It took an entire two full days before Ichigo was bored out of his mind aboard the Going Merry. When he had thought that joining the crew would be a great idea, he hadn't taken into account the fact that he would be spending large quantities of time on the open ocean with nothing to do. Seemingly everyone else had something to do, Nami was always making sure that they were on course, checking maps and issuing orders to everyone else, the only time when Ichigo had something to do.
Usopp was always tinkering with something, in that massive bag that he had brought with him he seemed to have an endless supply if nick knacks to keep him occupied. Obviously the long nosed teen had come prepared for the so far boring journey, unlike himself.
Luffy was like himself, bored most of the time but always busy doing something or rather, be it eating sleeping or annoying anyone, sometimes everyone. Zoro either slept or trained, there was a little time for meals between the two and he helped out when Nami barked orders for everyone to get up and do something.
While Ichigo could see the dedication for training that Zoro had, Ichigo didn't see the point. So far, Kuro was it. If Kuro was the strongest adversary that they were going to come up against, Ichigo didn't see the need to become stronger. Even if there were stronger opponents out there, Ichigo hadn't used his full power against Kuro and he'd doubt he have to use the full power of his Fullbring in their next encounter either.
There had only ever been a handful of points in Ichigo's life when he had trained, and that was because he needed too. The first was when he was still a kid and practised karate, something that stopped long ago. Beating up thugs was meaningless brawls, barely any training what so ever, just keeping his skills sharp.
Then when he first got his power from Rukia, he didn't train until after Byakuya and Renji had taken Rukia back to Soul Society just fighting hollows by instruction of Rukia, his ten days of training with Kisuke had gotten him through many of his battles. Even now, his skills with a sword were because of those ten days with Kisuke.
His next step of training was to achieve his Bankai with Yoruichi. Following that, it was with the Vizards to master control over his Hollow mask. After his training with the Vizards, the next training was when he was fighting Zangetsu and his inner Hollow to learn the Final Getsuga Tenshō. His last bout of training was when he was trying to gain his Fullbring.
Now that he thought about it, the only time he ever trained was when he had something to overcome. He trained with Kisuke, to save Rukia. He trained with Yoruichi to gain Bankai. He trained with the Vizards to control his inner Hollow. He trained with his inner spirits to gain the Final Getsuga Tenshō to defeat Aizen. He trained with the Fullbringers to regain his power.
"I never trained, to just perfect my abilities or to grow stronger for the next fight." The teen mused to himself as he looked up at the sky from where he was currently sitting in the crow's nest, several sea gulls circling the Going Merry overhead. "Maybe if I had..." He trailed off in thought, there could have been so many differences if he had trained like so many others. They were all strong, but nothing stopped them from trying to grow stronger, so what was it that stopped him from doing so? "The need for a normal life." He let out a soft sigh. "I'd train when I'd need to defeat who or what I needed to, then go to school the next day and wait for the next thing to show up." Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his substitute badge, eyeing all the little nicks and marks that it had received over the time since he had been gifted it by Ukitake.
"Ginjo told Chad that once a Fullbring is complete, that's it, it cannot become stronger." Ichigo spoke aloud as his thoughts returned to the conversation, when Chad had brought up the fact that his powers had changed when he had gone to Hueco Mundo. Ginjo had said that it was Chad's Fullbring simply finishing it's evolution. There was no denying that Chad had become stronger after coming back from Hueco Mundo just being there had increased his strength. So, maybe it was possible that a Fullbring could still grow in power. Maybe it's form wouldn't change after completion but there was no reason the power of the user couldn't become stronger.
"Not to mention, the Fullbring is the manifestation of Hollow Reiryoku. So, if at all possible… Hollow techniques shouldn't be impossible." He finished as a frown came to his face. "Would there even be a need for that kind of strength here?"
Ichigo simply wasn't sure of the powers that they would face going forward. Luffy had told him that they were heading to a part of the world, known as the Grand Line to search for the One Piece, apparently a legendary treasure said to bestow the title of Pirate King should anyone find it. So, they had an end goal.
Nami, seeing Ichigo's lack of knowledge on the subject, which had in fact surprised the young Navigator, had decided to share some insight with her fellow orange haired teen. A famous pirate, Gold Roger had given the knowledge of his famed wealth and had issued the age of piracy in the very moments right before he had been executed. Their little band of pirates wouldn't be the only ones searching for the One Piece, not to mention some already had a massive head start on them.
