Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Wealth, Fame, Power... Gold Roger, the King of Pirates, attained this and everything else the world had to offer and his dying words drove countless souls to the seas.

"You want my treasure? You can have it! I left everything I gathered in one place! Now, you just have to find it!"

These words lured men to the Grand Line in pursuit of dreams greater than they've ever dared to imagine!

This is the time known as the 'Great Pirate Era'!

Sunset Island, an island that resides in one of the four blues, the East Blue. The island is a simple island. Lush green fields as far as the eye can see and even the forest. On the island, there was a village. A village that was reminiscent of a small town. The village is called Bouy Village. It was complete with different buildings, big and small. People ran their own shops in the village and haggled with customers over prices and men handled the construction work on the unfinished buildings. Everyone did their part to keep the village up and running as this was where they lived. A place they called 'home'. One such boy lived on this island and village. And well... let's just say today wasn't exactly his day.

The boy was lying on the ground flat on his back. His breathing was heavy, his face had a few scrapes, and his right eye was visibly swollen. Four kids were standing over him, laughing at him. The kids all started to leave, except for one: the lead boy. The kid was chubby, with a faded haircut. He held the downed boy's hat in his hand—a dark-blue beanie.

"Pretty fun game, huh Jou?" the lead boy chuckled as he sneered down at the young boy called Jou. "Let us know when you want to 'play' again? If you feel like getting hit!" the lead boy threw Jou's hat as it landed on his body and ran back to all of his friends. As soon as the larger boy left, Jou leaned himself up. He lightly touched his swollen right eye and winced in pain, he decided to leave it alone since touching it won't do it any good.

Jou was a boy of 5 years old. He had dark-brown hair that was long and almost covered his dark-brown eyes, his skin was a brown-tan color. He wore a dark-blue zip-up hoodie that was left unzipped, grey pants that stopped at his shins, and little black boots. He picked up his dark blue beanie, he put it on as the beanie fit loosely over Jou's head. He slowly walked, making his way through the village and over to his house with his head down to avoid any passing eyes and pulling the hat over his eyes to conceal his black eye.

Jou's home was a green and yellow house that stood just was just outside the village. He walked right up to the door and opened it. He closed the door behind himself and could hear his mom in the kitchen, most likely preparing dinner for them both.

"Ow! Dammit!" he heard his mom mutter out in pain, probably burned herself. "Jou?" she called from the kitchen. "Squirt, is that you?"

"Y-Yeah, it's me, mom!" Jou called back as he stepped into the doorway letting his mom see him. Jou's mother, Becky was a woman by the age of 23 years old with dark-brown eyes, dark-brown hair that fell around her shoulders, in her head she wore a black hairband, she was wearing a dark red button-up shirt with her sleeves rolled to her elbows, simple blue jeans tucked into some brown boots that stopped at her shins.

She smiled as soon as she saw Jou. Though, he still had his hat over his eyes.

"Hey," Becky smiled seeing her son. "So, how'd it go today? Make some friends while you were out?"

"S-Sure did," Jou said meekly. "We just played games..." Jou nervously chuckled. "Had a lot of fun. Anyway, I'm gonna go upstairs." Jou turned to walk up the stairs but Becky blocked his path, getting in front of him. Jou bumped into his mom and tried to get by her, but she quickly moved to the side, blocking his path yet again.

"Okay, Jou..." Becky said. "Lift up the hat. Let me see it." she put her hands on her hips.

"There's nothing to see..." Jou claimed while shaking his head. "Nothing's wrong.

Becky smirked folding her arms over her chest. "Nothing's wrong, huh? I'm honestly surprised squirt. I would think someone who's my son would come up with a much better lie than that. I'm your mother, Jou. You can't hide anything from me. Now, would you lift up your hat, please?"

"Damn, they really did a number on you, didn't they squirt?" Becky commented as she was cleaning up Jou's black eye. "Got you good, huh?

Jou slightly flinched when his mom lightly touched his bruised eye with a cloth. "Yeah..." Jou agreed as he was seated on the bathroom counter as his mom held him by his chin to keep his head steady so she could properly attend to his black eye and place a few band-aids over the scrapes that Jou had gotten today.

"So, what happened today exactly?" Becky wondered. "I suppose telling you to go out and make some friends didn't go so well, did it?"

"I guess not..." Jou sighed. "I tried. I really did. I just went up to them and asked if I could play with them. They let me, but they turned out to be really mean and all started making fun of me instead. I didn't get mad at them until they took my hat." Jou grabbed his beanie with both hands. "The hat you made for me. When one of them took it, I got mad and tried to fight and get it back. And then well..." Jou put his head down to face away from his mother. "This happened." Jou referred to his black eye.

Becky let go of Jou's chin and placed a bandage over his black eye to cover it and put a hand on her hip. She can't believe those kids would just mess with her son like this. She initially wanted for Jou to out and make some friends his age, be a kid. But, apparently, that wasn't going to be judging by what Jou had told her. How could they go so far as to just beat her son down like they have done today? Was she going to have to threaten some kid's mother? No, but it was still an option. It's only been 5 years since she's been a mother, but her son pretty much got his ass kicked today, she had to say something to make her little boy feel better.

"Listen to me, Jou..." Becky said but he never looked up at her. "Look at me." Jou finally stared up at his mom with one visible brown eye. "You're the son of Kusari Becky, a former sailor who once braved the seas and you let a bunch of little brats get the best of you. Shame on you, Kusari Jou." Now, Becky was only joking, but Jou took her seriously.

Jou bit his bottom lip to hold in some tears from his mom's 'scolding'.

"I'm sorry." Jou sniffed as he looked down. Jou's mother, Kusari Becky was indeed a sailor. She would always tell him about her tales of adventure every night before he would go to sleep. Jou believed that there was no way he could be a strong person like his mother from her stories.

"I'm only kidding, squirt..." Becky declared smirking. "It looks like you could use some training."

Jou who was staring at the floor, looked back up at his mother raising an eyebrow. "Training? What kind of training?"

"Training that saved my life numerous times that I learned from an old friend of mine back when I was only a cabin girl on the first crew I sailed with," Becky mentioned. "I'll teach you about the training some other time. For now, let's go have dinner." Becky walked away as she gave Jou a knowing smile.

"But, why can't you teach me about it right now?" Jou asked sounding intrigued about his mother's 'training' she mentioned.

"Later, squirt," Becky winked. "It can wait. Besides, I made your favorite dinner tonight."

"Really!?" Jou's face brightened up in a smile as he hopped off the bathroom counter and ran past his mom to get dinner. Becky only smiled herself, it brought happiness in her to see her son smile even if he didn't have a very good day. Whatever she can do to make him happy. Though, she has to wonder? Will Jou be ready to take on the training she had learned so long ago? He's only a kid but he seemed eager to learn it. But, of course, she did believe he could handle it. He was her son, after all, but she just had to find a more clear goal to train him rather than just to make him strong.

Two nights later, Becky, holding Jou by the hand was walking through town. Jou was just pulled alongside his mom as she led him. But he was confused as to where they were even headed.

"Hey, Mom?" Jou said. "Where are we going?"

"We're just going to visit an old friend of mine," Becky stated. "You've met him before, but you were just really young at the time." Becky and Jou stopped in front of a bar. The bar was a small saloon that was located in the village town, the bar was called the "Clam Shack", the bar's name on a sign just above the entrance. "Here we are." Becky smiled as she stared up at the bar with a hand on her hip and still holding Jou's hand. "Let's head inside. Ready, squirt?"

"Sure," Jou replied as he and his mom walked in the bar. The place was filled with patrons, only men inside. The place was especially rowdy as everyone inside was drinking, talking, and laughing loudly among themselves. Jou was nervously taking everything in, he tightened his grip onto his mother's hand, eliciting a quiet chuckle from Becky.

"Hey, Becky!" yelled a gruff, male voice. Behind the bar counter was an old man who looked to be in his mid-40s. He had grey hair tied into a ponytail, blue eyes, a scar on the right side of his face, his body was chubby which was pretty normal for someone his age. He was wearing a tight white t-shirt, a pair of red suspenders attached to some black pants, and worn-out black boots. Jou noticed that the man was staring at him and his mom since he called her by her name, it obviously meant they knew each other.

"Hey, Becky!" greeted a bar patron.

"Great to see ya!"

"Stop by for a drink, Becky!"

"I gotta say, you're looking good tonight, Becky!"

"Been a while since we saw you last!"

Jou saw that his mom seemed to be pretty well-known in this bar. They all greeted her like she was their friend. Much different than how the kids in the village treated Jou. Friend. That's something that Jou has a hard time grasping. He didn't know what it was like to have a friend. He doesn't know it but maybe one day he'll find someone or just anyone to call such.

"Long time no see, everyone!" Becky greeted with a wave. "How're you all doing tonight?" she then looked down at Jou. "Oh! Everyone, I'd like you all to meet my son, Jou." she let go of Jou's hand as everybody in the bar brought their eyes to the young 5-year-old. "Go on, squirt. Say hi."

Jou started to feel embarrassed and lightly blushed from all the eyes on him. He felt the need to say something rather than just staring at his own feet. So, he mustered whatever courage he had and managed to utter out something out.

"Um, hello," Jou greeted with a bow. "I-I'm Kusari Jou. It's nice to meet you." the greeting was polite, though, Jou was still nervous talking to other people besides his mother. What if they were cruel like the kids from the village? Jou only went back to staring at his own feet, clasping his hands together. He was starting to regret even opening his mouth.

"Nice to meet you, Jou!" yelled everyone patron in the bar with a huge smile on their faces. Jou's head immediately snapped up as all signs of his nervous posture disappeared. His expression held one of surprise. Surprised that these people he just met would treat him nice like they did for his mother. Jou stared up at his mother as she only gave him a smile and took his hand.

"So, that's your kid you talked about, huh Becky?"

"He doesn't look a thing like you."

"He takes after his Dad," Becky answered. "But I can assure you, he is my son." Becky led Jou to the bar counter. "Here squirt, I'll help you up." She helped Jou onto one of the stools and sat in her own stool.

"Becky..." said the man at the bar counter. "Why did you bring your son here? You know this is a bar, right?"

"No, Vic..." Becky replied saying the man's name in mock surprise. "I would've mistaken it for a church." Becky chuckled causing Vic to groan with a roll of his eyes.

