As Royal stood in the shade of a towering tree, he watched the chaotic chase unfold below. Marines flooded the area, their shouts mingling with the determined voice of Monkey D. Luffy, who sprinted ahead, a massive sack slung over his back.
"See you again, Rayleigh!" Luffy's voice rang out, clear and spirited, carrying the optimism of someone who had never doubted his path.
Rayleigh stood at the edge of the clearing, smiling proudly as he waved back. The expression on his face was one of deep respect and unshakable faith in Luffy's journey.
Turning slightly, Rayleigh's sharp gaze softened as it fell on his son. "Royal," he said, his voice calm but resolute, "follow them. Go and be a pirate."
Royal's breath hitched as he processed his father's words. For a moment, he hesitated, the weight of his past and the uncertainty of his future battling within him. But then he saw the gentle smile on Rayleigh's face—a smile full of trust and encouragement.
With a determined nod, Royal stepped forward. He didn't say a word, but the understanding between father and son was clear. Without looking back, he took off toward the direction of the Thousand Sunny, the Straw Hat Pirates' ship waiting in the distance.
"Find your happiness, Royal!" Rayleigh called out, his voice carrying across the field.
Royal didn't turn around, but his stride quickened, the faintest trace of a smile playing on his lips as the silhouette of his father's waving hand grew smaller behind him.
Royal stood on the deck of the ship, his gaze sweeping across the crew, but the first person to notice him was Zoro. The swordsman paused for a moment, then thought, Maybe Royal wants to say his goodbyes to me. After all, Zoro considered himself a student of Royal, even if their training had been brief.
But Royal didn't approach Zoro. Instead, with steady steps, he made his way toward Luffy, who was standing at the center of the deck, looking his usual cheerful self.
"Captain, Monkey D. Luffy," Royal began, his tone calm but resolute. "I want to join your crew."
The crew members who had encountered Royal at the bar were surprised, exchanging glances with one another. But Luffy was clearly confused.
"Who are you?" Luffy asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Silvers Royal," he answered with a slight smile.
Luffy's eyes widened in realization. "Ah! You're Rayleigh's son, the one he told me about! The one who was traveling!" he exclaimed.
"That's right," Royal confirmed. "I've returned, and I've grown bored. So, I want to join you, if you'll have me."
Luffy's face broke into an enormous grin. "Of course!" he said, excited beyond measure.
Royal chuckled softly.
"What's your goal, though? You can't become the Pirate King, because that's my dream!" Luffy added, half-joking, half-serious.
Royal smiled back, his expression genuine and thoughtful. "Don't worry, Captain. You can still pursue your dream. As for mine, I have many, but the most important is to find friends."
"Yosh! Alright then!" Luffy shouted, his enthusiasm infectious. "From now on, you're my friend!" Luffy's trademark laugh echoed through the ship, bringing a warmth to the air, and Royal felt the weight of the moment—this was truly the start of a new chapter for him.
"Hey Royal, on this ship, we already have Zoro the swordsman, Nami the navigator, Sanji the cook, Usopp the sharpshooter, Chopper the doctor, Robin the archaeologist, Franky the mechanic, and Brook the musician. So, what do you want to be?" Luffy asked, looking at Royal with a curious smile.
Royal thought for a moment before responding. "I can do anything, Captain. How about I become the butler of the ship? That way, if you ever need my help, I'll be ready to assist."
Luffy's eyes lit up, and he grinned widely. "Ah! That's a great idea. We'll have someone like Sebastian on board!"
"Sebastian?" Royal asked, confused by the reference.
Luffy chuckled, clearly excited. "Oh, he's a character from one of my favorite mangas! Usopp and Chopper also love it."
Usopp, who had been eavesdropping nearby, quickly jumped in with enthusiasm. "Yeah, Sebastian is like this super-efficient butler who can do anything! He's awesome!"
Chopper, bouncing up and down, added, "And he's really good at taking care of things on the ship! Maybe you can be just like him, Royal!"
Royal couldn't help but smile at the crew's infectious energy. "Alright then, I'll do my best to be your personal butler. I'll make sure everything is in order."
Luffy clapped his hands together in excitement. "Yosh! You'll fit right in, Royal! This is gonna be awesome!"
