Chapter 12: The Encounter with the Straw Hats
Luffy sat cross-legged on the Going Merry, a large, meaty bone in one hand and a half-eaten apple in the other. He was laughing, loud and carefree, as Usopp spun another one of his wild, exaggerated tales. The rest of the crew gathered around, entertained by their sharpshooter's latest story about a battle with a giant squid. Though no one fully believed it, Usopp's enthusiasm was infectious, and they all shared in the joy of his colorful imagination.
The past few days had been blissful for the Straw Hat Pirates. The battle with Arlong and his crew was finally behind them. The weight of their hard-fought victory hung in the air like a victorious banner, a testament to their strength and the bond they'd formed. They were on their way to bigger and better things now—heading toward the Grand Line, where their true adventure awaited.
But despite the happiness surrounding him, Zoro wasn't as lighthearted as the rest of the crew. His eyes were fixed on the horizon, a distant, almost unreadable look in them. He leaned against the wooden railing of the Going Merry, arms folded across his chest, his gaze unmoving.
He could feel it. That strange sensation, like a sixth sense whispering at the back of his mind. It wasn't a feeling of danger exactly, but something was... off. The wind had shifted in a way he couldn't quite describe, and the calm of the sea seemed to have taken on an eerie quality. Zoro's hand twitched, and his fingers brushed against the hilt of one of his swords, a habit he'd formed after years of being in constant danger. His grip tightened for a moment, then loosened.
He couldn't place it yet.
Sanji, who had been busy in the kitchen cooking up the next meal for the crew, stepped out onto the deck, the savory scent of food trailing behind him. He was about to ask Luffy if he wanted any more meat when he noticed Zoro's posture. His usually carefree teammate looked unusually serious, his eyes scanning the horizon with an intensity that made Sanji pause. He had a feeling something was off, and it wasn't just Zoro being Zoro.
"Oi, Zoro. What is it?" Sanji called out, walking over and flicking his lighter absentmindedly. "You look like you're waiting for a fight."
Zoro didn't respond immediately. He just stood there, eyes locked on the sea, his posture rigid. The wind whipped through his black bandana and tousled his hair, but he didn't seem to notice. His sharp instincts were screaming at him, warning him that something was out there, something or someone just beyond the line of sight. Something that didn't belong.
Sanji sighed, clicking his lighter shut. "If you're just trying to get out of dinner, you can't blame me. You're always hungry, so don't make it sound like there's a ghost ship or something, alright?"
Zoro's eyes didn't leave the horizon. "There's someone out there," he muttered, his voice low but steady, a quiet certainty that no one could ignore.
Sanji raised an eyebrow. "Someone? You sure? We're in the middle of the East Blue. It's a pretty empty stretch of sea. You sure it's not just some big fish or a bird flying too low?"
Zoro didn't answer. His hand remained on his sword hilt, his mind trying to sift through the feelings of unease that gnawed at him. He knew that feeling all too well—something was coming, something dangerous. He just couldn't tell what it was yet.
The wind shifted again, and the small boat rocking gently in the distance caught Zoro's attention. A faint ripple disturbed the water's surface, but nothing seemed to move on the horizon. His instincts told him it wasn't just a fish or an island. It was too calculated, too purposeful.
"Something's wrong," Zoro said finally, his voice more certain this time. "We're not alone out here."
Luffy, who had been obliviously munching on his food, paused mid-bite and tilted his head up, the toothy grin never leaving his face. "Huh? Someone? Maybe it's a big fish! I've been looking for one of those for days now! I bet it's huge!"
Zoro didn't even bother to respond to Luffy's usual over-the-top theories. His eyes stayed focused on the distance, still scanning. He could feel a subtle change in the air, the sense of being watched—of something closing in, maybe a ship, or a presence hidden by the sea. He wasn't sure, but his instincts were telling him that something was about to happen.
Sanji gave an exaggerated sigh and shook his head. "If you're trying to spoil dinner by making us all paranoid, just say so. Otherwise, get back to eating."