"Look, what I mean is that your son can't be here?" Vic reasoned. "How old is he? Like 5? You thought it was a good idea to just bring him into here?"

"I couldn't just leave him alone at home," Becky remarked. "And besides, it's not like he's gonna drink at his age? What kinda mother would I be if I let him do that. And I know you have other stuff to drink behind the counter. Come on, Vic. Make an exception for me." Becky gave the older man a knowing smile.

Vic placed a hand on his hip and sighed. "Fine. I'll get the kid something but you're still paying for it along with your own drink. Got that? Don't expect it to be free. This is a business, not a charity."

"Alright, alright..." Becky sighed. "Sheesh, that's some way to treat your former Captain..." Becky commented with a pouting face.

Jou stared at his mom with a raised brow. It was strange to see his mom acting like this. With him, she would always act like how any mother act toward their child. Motherly, sweet, and kind. But here, she was acting like a sulking child when talking to this bartender who she obviously knows. Jou was soon brought out of his own thoughts when Vic placed a glass of an iced drink in front of Jou. The drink had a clear yellow color, cubes of ice were floating in the beverage, and a straw was also placed in it.

"There you go, kid," Vic said gesturing toward the drink. Jou had to stand on the stool to reach for the drink as he placed his hands on the table to get a good whiff of whatever it was. Ascertaining what it was from smelling, he figured out what it was.

"Lemonade?" Jou questioned looking at Vic.

"What's that look for?" Vic wondered crossing his arms. "Go ahead and drink it."

"Um, okay..." Jou nodded slowly. "Thank you for the drink." he gave the older man a small smile.

Vic was taken aback a bit by Jou's response. "Sure, no problem." Vic cleared his throat, scratching the back of his head. "Enjoy it, kid." Jou grasped the cup in his both of his hands and began to slurp the lemonade. Becky grinned victoriously toward Vic.

"What?" Vic asked raising his brow.

"Nothing," Becky claimed. "It's just that you met Jou the day he was born and you can hardly talk to him."

"I've been too busy to visit since I've been looking after the bar," Vic said. "Besides, I don't think the kid even remembers me?"

Jou paused from slurping his drink looked toward his mom and Vic. He had no idea that he had met Vic before. He doesn't even recall ever seeing his face since he probably was much younger.

Becky saw Jou's look of confusion. "Jou, you've met Vic before. You were a baby at the time. The day you were born, I decided to name him your Godfather. He was even a part of mom's crew when she was a sailor. He was my first mate."

"Really?" Jou asked as his mom nodded in confirmation. He didn't have a clue that Vic sailed with his mom on her old crew. It was no wonder they both acted like they were close. That and the First Mate is usually the one who's second after the Captain which obviously cemented the fact that his mother and Vic must be good friends despite how they spoke to each other.

"Becky..." Vic groaned. "I never agreed to that I was your kid's Godfather. You can't just make that decision."

Becky rolled her eyes. "Fine, then. Instead, you can be the grouchy, old uncle. That better?"

It was now Vic's turn to roll his eyes. "Whatever. You want the usual, Becky?"

"Sure do," Becky smirked. "A glass of West Blue Whiskey would be nice."

"Coming right up," Vic stated before turning around, side-glancing at Becky. "For the record, you're still paying for both you and your son there."

"Yeah, yeah," Becky responded with a wave of her hand. She then looked at her son as Jou continued slurping his lemonade. Watching that little scene brought a smile on Becky's face. It made it all the sweeter when Jou never noticed his mother gazing at him. She watched Jou finish all of his drink and place the glass on the table, wiping his mouth.

"More, please?" Jou requested nicely to Vic.

"Already?" Vic queried with wide eyes as he placed Becky's drink on the counter.

"Hahahaha!" Becky wasn't able to contain her laughter.

The bar got even more lively that night. Most people went home but there were people still inside enjoying their drinks and also listening in on one of Becky's and Vic's old adventures when they sailed the seas with their crew. Even Jou, who was probably on his 3rd or 4th glass of lemonade was listening to his mother's tale. His eyes were wide and excited as he listened in on the story.

"So, there we were..." Becky said in an almost eerie and exaggerated tone. "In the middle of the night..."

"It was day," Vic stated while cleaning a glass.

"Our crew was surrounded by bears..." Becky declared as she held up her hands like they were claws.

"They were wolves," Vic remarked.

"50 of them!" Becky raised her voice.

"20 of them," Vic deadpanned

"Do you have to keep interrupting?" Becky asked with an annoyed glare.

"Not until you stop over-playing everything when none of what you said is true," Vic stated. "Just get to the point."

"Oh, alright..." Becky groaned. "Vic, you take the fun out of everything."

"And then?" all eyes fell on Jou who was practically jumping in his seat to hear what happened next in the story. "What happened next, mom?"

"Sorry, squirt," Becky smiled patting her son's head. "Nothing too spectacular. In the end, we just sold all the wolf skins that we collected."

The patrons in the bar collectively groaned at the story that was given by Becky. They were disappointed by the terrible ending even though she really sold the story like there was some kind of amazingly huge climax.

"Alright, alright..." Becky said. "Don't get your underpants in a knot." Becky took a sip of her drink. "I'm gonna tell you all a story about something I've always wanted to find. Never got to but that's life."

"Oh, boy," Vic smirked shaking his head. "Here we go."

"I've never heard about this," Jou stated as he was once again staring up at his mom with wonder. "What were you looking for but never got to find, mom?"

"When I was a girl, I heard stories about a legend," Becky said.

"What kind of kind of legend?" Jou questioned as Becky smirked and patted her son's head.

"The legend of the All Scope," Becky announced. The men inside the bar seemed confused while some seemed interested in what Becky was talking about.

"All Scope?"

"What's that?"

"I've never heard of anything like this?"

Jou stared at all the men inside the bar. Jou himself was also curious about what his mother was talking about. Jou was always intrigued when it came to knowing what his mom's adventures were like and what she knew about what was out there on the seas.

"I-I wanna know it is," everyone stared at Jou again when the young boy spoke up. "What's the All Scope, mom? What is it?"

Becky chuckled at her son's excitement. "Well, kiddo, allow me to explain." Becky cleared her throat. "The All Scope is a telescope. But it's not just any telescope. It's a very rare one that's only found in the most dangerous sea. The Grand Line." Becky smiled as everyone stared at her in wonder much to her amusement, especially Jou. "Legend has it that the All Scope has the ability to see all around the world. Most people only view it only as a myth, a legend. I intended to sail the Grand Line and find the All Scope because I believed it really existed. But, that was a dream that never came to be." Becky put her head down, staring down at her whiskey. "Our ship was attacked by Pirates, and add that in with a terrible storm, makes for a bad time. The only ones who survived the storm were Vic and me." Vic was cleaning a glass with a towel as he listened to Becky's story. "Luckily, a passing ship was able to spot us and that's how we ended up here on this island."

Everyone was silent, listening to Becky's tale. This was honestly the first time Jou's heard it. He can see the sad look in her eyes, her crew obviously meant a lot to her. Now it was just her and Vic. It must have been very tough to lose her entire crew like that.

Becky caught her son's gaze, it made her smile. Seeing Jou's face brought happiness to her she can't even describe. She reached over to Jou and placed a hand on his cheek.

"But, I didn't walk out empty-handed," Becky commented as she stared warmly at her son. "I got to meet someone new, after all."

Jou's cheeks went red from his mother's warm eyes on him as he stared down at the floor. His mother's story about the All Scope brought him to thinking. She never got to find the All Scope, but what if he could be the one to find it. His mom said it was a myth, but there was no way that was true. Even if it wasn't out there, he still wanted to find it. Jou grinned and came to a decision.

"What are you smirking about, squirt?" Becky wondered interested.

"I'll find it," Jou stated.

"Hmm?" Becky dropped her smile and rose an eyebrow.

"The All Scope," Jou said looking his mother's eyes. "I'm gonna go find the All Scope."

"Ohhh," Becky's smile returned. "Are you now?"

"Yeah," Jou nodded quickly. "After hearing what you said about it and you not being able to find it, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna find the All Scope!" Jou stood up on the barstool at his declaration with raised arms in the air. He put his arms down and looked around at everyone in the bar. They were all just staring at him until everyone in the bar began to laugh at Jou's own announcement.

"Haha! Good one, kid!"

"You almost sound serious!"

"Becky, your kids' a riot!"

Jou looked down at the ground. He felt tears welling up in his eyes. He should've seen this coming. People laughing at him and not taking him seriously. Maybe saying that he'd find something like the All Scope just sounded ridiculous coming from a small kid like him. He fought to not let himself cry.

"All of you shut up!" Vic suddenly burst out. "Who the hell are you all to laugh at the kid and what he wants to do!? Huh? I bet not one of you has the guts to want to go into a place like the Grand Line! Everyone has a dream they want to follow in life! None of you who understand that can get the hell out of here if you're going to laugh at a kid's dream!"

Jou was surprised by Vic's outburst. He's never had anyone defend him like this. It was actually kind of nice to hear that. It made him think that the old bartender wasn't all that bad of a person. Jou couldn't help but smile at the man behind the counter. Vic seemed to be ignoring Jou's eyes on him, but he was aware of them.

Becky was also smirking at Vic. She was grateful that he would go to Jou's defense like that. Made her think she made the right choice in making him Jou's Godfather even if Vic never agreed to that.

"So, you want to find the All Scope, Jou?" Becky asked. Jou sat back down on the stool and smiled brightly at his mother.

"I sure do," Jou claimed. "I really do. I'm gonna find it as a promise to you, mom."

"A promise, huh?" Becky wondered. "Promises are heavy. You sure you can keep it?"

"I know I can," Jou said. "Since you never got to find the All Scope; I promise to find it instead. You'll see. I'll definitely do it!"

"If you're certain, squirt..." Becky smiled. "Then all right!" she then brought her hand to her chin. "Though, if you're gonna find the All Scope then you'll be heading into the Grand Line? That means you'll need some training."

"Training?" Jou tilted his head. "You mean the training you talked about before?"

"You got that right, kiddo," Becky said. "The training will take time but in the end, you'll be plenty strong to go up against any danger in the Grand Line."

"Strong?" Jou repeated. Jou knew he wasn't strong at all, to begin with. With how easy it was for those kids to beat him up, he knew strong wasn't exactly the right word for him. But his mom seemed like she would be able to help him with that. Thinking about it, made Jou smile at his mom. "OK! I want you to train me, mom!"

