Isaac Newton in One Piece

A few days had passed since the village's miraculous recovery, and the once desolate town was now buzzing with cautious optimism. The sick, who had been near death only days earlier, were now up and about, helping with the rebuilding efforts. The village square, once eerily quiet, now rang with the sounds of hammers, saws, and chatter. The once-dry river had returned to its lively flow, the water clear and vibrant once again, bringing life back to the land.

Isaac stood by the riverbank, watching the water glide over smooth stones. His fingers idly skipped a stone across the surface, watching it bounce four times before sinking. His thoughts, as usual, were a mix of curiosity, strategy, and plans for the future. His work here, however, was far from over. Kieran had been busy organizing the villagers, ensuring the sick recovered and gathering the last of the supplies they needed. Nolan had been helping alongside him, putting his mother's medical knowledge to good use, ensuring the villagers wouldn't suffer from the same waterborne disease again.

Isaac turned his head as he heard footsteps behind him. Nolan approached, a bundle of herbs and bandages in hand, his brow furrowed with thought.

"You know," Nolan said, shaking his head with a soft smile, "I can't help but feel proud of what we did here. The village is healing."

Isaac glanced at him, a wry grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah. Makes the near-death experiences and the chaos we stirred worth it, doesn't it?" He skipped another stone, watching it glide across the water's surface before sinking.

Nolan chuckled, but his smile faded as he placed the bundle down on a nearby rock and leaned against it, crossing his arms. "I've been thinking a lot about what you said. About Kieran joining us."

Isaac paused, tilting his head in curiosity. "And?"

Before Nolan could respond, they both heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching. Turning, they saw Kieran jogging toward them, his long black hair tied back neatly and a look of determination on his face. His yellow eyes, once dim with despair, now shone with hope.

"Kieran," Isaac greeted, raising an eyebrow. "What's up?"

Kieran stopped in front of them, breathing heavily. A grin spread across his face as he looked between them both. "I've made up my mind. I'm going with you guys."

Isaac raised an eyebrow. "You sure? You've got a lot to take care of here, man. Your mom's doing better, but things are still a little shaky."

Kieran nodded firmly. "Yeah, my mom's doing fine now, and the village is slowly getting back on its feet. But there's more I can do. I'm not staying behind. I want to help more people—far beyond this village."

Nolan smiled softly, then clapped Kieran on the shoulder. "It's a big decision. The world outside these shores is dangerous, but if you're sure, you're always welcome."

Isaac grinned. "Welcome to the crew then, Kieran. We've got a Grand Line to reach, and I'm not going without you."

Kieran chuckled, the weight of the decision settling in as his heart swelled with excitement. "Thanks. I'll do my best to help. And don't worry, I'll be ready."

The three of them stood there for a few moments, the horizon stretching out before them. The weight of their shared decision was heavy, but it felt right. Their bond had only grown stronger in the past few days, and now they were a team—a real crew.

---

Later that evening, the village came together to say their goodbyes. The mood was bittersweet as the villagers gathered in the town square, their faces a mixture of sadness, gratitude, and pride. Though the village was still recovering, the thought of the boys leaving left an emptiness behind.

Kieran's mother, still weak but looking much better than before, approached her son with tears in her eyes. She embraced him tightly, holding him as though she never wanted to let go. "You be safe out there, Kieran. Promise me you'll be careful. And come back when you can, okay?" she whispered, voice cracking.

Kieran's voice was thick with emotion as he returned the hug. "I promise, Mom. I'll make you proud. I'll be the best version of myself I can be."

Isaac, standing nearby, gave Nolan a nod. Nolan had grown quieter in the past few days, but now he seemed more at peace with his decision to move forward. His mother's passing, though heavy in his heart, hadn't stopped him from following his own path.

"Take care of yourself, Nolan," one of the villagers said, slapping him on the back. "Your mother would've been proud."

Nolan smiled faintly, the weight of their words hanging heavy in the air. "I'll keep moving forward. That's the only way to make her proud."

The crew—now three strong—boarded the ship, their new journey ahead of them. They sailed away as the villagers stood by, waving, cheering, and wishing them well. The boys didn't know what awaited them beyond the horizon, but they were determined to face it, together.

---

The next few days were filled with routine for the crew as they sailed along. Kieran, though still new to the crew, had already begun pitching in, offering his knowledge where he could. He also had a knack for cooking—something Isaac had picked up on quickly.

"You're a good cook, Kieran," Isaac said, lifting an eyebrow in mild amusement. "You ever think about being a ship's chef?"

Kieran paused, then looked up from the pot with a grin. "Actually, I've cooked meals in the past for a small inn. I suppose I could do that for you guys, if you want. Could use a good chef on a crew, right?"

Isaac grinned, his eyes narrowing in thought. "We could use someone who can cook for sure. We'll need a solid meal on the Grand Line. You in?"

Kieran's grin widened. "If you'll have me, I'm in."

