“Ryomen!!” The Straw Hats exclaimed, their faces lighting up at the sight of their friend.
“What happened to you?” Zoro asked, his gaze sharp with curiosity.
“I’m glad you’re fine!” Chopper sighed in relief.
“You nearly missed the fight!” Luffy grinned.
“Why are you cuffed?” Nami questioned, looking at him suspiciously.
“You escaped just when I was about to come and save you!” Sogeking proclaimed proudly, puffing out his chest.
Ryomen glanced at Sogeking, mildly surprised, before turning his attention to the assassins. “I got here just in time, huh?” He smirked. “How about letting Paulie and Iceberg go…or do I need to beat some sense into you first?”
“You got out?” Lucci muttered, studying Ryomen with cold indifference. “Then it looks like we’ll have one more body to deal with.”
Ryomen’s gaze hardened. “I wouldn’t be so confident in your place. Arrogance like yours is exactly what got your boss killed.”
Lucci’s eyes narrowed as he dropped Paulie to the ground and advanced toward Ryomen with a quiet menace. In a flash, he vanished.
“Soru.”
He reappeared right before Ryomen, his finger pointed at his neck. “Shigan.”
Yet, his attack was stopped by an unseen force. Lucci’s eyes flickered in recognition. “Armament Haki? So, you’ve learned a trick or two. Impressive…considering you’re cuffed.”
Ryomen’s smirk didn’t waver. “I don’t need my Devil Fruit to deal with you.”
“Where is all this arrogance coming from? Do you truly believe…you can defeat us?” Lucci scoffed, the disdain clear in his voice.
“Of course we can!” Luffy interrupted. “You took Robin away…so there’s no chance we’re letting you get away!!”
Robin watched them with a mixture of bitterness and resignation. “You people don’t listen very well. I told the cook and the doctor goodbye…didn’t they tell you?” She asked, her voice strained.
“I did! But I don’t understand! Why, Robin!?” Chopper questioned, his voice quivering with hurt.
“To achieve my goal! A goal that I can’t reach…if I stay with you!” Robin’s voice wavered slightly. “For that goal, I’ll sacrifice anything.”
Ryomen’s gaze softened as he looked at her. “Robin, there’s no need to pretend anymore. No matter what you say…we won’t back down.”
“We’re not just gonna leave you with these jerks!” Luffy added.
“I might not fully trust you yet, but if that’s their decision, I’ll follow it.” Zoro said resolutely.
“Even if I haven’t known you for long, I’m sure you’re not the type to betray us!” Sogeking declared.
“There’s no way you’d do that after all we’ve been through!” Nami exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion.
“Yeah! If you really didn’t care…why even show up just to say goodbye?” Chopper cried out.
Robin’s resolve cracked slightly as she gritted her teeth. “You’re all…such fools. Believe whatever you want.”
Iceberg, clutching his injuries, forced himself to speak. “Don’t try to understand her! She’s a devil! Her goal will shake the entire world!”
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...