As Royal accepted his new role with a lighthearted chuckle, he realized that his place among this peculiar yet vibrant crew was already being shaped.
"Then everyone, ready! Let's set sail!" Luffy shouted loudly, his voice filled with excitement, followed by a chorus of enthusiastic cheers from the rest of the crew, except for Royal.
Royal remained silent, a thoughtful expression on his face as he looked out over the vast, endless sea. His eyes narrowed slightly, reflecting a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.
Zoro, who had been watching Royal from the side, raised an eyebrow. "Hey, Royal, what's got you so quiet all of a sudden?"
Royal shook his head slightly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Just thinking," he admitted, eyes still scanning the horizon. "It's all happening so fast, isn't it?"
Sanji, who was nearby, snorted. "Don't tell me you're getting cold feet already. We just started!"
Royal chuckled under his breath. "No, it's not that," he replied, his voice low enough that only those nearby could hear. "It's just… a lot to take in."
Nami, ever the pragmatic one, gave him a sideways glance. "Well, if you're thinking about backing out, you better think again. Captain won't stand for that."
Franky, who had been working on some last-minute adjustments to the ship's engine, nodded towards Royal. "Yeah, you better get used to the idea, kid. We don't quit here."
Royal took a deep breath and looked around at the crew, their faces lit up with anticipation and determination. He could see Zoro's unwavering focus, Nami's sharp gaze, Sanji's confident smirk, and Usopp's eager grin. Each one of them was ready to face whatever lay ahead.
With a resolute nod, Royal straightened up and returned their gaze. "No, I'm not backing out," he declared, voice steady and clear. "I'm in this for good."
Luffy, who had been watching the whole exchange with a wide grin, threw a fist into the air. "That's what I like to hear!" he roared.
As the ship's engine roared to life and the sails unfurled, Royal felt the wind against his face and the horizon stretching out before him. This was only the beginning of their adventure, and he knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, he wouldn't face them alone.
As the Thousand Sunny floated steadily in the open sea, now shielded by Franky's bubble mechanism, Nami continued explaining its functionality to a curious Luffy and a half-listening Zoro. Meanwhile, Robin made her way to the ship's edge, where Royal stood gazing at the horizon, lost in thought.
"Hi, Royal," Robin greeted him warmly. "It's nice to have a new member on the team."
Royal turned slightly, his expression neutral but polite. "Oh, thank you."
Robin tilted her head, observing him with her ever-curious eyes. "You're quite the mystery, aren't you? Full of secrets."
A faint smirk crossed Royal's lips. "Isn't everyone?"
Robin chuckled softly at his response. "True. But on this ship, secrets don't stay buried for long. Eventually, everyone shares their story. I was the same until this crew saved me back at Enies Lobby."
"Ah, you're lucky," Royal said, his voice tinged with a subtle melancholy.
Robin raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his tone. "Lucky? Why do you say that?"
Royal hesitated, his gaze fixed on the endless expanse of water ahead. "If there were aliens roaming this world, maybe explaining everything would be easier."
Robin's sharp intuition picked up the weight in his words. She furrowed her brows slightly, her curiosity growing. "Aliens? What do you mean by that?"
Royal glanced at her, his blue eyes briefly meeting hers, before he looked away. "You'll find out. Sooner or later."
Before Robin could press further, Royal turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, thoughtful and intrigued. She watched his retreating figure and murmured to herself, "Sooner or later, indeed."
"Alright, everyone! Let's head to Fishman Island!" Luffy shouted at the top of his lungs.
With that, the Thousand Sunny began its descent, plunging deeper and deeper into the ocean. The light from the surface slowly faded, and the surroundings grew darker with every meter they descended.
"Ehh... Your blue eyes are glowing in the dark! So cool~" exclaimed Chopper, staring in awe at Royal, who stood nearby. Royal could only give a faint smile at the reindeer's excitement, his reserved demeanor contrasting with the lively atmosphere.
The massive fish swimming past the ship captivated Royal's attention. Their enormous size and graceful movements fascinated him—he had rarely seen such creatures up close.
As he continued to admire the underwater world, the noise behind him grew louder. The Straw Hats were, of course, causing their usual commotion. Luffy and Usopp were shouting about catching a giant fish, Sanji was chasing Nami and Robin to offer drinks, and Franky was bragging about the ship's capabilities.