"Then we have a deal!" Becky declared when she put her hand out for Jou to shake. "But, it won't be easy. Just for warning."

Jou shook his mom's hand as Vic looked on at the scene. If anyone looked closely, they could make out the tiniest of smiles on Vic's face. Later that night, Becky decided to take Jou back home so he could go to bed. He was currently asleep as she held him in her arms, his head rested on her shoulder. As she was about to leave, Vic went outside his bar to speak with her.

"Jou really takes after you, doesn't he?" Vic asked arms folded across his chest. "He may look like... him. But he really does act a lot like you."

"You could say that," Becky said as she seemed to agree with Vic. "I've never seen Jou get so excited overhearing about something like the All Scope. I guess he does take a lot after me." she eyed her sleeping son. Becky let a low sigh. "It seems like so long ago when we were Pirates, sailing the seas with our crew, huh Vic?"

"It's only been 5 years since we were Pirates," Vic added. "But that can be a long time." Vic looked out at the night sky. "Okay, you better head home and get Jou to bed. If your deadset on training him how to fight like how you do, he's gonna need the rest. Goodnight, Captain." he stated with a smile.

"Night, First mate," Becky nodded returning the smile, and began walking on her way to where she and Jou lived. What Becky and Vic didn't know was that Jou was still awake and overheard what they said.

Mom, you were a Pirate?

On an early morning, deep in the forest of Sunset Island. The forest with its large trees, lush greenery, and the local wildlife. It was quiet except for the occasional bird-squawking. Stepping through the forest was none other than Becky and Jou. Today was the day Becky was going to begin Jou's training so he'll be able to find the All Scope. Becky was easily stepping through the forest with her usual stride and for some reason, she had a brown sack slung over her shoulder.

"You following along, Squirt?" the woman asked looking behind her shoulder at Jou. Jou, unlike his mother, was trying his best to keep up. To him, they've been walking for hours even though it's only been 10 minutes. But he was managing to stick close to his mom since he didn't want to get lost in the forest.

"Y-Yeah... I am..." Jou breathed tiredly. "How much farther, mom? I feel like we've been walking forever."

As they were walking, Jou remembered back on that night they left Vic's bar as Jou over-heard them talking. He heard them mention in their conversation that they were once Pirates. His mom always told him that she was a sailor who just sailed the seas, but he never knew that she was a pirate. He just had to know if his mother would confirm it with him.

"Hey, mom?" Jou spoke as he stopped walking.

"Hmm?" Becky hummed turning her head. "What's wrong? Don't worry, Jou. We're almost there."

"I know, it's just..." Jou sighed as he looked down. "Were you really a pirate?" instead of fumbling with his words, he said it straight out.

Becky's eyes widened in surprise but she then smiled at her son. "I didn't take you for an eavesdropper, Squirt." Jou looked down at the ground, seemingly feeling bad for listening in. "It's okay. It's what I would've done, too. That's right. Vic and I were pirates. Together with our crew, we were the Chain Pirates."

"Chain Pirates?" Jou repeated with wide eyes.

"That was us," Becky smiled. "We weren't a very popular crew but we managed to gain some attention. But now, you have to keep mine and Vic's secret."

"Why?" Jou asked. "Does no one else in the village know?"

"Not a one," Becky shook her head. "That's why everyone believes we were only simple sailors who journeyed across the seas. Most people... don't think too highly of Pirates. Jou?" Jou looked up at his mother only to see her continue to smile at him. "Do you think differently of me now you know my little secret."

"No," Jou quickly shook his own head. Jou's heard people in the village talk about pirates. Blood-thirsty criminals who scour the sea searching for treasure or pillaging other islands. From the stories she told him of her adventures, he knew that she was nothing like those other pirates who did bad things just because they could. "I don't think so, at all. I think that's really cool."

Becky only smiled and turned around and kept walking "Keep following, Jou," Becky insisted. "We're almost there." The duo kept their pace through the forest until finally coming to a stop.

"Hmm?" Jou hummed in confusion. "Mom, are we here?" Jou asked looking around. Where he and his Mother were standing was a forest-clearing that was completely open with a lot of space. The woman looked around with her hands on her hips. She was looking around with a proud smile.

"Alright, this will be perfect," the woman commented.

"This place is perfect?" Jou asked. "Why did we come all the way out here away from the village?"

Well, I don't think I'll be able to train you while in the village now would I, Squirt?" Becky added smirking.

"Train me?" Jou asked tilting his head. "Oh, the training you talked about so I can be strong and so I can find the All Scope.

"Today's the day I train and teach you how to fight like me," Becky stated proudly.

"Um, fight like you?" Jou questioned. "Well, how?"

"It's simple," Becky said. "With these." She dropped the sack she was holding onto the ground and as the cloth unwrapped it revealed two chains. One of them was a plain steel chain and the second was in a dark red color. Both looked like they were of medium length, not too long and not at all short either.

"Chains...?" Jou wondered raising a brow. "How would you even fight with chains? I-It's not like it's like a sword or a pistol or anything else." Jou was honestly confused about what his mom was trying to show him. To him, how is it even possible for someone to use chains as a weapon? He didn't really think chains would be his first choice.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Becky clicked her tongue, shaking her head. "You'd be surprised what a person can do with these." Becky flung the red chain over her shoulder. "Listen and watch carefully, Jou. The Solo-Chain Style can be difficult to master at first. But once you train hard in it, you'll be a force to be reckoned with. Using it requires concentration and using their chain as an extension of their own body. Now, watch carefully and closely."

Becky calmly strolled up to a tree and then began running toward the closest yet tallest tree she noticed and began sprinting to it. Taking her red chain and with a cry and slashed the tree with her chain. The tree was however still standing as Jou stood from afar with his arms folded. He didn't think his Mom would be able to knock down a tree with only a chain. The tree then started to split in half from Becky's single slash with her chain. The large top half of the tree began tumbling over. Becky stood up with her back turned to Jou. It took a while but the tree started to tumble down the ground as Becky stepped out of the way for the tree to fall.

"What the...?" Jou could only manage to say as the tree fell over and slammed with a loud thud that caused the ground to tremble. The impact knocked Jou on his bottom with his eyes wide in bewilderment and his mouth agape. He honestly couldn't believe that his own mother was able to actually cut down a tree WITH A CHAIN NO LESS! Becky turned around to her young son and calmly walked toward him. She couldn't help but smile at Jou's face just now, his awestruck and bewildered expression. She offered a hand to him as Jou looked at his mother's hand and finally took it as he stood himself up with her help.

"I learned to fight like this from an old pirate that trained me," Becky stated. "That and he was the one that gave me this chain right here." Becky gestured to the red chain that was slung over her shoulder.

"Wow..." Jou said impressed and astonished. He wondered what kind of things he could learn from his mother using this 'Chain-Style'. With what she had just shown him, he felt that he could definitely become stronger. "So, you said you were going to train me to fight like you, right?"

"If you want to survive out at sea and find the All Scope, you gotta know how to protect yourself," Becky nodded. "So, yes."

"So, are you ever gonna give me that chain?" Jou asked grinning, pointing at the red chain held by his mother.

"I don't know...?" Becky smirked mischievously. "This chain is quite special to me. You gotta prove to me that you're strong enough to wield it." Becky laughed shortly. Jou frowned that his mother laughed at him. But Jou's frown quickly turned to a grin of determination. He was going to try to become stronger so she'll give that chain to him.

"Okay, then I'll have to get stronger and if I beat you, Mom, you'll have to give the chain to me," Jou avowed.

Becky looked down at her son and smiled warmly at him. "If you can beat me in a fight?" she asked. "Well, I'll look forward to it but we'll wait once you're older." she smiled. "Deal?"

"Once I'm older?" Jou nodded. "Deal!"

"Perfect," His mom nodded. Jou picked up the steel chain that looked big in his tiny hand and then stared straight up at his mom who still had a proud smile on her face directed at her son. Jou looked back up at his mom, his eyes widening in confusion.

"Hmm?" Jou hummed. "What is it, Mom?"

"Jou, will you be ready to face the dangers of the Grand Line when the time comes?" Becky asked.

"I'll try," Jou stated. "But, I don't know if I could go through it all alone if I find the All Scope."

Becky gave Jou a knowing smile. "You won't be alone." Jou gave his mom a questioning look. "On your journey, Jou, you'll meet people. People that will become important to you. Friends. Friends that you will come to cherish for the rest of your life."

"Friends...?" Jou said that word with a sullen look. "In the village, the other kids don't like me and make fun of me."

"I wasn't talking about those little brats..." Becky frowned. "For all I care, they can go to hell." Jou's eyes widened at his mother's use of a swear word. "With friends, you'll just have to meet the right people and when that time comes, you'll know." Becky stood up tall and placed a hand on her hip, throwing her red chain over her shoulder. "Okay! Enough of all this talking and let's get training! Get ready, Squirt! It's time to get you into shape!"

"Uh, okay..." Jou said getting ready with his chain.

And so began the rigorous chain-style training that Kusari Becky began to bestow upon her young son, Jou. Becky trained Jou for 4 whole years so he could be ready to defend himself and fight head-to-head with any danger he came across during his journey to find the All Scope.

Becky and Jou were inseparable. A mother and son who have a close relationship. Jou loved his mom. She's always there for him through whatever he was going through. And for Becky, it was the same. Jou is a light in her life that came around when she lost her pirate crew. No matter what, she was always going to be there for Jou because he is her son and she loves him with all of her heart.

But, all good things must come to an end...

4 years later...

Kusari Jou: Age 9

The Bouy Village island hospital was quiet. Sitting in a chair, with his head down was Kusari Jou. His dark blue beanie and dark brown hair shadowed his eyes. He only sat quietly as the occasional doctor or nurse walked past him.

"What's this child doing here?"

"Ah, this is the boy whose mother is currently hospitalized."

"How long?"

"Four days now. She got severely hurt when she was going after the pirates after they took her son away. The boy is fine, but the mother... she seems to be trying to hold on but the doctors say she could pass at any moment. It's only a matter of time."

