Ash smirked faintly.
"Elegantly done,"
he said, his violet-black eyes glinting.
"Not just function, but style. Rare in these parts."
A dockhand approached, hesitant.
"Sir… we can offer a discount,"
he said, shifting nervously.
"The previous owner… left in a hurry. We'd be glad to—"
Ash tilted his head, lazy but calculating.
"Hn… how much?"
His voice carried amusement, yet every word cut like a blade through hesitation.
The dockhand swallowed hard.
"For you… 55 million berries less than the asking price."
Ash's grin widened faintly.
"Well, that makes life… far more convenient." He flicked his hand, almost dismissively. "I'll take it."
Nami raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "You didn't even haggle?"
"Why waste energy?" Ash replied casually. "The universe offers when the time is right. I simply… take advantage."
---
The purchase complete, the ship officially theirs, Ash leaned lazily against the railing, watching the tide ripple beneath the hull.
"So,"
he said, turning to Nami with a playful grin,
"time to leave this quaint little chaos behind. Will you be joining me?"
Nami hesitated, hands tightening on the railing. Her sharp eyes flicked toward the bustling docks, then back at Ash.
"And… if I do? I don't sail for fun. I… have a reason,"
she said carefully, voice lower, her mind weighing the money she could earn with him.
Ash's grin softened.
"I don't need details. I only need the promise you'll keep up."
He leaned closer, tone teasing but firm.
"Skill and wit. That's enough to survive with me."
After a pause, she nodded, faintly.
"Fine. But I'm not here for you… just for the opportunity. Don't think I'll be your… lapdog."
"Good."
Ash's eyes gleamed faintly with amusement.
"Independence suits you...And you'll need it."
---
As the crewless ship cut through calm waters, Nami at the bow, arms crossed, Ash leaned against the railing lazily, scanning the horizon.
The ocean spread endlessly, glittering under the sun, waves forming faint diamonds on the surface.
"You're… calm about everything,"
Nami said, finally breaking the quiet.
"Pirates, danger… all of it. How?"
Ash tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Observation,"
he said softly.
"Prediction. Chaos is… entertaining if you respect it. Life is dull when it surprises you."
Nami smirked faintly.
"That's… ridiculous."
"Thank you,"
Ash said with mock solemnity.
---
Hours passed, the sun drifting lazily overhead, the ship slicing steadily through the waves. Finally, Ash broke the silence.
"Shimotsuki Village,"
He said, voice quiet, reflective.
"A friend awaits. A promise made years ago."
Nami glanced up, curiosity mingling with her usual caution.
"A friend?"
Ash's expression softened, just a hint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes.
"A swordsman. Years back… we swore we'd travel together. He waited while I hunted pirates… I intend to keep that promise."
She studied him, sensing the depth behind the playful exterior.
"And he'll understand… why you were gone?"
"Eventually,"
Ash said, smirking faintly.
"Friendship works that way. Trust and a bit of rivalry keeps it… alive."
---
The ship docked in Shimotsuki Village as evening crept over the hills. Shadows stretched long, the sun painting the sky in deep oranges and reds.
The smell of pine and salt mingled, the sound of water lapping against the pier mingled with the distant calls of villagers tending to their evening chores.
At the far edge of the village, a familiar figure waited — tall, lean, green hair tied loosely, swords at his side. Zoro. He squinted at Ash approaching.
"Where the hell have you been?"
Zoro barked immediately, voice tinged with irritation.
"A year! A whole year! You left me alone hunting pirates while you—"
Ash chuckled softly, raising a hand.
"Patience, my friend. Not all hunts are solitary… some require distance. You know the rules of balance."
Zoro scowled but relaxed slightly.
"Yeah… yeah, I get it. Still, you could've written a letter or something."
"Letters are too slow,"
Ash replied lightly, smirking.
"I prefer… action and presence. That leaves an impression."
Zoro's frown softened, though his arms crossed tightly.
"Hmph. Guess you have your reasons."
---
Ash gestured toward Nami, still standing by the newly acquired ship.
"This is Nami,"
he said casually.
"Navigator. She'll keep us… pointing the right way, at least most of the time."
Zoro eyed her carefully, noting the sharp eyes and quick movements.
"Navigator, huh? Don't think I'll let you get away with anything stupid out there."
Nami smirked faintly.
"I'm not stupid. Just… selective."
Her eyes flicked to Ash, unspoken understanding passing between them.
Ash chuckled, leaning slightly on the railing.
"Names last longer than life. Keep your wits sharp… and trust occasionally."
Zoro snorted, shaking his head.
"Figures. You pick the weirdest people to travel with."
"Only the interesting ones survive,"
Ash replied lightly, tone teasing but measured.
Nami laughed quietly, a hint of relief in her expression.
"Looks like… I might survive after all."
---
As night fell, the three of them stood together on the deck, the wind ruffling hair and coat alike, the ship gently rocking.
Lanterns from the village cast faint light, and the ocean stretched dark and vast beyond.
Ash's eyes swept the horizon, violet glint catching the moonlight.
"Tomorrow, we sail,"
he murmured.
"Adventure waits, stories to write… names to remember."
Ash paused eyes flickering to zoro with mischief and a shit eating grin-
"are you ready be defeated by the great me zoro?"
Zoro adjusted the hilt of his sword,raising an eyebrow smirking faintly.
"Yeah. How about we settle the score right now ?"
Ash chuckled -
"Not now idiot.Tommorow sunrise it is."
"I am going to meet master koushiro right now"
He turned to zoro and said
-"familiarise yourself with the ship I'll be back soon."
Nami perked up and said -
"come sooner or maybe I might steel the ship you know."
Zoro snorted-
"Yeah as if I'll allow it on my watch."
Ash chuckled and moved towards the dojo with a calm and nostalgic gate as he heard the faint noises of zoro bickering with nami about something like paying rent to stay on the ship from the distance.
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________to be continued __________