Royal shook his head slightly, amused. They're like a pack of energetic children, he thought, observing the chaos. Yet, amidst the cacophony, he couldn't help but feel a growing warmth in his chest.
Royal furrowed his brows and turned toward the back of the ship. His voice was firm as he called out, "Captain Luffy."
Luffy, who was busy leaning over the ship's rail to look at a passing fish, glanced back. "Hmm? What's up, Royal?"
"There's a ship being pulled by... a 'mermaid cow?' It's approaching fast from behind," Royal reported, his tone serious.
Everyone immediately scrambled to the back of the ship, peering into the murky depths. At first, there was nothing visible, just the dark waters and a few scattered lights from glowing sea creatures.
"Are you sure about that, Royal? I don't see anything!" Usopp squinted, his eyes darting around nervously.
"Maybe your glowing eyes are seeing things!" Chopper joked, though his voice quivered slightly.
Royal stood unmoved, arms crossed, his gaze unwavering. "It's there. You'll see it soon enough."
Nami pulled out her binoculars, scanning the waters, and suddenly gasped. "Wait! He's right—there's something coming this way! It's a large ship, and... is that really a sea cow pulling it?"
Usopp grabbed his own scope. "That's definitely Mohmoo, the Sea Cow! And whoever's on that ship is gunning it straight for us!"
Luffy grinned with excitement. "Oooh! Let's go say hi!" He started climbing the rail, ready to jump overboard.
Nami smacked him on the head. "Idiot! They're coming after us, not to have tea! Get ready, everyone—it might be an attack!"
Moments later, the ship pulled by Mohmoo rammed into the side of the Thousand Sunny, causing the crew to stumble as the ship rocked violently.
"Hey! What's the big idea?!" Franky shouted, rushing to inspect the damage.
As the crew scrambled to regain their balance, someone leaped aboard the Sunny from the other vessel. Before they could react, the ship attached to Mohmoo sped off into the dark waters, leaving the intruder behind.
The crew quickly surrounded the stranger, weapons and abilities at the ready. Zoro unsheathed a blade, his eyes sharp. "Who are you? Speak, or I'll cut you down where you stand."
The figure, shrouded in a soaked cloak, raised their hands in surrender. "Wait! I'm not here to fight!" the intruder said, their voice trembling slightly.
"Yeah? Then why crash into our ship and sneak aboard?!" Nami barked, her staff ready for a strike.
Luffy tilted his head, curious. "Are you a new friend?"
"No! We don't just invite people who break our ship!" Nami yelled, exasperated.
Royal stood at the back of the group, observing silently. "Let's secure them first. We don't have time for games," he said, his calm tone cutting through the tension.
The crew tied up the stranger and kept them under close watch. Meanwhile, Sunny continued its descent through the deep sea.
Just as things seemed to settle, the ship began to tremble again. A low, guttural roar echoed through the water, and a massive shadow loomed ahead.
"It's... it's a Kraken!" Usopp cried, his face pale as he pointed toward the gigantic creature blocking their path.
The beast's colossal tentacles stretched out menacingly, ready to strike. Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Awesome! Let's take it down!"
"Is this guy serious?!" Nami shrieked, clutching her head.
Royal stepped forward, his gaze steady on the approaching beast. "Focus. We'll have to deal with this and figure out who our guest is after we get through alive."
Zoro smirked, his swords glinting under the dim sea light. "Finally, something to cut."
As the Kraken roared and swung its massive tentacles toward the Sunny, the crew prepared for battle.
Royal watched as Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji fearlessly exited the protective bubble of the Thousand Sunny to confront the Kraken. Their combined attacks were precise and powerful, with Luffy using his Gear techniques, Zoro slicing through the beast's tentacles with ease, and Sanji's kicks landing explosive blows.
The Kraken roared in pain, thrashing violently, but the trio overwhelmed it with their strength.
As they delivered a final round of attacks, the ship surged forward, pulled rapidly by the current and the force of the Kraken's retreat. Royal's sharp eyes widened as he noticed how far the three had strayed from the Sunny. The water pressure in the deep sea was dangerous, even for them.
"Oh Lord, Why this happend to me." Royal muttered, his voice low but filled with stress.
