**Chapter 37 — Lucy's True Background**
*Sunny's POV*
The sea stretched endlessly around us, a vast expanse of calm waves that shimmered like a million diamonds under the relentless midday sun. It was the kind of picturesque voyage that bards sang about in taverns—heroes staring dramatically into the horizon, wind tousling their hair, hearts brimming with dreams of glory and adventure. The salty breeze carried the faint cry of distant seagulls, and our little boat cut through the water with a gentle rhythm that should have lulled anyone into peaceful contemplation.
Instead, it was absolute pandemonium.
"FOOD! MORE FOOD!" Lucy's voice boomed across the deck like a cannonade, her hands moving in a frenzied blur as she ravaged our supplies. Plates clattered precariously on the wooden planks, crumbs flew through the air like errant cannon fire, and I swear I saw a whole loaf of bread vanish into her mouth in one gulp. Our carefully packed rations—months' worth of dried meats, sun-ripened fruits, hardtack biscuits, and even some pickled vegetables I'd bartered for back in Shells Town—were disappearing at a rate that defied physics. It was like watching a black hole devour a star system, except the black hole was wearing a straw hat and giggling maniacally.
I sighed deeply, leaning lazily against the railing, my arms crossed as I watched the spectacle. The sun warmed my back, but it did nothing to ease the growing headache. "Lucy, that stockpile was supposed to last us until we hit the next island. At this rate, we'll be fishing for our next meal by sunset."
"Shishishishi!" she laughed, her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel hoarding nuts for winter. Bits of food sprayed from her mouth as she spoke, landing perilously close to Zoro's boots. "Don't worry, Sunny! I'll eat enough for all of us, so nobody goes hungry! See? Teamwork!"
I rubbed my temple, deadpanning, "That's not how math works. Or biology. Or basic survival instincts."
Zoro, who had wisely tied himself to a nearby post to avoid rolling overboard during one of his infamous naps, cracked one eye open. His green hair was disheveled from the wind, and he looked every bit the grumpy swordsman we'd recruited. "Oi… didn't we just set sail a few hours ago? How is the food already half gone? I haven't even touched my share."
"Ask your new captain," I muttered, gesturing vaguely at Lucy, who was now juggling three apples while chomping on a fourth.
Nami stomped across the deck from her spot at the helm, her arms folded tightly across her chest, her orange hair whipping in the breeze like a flag of impending doom. Her eyes were narrowed into slits, and that forehead vein of hers was twitching dangerously—a sure sign a storm was brewing, and not the meteorological kind. "Lucy! If you eat everything, we'll all starve out here! What part of 'rations' don't you understand?! We have to portion this out, or we'll be sucking on barnacles by tomorrow!"
"Rations?" Lucy blinked innocently, pausing mid-bite with a drumstick halfway to her mouth. Grease dripped down her chin, and she tilted her head like a confused puppy. "That sounds like a disease. Like, 'Oh no, I've got rations!' Do I need medicine for that?"
Nami's face turned a shade of red that rivaled the sunset we'd seen last night. She threw her hands up in exasperation. "Sunny—say something! Back me up here before she turns our boat into a floating graveyard!"
I stretched lazily, letting out a dramatic yawn as I pushed off the railing. "Relax, Nami. I've got it covered. I stocked up extra before we left Shells Town. Got plenty more in my inventory—enough jerky, fruits, and even some fresh water to last a siege."
Lucy's eyes lit up like she'd just spotted the One Piece itself. She froze mid-bite, the drumstick dangling from her lips. "You have *more* food?! Sunny, you're the best! Gimme!"
"Unfortunately for our supplies," I sighed, pulling out a small crate from my inventory with a casual wave of my hand. It materialized on the deck with a soft thud, packed to the brim with goodies. Lucy dove at it like a shark sensing blood.
Nami facepalmed so hard I thought she'd leave a mark on her forehead. "Of course you did. You're enabling her, you know that? We're never going to teach her restraint at this rate."
I grinned, stepping closer to Nami and bumping her shoulder lightly with mine. "Hey, restraint is overrated. Besides, look at her—she's happy. And a happy Lucy means less random chaos… theoretically."
