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lumiileth · 1 day ago

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let you break my heart again: part iii

part 1 part 2

pairing: Shanks x Marine!Reader, Garp’s Daughter!Reader, Familial!Luffy x Reader,

tags: Bittersweet, Angst, Requited Unrequited Love, Angst, Non-Sexual Tension, No Use of Y/N,

Manga spoiler warnings

word count: 8.200

summary: She was an anchor, foolishly reaching for the tide, but Shanks was the sea—vast, restless, and never meant to be caught.

or: She realized that Shanks and Luffy were the same - both too wild and free-spirited to be held back, they were always going to chase their dreams, while she just had to accept being left behind.

“So your dad is Garp?!” Shanks gawked, eyes wide at the aftermath from the chaos erupted before them, specifically, a brawl between Vice Admiral Garp and their captain, Gol D. Roger.

It wasn’t much of a fight. Fists flew, grunts echoed, and it ended rather abruptly when a small, furious voice rang louder than either of the two legends.

“ I don’t wanna go back yet !!”

There she stood, barely reaching anyone’s shoulder, arms crossed, cheeks puffed with defiance. Garp turned to his daughter, visibly flustered. He was caught off guard by his only daughter’s request.

The Roger Pirates watched, utterly entertained, as the Marine Hero, the same man feared across the seas, crumbled at the hands of one little girl. His face twisted with frustration, muttering half-baked scoldings, while his eyes shimmered suspiciously.

And when Roger let out a booming laugh, the rest of the crew followed suit.

“ Oi, Garp! Looks like you’ve met your match !” Roger cackled.

“Yeah,” she muttered, propping her chin on her palm, elbow balanced on the edge of the ship’s rail. Her voice was calm, too calm, given what had just come out of her mouth.

Across from her, Buggy let out a shriek so loud it startled nearby seagulls into flight.

“SO IT’S TRUE?!” he howled, his body exploding apart in every direction like fireworks in a panic. His head spun midair, hovering with wild eyes and twitching lips. “No wonder you’re scary, Garp? The Garp that’s always on Captain’s tail?”

She blinked at him, unimpressed. “I guess so,” she said, brushing a stray hair behind her ear with a casual flick.

Buggy’s floating head nearly dropped from the sky.

“C-Crazy, you’re crazy!” he stammered, “That man’s a monster! A living legend! You’re saying that guy is your dad?! So what are you doing on this ship?!”

She leaned back against the rail, gazing out toward the endless stretch of sea. “Hm… Out of all the ships I saw, the red sails looked the most exciting!”

Her gaze lifted to the sails above, bright red and billowing against the wind, a shimmering glint of admiration.

“It looked way cooler than the other ships.” A small smile tugged at her lips. “I didn’t even realize it belonged to the infamous Gol D. Roger. I just thought it looked like it could take me somewhere I hadn’t been before, super flashy!”

Buggy’s head bobbed midair, the wonder in her voice catching him off guard.

“R-Right, right!” he said, recovering fast and puffing out his chest, well, where his chest would’ve been. “Our captain’s the flashiest of them all! You’ve got good taste!”

“So, why aren’t you going back?” Shanks asked, inching a little closer to her on the deck, curiosity tugging at his features. Up close, he was reminded again just how tall she was, Garp’s blood ran strong, apparently.

She sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear and keeping her eyes fixed on the horizon. “It’s fun being pirates.” Her lips curled into a small, teasing smirk. “Why? Want me gone that badly?”

“Yes!”

“No!”

The two answers clashed in the air instantly.

She didn’t even need to look up, she already knew who said what. Her sharp glare zeroed in on Buggy, whose face had already contorted into an exaggerated grimace.

“But you’re basically a Marine! ” Buggy protests, flailing dramatically as he frantically turns to Shanks. “What if she rats us out?!”

“Oh, shut up, you’re just scared” she snapped, eyes narrowing.

Rayleigh’s voice cut through the tension, calm but pointed. “Did you know your father made it his life’s mission to capture our captain?”

He stepped into the conversation like he’d been listening the whole time, because he probably had. Rayleigh looked at her with just a small amount of curiosity, after he had checked in with his careless Captain who had just fought her father.

“How do we know you’re not feeding him information behind our backs?” he added, expression unreadable.

“Come on , Rayleigh,” another crew member, Taro, she recalled, interjected with a huff. “If that were true, Garp would’ve been breathing down our necks a long time ago.” He ruffled the girl’s hair.

“Exactly!” she threw up her hands. “As if I’d let him get information that easily. No way in hell I’d give him the satisfaction.”

Once things settled, the conversation drifted naturally back to the trio, to their familiar corner on the deck of the Oro Jackson. The wind had calmed, but the curiosity between them hadn’t. It wasn’t quite an interrogation, but she could feel the way their eyes lingered on her, wanting to ask more questions.

Especially now, knowing who her father was, someone even Captain Roger spoke of with an odd mix of exasperation and respect.

“Why don't you wanna be a Marine?” Buggy asked, tilting his head with a finger pressed to his chin. “You’d probably get a high rank right off the bat! You’d be rich!”

She gave him a flat look, the kind only someone used to his antics could muster. “Buggy, that’s called nepotism.”

He shrugged unapologetically. “So?”

“I don’t know…” she sighed, toying with the loose threads on the hem of her shirt. Her voice softened. “I… got onto this ship just for fun, I thought one day I’d just leave and continue my way through my dad.”

“But?” Buggy tilted his head, intrigued by her answer, her dad is a scary man with scary potential, he needs to know these things.

“Sailing with you guys is so fun,” She mumbled, her voice had a slight tremble to it as she still didn’t want to look straight in the eyes at the other apprentices.

“My older brother’s a Marine.” Her thoughts briefly flicked to Dragon, once a loving brother figure to her, now an increasingly distant one. She recalls her childhood where Dragon and her would scavenge through the forests in Dawn Island, waiting for Garp to finally show and do some training.

“Rarely saw him after, and when I do, he looked like shit!”

“You mean that Dragon guy?” Shanks asked, blinking as if trying to remember something, “I think you mentioned him before.”

“Mhm,” she nodded. “Never home. Even Dad visits more.”

“You sound like a brat throwing a tantrum,” Buggy chimed in again, grinning. “So you do act like a girl sometimes, I thought you’re just a brute.”

She gasped, scandalized. “Excuse you?! ”

“Now, now,” Shanks stepped in quickly, arms between them like a referee. “Let’s not start a war on deck, alright?”

“She started it,” Buggy mumbled under his breath.

“You provoked me!” she shot back, leaning forward with a glare.

“Alright, alright,” Shanks laughed, placing a hand on her head and ruffling her hair. “Let’s take it easy, marine spawn.”

“Hey!” She shot up, clearly offended, a frown scrunching up her face. “I’m a pirate through and through now, okay? I hate Marines.” Her arms crossed over her chest with the full drama of someone thoroughly committed to the bit.

Buggy blinked at her, unimpressed. “So you hate your family?”

“That’s different!” she huffed, turning her nose up. “They don’t count.”

-----

“How ya feeling?” Hongo asked, standing beside the bed with his arms loosely crossed, his expression gentle but observant. He had just finished checking her vitals, carefully, given how frantic Shanks had been when he all but shoved her into his care. It had taken a lot to calm the captain down.

The girl blinked at the unfamiliar ceiling before letting her gaze drift around the room. Clean. Nautical. Slightly chaotic. She didn’t recognize a single thing, except for the man watching her with quiet patience.

“Hongo,” she finally said, her voice dry but teasing, “I see you got your teeth back.”

“Hey,” he replied with a short laugh, clearly not offended. “We can trade barbs when you’re not halfway to the grave. Let’s not make my captain worry more than he already is.”

A pause, then a soft murmur: “I’m on the Red Force, huh?”

“Yeah.” Hongo nodded, but then narrowed his eyes slightly. “If you’re not gonna answer my questions, I’ll go get Shanks.”

“No!” she blurted, sitting up too fast before wincing at the effort. “No, I’ll answer. Just… please. I need to be away from Shanks for a bit. If that’s okay?”

Hongo eyed her, reading more between the lines than she realized. Then, with a small smile, he said, “Can’t reject a lady’s request.”

He pulled a chair closer to her bedside, his tone gentle but firm. “So… what happened?”

She stared down and then she told him. Everything. (or at least stuff that are relevant)

-----

“Hey, Capt.” Hongo greeted as he stepped out of the room, only for Shanks to immediately crowd him, hand still half on the doorframe.

“How is she? Is she okay?” Shanks asked, trying his best to sound nonchalant, he failed miserably. Everyone on the crew knew just how much the girl meant to him. He might’ve tried to act cool about it, but the fact he’d been standing outside the door the entire time, down to the second, said everything.

Hongo sighed, his hands on his waist. “She needs rest. Her health isn’t great. She told me a few things, but… I don’t think it’s the full story. I’m not sure I’m equipped to handle all of it.”

“She’s awake?” Shanks asked, eyes lighting up, completely ignoring the rest of Hongo’s words.

“Yes, she’s awake, but—”

Before Hongo could finish, Shanks had already turned to push the door open, only to be yanked back by Benn Beckman with one hand. It looked comical, like someone dragging back an overexcited cat.

“Whoa there. Listen to the doctor, she needs rest,” Beckman said, calm but firm.

“Ugh, fine,” Shanks groaned, deflating like a sulking kid.

“Never thought I’d live to see Pouting Shanks,” Yassop muttered to Lucky Roux with a smirk.

“We’re gonna be seeing a lot of that,” Roux whispered back, both of them shaking their heads with amusement.

“Hm, I think Limejuice is calling for me,” Shanks blurted out, already half-turning to flee down the front of the deck, clearly hoping no one would question why Limejuice, of all people, would ever need him urgently.

Behind him, several senior officers exchanged knowing smirks, low chuckles echoing through the corridor. Watching their proud captain all but retreat because of a woman? Now that was a sight.

“So,” Benn Beckman called out casually, arms crossed, “What did she actually say, Hongo?”

Yassop and Lucky Roux blinked, then leaned in like kids overhearing gossip for the first time.

Hongo, ever calm, adjusted the strap of his med kit and sighed. “She asked me to keep Shanks out of her room for a while.”

That made the air shift slightly.

“Not sure what happened between them back on that island,” he added, voice just low enough to make it sound important, “but whatever it was… it definitely something .”

The silence that followed was punctuated only by Shanks’ very unsubtle footsteps retreating down the Red Force, faster than any pirate captain should ever be walking.

----

“Now,” a voice called from the doorway, smooth, teasing, yet unmistakably firm. “Why did I hear from my doctor that Ms. Patient in here doesn’t want my presence?”

The air shifted.

She flinched before she could catch herself. That voice, low and careless, threaded with an old warmth that unsettled her more than she'd admit, dug into her chest like a dull blade. She didn’t turn toward him. She didn’t want to.

“Because Ms. Patient ,” she said tightly, her eyes fixed on the wooden planks, “ explicitly does not want your presence. Is that too hard to understand, Red-Hair ?”

Shanks stepped inside anyway, she had been cooped in the room for awhile, but guessing from the silence on deck and the night sky, it was around dawn, she finally saw that familiar smirk was already tugging at his lips, boyish and far too charming for someone so infuriating.

“Yeah,” he said with a mock sigh, “I guess it is. Y’see, I’ve never really had women reject me before.” His voice dipped with amusement, eyes scanning the room before locking onto her still form. “Kind of a new experience.”

She rolled her eyes, slowly turning her head to glance at him, just a little. “Glad I could be your first,” she muttered.

“I’d love for you to be my firsts,” He had jokingly said, but was met up with a glare from the bedridden patient so Shanks immediately deflected, “So,” he said, gaze drifting around before settling back on her. “How’ve you been?”

The silence between them stretched.

“Peachy,” she answered curtly, her voice clipped, eyes already drifting back toward the ceiling as if it could shield her.

Shanks inhaled, rubbing a hand along the back of his neck. “Right. Should’ve expected that.”

There was a flicker in her gaze then. Still, her voice was softer this time. “Luffy missed you.”

Shanks’ face shifted, just slightly. His grin widened at the name being dropped, he thinks of the little guy who had dreams like his former captain, who’s now wearing his hat like a legacy.

“Missed that little anchor too,” Shanks said with a smile.

She didn’t respond. She didn’t need to. The name alone was enough to carve silence between them.

But Shanks pushed forward anyway, taking a cautious step closer, his eyes scanning her face like he was searching for something left unsaid.

“But I asked about you , sweetheart,” he said gently, his voice lower now. No grin. Just rawness.

“Never better,” she bit out, her voice thick with sarcasm as she shifted slightly on the bed, wincing at the sting that laced through her ribcage. “Is that what you want to hear?”

Shanks didn’t flinch, but something tightened in his eyes. His arms were still crossed, his stance relaxed—but only on the surface. “I want to hear the truth, at least,” he replied, tone softer now, stripped of that usual teasing lilt.

She stared at him, and then, without warning, glared, sharp, unfiltered, exhausted.

“Well,” she said, dragging the word like a blade, “I feel like shit. My head’s pounding, I can’t feel half my fingers, and I think I might hurl in about two minutes. So if you’re done playing pirate therapist, could you please get me a bucket?”

Shanks blinked once. “Why a bucket,” he said, already walking over to the gaped door with a nonchalant tilt of his head, “when you’ve got a perfectly good sea right outside this room?”

Despite herself, a breathy laugh escaped her lips.

“Yeah, right,” she muttered, rolling her eyes, “As if I’d dare tarnish your beloved sea.”

He turned back, just in time to catch the faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t bitter. Just a flicker of something long buried between them, genuine, if fleeting.

Her words held no venom now, only the dry edge of someone too tired to pretend and too familiar with the person standing before her. It was the kind of banter only shared between people who had once known each other too well and maybe still did.

Shanks leaned against the wooden walls of the room, watching her with a quiet fondness. “My sea’s been through worse,” he said, “It can handle a little heartbreak.”

“How ‘bout you?” she asked suddenly, voice casual but eyes carefully trained on him, like she was daring him to be honest. It caught Shanks off guard, but he recovered with a tilt of his head and a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“How’s the big scary Yonko faring in his beloved sea?”

