Hello, hello, I want to say three things.
One, I'm up to my neck in the midst of the semester ending, so it's likely that in the seven days I have left of the semester, unless I fail a course, I won't write much or anything at all, so it's not a hiatus; it's just that I have zero free time.
Two, Dante and Hancock won't be a couple, since from what I'm writing, it doesn't make sense for them to be. First, their relationship is like Trini's, except Trini is the older sister, and in this case Hancock is the younger sister. Also, since she didn't receive the Celestial Dragon treatment, she wasn't deranged or anything like that, so she can't generate that love at first sight for Dante like the other couples she will have.
Three, I have a Fate/GO account, which I've sort of abandoned due to the fact that the gacha hasn't given me the Servant I want for three years and academic reasons, but I'll still give you my ID so anyone who wants to add her can do so.
ID: 026,681,796, and my name is Dante, just like the main character. (Dante isn't my name, just in case; I just like the name, period, like naming my son, that kind of thing.)
That's all it is; let the episode tell you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wish lies would come true; that's what I think after leaving that lecture I just gave.
There's not much to say, just that I deserted my lineage and family. There was no one to tell me anything, since I was alone in front of some denden mushi.
I had asked that bastard Morgans to spread the word that I was going to do this, and he did. Well, he owed me for the things he'd said about me. He also didn't have to listen to me for defamation or anything like that, since for the last thing, he was practically forced/bought into doing it.
But there's a problem with all this, and that's that it's all a farce. Nothing he says is true, and they know it.
In order to live and stop being a celestial dragon, you need the approval of the family head. And to leave the family, you need the approval of the Gorosei. And I don't have the approval of either of them, so what I said holds no real weight.
*Flashback*
Garp: "Are you sure about that?" "You need the approval of your family head and those old folks to do it."
Dante: "Yes, I know, but I still have to do it, since I told you, to become someone the common people can trust again."
Garp: "This can be known."
Dante: "Maybe, but it's better than doing nothing; besides, if they don't say anything, I win, right?"
Garp sighed.
*Present*
Isis: "So that's a press tour."
Dante: "No, that's not a press tour."
Isis: "Then what's a press tour?"
Dante: "Forget it; let's say goodbye to the others, we have to get on with our own business."
And so we said goodbye to the people who were at the G8. I spent a little longer with Gil, since I didn't know when I'd see him again. Besides the fact that he and Marie were leaving with Garp, there's no telling what might happen in that situation.
What's not so surprising is the strange relationship between Arthur and Doll. They're more than friends but not a couple; it's a point of uncertainty. I also discovered that Doll is our age, so it's all good if anything happens. Not to mention, he's hot. I wish I had the same luck with women that Arthur has. I tend to get the crazy ones, the yandere ones, the deranged ones, or all of the above.
Nix had his things, but he hid them very well, but I don't want to remember them now, so I'll leave the topic at that.
And so we set off.
*Time skip*
It's been 7 years since I began my journey. There's not much to comment on, other than my lecture wasn't very helpful. But after people saw that nothing had changed, they slowly put me back on the pedestal I was on. I was once again the great hero Dante, only I'm someone who dares to be like the common people instead of being privileged like my ancestor.
This made me more liked and respected by some people. Others resented me for being or having been a celestial dragon, but they didn't do much. Only the pirates acted, but it wasn't a problem, as the others took care of them.
Speaking of which, I didn't do much anymore, as I wanted Arthur, Trini, Sulli, and Isis to gain more fame and recognition, so I just stood there and intimidated from afar. I only acted, and the subject we were on was very serious; otherwise, I stayed training, writing, or socializing with the townspeople. So I was still the face of the team, even if I didn't want to be.
Speaking of books, I've already finished writing the Harry Potter series, completely contextualized for this world. So I started writing the Epic of Gilgamesh, but the Fate version, for two reasons: there's more to write, and it's the epic. I had to make my son proud of the name I gave him.
Speaking of children, my other daughter, Luna, is named after the Harry Potter series, which comes from a character Tritoma liked, Luna Lovegood, and she's the one who named her. Besides having to go there, I had promised her and the Boa brats that I would go there.
I'm planning on giving her the mero mero fruit, since it's something that fits her perfectly, and for another character to have it is a waste.
I have to manage my time wisely.
Trini: "Hey, idiot, I'm talking to you."
Dante: "Oh, sorry, it's just that doing nothing is better than listening to you."
I didn't get the usual response, but instead he looked at me seriously, and I realized this wasn't the time for jokes, so I got serious and used Observation Haki.
Using it like a radar, I only found a ship, on which I sensed the presence of two very strong people, and the worst part is that they were coming right at us, even though we were flying. And I know this because the stronger person was outside looking directly at us.
Dante: "Heh, this could be good or bad."
Arthur: "What's going on?"
Dante: "A ship with strong people is coming in our direction, and from what I can tell, they're coming for us." "Get ready."
