One Piece: The Deadly

**Chapter 33: Collision of Fates**

The sun hung high in the sky as the Thousand Sunny sailed through calm waters. The crew was in good spirits after Kikidori's return, though the tension between him and Raiko was palpable as ever. The two were at opposite ends of the deck, glaring at each other whenever their eyes met.

"Why are those two always like this?" Sanji muttered, puffing on a cigarette.

"They're just kids," Zoro replied, leaning against the mast. "They'll figure it out... or not. Doesn't matter to me."

Ere'ana sighed, sitting near Chopper. "I just wish they'd get along. It's exhausting."

Suddenly, the ship jolted violently, throwing everyone off balance.

"What the hell?!" Nami yelled, clutching the railing.

Franky rushed to the helm, only to find the Sunny wedged into the side of another ship. The vessel was medium-sized, with a dark red sail bearing the insignia of a serpent wrapped around a crescent moon.

"Who the hell are you people?!" a voice shouted from the other ship.

The crew of the other ship came into view, and Kikidori's eyes widened. "It's them…"

"Who?" Luffy asked, rubbing his head after falling on his face.

"The Rase Pirates," Kikidori muttered.

The captain of the other ship, Rase, stepped forward. He was tall and lean, with short black hair and piercing green eyes. His crew gathered behind him: Chanko, the burly first mate; Fanchii, a calm-looking doctor; Chamaro and Tauro, twin swordsmen; and Vanki, the nervous lookout who seemed to shrink under the gaze of the Straw Hats.

"Straw Hat Luffy," Rase said cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his cutlass. "What's the big idea crashing into our ship? Are you trying to pick a fight?"

Luffy tilted his head, his carefree grin forming. "Nope, that was an accident! Sorry about your ship!"

Rase didn't look convinced. "Right… and we're supposed to believe you won't attack us?"

"We're not interested in fighting," Robin said, stepping forward. "We're pirates, but not every encounter has to end in violence."

"Still," Chanko rumbled, glaring at them, "how do we know you won't turn on us?"

Kikidori stepped forward, glaring at Rase. "Relax. If Luffy says it was an accident, it was an accident. We don't want anything to do with you."

Rase raised an eyebrow. "And you are…?"

"Diamond D. Kikidori," Kikidori said, his voice firm.

Vanki, who had been quietly standing behind the others, gasped. "T-The Verpent King…"

"It's SERPENT KING not verpent king"

The rest of the Rase Pirates stiffened, and Rase's eyes narrowed. "You're the one the Five Elders are keeping an eye on. A kid with over 100 million berries on his head… You must be something special."

"I don't need your approval," Kikidori shot back, his hand hovering over the hilt of his sword.

"Oi, Kikidori," Zoro said sharply, "don't start something we don't need to finish."

Raiko, leaning against the mast with a smug look, chimed in. "Yeah, don't embarrass us, 'Verpent King.'"

"Shut up, Raiko," Kikidori snapped.

Before the tension could escalate further, Luffy clapped his hands. "Hey! How about this? To show we're not gonna fight, let's be allies!"

"*Allies?!*" the Straw Hats and the Rase Pirates said in unison.

"Luffy, you can't just—" Nami started, but Luffy interrupted her.

"It'll be fun!" Luffy said, grinning. "We'll help each other out and stuff. Right, Rase?"

Rase looked at Luffy like he had grown a second head. "You're serious?"

"Of course!" Luffy said. "We're pirates, but that doesn't mean we have to fight. Besides, you seem like good people."

Rase hesitated, glancing back at his crew. Chanko shrugged, Chamaro and Tauro looked indifferent, Fanchii seemed thoughtful, and Vanki looked terrified.

"Fine," Rase said finally, extending a hand. "But if you try anything funny, we won't hesitate to defend ourselves."

Luffy shook his hand with a wide grin. "Deal!"

As the crews began to interact more casually, Kikidori and Raiko remained at odds. Kikidori leaned against the railing, watching the Rase Pirates with suspicion.

"You okay?" Ere'ana asked, standing beside him.

Kikidori sighed. "Yeah… I just don't trust them. Something feels off."

Ere'ana looked at him, concern in her eyes. "Maybe they're just as nervous as we are. Give it time."

Kikidori nodded reluctantly. As the sun set and the two crews shared stories and food, the alliance between the Straw Hats and the Rase Pirates was forged. But deep down, Kikidori couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something much bigger.

End of Chapter 33