A week later
As Ryu's boat cut through the rolling waves, sailing steadily toward Lore City, Ryu suddenly spotted an island emerging on the distant horizon. His eyes lit up with excitement, and he immediately pointed toward it.
"Oi, Jack! Look over there!" Ryu shouted, his voice carrying across the sea breeze. "There's an island ahead! Is it Lore City?"
Jack's lips curled into a smirk as his gaze settled on the island rising from the horizon. Raising his booze bottle, he took a long swig before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. With a grin full of anticipation, he shot Ryu a nod.
"Yeah, that's Lore City. Once we dock the ship, the first thing we're doing is heading straight to the bar!"
Ryu's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He whipped his head toward Jack, pointing a finger at him in utter disbelief.
"You drunken idiot! Why the hell are you thinking about bars at a time like this?! We have a job to finish, remember?! We should be heading straight for the Capone Family's base and finish them off."
Jack let out a booming laugh at Ryu's outburst. Tilting his head back, he took another long swig from his booze bottle before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"BOHOHOHOHO! You really are a greenhorn, aren't you, Ryu? All we know is that the Capone Family's hideout is somewhere in Lore City—we don't know where the damned place is exactly! And where do rumors, secrets, and loose tongues gather? The bars, of course! We'll head there first, squeeze out the information we need, and once we've got the location, we'll draw up a plan and slip into their base without anyone noticing!"
Ryu's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Jack. After a long moment, he scratched the back of his head and let out a loud laugh.
"KAHAHAHA! I'll be damned, Jack! That was actually a pretty good plan! I never thought a booze-soaked idiot like you could come up with something that clever!"
Jack let out a low chuckle, taking another swig from his booze before flashing a carefree grin. His eyes gleamed with confidence as he replied,
"BOHOHOHO!, Kid, I've sailed the West Blue long enough to learn one thing—surviving the sea is all about information," he said with a low chuckle, the wind tugging at his coat. "So keep the boat steady, Rockie. We'll be there in a couple of hours."
He glanced toward the darkening horizon, eyes narrowing with intent.
"We need to find a good place to hide the boat when we arrive at Lore City harbor… somewhere no one'll notice," he added, voice dropping into a sharper tone. "Because after we steal Captain Ning's treasure… we're not sticking around to celebrate—we're disappearing."
Ryu gave a slow nod, a feral grin creeping across his face as the wind tugged at his kimono. His eyes burned with a wild, unrestrained fighting spirit—like a beast finally let off its chain.
"Heh… now you're speaking my language," he muttered, cracking his knuckles as his smirk widened. "Let's see what the Capone family have to offer."
_______
In Lore City harbor
After the duo finally docked their boat at the shadowed harbor of Lore City and carefully concealed it among the clustered vessels, Ryu calmly reached for the straps around his body. One by one, he unfastened the heavy training weights hidden beneath his kimono and let them fall with a deep, thunderous clang against the wooden planks. The sound echoed through the dock like a warning bell.
Jack's eyes widened in shock as he stepped closer, crouching to inspect them. "...You've been carrying these the whole time?" he muttered, lifting one with visible effort. His expression shifted from curiosity to disbelief as he realized their sheer mass. Ryu rolled his shoulders, finally freed from the burden, and exhaled slowly—like a beast released from its shackles.
'This kid, is a monster, no wonder he had the disposition of a king…' Jack chuckled softly, suddenly he started reconsidering everything he thought he knew about Ryu.
After disembarking from the boat, Ryu and Jack began to wander through the bustling streets of Lore City.
Ryu's eyes widened as he took in the sheer scale of Lore City.
"..This place is huge," he muttered, almost unable to hide his surprise.
Jack let out a low chuckle and said to Ryu.
"Lore City… the second largest city in all of West Blue," Jack said with a grin, his eyes glinting with interest. "Only Dabi City stands above it—the greatest commercial hub in these waters."
Ryu nodded slowly, eyes widening in genuine awe as he took in the scene before him.
Towering buildings stretched high into the sky, lining the streets like stone giants guarding the flow of people below. The city pulsed with life—children darted through the crowds, laughing freely as they weaved between legs and carts without a single worry in the world.
From every direction came the booming voices of vendors, proudly calling out their wares. Stalls overflowed with vibrant fruits, strange and unfamiliar trinkets, and exotic goods said to have come from distant seas.
"Fresh fish! Straight from the East docks!"
"Get your spices here! Rare imports from the Grand Line!"
The air was alive with noise, movement, and the scent of salt and food mixing together.
Jack walked beside Ryu with a lazy grin, casually sipping from his bottle as if this chaos was nothing special at all.
