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The creaking of the Going Merry punctuated the silence inside the captain's room. Waves outside lashed against the ship's hull. The room was lit, the small lanterns swaying with the ship's gentle motion. On the bed lay Luffy, his chest marred by a deep, bloody gash. It stretched diagonally from his left shoulder down to his right hip, staining the sheets beneath him.
Chopper worked frantically, his small hooves trembling as he held a blood-soaked cloth to Luffy's wound. "Stay with me, Luffy!" he pleaded, his eyes wide with fear. "You're not allowed to die, you hear me?"
Luffy's eyes were half-lidded, his usual bright smile replaced by an agonizing grimace. The fight with Aokiji had pushed him beyond his limits, and now, this wound was really starting to annoy him. Every time he took a breath, a gurgle of blood would leak out, and he felt like he was getting slashed all over again.
"First Akainu, now Aokiji. All missing is Kizaru coming here to say 'Hi,' and I will have a wound from all three of them." Luffy tried to joke when a jolt of pain from his shoulder almost made him jump if it wasn't for Nami's golden wings keeping him on the bed and stopping him from moving much.
"Don't speak, you moron, now stand still and let us help you." Nojiko shouted at him as she used her powers to make the water from a nearby vase float in the air and swirl around her fingers. She quickly made it touch his wounds, and Luffy clenched his teeth in pain as Nojiko made the water turn warm before touching his wound, knowing it would help him.
"Chopper! What more can we do?!" Nami barked with concern. This felt like the fight after Akainu all over again.
"I-I need to stop the bleeding first," Chopper stammered, biting down hard on his lip. "Nami, I need more bandages. Nojiko, keep cleaning the wound with warm water." He glanced at the pool of blood soaking into the sheets, his mind racing.
Nami nodded, rushing to Chopper's side with the bandages she had managed to find. She knelt down, trying to keep her hands steady despite the fear bubbling up inside her. "Here, take them."
"Thanks," Chopper replied, grabbing the bandages and beginning to wrap them tightly around Luffy's torso. The captain groaned in pain, his fingers clutching at the sheets as his body involuntarily tensed.
Nojiko looked at the blood under Chopper's compress. She knew she needed to clean that blood, but she could do it another way. She narrowed her gaze, and the blood slowly started moving away before dripping down on the floor. She worked quickly but carefully, her brows furrowing as she glanced at Luffy's face. "Hang in there, Luffy," she muttered under her breath. "You're tougher than this."
Luffy's eyes flickered open for a moment, and a weak smile crossed his lips. "You are...all...fine...that's all...that matters." he managed to rasp, his voice strained and weak.
"Don't talk!" Chopper scolded, his voice uncharacteristically sharp. "Luffy, try not to breath as much, and save your energy!"
Luffy's eyes closed again, his head rolling back onto the pillow. His breathing was ragged; each exhale was a reminder of the sheer effort it took to stay conscious. Chopper worked tirelessly. He checked the wound, pressing down with the bandages to stem the bleeding, but the blood kept seeping through.
Nami watched, feeling a helpless knot form in her stomach. "What else can we do, Chopper?" she asked. She wished she could help, but her devil fruit wasn't exactly made to heal people; all she could do with it was burn, destroy, and become powerful.
Chopper swallowed hard, his gaze darting over the supplies scattered around them. "I need to close the wound," he said, his voice steadier now that he had a plan. "Nami, hold his shoulders down. Nojiko, you'll need to keep cleaning the area while I stitch him up."
Nami's eyes widened. "You're going to... stitch him? While he's still conscious?"
"It's either that or he bleeds out," Chopper replied, the grimness in his voice startling the two women. "We don't have time for anything else."
Nami nodded, taking her place at Luffy's side. She gently placed her hands on his shoulders, leaning over to whisper in his ear. "Luffy, we're going to fix you up, okay? Just hold on a little longer."
Luffy grunted in response, a flicker of his usual bravado surfacing despite the pain. "Y-Yeah... just make sure...to have...some meat for me when I wake up...I'm starving..."
Chopper took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto the gash. His hooves were steady now. I'm the doctor of this crew, he reminded himself. I have to save him. With a deft motion, he threaded a needle and dipped it into a vial of alcohol, disinfecting it.
"This is going to hurt," he warned, more to himself than to Luffy. Then, with one last glance at Nami and Nojiko, he began.
Luffy's body jolted as the needle pierced his skin. His teeth clenched, and a strangled sound escaped his throat, but he didn't move. Nami used her wings to hold his shoulders down. Nojiko looked at the blood leaking out with uncertainty. There was one thing she could do to keep the blood inside, but could she really do that? What if she caused even more damage? She had learned how fragile the human body can be from her time as a doctor when her island was still suffering from Arlong. If she tried to push the blood back inside too hard and not allow it to leak out, it could cause his veins to spill open like eggs, and Luffy would be dead. She could accidentally injure his organs.
Nojiko was about to move her finger toward the blood to force it to stay inside the body, but the injury ran along his entire chest to his right shoulder; there was too much blood, too much wound, and she could accidentally control the blood of his heart...she quickly moved her finger away. Stop it; this is too dangerous. Just let Chopper do his job, Nojiko thought, knowing she would need to talk with Chopper later about this.
