#but then he also calls Luffy and Usopp and Chopper and Franky and Brook and Jimbei love

[saltedfishmaiden]

When I was writing my post about why Sanji loves love, why he sometimes seems too much invested in the concept and idea of it which goes deeper than being only a hopeless romantic, I got to the part with Judge and Luffy, and then wanted to make a whole post about that.

There's this sentiment that Sanji didn't need to have another story with Germa or this added background seems pointless. And while I get it somewhat, I also enjoy getting two cakes and have my fun by poking at parallels and contrasts. So here are all my thoughts and ramblings on the subject. 

I feel WCI is to Sanji in One Piece that Enchantix was to Bloom in Winx Club. For getting that enchantix transformation, all the fairies had to sacrifice something for their people. And while Bloom still gets her transformation, it wasn't at its complete because she hadn't fulfilled the condition of her transformation. Because, you know, she didn't have her people left. (I am talking about season 3, not the newer seasons). 

So how is it even remotely similar to Sanji's Germa origins? Or even ties in with Judge vs Luffy? This got quite lengthy, so under the cut, here we go:

Luffy stands as a figure of freedom and liberation. He has freed islands, thrown off corrupt governments and has saved many, many people. You should start doing good things from your home. And Luffy does it by saving every member of his crew too. But if you closely look at the flashbacks before and during the 3D2Y thing, one of them doesn't hold the same weight as the other. (It didn't for me, at least.) 

Most of the others have flashbacks to being rescued from high stakes situations. Sanji's flashback has a bigger focus on the scene where he asks Luffy if he has ever heard of the All Blue.

Luffy saved Zoro from being killed by Marines, from a death that comes from betrayal and not with a warrior's honor. He saves Kaya, Usopp, and Syrup Village from a fate that was going to befall them. Nami asks for Luffy’s help and he defeats Arlong. He declares war on the world government for Robin. Taking Franky with him so the WG doesn't constantly hunt him down is his decision in the end. Brook spent five decades in literal darkness. Luffy saves him, defeats Moria to restore their shadows, and takes him out of the waters he was stuck for so long at. He is the reason Brook can see sunlight again. He brings the light to the darkness Brook had been in. By launching the prison break, he sets Jinbei free from his cell in the Impel Down. 

Yes he saves Sanji too by fighting Don Krieg. But it differs here that after being set free from their captors or situations, the strawhats have an impact that becomes a trait or a part of their personality. 

Nami doesn't have to free her village any longer. So she's more assertive in taking charge of everyone's finances. Zoro takes quickly to piracy and while his own condition was never jeopardizing his dream, he was ready to give up for Luffy’s life. Robin decides she wants to live. Brook becomes more cheery. Chopper learns some people will love him Because he is a monster. While initially he doesn't want to be one, he is ready to become one for Luffy post time skip.

Coming back to Luffy at Baratie.. he does defeat Don Krieg. (Luffy wasn't the only one influencing his decision. Zoro's refusal to back down from his dream was doing something to his brain too.) But look at it from Sanji's angle:

A pirate crew returns from the Grand Line and attacks a ship on the East Blue that he currently calls his current home. That sounds very familiar though. 

A pirate saves him from a seemingly worse fate after that attack. That too has already happened. 

For Sanji, it's probably another Tuesday. Even if it probably repeats every nine years or so.

Interestingly, Sanji doesn't actually change after Baratie is saved by Luffy. He's still all traits and characteristics that he was. He was ready to die on the Baratie. Then, from Drum Island and onwards, his sacrificial tendencies and (passively) suicidal behavior becomes a recurring theme. At the restaurant, he declares he is ready to die because dying is how he can repay Zeff for saving him. Luffy tells him it's stupid and Zeff didn't save Sanji for him to pull this. But Sanji still keeps this stance, which he again repeats at Thriller Bark that he has always been ready to die. This thing continues post time skip too, as seen in Dressrosa where he was ready for his fate by willingly giving himself up to save the crewmates on the ship. 

So Sanji had yet to change that streak. And it makes you wonder WHY he is so ready to die, to put other's lives and dreams above his own, why his self worth is lower than Punk Hazard’s temperature? Because, again, Zeff didn't save Sanji so he can throw himself away every chance he gets. So where does his behavior even come from? A random nobody kid on a cruise ship shouldn't come with this much baggage. Then why does he? 

Those questions are answered with the WCI arc. Father vs father figure gets the focus. But Zeff isn't physically present there. You know who is? Luffy! The center stage is taken by authority figure vs authority figure. Or, well, leader versus authority figure. And the two couldn't be more different. Which the arc shows throughout.

Judge is a colonizer and symbolizes oppression. In contrast to him, Luffy is the liberator, symbolizing freedom. One of them is power hungry, the other craves freedom. Judge is someone who thrives on hierarchy, on being the biggest, the oldest, the one who looms over others. Luffy is the captain but he is also the second youngest, and usually lets his crewmates do their own thing. 

When Sanji goes back to his bio family, he ends up beaten. When Luffy catches up to him, and Sanji reacts to send him away, Luffy refuses to fight him back. While Judge ignores Sanji's pain and hurt, Luffy acknowledges it. Judge refuses to give Sanji any choice in being used as a pawn. Luffy asks Sanji what he wants. 

Judge goes back against his own word that he had bound Sanji to. Luffy makes a promise of staying there come whatever. Luffy binds himself to his promise. Judge is ready to blow up Sanji's hand. Luffy was ready to give up his own.

What Judge says he doesn't do. Luffy always does what he says.

Luffy picked Sanji as his cook at the Baratie before ever tasting his food. On Whole Cake, the food is ruined but Luffy had nothing but praise. The two stories, both, have Luffy choosing Sanji and it's not because of how good the food is. 

Judge puts everything above Sanji and Luffy puts Sanji above everything else. 

Whatever Judge does, Luffy does the opposite. We have Sanji realizing that he's worth it too. That no, he shouldn't be thrown in a dungeon or used as a chip. 

(Back to my kinda silly comparison to Bloom’s enchantix, isn't it interesting Sanji awakens his own sense of self worth while saving his family too?) 

He changes from that point forward. He asks Robin for help. He questions if Luffy would want him more useful or how he is. And doesn't wait for an answer. Because he already has one. Luffy isn't Judge. For the latter, everything is about usefulness and that's why Sanji is a failure because of what he can't do. But now Sanji knows he is Sora’s success and he already knew Luffy has never cared for what others are of use to him. 

Sanji has never doubted Luffy. He just hasn't believed himself of any worth.

Luffy at Baratie was throwing hands with a pirate who failed on the Grand Line, in exchange of not being the chore boy any longer. Luffy on Whole Cake Island was throwing hands with an Emperor of the Sea for someone he deemed worth more than his dream. That's the difference. 

[sassypantsjaxon]

Since opla made Sanji british, I think it'd be funny if he called everybody except Zoro 'Love'

[justauthoring]

Necessary Clarification.

Request: Omg can we pls get a sanji comfort fic where y/n is a little insecure bc she notices sanji treats her differently than other girls, she thinks that maybe he doesn’t think she’s pretty enough thinks of her as one of the bros or something. Unbeknownst to her sanji is like madly in love with her and didn’t know to to deal or confront his feelings so when he finds out about her doubts he’s like running to her and putting those bad thoughts to rest. Requested by: Anonymous

Pairing: Sanji Vinsmoke x F!Reader

A/N: Sanji hurt/comfort???? Sign me up!!

Word Count: 2,636

Also, this header honestly doesn't relate to the fic at all but doesn't my man look so good??????

"Here you go, Nami-swan~! Robin-chan~!"

Trying to make your anticipation less obvious, you ignore the way your body instinctively shuffles as Sanji's voice carries across the ship. As usual, there's a sway to his voice as he calls out to the only two other female members of the crew, a tray of drinks in his hand.

Nami, Robin and you were currently sat by Nami's tangerines, chatting and relaxing under the hot sun. There was still a bit of ocean to cover before you all arrived at the next island to reset the log pose, so everyone on the ship was doing their own thing. You knew Zoro was training, as he normally did around this time, while Usopp, Luffy and Chopper were entertaining themselves somewhere on the ship as usual. You couldn't see Franky or Brook, but clearly whatever they were doing was enough to keep them occupied.

Of course, Sanji's "own thing" involved dining and serving the ladies of the Thousand Sunny to his best ability.

The drink he sets down in front of Nami is a bright blue, topped with ice and a straw and looking something sweet. Robin's drink, although milder, looks just delicious. Both drinks are served to the women with a swish and a smile from Sanji, as Robin nods in thanks and Nami oblidges Sanji's wishes with a gentle; "thank you, Sanji-kun."

He admonishes them with a bright grin, and then, finally, turns to you. The lovesick look in his eyes at your two friends softens into something more tame as he meets your awaiting gaze. You try not to make your hopeful gaze so blatantly obvious but by the way Nami and Robin are both watching the interaction, you figure you aren't be so subtle.

The final drink left on the tray is set before you, with a little less florish but still as presented as nicely. Anything Sanji made always looked delicious, so, that fact isn't all that surprising.

"And here you are, Y/N."

Just like that, the hope deflates. It might seem silly (and you know it is), but the lack of an affectionate honorific like Nami or Robin's makes your heart ache. And it isnt just that--Sanji's actions with you are much more serious and done with far less exaggeration.

You've watched, time and time again, Sanji all but bend over backwards for everyone woman he's crossed paths with. It isn't just your crewmates, but strangers and enemies alike. Sanji rarely didn't have heart eyes when a woman was in his sights and even more so was he ever not declaring his love, care and affection all in one breath at them. He'll call them the sweetest names, speak to them with the softest of tones, always filled with warmth.

But with you? He never did.

When he talked to you, he didn't declare his love for you. He didn't have heart eyes. You were always just "Y/N" and nothing else. He still did anything you asked, but it wasn't in the way he did Nami, Robin or anybody else.

You shouldn't care. And you probably wouldn't, if your own heart didn't soar for Sanji. But it did, incredibly and painfully so. You'd felt that way about him since you'd first laid eyes on him, way back when Luffy had first invited you to join the crew.

And although watching him all but drop to his knees and declare his love for a woman not five seconds later, your heart had already chosen him and you'd been unsuccessful in changing its mind.

But clearly, your feelings wouldn't be returned. Sanji didn't even think you pretty enough to treat you like the rest, let alone actually return your feelings.

Keeping your eyes trained on your drink, you nod; "thank you, Sanji." Your voice is small, muffled. You don't see it, but Sanji frowns at the clear upset tone of your voice, but he doesn't express his concern, meeting Nami's eyes whose strangely glaring at him before heading back to the kitchen.

The second Sanji is out of ear shot, Nami is leaning towards you.

"Y/N--"

"You know what?" You cut off before she can even start, suddenly pushing yourself to your feet as Nami and Robin blink up at you in concern. "I'm actually not feeling well. I think the sun is a bit too much. I'm just gonna lay down, I think."

You're standing before Nami or Robin can get a word in otherwise--albeit they try. You purposefully ignore their calls of your name, ignoring the slight pang of guilt at having not even drank the drink Sanji prepared for you.

But, really, if you thought about it, he probably just made it for you because he felt bad otherwise. Not because he wanted to like he did Nami and Robin. And certainly not because he cared about you in any romantic way.

Really, you should just get over your feelings for him. It was only hurting you more in the end anyway.

-

"Nami, I really don't--"

"Just trust me, please?"

Staring back at Nami, you sigh. You could never really deny her when she looked at you like that (or really ever), so you know you've lost even before the words leave your lips.

"Fine," you huff, letting her continue to drag you back onto the Thousand Sunny despite the nerves twisting your insides. Nami hadn't really told what it was she was planning, but you figured it couldn't be anything good.

Especially after she'd all but dragged you with her the second the Thousand Sunny had docked at a new island that morning. She hadn't given you a chance to argue otherwise or for anyone to even aid you as she pulled you off with her.

She'd ended up dragging you to a clothing store. The first one she could find. When you expressed her confusion, she'd made up some lie about wanting to gift you a new outfit for all that helped you'd given her during your last battle.

When you'd reminded her that the two of you had been separated, she'd simply shushed you. And when that clothing store didn't have what she wanted, she'd dragged you to a different one and then another until she was satisfied.

You knew better than to argue with Nami, so you'd simply let her doll you up in different clothes all day.

Now, with the sun setting and adorned in new clothes that seemed far too fancy for someone who lived on a pirate ship, she was dragging you back to the Thousand Sunny without a single explanation.

Your answer, however, is given to you the second her eyes fall on Sanji.

He turns at the arrival of Nami (because you knew his excited smile wasn't for you), eyes twinkling and grinning ear to ear, only to pause sharply when his eyes fall on you.

You feel vulnerable in a way you never had, chest tightening as you watch him take you in.

"Sanji," Nami calls, grinning ear to ear and purposefully lacking the affectionate 'kun' she adds to the end of his name. "Me and Y/N went shopping today."

Eyes flickering from you, to Nami, then back to you, Sanji visibly swallows. "I can see that."

There's the briefest twitch in Nami's jaw, a sharp sigh leaving her mouth as the rest of the crew watches in curiosity. Then, with a bit sharper of a voice, she asks; "don't you think Y/N looks pretty in her new outfit?"

You breath hitches, turning to Sanji as you wait for him to respond.

Only, he never does.

His lips part as if to say something, but no words leave his lips. His eyes flicker back and forth from you, to Nami, to something past you, clearly uncomfortable.

Something aches painfully in your heart.

"Sanji," Nami calls again, this time her voice has a tinge of anger as she finally lets go of your wrist and stomps towards Sanji. "Just what--"

But you stop her before she can finish, grabbing her by the arm and desperately trying to bite back the tears that threaten to fall from your eyes.

"Nami, don't... don't worry about it," you cut in, voice cracking at the end. Both Nami and Sanji's eyes snap towards you, but you focus on Nami, desperately trying to keep what little of your dignity you have left. "It's okay."

"Y/N, you don't--"

"No, please, stop," you all but beg. You know Nami is just trying to help, but it's only making things worse. And Sanji weirded out. "It's clear Sanji doesn't... Sanji is uncomfortable, Nami. So just drop it."

A tear manages to slip past your defenses and the humiliation burns in you.

Nami, parted lips and stunned, stares back at you, unable to say anything. You then realize how the rest of the crew is watching, and the look on Sanji's face as he stares back at you hurts even more.

Without a single look back, you turn and run off the ship.

-

Sanji watches you run off, bewildered.

The entire crew does and silence follows as your footsteps grow further and further away until you're completely gone. And the silence follows for a second more, Sanji still trying to process whats even happened, before Zoro lets out a huff;

"You're an idiot."

Turning to the swordsman, Sanji's eyes blaze; "what did you say, moss-head?" And he moves to step towards him, but he can't even move an inch before Nami is in front of him, the front of his button-up clenched in her fist.

And her eyes burn with anger.

"Nami-swan? What--"

"You absolute idiot!" She cries, eyes blazing as she glances up at him. Sanji's lips part, baffled, as he jerks instinctively away from the rage radiating off of you. "Does your brain just not work? Or is there nothing in there?"

"N-Nami," Sanji breathes, honestly a bit hurt. "I don't--"

"Nami," Robin calls, stepping forward as she sets a hand on the younger girls shoulder. "Perhaps we should--"

"No," Nami argues, shaking her head. "I've tried to be understanding, but now this is really hurting Y/N." She spins back to Sanji, "she's crying because of you, you idiot!"

"I don't understand--"

"You like her, don't you?"

Sanji's cheeks burn instantly, spreading to the tips of his ears as his eyes widen. "I-I--!"

"There's no point denying," Nami cuts him off (again). "We all know it."

And as if Sanji couldn't be any more embarrassed, the rest of the crew adds to her point by nodding. Sanji realizes then it's hopeless, so with a sigh, his head bows.