"Kid, the bar's this way, follow me,"
"Got it!" Ryu grinned confidently, before falling in behind Jack.
Jack swaggered through the bustling streets with a bottle in hand, completely convinced the kid was right behind him. But after a few turns, Ryu suddenly turned ninety degree to the right and disappeared in the alley.
Meanwhile, Jack continued marching forward, taking another swig of booze.
"BOHOHOHOHO! Stick close, kid! A pirate's gotta keep his eyes ope—"
He glanced over his shoulder.
Silence.
The space behind him was empty.
Jack froze mid-step.
His eyes widened in disbelief then a moment later a vein bulged on his forehead.
"THAT BRAT, I TOLD HIM TO FOLLOW ME WHERE DID HE GO?!" he roared, his furious shout echoing through the streets of Lore City.
_______
With Ryu
As Ryu wandered aimlessly through the bustling streets of Lore City, a deep frown crept across his face. The noise of merchants, the laughter of children, and the endless flow of people faded into the background as he scratched his head in frustration.
"Jack must've gotten lost!" Ryu grumbled as he wandered through the bustling streets of Lore City, veins bulging on his forehead.
"And he has the nerve to boast that he's the greatest navigator in all of West Blue! What kind of navigator gets lost while walking to a bar?!"
Ryu threw his hands into the air in frustration.
"KAHAHAHAHAHA! Greatest navigator, my ass! At this rate, he'll accidentally sail himself into the Grand Line looking for a drink!"
Suddenly, Ryu's eyes lit up. Through the bustling streets, he spotted a shamisen proudly displayed in a shop window. A small smile crept onto his face as memories surfaced when he was training in Logue Town. Five years ago, his grandfather would patiently teach him how to play the shamisen, filling the air with gentle melodies. Amid the chaos and excitement of Lore City, the sight of the instrument brought him a rare moment of nostalgia.
Flashback
Five years ago
Logue Town
Ryu sat across from Musashi in the lounge, his eyes fixed on the old Samurai as he carefully rested a shamisen across his lap. The room grew quiet, save for the distant sounds of the bustling town outside.
Musashi's weathered fingers brushed lightly against the strings, producing a soft, resonant note. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he lifted his gaze toward Ryu.
"Listen closely, boy," Musashi said, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of countless journeys across the seas. "A swordsman who only sharpens his blade will never understand the rhythm of the world."
"You've already mastered the fundamentals of the Miyamoto Sword Style and even the techniques of my own blade art!" Musashi declared with a proud grin, resting a hand on the Shamisen. "Out of all the brats I've trained, you're the most talented by far. It's like the sword itself chose you from the day you were born! You were born to walk the path of the blade, kid!"
"But talent alone won't carry you to the top, brat! No matter how gifted you are, the moment arrogance creeps into your heart and you stop training with everything you've got, you'll never reach your true potential. The sea is full of monsters who were called geniuses once—until someone stronger crushed them beneath the waves!"
"Never forget this, brat! Talent is nothing more than a head start. Sure, you were born standing ahead of most swordsmen, but that's all it is—a starting line! The moment you grow arrogant, the moment you slack off and stop taking your training seriously, the swordsmen behind you will keep swinging their blades, day after day, until they catch up... and then leave you in the dust! A true swordsman sharpens his blade every single day, no matter how talented he is!"
Ryu narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. He gave Musashi a firm nod, his expression turning unusually serious as he listened to every word his grandfather had to say.
"Today I'm gonna teach you how to play the shamisen! Listen carefully and keep up, because I won't repeat myself twice!" Musashi declared with a wide grin, resting the shamisen across his lap as his fingers tapped against the strings. "A swordsman needs more than strength—he needs rhythm, spirit, and heart! And that's exactly what this instrument will teach you!"
Ryu looked confused at his grandfather.
"How so?"
Musashi's lips curled into a smirk as he fixed his gaze on his grandson.
"Listen up, brat," he said with a sharp grin, his eyes steady like a seasoned sword master. "Everything in this world moves to its own rhythm. Fire has its rhythm… water has its rhythm… even the wind dances to a rhythm of its own."
"A sword style is nothing more than the reflection of its wielder," Musashi said calmly.
"A true swordsmen doesn't only cut flesh with their sword—it also reveals the heart of the one who holds it. How you see your sword… that is how sword style is born."
He let the words settle, his gaze sharpening like steel drawn from its sheath.
"But remember this, kid… a sword style without rhythm is a broken song. No matter how sharp the technique, no matter how refined the form—if it lacks rhythm, it will always be incomplete."
