The large restaurant buzzed with noise, wooden tables slightly shaking from the constant flow of diners.
Ryan's plate was piled high, bones from grilled Sea Eel forming a small hill, empty rum bottles arranged in a crooked formation at the corner of the table. He held half a grilled Sea Eel, devouring it with gusto, fragrant oil dripping down between his fingers and staining his dark trousers without a care.
He took a large gulp of rum, the amber liquid sliding down his throat with a fiery spiciness, yet it failed to suppress the mix of amusement and exasperation in his heart.
These past few days, Tashigi had been like a wound-up alarm clock, always appearing precisely where he might pass by.
Sometimes she'd be on the stone steps of the dock, clutching her precious notebook, standing up immediately when she saw him approach, her eyes behind her glasses shining like morning stars.
Other times during patrol breaks, she'd call out "Mr. Ryan" from two streets away. Just yesterday evening, when he was smoking beneath the execution platform, she managed to find him, squatting nearby and chattering endlessly about new Marine regulations, about how Captain Smoker, though strict, genuinely cared for his subordinates, about how the Marines had saved her when pirates bullied her as a child...
"Justice," "duty," "protection"—these words spoken from her mouth always carried an unquestionable sincerity.
Ryan had witnessed hypocritical justice before, but facing Tashigi's clear eyes, he couldn't even muster a sarcastic remark.
This girl was too genuine, as pure as the cleanest waves of East Blue, making his knowledge of the world's darkness seem like filthy mud that shunned the light.
Her stubbornness wasn't obstinacy, but a heartfelt belief that the path she walked was right. Her kindness wasn't foolishness, but a willingness to guard the light in her heart even after seeing darkness.
"Really..." Ryan wiped the grease from his mouth with the back of his hand, rubbed his forehead, and pushed the empty rum bottle aside with a soft "thud."
Annoying? Not really. He even felt that because of this persistent girl chasing him around talking about "justice," the sea breeze in Loguetown carried a different vitality.
How to put it? Sincerity could sometimes be an unstoppable trump card.
But he was indeed a bit bothered. If he stayed any longer, she might show up at his inn door first thing tomorrow morning, recruitment forms in hand, her eyes sparkling behind her glasses, waiting for him to sign.
It seemed it was time to leave Loguetown.
As he chewed on the Sea Eel meat, two merchants at the next table suddenly exclaimed, "If we're talking about good places in East Blue, it has to be the Baratie! I heard their head chef can make ordinary sea bream taste more delicious than dragon meat!"
"Baratie?" Ryan's ears perked up, his hand holding the Sea Eel pausing mid-air.
The Baratie—he naturally knew of it. That was where "Black Leg" Sanji had been, a famous culinary landmark in East Blue.
"Interesting." A smile curled at the corner of Ryan's mouth, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, even the grease between them trembling slightly.
It might be good to check out Baratie first. Getting farther from Loguetown would both help him avoid Tashigi's pervasive "persuasion campaign" and let him taste the famous food himself.
He was just wandering aimlessly anyway, going wherever the sea breeze blew. Since this idea had taken root in his mind, there was no need to delay.
Go wherever I want, never needing to report to anyone, nor having to put up with anyone's attitude.
...
The next day.
The sea breeze at the harbor carried a salty, fishy scent, and the wooden planks of the pier creaked under the constant tread of boots.
Tashigi was assisting Smoker in dealing with a group of recently subdued pirates. Seastone handcuffs glinted coldly under the sunlight.
As she crouched down to cuff a snarling pirate, she caught a glimpse of a familiar black figure out of the corner of her eye—a standing-collar trench coat swaying gently in the wind, the Wind Splitter scabbard at his waist particularly conspicuous.
"Mr. Ryan!" Her eyes lit up, and she stood up almost reflexively. Her short, light-blue hair was tousled by the wind, and the handcuffs in her hand jangled with a crisp metallic sound.
Ryan had just stepped onto the gangplank of a merchant ship preparing to set sail. Hearing his name, he turned and saw Tashigi running toward him, her military boots thudding loudly on the wooden planks. Behind her followed Smoker, a cigar clenched between his teeth.
The Marine captain's face was obscured by bluish-gray smoke, his gaze heavy and scrutinizing as he looked Ryan up and down. The intensity of his stare was almost palpable, carrying an undisguised wariness.
"Are you leaving?" Tashigi asked, slightly out of breath as she stopped before him. Her eyes, behind her glasses, were filled with obvious disappointment.
Ryan nodded, his fingers lightly tapping the Wind Splitter's scabbard, producing a dull, muffled sound. "Yes, heading to the Baratie."
"The Baratie?" Tashigi blinked in surprise before slapping the back of her hand in realization. "You mean that floating sea restaurant? But it doesn't have a fixed location—it drifts around the East Blue…"
"I know." Ryan glanced at the waiting fleet, where sailors were slowly raising the sails on the masts. "That's why I'm traveling with the merchant ships. They know the general area."
"Tashigi." Smoker's voice was low and raspy, cutting her off.
He took two steps forward, the smoke from his cigar drifting toward Ryan, carrying a pungent odor. The warning in his tone was unmistakable. "Don't get too friendly with someone of unknown origins."
Ryan ignored Smoker, simply tilting his chin toward Tashigi. "I'm off."
"Wait!" Tashigi hurried forward, her boots nearly stepping off the edge of the gangplank. It seemed she still wanted to say something to persuade him to stay, but seeing the calm in Ryan's eyes, she swallowed her words. In the end, all she said was:
"Well… take care on your journey! And remember, the Marines' doors are always open to you!"
Ryan gave a slight smirk, thinking to himself how Tashigi's kindness left him with no room for irritation.
He didn't respond, turning instead to board the ship. The vessel swayed gently with the waves, and his figure soon disappeared into the bustling crowd on the deck.
Tashigi watched the merchant ship gradually sail away, her shoulders slumping slightly. The handcuffs in her hand creaked as she tightened her grip. "What a shame… I thought I might be able to convince him to stay."
"Shame?" Smoker blew a smoke ring, which twisted and dissipated in the wind. His gaze followed the receding ship, his brow furrowed deeply. "There's something off about that guy's aura. He's no saint."
He could sense the suppressed power within the other man—like a whirlpool hidden beneath a calm sea surface. It appeared steady, but in reality, it could stir up a storm in an instant.
"I just hope he doesn't cause any trouble in the East Blue."
Tashigi pursed her lips and didn't argue back. She knew Smoker's intuition was usually accurate, but she couldn't help thinking: How could someone as good as Mr. Ryan possibly cause trouble!
The merchant ship gradually sailed into the distance, its white sails shrinking to a tiny black dot on the horizon before being swallowed by the morning mist. Only the sea wind remained, sweeping across the empty ocean with an indescribable sense of melancholy.
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