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chibinasuu · 1 day

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Drunken Shenanigans | Zoro x Reader

Part of the Thousand Sunny Slice-of-Life Series

Other parts: { Sanji | Nami | Usopp | Chopper | Zoro (here) }

Summary: You and Zoro raid Sanji’s wine cabinet after running out of sake on a night of drinking Word count: 1.7k Tags: one-shot, pure fluff, domestic bliss onboard the sunny, platonic straw hat pirates x reader, main pairing could be interpreted as platonic or romantic, no use of y/n, GN but written with F!Reader in mind, goth family crumbs, spoilers for sabaody/3D2Y i guess

Roronoa Zoro never needed a reason to indulge in a good bottle of sake.

Tonight, he had simply gazed outside the window after dinner with his arms crossed, then nodded in satisfaction before declaring that it was a “fine night for a drink.”

You agreed that it was, indeed, a lovely night, before deciding to join Zoro. Franky and Robin seemed to have thought the same, and followed you outside.

Franky brought out a low table to the Sunny’s lawn deck. A small coal burner was placed strategically underneath it, providing warmth and comfort amid the chilly night.

The cyborg had a huge mug of beer in one hand, whilst the archeologist was nursing a half-empty glass of wine. You and Zoro have been passing a tall bottle of sake back and forth between you, not even bothering with a glass.

The four of you were five rounds-deep into the classic card game of Old Maid when you all collectively decided that this round should be the last one of the night, as it was getting late.

Robin had then quickly won the game, and was now sitting back leisurely with no cards left on her hand. Franky slapped down the last of his matching cards on the table next, claiming second place with a victorious “SUUPEERR!!”

The game went on with just you and Zoro until finally, one last card remained on your hand – meaning you only needed to correctly guess which one of Zoro’s two cards would be a match to yours, in order to win. You locked eyes with Zoro, trying to gauge his reaction as he presented his cards for you to pick. His face did not give away a single thing, determined not to be the loser of the night’s closing round.

After a moment of hesitation, you quickly pulled the card on the left and flipped it towards you. You let out a triumphant whoop as you set the card face up on the table alongside its match that you already have on hand. Zoro groaned in frustration and tossed down his sole remaining card, which of course, contained the dreaded “Old Maid”. Franky, Robin, and you bursted into laughter at Zoro’s defeat – it was his fourth time in last place out of the total five rounds you played that night, despite the game being largely based on chance.

It was well past midnight when the four of you gathered all of the discarded cards from the table, neatly stacking them and stowing away the deck inside its worn-out box. Robin and Franky decided to retire to bed, but you and Zoro, unwilling to turn in just yet on such a beautiful night, opted to stay outside a little bit longer.

You took the bottle of sake from Zoro’s grip and tilted it to take a sip, but not a single drop fell on your tongue. You glared accusingly at the green-haired man, who only shrugged and said, “My bad. Didn’t realize I drained it.”

You sighed and flopped down on your back, gazing at the sky full of stars. Zoro soon followed suit, laying with one arm beneath his head.

The two of you were quiet for a while as you laid side-by-side, shoulders barely touching. Your face was warm from the alcohol, contrasting with the cool night air.

The gentle crash of the waves was the only sound audible in the darkness, until Zoro abruptly sat up and said, “I still feel like drinking.”

You chuckled in disbelief, “Seriously?”

He stood up and offered his hand to you in response, “C’mon. You don’t need to drink more if you don’t want to. Just stay up with me for a bit.”

You accepted his outstretched hand, and he pulled you up to your feet. You were hit with a bout of dizziness at the sudden movement and stumbled forward, but Zoro’s strong arms readily steadied you.

He started walking towards the kitchen when you stopped him, an idea popping into your head. Your lips lifted up into a mischievous smirk as you told him, “That’s not where Sanji keeps the good alcohol.”

“Now, we’re talking.” Zoro answered with a sly grin of his own, never wanting to miss a chance to piss off the cook, “Lead the way.”

The lounge was awash with blue light from the giant aquarium that occupied most of the room’s curved wall. The main mast of the ship protruded from the center of the space, extending up to the ceiling. A cabinet was carved into the wood, and you opened the doors to see a variety of wines lined up neatly inside.

“Bingo!” You said with a winning smile, reaching for the first bottle that caught your attention.

You know Sanji wouldn't be happy with you and Zoro – big emphasis on Zoro – messing with his wine stash, but you figured that was a problem for sober you to handle tomorrow.

You looked at the writings on the bottle's label, but your muddled brain couldn’t seem to comprehend the words and you struggled to sound them out, “Ithy– Ithursbur–”

“Ithürzburger Stein?” Zoro supplied – in perfect pronunciation no less – then said in disgust, “Not that one. Way too dry.”

Your eyebrows shot up to the sky as you gave him a questioning look. Since when did the Straw Hats’ sake-loving swordsman give a shit about wine?

Zoro’s face, already flushed from the sake earlier, turned a deeper red that reached the tips of his ears.

“Uh.. Mihawk loved wine.” He offered vaguely as an explanation.

You readied two stemmed glasses as Zoro went through the wine cabinet, scanning each label until he finally found a bottle that he seemed to be satisfied with.

You rummaged through the drawers in search of a corkscrew, to no success.

“Aw, come on,” You sighed in disappointment, “what kind of bar doesn’t have a bottle opener?”

You figured someone must have misplaced the item, and was about to go search for it in the kitchen when Zoro uttered, “No need.”

He suddenly unsheathed one of his swords, and held the wine bottle at an angle. Before your mind could catch up to what he was planning to do, Zoro dramatically proclaimed, “One sword style,” as he took a deep breath, then swung his sword towards the bottle.

Your hand flew to your mouth to contain your gasp of surprise as the rim and cork of the bottle was cleanly separated from its body and flew across the room, thankfully landing safely on the plush couch instead of smashing into a million pieces on the floor.

A second passed, then two. Zoro silently sheathed his sword.

And maybe it was the booze getting to your head, but you couldn’t suppress the uncontrollable giggle that bubbled out of you after his sudden theatrical display of skills.

“Well, that’s one way to open a bottle.” You said in between your laughter, “Did Hawk-Eye teach you how to do that?”

“I just watched and learned.” Zoro smiled smugly as he examined the smooth cut on the bottle. “Not bad,” he decided, clearly proud of his handiwork.

He poured out the dark red wine into the two glasses you already prepared, and offered one to you.

