Chapter 6: Legendary Encounter
Flying high above the seas on the Black Pearl, the freed slaves sang songs of freedom, their voices blending harmoniously with the rushing wind. On the deck, Alexander leaned against the ship's railing, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon.
"So... where exactly are we heading again?" Alexander asked, breaking the silence between him and Tiger.
Tiger turned from where he was watching the slaves, his arms crossed over his broad chest. "To Sabaody Archipelago," he said, his tone steady. "It's one of the closest islands to Fish-Man Island, and the best place for me to regroup with my crew."
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Sabaody? Isn't that under the Marines' noses?"
Tiger smirked. "Exactly. That's why it's perfect. It's so close to Marineford, yet it's crawling with pirates. The Marines don't search it as hard as they should because they assume it's too obvious. No one would think to hide slaves there."
Alexander chuckled. "So we're hiding in plain sight. Clever."
Tiger nodded. "Besides, the archipelago has plenty of hiding spots and resources. It'll make it easier for me to arrange transport for the slaves back to their homes. And with my crew waiting nearby, we can make the transition quickly."
Alexander looked thoughtful. "And what about the human auction house there? Isn't that... dangerous? A lot of the people we just freed could end up being hunted again."
Tiger's expression darkened, his fists clenching. "That's why we'll move fast. Sabaody may be a haven for pirates and lawless men, but it's also a place where information spreads quickly. The auction houses and bounty hunters will know not to mess with me."
Alexander smirked. "I bet they will. Especially when they hear about what we did at Mary Geoise."
Tiger let out a low chuckle. "True enough. But we can't underestimate the Marines. They won't stay quiet for long. The higher-ups will be furious after what happened, and they'll send everything they've got to track us down. We need to stay one step ahead."
Alexander leaned back, crossing his arms. "Sounds like fun."
Tiger shook his head, though he couldn't help but smile at the younger man's confidence. "You've got a strange sense of fun, kid. But for now, let's focus on getting to Sabaody safely. After that, we'll figure out our next moves."
Tiger glanced at Alexander, who stood confidently at the helm of the Black Pearl, his hands steady on the rudder. The ship glided smoothly through the sky, cutting through the clouds like a bird in flight.
"Don't you want to bring the ship back to the sea?" Tiger asked, his voice tinged with concern. "You've been using your power to keep it flying ever since Mary Geoise. Aren't you tired?"
Alexander shook his head, a small smirk on his lips. "Nah, it's faster in the sky. No waves, no obstacles—it's a straight path."
Tiger frowned. "Even so, keeping a whole ship in the air for this long isn't exactly easy. You've got to be running low on stamina."
Alexander chuckled and reached for a glass of juice sitting nearby, taking a quick sip. "Don't worry, old man. It's not as hard as it looks. Flying the ship is like second nature to me now. With enough juice to keep me hydrated and energized, I can hold out until we reach Sabaody. Besides, it's only another day's flight."
Tiger crossed his arms, still looking skeptical but ultimately nodding. "You're a stubborn one, I'll give you that. But you should rest when we land. There's no telling what might happen when we get to Sabaody."
"I will," Alexander assured him with a grin. "Once we get there, I'll sleep like a log. But for now, I'll keep us moving. The sooner we get to Sabaody, the sooner we can get these people to safety."
Tiger smiled faintly. "You've got spirit, kid. Just don't push yourself too hard. The world's a dangerous place, and you'll need all your strength for what's ahead."
Alexander glanced at the slaves, still singing and eating on the deck, their faces alight with joy and relief. He gave a firm nod. "Don't worry, Tiger. I've got plenty of fight left in me."
The two men shared a brief moment of understanding before turning their gazes back to the horizon. With Alexander's determination and Tiger's wisdom, the Black Pearl soared ever closer to Sabaody, carrying with it the hopes of those who had finally found freedom.
A day later, the Black Pearl descended gracefully from the sky and landed in the bustling harbor of Sabaody Archipelago, its arrival going largely unnoticed amid the chaos of the pirate-filled island. The once-enslaved passengers disembarked, their faces filled with hope and gratitude.
