Yet another day, the morning sun shone brilliantly across the horizon; birds flapped their wings relentlessly, and the sound of their chirping echoed through the atmosphere.
The streets buzzed with palpable excitement. Traders lurked throughout the well-lit avenues while the trio wandered effortlessly through the crowds.
"Is your ship anchored at the dock?" Jake uttered, swirling his lollipop between his lips as he lit a cigarette.
The duo halted momentarily before resuming their pace beside him. "Nah," Gojo replied, "long story short, we lost our cash while being chased by the marines."
Exhaling a perfect ring of smoke, Jake licked his lollipop before withdrawing it. "Then how did you guys make it to this island? You must have found some way to procure a vessel."
Ryuken adjusted the red kimono he wore. "The thing is… we had no other choice but to steal a half-repaired boat while commander Keigo and his minions were hot on our tails."
"So you paddled that little boat all the way here?!" The cigarette tumbled from his mouth. "Just how reckless can you be? You two must be complete muscle-brained lunatics."
"Oi."
Jake led them into a local shop to buy liquor, retrieving another large cigarette from the bandolier wrapped across his chest.
[A/N: Similar to how Smoker's cigars are strapped to his body like ammunition.]
"Oho! Look who we have here—if it isn't Jake-kun, the greatest sniper in Trader's Haven!" the bartender remarked with a smirk. "I see you've brought company today."
"Yeah!"
Jake settled onto a wooden stool, followed closely by Gojo and Ryuken.
"I'll treat you all to some top-shelf liquor," the old man offered. "Give me a moment; I'll be back in a jiffy."
Jake drew a short pistol from behind his waist and laid it on the table. "This little piece used to belong to my old man," he said abruptly, capturing the attention of both his companions.
"Used to?"
"Yeah. He's dead now. This was the only thing he left me—said it was a special gift."
"I'm sorry, Jake."
"It's alright. I intend to honor his dream of seeing me become the world's greatest sniper. I know it won't be easy, but I promised him I'd make it happen."
Hearing this, Gojo was briefly pulled into memories of his own past in the world of sorcerers, though he quickly shook off the nostalgia. "That's a worthy dream, Jake. I'm certain you'll carve your name as the world's finest sniper—and as a crewmate of the next Pirate King."
"Pirate King?" The bartender's ears perked up, and the stainless steel glass he was holding clattered onto the counter. "You youngsters… you're pirates?"
"Yeah," Jake confirmed, flipping the pistol deftly in his left hand.
"Old man," Gojo pressed, his curiosity igniting as he loosened his blindfold to reveal striking blue eyes, "did you know the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger?"
'Those eyes are something else…' Jake marveled silently.
"Yeah," the old man began, sobbing quietly for a moment before wiping the tears gathering in his eyes. "Gol D. Roger—the man who conquered the Grand Sea and claimed the legendary treasure, the 'One Piece'—was also the man who brought an end to my pirate crew long ago."
"Hehn?!" Hearing this, the trio erupted in unison, their voices thick with disbelief.
"Old man, you were a pirate?"
"You fought the legendary Pirate King?"
"Not only that—you were a pirate captain?!"
"Easy there, young fellas. I'll answer your questions one at a time." The man hummed thoughtfully as he placed three glasses of top-shelf liquor on the table before them. "Firstly, as I said, I was once a pirate captain—the captain of the Galaxy Pirates."
"Keep going, old man! I'm getting excited!"
The old man continued his tale, "We didn't rival Roger in the slightest—we were annihilated in the blink of an eye." He sipped his liquor, adjusting his glasses with his index finger. "Our ship was shattered, many of my crew were lost that day… and I was granted a second chance at life when he spared me."
"Just how strong were you to have engaged in battle with Roger?" Gojo pressed.
"Compared to Roger and his crew? I'd say I was little more than a chicken in a lion's den—"
"Say," Gojo interjected, leaning forward intently, "did you know about the cursed fruit? Is it real, like they say in the Grand Line?"
The man fixed Gojo with a knowing smile. "Have you heard of them? The Devil Fruits?"
"Yes. I read about them in a book in the library back in Foosha Village."
"Ho… I see. They are real. Everything you've learned—it's all true."
"Are you fucking serious?" Ryuken swallowed hard.
The old man gazed at the trio, his eyes distant with memories of his adventurous youth. "In fact," he whispered conspiratorially, "I myself possess the power of a Devil Fruit. I ate one in my early days as a pirate." He raised a hand. "Watch."
He flicked his fingers, and instantly the wooden stools beneath the trio shifted and contorted, binding their limbs tightly.
"What the hell is this?!"
