The ocean waves crashed against Silas's weathered ship as it cut through the East Blue's choppy waters. Storm clouds gathered overhead, painting the sky in shades of gray and crimson, but the patched vessel held steady despite its humble appearance. On deck, the Straw Hats had settled into their usual chaos—a symphony of arguments, laughter, and complaints that somehow felt like home.
The ship creaked under the weight of six rowdy pirates, its cramped quarters forcing everyone into close contact whether they liked it or not. Zoro sat propped against the main mast, his chest wrapped in bandages from Mihawk's devastating cut. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he shifted, trying to find a position that didn't aggravate his wounds.
"This floating piece of junk is tighter than a prison cell," he grumbled, wincing as pain shot through his torso.
Sanji, perched near the galley's narrow entrance with a cigarette dangling from his lips, shot back, "At least it's not as cramped as your thick skull, moss-head!" He gestured at the tiny cooking space behind him—barely large enough for one person to turn around in. "How am I supposed to prepare meals fit for Nami-san in a closet like this?"
Silas tightened his grip on the ship's wheel, his red hair whipping in the wind. Various trinkets and jewelry caught the sunlight as he turned to glare at his passengers. The tattoos beneath his shirt seemed to pulse with his irritation.
"Quit your whining!" he barked. "This ship has weathered storms that would've sent you landlubbers to the bottom! Show some respect!"
Johnny and Yosaku, lounging on a barrel near the bow, exchanged glances. Johnny adjusted his sunglasses and spoke up hesitantly, "Uh, big brother Silas... no offense, but this boat is pretty... well..."
"Pathetic?" Yosaku finished with a nervous grin. "One good wave and we're swimming with the fish!"
Their laughter stung worse than any insult, and Silas's jaw tightened. He'd built this ship with his own hands, patched every hole, mended every sail. It wasn't much to look at, but it was his.
Meanwhile, Usopp clung to the ship's railing like his life depended on it, his face pale and queasy. "We're all gonna die!" he wailed. "This rickety boat won't last another mile! Why couldn't we get a proper warship? Or at least something that doesn't look like driftwood!"
In stark contrast to everyone else's complaints, Luffy sat cross-legged on the ship's figurehead, his straw hat tilted back as he grinned at the chaos around him. "Shishishi! I like this ship! It's got character!" He stretched one rubber arm to grab a loose rope, swinging himself up to the sail. "You guys are hilarious when you're angry!"
His carefree laughter seemed to fuel the brewing argument between Zoro, Sanji, and Silas. The three men faced off in the center of the deck, their mutual irritation crackling in the air like lightning before a storm.
"This rust bucket won't make it to the next island," Zoro said bluntly, his hand resting on his sword hilt despite his injuries.
Sanji took a long drag from his cigarette and blew the smoke in Zoro's direction. "For once, the moss-head's right. This ship's an insult to every chef who's ever set sail. How can I protect Nami-san's delicate sensibilities in such crude surroundings?"
Silas's hand dropped to his flintlock pistol, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. "Keep talking, and I'll give you both a close look at the ocean floor. This ship's served me well for years, and it'll outlast the lot of you."
Usopp, still green around the gills, raised his hands frantically. "H-Hey! We're all nakama here, right? Let's not fight! Look at those beautiful clouds! Aren't they... aren't they nice?"
His desperate attempt at peacemaking only seemed to make things worse. Johnny and Yosaku, enjoying the spectacle, added fuel to the fire.
"Big brother Zoro's got a point," Johnny said with a smirk. "This thing's held together with hope and sea salt."
"But big brother Sanji's being dramatic," Yosaku added. "It's not that bad... okay, it's pretty bad."
Luffy, now hanging upside down from the rigging, laughed even harder. "This is better than a festival! You guys should fight more often!"
As evening approached, the arguments only intensified. Sanji emerged from the galley carrying a pot of clam chowder, his movements sharp with frustration.
"Dinner!" he announced, setting the pot down with more force than necessary. "I managed to create this masterpiece despite working in what can generously be called a kitchen but is actually a storage closet with delusions of grandeur."
Zoro sniffed the air and couldn't resist another jab. "Smells like you used seawater instead of stock, curly-brow."
That was the last straw. Sanji's eyebrow twitched dangerously as he spun around, ladle in hand like a weapon. "What did you say, you damn moss-head?!"
"You heard me," Zoro replied, struggling to his feet despite his injuries. "My friend could cook better than this, and she's been dead for years."
Silas, watching his carefully prepared meal become the center of another argument, had reached his breaking point. "That's it! One more word about my ship or my galley, and I'm throwing the lot of you overboard!"
The three men stood in a tense triangle, glares sharp enough to cut steel. Usopp scrambled between them, waving his arms. "Stop! Fighting during dinner will give us all indigestion! Think of our stomachs!"
Johnny and Yosaku, now thoroughly entertained, cheered from the sidelines. "Big brother Sanji's chowder actually smells amazing," Johnny called out. "But this fight's even spicier!"
Through it all, Luffy continued eating with single-minded determination, somehow managing to devour three bowls while his crewmates argued around him. "This is great!" he said through a mouthful of chowder. "Fighting makes food taste better!"
When night fell, the cramped sleeping quarters became another battleground. The ship's hold had space for maybe two hammocks, but six men needed rest. Zoro, too proud to accept help, propped himself against a stack of crates despite his obvious pain.
"I don't need charity," he muttered, though his face was pale with exhaustion.
Sanji, meanwhile, had claimed a corner near what he optimistically called "the ladies' quarters"—an empty storage space he'd designated for when Nami returned.
"A gentleman requires proper accommodations for dreaming of beautiful women," he declared dramatically.
Silas, as captain and owner of the vessel, naturally claimed the only actual bunk—a narrow cot barely wide enough for one person. "My ship, my bed. The rest of you can figure it out."
Usopp had managed to string up a hammock, but it swayed dangerously with every wave. "I'm gonna fall into the ocean!" he whimpered. "Or get crushed by Zoro's ego!"
Johnny and Yosaku squeezed onto a single barrel, their complaints adding to the chorus of grievances filling the hold.
Only Luffy seemed untroubled by the arrangements. He'd stretched himself across the bow like a human blanket, already snoring peacefully while his crewmates continued their territorial disputes well into the night.