Nami shot me a sideways glance, her lips quirking despite herself. "Theoretically? You're hopeless." But she didn't move away, and when the wind picked up again, she leaned into me just a fraction, her warmth cutting through the breeze. It was one of those small moments that made the romance of the sea feel real—not the grand adventures, but the quiet connections amid the madness.
The chaos escalated when a sudden gust blasted across the deck, strong enough to rattle the sails and send a few loose crates skidding. Lucy's beloved straw hat lifted off her head, caught in the whirlwind, and started sailing toward the open ocean like it had places to be.
"MY HAT!" Lucy shrieked, lunging after it with all the grace of a drunken seagull. She fumbled, arms flailing, nearly tripping over the railing and plunging headfirst into the waves below.
I casually flicked my wrist, channeling a tiny thread of blue Haki to steady it midair. The hat hovered for a split second before drifting back toward her. She snatched it out of the air, hugging it to her chest like a long-lost child, her eyes wide with relief.
"That was *close*… I can't lose this! This hat means everything to me!" She adjusted it back on her head, patting it protectively.
I tilted my head, feigning mild curiosity as I leaned against the mast. "Why's that? Who gave it to you, anyway? Must be someone special."
Her eyes softened, the usual manic energy giving way to something more genuine—a rare glimpse of the girl beneath the chaos. "Shanks. Red-Haired Shanks. He promised I'd give it back to him when I became the Pirate Queen. It's my treasure!"
I let out a low whistle, playing it cool even though I already knew the details from my meta-knowledge. "Ohhh, right. That explains a lot. So that makes you Monkey D. Lucy, huh? Granddaughter of the Marine Hero, daughter of the Revolutionary Dragon. No big deal."
The entire deck went dead silent. The only sound was the gentle slap of waves against the hull and the distant cry of a gull.
Lucy blinked slowly, her mouth still half-full from her last bite. "Eh?"
Nami froze mid-step, her arms dropping to her sides. Zoro sat bolt upright, the rope around his waist creaking as he stared.
I continued innocently, as if discussing the weather. "Yeah, Lucy—your full name is Monkey D. Lucy, right? So that means Monkey D. Garp is your grandpa. The guy who punched mountains for fun. And Monkey D. Dragon is your dad—the revolutionary leader, world's most wanted man, probably has a bounty that could buy an island. Casual family reunion material."
The silence grew heavier, thicker than the humid sea air. Lucy's jaw dropped so wide that half-chewed food plopped onto the deck with a sad splat. She pointed a greasy chicken bone at me like a weapon. "HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?! That's supposed to be a super secret! Not even most Marines know about it! I even don't know about it!"
"Accident?" I offered with a shrug, my tone totally not-accidental. Inside, my observation Haki picked up the waves of shock rippling through the crew—Zoro's guarded curiosity, Nami's calculating surprise, and Lucy's genuine bewilderment.
"Accident my ass!" she roared, waving the bone wildly. "You're like a walking encyclopedia of secrets! Spill—how'd you figure it out?!"
Zoro whistled low, leaning back with a smirk. "Huh. Your family tree is one giant pile of chaos. Marine hero grandpa, revolutionary dad, and a Yonko as your… what, uncle figure? No wonder you're such a handful."
Nami groaned, clutching her head as if warding off a migraine. "Unbelievable… this girl's background is the biggest scam I've ever heard. First, a Yonko gives her his prized hat, then her grandpa's a legendary Marine hero who could probably sink our boat with one fist, and her dad's the revolutionary who's toppling governments left and right?! Is the universe just handing you plot armor on a silver platter?!"
Lucy laughed nervously, tugging her hat down to hide her flushing face. "Shishishi… guess I'm just lucky? Or maybe cursed. But hey, it makes for good stories!"
I smirked, crossing my arms. "Or cursed. Depends on the day. But yeah, with a lineage like that, no wonder you're gunning for Pirate Queen. You've got rebellion in your blood—literally."
Nami whirled on me next, jabbing a finger into my chest hard enough to make me wince dramatically. "And *you*! You just casually drop world-shaking secrets like it's nothing! Do you have any idea what this means if people find out?! Bounties, assassins, the whole Navy breathing down our necks—more than they already are!"
