The morning sun spilled over the endless blue, warm and alive, as ' the Ravenant 'cut through the waves like a knife through silk.
Seagulls wheeled in lazy circles above, and the world smelled like salt and promise.
Ash stood at the bow — arms crossed, cloak fluttering dramatically behind him — as though he were posing for the cover of a legend.
Behind him, Nami groaned audibly.
"Captain, if you stand like that one more time, I swear I'll push you overboard."
Ash didn't turn.
"Navigator, one must always look cool before conquering the impossible."
"You know what else looks cool?"
she shot back.
"A captain who actually helps with navigation."
Reina, seated on a barrel and peeling an apple with her dagger, laughed.
"She's right, Captain Pose-a-lot. The last time you touched the compass, we ended up in a whirlpool!"
"That was an experiment!" Ash argued, puffing up.
Medusa leaned lazily on the rail, her serpentine hair curling like sleepy vines.
"Ah yes, a fine experiment in human stupidity. A wonder you survived an year, with navigating skills like these."
"Rude!" Ash barked, but she only smiled with her fanged grin.
Reina giggled. "Don't take it personally, Captain. It's just that you make it so easy."
Below deck, Zoro snored like a beast — deep, loud, and entirely indifferent to the chaos above.
Nami sighed, rubbing her temples.
"I swear, that man could sleep through a seaquake."
"He earned it,"
Reina said softly, her eyes glancing toward the door.
"After what he survived… he deserves the rest."
Ash's grin softened into something proud.
"Yeah. Mihawk gave him those scars — but he's gonna wear them as badges one day."
Medusa's voice lowered, a faint respect in it.
"That man has the soul of a warrior. When he rises again, his blade will be sharper… and his resolve, unbreakable."
Ash grinned. "And when that happens, I want front-row seats."
The ship suddenly jolted.
Nami's eyes went wide.
"We're close—LOOK!"
Ahead of them, the horizon rose. Not like an island — but like the sea itself was climbing into the sky.
The Reverse Mountain.
A colossal slope of roaring water, a river that defied gravity and carved a path straight into the heavens.
Even Medusa's usual calm faltered.
"That… is unnatural."
Ash whistled.
"Unnatural? That's awesome!"
Reina grinned, eyes sparkling with fire.
"Well, Captain, looks like the sea's challenging us to a race."
Ash slammed his foot on the deck and pointed forward, eyes gleaming. "Then let's give it a show! Nami, take us up!"
"YOU DON'T HAVE TO YELL!" she screamed, spinning the wheel.
The Going Dawn hit the current — and shot upward.
Waves exploded around them, crashing and spinning as they ascended the watery mountain.
Reina clung to the railing, laughing wildly. "HAHA! THIS IS CRAZY!"
Ash, laughing like a madman, shouted back, "THIS IS WHAT LIVING FEELS LIKE!"
Medusa, bracing herself with one hand, muttered, "Humans are deranged...but intresting."
Nami gritted her teeth, arms straining as she held the helm steady.
"If anyone moves this wheel, I SWEAR I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF!"
Ash yelled over the wind,"You heard her! Touch it and die!"
Reina laughed harder. "Yes, ma'am!"
The ship climbed higher, riding the torrent as sunlight broke across their faces. For a moment, it felt like they were ascending into the clouds themselves.
The mist turned golden, and the world seemed to stretch endlessly below.
Ash spread his arms wide, hair whipping in the wind. "LOOK AT THAT! THE WHOLE DAMN EAST BLUE BELOW US!"
Reina's eyes shimmered. "It's beautiful… like the world's holding its breath."
Even Nami paused for a heartbeat — just long enough to let herself smile. "Not bad for a bunch of idiots."
Medusa tilted her head skyward. "A fleeting peace… before the next storm."
Ash grinned. "Then we'll face that too."
---
And then, the ship crested the top — floating on a single instant of stillness, sunlight blazing over the peak — before gravity snapped back.
"DOWN CURRENT!" Nami screamed.
"Turn The Keel To The Right ! "- ash screamed to nami who immediately obeyed.
The ship turned and then plunged.
Everyone screamed.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Reina grabbed Ash's coat. "DO SOMETHING, CAPTAIN!"
Ash shouted back, "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO, YELL AT GRAVITY?!"
Medusa sighed mid-fall. "Humans truly die screaming."
Water blasted around them as they plunged through the mountain's backside — crashing through the mist — and suddenly, the sea leveled.
The Ravenant glided smoothly into calm, sunlit waters.
---
Silence.
Only the sound of seagulls and their ragged breathing.
Ash blinked. "…We made it?"
Nami slumped against the helm. "We're alive. Miraculously."
Reina sprawled across the deck, laughing breathlessly. "That was insane. Let's do it again!"
Medusa gave her a look. "No."
From below deck came a faint, sleepy mumble. "Keep it down… I'm trying to sleep…"
Zoro.
Ash grinned. "Guess we're still in one piece."
And then—
A shadow swept over the deck.
A speck of black dot which grew, black raven — feathers like obsidian flame, eyes like molten gold — descended from the sky with a cry that sent shivers through the air.
[funfact : Ruin is bigger then an Average Raven by 2X.]
It landed gracefully on Ash's shoulder. Its wings spread wide, casting a silhouette like a legend against the sun.
Reina's grinned. "That bird…"
Nami whispered, "Ruin's beautiful ....you should really change his name to 'sunshine'."
Ruin tilted its head, sharp eyes glinting — a creature born of storm and shadow.
Reina smiled softly. "He suits you, Captain."
Ash reached up, brushing a hand through the bird's feathers. "right ?"
Ruin let out a single, echoing caw — proud, commanding — as if acknowledging the praise.
Ash turned back to his crew, the North Blue stretching endlessly ahead.
"Alright, crew. We've conquered the east blue… now let's conquer the north blue ,before we enter the big stage."
Reina raised her fist. "Aye, Captain!"
Nami grinned. "Just try not to get us killed before lunch."
Medusa chuckled darkly. "No promises."
Ash laughed, the wind roaring behind him, Ruin spreading its wings wide.
"Alright ,alright, now... let's go to the nearest island, we need supplies and information on a certain someone, we can discuss the rest of route after that."
"Aye aye captain ~"
Nami responded looking at the map of North blue she got from a merchant when they were in Loguetown.
The Revanent sailed toward the shining horizon — into the unknown, and into legend.