Hearing the conversation, Jou tightly clenched both of his fists. He bit his lip to hold in his tears. Ever since... that day when the pirates came. Jou has been coming to the hospital to come and see his mom. But, she would always be unconscious but after the third, she had finally woken up. But now, he heard from the hospital that his mother is dying. He remembered that his mom had gotten multiple wounds during her fight with the Pirate captain. The captain of that crew is someone Jou will never forget, even though, he was likely dead, which his mom had made sure of.

"Jou..." it was Vic who had approached Jou. Vic was the one who had been taking Jou here to see Becky. "It's... it's your mother." Vic sighed. "She... wants to see you."

Jou finally stared up at Vic. His face was emotionless. Jou hasn't been sleeping these past few nights since he was too worried about his mom. When he made eye contact with Vic, he only gave a small nod. He's also been very quiet and didn't feel like speaking to anyone. He stood from his chair and made his way down the hospital's halls and finally reached the room his mother is in.

"I'll be out here," Vic said to Jou. Jou only gave him a look and another nod, showing he understood.

Jou walked inside the hospital room slowly. His breath hitched slightly when he saw his mom. She was laying there in the hospital bed, her chest slowly rising and falling. Becky was wrapped in bandages, she had some around her forehead, a bandage on her cheek, some wraps around her neck, her torso seemed to also be covered up in bandages, as well as both of her arms.

Becky turned her head as she saw Jou. Her mouth curled in a small smile seeing her son.

"Hey, squirt." she greeted him in a soft voice. "You're gonna have to come closer." she slowly beckoned Jou over with a bandaged hand. "I'm afraid I can't raise my voice."

Jou got closer to the side of the bed. He got a look at his mom's face. Her face that showed everyone that she was full of life was slightly pale, her cheeks sunken in. Jou looked down at the ground, he couldn't stand to see his mother like this.

"Jou," Becky spoke. "Look at me, please?" Jou did what his mother said and stared her right in her brown eyes with his own. "Give me your hand." she lifted up her hand and Jou slowly reached out and let his mom take his small hand, holding it in her own. "When I lost my crew, I thought I lost everything that was important to me. Especially my hopes and dreams of ever finding the All Scope. But then..." Becky's smile widened a little as tears began to drip from her eyes. "The day you were born, I felt I could start living again. My dream may have died when my crew was wiped out, but I found a new dream. You Jou. You're my dream. I finally realized I wanted to be a mother. Your mother."

Jou shook his head. "Stop it..." Becky looked at Jou in surprise. "Stop talking to me like your going to... to..." Jou's tears were now leaking out his eyes, showing he couldn't control them anymore. "I don't wanna hear it! What do the people here know, huh? You're gonna alright, mom!"

The bedridden woman only smiled at her son and his small outburst. "Ah, squirt. If only that were so."

"But, why!?" Jou cried. "Why did it have to be like this!?"

Becky only smiled weakly at her son. "Because they took away the one thing that I love more in the world," she claimed with a short giggle even though she was in a lot of pain. "I wasn't going to let them do that." Jou looked down at the floor. "Hey, don't look away from me..." Becky lifted her son's head up by his chin. "Jou, I... I don't think I have a lot of time left. But I wanna let you know something. Listen carefully, got it?"

"What is it?" Jou choked out as he wiped his tears from his eyes but it did little to stop them from falling out.

"I didn't train you to fight with chains without a reason," Becky said. "I did it for you to become strong. Strong enough to handle anything that comes your way. And I want you to follow your dream and find the All Scope. Find it as a promise to me. Understand?"

Jou was still crying as he was staring at his mother. He grabbed Becky's hand again and nodded.

"I promise, Mom," Jou agreed in a quiet tone.

"That's my squirt," Becky uttered. "Remember the red chain that I used when I was a pirate? It's yours now."

"But you promised that someday I had to fight you for it?" Jou asked with a sniff.

"It looks like our fight will have to wait for another time," Becky stated softly. "That red chain is now yours. I want you to have it. If you do go out and look for the All Scope, use it to protect yourself. If you meet people out there, use it to protect them, too. Those people will become your friends, friends that have a dream they want to follow like you." Becky gave Jou one last smile. "I love you, Jou. I always will."

"I love you too, mom," Jou said as he soon realized that the small grip his mom had on his hand was no longer there. "Mom?" he looked up and she saw that Becky's head was laying back against the pillow. "Mom?" he called again. "Mom, can you hear me?" no response. "Mom...?" Still no response from her.

Kusari Becky was gone.

10 years later...

It was an early morning in the East Blue, on Sunset Island. A young man was out on a nice stroll through the island's forest. The young man being Kusari Jou. Jou had changed a lot physically in 10 years. He now stood at 5'10", his dark brown hair wasn't as long as it was when he was a kid but it still hung over his forehead, his body had gone through changes as well since he kept up all the training he had done his mother, he's gained muscle as the training had put him into great shape.

His current outfit is a dark-blue cardigan with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a dark grey t-shirt that fit snugly around his torso, a pair of black fingerless gloves on his hands, and a pair of light-grey jeans tucked in some black combat boots. Last but not least, he wore the exact same dark-blue beanie he wore when he was a kid. It now fits perfectly on his head and is not loose like it was when he was a child.

The forest never changes, does it?

The day his mother taught him how to fight with chains is a day that he will never forget. Just like he will never forget her. Not a day goes by when he doesn't miss her. But he can't keep fretting about her forever. She wouldn't want him still crying over her. He shook his head and clenched his left hand into a fist.

Soon, mom. I'm going to uphold our promise.

Jou made it out into the exact same clearing he and Mother stopped to train at so long ago. Jou stood in the middle of the clearing. He clenched both of his fists and closed his eyes.

"Alright," he breathed out. "Let's start." he opened his eyes and flicked his wrist as his pair of chains fell off both of his wrists. Both of the chains were colored differently, the first one was a red steel chain, while the other was a normal steel chain. They were the same ones from before when his mother trained him so long ago. Especially, the red chain that his mother gifted to him before she died. Jou grasped tightly on the two chains and whirled them around his hands and flung them over his shoulders.

He closed his eyes and breathed in and out once more. His eyes shot open and then swung his red chain at an invisible target and then followed up with the second swing using his steel chain. He flourished his chains around again and then and made two more slashes with either chain and then jumped up into the air and spun himself into the air and did a spinning chain slash and landed on the ground in a crouch. He brought his head up as his eyes focused on a single tree. He dashed toward it, chains fluttering behind him as he advanced toward the tree. At the last second, he twirled his chains and then landed a hit.

He went straight past the tree, landing behind it in a crouch. He stood up slowly as the tree fell over with a huge thud on the ground.

"AAAH!" he heard a pair of screams come from behind the trees near the clearing. Jou quickly turned his head as soon as he heard them. He already figured who had followed him all the way out into the forest. He let out a sigh and slung his red chain over his shoulder.

"Okay, you two," Jou called. "Come out. Both of you."

Once Jou said that from behind a few trees came two young kids. A boy and a girl. The oldest of the kids is a boy by the age of 10. He had straight black hair and light skin. He wore a red hoodie with short sleeves, black shorts, and small black boots. The youngest of the trio was a girl by the age of 8. She had dark-purple hair and light skin. She wore a purple blouse that matches her hair decorated in polka-dots, white shorts, and a pair of sandals.

"You two had to follow me out here again, huh?" Jou sighed. "Nale..." the oldest of the kids' names."Dot." was the girl's name. Jou sighed once more but it was one of annoyance. "Do you two have to do this every morning? You guys know it's dangerous out here, right? It's hunting season for the predators in the forest."

"It wasn't my idea," Nale explained. "It was Dot's idea to follow you all the way out here in the forest. Like always."

"Not this time," Dot shook her head. "This time it was Nale's idea."

"Oh, really?" Jou smirked at Nale, side-glancing him. "You don't say?"

"Shut up, Dot!" Nale snapped. "No, it was not my idea."

"Was too!" Dot claimed.

"Was not!" Nale declared.

"Enough!" Jou exclaimed. If he didn't intervene, both kids would be arguing like that for the entire day and Jou wasn't going to deal with that literal headache. "Come on, we're going back to the village. Vic's gotta be wondering where you both are at." Jou reached out a hand for Dot to take hold of and started walking with Nale following beside him. "I mean, seriously. If you both were coming out here, why didn't you bring Ashe with you?"

"She was asleep," Dot announced.

"She was?" Jou questioned. "That's surprising. She's usually up bright and early, especially when she follows me out here. Hmm?"

Nale and Dot both looked up at Jou as he rubbed his chin in wonder. They always followed him out into the woods when he'd do his training every morning. Most of the time he never knew they were even following him(That's what they want to believe, at least). The two kids both looked at each other and then nodded.

"Um, Jou?" Dot's spoke.

"Yes, Dot?" Jou asked.

"Um, well..." Dot spoke in her small voice. "It's just... why do you come out here to do that thing you do?"

"What thing?" Jou wondered. "You mean my training?"

"We both wonder why you come out in the forest to 'train' Jou?" Nale asked curiously.

There was a reason for all his training sessions. Jou's been training for all his life and the reason is due to a promise long ago that he made with his mother. He supposed he could be straight with them as to what the big deal is with all of his morning and also night training sessions. It's been 4 years since Jou and Vic took in the two kids so Jou knew that he should give them an answer to their question.

"I do this kind of training because of my mother," Jou said. "My mother... was a sailor. She sailed the seas with her old crew but she had to give it all up when she had me. She told me if I ever go out to sea someday, I need to know how to defend myself."

"Does the training even work?" Nale asked.

"Oh, it works," Jou assured. He stopped walking when he heard a couple of growls from in front of them. Jou smirked toward the source of the growls. "And now will be a good time to show you." Four large wolves walked out from behind the trees. They growled menacingly at Jou and the two kids. One of them jumped straight at Jou, Nale, and Dot. Jou picked up Nale and tossed him over his shoulder and picked up Dot in his other arm. The sudden act surprised the two kids as Jou jumped away from the wolf who went to snap at him. Jou using the momentum from his legs kicked off a couple of trees. He placed Nale and Dot on two separate branches. "Stay here, you two."

"Be careful," Dot stated with a worried expression.

"Always," Jou winked. Jou stood up from the branch and jumped off it. He landed on the ground in a crouch and stood to face the wolves. The four wolves circled him as if he were prey. He flicked his wrist, taking hold of both of his chains. "Before we get started, do any of you puppies wanna leave?" His only response back was a feral growl from one of the wolves. "I take that as a no."

