“Wonder where Ryomen is...” Nami mumbled in worry as the crew waved to Tonji and Sherry, who were leaving on the frozen sea.
“I’m sure he’s fine.” Usopp scoffed.
“What’s wrong with you?” She asked, noticing his unusual tone.
“Nothing. Better said, what’s wrong with him? Didn’t even come back to see if we’re alright.”
“I’m sure there’s a reason.” She insisted.
“Oh, there is.” Aokiji, who was lazily sitting on the ground, interjected.
“Hm? What do you mean?” Zoro asked, his expression guarded as the Straw Hats shifted into a wary stance.
“I trapped him in ice.” Aokiji replied plainly. “Seemed troublesome if he got involved.”
“What!? I thought you were alright!” Luffy shouted, anger rising in his voice.
Aokiji scratched his head, ignoring Luffy’s outburst. “I only came here for Nico Robin, but now I think...all of you should die here and now.”
The crew tensed, immediately readying for a fight.
“Although your numbers are small, it’s clear you’ll become a problem later on.”
“H-Hey! I thought you came for a walk!” Usopp stammered, his voice tinged with fear.
“And one of the reasons...is you, Nico Robin.”
“So you did come after her!!” Luffy shouted.
“With your cunning, you survived in the underworld…and now you’ve hidden yourself in this crew.”
“Hey! I don’t like what you’re saying! Just what do you have against Robin!?” Sanji demanded.
“I have nothing against her. You’ll find out soon enough just how troublesome she is.”
“And as proof, every group she has been with until now…has been destroyed. I wonder why, Nico Robin?” Aokiji’s gaze was sharp, unyielding.
Robin stayed silent, staring at him in dread.
“Cut it out! We don’t care about her past!” Luffy shouted back, his voice firm.
“I see, you’ve managed to get close to them.” Aokiji muttered, unimpressed.
“What are you trying to say!? If you want to capture me, just do it!!” Robin shouted back, launching her attack.
“Trienta Fleurs!” Dozens of arms appeared around Aokiji, holding him in place.
“Oh my...perhaps I said too much. I thought you’d be a little wiser.”
“Clutch!” The arms twisted his back with a sickening snap—only for Aokiji’s body to crack into ice.
“He’s dead!!” Chopper cried, his voice shaking.
But as they watched, the admiral’s icy body pulled back together.
“That wasn’t very nice.” He said, plucking a few blades of grass from the ground and forming an ice sword.
“I had no intention of taking your life.” He said, swinging the blade toward Robin.
Robin froze in terror, watching the sword close in, unable to dodge.
“Cursed Dismantle!” The sword shattered mid-air, causing everyone to turn toward the voice.
“Ryomen!” Nami and Luffy exclaimed with relief.
“Hm? I told you to stay–” Before Aokiji could finish, Ryomen lunged forward, his fist connecting with the admiral’s face.
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...