So they would have encounters along the way with the other pirates and what he had seen with Kuro, there would definitely be trouble in their future, there was no doubting that. Not to mention the Marines that Nami had told him about. Of course there would be a force in place to put a halt to the pirates, you'd be stupid to think that there wouldn't be a military force in palce. Ichigo hadn't wanted to sound like a moron so hadn't asked too many obvious questions that the average person should have knowledge of, he'd figure it out as he went along. Plus, Nami was smart, she was already starting to question why he didn't have the basic know how.
"I'll keep training in mind, even if it's to kill time." Ichigo decided as he placed his substitute badge back in his pocket. "Even if I keep my skills sharp by sparing with Zoro every now and again." He nodded at his own decision, if he at least trained with Zoro from time to time he could keep his skills sharp, maybe even give Zoro a challenge for the future. Deciding to follow in Zoro's own way to pass the time, Ichigo folded his hands behind his head, kicked his feet up onto the side of the rail of the crows nest and closed his eyes.
It didn't even last five minutes.
BOOM~!
Ichigo was instantly on his feet, substitute badge in hand as he looked over the ocean for any threats, only seeing a large spire of water shooting up before crashing back down next to a small island structure jutting up from the water. Hearing talking down below on deck, Ichigo fixed his eyes into an annoyed glare, he looked over the side of the rail past the sail where Usopp had painted the mark of their crew, a skull with a straw hat on it. Down on deck were Luffy and Usopp both standing next to the source of the disruption. A canon which had just been fired with a box of cannonballs on deck beside it.
"What's with all the noise?" Zoro questioned from where he had been napping on top of the cabin.
"Canon fire practice." Luffy told him as he looked out at where his first cannon ball had landed, seeing that it hadn't hit the obvious target. "But it's not going very well." He added tilting his head, unsure what he had done wrong to make him miss his shot. Ichigo placed his elbow on the rail and cupped his chin in the upright hand as he looked down at them, an amused smile on his face. He had to give it to these guys, they were sure as hell easygoing. He hadn't felt intruding in the slightest since coming aboard, they were just that welcoming. Sure Nami was a bit high strung, but Ichigo summed it up to her being the only female aboard, although he could be wrong on that one.
"I'm telling you, let the expert handle it!" Usopp declared thrusting his thumb at himself, Luffy stepping out of the way as Usopp began to change the aim of the cannon. "Judging from the flying distance of the last one… this should do it!" He declared as he nodded. Luffy loaded another cannonball into the firing chamber as Usopp readied the gunpowder. Lighting the fuse Usopp grinned. "Fire!"
BOOM~!
Just like before the echoing sound of the cannon roared out over the ocean, this time Ichigo was able to watch the cannonball shoot from the barrely of the cannon and head straight for the island formation that was the intended target. He was surprised to find that the cannonball hit it's mark on the first try. He had to give it to Usopp, he had good aim. Maybe it had to do with his skills with a sling shot? It'd be interesting to see what he could do with others things, such as a gun or even a bow in the future.
"Awesome! You hit it on the first try!" Luffy shouted in excitement as he watched the rock crumble down into the ocean. Ichigo had to cock a smirk as he saw Usopp's stunned face that he had actually hit it as well.
"I really hit it..." Usopp mumbled.
"The guy needs some more confidence." Ichigo thought to himself as he leapt over the side of the rail landing on the deck causing Nami to jump in fright as he landed right beside her. The Navigator not having expected him to leap from the crows nest.
"Gah! Some warning next time!" She huffed as she sent him a glare of annoyance, it was odd since he had officially joined the crew she seemed to be more angry at him, just like she had been with the others. When they had first met, she had a little bit of an attitude, but now it seemed like there was meaning behind it.
"Ichigo! Did you see that! How cool!" Luffy shouted seeing Ichigo now on deck before he turned to Usopp. "It's decided!" The Captain declared. "You'll be the crews sniper!" Luffy acknowledged as he headed for the cabin, Usopp following after him.
"What! I still don't get to be the Captain even after you've seen my superiority!?" Usopp shouted.
