Chapter 23: The Name

Ryo sat in stunned silence, his mind swirling with the revelations Zoe had just shared. The pieces of the puzzle were finally falling into place, but the picture they formed was more complex and bewildering than he could have imagined.

"So, let me get this straight," Ryo began, breaking the heavy silence that hung in the air. "You're telling us that you were the former user of my devil fruit? And your spirit is bound to this ship?"

Zoe nodded solemnly, her expression tinged with regret. "Yes, that's correct. I apologize again for not revealing the full extent of my connection to the fruit and the ship earlier. There were reasons for my secrecy, but now it's time for you to know the truth. At the time I didn'twant to overwhelmyou with informatio."

Ryo exchanged a glance with Nami, Yamato, and Nojiko, seeing the disbelief mirrored in their eyes. It was a lot to take in all at once, but there was no denying the sincerity in Zoe's words.

"And the fruit itself," Ryo continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's a Zoan type of a mythical God named Vibronius?"

Zoe nodded once again, her gaze steady. "Yes, the Hito Hito no Mi: Model Vibronius. It's a powerful devil fruit with immense capabilities, but it also carries a huge risk."

As Zoe spoke, the gravity of their situation sank in even deeper. The fruit they possessed was not just any ordinary devil fruit—it was tied to a legendary being with a name that echoed through the annals of history.

Ryo leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean by 'a huge risk'?"

Zoe's expression changed, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and sorrow. "The prophecy surrounding the fruit foretells of a chosen one who will use its power to challenge the oppressive forces of the world and bring about a new era of peace and justice. That chosen one is you, Ryo. And I think that this is going to change your course as a being. Zoan type devil fruits possess a will on their own. Apparently my will wasn't the same as the fruits. It Choose you. And I don't know how it will affect your life."

The weight of Zoe's words hung heavy in the air, settling over the group like a shroud. Ryo felt a surge of emotion welling up inside him—the weight of destiny pressing down on his shoulders.

But amidst the gravity of their conversation, there was also a glimmer of hope. For the first time, Ryo saw a path forward, a purpose to guide him on his journey.

As the truth of their situation began to sink in, Ryo knew that there was no turning back. The responsibility of wielding the power of this mythical devil fruit rested squarely on his shoulders, and he was determined to rise to the challenge.

With newfound resolve, Ryo turned to his companions, his voice steady and determined. "We have a long journey ahead of us, but together, we will face whatever challenges come our way. Let's set course and embark on our quest to fulfill the prophecy."

"But I have a question. What will happen now with me?", Zoe asked barely over a whisper. "I am part ... no, I am the ship. I don't really know if you even want me here."

Zoe's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she awaited Ryo's response, unsure of whether she truly belonged among the crew. Despite her integral connection to the ship, she couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty.

However, Ryo's warm smile and reassuring words quickly dispelled her doubts. "You are not just the ship. You ARE our crewmate." With a gentle embrace, he enveloped her in his arms, offering gratitude for her selfless acts and unwavering support. In that moment, Zoe felt a rush of emotion welling up inside her, a mixture of relief, gratitude, and belonging.

Tears glistened in Zoe's eyes as she returned Ryo's embrace, the weight of her loneliness lifting from her shoulders. For so long, she had existed in solitude, bound to the ship and burdened by her past. But now, in Ryo's embrace, she found acceptance and companionship—a sense of belonging she had long yearned for.

As they held each other close, the rest of the crew looked on, their hearts warmed by the display of camaraderie and friendship. In that moment, it became clear that they were more than just a crew—they were a family, bound together by their shared journey and the bonds of kinship. And as a pillar that holds all of them together there was Ryo. One that they always could count on.

After a few hours, they still sat around the table, talking about each of their individual pasts. Ryo's determination burned brighter than ever before. His gaze was fixed on the horizon, his mind set on a new goal: to journey to the Grand Line, to conquer its challenges, and to claim the title of the world's strongest.

For Nami and Nojiko, he had already freed them from the shackles of their past, freeing them from the tyranny of Arlong. Now, he vowed to do the same for Yamato—to bring an end to the reign of Kaido, the tyrant who had terrorized the people of Wano for far too long. It would take some time to get strong enough but eventually he would free her to from the man that had the audacity to call her his daughter.

And then there was Zoe, whose suffering at the hands of the World Government had left scars that ran deep. Ryo swore to avenge her, to bring justice to those who had killed her and countless others. They would pay for making her endure an eternity of loneliness in the land of the dead.

But he knew he couldn't do it alone. As they journeyed, he would seek out new members for his crew, allies who shared his vision of a better world. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in their pursuit of freedom and justice.

Their next destination was Loguetown, a bustling port town on the edge of the Grand Line. It was a place of opportunity and danger, where dreams were made and shattered in equal measure. But for Ryo and his crew, it was just another step on their journey—one that would bring them ever closer to their ultimate goal.

As the crew sailed towards Loguetown, the was a question that needed to be answered. The question of their crews name. Ryo, the determined captain, gathered his companions—Nami, Nojiko, Yamato, and Zoe—around him to discuss the matter.

Seated in a circle on the deck of their ship, Ryo spoke first, his voice steady and strong, as he layed his hand on Yamatos. "When we landed here in the East Blue, we founded this crew. As we traveled through these waters, we had no name, we were just Yamato and Ryo." The other three could see the oh so familiar blush on her face she swelled in memories. "But now, as we embark on this journey towards the Grand Line together, it's time we solidify our identity with a crew name."

Nami, ever pragmatic, nodded in agreement. "Having a name will give us a sense of unity and recognition," she remarked, her eyes alight with determination.

Nojiko chimed in, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "We're not just a group of individuals anymore; we're a crew bound by a shared goal and a common bond. We need a name that reflects our strength and camaraderie."

Yamato, typically smiling. "A name can be a powerful symbol," she said. "It can inspire us and remind our allies and enemies what w are capable of."

Zoe, the enigmatic presence among them, nodded in agreement. "Our name should reflect something, something that represents our crew, or our lovelycaptain~," she added, the last part in her usual flirtatious tone towards Ryo.

After a moment of contemplation, Ryo spoke again, his voice firm and decisive. "I propose that we call ourselves the 'Vibro Pirates,'" he declared. "It's a name that captures the importanceof my devil fruit. The fruit that Zoe once possessed. The fruit with that i freed Nami and Nojiko and wich started my whole journey. The one that bought me to Yamato, and us to you here."

Nami, Nojiko, Yamato, and Zoe exchanged nods of approval, a sense of unity settling over them like a warm embrace. "The Vibro Pirates it is," Nami declared, a hint of excitement in her voice.

And so, with their crew name decided, the Vibro Pirates set sail towards Loguetown, their spirits buoyed by a newfound sense of purpose and solidarity. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, bound together by friendship, loyalty, and the unbreakable bond of their shared dream.

Little did they know, however, that this newfound name would draw unforeseen consequences—consequences that would test them as a crew and challenge Ryo's strength in ways they never imagined.