The Baratie was no longer burning, but the scars remained.
Broken railings. Soot-streaked sails. A once-lively floating restaurant now marred with battle wounds. The staff worked in silence, their faces grim, trying to repair what they could. Buckets of seawater were passed from hand to hand, dousing smoking wood and scorched kitchen equipment. The hum of hammers and clatter of wood echoed across the quiet sea.
Luffy sat at the edge of the deck, legs dangling over the ocean, his straw hat shading his eyes. The Shadow System within him had fallen silent. No messages. No alerts. No warnings. It was resting, just like him. But the memory of the cloaked figure's power—his words, his scythe—played on a loop in Luffy's mind.
He flexed his fingers slowly, watching the tremor run through them. "I wasn't strong enough. Not yet."
Behind him, Zoro stood with arms folded, polishing his swords as always. His expression unreadable. Sanji moved among the Baratie staff, checking injuries, restocking supplies, and barking orders, half out of duty, half to stay distracted. Usopp snored away under a tarp, completely drained, arms wrapped around his slingshot like a pillow.
Nami stood alone near the mast, clutching her map case tightly against her chest. Her jaw was tight. Her eyes were focused on the horizon—but her mind was somewhere far away. Distant. Drowning.
Luffy turned. "Nami. You okay?"
She hesitated for just a moment before responding. "Yeah... just tired."
Luffy didn't push further, but the shift in her tone didn't go unnoticed. He opened his mouth to speak again when a familiar sound clanked toward them.
Zeff.
The old chef approached, balancing a tray with a bottle of sake and a plate of grilled fish and rice. His peg leg echoed against the damaged wood.
"You kids survived. Barely. That wasn't some two-bit pirate you tangled with. You've stirred something... bigger."
He dropped the tray in front of Luffy without ceremony.
"Eat. You're no use to anyone half-dead."
Luffy smiled faintly and dug in, too hungry to argue.
Zeff's gaze shifted to Nami. "You. Navigator girl."
She turned, tense. "What?"
He narrowed one eye. "You're not from around here. That much is clear."
Nami said nothing.
Zeff didn't press. Instead, he sighed. "Whatever storm you're dragging behind you... it's catching up."
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the dock. "Boat incoming!"
Everyone turned. A small dinghy sped toward the Baratie, cutting through the water like a knife. Onboard, a ragged man waved desperately, his face pale with exhaustion.
He climbed aboard moments later, gasping for breath. His shirt was torn, skin sunburned, and terror danced in his eyes.
"You're pirates, right?! Please—you've got to help! Arlong... he's taken over Cocoyashi Village!"
The name stopped everyone.
Nami's eyes widened. Her fingers clenched around her map case like a lifeline.
"...What did you say?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
"Fish-men! Monsters! They showed up weeks ago. Took over everything. My village—my home—it's under his control! People are being enslaved, tortured, even killed!"
The man collapsed to his knees. "Please... someone has to help us."
Nami turned away, shoulders trembling.
She didn't speak.
Then, without another word, she ran.
"Nami!" Usopp shouted, waking from his nap.
She ignored him. Reaching the side of the deck, she untied a small boat and leapt in. Her hands shook as she grabbed the oars.
"I'm sorry," she muttered. "I can't let you get involved."
"Wait!" Luffy stood.
Zoro made a move, but Luffy held up a hand. "Let her go."
Zoro scowled. "But—"
"She's not running away from us," Luffy said softly.
They watched her vanish into the sea fog, rowing alone toward a stormy horizon.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Sanji stepped forward, lighting a cigarette.
He exhaled slowly, glancing toward Zeff. "I never got to chase my own dream... maybe it's time I start."
He turned to Luffy, eyes sharp with resolve. "If she's in danger, I'm coming with you."
Zeff watched him quietly. The old chef said nothing—just turned his back, folding his arms across his chest. But for a second, the corner of his mouth lifted in the faintest of proud smirks.
Zoro cracked his neck. "Guess I'll sharpen my swords on some fish-men."
Usopp sighed dramatically. "Why do I always get dragged into this stuff...?"
Luffy stepped forward, his shadow pulsing faintly beneath him.
"Arlong took her home. We're taking it back."
He raised his fist.
"We leave at sunrise."
—To be continued.
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