Isaac blinked, caught off guard by the offer. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. Shanks' words weren't casual—there was weight behind them. Being invited to join a crew like his wasn't something to take lightly.
Luffy, who had been half-asleep, immediately perked up. "Whoa! You're gonna join Shanks' crew, Isaac? That's awesome!"
Isaac raised a hand to calm the excited boy and then looked back at Shanks. "That's… an incredible offer," he said carefully, his tone sincere. "But I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
Shanks raised an eyebrow, clearly curious but not offended. "Oh? And why's that?"
Isaac glanced at Nolan, who had been quietly observing the exchange. "Because I have someone I need to stick with. Nolan and I—we've been through too much to split up now. He's my best friend, and we have our own path to follow. Besides, I made a promise to my parents that I'd get stronger and come back. I can't abandon that promise."
Nolan looked down, clearly touched by Isaac's words. He adjusted the strap of his bag nervously, avoiding Shanks' gaze.
Shanks leaned back again, his grin returning. "Fair enough. Loyalty's a rare thing, and I respect that." He pointed a finger at Nolan. "You've got a good friend in Isaac here. Stick with him, and you'll go far."
Nolan nodded quickly. "I know. He's the smartest guy I've ever met."
Shanks laughed, the sound filling the tavern. "Well, if you ever change your mind, Isaac, my door's always open. But for now, I'll let you and Nolan figure out your own adventure. Just make sure you're ready for whatever the world throws at you. It's not an easy place to survive."
Isaac smiled, grateful for Shanks' understanding. "Thank you, Captain Shanks. I'll keep that in mind."
The pirate stood, stretching his arms above his head. "Alright, time to hit the sack. Got a ship to get back to in the morning. You kids take care of yourselves, alright?"
As Shanks turned to leave, Luffy ran after him, peppering him with questions about pirates, adventure, and treasure. Isaac and Nolan sat in silence for a moment, both feeling the weight of the conversation they'd just had.
Finally, Nolan broke the silence. "You really turned down a chance to join Shanks' crew?"
Isaac nodded. "Yeah. We've got our own journey to make, Nolan. Besides, I think Luffy's the one who's destined to join him someday."
Nolan smirked. "You're probably right about that."
…
The sun rose over Foosha Village, bathing it in warm golden light. The faint sounds of villagers beginning their day drifted through the air as Isaac and Nolan stood by the docks, making final preparations to leave. Their stolen ship, though modest, was in good enough shape to carry them to their next destination. Nolan was busy checking supplies while Isaac tied off a rope to secure the sails.
Isaac glanced toward the village one last time. Foosha had been a welcome reprieve from their chaotic journey so far, but he knew they couldn't stay. They had their own path to follow.
As they worked, a familiar voice called out from behind them. "Hey, wait!"
Isaac turned to see Luffy running toward them, his small head bouncing with every step. The boy skidded to a stop just a few feet away, his expression a mix of determination and desperation.
"You guys are leaving already?" Luffy asked, his voice slightly breathless.
Isaac nodded. "Yeah. We've stayed long enough. There's a lot we need to do, and the longer we wait, the harder it'll be to move forward."
Luffy balled his fists, his expression tightening. "Then take me with you!"
Nolan looked up from the ship, startled by the request. "What?"
Luffy puffed out his chest, standing as tall as his small frame would allow. "I want to go with you! I want to see the world and become a pirate! I can help, I promise!"
Isaac crouched down to be at Luffy's eye level, a small smile on his face. "Luffy, that's a big decision. Are you sure you're ready for something like that?"
"Yeah!" Luffy said without hesitation. "I can fight, I can take care of myself, and I'm not scared of anything!"
Isaac chuckled softly. Luffy's confidence was infectious, but Isaac knew the boy wasn't ready for the dangers that awaited them out there. He put a hand on Luffy's shoulder, his tone gentle but firm.
"I believe you, Luffy," Isaac said. "But right now, you've got something more important to do. This village needs you. You've got people here who care about you and who you care about. And besides..." He glanced toward the horizon. "Our journey is going to take us to some dangerous places. I don't want to put you in harm's way."
Luffy's face fell slightly, but he quickly rebounded. "But... when will I see you again?"
Isaac smiled. "Someday, I'm sure we'll run into each other again. The world's a big place, but for people like us, paths always cross when they're meant to."
Luffy's eyes brightened at the thought. "Okay, but when we meet again, I'll be stronger! And I'll have my own ship and crew!"
Isaac stood and extended a hand for a handshake. "I'll hold you to that, Luffy."
Luffy grinned and shook Isaac's hand with all the strength he could muster. "Deal!"
As Luffy stepped back, Nolan called out from the ship. "Isaac, we're ready to go!"
Isaac turned, giving Luffy one last look. "Take care of yourself, Luffy. And keep dreaming big."
"You too!" Luffy shouted, waving as Isaac climbed onto the ship.
The sails were unfurled, and the ship began to drift away from the dock. Luffy stood on the shore, waving until the ship was just a speck on the horizon. Isaac watched him for a while, a strange sense of fondness and hope welling up in his chest.
