it’s impossible for that girl to be drunk alone in a pub so it can’t be her.

“A beer and an orange juice for my little lady.”

“Coming right up.”

The bartender delivered their drinks which Luna happily sipped at.

Just as Lucas was about to ask about Punk Hazard, he saw Luna looking at the drunk lady curiously.

Then…

*Smack*

“Ah!? Luna, you can’t just go smacking other people!”

“Eh? But Mommy said it is bad for girls to be sleeping in a bar! Bad people will take her and do bad things!”

Luna pouted but her hand wasn’t stopping in smacking the face of the lady.

Lucas sweated. Just what has Nami been teaching their daughter when he was gone!?

He was about to lecture Luna when the lady woke up and started screaming.

“Ah!!! Who is it!? Who’s the bastard that keeps hitting Hina!?”

“Eh?”

Hina looked around and only saw the bartender and a guy holding a child beside him.

Suddenly, the child pointed at the guy beside her.

Lucas was speechless.

Weren’t you obviously the one smacking her!? Why point me!? Where is the trust between people these days!?

“Mommy said, if I do something bad, blame Daddy!”

“...”

THAT NAMI!!!

On a certain ship in another side of the sea, a certain orange-haired girl suddenly sneezed inexplicably.

*Chuu-!?*

Nami sighed.

“Hais, that Lucas really keeps thinking about me…”

“...”

Beside her, Robin could only roll her eyes.

With how you were teaching Luna, who knows how much Lucas is already cursing you right now?

Back to Raijin island, Hina was just about to flare up from anger when Lucas sighed and raised his hood a bit.

He smiled at Hina and spoke.

“Hina...you sure have been drinking too much…”

Hina’s eyes widened when she saw his appearance.

“Lu-!?”

Lucas quickly covered her mouth when she was about to shout his name.

“Shhh. Others don’t know I’m alive yet...I’m sure you have a lot to ask me. How about we take this talk somewhere else?”

Hina glared at Lucas hatefully but still nodded.

Damn Lucas! Stupid Lucas! Pervert Lucas!

Do you know how many days Hina has been wishing to meet you again!? But you went and smacked Hina awake while even bringing a child!

Not even a word for two long years! And now you suddenly come and order Hina around!?

But...it's good that you’re alive…

Hina’s thoughts were a mess before but calmed down after a while. She kept quiet and followed behind Lucas.

As they walked, she couldn't help but remember the days where she had used to walk behind him like this before…

That time, Lucas had given her a sidelong glance and frowned.

“Why are you always walking behind me? You look like my servant or something. Just walk here beside me.”

And now, that same Lucas looked at her with the same sidelong glance and smiled.

“Why are you walking behind me again? Didn’t I say you can walk beside me?”

Hina smiled as well and quickened her pace to walk beside him.

Standing by his side, it felt like everything that was missing to her for two years had finally been found.

She felt at peace and quietly walked beside him.

When they reached the shore, Lucas grabbed her waist with his other arm and sped back to Merry.

Hina landed on the deck and looked around.

“This is...the old Strawhat’s ship? Where are they?”

“Ah, it’s just me and Luna here. The rest are dealing with Zephyr and his Neo Marines.”

Though Lucas answered her question truthfully, it seems like more questions just appeared.

Hina ignored the part of Zephyr and Neo Marines for now and asked.

“...So...who’s this girl?”

Lucas scratched his head embarrassingly.

“Umm...she’s my daughter.”

“Dau-!?...Who’s the mother then!?”

Hina frowned and glared at Lucas again.

Damn Lucas! Stupid Lucas! Pervert Lucas!

Hina was missing you for two years but here you are knocking someone up and having a baby!?

Lucas could guess what Hina was thinking and quickly shook his hands.

“She...she was err...made...before that incident two years ago! I only met her a few weeks ago too...Her mother is also a crew of the Strawhats. It’s Nami…”

“...I see...then where the hell have you been!? Do you know how much Hina has-!?”

Hina gritted her teeth and didn’t finish her sentence as she didn’t want to admit it first. Still, Lucas could tell what she was already feeling two years ago, how can he not tell what she was feeling now?

Lucas sighed and explained what happened to him in the time he had disappeared.

Once he finished his story, Hina was even more confused.

She can tell that Lucas wasn’t lying to her...but still...to travel back in time?

Suddenly, she remembered something.

“...Did you...by any chance...meet Vice-admiral Tsuru back then as well?”

“Eh? Yeah but...why did you suddenly ask?”

Hina tried to say something but sighed and shook her head.

“Nothing...anyway, what are you planning on doing now?”

“Well, I was hoping to go to Punk Hazard and see if I can meet the son of an old friend...he might be in trouble there.”

“Hm. Then, Hina will come with you.”

“Eh? But aren’t you still a marine? Would it be fine if others see you in a pirate ship?”

“Hina quit the Marines long ago. Hina is just tagging along with Smoker and Tashigi right now.”

“They’re here?”

“Yeah.”

Hina nodded then took out her denden mushi.

A voice that resembled Kuina spoke through the denden mushi.

“Hina-san! It’s good that you’re okay! Where are you? Smoker-san asked me to pick you up. He said that we’re moving to Punk Hazard next.”

Hearing that, Lucas raised a brow.

Smoker and Tashigi are still heading to Punk Hazard? But Luffy and the rest aren’t there.

Hina frowned as well.

She didn’t want to have these guys tag along on her date...ahem, on her time together with Lucas!

It was bad that his daughter is already here, if Smoker and Tashigi join in, it will get annoying.

Then, she remembered what Lucas had told her before.

“No need. I just got intel that the Strawhats are attempting to go after Zephyr-sensei and his Neo Marines. You should go back to the Headquarters to report.”

“Ah!? Is that true!? Alright! I’ll tell Smoker-san! Then, how about you-”

“Hina is not going. Hina found a guy. We’re going on a date now. Don’t disturb. Bye.”

“Eh?”

Hina no longer paid her any attention and tossed the denden mushi to the side after ending the call.

Lucas was speechless once again…

Beside him, Luna was looking up at him with sparkling eyes.

“Daddy! Am I going to have another Mommy!?”

“...I…”

Without waiting for him, Hina had already picked up Luna and started to dote on her too.

“Your name is Luna, right? Why don’t we take a bath together and leave this guy alone?”

“Okayyy~”

Lucas watched as the two disappeared to the bath and sighed.

Whatever then. Let’s just deal with it when the time comes...