Chapter 15: Encounter on the Baratie

The sun hung low on the horizon as Ryo, Yamato, and Nami sailed across the calm waters, their ship slicing through the gentle waves. In the distance, a floating structure caught their attention, its outline becoming clearer as they drew closer.

"It's the Baratie," Nami exclaimed, her eyes brightening with recognition. "A floating restaurant."

As they docked their ship beside the Baratie, the trio disembarked and made their way onto the wooden deck. A waiter approached them, his crisp white uniform contrasting against the blue of the ocean.

"Welcome, guests!" the waiter greeted them warmly. "Please, come this way."

They followed the waiter to a table overlooking the sea, where a blonde man with a cigarette hanging from his lips approached them, confidence in his steps.

"I'm Sanji, the chef around here," he introduced himself with a charming smile. "What can I get for the two lovely looking looking lady's today? Oh and you," he commented to Ryo, something he could shrug off with ease.

But the thing he couldn't ignore how this cooks eyes layed on Yamato and Nami. He could already imagine what this guy was thinking about, based on his disgusting grin and he didn't like it one bit. But he held his temper in check. To his own surprise, Yamato scooted a little closer to him and placed her hand on his. Nami didn't pay any attention to the chef and continued to look at the menu. Both actions made thim back off a bit and Ryo was calmed by this and Yamatos gesture and reassuring smile.

Nami wasted no time in placing their order, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she listed off their choices from the menu. Soon, plates of mouthwatering dishes were placed before them, each one a masterpiece of culinary artistry.

As they savored the delicious food, the gentle lull of the ocean and the warm breeze created a serene atmosphere around them, a welcome respite from the chaos of their recent adventures.

But the calm ambience was soon over. As a man full in Amor entered the restaurant. He looked like he would be on deaths door. As he demanded some food only Sanji walked up to him and gave him something to eat. Although everyone opposed this action, nobody stopped him.

As the man was now less hungry and a bit strengthed he saw how this group of two fine looking Lady's and some guy where sitting at a table and practically ignored them. He walked up to them and introduced himself. "I am the mighty Don Krieg. Who are you lady's? He looked at Yamato and Nami. As they looked at him with no interest they said in union, "Not interested. Get lost."

Don Krieg's eye twitched how can they have no respect to someone like him? He got angrier. "Listen here you two bitches. Either you are going to come willingly with me or I am going to force you!" As the guy between them looked at him, he could feel something in his guts. This guy's precense emitted something, he couldn't quite understand. It was something that told his body to go away.

"Didn't you heard them? Fuck off." He said in a calm but deadly tone. As Don Krieg tried to lay a hand on Yamato, he began to speak. "Listen here you little slu-" nothing more escaped his mouth as a fist connected with his head and he was, with a powerful punch, sent flying through a wall.

"Hey! No fighting inside the Baratie!" A waiter warned Ryo. His face slowly softening again, he responded. "Hey calm down. I barely touched him. I just brought him outside." A short snort escaped Yamato's and Nami's mouth as they eyed him.

Approaching the hole in the wall he gave them both a quick smile as he went outside. Turning to Don Krieg laying on the ground a few meters away from him, he said in a cold tone. "You know you just signed your own death warrant?" He drew his Katana and waited for his opponents next move.

As Don Krieg stood up he lunged forward with his attack, Ryo's reflexes kicked in, allowing him to swiftly sidestep and narrowly evade the strike. With each passing moment, Ryo found himself becoming more attuned to his enemy's movements, effortlessly anticipating his every action. Sensing his growing confidence, Ryo couldn't help but taunt his opponent, jesting that he was too slow to land a hit.

In a daring move to test his armament haki, Ryo opted to allow Don Krieg's next attack to land. Yamato watched with a mixture of concern and confidence, trusting in Ryo's abilities. Nami, on the other hand, was visibly shocked by Ryo's decision. She didn't know that haki was. It was a concept foreign to her, and she couldn't comprehend why Ryo would willingly subject himself to harm.

As Don Krieg pulled the trigger, Nami's heart leaped into her throat. She couldn't bear to watch as the bullets flew towards Ryo, fearing the worst. But to her astonishment, he remained unscathed, sporting nothing more than a mischievous grin. Even Don Krieg found himself dumbfounded by the turn of events, his panic growing with each failed attempt to injure Ryo.

"Why don't you die already?!", he nearly screamed in a panicked tone.

Meanwhile, Ryo remained calm and collected, fully aware of the protection his haki provided. Feeling emboldened by his newfound confidence, he decided to explore the extent of his devil fruit's powers. With a focused mind, he whispered the name "Zoe," summoning the playful spirit who had guided him thus far. Curious about the potential abilities he could unlock, Ryo sought Zoe's guidance.

"How about we test a few things, what do you think?", he asked with a amused tone. As her playful voice appeared in his head, he was glad to hear her again. "How can I be of service, my dearest? I am ready to assist you in any way you like"

Ryo was aware of how she used her flirtatious tone and this double meaning. If she continues to be so unnecessarily teasing he had to exchange some words with her later. But now was not the time.

"What can you tell me about my fruit?", he wanted to know. Now she was getting a bit more serious. "Well it is a Zoan type. But based on it's power I don't think you are ready yet to use the other forms. For now stick to your base form." As she explained, Don Krieg kept attacking him with all he had to offer, but every attack either missed or was blocked.

"But if I can't use these forms what can I do?" Now Zoe's tone got amused. "Now it get's interesting. Let me explain somethingto you. As you already know, you are able to manipulate energy. Everything is made of energy. So use this to control the battlefield."

With this words in his mind Ryo grabbed his Katana more tight and concentrated on the energy around him. He could clearly feel his own aura and the energy of the sword. As he thought more about what he should do, an idea came to his mind. He amed his katana at Don Krieg, the blade began to glow in a bright light and Ryo gave a powerful slash in his direction as it connected he could clearly see how the shockwave made contact with his Amor. As this happened a powerful outburst of energy came from the cut and formed a massive explosion.

Everyone including Ryo was shocked. They saw Don Krieg, as he made contact with the ground. Nobody that was present dared to move, as Ryo looked around. He could feel that his opponents aura was fading away. He was dead.

Yamato approached her captain as he put away his sword. She gave him a tight hug and whispered in his ear. "That was incredible... You are incredible." Ryo blushed at such a praise from her. As Nami however saw this she had hope. She realized that a person with his abilities and power could maybe help her. So thought it wasn't an entirely bad thing that she began to like this guy.

For anyone else her face would have been unreadable, but Ryo knew she was troubled about something. He just needed to find out what it was, so he could help her.