Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

'This guy ate enough for five people and then just went to sleep. What a weirdo.' Ryomen thought.

"…"

'He managed to knock out that monster with a single punch…but that's not enough for the Grand Line.'

"I'm gonna become the Pirate King!"

'Even so, his conviction–'

"Then at least I died trying to achieve my dream!"

'–is truly admirable.'

"…"

"I should go see Alfred."

…

Knock, Knock

"Coming!"

Alfred opens the door and sees Ryomen standing outside.

"Kid! What you doing here? And where's the other one? You didn't make him leave with your attitude, right?"

"No! He's just sleeping. And you're the only one annoying enough to make me act this way!"

"Hahaha, what an honor! So, why'd you come to little old me?"

Ryomen looks at the old man with a face of mild irritation and then let out an exasperated sigh.

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah, sure."

Inside the house the two sat down at a small table.

"I talked with Luffy a little, and I found out he wants to go to the Grand Line."

"Hm? You mean the Pirate Graveyard? Does he have a death wish?"

"Exactly. I told him he'll just die, but then he started talking about how he made a promise to someone to meet there and how he's gonna find the One Piece and become the Pirate King."

"Hahaha, quite ambitious!"

"Hmhm." Ryomen began to look thoughtful. "But, he spoke with so much resolve, for a fleeting moment I couldn't help but believe him."

Alfred looks at the boy with a soft but serious expression. "What are you trying to say?"

"I don't think I should be staying on this island any longer."

"Why?"

"You know why!...Or at least, you have an idea."

"Look, I know someone is hunting or searching for you, but you can stay hidden here."

"No, I can't. You don't know how powerful and influential they are. When they manage to find me, I'm not the only one who will be affected. They'll kill all of you."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do!" Ryomen started to get angry, and tears began streaming down his face as he reminisced about the past. "I lived my whole life under their rule! They're monsters–disgusting pigs who only live for their own pleasure and the suffering of others. And now I finally have the courage to try and fight back, and you deny me the chance!"

"I'm not denying you. I'm just saying you don't need to force yourself to go and fight."

"But I need to. I can't stay hidden here like a coward while so many others are going through what I did."

"You aren't a coward. It's not cowardly to want to live." Alfred paused a little and then looked out the window toward the shore. "When you first arrived on this island, all I saw was a scared and lost kid that needed my help. And now, I know better than anyone that you deserve to live happily, not give up your life in some fight you know you can't win."

"...I know you care about me, and that's why you're the only person I truly trust right now. So I came here to get your approval, but with or without it, I've already decided. Once Luffy leaves, I'll go with him."

"..."

"See you later."

…

The next day, the sun shone brightly in the clear sky.

In a cabin on the outskirts of the village, two boys were just waking up.

"Aaaah, there's nothing better than sleeping with your belly full of meat." The straw hat boy said

"I-Is that so?" Ryomen looked strangely at Luffy."Hey, I wanted to ask, does the offer of joining your crew still stand?"

"Of course! So are you gonna join my crew!?" Luffy asked excitedly.

"Yeah, but I have to warn you, I'm being hunted by some very powerful people. So if you don't want to deal with any of that, I understand."

"I don't care about that! If anyone tries to kill you, they'll have to get through me first! I'll always protect my crew!" He said with an earnest expression.

Ryomen looked deeply at Luffy, and after a few moments he smiled and nodded.

"I'll believe you then, Captain."

"You deserve to live happily"

'Maybe, just maybe, I will.'

"…"

"Alright get out now; I need to change."

"Huh!? Why do I have to leave?"

"I just joined you. I'm not that trusting yet."

"Sooo, to see others naked, they have to trust me first?" He asked with a curious look.

"Uh, maybe? Anyway, just get out."

"Aaaah,fine."

After Luffy left, Ryomen opened the chest in the corner of the room. Inside, there was a strange fruit with random cut marks all over it.

Ryomen took the fruit, a flash of blind desire unknowingly passed in his eyes. "After calling to me for such a long time, I'm finally giving in." he said, then took a bite out of it.

"Aaah, what's with this taste?" His face contorted in disgust.

"Haaa, now there's no turning back. I have to become stronger and bring them down."

After a few moments, he finally went outside and saw Luffy staring off into the distance.

'Not even a thought in that head.' Ryomen mused.

"Luffy!"

"Huh? You done?" The straw hat boy turned to look at Ryomen." Wha!? You didn't even change! I waited out here for nothing!"

"No, I just have…multiple pairs of the same clothes."

"You too huh? Shishishi, no one will be able to tell if my clothes are clean or not like that!"

"…"

…

After wandering around the village for a while, the two went towards the shore of the island with a chest in their hands.

"Alright we got all the provisions we need. Now where's your boat?" Ryomen asked.

"Should be close by–aaah! There it is." Luffy pointed toward a small boat that looked like it was at the end of its life.

'...Enter the Grand Line? We won't even get to the next island!' Ryomen thought skeptically.

"So, how is it?" Luffy asked.

"It's…a choice, that's for sure. Do you think it will sink with the two of us and the chest?"

"And the barrel!" Luffy quickly added.

"...And the barrel. So?"

"It won't sink. Even if it does, we can just swim!"

"You idiot! We're gonna be in the middle of the sea, and we're Devil Fruit users!"

"Uh, right! I forgot." Luffy showed an embarrassed expression but then realized what Ryomen said. "Wait, did you also eat one of those disgusting fruits?" He said with excitement on his face.

"Uh, yeah. Today actually." Ryomen admitted with a sheepish expression.

"Huh!? How did you eat it without me noticing? Are you some kind of ninja!? That's so cool!"

"..."

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone." Luffy said with a serious look, while Ryomen stared at him dumbfounded.

"I…let's just go." Ryomen exclaimed, defeated.

"Wait." A third voice interrupted.The two boys looked back to see none other than Alfred.

"Aaah! Old man, what are you doing here?" Luffy exclaimed in surprise."Just so you know, I'm not taking any more crew members."

" Is that so? Pity, I wouldn't have minded keeping an eye on Ryomen." The elderly man said with a small smile. "But I guess I'm not at an age where I can venture around the world anymore."

"Why are you here?" Ryomen questioned.

"Why wouldn't I be here? You planned to leave without even saying goodbye?"

"I just thought you wouldn't want me to do that, after what happened yesterday."

"Well, you thought wrong." Alfred said with a playful smile. But then, a sad look adorned his face and he bowed his head a little. sigh "Listen, I'm sorry for what I said. I should have given your wishes a little more consideration. I just wanted to tell you that whatever you decide to do, I'll support you. And that if you ever want to step away from the path you're taking, you'll always have a home here."

Ryomen remained silent for a few moments before finally responding.

"Thank you, for everything." He said with a small smile, tears glistening in his eyes.

"Well then, see you later." Alfred replied.

"Yeah…see you later."

"Bye, old man!" Luffy said while waving his hands in the air.

"Uh, bye, kid." Alfred said with a weird expression.