A laugh erupted from him, loud, familiar, and echoing with that signature Red-Haired charm. It rumbled from his chest, deep and full, and for a fleeting moment, she saw not the infamous Emperor of the Sea, but the boy who once dangled his legs off the Oro Jackson beside her, carefree and bright-eyed.

“This big and scary Yonko,” he said, wiping a fake tear from the corner of his eye, “was absolutely terrified for a certain patient’s life. Scariest I’ve ever felt, I fear.” His voice dipped with quiet sincerity toward the end, a tremble of truth hidden in the humor.

She held his gaze, her smile softening just slightly before her tone leveled into something more grounded.

“I’m fine, Shanks,” she said, but it was too clean, too rehearsed. Her posture had stiffened, the slight tremor in her fingers betraying the calm she tried to maintain.

He watched her closely, unconvinced. The image of her back on that bloodstained island, crumpled beneath the weight of everything she carried, played on repeat in his mind.

“You don’t have to pretend,” he said, his voice low and earnest, no longer laced with his usual levity.

“I’m not pretending,” she lied.

“Here’s some tangerine, your favorite,” Shanks suddenly said, setting down a small woven basket on the bedside table with a casual air that didn’t quite mask the thoughtfulness behind the gesture. “A bit sour since it’s not in season, but still sweet enough to eat. Don’t worry.”

She blinked at the offering, then at him, eyes narrowing slightly, not in annoyance, but in curiosity. Her fingers reached toward the fruit instinctively, brushing against the coarse skin of one of them. The scent was immediate, bright, citrusy, familiar.

“You have a tangerine tree on your ship now?” she asked, tilting her head slightly, as if trying to place the absurdity of it. Her voice was light, teasing, but her gaze stayed fixed on his face.

Shanks just hummed in response, a noncommittal sound paired with a shrug.

But you don’t like tangerines.

She didn’t say it out loud. It stayed trapped in the back of her throat like so many other things she didn’t allow herself to speak. Shanks never liked tangerines. Too acidic, he used to say. Always gave her some every time the three pirate apprentices scavange through a new island they just docked in.

“Thanks…” She quietly said as she watched Shanks leave the room.

----

“Look who’s up!” Lucky Roux bellowed from the edge of the deck, waving one thick arm toward the figure emerging from the cabin. A broad grin stretched across his face, and several heads turned in her direction.

“I’m not that sick,” she called back with a small smile, the breeze catching strands of her hair as she stepped fully into view. Sunlight kissed her skin, and for the first time in a while, she didn’t feel like she was suffocating.

“For the lady,” Roux said, presenting her with a skewer of freshly grilled meat, steam still rising from it.

As a Monkey D., she knows better than to reject a peace offering. Especially if it’s meat. She takes the meat with little to know grace, munching on it immediately.

The crew chuckled, a few raising their mugs in a lazy salute.

“Not pairing my meat with beer? That’s preposterous,” she added with a mock frown, biting into the meat again. It was warm, juicy, something she missed.

“We’re gonna dock soon,” Lucky Roux said, shifting beside her. “Might take a couple of days.”

She arched her brow. “One of those usual remote islands you lot crash on for rest and reckless drinking? Or something different?”

“Nah, captain said we needed to restock,” Yassop chimed in, puffing lazily on a cigarette. “Supplies, medicine, the works.”

She didn’t respond right away. Instead, she inhaled deeply. The scent of the sea filled her lungs, salt and wind and wood and freedom. The breeze danced over her skin, she closed her eyes briefly, letting it wrap around her.

Being on a pirate ship felt different. It was different.

Even as a Vice Admiral, she never got to experience this, the quiet laughter, the sun-warmed deck beneath her feet, the unspoken bond between people who’ve risked their lives together not for duty, but for choice.

This wasn’t obligation. It was freedom.

And god, how she missed it.

“Now look who’s finally out of their room!” Shanks shouted, his voice booming with playful exaggeration as he strode across the deck. Without hesitation, he slung a heavy arm over her shoulders.

The gesture, so familiar yet distant, made her shoulders tense instinctively. Her balance wavered, just for a moment. She wasn’t as steady on her feet as she thought she’d be, her recovery is growing less and less each day.

“Shanks,” she murmured, her voice low but not cold. A soft smile ghosted across her lips before she could stop it, brief, fleeting, but real. The man beside her still carried the same spark in his eyes, the same lopsided grin that used to drive her mad.

“Oh~?” Shanks leaned closer, his red hair brushing her cheek as he tilted his head with mock disbelief. “Was that a smile I just saw? Are you actually happy to see me now? Miracles do happen.”

“Yeah, right,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

He laughed, loud, unrestrained, like a certain captain they sailed under from back then, Shanks nudged her gently with his elbow. “You wound me. After everything I’ve done for you.”

“Your everything ain’t much if I’m being honest,” She jabbed at red-haired.

“Hey!”

Choruses of laughter from his crewmates erupted.

----

Roger’s execution wasn’t a celebration, no matter how the world painted it.

The crowds in Loguetown had gathered like it was a festival, eager to see the Pirate King die, their voices loud with awe and hunger for a new era. Some cheered. Some jeered. Some clung to hope for the treasures whispered in dying breaths. But for her, for them, it was mourning in the truest form.

Heavy rain fell like judgment. Cold, sharp, relentless.

She stood in the shadow of the gallows, soaked through, her coat clinging to her frame, fists clenched at her sides. Beside her, Shanks was silent, red hair plastered to his face, lips drawn tight. He had cried, she realized, but now that it was raining heavily, she couldn't quite decipher it as well.

Buggy had just run off, screaming something about Shanks being a fool, his figure vanishing into the storm.

“Buggy rejected you, huh?” she said at last, her voice just loud enough to be heard over the patter of rain. It wasn’t mockery, far from it. Her tone was flat, like she had already expected it.

A beat of silence passed between them, and then Shanks took a hesitant step closer.

“I was gonna wait to ask, but…” He extended his hand, trembling just barely. “The offer’s for you too. Come with me. Let’s be pirates together.”

She looked down at his hand. It was the same hand that had once pulled her up when she stumbled on the deck of the Oro Jackson. The same hand that offered her meat when she hadn’t eaten. The same hand she used to sneakily reach for during storms when she was scared.

Now it was shaking.

Her eyes flicked toward the empty scaffolding, the wooden beams stained with rain—and Roger’s blood.

“Shanks…” she whispered.

“Don’t say no,” he said quickly, almost desperately. “Not after everything.”

She exhaled, slow and shaky. “Sha–”

Shanks interrupted, not wanting her rejection and excuse to be verbalized, “You wanted to, you wan–”

“I’m going to be a Marine,” she cut in, her voice firm, though her lips quivered. “I’ve already decided.”

His hand faltered in the air.

It made sense to her. It was the rational thing to do.

She had just watched a man—no, the man who had changed her life—die at the hands of the system her family served. A system her father upheld. A system her brother once fought for.

A system she had no choice but to return to.

To her, becoming a Marine was the only way to keep what little stability she had left. Garp was a Marine. Dragon was a Marine. Her blood was steeped in justice, in duty, in structure. Her and the naive dream to be able to change it.

But for Shanks?

For Shanks, it was betrayal.

He had just witnessed the World Government and the Marines steal the life of the only man he ever called Captain. He had lost Buggy. He had lost Roger. And now, he was losing her too.

“Decide differently,” Shanks said, the words sharper than he meant them to be. His voice was tight, strained.

She blinked, surprised at the sudden shift in tone.

“You think this is easy for me?” she asked. Her voice wasn’t raised, but it was cold. Steady.

“You think it’s easier for me?” he shot back.

“I have ties in the Marines,” she said, stepping back as if putting physical distance might temper the fire in his chest. “I’m not meant for your kind of freedom, Shanks.”

His hands clenched at his sides. He didn’t know why it bothered him so much, why it felt like her words were slicing open old wounds he hadn’t known he still carried.

“You don’t know a thing,” he muttered.

She frowned. “I know enough.”

She didn’t. She didn’t know that Shanks came from a past as stained and fractured as her own. That he wasn’t born free. That Roger saved him from a fate darker than most could imagine. That one day he had to step inside the place of his lineage, as much as he hated it.

“You’re going to regret it,” Shanks said, not as a threat, not as spite. His voice was low, roughened by rain and grief. There was no smugness in his tone. He wasn’t warning her out of arrogance, he was mourning her before she even left.

She didn’t meet his eyes. If she did, she knew she’d shatter.

Shanks stepped forward, just once, but stopped himself from reaching out. They had touched so many times before, laughs shared under starlight, bruises exchanged during sparring, warmth passed during cold nights at sea.

But now?

Now his hands stayed at his sides. Anchored.

“I know you better than you think,” he murmured, eyes narrowing slightly, pained. “You’d hate yourself.”

She bit the inside of her cheek to keep it together. One second longer and she’d break.

“Goodbye, Shanks,” she said instead, turning and walking away from the comfort. “See you at sea.”

----

They met again for the first time in years.

----

The bitterness that had once wrapped around their hearts like iron had eroded, softened by time. With distance came clarity. With maturity came yearning, not the painful kind, but the quiet ache that settles in the chest when you realize the person you once pushed away is still part of your soul.

She hadn’t expected to hear her name that way, called out so openly, so joyfully. It echoed across the harbor, cutting through the noise of the port town.

And when she turned, blinking under the sun, there he was. A flash of crimson, a familiar grin, a mop of unmistakable red hair. Shanks.

“Shanks??” Her voice pitched up with disbelief and delight, her smile radiant, blooming like spring after a long winter.

Before she could say more, he was already there, arms around her, spinning her off the ground in a hug that pulled the breath out of her lungs and replaced it with laughter. She clung to him without hesitation, surprised by how natural it still felt.

“What are you doing here?” she asked breathlessly, once her feet found the earth again.

Shanks, still holding her elbows, looked at her with stars in his eyes—his grin boyish, just slightly crooked. “Docked here for some supplies,” he said, brushing a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, “but rumor had it there was a very charming and dangerously competent captain in the area.”

She snorted. “Who would that be?”

“I wonder who?” he said with a lopsided grin as they stood there for a moment longer than they should’ve, in the middle of a bustling dock, hearts caught somewhere between nostalgia and something dangerously close to hope.

“Huh,” Yassop muttered, eyes narrowing as he watched the woman who had been lingering near their captain ever since they docked. His arms crossed over his chest, an unreadable expression painted across his face. “You don’t look like the Captain’s type.”

She turned toward him, a brow arching. “Your captain has a type ?”

“N—” Limejuice tried to interject, perhaps to soften the blow, but Yassop barreled right over him.

“Petite,” Yassop began, counting on his fingers with theatrical flair. “Cute. Small. Maybe even a little helpless. You know, that damsel in distress effect.”

Each word stabbed just a bit sharper than the last.

She blinked. Her lips parted slightly, caught between a scoff and a laugh. “Oh…” she exhaled, her mouth agape just enough to hide how that landed, deep and uncomfortable. Convenient , she thought. That’s… everything she wasn’t.

Too tall. Too harsh. Too stubborn. Just gr—

“What are you guys talking about?” Shanks asked, flashing his usual boyish grin as he approached the small gathering.

“Nothing!” Yassop and Limejuice chimed in unison, a little too quickly. The woman beside them merely smiled with quiet amusement, clearly enjoying their flustered state. For all his carefree charm, it was easy to forget how much Shanks was respected by his crew, despite his young age. But now that they’d reunited, she could see how much he’d grown.

“Really?” Shanks tilted his head, raising a brow in suspicion.

Before the others could dig themselves into a deeper hole, she casually looped her arm around his and leaned into him with a playful bump of her shoulder. “Exactly that. Nothing.”

Shanks glanced down at her, teasing warmth in his voice. “You’re getting awfully chummy. How would the world react, seeing their beloved Marine Captain arm in arm with a pirate like me?”

“They’ll live,” she quipped, her tone light but steady. “Besides, it’s not like you’re pillaging this island, right? Normal people know you don’t do that. I think.”

Shanks let out a laugh, light and windblown, “You think, huh? You sure you’re not ruining that pristine Marine record of yours by hanging around me?”

“Oh come on, your being noisy," She rolled her eyes , "let’s go and eat something. There’s this nice place that sells lobster, you still like that, right?” she said casually, though her eyes flickered with something softer, nostalgic.

Shanks’s face lit up like the sun hitting open waters. “I could never reject a woman’s offer to eat lobster,” he grinned, already falling into step beside her.

The streets of the island were warm and busy, dotted with cheerful chatter and the occasional cry of seagulls. They didn’t talk much as they walked, comfortable silence now filled the space between them.

When they reached the restaurant, Shanks looked around in delight, already imagining a seat by the window, B ut she surprised him. “To-go, please,” she told the vendor instead, then turned to Shanks. “We’re having a picnic.”

“A picnic?” Shanks raised a brow but didn’t protest, already intrigued.

“There’s a spot nearby, by the cliffs. I sit there when I needed to clear my head.” Her voice lowered, just slightly.

He smiled, following without another word.

As they found the perfect place overlooking the ocean, she spread the food between them on the grass, the red of the lobster almost glowing under the sun.

“If this keeps going, my crew’s gonna start calling me a neglectful captain,” Shanks teased, taking a generous bite and groaning with exaggerated delight.

“It’s been years since we ate together like this,” she said, smiling as she picked at her lobster with delicate precision. “They’ll live.”

Shanks let out a hearty laugh, the same laugh she remembered from what felt like a lifetime ago. “You really look like a reliable captain now,” she teasingly said out of the blue, taking a big bite of his own.

"While you still eat like an animal,” He said back, watching her with a playful smirk.

For a moment, the world around them faded, no Yonko, no Marines, no war or duty or time. Just them, sitting cross-legged on a faded cloth under the shade of an old tree, salt on their lips and sea breeze in their hair.

They talked like no time had passed. Jokes about Buggy’s tantrums. Memories of Roger yelling at them to “hold on tighter” during storms. The nights spent huddled beneath the stars, whispering dreams and dumb ideas to each other.