"No! I'm still the Captain!" Luffy declared as everyone made it inside, Luffy and Usopp taking a seat at the table talking about the Captain's position and how Usopp would take over if Luffy did anything cowardly. Zoro took a seat up against the fridge, seemingly falling asleep with ease while Nami took a seat opposite Luffy and Usopp going over another map. Ichigo entered after everyone else, it was one thing the crew was severely lacking. A cook. A conversation between them all started up obviously talking about a future crew member. While Ichigo could make the basics, he was no Yuzu that was for sure. Nami said she'd do it, if they paid her so there was no way that was going to happen. Luffy however, mistook what they were talking about.
"Every decent pirate ship can't be without one." Luffy grinned. "A musician." Both Nami and Zoro yelled idiot at him as they began to berate the happy go lucky pirate captain. Ichigo simply chuckled as he made himself a coffee. "But we're pirates, and pirates sing a lot, didn't you know?" He questioned with a pout. However their conversation was interrupted with the crashing of something outside on deck.
"Get out here you damn pirates!" A shout echoed after the crashes bringing everyone's attention to the door. Luffy rushed for the door from where he had been seated, crashing it open with a glare.
"Hey, what the hell!" He shouted seeing the destruction of the barrels. "Who are you!?" He shouted down to someone.
"Raising a pirate flag was bound to get us noticed sooner or later." Ichigo mumbled as he stirred his coffee. Usopp and Nami both had their faces at the door window looking out while Zoro kicked back against the fridge with a questioning look.
"Hey guys, how many are there?" The swordsman asked.
"Just one." Nami told him.
"Then let him handle it then." Zoro shrugged as Ichigo picked up his mug and headed for the door.
"S'cuse me." Ichigo stated as the two stepped back from the doro, allowing Ichigo to open the door and head outside Nami and Usopp slamming it shut after him. Ichigo rose an eyebrow at the destruction on the deck, seemingly caused by this one guy waving his sword all about. Luffy was ducking and dodging sword swings left and right but Ichigo saw no reason to interfere as he leaned up on the railing overlooking the deck, some of the railing had been broken off.
"I dunno what's going on, but stop breaking our ship!" Luffy shouted slinging both arms forward as he grabbed the intruders head and threw him back towards the cabin wall. Ichigo glanced down at him but shrugged as he sipped at his coffee.
"L-Lost by a hair." The intruder muttered.
"Didn't stand a chance." Ichigo shook his head as he glanced over to Luffy. "Did he say anything interesting? Like why he was here or something?"
"He just kept spouting nonsense about his partner." Luffy huffed. "Like I'd know who that is!"
"Johnny, tell me that isn't you down there?" Zoro questioned now standing on the balcony having come from inside after recognising the voice, he simply looked down at the intruder.
"Huh, who's calling my name like they think they know me or something!?" Johnny shouted looking up only to spot Zoro looking down at him. "B-Big Bro Zoro!" Johnny shouted in what seemed to be a panic.
"It is you, Johnny!" Zoro smiled.
"What are you doing here, Big Bro!?" Ichigo glanced between Zoro and Johnny, there was definitely no relation between the two. "Why are you on a pirate ship like this!?" Johnny questioned. "What's going on around here?"
"Where's Yosaku? Isn't he with you?" Zoro questioned ignoring Johnny's own question.
"Well..." Ichigo listened to Johnny's explanation and hung his head. Glancing at the door to see Usopp and Nami still watching from out the window he sighed. After the full explanation of what had happened from Luffy and Usopp almost blowing up Johnny's and Yosaku's small boat, to Yosaku having caught some kind illness over the past couple of days, it ended up with the unconscious Yosaku being on board their ship with Nami looking over him as Usopp and Luffy bowed repeatedly as they apologised.
"Big Bro, tell it to me straight, is he going to die?" Johnny questioned cupping Yosaku's hands.
"Idiots." Nami muttered as she looked Yosaku over only for Jonny to snap, grabbing her wrist as he shouted at her.
"Stop! What are you doing! You're mocking his death!" Nami reefed her hand back from Johnny's grasp with a growl as she pushed him away and turned to Usopp and Luffy.
"You two, remember we have limes in storage." She explained. "Hurry and go get them."
"Right!" Both shouted charging for the storage area of the ship. Ichigo glanced down, it was obviously treatable if Nami knew what she was doing, looked to be some kind of nutrient deficiency if his past times working in the Kurosaki family clinic was to go by.
"Scurvy maybe? You'd think that they'd be smarter than this to let it get this bad, especially if they're on the open ocean for large amounts of time." Ichigo pondered to himself as he watched Luffy and Usopp bring out an entire barrel of limes, Nami instructed them to pour the lime juice into Yosaku's open mouth which they both started to do.
"It's scurvy." Nami finally began confirming Ichigo's theory. "If we weren't too late, he'll be fine in just a few days."
"R-Really, Big sis!?" Johnny shouted. "Really!? You mean it! Thank you!" He shouted, unknowingly spraying Nami with spit which only irritated the navigator more as she pushed him away.
"Stop calling me that, it sounds so stupid." She growled as she wiped at her face. "Scurvy use to be a hopeless disease that was way more common, we just know how to deal with it better now so there are less cases. It's caused by a deficiency of plant-derived nutrients, like vitamin-C. Back in the old days, they couldn't store fresh fruits and vegetables. We just know better now." Nami shrugged as Ichigo watched with a raised eyebrow as Usopp and Luffy took the 'more is better' approach and began to force limes into Yosaku's mouth.
"You're smart Nami, you're like a doctor!" Luffy exclaimed.
"You idiots should know at least this much!" Nami roared at them. "You could die if you don't!" The sputtering of limes brought their attention to Yosaku who sat up between Usopp and Luffy. It was moments later when Yosaku and Johnny had linked arms and were dancing around in circles on the deck of the Going Merry shouting about Yosaku's recovery. When they came to a stop, they took on what was suppose to be a serious pose Ichigo guess.
"Sorry we haven't introduced ourselves yet. My name is Johnny." He formally introduced followed up by his partner.
"My name is Yosaku."
"Together, we're the pirate bounty hunter duo!" They announced together.
"So, they even have bounty hunters here." Ichigo thought to himself as he continued to lean on the railing as he looked down at the duo.
"We used to be colleagues of Big Bro Zoro." Johnny added as Zoro stepped forward.
"I never thought that I'd see you guys here." Zoro told them.
"If you think you're surprised, we would have never imagined that the pirate hunter Zoro would become a pirate." Yosaku told him.
"Tell me about it." Zoro chuckled as he offered his hand as Johnny took it, however when Yosaku went to place his hand on theirs, he collapsed onto the ground, the effects of his illness coming back. Only ensuing a freak out on board once more, the only two not freaking out. Ichigo and Nami, both who knew that it was impossible for that little treatment to the issue at hand would work for very long.
"Yo, Luffy." Ichigo called down from where he was leaning on the railing. "When we're out here on the ocean, we need someone who can keep up our nutrient levels."
"He's right Luffy, it's essential that we all keep up our nutrient levels. Without a doctor, we're screwed if something big happens when it could have been avoided." Luffy rubbed his chin in thought at what the two orange haired teens had told him.
"Then it's settled! We need a seafaring cook!" Luffy laughed as Zoro and Johnny hoisted up Yosaku, Johnny hearing what they had said turned to face them. "Let's go find us a cook!"
"I'm in, then we'll be able to eat great food even on the ship!" Usopp agreed heartily.
"If you're looking for a cook like that, I know just the place and the food is going to blow your mind." Johnny stated.
"Okay! Let's go! Where is it!"
"Consider yourselves warned, this place is close to the Grand Line." The excitement in Luffy's eye grew as Johnny turned to Zoro. "I've heard rumours lately, about a certain hawk eyed man that you've been looking for is there, Big Bro." Ichigo saw the sudden flash of excitement cross Zoro's face as a grin came to his face. It was like he was ready for battle, just who was this hawk eyed guy to get Zoro all fired up like this? He'd have to keep an eye out for this guy.
"Where are we heading, Johnny?"
"Set the heading to North-Northeast, Big Sis." Johnny grinned at her before he and Zoro helped Yosaku into the ship. "To the Sea Restaurant, the Baratie!"
"I said don't call me that!" Nami shouted at him as she began to issue orders to the remaining three on deck so that they could change course. Ichigo smiled as he got to work, at least they had a new destination to head to. Now that he thought about it… where were they going before Johnny had given them a location? Better not to think about it.
"Are we there yet Nami!?" Luffy questioned as the ship began to move only causing Nami to hang her head. It was going to be a long trek to the Sea Restaurant.
