Chapter 113 - A fiery encounter
Some days passed as Ryu studied Pluton's blueprints and started working with Yoruichi on the new design of the ship. They were in no rush, so they spent their spare time going around the areas. Ryu in particular liked to examine the shipwrights' work.
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As Ryu walked through the shipyard, the sprawling leviathan of ships and sailors buzzed with activity under the smoky gray mist of dawn. Giant skeletal hulls of ships stretched skyward, with men swarming over them like tiny ants. The scent of tar, salt, and sweat mingled in the humid air. The metallic tang of iron nails and the earthy aroma of fresh-cut timber were like finishing touches, bringing it all together. Shouts rang out above the rhythmic symphony of hammers, the groaning of timber, the clattering of tools, and the whisper of saws through stubborn oak.
Around Ryu, the shipyard pulsed with a life of its own. Nets heavy with fish slapped onto the wooden piers, their wet, satisfying, thwack-like sounds music to his ears. Nearby, barrels of rum were unloaded with an earth-shaking thud, their potent sweetness seeping into the salty air. The smell of brine from the undulating sea merged with the smoke of nearby forges, creating an intoxicating scent.
But as Ryu continued to explore the shipyard, a strange sight caught his eye.
Ryu's gaze landed on a weird sight - a one-man raft painted with the color of ripe cornfields in the height of summer. Its shape was similar to a half-mood, with the way its front arched up. It exuded an air of freshness, its surface gleaming with a lustrous sheen that made it look as if it had been kissed by the morning sun for the first time.
The vessel boasted a circular engine, though Ryu noticed that it was made to channel a form of energy instead of using its own. Twin paddle wheels graced its sides, their shinty silver complementing the sunburst yellow. Ryu's eyes found a small mast, its black sail furled like a bat's wing in mid-flight. It was positioned just ahead of the engine, presumingly a backup in case the engine broke.
The entire scene was one of contrasts - the freshly minted raft in a yard of seasoned giants, the promise of quiet solitude against the chorus of industry, it was an intriguing sight.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" An energetic voice came from behind Ryu.
Looking back, Ryu saw a young man that looked to be around 20.
A head taller than most, the newcomer's athletic build was a testament to the power he held, his bare chest flaunting chiseled muscles that rumbled with vitality. Jet-black hair tousled by the wind, and a spark of warmth in his obsidian gaze, lent an untamed allure to his youthful face, freckles playfully interrupting his masculine features.
The enigmatic tattoos drew Ryu's gaze. A purple skull with a large, white, crescent-shaped mustache was stamped over a cross of purple bones adorned his back, while his left bicep bore a cryptic "ASCE"—the "S" struck through.
His attire was as peculiar as it was striking: Ebony shorts held up by a sun-sparkling orange belt; an extra belt with a bold red "A" buckle draped over his right hip; a blue pouch on his left thigh, and a green-sheathed dagger at his side.
several tools decorated his left arm—an orange elbow guard, a Log Pose, and a red and white striped bracelet. A necklace of blood-red beads shone in the sunlight, harmonizing with the wide-brimmed orange hat that sat atop his head. The hat's brim was distinguished by dual blue smileys—one joyous, one sad.
"Is that what you call a ship?" Ryu's lips quirked in a playful smirk.
"Going solo, my friend. No need for a beast when a speedster does the trick," the man retorted, his toothy grin brimming with contagious energy.
"Fair enough. However, one large wave and you're swimming with the fish. Are you up for that sort of splash? Especially with a devil fruit?" Ryu shot back, his eyes dancing with mischief as he keenly watched for the flicker of unease in the man's gaze.
"Eh, I can't deny it. The thought of riding the Grand Line without protection? Sends a chill down my spine," the man confessed, a shadow briefly clouding his radiant eyes, "But you gotta take risks sometimes, y'know?"
"And what's got you chasing the wind, huh?" Ryu prodded, a spark of curiosity igniting his eyes.
"For a... friend," the young man finally admitted, his voice wobbling slightly as if he'd swallowed a chunk of ice.
"So, revenge it is?" Ryu sighed, a knowing glint in his gaze that caused the young man to stumble on his own surprise.
"Was I wearing a sign or something?" The man rubbed the back of his neck, awkward laughter echoing off the docks.
"Basically. But hey, there's a nice bar just around the corner, wanna join me for a drink?" Ryu extended the offer, his tone light, causing an excited smirk to replace the young man's initial surprise.
"The name's Ace," the young man said as he wrapped his hand across Ryu's shoulders.
"Ryu," Ryu replied with a chuckle as the two went to the bar.
