Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

After a few hours of sailing, the crew began working on creating their pirate flag. Usopp and Luffy tried several times but failed to create a suitable design, resulting in laughter and frustration. Eventually, they settled on a skull wearing a straw hat, much to the crew's satisfaction.

Later, as they lay lazily on the deck, enjoying the calm after their work, Luffy started firing the cannon for fun. Usopp quickly joined in, managing to destroy a giant rock from a few hundred meters away.

…

The crew gathered in the kitchen, chatting about the upcoming challenges they'd face on the Grand Line. As their conversation shifted, it became clear they needed a cook. Just then, a sudden shout echoed from the deck.

Outside, a man attacked Luffy but was quickly knocked down. Zoro emerged from the cabin, recognizing the attacker as Johnny, one of his old partners. After a tense moment, the crew calmed down, and the man explained that his partner, Yosaku, had fallen ill.

Nami quickly stepped in to treat Yosaku, her expertise saving the day. Meanwhile, Johnny mentioned a restaurant on the seas, famous for its cooks.

…

Arriving at their destination, they encountered Lieutenant "Iron Fist Fullbody" a Marine officer who mistook Johnny and Yosaku for captives of the pirate crew. Angry at being underestimated, the bounty hunters attacked, but Fullbody beat them down with ease.

As Johnny's bounty posters scattered across the deck, Nami's eyes caught one in particular. Her body trembled in fear, her face growing pale. Ryomen noticed her reaction but chose to stay silent, watching her with quiet concern.

Suddenly, Fullbody fired a cannonball at their ship, but Luffy quickly deflected it, sending it crashing toward the restaurant.

Luffy, wide-eyed with panic, bolted after it to check for any damage or injuries.

"Luffy's been gone for a while now, hasn't he?" Ryomen remarked, trying to break the tension with Nami, who still hadn't spoken to him.

Nami remained silent, her gaze distant.

"She's still mad at me." Ryomen said with a heavy sigh, turning to Zoro.

"Hm? Why would she be?" Zoro raised an eyebrow, confused.

"She hasn't said a word to me since she ate the Devil Fruit." Ryomen muttered, feeling disheartened.

Zoro started to respond, "I don't think that's why–"

Before Zoro could finish, Usopp's voice interrupted, shouting about heading inside to meet Luffy and get something to eat.

…

At the Baratie restaurant, the group sat around a table, waiting for Luffy to come.

"Hi, chore boy!" Nami teased with a grin.

"So, you have to work here for a year, huh?" Usopp chuckled, amused by Luffy's predicament.

"This reminds me of our first meeting. Seems like things always come full circle." Ryomen added, trying to suppress a laugh.

"We might need a new captain now. You think you're up for it, Ryomen?" Zoro asked with a smirk.

"Well, if you insist, I'll gladly take the role." Ryomen replied, half-joking.

"You guys! Stop it! I'm the captain!!" Luffy shouted, clearly irritated by their teasing.

Just then, a blond man with swirled eyebrows approached, eyes full of hearts as he showered Nami with compliments. She stared blankly at him, unimpressed.

"What's with this weirdo?" Ryomen muttered to Zoro in disgust. Zoro only shrugged in response.

"If you like her so much, go and be a pirate, Sanji. I don't need you here." an elderly man suddenly interjected, addressing the blond.

Ryomen's expression shifted. 'Hm… he kind of reminds me of Albert…' The old man's words stirred a sense of melancholy in Ryomen as memories of his past resurfaced briefly, though he quickly pushed them aside.

Sanji and the chef then began bickering, loudly shouting at each other, before the old man eventually stormed off.

"Well, he gave you permission, so be my cook!" Luffy chimed in, grinning from ear to ear.

"Never!" Sanji snapped, clearly agitated.

Trying to regain his composure, Sanji turned to Nami. "Forgive me for the ruckus. As an apology, please enjoy these fruits and a glass of wine." His tone was suddenly soft and full of admiration.

"Ooh, thank you!" Nami responded with a smile, accepting the treat. "You're so nice!"

Usopp, feeling left out, interjected angrily. "What about me? Where's my free food?"

The two began bickering until Nami intervened. "Please don't fight over me." She said with a playful yet innocent expression.

"Anything for you, miss!" Sanji replied, bowing dramatically.

"Just who the hell is fighting for you!?" Usopp retorted.

Nami then placed her hands gently on Sanji's face. "By the way, Mr. Cook… the food here is a bit expensive for me."

"For you, it's free of charge!" Sanji declared, utterly smitten.

"Thank you so much!" Nami beamed, hugging him lightly.

Ryomen, watching the scene unfold, blinked in shock. "This tea is kind of pricey too…" He muttered, trying to mimic Nami's charm.

Sanji shot him a deadpan look. "You're paying!" He walked off without another word.

"Huh!? Why did it work for Nami but not me?" Ryomen mumbled, baffled, while the others struggled to contain their laughter.