"I do," he admits, voice quiet. "I really like her."

"Well she thinks you hate her."

Sanji's eyes instantly widen, heart falling to the pit of his stomach.

"Why would--"

"Sanji," Robin calls, distinctively more gentle. "You treat her so different. You don't fall to your knees for her like you do us. Nor do you declare your love for her every other second. If I weren't aware of your feelings for her, I'd think you hate her too."

There's a million of thoughts that run through Sanji's mind then. Racing through them, too fast for him to properly understand. All that's made abundantly clear to him is that he's hurt you.

He's hurt you so bad.

And he has to fix it.

Nami, seeing the look on Sanji's face, finally steps back, letting go of him with a huff.

"Sanji!"

Jumping at the sound of his captains voice, Sanji slowly looks back up at him.

"Go find Y/N!" Luffy smiles at him, extending his hand towards him with a thumbs up. "We'll be waiting for you when you guys are ready!"

-

You know you should be heading back to the ship.

The sun had completely set and the crew couldn't afford to waste time on an island where you'd all already gotten what you needed. It was dark, you were alone and the outfit Nami had bought for you and made you wear was no longer warm enough in the cool night air.

But you were embarrassed. Humiliated even.

How were you supposed to go back and face everyone? Let alone Sanji himself? How could you ever look him in the eyes again after you had made your feelings so abundantely clear and he had made his so as well?

The way he'd just stood there? Staring at you? When you know had it been any other woman he'd have screamed of their beauty to the skies.

Sniffling, you hug yourself tighter, tell yourself you'd head back when you'd cried all the tears you had in you out. Only then would you face that embarrassment--when it was physically impossible for you to cry anymore.

A wave of wind brushes back, pulling a shiver up your spine as you curl into yourself. You're thinking you might have to cry these tears faster or find a shop that's open later, when a jacket falls around your shoulders.

It surprises you, pulling a gasp from your lips as you spin to see who'd snuck up on you.

The last person you're expecting is Sanji.

Tears still streaming down your cheeks, you jump back from you, pushing yourself to your feet as you desperately wipe at your cheeks.

"S-Sanji, I..." But your voice trails becaues you don't know what to say. His arrival here stuns you so stupid and in addition to the tears, you feel like nothing could possibly make this night worse.

"Y/N, I--"

"You don't have to say anything," you cut in, words rushing without thought. "Nami shouldn't have put you in that position and I shouldn't have run off. Luffy probably made you find me, right? I'm sorry. He--... Please, just, I'm fine so--"

"Y/N," Sanji interrupts you, "I don't hate you."

Jerking, your lips are left parted as you blink up at Sanji.

He takes your silence as an invitation to keep going. Hands held in front of him, he steps towards you. "I don't hate you and I don't treat you differently because I think you're... not worth it or anything like that."

Hands falling to your sides, you inhale sharply.

"I... I've hurt you," Sanji whispers, head bowed. "I hurt you and I'm so sorry. The truth was that I didn't treat you the same as other women because... well... the way I feel for you goes beyond how I feel for them."

Brows furrowing, you shake your head. "I don't understand..."

"I like you--no, Y/N. I think I'm in love with you."

Blinking, your breath gets caught in the back of your throat, shocked.

"And I didn't know how to handle those feelings. I've never... felt so strongly about a woman as I have you, Y/N. So I acted indifferent and... well, I hurt you." He lets out a heavy breath, eyes imploring and face sincere. "And for that I'm so sorry."

Shaking your head, you step towards Sanji, pulling his jacket closer around yourself. "No, Sanji, you don't have to apologize."

"But I do," he argues, "for ever making you feel any less beautiful than you are. Or for making you think I... hated you."

In a surge of surprise, emotion and want, you reach for Sanji, taking his hands in yours as you shake your head again. He steps closer to you, moving one of his hands to cup your cheek. "Come back to the ship with me, love. And I can show you how much I truly love you."

Heart soaring at the pet name, you lean into Sanji's touch, nodding.

"I want nothing more."

Smiling gently, Sanji caresses the skin of your cheek. "And Y/N?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you look absolutely beautiful."

[eiilese]

what if the strawhats had different roles on the ship⁉️ i swapped everyone’s roles except for luffy because i can’t imagine him being anything but the captain

these are loose redesigns since their canon designs don’t really read as their roles all that much to begin with. some extra doodles and ideas for this in the cut !!

nami, vice captain: i took a lot of inspiration from her beta design!! canon nami already bosses everyone around so she fits right into the role. she wields an extendable staff (usopp still makes it for her); she lost her arm over the time-skip like how zoro lost his eye. i LOVE drawing cargo pants and boots, so she ended up with a sorta bottom-heavy design. frankly it’s probably not her style but i like how she looks

zoro, the cook: my foolproof logic is zoro uses swords = good with knives. he does not use katanas to cut produce however, just normal knives. i was trying to go for “sweaty ramen guy” with the towel around his neck. the majority of the shit he cooks would probably be drowned in alcohol. he also wears his bandana the majority of the time now!! it completes the ramen guy look

sanji, the sniper: i also took inspiration from his beta design for this!!! he has guns!! and perfect aim of course. i was going for more of a mafioso look so germa 66 would be like, a mafia organization on top of all the other villain shit they already do. he has two guns but i didn’t draw a holster bc that’s annoying🤞 he lights his cigarettes with his guns. how would that even work? don’t ask me

usopp, the navigator: his artistic talent lends itself to creating perfect maps! he also still tinkers, making nami’s staff as well as having a specialty for compasses. he uses a slingshot still (no perfect aim we gotta nerf him) and shoots weather-related projectiles. his goggles serve as binoculars, they can zoom to several different distances. i drew him in his zou outfit purely bc it’s my favorite one

chopper, the helmsman: he would predominately use heavy point while maneuvering the wheel. i changed his hat up to look more like a sailor’s cap, with an anchor symbol instead of an X. to be honest i don’t have much else bc helmsman doesn’t bring much to my mind :(

franky, the musician: ROCK N ROLL BABY YEEAHHH come on his stage presence is unmatched. he’s still a cyborg, he has instruments all over his body like apoo does but they were installed manually. his personality changes depending on what genre he’s playing but rock n roll is his default B) (ex. classical calls for a refined gentleman)

robin, the shipwright: her devil fruit gives her as many helpful hands as she needs! she developed nami’s arm (definitely installed some random shit she did Not ask for). she has a robot mecha that she’s able to pilot all by herself using clones. i changed her orange sunglasses to goggle eyewear

brook, the doctor: the irony of being nursed back to health by a literal skeleton 💀the irony of being the doctor of the rumbar pirates yet being the only survivor, saving no one from the poison 💀 i went for a plague doctor look! IM VERY HAPPY WITH HOW HE TURNED OUT i was really tempted to give him the plague mask too, but i feel that would’ve changed his appearance too much compared to the others

jinbei, the archaeologist: the shape of this man demands a little pair of round glasses on his face. he’s an intellectual i tell you!!! plus still a fishman karate master. the history of joyboy and fishman island being so intertwined is how he developed an interest in history

[lavottino]

Self-indulgent but mandatory "What if the strawhats were Italian" because it has been plaguing my mind for months.

I'm putting some context (and also some headcanons) for each drawing under the cut for anyone interested in better understanding what is going on, so expect a lot of yapping 😭

I think I will draw more Italian strawhats shenanigans in the future (I'm sorry for sidelining you like that Jinbe...), we'll see...

1. Italy is divided into 20 regions, and I associated the 10 strawhats to 10 of those regions. The regions I chose have been mainly picked on instinct based on whatever felt right to me, so I wouldn't look too hard into it 😭

2. Tortellini are a type of stuffed pasta specifically from the Emilia-Romagna region (where I see Robin coming from) and even more specifically from the Bologna and Modena provinces; while fiorentina is typically from Florence (Tuscany) and Luffy would eat at least 10 of them a day if he could

3. Alberto Angela is a paleontologist and history and science communicator, and he runs some TV programs that mainly focus on history and science. He's well-spoken, he's educated, developing a little crush for him is basically a canon event, he's the IT Italian man if you ask me. Robin is watching Ulisse - Il piacere della scoperta, which is also the TV program that introduced me to him when I was like 9 😌

4. Table football is quite common in Italy (all my life I've called it biliardino, but apparently its name is calciobalilla? whatever 😭). I don't really have a lot to say about this one, actually. I just think that a Zoro and Sanji team up would be unmatched (just like in animanga). Like 10-1 (AT BEST) kind of unmatched. If they receive a goal (which was definitely a fluke) they're going to mercilessly trash talk each other into scoring the most diabolically aggressive goal ever witnessed in the history of mankind (Chopper is scared of them) (Luffy thinks it's kinda funny) (Nami decided they won't play at the same time until they learn to chill out).

5. Paolo Fox is a famous astrologer in Italy and basically there used to be this Sunday TV program (Mezzogiorno in famiglia, they discontinued it some years ago but it's the show that Nami and Zoro are watching), where he was called in every week as a guest to rank the signs from 12th to 1st based on the luck, love, money etc. they were going to get during the following week. And whether you believed in astrology or not, you were still going to eat that shit up regardless because you just wanted to know where your sign was going to be placed.

6. Easter eggs in Italy are this big chocolate egg that contains a "surprise", which can be toys or various trinkets (bracelets, keychains, that kind of stuff). When Easter is coming, the supermarkets have full aisles of Easter eggs because there are multiple brands and multiple themes (for example, the ones specifically targeted towards children could be One Piece/Pokemon/Winx etc. themed, containing a surprise that is related to them). I like to think that Chopper would be so excited about the chocolate that he would eat it all without even looking at the surprise 😭 (it's lying somewhere on the ground, a forgotten soldier amidst the raging battle)

7. Neapolitan songs can go pretty hard when you don't have someone in your ear telling you how corny and cringe they are. Franky has a whole arsenal. If during a conversation he hears a word that reminds him of one of his songs, he will start singing it. Brook joins him whenever he hears him, and if he doesn't know the actual words to the song, he will still string together some notes with his guitar. Luffy and Usopp will join at a certain point, while the other strawhats enjoy the little show. If Franky is singing and Robin appears in his line of sight, he will switch to a romantic song and start serenading her. When this happens, Sanji joins too (not because he's trying to woo Robin, but because he will never miss a chance to serenade a woman 😌).

8. I just know Brook has en entire repertoire of love songs that he sings whenever Zoro and Sanji are fighting. In this case he is singing "Bello e impossibile" by Gianna Nannini, whose chorus goes something like "handsome, handsome and impossibile, with black eyes and your Middle Eastern taste" and then again "handsome, handsome and invincible, with black eyes and a kissable mouth/a mouth to be kissed" (it sounds more poetic in Italian I'm sorry 😭). They get mad and flustered every time. It doesn't matter if they are still dancing around each other or are already together. Brook has the time of his life.

[inseobts]

Can we get a oneshot the strawhat crew members with a fem reader like the wrestler mizuki? She’s dresses super cutesy but can beat the crap out of her opponent’s without breaking a sweat!!

Sugarbomb Slam!

strawhat crew x fem!reader (platonic)

a/n: omg I honestly didn't know mizuki, so I did some research and watched many photos and video AND OMG SHE'S SO COOL, I love it!! I hope I made the fanfic right tho

words count: 1.3k

tags: platonic, comedy, action, fluff, deceptively cute but deadly

masterlist || ko-fi

The Sunny drifts lazily across a glittering sea, the air warm, the skies clear, too peaceful for pirates this chaotic.

“Oi, Luffy,” Usopp calls from the crow’s nest, peering through binoculars “There’s someone out there… on a floating bunny?”

“Bunny?!” Luffy rockets to the bow of the ship “Let’s go get ‘em!”

“Wait—what?!” Nami shouts, already steering toward the mystery raft.

Sanji’s a blur, heart practically launching from his chest “A ladyyy?! No time to waste!”

Zoro doesn’t move “Sounds like a headache already.”

Within minutes, the crew is gathered around as Franky hauls up the soft, oversized bunny-shaped float.

Perched neatly on top of it is you, sipping a juice box, your boots laced with pink ribbons and your outfit a burst of ruffles and pastel colors. You look more like a candy shop mascot than someone lost at sea.

“Hi!” you chirp, like this is the most normal situation in the world “Thanks for the lift. That whirlpool nearly trashed my hair.”

Luffy tilts his head “Who are you?”

“Y/N the disaster magnet, that’s how people call me” You grin, eyes sparkling “But I make up for it with a cool dropkick.”

Usopp snorts “Wait, you what?”

“Uh-huh.”

Brook tilts his skull “With all due respect, miss… you look more like you wrestle with fashion choices.”

You smile.

And then you casually grab Brook by the collar and flip him overhead. His skull clacks against the deck as he lands flat on his back.

“Respect is earned” you say sweetly, patting your skirt back into place.

The crew freezes.

“Whoa,” Chopper gasps “She didn’t even try…”

“That was… hot!” Sanji whispers, nosebleed creeping in.

Robin chuckles “She’s got flair.”

Franky grins “And moves.”

Luffy’s eyes sparkle “Join my crew!”

“Huh?” You blink “You just met me.”

“You’re strong, you’re cool, and you beat up the skeleton,” he shrugs “That’s good enough for me!”

“I don’t even know where you’re going.”

“Neither do we half the time” Usopp mutters.

You look around. Pirates, but not the burn-and-loot kind. They seem… fun. Maybe even your kind of crazy.

You stretch, cracking your neck “Alright. But only if I get to beat up the next idiot who tries anything funny.”

“Deal!” Luffy laughs.

Zoro closes his eyes “Why do I feel like this one’s gonna be worse than the cook?”

Later on, the Sunny docks at a sleepy little island, just a quick stop for supplies, snacks, and the kind of chaos that always seems to follow the Straw Hats.

You bounce lightly on your heels, hands behind your back. Your puffy boots squeak a little “Alright! Who wants to throw down? Just a little warm-up match!”

Zoro glances up from where he’s leaning against a tree “…Why?”

“Because I need to move or I’ll go insane!” you say brightly “Also, I wanna see what you guys can do. And maybe you’d like to see what I’m capable of doing as well.”

Luffy’s eyes light up “Ooooh! Fight! Yeah, let’s see what you got!”

Sanji steps forward, already loosening his tie “My lady, if it’s a match you want—”

Robin, lounging under an umbrella with a book, raises an eyebrow “You going to break your code for her, Sanji?”

He freezes “…Tch. Damn it.”

You grin “You can’t hit girls, huh?”

“I won’t hit girls,” he says, adjusting his collar “There’s a difference.”

“Well, I respect that.” You crack your knuckles “But I still need a volunteer.”

Usopp immediately points at Zoro “Why not him?”

Zoro scowls “Why me?”

“Because you’re the only one who won’t cry if she throws you through a wall” Nami says, sipping her drink.

You smile “Aw, come on, greenie. Scared I’ll mess up your hair?”

Zoro stands up slowly “Fine. Five minutes. But don’t expect me to go easy just because you’re wearing ribbons.”

“You’re sweet,” you say, taking your stance “But I wouldn’t want you to.”

Five minutes later the crew forms a loose circle around you and Zoro.

He cracks his neck “Last chance to back out.”

You tap your boots together and blow a bubblegum bubble “Nah. You’ll be fine.”

He rushes first… quick, but not reckless. He goes for a clean sweep at your legs.

You jump way higher than anyone expects, twist in mid-air, and come down hard on his shoulders, flipping him flat on his back with a move that should not be humanly possible.

WHAM.

Zoro blinks up at the sky “…The hell was that?”

“A headscissor takedown,” you say, offering a hand “With extra sparkle.”

Luffy howls “YOU’RE SO COOL!”

Chopper’s fur is bristling with excitement “Can she teach us everything?!”

Sanji, conflicted but heart-eyed, mutters, “I’m fine with being kicked if it’s her.”

