The banquet had ended sooner than expected after Kuina's spiritual departure. The mood had shifted—from euphoria to a kind of respectful silence. Buggy and his crew, visibly affected despite their usual flamboyance, had lifted anchor without drum or fanfare. As for Koushirou and Zoro, they returned to the dojo to "put things in order," in the old master's own restrained words. In truth, they needed some time alone.
The sun was gently beating down as we remained on the beach, watching the clownish ship's wake disappear into the horizon. Koby yawned, his head heavy from a few drinks too many.
"Back to the Merry?" he asked, rubbing his eyes, red from exhaustion, which made Nami smile.
"Poor guy couldn't handle more than three drinks," she whispered mischievously in my ear.
I nodded with a predatory grin."We need to wait for Zoro anyway. So why not enjoy your day off training… with a little island exploration?" I added with my infamous torturer's smile.
Luffy instantly grimaced, pouting. "Not cool, Jordan…" Then his face lit up again, the idea sliding off him like water off a duck's back."Well… Eisah's watching the Merry anyway. So if anyone wants a nap, go for it." He shot a teasing glance at Koby.
The latter turned beet red."I just… I just need to rest a bit to be in shape later!" he stammered.
Usopp raised a hand with all seriousness."I'm heading back to the ship too, but not to sleep. We're out of food. There's barely three dried fish and an onion left. If we run into a Sea King, it'll be the one fishing us."
"Alright. Do what you can, Usopp," I said, patting his shoulder. "I'll head into town to buy some supplies."
We split into small groups. I made my way inland, skirting quiet homes to climb the hill behind the dojo. There, hidden from view, I found the island's lock.
I placed my hand on it. A deep clicking echoed as the mechanism activated. A wave of dark energy hissed out, and four Heartless emerged from the shadows: a Soldier, a Shadow, a Large Body, and a Air Soldier. Nothing new… until the system displayed a message:
You've unlocked: Olympus Coliseum – Easy Mode
"Cool," I murmured with a small, satisfied grin.
After finishing my shopping, I returned aboard the Merry, where everyone was starting to gather. Zoro was the last to climb aboard, silently stroking his sword — the Wado Ichimonji — as he sat on deck.
I was the only one who noticed Kuina's gaze, still present in spirit form, gently resting on him. There was tenderness in her eyes, a subtle melancholy. She remained close, unnoticed by all.
I walked up to Zoro with a smirk, ready to shoot a well-placed arrow.
"You know, since Kuina is technically linked to your sword… that means every time you touch it…" I let the silence stretch, eyes narrowed with mischief. "Well… you're technically touching her without consent."
The silence shattered instantly as everyone flinched and turned toward us.
Zoro nearly spat out the water he was drinking. He flushed bright red and stammered,"Wha– What the hell are you talking about?! That's not… that's not how it works!"
Nami burst out laughing, holding her sides. Luffy rolled on the floor. Koby seemed too embarrassed to know whether to laugh or sneak away.
"It was just a joke, don't worry, Zoro," I said, raising my hands innocently.
But Kuina — visible only to me — gave me a playful grimace and stuck out her tongue like a big sister being teased but refusing to lose face. Still, her gaze remained tender, especially when it landed on Zoro.
We all sat in a circle on the Going Merry's deck, each holding a plate or piece of fruit — except Luffy, who had five. Once the energy from the banquet had settled, the conversation turned a bit more serious.
I crossed my arms and spoke.
"Alright… let's get serious. We've technically recruited a new companion… maybe two if we count Kuina. But we're still missing one important role."
Luffy looked up, mouth full. "A musician?!"
Usopp raised an eyebrow. "Uh… seriously?"
I sighed, but smiled.
"No, Luffy. A cook. Someone to keep us from dying of food poisoning or malnutrition."
Luffy sprang to his feet.
"COOK! Yes! I wanna eat tasty stuff every day! And meat! And rice! And grilled octopus…!"
Nami raised her hand, unfazed."I heard about the perfect place for that. A floating restaurant out at sea: the Baratie. We could head there and try to convince a chef to join us."