"That is my Devil Fruit ability. I ate the Wood-Wood Fruit, which allows me to manipulate wood at will." With another snap of his fingers, the wood receded, returning the stools—and their freedom—to normal.
They sat utterly dumbfounded, lost for words at what they had just witnessed—a feat performed with barely a motion.
"This is unbelievable!" Jake exclaimed, shaking his head in awe.
"Just how mysterious is the Grand Line?!"
"How mysterious is the Grand Line?" The old man chuckled softly before taking another sip. "It is far more mysterious than you can possibly imagine." He set his glass down deliberately. "Now tell me… what did you mean by 'the second Pirate King'?"
"Because I am going to become the next Pirate King," Gojo declared, his voice firm and resolute. "I will conquer the marines, the Revolutionary Army, and the World Government."
"And you are not afraid of dying along the way?"
"Afraid of dying?" Gojo broke into brief laughter before his expression hardened into one of absolute seriousness. "I have already been to hell and back—granted a second chance at life, much like you."
"What do you mean by that?" Asked the old man, his curiosity piqued.
"It means I will not die… I cannot be killed. Not anymore."
"That is a bold declaration from a captain, and I admire it. I can only advise you this once: ensure you realize your dreams. I have faith that you will become the King of the Pirates, provided you are truly prepared for the trials ahead."
"Trust me when I tell you I have already ventured through hell; believe me, I will undoubtedly become the King of Pirates. I am certain I have steadfast friends who will fight alongside me to the very end!"
"I wish you the best of luck on your voyage." The old man raised a finger in emphasis. "Pay close attention to my final words. Never bow down to the World Government. They are the true evil lurking within the shadows, and if you are destined to become the King, then you must thwart whatever sinister plans the World Government is orchestrating!"
"That is precisely my intention," Gojo declared, clenching his fist with resolve. "Thank you for the wisdom, old man!"
The trio sipped their liquor and requested a second round, which was promptly served. Finally, the old man dismissed them with a warm smile, insisting they keep their money—a gesture for which they were profoundly grateful.
"Just how formidable do you think that old man was in his prime?"
"Well… I cannot say for certain," Jake replied, sliding another cigarette into his mouth. "More pressingly, do either of you know how to navigate a ship?"
Glancing at each other, the duo shook their heads, eliciting a heavy sigh from Jake. "Your luck is astounding; it seems I will also be your navigator."
"For real?!"
"Keep your voices down, you fools! Do not yell like that in the middle of the street."
"Do you truly know how to navigate a ship?" They whispered in a low tone, their eyes wide with anticipation.
"Yes!"
"Then let us set sail immediately!"
"Alright, alright—both of you, calm down. First, we must procure a ship and stock it with adequate provisions and clothing."
After managing to afford a modest vessel, they stocked it with clothes and enough food to sustain them for a span of thirty days.
"Now, since we lack a Jolly Roger, why do we not design one immediately?"
"A superb idea, Jake!"
Gojo, the captain of the Blue-Eyed Pirates, hummed thoughtfully as he contemplated the design. He was meticulous in his consideration, for a Jolly Roger is the iconic skull-and-crossbones flag that signifies a pirate crew's presence and embodies their spirit of freedom.
"Let us go with this!"
Gojo's Jolly Roger featured a grinning skull adorned with his trademark blindfold, but instead of empty sockets, one eye shone with a brilliant sapphire-blue intensity. Behind the skull, swirling infinity symbols formed the crossbones, lending the design a simultaneously playful and ominous aura—a mockery to their enemies and a symbol marking his crew as both unpredictable and unstoppable.
"…and done!" He wiped the sweat from his brow, still clutching the paintbrush.
"It looks magnificent! Now we are full-fledged pirates!"
"Absolutely!"
"Now, let us bid farewell by patronizing that restaurant one last time!"
"Oho! A splendid notion! Let us enjoy a proper meal before we sail!"
The trio made their way to the restaurant, which was staffed with top-notch chefs, and they ordered and ate to their hearts' content. "Hey, join my crew," Gojo joked.
"No way, you idiot!" The waiter declined their request the second time.
"Okay, okay!"
Exiting the restaurant, they found not chaos but a peaceful send-off; the trio left the island amidst laughter and with their supplies secured, while the townsfolk waved them off with genuine smiles.
"Do come and visit us again, Blue-Eyed Pirates!" The townsfolk cried out.
"Certainly! We will return and make this island our official territory when we are renowned big shots!"
"Let us set sail, men!" The captain exclaimed.
"Yeah!"
...
Alright guys here it is! I created a Patreon and for those who want to support me do well to visit and subscribe and also I've got 10 chapters for those who wants to read ahead!
Patreon.com/Hunchovroy848