Chopper worked quickly. The minutes dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity.
Outside the captain's room, the rest of the crew waited anxiously on the main deck. Zoro stood with his arms crossed, glaring at the floor. Sanji paced back and forth, a cigarette burning between his fingers. Usopp sat against the mast, cleaning his revolvers while Robin leaned against the railing, her face an unreadable mask, and Vivi was covering her face with her hands, because of her emotions, parts of her body often turned into sands, swirling around the air before returning back to her body.
"How's he doing?" Sanji finally asked, glancing toward the door for what felt like the hundredth time.
"We'll know when Chopper comes out," Zoro replied, his voice tight. "Until then, we just wait."
Inside the room, Chopper continued his work; each stitch felt like a small victory. He could feel his own heart pounding in his chest. Come on... just a few more... He made another stitch, then another, his hands covered in Luffy's blood.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Chopper tied off the last stitch. He sat back on his haunches, panting heavily as he wiped his brow. "It's done..." he murmured, exhaustion washing over him. "But he's lost a lot of blood. Now, we just need to keep him stable."
Nojiko set down the bloodied towel, her hands trembling. "Is there anything else he needs?" she asked, looking to Chopper for guidance.
"Now, we bandage him up and let him rest," Chopper replied, his voice steadier now. "He needs to drink water, a lot of water. Nami, bring me the blankets. Nojiko, keep an eye on his pulse and breathing."
Nami moved quickly, grabbing a stack of blankets from the corner of the room. She draped them over Luffy, tucking him in snugly to keep him warm. Nojiko took her place beside the bed, her fingers pressing gently against Luffy's neck to check his pulse.
"His heartbeat is faint," she reported, her eyes fixed on the captain's pale face. "But it's there."
Chopper nodded, feeling relieved. "That's good. It means he's still fighting." He looked at Nami and Nojiko, his eyes filled with exhaustion. "We did what we could. Now, it's up to him."
The room fell silent, the only sounds the distant murmur of the ocean and Luffy's labored breathing. Chopper slumped back, finally allowing himself a moment to breathe. He glanced at Luffy. "Come on, Luffy," he muttered softly. "You survived that red angry dude, you can easily get over this one."
Nami nodded, her wings sinking back into her back. Her skin turned back to normal, and her eyes turned bright orange instead of bright golden. She bit her lower lip. A part of her wished one of her abilities was to help Luffy.
Here's the proofread version of the text:
Nojiko, on the other hand, had her hand hovering above his pulsating heart. She felt a little strange, experiencing something she had never felt before. She could sense the blood inside his veins, coursing through the many vessels in his body. It felt like warm water running along her palm, and she couldn't understand how this was even possible.
She had never felt anything like this before, but she could hear his heartbeat; it was beating too fast, far from normal. So, she moved her hand over his closed wound. In this area, she could feel the most blood moving—and something else as well. What was it? she wondered, her palm still hovering above his flesh. A strange heat emanated from the wound.
Narrowing her gaze, Nojiko moved her hand along the length of the wound. The heat wasn't coming from the entire wound—only from the part closest to his heart. She moved her hand again, this time hovering over his heart. The heat was back, but now it seemed to have shifted to a different spot. Nojiko couldn't understand what it was, but she had a gut feeling that it was something bad, very bad.
She glanced around the room furtively. Chopper was nearly asleep, his attention solely on Luffy. Nami was preoccupied, her eyes fixed on the Log Pose.
Nojiko looked back at Luffy's chest. She took a deep breath and focused on the heat. She could still feel the blood, but the strange heat was moving toward his spine. Narrowing her eyes, she concentrated on the sensation. Slowly, she moved her finger, willing the blood to stop.
Suddenly, she realized her mistake and quickly released it. The blood and the heat resumed their movement. Taking another deep breath, Nojiko focused on the heat once more.
"Nojiko, what are you doing?" Nami asked as Nojiko focused on the heat again. She had an idea of what it could be, but she needed Chopper's help.
"Chopper, check him again. I think he's not fully healed yet!" Nojiko shouted to the doctor. He quickly sprang to his feet and rushed to Luffy, placing his hand on the captain's forehead.
"He's too warm!" Chopper exclaimed with growing concern. He began checking Luffy's wound and tongue. "Why is this happening? I gave him the medicine; he should be getting better!" Chopper added, his voice filled with dread.
"It... It could be poison." The words escaped Nojiko's mouth before she could stop them, causing both Nami and Chopper to freeze in place.
Chopper seemed deep in thought for a moment before quickly running to his medical bag. He pulled out a syringe as Nami and Nojiko watched. Taking a sample of Luffy's blood, he analyzed it closely.
"You're right; he must be poisoned!" Chopper announced, alarmed, not understanding how he could have missed it initially. He should have noticed that his captain was poisoned.
"Chopper, what should we do?" Nami shouted in fear, her face as pale as milk as she desperately tried to think of a way to remove the poison. Before Chopper could come up with a solution, someone else spoke up.
"I can pull it out. Just shut up!" Nojiko snapped, causing both Nami and Chopper to fall silent. She focused back on the heat she had felt and realized it was moving faster toward the spine.
