Upon returning to Cyprus. Leroy gathered all the clothes and supplies he needed. Low had to return back to the Grand LIne. As he too had to wait 4 Years just like the rest of the crew. Even if the was not on the Crew Proper but on the Armada Fleet.
"Leroy. I'm going to be doing something really risky. And if I Fail. I'm sorry for letting you down and not being strong enough. And if I succeed. We'll meet on the Island of Nassau in the New World…" Low gripped his umbrella tight. Head hung.
"I believe in you Billy." He smiled. "I'll meet you there…"
Rhico to needed to leave. Needing to travel back to the kingdom of Marina. Fishman Island, now that he was free from Styx. His bounty was reinstated. But given that meant that he was not going to be actively pursued after. And if he was in his home. It meant that the government would see him continuing his duties regardless
"So. Rhico. Wanna join my Crew?" Leroy asked simply. His voice confident and direct
"Bahaha! After all of this. And you still wish to have me. That would do you quite well…But. There is something I must take care of first. So I'll think about it. Maybe I'll just join the Armada instead as to not burden the crew?"
"Burden!?" Red Sashes face Screwed. "Really? You've gotta be joking!"
"Haha…Just a bit. But I do have duties to take care of. It would not do your reputation well for me to be on the crew while you are inactive. Could spread bad rumors about me taking over."
That is true…If he bore the jolly roger. It would mean that people wouldn't have the full story. "Yeah I guess you're right."
"When will I see you again?" Leroy cocked his head to the side
"I'll find you. How about that? I'm sure theres a good chance that we'll meet again in Fishmen Island." With that. Rhico left.
But…
That wasn't the only person that came to visit Leroy.
A day passed. And Sifa burst into the bed room. Interrupting a conversation between Eliza And Leroy "You know we said that it was a one time thing. Because it was for the benefit of both of us. But i just wanna remind you. That cuz I know my crews alive-"
"That any possible relationship wouldn't work?" Eliza asked
"Yeah."
"Thats okay. I accept that and understand. I'm a strong woman Leroy. I can handle being rejected. But! If you ever need. I'd be more than will to have som fun again…"
Leroy blushed. "Yeah. I'll keep that in mind Eli."
"Empress!" Sifa bust in!
"What is it?"
"There a woman on the Island at the beach. But- Not any normal woman." He sifa said with an exhausted and tired tone from running.
"Is she here for me?"
Sifa shook her head. And simply pointed at Leroy. "She's here for him."
Confusion wracked Leroys mind…Who in the world could it have been?! He went alone. Walking through the forest that he had lost mind in not even two weeks prior. His mind raced with possibilities. But this time. It was easier to traverse. Realizing that the island itself was far easier to navigate now that he was in sound mind…
But that sound mind was put to the test when he broke through the jungle and out onto the Beach. A woman stood, wearing a floral blouse and slacks. Heavier set. But not dangerously so. A body type one would expect with advanced age and having children.
On the beach. Turning to face Leroy-
Was his Grandmother…Falcon D. Galene. Mamtha
"Melon?" He questioned the childhood nickname that this kids had chosen for her.
"Leroy…" He crossed her arms.
In a flash. Leroy crossed the distance and wrapped his arms around his grandmother! Holding her tight in a bear hug! Lifting her up slightly causing the woman to groan "Oh!"
"Hahaha! What…What How? How did you get here?! Why? I-..." He couldn't stop smiling. Only for it to falter when he realized. "I…Mamtha…"
"Comeon Leo. Sit down."
Mamtha looked around for a second. Before Leroy snatched a large piece of dead wood and set it down for them to sit on. "Thank you."