Isaac nodded, a firm resolve settling in. "You're in. Welcome to the crew, Kieran. And as a bonus, you can help Nolan with medical stuff. He's great at healing, but there's only so much one person can do. A second doctor wouldn't hurt."

Nolan looked up from his map, nodding in agreement. "I'll always need a helping hand. The more the merrier."

Kieran chuckled, now fully settled into the crew's dynamic. "I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a hell of a ride."

Isaac smiled, watching the stars above. "We're headed to the Grand Line, and we're going to make a name for ourselves. We might not be pirates, but we're going to do some good. And we'll need all the help we can get."

Kieran looked up at the sky, his heart swelling with anticipation. "Let's make it happen."

As the ship sailed toward its next destination, the crew—now a trio—grew stronger together, ready for whatever the Grand Line had in store. They didn't know exactly what awaited them, but with each passing day, they were more and more determined to face it head-on. And with Kieran joining them as their chef, the future felt a little brighter, a little easier to face.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the cool evening breeze rolled across the deck, bringing with it the salt of the sea. The sound of waves gently lapping against the hull was a constant reminder of their journey, as they sailed into the unknown. The day had been long, but the promise of a hearty meal kept their spirits high.

Isaac, Nolan, and Kieran found themselves in the ship's small kitchen, a modest space but well-equipped for its purpose. Kieran, with his usual enthusiasm, had taken the lead in preparing dinner. The smell of freshly caught fish filled the air, mixing with the scent of herbs he'd picked up from their recent stop. It was a change from their usual fare—dried rations and the occasional roasted meat—but it promised something special.

Kieran was working quickly, his hands moving with precision as he filleted the fish. He hummed lightly to himself as he worked, clearly in his element. Isaac and Nolan were preparing the rest of the ingredients, Nolan sorting through herbs while Isaac made sure the kitchen was tidy and the fire was going strong.

"So, Kieran," Isaac said, wiping his hands on a rag as he surveyed the scene, "what exactly are you making?"

Kieran shot him a grin. "Sushi. I figured it's something we've never had out here. Simple, fresh fish with a bit of rice and herbs. It'll be a nice change."

Isaac raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Sushi? That's ambitious."

"You'd be surprised," Kieran replied with a wink. "I learned it from a traveling chef when I was younger. Not a hard dish to make, as long as you have the right ingredients and know the technique."

Isaac's stomach growled in response, and he chuckled. "Well, it's been a while since we had a meal like that. I'm looking forward to it."

Nolan, who had been carefully picking through the herbs Kieran had gathered, glanced up. "I'm interested to see if you're as good as you say. I've only heard of sushi from other places, never had it myself."

With practiced movements, Kieran assembled the sushi, laying out the slices of fish on the rice, garnishing each piece with the herbs he'd carefully chosen. The presentation was simple but beautiful. He placed the sushi on a wooden tray, passing it over to Isaac and Nolan.

Isaac picked up a piece, inspecting it for a moment before biting into it. The fish was fresh, tender, and the rice was perfectly seasoned. The herbs added a subtle flavor that complemented the fish, and Isaac's eyes widened in appreciation.

"This is amazing," Isaac said, his voice full of genuine surprise. "You're really good at this."

Nolan, too, took a bite and looked impressed. "You weren't kidding. This is fantastic. Definitely better than any stew or roasted meat we've had."

Kieran sat back with a satisfied smile, watching the two of them enjoy his work. "I'm glad you like it. It's not much, but it's the best I can do for now."

Isaac set his chopsticks down, glancing over at the younger boy. "It's more than enough. You've really done something special here."

They continued eating in comfortable silence, the only sounds being the occasional clink of chopsticks and the soft, calming creak of the ship as it rocked with the waves. The tension of their recent travels seemed to melt away with each bite of food, and for a brief moment, it felt like life wasn't quite as hard.

After finishing the meal, Kieran leaned back against the kitchen counter, clearly content. "It's been a while since I've cooked like this. Feels good to do something that isn't just surviving, you know?"

Isaac, finishing his last piece of sushi, nodded. "I know exactly what you mean. It's nice to feel like you have something normal for once. Like we're just... living, not just getting by."

Nolan finished his meal and stood up, stretching. "It's been a rough few days, but tonight, it feels like we can finally breathe. Good food, good company. I think we've earned it."

Isaac stood too, placing his empty bowl down. "We've come a long way. And there's still more ahead of us. Tomorrow, we continue. But for now... it's nice to enjoy the moment."

The three of them sat there for a while, talking about their pasts, their goals, and what they hoped the future might bring. It was one of the few times they could relax without the weight of the world on their shoulders. And though they still had a long journey ahead, tonight, it felt like they had everything they needed.

As the night deepened, the stars began to twinkle above them, and the ship sailed onward into the open sea. The journey would continue, but for that night, with full stomachs and a sense of peace, they were ready for whatever came next.