On the docks, Tiger turned to face Alexander, his expression serious but grateful. "This is where we part ways, little man," he said. "I'll take the slaves and ensure they get back to their homes. From there, I'll continue my fight for freedom."
Alexander nodded, his arms crossed as he leaned against the railing of the ship. "Take care of yourself, Tiger. The world's going to be watching you now."
Tiger smiled faintly. "The same goes for you, Alexander. You've made some powerful enemies. Stay sharp, and keep moving forward."
As Tiger began to lead the freed slaves away, Alexander turned to the small group waiting on the deck.
Tesoro, his golden hair shining in the sunlight, stepped forward with a determined look. "You saved my life, kid. I've got nothing left to go back to, so I figure I'll stick with you. Maybe we can find some meaning in this messed-up world together."
Boa Hancock and her two younger sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold, stood beside Tesoro. Hancock fixed him with her sharp gaze. "You freed us from hell," she said simply. "We owe you our lives. We'll follow you"
Alexander smirked, adjusting the strap of his sword Shinryu on his back. "I wasn't planning on starting a crew, but I guess I can't get rid of you all that easily."
Hancock's lips twitched in what might have been a smile. Tesoro crossed his arms with a confident grin.
"Where to now, Captain?" Tesoro asked, half-teasing.
Alexander glanced out at the horizon, the faintest smirk playing on his lips. "First, we stock up on supplies. After that, we head out. There's a big world out there, and I've got a lot to learn. Swordsmanship, haki... and maybe a way to take on the people at the top of this messed-up system."
Hancock nodded. "Wherever you go, I'll follow."
As the small but determined group stepped off the Black Pearl, Alexander couldn't help but feel the weight of his actions settling on his shoulders. He wasn't just a runaway kid anymore—he was a wanted man, with a bounty larger than most pirates twice his age.
But as the sun rose over Sabaody, Alexander felt a spark of excitement. This was just the beginning.
They walked into the modest establishment, its wooden floors creaking under their weight, and the sound of faint chatter from nearby streets filtered through the open door. The bar had an old-world charm, with dim lighting, shelves lined with bottles of rum and whiskey, and a faint smell of the sea lingering in the air.
Behind the counter stood a tall, elegant woman with short black hair and a cigarette perched on her lips. Her sharp eyes lit up with recognition as the group entered. Sitting on a chair in the corner was a relaxed-looking older man, reading the newspaper, his glasses perched low on his nose.
The woman exhaled a plume of smoke, smiling mischievously. "Well, look who's wandered into my bar. The little Demon Alexander, the kid who dared to step foot in Mary Geoise and made the Celestial Dragons shake in their boots." She chuckled softly. "You've stirred up quite the storm, you know that?"
Alexander smirked, crossing his arms as he leaned slightly on the counter. "I've been told. Tiger said I could come here for information about the world... and that there's a grandpa here with a lot of knowledge on haki. I need an explanation on what it is."
The man in the corner lowered his newspaper, revealing a broad grin. He wore a floral shirt, and his demeanor was unbothered, almost carefree. "Grandpa? That's a bit harsh, kid," the man said with a chuckle, standing up and setting the paper down.
The woman rolled her eyes. "That's Rayleigh, the so-called grandpa you're looking for."
Alexander's eyes widened slightly. "Rayleigh... the Pirate King's right-hand man?"
Rayleigh chuckled, walking over to the counter and pouring himself a drink. "Guilty as charged. And you're the kid everyone's talking about. Took on an admiral and walked away alive—impressive. What exactly do you want to know about haki?"
Alexander's expression turned serious. "I need to know what it is and how to use it. During my fight with Aokiji, I realized I was missing something. I couldn't break through his ice easily, and Tiger said I should've used haki."
Rayleigh leaned on the counter, studying Alexander for a moment. "Haki, huh? Well, it's not something you just pick up overnight. It's a manifestation of your spirit, your willpower. There are three types—Observation Haki, which lets you sense the presence and intentions of others; Armament Haki, which lets you coat yourself or objects with your spirit to hit logia users or strengthen your attacks; and Conqueror's Haki, which is... a bit rarer. That one lets you impose your will on others and knock out the weak-minded."
Alexander listened intently, his fists tightening slightly. "And how do I learn it?"
Rayleigh smirked. "That depends. Observation and Armament Haki can be trained with practice, discipline, and pushing your limits. Conqueror's Haki? That's not something you learn—it's something you're born with. Judging by the chaos you've already caused, I'd wager you might have it, but it only awakens when you face true challenges."
Alexander nodded, his resolve strengthening. "Then teach me. I don't want to be caught off guard again. I need to be stronger."
Rayleigh glanced at the woman behind the counter. "What do you think, Shakky? Should I humor the kid?"
Shakky smirked. "I think you're going to have fun with this one, Rayleigh. He's got a spark, and the world's already keeping an eye on him."
Shakky turned her gaze toward Hancock and her sisters, her sharp eyes softening slightly. "And who might you be?"
Hancock hesitated for a moment, then answered shyly, "I am Boa Hancock, and these are my sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold."
Shakky tilted her head, her smile widening with recognition. "Boa Hancock, huh? You're from Amazon Lily, aren't you? Gloria—the current Empress—mentioned you and your sisters disappeared some months ago. People feared the worst."
Hancock's eyes widened, a flicker of pain crossing her face as she held her sisters' hands tightly. "We were... taken by the Celestial Dragons. But Alexander saved us."
Blood creeping onto her cheeks as she glanced at Alexander. "Yes, thanks to him. We owe him everything."
Shakky's smile turned knowing as she looked at Hancock more closely. "You were supposed to become the next Empress of Amazon Lily, weren't you? You've got the Conqueror's Haki, after all."
Hancock's eyes widened in shock. "H-How do you know that?"
Shakky smirked. "It's not hard to recognize when you've been around as long as I have. That kind of presence doesn't go unnoticed. It's rare, even among the women of Amazon Lily. You were meant to lead your people someday."
Hancock lowered her gaze, her hands tightening around her sisters'. "I... I don't know if I'm worthy of that anymore. Not after what happened to us."
Shakky's expression softened, and she leaned forward, her tone gentle but firm. "Listen to me, girl. What happened to you and your sisters doesn't define you. You've already taken your first step by surviving. And if you've got Conqueror's Haki, it means you're born to rise above. Don't forget that."
Hancock nodded slowly, a flicker of determination returning to her eyes. "Thank you," she said quietly.
Shakky straightened, her smile returning as she glanced at Alexander. "You've got a crew full of potential here, kid. Better make sure you don't waste it."
Alexander turned to Boa Hancock with a serious expression. "You should go back home, Hancock. You have an island to rule. Your people need you," he said firmly.
Hancock shook her head, her grip on her sisters tightening. "No, I have a debt toward you. I can't just leave. I have to stay with you."
Alexander chuckled softly, his usual confidence returning. "Listen, you can help me whenever you want. It doesn't have to be now; it could be in six years, ten years—it doesn't matter. I didn't save you for a reward or to keep you bound to me."
He took a step closer, his tone growing more determined. "I'm still too weak to venture into the Grand Line, even with a crew. With the government breathing down my neck, we'll be in constant danger. So, I want you to do this: go back to Amazon Lily and become stronger. Become the queen I know you can be. Bring your sisters with you, protect them, and build your strength."
Hancock hesitated, tears welling up in her eyes, but she nodded. "I... I will. But promise me we'll meet again."
Alexander smiled warmly. "You can count on it."
Then he turned to Tesoro. "Tesoro, I want the same for you. Use the power those Celestial Dragons forced upon you—the Goru Goru no Mi. Make it your own and become stronger. Make your ambitions a reality. No one's going to hold you down anymore."
Tesoro looked at Alexander, his resolve hardening. "I will. I'll make them regret ever thinking they could chain me."
Alexander placed a hand on Tesoro's shoulder and smiled. "In a few years, we'll reunite. And when we do, we'll cause shock waves on these seas that no one will forget."
The group exchanged determined looks, each of them silently vowing to grow stronger and to honor the bond they had forged in their shared escape from Mary Geoise.