Chapter 10

- The Day of Departure

MC's POV:

The days since Luffy joined us had been filled with camaraderie and shared dreams. Ace, Sabo, and I trained together, and Luffy quickly became a central part of our lives. The trio of brothers and one energetic friend had become a force to be reckoned with. But there was an unspoken shadow lurking on the horizon.

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Sabo's unease had grown in recent weeks. One evening, as we gathered around the campfire, he finally opened up about his past. His words revealed the heavy burden of his noble lineage and his yearning for freedom.

"I can't go back," Sabo said with a resolute tone. "I refuse to live a life where I'm just a pawn in someone else's game."

Ace and Luffy listened, their faces showing a mix of concern and understanding. I remained silent, my thoughts heavy with the knowledge of what was to come. I knew Sabo's departure was an essential part of the unfolding events, but I also knew something crucial that they did not: Sabo's supposed death was a ruse, orchestrated to allow him to escape his past.

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The day of Sabo's departure arrived with a bittersweet sense of finality. We escorted him to the docks, where his small boat awaited. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken emotions.

"This isn't a goodbye," Sabo said, trying to sound cheerful but unable to hide the sadness in his eyes. "I'll be free out there, and we'll meet again."

Ace, visibly struggling to hold back his emotions, gripped Sabo's shoulder. "You better come back, Sabo. We need you."

Luffy, on the verge of tears, nodded vigorously. "Yeah! We can't wait to see you again!"

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I watched the scene unfold, my heart heavy with the knowledge of the truth. Sabo's departure was a necessary part of the story, but I was aware that he was not truly gone. He was setting up his new identity, preparing to make a difference from the shadows.

Sabo's boat sailed into the distance, and we watched until it disappeared from view.followed were filled with a somber sense of loss, despite my private knowledge that Sabo was alive and well

(Author Notes: Sorry people I can't rank my brain again how they learnt about "sabo's death" totally forgot this is my old drafts and fixed it I'm also just writing this story based on my memories it's been a while since I last watched one piece so bare with me)

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Weeks passed, and the news of Sabo's supposed death. The Celestial Dragon's attack was a cover story, and the genuine details were shrouded in secrecy. It was a painful blow, but one I had to endure silently. Sabo's "death" was meant to protect him and to ensure the events of the future unfolded as they were meant to.

Ace and Luffy were deeply affected. Ace's usual bravado was replaced with a profound sadness and a sense of guilt. He threw himself into his training with an even greater intensity, vowing to become stronger so he could protect those he cared about.

Luffy, while still his energetic self, was noticeably affected by the loss. His desire to become the Pirate King grew even stronger, driven by the memory of Sabo and his resolve to never let anyone else be hurt or lost.

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I watched as my brothers grieved and grew stronger, understanding that their pain was a crucial part of their development. I kept my own emotions in check, knowing that my role was to support them and prepare for the challenges ahead.

In the privacy of my thoughts, I carried the knowledge that Sabo was alive and preparing for his own role in the future. The day would come when his path would cross ours again, and until then, I had to focus on our own journey.

As I stood on the shore, gazing out at the sea, I whispered a silent promise. "Rest easy, Sabo. We will continue our journey, and we will meet again."

The horizon was a symbol of the adventures yet to come, and as long as we stayed true to our dreams,we would honor Sabo's memory and keep moving forward.

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