I shrugged, catching her hand gently before she could poke me again. "Relax, Nami. As long as Lucy's having fun, who cares? Besides…" I glanced at Lucy, who was still sulking a bit under her hat but peeking out with a grin, "…she's not the type to let bloodlines decide who she is. She's carving her own path."
[A/N: with way too many plot armour]
For a rare moment, Lucy's manic grin softened into something genuine and heartfelt. She adjusted her hat, mumbling through a mouthful of reclaimed food, "Damn right. I'm me—Straw Hat Lucy!"
Nami huffed, but her finger relaxed in my grasp, and she didn't pull away immediately. "You're both impossible." Her voice was softer, though, and when she finally stepped back, her eyes lingered on mine with a mix of exasperation and affection.
*Zoro's POV*
I'd seen plenty of strange people in my time—bounty hunters with egos bigger than their blades, pirates who thought they were invincible until I cut them down, and Marines who talked a big game but folded like wet paper. But this crew? They were on another level entirely. A whole new dimension of weird.
Lucy was still clutching that damn straw hat like it was her firstborn child, glaring at Sunny for outing her bloodline like it was casual chit-chat. The guy had dropped her family history with all the fanfare of announcing what's for lunch, and now the deck felt like a powder keg of revelations. I snorted, leaning back against the railing, my swords propped comfortably at my side. The sun beat down, but the real heat was coming from the tension in the air.
"Tch. So let me get this straight," I said, my voice cutting through the lingering silence. "Your grandpa's the Marine hero who chased Roger around like a dog with a bone. Your dad's the world's most wanted criminal, flipping the bird to the World Government every chance he gets. And your 'babysitter' was a Yonko—Red-Haired Shanks, no less."
Lucy blinked, tilting her head in genuine confusion. "Eh? Babysitter?"
"Shanks," I clarified, rolling my eyes. "Sounds like he practically raised you, teaching you all that pirate nonsense."
She scratched her head, thinking hard. "…Well, he did teach me how to party. And punch stuff. And eat contests! One time, we had a meat-eating race, and I won! Shanks said I had 'potential' or something."
I groaned, rubbing my temples as a headache brewed. "This is bullshit. Absolute bullshit. How does one person end up with a family like that? It's like the gods got drunk and decided to make your life a bad joke."
"Why?" she asked innocently, plopping down cross-legged in front of me, her hat casting a shadow over her wide eyes.
"Because!" I snapped, gesturing wildly. "Normal people don't have family trees that read like a World Government hit list! You've got heroes, villains, and legends all tangled up in one bloodline. It's unfair. I had to claw my way up from nothing, training until my hands bled, and you? You just… exist, and boom—destiny hands you everything."
Nami, who had sidled up to Sunny and was now leaning against his shoulder with her arms crossed, let out a sharp laugh. "See? Even Zoro thinks your background is absurd. And he's the guy who sleeps through storms."
Lucy puffed her cheeks like a petulant child, her fists clenching. "It's not my fault my family is weird! Grandpa's always yelling about justice and trying to fist me into the Marines, Dad's off doing… revolutionary stuff, I guess? And Shanks is just cool! I just wanna be Pirate Queen and have adventures with my friends!"
"Sure," I muttered, closing my eyes in a vain attempt to block her out. "And I just wanna nap without listening to your circus act. Wake me when we hit land—or when she stops talking."
Lucy gasped dramatically, jumping to her feet. "Rude! My stories are awesome! Fine, no more food for you!"
I cracked an eye open. "You ate it all anyway."
"Touche," Sunny chimed in from across the deck, his lazy grin infuriatingly calm.
*Nami's POV*
Honestly, I thought I'd seen enough scams, lies, and tall tales in my time as a thief to last a lifetime. Con artists in every port, fake maps leading to nonexistent treasures, and sob stories designed to loosen purses. But this? Lucy's background took the cake—and probably ate it too, knowing her.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to ward off the oncoming headache as I paced the deck. "Monkey D. Lucy… daughter of the revolutionary leader who's got the World Government shaking in their boots, granddaughter of a Marine hero who could probably level an island with one punch, and trained by Shanks, one of the Four Emperors. You're basically walking trouble with a straw hat and an endless appetite."
