**Chapter 38 — The Swordsman and the Cat Burglar**
*Sunny's POV*
The morning sun glimmered over the rolling waves like a golden blanket unfurled across the sea, casting sparkles that danced with every gentle swell. Shells Town had long since faded into a hazy speck on the horizon, leaving behind only the salty tang of freedom in the air—and a lingering whiff of regret. Regret that I hadn't buried the emergency food stash deeper in my inventory or enchanted it with some anti-Lucy ward. Our little boat bobbed along peacefully, the sails catching just enough wind to propel us forward without any drama. It was the kind of serene start to a voyage that made you think, *Hey, maybe piracy isn't all chaos and cannon fire.*
But then there was Lucy.
"MORE! I NEED MORE!" she bellowed, shaking an empty barrel upside down over her gaping mouth as if sheer willpower could summon crumbs from the void. A few pitiful flakes of dried biscuit clung to the brim of her straw hat, and her eyes were wide with the kind of desperation usually reserved for sailors spotting land after months at sea. "I'm going to be the Pirate Queen on an empty stomach! This is a tragedy! A world-ending, meat-depriving tragedy!"
I sighed, leaning casually against the mast, my arms crossed as I watched her theatrical display. The wood creaked under my weight, warm from the sun. "Lucy, we've been at sea for less than a day. How have you already demolished half our rations? I thought we agreed on portion control."
"The only tragedy here is my sanity," Nami muttered from her spot at the helm, her fingers tracing intricate routes on a weathered map spread out before her. She glanced back at the disappearing outline of Shells Town, her orange hair catching the light like a flame. "Good riddance to that place. Next stop: a proper market town where we can resupply—and hopefully encounter fewer pink-haired Marine trainees who trip over their own dreams."
"Hey, Koby was brave," I said, defending the kid with a faint smile. My Observation Haki idly scanned the horizon—no threats yet, just endless blue. "He stood up to Morgan's goons without superpowers or a sword collection. That's worth something."
Nami rolled her eyes, but her tone softened, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. She set down her quill and sauntered over, her hips swaying with the boat's rhythm. "He was a walking liability, Sunny. But… yeah, I suppose he had guts. You looked proud of him back there, didn't you? Like a big brother watching his sibling take their first steps."
I shrugged, my smile widening as she got closer. "Someone has to root for the dreamers in this world. Without them, we'd all be stuck in boring routines."
"I REFUSE YOUR REFUSAL TO ROOT FOR ME MORE!" Lucy shouted, clearly mishearing the conversation in her food-frenzied state. She leaped to her feet, leaning dangerously far over the railing and pointing dramatically at the sun as if it had personally offended her. "OOOH! LOOK! A SEA KING! IT LOOKS TASTY! Like a giant, scaly barbecue waiting to happen!"
The boat lurched violently as the waves stirred—probably from the distant ripple of whatever massive creature she'd spotted. Before she could topple headfirst into the drink, I snagged the back of her vest with one hand and hauled her back aboard like she was a misbehaving kitten caught in a tree.
"Idiot," I scolded, setting her down firmly on the deck. She wobbled for a second, her hat askew. "You'll feed the fish before you ever become Pirate Queen. And then who'd eat all our food?"
"But it looked so juicy…" she pouted, crossing her arms and kicking at a loose rope. "All those scales… imagine the crunch!"
Nami burst out laughing, covering her mouth with one hand. "Lucy, you're going to get us all eaten one day. Or worse—make us laugh ourselves overboard."
As the chaos settled, Nami approached me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She reached up, straightening the collar of my shirt that had gotten rumpled in the wind. Her fingers brushed against my neck just a second too long, sending a warm tingle down my spine. The touch was casual, but deliberate, her nails grazing my skin lightly.
"You're always cleaning up her messes," she murmured, her voice soft and close enough that I could smell the faint citrus scent of her hair. "What would we do without you, hero?"
*{Ego}: Pathetic. A collar adjustment and he's melting like butter on hot toast. Grow a spine, or she'll have you wrapped around her finger.*
*[System]: Heart rate elevated 18%. Pupillary dilation suggests high affection receptivity. Nami's proximity is… acceptable. For now. But if she gets any closer, I might have to intervene. Heehee~ ♥*
"Will you two shut up?" I muttered under my breath, shaking my head to clear the internal chatter.
Zoro, who had been polishing his swords nearby with rhythmic, precise strokes, gave me a dry glance over the gleam of his blade. "You say something? Or are you talking to your imaginary friends again?"
"Just the usual voices," I deadpanned, waving it off. "Nothing new."
Lucy blinked up at me, her pout forgotten in favor of curiosity. "You have voices? Like, in your head? Can they get me meat? Or tell me where the next island with all-you-can-eat buffets is?"
Nami sighed, her hand lingering on my shoulder before she pulled away, a faint flush coloring her cheeks. She returned to her maps, but not before shooting me a playful wink. I let my Haki ripple gently outward—not as a weapon, but as a comforting presence, like a soft blanket over the crew. It brushed against their auras, painting vivid pictures in my mind.
Lucy's was a blazing sun—chaotic, warm, and impossibly bright, swirling with unbridled energy that could light up the darkest storm.
Nami's was like a detailed chart; sharp, clever lines etched with precision of a navigator and aura of a girl deep in love.
Zoro's was steady and sharp—a forged blade, unyielding and honed to perfection, with an undercurrent of quiet resolve.
Perfect chaos. The kind that made life worth living.