Zoro didn't move, still locked in place, his senses straining to catch any sign of movement. His mind replayed the brief moments he'd felt the disturbance—small things that didn't seem to add up. It was just a feeling, but it was one he trusted more than anything. This was no random encounter. He'd felt it before, that inexplicable sensation when something significant was on the horizon.
The ship creaked gently in the wind, the only sound breaking the silence, as Luffy went back to eating and Sanji lit up another cigarette, muttering under his breath about Zoro's "bad vibes."
But Zoro knew, somewhere deep down, that whatever it was that was out there wasn't just a coincidence. His instincts never failed him.
As the Going Merry sailed steadily forward, the crew felt the ever-growing tension that lingered just beneath the surface. Whether they were being watched or not, Zoro didn't know yet. But he was sure of one thing: it wasn't a coincidence that his senses were on high alert. Someone was out there, and the East Blue had suddenly grown much less predictable.
Zoro's eyes remained locked on the horizon, his grip tightening slightly on his sword's hilt. The sensation had only grown stronger, the prickling feeling of a presence in the distance that couldn't be ignored. His mind raced, sifting through every possible scenario. Pirates? Marines? A random traveler?
But there was something about the way the wind shifted, something in the way the air felt thick with anticipation, that made Zoro think this wasn't a coincidence. The presence was moving toward them with purpose. It was no accident.
"Oi, Zoro, are you sure about this?" Sanji's voice interrupted his thoughts, his usual cocky tone slipping into a more concerned one. He was now standing near the railing, watching Zoro closely. "You've been staring out there for a while now. Who exactly are we waiting for?"
Zoro didn't answer immediately. His attention was still focused on the approaching presence—whoever it was, they were getting closer, and fast. The eerie calm that had settled over the sea was now replaced by the slightest disturbances in the water, small ripples that shouldn't be there. It was like a shadow looming, coming closer to the ship.
"I don't know who they are," Zoro finally muttered, his eyes narrowing as he continued to study the horizon. "But they're headed right for us."
The crew grew more tense. Luffy, of course, was unfazed. With a loud yawn, he jumped to his feet and grinned, completely excited at the prospect of meeting someone new.
"Who's coming? A new friend?" Luffy asked with unrestrained enthusiasm, bouncing on the spot.
"I don't think this is the time for introductions, Luffy," Zoro muttered. "Stay ready."
The Going Merry sailed steadily onward, but the presence in the distance didn't waver. In fact, it seemed to be closing in at a faster pace now, the disturbance in the water becoming more pronounced. Then, without warning, a sleek figure appeared in the distance—just visible against the setting sun. It was a small, fast ship, cutting through the sea with unnatural speed. The sail was plain, no insignia to indicate what kind of crew it belonged to. But there was a sharpness to its approach, a sense of purpose that made Zoro's instincts flare.
He watched, waiting for any sign of movement, any clue to the identity of the person or crew who had decided to close in on them. But there was nothing but that steady pace.
"Zoro…" Usopp's voice floated down from the crow's nest, "I think that ship is coming toward us."
Zoro nodded silently, his hand now firmly on the hilt of his sword. His posture was tense, ready for whatever was about to come.
Then, as the ship drew closer, he saw the figure standing on the deck of the small vessel. A lone man, tall and lean, his features obscured by a cloak that billowed slightly in the wind. He stood perfectly still, his eyes locked on the Going Merry as if he had already anticipated the encounter. Even from this distance, Zoro could tell that there was something unusual about him—an aura of calm mixed with an undeniable power. This was no ordinary sailor or pirate.
Finally, the man's voice rang out, clear and direct, cutting through the rising tension.
"I'm looking for someone," the man called, his voice calm but firm. "I'd like to speak with the captain of this ship."
Zoro's grip on his sword tightened instinctively. He couldn't place it, but there was something familiar about the man's presence. Something that set off all of his alarms. Whoever he was, this wasn't just a chance meeting.
Luffy, his curiosity piqued, shouted over the wind, "Hey! I'm the captain! Who's asking?"