Nojiko had no idea what kind of poison was coursing through Luffy's veins, but she knew she had to act fast. She focused intently on the source of the strange heat that she could feel spreading through his body. The warmth of his blood was almost overwhelming, making it hard to separate what was normal from what was deadly. Her fingers twitched as if to grasp the blood, but she stopped herself. Not the blood, she reminded herself. The heat.
Sweat rolled down her forehead as she concentrated, feeling the heat inching dangerously close to Luffy's spine. Nojiko shut out every other sensation, honing in on that malicious warmth. Slowly, the blood around it faded from her awareness, leaving only the heat. She clenched her fingers, and the heat immediately halted as if obeying her command.
Careful now. She moved her hands methodically across Luffy's torso, guiding the heat along. At one point, she almost lost control as it veered toward his lungs, but she quickly adjusted, focusing all her energy on keeping it contained.
Her hands moved upward, guiding the heat toward Luffy's neck, then to his mouth. She was trembling, her muscles aching from the effort, but she couldn't stop now. She had to finish this.
Luffy gasped suddenly, his chest heaving as he coughed violently. A thick, purple liquid spurted from his throat, splattering into the air. Nojiko gritted her teeth and directed it with a flick of her fingers, pulling the liquid into a controlled stream.
Nojiko guided the swirling poison into Chopper's empty flask. Once it was safely inside, Chopper sprang forward, quickly sealing the flask and placing it on the table. His eyes then darted back to Luffy. He checked the captain's breathing, heartbeat, tongue, and temperature.
"He's... he's much better now," Chopper said, his voice trembling with disbelief. He turned to face Nami and Nojiko, their eyes glistening with tears. "He's going to be fine!" he shouted, louder this time.
"YATA!!" Nami shrieked, leaping into the air, her joy echoing off the cabin walls. Nojiko, on the other hand, slumped back into her seat, exhaustion crashing over her like a tidal wave. She felt as if she had just run a marathon, every muscle in her body screaming in protest.
Chopper picked up the flask containing the purple liquid, studying it with narrowed eyes. "I'm going to my room to analyze this poison," he announced, determination lacing his voice. As he turned to leave, he cast a glance at Nojiko, who was breathing heavily and leaning against the couch. Despite her exhaustion, a bright smile lit up her face.
"You did a good job, Nojiko," Chopper said earnestly, his eyes reflecting deep respect. "I think you could become a doctor, just like Doctor Kureha."
Nojiko blinked at him in surprise, feeling a swell of pride at the compliment. Before she could reply, Chopper nodded and left the room; the flask clutched tightly in his hand.
Outside, the crew waited, each one silently hoping for the best. The fight with Aokiji had taken its toll on their captain.
Robin watched the sea, her eyes distant. "He hurt an Admiral," she murmured to herself, still unable to fully grasp the feat. She always knew that Luffy was powerful, especially after his fight with Akainu of all people. She knew he was strong, but being able to fight and cause severe damage to an Admiral was a feat that had shaken her.
After the fight had ended and the ice had melted away, they all ran to Luffy's location, only to see Luffy lying on the ground on his back, bleeding from a wound, while Aokiji was nowhere to be found.
Luffy had managed to order them to leave the island, informing them that he had somehow made one of Aokiji's lungs burst before falling unconscious.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Chopper stepped outside, carrying the doctor's bag in his hand. From his face and expression, Robin could tell right away that their Captain was safe and no longer in danger.
"How is he?" Zoro asked, his voice a low rumble.
Chopper glanced back at the door. "Luffy is no longer in danger. He will live, but he needs a few days to rest, and that's all."
The crew all let out a long sigh of relief, especially Vivi, who had felt hopeless and useless the entire time while waiting for Luffy to get better.
Sanji exhaled a long plume of smoke. "I knew he'd make it." he said with quiet conviction. "Luffy's tougher than anyone."
Zoro nodded, his jaw set. "Good, while we wait for him to get better. I will decide our next location."
Sanji, who had been leaning against the mast, shot Zoro a sidelong glance, a smirk spreading across his face. He took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly before responding.
"Yeah, right," he chuckled, flicking ash to the side. "You decide our next location? Sure, as long as you're not navigating us into the closest whirlpool or getting lost in a straight line. Maybe we should invest in a 'Zoro-proof' map while we're at it."
He paused, putting a hand to his chin theatrically, "Or better yet, I'll just let you 'lead' us... right back to where we started."
Zoro's eye twitched, and he shot Sanji an irritated glare. Crossing his arms over his chest, he let out an annoyed huff.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Pervert," he grumbled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I forgot the ship's direction is best decided by a glorified cook who thinks his sense of smell can replace a compass. Maybe you can sniff out the Grand Line's best shortcut for us while you're at it?"
Zoro leaned against the railing, smirking despite his annoyance. "Or is that fancy nose of yours only good for tracking down empty-headed women?"
"Okay, enough with this, you two; there's no need to fight," Usopp said with an uneasy smile as he tried to separate the two while Zoro and Sanji seemed ready to tear each other apart.