Robin flips a page in her book “This trip just got more entertaining.”

Zoro accepts your hand, dusting himself off.

“Not bad, but you’re lucky I didn’t fight you with my swords.” he says.

You grin, brushing your skirt back into place “You’re not so bad yourself, greenie.”

Later on you all decide to stroll into the small, quiet island town.

Luffy’s chasing the smell of meat, Nami and Robin are window-shopping, and you’re just enjoying the breeze.

Everything’s peaceful, until a scream cuts through the air.

The crew halts. Your eyes snap toward a side alley.

“What was that?” Chopper asks, ears twitching.

You don’t wait for permission, you’re already sprinting.

You turn the corner just in time to see a woman shoved roughly to the ground by a man with a long coat and bounty tags clinking from his belt. Three others stand nearby, laughing.

“C’mon, sweetheart,” the leader sneers, grabbing the woman by the arm “We were just askin’ a question—”

CRACK.

He steps back, hand now twisted in your grip. You didn’t yell. You didn’t threaten. You just showed up.

Your voice is light “Leave her alone.”

The man snarls “Who the hell are you?”

You smile “Someone who really hates cowards like you and your friends.”

He pulls a knife “You wanna get cute, princess?”

You sigh, glance down at your frilly dress, then back up at him “Too late. I already am.”

Behind you, the rest of the crew rounds the corner.

“What’s going on?” Usopp pants.

The bounty hunters were circle you, laughing like they’ve already won.

You crack your neck and bounce once on your heels.

“Alright,” you say, smiling “Who wants to be first?”

Ten seconds later you launch forward and take the knife guy by the wrist, twist, and throw him overhead. He slams into the ground and doesn’t get up.

The others charge. Bad idea.

You spin into a high kick that flattens the second one against the wall.

The third swings a bat.

You duck, sweep his legs, grab him mid-fall and powerbomb him into the cobblestones.

The alley echoes with the sound of bones hitting stone.

Then silence.

You’re still smiling as you dust off your skirt “Anyone else wanna bully someone smaller than them?”

The first guy groans from the ground “What are you…”

You lean down, voice sweet “I’m Y/N.”

The Straw Hats stare, completely frozen.

Luffy’s mouth hangs open “That. Was. AWESOME.”

Chopper’s eyes sparkle “She was like—bam! And then—WHAM! And then the suplex—!”

Nami blinks “I knew she was strong, but—damn.”

Robin chuckles “She’s holding back more than I thought.”

Usopp points “She... she was faster than Sanji to react at that scream. And did you guys see that? She broke the ground!”

Sanji clutches his chest “She’s… so perfect…I am totally in love!”

Zoro grins for real this time “Alright. She’s one of us.”

You turn back to the woman, gently helping her up.

“Are you okay?” you ask softly, brushing dust from her dress.

She nods, eyes wide “T-Thank you…”

You smile again bright, gentle, sweet as sugar.

“Of course. Guys like that piss me off.”

You twirl back to your crewmates like nothing happened “So... lunch?”

[imagine-horizons]

pairing: zoro x f!reader warning: none - but when zoro sees you all dressed up to go undercover, his hardened heart softens, and he realizes he would do anything to protect you

--------------

"Absolutely no way! You and Zoro are going to stay on the Sunny," Nami said firmly, to the pouting Straw Hats Captain.

"And why can't we go?!" Luffy whined. "There's an all you can eat buffet, and I'm hungry!"

"There's gonna be booze, isn't there?" Zoro huffed. He usually didn't care either way, but he for sure wasn't going to back down the chance for free alcohol. Their navigator stood in front of the highest pirate bounties with her hands on her hips, ready to hit them on the head for their gluttony.

"No! This mission is really important - we need information and both of you are going to blow our cover! You," Nami pointed at Zoro, "are going to get lost before you find the booze and you," she pointed at Luffy, "are just loud everywhere you go! This is a super fancy party, with some very high ranking individuals - hopefully we find out what we need, and maybe swipe some goodies on the side."

You happened to come out of the girls' sleeping quarters, hearing the commotion from the crew. Zoro's one eye flickered towards you, and you smiled at him in greeting. But his annoyance was evident as he barely gave you a nod at your appearance.

"What's going on?" You asked in confusion. "What's happening?"

"Ah y/n!" Brook greeted. "May I see your panties?"

BONK.

There was a sharp hit from Sanji who smacked Brook in the back of his skull, yelling at him to stop being so indecent towards you.

"Ah! There you are!" Nami grinned, as she hooked her arm into yours. "We're going to a party! You, me, Usopp and Robin. We've got some work to do, so we're going to have to dress the part. Let's go to my closet!"

-----------------

An hour before the party, Nami descended from the upper deck wearing a very extravagant dress sending Sanji shooting into the air from the pressure of his bloody nose. Robin and Usopp also looked very much the part, but all of this was barely noticed by Luffy and Zoro who were still grumbling about not being able to go for the free meal. The swordsman was brooding against the side of the Sunny, his arm crossed over his broad chest, still annoyed that he was missing out on some quality alcohol.

"Nami where's y/n?" Chopper asked.

"I'm right here, Chopper."

Zoro looked up, and he felt his breath hitch in his throat, as his steel gaze softened at the sight of you descending down the stairs. You were wearing a beautiful flowy evening gown, that highlighted your collar bones with the off shoulder features. Nami had leant you a necklace that she had swiped from their last adventure, and you had hair down in soft curls.

"Oh my," Brook said in admiration, as Chopper had to try and revive an unconscious Sanji. Your hand lightly touched the side rail as you came down to balance yourself.

"Supppper nice," Franky called out. "Y'all are looking super fancy."

"Y/N, you look like a princess!" Chopper gushed, as he tried to fan Sanji awake.

"It doesn't feel like me," you confessed. As you came down halfway, Zoro wasn't aware that his body moved on his own. He had left his spot and met you at the step below the one you were on. He held out his one hand , as the other one sat loosely on the hilt of Enma. You were shocked at his sudden display of protection in a non-battle situation - it was usually Brook or Sanji that would coddle over you. His grey eye was fixed on you, but nothing else from his expression indicated anything else.

"Watch your step," he said gruffly. You flashed him a grateful smile as your fingers gripped his hand, helping you down the rest of the way.

He didn't realize how small your hand was compared to his.

How soft your skin was against his own which was calloused and rough from training and battle.

How tall he was when he towered over you even being a step below you.

How good you smelled as the wind gently caressed your soft locks , catching the fragrance of your shampoo.

"Um Zoro?" Your voice broke his thoughts and he stared down at you.

"Yeah?"

"Um I think I'll be okay, you can let go."

He didn't realize he was still holding your hand, and he slowly dropped your hand, his fingers suddenly cold from the absence of your touch. As Nami was explaining the plan for the evening, and how she would kill Luffy and Zoro if they wandered off, Zoro realized he was not going to heed the navigator's strict instructions.

You were by no means weak, as he caught a flash of your dagger hidden under your dress when you showed Robin and Franky what you were carrying.

You had earned your place with the Straw Hats, and had gotten stronger , especially during their years apart.

But in that moment he realized, that he would do anything to protect you. Whether it was an attack from enemy pirates, marine, warlords - or if someone were to look at you the wrong way, their heads would be gone before they could say "One Piece."

"Zoro?" Your voice pulled him out of his thoughts once more. You were gazing up at him curiously.

"Huh?"

"We're leaving, I'll make sure to bring booze back for you," you teased. A smirk came across his lips and a chuckle escaped his lips.

"Yeah, sure. Just be careful," he reminded you, and you nodded.

"Okay - wait for me then. Or Nami will kill you," you said before walking away, unaware of the swordsman's steel gaze on you and the words that came out in response to your warning.

"Tch - worth it. If it means keeping you safe."

End.

[uramakimochi]

One Piece scenario:

A CELESTIAL DRAGON WANTS THEIR fem!S/O

- Luffy Ace and Sabo x Reader -

Zoro Sanji and Law version

Warnings: nothing just fluff, use of Y/n, FEM!R, protective ASL Bros because i'm a sucker for this shit hihihi. It's been i while since i wrote for OP so i hope the characters are not ooc.

English is not my first language so feel free to correct me.

LUFFY (feat. the Strawhat Crew)

You and your crew were wandering around the island you had landed on, both to refuel and have some fun. Every now and then it was good for all of you not to think about One Piece, adventure and the marines. Even just a day of complete relaxation could be useful to everyone and if Luffy was fine with it too then there was no problem. The entire crew was on land, there was no one left on the Sunny as it remained docked at the dock, safe, so that all your companions could take a tour of the city. Nami dragged you and Robin shopping, Chopper and Usopp admired the shops around you, Franky and Brook chatted at the back of the group, Sanji wanted to join you girls but every time Zoro made a comment about his perversion the two got into arguing as usual. And finally there was Luffy, who was begging you to stay with him.

“Y/nnn~” Luffy whined, wrapping his arms around your body and pressing himself against your back. "Come with me to find a restaurant, i'm so hungry!"

You smiled tenderly, raising a hand to pat his head, but Nami glared at him.

"If you need meat so badly, why don't you go with the others and find a place to eat instead of staying here and whining?" she said, trying to get him to detach from your body.

But Luffy protested, and wrapped his elastic arms around your body a couple more times, so that Nami couldn't do anything.

“But i want to be with Y/n!” He retorted, rubbing his cheek against yours, making Robin and Chopper giggle.

Nami gritted her teeth, she raised a hand and then...

BONK!

“Stop being such a baby!”

"Ow ow oww..." Luffy whimpered in pain, then he raised his head and glared at the girl. "What's your problem Nami?!"

You watched with pitying eyes as the bump grew on his head and you shifted your gaze to Nami.

"Nami... Aren't you exaggerating?"

But she crossed her arms and huffed.

"It's not my fault that he's always clinging to you. Is it wrong that i also want to spend some time with my girlfriends??"

“N-No, of course not…” you replied with an uncertain smile, not wanting to unnerve her further.

"Why do you always have to be so violent, it's not fair!" Luffy exclaimed again, holding you close. "Y/n is much nicer than you! You are mean Nami!"

"Call me mean again and i swear you'll get 10 more punches!" the girl retorted.

While you and Usopp tried to calm down the argument that was about to arise between the two, suddenly someone among the passersby started shouting.

"They are coming!"

"Everyone get on your knees, quick!"

Luffy got off your back and you and the others turned to see what was happening, seeing a small group of men approaching. Chopper and Usopp let out frightened squeals and immediately knelt on the ground as all the villagers were doing. It was at that moment that you and the others realized that that was none other than a World Noble.

“Shit… What is a Celestial Dragon doing here?” Sanji cursed under his breath, gripping his cigarette between his teeth.

"I don't know, but we better kneel on the ground like everyone else, so we won't have any problems" Franky replied.

So the rest of the crew also knelt on the ground, albeit reluctantly. The only one who hesitated to do so was obviously Luffy and you took his hand, pulling him towards you.

"Luffy come on, get down" you tried to call him.

Luffy turned to look at you with a serious look.

"I've punched a Celestial Dragon before, they don't scare me"

"Yes, but it's better not to create problems that could bring trouble to these people. If we stay silent, sooner or later they'll go away, okay?" You murmured, looking at him with pleading eyes. "Please, kneel down"

Luffy clenched his fists, but obeyed and he slowly knelt down next to you. You placed a hand on top of his and gave him a small, understanding smile, though he didn't return it. But you could understand it. And you all wanted to rebel against that selfish idiot of a noble, but the first time you had faced Admiral Kizaru it hadn't gone so well. So it was best to let it go so you could go back to doing your things without any hindrance.

"Hey you!" someone exclaimed.

Casting a quick glance, you realized that the Celestial Dragon had set its sights on your captain. You quickly took Luffy's hat and placed it on top of his head, trying to cover his face a little so as not to draw too much attention. But now it was useless. The Celestial Dragon descended from the poor human who was forced to carry him on his back and headed towards you, followed by two bodyguards and two knights.

"What took you so long to kneel down? Don't you know who i am?" the noble asked from inside his bubble.

You saw the gun glinting from his belt and you hoped with all your heart that he didn't use it. Luffy was immune to bullets, but you and the others were not.

Shit shit shit!

But then...

"Oh..."

You slowly raised your head to look at him and saw the Celestial Dragon pass his eyes over the crew, with a more surprised look.

“I see some very beautiful girls here…” he murmured, alternating his gaze from Nami to Robin, until his eyes then landed on you. "You!"

Your eyes widened when he pointed a finger at you.

"I have decided, you will be my wife!" he exclaimed.

"What?!" you and the others exclaimed at the same time, feeling a blow to your heart, while Luffy jerked his head up to look at him.

"Actually, you wouldn't be the first, but you're much prettier than all the other wives i've had, so you'll be staying with me for a while" the noble said casually, ignoring how Zoro had already placed a hand on his sword and Sanji's murderous look.

"Y-You can't do that!" Chopper exclaimed fearfully.

“Y/n is our friend and part of our crew, she'll never be your wife!” Usopp continued.

"Shut up you filthy pirates!" the Celestial Dragon then said, pointing a gun at your friends, making them fall silent. "I am a World Noble and i can do whatever i want! If you dare to cross me i will call the Navy and it will be the end of you!"

You felt Luffy's hand grip yours tightly and when you looked at him out of the corner of your eye, you saw him grit his teeth, remaining silent.

The Celestial Dragon snapped his fingers, then he pointed a finger at you.

"Take her to my palace. And if she rebels, hit her, but try not to ruin her face too much" he ordered one of his bodyguards, who took a step forward.

“Of course sir, we will make sure she is brought to your home in good condition”

The two walked towards you and you widened your eyes in fear, backing away. And when one of the two men reached out to grab your arm, he was suddenly thrown backwards, across the street and into the wall of a house in the distance. The citizens around you widened their eyes and some began to murmur in fear.

The Celestial Dragon widened his eyes and the knights behind him drew their swords, pointing them at your crew. Then the other bodyguard tried to grab you, but he met the same fate as his companion, thrown away by a punch to the face.

"H-How dare you?!" the Celestial Dragon shouted, raising his gun. "How dare you rebel against me! I'll make you pay for this!"

You turned to Luffy and saw him slowly stand up, letting go of your hand and standing protectively in front of you. He no longer cared about anything, he no longer cared that there was now a World Noble in flesh and bones in front of him. If someone wanted to take away one of his crew, if someone wanted to take you away, they would have to go over his corpse first.

"I'm not afraid of you" Luffy said, looking at him from under the shade of his straw hat. “And if you think that Y/n will ever want to come with you, you are very wrong”

Zoro stood up, following his captain's deeds and Sanji did the same.

"We know our girls are beautiful" the blond said, lighting a new cigarette and bringing it to his lips. “But their place is with us and i won't let a disgusting person like you take away our sweet Y/n”

Zoro didn't say anything, but simply pulled out one of his swords. Franky, Brook, Nami, Robin also stood up and finally Chopper and Usopp, determined after a few seconds of hesitation. Luffy had made up his mind and there was no going back.

Robin held out a hand to you with a smile, helping you to your feet and Nami positioned herself next to you.

The Celestial Dragon let out an angry grunt and pointed his gun at Luffy.

"Grr! What are you waiting for?! Attack them! And bring that woman here to me!"

The two soldiers ran towards Luffy with swords drawn, but before they could strike him, both were knocked out in seconds by Sanji and Zoro.

"Now give him a lesson Luffy" Zoro said with a smirk.

Luffy advanced on the Celestial Dragon, clenching his fists at his sides.

"S-Stay back!" he shouted, firing a couple of shots that made you jump.

Luffy promptly dodged them without any problem until he came within inches of his face.

"She's staying with me"

A shout, another punch on the nose and another World Noble who just received what he deserved.

You stared wide-eyed at the Celestial Dragon's body on the ground, his eyes white and his face bleeding. Silence reigned in the village for another couple of seconds, until the citizens began to shout and clap.

