章 16: Chapter – 16 Setting Out to Sea
"Ehhh? You are leaving the Dawn Islands and setting out?" asked Ace with his jaw hitting the floor.
Ryuma nodded, "Yup…" and explained, "I have my reasons and I won't go into too much detail, but I feel like now is a good time to leave."
"This… but…" muttered Sabo, trying to say something but not being able to find the right words to say it.
Different from Sabo, Ace was able to find the right words, and said, "Can we… can we also come with you?"
Ryuma blinked in surprise as he looked at Ace and Sabo, "Both of you want to follow me?"
Both Sabo and Ace nodded, "Yes." and looked at him eagerly as if they really wanted to follow him.
Hearing their response, Ryuma considered the prospect of taking them with him, and after a lot of thinking, he shook his head, "Nah… both of you are too weak right now… And I doubt either of you is ready for this."
"But… but we have already started to get the hang of Observation Haki, is that not enough?" Both Sabo and Ace retorted.
Ryuma shook his head, "Nope, it's not enough… the sea is full of dangers…"
Though his words are not entirely false, this was just an excuse made up by Ryuma to dissuade Ace and Sabo… In reality, there are three very good reasons why he did not want to take Ace and Sabo with him.
First is that he did not want to make such big changes to the plot so early in the game when he is not even strong enough, in fact, there are a few things he doesn't want to change at all. One of them would be Sabo joining the Revolutionary Army, and the other would be the Summit War of Marineford, though he wouldn't let Ace die… still, he wants a few important things to happen.
The second reason would be that if Garp learned that Ace has left Dawn Island to become a pirate at such a young age, it would make things difficult for Ryuma, it wouldn't even be surprising if Garp suddenly shows up and beat the shit out of Ryuma and takes Ace back, heck the chances of this happening are too high!
If Ace sets out on his own, that would be one thing, but if Ryuma takes Ace, that would be a completely different situation. And no way in hell Ryuma wants to deal with the trouble named Marine Hero so early in the game when he isn't even strong enough to face the current Shanks. Perhaps he would think about it in the future, but now? Not a chance!
The third reason is Luffy. Luffy, Ace, and Sabo went on to share Sake Cups and became sworn brothers in the months they spent together… Currently, that hasn't happened. Luffy is still in Foosha Village pestering Shanks to take him on board, heck he hasn't even eaten his Devil Fruit yet… so there is still some time for that, and Ryuma doesn't want to rob Luffy of his childhood. After the Red Hair Pirates leave the Foosha Village, Garp would leave him at Dadan's place, someone is needed to look after him until he grows up a little otherwise god knows what will happen to that kid.
Ace is the one who looks after Luffy for the next few years until Luffy becomes capable of taking care of himself from all kinds of trouble, at the same time, Ace also becomes part of Luffy's growth. If both Ace and Sabo are gone, Luffy will be lonely. Ryuma doesn't want that… To him, Luffy is important, not just because Luffy is supposed to be Joyboy or because he is the protagonist… it's because of the months he has spent with that kid in Foosha Village, Ryuma has grown fond of Luffy, and he wants Luffy to have a relatively stable childhood even if that 'stable' is nothing but chaos for any ordinary child.
So, yeah these are his reasons… or more like 'excuses' that he has used to convince himself to not take Ace and Sabo with him.
Hearing Ryuma's blunt response, Ace and Sabo looked down in disappointment, seeing their downcast expression, Ryuma felt troubled, and after thinking for a while he suddenly said, "How about we do this… a year from now, I will come back to Dawn Island once again… at that time if either of you meets my standards and if you still wants to follow me, then I will take you with me… does that sound good?"
Hearing this new prospect, both Ace and Sabo raised their head with widened eyes, and asked, "Really?"
Ryuma nodded, "Yes!"
Ace and Sabo grinned, "Then we have a deal…!"
…
Party's Bar
"Ne… ne Ryuma… take me with you too!" said Luffy with starry eyes, and added, "I want to go on a great adventure!"
