Man rRding a Bicycle on the Sea

In the New World, in the first half of the sea area, the pirate ship that Locke is riding on is sailing smoothly on the sea.

Locke is sitting at the ship's bow, enjoying the sea breeze, fishing, and gazing at the endless horizon.

"It's such a boring and calm day," Locke suddenly sighs. Accustomed to having a group of noisy companions around him, it feels strange to Locke to be alone suddenly.

"Hey, look ahead on the sea. Is that someone riding a bicycle?" Suddenly, a pirate sailor shouts, pointing to a distant figure.

"Don't joke around. How could someone ride a bicycle on the open sea? Are you drunk or something?" Another pirate dismisses the idea and looks in the direction the sailor is pointing.

"Hey!!! Is that for real?" The disbelieving pirate widens his eyes, rubs them in disbelief, and exclaims.

"Is someone riding a bicycle on the open sea? How is that even possible?" As more and more pirates join in the astonishment, the deck becomes lively.

Lockee puts down his fishing rod and curiously looks at the distant figure. "Isn't that guy Kuzan?" With excellent eyesight, Loxe can make out the appearance of the person riding the bicycle in the distance.

"He's flaunting his stuff, even when setting out to sea. A natural Ice Fruit user is quite impressive," Locke chuckles.

"Bring the ship closer."

"Yes, Captain Locke!" Upon hearing Locke's command, the pirate sailors respond excitedly and get to work.

They all want to see who this person is and how they can ride a bicycle on the open sea. The pirate ship changes course and heads toward the figure in no time.

On the icy surface, Kuzan, riding his bicycle, lazily watches the approaching pirate ship.

"Seriously, I just wanted to take a break, and trouble finds its way to me." Kuzan rubs his shoulder and stretches his body. He's ready to serve an "Ice Cold Combo" to the pirates who disturbed his vacation.

However...

"Hey, Kuzan, it's been a while, hasn't it?" Hearing the voice, Kuzan stops moving and looks at Locke, sitting at the pirate ship's bow.

"Ah, I thought it might be you. What a surprise." Kuzan rubs his spiky hair with a hint of resignation.

"How about it? Want to come aboard for a drink?" Locke smiles and invites Kuzan from below.

He hasn't given up on recruiting Kuzan into his pirate crew for a while now. It's a rare opportunity, and he doesn't want to miss it.

"Don't be ridiculous, Locke. You're a pirate, and I'm a marine. There's no way I'm going on a pirate ship to have a drink, especially with a big shot like you."

Kuzan refuses without hesitation. He doesn't want to get into trouble. "Don't be so proud, Kuzan. No one will see the two of us having a drink in this sea area. Come on, I've already prepared food and drinks."

With that, Locke uses his powers without asking for permission and brings Kuzan and his bicycle to the ship.

Kuzan looks at Locke with a blank expression but doesn't resist. When he steps onto the deck, the pirates have already set up the food and drinks.

"Don't just stand there; let's go." Locke smiles and leads the way to the table. Kuzan watches Locke and then scratches his spiky hair once more.

As the two sit down, the pirates quickly bring meat and vegetables, placing them on the table. Locke picks up a bottle of wine and tosses one to Kuzan.

"This is my homemade wine. Care to try it?" Taking the bottle, Kuzan opens it. A fragrant aroma instantly escapes the bottle and enters Kuzan's nostrils.

"Good wine," Kuzan sighs and takes a big sip. "Wow... it's spicy!" Kuzan marvels at the heat of the wine.

"Heh, only this kind of wine qualifies as a drink for a man." Locke pours himself a glass of wine and takes a small sip.

On the deck, silence falls as everyone watches the two of them, leaving only the sound of Kuzan and Locke drinking. After a while, Kuzan finishes a bottle of wine and sets it down.

"Hey, Locke, why are you here? And why are you riding on such an ordinary pirate ship? It's not like you."

Kuzan looks at Locke with a somewhat severe expression, awaiting his response. After all, a mighty pirate like Locke being so low-key in the first half of the New World, where weaker pirates tend to gather, raises suspicions.

Locke pours himself another glass of wine and chuckles while looking at Kuzan, but he doesn't answer.

Being stared at for so long, Kuzan starts to feel uncomfortable. "Never mind, I can't force you to talk. Anyway, the first half of the New World is still the territory of you pirates."

Kuzan eventually gives up. There's nothing he can do, considering the circumstances. "Heh, there's nothing to hide. I'm just here out of boredom, taking a break in the first half of the New World," Locke casually explains, providing a simple excuse.

Of course, whether Kuzan believes him or not is another matter. "Oh, by the way, as a Vice Admiral of the Marines and a proud student of that old man Karp, why aren't you out chasing Roger and his crew? Instead, you're riding a bicycle around the New World?"

Upon hearing Locke's question, Kuzan suddenly recalls his time chasing after Roger. "Ugh, forget it. Talking about it makes me tired."

Thinking about the days when he followed Karp to chase Roger, Kuzan feels exhausted. Every pursuit ended with Karp's ship in ruins, leaving Kuzan stranded on some ice island, waiting for Marine rescue.

The looks he got from Sakazuki, Borsalino, and others during those times still haunt Kuzan.

"Ah, by the way, that guy Roger recently reappeared in the first half of the Grand Line and disappeared near Gaya Island. As a former crew member, do you know where they went?"

Suddenly, Kuzan asks Locke, curious. "Really? Have they disappeared near Gaya Island, huh? It seems they went there again," Locke says as he realizes where Roger and his crew might be.

"Ah, Alala, you do seem to know. Can you tell me?" Kuzan looks at Locke, intrigued.

"Is there a Sky Island over Gaya Island?"

Locke smiles and looks at Kuzan, pouring himself another glass of wine and tossing one to Kuzan. "Wanna know? I can tell you, but I have one condition." Taking the bottle, Kuzan opens it.

"What condition?"

"If I tell you, you leave the Marines and join my pirate crew. How about that?"

"Ah, Alala, that's a hard pass. I'm not interested in becoming a pirate now." Kuzan firmly rejects Locke's offer. He won't give up his bright future in the Marines to become a pirate. He's not that foolish.

Its golden glow paints the entire sky as the sun sets, creating a breathtaking scene. Locke and Kuzan become heavily intoxicated from their drinking.

Unbeknownst to them, a new day is about to begin. At the same time, a massive white whale warship approaches them.