Shanks was the same. Older, yes. Stronger, yes. But his spirit? Still that scrappy, sharp-eyed boy, S he caught herself watching him too long, too softly. The way the light hit his hair, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. The way he still made her laugh without trying.

And then she felt it, that tug in her chest, that familiar ache.

She had promised herself she wouldn’t do this. Not again. But sitting here, with him, the years peeled away like they never existed.

She can’t help but fall in love with him all over again.

----

That’s why, after a few weeks of The Red-Haired Pirates docking in this quaint island, she had decided to do something quite reckless.

She had kissed him, and he could only look at her with widened eyes. She was hoping for warmth, a laugh, a grin, maybe even the rare sight of the infamous Red-Haired Captain flustered.

But what she got was silence. His fingers rose, gently brushing against his lips, as if trying to hold onto something already fading.

“I can’t,” Shanks murmured, barely above the sound of the sea between them.

Her heart dropped.

Her love was answered with an I can’t . With rejection.

She bit the inside of her cheek, tasting salt that wasn’t from the ocean.

She thought of the nights wrapped in the same blanket, their knees touching beneath a shared silence. The soft laughter. The reckless teasing. The vulnerable conversations under the stars, whether it was yesterday or ten years ago, it all remained etched in her, stubborn and beautiful.

She had believed that maybe, maybe, some part of him held onto it too.

But now, with a kiss she never meant to be a goodbye, she knew, this moment would shift everything.

And that was the last moment they had with each other.

She knew then, as his laughter from his ship faded into the night and the scent of salt clung to his cloak, that she had never stood a chance. Not truly. Not against the pull of the horizon, not against the freedom in his veins.

He belonged to the sea.

And the sea never shared.

----

“Men!” Shanks called out, voice cracking ever so slightly as he raised a half-filled mug toward the sky. His usual grin was replaced by something softer.

“Let’s drink!”

----

Years later, when they meet again, it will be beneath the sun that shines over hometown, and standing beside her will be a wide-eyed, grinning rascal, pestering Shanks with unrelenting energy, who will soon inherit the will that’s the Straw Hat.

----

“Shanks…” Hongo’s voice came out low, hesitant, as he stood just outside her door. He couldn’t meet his captain’s gaze—how could he, with the weight of the news sitting like lead on his tongue? “I’m sorry.”

Shanks turned to him, smiling out of habit, though something uneasy tugged at the edges of his chest. “What is it, Hongo?”

The ship doctor hesitated for just a moment longer before the words dropped, heavy and final.

“She only has a few months left to live.”

The smile on Shanks’ face faltered, no, shattered. One word slipped from his lips, barely audible over the crashing waves beyond the deck.

“…What?”

----

“You knew?” Shanks’ voice was low, but there was something sharp in it, something that cracked beneath the surface. His eyes, usually warm with mischief or mirth, had gone cold. Focused. Piercing.

She didn’t flinch.

“Yes, I knew.” Her voice cut back with equal weight, though not as steady. “And I knew the real reason you kept docking on islands with no real trade value.” Her hand dragged down her face, wearied more by the conversation than her illness. “You weren’t looking for food or supplies. You were looking for a cure.”

Shanks stared at her, the silence stretching between them like a taut rope. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Hongo’s your senior officer,” she replied flatly. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to hear it from him?”

“You don’t believe that,” Shanks said. “Do you?” Shanks would much rather listen in on the person with said illness, the same person he had cared for as well.

She didn’t respond, and in her silence, Shanks sighed, long and tired, the sound of a man who’s been fighting something he can’t punch away.

His voice dropped. “So… you knew from the beginning. That’s why you asked me, isn’t it?”

Her eyes flickered, the briefest trembling in her fingers before she folded them into her sleeves. “I said what I said and I’m not going to take it back,” she murmured, “because I trust you more than anyone in this world.”

She looked at him then, not fragile, not even afraid, but unguarded.

“I can’t rely on anyone else to do it right.”

“You’re a cruel lady,” Shanks said, and though his voice held a teasing lilt, it faltered at the edges. There was a bitter smile on his face, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes, because deep down, he knew: he couldn’t win with her. Not in this. Not ever.

She let out a lifeless chuckle, dry and hollow, despite wanting to ease the tension. “If only you knew what they call me in the Marines.”

“I don’t need to know,” he replied, softer now, searching her face for something, anything, beneath the cracks. “cause I know what you are.”

“Oh?” she raised a brow, dragging her gaze up to meet his. “And what am I, Red Hair?”

Shanks hesitated. The truth itched at the back of his throat.

“You’re someone who carries the world on her back, smiles like it’s light, and dares anyone to notice the weight.” He exhaled slowly, his words sincere. “A reckless woman indeed.”

She blinked, caught off guard by his honesty. But it passed quickly.

“That’s funny,” she murmured. “Because when I look at you, I see a man who sailed the seas to outrun the things he couldn’t fix. We’re not so different, you and I.”

Shanks looked away for a moment, jaw clenched, tongue caught behind words he wanted to say. That’s not true, if you knew what I’ve been doing these past few years…

“But you still asked me,” he said quietly, unsaid words remain unsaid.

She didn’t answer.

She didn’t have to.

“You know I love you, right?” Shanks whispered, as if the words themselves might crumble under their own weight. His voice was quiet, almost too quiet, like he was afraid of what the sentence might become once spoken.

She didn’t answer at first.

Brows furrowed, she blinked slowly, as if trying to decipher whether she had truly heard him right. She thought she had misheard the man she had known since childhood.

Then after a few pauses, she answers, her hands clenched onto the bedding, glaring at the man, not believing a word that had left his lips.

“No,” she said, curt and steady. “I don’t.”

Shanks blinked, surprised by the bluntness of it. He wasn’t expecting that type of answer.

“You don’t get to say that to me,” she continued, her voice cold under the silver gleam of moonlight. “Don’t you dare ever say you love me.”

Her words hit like a blade, it started blunt, yet it got sharper the more she says and she didn’t stop.

“Love is unconditional. Love is warm,” she said, jabbing a finger into her own chest. “You want to talk about love?”

Her voice cracked, just slightly.

“I’m afraid to die, no because of the pain, or what hell or judgement I’d face, but because I want to see Luffy become Pirate King. I want to see Ace carve his name into the world leaving his own legacy. I want to see the day my brother and my father finally reunite.”

She got out of bed, stepping forward towards where Shanks is, and now her finger pressed hard into his chest.

“They left me. Over and over. And still, I wait. Like some loyal fucking dog.” She took a shaky breath. “That’s love.”

Her hand fell back to her side, clenched into a trembling fist.

“That’s fucking love, Red-Haired.”

Shanks stood there, silent. Taking it. Letting her speak, letting her bleed it out, because he knew he had no right to interrupt.

“And you?” she laughed bitterly. “You brought me nothing but confusion. Silence. Half-truths. Heartbreak.”

She shook her head slowly, her eyes wet but blazing.

“So don’t you dare tell me you love me now, when you couldn’t even give me the dignity of closure.”

She turned her back slightly, her voice growing smaller, but no less furious.

Shanks tried to reach for her arm, her name softly leaving his lips, but she continued.

“You’ve always loved the sea more than me. And that’s fine. I made peace with that a long time ago.” She laughed, 'cause what can she do? The man she had painfully pined over the years and in the end rejected her, says that he loves her, when she was running on limited time.

“What I can’t forgive,” A pause, “what I’ll never accept is you standing there with those sad fucking eyes, telling me you love me... like it makes things better between us.”

Shanks didn’t say anything for a long time.

The night wind moved around them through the open door. brushing past her like an apology, rustling the red hair that earned him his name, now shadowed by guilt.

He stepped forward once.

Then stopped.

His hands clenched at his sides, not out of anger, but restraint, because the part of him that wanted to reach out, to hold her, to pull her close and say I’m sorry , was still the same part that had left her all those years ago.

"I don’t expect you to forgive me," Shanks said at last, his voice low, honest in a way that felt almost cruel.

She didn’t turn to face him. Her shoulders remained rigid, like the tension alone was holding her together.

"And I won’t insult you by asking for it."

Silence. But her breathing wasn’t steady anymore.

“I meant what I said,” he continued, each word heavier than the last. “My love for you… it was consuming.”

She furrowed her brows, a bitter scoff caught in her throat. Another excuse. Another romanticized lie.

“What I wanted was to live a quiet pirate life, just the three of us,” Shanks started out, a smile etched on his face as he thought back the memories they had in the Oro Jackson, the happiest moments of his life.

“But then there were times I imagined something else. A quiet life. You and me. A farm, maybe. A family.” He shook his head, bitter at the dream. “And that's what terrified me.”

Her silence stung. So he kept going, the only way he knew how, forward, even if the ground was falling apart beneath him.

“I’m a pirate. The sea calls for me. But you—” Shanks looked at her, really looked at her— “You were like my anchor. You pulled me in, even when I didn’t want to be caught.”

She turned her head slowly, just enough to glance at him from the corner of her eye. “I was your anchor? So I was the weight? The thing that held you back from chasing your grand adventure?”

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

But she wasn’t convinced. Her fingers twitched at her sides, trembling from holding back too much for too long.

Shanks stepped forward, his voice quieter now. “You were my freedom too. I just didn’t realize it until it was too late.”

That’s when she turned fully. Her gaze met his, glassy but sharp.

“Do you think that makes it easier?” she asked, voice frayed at the edges. “Hearing that now?”

“No,” he whispered. “But you deserve the truth. Even if it’s a thousand years late.” Eyes yearning for a future they never get to live in.

The wind picked up slightly, pushing the salty air against her cheeks, but it did nothing to cool the fire inside her chest. She hadn’t meant to say any of it, not to Shanks, but the words came tumbling out before she could stop them. She didn’t want his pity, she never did, but it felt like the weight of everything was finally collapsing on her.

“I lived a life where everyone I love left me,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking the words made them more real.

“My mom, my dad,” She pressed her hands to her forehead, shielding her eyes from Shanks, the tears falling freely now, “My brother.”

Shanks didn’t move. He didn’t speak, but his eyes never left her, his presence quiet and steady.

“I gave up my freedom for Garp and Luffy,” she choked out, her breath hitching. “I stuck with Luffy because... because I grew up alone, and I didn’t want that for him. His dad... my brother left to do something greater, something important.” Her voice broke on the last word, but she couldn’t stop. She wouldn’t stop.

“I wanted to do the same,” she continued, her chest tightening, her grip on her hair becoming more desperate. “But I just can’t leave Luffy alone.” She shut her eyes, biting her lip so hard that it almost hurt, willing herself to stop the flood of emotions. She didn’t want him to see her this way. She didn’t want to break down in front of him.

But he wasn’t going anywhere.

“Then he found himself his own family,” she continued, her words bitter with the sting of truth. “And he’s leaving, too, to be a pirate. And in the end... I’m the idiot who’s left behind, waiting for everyone to come back. I’m the one who stays, Shanks. I’m the one who stays .”

Her breath was ragged now, tears still falling, though she no longer cared.

Shanks didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. He simply moved closer, his large presence both grounding and comforting.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low and rough, his words quiet, but firm. “You’re not waiting. You’re living. You’ve been living, fighting for those you love, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.”

Her head snapped up, surprise flickering in her eyes, but Shanks didn’t meet her gaze.

“I never wanted to leave you behind,” he murmured, “I never wanted to make you feel like that. But the sea... the sea calls, and we have our paths. We all have our own journeys. But that doesn’t mean you’re not important. You’re more than just someone left waiting. You’ve taken a piece of my heart with you, whether you believe it or not.”

“I don’t,” she whispered softly, “I don’t believe it.”

For a moment, the two stood there, locked in the silence of everything they were and everything they could never be.

----

“Boss?” Lucky Roux called, stepping toward Shanks the moment the red-haired captain emerged from the room she’s staying in. The sea breeze tugged at his coat, but Shanks didn’t seem to feel it.

Shanks stood still for a beat, his eyes dark beneath the shadow of his hat. His jaw was clenched, his usual grin nowhere to be found.

“Find a remote island,” he said, voice low and cold— resigned. “We’re doing this.”

A beat of silence.

“Aye, aye, Captain,” his crew echoed, voices steady but weighed with unspoken understanding.

----

Her fingers trembled by her sides, but her eyes, her eyes were still. Steady. They gleamed under the soft light with a clarity Shanks hadn’t seen in her for a long time: resolve, and something heavier, something final. He hated that look. It meant her decision had already been made. She wasn’t waiting for him to change it, just to accept it. Still, Shanks looked at her as if the weight in his chest might lift if he could just say it, if he could finally admit what he’d never been brave enough to before.

“I love you,” he said, quieter this time. No grin, no teasing lilt, just the truth. Raw and bare, stripped of everything he usually used to protect himself. It was the only thing he had left to give her.

There was a pause. A silence so thin it could’ve split open if one of them so much as breathed wrong.

“Yeah,” she said, voice soft, a smile tugging at her lips like it had been stitched there with thread too weak to hold. “I love you, Shanks.”

But she didn’t say 'too.'

And that absence meant everything.

Not because the words weren’t true. They were more than anything else she’d ever said. But because acknowledging it, admitting it fully, would’ve broken her. Would’ve tied her down to something she could no longer afford to chase.

She believed he said it to make her feel better. Maybe he did. Maybe he didn’t. It didn’t matter.

Because in the end, this was it for her.

He felt it, every trembling breath she took, every flicker of pain she tried to bury beneath that ever-steady gaze. It took everything in her just to stand, to speak, to let him see her like this: fragile, fading, but still proud. She never begged. Never cowered. Even now, at the end of everything, she clung to the last remnants of who she was. That was her final act of defiance.

“I’m asking you to set me free,” she said, cutting through the silence, her voice steady, almost gentle. “Before it gets to me. Before I forget who I am.”

Shanks’s hand curled into a fist. His jaw tightened so hard it ached. “Change your mind,” he said, barely above a whisper. “Don’t ask me for this.”

But she only looked at him, unwavering. “I made up my mind, I trust you, Figarland Shanks.”