Ryuma smiled and asked Luffy, "But I thought you wanted to go with Shanks?"
At this time, Shanks stuck out his tongue at Luffy, and teased, "Bleh… there is no way I will take an anchor with me… he doesn't even know how to swim, how can he be a pirate?!"
"Of course, I can!" retorted Luffy, and said with a smile, "I won't fall into the sea, so it doesn't matter whether I can swim or not!"
Ryuma chuckled, "Really?"
Luffy nodded, "Really!"
Uta shook her head, "I don't think so… I can easily imagine you falling into the ocean the first thing you set out to become a pirate Luffy."
Hearing Uta's words, Ryuma blinked in surprise, and thought in wonder, 'Can she see that far into the future?' Of course, this was just a thought… Though Uta couldn't be more right after Luffy set out to sea, the first thing he encountered was a giant whirlpool and would have drowned if not for his luck and the barrel that he had on his rowboat.
Anyway, putting that aside, Ryuma looked at Luffy and shook his head, "I am sorry Luffy, but I can't take you with me… the sea is dangerous, and you are too weak… I can't even guarantee that I will remain safe, so protecting you when you can't even swim would be very difficult for me…"
"Hahahaha… see Luffy… now even Ryuma has said it… you really aren't cut out to be a pirate!" chuckled Shanks, mocking Luffy.
"Humph!" Luffy snorted in anger.
"Hehehe…" Uta grinned.
Looking at the antics of Luffy, Shanks smiled, then he looked at Ryuma and asked, "On a serious note, you have finally made up your mind, huh?" asked Shanks.
Ryuma nodded, "Yes."
Makino asked, "When are you setting out?" she seemed a little sad that Ryuma wouldn't be around anymore.
Ryuma smiled as he answered, "All the preparations are done, I will be setting out tomorrow at the crack of dawn."
"Which means tonight is your last night at Foosha Village?" muttered Shanks with a thoughtful expression, and spoke with a disappointed tone, "And here I was waiting for our 100th duel… I was planning to complete my win streak of 100 fights."
"That will have to wait…" answered Ryuma and added with a fierce smile, "But be warned Shanks… the next time we fight… I will be at my peak… and at that time, I and my crew will definitely defeat you and your crew!"
"Hoh? All right then… I will wait for that day." Said Shanks with a fierce smile.
Ryuma nodded, "Yes."
Shanks chuckled, then he got up and looked at everyone present in the Party's Bar, "All right, you sea dogs… listen up…"
Immediately, the bar became silent… the chattering, fighting, and other activities stopped as all the members of the Red Hair Pirates, Ryuma, Luffy, and Makino looked at Shanks.
"Tomorrow our friend Ryuma is going to set out on his adventure…! For his success and fortune on the sea, let's raise a toast!" Shanks called out for a toast.
Everyone in the room raised their cups, the cups of the Red Hair Pirates were filled with Sake, meanwhile, Luffy and Uta had their glasses filled with Orange Juice… Similar to the Red Hair Pirates, Ryuma and Makino also raised their cups, and both of their cups were also filled with Sake… Even though Ryuma is young… only twelve years old, he was going to drink tonight.
As everyone had their cups raised in the air, Shanks grinned and shouted, "For Ryuma's great adventure!"
And everyone repeated in unison, "For Ryuma's great adventure!"
"For Ryuma's great adventure!"
"For Ryuma's great adventure!"
"For Ryuma's great adventure!"
Then drank their cups empty in one breath and put them back on the table at the same time.
At this time, Ryuma spoke, "Haaah… tonight… we party… and don't worry about money… it's all on me!"
"Yoshaaaaaa!" Everyone in the Party's bar cheered.
Seeing the merry atmosphere, Uta jumped on one of the tables, and said, "Everyone…!"
Everyone in the party's bar looked at Uta.
Uta spoke, "Since… a friend is going to part ways from us… and we won't be seeing each other for the next few years… so I am going to make a song for him…" She looked at Ryuma, and continued, "This song… it's for you Ryuma…!"