Everyone: "Understood."
We decided to lower the boat just in case, since if someone fell off, I knew how much of a disadvantage you'd be trying to rescue someone from the group.
As the boat approached, I looked at it and saw good news and bad news.
The good news is that there's no Jolly Roger, so they're not pirates, so nothing bad should be happening here. But that's not entirely true, since the bad news is that the person standing in front of us is none other than Dragon, the leader of the group recently named as the revolutionaries.
(Note: I don't know much lore about the revolutionaries, and I'm too lazy to research them, so what I write about them will be something I remember from the anime and logically based on this one.)
*scene break*
Silence. That was our current situation. Once we made contact with the other boat, they invited us in. We left our boat parked and entered.
Right now, we're facing the revolutionary army, with us on the other side. Only Dragon and I are sitting.
Dante: "I knew your father, Garp. I thought you'd be just as loud as him."
Dragon: "Yeah, how's he doing?"
Dante: "Desperate to train a good Marine, knowing you were there and deserted, you must have left quite an impression on him, and knowing what you do, it must be a way to make up for it."
He didn't say anything; silence returned, but with an awkward air.
I looked at the people standing next to him; I only recognized two, Ivankov and a woman who looks like Bonney. Thinking back, she must be his mother. I don't remember what happened to her, but I don't really care; I don't know if she died or something. I'm forgetting things about this world's history.
I didn't see Kuma, and using Haki, I knew everyone was here, so he wasn't hiding somewhere on the ship, so he's not here at all. That's good; if a conflict arises, there's one less troublesome person to overthrow.
Why a conflict? Easy peasy. I don't like the way these people think.
Dragon: "I'll be blunt with you: I want them to join our cause." I figured.
Dante: "You may know why; from what I understand, I was something they wanted to overthrow." "Allying with you is pointless." They're not really like that. I have an idea why they want this, but I have no desire to join them, so trying to dissuade them in a gentle way should have some effect.
Dragon: "That's why I want you to join." I narrowed my eyes. "Having an ancient celestial dragon join us and fight against the system others impose is something that will make people less supportive, plus your reputation and fame will be bonus points."
They don't even want my strength; they just want what I stand for and for me to be on their side.
Dante: "I see; that makes sense."
Dragon: "Yeah, then..."
Dante: "But I refuse." I interrupted.
I felt the tension rise in the air.
Dragon: "I can tell you why."
Dante: "Easy, to me, what they're doing doesn't make sense."
I could see his face go from disbelief to frustration with a hint of hatred.
Dragon: "Don't tell me, as a former celestial dragon, you still support the world government system they're implementing."
Dante: "Not really. I know perfectly well that the system is wrong and should be changed."
Dragon: "Yeah, then..."
Dante: "But that doesn't mean what you're doing is right." I interrupted him again; I wasn't going to let his hypocritical thoughts brainwash my friends.
Ginny: "Like, what you're doing isn't right." "We seek to save people just like you do, but we seek to eliminate the problem at its root, not like you do so superficially."
Ivankov: "Calm down, Ginny. We decided that only Dragon and Dante would speak," he said, a little worried.
Dante: "Okay, every opinion should be heard, but that doesn't mean what you say is the truth." "Now, if you're not going to say something sensible or spout sentimental nonsense, then you should just keep quiet and listen."
Silence.
Dragon: "I don't think I should be so insensitive to my classmates; as you said yourself, I was just giving your opinion," his voice sounded annoyed.
Dante: "I'm sorry if I'm being so hard on myself, but it doesn't just belittle me; it belittles my teammates as well. That's why it's important to know what you're going to say and who you're talking to." "You don't want anything to happen to you in the future because of your recklessness and inability to control your emotions."
Dragon: "You'll take it into consideration in the future, but back to the topic, why don't you like the idea of what we're doing?" "I don't understand why you're against it."
Dante: "You have good intentions to do good and fix the world, but your actions only make something that's perfectly fine worse in some cases."
Dragon: "What do you mean?"
Dante: "I'll explain with a concrete example." "In the kingdom you overthrew not long ago, by some coincidence, do you know how they are right now? Do you know if they're living better, happier? Did you manage to impose a system that benefits everyone and not just a few, as it was before?"
He didn't say anything at first, but after a while he spoke.
Dragon: "It's not up to us to decide that for them."
Dante: "You realized the hypocrisy of what you just said." "Obviously, it's up to you to do something for them, knowing that you left them without any system by which they can govern their lives, or at least guide them, but all they do is arrive, destroy the kingdom's monarchy, and leave, hoping that somehow they can do something, but you're forgetting something: they're poor, ordinary people. Tell me how the hell they can do something like that without any education or knowledge of politics, or even just governing and leading others."
I felt them shrinking, as if they'd left the stove on in their homes.
Dante: "Tell me, knowing this, are you actually helping those people?"
Nothing, he said nothing.
