Morning fog clung to Shells Town, curling around wooden piers, warehouses, and creaking boats.
The air was thick with tar, salt, and fish. Crates groaned under sailors' hands. Ropes squeaked as they were pulled taut.
Merchants shouted prices over the cacophony. Seagulls wheeled and cried overhead, their calls blending with the endless chatter of the harbor.
Ash leaned lazily against a railing, katana at his side. His raven-black hair swayed loosely in a ponytail, a few stray wavy strands brushing sharp cheekbones.
He carried nothing else. All his bounty heads and treasure were tucked safely in his system storage, infinite and untouchable.
Physical weight was meaningless. Presence, action, and reputation were everything.
One year. 124 million berries earned. Pirates hunted, heads claimed, stories whispered.
He had become a shadow, feared across East Blue — the Grim Reaper, deadly yet playful, a balance of menace and amusement.
Names last longer than flesh. Coins die with hands that clutch them. I intend to be remembered.
---
A stout merchant captain ran toward him, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Y-you're the hunter, right?"
Ash gave a lazy grin. "Depends on who's asking."
"I'm Captain Orlen. We… we've heard of you. Grim Reaper Hunter… I—"
"Grim Reaper, yes, yes, whatever they say man,honestly as long as they remember be -I don't even care" Ash interrupted,grinning lazily.
The sailors gathered nervously, glancing at him. Ash walked toward them, spinning his katana lazily.
"Ah… rookies. How long have you been at sea?"
"Six months… sir," one replied nervously.
Ash grinned playfully.
"Good. Still naive enough to make mistakes. Mistakes are fun."
---
As the ship sailed further -From behind a cluster of islands, a pirate ship appeared. Black sails, jagged edges, rusted cutlasses glinting in the sun.
Ash smirked. 'Novices. Loud, overconfident, predictable'.
"Guess the journey will be interesting,afterall?"
They charged, shouting, swinging weapons wildly. Ash moved like a shadow.
One pirate's cutlass was bisected neatly. Another fired a pistol — flicked aside. Others tripped over crates, colliding comically.
"Careful Man ! That thing seems bigger than what you can wield!"
Ash quipped, brushing imaginary dust from his coat.
The pirate captain, thin with a crooked grin, shouted,
"Fight! Don't let him—"
Ash flicked the tip of his blade. The captain tripped over a barrel, landing face-first in fish.
"I… I surrender!"
"Uh ....Wise choice,"
Ash muttered.
"But damn, atleast put your back in the work you do ? Spineless bastard..."
---
Meanwhile, a small figure moved through the chaos. Orange hair, sharp eyes, fingers deftly moving over belts and pouches.
Nami.
A pirate grabbed her wrist mid-swipe. She struggled, cursing.
Ash's violet-black eyes flicked toward her.
'well ,well ,well, aren't I lucky ?'
He moved towards her-
"Ah… orange hair ? Playing thief?"
"I… I didn't expect—" she hissed.
Ash grinned, spinning his katana.
"Relax- I Always help civilians in peril. Especially stylish ones like you ."
He said as he moved towards the pirate who was holding her-
Second Form: Water Wheel.
Water erupted, spinning around his blade. The pirate holding Nami was flung atop crates, barrels tumbling over him.
"Careful with the seafood," Ash quipped.
Nami straightened, brushing herself off.
"You… can be a little kind to a lady you know?"
Ash smirked faintly.
"Whatever you say mylady."
---
The merchant captain finally approached.
"So… you're really helping us?"
Ash shrugged.
"Helping? Nah. Just entertainment. Watching chaos resolve itself is amusing. And… sometimes keeping people alive is convenient."
The sailors whispered — strange, funny, and deadly.
---
The small boat cut through calm waters, leaving faint ripples in its wake. The sun reflected off gentle waves, glittering like scattered gems.
Nami stood at the bow, arms crossed, squinting. Ash leaned lazily against the railing, katana at his side.
"So… you really toyed with those pirates back there," she said, voice curious. "You didn't even seem to try."
Ash grinned.
"Try? Effort is overrated. Watching them flail is… entertaining."
Nami scoffed-
"You're… ridiculous. Dangerous. Maybe insane."
"Thank you," Ash replied, mock solemn.
Nami rolled her eyes, though a small smile flickered. "You look like you really never take anything seriously."
Ash replied while grinning.
"Depends. People, yes. Situations… occasionally. Otherwise, life is too dull."
---
The horizon shimmered. A forested island emerged, smoke curling from forges.
