After ensuring the ship was in perfect condition, they set sail.
"I'll retire to my quarters for now. Call me if anything comes up."
"Yes, Master Ryu!"
Though the sun wasn't particularly harsh that day, Ryu still felt a slight discomfort during daylight hours. Once back in his cabin, he eagerly climbed into the specially prepared coffin—a gift from Uncle Mokka of the coffin shop.
It was supposedly the finest coffin in his collection, crafted from a rare wood rumored to be akin to Adam Wood, offering both warmth in winter and coolness in summer.
While it likely didn't possess the miraculous properties of true Adam Wood, Uncle Mokka's enthusiastic praise had assured Ryu of its quality. As he lay down completely, a strange sensation enveloped him.
A specialized wooden lid sealed the coffin shut, blocking out every trace of light. The result was blissful darkness, as though swapping an old wooden bed for a luxurious waterbed.
Every vampire deserved a coffin like Uncle Mokka's.
As night fell, Ryu awoke. The crew on deck rotated shifts, and after exchanging greetings with them, he stepped to the railing to admire the ocean.
It had been half a year since he'd last seen the sea—back when he was aboard Garp's ship, devouring most of the donuts while arrogantly claiming them as his own. Even now, the memory made him smirk.
The sailors couldn't help but notice their young master standing there, his crimson eyes gazing pensively at the horizon.
His pale skin and melancholic demeanor gave him an air of noble sorrow, drawing attention despite his youthful appearance. Though Ryu's thoughts were currently consumed by donuts, no one could tell.
Vampires naturally exuded an aura of tragic elegance—it was part of their charm.
This marked Ryu's first voyage at sea. Given his status as the protagonist, trouble seemed inevitable.
Yet, surprisingly, their journey to the Goa Kingdom proceeded without incident.
Unfortunately, this also meant no opportunities to replenish his blood supply.
Thankfully, the 400 units he'd harvested earlier hadn't run out yet.
Reflecting on his memories, Ryu recalled that the Goa Kingdom wasn't exactly known for its virtuous inhabitants.
He wondered how old Luffy was now—had he already been sent to live with the mountain bandits? Then again, perhaps not; after all, Ryu's destination was Windmill Village. If he visited Makino's bar, he might just encounter the future Pirate King.
"Master Ryu, we'll soon arrive at our destination port. Please prepare to disembark."
"Mm." Ryu nodded lightly, strapping BloodThirst to his side. Due to the daytime glare, his vision was slightly impaired, and his body felt mildly uncomfortable. From afar, he spotted a massive ship docked at the port but couldn't make out its details.
Upon nearing the shore, however, the sight of the dragon-headed figurehead and the distinctive pirate flag left no room for doubt.
The Red Haired Shanks!
So, Shanks and his crew were here in Windmill Village. This placed the timeline squarely around the time when Luffy was six years old—roughly the same age as Ryu himself.
The surrounding sailors noticed the infamous pirate ship too, but with Ryu present, they remained calm. After all, what harm could come to them under the protection of someone so extraordinary?
A contingent of the Goa Kingdom's army awaited them at the port.
General Geno approached with about three hundred soldiers. Upon seeing Ryu, he remarked, "Ah, young Master Ryu! You look just like your father did in his youth. Truly, you're his spitting image."
"You knew my father?"
"Of course! He was the Count bestowed upon by the Goa Kingdom. We often played together—I know him well."
Geno's words clarified why the haughty nobles of the Goa Kingdom treated Ryu with such courtesy. It wasn't just because of his noble lineage—it was also due to his father's friendship with Geno.
"And where is the cargo?" Geno asked abruptly.
"It's right behind me. Send someone to inspect it."
"Very well."
After confirming the quantity, Geno handed over the final payment. Watching the Beri in his hands, Ryu couldn't help but reflect. Being a merchant certainly paid well—this single trip netted him 1.5 million Beri after deducting costs.
Still, compared to piracy, it paled in comparison. Perhaps, in the world of One Piece , piracy truly was the most lucrative profession. Damn it!
"Little Ryu, I have matters to attend to. I must lead my troops back now."
"Understood."
Once Geno departed, Ryu turned to his crew. "Everyone, to celebrate our successful first trade, let's throw a feast!"
"OH YEAH!!!"
Inside Makino's tavern, the Red-Haired Pirates were in high spirits. At the counter sat a scruffy-looking boy with a voracious appetite, shoveling food into his mouth. Makino watched fondly, her maternal instincts kicking in.
Ryu arrived shortly afterward. After considering the situation, he decided against carrying BloodThirst openly, opting instead for a plain longsword strapped to his waist. Pushing open the tavern door, one of his crew members called out, "Hey, boss, do you have any more drinks?"
The sailor froze mid-sentence as he took in the scene before him. The tavern was packed with burly, menacing-looking men—the kind you'd expect to see aboard a pirate ship. Recalling the vessel they'd spotted earlier at the port, the sailor gulped nervously.
Sensing the tension, Ryu stepped forward. Approaching Makino, he said smoothly, "Beautiful sister, do you have anything left to eat?"
"Eh? Are you talking about me? Such flattery! Don't worry, little one—we've got plenty of food. Find yourselves a seat!"
"I wasn't flattering you. I was merely stating facts." Ryu replied matter-of-factly.
"Aww~ What would you like? I'll bring it right away!"
After assessing his group's size, Ryu ordered, "Twenty beers, twenty servings of meat, double portions of milk, and one steak."
"Got it! Coming right up!" Makino chirped cheerfully before bustling off to prepare the meal.
From the corner of the room, Shanks observed Ryu with keen interest. There was something unusual about this boy—he wasn't ordinary.
Ryu, too, had noticed Shanks but chose to focus on his primary goal: meeting Luffy. With a subtle gesture, he signaled his crew to relax and enjoy themselves. Then, he approached the ravenous child seated at the counter.
"Yo, kid! Who are you, and what brings you to a place like this?"
Luffy paused mid-bite, glancing curiously at Ryu. "Who are you calling a kid? I'm not just some random guy—I'm gonna be the Pirate King!"