Dante: "What if someone takes advantage of all the chaos you caused and tries to create a monarchical system disguised as egalitarianism?" "All the work you did would be in vain."
Silence.
Dante: "Or what if people can't agree on what they want to do, one starts a civil war, and the island is depopulated because they don't want to live in a country like that?"
???: "But." Someone's voice was heard on that side, but I was going to let them speak.
Dante: "The work they're doing is completely incomplete, and that's more dangerous than doing nothing, but how long will it take?" It will take you days to fix the mess you made? Weeks? Years? Decades?
Dante: "Your idealism is very nice, but in practice you fail, so forgive me if I don't want to join your ship, but from the looks of it, you're not going anywhere."
I looked at Dragon; he looked distressed. I didn't want him to give up on his dreams and ideals, but I wanted him to realize what he was failing at. Maybe I was harsh, but we're all adults, so let's not sugarcoat the truth.
Dragon: "I understand."
I sighed.
Dante: "Look, like I said, you're trying to do something good in this world. You just have to realize your flaws and fix them; that way you won't do more harm than good."
Dragon: "Thanks for the advice."
I just nodded.
Dante: "If you'll excuse me, we'll go."
And so we left the ship and returned to our destination.
Isis: "Hey, Dante, you weren't very harsh."
Dante: "It's better this way; that way they don't realize their mistake too late." "I was harsh so they'd listen to me; otherwise, they would have tried to contradict me somehow."
Arthur: "I think it's okay. Besides, they gave up on recruiting us, so it's all good on me."
Trini: "I'm at the slot machine."
Arthur: "Slot machine."
Trini: "Because you lose all your money gambling."
Arthur: "I already apologized and got back all the money I lost. How long will it take to throw it back in my face?"
Trini: "Until I get bored," I mean, never.
I glanced at Sulli, who's been quiet lately.
Dante: "What's Sulli thinking so much about?"
Sulli: "Nothing important, just that there could be a system that could help everyone and not just some."
Dante: "Sadly, that system doesn't exist; it's all wishful thinking, since there will always be someone above the rest."
And so we continued our journey. While we continued saving and helping people, I suggested a short vacation, somewhere, well, near Amazon Lily.
Everyone accepted, since the last time we were there we had a pretty good time—well, in theory. Arthur's soul almost being sucked dry doesn't count for us, and his opinion doesn't count for anything.
So we set off.
It took us two months to get there, due to how far away it was and because we kept stopping halfway to do other everyday things for us. Like defeating bandits and pirates, finding good places to eat, and training, among other things, are not very important.
Before arriving, I told Tritoma, who happily accepted, and luckily, they were all on Amazon Lily.
After many unimportant things to mention, we arrived at the aforementioned place. All the Kuja pirates were waiting for us there, along with a woman who was already showing her age, like Tsuru; maybe they're the same age.
Once we got down there, I felt someone tackle me and throw me to the ground, just to kiss me and look at my body.
Tritoma: "Tell me, are you okay? Aren't you missing any limbs or anything?" He stopped at my neck and touched the scar with his fingers.
Dante: "I'm fine. You don't have to do anything. I'm healed now, but I'm glad you're worried about me like this. thank you very much." I saw hearts popping out of his eyes; I was meant to be on good terms with this crazy girl, but I think I overreacted a little.
Tritoma: "Whenever you want, Daddy, I'll be there for you." Daddy, it feels weird to hear those words coming out of his mouth, but I understand the meaning of them.
Dante: "Speaking of which, where is Luna? I imagine you brought her with you."
Tritoma: "Yes, Hancock is bringing Luna here."
Hancock: "Yes, Captain."
I saw Hancock carry my daughter in his arms; I could see how in these two years she had grown from a little girl into a very beautiful young woman. That means the fruit will definitely work, since her adult charm is almost fully in bloom in her current self.
Dante: "I see you've been quite the brat."
Hancock: "Yes, big brother, and call me Hancock, not brat."
Dante: "Yes, brat, whatever, brat." I watched him pout in frustration as he handed Luna over to hold her. "Hi, beautiful, it's your father," I said to Luna, signaling to get her attention.
Luna: "Da," she started trying to say something, so we all fell silent.
Tritoma: "She's going to say her first words. Will she say daddy or mommy?"
Luna: "Da, da." I got excited since I felt she would say daddy, only to come up blank with the next line. "Haconk."
Silence.
(Note: Phew, I love writing "Silence." I love it, haaaaa.)
Tritoma and I stared at Hancock in disbelief, only for her to look as if she wanted to dig a hole and disappear.
Tritoma: "BRAT, COME BACK HERE SO I CAN KILL YOU FOR FORCING MY DAUGHTER TO SAY YOUR NAME AS HER FIRST WORDS." I watched Hancock run off into the distance, escaping Tritoma's fury.
I looked at Luna, who was just smiling at me; she had black hair and red eyes. A cross between Tritoma and me.
Dante: "Well, we have a lot to do these days."