[A/N: yeah prime Garp even Rocks does not want to handle him and still in his old age he can destroy a Island]
Lucy grinned proudly, striking a pose with her fists on her hips. "Thanks! That sounds badass!"
"That wasn't a compliment!" I snapped, my voice rising an octave. How could she be so oblivious? "Do you have any idea how many enemies that lineage comes with? One wrong word in the wrong ear, and we'll have admirals knocking on our door—or worse, your dad showing up with his revolutionary army, thinking we're kidnapping you!"
Beside me, Sunny was far too relaxed, lounging against the railing with that infuriatingly charming lazy grin of his. He watched the whole scene unfold like it was entertainment, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You'll get used to it, Nami. Chaos follows her like a shadow, but it's the fun kind. Keeps things interesting."
I shot him a look, hands on my hips. "Fun? You call this fun? We're on a tiny boat with a girl whose family could start a world war, and you're acting like it's a picnic!"
"Yup." He tilted his head closer, his voice dropping to that low, teasing timbre that always sent a shiver down my spine. "Besides, I've got you to keep me grounded. You're the smart one—the navigator who charts the course through the storm."
That smooth bastard. My face warmed before I could stop it, a flush creeping up my cheeks. I swatted his arm, but there was no real force behind it. "Don't think flattery gets you out of this mess. If we end up in hot water because of her secrets, I'm blaming you."
"Didn't hurt to try," he said with a wink, his hand brushing mine in a way that lingered just a second too long. Damn him and his effortless charm—it was getting harder to pretend in front of others.
Lucy, completely oblivious to our moment, was now standing on the mast, balancing precariously as she yelled at the top of her lungs, "I AM MONKEY D. LUCY, FUTURE PIRATE QUEEN! HEAR ME, OCEAN!"
Zoro groaned from his spot. "She's gonna get us killed. Or at least give me a migraine."
Sunny just laughed, pulling me closer under the guise of steadying me against the rocking boat. "See? Fun."
*Sunny's POV*
While Lucy continued her dramatic self-introduction to the seagulls circling overhead—complete with wild gestures and what sounded like improvised pirate chants—I leaned on the railing beside Nami. She was still half-glaring at me, half-blushing, which honestly was one of my favorite looks on her. The sun caught her hair, turning it into a cascade of fiery orange, and for a moment, the chaos faded into the background.
"So," I said casually, breaking the comfortable silence, "with Lucy inhaling half the ocean's food supply every meal, we're gonna need a proper chef sooner rather than later."
Nami arched a brow, glancing up from the scrap of parchment where she was scribbling notes—probably updating our course or calculating how much beri we'd need for resupplies. "What, Nojiko's cooking isn't good enough for you? My sister's a genius in the kitchen, you know."
"Oh, Nojiko's great," I admitted with a nod, remembering the hearty meals from Cocoyasi Village. "But how's she supposed to keep up with Lucy's black hole of a stomach from afar? We need someone on board who can cook a mountain of food every day, turn scraps into feasts, and still smile about it. Someone who lives for the art of cuisine."
Nami chuckled, shaking her head as she tucked the parchment away. "You make it sound like we'll find some miracle chef just waiting for us on the next island. Like, 'Oh hey, want to join a crew of misfits led by a bottomless pit?'"
I smirked, leaning in closer. "Oh, trust me. We will. The seas have a way of providing exactly what we need—especially for a crew like this."
Her eyes softened for a moment, curiosity and something warmer flickering in them. She tilted her head, studying me. "You really believe that, huh? That this crew will just… come together? Grow into something legendary?"
"Of course." I glanced out at Lucy, who was now attempting to teach Zoro a "victory dance" while he swatted at her like an annoying fly, and I couldn't help but laugh. "This mess of people? The glutton captain, the sleepy swordsman, the clever navigator… it feels like the start of something great. Unstoppable, even."
Lucy's POV
I stuffed the last piece of meat into my mouth—juicy, salty perfection—before I continued my very important story. With cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk preparing for hibernation, I pointed dramatically at Sunny, who was lounging there like he owned the ocean.
