Baratie

Toshiro entered the ship and saw Kuro waiting for him.

"What's my role then?" Kuro asked, adjusting his glasses.

"Do what you were doing in the mansion, but instead of Kaya, it's me," Toshiro said casually.

Kuro's eyes narrowed slightly. "So, you want me to be your servant?"

Toshiro smirked. "Think of it as an opportunity. You handle the logistics and keep things running smoothly with Nami. In return, you get to stay alive and perhaps plot your revenge."

Kuro remained silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But don't think for a moment that I won't be watching for an opportunity to turn the tables."

Toshiro chuckled. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. Now, go assist Nami with preparing the ship. We set sail at dawn."

As Kuro turned to carry out his orders, Nami watched the exchange, her mind racing with doubts and questions. She couldn't shake the feeling that aligning with Toshiro was a dangerous gamble, but for now, she had no choice but to go along with it.

With the ship preparing to set sail, Toshiro took a moment to look out at the horizon. The sea was vast, and his ambitions were even greater. This was just the beginning.

......................

"What's the next destination?" Nami asked.

"To the restaurant ship, Baratie," Toshiro answered, crossing one leg over the other and gazing at the sea.

"Can I ask why?" Nami inquired.

"I want to try the food there and maybe recruit a new crew member," Toshiro said as he stood up.

Nami frowned, "Recruitment, huh? What kind of person are you looking for this time?"

"A cook," Toshiro replied simply. "And maybe someone with a decent fight in them."

"Where are you going?" Nami asked as she watched him head towards the ship's interior.

"To start training. I'm still a weakling," Toshiro responded, his tone emotionless.

"You? A weakling??" Nami asked, confused.

"There is always a sky behind a sky in this world, Nami," Toshiro said.

"Just don't leave me alone with that guy. I haven't forgotten that he tried to kill me."

Nami frowned, glancing at Kuro, who was busy preparing the ship.

"I'll keep that in mind," Toshiro replied, his voice steady and reassuring.

Toshiro nodded and headed to the training area of the ship. Nami watched him go, feeling a mix of frustration and curiosity. She couldn't deny that Toshiro's strength and determination were impressive, but his ruthlessness was unsettling.

"So, what's your training regimen like?" Nami asked as she caught up with him.

"Why would you care?" Toshiro looked at Nami and asked.

"It's not like I care or anything, I'm just curious," Nami responded, rolling her eyes.

"Rigorous. I push my limits every day," Toshiro said, flexing his fingers. "Strength, speed, endurance, and control over my abilities. I need to be prepared for whatever the Grand Line throws at us."

"Why are you only thinking about the Grand Line threats? What about the East Blue?" Nami asked, looking down with her hair hiding her eyes.

"Throughout Heaven and Earth... I alone am the strongest in the East Blue," Toshiro said, striking a pose he thought was majestic.

Nami raised an eyebrow, "I didn't understand your word choice."

"In short, I'm currently the strongest in the East Blue. Of course, if no big shots show up here," Toshiro responded.

"You're sure full of yourself," Nami replied.

"I heard that there's a pirate called Arlong with a 20 million bounty," she continued, her hair covering her eyes. "I heard he's a Fishman and came from the Grand Line."

Toshiro paused for a moment, then looked at Nami with a meaningful gaze. "Arlong, huh? I've heard of him. He's just an ugly fishman."

Nami looked at him, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and doubt. "You really think you can take him on?"

"Well… If Arlong called all his pirate crew together, It might cause me little trouble," Toshiro said with a smirk on his face.

"But, would you lose?!" Nami asked, looking at Toshiro curiously.

"Nah, I'd win," Toshiro said with a big smile.

... ...

Toshiro began his training, completely disregarding Nami's presence. He focused solely on honing his skills, pushing himself to his limits with each exercise. Nami watched him intently, her mind filled with deep thoughts.

Time passed swiftly until they finally reached Baratie. Kuro approached Toshiro with a respectful tone. "Toshiro-sama, we have arrived."

"Sama?" Toshiro arched an eyebrow, a playful smile gracing his lips.

"You mentioned that I should act as a servant, and if I fail, you would kill me, correct?" Kuro spoke calmly. "You don't seem to extend the same mercy to that girl Nami, as to me, am I right?"

"Indeed," Toshiro responded, rising from his seat. With a sense of purpose, he contemplated how he would acquire Cleave and Kamino(divine flames). Seated in what he deemed a majestic pose, he prepared himself. "Here we go."

Quickly changing his outfit, Toshiro left the ship while Kuro and Nami handled the docking. As he entered the ship once more, a smirk played across his face.