‘This guy ate enough for five people and then just went to sleep. What a weirdo.’ Ryomen thought.
“…”
‘He managed to knock out that monster with a single punch…but that's not enough for the Grand Line.’
“I'm gonna become the Pirate King!”
‘Even so, his conviction–’
“Then at least I died trying to achieve my dream!”
‘–is truly admirable.’
“…”
“I should go see Alfred.”
…
Knock, Knock
“Coming!”
Alfred opens the door and sees Ryomen standing outside.
“Kid! What you doing here? And where's the other one? You didn't make him leave with your attitude, right?”
“No! He's just sleeping. And you're the only one annoying enough to make me act this way!”
“Hahaha, what an honor! So, why'd you come to little old me?”
Ryomen looks at the old man with a face of mild irritation and then let out an exasperated sigh.
“Can I come in?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Inside the house the two sat down at a small table.
“I talked with Luffy a little, and I found out he wants to go to the Grand Line.”
“Hm? You mean the Pirate Graveyard? Does he have a death wish?”
“Exactly. I told him he'll just die, but then he started talking about how he made a promise to someone to meet there and how he's gonna find the One Piece and become the Pirate King.”
“Hahaha, quite ambitious!”
“Hmhm.” Ryomen began to look thoughtful. ”But, he spoke with so much resolve, for a fleeting moment I couldn't help but believe him.”
Alfred looks at the boy with a soft but serious expression. ”What are you trying to say?”
“I don't think I should be staying on this island any longer.”
“Why?”
“You know why!...Or at least, you have an idea.”
“Look, I know someone is hunting or searching for you, but you can stay hidden here.”
“No, I can't. You don't know how powerful and influential they are. When they manage to find me, I'm not the only one who will be affected. They’ll kill all of you.”
“You don't know that.”
“Yes, I do!” Ryomen started to get angry, and tears began streaming down his face as he reminisced about the past. ”I lived my whole life under their rule! They’re monsters–disgusting pigs who only live for their own pleasure and the suffering of others. And now I finally have the courage to try and fight back, and you deny me the chance!”
“I'm not denying you. I'm just saying you don't need to force yourself to go and fight.”
“But I need to. I can't stay hidden here like a coward while so many others are going through what I did.”
“You aren't a coward. It's not cowardly to want to live.” Alfred paused a little and then looked out the window toward the shore. ”When you first arrived on this island, all I saw was a scared and lost kid that needed my help. And now, I know better than anyone that you deserve to live happily, not give up your life in some fight you know you can't win.”
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Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides
FanfictionRyomen lived a life of imprisonment. After finally tasting freedom, he decides to join Luffy on his quest to become the Pirate King. Will he fulfill his own dream, or will he give up on his thirst for revenge in exchange for the people he now sees a...