You thanked him, then picked a random spot on the long sofa that ringed around the lounge. Zoro followed and relaxed into the seat next to you, legs wide and one arm rested over the couch behind you. He swirled his glass carefully, brought it up to his nose for a sniff, before finally taking an appreciative sip.

You watched him attentively for a long minute, before finding the courage to ask, “Tell me more about him?”

Zoro understood who you were referring to without needing further clarification. He was silent for a beat, before starting in a low tone, “He… was strong. And a great mentor.”

The Straw Hats had exchanged stories with each other about what went on in the two years that you were all separated, although you noticed that Zoro never seemed to go into much detail about his time at Kuraigana Island, and even less so about his mysterious host.

Zoro took another sip of his wine after responding to your question, and you thought that he would just leave it at that.

It came as a surprise to you when he opened his mouth again hesitantly, and started talking.

He talked about the island itself, as well as its inhabitants. From the rabid Humandrills that he challenged everyday, to the “annoying ghost girl” that followed him around everywhere. You recalled meeting the pink-haired girl briefly at Sabaody Archipelago, and at that time, you could feel that she had definitely grown on Zoro, despite his display of contempt towards her.

Most of all, Zoro talked about his teacher. Mainly about the rigorous lessons he gave, but also about the legendary swordsman’s passion for wine, his surprisingly delicious cooking, and his unexpected penchant for gardening.

Zoro did not tell you the story of how he lost his left eye, and you did not push for an explanation. Everyone in the crew had been respecting his silence on that matter, knowing that Zoro would tell you all in his own time about what truly happened, whenever he’s ready to talk about it.

You talked well into the wee hours of the morning, even after the wine ran dry. You couldn’t tell exactly when, but a deep sleep eventually took over you.

You were woken up with a start, when several hours later, Sanji found you both sound asleep on the sofa — your head on top of Zoro’s shoulder, and his head on top of yours.

“You shitty Mosshead!!” Sanji’s voice rang out sharply when he saw the empty bottle of his favorite wine discarded on the floor.

Zoro looked disoriented for a second as he woke up, but his lips slowly formed into a smirk when he eventually grasped the situation. He got up and cracked his knuckles in anticipation of his imminent daily squabble with the cook.

You sighed and got up too. You definitely couldn’t handle their bickering so early in the morning, especially with the pounding headache from your night of drinking. You patted Zoro’s arm, leaving him to deal with Sanji’s wrath, as you made your escape from the room.

You just hoped Sanji wouldn't find out that the whole thing was your damn idea in the first place.

a/n: my personal headcannon is that zoro is secretly a wine connoisseur after spending two years with mihawk. the trick zoro did with the wine bottle in this fic is based on a real-life champagne-opening technique called sabrage - which is cool as heck btw - and i like to think mihawk opens his wine that way all the time.

Other parts: { Sanji | Nami | Usopp | Chopper | Zoro (here) }

#zoro #roronoa zoro #roronoa zoro x you #roronoa zoro x reader #zoro x reader #zoro x you #zoro x y/n #one piece #one piece fluff #one piece imagine #one piece x reader #one piece x you #straw hat pirates #straw hat pirates x reader #straw hat crew #sanji #chibinasuu fics

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differentpostrebel · 3 days

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Lost and Found: A Pirate's Promise

Chapter 34: Trapped in the Depths: The Encounter with Doflamingo

This gif because we get another Sanji POV, as he finally makes it to Zou.

A/N: We back with a second new chapter! Since its my birthday we getting the gift of Fanfics! LMFAOOO, but you guys when I tell you these upcoming chapters are cooking! Like my god! Im about to drop a sneak preview tomorrow. We got both Sanji POV, and Usopp POV. Thank you guys for everything, dont worry I have the master list ready also so I can pin it on my page as well. And without further ado let the adventure begin!

Word Count: 7.9K

Sanji x Reader, Sanji x Y/N, One piece X Reader

Y/N POV…

Doflamingo continues to step forward, laughing menacingly. Luffy and I both stand stunned. “Princess, why look at you. Seems to me I’ve found you once again,” Doflamingo taunts, his voice dripping with malice. His eyes gleam with a twisted amusement as he takes in my presence. “How fortunate for me, wouldn’t you say?”

I open my mouth to retort, but Doflamingo cuts me off. “Look at you three, huddled together in your little hole. Should I take those handcuffs off you, Law?” His voice is dripping with mockery as he focuses on Law.

I reach for Law’s hand, gripping it tightly, reminding him that we’re not going to let anything happen to him. “Or should I cut your wrists along with them?” Doflamingo’s words make Law tense, his eyes narrowing in defiance.

I glance down at my blade, noticing that it’s channeling a different energy—a strange, shifting hue that I’ve never seen before. “What’s going on?” I think, feeling a mix of confusion and unease.

“Now, Princess, why don’t you come here where you belong?” Doflamingo continues, his voice dripping with sinister intent. “I have something special planned for the two of us.”

“Like what? Getting your ass kicked a fourth time by me? I’d like to see you try,” I retort, my voice firm and defiant despite the fear clawing at the edges of my composure.

Doflamingo’s grin widens, his eyes gleaming with a malevolent hunger. “Oh, don’t be so eager to test me. You see, I’ve grown quite fond of watching you struggle. It’s almost entertaining, watching your hopes crumble. But what I really want is to see you break, to see the despair in your eyes when you realize there’s nothing you can do.

I clenched my fists, fury rising in me, but before I could snap back, Luffy stepped forward. “I thought you were back at the palace! What the hell are you doing down here?” he shouted, launching a punch. Doflamingo deflected it effortlessly, the punch ricocheting off the walls like a pebble.

“I came to rescue you, of course,” Doflamingo mocked. “You clearly need help if you're falling for traps like this.” He unleashed a barrage of sharp, bullet-like strings, aimed straight at Ucy. “I’ll put you out of your misery.”

“Ucy!” Luffy shouted, panic in his voice.

“Forget the bull, just get away!” Law yelled urgently as Ucy collapsed to the side, throwing us both into the freezing water.

“Y/N!” I heard Law call out, but the cold water overwhelmed me, my limbs freezing up as I struggled to keep Luffy afloat. The weight of my drenched dress and tiara was unbearable, but I couldn’t let Luffy sink. He couldn’t swim due to his Devil Fruit powers.

Doflamingo loomed over us, his voice full of contempt. “What a joke. Any fool could kill you in this sorry state. You’ve riled up a bunch of weaklings who think they can take my head, but now I see you’re nothing more than a pathetic joke.”