"There's nothing to be happy about!" Usopp whimpered, running his hands through his hair. "The Navy will be here soon!"

“Why do these things always happen to us?” Nami then complained, making Robin and Franky giggle, while Chopper started crying.

"I think we better go now, before we get into serious trouble" Brook said then.

Luffy turned, walking towards you and you flashed him a grateful smile.

"Thank you Luffy"

He continued to look at you seriously, until a wide smile spread across his face.

"Well i couldn't let them take you away, could i?" he exclaimed, then reached out and took your hand. “Hey, Y/n… You really want to be with me, right?”

You looked at him with red cheeks and bright eyes and while Sanji knelt on the ground heartbroken, the rest of the crew looked at you with tender looks.

“Wherever you go, i go too, Luffy” you replied then, making your fingers intertwine. "You are my captain. And you are also my family. I will always be by your side"

Luffy chuckled and then leaned forward to leave a loud kiss on your cheek. Then he started running, dragging you with him, his straw hair flying over his shoulders.

"Let's get back to the ship guys! We'll stop on another island!" he exclaimed, followed by all your other companions.

"Yes!"

ACE (feat. Marco, Thatch and Izo)

You were together with Ace, Marco, Thatch and even Izo while the others and Whitebeard remained on the Moby Dick. Initially you just wanted to go for a walk with Ace, but Thatch had to buy food for the crew since the supplies were running out and Izo had asked you for advice on new clothes, so you had decided to wander around the village together, while the others were waiting on the ship. Marco, on the other hand, had been instructed by Whitebeard to follow you and keep an eye on you, given that he was the most mature and responsible of all of you. But that was fine with you. You enjoyed being in the company of men who you could now consider like older brothers and your beloved Ace.

“Y/n honey, what do you think about this?” Izo asked you, coming out of the dressing room.

You flashed him a smile.

"It looks great on you, Izo"

"Mhh, are you sure?" he muttered, doing a spin and looking at himself. "I don't know, i feel like it makes me look fat..."

"Um, excuse me sir..." the shop owner's voice interjected. "That one is for women, men's clothes are on the other side"

Izo turned to glare at him.

"I wear what i want. Get lost"

The owner quickly walked away and you giggled.

“It doesn't make you look fat” you continued, looking back at him. "It really suits you, because you are beautiful. You could even wear a plastic bag and you would still be more beautiful than me"

"Aww thank you little one, you're really kind" Izo said looking at you tenderly, and then moving his gaze to Ace and the others. "Unlike these scoundrels..."

The three mentioned turned to you and Thatch rolled his eyes.

"You're just vain Izo and you're lucky that Y/n always supports you"

Izo looked at him with a grimace.

"Yeah and anyway know that for her the most handsome of all here is me, her boyfriend" Ace then said, putting his thumb to his chest proudly and then looking at you. "Right, sweetheart?"

You giggled, covering your mouth with a hand and feeling your cheeks heat up.

"You are all beautiful Ace, i can't say who is more and who less"

Ace let out a small groan of delusion, lowering his head and Thatch smiled amusedly. Next, Marco clapped his hands once, getting your attention.

"Come on, we didn't just come here to shop, we still need to buy some food-yoi. Pops and the others are waiting for us"

Izo hurriedly bought the new clothes he had shown you and then you all left the shop together, you and Ace hand in hand. It was at that moment that when you returned to the street, you saw that all the inhabitants of the city were kneeling on the ground, still as statues.

"What's going on here?" Ace muttered, looking around.

You pointed to a group of people approaching from afar.

"Look, someone's coming"

Marco was the first to realize who it was, but it was Thatch who spoke.

"Wait, but that's a..."

"A Celestial Dragon, yes" Izo continued. “What the hell is he doing in a place like this?”

"I don't know, but we better leave as soon as possible. I don't want any hassle today" Marco murmured.

Both you and the others turned to walk away from him, when a voice suddenly made you stop.

"Stop you!"

Ace let out a small curse under his breath, before turning to look at the noble.

"How dare you turn your back on me? I am a Celestial Dragon and i want people to kneel at my feet when i pass"

“Tch, in your dreams old man” Ace whispered giving you a look that made you chuckle under your breath.

You looked back at the noble, who was now approaching your group and you couldn't help but glare at him. You had heard the stories of the Celestial Dragons, horrible people who subjugated humans and other living creatures as their slaves, treating them as if they were objects. And the worst was that the government did nothing to stop them. It was unfair.

"You're pirates right?" the noble asked, looking at each of you with a grimace. "You are the scum of humanity"

You wanted to answer him, but you stopped yourself from doing so. It was best not to cause trouble with the World Nobles and the Navy, even if you were part of the crew of one of the four emperors.

"Hey, wait a minute..." he then murmured. "You are a beautiful woman, you know?"

His gaze fell on you and you felt a shiver of disgust run through your body.

“I want you to be my wife” he said then, making your eyes widen.

"Absolutely not!" Ace exclaimed, quickly positioning himself in front of you.

Izo took your hand, making you take a couple of steps back with him.

“I'm the one who decides here, brat” the noble retorted, pulling out a gun and pointing it at Ace and even though you knew the bullets wouldn't have done anything to him, you still felt the anxiety of the situation pervade your body. "That woman will come with me and be my new wife"

"She's not going anywhere with you, you old pervert" Ace growled and within seconds one of his hands began to catch fire in anger.

"Ace no!" you exclaimed, because you didn't want him to hurt the Celestial Dragon otherwise there would have been worse trouble.

You started to move closer to him, but Thatch held out an arm to hold you back, leaving you with Izo, while he and Marco went to Ace's sides.

The Celestial Dragon loaded his gun and ordered his bodyguards to do the same. As they pointed their guns at Ace and the others, Izo drew his guns as well, quickly shoving you behind his back.

“We're sorry to disappoint your expectations, but our sister will never be your wife-yoi” Marco said with a fake innocent smile that only served to hide his anger.

Ace raised both of his fiery hands, gritting his teeth.

"I don't give a damn if you're a Celestial Dragon. If you want her you'll have to face me and all of Whitebeard's crew first. Do you really want to go against one of the four emperors?"

The noble looked from Ace to the others and finally to you. Until after a few seconds, you saw him put his gun away in an annoyed manner.

"I... I swear you'll pay for this, brat!" he shouted and then turned on his heel and left, followed by his bodyguards. "You won't get away with it! And when i get my revenge, i will take her away with me and she will be my slave forever!"

"What the hell did you say?!" Ace retorted, now angrier than before.

And he would have followed him to throw a nice flaming punch in his ugly face, if it hadn't been for you who had glued yourself to his body, stopping him in his tracks.

"Ace stop! It's not worth it!"

Marco placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him.

“Y/n is right, it's already a miracle that he's left. Let's forget about it and get what we came for. The sooner we leave too, the better”

Ace finally calmed down and let out a sigh as you turned to look at the four men.

"Guys, do you think... Do you think he was telling the truth? Do you think he'll really come back?" you murmured. "I mean, i don't want you and Pops to have to deal with the Navy because of me"

"Hey, you don't really think this is your fault, do you little lady?" Thatch asked, reaching out to ruffle your hair, making you smile.

"How do you think Pops will react when we tell him what just happened-yoi?" Marco asked with a chuckle.

"Darling, even if that old man really came back with an Admiral, you can be sure that we will not hesitate to face him. We are your brothers and we would do anything for you" Izo continued with a sweet smile which you returned.

Ace put both his hands on your cheeks, making you turn towards him.

"And i'do anything for you. Don't you ever forget that, okay?" he said and when you nodded and he gave you a kiss on the nose.

You all started walking again and Ace came next to you.

“Well, the only thing i can agree with that guy is that he saw clearly” he said then, wrapping his arm around your shoulders and pulling you against his body. "And that is that my Y/n is beautiful. Even more than Izo"

Thatch made a small face in disgust and Izo rolled his eyes. You laughed, leaning in to leave a small kiss on Ace's freckled cheek and he leaned his face down to leave a small kiss on your head.

SABO

You were alone with Sabo, as you were walking along the street, wanting for once to go for a walk just the two of you, away from the work and missions that Dragon gave you.

"Hey Sabo?" You called out to him, lifting your head from his arm that was wrapped around yours.

"Mh?"

"Can we go to the library afterwards? I'd like to buy a new book. I've read all the ones you lent me by now"

Sabo nodded without hesitation.

"Of course darling, whatever you want. It's been a while since we had our usual dates at the library, don't you think?" he replied with a smile and you nodded.

"You're right. But today we can make up for some time together"

“I don't want anything else” he murmured, leaning in to leave a small, sweet kiss on your lips.

Before you and him could head towards the library, your attention was caught by some people running away and others even running to hide inside their houses.

Sabo reached out to a man who was about to pass by you, grabbing his arm.

"Hey what's going on?"

The man pointed in the direction from which the people were moving away.

"A-A World Noble is here on the island! A Celestial Dragon!" he responded hastily and then freed himself from his grip and walked away.

You and Sabo exchanged a look and unlike the people who were running away, you headed towards where the Celestial Dragon apparently was. It seemed like you couldn't enjoy a bit of rest today either.

You and Sabo remained hidden behind the wall of a building, observing the situation. And unfortunately the man from before had told the truth. A Celestial Dragon was sitting on the back of a poor man who was crawling along the street, carrying him. All the people who remained on the scene had knelt on the ground.

"Faster! You're slow!" exclaimed the noble, hitting the slave on his back.

You clutched your hands to your chest.

“Oh, poor thing…” you murmured, turning your head to look at Sabo. "Sabo, we have to do something"

Sabo placed his gloved hands on your arms sympathetically.

“You know we can't do anything Y/n” he said with a sigh. "Believe me, i'd help him. But we can't"

Suddenly, the man fell to the ground, tired and exhausted, and the Celestial Dragon fell with him. His bodyguards helped him up, but he let out an annoyed sound.

"Who told you to stop?! You stupid slave!" he exclaimed, turning to the man, who however remained on the ground panting in pain.

The noble got even more angry and started kicking him.

"Get up! Get up now!"

Your eyes widened, unable to look away from the cruel sight and Sabo tightened his hands on your arms, feeling even more anger rising in his body as he couldn't do anything to stop a being as despicable as him.

The Celestial Dragon stopped kicking him, only to pull out a gun and point it at him.

"Since you can't move anymore, then you're no longer of use to me" he said, loading the weapon.

Without you even realizing it, your feet moved on their own, while behind you you heard Sabo's voice shouting.

“Y/n no!”

The Celestial Dragon froze when he saw your body sling over the man's to protect him, while the people around you made sounds of amazement.

"Leave him alone!" you exclaimed angrily, looking at the man. "It's only your fault that he's like this! But i won't let you kill him in front of my eyes!"

He looked at you with wide eyes, while you continued to look at him with anger and determination.

“You…” he murmured and you noticed his gun slowly lowering. "You're perfect"

You looked at him slightly confused until he continued.

“You will be my wife” he then said with a creepy smile and your eyes widened. "I have decided. You will live with me, prepare me food, wash my clothes and bathe me"

The Celestial Dragon turned to one of his bodyguards.

"Escort her to my ship" he ordered and the other nodded.

"Yes sir"

When the bodyguard stretched out his arm towards you, you prepared yourself to attack him, but...

"Get away from her!"

Everyone, including the Celestial Dragon, let out cries of shock when they saw someone lunge at the bodyguard and kick him away from you with a kick to the face. Next the figure of Sabo appeared in front of you. From your position you couldn't see him, but you could imagine the murderous look with which he was staring into the eyes of the Celestial Dragon.

"If you touch her, i swear i'll kill you" he said, clenching his fists.

The noble gritted his teeth, starting to load his pistol.

"H-How dare you threaten me?! I am a Celestial Dragon!"

At the exact moment he tried to shoot, his gun was knocked out of his hand by the metal pipe Sabo had used to fight since he was little. And then with another blow, Sabo knocked him to the ground.

He looked at his unconscious body from above, fixing his gloves.

"I couldn't care less. You don't take other people's women and i won't let you have mine"

The people around you looked at him with wide eyes not believing they had just witnessed such a scene.

“Sabo…” you murmured in surprise.

He let out a small sigh and then turned to you, kneeling next to you.

“Is there anyone who can take care of him??” he asked aloud, looking at the inhabitants of the island and you understood that he was referring to the almost dying man under your hands. "Quickly! I don't know how much longer he'll hold out!"

Fortunately, two men took courage and stepped forward to carry him to the hospital. Sabo took your hand and after you both stood up, he started walking away quickly, dragging you with him.

"We have to leave, if we stay here we'll get in trouble"

You looked down, feeling guilty.

"I'm sorry Sabo. I didn't want to ruin our day. But i couldn't stand by and watch, it was stronger than me"

Sabo stopped and turned to look at you, but when he saw you with your eyes glued to the ground, he let out another sigh. He placed his hand on your cheek and lifted your face so you could look into his eyes and you saw him smile.

“And that's the reason why i fell in love with you” he said softly, stroking your cheek with his thumb. "You did the right thing, i'm proud of you"

You smiled back when you heard his words, relieved that he wasn't actually mad at you. He was just worried, but he had every right to be.

Sabo leaned his face in to press a kiss to your forehead and you closed your eyes, tightening your hand around his wrist.

"No one will take you away from me. No one"

///

[2b4st4r]

The Straw Hats Gentle Heart (Request)

Straw hats x reader

Words: 19,018

Warnings: graphic violence, torture, human expermention, emotional abuse/ psychological, PTSD, implied self harm, alcohol use age, angst, heavy angst. Rushed. 

P.S, I made this a LOT angster then it needed to be. I had a rough day😭

(ALSO THIS IS A REQUEST IT JUST WOULDNT LET ME RESPOND IT!!)

¸¸♫·¯·♪¸¸♩·¯·♬¸¸

The salt spray kissed your cheeks, a familiar sting that always brought a smile to your face. Out here, on the Grand Line, every day was an adventure, every island a new mystery, and every moment shared with your crew was a treasure. You glanced over at Luffy, perched precariously on the Thousand Sunny’s mast, laughing that infectious laugh of his, the very sound that had drawn you into this whirlwind of a journey. He was a force of nature, boundless in his energy and unwavering in his dreams, and you wouldn't have it any other way.

You weren't the strongest on the crew, not like Zoro with his three swords, nor could you rival Sanji’s powerful kicks or Luffy’s rubber-limbed might. Your strength lay elsewhere. It was in the quiet moments, the unspoken understandings. When the storms of the Grand Line raged, and Nami and Usopp huddled together, fear etched on their faces, you were there, a steadying hand on their shoulders, a comforting voice promising that everything would be alright. You'd seen them through enough close calls to know that beneath their bravado, they needed someone to lean on, and you were always ready to be that person.

Your heart was a wellspring of compassion, overflowing for everyone you met, whether friend or fleeting stranger. You saw the good in people, even when they struggled to see it in themselves. When Chopper was overwhelmed by fear or insecurity, a gentle smile and a handful of his favorite sugary candies were usually enough to bring back his adorable, hopeful gaze. You knew how to mend not just broken spirits, but broken things too. It was often your nimble fingers that carefully stitched up a tear in Luffy’s precious straw hat after one of his wild escapades, preserving a symbol of his unwavering dream. For Zoro, who spent countless hours honing his craft, you were the one who remembered to stock up on polishing cloths and sharpening stones, ensuring his blades were always in prime condition. And when Robin sought a quiet moment of reflection, you were the one who knew just when to offer a warm cup of tea, a silent acknowledgment of the depths of her wisdom and the weight of her past. Franky might be all super and radical, but even he appreciated when you helped organize his tools, humming along to his latest invention. And Brook, with his endless stream of jokes and musical talent, often found you a receptive audience, enjoying his performances and even swaying along to his soulful tunes.

