Ten days later, after bidding farewell to everyone in Cocoyasi Village, Ryuuto and Nami set sail on their new voyage.
They were no longer on Ryuuto's small sampan. After spending fifty million Berries, they had acquired a small caravel. The ship was built from the East Blue's native Whisperwood, its hull painted in shades of cream and pale gold. Ryuuto had deliberately left the mast in its original, natural wood color.
For the figurehead, they had mounted a fearsome dragon's head. Two crimson gemstones were inlaid into its eye sockets, giving the sculpture a domineering and majestic presence. The sails were emblazoned with a pattern of stars, symbolizing luck and guidance. In the center of the deck, a single miniature tangerine tree was planted.
Next to the helm was a folding wooden panel that could be opened on sunny days to serve as an open-air dining table. The ship's cabin contained a galley and four separate rooms.
As for the name, Ryuuto christened it the Dragon's Rise. Nami thoughtfully designed a jolly roger for their new pirate ship, featuring the dragon figurehead crossed with a pair of bones.
With that, the Dragon's Rise Pirates were officially formed.
Pulled along by Mohmoo, the Dragon's Rise sailed smoothly across the open sea. Basking in the warm sunlight, Ryuuto sat in a wicker chair sipping tea while Nami pored over her collection of nautical charts.
That's right, the Dragon's Rise Pirates currently had three members: Captain Ryuuto, Navigator Nami, and their beast of burden, Mohmoo. As for Luffy and the others, they had already set out a few days before Ryuuto's departure.
Still, Ryuuto believed they would meet again if fate allowed. After all, their next destination was the same: Loguetown. He had to wonder, though—could Luffy and his crew actually reach Loguetown without a navigator? It was anyone's guess.
The days at sea passed quickly. Under Nami's command, Mohmoo periodically adjusted their course.
Caw! Caw!
A gust of sea breeze brought a News Coo with it. Spotting the Dragon's Rise on the water, the bird dove down, dropped two newspapers onto the deck, and then flew off with a couple of squawks.
"Ryuuto! You have a bounty!" Nami shouted as she picked up a paper and unfolded it.
There it was: Ryuuto's first bounty poster.
[ Ryuuto ]
[ Vicious Pirate Rookie ]
[ For the murder of Captain Nezumi in Cocoyasi Village ]
[ Bounty: 30,000,000 Berries ]
"Hahahahaha! Only thirty million Berries," Ryuuto laughed as he looked at the amount on the poster.
"Honestly! You're actually happy about being wanted by the World Government," Nami said, completely exasperated by his reaction.
Meanwhile, on Drum Island, Dalton and Eve also saw Ryuuto's bounty in the newspaper. For those who travel far, a bounty poster was often the best way to know they were still alive. They were happy for him at first, but then a wave of concern washed over them. Why had he caused such a disturbance? And he had killed a Marine Captain?
Back on the Dragon's Rise, Ryuuto casually tossed the newspaper aside.
"Geppo!"
With a soft cry, he kicked off the air, walking through the sky until he was above the open sea. He then aimed a Rankyaku at a massive fish just below the surface.
Boom!
The water was split apart, revealing a shark-like sea creature. A deep, fatal wound was now carved into its body, and its life force was gone.
"Soru!"
In the next instant, Ryuuto appeared beside the dead fish and kicked it, sending it flying onto the deck of the Dragon's Rise.
Thump! The enormous creature landed heavily on the wooden planks.
"Moo!" Mohmoo cried out gratefully toward Ryuuto. The sea creature had been circling him for some time, apparently waiting for a chance to attack. With the threat gone, Mohmoo put its full concentration into pulling the ship forward.
"Geppo... by kicking the air at high speed, you generate a repulsive force that allows for momentary levitation or mid-air movement, like climbing an invisible staircase," Ryuuto mused, replaying the technique in his mind as he returned to the deck.
He had exchanged 5,000 Reputation Points, earned from defeating the Arlong Pirates, for this ability. His current Reputation balance was 2,164. It had been a mere 115 after the exchange, but his fame for liberating the surrounding villages had spread, earning him another 2,000 points.
"Nami, we're having shark fin today! A little change of pace!" Ryuuto said gently to Nami, who had been startled by the massive fish.
He set to work, skillfully slicing the large fin from the creature's body. He figured the rest of the meat wouldn't be very tasty. After cleaning and preparing the huge fin, he took it to the galley, where he began stewing it with ham, lean meat, and other ingredients. Once it had simmered long enough, they would have a delicious and fragrant shark fin soup.
While waiting for the soup to cook, Ryuuto considered his newly acquired 2,000 Reputation Points and browsed the exchange interface. His eyes landed on one item in particular, and he made his choice.
The Sorcery Clima-Tact. The weapon Nami was destined to wield in the future.
The cost was exactly 2,000 Reputation. With this purchase, his balance returned to 164.
"Exchange!"
He thought the command, and a white light flashed. A three-sectioned staff now rested in his inventory. Its segments were blue and white, decorated with cloud patterns. The ends were fitted with rotatable spheres containing various Dials, capable of creating thunderclouds and tornadoes. It was the very same Sorcery Clima-Tact Nami would later create on Weatheria.
"Retrieve!" he commanded mentally, and the staff appeared in his hands.
Ryuuto gave it a few swings. The craftsmanship was excellent. It could serve as a blunt weapon while also manipulating the weather on a small scale for attacks.
Holding the Sorcery Clima-Tact, he walked out of the galley and back onto the deck. Nami was relaxing contentedly, sipping a drink and enjoying the sun and sea breeze.
"Nami, I have a gift for you."
Ryuuto walked over and held out the staff.
"What's this?" she asked, surprised. He had gone into the galley and somehow emerged with a long staff.
"It's a Clima-Tact. By rotating this device, you can create thunderclouds, tornadoes..." Ryuuto gave a brief explanation and handed it to her, letting her discover the rest on her own.
Nami took her new gift and began to examine it, feeling that it was a perfect fit for her. Overcome with joy, she threw her arms around Ryuuto. "Thank you, Captain!"
"Nami, you can let go now!" Ryuuto gasped, feeling the air being squeezed from his lungs. He quickly urged her to release him.