Far away on Ayn Island in the East Blue, Ren had no idea how the Marine Headquarters currently viewed him. For now, he was simply enjoying a rare moment of leisure—sunbathing on the beach.
After leaving the Sixteenth Branch, he'd flown for a whole day before randomly picking out an unlucky pirate crew at sea. Then, with equal randomness, he granted the captain, vice-captain, and their key members instant reincarnation on the spot. The surviving pirates, utterly awed and terrified, obediently ferried him to the nearest island—after which Ren graciously sent them off to "reunite" with their captain.
Using the pirates' money, Ren settled down temporarily on Ayn Island. Although it was a non–World Government–affiliated nation, the locals—having learned from others' mistakes—didn't dare provoke him.
Ren, meanwhile, was in no rush. He even indulged in something he'd long dreamed of in his previous life: lying under the sun on a beach. Of course, there were no bikini beauties here—Ayn Island was far too small for that.
During this time, Ren didn't try to contact Nami or the others through Den Den Mushi.
He simply waited quietly, letting fate play its hand. He reclined beneath a parasol, soaking in the sunlight.
Then, on the third day, a twin-masted sailboat approached, its large sail casting a shadow over him. A familiar voice rang out with irritation.
"You're awfully laid-back, aren't you?"
Under the dazzling sun, Zoro stood on the bow, looking down at Ren on the sand.
Behind him, wide-eyed and stunned, stood Nami and Nojiko.
Even though they'd heard his voice before over the call, seeing Ren alive—truly alive—still left them frozen in disbelief.
It was Ren.
Alive!Not chopped to bits or left in pieces!
"You're just slow," Ren said lazily.
He sat up, then vaulted effortlessly onto the ship where the three stood.He glanced around curiously. "Where did you get this ship?"
"We ran into a pirate crew with no sense of self-preservation," Zoro replied. "Didn't have a ship ourselves, so we took theirs after wiping them out."
Zoro gave Ren a long look and sighed.
"You really are something. You even survived that?"
"Correction—died, then came back to life."
Ren shook his head.Strictly speaking, the Totem of Undying only activated after actual death.That was why he'd been forced to experience dying once more.
"Resurrection, huh? That's terrifying," Zoro muttered, clearly impressed.
At that moment, Nami and Nojiko finally recovered from their shock.
"Ren… it's really you?"
Nami was the first to step closer, running her hands up and down his arms and chest as if to confirm he was real.
"Stop groping me. I'm alive—and warm," Ren said helplessly.
A moment later, Nami smacked him hard on the head.
"You couldn't say something sooner, idiot?! You think being alive gives you an excuse not to talk?! You just called and said, 'This is Ren. Come pick me up on Ayn Island. That's all.'
That's all! Who the hell ends a call like that, you jerk!?"
Her temper exploded, and she unleashed a barrage of punches on his head.Every blow came with another insult, every insult with another strike.Nojiko didn't step in to stop her—she understood.
When the captain had "died," Nami had cried all night. Nojiko herself hadn't slept either.Their argument with Zoro afterward had only come from despair and grief—Zoro's calm belief that Ren would live had felt cold and careless to them.But now… it seemed Zoro had simply known.
Still—That didn't excuse Ren's silence!
He'd been alive nearly a week and hadn't contacted them once, then finally called with one sentence before hanging up.
They hadn't slept that night, half-convinced it had all been a hallucination. So yes, joy and anger both burned in them. It was only natural that Nami's joy came with fists.
Luckily for Ren, Nami's stamina didn't last long. After ten minutes of pummeling, she was panting heavily.
"It won't happen again," Ren said, grimacing in pain but still managing to hug her tightly, catching her fists before she could swing again.
His passive healing ability kept him from looking too swollen.
Afterward, Ren followed them aboard and noticed two massive chests near Zoro.
"Two hundred million Beli," Zoro explained. "While you were gone, we found a prosperous island. In exchange for taking down a pirate crew, they helped us cash in the last of Arlong's treasure."
He smirked.
"Figured you'd be running low on funds by now."
Zoro knew Ren's mysterious powers came at a cost—Beli.