I nodded, then turned my gaze toward Luffy."So, captain… Do you want to train Zoro properly before recruiting anyone else, or do we head straight out in search of a cook?"
Luffy raised his fist enthusiastically, his eyes shining."Cook!"
"Cook," Usopp echoed, mimicking a starving man."Please, yes. If I have to eat another soup made with rum and sand, I swear I'm starting a mutiny."
Even Koby nodded, a bit embarrassed."A skilled cook could also manage our rations during long voyages."
I smiled, satisfied."Alright then. We go to the Baratie, recruit a cook… and afterward, we return to our base for a month of intensive training."
Luffy, suddenly more serious, looked down at his fist."I want to master that thing… Haki. I don't know everything about it yet, but… Zachary… he pissed me off too much."
Silence fell. Even the ocean seemed to listen.
Zoro, sitting cross-legged in the shade of the mast, gripped his sword in his hand."…He broke two of my blades. And I couldn't do anything to protect Kuina."
He looked up, resolute."I want to become stronger. No matter the cost."
Nami crossed her arms, nodding."Me too. If I'd had better control of my magic, I could've stopped that damn boulder without everyone's help."
Usopp timidly raised his hand, glancing around."Uh… maybe I could… learn to shoot faster?"
I smiled, amused by his cautious tone."Actually, except for Zoro who just joined us, I already have improvement paths in mind for all of you… on top of classic physical training."
At my words, the crew cheered cheerfully.
I turned to our new swordsman, who seemed curious."Zoro, once we're at our base, could you help sharpen Koby's swordsmanship? I can help him grow stronger, but when it comes to sword fighting… I lack a bit of experience."
Zoro crossed his arms with a smirk."No problem. I'll handle it. But he'll have to survive the training."
Koby swallowed hard… but nodded bravely."I'll do my best!"
"Alright, Nami… your turn," I said, turning to the navigator, already stationed at the helm.
She gave me a mischievous look and a sly smile, then handed me a rope."Once I've aligned the heading… you're swimming."
I rolled my eyes with a small groan."You're so cruel."
Then I stuck my tongue out playfully and pulled out two more ropes, tossing them to Luffy."For Zoro and Usopp. Come on, everyone in the water, towing session."
Luffy jumped in with a joyful scream, already clinging to his rope."WOOOHOOO! HELL TRAINING, HERE I COME!"
Zoro raised an eyebrow at first… but eventually took off his shirt, carefully wrapped it around his swords, and set it down gently.
Kuina was watching with admiration, and I gave her a knowing look that made her blush.
Zoro dove in without hesitation after Luffy. Except for me—who swims like a mermaid, thanks to Ariel—everyone else swam behind the ship.Maybe one day, they'll be strong and enduring enough to swim ahead of it, I thought with a smile.
Usopp, meanwhile, grumbled the entire time as he got ready."This isn't fair... I'm a sniper, not a damn triathlon swimmer..."
Eisah calmly stepped out of the cabin and joined Nami."I'll take over navigation. Keep an eye on them and make sure no one drowns," she said, and he nodded, silently monitoring the others with his Haki without revealing himself.
I used the swim time to think. It was still too early to reveal to Zoro that I was also Sora. I didn't yet know how he'd react to my powers or my true nature… better to wait until he knew us a little better.
After two days of intense sailing — and a rapid depletion of our already meager supplies — a familiar shape appeared on the horizon.
A giant, fish-shaped ship, colorful and imposing: the Baratie.
"Finally! I can't wait to eat a meal made by a real chef!" I said as I climbed back onto the deck, drying my clothes with a perfectly controlled flame. My training with the elemental Heartless had clearly improved my magic control. I was curious to see what Expert Mode would bring me later on.
We docked, and the first thing that hit us was the crowd. The Baratie was bursting with activity. Well-dressed civilians, discreet pirates… and a Marine ship moored just a few dozen meters away, flanked by two smaller escort boats.
Our pirate flag didn't seem to bother anyone — aside from a few nervous glances from the uniformed Marines. One of them pulled out two wanted posters and showed them to his superior: a tall, lean man with lavender hair and a massive metal knuckle on his right hand.