The figure didn't respond immediately, his gaze still trained on the crew, as if appraising them one by one. Then, with a slight tilt of his head, he spoke again, this time his words directed toward Zoro.
"Quite the swordsman you are," the man said, his tone laced with an odd mixture of respect and challenge. "I've heard a lot about you, Zoro."
Zoro's brow furrowed at the mention of his name. He hadn't given anyone on this ship his name, nor had he ever seen the man before. There was no way this stranger should know who he was.
"Who are you?" Zoro demanded, taking a step forward. "And why are you looking for me?"
The man's eyes glinted under the faint light of the setting sun, and there was a slight shift in the wind. The calm demeanor he held seemed to dissipate just enough for Zoro to notice the small but dangerous hint of readiness in his posture.
"Let's just say," the man began, his voice calm yet sharp, "that we have some mutual interests. I have business with you, but it can wait. I'd rather speak with the entire crew. Don't worry, I'm not here to fight." His eyes lingered on Zoro's hand, still resting on the hilt of his sword.
Zoro didn't move, his suspicion deepening. There was something about the way the man spoke, the way he sized them up, that made him uneasy. He hadn't said he was looking for trouble, but the unease Zoro felt told him that something was going to happen soon—whether he was ready for it or not.
"You can come aboard," Zoro said cautiously, his voice laced with an edge. "But I'll be watching."
The figure nodded, almost imperceptibly, and gestured for his ship to come closer. The crew watched in silence as the mysterious man's ship drew alongside the Going Merry, the water between them still faintly rippling from the wake of his vessel.
As the man stepped aboard the Merry, the Straw Hats stood in a tight circle, waiting for him to make his move. Zoro remained at the ready, his hand on his sword, still unsure of who this man was and what he wanted.
"Now, then," the man said, stepping lightly onto the deck, "I suppose introductions are in order. My name is Ashen Veyr. I'm a traveler, of sorts."
Luffy grinned widely. "Ashen? What's up, Ashen? We're the Straw Hat Pirates! This is Zoro, and that's Sanji, and—"
"Luffy," Zoro interrupted, his eyes still locked on Ashen. "Don't trust this guy too easily."
Ashen smiled slightly, his calm demeanor not shifting in the slightest. "You should listen to your friend, Luffy. Trusting strangers can be dangerous."
The tension on the deck was palpable, the crew unsure of the mysterious man's true intentions. Ashen's words didn't seem like an empty threat; they held a weight to them that made the hairs on the back of Zoro's neck stand on end.
The silence lingered, the only sound being the soft creaking of the Going Merry as it swayed gently in the ocean's rhythm. Ashen's presence had brought an unfamiliar tension to the crew, but none more so than Zoro, who remained ever-vigilant. His hand stayed on the hilt of his sword, his posture rigid, his gaze unyielding as he studied Ashen carefully.
Luffy, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed by the tension. His usual carefree grin never left his face. He tilted his head slightly to the side, squinting at Ashen, clearly sizing him up.
"So, what brings you to us?" Luffy asked with his usual blunt curiosity, still bouncing on his heels like an excited child. "You look like you've been around the world a bit."
Ashen's lips twitched into a faint smile at Luffy's bluntness. There was something about the way the young captain spoke that didn't seem to be weighed down by any ulterior motive. It was raw, unfiltered, and that made Ashen respect him a little.
"I've heard of you," Ashen replied, his tone still calm, almost enigmatic. "The Straw Hat Pirates, huh? Quite the interesting bunch you are."
"Of course you've heard of us!" Luffy puffed his chest out, pride swelling in his voice. "We're gonna be the ones to find the One Piece and become the Pirate King!"
The other members of the crew, sensing the tension, began to ease up slightly, though they were still on alert. Zoro stood a bit straighter, his gaze still locked on Ashen, unblinking.
Sanji, ever the one to be cautious about new faces, gave Ashen a sharp look, his hand hovering near his cigarette as if he were ready to pull it out and light it at any moment. "You're a bit too calm for my liking, pal. What's your deal? Why come all the way to our ship?"
