Chapter 102 (1/2)

Grandline, New World

'That's how life is supposed to be. Now the only thing missing is someone to fight with…' Azul thought to himself as he was comfortably swaying in a hammock on the Moby D.i.c.k, all the while a slight breeze swiping playfully over his skin.

It had been a few days since the crew with their passengers had left Solaris island and were steadily approaching their destination. While Azul had continued his vacation somewhat with the occasional training session in between Robin had gotten to know some of the Whitebeard pirates even though all of them knew that she wouldn't budge from her place besides Azul unless something unforeseen was to happen.

'Even though I love the serenity of my vacation I think it's about time that I continue on my path and finally attempt to step into the rank of the master, even though I'm not really sure how to accomplish that…' Azul thought not for the first time as his blood had slowly started to become restless over the last few days, urging him to move forwards unless he wished to stagnate, which he didn't.

His musings though were interrupted by the distinctive cawing of the newsco and its delivery of the daily newspaper. Waving the seagull over towards him Azul fished a few berry out of his pocket and exchanged them with the seagull that dipped its head in greeting and thanks before taking off again on its route towards the next customer on the list.

Opening the newspaper with a rustling sound Azul was greeted with an article about Solaris and the meeting that had taken place there, even though 95% of the article was pure speculation making Azul roll his eyes in exasperation at the drama queens of the newspaper.

It didn't take long and Azul had finished the article after which he turned over the page and took out the newly released wanted posters.

With a yawn Azul threw his legs out of the hammock and after stretching his body accompanied by a few soft popping sounds originating from the joints that popped back into their rightful place Azul marched over the deck passing a few bustling crewmembers that were responsible to keep the deck clean, the sails in the correct position and whatever else was to be done on deck.

Walking over to a small barrel Azul fished out a handful of apples which was rather a lot in Azuls case, and a few bananas after which he resumed his walk towards the towering Whitebeard that was sitting on his throne-like captain's chair, all the while starting to chomp down on his breakfast.

”'Sup old man. You wanna have a look into the newspaper? Newest edition just arrived.” Azul asked Whitebeard causing a few of the surrounding men and women to perk up at his words since the newspapers had become a fireproof way to pass the time with.

Instead of answering though Whitebeard yawned in boredom after which he took a gulp of his ever present flask of sake while his free hand was motioning Azul to hand over the newspaper.

After handing it over Azul walked over to the railing and plopped down against it, now starting on the last fruits that made up his breakfast.

With a rustling of paper Whitebeard began to read though it was hard to make out any kind of expression from his blank face in reaction to what the man was reading.

”How was it sailing with the other emperor's? You still in contact with each other?” Azul asked after which he threw the rest of the last apple into his mouth, chomping down on it with gusto.

”Hmmm, we never were much of a crew. Yes, we sailed together but that was all of it. Though Roger never was part of our crew. Don't know where they found that tidbit of information from…” Whitebeard said into the silence that followed Azuls question which had shocked quite a lot of the Whitebeard pirates into a stupor.

”So you aren't in contact anymore?” Azul asked again, not caring in the slightest if he was putting his finger into a maybe not so closed wound, even though he didn't think Whitebeard retained any kind of sentimental memories of his past crew.

”No, we aren't.” Whitebeard grunted out, his short answer making clear that he was rather reluctant to keep speaking about his past while the old man kept ruffling through the leaves of the paper.

Azul though had become a little curious and his boredom didn't help in keeping him from getting on Whitebeards nerves any further then necessary. Thus he kept on asking.