Azure Isle – Afternoon
The marketplace buzzed with the usual afternoon crowd — merchants hawking their wares, children darting between stalls, and villagers exchanging gossip. Ren, Ryu, and Nadia made their way through the bustling streets, eyes peeled for any sign of Seraphina. Ren's gaze drifted across the vibrant stalls, his mind still reeling from Kai's parting words.
"Are you sure she's as good as you say?" Ren asked Nadia, his tone skeptical.
"Trust me," Nadia said, her eyes scanning the crowd. "If you're looking for the best cook and a formidable fighter, she's the one."
Before Ren could respond, a loud crash echoed from the nearby tavern. The crowd scattered as a burly man came hurtling through the tavern's swinging doors, crashing onto the cobblestone street. A silver-haired woman with striking blue eyes sauntered out after him, a dangerous glint in her gaze. In her hand, a gleaming knife twirled effortlessly between her fingers.
"Next time, keep your hands to yourself," she said, her voice dripping with disdain.
"That's her," Nadia said, nodding toward the woman. "Seraphina."
Ren's eyes narrowed. "Guess it's time to say hello."
He stepped forward, but before he could speak, Seraphina's gaze locked onto him, a wry smirk forming on her lips. "Another one, huh? Come to test your luck too?"
"No," Ren said, crossing his arms. "I'm here to offer you a spot on my crew."
Seraphina snorted, her knife still spinning between her fingers. "A crew, huh? And what makes you think I'd be interested?"
"Because you're not just a cook," Ren said, his tone even. "You're a fighter. And a good one."
Seraphina's eyes flickered, the smirk widening. "You talk a big game, but can you back it up?"
Ren's fists clenched. "I guess we'll find out."
Without another word, Seraphina lunged forward, her knife slicing through the air with blinding speed. Ren dodged, feeling the blade's heat as it skimmed past his cheek. Seraphina's Scorch-Scorch Fruit power ignited her knife, a scorching aura emanating from the blade.
"Not bad," Ren said, narrowly avoiding another swing. He sidestepped her next attack, his eyes tracking her movements with keen precision. He could feel it — the subtle hints of danger, the faint whispers of her next move. His Observation Haki was working, though still unrefined.
Seraphina's brow furrowed, noticing how Ren managed to evade her strikes. "How are you…?"
"Just lucky," Ren said, grinning.
Seraphina gritted her teeth and pressed forward, her knife blazing as she launched a rapid series of strikes. Ren managed to parry most of them, but the heat of her blade singed his forearm, forcing him back.
"That all you got?" Seraphina taunted, her eyes fierce.
Ren's grin widened. "Not even close."
He lunged forward, fists swinging in powerful arcs. Seraphina dodged most of his strikes, but one punch grazed her shoulder, sending her staggering back. The crowd gasped as Seraphina caught her balance, a wild look in her eyes.
"You're pretty strong," she admitted, wiping a trickle of blood from her lip. "But I'm not done yet."
Her knife flared with intense heat, the blade glowing a fiery orange. She charged, her movements a blur as she aimed a powerful slash at Ren's chest. Ren ducked, his senses flaring as he narrowly avoided the burning blade.
Seraphina leaped back, her breathing heavy. "You're not bad," she said, a grin forming. "But if you want me to join your crew, you'll have to do better than that."
Ren straightened, rolling his shoulders. "Alright then. Round two."
---
Seraphina's Past – Flashback
Years ago, on the Grand Line, a younger Seraphina stood at the bow of a pirate ship, the wind whipping through her silver hair. Beside her, a man with the same striking blue eyes stared out at the endless sea — her father, the infamous pirate, Captain Ignis.
"Remember, Seraphina," Ignis said, his voice stern. "The sea is as unforgiving as it is vast. You need to be stronger than anyone else if you want to survive."
Seraphina nodded, clutching the knife he had gifted her. "I will, Father."
But that life was ripped away from her one fateful night. Marine ships surrounded their vessel, cannons blazing as flames consumed the ship. Seraphina watched as her father fought desperately, his fiery attacks burning through the enemy ranks. But it wasn't enough. Ignis was captured, his crew scattered.
Seraphina barely escaped with her life, washing ashore on Azure Isle. From that day forward, she vowed to get stronger, honing her Scorch-Scorch Fruit powers and her knife skills, waiting for the day she could reclaim her father's legacy.
---
Back to the Present
The crowd watched in tense silence as Ren and Seraphina squared off, their eyes locked. Ren's fists tightened, his jaw clenched as he prepared for the next round. But behind his determination, there was a flicker of something else — a deep respect for the woman who stood before him, someone who had fought through her own storm and emerged even stronger.
Seraphina's smirk returned, her blade burning bright. "Ready for round two, pirate?"
Ren's grin matched hers. "Bring it."