"If there were any boats at the docks that day, they're long gone," Rayleigh says, sitting on a wooden stool. In front of him, Sonic plays with a small rock. He throws it in the air and catches it while tapping his foot on the ground. The sky is gray and the air thick with humidity. Amy feels short of breath after hearing the news. The friend she made at the auction might be gone forever. An innocent girl kidnapped because of her race. Tears fly from her eyes as the wind blows against her.
"Are you sure? You looked everywhere? They couldn't have gone far with the blockade," she says, her voice breaking.
"You described a giant bubble above the ship. They might have crossed the Red Line. That's a start. But finding the boat won't be a piece of cake."
"We can still try."
"Right now, your friend needs you to learn haki." Amy bites her lower lip while clenching her fist.
"I'm sorry, young lady, but it is necessary if you want to help your friend."
"But she needs our help now!" she says, anger in her voice.
"Are you willing to sacrifice time looking for her instead of training in haki, knowing that the time you waste will be an advantage to the Blackbeard pirates?"
"We're also wasting time here."
"The time we waste is being used for his healing process and for learning haki. You might have forgotten that Sonic is still not at 100%." Amy looks at her friend.
"I'm sorry, Amy, but I need to learn it for the sake of the others." She wipes her tears and walks off. The two men are now alone in this vast forest. Rayleigh sighs.
"I understand her frustration. I learned a long time ago that not everyone can be saved. But nonetheless, it still hurts to this day. I still try to do my best to help everyone I can."
"I believe I can save her," Sonic says, catching the rock one final time. "It's not too late. You said that girl was on the Red Line or something. After the training, we will find her."
"Learning haki takes time, Sonic. She could be long gone by then." The hedgehog grins.
"I'm the fastest creature alive. Hero of Mobius. I give you my word that I will save her. I'm faster than any ship in this world. Finding her can't be that difficult." Rayleigh smiles.
"Then let's make sure you're prepared for the New World," he says, standing up. "The training will start now." Sonic wipes his nose with his thumb and smiles.
"Finally."
"But not here." Sonic raises an eyebrow.
"What? Where?"
"I have a special island for that. I trained one of my students there, and the results were great."
"We can't do that here?"
"No. We'll be gone for a week, so go say your goodbyes to Amy."
Moments later, Sonic enters the bar, soaking wet from the rain. Amy is sitting at the counter with her drink. He slowly approaches.
"Hey… how you doing?" She doesn't respond.
"So, for the haki training with Rayleigh we're going to another island to train. Won't be back for a week. So I wanted to say goodbye," he says while scratching his head.
"Have fun." She takes a sip.
"Look, I promise that when I get back, Lucia will be our primary target. We'll save her no matter what. Our friends can wait I know they can take care of themselves. I'll be back in a week, so don't go anywhere, alright?" He smiles. Amy gets down from her chair and hugs him.
"You better learn that thing quick."
"It's my speciality." Sonic waves at Shakky, who just entered the room.
"Leaving already?" she asks, blowing smoke.
"Not for long. I'll come back stronger than ever." He parts from Amy. "Take care," he says before zooming out of the bar.
"Don't worry," Shakky says. "Rayleigh will take care of him." Amy looks at the door, as if Sonic were about to come back through it. For some reason, she wants him to change his mind not for his safety, but for Lucia. She can't wait for him. A week is too long. She has to act now. Her eyes turn to the woman.
"I'm gonna need your help."