The golden sun hung high in the cloudless sky, casting a warm and vibrant light over the pristine beach.
Soft white sand stretched out like a silk blanket, untouched and gleaming under the midday sun.
The gentle swell of the turquoise sea met the shoreline with a soothing, rhythmic hiss, scattering tiny crystalline droplets that sparkled like jewels.
Anchored close to the shore, the ship sat proud and steadfast, its polished wooden hull gleaming richly in the sunlight. Crisp crimson sails were neatly furled, fluttering softly in the gentle breeze that carried the fresh scent of salt and seaweed.
The brass fixtures caught the sun's rays and glinted like fire, and the deck showed signs of recent care—coiled ropes neatly stacked, freshly varnished rails, and pristine canvas covers protecting the cargo hold.
Against the bright backdrop, three figures stood Ash , zoro and Medusa.
Ash leaned casually on the railing, gazing absentmindedly out at the endless horizon. Zoro stood erect near the mainmast, hands resting calmly at their sides, embodying a quiet strength.
Medusa moved slowly near the helm, hands tracing the polished wheel as if absorbing the serenity of the scene.
The beach itself was devoid of life—no footprints marred the sand, no birds dotted the sky—only the ship and its trio in a perfect stillness that felt like a moment suspended in time.
As the sun warmed their backs, the waves whispered softly against the hull, weaving a delicate harmony that filled the solitude with peaceful energy.
Above, a single gull cawed as it soared high, casting a fleeting shadow across the deck before becoming a mere speck against the vast blue sky.
Before Long a silhouette came into view on the lonesome beach . It turned into two- then three.
Nami- flanked by nojiko and genzo was walking towards the ship .She looked lost and devoid of warmth - there was blood on her shoulder coming out of what seemed like a make shift band-aid.
Ash sighed as he saw dried tears on nami's cheeks.
As the trio finally reached the deck of ship zoro broke the silence.
" Guess our idiot captain was right about Arlong ?"
Medusa also spoke with a calm,soft voice
"It's okay nami, even if we didn't get to know each other for a long time -I still want you to depend on me- on us ."
The emotions nami was holding finally broke, as she began crying like a little kid seperated by her mother.
"I - I am sorry Ash .....I-I couldn't do it.."
Ash remained silent-
Nojiko and genzo didn't knew what to do except consoling nami.
Nami spoke while crying and sniffing.
"W-what should I do Ash ...?"
Sniff-
" P-please say something !"
Nami spoke still crying and sobbing-
"...p-please....atleast ....pretend to be disappointed....."
However Ash remained still face indifferent of any emotion looking into nami's eyes.
seeing him like this broke her heart ,because ash wasn't even berating her for her idiocity.
Medusa and zoro also remaind silent, as their captain wasn't speaking .so they decided that they weren't meant to speak any more then they already did.
Seeing Ash remained silent Nojiko got irritated as she thought Ash was disrespecting nami by not responding.
Genzo spoke in quiet anger.
" What the hell do you think you are doing ki-"
Before he could complete nami spoke again.
"H-Help me Ash -...p-please- ...you said ..I-I can come to you.."
Ash's indifferent face finally cracked into a soft smile as his eyes softened and he moved forward and picked up nami from the floor of deck.
" I did .... didn't I ? - How troublesome ....well it doesn't matter."
He looked at nami's sister nojiko and said
" Please treat her wound ...we will talk after the wound is treated."
Nojiko scowled still irritated,but the protective instinct for her sibling was much stronger then the anger and irritation.so she just nodded as Medusa handed her a first aid kit she bought quietly .
30 minutes later....
Ash exhaled slowly as he said
" I see, ....so that fish head choose death huh?
....well it doesn't matter anyways, As I said you before nami - A man's words are absolute and so are mine ."
He smiled as he looked into nami's now dried eyes with tear marks on her cheeks.
" Before the sun sets , Arlong will fall.And I'll make sure of that."
Nami's wound was now dressed neatly, Her face softened with gratitude and respect as she said-
" T-thankyou Ash, I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay you this debt."
Ash smirked -
"What are you talking about ? Friends don't have debts within each other though I'll probably need a skilled navigator?"
Nami giggled-
" Hehe....you are really something, you know ?"
Ash grinned while noding to himself-
"I know right ? Girls are dying for me out there you know ?"
Zoro scoffed-
" You wish ,idiot"
Ash ignored him with a lazy wave of his hand.
" You are just jealous,mosshead ."
Medusa also chimmed in -
" When are we going to join the party then ?"
Ash looked over the group once then grinned and said-
"How about...right now ?"
Zoro smirked-
"That's what I would prefer."
Medusa gave a nod of acknowledgement.
Nojiko and genzo standing nearby was looking dumbfounded by how easily these people were taking arlong , but seeing nami remained silent,they choose to not interrupt them,and just exchanged a silent glance with eachother.
Unaware of them a fishmen was quietly listening to them beside the ship swimming within ocean.
The fishmen grinned .
'with this information -Arlong sama will probably reward and praise me.'
With his foolish thoughts of getting praised by his captain he dived deep into ocean and swam away.
At arlong park.
Arlong grinned maliciously as he heard the report of his underling.
"Heh , so our little navigator has brought friends huh ? Well it doesn't matter, because we fishmen are the strongest ! Even if he is the famous grim reaper of east blue - I'll tear him apart and show him what a superior race looks like ."
Fishmen pirates cheered listening to their captains words.
Arlong spoke in quiet confidence -
"Summon every one of our brothers! Let the reaper come - we will give them a warm blood sooked welcome ! "
"Yeahhhh-" The goons cheered and laughed ,waiting for their prey to come directly into the sarks mouth .
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________To be continued _________