You were the anchor in their chaotic, beautiful lives, a constant source of warmth and understanding. You were the one who held them when they cried, a silent pillar of support. You were the one who never stopped smiling, even when the odds were stacked against you, your optimism a beacon in the darkest of times. You were simply, truly, there for them, always. And as the Thousand Sunny cut through the waves, carrying you deeper into the unknown, you knew, with a certainty that settled deep in your bones, that this was exactly where you were meant to be.

That's what they expected to come back to. What they thought they'd find after two long, agonizing years apart. When the chaos of Sabaody Archipelago tore you all asunder, they remembered leaving behind the sweet, kind, compassionate soul who would always offer a comforting smile or a gentle touch. That's what they pictured, what they yearned for. But the person who returned wasn't the same. The two years had changed you, warped you into something unrecognizable, even to yourself.

The initial moments after being ripped from your crew were a blur of terror and a crushing sense of loss. You landed on an island shrouded in perpetual twilight, a place where the air itself seemed to hum with an unsettling energy. It wasn't long before the figures emerged from the shadows – not marines, not pirates, but something far more insidious. They were scientists, their eyes gleaming with a chilling, detached curiosity.

Your compassion, your empathy, your very essence of kindness became their perverse fascination. They weren't interested in your strength, or your lack thereof, but in the depths of your emotional resilience. They sought to understand, to quantify, and ultimately, to break. The facility was a maze of cold, sterile rooms, each one designed to systematically chip away at your spirit.

They began subtly, with prolonged periods of isolation, the silence broken only by the hum of machinery and the frantic beat of your own heart. Then came the sensory deprivation, days blurring into weeks in absolute darkness, the world reduced to the terrifying echoes of your own thoughts. They deprived you of sleep, of food, of water, pushing your body and mind to the brink of collapse.

But it was the psychological torment that truly twisted the knife. They would introduce you to others, fellow captives, only to tear them away, sometimes violently, forcing you to witness their suffering without the ability to intervene. They exploited your innate desire to help, presenting you with impossible choices, situations where any action you took would result in pain for someone else. They made you question your own kindness, turning your greatest strength into your most vulnerable weakness.

Then came the physical intrusions. Not brute force, but precise, calculated violations. Needles became a constant companion, injecting you with unknown substances that induced waves of excruciating pain, followed by periods of bizarre, unsettling euphoria. You became a living canvas for their experiments, your body a testament to their chilling pursuit of knowledge. They experimented with your senses, amplifying them to unbearable degrees, then dulling them until the world became a muted, distant hum. They monitored your reactions, charting the ebb and flow of your despair, your anger, your fleeting moments of hope, all as data points in their twisted research.

You remember the cold steel of their instruments, the bright, unforgiving lights, and the distant, echoing screams that you desperately hoped weren't your own. You learned to dissociate, to retreat into the furthest corners of your mind, a desperate attempt to preserve the last vestiges of who you were. The constant pain, the emotional manipulation, the sheer dehumanization – it was a crucible that burned away the gentle, smiling person they once knew.

By the time the opportunity for escape presented itself, a chaotic byproduct of one of their more ambitious experiments, you were a ghost of your former self. The smiles were gone, replaced by a hollow ache in your chest. The compassion had been replaced by a chilling detachment, a survival mechanism born from unimaginable suffering. You had survived, yes, but at what cost? And as you made your way back to the Grand Line, back to the promise of your crew, a terrifying question lingered: could they ever truly understand what had become of you?

The waves carried you closer, each crest a reminder of the chasm that now lay between the past and the present. You were different. The warm, inviting light that once radiated from you had dimmed, replaced by a chilling stillness. Your smile, once a constant, comforting presence, was now a rare, fleeting ghost, almost an effort to produce. Your eyes, once soft and empathetic, held a guarded, distant quality, as if seeing the world through a pane of frosted glass. They rarely met anyone else's, preferring to skim over surfaces, wary of what might be reflected back.

The easy laughter that used to bubble up from within you was gone, replaced by a silence that felt heavy, almost suffocating. You were closed off, a fortress built around a wounded soul. Where you once offered comfort freely, you now flinched at the slightest touch, recoiling from even innocent gestures of affection. The very idea of someone reaching out, of offering a hug or a consoling word, now filled you with a strange mixture of longing and dread.

The thought of facing them again, the Straw Hats, the family you'd longed for, twisted in your gut. They remembered the girl who would mend Luffy's hat with a gentle hum, the one who’d fetch Zoro’s sword polish with a knowing smirk, the one who’d whisper reassurances to a terrified Nami or Usopp, the one who’d always have candy for a scared Chopper. They remembered kindness, compassion, unwavering warmth. And now, you were the very opposite.

You were cold, not in temperature, but in demeanor, a stark contrast to the comforting warmth you once exuded. Distant, not just physically, but emotionally, keeping everyone at arm's length, even those you loved most. The once-open book of your emotions was now tightly shut, its pages irrevocably stained. And beneath it all, a constant, gnawing fear—the terror that when they finally saw you, truly saw the fractured person you had become, they wouldn't accept you anymore. That the love and acceptance you craved would be replaced by confusion, disappointment, or worse, outright rejection. The two years had carved out a hollow space where your old self used to be, and you were terrified they would see nothing but the emptiness.

You remember the day you escaped with a chilling clarity that no amount of time could dull. It wasn't a heroic breakout, no grand plan executed with calculated precision. It was messy, desperate, and fueled by a raw, guttural need for freedom.

The facility had been experimenting with a highly volatile substance, trying to weaponize something that even they didn't fully understand. One day, a containment breach spiraled out of control. Alarms shrieked, lights flickered, and the screams of scientists mixed with the roars of mutated test subjects. Chaos erupted. It was a hellish symphony, but to you, it was the sound of opportunity.

You moved through the pandemonium like a wraith, your mind a blank slate except for one overwhelming directive: escape. You saw others fall, consumed by the spreading contagion or cut down by desperate guards. You didn't help, couldn't help. The compassion that once defined you was a luxury you no longer possessed. Every instinct screamed survival. You slipped through gaps in the chaos, past burning equipment and frantic figures, your body aching, your mind a maelstrom of terror and determination.

The outside air, though still heavy with the stench of smoke and fear, was a blessed relief. You ran until your lungs burned, until your legs gave out, not daring to look back. For a year, five months, and ten days, you had been their captive, their experiment. Now, you were free, but the cost of that freedom was etched into every fiber of your being. The hell hole was behind you, but its shadow stretched long and dark before you, a constant companion as you drifted closer to the familiar, yet now terrifying, embrace of your old life.

You tried. Gods, you truly did. Every waking moment was a battle, every silent night a war waged against the ghosts of the past. The physical wounds had, for the most part, healed, fading into faint scars on your skin. But the deeper wounds, the ones carved into your mind and spirit, festered.

Recovery was a word that felt alien on your tongue, a concept as distant as the carefree person you once were. You’d wake in a cold sweat, your heart hammering against your ribs, the echoes of screams—some yours, some not—ringing in your ears. The sterile scent of the facility, the metallic tang of blood, the blinding flash of lights, all would assault your senses in vivid, terrifying detail. You’d curl into yourself, clutching whatever blanket or pillow was at hand, desperate for the nightmare to release its suffocating grip. Sometimes, you’d cry, silent tears tracing paths down your temples, a stark contrast to the endless, tearless agony you'd endured in captivity. Other times, there were no tears, just a hollow ache, a profound emptiness that felt even more terrifying than the terror itself.

Daylight offered little respite. The world felt too bright, too loud, too real. You found solace in small, repetitive actions: meticulously cleaning your small living space, tracing patterns on a dusty surface, or staring blankly at the horizon, your mind a million miles away. You tried to read, but the words swam before your eyes, the narratives unable to penetrate the thick fog that clung to your thoughts. You tried to sketch, to recreate the familiar faces of your crew, but your hand trembled, and the lines refused to form into anything recognizable. Each attempt felt like a failure, a harsh reminder of how much had been stolen from you.

The kindness that once flowed so effortlessly from you was now a conscious, painful effort. When faced with even minor inconveniences or emotional displays from others, a cold numbness would creep in, a defense mechanism honed in the darkness. You wanted to care, you truly did, but the wellspring of your empathy felt dry, cracked. It was like trying to breathe without air, a constant, suffocating struggle. You practiced smiling in a small, cracked mirror, the expression feeling alien and forced on your face, a mask you hoped you could learn to wear convincingly again. Every interaction, every fleeting moment of connection, was an exhausting performance, a desperate attempt to bridge the vast, silent canyon that separated the person you were now from the person they remembered.

You trained. It wasn't a choice, not really. It was a compulsion, a primal need to reclaim some semblance of control over a life that had been so brutally taken from you. All the anger, the cold, simmering rage at what they had done, and all the gnawing fear of ever being that helpless again, found their outlet in the brutal, unrelenting rhythm of combat.

You fought the shadows that danced in your peripheral vision, the phantom hands that seemed to reach out in the dark. Every punch thrown, every kick landed, every swing of a makeshift weapon was infused with the venom of your past. You pushed your body past its limits, welcoming the ache in your muscles, the burning in your lungs. Physical exhaustion was a welcome distraction from the turmoil in your mind, a way to silence the whispers and suppress the images. You would spar with anyone willing, or even those unwilling, your movements sharp, precise, devoid of the gentle hesitation you once possessed. There was no compassion in your strikes, no concern for your opponent's well-being beyond their ability to push you further.

You weren't training to protect others; you were training to protect yourself, to build an impenetrable wall around your shattered core. Each day was a relentless pursuit of strength, a desperate scramble to ensure that no one, ever again, would be able to inflict such horrors upon you. The kind, empathetic person they remembered might have shied away from violence, but that person was a ghost. All that remained was the raw, hardened survivor, forged in the fires of suffering, now driven by a singular, fierce determination to never be a victim again.

The remaining two months of that year were a blur of relentless self-punishment, a desperate attempt to outrun the demons clinging to your every shadow. Every waking moment was dedicated to pushing your body and mind further, a crucible of pain that you welcomed, for it was the only thing that made you feel truly alive, truly in control.

But the horrors you endured, the grotesque experiments they inflicted upon you, had an unintended side effect. While they had shattered your spirit, they had inadvertently forged your body into something more. The endless injections, the forced alterations to your physiology – they had been a living hell, but in their twisted way, they made you stronger.

You discovered your healing was now unnaturally swift. A deep gash that would typically take days to close would begin knitting itself shut within hours. Bruises faded with astonishing speed, and even bone fractures, though still excruciating, seemed to mend at an accelerated rate. You could push your body harder, recover faster, and endure more punishment than any ordinary human. Your senses, once brutally assaulted, were now sharper, more acute. You could pick up on subtle shifts in the air, faint sounds that others missed, and detect minute changes in pressure or temperature. It was a constant, almost overwhelming input of information, but it gave you an undeniable edge.

And then there was the raw, untamed energy that sometimes surged through your veins, a volatile byproduct of their chemical concoctions. In moments of extreme duress or intense focus, you felt a surge of power, an almost electric current that amplified your physical capabilities, making your movements faster, your strikes heavier. It was unpredictable, dangerous even, but it was undeniable. The experiments had twisted you, yes, but they had also given you tools, dangerous gifts that you now wielded with a cold, desperate efficiency. You were no longer just a survivor; you were something else entirely, a walking testament to the fine line between destruction and perverse creation.

You were on your way back. Each ripple of the ocean, each salty gust of wind, propelled you closer to Sabaody Archipelago, a place that now existed in your mind as both a promise and a wound. You had to go back. You had made a promise to your captain, to your nakama. A promise forged in laughter and adventure, long before the world went dark. That promise was the only thing that had tethered you to sanity during the endless torment, a flickering beacon in the abyss.

And then, it was there. The massive, bubbling mangrove trees, the iconic soap bubbles floating lazily through the humid air, the familiar, chaotic cacophony of voices and footsteps. It was exactly as you remembered it, frozen in time, a cruel, unchanging monument to the day your life shattered. The very air felt thick with phantom echoes of that dreadful day.

As you stepped onto the familiar paths, a wave of nausea washed over you, not from seasickness, but from the visceral flood of memories. You saw the silhouette of the Celestial Dragon in your mind’s eye, a grotesque figure whose casual cruelty had ignited the spark of your undoing. The metallic tang of blood filled your senses, and you could almost hear the thud of Luffy’s punch, the catalyst for the chaos that ensued.

Everywhere you looked, a memory, a phantom pain, clawed at you. The busy marketplaces, once vibrant and exciting, now seemed to pulse with the ghostly figures of those who had chased you, their faces blurred by fear and desperation. The colorful shops, their wares spilling onto the streets, were silent witnesses to the desperate sprints, the frantic searches for a way out. You remembered the feeling of being hunted, the adrenaline burning in your veins as you fled, your heart pounding a frantic drum against your ribs.

You saw the scattered remnants of your crew’s fight, invisible to anyone else but agonizingly clear to you. The scorch marks on the ground where Sanji’s kicks had landed, the splintered bark of a nearby tree from Zoro’s sword. You could almost feel the phantom grip of the enemy, the chilling sensation of being overwhelmed, outnumbered, and ultimately, defeated. The vibrant bubbles that floated past seemed to mock you, iridescent reminders of innocence lost, of the joyful times before this place became the ruin of your life. Every step was a forced march through a living nightmare, each breath a struggle against the rising tide of despair. This was the place that had taken everything, and now, it demanded you confront its ghosts.

The suffocating weight of Sabaody's past pressed down on you, threatening to crush you completely. You needed to keep your mind off it. You had to. The ghosts of that day were too vivid, too real. There was only one objective now: find the Sunny, find your nakama. They were the anchor, the only hope of pulling yourself back from the abyss.

Your feet, seemingly of their own accord, carried you through the swirling crowds and bustling markets. You weren't looking for signs or directions, just a familiar beacon in the overwhelming haze of memory. And then, there it was: Shakky's Rip-off Bar. A place with decent memories, surprisingly. A place where the crew had laughed, argued, and planned. A tiny sliver of warmth in the cold landscape of your return.

You pushed through the saloon-style doors, the familiar creak echoing in the sudden silence that fell over the patrons. Every head turned. You walked in like a phantom, a dung drone drifting through the vibrant, boisterous establishment. Your gait was different, lacking the joyful bounce it once had, replaced by a weary, almost hollow shuffle. Your shoulders, once relaxed and open, were now hunched, a subtle barrier against the world. Your hands, which used to gesture animatedly, hung still at your sides, occasionally clenching into tight fists.

The whispers started almost immediately. You heard snippets: "Is that...?" and "No, it can't be..." Faces that had once greeted you with boisterous familiarity now wore expressions of confusion, then concern. You ignored them all, your gaze fixed straight ahead, navigating the tables with an unnerving detachment.

And then, your eyes met hers. Shakky, perched behind the bar, polishing a glass with a practiced ease, her usual cool composure wavering as her gaze locked onto yours. Her eyes, usually sharp and knowing, widened almost imperceptibly. The glass in her hand stilled. She saw it immediately. The shift. The profound, terrifying change.

"Y/N?" Her voice was a low, uncertain murmur, barely audible over the remaining hum of the bar. It wasn't a question of recognition, but of understanding. She didn't ask if it was you; she asked what had happened to you. She remembered your eyes, those bright, sparkling windows to a kind and compassionate soul. They had been full of an innocent joy, a boundless empathy that touched everyone you met. Now, they were... not.

Your eyes, once luminous, were dull, almost opaque. The light had gone out, replaced by a guarded emptiness that spoke volumes of unseen horrors. There was a raw, visceral understanding in Shakky's gaze, a flash of recognition of the kind of darkness that could extinguish such a vibrant spirit. She didn't see the scars on your skin, but she saw the deeper ones, etched into your very being.

