CHAPTER 10: JOHNNY AND YOSAKU
The sun was rising on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the deck of the Going Merry. Goku and Zoro stood facing each other, each holding a bamboo sword, the anticipation of their sparring match electrifying the air. Usopp watched from the sidelines, excitement gleaming in his eyes. He had always admired the skills and abilities of the strong and was eager to see this clash of titans.
"Ready, Zoro?" Goku asked, a playful grin on his face.
Zoro smirked, adjusting his grip on the bamboo sword. "Always."
Their sparring session began with a flurry of movements. Goku's strikes were swift and precise, drawing from his training on Earth and the memories of the original Goku. Each blow was calculated, aiming to catch Zoro off guard. Zoro, on the other hand, relied on his own rigorous training from childhood and his experiences hunting pirates. He moved with a combination of brute strength and agile finesse, parrying Goku's attacks with practiced ease.
The sound of bamboo clashing echoed across the deck as the two warriors engaged in a series of encounters. Goku attempted a high strike, only for Zoro to duck and counter with a swift upward slash. Goku leapt back, narrowly avoiding the hit, and immediately lunged forward again with a rapid thrust. Zoro sidestepped and swung his sword in a wide arc, forcing Goku to retreat.
Each tried to catch the other off guard, their movements becoming more fluid and unpredictable. Goku incorporated flips and aerial maneuvers, his agility making it difficult for Zoro to land a solid hit. Zoro, with his unwavering determination and brute force, managed to hold his ground, his strikes growing more powerful with each passing moment.
Eventually, both combatants paused, breathing heavily but smiling. The deck, though sturdy, had taken a few scuffs and scratches from their intense match.
"We should stop before we ruin our new ship," Goku said, lowering his bamboo sword.
"Agreed," Zoro replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "I think I need a nap."
With that, Zoro climbed up to the crow's nest, settling in for a well-deserved rest. Usopp approached Goku, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Hey, Goku! How about we try out the cannons?"
Goku's eyes lit up. "Sure, why not!"
They moved to the side of the ship where the cannons were positioned, aiming them at a small protrusion of rocks in the distance. Their first few attempts were less than successful, the cannonballs splashing harmlessly into the sea. Usopp furrowed his brow in concentration, adjusting the aim and making calculations.
Finally, after several failed attempts, Usopp managed to hit the target, the cannonball striking the protrusion with a satisfying explosion. They cheered, their spirits high as midday approached.
"Let's break for lunch," Goku suggested, his stomach rumbling.
The mention of food immediately roused Zoro from his nap. He climbed down from the crow's nest and joined Goku, Usopp, and Nami in the kitchen. As they prepared their meal, Goku and Usopp couldn't resist teasing Zoro about his frequent naps.
"You know, Zoro, if you sleep any more, we'll start thinking you're part bear," Usopp joked.
Zoro rolled his eyes but couldn't hide a small smile. "I'll let you know when I start hibernating."
The Going Merry sailed smoothly on the open sea, its flags proudly displaying the iconic Jolly Roger of the Straw Hat Pirates. The ship was a testament to their newfound unity and purpose, a symbol of the adventures that lay ahead.
Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the sound of splintering wood. A young man had pulled up alongside the Merry in a small boat and climbed aboard, his actions causing immediate chaos. He began destroying the ship's railing with a wild grin on his face.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Goku shouted, rushing out of the kitchen so quickly his straw hat almost flew off. He caught it just in time, his annoyance growing with each piece of wood the intruder broke.
Nami and Usopp followed closely behind, watching in shock as the young man continued his rampage. Goku was about to punch the intruder when Zoro called out, recognizing him.
"Yosaku!"
The young man paused, his face lighting up with recognition. "Zoro! It's been a while!"
The tension eased as the crew gathered around, listening to Yosaku's tale. He explained how he had been searching for Zoro and introduced his companion, Johnny, who was temporarily cured of his scurvy thanks to the crew's help.
"We need to find a cook," Nami said, emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition on the seas. "Without one, we'll be in trouble."