I gritted my teeth, my whole body shaking from the cold. We needed to get out of the water—fast.

Doflamingo turned to Law, his voice low and cutting. “Why side with this idiot, Law? When you were younger, you had such potential. Ruthless, cunning. Now look at you. Who turned you into this weak coward?”

“That’s enough!” Law shouted, seething with anger. “I won’t become like you! I was saved!”

Doflamingo’s expression turned darker, unimpressed. “Pathetic,” he hissed, raising a hand to send another attack toward Law.

Suddenly, one of the unwanted guests from before lunged forward. “You won’t lay a hand on Strawhat!” he yelled, trying to stab Doflamingo. But the blade passed through his body effortlessly.

“It’s not the real thing!” Law yelled, shaking with frustration. “It’s a puppet made of strings!”

“Damn clones,” I muttered, my teeth chattering as I tried to keep steady in the water. The cold was sinking into my bones, making it harder to stay upright. I could feel my strength fading.

“Thanks for the help!” I managed to shout to our unexpected allies. “Are you guys hurt?”

“Don’t worry about us! Let’s just get you both out of the water!” one of them called back, pulling Luffy out first. I was next, my entire body trembling from the cold as they dragged me back onto Ucy’s back.

I shivered uncontrollably, my soaked hair clinging to my face and my wet clothes weighing me down. Law, still in his cuffs, glanced at me and smirked despite everything. “Princess, you look freezing. Come here and huddle up for warmth,” he teased, his shirtless chest exposed under his coat.

I raised an eyebrow, still shaking, but couldn't deny how cold I was. “Oh, now you’re using this as an excuse, huh?” I teased back, but leaned into him, grateful for the heat. His body felt warm despite the freezing conditions, and I pressed close to him, trying to stop the relentless shivering.

One of the other guys frowned. “What happened to Doflamingo’s body? That didn’t seem like a real fight.”

“Moron,” Law snapped, though his voice was softened by the fact that I was still holding him close. “I told you, it’s only a puppet. Though I can’t figure out why he even bothered sending one here. Is he trying to taunt us, or is he planning something bigger?”

I glanced up at Law, the tension in his jaw evident and something else that caught my attention—my thigh felt lighter, and my left hand was empty.

“My blades!” I gasped, pulling away from Law. “I must have dropped them in the water,” I muttered, trying to spot them through the rippling surface. A faint shine caught my eye at the bottom. "There they are!" I said, starting to make my way back toward the edge of the water.

But before I could react, one of the unwanted guests jumped in. "No, Princess! Allow me to retrieve them!" he called out.

“Wait, you don’t—!” I began, but it was too late. He had already dived in.

For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. “Hmm, maybe these don’t do anyth—" I began, before hearing him yelp. “Here they are!” he said, only to have the blades suddenly burst into flames. The man dropped them instantly, his hands burned as the heat seared him.

I sighed, shaking my head. “No one’s allowed to touch anything that’s mine—especially my blades and jewelry,” I explained, diving back into the water myself. I retrieved the blades with ease, feeling their familiar power hum through me as I returned to Ucy, securing them back into the thigh halter.

“Why did that happen?” Luffy asked, clearly amazed by what he’d just seen.

“King said the same thing when he gave them to me—anyone who tries to take my blades or jewelry gets a nasty surprise. Only I can use or wear them. Unless I deactivate the trigger myself, they’re off-limits,” I replied casually, brushing off the water as I moved back toward Law. I huddled close to him again, seeking warmth, his body still radiating a comforting heat.

“Sorry about that, you guys,” I said, a bit sheepishly.

“Oh, don’t worry, Princess! We aren’t mad at you!” one of the guys stammered, blushing furiously.

“Yeah, it was just a simple accident,” the other chimed in, trying to excuse the sudden situation with an awkward laugh.

Law, still handcuffed with his hands tied behind his back, smirked, watching me lean closer. “It’s always something with you, isn’t it?” he teased, his voice carrying that familiar, warm edge.

I pressed against him, shivering as the chill from the water still clung to my skin. “You’re warm, I need warmth,” I murmured, nuzzling into him without hesitation.

He tilted his head, unable to move his hands, but clearly enjoying my dependency on him. "I can’t do much about it with these cuffs, but you’re welcome to get as close as you need," Law quipped, his eyes flickering with amusement. “Though, I have to admit, I don’t mind this at all.”

I gave a playful smile, feeling a bit of my strength return. “Guess I’ll just have to stick around then,” I said, leaning more into him as his body heat slowly began to thaw my cold skin.

Law’s smirk grew. “As if I’d let you go anywhere else."

"Why do you think Doflamingo said he wanted to rescue us?" Luffy suddenly asked, his face twisted in confusion.

I lifted my head slightly, glancing between them. "That man doesn’t even know the meaning of the word ‘save.’ It’s a trap, Luffy. Everything with him is a setup." I shifted in Law’s chest, still feeling the chill, but unwilling to move away from his warmth.

One of the allies chimed in. "Oh, that reminds me—everything Kelly Funk said? He tricked us! That bastard was lying the whole time."

I pulled away from Law just enough to turn towards them, eyes narrowing. "I knew it! I could feel it—that guy had bad energy around him. We shouldn’t have trusted him."

"After we found out what he was planning, we knew we had to stop him," the ally continued. "Doflamingo took him down without even breaking a sweat."

"Man, Traffy was right—Mingo’s just taunting us!" Luffy muttered angrily, clenching his fists.

"Bastard’s playing a dangerous game," I agreed, feeling the strange hue return to my blades, now safely secured on my thigh holster.

Luffy’s mind was already racing to the next problem. "How’s Cabbage doing? Did he beat us to the top?"

"Yeah, we’re way behind," one of the guys answered. "Everyone’s probably already on the second level by now."

"Ugh! We need to get to the sunflower field. I needed that shortcut!" Luffy groaned, clearly frustrated.

"Hurry back to the entrance!" Law said, trying to strategize.

"No! I’ll make us an entrance!" Luffy grinned wildly, grabbing both Law and me.

"Luffy, what are you—" I started, but before I could finish, Luffy shouted, "Gomu Gomu no Elephant Gun!"

The massive punch ripped through the ceiling, creating a giant hole in the sky and opening a path to the second level.

“Alright! Y/N, Traffy, let’s go!” Luffy yelled, his enthusiasm unshakable.

Law sighed, clearly annoyed. "We could’ve been crushed!"

Ignoring him, Luffy grabbed both of us again and launched us towards the second level. We landed with a thud, soaking wet but unharmed.