Ashen's gaze shifted momentarily to Sanji before returning to Zoro. His eyes were sharp, analyzing everything, but never giving too much away. "I'm just passing through," Ashen answered smoothly, his voice laced with an air of mystery. "Looking for someone, actually."
The crew exchanged puzzled looks, but Luffy's grin only widened. "Looking for someone? Well, you came to the right place! If you're looking for an adventure, the Straw Hat Pirates are the ones you want! We get into crazy stuff all the time!"
Zoro wasn't convinced. His eyes narrowed, watching Ashen as if trying to figure him out. "Who are you really, Ashen? You don't just end up here by accident. You're not from East Blue. You've got experience—too much for a simple traveler."
Ashen's expression didn't change. He seemed to appreciate Zoro's insight, though. "You're right," he said quietly. "I'm not from here. And I didn't just 'end up here.' I've been tracking someone. But the path crossed here, and I thought I'd stop for a bit."
Luffy scratched his head, clearly intrigued. "Tracking someone? Who? You gonna tell us?"
"Not yet," Ashen replied cryptically, "but I'd rather have a conversation with you all first."
Zoro was still unconvinced, but he remained silent for now. His intuition told him Ashen wasn't lying, but there was something he wasn't saying—something important.
"So," Sanji piped up, always direct when it came to new faces, "what do you want from us? We don't usually just pick up random people off the sea."
Ashen let out a short chuckle, almost as if he had expected this question. He was calm, unfazed. "I don't want anything from you, not yet anyway. But I think there's something you all should know."
"Something we should know?" Zoro repeated, his voice cool and wary. "What would that be?"
Ashen's gaze shifted briefly to the horizon, his expression becoming more serious. "The world is changing. Pirates like you"—his eyes briefly flicked to Luffy—"are going to play a big part in that change. The Grand Line is full of chaos and powerful people, but what's coming next... I don't think even you are prepared for it."
The Straw Hats exchanged uneasy glances, their curiosity now piqued but also filled with a sense of caution.
"Prepared for what?" Nami asked, her voice laced with suspicion. "You're not talking about the Marines, are you?"
Ashen gave a small shake of his head. "Not the Marines. They're only a part of it. There are bigger players at work. Forces in the shadows that want to control the flow of the seas. They've been moving in the background for years."
Zoro crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. "And what does that have to do with us? You're talking in riddles, Ashen. What's your angle?"
Ashen met his gaze head-on, unflinching. "I'm here because you're a part of something much bigger than you realize. The road ahead is going to be difficult—dangerous. The Grand Line isn't just about treasure. There are people who want to control the seas, and they'll stop at nothing to make sure no one gets in their way. You may have your goals, but the world has its own plans."
Luffy's grin faltered just for a moment, replaced by a more serious, thoughtful expression. "We don't care about people trying to control the seas," he said firmly, as if the very idea were an insult. "We're gonna be the ones to change it. That's why we're going to the Grand Line—to find the One Piece and become Pirate King!"
Ashen regarded Luffy for a long moment, his eyes betraying a hint of respect. "Maybe," he said finally, "but it's not just about treasure or being the strongest anymore. It's bigger than that. I'm warning you now because you'll need to be ready for what's coming. There are forces gathering, and they won't let you simply sail on through without a fight."
Zoro, still skeptical but intrigued, took a step closer. "And why should we trust you? You show up out of nowhere, tell us things we've already heard a hundred times, and now you're trying to warn us like we need your help."
Ashen's eyes flashed for a moment, and the air around them seemed to crackle with a quiet intensity. He wasn't threatening; it was just a subtle shift in his presence—one that made everyone on the deck realize that this man was not someone to be underestimated.
"I'm not asking you to trust me," Ashen said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight. "I'm telling you this because you need to understand the stakes. You don't have to believe me now, but you will, sooner or later."
For a long moment, there was silence on the deck, save for the soft sound of the wind in the sails.