"He's going to be something someday," Nolan said, standing beside him.
Isaac nodded. "Yeah. I can feel it."
As the wind filled their sails and carried them toward the unknown, Isaac allowed himself a small smile. Their journey was just beginning, and the world was waiting.
…
…
The wind was steady, and the ship cut smoothly through the waves as Isaac and Nolan stood on the deck. Nolan was busy unpacking some supplies, humming a tune to himself, while Isaac leaned against the railing, scribbling notes in a small leather-bound journal he had found in the ship's cabin. The peaceful moment was short-lived, however, as a lookout point on the horizon caught Isaac's sharp eyes.
A ship. And not just any ship. The distinctive white sails and the seagull emblem painted on them could mean only one thing—Marines.
"Nolan," Isaac called, his voice calm but firm. "We've got company."
Nolan immediately straightened and looked in the direction Isaac was pointing. His face paled. "Oh no… What do we do?"
Isaac narrowed his eyes, studying the approaching vessel. "They're coming straight for us. No doubt they're looking for us after what happened in the village."
The marine ship was gaining on them quickly, its larger sails giving it an advantage in speed. The crew aboard was already shouting orders, and Isaac could see cannons being prepared on the deck.
"We can't outrun them," Nolan said, panic starting to creep into his voice.
Isaac closed his journal, slipping it into his bag. "Then we don't run." His voice was steady, his mind racing with calculations. He turned to Nolan. "Get below deck and find something to fortify yourself. I'll handle the first wave."
"But Isaac—"
"Now, Nolan!" Isaac snapped, his tone brooking no argument.
Nolan hesitated but quickly disappeared below deck, leaving Isaac alone on the deck. The marine ship was close enough now that he could see the crew—a mix of well-armed officers and grunts, all glaring at him with predatory intent. One of them, a tall man with a captain's coat draped over his shoulders, stepped forward and shouted through a speaking tube.
"You there! This is Captain Laurent of the Marines! Surrender yourself and your companion immediately, and you'll be spared!"
Isaac didn't respond. Instead, he raised his hand and focused, feeling the power of his fruit course through his veins. He took a deep breath, analyzing the situation. The cannons were primed, and the Marines were ready to board. He had seconds to act.
The first cannon fired, the sound echoing across the waves. Isaac's eyes locked onto the cannonball hurtling toward their ship. With a quick flick of his wrist, he extended his hand toward it, manipulating its inertia. The cannonball slowed to a stop midair, suspended as if by an invisible force.
Isaac had only learnt how to use this power from a distance that night, if he had delayed any longer, he probably would've been hit by this cannonball.
The marines on the opposing ship gasped in shock. Isaac smirked and, with a sharp motion, sent the cannonball hurtling back toward them. It crashed into the ship's side, sending splinters flying and causing chaos on deck.
"That's your warning shot!" Isaac shouted back. "Leave us alone, or I'll sink your ship."
Captain Laurent narrowed his eyes. "You think you can threaten the Marines, boy? Open fire!"
The cannons roared again, this time in unison. Isaac gritted his teeth, focusing on the incoming barrage. He manipulated the inertia of each cannonball, sending some veering off course and others back toward the marine ship. The strain was intense, but he held firm, his calculations precise.
Nolan reappeared on deck, holding a long piece of rope and a makeshift bow and arrow he'd found. "Isaac! What can I do?"
"Cover me!" Isaac shouted. "Keep them off the ship if they get close!"
The marine ship was damaged but still operational. Grappling hooks were launched, and marines began swinging across to board their vessel. Isaac turned his focus to the incoming soldiers, using his powers to trip them up by altering their momentum mid-swing, sending some crashing into the water below.
Nolan, surprisingly calm under pressure, used his bow to launch small wooden arrows at the marines who made it to the deck. He wasn't as strong as Isaac, but he was quick, and his aim was surprisingly great.
"Isaac, we can't hold them off forever!" Nolan called, ducking behind a barrel as a marine lunged at him.
Isaac nodded, formulating a plan. "We don't need to. Just long enough to disable their ship."
He turned his attention back to the marine vessel and focused on the largest cannonball heading his way, this was his opportunity.
Isaac let the cannonball hit the ship, but instead of destroying his ship, the cannonball simply bounced back to the marine ship.
Isaac used the third law, for every action (force) in nature there is an equal and opposite reaction. To his advantage, he used the cannonballs momentum to send his ship flying backwards meanwhile sending the cannonball back towards the sender.
Captain Laurent roared in frustration. "You little brat! You'll pay for this!"
Isaac ignored him, focusing on maintaining the powerful push that sent their own ship speeding away from the marines. The damaged ship grew smaller and smaller in the distance until it was little more than a dot on the horizon.
Breathing heavily, Isaac leaned against the railing, his body trembling from the exertion. Nolan sat beside him, equally exhausted but relieved.
"That was... insane," Nolan panted.
Isaac managed a small smile. "Welcome to life on the run, that will definitely put a bounty on our heads."
They shared a tired laugh, the adrenaline slowly fading. Despite the danger, they had survived another encounter—and they were one step closer to whatever awaited them on their journey.