You didn't answer, couldn't. A part of you wanted to, wanted to collapse into the arms of someone who might understand, someone who saw the old you and felt the weight of the new. But the words wouldn't come. Your throat felt tight, constricted by a fear that had become your constant companion. Instead, you simply nodded, a jerky, almost imperceptible movement, your gaze flickering away from hers almost immediately, unable to hold the depth of her silent question. The weight of her gaze was too heavy, too perceptive, too close to the raw truth you desperately tried to hide.

You managed that quiet, polite nod, the barest acknowledgment you could offer. Your lips remained a thin, unmoving line, a smile a foreign concept your muscles no longer remembered how to form. With a soft sigh that was barely audible over the low murmur of the bar, you slid onto a stool, the worn wood cool beneath you. Your gaze drifted to the half-empty glass Shakky had been polishing, a silent plea for a moment of quiet.

Shakky, ever perceptive, didn't push. She simply poured you a drink, a tall glass of cool water with a slice of lemon – a simple gesture, yet one that spoke volumes of her understanding. She remembered your preference, a small detail that, under different circumstances, might have brought a flicker of warmth to your chest. Now, it just felt… distant.

“So,” you managed, your voice a rasp, unused after so much time spent in silence. You cleared your throat, the sound rough and alien to your own ears. “Have… have they arrived?”

Shakky leaned forward, her elbows resting on the polished bar top, her gaze still fixed on you with that unnerving intensity. "You mean the Straw Hats?" she clarified, though it was clear she already knew. "They're not here yet, dear. Not all of them, anyway. A few have checked in, making their way back. But the reunion... that's still a little while off."

A hollow sensation bloomed in your chest. Not all of them. The image of the fractured crew, scattered across the globe, solidified into a painful reality. "Right," you mumbled, taking a slow sip of the water, the cold liquid doing little to quench the parched feeling in your soul.

Shakky’s voice dropped, becoming softer, more akin to the whispered secrets she often exchanged with Rayleigh. "You've been through a lot, Y/N. I can see it." Her eyes flickered over your face, taking in the subtle tremors in your hands, the way your shoulders remained tense even as you sat still. "The light in your eyes... it's not the same."

You flinched, not physically, but internally, a sharp, invisible recoil. Her directness was a punch to the gut, a mirror held up to the fractured reflection you desperately avoided. You didn't reply, choosing instead to stare into the depths of your water, as if the answers to your unspoken questions lay swirling in its clear surface.

A heavy silence descended between you, filled only by the distant clinking of glasses and the hushed conversations of the other patrons who, sensing the somber mood, had returned to their own business. Shakky didn’t press, didn't pry further. She understood that some wounds were too fresh, too deep, to be prodded. She simply waited, her presence a quiet anchor in the swirling chaos of your mind.

After a long moment, you looked up again, your eyes briefly meeting hers before darting away. "Do you know... where they'll meet?" you asked, the question barely a whisper. The idea of navigating this place, this ghost-filled archipelago, to find them felt overwhelming.

Shakky nodded, her expression softening infinitesimally. "When the time is right, they'll gather at the Thousand Sunny. Rayleigh’s watching over it, keeping it safe. He’ll make sure everyone knows when it's time."

The Sunny. The ship. A place that felt like home, even now. The thought brought a strange, unfamiliar flutter in your chest – not quite hope, but a faint, fragile sense of direction. It was a destination, a goal, a reason to push through the lingering shadows of Sabaody.

You took another slow sip of water, the ice now melting, diluting its coolness. "Thank you, Shakky," you said, your voice still rough, but with a hint of genuine gratitude. You weren't ready to tell her everything, maybe not even a fraction of it. But in that moment, her quiet understanding, her simple presence, was enough.

What would happen when you finally saw them? Would they recognize you? Or would they see only the changes, the hardened exterior, the missing light, and turn away?

You drained the last of the water, the ice clinking softly against the glass. It was a small, almost imperceptible sound in the quiet hum of the bar, but it marked a definitive end to your brief respite. Shakky's eyes, ever watchful, followed your movement. You pushed the empty glass forward slightly, a silent gesture of thanks, then slid off the stool. Your movements were still precise, economical, devoid of any wasted motion.

"The Thousand Sunny," you repeated, your voice a low murmur, confirming the destination. "Where exactly?"

Shakky pointed with a lazy flick of her wrist, her gaze unwavering. "Grove 42, down by the coast. It’s hard to miss. Rayleigh’s been keeping an eye on it."

You simply nodded, a tight, almost imperceptible dip of your head. There was no warmth in the gesture, no familiar smile. Just a stark acknowledgment. With that, you turned and walked towards the doors, the quiet hum of the bar returning to its usual volume as you passed.

Stepping back into the chaotic rush of Sabaody felt like diving into a cold, churning sea. The air was thick with the laughter of strangers, the shouts of vendors, the distant thrum of machinery. But to you, it was all background noise, a muffled distortion. Your focus narrowed, every sense now honed to the task at hand: finding the Sunny.

You navigated the bubbling landscape, your eyes scanning past the exotic plants and strange rides, past the throngs of tourists and pirates. Your movements were fluid, almost predatory, a stark contrast to the hesitant, lost soul who had first arrived. You moved with purpose, your training kicking in, your body remembering the efficiency of escaping pursuit. You dodged a group of boisterous pirates, slipped past a gesticulating merchant, and wove through a cluster of wide-eyed civilians without a single glance or acknowledgment. The memories of being hunted here still clawed at your mind, but now, you were the one moving with a hunter's precision, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

With each step, the scent of the sea grew stronger, the sound of lapping waves more distinct. The bubbles, once a source of wonder, now merely floated past, iridescent and meaningless. You pushed aside a low-hanging branch of a giant mangrove, and there it was.

The Thousand Sunny.

It sat majestic and proud, just as you remembered it, its lion head mast beaming defiantly into the setting sun. It was a beacon of home, a symbol of everything you had fought to reclaim. But as you stood there, gazing at its familiar form, a chilling realization washed over you. The ship was the same, but you were not. The question that had haunted you since your escape now loomed larger than ever: could this beloved symbol of your past accept the fractured person you had become?

The familiar silhouette of the Thousand Sunny grew larger with every step, its vibrant colors a stark contrast to the muted palette your world had become. Shakky wasn't lying. Standing by the gangplank, a figure leaned against the ship's railing, his broad shoulders and silver hair unmistakable even from a distance. It was Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King, his presence a comforting anchor in this unsettling return.

You'd never been particularly close with him, not in the way you were with your crewmates. But he'd always had a kind word, a knowing smile, and a penchant for chuckling and calling you "too bright" – a descriptor that now felt like a cruel joke.

As you approached, your footsteps, light as they were, seemed to carry across the quiet evening air. Rayleigh, who’d been staring out at the ocean, shifted. His head tilted almost imperceptibly, his ears, accustomed to the subtlest of sounds, having caught your approach. Then, slowly, he turned.

His eyes, sharp and intelligent even in his advanced age, met yours. For a moment, a flicker of that familiar, warm smile touched his lips, a reflex born of old memories. But it died quickly, replaced by a slow, profound shift in his expression. The warmth drained, giving way to a deep-seated concern, a recognition that pierced through your carefully constructed defenses. His brow furrowed, and a sigh, heavy with unspoken understanding, escaped him.

"Y/N," he said, his voice a low, gravelly murmur, devoid of its usual jovial tone. It wasn't a question, but a statement laced with a gentle sorrow. He didn't ask what happened; he just saw that it had. His gaze lingered on your eyes, noting the absence of the light he’d once teased you about. He saw the subtle tension in your jaw, the way your hands remained clenched at your sides, the barely perceptible flinch in your shoulders.

You didn't respond immediately. The sight of him, a tangible link to a past that felt impossibly far away, tightened your throat. A part of you wanted to run, to hide from that perceptive gaze. But another, smaller part, yearned for the solace of his presence, for someone who remembered.

Finally, you managed to speak, your voice a brittle whisper. "Rayleigh-san." The honorific felt stiff, formal, a stark contrast to the easy camaraderie you once shared. "Is... is the ship ready?" You couldn't bring yourself to ask about the others, not yet. The mere thought sent a tremor through you.

Rayleigh pushed off the railing, his movements still graceful despite his age. He took a single, slow step towards you, but stopped short, respecting the invisible wall you’d erected around yourself. His eyes, though still concerned, held a deep, quiet understanding. "The Sunny is ready, Y/N," he confirmed, his voice gentle. "It's waited patiently for all of you." He paused, his gaze softening almost imperceptibly. "And we've waited for you too, Y/N."

His words, simple as they were, pierced through the icy detachment you'd cultivated. "We've waited for you too." It wasn't a question, not an accusation, but a simple statement of fact, carrying the weight of their shared anticipation. The silence stretched between you again, heavy with unspoken truths. Rayleigh didn't press, didn't ask about the missing years, or the lost brightness. He simply stood there, a quiet sentinel, offering the unwavering support of a man who had seen much and judged little. The Thousand Sunny loomed behind him, a silent promise of reunion, but also a terrifying mirror to the person you had become.

Rayleigh's gaze lingered on your face, a silent, searching expedition. His eyes, keen from decades of navigating the Grand Line's treacherous currents, meticulously roamed every inch, searching for the familiar. He looked for the shine he remembered, the effortless brightness that had once defined you. But all he found was the dark, a profound absence where light once dwelled. His eyes traced the subtle hollows beneath yours, the faint lines of perpetual tension around your mouth, and then, his gaze snagged on it – a new scar, a thin, angry line that started just beneath your left ear and sliced down your jaw, disappearing beneath the collar of your shirt. It was stark against your skin, a jagged testament to a recent, brutal past.

A slow, deliberate breath left Rayleigh. He didn't flinch, didn't recoil, but a deeper sorrow settled in his eyes. He recognized the mark of trauma, the kind that carved itself not just onto skin, but into the very soul.

"That's a new one," he observed, his voice still low, almost a murmur. He didn't ask how you got it, or who was responsible. His tone was heavy with a weary understanding, a recognition of the untold story etched onto your face. It wasn't an interrogation, but an acknowledgment of the profound change.

You stiffened, your hand instinctively rising to touch the scar, your fingers tracing its rough texture. You hadn't expected him to notice it, or at least, not to comment. It was a brand, a constant reminder of the hell you'd endured, and you usually kept it hidden. The silence stretched between you, thick with the weight of your unshared history.

You finally lowered your hand, your gaze once more fixed on the deck of the Sunny, unable to meet his knowing eyes. "It is," you conceded, your voice flat, devoid of emotion. You wouldn't elaborate, couldn't. The words for what had happened were still locked away, sealed behind layers of pain and a chilling detachment.

Rayleigh didn't press. He simply stood there, his presence a comforting, yet unsettling, anchor. He knew enough of the world's cruelties to understand that some scars ran deeper than the skin, and some stories were not for retelling, not yet. He just looked at you, the person before him, irrevocably altered, yet still standing, still breathing, still seeking her nakama. In his eyes, there was no judgment, only a profound, quiet acceptance of the transformation.

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken truths. The weight of Rayleigh’s gaze, understanding but also deeply sorrowful, was almost unbearable. You needed to change the topic, to redirect the conversation away from yourself, away from the raw, exposed nerves of your past.

You cleared your throat, the sound rough and deliberate. "Who else has... arrived?" you asked, the question abrupt, almost detached. You didn't look at him as you spoke, your eyes still fixed on the gleaming deck of the Sunny, a neutral ground.

Rayleigh seemed to sense your need for a shift. His expression softened, though the concern in his eyes remained. "Well," he began, his voice taking on a slightly more reflective tone, "your first mate showed up not too long ago. He was… as stoic as ever, but I could tell the separation weighed on him."

A sharp intake of breath caught in your throat. Zoro. He was here. A jolt, half anticipation, half dread, shot through you. Zoro, who always seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, but rarely showed it. Zoro, who you had often found practicing in the dead of night, his intense focus a silent comfort.

"He's been training relentlessly, of course," Rayleigh continued, a hint of amusement in his voice, though it was quickly tempered by a more serious note. "Seems he's only gotten stronger. He didn't say much, just nodded, asked if the ship was ready, and then went off to... well, to do whatever Zoro does." He paused, his gaze subtly shifting back to you. "He's waiting too, Y/N. All of them are."

The thought of facing Zoro, of seeing his sharp, discerning eyes on your altered self, brought a cold knot to your stomach. He was observant, unflinchingly honest. If anyone would notice the depth of the change within you, it would be him. The kind, gentle girl he knew was gone. What would he see? Would he even recognize you, or would he simply see a stranger standing where a nakama once stood? The question hung in the air, heavier than any physical burden you’d ever carried.

"Anyone else arrived?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper, trying to steer the conversation further away from your own shattered state.

Before Rayleigh could respond, a booming, familiar voice cut through the air, echoing across the grove. "SUPERRRR!"

From around the side of the Sunny, Franky emerged, striking a triumphant pose. His metal hands were raised, muscles flexing, and his signature star glasses glinted in the setting sun. He was admiring the ship, oblivious to your presence for a moment, gushing about his beloved creation. "The Sunny! You're as beautiful as I left you, my super masterpiece!"

Then his gaze swept over to Rayleigh, and finally, to you. His mechanical eyes widened, and a grin, broader than the Sunny's bow, stretched across his face. "AH!! There's my sunshine!" he boomed, his voice filled with genuine, unadulterated joy. He charged forward, arms outstretched, clearly intending to scoop you up in one of his signature, bone-crushing hugs.

You froze. The nickname, "sunshine," resonated with a painful irony. His joyous, unburdened recognition of the old you, the one who was "too bright," sent a wave of panic through you. This was it. The moment of truth. You braced yourself, bracing for the inevitable realization in his eyes.

He was almost upon you when you managed a small, almost imperceptible nod, your lips twitching into a fleeting, forced approximation of a smile. "Hey, Franky," you murmured, your voice thin, barely audible over his boisterous enthusiasm. It was a desperate attempt to maintain some semblance of normalcy, to meet his innocent joy with something other than the emptiness gnawing at you.

Franky finally reached you, his massive hands reaching out. But just as he was about to make contact, his momentum stuttered. His grin faltered, his mechanical eyes, designed for precision, finally registering the subtle shifts in your expression, the absence of the vibrant spark he remembered. His hands, instead of embracing you, hovered awkwardly in the air.

The "super" seemed to drain from his posture. His enthusiastic "sunshine" died on his lips, replaced by a sudden, profound silence. His gaze dropped from your eyes to the new scar etching your jawline, a jagged line that spoke of unseen battles. He saw the tension in your shoulders, the way your body seemed to flinch even in stillness. The vibrant, warm light that used to radiate from you was gone, replaced by a haunting stillness, a cold distance.

"Y-Y/N?" he stammered, his voice losing its usual boisterous energy, replaced by a hesitant, almost shocked whisper. The change was so stark, so utterly different from the person he had exuberantly greeted moments before. His hands slowly, awkwardly, lowered to his sides, his initial joy replaced by a confused, then deeply concerned, frown. The super cyborg was speechless, faced with a reality far more complex than any of his wild inventions.

The air crackled with the sudden, heavy silence. Franky's usual boisterous energy had completely deflated, leaving him looking, for the first time you could remember, genuinely subdued. His wide eyes, usually brimming with life, now held a deep-seated worry as he scrutinized you.

"Y-Y/N?" he repeated, his voice a low, hesitant rumble. "What... what happened to your... your super glow?" He reached out a hand, then pulled it back, as if afraid to touch you, afraid of what he might find.

You averted your gaze, unable to meet the raw concern in his eyes. You couldn't tell him. You couldn't even begin to articulate the horrors, the dehumanization, the systematic breaking of your spirit. The words felt like ash in your mouth, and the very thought of reliving them, even in summary, brought a cold dread that numbed your tongue.