The first of the wolves jumped at him as Jou easily side-stepped out of the way. A second one leaped at him from the left side and was soon met with a chain smacking it straight across the face as it fell to the ground. The first one that dashed at Jou from behind trying to bite at him, Jou heard it coming and moved to the side again. The wolf turned around only to be met with a pair of chains slashing it down with it falling over defeated. The final pair of wolves both attacked simultaneously. Jou saw them both coming and cart-wheeled backward a few times causing the wolves to slam their heads into each other. The wolves glared at each other and snapped at one another with anger as Jou whistled to get their attention.

"Now, you're gonna fight each other now?" Jou quipped to them, smirking. "Well, that makes things a bit easier." Both of the wolves turned their attention back to Jou. One of them charged at him, opening its mouth wide, baring its sharp teeth. Jou ran at it, too, but used it to fake it out by jumping over it. Once Jou landed on the ground he wrapped his chain around the wolf's body and then quickly tossed into a tree. The last of the wolves were only staring at Jou as the young man turned to face it. Jou nodded his head in a 'come on' gesture. The wolf did so and charged Jou. Jou ran at it as well and jumped and twirled himself in the air and landed a few well-placed chain slashes at the wolf as it fell down defeated. Jou stood up and looked toward the tree he put Nale and Dot from the trees.

"So, what do you guys think?" he asked them as he threw his red chain over his shoulder. Nale grew an ecstatic smile on his face.

"That was so cool!" he exclaimed clenching his fist. "You were all like 'bam!' and the wolves were all like 'oh no!'" he was standing on the branch as he mimicked a Jou's chain-slashing and continued going on about how strong Jou was.

Jou couldn't help but chuckle. "Glad you think so, Nale. But you might want to be careful up there."

"And then-Woah!" Nale didn't hear Jou's warning as he fell down from the tree.

"Nale!" Dot screamed as she kept holding onto the tree so she wouldn't fall down herself.

"Nale!" Jou called. He saw the wolf he threw into the tree getting back up and saw Nale and jumped at him, opening its mouth to take a bite at the young boy as he was falling down.

"OK," Jou nodded with a glare. "Fade Step." Jou took a step forward and seemed to vanish with disappearing speed. He appeared in the air and caught Nale in one arm and then kicked the wolf in the face, causing it to crash into the ground and landed on his feet. "Nale, you okay?"

"Uh, y-yeah..." Nale answered seeming like he was out of breath. He did have a bit of a near-death experience. "But, how did you do that, Jou? You just appeared out of nowhere?"

"I'll explain later," Jou declared. "Now, I need to deal with you." he avowed to the wolf. "Nale, go behind the tree." Nale listened to Jou and did as he was told. Still holding his chains, Jou whirled his chains around as he and the wolf ran at each other.

"Dual-Chain Revolver!"

Jou lashed the wolf in its face as it spat out blood and fell down. Jou stood up tall as he wrapped his chains around his wrist. He was certain that it was safe for Nale to come out of hiding and for Dot to come down from the tree.

"Okay, it should be safe now," Jou noted. "Nale, it's safe to come out." Nale slowly popped his head out of the bushes. "Dot, I'm going to get you from the tree, alright?"

"OK," Dot nodded. Jou jumped up from tree to tree, landing on the branch Dot was on, and scooped her up in his arms, eliciting a surprised squeal from the young girl and safely landed on the ground.

"Here we are," Jou smirked as he placed Dot on her feet. "That'll be 10 Berri's." Dot giggled as she and Jou chuckled at his own joke. "Nale, you wanted to know about that trick I can do?"

"Mmhm," Nale nodded. "You were so fast that it looked like you were disappearing."

"Basically," Jou said. "I call that technique 'Fade Step'. It's a technique my mom taught me while she trained me. At first, it was tough as I wasn't able to do it. But I remembered what my Mom taught me and kept practicing it for the last 10 years. It looks like I disappeared but what's actually happening is I'm moving at a much faster speed."

"Moving at a faster speed...?" Nale repeated as he sounded like he was trying to wrap his head around it.

"I know it sounds hard to understand," Jou stated with a hand on his hip. "It was hard to understand when I was younger and even now I'm still trying to figure it out."

Jou's Fade Step was taught to him when Becky was still around and training Jou in Chain-Style. The technique is one of her favorite skills her old master showed her while he trained her. Becky thought it was a good idea to teach Jou that skill. It was hard for him when he was younger, but it got easier once he became a teenager.

"The training did help a lot," Jou stared at the ground remembering his mother's last words to him. "I'll never forget it. Any of it." Jou stared at the ground with a sad smile remembering his mother's last words to him.

"Jou...?" Dot said walking up to Jou. Jou looked down at both Nale and Dot, both giving him sympathetic looks.

"I'm okay, you guys. I'm just glad neither of you is hurt. We should-" there was some rustling in the bushes ahead of them. Jou's eyes narrowed as he stared at the bushes. "Both of you get behind me."

As Jou warned the two kids, what was rustling in the bushes leaped out of them. It ran straight at Jou, Nale, and Dot. More specifically Jou pounced him to the ground, knocking him flat on his back.

"Woah!" Jou yelled in surprise as what leaped out him and had him pinned down was a dog. It was a large dog with grey fur(AN: think of it as a German Shepherd with the fur grey). Its tail wagged happily as it stared down at Jou with its paws on his chest.

"Hey, it's..." Dot said.

"Look at that," Nale remarked. "She actually got up finally."

"Ashe!" Jou called the dog's name. The dog barked happily at Jou and started licking leaving wet laps all over his face. "Ashe, stop! Bad girl!" Jou yelled his protests to the dog's licking but then started to laugh. "Okay, alright! You win! I give up!" he tried to push the happy dog away. Nale and Dot only laughed at the scene as well.

After a bit, Ashe finally allowed Jou to get up. Jou leaned up and patted his dog on the head, scratching her behind the ears. "Ashe finally showed up, I guess Vic must've got her to come and find us out here," Jou mentioned.

"Ashe has always been a pretty smart dog," Nale said.

"She's the sweetest dog ever!" Dot exclaimed as she began to pat Ashe on the head herself as the dog barked in response.

"If Vic sent her, then I guess it's time we head back to the village," Jou announced. "Come on. Let's go now."

Jou and the kids + the dog began walking through the forest. He started to think about his life in the village at this point and how it got just like this. For a while after Jou's mom died it was only Jou and Vic. Until Ashe came along. One day when Jou was 14, he was off to train in the forest until he ran into a small puppy that had been hurt by some of the animals here. Jou using his Chain-Style drove off the animals. Concerned for Ashe's safety, he took the dog back to Vic's bar. Vic was skeptical about having a dog around but Jou insisted that he will care for it and let decided to Jou keep Ashe, named because of the color of her fur. And since then, Ashe has always been fond of Jou since he is responsible for helping her.

Nale and Dot have different stories as to why they are with Jou and Vic. Nale and Dot were both adopted together by foster parents. But they treated the two kids horribly. Apparently, their adopted parents were abusive toward them. So, Nale took it upon himself and brought Dot with him, running away from their abusive foster parents. Jou, along with Ashe found Nale and Dot in the forest one early morning, and apparently, Dot was running a fever which was why Jou decided to bring both the kids back to the bar and not to the island hospital since they would be sent back to their foster parents. Jou and Vic decided to take the kids and let them stay with them. Ever since Jou had met the two kids they had become family to him, a brother and sister. The three + dog arrived in Bouy Village and walked through the busy street of the village and we're on their way straight toward Vic's bar, the Clam Shack. They found Vic standing in front of the bar, his arms folded over his chest.

"I was wondering where you all were," Vic stated. "I sent Ashe to find ya. Out in the forest again, huh?"

"I was out there training and these two followed me," Jou pointed at the Nale and Dot. "We were attacked by some wolves, too?"

"Wolves?" Vic repeated. "I guess it is that time of year. No one's hurt, are they?"

"Nope," Dot claimed. "Jou beat down the wolves."

"Yeah!" Nale chimed in with an excited grin. "He was so strong, Vic! You should've seen it!"

"Really, now?" Vic questioned as he looked at Jou. "How many were there?"

"4 of them," Jou shrugged. "Not even a full pack." Jou folded his arms across his own chest. "Good practice, though."

"Well, someone sounds confident," Vic remarked. "Anyway, I'm gonna need some help in the bar. Then, by tonight I'll make supper for you guys before you head to bed."

"OK!" Nale and Dot answered together as they were about to walk inside the bar. Everyone stopped as they saw Jou just staring out at the ocean.

He seemed distant like he was lost in thought. As a matter-of-fact, he was thinking. He does enjoy living on the island and in the village. He was born and raised here with his mother. This place holds a special place in Jou's heart. He made a promise to his mom on her deathbed that he will find the All Scope. While he finds the All Scope, he wants to go on an adventure, see places he's never seen before, probably meet many different people. But going and doing all of that would mean leaving this island.

'I'm grateful to Vic for taking me in and raising me after mom passed,' Jou thought. 'And Nale and Dot showed me what it was truly like to have siblings. And Ashe... she's been a good friend that was there when I was still grieving for mom. When I leave... I hope they all won't be too upset if I leave the island.'

"Jou!" Vic called the young man. "Come on! I'm gonna need your help today, too!" Jou started to make his way slowly toward the bar but his eyes still focused out on the vast, open sea. Vic knelt down to Nale and Dot's level. "You two see he's acting right now?" the kids nodded. "He's thinking about going out to sea. You both know what he wants to find out there?"

"The All Scope," Nale announced.

"Jou talks about it all the time," Dot commented with a nod.

Ashe made a whine with sad eyes. The dog walked up to Jou and sat down on the ground next to his leg. Jou looked down at Ashe and scratched her head, giving her a smile. The dog nuzzled into the head-scratching she was receiving. Though, Jou still turned his head over toward the ocean, giving a low sigh.

"He might be planning on leaving soon," Vic said to Nale and Dot. "Which means tonight we're gonna give him a proper send-off party along with some gifts. You two up for it?" the kids agreed with a nod. "OK. Keep quiet about it until tonight."

Later that night...

"Go on, open the second one," Vic nodded.