*Nami's POV*
I spread the map out wider on the makeshift table we'd rigged from a crate, my fingers dancing over the inked lines of currents and islands. The sea breeze ruffled the edges, but I pinned them down with a determined press. "Our priority," I said firmly, tapping a spot with my quill, "is getting a detailed chart of the Grand Line. Without it, we're just a floating buffet for whatever sea monsters or rival pirates decide to show up. And with Lucy's appetite, we'd be out of bait in no time."
Lucy slammed her fists on the deck with enough force to make the boat rock slightly. "Who needs maps! Adventure is *that* way!" She pointed randomly, her finger jabbing straight at the blinding sun overhead, as if it were a compass needle.
I rolled my eyes, leaning over to lightly smack her on the head with the rolled-up edge of the map. "We'd be blind idiots following your directions! Literally blind—from staring at the sun!"
"I REFUSE YOUR REFUSAL TO BE BLIND IDIOTS!" Lucy shot back, rubbing her head but grinning like a fool. "Blind adventures sound fun! Like a game!"
Sunny chuckled from his spot against the mast, his deep voice cutting through the banter like a warm wave. "Nami's right, Lucy. A navigator without a map is like a swordsman without a blade—lost and ineffective. But charging into the unknown because you believe in your dream… that's a special strength too. Balance the two, and you're unstoppable."
His words hit me unexpectedly, a quiet affirmation that made my chest tighten. I leaned against his shoulder as I explained the swirling currents on the map, pointing out potential hazards and shortcuts. His solid, reliable presence sent a warmth through me that had nothing to do with the sun. The fabric of his shirt was rough under my arm, but comforting, like an anchor in choppy waters.
*{Ego}: Finally. Took you long enough to notice he's not just a pretty face. Lazy show-off, but at least he's got your back.*
*[System]: Nami is too close. Must monitor for threats. Ara~ Ara~ Master's attention is desirable, but shared? Hmm… ♥*
Lucy noticed my closeness, her eyes narrowing into a tiny pout that she tried to hide behind another dramatic pose. She didn't fully understand why it stung—jealousy wasn't her style—but there was a flicker of it, like a kid seeing someone else play with their favorite toy.
Before I could tease her about it, a nasally voice cut through the air like a poorly tuned violin. "HEY! Stop right there, scum-bags! These waters are ours! Hand over your valuables, or we'll… uh… make you regret it!"
A tattered dinghy approached from the starboard side, three pitiful excuses for pirates aboard. Their sails were patched with mismatched fabric, their weapons looked rusted, and their leader—a scrawny guy with a hook for a hand that seemed more decorative than functional—waved it threateningly.
I didn't even bother standing up, just raised an eyebrow and let my blue Haki flare subtly—but palpably. The air thickened with pressure, like an invisible storm brewing.
Lucy, of course, shrieked with glee. "PIRATES! Finally, some action! GOMU GOMU NO… PISTOL!" Her arm stretched back like rubber, then snapped forward with explosive force. *POW!* The leader flew into the horizon, hook and all, leaving a comical trail of smoke.
Zoro sighed, drawing and sheathing a single sword in one fluid motion. The dinghy split cleanly in two with a *crack*, the wood groaning as it separated. The remaining two pirates floundered in the water, splashing wildly.
I amplified the Haki ripple outward—a low, heavy pressure that pressed down like gravity itself. The pirates' eyes went wide with terror, their bravado evaporating. They scrambled backward in the waves, swimming like terrified children toward the wreckage.
*{Ego}: Took you long enough to show off. Could've ended it faster.*
*[System]: Threat negligible. But Master's aura when annoyed… irresistibly possessive. Makes my circuits tingle~ ♥*
Lucy cheered, pumping her fists. "That was awesome! But… did we get any meat from them?"
Nami shook her head, laughing. "Only if you count their egos."
*Sunny's POV — Evening*
As the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Nami took over the galley—what passed for one on our modest boat. She used the rare spices I'd collected from my inventory, transforming simple ingredients into something aromatic and mouthwatering. The scent of garlic, herbs, and searing fish wafted across the deck, drawing even Zoro from his training spot. He paused mid-drink from his sake gourd, sniffing appreciatively.
Lucy stared at the modest portions aghast, her eyes wide as saucers. "It's not enough! I can see the bottom of the plate!"
"Chew instead of inhaling, for once," Nami retorted, smirking as she plated the food. She turned to me, feeding me a bite with a fork, her fingers brushing my lips in a way that was far from accidental. The flavor exploded—savory, with a hint of spice that lingered.
"Wow… you're better than you let on," I said, meeting her eyes.
"Many hidden talents," she replied, pride gleaming in her gaze. She leaned in, her voice a whisper. "Stick around, and you might discover more."
Lucy, never one to miss a beat, flopped dramatically onto the table. "FEED ME TOO! I'm starving over here!"
*[System]: Ara Ara~ Master is vulnerable and domestic. Must monitor for optimal affection levels. ♥*
The sun dipped fully, turning the sky violet as stars began to peek out. Nami traced our next route on the map under the lantern light. "Orange Town," she said, her finger landing on a colorful dot. "Vibrant market. Perfect for resupply. And maybe some actual charts."
Buggy. Clowns. Chaos waiting on the horizon. But I looked at my crew: Lucy's bright, food-smeared face, Zoro's calm, unyielding strength, Nami's clever, affectionate gaze. A quiet vow formed in my chest: *I'll protect this. All of it. No matter what comes.*
Lucy face-planted mid-chew, snoring into her plate, asleep in an instant.
Zoro muttered, half-amused, half-annoyed: "…This is my crew?"
I grinned, taking it all in. The Grand Line had no idea what was coming.