"Mmmfh phfuhh—! Shanks waf da bef! Hat if tweafure!"
Everyone stared at me blankly. Zoro looked like he wanted to throw himself overboard. Nami facepalmed again. Sunny just raised an eyebrow.
"Lucy," Sunny deadpanned, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "I think your tragic past would be more effective if we could actually understand it. Swallow first, monologue second."
I swallowed loudly—*gulp*—slapped my hand against my chest for emphasis, and then raised a fist into the air like a conquering hero. "I said—! My hat is my treasure! It was given to me by the greatest pirate ever—Red-Haired Shanks! He saved my village, taught me about freedom, and bet his arm on my future!"
Nami leaned back in her seat, arms crossed, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "Wow. So not only do you eat like a beast, but you shout like one too. And now you're name-dropping a Yonko? This just keeps getting better."
I pouted, crossing my arms. "Oi! I'm serious! That hat means everything to me! It's a promise!"
Sunny smirked, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Guess that explains why you almost cried when a seagull pooped on it earlier. I thought you were gonna declare war on all birds."
"THAT WAS A MORTAL WOUND!" I shrieked, hugging the hat protectively to my chest. "Birds are evil! Except the ones that taste good."
Zoro groaned from where he lay sprawled, arms behind his head as he stared at the sky. "I don't know what's worse—her appetite, or her voice. Or the fact that her life's a walking legend."
I stomped over to him, looming dramatically. "Don't underestimate my stomach! I'll eat the whole world if I have to! Starting with your share!"
"Please don't," Nami muttered under her breath. "We'll go bankrupt before we even hit the Grand Line. Lucy, if you keep this up, I'll charge you interest on every bite."
*Sunny's POV*
Honestly, watching Lucy was like watching a storm tear across the ocean—chaotic, loud, unpredictable, and kind of impressive if you didn't get swept up in it. She bounced from one topic to the next, her energy infectious even as it drove everyone nuts.
"Monkey D. Lucy," I mused aloud, tilting my head at her as she struck another pose. "You really are a walking disaster."
She puffed out her chest proudly, completely missing the sarcasm. "That's right! Disaster with style! Shishishi!"
I shook my head, chuckling, before glancing at Nami. She was back to her notes, but her lips curved upward in a soft smile when she caught me watching. The sun was starting its descent, casting a golden glow over everything, and for a moment, it felt perfect.
"You're enjoying this way too much," she said softly, her voice carrying over the waves.
"What can I say?" I leaned closer, my shoulder brushing hers. "I like seeing how everyone fits together. Even if it's messy. The banter, the laughs… it's what makes this worth it."
Her eyes flicked to mine, searching for a second before she smirked. "Careful, Sunny. Keep talking like that, and I might start thinking you're serious about doing it with me again."
I grinned, not missing a beat. "Who says I'm not?"
She elbowed me lightly, but the blush on her cheeks didn't fade, and her hand lingered on my arm.
*Zoro's POV*
They were flirting again. Great. Just what I needed on top of everything else.
I shut my eyes, hoping for some semblance of peace, but Lucy's voice immediately shattered it like a blade through glass:
"And then—AND THEN—Shanks said, 'You'll make a great pirate one day, Lucy!' And I said, 'Yeah!' And then he said, 'Take my hat!' And then we partied all night! There was meat, and music, and—"
"Kill me," I muttered under my breath, pinching the bridge of my nose.
Sunny snorted from across the deck. "You'll survive, swordsman. Think of it as training—endurance for your patience."
"I signed up to fight strong enemies," I said flatly, not bothering to open my eyes. "Not babysit an overeager glutton with famous relatives and a voice that could wake the dead."
Lucy gasped, clutching her hat like I'd insulted her personally. "Rude! I'm not just overeager, I'm destined! Grandpa always said I was a handful, but in a good way!"
I cracked one eye open, meeting Sunny's lazy grin across the way. "…How the hell do you put up with her?"
Sunny shrugged, his arm casually around Nami's shoulders now. "She's entertaining. I already used to some blue hair Goddess banter. And besides… doesn't it feel like the start of something big?"
I hated to admit it, but… he wasn't wrong.