“Good, now we’ve caught up with everyone else!” Luffy said with satisfaction, letting me go. I clung to Law for a moment longer, still cold and wet.

“Let’s go, Luffy!” I called, running alongside him, activating the familiar electrical charge in my hands. We sprinted towards the palace, determination in every step.

“Get back here, Princess!” a voice yelled from behind. A Doflamingo subordinate was hot on our heels.

“Not a chance!” I shouted, sending a bolt of lightning toward him, striking him down instantly.

As we continued running, Cabbage suddenly appeared on his horse. “Cabbage! You trying to get in my way again?” Luffy called out, half-joking.

“Not this time,” Cabbage responded with a dramatic flip of his hair. “Get in!”

“Huh?” Luffy and I blinked in confusion.

“I’ve decided to give you a ride,” Cabbage said, sounding as regal as ever. As he turned his horse, he noticed me. “Princess, come to the front. I’ll hold you!”

“Hell no!” I leaped into the air, gliding alongside them. “Luffy, get on!”

“Right! Let’s go!” Luffy shouted, jumping onto Cabbage’s horse with Law.

“Would it kill you to show a little gratitude?” Cabbage muttered to Luffy, annoyed.

I clenched one of my blades in my hand, feeling the familiar heat of fire surge through me. “You attack, and I’ll clear the path,” Cabbage called out, locking eyes with Luffy.

Just then, I noticed a fourth person had joined us on the horse—Kyros. “Hey, Kyros!” I called out, smiling despite the rush of adrenaline.

“Princess,” Kyros nodded back, keeping his focus ahead.

Cabbage continued to rant as we moved forward, but Luffy and I ignored him. "Rebecca is headed for the flower field," Luffy explained to Kyros.

“Rebecca?! Is she in danger?” Kyros asked, his voice filled with worry.

“Don’t worry, Kyros. She’s in good hands,” I reassured him, slashing the air with one of my blades, creating a fiery barrier in our path to protect us from incoming attacks.

“My elegant steed cannot maintain its grace with four people on its back!” Cabbage complained, but I cut him off with a sharp look.

“Cabbage, I’d appreciate it if you stopped yelling at my captain and Kyros!” I snapped, pausing mid-air.

Cabbage dramatically placed a hand over his heart, blinking at me. “Such fiery passion! Oh, we are so meant to be!”

I rolled my eyes, flying alongside them as we pushed forward. Allies below us fought valiantly against Doflamingo’s subordinates, clearing the way.

“You take out the boss! We’ll handle these lackeys!” a giant called out as we passed.

“Cabbage, get them to the palace, and fast!” one of the allies yelled.

“Thank you, guys!” I shouted back, grateful for the support as we neared the palace.

“This is getting fun! Let’s go!” Luffy shouted, grinning ear to ear as we all charged towards the palace together. One by one, Luffy's allies kept taking down the subordinates, giving us a clear path forward. While Cabbage rode ahead with Luffy, Law, and Kyros on his horse, I soared through the air beside them, scanning the battlefield below.

"Onward, Farul!" Cavendish called out to his horse, urging it forward, as I glided beside them, my eyes sharp for any signs of trouble.

"Hey, Luffy!" I called from above, catching his attention. "You think those guys are going to be alright? I saw Dellinger back there, along with that ton guy. Looks like he managed to pick himself back up after that punch I gave him." I clutched my blade, feeling the fire inside it flicker to life once more.

"Yeah, they’ll be fine!" Luffy responded confidently, shouting over the wind. "We just need to get to Mingo, and fast!" His eyes were fixed on the towering palace in the distance, determination blazing.

Just then, another group of subordinates appeared ahead of us. "Not so fast!" one of them yelled, blocking our path.

"Damn, they keep popping up like roaches," I muttered, preparing to strike. The familiar heat surged through me as I clenched my left hand, ready to ignite my blade once more.

But Cavendish raised his hand, stepping in. "Allow me, Princess." His eyes gleamed with pride as he unsheathed his sword. "Blade of Beauty, Sol Dux Paris!"

He cut through the air with a flourish, his attack striking with deadly precision. Luffy followed up instantly, launching a furious Jet Gatling that sent the remaining enemies flying.

"We’re almost there, guys!" I shouted, seeing the palace growing closer with every second. Deciding to conserve some of my energy for the final fight, I gracefully descended and landed behind Luffy on Cavendish’s horse.

"Welcome back, Y/N!" Luffy grinned, his energy never wavering.

I smiled back at him, but Cavendish immediately noticed the added weight on his stallion. His annoyance was instant. "Who else is riding my stallion?! It’s meant for elegance and grace, not... passengers!"

Peeking out from behind Luffy, I raised an eyebrow, amused. "You were saying?" I teased, giving him a pointed look.

Cavendish turned his head slightly, catching sight of me, and his dramatic frustration vanished in an instant. "Ah, Princess!" he said, his tone shifting. "I didn’t realize it was you... My apologies, your grace is always welcome."

I stifled a laugh, leaning forward. "That's what I thought," I said, rolling my eyes.

Cavendish, or "Cabbage" as Luffy called him, continued to land blow after blow with his sword, cutting down enemies left and right as we rode.

“The long-leg guy got beat!” Luffy shouted, looking back, ready to jump off and help.

"Luffy, we're almost at the palace!" I reminded him, gripping the horse tightly. "Don’t worry, they’ll be okay. Once Doflamingo is gone, we can go help everyone."

Before Luffy could respond, Cavendish cut him off. "This game is nothing but a way to get us all killed! The only way to save this island and its people is to get rid of Doflamingo." His voice was full of conviction as he spoke. "Despite his strength and advantages, he made one key error—the colosseum. I will defeat Doflamingo with my bare hands!"

Luffy’s expression turned into one of pure rage. "I already told you, I’m going to do it!" he shouted.

"This one’s personal!" Law interjected, his voice steady despite his handcuffs. "I’m the one who’s going to take Doflamingo down."

Kyros wasn’t backing down either. "Your passion is admirable, but this is my fight!" he said, his resolve clear in his voice.

Kyros clenched his fist tighter, his voice full of determination. "My grudge is from ten years ago. I won’t let him escape this time."

Law smirked slightly, his usual calm demeanor returning. "Well, my grudge is from thirteen years ago."

Luffy, not wanting to be left out, jumped in with enthusiasm. "Yeah? Well, my grudge is from thirty years ago!"

