Ryma's P.O.V.
I slowly walked through the town with my dagger stuck to my leg with the sort of small leather leg belt Zen had given me and the hood of my cloak up. Zen said that with my hood up, not many of the townsfolk would recognize me. If they did, they wouldn't point me out because they were scared of marines hearing about a disease on the island. It was a bit confusing as to why that mattered, but Zen's smart so I'll trust him.
I pulled at the edge of my cloak, nervous that somebody would recognize me. I glanced around but it didn't seem as though anybody was watching me. I sighed a breath of relief but immediately froze as my gaze met the gaze of a blonde hair lady.
I bit my lip and scurried by hoping she wouldn't recognize me and point me out. Creepy lady! Scared but curious, I glanced back only to spot the lady glaring me down. Chills ran down my spine as I quickly looked away and began rushing towards the coast.
As I got closer, I spotted something amazing. It was... a giant white boat on the water?! Is that what Zen called the marine ship?! I had never seen one before, it was so big!
All the jittery feelings from before immediately vanished as I stared up in awe at the massive ship. I had never been so close to a ship before! If only Miya was here! She may dislike marines, but even she would be excited to see a ship!
I began to twist my head in search of Zen, and spotted him near the start of the ramp that led up to the ship. No marines is sight! This was so exciting! I walked towards the ramp, passing Zen as if I didn't know him.
As I reached the top of the ramp, I bit my lip and I hopped down onto the ship. The hood of my cloak fell back allowing my wavy violet locks to tumble around my small body in the process.
"Hey kid! What do you think you're doing here!" A marine yelled from across the ship. Before he could walk towards me, I quickly bolted towards him with the cutest grin I could muster. I just have to act cute! That's my role in the operation! Act cute and say my lines!
"Oh mister marine! I've been looking for you! You look as cool as I imagined!" I exclaimed attempting to recall the lines Zen had told me to say. The marine that had yelled at me before suddenly paused and stared at me in confusion.
"What's going on over there?!" Another marine shouted as he and a few others approached my location. From the corner of my eye, I spotted a red blur hop onto the ship and disappear. That must be Zen!
I whirled around to the oncoming marines, I imagined the excitement I had at Zen's return and tried to mimic it. Ah! But what were my lines?! "Uhm-Ah! More marines! I'm so lucky! Uhh-Our town never has any marines visit us? I wanna be just like you guys when I'm older!"
The marines glanced around at one another seeming confused. A big marine stood tall and walked through them alongside a pink haired marine. Both had large white cloaks unlike the other marines.
I fiddled nervously with my own cloak as the big marine set his heavy gaze at me. The pink haired marine by side him simply yawned and gazed around, observing his fellow marines.
"Hmm? A brat like you wants to be a marine? What damage could a runt like you do?" A deep voice thundered with slight amusement.
I frowned. Zen's plan didn't seem to be working well, they didn't seem wooed by cuteness. Did I get the lines wrong? Am I not cute? Well I wanna be pretty like Miya anyways! Who needs cuteness!
"I can fight!" I defended, "Once my sister and I were out of food! And I had to kill a giant boar so we could eat it!"
The big marine who called me a runt raised a brow before belting out in laughter with his fellow marines. My cheeks flushed red as I awkwardly stood flooded with mild embarrassment. "PHAPHAPHAPHA! A tiny pipsqueak like you killed a boar?!"
"A giant boar" I mumbled suddenly feeling shy and absentmindedly fiddling with the bottom of my brown cloak again.
Aghhh! This wasn't fair. I was suppose to distract them with cuteness.
"Hmmm~ How about ya show us what ya can do kid? We don't have much else to do anyways." A pink haired marine sighed, a hint of a smile on his face. He had taken a step closer to me with his proposal.
I stared at him. He had short pink hair, bangs covering his right eye. Freckles were sprinkled across his face. His words began to process through my mind. W-was he... challenging me?
"Sure!" I piped, the embarrassment slowly fading.
I can show these guys what I'm made of! More marines gathered around the freckled marine and I. Probably interested in the super cool fight that was about to happen!
I ignored the snickers of some of the marines around me and bit my lip. I gotta beat him! I pulled out the dagger from the leather leg strap and dropped into a fighting stance.
"A dagger huh? You gonna need your swords Shin?" The big marine laughed. So his names Shin. I carefully watched the pink haired mari-Shin. Shin. Shiiin. Gotta remember that name so I can brag to Zen later! I bet he's never fought a marine!
Shin hummed as he looked me up and down. He waved his hand dismissing the idea. I frowned. Did he think I wasn't strong enough to fight him with his weapons? As if! I bet I could beat him even if he had them!