Tears shimmered in his eyes, refusing to fall, not yet. Not until she meets her peace.

“Make it fast?” she asked, and this time her voice wavered.

“Of course,” he replied, his voice breaking around the edges, but still he meant it. With every aching bone in his body, he meant it.

She closed her eyes.

And then, with the quiet grace of a man who had carried the sea in his chest, Shanks drew his blade, not with anger, not with grief, but with reverence, as if he were not ending a life.

She waited for it, waited for the sharp, clean edge of mercy. But instead, he stepped forward. Gently, without a word, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

It shattered her.

The intimacy, so simple, so tender, caught her off guard. Especially after everything that had passed between them in their last encounter: the distance, the denial, the years filled with unspoken longing. The affection she had buried deep in her ribs, pined for in silence, was suddenly returned. But at what cost?

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice low, raw.

Her tears came in torrents, freely now, spilling down her cheeks as she managed a breathless, “I know.”

Then—

The blade slid through her heart like a whisper.

No sound. No resistance.

Only the wind remained.

And when it passed, she was gone.

Shanks stood there, unmoving, holding her close even as the warmth slipped from her limbs. For a long time, he said nothing. Did nothing. The sea was quiet, almost reverent, mourning with him in stillness.

And then, he wept.

Not loud. Not wild. Just a single tear, slipping down a face that had braved storms and gods.

Even the sea could not carry this loss.

----

“Men!” Shanks called out, his voice cracking ever so slightly as he raised a half-filled mug toward the sky. His usual grin, wide and reckless, was replaced by something more hollow,

He could not hide his sorrow, not tonight. Despite the cheery lilt in his tone, his cheeks were stained with tears, carved by grief like rivers over weathered stone.

“Let’s drink!” he declared, loud and bright, as if the sheer force of his voice could drown out the ache swelling in his chest.

“To her,” he said, quietly this time, to himself, voice nearly lost to the wind,

----

#luffy x you #shanks x reader #marine!reader #she gave up her freedom for her family :(#reader has abandonment issues #it was supposed to be a tiny bit but apparently it got out of control #one piece x reader #finished!!

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2b4st4r · 15 hours ago

Note

Hello I just read a killers promise and loved it. Also saw your requests are open so im gonna ask ;) hehehe: could you write about the strawhats with a reader who's luffy's sister and she's really strong and can fight really well but she doesn't look like it and the crew is just "😮😦🤯"? Like she's very gentle and warming and calm? Basically the opposite of luffy but when she fights she's like a demon? Monster? Demon monster?? Lol yeah, if you can please if not that's alright!

The Gentle Demon

Straw hats x reader

Luffy x reader (PLATONIC SIBLINGS.)

⋆˚꩜｡ Words: 8,457

⋆. 𐙚 ̊ Warnings: Violance and injury, grief and loss, female reader, use of y/n.

𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆🌷͙⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ

The world often mistook you for fragile. With your delicate frame and unassuming height, few would ever guess the monstrous strength rippling beneath your skin. They certainly didn't know the mountains you'd conquered, the beasts you'd wrestled, or the brothers you'd protected. You, Monkey D. Y/N, were born with a power that defied your appearance, a strength that even your wild, rubber-bodied brother, Luffy, couldn't match in those early days.

From the moment you could toddle, you were inseparable. You and Luffy, blood siblings in a family of fierce, unbreakable bonds. You learned to fight before you could properly read, the rustle of leaves and the roar of wild animals a more familiar lullaby than any nursery rhyme. Remember that time you both stumbled upon a colossal boartusked bear, its eyes blazing with hunger? While Luffy, ever the reckless one, charged headfirst, it was your small, quick hands that deftly dodged its swipe, your deceptively powerful punch that sent it reeling, giving him the opening he needed. You patched each other up, shared silent knowing glances, and always, always had each other's backs.

Then came Ace, all fiery ambition and protective glares, and Sabo, the thoughtful strategist with a mischievous glint in his eye. The four of you, a whirlwind of chaotic energy, forged a bond stronger than any bloodline. You stole sake, dreamt of freedom, and faced down threats that would make grown men tremble. Every scraped knee, every triumphant roar, every shared secret cemented your family. You were an unstoppable force, a unit against the world.

But even the strongest foundations can crack. You remember the gut-wrenching hollowness when Sabo was "killed," a hole in your collective heart that never truly healed. Then Ace, always chasing a greater adventure, set sail at seventeen, leaving a gaping void. And then, the most painful cut of all, your own adventurous spirit tugged you away, and Luffy, at seventeen, too, embarked on his grand journey. Suddenly, the inseparable quartet was scattered to the winds.

The years that followed were a blur of new horizons and evolving legends. You, the perpetually underestimated powerhouse, carved your path as an adventurer, never fully committing to the chaotic life of piracy, yet always drawn to the thrill of the unknown. You heard whispers of Luffy, an up-and-coming pirate making waves, and Ace, who had soared to become the 2nd Division Commander of the fearsome Whitebeard Pirates. You swelled with pride, a silent cheer echoing in your heart for your incredible brothers.

Then Marineford. You weren't there, physically, but you felt it. The world vibrated with the raw, agonizing grief of your eldest brother's loss. A part of you shattered that day, a pain so profound it threatened to consume you. Yet, you endured. The years continued to march on, and with each passing season, your inherent strength seemed to amplify, an unstoppable force growing within you. And then, the news hit, carried on the winds of rumor and whispered in taverns across the Grand Line: Luffy, your little brother, a Yonko? Could you believe it? The wild child you'd fought alongside in the mountains, now one of the four most powerful pirates in the world. And you? You smiled, a genuine, unburdened smile, ready for whatever twisted path the world had in store for you next.

The rhythmic slap of waves against your small adventurer's vessel was a familiar lullaby. You were charting a course for an uncharted island, the thrill of the unknown a constant companion. The sun was a warm blanket on your skin, the sea breeze ruffling your (h/c) hair. Years of solitary voyages had honed your senses, but nothing could have prepared you for what shimmered on the horizon.

A ship. Not just any ship, but one unmistakable in its whimsical design: the Thousand Sunny. And there, snapping proudly in the wind, was that jolly roger – a grinning skull in a straw hat. Your breath hitched. Luffy's crew.

A maelstrom of emotions brewed within you. Joy, a potent surge of it, for seeing the tangible proof of your brother's monumental success. A pang of something akin to nerves, too – how much had he changed? How much had you changed? You, who had always been the stronger, the protector, now faced the captain of a Yonko crew.

Your first instinct was to simply observe. To soak in the sight of the ship that carried your brother's dreams. You cut your engine, letting your small craft drift, a tiny speck against the Sunny's grandeur. You saw movement on deck, figures too small to distinguish, but you knew them. The sniper, the swordsman, the navigator, the cook, the doctor, the archaeologist, the shipwright, the musician, the helmsman. Each one a cornerstone of Luffy's legend.

A wide, uncontrollable grin spread across your face. It was foolish, perhaps, to simply sit there, a vulnerable target in the vast ocean, but you couldn't tear your eyes away. You remembered the countless times you'd patched Luffy up, scolded him for his recklessness, and fought tooth and nail by his side. Now, he was out there, carving his name into history.The decision, when it came, wasn't a conscious one. It was an instinct, a pull stronger than any logical thought. You gripped the tiller of your small ship and veered sharply, aiming directly for the Thousand Sunny. The gap between your vessels closed with surprising speed. As you drew alongside, you effortlessly snagged one of their mooring ropes, your years of handling sails and rigging making the maneuver seamless. With a single, fluid motion, you scaled the railing, landing softly on the deck of the Sunny.

The ship was abuzz with activity, a chaotic symphony of shouts and laughter that felt both alien and strangely familiar. No one noticed you at first. A green-haired man with three swords strapped to his side was napping against the mast, a giant robot shipwright was tinkering with something loud, and a long-nosed individual was excitedly demonstrating some new invention to a tiny reindeer doctor. A blonde chef was arguing heatedly with a raven-haired navigator, while a skeleton played a lively tune on a violin.

You took a quiet breath, the scent of salt and adventure filling your lungs. This was it. After years, after oceans of separation, you were finally here. You scanned the deck, a smile tugging at your lips. Luffy, of course, was nowhere to be seen. He was probably off somewhere, eating, or causing general mayhem.

"Well," you finally said, your voice calm but carrying over the din, "this is a bit more crowded than I remember."

The skeleton's music abruptly cut off. The arguing chef and navigator froze. The long-nosed man's jaw dropped, and even the napping swordsman's eye twitched open. All heads swiveled, eyes wide with surprise, landing on you. For a moment, a silence descended, broken only by the gentle lapping of waves against the hull.

You offered them a soft, reassuring smile, raising your hands slightly in a gesture of peace. "No need for all the dramatic staring," you chuckled gently. "Though I suppose it's not everyday a stranger just... appears on your deck." Your gaze swept over them, a warmth growing in your chest. "You all look exactly like the rumors describe. Zoro, still napping, I see. Nami, still managing to keep this chaotic bunch in line. Sanji, probably fuming about something. Ussop, no doubt weaving grand tales. Chopper, as adorable as ever. Robin, elegant as always. Franky, super! And Brook, still playing that lovely music." You paused, your eyes landing on the newest addition. "And Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea. It's truly an honor."

Each name you spoke seemed to tighten the tension, their expressions shifting from surprise to suspicion, hands hovering near weapons. Zoro's hand was already on his sword hilt, his single visible eye narrowed. Nami had her Clima-Tact ready, and Sanji's leg was poised to strike.

"How do you know all of that?" Nami demanded, her voice sharp with caution. "Who are you?"

You didn't flinch from their wary gazes. "Oh, that's right," you mused, a hint of playful mischief entering your tone. "We haven't been formally introduced, have we? Though I feel like I've known you all for years." You paused, then your smile softened, a genuine warmth radiating from you. "My name is Y/N. And to answer your unspoken question... I'm looking for someone." You glanced around the deck, a slight frown creasing your brow when you still didn't spot him. "He's usually causing some kind of ruckus. Where's Luffy?"

The question hung in the air, a loaded silence descending upon the deck once more. Their stances stiffened further, a palpable readiness to attack settling over the crew.

Just as the tension threatened to snap, a familiar, boisterous laugh echoed from below deck. Footsteps thundered up the stairs, and then he emerged, a wide, unburdened grin plastered across his face. Luffy. He was mid-sentence, probably demanding meat, when his eyes landed on you.

His smile froze. His whole body went rigid, a sudden, unnatural stillness for the man who was constantly in motion. The crew, already poised for a fight, saw their captain’s sudden paralysis and exchanged bewildered glances. Then, slowly, the corners of Luffy's mouth began to twitch upwards again, wider than before, an impossibly vast, joyful crescent.

"Y/N?!" he bellowed, the sound tearing through the surprised silence on deck. He didn't wait for an answer. In a flash, he launched himself across the deck, a rubbery blur of pure excitement. You braced yourself, a fond smile gracing your lips. He slammed into you with the force of a small cannonball, wrapping you in a bone-crushing hug that lifted you clean off your feet.

"You're here! You're really here!" he roared, burying his face in your shoulder. "I haven't seen you in ages! What are you doing here? Did you bring any meat?"

You laughed, a genuine, bubbling sound that made the Straw Hats collectively jump. It was a sound they'd never heard from you, a sound filled with unadulterated affection. You hugged him back just as fiercely, your own impressive strength easily matching his enthusiastic squeeze.

"Of course I'm here, you big dummy," you chuckled, ruffling his messy black hair. "And you haven't changed a bit, always thinking about food. It's good to see you, Lu. Really good." You pulled back just enough to look at his beaming face, your eyes shining with unshed tears. "You've really gone and done it, haven't you? A Yonko. I always knew you would."

Luffy just grinned, his joy radiating off him in waves. He seemed utterly oblivious to the bewildered and increasingly suspicious glances of his crew. "Shishishi! Of course! I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!" He then pulled back, finally seeming to remember his surroundings. "Hey, everyone! This is Y/N! She's my sister!"

The declaration hung in the air, a bombshell dropping into the stunned silence. The Straw Hats looked from Luffy, still beaming, to you, still smiling gently, and back again, their expressions a mix of utter confusion and dawning realization.

The silence that followed Luffy's declaration was thick enough to cut with a knife. The Straw Hats exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes darting from the perpetually cheerful captain to the serene, seemingly delicate woman who had just appeared on their ship.

Sanji was the first to break the stunned quiet, a visible vein throbbing on his forehead. "His sister?!" he sputtered, gesturing wildly with a smoking cigarette. "That beautiful, elegant, absolutely perfect lady is related to that idiotic rubber band?!" He stared at you with a mix of awe and profound disbelief, as if trying to reconcile the vision of grace before him with the boisterous, food-obsessed captain. "It's an insult to the very concept of aesthetics!"

Nami, ever the pragmatist, narrowed her eyes. "Luffy, are you serious? You have a sister?" Her tone was laced with suspicion, as if expecting some elaborate prank.

Luffy, meanwhile, was completely oblivious to his crew's disbelief. He was too busy pulling you towards the main deck, his arm slung around your shoulders. "Yep! She's Y/N! And she's super strong!" he declared proudly, his grin stretching wider. "Remember that time we fought the mountain bear, Y/N? You punched it so hard it flew into a tree!"

You chuckled softly, a warm, almost nostalgic glow in your eyes. "It was a rather large bear, Lu, and you were about to get yourself trampled."

"Shishishi! But you saved me!" Luffy insisted. "She's even stronger than Ace sometimes! You should have seen her lift that giant boulder by herself when we were little! Or when she stopped that charging King Bull with just one hand!"

The Straw Hats simply nodded, their skepticism evident in their forced smiles and wide, disbelieving eyes. They looked at your slender frame, your calm demeanor, and then at their captain, who regularly punched holes in mountains. It simply didn't compute. Zoro, despite himself, squinted at you, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze. He trusted Luffy's instincts, but the visual evidence was simply not there. Chopper, ever innocent, tilted his head. "Really? You're super strong?" he asked, his voice full of childlike wonder.