"Okay, enough of this." Everyone looked up to see Nami, who had walked out of the captain's room. "We need to keep sailing. I will be the one to handle this, and not you, Zoro. I don't think we need to end up on a different planet." Nami shouted, and Zoro grumbled under his breath, while Sanji's eyes turned into hearts.
"YES NAMI!" Sanji shouted, quickly doing what she ordered them to do.
Vivi morphed beside Nami, looking at her worried. "How is Luffy?"
"He's fine, Vivi. Trust me, he survived Akainu. This is nothing but a scratch to him." Nami reassured her and Vivi felt better after hearing that, but still she looked down at her hands, and Nami noticed that she still appeared quite sad.
"Is there something wrong?" Nami asked, concerned.
"No...Yes." Vivi answered reluctantly. "I'm still not strong enough to do anything. If I had been stronger, I could have-" "Vivi." Nami interrupted her, placing her hand on her shoulder, making the Alabasta Princess look up at her.
"Luffy ordered all of us to go back to the ship, not just you, but all of us. This was a fight that Luffy wanted to do by himself, and you know Luffy, when his heart is set on something then he will never budge. So you don't have to worry. You will get stronger. Luffy might be injured now, but once he gets better. We will return to training as we do every day. You will get stronger. All of us will." Nami said reassuringly before hugging the Princess, who smiled in delight, hugging her back.
Nami pulled away and watched as Vivi entered the room to look after Luffy; while she was gone, Nami looked down at Nico Robin, who was using her Devil Fruit to help with the ship's sails.
Nami always felt that Robin was hiding something from them, and the words the Aokiji guy told them still rang in her ears. She didn't know what Robin was hiding from them, and usually, she wouldn't care to ask. After all, they all had their own secrets, but if those secrets would endanger the crew, Nami knew she would need to ask Robin more about this. Perhaps they could learn more and be more prepared to fight an Admiral the next time it happens.
Night
Nico Robin stepped inside, her movements silent, trying to not be noticed. Her eyes focused on the figure sitting up in bed. Luffy was awake.
Robin's eyes swept over the room. Nami was lying beside Luffy, fast asleep. The blankets covered her up to her shoulders, but the soft rise and fall of her chest made it clear she was in a deep sleep. Luffy, however, was wide awake, his gaze fixed on Robin as she entered.
"Luffy," Robin greeted quietly. She could sense something was different, something that made the air feel heavier than usual. "You should be resting."
"I can't sleep," Luffy replied bluntly, his eyes not leaving hers. His voice was calm, lacking its usual carefree tone. "I've been waiting for you," Luffy added, the entire left side of his chest covered by bandages.
Robin raised an eyebrow, feeling a knot of unease forming in her stomach. She had never seen Luffy so serious.
"Why did you want to see me?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest. She had an inkling of what this might be about.
Luffy was silent for a moment, his eyes drifting to the window where the moonlight spilled across the wooden floor. "Aokiji said something during our fight," he began slowly, his voice low. "He said you would be the downfall of our crew. He said that stronger, more powerful people would be after us."
Robin stiffened but kept her expression neutral. She had known this was coming, yet hearing it out loud made her heart skip a beat.
"Why would he say that?" Luffy continued, his gaze snapping back to her. "I want to know what he meant, Robin. Why would you be our downfall? And why do they keep calling you dangerous?"
Robin hesitated, her mind racing as she tried to think of how to answer. She had kept her past well hidden. She had kept it for so long that sometimes she even wondered if her past was real, sometimes she liked to pretend that she was someone else, that Nico Robin wasn't her, but the knowledge of Ponyglyphs and how to read them reminded her of that day, and so did the dreams, the tree burning, her people being blown to bits. Even now, part of her wanted to push it all away, to keep that wall firmly in place.
"It's... complicated," she said finally. "There are things you don't know about me. Things that... I would rather not talk about."
Luffy shook his head, his expression growing even more intense. "No," he replied firmly. "I don't care how complicated it is. I need to know if my crew is in danger. I need to know if you are in danger. So, tell me, Robin."
Robin sighed softly, glancing away for a moment. The room felt too small, the air too thick. She could hear Nami's gentle breathing beside Luffy. She knew this conversation couldn't be avoided.
"Luffy," she began, her voice dropping to a near whisper. My past is something I have been running away from for a long time. The World Government has labeled me a threat because of what I know and because of what I've done to survive." She paused, searching his face for a sign of understanding, but his eyes only urged her to continue.
"I was eight years old when I became wanted," she continued. "I learned things—things they didn't want anyone to know. Since then, I've been on the run, a criminal in their eyes. Everywhere I go, I bring danger with me. That's why Aokiji said what he did. He believes I will bring that danger to you and the crew."
Luffy's gaze softened, but only slightly. He remembered his grandpa telling him that the World Government doesn't take kindly to people who know 'The Truth' as he called it. Luffy didn't know what that truth was, and he didn't care much; all he cared for was getting to One Piece, and he knew the Ponyglyphs had a role in that road. That's why he had asked Robin to tell him what the Ponyglypth beneath the castle in Alabsta was saying; he wanted to know if it could help him get to the One Piece; he cared not about super weapons. Still, as he looked at Robin, he wanted to know more about what she knew. "What do you know that's so dangerous?"
