Ryuken's curiosity burned—what kind of ability was this, assuming Gojo spoke the truth about never consuming a Devil Fruit?
Gojo cleared his throat, his voice measured. "The Gojo Clan possesses an inherited technique known as Limitless. It grants the user absolute control over spatial manipulation."
"The Gojo Clan?" Ryuken's brow furrowed. "Are you some kind of lone survivor?"
"Indeed," Gojo replied, his tone turning grave as he extended his right hand. "I am the last. Go on—attempt to touch my palm."
Ryuken swallowed thickly, reaching out—only for his hand to halt midair, an invisible barrier denying contact.
"See?" Gojo's laughter was light, almost teasing. "Now, try once more."
"Won't the result remain unchanged?" Ryuken countered, skeptical.
"Indulge me, Ryu."
This time, Ryuken's fingers met Gojo's palm effortlessly. His eyes widened. "How…?"
"I disabled Infinity," Gojo explained, smirking. "A simple toggle."
"You can switch it on and off? That's absurdly powerful."
"Isn't it?" Gojo chuckled. "Heheh."
Ryuken rubbed his temples. "This has been nagging at me—are you actually blind?"
The question made Gojo's lip twitch. "No. The blindfold is merely… habitual."
"Odd."
In response, Gojo tugged the fabric loose—just enough for Ryuken to glimpse those piercing, otherworldly blue eyes—before securing it again.
"…"
A shiver ran down Ryuken's spine. Something about that gaze felt… heavy. "Damn, you're an enigma."
"Lol."
Their laughter mingled as they ate, the mood light. Nearby, Gojo observed Koushirou drilling the dojo's children in swordsmanship.
"Osu!"
Gojo bowed to the elder in the black haori. Meanwhile, Ryuken slipped away to pack his belongings, preparing to sail the world with Gojo.
Upon returning, he found his sensei and Gojo deep in conversation—tears streaking the old man's cheeks. The reality struck Ryuken then: he was leaving the only home he'd ever known, abandoning the path of a swordsman to chase the very pirates he'd once hunted.
"Ryuken!" Koushirou's voice cracked.
"Sensei!"
Koushirou swiped at his tears, fixing the duo with a stern yet proud glare. "Gojo. Ryuken. I will not hinder your ambitions. But swear this—you will stand together. Achieve your dreams, my sons."
Tears blurred Ryuken's vision as he lunged forward, crushing his sensei in a fierce embrace. "I swear it, Sensei. I'll become the world's strongest swordsman. So you'd better live to see it."
"I swear," Koushirou murmured. Then, softer: "If you ever meet Zoro during your voyage… give him my regards I said he should stay well."
"I will." Ryuken stepped back, wiping his face roughly before turning to Gojo, resolving hardening. "Let's tear the goddamn world apart."
"That settles it, Ryuken. We sail for the Grand Line."
As they exited the dojo, a realization struck Gojo—he hadn't actually secured a ship for their voyage.
Ryuken cleared his throat pointedly. "Please tell me you at least have a ship."
Gojo rolled his eyes beneath the blindfold, his lips quivering. "Heh. Don't worry. We'll buy one… or commandeer a pirate vessel."
"Are you serious right now? Damn, what an airheaded captain."
"Anyway," Gojo waved him off, "I need to gather my things first. Let's move."
"Gather your stuff from where?"
"The hotel I booked in town."
Crouching, Gojo picked up a stick and sketched a large circle into the dirt, etching an intricate sigil at its center.
Ryuken blinked. "What the hell is that? Summoning a demon?"
"Watch and learn." Satisfied with the symbol, Gojo stepped onto it. "Come. Stand here."
"…Alright."
The moment Ryuken joined him, Gojo clasped his hands together—compressing space itself—and in an instant, they vanished from Shimotsuki, reappearing in Foosha Village.
"Holy shit! What the fuck was that?! Where are we?!" Ryuken staggered, disoriented.
"Foosha Village," Gojo said casually. "My hotel's right there."
"You—you just—!" Ryuken gaped. "How many abilities do you even have?!"
"You'll find out soon enough." Gojo tossed clothes into his backpack. "First, we need a ship and a map for the next island."
"Brilliant plan," Ryuken deadpanned. "But since we're pirates now, what's our crew's name?"
Gojo rubbed his chin, then grinned. "Got it."
"That fast? Well?"
"The Blue-Eyed Pirates." He flashed a thumbs-up. "Perfect, right?"