Luffy finally broke the tension with his usual wide grin. "I don't know what you're talking about, but that sounds fun! We'll deal with whatever comes our way! We'll find the One Piece and make our own destiny!"
Ashen studied Luffy for a second longer, then nodded slowly. "Perhaps. But remember, you don't get to choose how the world reacts to your actions. The storm will come whether you're ready or not."
Zoro was about to respond when a voice from the crow's nest interrupted him. "We've got company, guys!" Usopp's voice rang out from above. "Big ship heading our way!"
The crew immediately shifted into action, and Ashen's gaze flicked to the horizon once more. His eyes narrowed as he watched the approaching vessel—large, imposing, and unmistakably a pirate ship.
"Well, it looks like I was right," Ashen said quietly. "Trouble never waits long."
Zoro immediately grabbed his swords, his attention fully shifted to the incoming ship. The calm before the storm was over. Whatever Ashen had been warning them about was about to begin.
The wind whipped against the Going Merry's sails as the Marine warship bore down fast—waves parting in its wake with brutal force. The mast crest flying above it bore the unmistakable symbol of a Vice Admiral.
On the Merry, tension cracked like static.
"Vice Admiral… Garp?!" Nami's voice cracked as she stared through the spyglass.
"Marines are swarming the deck," Usopp squeaked. "Cannons. Rifles. Oh god, that's a hundred rifles!"
Luffy's eyes narrowed, fists clenched, but his instinct wasn't to run. It was to fight. "He's here…"
Sanji gritted his teeth, eyes darting between the sails and the oncoming ship. "We don't have time to argue. If they get close, we're trapped."
Then, Ashen stepped forward.
His silver-white hair danced in the salty wind. His gaze fixed on the Marine warship, calm and resolute.
"I'll delay them."
Zoro turned to him. "You'll what?"
Ashen didn't respond. His muscles tensed.
Then—
Soru – 58% efficiency.
He vanished from the Merry, the deck rattling with the burst of compressed wind.
---
Aboard the Marine warship, Vice Admiral Garp stood with arms folded, his granite-like jaw unmoving as the young man landed mid-deck with a boom.
Ashen rose from the crouch, dust swirling around his boots. Marines encircled him, blades and rifles drawn, shouting commands.
"Stand down!" one barked. "You're under arrest by the World Government!"
Ashen's voice was low, controlled. "Not today."
They attacked.
Ashen exploded into motion—Agility 7.0 twisting his body through openings with impossible speed. His strikes were sharp, decisive, practiced. Every movement was to delay, distract, dismantle.
A Haki-imbued elbow shattered a rifle butt. A sweep kick took down three men in full armor. Tekkai – 27% hardened his frame as bayonets struck—metal screeching as they glanced off.
He fought like a blade honed by war.
Each clash rang like thunder, each breath sharpened with purpose.
---
Back on the Merry, the Straw Hats watched in silent awe.
"He's fighting them… alone," Sanji said, stunned.
"He's just buying us time," Zoro muttered. "Let's not waste it."
Nami spun the helm, catching the wind. "We're pulling away!"
Luffy didn't speak. He just clenched the railing and stared at the warship as it grew distant, his heart pounding.
---
Back on the Marine deck, Ashen was bleeding now. Cuts lined his arms, his coat torn, his legs slightly shaking from constant impact.
And then—
The Marines parted.
A massive shadow fell over the deck.
Vice Admiral Garp stepped down.
He no longer wore the smile of their first spar. His fists were clenched. His aura—a storm caged in flesh.
Ashen wiped the blood from his lip, straightening as best he could.
"You're not holding back this time," he said with a bitter chuckle.
"No," Garp said simply.
Then, he moved.
Ashen saw the punch coming—but it was like seeing a train from the tracks. Even with Soru, even with Busoshoku Haki at 10%, he couldn't avoid the sheer power.
Garp's fist met Ashen's forearm. The shockwave shattered the air.
Ashen's feet tore across the deck, boots carving a trail through the planks before he was blasted off his feet.
