The early morning sun rose over Cocoyashi Village, casting a pale gold light on the dark hull and crimson sails of the ship docked at the quiet shore.
The vessel stood like a shadow against the soft gleam of the sea, a stark and striking silhouette that promised adventure and new horizons.
Ash stood on the deck, the crisp sea breeze ruffling his hair as he checked the supplies being loaded.
Beside him, Zoro's sharp eyes surveyed the village with calm readiness, and Medusa, her enigmatic gaze softened only in Ash's company, adjusted the straps on her gear, a silent guardian prepared for what lay ahead.
The villagers bustled around them, carrying baskets of fresh fruits, salted meats, woven fishing nets, and bundles of herbs and spices.
Women handed over carefully wrapped parcels, children scattered smiles and waves, and the elders offered wooden carvings and talismans made to bless the voyage.
The air was thick with the mingled scents of salt, damp wood, and the faint smoke of early fires, while the soft murmur of voices created a comforting hum.
"Take this for the journey,"
a middle-aged fisherwoman said, pressing a small jar of honey into Medusa's hands.
"Good for strength and healing."
Ash whistled nearby.
" Getting gifts, are we ? "
Medusa snorted a ghost of smile touching her lips.
A group of children chased each other between the legs of the crowd, giggling as one of them clutched a colorful feathered trinket meant to bring luck.
Two elderly men leaned on their canes, whispering quietly.
"Ash… that one has the spirit of a storm at sea. I swear he's no ordinary stranger,"
one muttered.His companion snorted lightly.
"I've heard the stories—trouble in the East Blue, and now here he is, a hero who toppled Arlong."
Nearby, a fisherman mended a net while his wife shook her head with a smile.
"And that girl Nami—she's sharp as a tack, that one. If Ash saves her, maybe she's finally got a chance to be free."
"Freedom's a treasure rarer than gold on these shores,"
the man replied, eyes fixed on the horizon.
On a sun-dappled porch overlooking the hectic dock, Nami sat with her sister Nojiko. The morning was alive with the scent of salt and blossoming flowers, and the waves lapped gently against the beach.
Nami's gaze was distant, but the faintest smile touched her lips as she spoke to Nojiko.
"You know, I still can't believe I'm really doing this. Charting the whole world… and actually following a dream that's mine, not just surviving every day,"
Nami said, her voice light but tinged with wonder.Nojiko grinned, nudging her teasingly.
"And to think you always ran off with just a map and a bag of stolen coins."
Nami laughed, a bright, playful sound.
"Hey! Those coins paid for some pretty important stuff."
"But this time, it's different, huh?"
Nojiko's voice softened.
"You're going out there because you want to… and to repay Ash, too."
Nami nodded, her smile becoming more genuine.
"Without him, none of this would have happened. I owe him everything, and not just because he defeated Arlong. He believed in me when no one else did."
Nojiko reached over, squeezing Nami's hand.
"You two make a good team. Just don't forget us when you're out there, seeing the whole world."
"Never,"
Nami promised, her eyes shining with both excitement and the bittersweet weight of parting.
The dock was alive with movement as the ship prepared to slip away. Seagulls cried overhead, and the rhythmic creak of wood mingled with the salty breeze.
Crewmates finalized their positions, ropes tightened, and the first hints of a gentle voyage whispered on the horizon.
Zoro spoke watching the bustling beach-
"Is she not comming ?"
Ash smirked as he moved towards the railing of ship watching the villagers
" Who knows ? "
Medusa rolled her eyes and spoke as she saw an orange head running towards them creating chaos around it.
" She just wants to make it dramatic."
Among the pressing crowd, Nami's form was still absent from the deck. Villagers watched with a mixture of anticipation and impatience.Suddenly, a commotion erupted near the edge of the crowd.
A blur of orange hair and a mischievous grin burst through, weaving expertly through the tightly packed villagers. Shouts and surprised murmurs followed her as she bumped shoulders and laughed freely.
With a practiced grace honed by years of necessity, Nami leapt onto the gangplank, her feet finding holds and climbing swiftly aboard. She landed with a flourish, chest heaving but eyes sparkling, just as the ship began its slow journey away from the shore.