"Blue-Eyed Pirates… Not bad." Ryuken sat on the bed. "Though 'Snow White' has a ring to it—you know, with your hair."
"Too amateurish," Gojo scoffed. "Sounds like a rookie's pick."
"Fine, fine. Let's scout around." Ryuken grabbed his sword from beside the bed.
They left the hotel, searching for supplies—maps, compasses, and most critically, a ship—before embarking from the East Blue to the Grand Line.
As they walked, the duo traded stories, their banter lively. Gojo's blindfold and Ryuken's sheathed sword drew wary glances from townsfolk, their appearances screaming *pirate*.
After hours of combing the town, they secured a map and compass.
Only two problems remained—the ship and the navigator.
"Where could we possibly find a shipwright capable of constructing a vessel? Or better yet, a merchant selling readymade ships?"
The thought plagued their minds as night fell, leaving the duo ship-less. Yet fortune, it seemed, favored them.
A ragged pirate vessel appeared on the horizon, docking clumsily at the shore before its crew stormed into the village, weapons drawn, intent on mayhem.
Gunfire and screams pierced the night air, immediately alerting the newly-formed Blue-Eyed Pirates.
"Don't tell me…" they murmured in unison, their lips curling into identical predatory grins.
"Pirates!"
They sprinted toward the commotion, arriving to find a band of marauders wreaking havoc through the streets.
"Pirates versus pirates," Ryuken mused, drawing his blade as Gojo cracked his knuckles. "At least put on a decent show for us."
"Who the hell are you punks?" Snarled a scarred brute. "You dare interfere with the Black Serpent Pirates?"
"Black Serpent Pirates?" Ryuken burst into laughter, turning to Gojo. "You were right - only amateurs would choose such a ridiculous name."
"I told ya," Gojo smirked.
The pirate captain's face purpled with rage at their insolence. "Kill these vermin!" He roared, sending his bloodthirsty crew charging forward.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bullets whizzed through the air as Gojo and Ryuken effortlessly dodged, then-
CLANG!
The night filled with the pirates' agonized screams as one after another fell before the duo's onslaught. The captain stood frozen, watching his crew decimated in moments. "W-what... what manner of demons are you?" He stammered, sweat pouring down his face.
"H-hel-" The final crewman's plea for mercy was cut short by Ryuken's merciless slash.
Trembling uncontrollably, the captain could only whimper: "W-who... who are you?"
"We're the Blue-Eyed Pirates," Gojo declared, raising his hand for the finishing blow. "Remember that name in hell." Before he could strike, the captain's eyes rolled back as he collapsed, unconscious and soiled.
"We literally scared the shit out of him," Ryuken observed dryly.
"Regardless," Gojo grinned, "we just acquired ourselves a ship!"
The pair hurried to the docked vessel, though their excitement waned slightly at the sight of its dilapidated condition. Without hesitation, Ryuken vaulted onto the mast and sliced away the pirate Jolly Roger, watching with satisfaction as it sank beneath the waves.
Their eyes caught a fleeting glimpse of a silhouette lurking behind a barrel, a pistol clutched tightly in his hand.
"W-What did you do to the captain?"
"Nothing. He merely pissed his pants and passed out," Gojo remarked, chuckling as he shoved his hands deep into his pockets and stepped closer to the shadowy figure. "Perhaps… are you the navigator of this ship?"
"Yes."
"We'll spare your life—on one condition. You help us navigate this vessel to the nearest island."
"And if I refuse?"
Gojo crouched down, leveling himself with the trembling navigator. Slowly, he lifted the edge of his blindfold, revealing his piercing, otherworldly blue eyes—eyes that locked onto the sailor with an intensity that froze him in place.
"I don't have to spell it out for you, do I?"
"N-No…" The sailor gulped, his legs refusing to obey as the weight of Gojo's gaze bore into him. The moment stretched before Gojo finally lowered the blindfold again, shrouding those terrifying eyes from view.
From the shore, the sounds of panicked villagers reached their ears - no doubt soon to alert the Marines about the night's events.
Ryuken quickly secured the unconscious captain with expert knots before darting off. "Captain! I'll retrieve our belongings!"
Moments later, he returned, tossing their packs aboard. "All set!"
Gojo's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Then let the voyage begin!" Together they leaped onto the deck, their grins mirroring each other's.
And so the legend of the Blue-Eyed Pirates was born, their grand adventure finally underway...
But…
The navigator passed out from fear as the duo glanced at each other in disbelief with a grin on their face..
How do we sail right now before the Marines arrive?
"Fuck!"