Robin pressed her lips together, her arms tightening around her waist as if trying to shield herself. "There are ancient secrets," she said finally, "things hidden by the World Government. The Poneglyphs like the one beneath the Alabasta castle—they hold the truth of the world. The Government sees that knowledge as a threat, and because of that, they've hunted me for my entire life."
Luffy frowned, his brow furrowing in thought. "So, they're afraid of what you know," he summarized slowly. "But why does that make you dangerous to us?"
"Because," she said, her voice trembling despite her efforts to keep it steady, "everyone who gets close to me ends up hurt. The people I care about... they suffer because of me. I bring trouble with me, whether I want to or not."
Silence fell between them, heavy and thick. Luffy's gaze didn't waver, and for a moment, Robin feared what he might say next. She had heard it all before—accusations, condemnations, warnings to stay away.
But then, Luffy spoke, and his words surprised her.
"I don't care," he said simply, his eyes fierce. "I don't care what you've done or what you know. You're part of my crew, and that means we take on your trouble together."
Robin's eyes widened. "But... Luffy, this isn't just some fight we can punch our way out of. The Government, the Marines... they're too powerful for us. They will never stop coming after me—and now, they'll come after you, too."
Luffy nodded, his expression not changing. "Then let them come," he said, his voice resolute. "I told you before: I'm the one who decides who gets to stay on this ship. Not the Government, not the Marines. Me." He paused, letting his words sink in. "And I want you here, Robin."
Robin felt a lump rise in her throat, emotions swirling inside her. For so long, she had expected betrayal and rejection to be seen as nothing but a burden. Yet her captain didn't seem to care about all that; he wanted her with them.
"You don't understand," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "If I stay, I could—"
"Then stay," Luffy interrupted. "You're not leaving. Not unless you want to. And if you think you'll bring us down, then we'll just fight harder. And don't worry, the World Goverment is after me as well. So whatever you leave or not, it wouldn't make much of a difference."
"Why is the World Goverment after you?" Robin asked with a tilt of her head.
"My father is Monkey D. Dragon. My grandfather always said he likes looking east or something. I'm really not sure, but he appears to be a big deal." Luffy said casually, and Robin was left with her mouth wide open in shock.
"Dragon is your father!!" Robin stopped herself from shouting, reminding herself that Nami was still sleeping. "You mean the Leader of the Revolutionary Army?!"
"Yes," Luffy said airily, not really caring that much about it. He barely knew his father, if at all. The man was almost like a stranger to him, and Luffy was okay with that; his father could do whatever he wanted with his life, his life, after all.
Robin realized that Luffy didn't seem to care much about his father for some reason. She could not understand why, and she had questions that needed answers. But looking at Luffy now, she was sure that Luffy might not have the answers after all, so she decided to go back to what the two were talking about at first. "Alright," she murmured. "But... promise me you'll be careful. All of you."
Luffy nodded, a faint smile finally breaking through his serious face. "I promise," he said. "But you have to promise me something too."
Robin raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
"Promise me you'll trust us," Luffy replied. "No more hiding stuff, okay? We're a crew."
A hint of a smile tugged at Robin's lips, and she nodded slowly. "Alright, Captain," she said softly. "I promise."
For the first time in a long while, Nico Robin felt a glimmer of hope and found herself walking towards his bed.
Robin sat near Luffy, who was resting against the wooden bed's backboard. She gazed at him with a soft look of gratitude. Slowly, she leaned forward, her fingertips brushing against his cheek.
Robin's eyes softened further as she cupped his cheek, leaning closer. Without a word, she pressed her lips to his, a tender yet passionate kiss that made Luffy's heart race.
His arms instinctively wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Robin let out a small gasp as he shifted, guiding her onto his lap, her knees on either side of him. Her body pressed against his, and Luffy could feel the warmth of her large chest against his.
They continued to kiss. Robin's fingers slid into his messy hair while Luffy's hands held her firmly.
Luffy's hands moved to the hem of Robin's jacket, his fingers fumbling slightly as he tried to help her out of it. Robin gave him an encouraging smile, leaning back just enough to make it easier. With a swift motion, he slid the jacket down her shoulders, revealing more of her smooth skin.
As the jacket fell away, Luffy's eyes feasted at the sight of her large breasts, barely contained by a red bra. The fabric strained to hold them in place.
They paused, and Luffy leaned in to kiss her again. His hands moved to her back, tracing the clasp of the bra with an eager touch.
Three Days Later
The warm, delicious smell of Sanji's cooking filled the air inside the Going Merry kitchen. The Straw Hat crew had gathered around the large wooden table, plates, and bowls piled high with food of every kind—meat, vegetables, fruits, steaming bowls of rice, and freshly baked bread. Sanji moved around the room, serving everyone, but of course, serving the ladies first.
"Ladies first!" Sanji chimed as he placed the most lavish dishes in front of Nami, Robin, Vivi, and Nojiko. Only the best food for my YOU!" He bowed dramatically and spun back to the stove with a flourish as the women exchanged amused glances.
"Thank you, Sanji!" Nami and Vivi chimed, giving him warm smiles.
Nojiko grinned, unable to hide her amusement. "You're spoiling us, you know."