He sat down next to her. Hands clasped in front of her
They spent long moments sitting in silence for a moment. Leroy hand coming to grab her softly. Connecting the two together in that moment. It'd been so long since they really talked. Almost two years since he left home…
To become a pirate
"How are you?" Mamtha asked first. Always the mother
"I'm…I…I'm uh sad. But, I feeling better. Cuz. I know that I should grieve. But I shouldn't loose myself. Not let myself be destroyed. Keep on going cuz that's what he'd want." His shoulders rose and fell. Breathing deeply
Her hand rubbed his back. Doing smooth circles on the mans tone and muscular back. "Me too…Me too…Me and your dad- Grandpa." She corrected. A unfortunate habit she had quiet regularly when talking about Jack
"We talked. And cried. We actually were able to spend time together for the first time in a while…" She frowns. A deep sigh releasing from her lips "If only it wasn't like this…"
"Yeah…" They frown together. Tears well in their eyes.
"I…Just have to stay strong. Feel it out. Let it happen. But try and keep moving right? Just like we did with Sara." He murmured to himself. But his grandma heard him well. Nodding along with his words.
"Leory…" She began. Her voice low.
"Yeah?"
"Do you have to be a Pirate?" She looked at him. Her face somber. The look. The Words. The implication. He knew what this was going to be. It was gonna be another one of those arguments…The Same argument that they had again and gain.
"I want to be. I've come this far." He said. Shrugging his shoulders
"Its been over a year. I agreed that you could do what you wanted…Just like both of you…But look at what its gotten you. Do you even make any money?" She didn't want to even think about the fact that he was robbing people and plundering
She had been proud of his first bounty. Because it was a sign that he was out there doing stuff. Bounties were crimes yes but it was also a status symbol, every pirate had a bounty. Even if its just flying a flag. You could get a bounty from doing basically nothing dangerous as long as it added up. But she knew he was getting into fights…She read the papers…And her heart just couldn't handle it…
"It's not about the money." Leroy started.
"Then why are you doing it! If you're doing all of this. Its to get paid! Have purpose. A Job. Be able to survive by yourself."
"I do survive by myself!" He suddenly got offended.
"You have a crew. And yet you get in trouble again and again and again. Ya know I thought when you said you were going to be a pirate. It was going to be adventure. Maybe a scuffle. Not become a terrorist!" She suddenly shouted in confusion
"A Terrorist?! Everything I've done is because I wanted to. And It helped people! This is what I want to do! And Im good at it! I'm having fun, exploring, even if I dont get a lot of money-" He was cut off
"Thats fine! But can't you do it some other way! Can't you like…Become a Merchant! You can do stuff with your friends-"
"They're my crew. Not just friends. We fight together." He corrected. In Mamthas mind she was underestimating what exactly what was going on and the severity of it
"And a merchant? In this day? What like thats going to help me! Getting paid nothing to do nothing! Not be able to afford anything other than what keeps me alive!" He gestures with his hands
"Everyone else does it!" Mamtha gave a raised brow expression. Shaking her head
"Thats not right! Companies, Governments all this shit taking stuff using and abusing us."
"Oh here we go…" Mamtha shook her head. "Its everyone elses fault aint it? The Big Companies or the Islands, the Owners and all that right? You sound like a Permissive."
"Yeah! They're the ones making us this way! You don't like them! Grandpa doesn't like them even though hes a Marine! You're always trying to stretch money! Thats not the way to live you should get paid properly and fairly not just a little bit! Enough, at least enough. So you don't have to worry. But they don't want that cuz it doesn't get more money!" He gestured off into the sea
"And I ain't no permissive." He shook his finger
"But how are you going to take care of yourself! You should come back to the East Blue and-" She was cut off
"No! What? Why would I go back home?!" He said with a confused look. He had stood up by this point.
"Theres nothing wrong with having a simple job and being able to do the hobby of being a Pirate or whatever." She emphasized the pirate part as if it were a pipe dream.
"You just don't understand! This is what I want to do. Its the only thing I want!" He said with a wired face of pleading
"So youre just not willing to do anything! Anything for yourself. Or be able to make a living properly and be safe! And secure!" She leaned forward. Watching as Leroy paced back and forth
"I get it just fine-"
"Clearly you don't!" He shouted
"Do not shout at me…" Mamthas face suddenly screwed into a stern look "Do not shout at me."