"I... it's been a long two years, Franky," you managed, your voice flat, devoid of emotion. It was a deflection, a non-answer, but it was all you could offer. You offered a slight, almost imperceptible shrug. "Things change."

Franky's brow furrowed, a vein throating in his temple. He knew you. He knew "things change" wasn't an explanation for this profound shift. He opened his mouth, then closed it, his gaze falling to the fresh scar on your jaw. He clearly wanted to ask, to push, to understand. But something in your closed-off posture, in the hard, distant set of your eyes, held him back. He saw the barrier you'd erected, a wall built of pain and fear.

Rayleigh, who had been silently observing the exchange, placed a reassuring hand on Franky's shoulder, a silent message to proceed with caution.

"Right," Franky said, his voice still subdued. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, looking around awkwardly. "Yeah, two years is a long time. Lots of things... lots of things happen, I guess." He forced a loud, unconvincing chuckle, then rubbed the back of his neck. "But, uh... you're here! That's the main thing! Everyone's gonna be so super happy to see you!" His attempt at his usual enthusiasm felt strained, hollow.

You offered another curt nod. "I'm glad to be back," you lied, or at least, stretched the truth. You were glad to be away from the hell, but "glad to be back" implied a joy you no longer possessed.

"So, uh... have you seen anyone else yet?" Franky blurted out, clearly desperate to change the subject himself. "Nami? Usopp? Chopper? Man, I bet Chopper's gonna cry his eyes out when he sees you!" His eyes flickered hopefully to you, as if the thought of Chopper's tears might elicit a more familiar reaction.

You shook your head slowly. "Just Rayleigh-san, and now you. Shakky said... they're still making their way here."

Franky let out a relieved sigh. "Well, that's good, that's good! Gives us some time to... you know. Catch up!" He clapped his hands together, forcing a renewed burst of energy. "So, Y/N, what have you been up to? Any super adventures? Did you invent any super new moves?" He clearly wanted to hear a story, any story, that would bring back a glimmer of the "sunshine" he remembered.

You paused, searching for a benign lie, something that wouldn't betray the dark reality of your past two years. "I... mostly trained," you said, opting for the truth, but stripping it of its context. "Got stronger." You offered a small, almost imperceptible flex of your arm, a testament to the brutal discipline you had subjected yourself to.

Franky's eyes lit up at the word "stronger," a common language they all shared. "Oh, super! That's what I like to hear! Gotta be ready for the New World, right?" He launched into a rapid-fire monologue about his own upgrades, his new "super-weapons," and the Sunny's reinforced plating, his voice slowly returning to its usual booming volume.

You listened, half-hearing, half-lost in the internal monologue of your own fractured mind. You nodded at appropriate intervals, offered a noncommittal "Mmm," or "Right," when prompted. You didn't contribute, didn't share. Franky was talking at you, not with you, and for now, that was a mercy. It meant you didn't have to talk about it. It meant you didn't have to expose the raw, bleeding wound that was your past. It meant, for a few precious moments, you could simply exist in the quiet space between the person you were and the stranger you had become.

Franky's booming monologue about super upgrades continued, a desperate attempt to fill the void of your silence. You were vaguely aware of Rayleigh's quiet presence beside him, a steady, knowing anchor. Then, from behind you, a new voice cut through the air, familiar and impossibly bright.

"Y/N-SWAN! My beautiful, shining Y/N-chan is finally here! Oh, my heart is ready to burst from seeing your radiant glory!"

The words, dripping with his usual lovesick adoration, hit you like a physical blow. You could almost feel the hearts in his eyes, even before you turned. A wave of nausea washed over you, a sickening blend of dread and an aching phantom limb of the affection you once felt so easily. You heard Franky, a desperate, hushed "No, no, no, stop!" mouthed frantically, but it was too late.

You slowly turned, your movements stiff, your face carefully blank.

Sanji's Shock

There he was, Sanji, frozen mid-step, his usual swirl of heart-eyes dissipating like smoke. His jaw, which had been stretched in a joyous, open-mouthed grin, slowly dropped. The cigarette dangling from his lips slipped, unnoticed, to the ground. His eyes, normally captivated by beauty, widened, then narrowed, searching.

He saw the stillness in your posture, the absence of the vibrant energy he remembered. His gaze, accustomed to finding perfection in your every feature, now fixated on the subtle hollowing beneath your eyes, the strained set of your mouth, and then, the stark, unforgiving line of the scar on your jaw. The warmth that had so readily flowed from him moments before drained away, replaced by a cold, visceral shock.

"Y/N-chan...?" he whispered, his voice stripped of all its usual playful flirtation, replaced by a raw, disbelieving ache. He didn't ask a question; it was more a plea, a desperate confirmation that the sight before him wasn't real. His hands, which had been reaching out, eager to embrace you, now hung limp at his sides, trembling slightly. The playful skip in his step was gone, replaced by a rooted stillness, as if his feet had suddenly become lead. He just stood there, staring, the golden light of the setting sun illuminating the profound pain that had just bloomed in his eyes. The "radiant glory" he had so eagerly anticipated had been replaced by a quiet, haunting sorrow.

Sanji stood there, utterly motionless, his usual boisterous charm completely evaporated. His eyes, fixed on your face, scanned every inch as if trying to reconcile the image before him with the vibrant memory he held. The initial shock slowly morphed into a profound, aching sorrow, a deep concern etched into every line of his features. The unspoken question in his gaze was a raw, palpable thing: What happened to you, Y/N-chan?

You met his gaze for a fleeting moment, then quickly averted your eyes. The concern in his usually lovesick expression was too much, too raw. You couldn't bear the pity, the silent accusation of your altered state. Your hands, which had been clenched at your sides, tightened further, your nails digging into your palms.

Franky, sensing the suffocating tension, finally broke the silence. "Sanji! Buddy! Look who's here!" he boomed, attempting to inject some of his usual enthusiasm, though his voice was still a shade too subdued. "It's Y/N! She's back! Super, right?"

Sanji didn't acknowledge Franky. His eyes remained locked on you, a silent, searching intensity in their depths. He took a hesitant step forward, then another, slowly closing the distance between you. He didn't reach out, didn't try to touch you. He simply stood there, a few feet away, his arms hanging loosely at his sides, his earlier joy completely vanished.

"Y/N-chan," he whispered again, his voice cracking slightly. "You... you're different." It wasn't an accusation, but a simple, heart-wrenching observation. His gaze lingered on the scar on your jaw, then lifted to your eyes, which you still refused to meet directly. "Your... your light..." He trailed off, unable to articulate the profound absence he perceived.

You flinched internally, the pain of his words a sharp, familiar jab. You offered another small, almost imperceptible shrug, a desperate attempt to convey nonchalance, to dismiss his observations. "It's been a long two years, Sanji," you murmured, repeating the same vague deflection you'd given Franky. "Things change."

A flicker of anger, quickly masked by concern, crossed Sanji's face. He knew you better than that. He knew "things change" wasn't an answer for this. But like Franky, he saw the wall you'd erected, the fragile, almost desperate guard you held over yourself. He wanted to demand answers, to pull you into a protective embrace, to soothe the pain he saw etched onto your soul. But something in your distant posture, in the coldness of your eyes, held him back.

Rayleigh stepped forward, placing a hand on Sanji's shoulder. "She's been through a lot, Sanji," he said, his voice quiet but firm, a silent plea for patience and understanding.

Sanji tore his gaze from you, looking at Rayleigh, then back at you, a myriad of emotions warring in his eyes: shock, concern, confusion, and a deep, aching sadness. "I..." he started, then stopped, unable to form a coherent thought. He ran a hand through his blond hair, his usual suave composure completely shattered.

The silence returned, heavier this time, filled with the unspoken questions and the palpable pain of a reunion that was anything but joyful. You stood rigid, waiting, bracing yourself for whatever would come next. You were back, but the cost of that return was laid bare for them to see, and you had no idea if they would still want the fractured person you had become.

The weight of Sanji’s silenced grief and Franky’s hushed concern pressed down on you, suffocating you. You couldn’t have this conversation. Not now. Not when every word felt like tearing open a fresh wound.

You slowly turned your head, meeting Rayleigh’s steady gaze. His eyes held a quiet understanding, a silent acknowledgment of your unspoken plea. You then glanced back at Sanji, who was still rooted to the spot, his face a mask of bewildered pain, and Franky, whose usual "super" enthusiasm had completely vanished.

"I... I need to go," you stated, your voice flat, devoid of inflection. You didn’t offer an explanation, didn't apologize. There was nothing left to explain, no apologies to give for something beyond your control. "I'm going to look for the others."

Without waiting for a response, you turned your back to them. Your steps were swift, purposeful, a stark contrast to the hesitant approach you’d made just moments before. You moved past the stunned Sanji, whose arm instinctively lifted a fraction before falling back down, and the quiet Franky, who simply watched you go.

Rayleigh remained by the Sunny, his gaze following your retreating form. He didn't call out, didn't try to stop you. He understood that sometimes, the only way to heal was to keep moving, to keep searching for the familiar, even if the familiar now felt like a distant dream.

You plunged back into the bustling chaos of Sabaody, the sounds of the archipelago once again a muffled backdrop to the turmoil within. Your mind was fixed on a single objective: finding the rest of your nakama. Chopper. Nami. Usopp. Robin. Brook. They were out there somewhere, and the thought of their reactions to the new you was a terrifying, yet undeniable, pull. Each step you took was a desperate effort to outrun the memories, to outpace the pain, and to find the pieces of your old life that might, somehow, still fit.

You moved through Sabaody with a new, almost predatory efficiency. The bustling crowds, the floating bubbles, the distinct groves—they were no longer a source of wonder or even anxiety, but simply obstacles to navigate. Your senses, sharpened by the experiments, picked up on the subtle shifts in the air, the faint whispers of conversations, the rhythmic scuff of shoes on the paved paths. Your eyes darted, not lingering on any particular sight, but constantly scanning, searching.

You were looking for them.

Nami and Usopp

You found Nami and Usopp first. They were near Grove 12, a more secluded area, huddled together by a small, bubbling fountain. Nami was leaning against Usopp, her face still etched with residual fear, while Usopp, ever the exaggerator, was likely regaling her with a tale of some fabricated heroism. As you approached, their voices, normally so distinct, sounded distant, muffled.

Nami, ever alert, looked up first. Her eyes, usually so sharp and calculating, widened as they landed on you. "Y/N?!" she gasped, her voice a mix of disbelief and overwhelming relief. She pushed off Usopp, a joyous cry escaping her lips, and began to run towards you, her arms outstretched.

Usopp, seeing Nami's reaction, turned. His jaw dropped, and a surprised, delighted shout erupted from him. "Y/N! You're back! Oh, thank the gods, you're back!" He scrambled to his feet, a wide, relieved grin spreading across his face, a stark contrast to his usual anxious demeanor.

Their unburdened joy, their immediate, unquestioning acceptance, hit you with the force of a physical blow. It was the welcome you had once dreamed of, the one you had craved through endless nights of torment. But now, it felt like a spotlight on your brokenness.

Nami was almost on you, her arms ready to embrace. You braced yourself, your body tensing, an automatic response born of self-preservation. A wave of panic, cold and sudden, washed over you. You saw the genuine happiness in their faces, and it mirrored the pain in your own heart, the aching chasm between who you were and who they thought you still were.

You couldn't meet her embrace. Not yet. You couldn't shatter their hopeful reunion with the harsh reality of your changed self. As Nami reached out, you instinctively took a half-step back, your eyes darting away from her, unable to hold the pure, unadulterated relief shining in her gaze. Your lips, still unaccustomed to the effort, forced themselves into a thin, almost imperceptible smile – a ghost of the one she remembered.

"Hey, Nami. Usopp," you managed, your voice a low, rough murmur, betraying none of the turmoil within. You kept your hands clenched at your sides, unable to offer the comforting touch you once would have, unable to receive the warm embrace they so readily offered. The distance you'd cultivated for two years was suddenly a terrifying, uncrossable chasm between you and the people who loved you most.

Nami's outstretched arms faltered, then slowly fell to her sides. Usopp's wide grin tightened, his sharp eyes picking up on your subtle withdrawal, the lack of your usual eager response. The initial wave of joyous relief on their faces gave way to a slow, creeping confusion, then a familiar concern that mirrored Sanji's and Franky's.

"Y/N?" Nami whispered, her voice laced with an apprehension that hadn't been there moments before. Her gaze, usually so focused on deciphering maps and predicting weather, now tried to map the unfamiliar terrain of your face. She saw the new scar, the absence of the easy warmth in your eyes, the way your shoulders remained tense.

Usopp, ever sensitive to shifts in mood, lowered his head slightly, his smile completely gone. "Are... are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer than usual, tinged with genuine worry. He remembered the countless times you had comforted him when he was scared, your gentle hand on his back, your reassuring words. Now, it was clear that you were the one who needed comforting, yet you were the one pushing it away.

You forced yourself to hold their gaze for a moment, a silent plea for understanding without words. "I'm... fine," you managed, the lie feeling brittle on your tongue. "Just... tired." You offered another small, almost imperceptible nod, a desperate attempt to reassure them, to bridge the growing distance. But your body remained rigid, unwilling to relax, unable to accept the closeness they offered.

Nami, sensing the invisible wall you’d erected, didn't push. Her hand, which had been poised to embrace you, now simply hovered, then dropped to her side. She looked at Usopp, a silent, knowing glance passing between them. They remembered the kind, empathetic friend who would always offer comfort; this distant, guarded person was a stranger in all but appearance.

"Oh," Nami said, her voice flat, the initial joy completely extinguished. "Right. Two years, huh?" It was a statement that acknowledged the time, but also the chasm it had created.

Usopp scratched the back of his head, looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Yeah, I guess... I guess a lot happens in two years." He glanced at Nami, then back at you, a silent debate playing out in his eyes. He wanted to ask, to understand, to somehow bring back the old you. But something in your unyielding posture, in the cold, distant look in your eyes, told him it wasn't the time.

The fountain bubbled softly behind them, its peaceful gurgle a stark contrast to the turbulent silence that now settled over the three of you. You stood there, caught between the warmth of their memories and the chilling reality of your present, unable to connect, unable to explain, and utterly terrified of what came next.

The silence hung heavy, thick with their unspoken questions and your own suffocating dread. You couldn't do this. You couldn't stand there and watch their hope curdle into confusion, their joy into sorrow. The ache in your chest, a dull throb that had become a constant companion, intensified, threatening to crack the fragile facade you'd constructed.

You turned your head, meeting Nami's worried gaze for a fleeting second, then Usopp's. "The Sunny is in Grove 42," you stated, your voice flat, devoid of any warmth. You gestured vaguely in the direction of the coast. "Rayleigh-san is there. Franky too. You should... you should go."

Your words hung in the air, a clear dismissal, a stark contrast to the inviting warmth they remembered. Nami and Usopp exchanged another glance, their expressions a mix of hurt and bewilderment. They wanted to ask, to understand, to reach out, but your posture, your distant eyes, screamed a warning.

Before they could respond, before the silence could stretch into another agonizing moment, you turned and walked away. You didn't run, not exactly, but your pace was swift, almost a march, a desperate escape from the suffocating presence of their love and concern.

The Panic Sets In

The world outside your immediate focus began to blur. The vibrant colors of Sabaody became a chaotic kaleidoscope, the chatter of the crowds a deafening roar. Every step felt like a hammer blow against your skull. The carefully constructed walls around your emotions, the detached numbness that had been your shield, began to crumble.

The air grew thin, too thin. You gasped, but no matter how deeply you tried to breathe, your lungs wouldn't fill. Your heart hammered against your ribs, a frantic drumbeat signaling impending doom. The familiar smells of the archipelago—sea salt, bubble sap, human sweat—became overpowering, cloying, trapping you.

