The new sword era

The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of red and orange. Kenshin D. Zuno leaned against the wooden railing of his small ship, his eyes scanning the horizon. It had been a few weeks since he'd set out on his own, leaving behind the quiet life at the Garp household. Every day brought new challenges, but it also brought him closer to his ultimate goal.

He knew that if he wanted to become the greatest swordsman and gather the crew he needed to conquer the Grand Line, he'd need strong allies. He had a good start, but today, he was hoping to find someone who would stand beside him as his first mate—the first member of his crew.

His thoughts were interrupted by a loud crash, followed by the unmistakable sound of something—or someone—hitting the deck. Kenshin immediately drew his three swords, his instincts kicking in, ready for a fight.

"What was that?" he muttered, his grip tight on the hilt of his swords.

He heard another crash, this time followed by a loud, booming laugh. "Haha! Whoa! That was a bit harder than I thought."

Kenshin quickly made his way to the stern of the ship, his eyes narrowing. Standing there was a towering figure—well over ten feet tall, with broad shoulders, bulging muscles, and skin that looked like weathered stone. He was grinning, completely unfazed by the ship's movement.

"Who are you?" Kenshin asked, keeping his guard up, though his curiosity was piqued by the stranger's size and strength.

The man stood up straight, wiping the dust from his clothes. He had long, untamed hair and a fierce look in his eye. "The name's Toran! Toran 'Rockfist' Kai, the strongest Giant from the island of Kai!" He clapped his hands together with such force that the sound echoed across the deck. "I was just testing out your ship's hull—looks sturdy enough, but I figured I'd give it a little test. Don't worry, I didn't break it."

Kenshin relaxed slightly but still kept a hand on his swords. "You didn't break my ship, but you're still trespassing on my vessel."

Toran raised his hands, mock-innocent. "I'm not here to fight. Actually, I'm here because I heard there was a pirate captain building a crew, and I thought, 'Why not offer my strength?'"

Kenshin's eyes widened in surprise. "A Giant, offering his strength to a Fish-Man pirate?"

Toran grinned widely. "You got a problem with that, little guy?" He chuckled. "I've seen your fight with the pirates around here. You've got guts. And that sword technique of yours? Impressive! I figure you're the kind of captain I want to serve."

Kenshin studied Toran for a moment, his gaze serious. He could sense the sincerity in the Giant's words. A Giant, offering to be his first mate? That was more than just strength—Toran was someone who could help Kenshin lead his crew and make a real impact in the Grand Line.

"I don't take just anyone into my crew," Kenshin said firmly. "But… I've always believed in strength. If you think you can keep up, then welcome aboard."

Toran let out a booming laugh, his massive form shaking the ship. "Haha! You've got yourself a deal, captain! You won't regret it!"

Kenshin smiled, sheathing his swords. "I hope not, Toran. But I don't just need strength. I need a crew that believes in the dream and in each other."

"Strength is what I bring, and I'll bring it with pride!" Toran said, raising his hand high.

Kenshin nodded. "Alright then, let's start this journey right. First, we need to get to Loguetown. There's a lot to do before we can face the real dangers ahead. But with you by my side, I think we're one step closer."

"Sounds like a plan, captain!" Toran said, slapping Kenshin on the back with a laugh.

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The Crew Begins to Form

In the days that followed, Kenshin and Toran set sail toward Loguetown, their ship now stronger and more fortified with the added presence of the Giant. As they traveled, the bond between the two grew stronger. Toran, with his immense size and boisterous nature, was an easy companion to have by Kenshin's side. They often trained together—Kenshin working on his swordsmanship and Toran focusing on his earth-shaking punches.

One night, as the ship sailed under a starry sky, Kenshin sat at the bow of the ship, watching the waves lap against the hull. Toran joined him, standing next to the railing.

"You know, captain," Toran said, looking out at the horizon, "I've traveled the world, but I've never met anyone like you. You're not just about strength. You're about creating something more—a crew that has each other's backs, no matter what."

Kenshin smiled, his eyes focused on the distant islands. "That's what I want. A crew that's more than just a group of fighters. We're a family. And we're going to become the strongest pirates on the Grand Line."

Toran grinned. "You're the first captain I've met who's willing to make a crew like that. I'll fight for that dream with everything I've got."

"Then we're on the same page," Kenshin said. "Let's make it happen, Toran."

As they sailed toward their next destination, Kenshin knew that this was only the beginning. With Toran as his first mate, they would face many challenges, but together, they would carve out a legacy for themselves.

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Author's Note:

In this chapter, Kenshin meets Toran 'Rockfist' Kai, a Giant with a heart as big as his strength. As his first mate, Toran brings raw power and a sense of loyalty that will be invaluable to Kenshin and his growing crew. With the journey ahead filled with unknowns, Kenshin is more determined than ever to gather those who will stand by his side and help him achieve his dream.