You offered a gentle, knowing smile to the disbelieving crew. "Luffy tends to exaggerate," you said calmly, your voice a soothing balm amidst their confusion. "But we did have our share of adventures growing up." You turned back to Luffy, a deep affection shining in your eyes. "So, you've certainly built quite the crew, little brother. They look like a handful."

Luffy beamed. "They're the best! We're gonna find the One Piece together!"

Luffy's eyes lit up, an almost impossibly bright spark igniting within them. "You should stay, Y/N! Stay with us! We're going to the next island anyway! It'll be fun!" He bounced on the balls of his feet, his enthusiasm infectious.

You looked at his pleading face, then at the curious, still-wary faces of his crew. A small smile played on your lips. The open sea had been your companion for so long, the solitary life a comfortable routine. But the warmth radiating from your brother, the sheer joy of his presence, was a pull you couldn't deny.

"Alright, Lu," you conceded, a soft laugh escaping you. "Just to the next island. But no trying to rope me into any grand pirate schemes, understand?"

"Shishishi! No promises!" he chirped, wrapping an arm around your shoulders and practically dragging you further onto the deck. "See, guys? I told you she'd stay!"

The Straw Hats exchanged another round of confused glances. Sanji, however, was already a blur of motion, rushing towards the galley. "A beautiful lady has graced our humble vessel!" he declared, tears of joy streaming down his face. "I must prepare a feast worthy of a goddess and the sister of our captain!"

Nami sighed, but a small, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips. "Well, if you're staying, Y/N, you might as well make yourself useful," she said, though her tone was more resigned than annoyed. "Can you read a map?"

You simply smiled, a quiet sense of belonging settling over you. It had been years since you'd been surrounded by such boisterous energy, such an undeniable sense of family. As Luffy pulled you towards the galley, undoubtedly to raid their food stores, you felt a warmth spread through you, a sensation more comforting than any solitary sunset at sea. The journey to the next island promised to be anything but ordinary.

The journey to the next island became a slow, unfolding revelation for the Straw Hats. Despite Luffy's unwavering declaration, his crew remained subtly guarded, watching Y/N with a mix of curiosity and lingering suspicion. Yet, with each passing hour, her gentle demeanor and quiet competence began to chip away at their skepticism.

Nami, ever the navigator, was the first to truly interact. During a particularly tricky current, her brow furrowed in concentration over a map. Y/N, noticing her slight frustration, calmly walked over. "May I have a look?" she asked softly. Nami, surprised but not unwelcoming, handed over the map. Without a word, Y/N traced a finger along a faint, almost invisible current line that Nami had overlooked. "If you adjust your heading just so," she murmured, pointing to a subtle shift in the water's color outside, "you'll catch the edge of this eddy. It's a tricky one, but it'll shave a few hours off your journey." Nami followed her advice, and sure enough, the Thousand Sunny surged forward with renewed speed. A surprised, appreciative glance was exchanged, a silent acknowledgment of shared skill.

Later, Usopp was attempting to fix a finicky part of his newest invention, muttering curses under his breath. He was about to give up when Y/N approached. "Looks complicated," she observed, her voice empathetic. "Sometimes, a little leverage can make all the difference." With a surprising, almost imperceptible shift of her wrist, she subtly repositioned a small, stuck cog within his contraption. It wasn't brute force, but a delicate precision that allowed Usopp to finally click the piece into place. He stared, wide-eyed, then grinned. "Wow! How'd you do that, Y/N?!" she simply smiled warmly, a hint of knowing mischief in her eyes.

During lunch, Chopper, ever cautious, initially kept his distance. Y/N noticed his quiet observation and simply offered him a gentle smile. She made sure to take only small portions, leaving plenty for the others, and spoke in a calm, soothing tone when Luffy inevitably caused a food-related ruckus. At one point, Chopper dropped a small medical tool, and Y/N instinctively reached out, catching it before it hit the deck. "Careful there," she said, her voice soft. "Wouldn't want such an important tool to get damaged." Chopper, seeing her genuine kindness, slowly began to relax, his initial shyness fading into tentative curiosity.

Sanji, of course, was in his element. He constantly tried to serve her, showering her with compliments. Y/N accepted his offerings with grace, always thanking him genuinely and admiring his culinary skill. "These pastries are exquisite, Sanji," she remarked, making him swoon. She never once took advantage of his chivalry, treating him with the same gentle respect she showed everyone else, which only seemed to intensify his devotion. "Such a delicate flower, yet so discerning!" he would declare.

Zoro remained mostly aloof, often napping or training. Y/N respected his quiet nature, never disturbing him unless necessary. Once, while he was lifting weights, she noticed a slight imbalance in his form that, over time, could lead to strain. "You have incredible strength," she remarked softly as she walked by, her voice barely a whisper. "But sometimes, a subtle shift in weight distribution can prevent future wear." She didn't elaborate, simply continued on her way. Zoro paused his training, frowning slightly. He tried adjusting his stance, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face as he felt the improved balance. He didn't acknowledge her, but the subtle shift in his form was thanks enough.

Robin was, as always, observant. She watched Y/N with an almost academic interest, her usual calm demeanor hiding a deep curiosity. Y/N, for her part, found a quiet kinship with the archaeologist. They often sat on the deck, sharing silent moments, or exchanging gentle smiles. Once, Robin mentioned a rare flower she was researching. Y/N, recalling an adventurer's log she'd once read, provided a small detail about its unique growing conditions, a detail Robin hadn't encountered. "Oh? That's fascinating," Robin said, a rare hint of intrigue in her voice. "Thank you, Y/N-san."

Franky initially saw her as just another "super" addition to the crew's female members. Y/N admired his craftsmanship, taking genuine interest in his modifications to the Sunny. "The way you've integrated the Gaon Cannon is truly impressive, Franky," she commented, inspecting a hidden panel. "The structural integrity around the launch mechanism is exceptionally sound." Franky puffed out his chest, beaming. "Super, right?! You got a good eye, sis!"

Brook found in Y/N an appreciative audience for his music and jokes. She laughed genuinely at his skull jokes, and her gentle clapping after his performances made his ghostly heart sing. "Your melodies truly capture the spirit of the sea, Brook," she would say, and the skeleton would bow dramatically, delighted.

Even Jinbe, with his stoic and wise presence, found himself subtly acknowledging her. During a conversation about currents and the sea, Y/N offered a perspective on how certain sea kings migrated through specific deep-sea trenches, information that even Jinbe, a master of the seas, found insightful. He nodded slowly, a respectful look in his eyes. "You have a deep understanding of the ocean, Y/N-san," he stated, his voice a low rumble.

By the time the next island appeared on the horizon, the initial wariness had largely dissipated. They still hadn't seen her true strength, but they had witnessed her quiet wisdom, her genuine kindness, and her uncanny ability to subtly help each of them. Luffy's sister might look delicate, but there was an undeniable presence about her, a calming force that had, surprisingly, begun to feel like home.

The outline of the next island gradually sharpened on the horizon, a lush, mountainous silhouette rising from the sapphire sea. A familiar pang of wanderlust stirred within you, the instinct to set off alone reasserting itself. You glanced at the Straw Hats, now a comfortable, if still boisterous, presence around you.

Luffy, as if sensing your impending departure, turned to you, his lower lip jutting out in an exaggerated pout. "You're not leaving already, are you, Y/N?!" he whined, his eyes wide and pleading. "Just a little longer! We haven't even had a proper adventure yet! Come on, stay for another island!"

You sighed, a fond exasperation blooming in your chest. His earnestness was impossible to resist. You met his gaze, then looked at the silent, expectant faces of his crew. Nami gave a subtle, almost imperceptible nod. Even Zoro had a slightly less intense stare.

"Alright, alright," you conceded, a soft smile gracing your lips. "Just one more island, Lu. But that's it."

Luffy cheered, throwing his arms around you in another crushing hug. "Shishishi! You're the best, Y/N!"

Arrival at Port

The Thousand Sunny docked smoothly in the bustling port town. The air was thick with the scent of exotic spices and the murmur of a thousand conversations. Luffy, naturally, was the first one off the ship, bounding onto the pier with his usual boundless energy. The rest of the crew followed, a motley but formidable group that drew curious glances from the townsfolk. You walked beside Jinbe, your presence an understated calm amidst the crew's vibrant chaos.

As you all made your way through the lively marketplace, past stalls laden with colorful fruits and glittering trinkets, a sudden hush fell over the crowd. A group of burly, scarred figures emerged from a shadowy alleyway, their movements deliberate and menacing. They wore a tattered, distinct flag emblazoned with a snarling wolf's head.

One of them, a hulking man with a jagged scar across his face, stepped forward, his voice a low growl that carried through the sudden silence. "Well, well, look what the tide dragged in," he sneered, his eyes sweeping over the Straw Hats and then pausing on you, an unpleasant glint in his gaze. "The Straw Hats, eh? You've picked the wrong port, pirates. This territory belongs to the Crimson Fang crew. And we don't take kindly to trespassers." His eyes narrowed, focusing on Luffy. "Especially not big shot Yonko crews."

The air crackled with tension. The townsfolk began to scatter, scurrying into doorways and behind market stalls. The Straw Hats instinctively tensed, their hands going to their weapons. Sanji's cigarette glowed brighter, Zoro's hand rested on his hilt, and Nami's grip tightened on her weapon. You remained calm, your expression unreadable, but your eyes held a quiet intensity as they locked onto the approaching rivals.

The air hung heavy, thick with the unspoken threat of violence. The Crimson Fang pirates bristled, their leader's hand already twitching towards a weapon. Everyone could sense the impending explosion.

But before the scarred man could even twitch a finger, you moved. It wasn't a sudden burst of speed, nor a flashy technique. It was a fluid, almost graceful step forward, so subtle that only the most observant would even notice. Then, your right foot came down. Not with a stomp, not with a kick, but with a seemingly delicate precision that belied the devastating force behind it.

A resounding CRACK ripped through the cobblestones of the market square. The very ground beneath your foot fractured, sending spiderweb cracks outward. The force rippled through the street, and the hulking man at the front, caught completely off guard, yelled as the impact travelled up his leg. His face contorted, not from a direct hit, but from the sheer concussive force that had traveled from the ground, through his body, and culminated in a sickening crunch that broke his nose and sent him sprawling backwards, blood gushing. He lay amidst the shattered pavement, groaning, entirely incapacitated.

His stunned crewmates stared, wide-eyed, from their downed leader to your calm, unruffled demeanor. It was then that a collective gasp went through their ranks, followed by hushed, terrified whispers that quickly escalated into shouts.

"No way!"

"It's her!"

"The Gentle Demon!"

The name echoed through the scattering crowd, a ripple of fear and awe.

Luffy, surprisingly, just grinned, a familiar, proud look on his face as if this was merely another Tuesday. "Shishishi! See? I told you she was strong!"

His crew, however, was absolutely floored. Sanji, who had been about to unleash a flaming kick, stood frozen, his jaw hanging open. "The... the Gentle Demon?" he stammered, his earlier admiration for your "delicate beauty" clashing violently with the reality he'd just witnessed.

Nami's eyes were wide, her Clima-Tact lowering slowly. Usopp let out a small, terrified squeak, clutching Chopper. Chopper, for his part, had transformed into his Brain Point, tiny antlers quivering as he tried to process the impossible display of strength. Franky's usually boisterous "SUPER!" died in his throat. Brook merely let out a silent, skull-rattling gasp.

Robin's usually serene expression showed a rare flicker of profound recognition. Her eyes widened slightly as she put the pieces together. "The Gentle Demon," she murmured, a touch of awe in her voice. "The rumors spoke of a mysterious adventurer, renowned for her kindness and grace, yet possessing strength rivaling the most powerful figures in the world. Said to effortlessly shatter stone, command incredible force... a power so immense some believed it was a blessing from the gods, while others swore it could only be a devil fruit." She looked at you, a newfound respect shining in her gaze. "It seems the legends didn't exaggerate, Y/N-san."

You simply offered a small, apologetic shrug to the groaning pirate. "Sometimes, a demonstration is the quickest way to avoid a longer argument," you said, your voice still as calm and gentle as ever. The remaining Crimson Fang pirates, seeing their formidable leader broken and the street itself cracked beneath your foot, didn't need another demonstration. They snatched up their fallen comrade and fled, scrambling back into the alleyway from which they came, their boasts replaced by desperate cries of terror.

Luffy's laughter, loud and uninhibited, boomed through the now hushed market square. "Shishishi shi! you’ve gotten even stronger y/n!" he chortled, completely unfazed by the broken pavement and the fleeing pirates. He truly was the only one who seemed to have anticipated Y/N's devastating capability.

The remaining Crimson Fang pirates, fueled by a desperate mix of terror and bravado, momentarily froze at Robin's words. But then, as one, they surged forward, a desperate attempt to overwhelm Y/N with sheer numbers. "Get her!" one of them shrieked, "She's just one woman!"

They were sorely mistaken.

Y/N moved again, and this time, the Straw Hats saw more than just a subtle shift. It was a blur of motion that defied her seemingly delicate frame. She didn't draw a weapon, didn't need to.

One pirate, charging with a rusty cutlass, suddenly found himself airborne, propelled upwards by an invisible force from Y/N's outstretched palm. He soared over the market stalls, a startled cry escaping him, before landing with a dull thud in a pile of fishnets, completely entangled.

Another, attempting a wide swing with a spiked club, felt a deceptively gentle tap on his wrist. The tap, however, carried the force of a battering ram. His hand instantly went numb, the club clattering to the ground as he clutched his now undoubtedly shattered bones.

A third, trying to sneak up behind her, found himself face-first in a barrel of exotic fruit, the wood splintering around him as if he'd been thrown by a giant. Y/N didn't punch, didn't kick in the conventional sense. Her movements were precise, efficient, and horrifyingly powerful. A slight pivot, a seemingly casual flick of a wrist, a barely noticeable shoulder bump – each minimal motion resulted in maximal, bone-jarring impact. It was like watching a graceful dancer effortlessly dismantle a small army. Within moments, the ground was littered with groaning, defeated pirates, each one incapacitated by what appeared to be almost no effort from Y/N.