"You're a real witch, aren't you?" Zoro smirked at Nami.

"You guys better watch out too." She teased.

"Why?" Ryomen asked, genuinely curious. Nami glanced at him, sighed in exasperation, and said nothing.

…

A few days later, the group, minus Luffy, was aboard the Going Merry when Don Krieg's pirate ship appeared on the horizon, casting a shadow of dread over everyone—except Zoro and Ryomen.

"B-Brothers, maybe we should leave!" Johnny and Yosaku stammered, clearly terrified.

Usopp, equally shaken, nodded in agreement. "I second that!"

"What? No way! Zoro, Usopp, Nami, let's go check it out. I doubt these guys are here just for dinner." Ryomen said, his tone growing serious.

"Huh? Why me?" Nami protested, trying to stay hidden behind the ship's railing.

"Because, whether you admit it or not, we all know you care about these innocent people. Plus, you ate a Devil Fruit now. You can't pretend you're helpless anymore." Ryomen's voice softened but held firm conviction.

Nami blinked in surprise, taken aback by his words. After a moment, she sighed and nodded. "Yeah… You're right. Let's go."

…

Inside the restaurant, Don Krieg was already demanding food while talking about a logbook with the elderly chef. Luffy, naturally, jumped in, declaring he would be the Pirate King.

"Should we help out, captain?" Zoro asked.

"Huh? You guys are here too? I'll take care of it myself!" Luffy responded, much to Usopp and Nami's relief.

"Well, call if you need us." Ryomen said, sitting at a table with the others.

Krieg left shortly after, food sack in hand, threatening to return with his men and kill everyone. One man remained—Gin—who apologized for his captain's behavior.

"If they come after the ship, I'll slaughter them all. Including you, Gin." Sanji said, his tone dark.

"So, he's more than just a weirdo?" Ryomen mused.

"That's right! Shishishi!" Luffy laughed.

"Who cares!? Let's get out of here!" Usopp exclaimed, still trembling.

"Relax. They're wounded and starving." Zoro said, trying to calm him down.

"Yeah! They're no match for me now!" Nami boasted, her newfound confidence shining through.

"Easy for you to say! They can't hurt you!" Usopp shot back angrily.

Luffy then questioned Gin about the Grand Line, prompting Gin's face to turn pale. He recounted how a man with piercing hawk-like eyes destroyed fifty of their ships within a week on the Grand Line.

"That's the man I'm looking for." Zoro said, his eyes narrowing.

"What!?" The group exclaimed in shock.

"I should've expected this." Ryomen murmured.

Zeff then continued to describe the chaotic nature of the Grand Line, but Zoro remained unfazed. "I'll find him. No matter how long it takes."

Ryomen gave him a knowing glance. "Might take years, Zoro. The Grand Line is vast."

"I'll do it, even if it takes me a lifetime."

…

The calm didn't last long. Soon, battle cries echoed from outside.

"They're coming!" one of the chefs shouted.

The crew watched as Krieg's ship approached, though Ryomen, Zoro, and Luffy remained calm. Usopp hid behind a table, while Nami stood tall, trying to mask her fear with false confidence.

Ryomen gave both of them a reassuring smile, trying to calm their nerves. "We'll get through this. Trust me."

Usopp gulped, still anxious but slightly more at ease thanks to Ryomen's words. "Yeah, I'll back you up!" He said, though his voice trembled slightly. Nami also nodded, her resolve hardening.

But soon, their worry became unnecessary. All of a sudden, Krieg's ship was cut in two, shocking everyone.

"What just happened!?" Luffy shouted in shock.

"Is the ship alright!? My treasure's still on it!" Nami shrieked.

"You mean Yosaku and Johnny are still on it!!" Zoro shouted in panic, rushing outside.

"Are you two alright!?" Zoro asked after finding the bounty hunters safe.

"Y-Yeah! That attack missed us by a hair!" Johnny stammered.

Before they could fully process what happened, one of Krieg's men yelled out, "It's him! Don Krieg, it's him! He destroyed our fleet!"

The group turned to see a man, cross-legged, on a small boat resembling a coffin.

"Hawkeye!?" Zoro's voice rang out.

"Looks like finding him won't take years after all." Nami teased Ryomen, though her voice wavered with fear.

Ryomen remained silent, eyes locked on Hawkeye, tension building as he braced for what was to come.

"You monster! Why are you after us!?" a Krieg subordinate shouted.

"For fun." Hawkeye replied coldly, his indifference infuriating them.

They fired at him, but the bullets were useless.

Zoro stepped forward, challenging the World's Greatest Swordsman.

"Does the courage to face me come from confidence…or ignorance?" Hawkeye asked.

"It comes from ambition. And a promise to a friend." Zoro responded, his voice resolute.

Ryomen's eyes filled with concern, while the others, save Luffy, looked on in dread.