"I'm just trying to explain! Sorry- Like…If I can't…If I can't do this…I don't know what I'll do. I don't know if I'll make it to thirty!" He said those words so easily. So simply. It was something that those thoughts in his minds always said. The Anxiety. Worry. Doubt
"If I can't be happy. What does it matter!" He declared
But Mamtha did not like those words. "Do not say that. Do not stand here and say just because you can't be a pirate doesn't mean you're gonna die and give up! Do you not know how that makes me feel! About how many people you'd leave behind!"
"Just because you can't do what you want doesn't mean you get to give up and hurt people who love you!" She pointed. Tears welling in her eyes.
"Thats…I-Ugh…" He groaned. Tears in his eyes. Of course, he knew that he wasn't going to die. He just wouldn't feel accomplished! He wouldn't feel fulfilled! Like he was doing anything that mattered! It wasn't fair to say he should or needed to be happy. Their were people out there who weren't happy. And they got to do what they want. He stood there for a few minutes. Just pacing
"I'm…I'm sorry thats not what I meant…Agh…Life its…Its not about being happy. Its…Growing. Changing. You can be happy about that. But being constantly happy. Ya know, ya need bad times. Or decent. The point is to change, and grow and trying do something that you feel can fulfil you! But also the people around you too!" He breathed heavily
"I just…I know I won't…" He sat down. Grabbing her hand and squeezing it. "I know I won't be fulfilled any other way…I won't feel like I've accomplished something. It doesnt matter if I'm happy. But knowing that I feel fulfilled. Not selfishly or ignorantly. But just feel like I matter. And that what I do matter. Not just my way or anything. But to feel like I'm doing something successful. And good. And this way…I know I am."
They sat in silence for a few moments. Leroys thumb rubbing her hand. "Do you have faith in me?"
"Of course…I just…Hah. I just want to make sure you're okay. And you can take care of yourself. And you know what you're doing. My way would guarantee that. Even if its boring…But I know you'll never stop…It not in our nature…" She closes her eyes.
"I will make it work. Just believe in me. I'm going to do it. Not just money. Or fame. Power. But more. Something that will be able to hopefully change the world. And I mean that. I believe I can do it." He said. With confidence. Eyes staring out into the blue sea
"I know. Just know theres nothing wrong with being…Typical. Even when you're not…"
Leroy nodded. Bringing her hand up. He kissed it gently. "I love you…"
"I love you too." She said back.
Again. They sat their together. Breathing lightly. "Oh hey. Here look at this." He said reaching into his pocket.
It was a photo. A photo of the Red Sashes all together out on the Deck of The Blossom. A Picture they had taken just before Judice. All of them stood in poses and outfits that really showed themselves off.
He went through the crew one by one. Explaining them. Who they are. How he like them
"And that's Kirk." He pointed.
"Oh she looks nice! Very nice looking fishman." She said with a smile
"Thats…Thats a He."
"Oh!"
They talked and talked. He talked about the scary. The funny. The fun. He didn't want to make her worry to much or make her get all prudish. Despite how open minded and progressive she was. She was still susceptible to an old fashion form of distaste to things like drinking or smoking…
He explained his adventures. And at every turn of happiness and wonder. Excitement and discovery. Mamtha loosened and accepted more and more this was what Leroy was meant for. In his mind at least. And that convinced her.
They also spent so long talking about Azar. From when he was a kid. To when they were teens together. Good bad. Shedding tears together from happiness and grief. They remembered their beloved
They chatted and chatted. Mamtha eventually explained she followed his vivre card to the island after paying quiet a lot to a man willing to go through the Calm Belt.
By the end of it. They stood and hugged. He gave her a small kiss to the head. Another set of I love you's. And she told him. Just keep going. And to stay strong. She believed in him. She used the small boat, and traveled back to the ship on the Horizon…