In the middle of the sea, a boat with three people wandered aimlessly.
“Don't you think it's strange you can't navigate?” Zoro said, raising an eyebrow at Luffy.
“Leave him alone, Zoro. You should know by now—he’s an idiot,” Ryomen chimed in, arms crossed.
“Hey! Drifting has worked pretty well for me so far!” Luffy shouted defensively.
Yeah? And that’s why our boat got destroyed by a whirlpool?” Ryomen responded dryly.
“…”
“A whirlpool?” Zoro looked between them, wide-eyed. “Is it too late for me to leave?”
“Yes,” Ryomen and Luffy said in unison, grinning.
Zoro sighed. “I’m starting to agree with ‘four eyes.’ We need to find a navigator, and fast.”
Ryomen visibly flinched at the nickname but quickly hid it behind a smirk. “Took you long enough to realize that.”
“And we need a cook, and a musician, and—” Luffy started rattling off before Zoro cut him off.
“Those can wait!””
…
“I’m starving,” the three groaned in unison, their stomachs growling loudly.
“Hey, look! It’s a bird... Let’s eat it!” Luffy suddenly shouted, pointing excitedly at a large bird flying overhead.
“Huh, how’re we gonna catch that?” Zoro asked, skeptical.
“Leave it to me! Gomu-Gomu no—”
“Dismantle,” Ryomen interrupted, flicking his fingers. The bird’s wings and head were instantly slashed, and its body dropped into Luffy’s arms.
“Finally! Something to eat!” Zoro grinned, his eyes lighting up.
“Wait a second…” Ryomen muttered, his expression darkening. “Are we seriously going to eat this bird raw?”
A heavy silence fell over the trio.
…
A short while later, the trio came across a group of three men stranded at sea.
“Shipwreck survivors?” Zoro asked, peering at the desperate-looking men.
“Get on,” Luffy called out cheerfully, waving them aboard.
“Thanks a lot! But now, stop the boat! We’re pirates of Buggy the Clown!” one of the men announced, brandishing a knife with shaking hands.
“Huh?” Luffy, Zoro, and Ryomen all glared at them.
…
Moments later, the three pirates sat bruised and rowing the boat for the trio.
“Heh. We’re sorry we didn’t recognize you, Zoro, sir!” one of them said nervously, rubbing his swollen cheek.
Zoro crossed his arms. “Just keep rowing until we reach the nearest town.”
Luffy leaned forward, curious. “So, how’d you guys get lost in the middle of the sea?”
“We didn’t get lost!” they shouted, only to shrink back as Zoro shot them a glare. “A-Ahaha…actually–” They described how a woman with orange hair stole their ship and how she used her knowledge of the weather to strand them at sea.
Zoro’s eyes widened slightly. “Impressive. She must know her way around the seas.”
“So cool! I want her to be our navigator!” Luffy said, bouncing in his seat.
YOU ARE READING
Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides
FanficRyomen 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...
