Chapter 10: Flames and Friction
Azure Isle – The Aftermath
The forest clearing lay in ruin. Smoke curled into the sky, mingling with the scent of charred wood and scorched earth. The ground was littered with unconscious bandits, their weapons scattered and singed. In the center of the chaos stood Ren and Seraphina, their chests heaving with exhaustion.
Ren wiped blood from his brow, glancing at Seraphina. She was panting, her fiery aura dimming as the adrenaline ebbed. Nearby, Arlo lay motionless, his metal claws shattered, his massive frame riddled with burn marks.
"You good?" Ren asked, his voice low but steady.
Seraphina forced a smirk, though the pain was evident in her eyes. "Never better."
Ren's fists unclenched, the tension in his shoulders relaxing. "You did good."
Seraphina looked away, her jaw set tight. "Yeah, well… don't get used to it."
---
On the Wave Strider – Rising Tensions
Back aboard the Wave Strider, Ryu's gaze was dark, his hand resting on his sword as he leaned against the mast. Seraphina stepped onto the deck, arms crossed, her expression defiant.
"You almost got Ren killed back there," Ryu said, voice sharp as steel. "Charging in without a plan? You call that teamwork?"
Seraphina's eyes flashed. "And hiding behind that sword of yours is supposed to be better? At least I did something."
"You did something, alright. Nearly burned down the whole forest," Ryu shot back, fists clenched.
"Enough!" Ren's voice cut through the tension, stepping between them. "We're a crew now. We have to trust each other."
Seraphina scoffed, turning away. "Trust, huh? Easier said than done."
Nadia sighed, rubbing her temples. "We need to focus. Fighting among ourselves won't get us anywhere."
But as Ryu and Seraphina glared at each other, it was clear the rift was far from mended.
---
Marine Office – Bounty Collection
The Marine office was bustling with activity. Posters of wanted criminals lined the walls, the ink still fresh. Ren and Nadia approached the counter, Arlo's metal claws wrapped in a burlap sack.
The Marine officer from before eyed them suspiciously. "Back so soon? You caused quite a scene in the marketplace."
Ren set the sack on the counter, revealing the shattered claws. "Arlo 'Red Claw.' 10 million berries."
The officer's jaw clenched, his eyes scanning Ren as though searching for a reason to refuse. Reluctantly, he handed over a sack of beri notes. "Take it. But don't cause any more trouble, pirate."
Ren's eyes drifted to a new set of wanted posters being tacked onto the board. None bore his face — not yet.
---
The Wave Strider – Memories of Fire
While the others were at the Marine office, Seraphina sat alone on the deck, legs crossed and eyes distant. From her coat, she pulled out a small, charred knife — the only keepsake she had of her father. The blade was dull, its edge blackened from fire.
Her mind drifted back to the Grand Line. A younger Seraphina stood beside her father, Captain Ignis, as he held the same knife.
"Fire can destroy," Ignis said, flames dancing around his fingertips. "But it can also protect. Learn to wield both."
Seraphina's grip tightened on the knife, her jaw clenching as the memory faded. The sound of footsteps snapped her back to the present. Nadia approached, concern softening her features.
"You okay?" Nadia asked, leaning against the railing.
Seraphina quickly shoved the knife back into her coat. "Fine. Just… thinking."
Nadia didn't press further but stayed beside her, letting the silence speak for itself.
---
The Crew's Next Move
Ren and Nadia returned to the ship with the bounty money. The crew gathered on the deck, the tension palpable. Ryu's arms were crossed, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Seraphina sat apart from the others, her back against the mast.
"We need to leave," Ryu said bluntly. "Before the Marines decide to pin the destruction on us."
Ren frowned. "But we still need to train —"
"No," Seraphina interrupted, surprising everyone. "Ryu's right. We stick around, we're sitting ducks. We stock up and go."
Ren met her gaze, and for the first time, there was no sarcasm in her eyes — only resolve.
Nadia nodded. "Alright. We use the bounty to restock and then set sail."
---
Training and Reflection
Later that afternoon, as the crew prepared to depart, Ryu approached Ren on the deck. "Train with me."
Ren blinked, surprised. "Now?"
"If we're heading into the Grand Line, you need to be sharper," Ryu said, drawing his sword. "Focus on your Observation Haki. Read my movements."
Ren nodded, dropping into a stance. The two sparred, Ryu's strikes fast but controlled, each blow testing Ren's reflexes. Sweat dripped down Ren's face as he dodged and countered, his Observation Haki flaring to predict Ryu's next move.
Nearby, Seraphina sat on a crate, twirling her knife absently. Nadia joined her, offering a small canteen of water.
"Why did you join us?" Nadia asked, her voice gentle.
Seraphina didn't meet her eyes. "Still trying to figure that out."
"You did well against Arlo," Nadia said, smiling. "And you kept Ren safe."
Seraphina's grip tightened on the knife. "Yeah. But that doesn't make me part of the crew."
Nadia's expression softened. "You're here, aren't you?"
For a moment, Seraphina said nothing, her gaze fixed on Ren and Ryu as they trained.
---
Departure from Azure Isle
By sunset, the Wave Strider was stocked and ready to depart. The crew stood on deck, watching as Azure Isle slowly shrank into the distance.
Ren stood at the helm, his jaw set, eyes forward. "Next stop — Reverse Mountain."
Beside him, Ryu sheathed his sword, glancing back at Seraphina, who leaned against the mast, her knife resting in her hand.
Seraphina's gaze lingered on the fading island, the weight of her father's knife heavy in her pocket. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she turned away from the island, her resolve hardening like steel.
Unseen by the crew, a Marine ship trailed far behind them, sails unfurled, and a familiar Marine officer watching the Wave Strider from afar, his expression dark.
The Grand Line awaited.