Ryo had been zoning out for a while, eyes half-lidded, tail lazily swaying against the side of the couch as his thoughts drifted far from Egghead.
Ryo (thinking): I wonder what Kid and Law ended up doing... knowing them, they probably ran straight into emperors. If so, they aren't ready. They'll get destroyed.
...
The world's probably going crazy right now.
A sharp flick to his forehead snapped him right out of it.
Ryo blinked and looked up to see Robin standing over him, one brow raised.
Ryo: ow, what was that for
Robin: We need to go and find Vegapunk — or "Stella," as they call him here — so get up and look for him
Ryo groaned, stretching his arms over his head as he rose, yawning loudly.
He glanced around the room.
Only a few of them were still here: Usopp pacing nervously, Franky leaning against a wall, Robin standing nearby, Chopper hovering close to Luffy, Sanji sulking near the door, and Zoro with his arms folded.
Ryo: where'd the others go?
Robin: Brook and Nami went off with Edison. Looks like Jinbei and Stussy are going off together
Almost on cue, Ryo spotted Jinbei and Stussy near the exit.
Sanji's eyes immediately lit up.
Sanji: Stussy! Let me come too please! I'll follow you to the ends of the earth!
He bolted after her, hearts practically bursting from his face.
Zoro cracked his neck.
Zoro: alright, guess I better go too
Sanji froze mid-step.
Then he shot back like a missile, slamming an arm across Zoro's mouth and grabbing him by the collar, eyes blazing.
Sanji: hold on moss head!
Zoro barely reacted, only looking more annoyed.
Zoro (muffled): what's your deal, we're looking for some apple guy right, easy
Sanji: Not for you..no way! Absolutely not!!
Zoro: Knock it off! What's your problem!
Sanji's expression suddenly shifted — from anger to genuine distress.
Sanji: if you're out searching...
His voice dropped, dramatic and horrified.
Sanji: then whose going to search for you!
Zoro: come on man...
Chopper hurried over, equally troubled.
Chopper: he's right, zoro please don't go!
Zoro sweat-dropped.
Zoro: you too...
Robin stepped in, hands folded, smiling in that way that somehow felt more dangerous than Sanji yelling.
Robin: No really, be a good boy and stay here
Zoro stared at her.
Then sighed.
Zoro: tch..whatever
Ryo nodded.
Ryo: that's good
Everyone suddenly looked at him.
Ryo blinked.
Ryo: uhh why are you all looking at me
Robin: don't go anywhere..
Ryo: Huh?! You just told me we needed to search!
Sanji crossed his arms.
Sanji: yes, but every time you go off by yourself you end up fighting some big bad. It's much better for everyone if you just stay here, go and take a nap or something like you usually do
Ryo scowled.
Then, with exaggerated annoyance, flopped right back onto the couch.
Ryo: whatever, not like I wanted to search anyway
Zoro smirked.
Zoro (teasing): you got benched
Ryo turned his head.
Ryo: at least I have a sense of direction
Zoro: shut up!
They glared at each other for a moment before sharply looking away in opposite directions.
Luffy was still slumped over, chest rising and falling heavily, steam faintly drifting from him.
Zoro sat down nearby, glancing at him.
Zoro: don't know why they wanted me to stick around but I guess it's fine. finding an old man can't be too hard for them
He looked back at Luffy.
Zoro: damn, you really went all out huh
Luffy (panting): I..always..go all out
Ryo smirked faintly.
Ryo: Yeah sounds like you
Zoro: yeah fair enough
His gaze drifted to the floor, where Lucci, Kaku, and Itsuki were still unconscious, bound in sea-prism stone cuffs.
Zoro let out a small breath through his nose.
Zoro (smiling): anyway i never thought I'd see these assholes again. really takes me back, remember water 7
Luffy cracked one eye open.
Luffy: Icepop's place... I wonder how he's doing
Ryo smiled despite himself.
Ryo: I actually heard they're working on a new sea train called the puffing ice. it's gonna be even better than the last one
Zoro: Oh the sea train was crazy. so much happened during that time
Ryo's gaze drifted upward, unfocused.
Ryo: and so much has happened since then as well
Outside Egghead, far beyond this futuristic island, the world was already beginning to shake.
Kid was sailing toward Shanks.
Law was on a collision course with Blackbeard.
And Garp was moving to storm Hachinosu to tear Coby back from a nest of monsters.
The outcomes of those clashes were still unknown.
But one truth was already clear.
A storm was coming.
A storm big enough to flip the world upside down.
And only time would tell who was strong enough to ride it—
...and who would be swallowed whole.
And that's a wrap
Once again a crap chapter, I really wish I could give you better, but the arc is slow right now
If you have any ideas please don't hesitate