Before anyone else could act, Royal moved with blinding speed. In an instant, he exited the bubble, his body glowing faintly as he used his own durability to resist the crushing pressure of the deep. With controlled movements, he grabbed Zoro by the collar, scooped Sanji under his arm, and wrapped his free arm around Luffy's torso.
The three men stared at him in shock as he pulled them back toward the bubble.
"Royal?! What are you doing here? We were fine!" Luffy protested, flailing slightly.
"You call nearly drowning fine?" Royal retorted, he feeling headache start to creep in. But is that even possible for a Kryptonian like him? "We're in the depths of the ocean. It's dangerous Captain Luffy.
"Put me down! I didn't need saving!" Zoro growled, his pride clearly wounded.
"Let me go, you overgrown babysitter!" Sanji snapped, kicking his legs.
Royal didn't respond. He swiftly reentered the bubble with the trio, depositing them unceremoniously onto the deck. The crew stared at the scene, half in relief and half in disbelief.
"Are you guys crazy?!" Nami yelled, her arms crossed. "You could've popped the bubble, and we all would've been doomed!"
Luffy scratched his head sheepishly. "But it was fun."
Royal sighed, rubbing his temple. "Yes, but the sea is dangerous to devil fruit user and don't make me start to lecturing you all about the water pressure. Think before you act next time, please."
Luffy blinked at him before breaking into a wide grin. "You're really good at looking out for us, huh? I'm glad you joined my crew!"
Royal's stern expression softened slightly. "Yeah, well... someone has to keep you alive."
Suddenly, a new problem arose.
"Oh no, the underwater volcano is about to erupt!" Nami exclaimed, her voice trembling with fear as she gripped the railing of the Thousand Sunny.
"You've got to be kidding me," Royal muttered under his breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. He had barely been aboard for an hour, and already chaos seemed to be the default state of this crew. For a moment, he wondered if this was what his father felt like every time Roger and his crew stirred up trouble.
"Everyone, hold on!" Nami yelled, scrambling to the helm. "We have to navigate out of this area before the eruption starts, or we'll be caught in the blast and the boiling water!"
"Zoro, Sanji, secure the ship!" Franky shouted as he activated the Sunny's emergency propulsion system.
The ground beneath them rumbled ominously, sending ripples through the water and shaking the ship. Suddenly, bursts of lava and superheated gas began to surge from the volcano's peak, illuminating the dark depths in an eerie red glow.
"We're not gonna make it in time!" Usopp cried, clutching onto a barrel for dear life.
Royal sighed deeply, stepping forward with a calm but firm demeanor. "I'll handle this."
Luffy tilted his head, looking at him with curiosity. "What are you gonna do, Royal?"
"Sort out this mess—if you'll allow it, Captain," he added respectfully. Watching Luffy nod at him, Royal that make his move, his blue eyes glowing faintly as he walked toward the edge of the ship. He placed his hands together, focusing his energy.
With a powerful leap, Royal launched himself off the Sunny, diving toward the erupting volcano. His body seemed to shimmer, resisting the intense heat and pressure of the underwater chaos.
"Royal!" Nami screamed, watching in horror as he disappeared into the blazing light.
As he approached the volcanic vent, Royal's Kryptonian strength and resilience kicked into full gear. He summoned a powerful shockwave by clapping his hands together, dispersing the boiling water and slowing the eruption. Using his heat vision, he targeted the lava flow, cooling and solidifying it rapidly to contain the explosion.
Back on the Sunny, the crew watched in stunned silence as the rumbling subsided. The glowing red light dimmed, and Royal emerged from the depths, his body steaming slightly from the extreme heat. He landed back on the deck with a soft thud, shaking water from his hair.
"Crisis averted," he said nonchalantly, walking past the crew and heading toward the railing to lean against it.
"...That was insane," Usopp whispered, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
"You just stopped a volcano," Zoro said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. "Guess you're not just some fancy butler after all."
"Royal!" Luffy's eyes sparkled with admiration. "You're so cool! Shishishishi!"
Royal sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. "Can we please try to avoid any more life-threatening situations for at least an hour? I already feel like I've aged 50 years."
The crew burst into laughter, their tension dissipating as they set their sights on the next journey.