Nami glanced at him. "So… that's where you're headed?"
Ash stretched lazily.
"Yep. I need a proper vessel — fast, sturdy, the right size. Something to sail comfortably, and… entertain me along the way."
Nami's eyes flickered. 'So he's not just some random hunter…'
"You're… famous, aren't you?" she asked softly.
"Parts of East Blue… know of the Grim Reaper hunter."
Ash's grin widened faintly.
"Reputation is like shadows at sunset. Only those paying attention notice. People remember what they fear… or what makes a good story."
---
She smirked faintly.
"You....are intresting ,I… I should repay you. For saving me. I'll help you pick a ship."
Ash tilted his head, amused.
"Heh , sure my lady, come along ... let's see your skills ?"
"I'll do it. But I won't go easy just because I owe you,"
she said, proud yet quietly thankful.
Ash replied while smirking.
"Good. Alliances work best when both sides keep their guard up. Makes it… interesting."
---
They talked casually, trivial things at first: color of the sea, smell of pine from distant forests, gulls circling lazily.
Ash teased Nami about her stubbornness, careful calculations, and quick reflexes. She argued back sharply but more relaxed than before.
"I really will help you pick a ship,"
Nami said softly.
"You saved me. I want to repay you."
Ash's violet eyes softened slightly, but his playful smirk remained.
"Repayment in skill is better than words. Show me you can judge as well as you talk."
She smiled faintly.
"Fine. Let's see if you live up to your reputation, Grim Reaper."
Ash chuckled.
"Names last longer than life. Let's hope this ship does too."
---
The island's docks stretched wide, alive with hammers, cranes, shouts, and smoke from forges. Sailors, dockhands, merchants, and children moved in chaotic harmony.
Ash and Nami began inspecting ships, moving from vessel to vessel.
The first sloop was light and maneuverable. Ash stepped aboard, running a hand along the railing.
"Speedy, yes. But stability?"
He tapped the hull, listening for weaknesses. Nami noted the slight hollow echo and shook her head.
"Not for your purposes. Too light for long voyages with heavy cargo."
They moved to a reinforced hull next. Ash ran his hand along the deck.
"Solid. But the wood beneath feels… hollow. A storm might tear it apart."
A dockhand shifted nervously.
"I… I thought it was fine…"
Ash smirked.
"Appearances deceive. Always inspect thoroughly, just like beautiful women ?"
---
On the third and fourth ships, Ash tested rigging, inspected sails, and measured mast flexibility with his hands.
Nami pointed out keels, rudder angles, and reinforced decking.
"This ship can withstand rough currents and boarding attempts,"
she said.
"The hull is treated against rot, and the deck has slight elevation for drainage."
Ash ran a hand across the smooth deck.
"Elegantly done. Function without compromise. That's rare."
Dockhands and minor merchants watched as he moved with both casual grace and lethal precision.
Ash occasionally twirled his katana, testing balance, joking with Nami, and teasing dockworkers with sly remarks about their craftsmanship.
---
After examining a dozen vessels, Ash's gaze settled on one slightly larger than the Going Merry, but clearly superior.
The hull: polished oak reinforced with steel ribs. Smooth deck with hidden compartments. Crimson sails with gold trim, strong and light. Adjustable, reinforced masts. Deep, balanced keel.
He smiled as he stepped aboard first, tracing the railing.
"This one… has potential."
Nami circled, checking the rigging.
"Perfect balance of speed and durability. Rudder allows tight turns, keel provides stability, masts withstand storms. The timber is treated with salt-resistant oil. Very few yards do this properly."
A shipbuilder approached nervously.
"You're… the Grim Reaper, right?"
Ash gave a faint smile.
"You could say that. And yes, I appreciate quality."
The builder swallowed.
"Your reputation… precedes you. People speak of you in parts of East Blue."
Ash smirked, violet-black eyes glinting.
"Then I hope the stories were accurate."
Nami looked at him quietly, impressed.
---
Ash ran a hand along the deck.
"It's more than wood and rope. A ship is alive in a way. Its strengths, weaknesses… every plank tells a story."
Nami nodded. "You treat it like an old friend."
"Maybe. Or maybe a stage for entertainment,"
Ash replied.
The dockhands shifted nervously, watching the famous hunter inspect the vessel. Children peeked from behind crates. Sailors whispered among themselves.
Nami smiled faintly.
"Then… this is the one?"
Ash nodded, eyes scanning the horizon.
"yeah,this thing would carry my future crew."
.
.
.
.
.
_____to be continued _____