Identity

Tsuru was now walking on the way to her quarters, holding on to a child's outstretched hand. She walked slowly while pointing at places from time to time while explaining the place to the boy.

"That right there is the canteen. You only go there with Sengoku, ok? If you do, you get however much food you want. So stuff yourself full, but not too full, you understand?"

*nods*

The usually gentle lady had returned to her typical self when she heard about the whole situation from Sengoku. She had heard from Garp that Sengoku had a son while he laughed boisterously. Kong beside him then had confirmed the statement which prompted Tsuru's outrage as she felt her heart break into pieces.

Her vengeful fury had caused no small disturbance around the headquarters as the Vice Admiral had always been someone who kept a cool head. The loud statement she gave out a while ago had also caused gears to turn on many people's head as to what she meant.

"Oh, and that's where the ships are docked. If you become a good boy that follows my rules then I'll take you into one to explore! If you become a very good boy then you can even join us!"

"Us?"

Sanboi looked at Tsuru quizzically while the boy finished the piece of grape he held in his free hand.

"We are the Marines!"

Tsuru enthusiastically introduced the boy to the duty of the Marines, her eyes shone in a light that attracted the boy. Her angry face from before had been like a dream when she suddenly made a very calm face. It's not just her face though, it was as if her whole aura was calm. It was the reason Sanboi had followed her without a complaint.

"When the people are in distress, we are the ones who are called to help. When there's injustice in the world, we arrive and set it straight. We are the Marines!"

Tsuru's valiant expression seemed to have awaken something in the boy. Those innocent eyes had turned more focused, more driven. As if a path had opened for him, one that would have never been available to him had he stayed behind in the village. Had he not eaten that fruit.

'Help people who need help?'

Sanboi thought about what happened to him for the past few days. The clothes he wore were new, and they fit him very well. His belly didn't hurt anymore, as he could eat when he was hungry. There's also the nice people who teach him everyday, who would have thought that life wasn't just about cutting down trees?

'Were the two men from before also Marines? Maybe that's why they were nice to me?'

Sanboi had yet to truly understand his situation as he had only been able to remember the last three months. His only wish was to eat, and sleep comfortably. Thankfully the chief was nice enough to let him stay in an abandoned house in the forest, which was because he asked to be close to the forest.

'It's easier to cut down trees when you're close to the forest.'

He didn't know it yet but he was able to understand a lot of things, things that children his age should still be learning about. Though it wasn't going to harm him in anyway, it was still a mystery. Who was he three months ago?

"We're here! You stay in here for a while, ok?"

"Ok."

The two stood before a grand hall, one that stood a few tens of meters high and a hundred meters

across. Sanboi wondered how much wood was used to make this building?

A few men wearing white coats suddenly approached Tsuru, men whose faces are hidden behind masks that looked like those he found in the village. He was looking at those masks so intently that he didn't see that Tsuru had a shocked face that then turned into one of deep sadness before turning to the boy by her side.

'Tribal masks?'

"Go in Sanboi, you'll be safe here. Someone will pick you up before sunset so return to this door by then, alright?"

*nods*

Sanboi watched his surroundings, a vast space filled with men wearing white shirts and blue pants. A few of them had hats on while others wore a bandana on their heads. But what caught his attention was a boy looking at him weirdly, a familiar face.

"Hey! You! Sunny kid!"

Sanboi was flustered when he heard him call out to him, so he turned around to chase Tsuru who had only recently left. But when he opened the door, she was already gone.

'She abandoned me?'