The island of Sixis was silent again.
But now—
It wasn't empty.
Reiji stood on a rock, arms crossed, observing the coastline.
The currents were violent.
Unstable.
"…I could swim," he thought.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…but carrying Reiju the whole way…"
A pause.
"…that would be annoying."
He exhaled.
"…we need a boat."
Behind him—
Ace was lying on the ground, staring at the sky.
"…man, I'm starving…"
Portgas D. Ace groaned dramatically.
"I think I'm gonna die…"
Deuce immediately snapped back.
"You've been saying that for three hours!"
Masked Deuce adjusted his mask.
"…if anyone's dying first, it's me."
Reiju chuckled softly.
"…you both look like you're about to."
Reiji turned toward them.
"…we split up."
They all looked at him.
"…we gather materials. Wood, vines, anything usable."
A pause.
"…we build a boat."
Ace sat up instantly.
"…oh! That's actually smart."
Deuce blinked.
"…you're just realizing that?"
Ace pointed at Reiji.
"I'm the captain, I don't need to think!"
Reiju laughed.
"…you're honest, I'll give you that."
They split up.
Time passed.
The sun moved slowly across the sky.
And for the first time—
They worked together.
Ace followed Reiji around.
Constantly.
Talking.
"…so how strong are you really?"
No answer.
"…like, island level? Mountain level?"
Silence.
"…you look like you could punch a sea king."
Reiji kept walking.
"…you talk too much."
Ace grinned.
"…that's because you don't talk enough."
A pause.
Then—
"…join my crew."
Reiji stopped.
Slowly turned.
"…what?"
Ace crossed his arms.
"I'm serious."
A beat.
"…you're strong."
Another step closer.
"…and you seem like a good guy."
Reiji's eyes shifted slightly.
"…you don't even know me."
Ace shrugged.
"…don't need to."
A grin.
"I trust my instincts."
Silence.
Wind passing between them.
Reiji looked at him.
Long.
Careful.
And then—
"…fine."
Ace blinked.
"…huh?"
"…I'll join."
A pause.
"…as vice captain."
Silence.
Then—
Ace's face lit up.
"HAHAHAHAHA!! YES!!"
He grabbed Reiji's shoulder.
"That's perfect!"
Reiji didn't react much.
But—
Something in his eyes softened.
Just slightly.
Later—
They regrouped.
A small pile of materials beside them.
Not enough.
But progress.
They sat together.
Exhausted.
Hungry.
Alive.
Deuce started talking.
"…so there was this patient…"
Ace leaned in immediately.
"…this sounds good."
Reiju smiled slightly.
"…go on."
Deuce adjusted his mask.
"…he swallowed an entire spoon."
Silence.
Ace blinked.
"…why?"
"…he said it 'looked tasty.'"
A pause.
Then—
Reiju laughed.
Light.
Genuine.
"I want to see something like that."
Ace pointed.
"NO YOU DON'T."
Deuce sighed.
"…you really don't."
Ace leaned back.
"…you know…"
He looked at all of them.
"…since we're already together…"
A grin formed.
"…you guys should just join my crew too."
Reiju tilted her head.
"…for my captain…"
A small smile.
"…you're pretty bold."
Reiji spoke calmly.
"She's with me."
A pause.
"…where I go, she goes."
Ace nodded instantly.
"Perfect!"
He pointed at Deuce.
"And you?"
Deuce hesitated.
Looked at them.
At the group.
At the feeling.
"…I…"
A pause.
"…I think I like this."
He sighed.
"…fine."
Ace jumped up.
"YES!!"
"We're a crew now!!"
Then—
A sound.
Loud.
Heavy.
The air shifted.
They all looked up.
A massive shadow covered the ground.
A giant bird.
Wings wider than trees.
Eyes locked on them.
Predator.
It circled once.
Twice.
Then—
Dove.
Ace stood up, stretching his arms, his body loosening as he grinned.
"…finally!"
He rolled his shoulders.
"…something fun!"
Reiju crossed her arms.
Smiling slightly.
"…I almost feel bad for it."
Deuce panicked.
"…WHY?!"
Reiju glanced at Reiji.
"…because…"
A pause.
"…I've never seen anything stronger than my brother."
Deuce slowly turned.
"…wait…"
Reiji stood up.
Calm.
Then—
He laughed.
Loud.
Free.
Different.
"Captain."
He stepped forward.
"…I got this."
He jumped.
The ground cracked beneath him.
In a blink—
He was in the air.
12 meters high.
Face to face—
With the beast.
Time slowed.
Reiji looked into its eyes.
And smiled.
"…sorry."
A pause.
"…but I just got my freedom."
His grin widened.
"…and my crew."
Then—
"YOU'RE DINNER!! SHANANANANAAA!!!"
Below—
Ace froze.
Then—
Burst out laughing.
"WHAT IS THAT LAUGH?! HAHAHAHAHA!!"
Reiji moved.
One motion.
One strike.
His palm—
Connected.
Impact.
Instant.
The giant bird—
Was sent crashing into the ground like a meteor.
Dust exploded.
Silence followed.
Reiji landed smoothly.
Looked at them.
"…done."
Deuce stared.
Frozen.
"…that…"
A pause.
"…that's our vice captain?"
Ace's eyes sparkled.
Stars.
Literal excitement.
"THAT WAS AMAZING!!"
He ran toward him.
"TEACH ME THAT!! HAHAHAHA!"
Reiju smiled softly.
Watching.
Quietly.
Happy.
"…you're finally free…"
Reiji looked at them.
At his crew.
And for once—
He felt it.
Fully.
"…let's celebrate."
Ace raised his fist.
"PARTYYYYYY!!!"
Later—
Nothing remained of the bird.
They devoured everything.
Laughing.
Talking.
Alive.
Only one thing was left.
A chest.
Old.
Hidden inside the remains.
Deuce wiped his mouth.
"…what's that?"
Ace grinned.
"…treasure?"
Reiji opened it.
Slowly.
Inside—
A strange fruit.
Swirling patterns.
Unnatural.
Silence.
Then—
Recognition.
Akuma no Mi.
Their journey—
Had just changed.
Again.
To be continued. 🔥
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