Cavendish shot him an incredulous look. "You dirty liar! You're not even thirty!" he snapped, his irritation evident.

I groaned, slapping my forehead in frustration. "Seriously?" I muttered under my breath before turning to face them. "Listen, we all have our own personal grudges when it comes to Doflamingo," I said, my voice firm. I glanced at my injured left shoulder and instinctively grasped my collarbone, feeling the ghost of Doflamingo’s grip on my neck. The memory of his hands tightening around me still sent shivers down my spine.

"But we need to work together," I continued, my frustration rising. "Arguing isn’t going to help us. Once we get there, we can figure it out. But right now, we need to stop fighting among ourselves!"

Before anyone could respond, we suddenly reached the third level. The air felt different, thick with an eerie fog. From the mist, shapes began to emerge, slowly taking form. I squinted through the haze, trying to make sense of what we were seeing.

"Holy... what the heck are those things?" Luffy said, his eyes wide with shock.

Before us, what appeared to be dead toys—broken, distorted, and unsettling—began shambling forward, their lifeless eyes staring straight at us. They moved in unnatural jerks, creaking with every step.

My breath caught in my throat as I gripped the reins tighter. "What the hell is this...?" I whispered, feeling a chill creep up my spine.

Sanji POV…

I watched the mist-covered island, beginning to come through, but I couldn’t shake the sense of urgency gnawing at my gut. I was here to protect my crew, but my thoughts kept drifting elsewhere. Y/N.

My cigarette hung loosely from my lips, the end flickering with each deep breath I took. I’d already gone through too many packs just thinking about her safety. Every puff seemed to ease the tension in my chest, but only for a moment. What if something had happened to her? What if Luffy and Mosshead were too late?

“Sanji! You’re spacing out again.” Brook’s voice snapped me back to reality.

I flicked the cigarette away, letting the wind carry it off the side. “I’m fine, Brook. Just… thinking.” I straightened up, trying to focus on the task at hand. As Nami, Chopper, Caesar, and Brook continued walking ahead, I felt a deep sense of unease creep over me. The further we went, the heavier the atmosphere became, and something in the air made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

We rounded the bend, and that’s when I saw it—destruction as far as the eye could see. The once serene jungle of Zou was now littered with broken trees, debris, and ominous smoke rising into the air. Crucifixes, scattered like some macabre display, stood out among the wreckage.

“What the hell happened here?” I muttered, my eyes scanning the scene. The devastation was overwhelming, the remnants of a violent battle etched into the land.

Y/N POV…

"I don't like this one bit," I muttered, my eyes scanning the eerie scene. The toys, now looking more unsettling than before, stood around us like silent sentinels.

"Are they tin soldiers?" Kyros whispered, his voice laced with suspicion.

"Is this supposed to be a joke?" Cavendish growled, Farul beginning to back up slightly in response to the tension.

"One of them fell over," Luffy said, pointing towards a toy soldier that had toppled onto the ground. Just then, to our horror, the toy soldier began chewing through the dirt, its jaw unhinging in a grotesque manner.

"What the hell is this?!" I yelped as we narrowly dodged the crazed attack.

"I'm going full speed," Cavendish declared, gripping the reins tightly. "You guys are going to have to take care of yourselves."

"We're completely surrounded!" I said, feeling the tension rise.

"Were there always this many?" Luffy asked, eyes wide as more toy soldiers began to emerge from the mist, their movements jerky and unnatural.

"What a nuisance," Cavendish said, his voice cold and calculated. "The only way to advance is to dispose of them."

"Alright!" Luffy grinned, flexing his arms. "You guys wanna join in?!"

Kyros quickly dismounted the horse, readying his sword. "Yeah!"

"Wait, Y/N," Luffy suddenly turned to me, his tone shifting to a more serious one. "You stay with Traffy on the horse. Gotta save your strength for the big fight, don’t we? Cabbage, Kyros, and I will take care of them."

I crossed my arms and pouted, feeling a bit left out. "Man... I wanted to join in on the fun!"

Law's voice, low and teasing, broke through my frustration. Still laying down on the horse, his handcuffed wrists resting behind his head, he smirked lazily. "Don’t pout, Princess. You’ll get your chance. Besides..." His gaze flicked over to me, eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "I’d rather keep you here with me. I might get cold without your warmth."

I raised an eyebrow, half-annoyed, half-amused. "Really, Law? In the middle of all this?"

His smirk widened, and he winked. "What can I say? I prefer the view here."

We turned back around, watching as Luffy, Cavendish, and Kyros moved through the toy soldiers with dynamic speed and precision. Their attacks were swift and powerful, each strike perfectly calculated to dismantle the advancing horde.

"Hmm, two minutes," I commented, a teasing smile playing on my lips as I glanced at the aftermath. "Looks like a new record, Captain."

Law, still lounging on the horse beside me, chuckled softly. "Typical Straw Hat... always a little over the top."

Luffy, hearing me, flashed his usual grin as he finished off the last toy soldier with a quick punch. "Gotta stay sharp!" he called back.

"Nice work," I said, still smiling, though my focus had already shifted forward. Luffy climbed up to the horse, followed by Kyros. Cavendish, however, remained oblivious that the group was already mounted.

"Cabbage, we’re waiting," Luffy laughed.

"Were you all just watching me?" Cavendish asked, clearly annoyed.

"Lighten up, Cabbage, now hop on," I said, a small grin tugging at my lips.

In an instant, the toys sprang up again, one of them launching a surprise attack on Farul. The impact knocked all of us to the ground.

"Horseeey!" Luffy cried out, his voice full of concern.

"Is he...?" I muttered, dread filling me as I saw the injured horse lying motionless, struck down by the toy's attack.

Luffy’s expression darkened, and with a quick motion, he launched a Jet Pistol at the center of the toy, knocking it down. "Farul!" Cavendish yelled as he knelt beside his horse. "Stay with me! I can’t believe it... they crushed its head."

"How are these toys still moving?!" I growled, clenching my right hand and pressing it against my left, activating the electrical charges flowing through me.

"How dare you! That’s my partner!" Cavendish roared, drawing his blade. "Blade of Beauty: Round Table!" He struck at the toy, but even that wasn’t enough. As we watched in disbelief, all the toys began to stir, coming back to life.

"You’ve got to be kidding me!" I said, exasperated.

Suddenly, a voice cried out from above, and a figure landed on top of the toy soldier. "Damn it, I got sloppy," the man said, shaking off the dust.

"It’s you?!" Luffy exclaimed, recognizing the figure.