Doushite ano hi asonda umi no nioi wa
Doushite sugiru kisetsu ni kiete shimau no
Mata onnaji uta wo utau tabi
Anata wo sasou deshou
Shinjirareru? Shinjirareru?
Ano hoshiakari wo umi no hirosa wo
Shinjirareru? Shinjirareru kai?
Asa wo matsu kono hane ni fuku
Oikaze no izanau sora wo
Doushite kawaru koto naku mieta egao wa
Doushite yoseru nami ni kakurete shimau no
Mata onnaji uta wo utau tabi
Anata wo omou deshou
Shinjite miru, shinjite miru
Kono michi no hate de te wo furu kimi wo
Shinjite miru, shinjite mirunda
Kono uta wa watashi no uta to
Yagate au kimi no yobu koe to
Shinjirareru? Shinjirareru?
Ano hoshiakari wo umi no hirosa wo
Shinjite miru, shinjirareru
Yume no tsudzuki de mata aimashou
Akatsuki no kagayaku kyou ni
Shinjirareru? Shinjirareru?
Ano hoshiakari wo umi no hirosa wo
Shinjirareru, shinjirareru
Yume no tsudzuki de tomoni iki you
Akatsuki no kagayaku kyou ni
…
Early Morning, Port of Foosha Village
"All right guys… I am heading out." Spoke Ryuma as he looked at everyone who came to see him off.
"Here you go Ryuma… I prepared an O-bento for you, and Rio," said Makino as she handed Ryuma a lunch box wrapped in tablecloth that was as big as him.
"Ehh… Makino… you didn't have to do this," Spoke Ryuma in surprise, though he still accepted the Lunch Box, and said, "Thanks."
Makino smiled lightly, and ruffled his messy white hair, "Ryuma you must take care of yourself, and Rio."
"I will." Nodded Ryuma as he turned to Shanks and said, "I will see you in the New World."
Shanks nodded, "Yeah… I will wait for you."
Then Ryuma turned to the rest of the Red Hair Pirates and spoke, "Benn-san... Raux-san, Yasopp-san, Juicer-san, Punch-san, Building-san, Gab-san, Hongo-san, and Monster… thanks for telling me all those wondrous tails… See you guys in the New World."
"Hahaha… definitely… we will wait for you kid…!" the Red Hair Pirates responded with enthusiastic cheers.
After that Ryuma turned to Uta and said, "Take good care of yourself, Uta… I look forward to the day I will listen to your song once again."
Uta nodded with a grin, "Of course, I will sing for you whenever we meet." And added, "And you too… take care of yourself."
Finally, Ryuma turned to Luffy who was already crying senseless. Ryuma sighed a little, and enveloped Luffy in a hug, "Luffy… aren't you a man?"
"Un." Nodded Luffy with tearful eyes, "I am a man!"
"And men don't cry." Said Ryuma. Then he paused as Luffy wiped away his tears, "Don't worry… we will see each other soon."
"I will wait for you." Said Luffy.
Ryuma smiled, "Definitely."
After he had said goodbye to everyone, Ryuma looked at the sky and said, "All right guys… it is time." Then he and Rio jumped on the sailboat that was docked next to the Red Hair Pirate's Ship.
Although the sailboat wasn't too big, it wasn't small either. Its length was about 15 meters and it had one room that was about 7 meters in length along with a small washroom. For starting his adventure alone, it was a perfect ship.
After Ryuma had carefully put the O-bento prepared for him by Makino inside the Captain's cabin (the only room in the ship), he lifted the anchor and unfurled the sail. As the sailboat caught the wind and started to drift away from the duck, Ryuma turned to everyone and waved to everyone, "Everyone… thank you for taking care of me…"
Everyone smiled as they waved.
As the coastline of Foosha Village started disappearing, and everyone's figure became as small as ants, Ryuma took the Steering Wheel.
At this time, Rio also landed on his shoulder.
One half-Oni-half-Merfolk and one talking parrot looked at the rising sun on the distant horizon with a bright smile.
The adventure of Ryuma and Rio has begun.
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