witchesreign | 04

That way you can make them come true yourself?

Likewise. It's what I'm doing while I'm here. Free opportunity and all. Seems like it'd be a shame to pass up.

[There are other wishes he has he's sure he can't work on here, though.]

Ah, the guarded type. Eh, there's nothing wrong with dreaming big so long as you do not hold your expectations that high. That way when you pursue it, even if you fall short, you'll still have achieved much more than you thought possible. [So he says, though he considers his own achievements generally never enough. But he doesn't dream of becoming the king.]

Exactly. How wise of you.

I suppose it's only through hardships we can learn who we are and where we can be stronger.

[His next wish would be to have no regrets actually...]

Eh? You think so? I can't imagine living any other way than without regrets. It'd disappoint my Pops. And if Shanks can, I definitely can too.

Perhaps. I just believe that any mistakes can be learned from, and that wasting time regretting the past won't get you anywhere.

If I'm going to regret something I try not to do it. And if I'd regret not doing it, I take that chance without regret for the consequences.

[Has to think on this a bunch.]

Responsibility?

My nakama you mean?

For me, they're one and the same. My duty is to protect them, even if it means restraining myself and letting people I hate get away. My wish is to protect them all safely. No difference.

No.

Nothing is bigger than my family. And nothing I could ever want would go against them. Nothing.

[He's SO horrified by the idea. WHY WOULD ANYONE SUGGEST THAT? ;; He's not Blackbeard! Speaking of which...]

In... in a sense, you could say I have a responsibility or duty to -- this isn't something I can discuss on these things. If you wish to know, may I meet you somewhere in person instead?

[He was going to say that then he understood the difference between them-- but in person?

If there was more to say, he wanted to hear.]

Anyplace. I don't care. Someplace high up I guess.

[He could use his little birdie emotional comfort blanket.]

[Since he's just like high??? 2nd floor??]

Yeah, that's fine.

[Goes out to meet him and will be there waiting.]

[He'll arrive and greet Marco with a bow.]

Marco-san.

[Bows back and silently leads to a sneaky exit to get outside and takes a deep breath of air.]

My crew is infamous for revenge. It's what we're known for. Swift and terrible retribution to anyone who touches this mark. [Points at the tattoo.] I've spent the better part of the last few decades making sure that's this tattoo meant to people. That if they touched my crew I'd kick their ass, eh?

[Goes to light up a cigarette.]

[He follows, and gives that cigarette a look-- but he doesn't stop him.]

Revenge, is it? [He didn't voice his thoughts on revenge, just nodded along. Hm...]

[Offers the pack to him in case Japan wants one.]

Normally, protecting my family and exacting my revenge are the same. By killing anyone foolish enough to touch them, I make sure my family won't get hurt more. But now...

An ex-nakama of mine killed a brother for the sake of power. His division commander, another brother, attempted to hunt him down for revenge. Ace lost and Blackbeard gave him over to the marines so that he could get in good graces with them and steal something for them -- more for power. Why Ace died as well... Teach, Blackbeard now, came to laugh at us for failing to save him and then killed my father.

[Lights up the cigarette and leans against a wall, his eyes dark and brooding.] Nothing would satisfy me more than kill Blackbeard at any cost. My own life, anything... except I can't sacrifice the lives of the rest of my family. Ace died to protect his little brother, Pops died to buy us our freedom, I had my orders from them to get my family to safety.

It's... conflicting. I'm not sure which is duty, or what is personal. Which is fear, and which is what I must do nonetheless. I guess I try not to label it anymore. I know what I will do which is protect my family, I have to. I'm just not always sure of the how anymore.

[And just like that he takes a deep huff of smoke and turns to walk back inside, though Japan is welcome to stop him.]

[He politely refuses a cigarette and listens. This Marco person... Didn't sound like the kind of pirate he had originally expected. It's interesting how much he's willing to say.

He moves to bow at Marco once he tries to leave.]

Ah, if I could keep you for another moment... It sounds to me that Marco-san is someone who does not need duty. It seems that he has his heart. [Japan places his hand over his own thoughtfully, and then drops it, looking away.]

I am different. By order, by duty-- I am a nation. I must live for my people. So, when that person who calls me his brother stood in my way... I struck him in the back with little hesitance.

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