Chapter 29: Escape

"Hey Rubes, be a dear and help me with him okay?" Hina's voice came over the Den Den Mushi, catching Ruby's attention outside the small street immediately. It wasn't often that Hina showed such warmth and affection towards someone in the presence of others ... or generally, so her use of Ruby's nickname was a clear indicator of a trust to Ryo she didn'teven had to fellow officers.

Ruby hurried over to where Hina and Ryo were standing, her curiosity growing by the oddly trust. As she approached, she couldn't help but notice Hina's relaxed body language, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere she had expected.

With practiced efficiency, Ruby cuffed Ryo, her movements swift and precise. But despite his restraints, Ryo remained unfazed, his playful demeanor undiminished.

"Kinky, I think I have to do the same to you later too. Don't you think, Red?" Ryo's teasing remark caught Ruby off guard, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the suggestive implication.

Hina, however, merely smirked in response, her amusement evident in the curve of her lips. Ruby was slightly annoyed by this. She hated nicknames. And she was confused, because "Red" knew only Hina. It was her nickname for every occasion, where she was annoying her just for fun.

Ignoring Ryo's flirtatious banter, Ruby focused on her task, her professionalism overriding any personal discomfort she may have felt. But as she led Ryo away, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air, a sense that there was more to Hina and Ryo's relationship than met the eye.

While they made their way to the port, Ruby couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her insides. Hina's closeness to the pirate, troubled her deeply. Hina was like a big sister to her, someone she trusted implicitly and she could rely on any time. but seeing her bond with a pirate like Ryo left Ruby feeling unsettled.

On their way to their vessel they walked past a imposing black ship. She watched as Ryo nodded to a group of women on board, a silent communication that sent a shiver down her spine. She didn't know what he planned, and that was concerning. The ship began to set sail, preparing to leave the port.

Suddenly, Hina's voice cut through the air, breaking Ruby from her thoughts. "Hey, Pirate," she called out, her tone oddly lighthearted despite the gravity of the situation. "What was your plan after you would've left the island?"

Ryo's smirk widened as he turned to face Hina, his gaze meeting hers with a mixture of amusement and intrigue. "After leaving, I thought to lead my crew, the Vibro Pirates to the Grand Line," he replied casually, his words carrying a hint of confidence.

Ruby listened intently, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for Hina's response. But to her dismay, Hina's demeanor remained unchanged, her playful banter with Ryo only serving to deepen Ruby's sense of unease.

"It's funny," Hina continued, her tone still too light for Ruby's liking. "After killing two of our officers, defeating Buggy, killing Don Krieg and Arlong, you don't seem to mind getting caught."

The weight of Hina's words hung heavy in the air, the gravity of their implications not lost on Ruby. She couldn't understand how Hina could be so nonchalant in the face of such blatant criminal activity. But as Ryo's smirk persisted, Ruby couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their exchange than met the eye.

As the black ship sailed past them, Ryo's body began to emit a radiant glow, illuminating the port with an otherworldly light. In a flash of movement, he broke free from his restraints, his muscles rippling with restrained power as he delivered a punch towards the Marine ship.

Ruby watched in awe as the impact of Ryo's fist sent shockwaves rippling through the air, causing cracks to spiderweb across the hull of the Marine vessel. It was a display of strength unlike anything she had ever witnessed before, and yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that Ryo was holding back.

The soldiers stood frozen in fear, their faces pale with shock and disbelief. But to Ruby's surprise, Ryo made no move to harm them further. Instead, he turned his attention to Hina, who had moved to intervene with her devil fruit powers.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Ryo subdued Hina, restraining her with seastone handcuffs that nullified her abilities. In a playful gesture, he tossed her over his shoulder, his flirtatious farewell echoing in the air as he prepared to make his escape.

Before Ruby could react, Ryo channeled all his power into a single leap, covering the entire distance to his ship in a single bound. Ruby could only watch in stunned silence as he disappeared from view, Hina still slung over his shoulder.

As the reality of what had just transpired sank in, Ruby was left grappling with a sense of disbelief. How was she supposed to explain this to her superiors? How could she possibly justify the escape of a notorious pirate, and the capture of one of their own?

With a heavy heart, Ruby knew that she would have to face the consequences of Ryo's daring escape. But as she gazed out at the empty port, all she could think about was the sheer power and charisma of the man known as Ryo, and the enigmatic bond he shared with her captain.

After she was back at the base Ruby stood with a heavy heart and a somber expression before Smoker, recounting the events that had unfolded at the port. She watched as Smoker listened attentively, his features impassive yet filled with an underlying concern.

As she finished her report, Ruby braced herself for the inevitable reprimand or punishment that would surely follow. But to her surprise, Smoker's response was unexpectedly calm and reassuring.

"Ruby, you couldn't have done anything to prevent this," Smoker said, his voice steady and reassuring. "If this Ryo is as powerful as you described, he poses a significant threat not only to the Marines, but to the world at large."

His words sent a chill down Ruby's spine, confirming her worst fears about the danger that Ryo represented. But Smoker's next words offered a glimmer of hope in the darkness.

"We need to inform headquarters immediately," Smoker continued, his gaze unwavering. "But if we do, our careers will be over. We'll be seen as failures, incapable of handling a situation of this magnitude."

Ruby felt a surge of panic rise within her at the thought of the consequences they would face for their failure. But before she could protest, Smoker spoke again, his tone resolute.

"I'll follow them, you are going to accompany me. This is an order." he declared, his voice firm with determination. "I'll take responsibility for capturing Ryo and rescuing Hina, if necessary. You were just following my orders Ruby. So even if something goes wrong it is me who gets in trouble."

Relief washed over Ruby as she realized that Smoker was willing to risk his own reputation and career to rectify their mistake. With a nod of gratitude, she accepted his plan, knowing that it was their best chance to bring Ryo to justice and ensure the safety of the world.

Together, they waited for a ship to be prepared, their resolve unwavering as they prepared to embark on a perilous journey into the heart of the Grand Line.