He crashed into the mast, body folding. Pain surged through his ribs. Blood filled his mouth.
He forced himself to stand.
He moved again.
Soru. Tekkai. Haki.
They clashed once more.
Fist to fist.
But Garp was on another level. A final uppercut, powered by decades of strength, sent Ashen flying through the upper rigging, his vision flickering as consciousness slipped.
He crashed into the mainmast base, unmoving.
Garp exhaled, watching as the Going Merry vanished beyond the horizon, sails catching the last golden light of evening.
He cracked his knuckles.
"You've got good friends, kid."
The creak of timber, the dull hum of Marine chatter, and the faint scent of salt and blood greeted Ashen as consciousness returned.
His eyes opened slowly, wincing against the light. The ceiling above him was not sky but canvas—he was in the belly of a Marine ship, on a hard cot, bandaged but not shackled. Every muscle screamed in protest. His head throbbed from the impact of Garp's last blow.
"I'm surprised you're up already," came a deep, gruff voice. "Most wouldn't wake up at all after takin' a hit like that."
Ashen tilted his head weakly. Vice Admiral Garp stood across the small room, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but shadowed with a heavy frown. The room swayed slightly with the sea. They hadn't left East Blue waters.
"You held out longer than most rookies would've," Garp continued. "But you lost. Hard. You're lucky I didn't decide to toss you in a cell."
Ashen coughed once, forcing himself upright. "You didn't need to go that hard…"
Garp's eyes narrowed. "You got in my way."
Ashen didn't respond immediately. He glanced toward the exit—no chains, no guards. Just... freedom. For now.
"I wasn't trying to be your enemy," he said at last, voice rough. "Only bought them time. That's all."
"I know," Garp grunted. "You're not a pirate. Not yet."
Silence stretched, thick with unsaid truths. Garp turned away slightly, his fists curling at his sides.
"They got away. Your little stunt worked," he said with a tinge of reluctant respect. "If I hadn't taken you seriously, they wouldn't have."
Ashen closed his eyes for a moment. Relief bloomed, dull but steady.
"Don't be too proud," Garp growled. "You didn't win anything. You just delayed the inevitable. That Straw Hat fool… He's got a target on his back now. And you're dancing close to it."
Ashen looked up. "You know him?"
Garp didn't answer immediately. His jaw clenched.
"He's my grandson."
The revelation hung in the air like a cannon shot.
"I didn't raise him to be a pirate," Garp muttered, voice thick with regret and anger. "But that damn Shanks filled his head with dreams. Red-Haired bastard should've left him alone."
Ashen blinked slowly. "So… you're chasing your own family?"
"I'm a Marine," Garp said sharply. "And I'll do my duty. No matter how painful."
Ashen nodded, though every movement made his ribs ache. "So you'll come for him. And for anyone who stands with him."
"That's right," Garp said, eyes locking with Ashen's. "And that includes you if you keep walking down this road. I don't care if you wear a pirate's flag or not. Help them again, and you become an enemy of the World Government."
Ashen's gaze didn't waver. "Even if helping means saving lives?"
Garp stepped forward, stopping beside the cot. "This world isn't kind to idealists. If you keep standing in between justice and chaos, you'll be crushed by both."
Ashen exhaled slowly. "I'll take my chances."
Garp didn't smile. "Just don't expect me to go easy next time. You won't walk away again."
With that, the Vice Admiral turned and walked out, the heavy flap of the door swinging shut behind him.
Ashen lay back for a long moment, the ship creaking softly around him.
Then, with a flick of his hand, he summoned the glowing blue text of his status screen, floating faintly before his eyes.
---
Status Update:
Strength: 7.5
Endurance: 7.9
Durability: 8.0
Agility: 8.2
Soru: 68% Efficiency
Tekkai: 42% Efficiency
Busoshoku Haki: 23% Efficiency
---
His body was broken, but it had grown stronger. The gap between him and someone like Garp was still vast—but no longer insurmountable.
He closed the screen.
He would rest.
Then, he would rise again.
--------------
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