Hiding the Truth (One Piece)

Chapter 38 - Two Years Later

(AN://This is what I imagine Lana's outfit to look like, though she wouldn't have the staff . All credit to the original artist)

"Now, I want you to understand something before we continue with your training. For some reason, your connection with the presence in your devil fruit is stronger than normal, and that can open a great deal of possibilities for you"

"Presence?"

"Devil Fruit's are merely the vessels that carry the spirit that hold the powers, this is unlocked by those that eat from the fruit. Some say, they are demons controlled by the Sea Devil himself, but at the end of the day, no one really knows. I only know of one person who achieved what you have, and your devils' fruit differed greatly from theirs. The only thing you can do it learn to maintain control and to understand the abilities that you can achieve"

"Can you teach me?"

"That's what I'm here for kid"

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"Do you have everything you need? You're not forgetting anything are you?" Aina-San fussed, fixing my backpack straps as I stood before her, finding it hard to control the wide grin stretching across my face. I chuckled in amusement as I moved to hug the women close to me.

"I'm going to be fine, and I have everything. Don't worry" I pulled away, holding her shoulders in reassurance. To think my Spartan teacher, who acted as the devil herself when it came to training, would dissolve to this worrisome mess was definitely something I wasn't going to forget easily. When I's arrived to the island a second time after the war, I was shocked to find Aina-San waiting for me at the docks with a smirk on her face.

~Flashback~

"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but how did you know I was coming back to the island?" I questioned her when I'd docked the small dingy I'd borrowed from the Amazon maidens.

"I received a message from Ray-Kun. Apparently, you want to develop your abilities, and for that you need to be trained"

"Ray-Kun? Ohhh Rayleigh Oji-San but... how do you know each other?" I asked, confused at the connection but Aina-San only dissolved into giggles.

"Oh I have to use that. The two of have known each other for decades. Back to the point, I'll help you on one condition" At the serious expression on her face, I straightened up, waiting for her terms "No matter my methods, you won't complain, won't whine, and won't be annoying overall" I chuckled at her demands, quickly imagining what would have happened if mine and Luffy's situations had been switched. 

"You should be so glad you didn't get stuck with Luffy"

"Oh, I figured as much"

~Flashback End~

I looked around at the island I'd called my home for the past two years, and could feel the waterworks building up. Ever since Ace's...death, I'd become a bit of a cry baby, and Aina-San had always reassured me that I had nothing to be ashamed of.

"Hey, look at me" Aina-San held my face in her hands, her thumbs wiping away the small tears that were about to fall, "I cannot believe the progress you've made over the past years, and I couldn't be more proud of you. I'm sure both your brothers are extremely proud of how strong you've become" I let out a watery laugh as she pulled me into another hug, gently ruffling my long, golden brown strands. My hair, had grown over the two years, whilst it had reached my shoulders before now lingered near my waist.

"I've never had children, but you are what I imagined mine to be. But cheer up! You're going to see your crew mates again! After so long! So chin up, and double check you have everything before I convince myself that I need to sail with you to Sabaody" I nodded, sniffing a little and did as I was told. Aina-san, despite being a strict instructor, had taken on a maternal role, housing and taking care of me for all this time.