"Isn't that the symbol of the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"What are the Whitebeard Pirates doing here?"
"That's a major pirate crew!"
In a small restaurant on Sake Island, a man in an orange cowboy hat sat at a table, devouring his food. The other patrons behind him were buzzing with hushed, anxious whispers.
"I'm looking for a traitor," Ace announced, turning to face the crowd after downing a large gulp of beer.
"A traitor?" The onlookers had no idea who he was talking about.
"There's a small restaurant here. Let's go check it out," Ryuuto said, pushing open the door.
Creak.
The wooden door swung inward, revealing the cozy interior of the restaurant to Ryuuto and his crew. The space was simple, containing only a bar counter and eight or nine dining tables. At that moment, all the patrons were gathered in a crowd, nervously watching the man eating at the rearmost table.
"Hey, don't go any closer!"
"He's a big-shot from the Whitebeard Pirates!" a few of the patrons urged, quickly grabbing Ryuuto's arm to stop him and his friends from advancing.
"He... He's Ryuuto!" a man in the crowd suddenly shrieked, pointing a terrified finger.
"What? Ryuuto?! The strongest rookie?"
"I heard he killed the Warlord Crocodile in Alabasta and escaped from the Marines completely unscathed!"
Thump!
One man stumbled back in alarm, knocking over a nearby table.
"Is the captain's reputation really that huge now?" Nami muttered, eyeing Ryuuto with a hint of doubt. Dressed in a white stand-collar shirt, he stood silently amidst the crowd, his presence alone enough to command the room.
He really is our captain, Nami thought in a daze.
The commotion finally interrupted Ace's meal. He slowly rose from his seat and walked over to Ryuuto. "So you're Ryuuto? The one with the 150 million beri bounty?"
"Ace. Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division," Ryuuto replied calmly, identifying him in turn.
"Gahahahaha! Nicely done!" Ace boomed with a hearty laugh. "That Sand-Crocodile lost his nerve a long time ago. He barely even counted as a pirate anymore!" He grinned broadly. "Ryuuto, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
"The pleasure's all mine," Ryuuto replied, a smile gracing his own lips.
With that, Ace slung an arm around Ryuuto's shoulders and pulled him over to his table.
"That scared me! I thought they were about to fight," Vivi said, letting out a sigh of relief as she glanced at Nami.
Nami just shrugged, finding it hard to understand how friendships between men could form so easily. She, Vivi, and Crocus then took a seat at the table next to them.
"Proprietor! Bring us your best food and ale!" Crocus called out loudly as his stomach rumbled.
"Coming right up!" the proprietor called back, poking his head out from the kitchen.
"Ryuuto, try this!" Ace said enthusiastically, draping an arm over his new friend's shoulder. "This is the most famous drink on the island. The owner calls it... Monkey Brew or something!" He pushed a massive mug of the liquor toward Ryuuto.
Gulp, gulp, gulp...
Ryuuto accepted without hesitation, lifting the mug and pouring the contents down his throat. The crisp liquid was much smoother than he'd expected, with a potent, fruity aroma that filled his senses.
"This is amazing," Ryuuto said, offering his genuine praise.
"Gahahahaha! Proprietor, bring us some more of this Monkey Brew!" Ace roared, delighted by Ryuuto's reaction, and the two began to eat and drink together.
A waiter approached Nami's table. "And for the two lovely ladies, would you like to try our Monkey Brew? We have a special blend designed just for you."
"Sure. Vivi, want one?" Nami agreed with a wave of her hand before turning to her friend.
"Mhm, I'll try one too," Vivi nodded.
A gentle breeze rustled the wind chimes hanging by the door. The afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, its warm light slowly creeping across the tables. Soon, the only ones left in the restaurant were Ace, Ryuuto, and his crew. Having eaten and drunk his fill, Ace was already fast asleep, slumped over the table.
Ryuuto and Nami were now discussing the purchase of supplies with the proprietor—or rather, Nami was doing the negotiating while Ryuuto served as her imposing bodyguard.
"A little lower! We'll buy in bulk!" Nami insisted, her money-loving nature on full display as she slammed her hand on the table.
"I really can't go any lower..." the proprietor protested, veins bulging on his forehead. But then he glanced at Ryuuto, and his voice dwindled until he finally relented with a sigh. "Alright, fine!"
"Oh yeah!" Nami cheered like a victorious warrior and threw herself at Ryuuto, planting a happy hug on him. She then leaned in, ready to plant a kiss on his cheek.
Ahem!
Ryuuto cleared his throat twice. Nami immediately got the message and hopped off him.
"Honestly!" Vivi sighed, shaking her head at the scene.
Nami's money-grubbing side is actually pretty cute, Ryuuto thought to himself, a smile tugging at his lips from her lively display.
Crocus simply watched them with a knowing grin.
Another gust of wind set the chimes rattling violently...
"Trouble! This is bad!" a voice shouted from outside. A pirate with a bandage wrapped around his head burst into the restaurant.
"It's terrible! The Sea God has awakened!" the man yelled frantically, rushing toward the proprietor and grabbing him by the shirt.
"What? The Sea God's awake? But didn't he just wake up a couple of days ago?" The proprietor's face went pale with shock as he began to mutter to himself. "What do we do now?" He paced back and forth, anxiously running his hands through his hair.
"Who is this Sea God?" Nami asked, her curiosity piqued.
Ryuuto, Vivi, and Crocus all turned to the proprietor and the pirate, awaiting an answer.
"The Sea God is a Sea King from the Calm Belt," the pirate explained.
"A Sea King?" Ryuuto pressed. "What's it doing here instead of the Calm Belt? And what do you mean it's 'awakened' again?"
"It's a long story..." the proprietor began, launching into the tale of the Sea God. "The Sea God, this Sea King, first appeared at our island when a vicious band of pirates was trying to conquer us. Thanks to the Sea God, that pirate crew was completely wiped out."
"After that day, the Sea God took up residence right off our coast. To show our gratitude, we would regularly toss food and our finest Monkey Brew into the sea for it."
"But the Monkey Brew... that's where the trouble started."