Sanji's eyes turned into hearts, his cheeks flushed with delight. "Anything for you, my sweethearts! It's the least I can do for such radiant goddesses!"
Zoro, sitting across from the ladies with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "Hey, what about us?" He gestured to his half-empty plate. "How about more meat over here, cook?"
Sanji's mood shifted instantly. His expression soured, and his eyes narrowed into slits as he shot a venomous glare at Zoro. "Hah?! You want more food, you moss-headed freeloader?" He slammed a small bowl of plain rice in front of Zoro. "Here! Enjoy your bland meal, Mr. 'I Can't Even Cook an Egg!'"
Zoro's brow twitched in irritation. "Oi! I need meat, not rabbit food!"
"Then go hunt a wild boar in the middle of the ocean, swordsman!" Sanji retorted. "My cooking is meant for the ladies, not for muscle-brained swordsmen who can't tell the difference between seasoning and seawater!"
Nami and Vivi exchanged glances, stifling their laughter, while Nojiko shook her head in amusement.
Meanwhile, Luffy was at his usual antics. Plates around him emptied as he stuffed food into his mouth with both hands, his cheeks bulging comically. Every few moments, his hands darted across the table like a hawk swooping for prey, snagging food off Usopp and Chopper's plates.
"Luffy!" Usopp cried out in horror as his drumstick was whisked away. "Stop stealing my food!"
Luffy glanced at Usopp, his cheeks puffed out like chipmunks'. "But Usopp, you weren't eating it fast enough!" he mumbled through a mouthful, his voice garbled.
Usopp scowled. "That's because I was savoring it!"
"Yeah!" Chopper added, clutching his own plate protectively. "You already have enough food on your plate!"
Luffy's eyes widened as he swallowed. "There's no such thing as enough!" He reached over to Zoro's plate, snatching a piece of meat right as Zoro was about to stab it with his fork.
"Oi! You idiot captain!" Zoro barked, his eye twitching in anger. "Hands off my food!"
Luffy simply grinned, unfazed. "Sanji is right there, just tell him to bring more food!" he said with an innocent grin, shoving the meat into his mouth with a triumphant smile.
Robin chuckled softly, sipping her tea. "It seems Luffy has made a rule not to take food from the ladies," she noted with a slight smile.
Nami smirked, placing her fork down. "Well, at least he has some sense of manners." She glanced at her untouched plate of food. "Though I'm surprised he hasn't made a move on my plate yet."
"Hehe, don't worry, Nami! I would never take food from you!" he promised, grinning with crumbs still around his mouth.
"Good choice," Nami replied coolly, her wings growing for a moment with golden blades. "Because you know exactly what would happen if you did."
Luffy gulped, nodding fervently. He quickly shifted his attention back to the nearest available target: Usopp.
Usopp saw the look in Luffy's eyes and immediately went on the defensive. "Oh no, you don't!" he squawked, lifting his plate high in the air. "This is mine! You already took my drumstick!"
Luffy's arm easily snatched another morsel before Usopp could react. "Thanks, Usopp!" he shouted joyously as he brought the food back toward his mouth.
Usopp's jaw dropped. "That's my steak!" he howled, slumping back in defeat.
Chopper decided to shield his plate. "You're not getting mine!" he declared bravely, positioning himself defensively in front of his food.
Sanji glanced over, ready to intervene. "Oi, Luffy!" he snapped, waving his spatula menacingly. "If you're going to act like a food-stealing monster, then at least learn to cook! I'm not making extra just because you can't control your appetite!"
Luffy paused mid-bite. "But that's your job, Sanji! You're the best cook ever!" he said cheerfully, clearly attempting to butter up the chef.
Sanji sighed, torn between his pride and Luffy's backhanded compliment. "Damn you," he grumbled, though the corners of his mouth twitched upward. "Fine, I'll make one more serving. But if I catch you stealing from the ladies, you're going on a seaweed diet!"
The room erupted into laughter as Luffy gave a thumbs-up, oblivious to the consequences. "Deal!"
Meanwhile, Vivi and Nojiko exchanged amused glances as they ate. "This crew really is something else," Vivi remarked, shaking her head. "It's like watching children squabble."
Nojiko nodded with a grin. "True, but it's really entertaining." She took a bite of her meal and shot a grateful look at Sanji. "The food really is amazing, Sanji. Thank you."
Sanji turned to them, his previous irritation melting away in an instant. His eyes morphed back into hearts as he clasped his hands together, swooning. "Anything for you, my lovely ladies!" he cooed, practically floating over to their side of the table. "If there's anything else you need, just say the word!"
Zoro, finally managing to get a piece of meat after fending off Luffy's attempts, grumbled around a mouthful of food. "Can't believe you treat the ladies like royalty and the rest of us like garbage."
Sanji spun around, eyes ablaze. "That's because you are garbage, Mosshead!" he snapped, jabbing a finger in the swordsman's direction. "A brute like you doesn't even deserve to look at my cooking, let alone eat it!"
"Yeah, yeah," Zoro muttered, rolling his eyes but hiding a small smirk behind his cup of sake. "As long as I get to eat, you can call me whatever you want, idiot-cook."
Sanji's eyes narrowed, his temper flaring. "What did you just call me?!"