I turned swiftly to Luffy, raising an eyebrow. "How do you know so many people?" I asked, half-amused, half-bewildered.

"Mr. Luffy! And... Princess Y/N!" The man’s eyes widened, tears streaming down his face as he began to cry out dramatically. "Oh, my dreams are coming true!"

Before I could respond, another figure appeared from above. "Robin!" Luffy and I shouted in unison.

Without thinking, I ran up and hugged her tightly. "Good to see you’re okay, Y/N," she said with a soft smile, though her expression quickly shifted when she noticed the bruising on my neck and collarbone. Her fingers lightly brushed against the marks.

"What happened to your necklace, Y/N?" she asked, her voice concerned.

I looked up at her, my emotions starting to well up. "Doflamingo... he yanked it and threw it on the ground, breaking it," I said, my voice wavering. "And the marks... they’re from him, too." I held onto Robin tighter, the weight of everything catching up to me.

Her arms wrapped protectively around me. Just then, Law approached us, his frustration evident. "Nico! You brought the key, didn’t you? Give it to me now!" he demanded, his eyes sharp with urgency.

We pulled away, and I made my way towards Law. "I left them with Rebecca," Robin replied, her tone steady despite the tension.

"Damn," I muttered, my frustration mounting. I had hoped someone would have the key.

"What?!" Kyros said, his concern palpable.

"She’s alright," Robin said reassuringly. "She’s headed to the flower field right now."

"Well, she got away," a voice said, dripping with disdain. "Even if she makes it into the palace, she won’t be able to do anything."

The figure emerged from the shadows, his face coming into view. He raised his eyes, locking them onto Luffy and me. "Strawhats," he said with a sneer. His gaze then shifted to me. "And you, the young master has been waiting for your capture."

Rage surged through me, and the blades in my thigh halter began to glow with their distinctive hue. "You can tell the young master he can shove it! I’m not his, and I never will be!" I shouted, the hue intensifying.

The man ignored my defiance, turning his attention to Robin. "I’ll kill Rebecca once I’m done with you."

"Bastard!" Kyros spat, his anger barely contained.

"I know you!" Luffy exclaimed, his voice filled with determination. "The name’s Gladious, and I’m putting an end to this rebellion."

The toy soldiers began to move again, and I yanked one of my blades from its sheath. Blue flames danced around it, ready for action. "Rooster, let’s go!" Robin commanded as she and her partner took their positions.

"Luffy, Traffy, Soldier, Y/N, go ahead to the flower field and get that key," Robin said decisively. "We can handle this."

"Are you sure, Robin?" I asked, my voice wavering with concern.

"Rebecca is waiting! Just go!" she insisted, her voice unwavering. With a determined nod, Luffy agreed with Robin. Gladious then launched his attack, but before Luffy could react, he was blocked by a massive shield. "Mr. Luffy, let me take care of it!" Rooster called out, stepping forward. "Barrier!" The enormous protective barrier shielded us from the oncoming assault.

I quickly placed my blade back into the thigh halter, securing it as the blue hue faded from my weapon. I couldn't help but wonder why the hue kept appearing whenever I felt intense emotions. Gladious groaned in frustration and summoned the toy soldiers once more.

I clenched my right hand, feeling an intense surge of power as I prepared for the fight. "Luffy, let’s clear a path!" I shouted. With a powerful punch, I struck the ground, unleashing my technique, Celestial Rupture. The impact created a massive shockwave that rippled through the area, causing the toy soldiers to collapse and shatter under the tremendous force. The ground cracked and trembled as debris flew in all directions, dismantling the toys in a spectacular display of devastation.

Luffy, seizing the moment, unleashed his Jet Whip with fierce precision. His rapid kicks and strikes sent the remaining toys hurtling through the air, their bodies disintegrating upon impact with his powerful attacks.

“Rooster head” or how luffy called him was stunned. “Sweet! I got front row seats to a Jet Whip strike and a combination of beauty and strength by the Princess! What a day!” He swooned, clearly awestruck.

“Stop wasting time!” Law snapped, his irritation evident. “We’ve been fighting these stupid dolls forever! Hurry it up, Strawhat!”

With a determined glint in my eye, I leaped backward into the air, landing next to Law. I crouched down beside him, my fingers playfully sliding through the back of his hair. Law tensed slightly at first, but soon, a soft groan escaped him as I let my fingers slowly trail down to the back of his neck, brushing against his skin.

His hat shielded most of his face, but I caught the faint blush creeping up his cheeks. His eyes, darker now, looked at me with a mix of tension and something deeper. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I teased softly, my voice low and flirtatious.

Law exhaled deeply, his head tipping just slightly into my touch. “You have no idea,” he murmured, his tone rougher, edged with a teasing promise of his own. His voice dropped as his eyes met mine, unwavering. “Once these cuffs are off…”

I raised an eyebrow, my smirk widening. “Once these cuffs are off… what?” I whispered, letting my fingers linger at the back of his neck, feeling the slight shiver that ran through him.

Law’s smirk matched mine, his gaze intense. “You’ll find out.” He leaned into my touch just enough to send a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

I chuckled softly, pulling my hand away, the warmth between us lingering.

As Luffy ascended the barrier stairs, Rooster Head was still celebrating his moment of glory. “Thank you for being born!” he exclaimed, still on the ground in a state of utter adoration. His enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at his dramatic display.

Finally reaching the top, Luffy, with me over his shoulder, and Law beside him, saw Rebecca waiting eagerly. “Rebecca!” Luffy shouted, his voice full of relief. “Lucy! You made it!”

Rebecca’s face lit up as she held up the key. “Luffy, here!” she called out, tossing the key toward him. At that moment, a toy soldier lunged towards us, its mouth open menacingly.

“Luffy, now!” I yelled, bracing for impact. With quick reflexes, Luffy grabbed the key and unlocked Law’s cuffs. Law and Luffy landed gracefully, and as I prepared to propel myself into the air, Law swiftly caught me mid-flight.

He looked at me with a smirk, his eyes betraying a mix of relief and amusement. “You really do have a knack for needing rescuing, don’t you?” he teased, his voice low and warm.

I raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “Was this your way of showing me what you’d do once your cuffs were off?”

Law’s gaze deepened, and he grabbed my wrist as we both landed safely on the ground. His voice was dangerously low, “Not even close, princess.”

A faint blush colored my cheeks, and I froze for a moment, caught off guard by his intensity.

