Chapter 5: The Road to Baratie
The seas had calmed after the Marine encounter, leaving a peaceful tranquility as the ship sailed onward. Pranshu stood at the helm, his mind focused on the next step of his journey. The Grand Line awaited, but first, they needed to stock up on supplies and perhaps recruit another ally. The famous Baratie, the floating restaurant, was their next destination.
Below deck, the rest of the crew was recovering from their recent skirmish. Kaya had begun tending to the minor injuries Zoro and Nami sustained during the fight. Her hands were steady, but her gaze occasionally flicked toward Pranshu through the open door leading to the deck.
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A Moment of Reflection
Zoro leaned against the wall, arms crossed as Kaya worked on a small cut near his wrist. "Not bad for your first fight," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind.
Kaya looked up, startled. "Oh, I didn't fight. I just—"
"You stayed calm," Zoro interrupted. "That's half the battle. Panic gets people killed."
She nodded, unsure of what to say.
Nami, sitting nearby, smirked. "Don't let him scare you, Kaya. Zoro just doesn't know how to give a proper compliment."
"Focus on your own wounds," Zoro shot back, though there was no real malice in his tone.
As Kaya finished patching them up, she hesitated. "Do you think I'll ever be able to... fight? Like you and Pranshu?"
Zoro studied her for a moment before responding. "If you want to. But fighting isn't everything. Know your strengths, and stick to them."
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Pranshu's Leadership
Later that evening, as the crew gathered on the deck for a meal, Pranshu addressed them.
"We're heading to Baratie," he began, his voice steady and commanding. "It's a floating restaurant, but it's also a place where powerful fighters and interesting people gather. Keep your eyes open. There's no telling who we might encounter there."
Zoro nodded, his interest piqued. "Sounds like a place where I can find a decent challenge."
Nami, on the other hand, looked skeptical. "Let's just focus on getting supplies without causing a scene. We don't need another Marine ship chasing us."
Pranshu smirked. "No promises."
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Approaching Baratie
The next morning, the crew spotted the floating restaurant in the distance. Its unique design—a massive fish-shaped ship—stood out against the blue horizon. As they got closer, the sounds of laughter, music, and the clinking of dishes filled the air.
Docking their ship, the crew entered the lively restaurant. The interior was bustling with patrons from all walks of life—pirates, merchants, and even Marines enjoying meals under an unspoken truce. The smell of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, making Nami's stomach growl audibly.
"I'll get us a table," Nami said, weaving through the crowd with ease.
Zoro and Kaya followed, but Pranshu lingered near the entrance, his sharp eyes scanning the room. It wasn't long before his attention was drawn to the bar, where a blonde-haired man in a black suit and a cigarette dangling from his lips was charming a group of women.
"That must be Sanji," Pranshu thought, recognizing him instantly. But he decided to leave the chef alone for now—Sanji wasn't part of his plan.
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The Shadow of Trouble
As the crew settled into their meal, Pranshu's instincts flared. His devil fruit abilities allowed him to sense distortions in space, and he could feel the subtle ripple of tension spreading through the restaurant.
Turning to Nami, he said quietly, "Something's about to happen. Stay alert."
Before she could respond, the doors burst open, and a group of armed men stormed in. Their leader, a burly pirate with a jagged scar across his face, stepped forward.
"Listen up!" the pirate roared, his voice echoing through the restaurant. "This place is under our control now. Hand over your valuables, and maybe we'll let you live."
The patrons froze, fear spreading through the room like wildfire.
Pranshu stood slowly, his movements deliberate. "You picked the wrong place to make demands."
The pirate turned to him, sneering. "And who the hell are you supposed to be?"
"Someone you'll regret crossing," Pranshu said calmly.
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The Fight Begins
The pirates laughed, but their amusement was short-lived. Pranshu stepped forward, his hand glowing faintly as he activated his Kami Kami no Mi. The air around him shimmered, and the space between him and the pirates seemed to ripple unnaturally.
One of the pirates lunged at him, sword raised. With a flick of his wrist, Pranshu twisted the space around the attacker, sending him crashing into a nearby table.
Chaos erupted as the rest of the crew sprang into action.
Zoro drew his swords, a predatory grin spreading across his face. "Finally, some fun."
He moved with deadly precision, cutting through the pirates like a storm. Each strike was clean and deliberate, leaving no room for counterattacks.
Nami, using her agility and staff, disarmed several pirates, knocking them unconscious with swift, calculated blows.
Kaya, though unarmed and inexperienced, stayed close to Nami, helping to shield frightened patrons from the chaos.
Meanwhile, Pranshu faced the pirate leader. The man charged at him, wielding a massive axe. Pranshu raised his hand, and the space around the pirate warped, slowing his movements.
"You don't stand a chance," Pranshu said, his voice calm but filled with authority. He struck the pirate with a wave of energy, sending him crashing into the far wall.
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Aftermath and a New Challenge
As the dust settled, the patrons began to cheer, grateful for the crew's intervention. The restaurant's staff quickly moved to clean up the mess, and the atmosphere slowly returned to normal.
Sanji approached the group, his cigarette still dangling from his lips. "Not bad," he said, nodding at Pranshu. "You handled that pretty well."
Pranshu gave him a faint smile but said nothing.
"You're not here for a meal, are you?" Sanji asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Pranshu shrugged. "Just passing through. But I wouldn't mind some good food."
Sanji smirked. "Then you've come to the right place."
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To Be Continued...
With Baratie behind them and new challenges on the horizon, Pranshu's journey was only just beginning. The seas ahead promised danger, adventure, and the possibility of allies—or enemies—who could shape his destiny. As he looked out at the endless horizon, Pranshu knew one thing for certain: his quest to become King of the World was far from over.