Luffy, sensing the brewing storm, stuffed another piece of meat into his mouth and mumbled, "More food, less fighting, guys!" His voice was muffled by the sheer amount of food he was chewing.
And just like that, the kitchen descended into its usual chaos. Sanji and Zoro exchanged insults, Nami and Robin watched with amused smiles, and Luffy continued his one-man mission to eat as much food as possible.
After they had finished eating, Chopper walked out of the room and returned with the flask containing the poison that had almost killed Luffy.
"Oi, Chopper, why did you bring this?" Usopp asked, pointing at the flask that Chopper placed on the dinner table.
"I figured out what kind of poison it was, and strangely, it wasn't a poison meant to kill," Chopper revealed, and the crew looked at him in confusion.
"What do you mean? Are you saying this poison isn't actually poison?" Nojiko asked, pointing at the flask. Everyone grew even more confused when Chopper shook his head.
"It is poison, but not one that kills. It's called 'The Sweet Kiss of Ice' and can only be found in the Land of Icewing, the coldest place in the world," Chopper explained, and Nojiko's eyes widened.
"I thought that place didn't exist!"
"Well, Doctor Kureha said she visited it sixty years ago, but she mentioned that the island is never in the same place. One year it's in the North Blue, and another year it could be in the South Blue. It always moves. That's why you can't find it on any map, and many believe it's just a legend," Chopper continued, while Nami's eyes lit up with a wide smile.
She repeated the words, "It's not on any map." The thought of being the first to chart the island's location excited her, and she was determined to understand why it was never in the same place.
"Back to the poison," Chopper said, bringing the crew's attention back to the flask. "This poison doesn't kill, but it can cause the spine to freeze, making the person unable to move anything below the neck. It's almost impossible to cure. Even Doctor Kureha told me that this is one of the illnesses she can't heal," he finished grimly.
Luffy's smile faded. He clenched his fists, a dark determination simmering in his eyes. He would make that Admiral pay the next time they met.
Two Days Later
The sun was setting over the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the main deck of the Going Merry. The crew had gathered outside, some leaning against the ship's railing, others sprawled out on the deck.
Nami nodded, rubbing her temples as she leaned back against the railing. "We were lucky to get out of there in one piece. I still think what you did was careless," she said, glancing at Luffy, who was sitting cross-legged with a grin on his face.
Luffy scratched his head and laughed. "I just kept punching until it worked!" he said cheerfully, completely disregarding the near-death experience they'd just had.
Many had noticed that Luffy had returned to his cheerful self, laughing and grinning as if nothing had happened. He cracked jokes, stuffed his face with food, and goofed around with Usopp and Chopper like always. However, the crew wasn't fooled. They could see it in his eyes—something dark there. It was clear something was bothering him, but despite his usual openness, he kept this turmoil locked away.
'Yesterday, Chopper had removed the bandages from Luffy's chest, revealing the scar left behind.
A jagged line ran diagonally across his chest, starting from his left shoulder and ending near his stomach. It was thick and slightly raised. Along the edges, smaller branch-like scars spread outward like the roots of a tree, twisting over the flesh. '
"Yeah, and nearly got yourself turned into an ice sculpture!" Sanji chimed in, lighting a cigarette. "I've gotta say, though, if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be here to talk about it."
Usopp sighed, his eyes wide with fear. "But Aokiji was a freak! I mean, he froze the whole ocean! How do you even fight someone like that?"
"With sheer stupidity and luck, apparently," Zoro grumbled, shooting Luffy a sideways glance.
Nojiko, who was standing next to Nami, nodded in agreement. "Still, it's probably best we avoid any more encounters like that for now. First Akainu, now Aokiji. I don't think we need another one."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Luffy said, waving his hand dismissively. "We just need to get stronger. Next time, I'll beat him without getting so banged up."
As they talked, Usopp had been gazing out at the sea, lost in thought. Suddenly, something strange caught his eye. His mouth dropped open, and he blinked rapidly, rubbing his eyes. "Uh, guys...?" he stammered, pointing ahead of them. "Am I seeing things, or is that... a giant frog swimming in the water?"
Everyone turned to look. Sure enough, in the water ahead of them, a massive frog was swimming freestyle, its powerful legs kicking up large waves.
Sanji's eyes lit up at the sight. "A giant frog, you say?" he mused, a sly grin forming on his face. "I can already imagine the delicious frog legs I could whip up for dinner. Fresh seafood is overrated; it's time we added some amphibian to the menu."
Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement at the thought of food. "Giant frog legs?!" he exclaimed, already drooling. "Sanji, that sounds amazing! Let's catch it!"
Luffy leaped to his feet, pointing ahead with fire in his eyes. "Alright, let's go after the big frog!" he declared.
"Wait, wait, hold on!" Nami interjected, waving her arms frantically. "We don't even know where it's going or what we're getting ourselves into!"
"Who cares?!" Luffy grinned, already scrambling up the mast to get a better view. "It's a giant frog, and we're gonna chase it!"
"Great, now we're chasing after oversized amphibians," Zoro grumbled, rolling his eyes. "What else is new?"
