One Piece: Gold And Fire

The sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky, and the waves gently rocked the ship as it sailed through the vast, endless ocean. A soft breeze carried the scent of salt and adventure, and seagulls cried above, gliding effortlessly through the air. It was a perfect day at sea.

Well, it could have been a perfect day here at sea if not for the current cold war going on between the only two residents of the said ship.

"I told you I didn't even know he was Kuro, and even if he was why would you care so much about me killing a pirate..." Ragna asked for the umpteen time.

What kind of bounty hunter doesn't know which Pirate he is hunting. Don't you get more bounty if you bring pirates alive back to the Marines?" Nami said back, there was clear irritation on her face. Even after knowing that what happened was not Ragna's fault she felt angry with him. And why shouldn't she, he outright killed Kuro.

She know she was being a bitch about it seeing how dangerous the situation was back then but still, she glared at Ragna.

'My money... if only this idiot first asked him where he kept his money before killing him.' Nami can't help but shed silent invisible tears over a treasure that was never hers.

Ragna sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Yes it does but what it has to do with that. There is no way you are acting like this just because I'm getting a little less money. Tell me honestly, do you hate me killing that pirate or something?" Ragna felt more tired dealing with this moody girl who probably was on her period seeing her mood than fighting with Kuro.

He wasn't in the mood to deal with this kind of situation every, especially when he was covered with bandages from head to toe. Well he was covered in bandages from head to toe. Now is much more managable than the mummy state he was in a little while ago when they left the Syrup village.

However, that didn't mean that he was completely healed by now. He wasn't infact even after having a really impressive healing factor.

Kuro did a number on him. It was worse than anything he has gone through and not just something simple with a little less and a lot of eating will just help.

However, to his surprise, eating surely did help.

His mind still occasionally went to the food he got from Kaya's place. In honour of saving his daughter, the owner of the state, Kaya's father threw a big feast and of course, Ragna, Usopp and Nami were there as the VIP guests. This means unlimited food.

Nami huffed and said with almost disgust dripping from her face. "I couldn't care less about some disgusting pirate. But..!" Nami was saying, however, stopped in the middle before she reveal her true intention.

She was still keeping her identity as a thief underwraps. That was another reason she couldn't just outright say why she was angry and this made her more agitated.

Ragna narrowed his eyes. "But...?"

"Ahaaaa just forget it!" Nami snapped. "The point is you're an idiot! And now, we're stuck sailing aimlessly god knows where!"

Ragna was fabled, how was this all his fault? But you know what, he really would be an idiot if he talked more to this crazy chick. In this case, accepting defeat brings peace and he wouldn't mind losing at all.

He just sighed, almost rolled his eyes and got up, not planning on wasting more of his time on his topic.

Nami pouted seeing him go and just muttered internally. 'Ah, so frustrating, it's not his fault though...my stomach is killing me!'

---

Ragna came to him with an annoyed face, he just wanted to get some sleep now. Not bothering to think about that crazy girl he plumped onto the bed with a thud.

It was time for a little nap, as he was going to go in a deep slumber his eyes fell on a corner where 3 bags were lying.

A groan escapes his lips with clear irritation. "I should be happy about them increasing in numbers but right now I don't need them." He muttered.

The bags were actually money, the money he saved from earlier and the one he got after collecting Kuro's bounty.

He was expecting to exchange it for some gold with Kaya's father after helping his daughter out but it turned out that the man wasn't lying when he said that he didn't have gold.

'Sigh...'

Kaya's father wanted to reward Nami, Usopp and Ragna for saving her daughter. Being rich comes with its perks after all.

Nami asked for money, Usopp, well Ragna isn't sure what that boy asked for, probably a ship if he remembers right and Ragna. Well of course he asked for gold. Once again ready to pay if he had to for it. But all he got was dissapointment.

However, Kaya's father did help out Ragna a little, he took upon himself to take Kuro's bounty and give Ragna the bounty money. While earlier Ragna refused to take any money from him, part of the reason was that he was worried about travelling with so much, Now he had no other option but to take the man on his offer.