From the deck, Nami turned to face the crowd, holding up several purses — all blinking with the subtle jingle of stolen coins and valuables.
"Catch me if you can!"
she called back, her grin wide and unapologetic.Over the noise of the waves and departing sails, angry shouts echoed from the villagers on the beach, but from inside the ship, laughter and cheers greeted her.
Ash grinned wide -
"You sure you are not a Thief, instead of a navigator?"
Zoro scoffed -
" Well.....atleast she has skills with what she does ? "
Medusa smiled and gave a nod-
" Welcome aboard Nami - Officially that is ."
Nami grinned wide.
"Well ,thanks for having me ? Anyways aren't I awesome !"
Ash chuckled.
"Oh you sure are , little cat burglar ."
As the ship sailed slowly the noise of villagers became to fade slowly.
For the villagers, behind their angry words was a joyful hope—they knew Nami was starting the journey she'd dreamed of, and with Ash and the crew beside her, she was destined for greatness.
The ship's crimson sails caught the dawn's light as it sailed onward into the wide world, carrying with it dreams, friendships, and the promise of adventure.
.
5 hours later -somewhere on distant sea
Ash was surrounded by nami and Medusa, who were carrying a pair of scissors with them,each carrying one .
"Like I said guys....I ... l-like my hairs quite a bit....so I-I appreciate your goodwill, but no thanks ! I don't want to cut them."
Ash explained with panic written on his face beads of sweat pouring down his spine.
"Come one Ash - don't tell me the Reaper is scared by scissors ! It won't hurt even a bit, besides it's a waste for you to keep this much long hairs - they are too long now ! Let me cut them a bit, I'll make you handsome !"
Nami spoke with stars of excitement in her eyes .
"Yes Ash , listen to nami.... I'll make sure she doesn't mess up."
Medusa chimmed in, quite enthusiastic, sharing the same energy as nami.
"Y-you guys are psychopaths ! H-Hey ...zoro , help me out here !"
Ash shouted making the scene dramatic.
Zoro just scoffed picked up his dumbell and continued his training.Not paying any heed to Ash's tantrums.
When Ash was distracted his foot suddenly felt like it was caught in something - Medusa's chains !
"S-shit -"
Before he could free himself Nami and Medusa was upon him with no way out.
1 hour later ....
Ash looked into the mirror and surprisingly he was quite impressed by what he was seeing right now.
"Heh, told you it was a waste to keep long hairs."
Nami spoke grinning-
"Yeah...this look suits you quite a bit you know?"
Medusa also chimmed in with a slight blush on her cheeks barely visible.
Ash sighed.
"Well, I guess ....The deed is already done now."
[Image of current Ash]
.
.
Zoro walked in from the deck ,drenched in sweat.
"Well ....pretty bastard , The Island came into view....The person , you said you need to meet, is here right ?"
Ash grinned-
"Yeah.....our cook ! Though I don't know that person will join or not , but we do have quite a positive history."
He continued dramatically -
"I am tired of making food for you lot- seriously how is it that none of you is good at cooking ! Only nami can cook a bit ,the both you are literal wastes in kitchen."
Zoro turned his head away embarrassed and awkward-
"W-well , I am a swordsman, not a cook. so.."
Medusa just avoided eyes contact,trying to change subject-
"Y-you are quite interested in this cook ,..hm ?Ash ?"
Ash replied shaking his head-
"Well , she does have the skills I consider
good ? Besides that person is a friend"
Nami raised an eyebrow -
" Well, how intresting is this , the grim reaper has a friend ? Is that person trustworthy?"
Ash smirked -
"Well, what do you think ?"
"Anyways- You lot remember what I said to you guys right ?"
The three of them nodded in unison-
"We do "
Ash continued as he walked out of captain's cabin and saw the island getting bigger slowly.
" Proceed as planned,....and zoro - do get yourself some decent swords."
He turned to nami and medusa-
"Get the supplies for a long journey - this might be our last stop before we leave East blue."
"Understood"
Rider responded with a nod and calm voice.
Ash grinned as he stretched lazily .
"Well- let this party get going then , shall we "
.
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_______To be continued ________