Luffy, oblivious to our exchange, cheered with enthusiasm. “We finally made it!”

“About damn time too!” I said, shaking off the lingering heat in my cheeks and walking towards him with Law by my side.

Luffy, Law, and I stood together, but I could sense Law’s distraction. "Finally free," he muttered, flexing his hands, now rid of the sea prism stone cuffs.

“This is it—the fourth level where Mingo's hiding. Let’s tear this place apart!” Luffy said, determined.

I clenched my fists connecting them, the fiery energy and electric pulses blending as they surged through me. "You had me at tearing this place apart, Captain," I said with a wicked grin.

Just then, a voice cut through the air. “Law! Strawhat! Princess!”

My blades began glowing again—this time, my left hand pulsed with blue energy, while my right hand gleamed white. I glanced at them in confusion. “What the hell is happening now?”

“It’s Diamante,” Law growled, his expression darkening as the man approached. Kyros leapt forward, blocking his attack. “You three go ahead!” Kyros shouted. “I’ve got a score to settle with him. Kill that bastard!"

Luffy and Law both shouted back, “Leave it to us!”

I couldn’t help but smirk. "Make sure you whoop his ass for us, Kyros!" But before we could charge forward, Law grabbed my arm, pulling me back. I unclenched my hands, feeling the energy dissipate.

"Strawhat, let’s move," Law ordered.

"Yeah!" Luffy nodded, pausing only to thank Rebecca for her help.

"Will you really defeat Doflamingo?" she asked, eyes full of hope.

Luffy turned, his face serious. “My name isn’t Lucy, it’s Luffy. And I’m going to be King of the Pirates!"

I couldn’t help but smile at his bold declaration. His conviction never wavered, and I felt proud to be by his side. “There’s no need to worry,” Luffy reassured Rebecca as we ran towards the palace.

Just as we neared, Diamante unleashed his Devil Fruit powers. “You pain in the ass brat, you stubborn fool, and you—traitor!”

Before we could fight back, Law stopped us. “Wait. Room!” The dome surrounded us, and in a flash, we were transported to the palace pool area.

"So this is the place," Luffy remarked, standing up.

"Took long enough," Law replied, his voice tense.

"Wow, your ability really comes in handy," I said, impressed but noticing how drained he looked.

"Yeah, princess, but it takes a toll. With the sea prism cuffs and you carrying me around, I saved just enough energy," Law said, forming a smaller circle. “Scalpel.”

To my shock, Law groaned as he reached into his own stomach, pulling out two bullets. Luffy and I watched in silence as the bloody projectiles hit the ground.

My hand instinctively went to my left shoulder, remembering the bullet lodged there. Luffy noticed and turned to me, his eyes widening. “Wait, Y/N, weren’t you shot too by Mingo?

Law’s hands hovered over the wound, his eyes wide with shock as he traced the damage. His breath came out in sharp, shallow bursts. I could feel the tension radiating off of him, the way his fingers trembled ever so slightly.

"You were shot?" His voice was a low growl, almost feral, as if he was holding himself back from exploding.

I nodded, trying to keep things light. "It’s not as bad as it looks, Law. Really, I’m—"

“By Mingo?” he cut me off, his voice trembling with barely controlled fury. His eyes locked onto mine, dark and intense, and suddenly the world felt too small. “And you didn’t think to tell me?” His words were clipped, barely restrained, as if holding back a storm.

I winced as his hand gently, but firmly, pressed against the wound, inspecting the damage. “It happened when you were unconscious back at the colosseum. I didn’t think it—"

"You didn’t think it mattered?” His voice was cold now, deadly. He yanked his hand back from my shoulder as if it burned him. “He hurt you, and you kept quiet?!”

I swallowed hard, trying to reason with him. “It all happened so fast, I was facing Doflamingo head on. I just needed to—”

He stepped back, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white, his jaw clenched hard enough to crack teeth. “That bastard,” he hissed. His entire body seemed to be trembling with a rage that was about to boil over.

“Why is your wound more damaged?!” he yelled, his usual calm shattered as the reality of what Doflamingo had done started to sink in.

I sighed, knowing this was coming, knowing he wasn’t going to let it go. His concern felt suffocating, but there was no escaping it now. “When… I got to the palace, I was tied with his strings. You were still unconscious in a chair next to me,” I began, my voice trembling slightly as the memories resurfaced. I could still feel the tight grip of those cursed strings around me.

Closing my eyes, I forced myself to continue, even as the memory sent a chill through me. “He… kept trying to touch my collarbone and my exposed shoulders, but I pushed his hand away every time. That’s when he got angry… and he dug his finger into the bullet wound,” I whispered, my voice fading as the pain of that moment surged back into my body. I could still feel his fingers pressing into the wound, the sharp sting, the agony as he twisted it just to make me suffer more. My breath caught for a moment as I tried to shake it off.

Law's eyes darkened further, his hands trembling as his fingers curled into fists so tight his knuckles turned white. "That sick bastard…" he muttered, fury evident in every word. He looked as if he was ready to destroy everything in his path just to get to Doflamingo. His protective instincts surged, his anger almost tangible in the air around him.

“He wanted to break me, Law,” I admitted quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. “He thought he could control me… that he could use my pain to make me bend to his will.”

Law’s gaze softened for just a moment, the rage still there, but now mixed with a deep, unspoken regret. He reached out, gently touching the edge of my wounded shoulder.

"None of that matters now." I said quickly, trying to steer the conversation away from my injuries. "We’re here now. I’m fine.”

But Law wasn’t listening. He was already forming the circle around me, his fingers moving with precision but shaking with anger. “This is going to hurt,” he muttered, his voice strained.

“Scalpel.”

The sharp pain of the bullet being removed shot through me, but I clenched my jaw, determined not to make a sound. The lead bullet dropped to the ground with a dull thud, and Law froze, staring at it. His eyes darkened with something far more dangerous than before.

“Lead bullets,” he whispered, the anger building in his voice. His fists clenched again, shaking with rage. "He used lead bullets on you."

The cold fury in his voice sent a chill down my spine. Law straightened up, his whole body rigid with barely contained violence. “I’m going to kill him,” he swore, his voice low, trembling with hatred. “I’ll rip him apart for this.”

I reached for his arm, trying to ground him, but he pulled away, eyes fixed on the horizon. “Law—”

“No,” he snapped, his voice a growl. "This ends here. That bastard will pay for every second of pain he caused you."

“What... did you just say?” Luffy’s voice was low, almost calm. Too calm. His eyes darkened as they shifted between Law and the bullet.