"Hey, at least it's not another Marine warship," Usopp muttered, still staring at the frog in awe. "That thing is huge! How does a frog even get that big?"
"I don't know, but if it's big, it probably tastes good!" Sanji added, twirling his spatula. "Luffy, let's catch our dinner!"
As the ship adjusted its course to pursue the frog, the crew could hear the sound of water splashing loudly as the creature swam furiously ahead.
Then, something strange happened. They all started hearing a deep, resonant sound.
"What is that sound?" Nojiko asked, a puzzled look on her face as the hum grew louder.
Robin's eyes narrowed. "It's getting closer."
Luffy kept quiet, wondering if any of them would be able to notice it.
Usopp's Observation Haki quickly picked up on what it was as it got closer, and he turned to look towards the sound. "Wait... is that a... a train?!"
Good Job, Usopp.
Nami's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked to the horizon. "A train? On the water?!"
Zoro's jaw dropped as he turned to see it as well. "What the—? That's not possible!"
Luffy's eyes went wide with amazement. "IT'S A TRAIN ON THE WATER!" he yelled excitedly, hopping up and down on the mast. "THIS IS AWESOME! We need to get closer!"
"Closer?!" Nami shrieked, grabbing the railing as the roaring sound grew even louder. "Luffy, are you crazy?! That thing is coming right at us!"
Sanji's cigarette nearly fell out of his mouth as he gaped at the sight. "Holy crap, it's moving fast!"
The train was barreling towards them, riding on what seemed to be tracks laid on the water's surface. The front of the locomotive was sleek and silver, with a large cowcatcher-like bumper that glinted in the light. It charged ahead, emitting a deafening rumble that sent ripples through the sea.
"Luffy!" Usopp screamed, his voice cracking with panic. "That thing's gonna run us over!"
Luffy, however, was now entirely focused, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "No way! We're gonna ride that thing!"
"What do you mean, ride?!" Zoro snapped, gripping his swords. "You can't just—"
"Everyone, hold on!" Nami shouted as she spun the ship's wheel, trying to veer off course. "We need to avoid that train or we're gonna be smashed!"
"Nojiko, now!" Luffy ordered. Without hesitation, Nojiko raised her arms, summoning a massive wave that surged up in front of their ship. The wave pushed the Going Merry backward, the sudden force sending a spray of seawater across the deck. Just in time, the water train thundered past the spot where they had been moments before.
"Good job, Nojiko," Luffy said, a grin spreading across his face. He squinted into the distance, spotting a lighthouse as the train passed by, still gliding across the water's surface. "Alright, let's catch up with it!" he shouted.
The Going Merry glided to a slow stop in front of the lighthouse, the crew squinting to get a better look at the structure. It was a tall, weathered tower of stone, its once-bright paint now faded and chipped by years of exposure to the elements.
As the Merry came to a complete halt, the crew spotted a figure standing near the lighthouse, waving at them. A moment later, a voice called out.
"Well, now! You folks sure know how to make an entrance!" The voice belonged to an older woman with a tanned face, large eyes, and an easygoing grin. She wore a simple, weathered jacket and had wild, bushy hair. At her feet stood a small girl in a blue dress with a white sailor hat, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Beside the girl hopped a rabbit-like creature with oversized ears.
"Ahoy there!" Luffy shouted back, leaping to the bow of the ship. "Who are you?"
The older woman chuckled, putting her hands on her hips. "Name's Kokoro! This here's my granddaughter, Chimney, and her pet rabbit, Gonbe," she said, gesturing to the girl and the rabbit, who both gave cheerful waves. "We work at the station here."
Usopp, leaned over the railing, eyes fixed on Kokoro. "Hey, hey! About that train!" he blurted out. "How does a train travel through water? I mean, isn't that supposed to be, like, impossible?"
Kokoro grinned. "Well, lad, it ain't magic if that's what you're thinking," she said, walking over to the edge of the dock. "The train runs on railroads that are built under the sea. They laid tracks along the ocean floor so the train can travel between islands. It's a marvel of engineering, it is!"
Usopp's eyes widened as he absorbed the information, his mind racing. "Railroads... under the sea?" he repeated, his voice tinged with awe. "That's incredible! So it's like a regular train, but it rides the currents along underwater tracks? Who made it? Could I build one myself?!"
Kokoro chuckled, clearly entertained by Usopp's enthusiasm. "Ho ho! You'd have to ask the people at Water Seven about that. They're the ones who built it," she explained, a nostalgic look crossing her face. "The folks there have the best shipwrights and engineers in the world. If you're looking to build a water train—or anything else for that matter—they're the ones to see."
"Water Seven?" Vivi repeated, her brow furrowing in thought. "I've heard about that place. It's famous for its shipbuilding, isn't it?"
Kokoro nodded. "That's right. It's where you'll find the best ship factories and craftsmen in all the seas. You're lucky, really; that train you just dodged is heading straight to Water Seven."
A glint of excitement sparked in Luffy's eyes. He hopped off the ship, landing on the dock with a thud, and marched up to Kokoro. "Then that's where we're going!" he declared. "We're gonna get a new ship!"
The moment those words were heard, Usopp's face darkened, and for the first time, he glared at Luffy.
We're gonna get a new ship!!!
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