CHAPTER 17 — THE SEA CALLS
The sea had always whispered to me, long before I left Windmill Village. The waves, the wind, the endless horizon—it promised freedom, challenge, and the opportunity to test everything I had honed over the past years.
I stood on the docks, three swords strapped
across my back, Wado Ichimonji at my hand, extra arm flexed in anticipation. My body burned faintly with the familiar hunger for combat, training, and growth. Rain of Swords pulsed in my mind, ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice.
THE DECISION TO LEAVE
Ace approached quietly, fists clenched, a faint grin on his face. "You really leaving, huh?"
I did not respond immediately. My eyes scanned the horizon. Wind, water, the unseen currents beneath the waves. Timing, preparation, opportunity—it was all part of the calculation.
Finally, I spoke. "Come with me."
Ace's grin widened. "You want me to sail with you? Sounds fun."
Not fun. Efficiency. Growth. Challenge. I did not explain; I did not need to. Ace understood instinctively.
Sabo was elsewhere that morning, preoccupied with the orphanage and his
own plans. Luffy, oblivious to all calculations, would eventually follow his own path. Their journeys were separate, as designed by fate.
PREPARATIONS
The boat was small, simple. But sufficient. I had stripped it of excess weight, reinforced the hull, and tested the rudder repeatedly over the past week. Observation Haki scanned the horizon and the water below for
currents, debris, and minor threats. Armament Haki strengthened the hull subtly, ensuring that collisions would not cripple it.
I strapped my three swords to my back, leaving Wado Ichimonji in my hand. Extra arm flexed, ready to balance, to wield, or to defend. Rain of Swords hummed faintly in my awareness.
Ace climbed aboard, fire already dancing faintly in his fists, grin fixed. "So… when do we leave?"
"Now."
No hesitation. No ceremony. Only motion.
THE OPEN SEA
Waves slapped the hull rhythmically. Wind carried the smell of salt, the promise of
adventure, and the faint sting of unknown danger. Observation Haki detected small schools of fish below, drifting debris, and distant ships on the horizon. Every piece of information cataloged automatically.
Ace trained as we sailed, fists igniting, testing his strength against the wind. I
trained simultaneously, Rain of Swords activated partially as blades sliced through air, micro-slashes producing faint ripples in the waves and wind. Coordination between my arms and swords reached a level where each swing left the others free to continue without conflict.
THE FUTURE PATHS
I spoke quietly as we sailed toward the
horizon. "Luffy will go his own way. Sabo too. Their paths are separate."
Ace nodded, understanding more than he let on. "Good. Then we'll make our own story."
The sea stretched endlessly, a canvas
waiting for strength, skill, and ambition to paint themselves across it. And I, seven years old but honed beyond my age, felt the thrill of absolute preparation meeting infinite potential.
The storms would come. Opponents would rise. Challenges would test every blade, every arm, every ounce of skill I had cultivated.
But I was ready.
Windmill Village disappeared behind us.
Three swords rested across three arms.
Rain of Swords pulsed faintly, a storm contained within me.
Wado Ichimonji hummed with calm inevitability.
And the sea stretched endlessly before us.
The world had no idea what was coming.