Luffy’s head snapped toward Law, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Lead bullets?" His voice was low, but there was an underlying tension. He glanced at the bullet on the ground and then back at Law. "Wait... is that the same kind of bullet they used back at the Colosseum?"

Law nodded grimly. "Yeah, it's the same. It’s not just a regular bullet. Lead poisoning slowly kills you from the inside out. That bastard… he planned to make Y/N suffer.”

Luffy’s face tightened, his jaw clenching as the realization sank in. His fists began to tremble, knuckles white with the force of his grip. “He used these on Y/N…” His voice dropped dangerously low. “That bastard used those on my crew.”

His gaze shot toward the palace, his eyes now burning with an intense rage. “DOFLAMINGO!”

Without warning, Luffy slammed his fist into the ground, the sheer force sending cracks through the stone. “I’m not letting him get away with this!" His voice grew louder, filled with fury. "Nobody hurts my friends like this!”

He shot a determined look at Law and me, his face hardened with resolve. “We’re ending this—NOW.”

he declared, his voice low but filled with the fire of determination.

My hands began to tremble, the weight of everything crashing down on me. The memories of Doflamingo’s torment, the fear that my friends wouldn’t reach me—it all hit at once. The strength I’d tried to hold onto started to slip away.

I turned to Luffy, my vision blurring as tears welled up in my eyes. “Luffy... for a moment...” My voice cracked, the tears I had been holding back finally spilling over. “I thought you and Zoro wouldn’t make it on time,” I whispered, a single tear slipping down my cheek.

Luffy's expression softened, the fiery determination in his eyes mixed with something warmer—reassurance. "We're here, Y/N. And we're not going anywhere," he said, his voice steady, filled with a strength that reminded me why I could always count on him.

As I stood there, trying to calm my shaking hands, I suddenly felt two strong arms wrap around my waist from behind. Law’s grip tightened, his hat tilted low, hiding his face. But I could feel something wet hit the back of my neck—tears. His voice, usually so controlled, cracked with emotion as he whispered, "Princess... I..." He hesitated, his words barely coming through. "I couldn’t protect Cora... and I couldn’t even protect you..."

The weight of his pain hit me as hard as my own. I turned around gently, cupping his face in my hands. His eyes were glossy, filled with guilt and sorrow. "It’s okay, Law. I’m okay," I whispered, wiping his tears away with my thumb. I didn’t want him to carry that burden any longer.

With a soft smile, I reached for my tiara, removing it from my head and handing it to him. "Hold on to this for me," I said, looking into his eyes as if to reassure him that I would be fine.

I turned to face both Luffy and Law, determination settling back into my chest. "Let’s go kick Mingo’s ass!" I declared, trying to ignite the fire in both of them.

Just as Luffy and I were about to start walking, Law reached out. "Wait, Y/N!" he called, his voice returning to its usual sharp tone. "We need to come up with a plan. We can’t underestimate him."

Luffy crossed his arms, huffing in frustration. "Look, Mingo’s getting an ass-kicking whether there’s a plan or not. So let’s go!" he retorted, his fists clenching with excitement and impatience.

The two began to bicker back and forth, Law trying to be strategic while Luffy, in true fashion, was ready to charge straight into the fight.

Their voices suddenly quieted as we all heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching from inside the palace. Our gazes snapped towards the source, the tension thickening as we realized someone—or something—was coming.

Usopp POV…

I readied my slingshot, my hands a little shaky but steady enough. Kanjuro was preparing the drawing we'd use to stop Sugar. Viola, with her clairvoyance, was crucial now—her eyes could see what was heading our way.

"It's going to create a level playing field with Sugar," I muttered, grabbing the wrapped-up drawing and heading back to my station.

"Viola, I'm going to need your clairvoyance. I want you to relay every move Sugar makes," I instructed, my voice more confident than I felt. Viola nodded with determination.

"I am the sniper. This is where I shine. I take out enemies from afar and protect my team!" I whispered to myself, pulling my goggles down over my eyes.

"Viola... make me proud," said King Riku, his trust pushing me to do better.

"I can see her now! Sugar is approaching them from behind," Viola called out, her eyes locked on the scene. Hack and King Riku were ready to provide backup, making sure no one could sneak up on us.

"She's nearing your friends at a steady pace; she's in their line of sight!" Viola continued.

"Keep your eyes on her!" I urged, my heart pounding in my chest. "I gotta make this count!"

"Sugar’s in the yard now," Viola said urgently. "It seems she’s crying, trying to play the sympathy card with your friends. And... Law is holding onto the waist of the princess."

I let out a breath, smirking slightly. "Really? I just know Sanji would have a field day if he was hearing this," I muttered under my breath, trying to distract myself from the pressure.

"They’re about to leave her behind, but... wait, they’ve turned back," Viola informed me, her voice laced with concern.

I began to pull back the strap of my slingshot, as far as I could go. The tension in my arms, my nerves, everything was tightening. "You gotta tell me her exact location!" I shouted.

"Look at the top of the towers, the windows in the center! I can see them, but there’s an iron bar over it," Viola explained quickly. "There’s a bottom bar too, about four feet from the ground."

"Sugar’s still behind the column! She's advancing—she should be in the middle any moment now!" Viola said, worry creeping into her voice.

"My target's behind a damn wall. If I miss, it's goodbye, Luffy!" I muttered, feeling sweat drip down my face. The anxiety spiked, and I swallowed thickly, shaking my head to push away the “what-ifs.”

"We have to nail this! No matter what!" I growled, gritting my teeth. The pressure mounted, but I had to keep steady.

"Hey, Luffy, Y/N... I don’t want to miss this, and I don’t want to head to the seas without you or Y/N!" My thoughts raced as I focused.

"I can see their auras!" I thought to myself. Then, the moment came. "Special long-range attack!" I shouted, releasing the slingshot, the projectile flying through the air toward its target.

"Luffy, Y/N... I’ve got your back, even if you don’t realize it. Keep pushing ahead!" I thought, my hands trembling as I waited for the impact.

And then—Sugar was out cold. Her trauma reignited, rendering her unconscious.

"Outstanding! You pulled it off! You really are a sniper. Sugar is down for the count!" Viola said, tears in her eyes.

"How are they?" I asked, my heart still pounding in my chest.

"They're all fine, Usopp. Nice work!" Viola said with a smile, her voice full of relief.

I let out a long breath, feeling the weight lift from my shoulders. I did it. We did it.

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