The officer paled slightly as he glanced our way. His gaze wavered for a moment before he waved his subordinate off curtly. His expression remained frozen in a not-so-convincing neutrality.
We climbed onto the restaurant deck and were quickly shown to a table on the terrace, overlooking the sea. Luffy sat down first, his eyes already sparkling with anticipation."I hope they have beef ribs… and fish… and tropical fruits… and octopus!"
The waiter arrived a few minutes later. Tall, slim, cigarette at the corner of his lips, blond hair, and a blasé look… Sanji, no doubt.
He leaned slightly toward Nami with a half-charming smile."Welcome to the Baratie, lovely lady. It's an honor to serve such a radiant beauty."
Nami answered with a soft laugh but kept her composure."Today's special, with a chilled cocktail."
Sanji then turned to the rest of us, his tone unchanged."And for you gentlemen?"
His gaze lingered a bit longer on Luffy and me. He had definitely seen the bounties — that much was clear — but he said nothing. His expression became more serious, almost analytical… then he simply jotted down the orders."I'll bring that right away," he said, walking off with grace.
I subtly raised an eyebrow, thoughtful.He's less… over-the-top than in the anime. More reserved. But he exudes a certain calm… and he recognized our bounties. Maybe he's afraid we'll damage the place. I already saw two pirate ships slip away quietly — no bounties on them, and their flags were unfamiliar.
Luffy elbowed me under the table."This waiter's cool! I like him. Think he can cook?"
I smiled."That's a given. The real question is whether he's the type to leave this floating palace to follow a bunch of lunatics across the sea."
Luffy nodded energetically, his eyes gleaming with excitement."We'll win him over. With our appetite!"
Koby, sitting across from him, grimaced slightly, recalling recent events."If he's the type to avoid impossible challenges… I think he'll run the moment he sees you down three plates in one minute."
I leaned over the table with a teasing smile."Exactly. In fact, if we had a bigger ship, I would seriously consider recruiting two chefs: one for Luffy… and one for the rest of us."
A burst of laughter erupted at our table. Usopp was pounding the wood, laughing out loud, Nami half-hid her face behind her glass, and even Zoro cracked a small smirk, arms crossed.
The mood was light, relaxed… almost too relaxed for a group with that many bounties on their heads. And yet, no customer dared disturb us. Not out of respect — but out of caution. And that reality hit me suddenly.
This world is nothing like the old one. Here, the law is dictated by power… and bounties are like danger signs.
I slowly scanned the room, eyes landing on the small Marine group a few tables away. The lavender-haired lieutenant lowered his eyes as soon as our gazes met. He was sweating quietly, despite his dignified demeanor. A woman beside him — probably a colleague or subordinate — seemed to be scolding him in a whisper. She hadn't noticed us yet… until he showed her a piece of paper.
Her demeanor changed instantly. The color drained from her face, and she stiffened in her chair without saying another word.I turned my attention back to our table… just in time to hear Nami's mocking remark."Jordan, stop scaring everyone with your killer stare. We're here to eat, not to start a war."I shrugged innocently, arms crossed behind my head."Sorry. It's just… the first time I really feel the impact a bounty has on regular people."I spoke in a low voice, but the weight of my words was clear. Even in a neutral place like the Baratie, our reputation preceded us—silent and heavy.
Next to me, Luffy seemed completely unfazed by it all.He had already dug into the dish Sanji brought with a ferocity only true gluttons could understand."Mmmmmm! THIS IS SO GOOD!"He was eating so fast his cheeks were puffed up like a hamster's, and yet he still managed to speak—barely.
Sanji, standing in the background, was discreetly observing from the kitchen doorway. A calm smile stretched across his lips before he disappeared behind the swinging doors once more. He hadn't said a word, but I could guess what he was thinking. He didn't like picky eaters, he hated waste… but a man who could devour everything without leaving a crumb? He was probably… touched.
I allowed myself a moment to take it all in, enjoying the scene.Yeah… despite the tension, despite the bounty… moments like this felt good.
(Author's note: That's it for this week! I'll try to write two chapters or one longer chapter next week to avoid leaving a cliffhanger.)