The Straw Hats stood utterly dumbfounded. They had been ready to fight, their minds prepared for a chaotic brawl, but Y/N had finished it before they even had a chance to twitch a muscle.

Sanji, still reeling from the initial shock, dropped his cigarette. It rolled across the broken pavement as he stared, eyes wide. "She... she didn't even muss her hair," he whispered, a mixture of awe and terror in his voice. "This elegant, perfect goddess... is an absolute monster!"

Nami blinked, then blinked again. Her Clima-Tact lay forgotten in her hand. "So... all those rumors weren't exaggerated at all," she muttered, a new, cautious respect entering her gaze. "Luffy, why didn't you warn us your sister was... that?!"

Usopp had fainted. He lay in a crumpled heap, with Chopper frantically trying to revive him. "Usopp! Hang in there! It's okay! The scary lady won!" Chopper yelped, then quickly clamped a hoof over his mouth, realizing what he'd said.

Franky stared at the cracked ground, then at Y/N, then back at the ground. "SU...PER?!" he finally managed, his voice uncharacteristically subdued. "That wasn't just strength, that was... precise destruction! Incredible!"

Brook strummed a single, trembling note on his violin. "Yohohoho... I suppose even a skeleton can be scared to death. My soul truly vibrates with fear and admiration. She truly is the Gentle Demon, just as Robin-san said!"

Jinbe simply watched, a flicker of deep respect in his usually calm eyes. "Such power," he rumbled, a slight nod of acknowledgment to Y/N. "Masterful control."

Zoro, however, was different. He hadn't moved a muscle, his hand still on his sword, but his single eye had narrowed in intense focus. He watched Y/N, a glint of something akin to challenge in his gaze. He hadn't seen her fight until now, and the quiet, unassuming woman had just taken down a crew without breaking a sweat, in a manner that was both terrifyingly efficient and strangely graceful.

You turned back to the stunned crew, a calm, almost serene smile on your face, completely unfazed by the carnage you'd just wrought. "Well," you said, your voice soft and entirely devoid of malice, "that's that. Shall we continue our walk, then?"You simply turned, a gentle, unhurried pace, as if the spontaneous dismantling of a pirate crew was nothing more than a minor diversion. Luffy, ever the exuberant one, was quick to catch up, bouncing along beside you, still chuckling. "See?! I told you guys! She's amazing!"

The Straw Hats, however, remained rooted for a moment, their minds struggling to reconcile the "Gentle Demon" with the unassuming woman walking away. Then, as if a collective switch had flipped, they broke into a jog, scrambling to follow.

"Y-Y/N-san!" Usopp stammered, having finally been revived by Chopper. "What was that?! How did you... do that?!" His eyes were wide with a mix of terror and fascination.

Nami, ever direct, didn't mince words. "Luffy, you really weren't kidding! We honestly thought you were just exaggerating, you know, being your usual self when you talked about her strength!" She gestured at the splintered pavement and the groaning pirates. "This is... something else entirely!"

Sanji, still a picture of disbelief, sighed dramatically. "My apologies, Y/N-sama! I, your humble servant, had foolishly assumed your unparalleled beauty was your only formidable attribute! To think such delicate grace could wield the power of a thousand storms! My senses are truly overwhelmed!"

Chopper, now trotting beside you, looked up with earnest curiosity. "Was that a Devil Fruit power? Or did you just train super, super hard?"

You offered them a warm, reassuring smile, understanding their confusion. "It's alright," you said softly. "It's not a Devil Fruit, Chopper. Just... a natural aptitude, I suppose. And a lot of practice, of course." You glanced at the lingering cracks in the cobblestones, a hint of regret in your eyes. "I do apologize for the damage to the street. I didn't mean to be quite so destructive."

Zoro, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke, his voice gruff but with an underlying hint of respect. "So, the rumors were true then. You really are that strong." He didn't sound surprised, merely confirmed.

Robin's gaze was thoughtful. "A natural aptitude for such power is truly remarkable, Y/N-san. It's rare to see such control and precision with sheer physical force."

You simply shrugged, a faint blush touching your cheeks at the unexpected attention. "It's just how I've always been." You looked at your brother, who was grinning proudly. "Luffy's seen it all before, haven't you?"

Luffy nodded vigorously. "Yep! She always did that! When we were kids, she'd beat up anyone who messed with us!"

The Straw Hats exchanged another round of looks, a new understanding dawning in their eyes. This was Luffy's sister, a woman who looked gentle and kind, but who could, with a mere step, shatter the ground and incapacitate an entire crew. Their initial skepticism had evaporated, replaced by a profound respect and a touch of awe.

You offered them another warm smile, a silent acknowledgment of their lingering surprise. "It's not really a secret," you began, your voice soft but carrying easily. "I was just... born this way, I suppose. Even as a baby, my grip was apparently quite strong." You chuckled lightly. "Luffy and I would play a game where we'd try to lift rocks bigger than ourselves. He always said I cheated because I could lift anything."

You paused, a faraway look entering your eyes. "As I grew, so did the strength. It wasn't just about lifting things, but about control, about putting all of that raw power into a single, precise point. I trained, of course. Not with any particular master, but against the mountains, against the wild animals, against myself."

A shadow crossed your features, a subtle shift in the calm of your demeanor. "Then... after Sabo died," you continued, your voice dropping slightly, "that's when I really pushed myself. I trained harder than ever. I felt like I needed to be stronger, to protect what was left."

The moment the words "Sabo died" left your lips, Luffy, who had been listening with his usual rapt attention, suddenly froze. His wide grin vanished, replaced by an expression of pure, stunned realization. He stopped dead in his tracks, causing the rest of the Straw Hats to nearly bump into him.

"Sabo... died?" Luffy repeated, his voice barely a whisper, a strange mix of confusion and dawning understanding on his face. Then, his eyes snapped to yours, blazing with a sudden, overwhelming certainty. "No! Sabo didn't die, Y/N! He's alive! I saw him! He's a Revolutionary!"

The impact of his words hit you like a physical blow. Your calm facade shattered. Your eyes, usually so serene, widened in disbelief, then filled with a torrent of warring emotions. Relief, so profound it threatened to buckle your knees. Joy, so intense it made your heart ache. But beneath it all, a crushing wave of sorrow for years spent grieving a brother who was alive, for the strength you'd sought in the shadow of his memory.

"Alive?" you breathed, the single word ragged, barely audible. You felt a tremor run through your body, a feeling you hadn't experienced since you were a child. "Sabo... is alive?" Your vision blurred, and suddenly, the bustling market, the curious faces of the Straw Hats, even Luffy's triumphant grin, all faded into a haze. It couldn't be true. Could it?

A tear, warm and undeniable, traced a path down your cheek, followed quickly by another. But instead of sadness, a shaky, disbelieving laugh bubbled from your throat, growing in intensity until it was a joyous, almost hysterical sound that drew confused stares from the few remaining townsfolk. Relief, so vast and overwhelming, washed over you, mixing with the phantom ache of years of grief.

"Alive," you whispered again, the word tasting like a miracle on your tongue. Your eyes, still shimmering with unshed tears, fixed on Luffy. "He's alive... All this time..."

Luffy, seeing your tears, immediately looked worried. His usual boundless energy faltered, and he reached out, gently patting your arm. "Hey, Y/N? Don't cry! He's really alive! I met him at Dressrosa! He's strong now, and he's got a cool pipe!" His crew, who had learned of Sabo's survival much earlier, watched your raw display of emotion with a mix of surprise and understanding.

Sanji's eyes softened, his typical dramatic flair replaced by genuine empathy. "To think she carried that grief for so long..." he murmured, a rare somberness in his voice.

Nami, usually guarded, felt a pang in her chest. "She really believed he was gone, didn't she? After all these years..."

Usopp, now fully revived, sniffled. "That's... that's so sad! But also happy!"

Chopper, his big eyes glistening, looked at you with deep compassion. He understood loss, and he understood the profound joy of finding someone you thought was gone.

Robin, ever perceptive, recognized the depth of your emotional release. "To carry such a burden, only to have it lifted so suddenly... it must be overwhelming, Y/N-san."

Zoro, though silent, watched you intently, a flicker of something akin to understanding in his gaze. He'd seen comrades lost and found.

You finally managed to rein in the laughter and tears, wiping your face with the back of your hand. You looked at Luffy, a deep, abiding gratitude in your eyes. "Thank you, Lu," you said, your voice still a little wobbly. "Thank you for telling me." The world, which had felt slightly muted for years, suddenly burst into vibrant color.

A profound lightness settled over you, a weight you hadn't even realized you carried lifting from your chest. The lingering phantom grief for Sabo dissolved, replaced by an overwhelming sense of wonder and profound gratitude. Your dearly departed brother was truly alive. All this time. The realization was almost too beautiful to grasp.

As you walked, a newfound spring in your step, the crew watched you with a mix of awe and a fresh layer of curiosity. Luffy, sensing your shift in mood, just grinned wider, happy that his sister wasn't crying anymore.

It was Robin, ever observant, who gently steered the conversation. "Y/N-san," she began, her voice calm and thoughtful, "you mentioned your abilities are a 'natural aptitude.' Could you elaborate on what exactly that entails? The way you moved just now, it wasn't a Devil Fruit, nor did it seem to be a specific martial art, at least not one I'm familiar with."

You smiled faintly. "It's hard to explain precisely," you admitted. "It's not about training to hit harder, but about understanding how force works. How to channel it, how to disrupt an opponent's balance with the slightest touch, how to focus all of your natural strength into a single point of impact." You glanced at the still-cracked pavement. "It's why I can cause things to break without appearing to exert much effort. It's not just brute strength; it's precision and understanding of the physical world."

Zoro grunted, his interest piqued. "So, you're saying you can hit like a cannon without even winding up?"

"Something like that," you confirmed with a small nod. "It's about making every movement, no matter how small, count. About finding the weaknesses, the points where power can be multiplied with minimal outward display." You paused, then added, "It's why I often prefer to avoid direct confrontation when possible. It can be... a bit much."

Sanji swooned. "Such devastating power, yet wielded with such delicate consideration! My heart simply cannot handle such perfection!"

Nami, ever practical, tapped her chin thoughtfully. "So, you could, like, just lightly tap a wall and it would crumble?"

You considered it. "If I focused the energy correctly, yes. Though I try not to do that unnecessarily. It tends to cause more trouble than it solves."

The crew exchanged wide-eyed glances. Luffy's sister wasn't just strong; she possessed a terrifyingly precise and overwhelming power that was unlike anything they'd encountered.

The revelation of your unique strength hung in the air, a new layer of understanding settling over the Straw Hats. They had seen powerful individuals, but your quiet, almost understated display was different, unsettling in its effortless devastation.

"So, you could punch through a Pacifista?" Usopp asked, his voice a little squeaky, his fear battling with his insatiable curiosity.

"Or knock out a sea king with a poke?" Chopper added, his eyes wide.

You considered their questions, a thoughtful expression on your face. "I've never specifically tried a Pacifista," you admitted, "but if the material has a weakness, a point of concentration, then yes, it's possible. As for a sea king, a precise strike to a vital point could certainly incapacitate it, yes."

Sanji dramatically clutched his chest. "My beautiful Y/N-sama, a walking, breathing, elegant battleship! My heart cannot take such magnificent power!"

Nami, however, was already seeing the practical applications. Her eyes gleamed with a familiar spark. "So you're saying you could take down entire buildings without making a sound if you needed to?"

You nodded slowly. "In theory, yes. With enough focus and the right points of impact."

Zoro, for the first time, gave a genuine, if small, smirk. "Sounds like a pain to fight."

"It's why I prefer not to," you reiterated, a touch of weariness in your voice. "It can be... difficult to control the extent of the impact sometimes, especially if I'm not careful. And it tends to draw unwanted attention."

Robin simply smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Such power also brings a unique form of responsibility, Y/N-san. It seems you've chosen to wield it with great care."

Luffy, meanwhile, had been listening to all of this with the same beaming enthusiasm. "Shishishi! See, guys? She's the best! We should go get some meat now!" he declared, already pulling you towards a nearby aroma.

As you allowed Luffy to tug you along, the Straw Hats followed, their initial wariness towards you completely gone, replaced by a profound respect and a clear understanding that their captain's quiet, graceful sister was, in her own subtle way, every bit as formidable as he was.

Luffy's stomach, as always, dictated the next course of action. He dragged you and the crew through the bustling market, his nose leading the way to the most tantalizing aromas. While he, Usopp, and Chopper immediately dove into sampling various local delicacies, Nami and Sanji began the more practical task of gathering supplies.

You found yourself drifting alongside Robin, observing the vibrant stalls. You picked up a small, intricately carved wooden bird, admiring its craftsmanship, before gently setting it back down. You helped Franky load a particularly large barrel of cola onto a handcart, your seemingly effortless lift making him exclaim, "Super strength, sis!" as he struggled with his end. You even offered Nami a quiet suggestion for a durable, lightweight rope you'd encountered in your travels, which she promptly added to their list. The crew, now fully accustomed to your gentle nature and subtle power, no longer questioned it, simply accepting you as a fascinating, formidable presence.

After a few hours of shopping and a near-riot over Luffy trying to eat a vendor's entire stock, the Straw Hats began making their way back to the Thousand Sunny, laden with provisions.

As you walked along the pier, the sea breeze whipping at your hair, Luffy slowed his pace to walk beside you, his usual boisterous energy tempered by a rare sincerity. He looked out at the ocean, then turned his gaze to you, his eyes serious beneath the brim of his straw hat.

"Hey, Y/N," he began, his voice soft, "you're really strong, and you're good at finding stuff, and... you're my sister." He paused, taking a deep breath. "You should join my crew. Be a pirate with us." His gaze was earnest, filled with genuine hope. "It'd be fun! We'd go on so many adventures! And we'd be together, like before."

