The group was still eating when three kids burst into the restaurant, frantic.
“Where's our captain!?” one of the kids asked, eyes darting around.
Luffy let out a satisfied sigh. “Man, that meat was good!”
“Meat!?” One of the kids glanced at the empty plates in horror. “D-don't tell me...”
“Your captain... got eaten.” Zoro said with a sinister grin.
“Aaahhhh! Ogres!” the kids screamed, backing away.
“Why are you looking at me!?” Nami exclaimed, and then glared at Zoro and Ryomen, who both started laughing.
“It’s not funny!” Nami huffed, arms crossed.
…
Later, one of the kids mumbled. “So he went to the mansion, huh?”
“Where the sick girl lives?” Nami asked, a little confused.
“Why would he go there?” Luffy scratched his head.
The kids explained that Usopp visits the girl often, telling her wild stories to cheer her up.
“Well, let’s go ask her for a ship!” Luffy said, ready to go.
“But we already decided we wouldn’t!” Nami shot back, exasperated.
…
At the mansion, Luffy yelled at the top of his lungs, “Hey! I need a ship!”
No one responded, so Luffy casually climbed the gate, much to the others disbelief.
“He’s actually doing it…” Ryomen muttered, shaking his head.
“Why are you here!?” Usopp’s voice rang out, full of surprise.
Luffy ignored him and peered up at a window where a girl was sitting. “You’re the owner, right?”
“Yes… why?” Kaya responded, confused.
“I want a big, sturdy ship!”
Just then, a man in a suit arrived, eyes narrowing at the scene. “What do you think you’re doing? You realize you're trespassing, right? And you, Usopp... I recognize you.”
The man sneered, his voice dripping with disdain as he belittled Usopp and his family. Usopp, unable to hold back, threw a punch.
“Shut up!”
The man wiped his mouth, unfazed. “Like father, like son. You’re an animal, just like him.”
Usopp clenched his fists. “I’m proud my father’s a pirate! A brave sea warrior!”
“Hmph, you’re just after Miss Kaya’s fortune. Get out, now.” the man snapped.
“Stop it, both of you!” Kaya intervened, her voice trembling.
Usopp’s face hardened as he turned away. “Fine. I’m leaving. And I’m never coming back!”
“Let’s go before this guy starts yelling at us too,” Ryomen muttered, casting a disdainful glance at the butler.
The man’s glare darkened before he turned back to the house.
…
Later, the group stood by a fence, chatting idly when one of the kids ran up, panting.
“Guys! There’s a strange man coming this way... walking backward! Look!”
They all turned to see a man indeed walking backward, as strange as could be.
YOU ARE READING
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...