Only in a few days, Kuro's head will start to rot, so that means Ragna had to go to a Marine Base for the bounty immediately so he took him on his offer.

Though the man sneakily gave the actual full amount of his bounty and not the cut-down version that which marine gives after cutting taxes and cutting extra for not bringing the pirate to them alive.

At least for that, Ragna was grateful.

He liked the man honestly, he was very similar to him, they both repay their depts.

But now the situation came down to the same exact problem, he had no idea where he could get his hands on some gold.

"While talking about Syrup village, there was also that long nose..." Ragna smirked.

---

[Flash Back]

"It's fine, I understand what you want. I'll join your crew but I'll take the captain's position in the ship." Said Usopp when Ragna and Nami were about to leave.

Both Ragna and Nami couldn't help but just roll their eyes hard at this.

"Now look, I know you wanna come with us, I can see it in your face..." Ragna said but Usopp hearing this immediately looked liked he wanted to deny however Ragna cut him off.

"I'm a pirate hunter, I hunt pirates," Ragna said firmly, cutting off Usopp.

"Ah..." Usopp suddenly realized.

"Listen, I know you wanna be a pirate. And I wouldn't advise the life of a pirate to anyone, especially when there is someone like me around but hey... you do you. If that is your dream then go for it. Don't take any crap from a person with no dreams like me..." Ragna shrugged.

Usopp just stood there, this might be the first time someone accepted his dream to be a pirate after his mother.

None in the Syrup village previously did so. He felt that his eyes slightly turned misty there but who is he, the great captain Usopp. He who is named a god by the mortals of this world. He is the great warrior of the sea and he doesn't cry.

"Just make sure that you become a strong pirate... before you become one, I'll come after your head..."

Suddenly the smile on Usopp's face turns into horror.

"Wha..what what you mean afte...after me. Ain't me friends." Usopp immediately turned pale, and the image of his head flying off from Ragna's swords like Kuro' came to his mind.

Ragna just smirked and waved back before hopping onto the ship...

"Take care of the village and go and kiss that girl Kaya. She probably likes you." Ragna said.

"What... what... Kiss " Usopp immediately started to stammer. Ragna just smirked.

He had zero idea whether Kaya liked Usopp or not, but he said it nonetheless.

Maybe becuase he didn't want Usopp to become a pirate, he knew what kind of dangerous place the sea was. He just didn't had it in him to refuse his dream when he remember how he stood up to Kuro back then for his dreams and for his parents.

'Maybe he's changed his mind cause of love? Who knows, people do stupid things in love, maybe this idiot will do something wise...'

Ragna smirked and sailed off.

[Flash Back End]

---

A smile came to Ragna thinking about this all, dream of not but the adventures he was having in this sea were something else...

And with all that in mind, he was ready for a good nap.

Ragna stretched his arms and let out a tired yawn as he lay down on the deck.

However, Just as his eyes started to close, a loud voice interrupted him.

"RAGNA! Get up!" Nami shouted.

"The hell, is she having a decade's worth of mood swings in a single period…? What's she want now..." Ragna grumble, not wanting to go out but he did nonetheless.

"I see an island!" Nami pointed excitedly toward the horizon. Just as Ragna was about to complain about her disturbing him she said this, making him pause.

Ragna lazily sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Are you sure, or is this another one of your tricks to make me do all the work?"

Nami stomped her foot. "Just look, you idiot!"

Ragna squinted toward where she was pointing, and sure enough, a small island was visible in the distance. He sighed and got to his feet. "Fine, fine. Let's check it out."

As he adjusted the sails, Nami smirked. "By the way the current here is too much for me alone to steer the ship, help me out."

Ragna just sighed. " There goes my Nap."

xxx

[Word Count: 1700]

I might can't write romance but I know the irritation come with being a couple. How ? I got no idea.

If you want to read up to 20+ Chapters in advance, check my Patre on

Patreon.com/Kamidemond