Chapter 4
After the battle everyone had a moment to relax. Thankfully no one was seriously injured. Returning to her normal form, Crim pointed to Zed and asked "So who is this guy?" Everyone facepalmed and began to explain to her who he was, and what had happened.
"So let me get this right. This guy here was the Slave traders boss, damn. If I knew that I would have beaten him up more. And You are Ranma cursed into becoming a guy, while Mr Ship Owner is a bounty hunter who was hunting the slave traders and is going to join my crew now, and you are a immortal swordswoman who is going to join my crew as well, while Ryoga is the naked prince of his homeland and also Ranma's childhood friend?"
"THAT'S NOT IT!!!!!!!" "So this guy isn't the slave hunter leader?" Crim asked confused. "No that part was right. He is the slave hunter leader, and I am a bounty hunter." Tide replied, trying to explain. "However I'm a Guy, turned into a Girl. Not the other way around." Ranma added, "As for me, I'm not really immortal, but I will join the crew. Ranma already invited me." Ryuuko added "I am not a naked prince either. And Ranma is my rival, not a childhood friend" Ryoga added while getting changed. Ranma then demonstrated his curse for Crim, which she found awesome. "Cool. Wish I could turn into a guy with hot water like you can. That's my vice captain for you".
Walking back out the building With Ryoga carrying Zed, they re-entered the room from earlier where Ranma picked up and carried the unnamed swordsman. "Krill seems to have escaped. well it's the leader we wanted anyway so let's forget him" Tide noted, before they continued out. Tide then took the bodies and claimed their bounties. Later they all met again at Tide's ship.
"Little miss, you are amazingly strong. I'd love to join your crew. You invited me earlier and I turned you down, but seeing you and your crew fight and more importantly, why you fought, I'd be honoured to fight amongst you guys. I was in over my head, I had no idea Zed was so strong. I'd have died if not for you. You can have my ship as well. Will you accept me as a crewmember?"
Listening to him Crim smiled "huh? What you mean by wanting to join me? I thought you were already one of us. We are all comrades who fought together. You are already in my crew." "Laughing Tide patted her head. "Young lady, It is my honour to join you. I'm strong, but only human. These slave hunters were originally from the grand line, the most dangerous sea of all. I'm glad to join you. Your ability to turn into a white tiger was impressive and your strength is amazing." He then turned to Ranma "Your skill is amazing as well, you are fast and your determination to not give up, yet still able to see the big picture and understand when you need help. I see why you are the vice captain."
Tide then turned to Ryuuko "Your strength is impressive even if your swords skills need work, but that merely means you have room to get stronger. You ability to heal is what really surprised me. Then you too fought with no fear in your eyes, I can tell you have been in life and death battles many times. And Ryoga, When you showed up coming through the walls underground, It was chaotic, and shocked me greatly, but it was when we needed it most. Clearly fate had a hand in it. You fought with us for what is right, and protected us from damage without even knowing us. Your techniques and durability are something else. I'm glad to have you as a comrade."
"Tide. Thank you for the kind words But you have us wrong. We got caught in this by mere co-incidence and they picked a fight with us first we merely fought back" Ranma responded, "There are no co-incidence in life. It was fate we met on this island and joined forces, and I just know we are going to go further." Tide replied "Now onto business. What role does everyone play in this crew?"
"Oh I'm the captain" Crim explained. "Ranma is the vice captain and Ryuuko is the swordmaster and Ryoga is the Navigator and…." "Hold on stop right there!!!" Ranma interrupted. "There is no way Ryoga is the Navigator. He cannot even find his way in his own home, he'd end up in the kitchen when trying to find the bathroom. He has no sense of direction".
"Ranma you trying to start a fight? That was one time, One time I tell you!" Ryoga interrupted. "But Ryoga is a genius when it comes to weather and he has journeyed all over the place. He must be a great navigator, right?" Crim asked confused? "I happen to have trained as a navigator so I can handle the role of needed" Tide interrupts. "No need to fight you two" 'Ranma doesn't seem to be lying about the direction sense but surely he is exaggerating a bit.' "Okay Tide can be our navigator now let's sail". Crim responds cheerfully.
And so the five of them sail off in Tide's ship leaving the island behind. It was only after the island was out of sight that Crim realised something. "I forgot to sell my old boat. Oops. Wonder how long they will leave it there in the docks before getting rid of it." "Usually they leave ships in the dock unattended for 2 months. Then they auction them off. The boss gained quite a bit of cash that way." Someone responded. "Hold on, who are you?" Crim asked the strange man who answered her. "Crap it's Krill" Ranma responded getting into a martial arts stance. "Hold on I'm not here to fight… well I am but not really." He replied. "I have lost. I admit that. But It was in a battle with multiple opponents. My martial artist soul won't accept a loss like that. I wish to duel the red haired girl in a martial arts spar. I want to experience her style one on one. Please call her here."
Tide pointed his pistol at him "Why the hell should we let you do that? It's easier to just kill you now." Ryoga however reached out and held his gun shaking his head. "Because It's a martial arts duty to accept all challenges, regardless of who is making the challenge" Ranma responded. Suddenly he was splashed from behind by Crim holding a now empty bucket.
"He asked for the red haired girl, so you better make our crew proud and win" Crim responded giving him a thumbs up. "Damn right, don't lose to fish face" Ryuuko added. "Ranma, of you are too scarred I don't mind fighting in your place." Ryoga added. "Who the hell is scarred? I'm fighting and I will win" Ranma responded moving towards Krill as everyone gave them space on the deck to fight
"The gender change was an interesting technique. I didn't know you were a fruit user, but It won't change my mind. I'm here to duel. I will show you the power of Fishman Karate." "I ain't no fruit user. I am Saotome Ranma, of the Daytime school of anything goes martial arts." Ranma responded before starting the duel off with a kick.
Krill blocked the kick with a palm thrust while sending another towards Ranma, who dodged it effortlessly by jumping into the air, Krill then aimed another palm thrust at Ranma but before he could Ranma released a barrage of punches at him. "Chestnuts roasting in mid air" he shouted as he punched Krill into unconsciousness.
"Not bad. You took care of him so easily" Ryuuko commented after the fight was won, "I saw his style earlier so I had plenty of time to decide how I'd win if I ever fought again. That's why I'm the best" Ranma smirked. "Winning one fight doesn't make you the best, winning all of them does. So let's make sure we do so we can truly call ourselves the best." Tide commented. Dragging the body of Krill below decks to tie him up. "Fishman must have swam up and boarded from underwater. We may need to take precautions against Fishman in the future."
Two days later an island was coming into view. "That's Dorohe island. It's our next destination. It's owned and ran by a powerful gangster family. It's a great place to restock our supplies." Tide informed the crew as they headed towards their next adventure. "Gangsters huh? Now that sounds fun." Smiled Crim as she cracked her knuckles looking towards the island.