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The creaking door moaned in protest as Ryu and Ace pushed through, stepping into the dimly lit bar. The immediate transition from the freshness of the shipyard's air into the dense, musky environment was like stepping into another realm. The only illumination came from oil lamps scattered haphazardly around the room, their inconsistent, flickering glow casting long, dancing shadows upon the worn-out wooden floorboards.
the bar was filled with a raucous crowd, their laughter and animated conversations rebounding off the low, timbered ceiling, forming an unintelligible yet comforting hum of human life.
A tangible haze of thick pipe smoke curled lazily through the room, enveloping the patrons in its warm, fragrant embrace. It intertwined with the heavier, more intense aroma of rum, a scent so potent it seemed to have seeped into the very marrow of the bar.
"What's your poison, gentlemen?" The bartender's tone was casual, his fingers dancing across a glass he was polishing.
"Rum," Ace's reply was immediate, his body sliding onto the barstool with practiced ease.
"Coming right up," the bartender replied with a grin, sliding a bottle down the polished surface of the counter. It stopped smoothly in front of Ace, whose appreciative nod was reflected in the gleam of the bottle.
"Your friend... How'd he die?" Ryu's voice held a touch of sympathy, the grave question swirling in the glass of rum he poured himself.
Ace remained silent, his expression turning pained before he downed his glass, the amber liquid disappearing in a gulp.
"Any particular reason he was targeted?" Ryu probed, his eyes fixed on the whirling rum in his glass.
"Over a damned devil fruit. That was all it took for a man to kill his brother," Ace spat out, each word laced with acid.
"Greed does have a way of twisting hearts. But if this devil fruit was so powerful that he killed his own brother over it... Are you sure you stand a chance against him? Do you even know what ability he gained?" Ryu inquired as he drank from his glass.
"I don't know what power he got, but it doesn't matter. I'll bury him six feet under no matter what tricks he pulls," Ace's gaze was unyielding, his voice firm.
"But what if you can't beat him? You're plunging into the unknown, and unprepared at that. There is a good chance that you're underestimating him. He has a new ability while he knows all of yours, assuming that you two had a close relationship," Ryu commented.
"If that's the case, then that's my end. I'm at peace with that if it allows me to reclaim the honor we lost," Ace replied with acceptance.
"But what about your comrades? You look pretty powerful, so you must have a crew. If they'd follow you into death on a battlefield, won't they come to avenge you? They can be killed as a direct result of your actions," Ryu pointed out.
"They won't come for me. I went rogue, and they're not tied to my decisions," Ace said, the liquid in his glass swirling in tandem with his thoughts.
"Do you truly believe that their bond with you would sever so easily? You went against an order to avenge your brother, what's stopping them?" Ryu's words were sharp, cutting through Ace's assumptions.
"You've got a point there. In that case, I won't give them a reason to come after me. I won't fail," Ace's reply was tinged with a newfound resolve, a smile gracing his lips as he lifted his glass again.
"In that case, don't walk into this fight alone. Overprepare. Assemble a team. Your brothers might not join you, but there must be others who owe you favors," Ryu advised.
"...You know what, Ryu? That's not a bad idea at all. Appreciate the advice," Ace's smile was genuine, his words full of gratitude.
"You're welcome. However, all the advice in the world won't help if you don't make it out of here in one piece," Ryu's grin held a trace of mischief as the bar door swung open, announcing a new entrant.
"Bwahaha! Another round of-," Garp burst into the bar with the energy of a storm, his hearty laughter cut short as his eyes fell on Ryu and a very, 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, visibly panicked Ace.
In a flash, Garp was beside Ace, his fist wrapped in an aura of Haki. Ace had no time to react as his face was slammed into the polished wooden counter.
"That's a taste of my Love Punch, you rascal!" Garp bellowed, his voice ringing off the walls.
"That looked personal, Garp. You and Ace acquainted?" Ryu asked, his voice laden with amusement as Ace surfaced from the counter, his eyes wide and fearful.
"*Tch*, the brat's my grandson," Garp muttered, his tongue clicking in exasperation.
"Family, huh? Funny coincidence. Ace was just saying he could use a hand," Ryu's voice was laced with intrigue, while Ace stared at him, his face a mask of horror.
"And you expect me to lend aid to a pirate? A commander of the Whitebeard Pirates at that?" Garp's eyebrow rose skeptically.
"No, I'm suggesting you lend a hand to your grandson," Ryu countered, his words triggering a broad, almost predatory grin to spread across Garp's face.
"Well, I suppose that's a different matter. But, the boy needs a solid whooping first," Garp chuckled darkly, his knuckles crackling ominously.
"Ah, nothing says 'family' like a good thrashing. Enjoy your bonding time," Ryu chuckled as he made his way out of the bar, the echo of Ace's wails chasing him to the exit.