Ryu's eyes widened slightly as he leaned in, hanging on every word Musashi spoke, as if the world around him had faded into silence. He listened with unwavering focus to him.
"By learning the Shamisen, you'll begin to understand rhythm itself."
Musashi fingers lightly brushed the strings, letting out a soft, resonant tone that lingered in the air.
"And when you learn to feel it properly, your mind will quiet… and even your heart will stop shaking so easily."
End of Flashback
Ryu stepped into the shop without a hint of hesitation.
Ding!
The bell above the door echoed through the cramped interior, slicing through the quiet like a signal flare on a calm sea.
From behind the counter, a fat, middle-aged man with a long, curled mustache slowly lifted his head. His eyes narrowed for a moment—measuring the newcomer—before a wide, practiced smile spread across his face.
"Well, well… welcome, traveler! What brings you to my humble shop?"
Ryu offered the shopkeeper a calm, polite smile as he stepped closer and spoke.
"I'm looking for a Shamisen of real quality."
The shopkeeper's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the request, lingering there for a brief moment as if weighing the words. Then a small, knowing smile crept onto his face.
Without another word, he pushed himself up from his seat and disappeared into the back of the shop, his footsteps fading into the quiet shadows behind the counter.
After a few minutes, the shopkeeper returned to the counter, his footsteps slow and deliberate. In his hands he carried a long shamisen—far longer than any standard instrument, its presence almost imposing.
The body was a clean, radiant white, as if untouched by time, while elegant golden lines flowed across its surface like drifting currents, wrapping around it in intricate patterns that shimmered faintly under the shop's dim light. It didn't feel like a mere instrument… but something carefully crafted with intent far beyond ordinary craftsmanship.
The shopkeeper let out a low chuckle, running a hand along the polished instrument as if it were a prized treasure.
"This shamisen… it's forged from Wano Country in the Grand Line," he said with a hint of pride. "Best quality I've got in this whole shop. Go on then, kid—give it a try."
Ryu's lips curled into a faint smile as he gave a small nod. Without a word, he reached out and took hold of the shamisen.
His fingers traced along its polished surface with quiet curiosity, carefully inspecting every detail.
His eyes widened at how flawlessly polished the shamisen felt beneath his fingers—like it had been crafted to answer every touch.
Without hesitation, he lowered himself to the ground, sitting cross-legged with calm precision. The world around him seemed to fade as he drew a breath, steadying his mind.
Then, with a single pluck, he let the first tone ring out—clear, resonant, and strangely alive, as if the instrument itself had been waiting for that exact moment to awaken.
"TING!, TING!, TING!"
"TING!, TING!"
The shopkeeper's eyes widened, almost in disbelief, as the slow, rhythmic notes drifted through the air—one after another, steady as a heartbeat.
For a brief moment, the entire shop felt different… as if the world itself had fallen into sync with the sound.
He involuntarily closed his eyes, letting his tense shoulders loosen as the sound of Ryu's Shamisen washed over him.
Each note drifted through the air like a gentle tide across a quiet harbor, pulling his thoughts away from everything else. For a moment, there was no shop, no worries—only the steady rhythm of strings, and the calm it carried deep into his chest.
Ryu's fingers moved with growing intensity, the rhythm of the shamisen rising faster and sharper with every passing moment. His eyes remained closed, yet in the silence of his mind a vivid battlefield unfolded.
Steel clashed against steel.
In his imagination, he stood face to face with Koushirou, the weight of the duel pressing down like a storm before impact. Each note he played mirrored a step, a parry, a strike—faster, tighter, more precise. The air itself seemed to tremble with unseen blades, as if the rhythm he created was no longer music, but a sword style born from memory and resolve.
After five minutes, he slowly opened his eyes. The final note lingered in the air like a fading tide, trembling with emotion before dissolving into silence.
His fingers came to a still rest on the strings—then, with a quiet breath, he finished the tone.
"CLAP!, CLAP!"
The shopkeeper began clapping slowly, his eyes shimmering with genuine admiration.
"Hooh…!" he let out a low laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "Didn't expect a brat like you to squeeze that much soul out of a Shamisen…"
His palms struck together again—louder this time—echoing through the quiet shop like approval carved in sound itself.
Ryu chuckled softly and rose to his feet.
"My grandfather—was the one who taught me the Shamisen when I was in the East Blue."
The shopkeeper gave a slow, knowing nod, his gaze dropping to the shamisen in Ryu's hands.
"Kid, you can have this Shamisen free of charge."
Ryu's eyes widened in surprise, his hand pausing mid-motion as he leaned forward.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he ran his fingers over the Shamisen. "This thing… it's no ordinary Shamisen. It's quality is top-tier."