So, from the very start, the swordsman had believed Ren was alive and immediately began earning funds for his return.Knowing the Pipi Shrimp had sunk, he'd even seized a new pirate ship.
"So, you're joining for real?" Ren asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
Zoro chuckled.
"I think following you isn't a bad choice. Your dream leaves room for mine, and you support everyone else's dreams too.When the day comes that you fulfill yours, you won't just walk away, will you?"
Ren thought carefully, then answered solemnly.
"If that day ever comes, I'll say, 'My part's done—now it's your turn.'"
Zoro grinned.
"That's what I thought. You're that kind of man. So, I'm in. But if one day you do something that betrays what you stand for, I'll walk away.We're crewmates, not followers. We move forward together—but if our paths diverge, I won't force it. If you can accept that, then… we're shipmates."
"Then you'd better start calling me Captain," Ren said with a grin.
Zoro laughed. The two shared a brief, wordless understanding. Then, leaving the room to give them privacy, Zoro quietly closed the door behind him—leaving Ren with Nami and Nojiko.
"And you two?" Ren asked. "Are you sure about coming with me?"
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Nami's voice trembled slightly, eyes red. Now calm, she realized his earlier silence hadn't been carelessness—it had been deliberate. Knowing Ren, he must've had a reason.
Ren said nothing. His silence was answer enough.
"I knew it!" Nami groaned in frustration. She pulled out her Ruyi Staff necklace and raised it threateningly—then stopped when she saw the calm, unguarded look on his face, the unspoken 'Go ahead, I'll take it'. She sighed, tossed the staff aside, and sat back down, arms crossed.
"So? What's your answer?" Ren asked, as though completely oblivious to the mood.
Nami hesitated, caught between anger and relief.Then she huffed.
"If it weren't for me, you'd never even make it out of the East Blue! Fine. For old times' sake—I'll go with you."
"Understood," Ren replied with a knowing smirk.
At this stage, Nami still had that signature tsundere edge—but that was fine. She was here. That was enough.She stormed off, still pouting.
Then Nojiko smiled faintly.
"Guess it's my turn?"
She studied him carefully, her dark skin glowing under the cabin light.
"I honestly didn't expect your dream to be something so grand."
"It's not noble," Ren corrected. "Just arrogance. The world I imagine happens to align with your idea of what's good.So don't make me sound saintly. I'm just a stubborn man with ideals—lazy, greedy, lustful, and maybe a bit too fond of food. I've even thought about marrying several wives."
"Is that so? Then Nami wasn't wrong," Nojiko teased. "You're interested in her… and in me too, aren't you?"
"Cough— don't say such honest things out loud."
Ren coughed into his fist, face flushing.
Nojiko's gaze softened.
"I don't hate you, Ren. In fact, I think you're a good man. I even think… sharing like we used to as kids wouldn't be so bad. I don't hate your dream either. I think helping you achieve it would be a wonderful thing. And I believe you can—after all, you even came back from death itself. But…"
The word but made Ren's heart tighten.
"But I don't know what I can do to help. Nami's a genius navigator with a Magical Clima-Tact. Zoro's a strong swordsman. Me? I'm not much of a fighter. I'd only slow everyone down—maybe even become a weak point the enemy could exploit. Even so… you still want me as part of your crew?"
Deep down, she felt insecure. She'd always been the support, never the fighter—the one handling supplies and logistics because she couldn't fight.
That was the true reason behind her hesitation. Not doubt in Ren—but doubt in herself.
Ren laughed gently.
"So that's what you were worried about? Nojiko, sailing isn't all about fighting. Food, comfort, and morale matter too.Without you, we'd probably be living off instant noodles.You might think your role isn't important—but to me, you're the balance that keeps the crew together.
As for power—don't forget what my Devil Fruit can do.If I can help Nami grow stronger, I can do the same for you."
"You mean…" Nojiko began, voice uncertain.
"You can start calling me Captain," Ren said brightly.
He grinned—an open, genuine smile.Compared to his earlier worries, this ending was nothing short of perfect.
(End of Chapter)