Another nakama

CH1

The remains of the ship were scattered on the sandy shore of the island, and the waves occasionally washed over them, as if to remind him that the storm that had swallowed the ship had been real. A young man lay nearby, tiredly covering his eyes against the blinding sun. His name was called, and he could not understand what had saved him in this raging sea - luck or just stubbornness. Remembering the last moments before the wreck, he again felt the cold fear that filled him as the ship cracked at the seams under the powerful blows of the waves.Gradually the pain from the bumps and wounds began to subside and a feeling of living warmth filled his body. Ripuri stood up and looked around. The sandy beach stretched away, strewn with debris, and the dense forest beckoned with its impenetrable shadows. Ripuri knew that he might be the only survivor of the crew, but the thought was too heavy to sink in.

- Okay," he said out loud, as if to hear his own voice and make sure he was really alive, "we need to find water.

With his hand clutching the Ace saber that had once belonged to Gol D. Roger himself, Ripuri headed toward the forest, hoping to find some trace of usable food and water in the shadows. Dressed in slightly tattered clothing consisting of a white shirt with rolled up sleeves, a blue-gray vest with faded stripes on it, a black bandana tied around his head, the ends torn off at the sides, and brown pants, he was ready for the journey, but felt quite lost.

After a long, tiring wander, he found a small stream, scooped up a handful of cool water, and breathed a sigh of relief. The island looked desolate, but at the same time, almost magical - strange trees with huge leaves surrounded him, and somewhere up there he picked up strange rustlings. Someone or something was nearby, and the sensation strangely aroused his wariness and interest.

As he listened, voices were heard far ahead. Loud, animated, they sounded as if they were part of some merry celebration. Ripuri, trying to move silently, headed toward the sound and, hiding behind a wide tree, peered out.

There were four people standing in front of him, a group that looked so eccentric that Ripuri smiled involuntarily. In front stood a guy with a wide smile and a brightly colored straw hat. His face was an expression of absolute happiness. Next to him was a red-haired girl with an attentive, keen gaze. Not far away stood a tall swordsman with green hair and a serious, stern look. And next to him was a long-nosed young man looking around nervously.

- Gaimon, you've found your treasure, haven't you? - Ripuri heard the loud voice of the man in the straw hat. - It's all yours, isn't it!

Ripuri looked where the guy was pointing and saw.... a huge man with vegetation on his body as if he'd been fused to the island. His face glowed with pride and a strange sense of satisfaction.

- "Yes!" answered Gaimon proudly. - These are my treasures! They were mine all along, and I guarded them to keep them here!

Ripuri took a step forward, and to his surprise, the branch under his foot crunched treacherously. All four of them instantly turned in his direction. The green swordsman and the girl with red hair immediately prepared to attack, and the long-nosed youth shrieked as he grabbed his slingshot.

Ripuri threw up his hands, showing that he wasn't going to attack.

- Uh, excuse me... I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation," he said, trying to sound as friendly as possible.

- Hey, who are you? - The guy in the straw hat asked curiously, coming closer, as if not bothered by his appearance at all. The same open smile shone on his face.

Ripuri lowered his hands and made a slight bow, feeling a little embarrassed under their stares.

- I apologize for the intrusion. My name is Ripuri Ningyou," he said, trying to speak as calmly as possible. - I was shipwrecked nearby, and I only came ashore yesterday.