"Alright," Jou said as he took the box Dot who handed it to him

Like, Vic and the kids planned without Jou knowing after dinner they brought out two gifts just for him. Jou was surprised by the idea but he didn't object. He had to wonder why the three were even doing this for him. The first gift for Jou was a holster filled with 8 throwing knives. The knives blades were shiny to the point that the light in the room illuminated off them and the handles were colored black. It was a personal gift from Vic. Before Becky passed away she insisted Vic to help Jou in his training and Vic decided to train Jou the only way he knew how as throwing knives were what he used when he was a Pirate. Jou was tempted to give them back but Vic insisted on letting Jou have them. It was nice of them but Jou still had one more gift he hadn't opened just yet.

"Open it up, Jou," Nale grinned. "Vic says you'll love it."

"We'll see," Jou said as he started opening up the gift. He took the wrapping off it and opened up the box. Once he saw what was inside, his breath hitched. What he saw was a black and dark red telescope with silver accents. The lenses of the scope were shiny and completely spotless. He knew this telescope all too well. He picked it up out of the box and only stared at it.

"How...?" Jou wondered. "I-I thought I lost it...?"

"I remember one of those days when you were less than agreeable," Vic commented. "I found that laying outside on the ground. In the mud."

Jou was 13 years old. An angry, upset, and young teenager who had no mother. He was still grieving over his mother's death and that telescope was a gift from Becky on Jou's 9th birthday. Jou was still upset about losing his mother, he never wanted to see the telescope ever again and threw it out the window hoping the storm outside would take it away. But here it was. In his hands, holding something that he thought was long gone.

"Jou, you okay?" Vic asked in concern since Jou hadn't said a single thing yet. "Okay, I guess if you don't like it, then I guess I'll take-"

"Thank you," Jou finally said. "I didn't think I'd see this thing ever again. Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate this." Jou wiped the tears that started to form from his eyes with his arm. "I really do, but I got to know something? Why are you doing this so suddenly?"

"Is it really that obvious?" Vic asked. "We're doing this because we wanted to give you those things before you left to go find the All Scope. We've been watching. All of us. We've been seeing how you have been acting. You're planning on leaving the island soon, right?"

Jou looked down at the floor. "I have been planning on leaving pretty soon. Probably a day from now." Jou sighed as he kept his eyes down. "Will you all be okay without me?"

"Listen, Jou, without a doubt we'll miss you," Vic smiled. "But don't you want to do something you want to do? You've been waiting to go off and find the All Scope ever since you were a kid. So, who are we to stop you from what's inside your heart."

Jou was still taking an interest in the ground. Vic, Nale, Dot, and Ashe were all staring at him. He was taken aback by his old caretaker's words. I guess Jou really was making it apparent about his eventual departure from the island. Jou's lips curled into a goofy smile as let out a small chuckle.

"You know, Vic...?" Jou smirked. "Mom was right. You are pretty cheesy when you don't even notice it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Vic deadpanned with a glare. "Anyway, that's all we got. We hope they'll be more than enough for you on your journey."

"Much more than I can ask for, Vic," Jou said. "Thanks. To all of you."

The next day, Jou spent the day training and spending more time with Vic, Nale, Dot, and Ashe. He got Vic to teach him a few throwing knife tricks that he could use if he ran into any trouble. On that night, was going to be the tomorrow morning Jou leaves.

He was finally to make his and his mom's dream come true. Just thinking about it made him not be able to even sleep from all the excitement inside him.

Today, this morning Jou is finally going to start his quest for the All Scope. He was currently walking toward his old house. The green and yellow house that he and his once mom lived in. There was someone he wanted to talk to before he left. He made his way toward the back of the house and right in the middle of the backyard was a tombstone and grave. It wasn't just any grave, it was Jou's mother's grave. The gravestone that was placed into ground the read: Kusari Becky, Loving Mother, and Friend.

"Hey, mom," Jou said with a wave. He must have sounded so ridiculous just speaking to a gravestone but he felt it was the only way he'd be communicating with her. "Guess what? I'm finally going to do it. I'm off to search for the All Scope. It took some time for me to get ready but I'm going to do it now. I'm going to fulfill our promise. If only..." he sighed. "If only you could see how much stronger I am now. I think you'd be proud." he looked up at the early morning sky. "Well, I'm going to get going now. I love you, mom. Not a day goes by when I don't think about you and everything I learned from you." Jou smiled. "I'll see you soon."

With that, he turned around to leave as a gentle breeze blew around him as he turned around to look at his mother's grave with another smile. He was wearing his usual attire, dark blue beanie and cardigan, and all. Hanging from his back was a dark/light blue shoulder-strap backpack, packed with all of the essential items he was going to use on his journey. Especially his telescope that was in a dark brown holster hanging from his left hip and his throwing knives that were hanging from his right hip.

Jou was at the village dock and was getting his rowboat ready to sail. Vic, Nale, Dot, and Ashe down there with him to see him off on his journey.

"So, this is it, huh?" Vic said. "You're finally off on your way."

"Yeah, I suppose I am," Jou commented rubbing the back of his neck. He knelt down to Dot's to look at her at eye level. "Dot, I want you to be a good girl while I'm gone, alright? Not just that, be a strong one, too. Can you do that for me?" Jou asked the young girl as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Y-Yeah, I can do that," Dot sniffed.

"Good," Jou smiled. "I'm glad." he turned over to Nale. "Nale, while I'm gone, you be a great big brother to Dot. You promise?"

"I will, Jou," Nale nodded. "I promise."

"Perfect," Jou stated. "I expect you to." and lastly, he turned to Ashe. The dog gave Jou the sad puppy eyes. "Ashe, don't look so sad, girl." Jou ruffled Ashe's fur with both hands. "I'll come back someday. Count on it. I honestly wish I could take you with me. But I can't do that, because I got a special job for you. I want you to help Vic look after Nale and Dot while I'm away. The two of them can be a real handful, so I want you to take care of them since Vic will need help. Can you do that for me?" Ashe dropped her sad look and licked Jou's face one last time showing she understood. "Good girl."

Jou stood up and stared at everyone and what happened next was a surprise as Jou pulled all three of Nale, Dot, and Ashe into a hug. "I don't know how to thank all of you for the gifts you have given me. I'll use them to the fullest. Thank you so very much!"

"You're welcome, Jou!" Dot giggled.

"I hope you're able to do a lot of awesome stuff with them!" Nale exclaimed with a smile.

Jou released the three from his embrace. He rubbed the back of his neck bashfully. "Sorry about the sudden hug. I don't know what came over me." he let out a nervous chuckle.

"Me neither," Vic said while shaking his head. "You should get going. The sun's going to come up soon. You better hurry before the whole village wakes up and spots you leaving."

"Right," Jou nodded and extended a hand toward Vic. "And Vic, I just wanted to say thank you to you especially. You were there for me when mom died and I wasn't going through it all alone. She considered you her best friend, so you lost someone just as much as I did."

Vic smirked as he took Jou's hand in a handshake. "You've come a long way, Jou. I'm sure Becky would've loved to be here to see you go off on your journey. Maybe what she said is true, you'll find friends out there, friends who have a dream like yours."

"I'm not sure about that part," Jou shrugged. "I'll just take this one step at a time. Bye, Vic. I'm gonna miss you. I'll miss all of you."

Nale and Dot now had tears start to fall down their cheeks. Ashe let out a sad whimper and Vic as he shook Jou's hand felt his own eyes begin to water.

"Stupid kid," muttered Vic. "Get on that damn boat before I end up embarrassing us both."

Jou did just that as he got on the boat and pushed off the dock and started rowing. Once he got a decent amount away from the island, he looked back toward Vic, Nale, Dot, and Ashe. Jou was soon brought to thinking about all the different moments he's had with each of them. He remembered when he would help Vic out around the bar as he was growing up and him teaching how to properly throw a knife. With Ashe, Jou remembered taking care of her, like taking her on walks, feeding, and helping him with training. His time spent with Nale, like skipping rocks across the ocean and taking walks alongside him, Ashe, and Dot. And with Dot, he remembered when Dot was younger she loved it when Jou would read bedtime stories to her and then fall asleep beside her since she was also afraid of the dark.

Thinking back on all of these moments, it almost made him not want to leave at all. But, he had a promise to keep and he was going to follow through.

"Bye, Jou!" Dot called while waving. "I'll miss you a lot!"

"Be sure to tell us amazing stories about what you did!" Nale shouted also waving. "Bye, Jou! No matter how far you are, you are always going to be our big brother!"

Ashe barked like she was saying bye to Jou. Now it really started hit to Jou. He felt the tears well up in his eyes as he started waving back at his caretaker, dog, and surrogate siblings. He stared at all of them and nodded and smiled.

"I'll be back someday!" Jou declared waving. "You can count on that! Bye!"

"Follow your dreams, Jou!" Vic shouted as tears managed to leak out of his eyes. "Don't let anyone tell you not to! Safe travels! Be the man you are meant to be!"

Vic was the last to speak as Jou drifted further from the island. The ocean rocked his boat, the wind felt great whizzing past him. Jou grinned as it hasn't hit him yet, but he was finally doing it. He was off to find the All Scope. Now, he started getting down to the first order of business. He had some money on him, so he thought he might need some more provisions, enough that he can carry with him. Looking through a map of the East Blue he brought with him, he spotted an island that he could sail straight toward. He could probably reach it by the end of the day.

"Let's see..." Jou mumbled to himself. "The island that's closest is North, straight ahead." he had his plan but by some stroke of bad luck, a harsh wind started blowing around Jou. He held his beanie in place to keep it on his head but the map he was holding got blown out of his other hand. Jou was left staring at his hand with nothing in it. Jou quickly turned around to where his map was blown and watched gently land into the water.

"NOOOOOOOOO!" he screamed as he reached out toward the map. "Dammit..." he muttered as he cried anime tears. "That's was my only way across the East Blue and now it's gone."

Jou almost felt like giving up. But, he knew he couldn't. His mom would be disappointed in him if he just went back. And after his farewell to everyone, it just wouldn't be right.

No! Jou thought seriously as he started rowing his boat. I refuse to give up like this. I'm going to find the All Scope even I don't even know where I am headed! Luckily, I memorized where that island was, so that's where I'm going first! Grand Line and All Scope, you better look out because here comes Kusari Jou!

Jou rowed his boat, hoping to reach Shell's Town by the end of the day. He continued paddling along until he heard a loud noise ring out.

