Isaac stood at the edge of the dock, staring out at the ship swaying gently in the harbor. The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of salt and seaweed. Nolan was checking their supplies for the hundredth time, while Kieran was busy tying down the last of the barrels in the hold.
Isaac's gaze was distant, his mind replaying the conversation they'd had months ago when they first set their goal: to gather at least four crew members before venturing into the Grand Line in one year. They had Kieran now, their capable cook and part-time doctor, but that still left them one short, even though they were far off a year, they were practically touching the grand line and it was worth a shot.
"We can't leave yet," Isaac said abruptly, turning to face the others.
Nolan looked up from his navigation tools, furrowing his brow. "What do you mean? We're stocked, trained, and ready to go."
Isaac shook his head. "Our goal was to have four crew members before heading to the Grand Line. We still need one more."
Kieran, wiping his hands on a cloth, leaned against the mast with a curious look. "And where exactly do you think we're going to find someone now? We've been here for two months, and no one's jumped at the chance to join us."
Isaac crossed his arms, his expression firm. "Then we're going to look. There's got to be someone in this town who's willing to come with us."
---
The trio spent the rest of the day wandering through Loguetown, asking around for anyone who might be interested in joining their crew. They checked the bustling marketplace, the docks, and even the local taverns. Most people laughed at the idea of three teenagers setting out for the Grand Line, while others politely declined.
By midday, they found themselves sitting on a bench near the town square, discouraged and exhausted.
"This isn't working," Nolan muttered, rubbing his temples.
Kieran smirked, tossing an apple into the air and catching it. "Maybe we don't need a fourth person. We're doing fine on our own."
Isaac shook his head. "No. We're going to need all the help we can get once we're out there. The Grand Line isn't forgiving."
At that moment, a commotion erupted near the square. A group of burly men were chasing a teenage girl with short, fiery red hair and a mischievous grin. She darted between the stalls, narrowly avoiding their grasp.
"Get back here, you thief!" one of the men shouted, brandishing a wooden club.
The girl skidded to a stop right in front of the trio, her bright golden eyes sparkling with mischief. She held up a bag of coins, flashing a toothy grin. "Hey, you three look like you could use some excitement. Mind helping a girl out?"
Before they could respond, the men closed in. Isaac stood, his expression calm. "What did you steal?"
"Nothing they didn't deserve," she replied, glancing over her shoulder.
Isaac sighed, stepping forward. "Fine..."
---
The fight was brief but chaotic. Nolan provided cover from the sidelines, shooting a few arrows with surprising precision. Kieran kept the men at bay with his sword, while Isaac used his devil fruit powers to send various small objects from the floor flying at their pursuers.
When the dust settled, the men retreated, muttering curses under their breath. The young woman dusted herself off, clearly impressed.
"Not bad," she said, crossing her arms. "You handled yourselves pretty well."
"Who are you?" Isaac asked, his voice steady.
"The name's Mira," she said with a wink. "And I'm guessing you're not just some kids hanging around Loguetown for fun."
Isaac hesitated before replying. "We're heading to the Grand Line. Looking for one more to join us."
Mira raised an eyebrow, a sly grin spreading across her face. "The Grand Line, huh? Dangerous place for rookies like you. But lucky for you, I'm pretty good at getting out of tight spots."
Kieran laughed. "You mean like the one you just dragged us into?"
Mira shrugged, unbothered. "Details, details. So, what's in it for me?"
Isaac met her gaze. "Adventure. Freedom. A chance to make a name for yourself."
She considered this for a moment before nodding. "Alright. I'm in. But don't think I'm doing this out of charity."
Isaac extended a hand, and Mira shook it firmly. "Welcome to the crew."
---
That evening, the four of them stood on the deck of their ship, the lights of Loguetown twinkling in the distance.
"Now we're ready," Isaac said, his voice filled with determination.
Nolan adjusted the sails, his eyes on the horizon. "Next stop, the Grand Line."
Kieran leaned against the railing, grinning. "Let's hope she's worth the trouble."
Mira smirked, leaning back with her arms crossed. "You'll see soon enough."
…
The wind was steady as their ship cut through the waves, heading toward the fabled Reverse Mountain. Isaac stood at the helm, his eyes fixed on the horizon. He had been steering since they left Loguetown, and though he had learned a lot about ships in the last two months, navigating open waters still felt like a monumental task.
"Hey, Captain," Mira called from where she leaned against the railing, lazily twirling a stick in her hand. "You look like you're about to keel over. Want me to take over?"
Isaac glanced at her, skepticism flashing in his orange-gold eyes. "You know how to steer a ship?"
Mira smirked. "Please. I've piloted ships twice this size. You can thank a few generous captains who let me practice. Granted, I may have borrowed their ships without asking, but I got the hang of it."
Nolan, who was sitting on a barrel nearby and going through Anya's navigation manual, looked up. "Borrowed, huh? That sounds like something we should've asked about before we let you join."
"Relax, doctor boy," Mira said with a wink. "I didn't sink any of them."
