Prologue

One Piece © Oda

Blizzard © Me.

The sun laid beyond the horizon. The sky, as well as the sea beneath it, was a vivid orange. The clouds were pink and a bright lavender.

A huge ship was docked at the pier of Rivet Island. The figurehead was crafted to look like a snarling wolf, leaping out to catch its prey. The title of the ship was painted at the prow in golden letters: The Wolf-Song. The flag: a wolf gnawing on crossbones.

A young man, around 18 years old, approached an even taller man from behind.

The taller man looked like he was in his mid-30s. He had skin that was white as a sheet, and equally white hair. His eyes were a beautiful blue. He wore a pair of red pants, sandals, a purple striped shirt, and a green coat that dangled off his shoulders. Around his neck, there was a silver chain necklace with a skull-and-crossbones charm dangling off it.

"Captain Robby," the young man said, "we have to shove off, soon. The tide will change if we don't."

The captain nodded his head in understanding before he turned to face a woman who also looked like she was in her mid-30s. She wore a ten-gallon hat upon her blonde hair, a red sweatshirt that revealed a bit of her cleavage, and a pair of bellbottom pants. She appeared to have something cradled in her arms.

"Well," Robby began, "this is it, Hillary."

"I completely understand," Hillary said.

Robby looked at the thing Hillary's arms.

It was a little puppy, no older than 14 months of age. The puppy had snowy white fur and eyes as pink as cherry blossoms. His appearance is…wolf-like.

Robby smiled sadly at the pup before he gently pet him on the head.

"Sorry, Blizzard," he apologized, "but I'm afraid that this one voyage you'll have to sit out on."

The puppy just tilted his head, as if what he heard was too hard to comprehend.

"I know it's a bit hard to understand," explained Robby, "but this is for your own good. It's been a lot of fun, though, having you around. I mean it. I just can't risk losing you."

Blizzard, finally getting the message, folded his ears and looked away, as if he were disappointed. Robby, still with a sad smile, sighed before he undid his chain and then fastened it around the pup's neck.

"Here," he said. "Keep this with you. Think of it as a reminder of our friendship."

Blizzard seemed to perk up, then, but Robby could still see that he was sad to see him go.

"Wait for me for as long as it takes," Robby said. "I'll be back…I promise."

Blizzard reached up and licked Robby's nose, making him chuckle before he looked to Hillary, who also wore a sad smile upon her face.

"Be safe," she whispered.

Robby wrapped his arms around Hillary, and then gently pressed his lips against hers in a short but passionate kiss. With that, he turned away and boarded his ship.

"Let's shove off, men!" he ordered. "We're off to find the treasure of Gold Roger! The One Piece!"

"Aye!" the crew yelled.

And so, the ship sailed off into the open sea of the Grand Line. Blizzard jumped out of Hillary's arms and ran to the edge of the pier, and then stopped, and then sat there on his haunches. He didn't try to jump into the water and chase after the ship, nor did he howl for Robby in hopes that he would change his mind and come back for him. He just sat there…

Waiting.