"What the hell was that?" Jou wondered, pausing his rowing. "Hope it wasn't my boat? That would suck even after losing my map." He peered over the side, inspecting his boat. "That's a relief." Everything was all fine until Jou heard squawking above him. "Huh?" What was above him crashed into his boat headfirst. Jou found it was some giant bird and pulled it free. Jou stared into the eyes of the creature and blinked, trying to ascertain what he was looking at.

"And what are you supposed to be?" Jou questioned. "Some sort of Panda-Bird?" Jou looked down, noticing that water was leaking in his boat. He flipped the bird around and slammed it into the hole to stop his tiny boat from sinking. "Stay there! Look, I need to plug this hole or else my boat here is gonna sink!" The bird let out a weak caw as Jou noticed its wing. "Oh, looks like you're hurt. Was that noise a gunshot earlier?"

The bird continued to struggle in Jou's grip. Jou didn't want to keep the bird like this, but this was his only way across the sea. The boat started to shift and rock along the water. Jou looked up to find a massive ship sailing beside his boat.

"Look at that thing..." Jou breathed out, taking in the scale of the ship.

"Balloon! You have to get out of here!" a voice called from the ship. It happened to be a girl. Two men were holding her, one of them covered her mouth, and the other pointed a pistol at her head. A rope ladder was let down the side of the ship. There was another figure, silhouetted by the sunlight.

"Hey, you there in the boat," the figure said. "You mind bringing that creature up here?" Jou didn't know what was going on. Or what they want with this bird?

"Fine," Jou said. Once Jou carried the bird up, he found he was on a pirate ship. The pirates took the Panda-Bird from him and set it in a cage.

"You really are spineless!" the girl earlier chided Jou. She was about Jou's age. With light blue hair, dark blue eyes, a white blue-striped t-shirt, and a blue skirt with cyan stripes on the sides. The pirates tied her to the mast. "Why did you just listen to a bunch of pirates?! You shouldn't have let those guys get Balloon!"

"Balloon, huh?" Jou wondered. "Is that what you call the panda-bird?"

"He's a bird, not a panda, you jerk!" the girl exclaimed.

"He was shot out of the sky," Jou stated.

"Captain Sharptooth shot him," the girl said.

"Sharptooth?" Jou questioned. "Seriously?"

"He's the captain of this very ship..." the girl mentioned. "He's dangerous."

"How dangerous is he?" Jou wondered. He looked up, noticing the Jolly Rodger on the sail. A traditional skull and crossbones, but the teeth were sharpened.

"The man you handed over my bird to is a notorious pirate with a 10 million bounty on his head!" the girl stated. "When he raided my town, we tried our best to defend it! But no one could get near him! We never stood a chance."

"You make this guy sound like he's a big deal," Jou remarked, crossing his arms and leaning against the rail.

"Captain Sharptooth has arrived!" a pirate announced. Jou turned to find the pirates lined up, allowing their leader to walk between them.

"That's him," the girl said. The man appeared through a doorway. He had midnight black hair slicked back, reminiscent of a mullet, paired with a large, red captain's coat, a white shirt underneath, black pants, and brown boots.

"He took everything," the girl mentioned. "And then left my home in shambles. He showed us no mercy. Don't fight him! You'll be killed, too!"

"We finally captured the Ruku?" Sharptooth wondered. "We've been after it for so long."

"Sir!" a pirate replied.

"You there!" Sharptooth called to Jou. "You're the one who helped us capture it! I take it a reward is in order! Name your price!" Jou leaped down, landing in front of the pirate captain, who grinned, revealing the sharp teeth in his mouth. Jou figured he was called Sharptooth. Did his parents really name him that. But Jou decided to play along for now. He put a hand on his chin in thought.

"Well, I guess some food and a drink couldn't hurt..." Jou said. Sharptooth let out a laugh.

"Perfect!" Sharpthtooth exclaimed. "Men, get the food and break out the booze! Time for a party!"

"YEAH!" his pirates cheered. Jou and the whole crew sat around the deck. They ate to their hearts ' content and drank as much as they could. Jou even managed to outdrink a few of the pirates. It honestly was a fun party. During the celebration, Jou stared at the bird in the cage. It looked sad being trapped in there against its will. Jou felt there might have been more to this, so he excused himself from the party to use the bathroom. The pirates gave directions, and he went on his way, but he was really headed to where they had locked up the girl from earlier.

Jou found the brig where they were keeping the girl. She was sitting against the wall, her head in her arms.

"Hey," Jou said. The girl looked up at him with a glare.

"This is all your fault!" she snapped. "None of this would have happened if you didn't give Balloon to Sharptooth!"

"Right," Jou sighed. "Sorry about that." Jou sat down and leaned against the cage bars. "I'm Jou, by the way. Kusari Jou. What's your name?" The girl let out a huff, folding her arms over her chest.

"Ann," she introduced.

"So, what's up with that bird of yours?" Jou wondered. "Is there something special about him?"

"Balloon is a special type of bird," Ann said. "He's a Ruku!" Jou stared Ann in the eyes. "But he's more than just some rare creature to me. He and I grew up together. We shared days in the sun, took naps in the afternoon, never left each other's side. We've been through thick and thin, and he's always had my back. That bird is my best friend."

Jou smiled at how fondly Ann talked about Balloon. They've been through a lot together. If Jou understood the situation better, he would help her get Balloon back from these pirates.

"Okay, so Balloon's a rare bird," Jou figured. "But how come you're still here? I get they want him, but why did they kidnap you?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Ann questioned. "It's because..." she smiled brightly. "I'm so adorable~!" she remarked with a giggle.

"Right..." Jou drawled.

"What about you?" Ann asked. "Why were you in that tiny boat in the middle of the sea anyway?"

"Well, just today I left my home island to start an adventure of my own," Jou mentioned. "I'm looking for something."

"Looking for something?" Ann wondered.

"I'm looking for the All Scope," Jou nodded.

"All Scope?" Ann blinked, tilting her head. "What even is that?"

"It's a telescope," Jou said. "It's a telescope that can see all around the world. It's in the Grand Line. That's where I gotta go to find it."

"What?!" Ann exclaimed. "You're going all the way to the pirate graveyard just to find some telescope?"

"It's not just some telescope," Jou shook his head. "I made a promise to someone a long time ago that I would find it."

"Oh, yeah?" Ann said, resting her chin on her palm. "Who did you make that promise to?"

"My mom," Jou smiled fondly. "She wanted to find All Scope but gave up that dream so she could raise me. She passed away 10 years ago..." Jou noticed the sad expression on Ann's face. "But you see this chain?" Jou gestured to his red chain. "She gave it to me before she died. It's become a treasure for me."

"Is it that special?" Ann asked with a smile.

"It sure is," Jou smirked. "What about you? You got something you treasure? Wait? Let me guess? Balloon, huh?"

"Yep, obviously!" Ann grinned. "How'd you know?"

"Lucky guess!" Jou remarked. The two of them shared a laugh, despite Ann being locked up in a cage. Jou looked up, noticing a key, and figured it would unlock the cell door. "So, if you get out of here, what's your plan?"

"I'm gonna rescue Balloon, obviously!" Ann said.

"If you're certain," Jou nodded and stood up to grab the key. He inserted it in the hole and unlocked the door.

"Huh?" Ann blinked in confusion.

"Well, you just gonna sit there?" Jou smirked. "Or you coming?" Ann hopped to her feet and walked out fo the cage. There didn't seem to be any pirates around, which meant they could get out of here.

"Jou?" Ann said.

"Yeah?" Jou wondered.

"Do you think you can help me rescue Balloon?" Ann pleaded, her hands clasped together. Jou did feel responsible for getting Balloon captured by these guys. He felt the least he could do was help Ann get Balloon back.

"Fine," Jou nodded. "I'll help you rescue him." A big smile appeared on the girl's face. Jou and Ann went outside and made it out on the ship's main deck. Surprisingly, the pirates were sleeping and didn't hear them sneak up to the cage where Balloon was trapped, and Ann got to work picking the lock.

"One sec, Balloon!" Ann smiled. "I'm getting you out of here!" Balloon squawked in response.

"Don't you think this seems too easy?" Jou asked.

"I think we're in the clear," Ann assured. "Everyone is napping." Jou looked up and noticed Sharptooth up in the crow's nest. He tossed a sword, letting it fall onto the deck, tip first. The noise woke up the pirates around them.

"Wha-When did you get here?!" a pirate exclaimed.

"So, this is how you repay hospitality?" Sharptooth asked Jou. "By freeing that annoying girl."

"I'm taking Balloon back from you!" Ann shouted. "I don't care if I have to fight you to get him back!"

"Fight, huh?" Sharptooth wondered. "Well, let's make it interesting. "Since the girl there wants the bird so bad, how about she battles one of my men in a duel! If you win, I'll release the bird!"

"Do you swear?" Ann asked.

"I am a man of my word..." Sharptooth said with a grin. This guy was a pirate. Jou already knew he wouldn't play fair even if Ann managed to win this duel. Jou walked up to Ann, his arms folded over his chest.

"You want me to handle this duel?" Jou wondered as Ann shook her head.

"No, I got this," Ann stated. "Balloon is my friend, so I'll do it."

Ann used the sword Sharptooth tossed to the deck while she battled one of his pirates. Jou will admit, she was pretty good with a sword and knew how to handle herself. The pirate had her on the defensive while she backed up. The pirate got cocky, bringing his blade down, allowing Ann to dodge and slide under his feet, knocking him over. Ann stood over the pirate, pointing her sword at him.

"It's over!" Ann said. "I got ya! You underestimated me because I'm a girl, didn't you? All done! Free Balloon, like you said you would!" Sharptooth wordlessly pulled out a pistol and aimed it at the pirate Ann was dueling.

"Wait, Captain! I'm sor-" the pirate screamed before Sharptooth shot him through the head. His body slumped to the ground as the captain's barrel smoked. Ann dropped her sword and cupped her hands to her mouth.

"Pathetic," Sharptooth muttered. "Letting a child beat you. Toss him overboard," his men lifted the corpse and sent him into the ocean. "Well done, girl!" he tossed something at Ann, and it happened to be a key. "The birds ' all yours!"