Goku nodded. "I'm a decent cook, but I'm not exactly trained. We need someone who knows what they're doing."
Johnny, grateful for their assistance, offered to help them find a cook. He pointed out the area where the best cooks in the East Blue could be found. "I know just the place. Follow me, and we'll find you a great cook."
As they prepared to set off, Yosaku made a move to catch up with Zoro, but Goku stopped him, pointing to the damaged railing. "Before you go anywhere, you need to fix what you broke."
Yosaku grumbled but complied, muttering to himself as he worked on repairing the railing. Zoro returned to the lookout, his thoughts drifting to his earlier sparring session with Goku. He pondered Goku's abilities, recognizing his strength, speed, and agility. Despite his reluctant acceptance, Zoro couldn't help but feel curious about Goku's true potential in a serious fight.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Goku sat at a table, engrossed in a book. Next to him were five other books, all about general knowledge of this world. Nami glanced up from her maps, puzzled by Goku's sudden interest in reading.
"What's with the books?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "I didn't take you for the reading type."
Goku looked up, a sheepish smile on his face. "I realized I was too focused on my training to really learn much about the world. I want to catch up."
In reality, he was Eto Shapan, an assassin who had died and taken over Goku's body. The knowledge he sought was crucial for navigating this new life and understanding the complexities of the world around him. Nami nodded, a hint of admiration in her eyes as she returned to her maps.
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The first rays of dawn painted the sky with hues of pink and orange as Nami stirred from her sleep. The gentle rocking of the Going Merry and the soft sounds of the sea provided a serene backdrop as she made her way to the deck. To her surprise, she found Goku standing alone, gazing out into the horizon.
Nami's thoughts raced as she approached him. She had been contemplating for days whether to ask for his help with Arlong. The memories of her suffering and the burden of her secret weighed heavily on her mind. Could she really trust him? She had been betrayed before, and the stakes were incredibly high. Yet, there was something about Goku—his strength, his kindness—that made her believe he might be different.
As she drew closer, Goku turned and greeted her with a warm smile. "Good morning, Nami."
"Good morning," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She took a deep breath, the internal battle in her mind intensifying. She needed his help. Her eight long years of suffering could end if she just found the courage to ask.
Goku's presence was calming, and as he continued to look out at the sea, Nami felt an inexplicable urge to trust him. She knew she couldn't explain it, but she had to act on it. "Goku, I... I need to talk to you about something important."
Before she could reveal her backstory, the sound of a loud yawn interrupted her. Zoro had appeared behind them, stretching and greeting them both. "Morning," he mumbled, still half-asleep.
Nami's heart sank. The moment was lost, and the urgency of her confession faded with the arrival of their crewmate. As the morning continued, they prepared for the day ahead, and a few hours later, the silhouette of a grand ship appeared on the horizon.
The Baratie was unlike anything they had seen before. It was a massive floating restaurant, its structure resembling a giant fish with intricately designed windows and vibrant colors. The sight of it brought excitement to the crew, especially to Yosaku, who had fully recovered from his scurvy and was eager to enjoy a hearty meal.
As they drew closer to the Baratie, their excitement was abruptly overshadowed by the looming presence of a massive marine warship. The tension on the deck of the Merry was palpable as they observed the warship's imposing figure.
A tall, confident man stepped onto the deck of the marine ship. He was Fullbody, a Marine Lieutenant with a reputation for being both arrogant and flamboyant. By his side was a stunning woman in a purple dress, her beauty drawing the eyes of everyone on the Merry.
Goku's eyes widened in shock as he recognized the woman. She was the same woman he was supposed to kill on that fateful day on Earth, the day his life changed forever. Her presence here, in this world, was impossible, yet undeniable. The woman looked at him knowingly, her eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
Confusion clouded Goku's mind as he struggled to understand how she could be here. The memories of his past life surged forward, mingling with his current reality. The crew's journey to the Baratie had taken an unexpected turn, and as they approached the floating restaurant, the mysteries of Goku's past and the challenges of their present collided, setting the stage for new adventures and revelations.
[A/N: Read 10 chapters ahead available on my patreon right now. Patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels