ONE PIECE: GHIDORAH

As the Man reeled from the unexpected blow, his chest slowly turning to stone from Hancock's Devil Fruit powers, Yuji immediately intervened.

"Hancock, stop," Yuji called, his voice calm but firm. "There's no need for this."

Hancock, mid-stature in her elegant violet dress, looked at Yuji with a slight pout. "But he seemed like a threat, and I thought..."

"He's fine," Yuji interrupted gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Undo your ability."

With a nod, Hancock let out a sigh and gracefully lowered her hand, canceling her Devil Fruit's petrifying effect. The stone on the Man chest slowly faded away, his skin returning to normal. He took a slow breath, then glanced at Yuji with a look of wary gratitude.

"Thank you," The man said, his voice calm yet reserved. With no further word, he turned and began walking towards the exit.

Before he could leave, Yuji called after him, "Wait. What's your name?"

The man paused, glancing back with an unreadable expression under the shadow of his wide-brimmed hat. "Van Augur," he replied, his voice steady.

For a moment, Yuji's calm composure broke as a flicker of surprise flashed across his face. He hadn't expected to encounter someone like Van Augur here. Gathering his thoughts, Yuji quickly walked toward him, his interest piqued. "Van Augur," he repeated, almost thoughtfully. "You know, this might just be fate."

Van Augur turned slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Fate?" he repeated with a curious tone. "What do you mean?"

Yuji chuckled, crossing his arms. "I came to the East Blue looking for someone. Someone who might be willing to join me on a journey into the Grand Line."

Van Augur's expression remained unreadable, but there was a hint of intrigue in his eyes. He gave Yuji a long, appraising look before he spoke. "Maybe it is fate," he finally murmured, "but I'm not sure yet."

With that, he turned back and continued his way out, leaving Yuji and Hancock behind.

Yuji watched him leave, his thoughts spinning as he tried to process the brief encounter. He felt a strange connection, a pull that he couldn't quite explain, as if meeting Van Augur wasn't just a coincidence.

Hancock, seeing the thoughtful look on his face, approached him with a gentle smile. "Are you going to let him go just like that?" she asked.

Yuji nodded, his eyes still fixed on the doorway where Van Augur had just disappeared. "Sometimes, it's best to let fate take its course," he replied. "If he's meant to be part of this journey, he'll find his way back to us."

Hancock looked at him, a mixture of curiosity and admiration in her gaze. "And what about Ulti and Page One?" she asked, her voice soft. "Will you keep your word and leave them behind, at least for now? They're still so young, after all."

Yuji turned to her, chuckling as he ran a hand through his silver hair. "Yes, Hancock. They're still too young for what lies ahead. But one day, I'll come back for them. Until then, they're safer where they are."

She nodded, a hint of sadness in her eyes as she thought about the younger siblings. "I'll miss them," she admitted quietly, remembering her own decision to leave Amazon Lily to join Yuji. She had left behind her duties as empress, following a path that was uncertain but driven by loyalty and admiration.

Yuji gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll see them again soon enough."

With that, they left the tavern, both determined and focused on the next step of their journey. They wandered through the nearby market to gather the necessary supplies for their voyage to the North Blue, filling bags with dried meat, water, fresh fruit, and other essentials. Yuji inspected each item, making sure they would have enough provisions for what might be a long and unpredictable journey. Hancock followed closely, occasionally suggesting items and haggling with the vendors with surprising expertise.

After their preparations were complete, Yuji turned to her, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "We'll need a ship. Preferably one that's sturdy enough to handle the open seas."

Hancock smirked, crossing her arms. "And I suppose you mean 'acquire' one, not buy?"

He gave her a mischievous grin. "Exactly. Why waste money when we can… borrow one?"

The two made their way toward the docks, where a variety of ships were anchored, some small and modest, others grand and designed for longer journeys. Yuji scanned each vessel, his keen eyes searching for one that would be easy to commandeer and well-suited for their needs.

After a few minutes, his gaze settled on a sleek brigantine with dark wood and polished sails. It was a medium-sized ship, built for speed and maneuverability, and it looked like it could handle a rough journey across the seas.

"That one," Yuji said, nodding towards the brigantine.

Hancock raised an eyebrow, observing the ship with a critical eye. "Good choice. It doesn't look like it'll attract too much attention, but it's sturdy enough to take us where we need to go."

As they approached the ship, Yuji noticed only a few crew members on deck, most of them busy with small maintenance tasks. He shared a glance with Hancock, and they moved in unison, swiftly boarding the ship without alerting anyone.

Once they were on deck, Yuji approached one of the unsuspecting crew members, who was polishing the railings, and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Excuse me," Yuji said with a disarming smile, "but I'm afraid we'll be taking this ship."

The crew member's eyes widened in shock and alarm, but before he could raise an alarm, Hancock stepped forward and fixed him with a withering glare. The unfortunate sailor was instantly petrified not by her Devil Fruit powers, but by sheer beauty and charisma.

"Y-you can't just take..." he stammered, but his voice faltered as he looked from Hancock's fierce expression to Yuji's calm yet commanding gaze.

Yuji leaned in, his voice soft yet firm. "We won't harm you. Just leave the ship and no one gets hurt. Sound fair?"

"You bastard we can't judt give you our ship because you said saw" Someone spoke and aim a riffle at Yuji's head but because the man can pull the trigger. "Love-love beam"

A heart shape came out from Hancock Hands and all of the people from the ship turned into stone.

"Well done"

With a confident grin, Yuji guided the brigantine out of the harbor and into the open sea. Hancock stood beside him, the wind catching her hair as she looked out over the waves, a sense of freedom filling her as they left the island behind.

"So, what's in the North Blue?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Yuji chuckled, his eyes focused on the horizon. "There's someone there I really need to recruit, he will become our saint"

Hancock nodded thoughtfully. "And what about this 'fate' you mentioned with Van Augur? Do you really think he'll cross our path again?"

Yuji's smile turned a bit softer, a hint of something almost nostalgic in his gaze. "If he's meant to join us, he'll find his way. But I won't wait around. There are too many people in this world who have yet to find their potential, and I intend to meet as many of them as I can."

Hancock looked at him, admiration shining in her eyes. He shrugged, a glimmer of humility in his smile. "I'm just following my instincts. There's a whole world out there, Hancock, and I want to see it all with people who are strong enough to make the journey worthwhile."

With that, they sailed on, leaving the East Blue behind as they headed for the unknown challenges of the North Blue. The waves crashed against the hull, the sea stretching out before them in endless blue, and the future lay ahead, filled with uncertainty and adventure.

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Hey kindly leave a review if you enjoy this story, I will appreciate it very much! also who do you think the next crew member that Yuji will invite to??

30 power stone = 2 chapter a day

50 power stone = 3 chapter a day