Isaac sighed but stepped aside. "Alright, show me what you've got."
Mira sauntered over, her movements confident. She took the wheel and immediately adjusted their course with an expert touch. The ship shifted smoothly, and Isaac had to admit she wasn't lying about her skills.
"See? Piece of cake." Mira grinned, tossing the stick into the air and catching it.
Isaac crossed his arms, leaning against the side of the wheel. "Alright, Mira. Since you're so confident, how about telling us more about yourself? If we're going to the Grand Line together, we might as well know who we're dealing with."
Mira raised an eyebrow. "Fair enough. What do you want to know?"
"Where are you from?" Kieran chimed in, sitting cross-legged near the bow and sharpening his cutlass.
"Here and there," Mira said nonchalantly. "I grew up in a little port town on a small island—nothing fancy. My parents were fishermen, and I spent most of my time out at sea with them."
"Sounds peaceful," Nolan said, though his tone was cautious.
"It was," Mira replied, her voice softening slightly. "Until a pirate crew decided they liked our village better than we did. They burned it down, took everything, and left us with nothing. My parents… they didn't make it."
The ship fell silent, the only sound the creak of the wood and the lapping of waves against the hull.
"I'm sorry," Isaac said, his voice low.
Mira shrugged, her usual smirk faltering for a moment. "It was a long time ago. I learned pretty quickly that the world doesn't care about fair. So I stopped caring too."
"And now?" Nolan asked, closing his book. "Do you still not care?"
Mira hesitated, her fingers tightening on the wheel. Then she gave a small laugh, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I care enough to survive. And now I care about getting to the Grand Line. You all seem like you've got big dreams, so maybe I'll tag along for a bit. Who knows? Maybe I'll find something worth caring about."
Isaac studied her, his sharp mind catching the cracks in her armor. He didn't press, though. Everyone had their reasons for what they did, and he respected that.
"Well," he said after a moment, "you've got a place here. Just don't borrow this ship without asking."
Mira laughed, the sound lighter this time. "No promises, Captain."
…
The smell of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, cutting through the saltiness of the sea breeze. Kieran emerged from the galley with a tray piled high with an assortment of dishes: grilled fish seasoned with a blend of spices, perfectly cooked rice wrapped in seaweed, and a few experimental dishes he'd been tinkering with using ingredients they'd picked up at Loguetown.
"Alright, crew," Kieran called, his cheerful voice ringing across the deck. "Lunch is served!"
Isaac and Nolan turned from their respective spots, but Mira, perched at the helm, froze mid-turn of the wheel. Her nose twitched, and her eyes widened.
"What is that smell?" she asked, almost reverently.
"Food," Kieran said with a grin, setting the tray down on a barrel in the middle of the deck.
"That's not just food," Mira said, her voice dropping to a serious tone as she practically sprinted over. "That's a miracle."
Kieran raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, Mira grabbed one of the rice-wrapped fish pieces and shoved it into her mouth. Her eyes widened even further as she chewed.
"This… this is…" Mira struggled to find the words as she reached for another piece, then another.
"Hey!" Nolan said, grabbing her wrist mid-reach. "The rest of us would like some too, you know!"
Mira swatted his hand away and growled, "Back off, bow-boy. This is mine now."
Kieran laughed, pulling the tray just out of her reach. "Easy there, Mira. There's plenty for everyone. I made extra."
Isaac smirked from where he sat, leaning against the mast. "I think we've discovered your weakness, Mira. Turns out it's food."
Mira scowled at him, though it was half-hearted as she stuffed another piece into her mouth. "Can you blame me? I've eaten nothing but scraps and stale bread for years. This guy's cooking might actually make me cry."
"You're welcome," Kieran said, clearly pleased with himself.
They all dug in after that, even Mira slowing down long enough to let the others have their share. Nolan, ever the meticulous one, picked apart each dish with quiet appreciation. Isaac ate in his usual composed manner, though even he couldn't help but comment on how well the flavors came together.
Mira, however, remained the star of the meal, her reactions growing more exaggerated with each bite. "This is the best thing I've ever tasted. Kieran, you're officially never allowed to leave the crew."
Kieran chuckled. "Good to know my cooking has job security."
As they finished their meal, Mira leaned back against the railing, a blissful expression on her face. "Alright, I take it back. Maybe there is something worth caring about in this world. And that something is food."
Isaac rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless. "Glad to see your priorities are in order."
Mira smirked. "Don't pretend you're not impressed, Captain. I'd go to the Grand Line and back for another meal like this."
"Well," Isaac said, standing up and brushing crumbs off his lap, "you'll have plenty more opportunities. But for now, we've got a mountain to climb."
The crew nodded, their spirits lifted by the meal. With Mira back at the helm, Nolan and Isaac resumed their training routines, and Kieran returned to the kitchen, already planning their next feast. Their journey to the Grand Line was just beginning, but at least they'd do it well-fed.
A/N : Merry Christmas 🎄😁