The shopkeeper let out a small chuckle, a knowing grin curling beneath his mustache as he gave a firm nod.
"Take it as my way of thanks, kid… for that fine melody you played for me. You've earned it."
Ryu let out a quiet chuckle, tilting his head with a relaxed grin as he gave a small, confident nod.
"In that case, I won't be polite, thanks old man."
Ryu slung the shamisen across his back with the black strap the shopkeeper had gifted him, the instrument resting against him like a silent companion on a long voyage. Giving a final nod of farewell, Ryu turned on his heel and stepped out of the shop, the doorbell chiming softly behind him as he vanished into the streets.
______
After one hour
"Where the hell is Jack?"
Ryu wandered through Lore City with no real destination, his search for Jack going nowhere fast. An irritated sigh slipped from his lips, as if the very air was testing his patience for no reason at all.
Without thinking, he turned left.
His steps grew steady, almost calm, as though some unseen current was guiding him forward. Street after street blurred past until the noise of the city began to thin, replaced by a quieter, atmosphere.
Eventually, Ryu reached the far edge of Lore City.
There, standing in stark contrast to the worn streets behind him, loomed a massive luxurious mansion. Its gates towered like silent sentinels, and the estate beyond exuded a pressure that made the air feel different—still, tense, and strangely deliberate.
Ryu halted in his tracks, the lazy rhythm of his steps fading as his eyes lifted toward the towering mansion ahead. His brows arched slightly, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his usual calm.
"What this mansion doing here?"
At that instant, Ryu found himself completely encircled. Ten men in identical black suits had emerged without a sound, forming a tight ring around him. The cold metal of their guns gleamed under the light, all barrels locked onto his body from every angle. Not a single voice was raised, yet the air itself felt heavy—suffocating with murderous intent. Their eyes, sharp and emotionless, carried the unmistakable resolve of men who had already decided the outcome.
Ryu didn't move. He simply stood there, calm as the still sea as he gazed at the black suited men.
One of the black-suited men narrowed his eyes, studying Ryu's unnerving calm in the face of ten drawn guns.
"Who are you… and what business do you have trespassing in Capone Family territory?"
Ryu's eyes widened the moment those words hit him.
For a brief second, silence hung in the air—heavy, almost uneasy.
Then, a low chuckle slipped from his throat.
It started soft… almost amused.
But within moments, it swelled—growing sharper, wilder—until Ryu threw his head back and burst into laughter like a man possessed.
His laughter echoed out, unruly and unrestrained, cutting through the tension like a blade.
"Kaahahahaha!! I'm truly blessed by fate!" Ryu roared like a mad man causing the black suited men to take couple of steps back, he threw his head back in wild laughter. "That drunken navigator had wasted my time getting lost I will go a head and deal with them myself!"
His grin twisted wider, eyes glinting with excitement.
Ryu slowly turned on his heel, the air around him growing heavier as a bloodthirsty smirk crept across his face.
The ten black-suited men tensed at once.
Without a word, Ryu's hand moved to his waist.
Shiiing…
Chi Hime slid from its sheath in a slow, deliberate arc, the blade catching the light like a flash of cold moonlight.
His eyes narrowed.
"Now then…" he muttered, voice calm—too calm.
The killing intent that burst from him made the very air feel sharp enough to cut.
"Tell me, gentlemen…" Ryu's voice dropped into a dangerous calm as a slow grin tugged at his lips. "Where exactly is the Capone Family's base?"
At his question, the ten men in black suits all narrowed their eyes in unison, the air growing heavy with tension.
Then, one of them—a heavily built, muscular man—stepped forward and barked out sharply, his voice echoing with hostility.
"Kill him."
"BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!"
A storm of bullets tore through the air from every direction, shredding the silence as they closed in on Ryu.
Without a hint of panic, Ryu dropped low—rolling across the ground with sharp precision, the shots sparking against stone where he had just been standing.
He sprang up in the same motion, boots scraping the earth as he darted forward, weaving through the barrage and using the nearby buildings as cover. The walls echoed with gunfire as he vanished into the narrow gaps between structures, his presence flickering in and out like a ghost refusing to be pinned down.
Chi Hime hummed softly in his grip, as if the blade itself were alive and whispering to him. Ryu's lips curled into a faint, satisfied smile as he glanced down at his sabre, the faint vibration echoing through his palm like a heartbeat answering his own.
"Heh… looks like you're excited, girl," he muttered to Chi Hime with a crooked grin. "Very well. Let's show those fools what you're truly made of."
He tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting with confidence and madness alike.
"I'm lucky… I found them first. Before that drunken fool ever could."
_______