"Ryūjin-san!"
"Ryūjin-kun!"
"Mr. Ryūjin!"
Ryūjin strolled along the restaurant deck, letting the sea breeze brush against him.
Every staff member who passed greeted him warmly and respectfully. Even some customers nodded or smiled in recognition. Over the past week, Ryūjin had become something of a familiar presence, not just among the staff but among the regular patrons as well.
"Ryūjin-chan, I just made a cold drink for you. Give it a try!"
Sanji came over quickly, a cigarette hanging from his lips as he carried a tray.
It had already been more than a week since Ryūjin arrived at the Baratie, and Sanji still treated him like his favorite guest. He frequently prepared dishes just to share with him, clearly enjoying the appreciation.
Ryūjin never refused.
Sanji might act like a fool around women and show off more than necessary, but his cooking was undeniably top-tier. That alone made staying here far more enjoyable.
Ryūjin took a sip.
A refreshing chill spread from his throat through his body, crisp and smooth with a layered flavor.
"Nice. You really don't miss," Ryūjin said, giving a casual thumbs-up.
"As long as you like it, Ryūjin!"
Sanji grinned, clearly pleased.
They chatted idly while leaning against the railing.
"Whoa! This place is huge! So a sea restaurant really exists, Zoro!"
"Incredible! I'm going to eat everything here!"
"Idiot, that's all you ever think about!"
Their conversation paused as a ship slowly docked beside the Baratie.
Four figures stood on deck, staring in amazement and talking loudly.
Sanji barely spared them a glance. He had seen reactions like this countless times.
Ryūjin, however, looked over, a faint smirk forming.
The Going Merry.
A straw hat. Green hair. A long nose.
Familiar faces.
Even though Nami never joined them as navigator because of his interference, they still made it here. The path changed, but the destination stayed the same.
"Ryūjin, you know them?" Sanji asked.
"Yeah," Ryūjin replied, his tone casual but certain.
"Who are they?"
"Nobodies, for now. Later, the whole world will know their names."
Sanji frowned slightly and looked again, but he saw nothing special.
"Sanji, I'll go say hi."
Without waiting for a reply, Ryūjin stepped forward and leapt cleanly onto the Going Merry's deck.
The chatter stopped instantly.
All eyes locked onto him.
Luffy and Usopp looked confused. Zoro's hand rested on his sword, his gaze sharp. He could tell something was off about this guy.
"So… who are you?" Luffy asked, pressing down his straw hat. "Why'd you jump onto our ship?"
"Monkey D. Luffy," Ryūjin said, meeting his eyes. "Let's make a deal."
"You know me?" Luffy blinked. "How? I've never seen you before."
Ryūjin shrugged. "Does it matter?"
"What do you want?"
"Fight me. I'll cover all your food here."
Luffy's eyes lit up instantly. "Seriously? Then let's go!"
"Hey, Luffy!" Usopp hissed. "At least question it first!"
Zoro sighed and rubbed his forehead. "You don't just accept something like that."
"Sounds fun," Luffy said, already cracking his knuckles. "And free food."
That's exactly the problem.
Zoro and Usopp both thought the same thing, but neither stopped him.
Zoro stayed alert instead. If anything went wrong, he would step in.
"Alright," Ryūjin said. "Let's begin."
The moment he finished speaking, Luffy's vision blurred.
The sea vanished.
Sand stretched endlessly in every direction.
"What the hell? Where am I?" Luffy looked around, confused.
Back on the ship, Ryūjin and Luffy had completely disappeared.
Zoro, Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku froze.
"That guy did something," Zoro muttered, his expression tightening.
Inside the space, Ryūjin faced Luffy calmly.
"This is a space I made. No interruptions here."
"Awesome!" Luffy grinned, clearly impressed. "Let's start!"
"Go ahead."
"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!"
Luffy's arm stretched forward and snapped toward Ryūjin.
It never reached him.
A mass of sand formed in front of Ryūjin, blocking it effortlessly.
"Gomu Gomu no Axe!"
"Gomu Gomu no Bazooka!"
"Gomu Gomu no Stamp!"
"Gomu Gomu no Rain!"
Attack after attack followed.
None connected.
Sand intercepted every strike, precise and controlled.
Ryūjin didn't even step back.
Then he raised a hand slightly.
The sand surged forward like a tidal wave and swallowed Luffy whole.
At that moment, the Sign-in System confirmed the reward.
Ability Reward: Gomu Gomu no Mi .
Ryūjin lowered his hand, and the sand receded. Another wave lifted Luffy and threw him out of the space.
Back on the ship, Luffy reappeared.
"So strong…" Luffy said, staring at him. "You're really strong."
For the first time since leaving Foosha Village, he felt completely outmatched.
Still, his grin returned.
"One day I'll beat you. I'm going to be the King of the Pirates."
Ryūjin smirked slightly. "Then make it to the end of the Grand Line. I'll be waiting."
With that, both of them returned fully.
"Luffy!"
Zoro and the others rushed over.
"I'm fine," Luffy said.
Relief spread across their faces.
Ryūjin didn't bother with further explanation. His figure flickered and vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
Only silence remained.
Usopp exhaled deeply. "That guy… what was that?"
"He said he created a space," Luffy replied.
Usopp choked. "Created a space?"
Zoro frowned. "That's not normal."
"I'm starving," Luffy said, already turning back toward the restaurant.
True to his word, Ryūjin covered their expenses.
As Ryūjin expected, events continued to unfold.
The next day, Gin arrived at the Baratie, starving and desperate.
After eating, he left with humiliation written all over him, but also with renewed purpose.
A few days later, Ryūjin sat at a table, eating as usual.
This time, Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp joined him.
After a couple of days together, they had grown familiar. Usopp, especially, had completely warmed up to him, calling him "Bro Ryūjin" at every opportunity.
Only Zoro remained cautious.
"So the Emperors can split an island with one hit?" Luffy said, stuffing his mouth.
"That doesn't sound human," Usopp added.
Zoro stayed quiet, but his eyes sharpened. Curiosity about Ryūjin kept growing.
Then the atmosphere shifted.
"Look outside!"
"That flag…"
"A skull with hourglasses… no mistake!"
"The ruler of the East Blue… Don Krieg!"
"The Krieg Pirates are here!"
Panic spread through the restaurant.
Luffy immediately stood up, interest replacing hunger.
"The ruler of the East Blue?"
He ran toward the exit with the others.
The entire Baratie fell into chaos.
Even Zeff stepped out.
Only Ryūjin stayed seated, continuing his meal as if nothing had happened.
◇ I'll drop one bonus chapter for every 10 reviews
(Leave a review/comment)
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100
Power Stones.
◇ Read 80 | 100 chapters ahead on [email protected]/_Zeph