Azure Isle faded into the horizon, its lush green silhouette shrinking as the Wave Strider cut through the open sea. The wind was calm, the waves gentle, but an air of unease lingered aboard the ship. The crew moved around with a quiet tension, still adjusting to Seraphina's presence.
Ren stood at the helm, his eyes fixed on the endless expanse of blue. Nadia leaned against the railing, her eyes scanning the horizon as she charted their course. Ryu remained on the main deck, sword in hand, practicing his swings with determined focus. Meanwhile, Seraphina sat apart from the rest, her back against a wooden crate as she sharpened her knife with slow, deliberate strokes.
The silence was thick. Seraphina's gaze occasionally flickered toward the others, but she quickly refocused on her blade. Nadia noticed, her brow furrowing slightly. Taking a deep breath, she decided to break the ice.
"You're pretty skilled with that knife," Nadia said, walking over to Seraphina.
Seraphina paused for a moment, then resumed sharpening. "Yeah."
"Have you always been this good?" Nadia pressed, her tone light, trying to draw Seraphina out of her shell.
Seraphina shrugged. "I had to be."
The two fell into a brief, uncomfortable silence. Nadia glanced at Ren, who was steering the ship with his usual focus. "Ren's been pretty determined lately. I think he really wants to get to the Grand Line."
"Typical pirate," Seraphina muttered, a slight smirk tugging at her lips. "Chasing after strength."
Nadia smiled, feeling a small crack in Seraphina's icy exterior. "It's not just about strength for him. He wants to protect us, too."
Seraphina's expression faltered, her eyes briefly drifting toward Ren before she quickly looked away. "Hmph."
Nearby, Ryu continued his training. His sword sliced through the air in precise, controlled movements, each swing a testament to his dedication. Sweat glistened on his brow as he repeated the motions over and over again. Ren noticed, his grip tightening on the helm. The two had barely spoken since their argument over Seraphina's reckless fighting.
"Ryu," Ren called out. "Want to spar?"
Ryu sheathed his sword and walked over, his jaw tight. "Sure."
The two squared off on the main deck. Ren raised his fists, stance solid. Ryu drew his sword, eyes narrowed. Without a word, they began. Ryu swung his blade in a controlled arc, aiming for Ren's shoulder. Ren ducked, pivoted, and threw a quick jab toward Ryu's ribs. Ryu blocked with the flat of his sword, pushing Ren back.
"Keep your guard up," Ryu said sharply. "You're leaving yourself open."
Ren grunted, frustration flickering in his eyes. "I know."
Seraphina watched them spar, her eyes following Ren's movements. Despite his strength, he was still inexperienced, his punches lacking precision. Ryu was relentless, his strikes swift and calculated. Even with his blunt criticism, it was clear that Ryu was trying to teach Ren, pushing him to improve.
"They're not bad," Seraphina muttered.
"They're stronger together," Nadia said, leaning on the railing beside her. "We all are."
"Maybe," Seraphina murmured, her gaze lingering on Ren as he tried to block Ryu's strikes. "Or maybe they're just holding each other back."
---
Hours later, as the sun began to set, Nadia was perched atop the lookout post with her telescope. The warm orange glow bathed the ship, casting long shadows across the deck. Ryu sat on a barrel, sharpening his sword. Seraphina remained near the bow, her eyes distant as she watched the waves.
Suddenly, Nadia's voice echoed down. "Marine ship spotted!"
Ren's eyes snapped up. "How far?"
"About a mile off the starboard side," Nadia called back. "It's not heading toward us, but… it's close."
Ryu stood, his hand resting on his sword. "We should keep our distance."
"You scared?" Seraphina quipped, not even looking at him.
Ryu scowled. "No. Just smart."
"Enough," Ren said, cutting in. "We're not looking for a fight. We lay low, keep our heads down, and keep moving."
"Not much of a pirate if you're avoiding fights," Seraphina muttered under her breath.
Ren heard her but chose not to respond. Instead, he kept his eyes fixed ahead, jaw set.
---
That night, the crew gathered on the main deck for dinner. Nadia brought out a simple stew she had prepared, and the crew ate in relative silence. The tension between Ryu and Seraphina was palpable, and even Nadia's attempts at conversation fell flat.
After the meal, the crew gathered around the table as Nadia spread out a map. "We're getting closer to Reverse Mountain," she said, tracing a path with her finger. "We need to restock supplies soon. The currents there are unpredictable, and we'll need everything we can get."
"And once we're through?" Ryu asked.
"Once we're through, we'll be in the Grand Line," Nadia said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "The real adventure starts then."
Seraphina leaned back, arms crossed. "You're all underestimating it. The Grand Line isn't just some playground. It's where the real monsters live."
"We can handle it," Ren said, his voice firm. "We just have to stick together."
"Yeah," Seraphina said, her gaze sliding away. "Together."
---
Late that night, Ren stood alone on the deck, staring out at the dark waves. The moon hung high above, casting a silver sheen across the water. Footsteps echoed behind him, and he glanced back to see Seraphina approaching.
She leaned against the railing beside him, silence stretching between them. "You really think you can handle the Grand Line?"
"I know I can," Ren said, his voice steady. "I have to."
"And what if you can't?" Seraphina asked, her tone softer than before.
Ren glanced at her, surprised by the vulnerability in her voice. "Then I'll get stronger. No matter what."
Seraphina looked away, her jaw clenched. "You remind me of someone."
Ren waited for her to continue, but she just shook her head, pushing away from the railing. "Forget it. Just don't get yourself killed."
With that, she walked away, leaving Ren alone with the moon and the endless sea.
---
Timeline Update:
It has been 58 days since Ren set sail.
2 days remain before Luffy sets sail.
The Wave Strider sails on, with the Grand Line looming ever closer on the horizon.