The moonlight shimmered across the calm waters of the East Blue, casting a silver trail behind the sailing ship Dragon's Pride. A peaceful wind guided her along the sea as if fate itself was pushing them forward—towards something greater, something dangerous.
Inside the hull, the faint sounds of laughter and exertion echoed through the deck. Training had become a daily routine—a necessity—for those who had chosen to stand against the world.
Training Under the Moonlit Sky
On the open upper deck, Atharva, Nami, and Nojiko were soaked in sweat under the soft moonlight. Their breath came heavy, but they showed no signs of stopping.
Atharva led their physical conditioning: rapid strikes, endurance drills, bodyweight training, sparring. He pushed not just himself—but both sisters—to their limits.
Nami, ever agile, moved like a dancer between dummies and targets, her body lithe and quick, her strikes more accurate each day. She wasn't just fighting to survive anymore—she was fighting to protect.
Nojiko, the more disciplined of the two, was focused on strength and endurance. She had taken a liking to heavier movements and close-range combat techniques, throwing powerful palm strikes and balancing herself with unwavering precision.
Not far from the training area, Lillie and Miko sat cross-legged on a pile of crates, eyes wide and sparkling.
"They're so cool…" Miko whispered, clenching her fists.
"I want to be like that," Lillie added, her tone firm with purpose. "I want to protect people too, just like them."
They weren't just watching. They were learning—absorbing everything. A fire had been lit in their young hearts, one that would one day push them toward their own path of strength.
Moments of Peace
After training, the moon now high, the crew gathered on deck for a rare break. Atharva tossed a ball to Miko, who stumbled backward before giggling and throwing it to Lillie.
Nami and Nojiko laughed as they joined the game, their earlier intensity softened into joy. Atharva smiled, catching the ball with one hand and tossing it high into the air, earning a round of amazed gasps from the two little girls.
In that moment—amid the laughter, the waves, and the stars—it was easy to forget the danger that lay ahead.
A Warrior's Burden
Later that night, as silence wrapped the ship, Atharva stood alone at the bow, gazing at the moon's reflection on the sea. His mind wasn't at ease.
"I know what's coming. The World Government won't just sit still. I can feel it… They've already sent someone to the East Blue. Someone powerful. If I want to protect them all—Nami, Nojiko, Lillie, Miko—I'll need more than this. I'll need strength beyond reason…"
That's when the image flickered in his mind again—something strange, something… unnatural.
A peculiar fruit. Unlike any he had ever seen, even in stories. Its body was a mesmerizing swirl of deep crimson and stormy blue, with tiny dragons seemingly circling its core like they were alive.
Atharva clenched the railing. "What… are you?" he whispered to himself. "You don't exist in the world I knew."
A soft presence pulled him from his thoughts. Two gentle arms wrapped around him from behind, and he immediately knew.
Nami.
She pressed her cheek against his back. "What are you thinking so deeply about?" she asked softly.
Atharva forced a smile. "Nothing."
But Nami stepped in front of him, her gaze intense, her orange hair gently swaying in the sea breeze. "Really?" she asked again. "Are you hiding something from me?"
Atharva sighed, locking eyes with her. He couldn't lie to her—not now.
"I'm worried," he admitted. "We've become enemies of the World Government… and we don't have the numbers or strength to oppose them. I was thinking about how I can get stronger… fast."
Nami blinked in surprise. The reality of their situation, the weight of it, truly sank into her for the first time. She lowered her gaze, unsure of what to say.
Seeing this, Atharva gently pulled her into his arms.
"You don't have to worry," he whispered. "I'm still alive, and I won't let anyone harm you or anyone, You believe in me, right?"
At that, Nami looked up and smiled—truly smiled—with a confidence that shone like a sunrise.
"I would give my life for everyone… and I believe in you with all my heart."
They kissed—deep, passionate, desperate in their need to find comfort in each other.
Atharva lifted her up, and Nami wrapped her legs around his waist, deepening the kiss. Their silhouettes melted into one under the silver moonlight, protected by the wind and stars.
In the nearby kitchen, Nojiko stood quietly by the door, holding a cup of tea. She had heard every word. But instead of jealousy or sadness, her lips curled into a knowing smile.
"He really will protect us all," she whispered, before turning back into the warmth of the galley.
To Be Continued…