Chapter 9
Dawn broke over the East Blue, painting the sky in soft pastels. Silas's ship cut through the swells, patched sails catching the wind, hull groaning with effort but holding strong.
At the bow, Johnny and Yosaku stood over a weathered map, pointing toward a cluster of islands on the horizon.
"That's Cocoyasi Village, big brothers!" Johnny declared, sunglasses gleaming.
"Just past that shallow reef," Yosaku added. "We've sailed these waters before!"
Silas squinted at the jagged shoals ahead.
"You sure? I've seen plenty of confident navigators end up as fish food."
Sanji exhaled smoke from his perch near the galley.
"Amateurs. A true gentleman would navigate by the stars in his beloved's eyes." He gazed toward the horizon, voice dreamy.
"Nami-san's beauty would guide us home."
Zoro, still bandaged and leaning against the mast, grunted.
"Idiots. Fastest route is straight ahead—through whatever's in our way." He pointed vaguely… directly at a reef.
The ship lurched as Silas yanked the wheel.
"Zoro's trying to kill us!" Usopp shrieked, clinging to the rigging.
"He couldn't navigate out of a paper bag!"
Luffy swung from a rope, laughing.
"I don't care which way we go! Adventure's waiting!" His straw hat bobbed with every movement.
"As long as we find Nami, everything's fine!"
The map flapped uselessly in the wind as six voices shouted six different directions. Silas gritted his teeth, steering through the chaos.
---
By evening, the shouting died down. Johnny and Yosaku gathered the crew near the mast, their usual grins replaced by something heavier.
"Cocoyasi's not just any island," Johnny said, voice low.
"Arlong rules it. A Fishman pirate. Stronger than any human."
Yosaku's hand drifted to his sword.
"His crew's just as dangerous. Jaws that snap masts. Laugh that freezes blood. He's been terrorizing the East Blue for years."
The deck went quiet. Even the breeze seemed to pause.
Usopp's knees knocked together.
"F-F-Fishmen?! Half-human, half-fish demons?! We're dead! I'm too young and talented to be fish bait!"
Sanji's cigarette flared.
"Fishman or not, he's keeping Nami-san prisoner. I'll kick him back to whatever trench he crawled out of."
Zoro's hand moved to his sword, grin savage.
"Finally. I've been itching for a real fight since Mihawk."
Silas felt heat rise in his chest. His tattoos warmed beneath his shirt.
"Let's see how well he handles a bullet between the eyes."
Luffy adjusted his hat, grin unwavering.
"Sounds like just another bully. And we're really good at dealing with bullies. Right?"
His certainty spread like fire. The crew straightened. Whatever waited at Cocoyasi, they'd face it together.
---
Johnny leaned in.
"There's one more thing. Arlong's got a crew member—Quadshot. Four arms. Four flintlocks. Never misses. Sunk a Marine warship solo."
Silas's grip tightened on his pistol.
"Four guns? Sounds like he's compensating. One shot from a real marksman beats a dozen wild sprays."
Zoro snorted.
"Guns are for cowards. Steel wins."
Sanji blew smoke.
"Four limbs just means four targets. I'll kick him into pieces."
Usopp went pale, hiding behind a barrel.
"FOUR ARMS?! FOUR GUNS?! That's cheating! How do I out-snipe someone with double the weapons?!"
Johnny chuckled.
"Don't worry, big brother Usopp. You'll take him down before he can draw!"
Usopp wailed louder. Luffy laughed harder.
"Four arms sounds awesome! I can't wait to meet this guy!"
---
As the ship neared Cocoyasi, the sea grew rough. A sudden squall struck—rain lashed the deck, wind howled. Silas's ship rode the storm like it was born for it.
"Not bad for a 'floating piece of junk,'" Silas shouted over the wind, smug.
Zoro gripped the mast.
"It's… adequate."
Sanji, securing pots in the galley, muttered,
"Small, but functional."
Usopp clung to a rope.
"Okay, okay! It's not completely terrible! Just mostly terrible!"
Johnny and Yosaku nodded.
"Big brother Silas knows his ships. We take it back—it's not pathetic."
Luffy stood balanced on the deck, arms wide.
"See? Told you this ship was great! Just like us—looks weird, but tough as nails!"
---
As the squall passed, Silas allowed himself a moment of pride. They were starting to understand what he'd always known: it's not the size or shine of a ship that matters—it's the soul built into every plank.
During the final stretch to Cocoyasi, Silas watched his crewmates with growing interest.
Zoro's pride bordered on suicidal, but his resolve was steel.
Sanji's devotion was ridiculous—but real. His cooking, miraculous.
Johnny and Yosaku? Loyal, capable, and more than they seemed.
And Luffy… Luffy was something else. His optimism wasn't naïve—it was gravity. It pulled people in. Made the impossible feel inevitable.
---
As Cocoyasi Village came into view, its palm trees swaying beneath a sky that seemed dimmer than it should be, Silas felt it in his bones.
Something was waiting.
And this crew—this loud, reckless, ridiculous crew—was about to change everything.