I carefully looked him over, he didn't seen to be holding any weapons. I ran towards him aiming to slash his neck but immediately ducked as his arm shot out to grab me. I jumped back and eyed him warily. Shin seemed awfully relaxed, a small smile resting on his stupid freckled face as he waited for my next move.
"Feel free to attack any day kiddo, not that ya could ever beat me."
Ack. Jerk! I dashed forward again this time keeping close to the ground, as I watched the jerk swipe to grab me I jumped up-BAM. I flew to the side barreling into some of the marines that had been watching.
I gasped as pain erupted from my side. I stared at the blue sky. HUHH?! I shot up, and looked over at the pink haired jerk who casually stood in the same spot at before. H-How?!
"PHAHAHA!" The big marine belted out in laughter just a few feet behind Shin, his fellow marines joining in with their own chuckles. A tinge of heat rose to my cheeks in embarrassment but I quickly rose to my feet, a grin crawling up my face. "How'd you do that! I didn't see you move anything but your arm! That was so cool! Can you teach me?!"
"Huhuhuhuhu! That's an interesting reaction to someone who sent ya flying ya know!" Shin chuckled. "But, if ya can land a hit on my I'll tell ya how I did it."
Filled with a new found determination I charged forward before pivoting to the left and swinging my right leg towards his stomach. Instead of feeling my leg kick something I simply stumbled forward. I glanced around in confusion. He... He disappeared?!
A strong force smashed me into the air. I curled into a ball and rolled on the ground, cringing from the impact. Refusing to give in I ran at him again. I punched. He smashed me into the ground. I kicked. He grabbed my leg and hurled me into a pile of ropes on the side of the ship.
I burst into a fit of giggles. This was so much fun! It hurt so so much, but it was fun! Shin watched me with amusement. A way to beat him, I need a way! Then I can learn Shin's trick and brag to Zen!
I glanced around myself. Rope, broken wood, and more ro-Oh! Wait! That's it! Hiding my hands behind myself, I cut a bit of the rope and tightly knotted it around my dagger. I wobbled as I stood up again. A sly grin plastered on my face. This time it's gotta work!
Climbing onto the rim of the ship, I began to swing the rope with my dagger attached in circles. I bit my lip focusing on Shin's figure who eyes me curiously before extending the rope length and leaning forward as I sent it sailing towards Shin.
Everything began to move in slow motion as I pushed my weight back in order to prevent myself from falling forward only to hear a shout from Shin.
"Oi! Ya idiot!"
Crap! I stumbled and lost my footing falling backwards towards the sea. Oh crap oh crap oh crap. I clenched my eyes shut curling into a ball awaiting the impact of the water. But nothing occurred...
I slowly opened an eye and stared down at the ocean waves that were still a good distance away. Was I... flying?!
I looked up in excitement and spotted Shin with his clenched around the hood of my cloak. Oh... nope, just the marine. He yanked me up sending my tumbling back onto the ship.
Hehehe. I sat criss-crossed on the deck as I glanced over at Shin. I froze still as I spotted a trickle of red slid down the side of his cheek.
No way...
That means!
"You're bleeding! I got you didn't I?! Does that mean you'll teach me now?!" I shouted excitedly. The marines around me facepalmed and the large marine and Shin belted out in laughter.
"Your one hell of a ballsy kid!" Shin laughed resting his head on his palm. He walked over to me and squatted down, ruffling my wavy hair. "I never said I'd teach ya how to do what I do, but I can show ya I suppose."
I grinned, that was good enough for me! Maybe I could learn by watching! Shin got up and crossed his arms proudly smiling, "I'm a Soku Soku human. I ate the Soku Soku no mi so I can move super fast."
He... He ate one of those?!
"Waaaah! You ate a devil fruit!" I gleamed. I got up and circled around Shin examining him up and down. So cool! "I wanna be like you!"
"And maybe you will be you runt! Sure as hell got the potential." The big marine chuckled. Woah! My eyes sparkled as I looked between the two. I couldn't wait to tell Miya and Ze-Oh!
Right! Zen! He probably got the fruit by now right? The sky's gotten darker, I was so distracted that I forgot to keep tabs to see if he'd pass by again. Oops heh.
"Hehe, I uh. I gotta get going now!" I nervously giggled glancing at the marines around me. Shin piqued a brow.
"Hmm. Here, catch." Shin tossed my dagger over to me. I caught it and nodded my head as I ran over to the ramp and hopped onto it. I turned around gleaming at all the marines. Cupping my hands around my mouth I shouted, "My name's Ryma! Don't forget it cuz I'm sure we'll all meet again someday!"