The offer hung in the salty air. You looked out at the shimmering expanse of the sea, then back at your brother, his face etched with a familiar, boundless optimism. The thought of joining them, of truly being a part of this chaotic, adventurous family again, was incredibly tempting. You pictured the endless days on the Thousand Sunny, the laughter, the danger, the shared dreams. It was a life far removed from your solitary wanderings.

You closed your eyes for a moment, the call of the open, unknown world warring with the warmth of newfound belonging.

You opened your eyes, a gentle, melancholic smile on your face. "Luffy," you began, your voice soft but firm, "I love you, and there's nothing I want more than for you to find the One Piece and become the King of the Pirates. And I truly cherish being with you all again, seeing how far you've come."

You took his hand, your grip surprisingly delicate. "But my path... it's just a bit different. I've been an adventurer for so long, chasing whispers of ancient places and hidden wonders. My journey calls me to the quiet corners of the world, to discoveries that aren't always about grand battles." You squeezed his hand gently. "I'll stay for a little while longer. I'll join you on a few more adventures, if you'll have me. But my heart... it's meant to wander freely, without a crew or a flag."

Luffy's shoulders slumped for a moment, the slightest hint of disappointment clouding his face. But then, true to his nature, his grin slowly returned. "Okay!" he declared, his voice bright once more. "Then you'll just be our super strong guest adventurer for now! And you can visit us whenever you want!" He threw an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into a cheerful side-hug. "Shishishi! As long as we're together sometimes, that's what matters!"

The rest of the crew, who had been listening in respectful silence, let out a collective sigh of something akin to understanding. They had hoped you would stay, but they also recognized the independent spirit in your eyes.

With your decision made, a comfortable rhythm settled over the Thousand Sunny. You weren't a full-fledged crewmate, but you were family, a powerful, calming presence amidst their usual chaos. For the next few islands, you joined their adventures, your unique abilities and quiet wisdom proving invaluable.

On a volcanic island, when a geyser threatened to engulf the Thousand Sunny in scalding steam, it was your seemingly delicate touch that precisely cracked the surrounding rock, diverting the flow of superheated water away from the ship, leaving the crew marveling at your calculated power. On a shadowy, mist-shrouded isle rumored to be haunted, while Luffy charged headfirst at what he thought was a ghost (and was actually a giant, bioluminescent squid), your keen senses picked up on subtle vibrations in the ground, warning Robin and Jinbe of a collapsing ancient ruin just moments before it crumbled, saving them from being buried. You even silently mediated a few of Sanji and Zoro's inevitable arguments, your calm presence often enough to diffuse their fiery tempers before they escalated into full-blown brawls.

The Straw Hats grew to understand that your strength wasn't just about punching power; it was about an intuitive understanding of the world, a deep connection to its very fabric that allowed you to manipulate it with impossible grace. They saw your kindness, your unwavering loyalty to Luffy, and the profound, silent love you held for your brothers.

Finally, the time came for you to continue your own journey. The Thousand Sunny was anchored off a vibrant, bustling port town, its colorful buildings shimmering under the afternoon sun. Luffy, though sad, understood. He embraced you in one of his bone-crushing hugs, his grin still wide. "Don't be a stranger, Y/N! Come visit us again! We'll be waiting for you!"

"Of course, Lu," you chuckled, returning his embrace. "And you, keep chasing your dreams. Don't cause too much trouble."

You said your farewells to each member of the crew. Nami gave you a genuine hug, her earlier skepticism replaced by true warmth. Sanji bowed dramatically, swearing eternal devotion. Usopp, ever dramatic, tried to give you a "super-secret adventurer's survival kit." Chopper gave you a tearful farewell hug, burying his face in your side. Robin offered a rare, warm smile. Franky gave you a hearty, "SUPER goodbye, sis!" Brook played a melancholy farewell tune on his violin. Jinbe gave you a respectful nod, acknowledging a fellow soul of the sea.

You stepped onto your own small, familiar ship, the gentle waves rocking it welcomingly. As you untied the mooring ropes, you looked back at the Thousand Sunny, your family. Luffy stood on the railing, waving wildly, his straw hat catching the sun. The others stood behind him, a chaotic but loving bunch. You waved back, a serene smile gracing your lips.

The sea called, the unknown beckoned, and your heart, now lighter than it had been in years, was ready. You adjusted your course, your small vessel turning away from the magnificent pirate ship and towards the endless horizon, a silent guardian moving through the world, a Gentle Demon forever bound by the unbreakable ties of family, waiting for the next grand reunion.

#one piece x reader #one piece #one piece x y/n #one piece x you #one piece fanfiction #reader insert #straw hat pirates #straw hats #straw hats x reader #strong #strong reader

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hero-of-the-wolf · 2 days ago

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Deep Shadows Analysis

all pictures belong to @/linkeduniverse

“I grew up in these woods.” The first sentence ever spoken in LU and a very strong opening. Time is in the lead here. It makes sense; not only is he their de facto leader, but he knows this terrain best. Warriors speaks next, continuing where Time left off. He says that they’re lost. This sets up the dynamic these two have and their role in the chain of command, for lack of a better word, very nicely. The last panel of the first page has Time reacting to something the audience can’t see yet, enticing them to continue reading.

He then gets absolutely bodied by this moblin. These guys are a HUGE pain to fight in Ocarina of Time, they really do come out of nowhere to hit you like a heckin freight train and that power and alarm is captured wonderfully here.

The monster gets snagged by Twilight’s clawshot and we get this really lovely reveal of all the other Links standing ready to fight, emphasizing how none of them are alone anymore. They’re a team! This is also the first time we see all of them together in the comic (minus Time, who is still on the ground rip)

Legend’s got his bow drawn, and he's the first one to attack. His arrows embed into the moblin’s forearm while Hyrule sneaks around to slash at its thigh. It manages to increase the slack on the chain, freeing up its movement enough to counterattack, but the traveler leans back out of the way. By this point Wild and Warriors have circled around to flank the monster.

But Sky? He rushes to the old man’s side, who concerningly still hasn’t gotten up, to check on him. Sky is consistently one of the first to react whenever someone gets hurt or needs help during battle and I love that this trait of his (probably from his training as a knight on Skyloft) is already established within the very first few pages of the comic!

Time waves him off, and together they watch as Warriors stabs the moblin in the back… only for it to turn around, wretching the captain’s sword out of his hands, and smack the side of his face (right on the eye it looks like!) so hard he goes down for the rest of the fight. Ouch. This is definitely not the normal difficulty level for a monster like this.

Legend, power gloves equipped, works with Twilight to tighten the clawshot’s chain and limit the moblin’s movement again. Wind takes the opportunity to CUT THE MOBLIN’S HAND OFF. Which is. INSANE. But to be expected from the Hero of Winds. Also Four’s got his bow drawn here, but afaik he never actually uses it in this battle.

Then Wild, in a quintessential showcase of Breath of the Wild’s combat, scales the moblin’s back (using Warriors’ still embedded sword as a foothold!!) and pulls out his own sword to attack. But the moblin is faster here and grabs him by the arm and tosses him away. His arm might be broken, given the way the champion clutches it for the rest of the battle. Four is at his side, unused bow still in hand. It is of note that Sky is nearby as well.

Then Hyrule!!! Using the iconic Down Thrust move from his second adventure (Adventure of Link) and probably also his jump spell, falls out of the heavens like a stooping falcon and stabs the moblin right in the back of the neck, finally felling it. Teamwork!

Hyrule stumbles back and Wind is quick to wrap an arm around the traveler and cheer. Hyrule is bashful here, but not uncomfortable. My favorite underrated duo <3 (also they’re nearly the same height here????? what????)

Warriors finally wakes up. (His poor eye, man 😭) I love all of their smiles as the adrenaline from the fight starts to come down, the relief in this panel is palpable.

Then Twilight, as worried about Time’s wellfare as he ever is, is shaken from the moment as he turns his attention to the old man. He’s finally back on his feet, though based on his posture here it doesn’t seem like it’s been for long. Legend has a hand outstretched, it looks like he wants to help steady the other hero or otherwise check on him, but Time waves him off.

Time worries about the strength of the moblin. He did not participate in this fight, but he just had a front row seat to just how hard it was to bring this monster down and how injured they all got in the process: Warriors’ eye, Wild’s arm, his own side… that’s a good third of their team significantly wounded enough that none of them were able to rejoin the fight. Against a moblin that Time had been able to take down all on his own previously. He’s right to worry. Twilight is still quietly worried too, in the background.

Legend cracks a joke to relieve the tension, prompting Time to praise their efforts. Then he continues his previous train of thought, musing about how Not Normal the entire encounter was, and we get a really cool visual representation of a voice over as we see Warriors retrieve his weapon and clean off the blood, subtly hinting at its later significance.

We get a name drop of our antagonist (side note: I think it’s interesting that it’s Four who calls it by name, “the Shadow”, when he’s also the one who’s previously had experience with a Shadow in his own adventure) and the significance of the blood is explicitly pointed out. Twilight then calls attention to their wounded, setting up his role in the group as the heart <3

With the threat gone the fairies of the forest return and heal both Wars’ and Wild’s injuries and attempt to heal Time as well, but he waves off their concern (after they’ve assumably already healed his side), establishing a lovely little rule of thirds and emphasizing his reluctance of having others worry and fret over him (“Don’t fuss over me”), which is very ironic considering what happens later on….

It seems that he shooes them away from his face specifically, seeming to imply to me that the fairies were interested in the old wound that claimed his eye. Obviously there's not much that can be done about that now, but it’s still interesting to note 🤔

Warriors finishes Legend’s sentence next (which Legend notably doesn’t seem to mind), we get some more emphasis on the blood, and the boys are off!

We end on the second ever shot of all of the heroes together, Time included this time (ha), and the words “seems we are on the right path to understand the cause of our meeting,” which is assumably still Warriors talking. I’m not sure if there’s significance or not in how they’re all standing here, but it’s incredibly epic all the same.

This first little arc is such an excellent and clever way to set up the basic premise of the entire story and to introduce all of our main players here, and I continue to be ceaselessly amazed by Jojo’s keen attention to detail. All within 20 pages of gorgeous art!

#I didn't mean to make this analysis tbh I just thought I'd write down some Observations while rereading LU and then I had over 1k words 💀#I love how much we can learn about the characters just from this arc #like how insane both Hyrule and Wind are—#wonder if this fight is foreshadowing the final battle hmmmm #it'd be cool if Jojo called back to it 👀#lu chain #lu analysis #linked universe analysis #linked universe #lu #long post

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reblip-reblog · 3 days ago

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🧩 The Legend of Zelda

❌ The Adventure of Link

✅ A Link to the Past

✅ Link's Awakening (Switch Version)

✅ Ocarina of Time (N64 Version)

✅ Majora's Mask (N64 Version)

🧩 Oracle of Seasons

❌ Oracle of Ages (Waiting until I finish OoS)

✅ Four Swords (Anniversary Edition)

✅ The Wind Waker (GameCube Version)

✅ The Minish Cap

✅ Twilight Princess (Wii U Version)

🧩 Phantom Hourglass

✅ Spirit Tracks

✅ Skyward Sword (Wii Version)

✅ A Link Between Worlds

❌ Tri Force Heroes

🧩 Breath of the Wild (Wii U Version) (Can't bring myself to finish my file but I've seen the end)

🧩 Tears of the Kingdom

❌ Echoes of Wisdom

✅ = Finished

🧩 = Started but haven't Finished

❌ = Haven't Played

I played a good amount of Zelda games before discovering LU; I've been a Zelda fan for a long time. Wind Waker was my first game. Playing the games is what drew me to LU in the first place. I really love seeing all the references LU makes to the games and I think having played them really adds to it! If you like LU, I really recommend playing any games that you are able to! Or watching a Let's Play!

I usually name my character Link, but for Link's Awakening Switch I named him Legend.

And as for mangas, I've read the Twilight Princess one. I think that's it.

RB if you’re an LU fan who’s “actually played the games,” yes, the newer games like botw & eow count. You may also RB if your first Zelda game is currently on your to-do list as a direct result of LU. ✨ Manga & watching let’s plays can also count. 💞

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bokettochild · 2 hours ago

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Do you have some hcs for Legend? I'd love to hear your thoughts on him :)

So, so many of them!

he's far-sighted! Due to a lot of adventuring and focusing on the far away stuff, he's actually trained his eyes to always be focused on far away things, and so now he struggles to see things clearly close up. he has specticals for it (Impa took him to get some when they were in Labrynna together) but he rarely remembers to wear them, and doesn't like to out on the road to begin with, as he's worried they'll break. he tends to forget he's wearing them when at his house though, so Ravio's really the only one who sees him wear them more than he sees him without them.

he's totally a bit of a history nerd, because I said so. It was more just stories when he was little, but between frequently interacting with ancient artifacts and architecture, as well as time traveling himself, Legend's become somewhat fascinated with history. he likes having all the answers (as most Links do) but for him, that includes knowing where things came from, why they were made, and so on

he's also a horse girl, much like Twilight and Warriors, but doesn't travel with a mount because it's less convenient. While having a mount in a Zelda game DOES make avoiding foes much easier, it also gets frustrating when you have to go find them again after doing however many things (point in case, my BotW horses are scattered to the four winds All The Time). Legend, who frequently is getting up and dropped in random places, doesn't like that this would leave any of his mounts alone in the middle of nowhere and thus doesn't take his own horse many places as a result. Said horse is Puini (OoA manga) and is currently housed either at the castle or with his grandparents (OoS manga). He dotes on her exceedingly, and being around Epona now reminds him of her a lot. Being as she's a literal war horse though (trained for battle with a knight) he has an inkling she would't quite like the mares of the rest of his brothers and leaves her out of the conversation when they bring up mounts

he's the OPPOSITE of someone with claustephobia! I have this fic I'm writing in my head right now where the boys finish their adventure just to get collectively dropped at Lon Lon with no way home, and have to adapt to "normal" life. A chapter of said fic (if I write it) would likely focus on the fact that Legend literally grew up in dungeons, like, his games have the most dungeons of all the Zelda games, as well as some of the biggest focus on dungeons, and as a result, they likely feel more familiar to him than the open world (and oddly safer, since they're predictable and follow Rules that the outside world doesn't have). I like to think that small, narrow, dark places would actually be soothing for him, to the point that, in the theoretical fic, it freaks the rest out when they find out he keeps purposefully climbing into dried up wells for some space when he's homesick. Maybe it's the inner bunny instincts, maybe it's a pre-existing trait that influenced the magic that made him a bunny to begin with, but Legend tends to burrow, and feels safest when he's in smaller, darker places.

