Chapter 40: Ruji Village

Chapter 40: Ruji Village

The Clown Pirates are sailing to Ruji Village to send Tarmad's skeleton to his family. When they leave the vicinity of Ilisia Kingdom, Buggy whistles to call the giant snake, Salaki.

Salaki comes out from the sea and swims beside their ship. Her sudden appearance startles Mantis & Jude. Buggy tells them about Salaki briefly to avoid them panicking.

"Huuuuu..., what a good friendship."-Jude cry

"So that's why we go to Ruji Village. But what will the snake do after this? She lost her cave right?"-Mantis

"There are some uninhabited islands where she can live, undisturbed. We can take her there if she wants, but she'll make the decision herself."-Buggy

The crew agree and let Salaki choose her own new home. She is a wild beast, so wildlife is the best for her.

Mantis then cooks a lot of food for the crew and snake. Salaki put the coffin & crate on the ship before she eat with the pirates. She really likes the food, it's clearly shown on her face.

They arrive at Ruji Village that located on Pelek island the next morning. They dock their ship on a hidden coast before carrying the coffin to the village. Cricket stays on the ship to guard it with Salaki. They can't take a giant snake to the village and scare the villagers after all.

They reach Ruji village, the only village on this island. Mantis asks some people about Tarmad's family's house and finally gets it. The house is located on the outskirt, it's a small wooden house, just like other houses in the village.

*Knock knock* Buggy knock the door

"Excuse me!"-Buggy

"Yes~"-Woman voice

Soon, a middle-aged woman opens the door and looks at Buggy.

"Uhm, who are you? Did you have any business with me?"-Woman

"Did you know Tarmad?"-Buggy

"Y-yes, I am his wife, Rika, but he hasn't returned for 5 years. Are you his friend? Did you know where he is?"-Rika has a hopeful expression

"I'm sorry, I'm not his friend, but I know where he is. He's right here."-Buggy move aside to show the coffin behind him

"D-Don't tell me! N-no way!"-Rika's body shake and tears start to flow from her eyes

Rika approach the coffin weakly and open the lid. She sees the skeleton and the captain's attire. She can't recognize Tarmad because he has turned into a skeleton, but she can recognize his clothes clearly.

"He leaves this letter before he dies."-Buggy gives the letter to Rika

Rika read the letter, which is the same one that Buggy read. However, there is another message on the other side of the paper. The message is for Tarmad's family, so Buggy didn't read it.

Rika cry while reading the letter. She hasn't heard anything from her husband in 5 years, but when he returns, he has turned into a skeleton.

"OI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY MOM? DON'T MAKE MY MOM CRY!"-Boy's voice

Buggy turns around and sees a boy around 12 y.o runs to him. The boy has a wood bat in his right hand, and he jumps to Buggy. The boy swings his bat and Buggy catches it easily with his right hand.

"GET AWAY FROM MY MOM!"-Boy

"His blood in my veins?"-Tanjo look at his hand

"You know Gold Roger, right?"-Jude

"The Pirate King?"-Tanjo

"That's right. Even though he has died, but people still remember his name. His legacy still continues even after his death."-Jude

"My dad's legacy, it's still live in me and my mom. My dad, is still alive, in my heart."-Tanjo

Tanjo feels his heart warmed by this, and his mind is cleared now. He has accepted his father's death and is ready for a new life. Even if he still feels pained, but he feels better at least. Jude smile and pat the boy's head before she stands up.

"Let's go back, and send your father to his new resting place."-Jude

"Un."-Tanjo

They go back to Tanjo's home for Tarmad's funeral.

'Captain, I know you don't just give that message for him, but also for me. I've accepted Papa's death, but you gave me a new sense of peace. Thank you, joining your crew is really the right decision.'-Jude

~With Buggy~

"ACHOO!"-Buggy sneeze

"Are you alright, Captain? Did you catch a cold?"-Mantis

"No, someone must've talked about me, maybe Belle is thinking about me now."-Buggy smile perfertly

"I think it's the Marine who wants to capture you, not your girlfriend thinking about you."-Mantis

"Ugh, just let me have my good dream for a moment, won't you?"-Buggy have an annoyed expression

"No way, I don't like that perverted look on your face. It ruins the funny face that you have because of your nose."-Mantis

"Huuuuh?"-Buggy has a pissed expression

"Oh, Captain, Jude & that kid have returned."-Mantis walk away to Jude & Tanjo

Buggy fumed, but then he sigh and calmed down. He knows Mantis is the most playful on his crew, so he needs to get used to it.

"Sigh, let's focus on the funeral for now."-Buggy

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