Chapter 85 - Ace Set’s Sail

After the pleading of the Celestial Dragon had been silenced Soren dropped the dead body to the ground and turned around to head back over to Misha, but once he started taking steps towards her all the people that were standing behind her took a step back.

[I don't know why you all are afraid… All I had done was take out some trash]: soren

The people who heard Soren started mumbling among themselves before a man spoke out.

[We don't want to associate with a man who has just committed the biggest crime in the world, right when you took out those guards you sealed your fate… We are just protecting ourselves of that same fate]: man

Soren then looked towards the ground and started pondering about something, then he lifted his head with an "Ah ha" face and started walking over towards Misha and the crowd. All the people then started taking more steps back, someone even saw Misha standing there looking at Soren and tried to grab her to wake her from her "sleep"

[Miss… You should stay as far away from him. Here, come with us-]: man 2

Right as the man put his hand around Misha's arm Soren spoke.

[I wouldn't do that if I were you… Or do you not want that hand?]: soren

Then man in question quickly removed his hand from Misha and ran from that place like his life depended on it, after Soren saw the man leave he put his sight back on Misha and arrived to her side.

[Sensei! Were back!]: luffy

Luffy came running up to Soren and Misha when they saw them. Soren then turned towards Ace and Luffy and gave them a smile seeing that nothing troublesome happened to them.

[Good! We will go back to our rooms after I do something real quickly]: soren

Soren then turned around to face the crowd of people who were still there and couldn't move do to the fear the corroded their hearts, Soren then activated his MS and told everyone to forget about how the Celestial Dragon and his men had died and to remember it as the roof above them collapsing onto all of them killing them instantly.

After Soren puth that thought into their heads he turned to the are that the Celestial Dragon and his soldiers were, he then took his weapon out and sent a half assed attack towards the area above the dead bodies and made the whole area collapse on top of the dead bodies, Soren even went as far as making part of the fallen balance beam that was made of wood splinter out and poke holes throughout the Celestial Dragons body.

[This should be good… And as for that guy who left, I will blame him]: soren

Soren felt a bit bad for putting the blame on a man who did nothing but fear for his life and try to protect a girl, sadly he tried to protect the wrong girl. Soren went back to the group of people and spoke again.

[That man who had just ran out of here had caused this and killed the Celestial Dragon… We must tell the Marines when we see them]: soren

Soren then took Ace, Luffy and Misha up to his room to discuss what to do next, Luffy then had a question and asked.

[Sensei? Can you teach us these moves that you do to these people?]: luffy

Soren thought about if for a moment and then spoke.

[Sorry Luffy but I can't… This power comes from a Devil Fruit]: soren

Luffy looked as if he was a bit depressed, but before long he shot up with another question.

[Will I be able to do that move that made that "Celestial What's it" almost pass out from fear?]: luffy

Soren then gave a smile before he reached his hand out to pat Luffy's head before speaking.

[Who knows… Maybe someday, but for now you aren't ready]: soren

Soren then looked over to the quiet Ace who looked as if he wanted Soren to pat his head too, but when he saw Soren look over towards him he quickly looked away. Soren saw this and decided not to pursue it, he then spoke to the both of them.

[I know that you both are still upset about Sabo's death but have but on a brave front to make yourselves seem more grown but it's bad for your health… Tomorrow we will go out to find a nice quiet place to make a grave for him]: soren

When Soren spoke about Sabo Ace and Luffy tried to hold back tears upon hearing the name, but when Soren said it was okay to cry they let loose as both Ace and Luffy started balling with tears and snot flowing from their faces. Soren then saw that they needed time and decided to go talk to Misha until they were ready.

After a couple of days Soren, Ace and Luffy were standing in a clearing that had a beautiful sight. All three of them were surrounding a gravestone with the name Sabo engraved in bold letters, on top of the grave were flowers.

[Okay… Now we need to train and get stronger as to stop things like this in the future]: soren

Soren gave some encouraging words towards Ace and Luffy to make them start getting over the fact that Sabo was gone, but Soren also knew that Sabo wasn't truly gone and that the mystical thing known as Plot Armor would somehow save him from death. Ace and Luffy then got up off the ground and stood next to Soren, Soren then took both of them and left to start training. For another 3 years Ace and Luffy would train their hardest from morning all the way until Lunch, and from there they would go visit Sabo's grave and place a new bundle of flowers on the empty grave. And from there they would run 15km around town with 600kg of weight pressing down on their bodies.

[Sensei!... It has been a long grueling experience training with you, I only hope I can one day get stronger than you]: ace

Ace was standing before Soren saying his goodbyes, next to Soren Luffy stood with tears in his eyes, he knew that Ace was now 17 years old and he was now allowed to set sail. Soren on the other hand only had one thing to say.

[Ace… I'm proud of you, I know you never had any parents growing up and that you were all alone, I hope from the experiences you have had with me that you now see me as a caring figure in your life]: soren

Soren said his words and gave Ace a surprise attack of love, and to Soren's surprise Ace had dodged it. Be it luck or Ace progressing in his Observation Haki, Ace had a smile pasted on his face.

[You only got lucky… Buy before you go I have something for you]: soren

Soren then opened his inventory and pulled out a custom made mask that resembled his Hollow mask, he then held it in his hand and gave a speech.

[I give this to you for you are the first ever student to graduate my training, I have only ever had 1 disciple before I had taken on you 3, sadly Sabo couldn't make it to this day… Now, if you want, you don't need to wear it, it's only a souvenir]: soren

Ace looked at the mask and then at his teacher, he then took the mask in hand and placed it on his head having it tilt off to the side. He then gave Soren a smile and said.

[I like it… I will wear it wherever I go, and in turn leave the name of the Blue Reaper's disciple]: ace

Soren saw how Ace liked the present and gave a smile, he then cleared his throat and gave Ace a last set of encouraging words.

[The ship we came in on… Take it and start your journey, take the lead for now but do remember that Luffy is right behind you]: soren

Ace gave Soren a thankful smile and left the room where Soren and Luffy stood, Soren then looked at Luffy and spoke.

[It will be sad at first but in 3 years you will be able to go find him if you want]: soren

Luffy saw Soren's concern and then spoke up to clear the air.

[No… I'm not sad, I am just a bit mad that he gets to have the chance to become Pirate King before I do]: luffy