He loves puzzles. I think it was Squido who said that we should let the boys enjoy their adventures, no? Let them look back fondly and smile at some things? For Legend, I think the thing he loved most about adventures with the problem solving, and puzzles are the best sorts of problems because you're guaranteed that there IS an answer. So, for someone who grew up doing puzzles most of his life (dungeons), they're a familiar thing for him and a challenge for him to face without actually endangering himself. he likes mind puzzles and logic puzzles mainly, but picture puzzles are fun too for him

Apple snob. He knows all the apple types, probably bred two of his own apple breeds somewhere in his life, and he has opinions on all of them

Nature boy. Not like Wild and Hyrule who like to get lost in it, no, Legend just likes existing in nature. He grew up on Orchard Hill, so gardening and husbandry are something he was raised to before the hero shtick, and he finds a certain sort of peace in gardening/plants. Also, he travels a lot, so he spends a lot of time by himself out of doors. Granted, that's also where a lot of the bad stuff happens to him, but the good outweighs the bad and I think he genuinely would love to go hiking or do nature walk sorts of things if adventure didn't scoop him up every time he left the house

Really big dancer. Mostly because of Din, partially because of Marin, and Cadence definitely had an influence too. Unfortunately, his mental metronome is set to the music pulse of Octavio's magic so he sort of just...can't keep a beat well without a lot of time to adjust. Once he's got it though he's killer

He can play a lot of instruments, but I really like the idea that the violin is his favorite. yes, he's got that precious ocarina from the dream world, and he learned to play one of those first, but like the idea that Uncle Aflon or maybe one of his friends was a violinist, and Legend just got dead set as a kid on that particular instrument. It's also a very diverse and emotional instrument, which grants him a lot of freedom of expression he'd usually not allow himself

He didn't speak his first word until he was four. Uncle Aflon kind of accepted early on that he might be mute, but as it happened, he just didn't feel the need to use words to communicate, since what he wanted was either always evident or could be figured out without him having to speak much. I think he was likely either mostly silent as a child, using mainly sign or other nonverbal communications, but if you want to make it angsty, I also like to say that it could be because his throat got messed up by an illness he had when he was very small so talking was painful for him. I HC that that changed after he traveled to Labrynna, because the memaid's curse didn't just give him a tail, but also effected/altered his voice, making speech easier for him but also making it to where he can actually cham people with his voice if he's not careful (which perhaps contributed to him becoming a harsher spoken person because then the charm is less likely to slip through on accident if he's being a jerk)

Continuing the speech HCs, I think Legend's tendency towards speech is impacted heavily by wo he's around. if it's anyone he met prior to Labrynna, or in Labrynna, he defaults to mostly sign, whereas if he met them after, he tends to usually use spoken words

Legend' far more expressive and open with sign language, as tone is very important and easier to navigate for him. In essence, it is his first language and the one he's most comfortable with

That said, with people he's truly comfortable with, legend's just straight up non-verbal. he doesn't feel the need to speak and usually just uses facial expressions and exaggerated motions to express himself. Being able to shut down the speech center of his brain for a bit is a huge relief and since those he knows well know how to read him just fine like that, it doesn't make much of a difference either way

As y'all know, I champion the Fable and Legend are siblings HC, though I know it's neither cannon, nor likely to be cannon in LU (pretty sure JoJo confirmed it's not true). Still, I really really like the twins thing!

On the note of being twins! You know how sometimes, with twins, one comes out stronger than the other? Yeah, that was Fable. Legend's actually the smaller/weaker twin, though not by much. he was a very sickly baby though. Oddly enough though, despite being physically weaker than his sister, he actually got the stronger of the magic between the two of them! It might even be possible that the strength of his magic might have been the reason his body is weaker; because housing that much power can put a significant strain on a body. Either way, Fable and he joke about it frequently, saying that as he's got stronger Holy magic, he should have been the princess, and since she's physically stronger, she should be the one with the sword. He doesn't mean it though, and is only playing along. Fable kinda sorta really does mean it though)

It's less focused on by the fandom as a whole, but in case you didn't know: Legend is more than just a polyglot! In his games alone, we see that he can hear and understand not only most trees (not just guardian trees like the Deku and Maku trees, but the normal ones around Kakariko too), but also animals, spirits, and literally forces of nature! Heck, the literal SEASONS coo about how adorable he is when you meet them in OoS! That said, I think he learned pretty early on that this isn't normal. Uncle started getting really worried when he saw and heard Legend speaking to what seemed to be thin air on multiple occasions, so he learned to just not answer unless there aren't other humans/hylians around

Continuing the previous one, this does mean that Legend has to frequently resist asking for directions from various passing by birds and animals, and instead just bites his tongue and lets Twilight go off scouting because explaining that he can hear voices no one else can hear is just....ot the best of ideas

Despite the rest of the heroes' being under the impression that Legend was an only child, he actually has Middle Child energy. this is because he grew up with Fable, Ralph, the Oracles, and Ghanti bossing him around/messing with him, but he also helps look after his neighbor Gully, who I fully believe he loves the same way that Wind loves Aryll.

While I have Gully on the mind, I think Smith and his wife have mentally adopted Legend and all but see him as their eldest, since Bertha (Smith's wife), also had a hand in helping Aflon, newly appointed caretaker to an infant he knows nothing about minding, with learning about babies. Legend however, dense as he is, still fully believes they just put up with him for their actual son's sake, since Gully clearly adores him so much

This shows up a lot in my fics, but I like the idea that Legend loves the stars. Like, tehy're the same, always there, no matter where you go. he's traveled a lot and been tossed into random locations where everything is different, yet whenever he looks up, there the stars are, the same as always, just from a different angle. I think Uncle Aflon taught him the various constellations when he was small, and maybe when Legend was lonely in his adventures he started talking to them like they could hear them (and heck, if the seasons can hold a conversation, then why couldn't the stars?). Also, you know the thing about how if you're deep enough underground and you look up through a hole you can see the sky? Yeah, he's more used to night skies and stars than sunlight

Despite being a traveler, he's actually got a palish complexion for his skin tone, since he spends most of his time underground. He's also a bit sensitive to sunlight all around and gets a headache fairly quickly when he's out in it. He hates noon time and would rather be sleeping than awake when the suns at its zenith

I've seen this one around a bit, but I really love the idea that legend enjoys wearing his uncle's old clothes around the house when he's between adventures. he probably keeps Uncle's pipe tobacco and other things stored with the clothes so they still smell like him even after all these years

He's entirely unaware of the fact that being on regular speaking terms with the Golden Goddesses, the Fates, the Seasons, the freaking Triforce, and most royalty is uncommon for a hero. He's aware most people don't do it, but it's sort of jarring for him when he realizes that the other heroes' dealings are limited to mostly mortals, and lowly ones at that, and that when they do speak of the goddesses, it's usually with some sort of reverence. Meanwhile Legend will and has insulted Din to her face for picking on him about his height, gossips with Farore whenever they run into each other, and the only one he kinda treats with reservation/respect is Nayru because they sort of faught each other that one time and while it wasn't her faught, it still makes things a bit awkward at times

He tends to chew on things when he's restless/agitated. He's not even aware he's doing it half the time, and has chewed his sleeves, hair, and various tools at different times. The Chain have designated bowls (Sky got bored) and his has very clear signs of gnawing around the edges. Same with any wooden spoons he's given (although, being as Uncle raised him with manners, Legend does carry his own silverware at all times, and thus rarely needs to borrow from others (it's a medieval manners thing))

Unlike the stereotype of men when they're sick, Legend actually gets really quiet when he's sick. Hyrule's the same way and it's mostly to draw the least attention to themselves when they're not in fighting condition. Usually though, he tends to take the 'sleep through it' approach, which is really a very poor choice, but as far as he's concerned, it's worked until now so he's not changing it

I think Legend's a very physical person, someone who likes to be able to touch and feel various things, and generally enjoys the idea of physical affection, but in reality balks at it because it usually catches him off guard. That said, he do be touching all the stuff and animals.

Gets weird about dodongos. he knows that the majority of them are threats, but there's always a part of him that wonders if some of them are like Dimitri, and it can be tricky for him to fight them at times

The early Zelda games are sort of wack honestly, but the fact that he's technically a telepath gets brushed aside way too much, y'know? Like, Legend regularly has conversations with Zelda and Sahasralah from miles away, IN HIS HEAD, and only uses certain stones to strengthen that connection, not forge it to begin with! Now, he might just be receptive to telepathy, maybe it's a twin thing (I have a WIP about that) but I think it'd be really funny if he's just sitting on that little skill and never brings it up because linking up (lol) thoughts with someone can be very overwhelming when your brain is already moving a thousand miles a minute, and trying to process thoughts and feelings that aren't his own gives him a migraine. So he just.... doesn't. Unless Zelda reaches out first or he needs to tell her something important.

He's terrible about self care and remembering his own needs, but will, can, and does scold others for doing the same. He doesn't even care that he's a huge hypocrite, not much anyway

Magpie. Boy loves his shiny things. Like, he doesn't technically need everything he has, and he knows most of it will never be used, but if it's pretty he keeps it anyway

I feel like Legend'a also got a bit of food insecurity. When he was a kid, freshly thrust into his first adventure and with the kingdom turned against him, he didn't actually know how to find his own food and ended up going hungry a LOT during that first adventure (which might have stunted his growth a bit). Since then, he's made a point to not only educate himself on what's safe to eat and what's not, but he also taught himself how to preserve and prepare long lasting foods, which he keeps a huge stockpile of. He also doesn't trust any food he hasn't watched be prepared unless it's made by someone he trusts, and even then sometimes his anxiety/paranoia gets the better of him. There were a few neighbors who tried slipping something in the meals they gave him under the pretense of taking pity, when in reality they planned to turn him over to the knights, so he's always cautious now

He's actually less wary and guarded outside of Hyrule than he is inside of it. Lorule is an exception because it's a version of Hyrule, but any other country is used to a very different version of him because Legend isn't always suspecting foul play in other kingdoms who have nothing to gain from his death.

He cannot handle blood well. Yeah, he's a hero, yeah, he fights a lot, and yes, he's frequently injured in battle or dungeons, but watching his Uncle bleed to death left him with a kind of hemophobia and he tends to have mini panic attacks/breakdowns when exposed to large amounts of blood. He hates it, but can't control it, and hasn't found a way to overcome it at all

After spending a long time at sea after Koholint, trying to find his way home, Legend actually really dislikes the taste of fish. He had to rely on his mer form a lot getting home, and fish has been ruined forever because it was his only choice for food, and eating it raw (mer) did make him sick a few times (he's still hylian at his core) so now he tends to get queasy when eating fish, just on reflex

He's a dead ringer for his late mother, to the point where people who knew her sometimes double take

I know Warriors is supposed to be the pretty one, but considering Legend's canonically had forces of nature comment on how pretty he is (I think it was Summer specifically, but it could have been one of the other Seasons), I think he's got a type of beauty that, at the least, appeals to the supernatural/magical beings. He's unaware of this though, although he'll always say Fable is one of the most beautiful people in the world, all while unawares of the fact that they're nearly identical looks-ways

He likes to doodle. Drawing more so, but e enjoys both depending on what mood he's in

Logically and artistically minded. Numbers bother him though (something Ravio, who is the reverse, definitely abuses)

He's one of those people who genuinely will be happy if you get him a candle. He's got everything anyone could need, but something that smells nice, offers minimal light, and he;s always running out of? Oh he loves them. He's very picky about what scents he'll accent though because his nose is very sensitive

He cracks his knuckles and rolls his shoulders a lot when he's bored/tense/stressed- basically all the time LOL

he uses sewing/stitchwork as a way to try and relax himself after a long day. it works half the time. the other half his thread gets tangled and he gets very worked up LOL

Secretly admired Sky's skills in embroidery, but doesn't have the patience to practice anything complicated

he loves to teach people things, but constantly assumes people won't listen, so he tends to break things down to bare basics rather than going into the nitty gritty like he enjoys.

Such a big sweet tooth

Genuinely hates the feeling of fur. Twilight's pelt bothers him, not just because the guy who turns into a wolf is literally wearing a wolf's skin, but also because the feeling of fur, treated or no, displeases him most of the time. He only likes fur when it's on something alive and moving, and even then, he's picky about it

Has a extreme fear of dogs. It's both from being chased by the soldiers' dogs, but also various dog-like things in the Dark World. Wolfie used to make him very uncomfortable before he realized it was Twilight

Fall boy. The other seasons would be offended if they knew he had a favorite, but I think his little apple farming, leaf crunching, bright color enjoying self would just adore the fall.

he LOVES the rain. His arthritis acts up something awful when it rains, but when it's not too bad he enjoys being out in the rain. That said, he HATES thunderstorms, less because of being struck by lightning (LA) and more because of the storm the night that his Uncle died

He's actually not fond of heights. He doesn't panic, but he's used to being very low, or even below the ground, so being very high above it unsettles him.

He tends to sleep curled up, he's not sure why, he just does

He's got VERY sensitive ears, both to touch and sound

Buck teeth <3

Also, freckles. He doesn't spend much time in the sun, but he does tend to freckle when he has. It also brings out some natural highlights in his hair, but he's not aware of that because it's not happened since he was small

Tends to sound like he's talking down to everyone, but in reality he's just never sure what all most people know about any given subject

Has such a soft spot for kids

He's a god-father to Bippin and Blossom's kid, and he adores that little munchkin, bordering on spoiling them.

Imma end it there because it's late and I need to be up early, but I hope this satisfied your curiosity a bit!

Thanks for the ask! I appreciate the chance to talk about all these ideas!

#asks and answers #linked universe #linkeduniverse #lu legend #ketto's brainfarts

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