"Alright!" Ann exclaimed, grabbing the key and running for the Balloon's cage. "I'm coming for you, Balloon!" Ann ran for the cage as Sharptooth pointed his gun at her. Jou knew he had to step in now. Ann was unsuspecting of the weapon aimed at her back, but Jou sprinted after her and leaped.

"Ann, watch out!" Jou warned. Ann turned around and screamed as she was tackled to the deck. The shot from Sharptooth's gun rang out, his bullet hitting the deck. Jou got up on his knees, allowing Ann to lean up.

"What happened?!" Ann exclaimed.

"He was going to shoot you," Jou told her. "You may have won that duel, but he wasn't going to be fair about it. No surprise, because he's a pirate." Sharptooth leaped down, landing on the deck, and gave a devious smirk.

"Correct," Sharptooth said. "After all the trouble I went to get that damned bird, there's no way I'd just give it up! I mean, you must be foolish to think-" Jou wasn't listening to Sharptooth's speech and checking on Ann.

"You sure you're okay?" Jou wondered.

"Hey!" Sharptooth screamed. "Listen to me while I'm talking to you!" Jou stood up, not even looking at Sharptooth yet, his beanie shadowing his eyes.

"Shut up," Jou muttered. Sharptooth pulled out another pistol and pointed it at Jou. Jou ran at Sharptooth as the captain fired his weapon.

"Jou, watch out!" Ann warned.

"Fade-Step!" Jou took a step and disappeared, avoiding the bullet. Ann and the pirates gasped, wondering where Jou went.

"Where did-" Sharptooth wondered before he felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned to find Jou behind him, a smirk on his face.

"Yo," Jou said before raising his leg and kicking the captain in the face.

"What just happened...?!" Ann wondered. "You were standing here, and then suddenly you're over there?!"

"Oh, that?" Jou said. "Just a trick I learned."

"Damn you!" Sharptooth leaped up, pulling out a pair of cutlasses, and went to slash at Jou. Jou easily avoided the strikes with a back-flip, planting his hands on the deck, and landing on the deck, flicking his left wrist, and grabbing his red chain. Jou twirled his red chain and wrapped it around Sharptooth's wrist, and tossed him into his ship's main cabin.

"Alright!" Jou said. "Now, who's next?" Sharptooth leaned up, a glare on his face.

"Don't just stand there, you idiots!" he shouted at his pirates. "Kill this bastard!" Jou smirked and flicked his right wrist, and grabbed his steel chain. Five pirates ran at Jou. He twirled his red chain and swung it, sending them flying off the ship.

A pirate went to slash Jou with a sword. Jou somersaulted over his head, wrapped both his chains around his ankles, and tossed him into another crowd of pirates. Jou twirled his chains and lashed those pirates, blasting off the vessel or landing on the deck unconscious. Jou stood tall, he twirled his red chain, and hung it over his shoulder.

"Whoa!" Ann exclaimed. "That was amazing! How are you so strong?!"

"My mother trained me when I was a kid and taught me how to fight," Jou smirked, holding up his chains. "Not bad, huh?"

"Yeah, I'll say..." Ann replied.

"Alright, that's enough!" Jou looked up and found Sharptooth, standing on the balcony of his ship, pointing a bazooka at Jou. "You're a strong one, I'll give you that. It's obvious you aren't the Pirate Hunter Zoro, but who are you? Some new bounty hunter?"

"Kusari Jou," Jou stated.

"I'll remember it," Sharptooth smirked. "The name of the man who defied me."

"Listen, jackass..." Jou remarked, Sharptooth scoffing in response. "I'm on a journey, and you're just in the way." Jou started walking toward the captain.

"I'm in the way?" Sharptooth wondered. "You're in the way of me taking that Ruku and selling it off. The bird is a rare species, and I could make millions of berri's for that animal."

"You back off!" Ann shouted. "You're not touching Balloon! So keep your dirty hands off him!"

"You're getting on my nerves, girl!" Sharptooth growled. "How about I shut you up for good?!" he aimed his bazooka at Ann. Jou gasped and turned to Ann. He used Fade-Step, he appeared in front of her, took her into his arms, and at that moment, Sharptooth fired. The blast from the launcher sent Jou and Ann flying off the ship. Ann screamed as Jou pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her as they fell into the water.

Jou released Ann once they were beneath the water. He gestured for her to follow him to the surface. They surfaced, taking a breath.

"Are you okay?" Jou asked, and tears fell from Ann's eyes.

"Balloon..." she wept. Jou didn't utter a word. "People want him because they believe his blood has magical attributes. He's said to be the last of his kind. That was the reason I was kidnapped." Her tears started to come in full force now, drifting from her eyes like a waterfall. "They knew if they had me, that Balloon would keep coming back until they caught him." She swatted the water in a vain attempt to vent her frustration. "It's just not fair! Why does he need magic power anyway? Even if he was normal and no one wanted him, Balloon would still be my best friend!"

Jou felt terrible and still felt responsible for everything. Balloon meant a lot to Ann even after she lost her village from Sharptooth. He was going to make sure she got Balloon back.

"C'mon," Jou told her. "We're gonna save Balloon."

"Huh?" Ann blinked her tear-stained eyes. Jou swam back to Sharptooth's ship, climbing up the ladder, and gave a hand out to Ann. She took his hand as he lifted her out of the water and set her on the ladder.

"You called Balloon your treasure," Jou said. "That means saving him is up to you. Leave Sharptooth to me. Got it?" Ann's eyes widened at Jou's words. She must've known Jou was serious.

"Yeah," she nodded, hope in her eyes. Jou climbed up the ladder and found Sharptooth looking at Balloon, who was in the cage.

"You sure caused quite a lot of trouble, bird," Sharptooth stated. "There will be no more trouble, it'll be just you and me. If it's true what they say about Ruku's and their blood, I'll be more powerful and then no one will stand in my way."

"Not while I'm still around, jackass," Jou remarked. He leaped onto the ship and approached Sharptooth, standing across from him.

"I should've known you wouldn't die," Sharptooth glared. "That's what I get for letting an annoyance like you on my ship. I'm done with you now. Time to die!" Sharptooth drew a pair of pistols and opened fire at Jou. Jou ran to avoid the shots and rolled along the deck and ran at Sharptooth. He used a Fade-Step to get close and appeared in front of him, wrapping his chains around his pistols. He vaulted over him and pulled the guns out of his hands.

Sharptooth was confused when he was no longer holding his guns. Jou swung out with both chains, hitting him in the face with his own weapons. Jou tossed the guns overboard. Meanwhile, Ann made it on board and was working on getting Balloon out of the cage.

"I'm here to save you, Balloon!" Ann told her friend, who let out a squawk in reply. Sharptooth shook his head, holding his face due to still feeling the hit he had taken. He noticed Ann by Balloon's cage, pulled out his bazooka again, and aimed at her. Jou ran at him and kicked him in the face.

"You're dealing with me, jackass!" Jou exclaimed as Sharptooth stumbled backward, causing him to drop his bazooka. He pulled out a sword this time around.

"NO ONE MESSES WITH THE GREAT CAPTAIN SHARPTOOTH AND LIVES!" he bellowed.

"Well, I just did!" Jou quipped. Jou twirled his chains as he ran at Sharptooth. He dodged the slash that came his way. The pirate captain's eyes widened as Jou released his final move. "Dual-Chain Revolver!" Jou lashed Sharptooth with each chain in his chest as he sped past him. He spat blood out of his mouth. Jou wasn't done yet; he wrapped his chains around Sharptooth's ankles and tossed him into his ship's mast.

The force of the throw caused the mast to crack once he crashed into it. Sharptooth's eyes were rolled back in defeat.

"Whoa..." Ann gasped. Jou wrapped his steel chain around his wrist and swung his red chain over his shoulder. Jou turned her head to look at Ann and smirked. He raised his brows when he heard creaking behind him. Jou saw the mast splitting from how hard he threw Sharptooth into it.

"Oh, crap..." Jou gulped, his eyes wide. "Run!" He warned Ann and Balloon. He started running off the side of the ship as the mast fell and onto the boat, which led to the destruction of the vessel. He dove off the side of the boat and was ready to fall into the water. He realized he was floating. Jou turned his head to find that the back of his shirt was in Balloon's mouth. He saw Ann on Ballon's back, and she gave him a grin.

"You couldn't at least let me ride on his back?" Jou sighed. "I'm not a fan of being held like this..." Luckily, there was a spare rowboat that wasn't destroyed on Sharptooth's ship.

"Alright, all set," Jou said, putting his hands on his hips. He turned to Ann, who was on Balloon's back. "So, what's next for you guys?"

"Balloon and I are gonna find us a new home," Ann mentioned with a smile.

"Oh, that's right..." Jou frowned. "Sharptooth destroyed your town."

"It's alright," Ann assured. "We'll find us somewhere new to call home."

"Squawk!" Balloon agreed.

"Sharptooth won't hurt anyone again," Ann said. "After all, you made sure of that."

"Well, good," Jou smirked. "I'm sure everything will work out for you guys now."

"And Jou..." Ann said, looking down. Her hair covered her eyes.

"Huh?" Jou wondered.

"I'll... I mean, Balloon and I will miss you," Ann smiled. Jou blinked his eyes at her. She seemed embarrassed, judging by the tone of her voice, but Jou returned the smile.

"Thanks," Jou said. "But who knows? Maybe we'll cross paths again."

"We'll look forward to it!" Ann exclaimed, Balloon cawing in agreement. "I hope you find that All Scope you promised your mom you would find. I believe in you."

"Oh, I will," Jou remarked. "Bet on it!" Jou started rowing his boat toward Shell's Town. Balloon started taking off toward the sky, as Ann waved bye to Jou.

"I'll see you later!" Ann waved.

"Take care of yourselves!" Jou waved himself and started rowing his boat. The setting sun was behind me, casting an orange, nearly scarlet hue across the sky as it disappeared into the ocean. Jou watched the sun behind him, held onto his hat.

Jou didn't expect to have to help Ann and Balloon. But he wanted to help them; he was sure his mom helped people whenever she could, too. He may have felt he couldn't go on once he lost his map, but he's glad he didn't give up. He's sure his mom was the same way on her journey, but she kept going until the end. He pulled out an apple from the supplies he found and took a bite, staring ahead of him and wondering what other trouble he might get up to.

Mom, I've finally taken the first step, Jou thought. The first step in fulfilling my promise to you. I'm going to find the All Scope.