Images flashed behind your eyes: the sterile white walls of the facility, the cold glint of instruments, the detached faces of your captors. You could hear the muffled screams, feel the phantom prick of needles. The scar on your jaw began to burn, a vivid reminder of the living hell you'd escaped.

You stumbled, your legs suddenly weak, threatening to give out. You needed to get away, to find a place where the air wasn't so thick with ghosts, where the ground didn't feel like it was shifting beneath your feet. Your vision tunneled, the edges of your sight darkening, threatening to swallow you whole. This was it. The breakdown you had been fighting so desperately to suppress. The two years of terror, the forced changes, the suffocating burden of your secret—it was all erupting, an unstoppable wave of raw, primal panic. You pushed through the throngs of people, a silent scream building in your chest, desperate for an escape that seemed to recede with every frantic, gasping breath.

The panic attack hit you with the force of a tidal wave, dragging you under. It wasn't just fear; it was the raw, unfiltered terror of post-traumatic stress disorder, every sensory input from Sabaody now a trigger, every memory a fresh wound.

You stumbled blindly, the familiar path dissolving into a swirling vortex of light and shadow. The vibrant hues of the bubble groves twisted into the sterile, blinding white of the facility's labs. The cheerful shouts of vendors morphed into the echoing screams that had haunted your two years of hell. The sweet, sap-scented air became thick with the metallic tang of fear and antiseptic.

Your breath hitched, each gasp a desperate, failing attempt to pull air into lungs that felt compressed, crushed. Your heart hammered so violently it threatened to burst through your chest, a frantic drumbeat urging you to run, to escape, to somehow sever the connection between your mind and the inescapable horror unfolding within it.

Your hands flew to your head, gripping your temples as if to silence the cacophony of phantom noises. The scar on your jaw throbbed, a fiery brand searing your skin, reminding you of every brutal touch, every cold incision. Your vision tunneled, the edges of your world closing in, leaving only a pinpoint of agonizing awareness at the center.

You couldn't distinguish between past and present. Was that the glint of a Celestial Dragon's cloak, or the white coat of a scientist? Was that the terrified cry of a bystander, or the agonized scream of a fellow captive? The lines blurred, the two years of torment merging with the current reality of Sabaody, trapping you in a terrifying loop.

You felt a scream building in your throat, a primal, guttural sound born of pure anguish, but it remained trapped, suffocated by the overwhelming tide of panic. You collapsed, your knees hitting the hard ground with a jarring thud, your body curling in on itself, desperate to become small, to disappear, to escape the inescapable prison of your own mind. The world spun, a dizzying, terrifying kaleidoscope of your worst nightmares come to life. All you could do was hold on, desperately waiting for the storm to pass, for the brief, fragile moments of reality to return.

Slowly, agonizingly, the storm began to recede. The vivid hallucinations flickered, then faded, leaving behind only the cold, clammy residue of terror. Your ragged gasps for air gradually deepened, though your chest still ached. The world, though still a dizzying blur, slowly regained its distinct shapes and colors. You were lying on the rough paving stones of Sabaody, curled into a tight ball, your arms wrapped around your knees, head buried.

The immediate, visceral fear began to give way to a profound exhaustion. Every muscle in your body trembled, and a crushing wave of shame washed over you. You, who had faced so much, had just collapsed in a public place. You, who was supposed to be strong, had fractured under the weight of your own mind.

Taking a few more shaky, deliberate breaths, you slowly uncurled, pushing yourself onto your hands and knees. Your vision swam for a moment, and you squeezed your eyes shut, waiting for the dizziness to pass. When you opened them, the vibrant, chaotic world of Sabaody returned, but it was muted, distant, as if you were observing it through a thick pane of glass.

There was only one place you could go. One place that felt like a sanctuary, even if its inhabitants were still a terrifying prospect.

You pushed yourself to your feet, your legs wobbly beneath you. Each step was a conscious effort, a battle against the lingering tremors and the profound weariness that settled deep in your bones. You didn't look at anyone, didn't acknowledge the curious stares you might be receiving. Your gaze was fixed forward, a singular, desperate focus: the Thousand Sunny.

You walked, slowly at first, then picking up a more determined pace, putting one foot in front of the other. The panic had drained you, leaving you hollow, numb. The need to find the rest of the crew was still there, but it was overshadowed by an overwhelming desire for safety, for a place where you could simply be without the constant threat of your own mind betraying you.

Finally, the grand mast of the Sunny came into view again. Rayleigh was still there, a steadfast sentinel, standing guard. He saw you approach, his expression remaining one of quiet concern, devoid of surprise. He didn't speak, didn't move towards you, understanding the invisible boundary you carried.

You reached the gangplank, your feet heavy on the wood. You didn't look back at the chaos of Sabaody, didn't spare a glance for the fleeting figures of Nami and Usopp you'd left behind. Your only thought was to get aboard, to find refuge.

You climbed the gangplank, your movements slow and deliberate, as if each step required immense effort. The familiar deck stretched before you, vast and welcoming. You walked past the lion-head figurehead, past the observation deck, and stopped. You didn't go to the galley, didn't head for the infirmary, didn't seek out any specific spot.

You just... stood there. In the middle of the deck, bathed in the soft, fading light of the evening. Your shoulders slumped, and you simply remained, a still, small figure against the grand backdrop of the ship. You had come back to the Sunny, not to prepare for a journey, not to reunite with your friends, but simply to exist, to find a place where the world might stop spinning, where the memories might finally, mercifully, quiet down. It was a place to stay. For now.

An hour passed. Or perhaps more. Time had become a fluid, indistinct thing since your escape. You stood on the deck of the Sunny, a silent sentinel, the gentle rocking of the ship the only soothing rhythm in your chaotic mind. The sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, but you barely noticed the beauty. Your world remained a muted, internal landscape. Rayleigh, a quiet, reassuring presence, occasionally glanced your way from his spot by the railing, but he didn't approach, respecting the fragile boundary you maintained.

The Crew Arrives

Then, the silence shattered.

A cacophony of sound erupted from the direction of Sabaody. Not just the usual distant chatter, but distinct, familiar voices, raised in excitement, argument, and pure, unadulterated chaos.

"OI! LUFFY! DON'T JUST EAT IT ALL, YOU IDIOT!"

"GET OFF ME, YOU STUPID MARIMO!"

"I AM A BRAVE WARRIOR OF THE SEA! I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP!"

"YOHOHOHO! A new song is brewing, my dear friends!"

Your head snapped up, your body tensing, every nerve ending screaming an alarm. It was them. The full, noisy, magnificent force of your crew.

A figure burst onto the gangplank first, propelled by a boundless energy that could only belong to one person. Luffy. He took one look at the Sunny, his eyes sparkling, and then let out a joyous, stretched-out laugh. "SHIIIPPP!" he bellowed, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Right behind him, a flash of green and a sharp retort: "MARIMO! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING, YOU LOVE-COOK BASTARD!"

And then, Zoro. His three swords still at his hip, his bandana tied firmly, his expression as stoic as ever, but with a clear glint of relief in his eye as he took in the Sunny.

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME, SHITTY MARIMO?!" Sanji's furious voice followed, a trail of floating hearts still intermittently escaping him despite his anger. He was limping slightly, a clear sign of a recent skirmish, but his gaze was already scanning the deck, looking for...

They were all there. Nami, looking exhausted but relieved, her hand already reaching for the map in her bag. Usopp, still wide-eyed and jumpy, but with a triumphant set to his jaw. Chopper, a small bundle of anxious energy, darting between the others. Robin, serene and elegant, her eyes already taking in every detail of the reunion. And Brook, his signature "YOHOHOHO!" echoing across the grove, his skeletal frame dancing with delight.

The deck, once your quiet sanctuary, was now a swirling vortex of familiar faces, booming voices, and uncontained joy. They hadn't seen you yet, too caught up in the sheer exhilaration of being back together, of seeing their beloved ship again. The sound of their voices, the sheer life radiating from them, was overwhelming. Your heart, already a frantic drum, now hammered with a terrified, dizzying speed.

This was it. The moment you had dreaded, the reunion you had both yearned for and feared. The full force of their recognition, their memories of the "sunshine" you once were, was about to collide with the cold, distant reality of the person you had become.

The deck erupted in a whirlwind of motion and sound. Luffy, with a joyful yell, launched himself towards the Sunny's mast, ready to claim his favorite perch. Sanji and Zoro immediately clashed, their familiar insults ringing out. Nami was already inspecting the ship's navigation equipment, while Usopp did a triumphant jig, his spirits soaring. Chopper, a whirlwind of adorable panic and joy, darted excitedly between them all. Robin smiled serenely, taking in the scene with her usual calm. Franky, a beaming "SUPER!" on his lips, had already started examining the ship's outer plating with proprietary pride.

They were a whirlwind of life, a cacophony of their old selves, and for a terrifying moment, you simply stood there, a still point in their vibrant storm, utterly forgotten amidst the joyous chaos of their reunion. The knot in your stomach tightened, and a cold dread settled over you. This was it. The moment of reckoning.

You took a shaky breath, the words forming a brittle lump in your throat. You had to do it. You had to face them.

"Everyone," you said, your voice barely a whisper, yet it somehow cut through the din. It was devoid of your usual warmth, a flat, almost hollow sound.

Slowly, the joyous pandemonium began to subside. One by one, heads turned.

Luffy, mid-stretch, paused, his rubber arm extending towards the mast. Zoro, his hand already on the hilt of Wado Ichimonji, stopped his bickering with Sanji. Nami looked up from the logbook, her brow furrowing slightly. Usopp froze mid-jig, his grin faltering. Chopper, who had been hopping excitedly, stiffened. Robin's serene smile softened, her eyes widening almost imperceptibly. Even Franky’s boisterous inspection trailed off, his super-sized grin slowly disappearing.

Their eyes, filled with the boundless joy of reunion, landed on you. And as they did, the recognition that had flickered in Rayleigh’s, Franky’s, and Sanji's eyes solidified into a collective, stunned silence.

The Revelation

Luffy's infectious smile slowly dissolved, his wide eyes taking in the stillness that radiated from you, the absence of the vibrant warmth he remembered. His head tilted, a silent question in his innocent gaze, before a flicker of confusion, then concern, settled over him.

Zoro's sharp gaze, already aware of the shift from his earlier reunion with Rayleigh, hardened with an immediate, grim understanding. His eyes swept over your face, fixing on the new scar, then settling on the guarded emptiness in your eyes. His hand, instinctively reaching for his sword, slowly relaxed, replaced by a tense stillness in his posture.

Nami's initial relief drained from her face, replaced by a dawning horror. Her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes welling up as she took in the stark changes: the lack of your usual comforting smile, the distant look in your eyes, the subtle way you held yourself, as if bracing for a blow. "Y-Y/N?" she choked out, her voice barely audible.

Usopp, ever expressive, recoiled slightly, his jaw dropping. The easy relief that had characterized his earlier greeting vanished, replaced by wide-eyed shock and a visible tremor. He saw the coldness, the distance, the stark contrast to the friend who had always been there to soothe his fears.

Sanji, already reeling from his earlier encounter with you, simply stood frozen, his earlier anguish deepening into a profound, heart-wrenching pain. He took a hesitant step forward, his hand clenching into a fist, a silent testament to the fight he wanted to wage on whatever had done this to you.

Chopper, his small body trembling, looked up at you with wide, tearful eyes. The pure, innocent joy he had felt at seeing you was replaced by a deep confusion, then a frightened whimper. He recognized you, but the comforting warmth he associated with you was gone, replaced by an unsettling cold.

Robin's serene expression remained, but her eyes, usually so calm, held a profound sadness. She, more than anyone, understood the weight of trauma, the way it could reshape a person. She saw the ghost of the girl she knew, haunted by shadows only she could truly comprehend.

Franky, having already witnessed the change, could only hang his head slightly, his "SUPER!" dreams of your reunion now crushed by the undeniable reality before them.

The air hung heavy with the weight of their collective shock. You stood exposed, every hidden scar, every internalized wound laid bare under the gaze of your bewildered nakama. The silence was deafening, a stark contrast to the joyous clamor that had filled the deck moments before. The question of whether they would accept you, the shattered person you had become, hung in the air, a terrifying, unanswered plea.

The heavy silence on the Sunny's deck was thick with their stunned disbelief, their bewildered gazes fixed on you. The weight of their collective shock was crushing, threatening to splinter the last fragments of your composure. You saw the hurt, the confusion, the dawning sorrow in their eyes, and a bitter, self-deprecating humor bubbled up, cold and sharp.

A sound escaped you then, a soft, dry chuckle. It wasn't the warm, genuine laughter they remembered, the kind that used to bubble up from a place of pure joy and empathy. This was a forced sound, a brittle, almost sarcastic rasp that seemed to grate against the vibrant air of the ship. It was devoid of mirth, a hollow echo, as if your vocal cords had forgotten how to properly produce such a carefree noise.

The sound, so out of place, seemed to break the spell. Luffy, who had been staring, head cocked, suddenly frowned deeper. Zoro's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharpening. Sanji flinched, as if the sound itself were a blow.

You looked at their faces, one by one, seeing the confirmation of your greatest fear. They saw it. They saw the change, the dark, the absence of the "sunshine" they cherished. And in their stunned silence, you heard the unspoken question, the one that had haunted your every step back to them: What happened to you? And can we still accept who you are now?

The forced chuckle died on your lips, replaced by the familiar, cold detachment. The moment of revelation was complete.

The brittle, forced chuckle died on your lips, leaving an echoing silence that felt colder than any ocean trench. Their faces, once lit with the euphoria of reunion, now held a bewildered hesitancy. They stared, not with accusation, but with a profound uncertainty that felt like a gaping chasm opening between you.

The Unspoken Question

Luffy's usual bright curiosity dimmed, replaced by a slight furrow of his brow. He didn't understand, and for him, that was a rare and unsettling feeling. He glanced at Zoro, then at Sanji, a silent plea for an explanation his simple heart couldn't grasp.

Zoro's eyes, sharp as his blades, had already registered the full extent of the change. He didn't ask, didn't demand. Instead, his posture became a fraction more rigid, his hand subtly shifting closer to his swords – not in threat, but in an almost protective, guarded readiness. He saw the damage, understood its depth, and seemed to instinctively sense that pressing for answers now would only shatter the fragile peace.

Nami's hands, which had been raised to her mouth in shock, slowly lowered, trembling slightly. Her eyes, usually so expressive, were now wide with a mixture of confusion and a deep, aching concern. She desperately wanted to reach out, to ask, to bridge the distance, but your stillness, your impenetrable silence, held her back. The cheerful Navigator had no map for this new, unsettling emotional territory.

Usopp, ever the empath, visibly recoiled, his shoulders hunching. He saw the coldness, the distance, and a familiar fear, different from his usual anxieties, flickered in his eyes. He didn't voice a question, perhaps too afraid of the answer, or perhaps sensing that it was a question you weren't ready to confront.

Sanji, his initial grief still raw, simply looked away, clenching his fists at his sides. The sight of your forced chuckle, the absence of your warmth, seemed to be a physical blow. He didn't question it. Instead, his gaze became distant, his own pain too overwhelming to process further.

Chopper whimpered again, a soft, heartbroken sound. He recognized your face, your scent, but the "you" he knew, the one who offered comforting candy and endless smiles, was simply gone. He just stood there, his small body trembling, too innocent to fully grasp the horror, but aware that something vital had been irrevocably lost.

Robin's serene expression remained, but a shadow passed over her eyes, a deep understanding of the trauma she witnessed. She looked at you, then at the bewildered faces of her crewmates. She knew that some wounds could not be immediately questioned, that some pain needed space, and that the only response was a quiet, enduring presence.

Franky, having already processed some of the shock, simply crossed his arms, his mechanical eyes fixed on you with a profound sadness. He had seen enough of the world's cruelties to know that some things couldn't be fixed with a "SUPER!" hammer.

No one spoke. No one questioned. They simply stood there, an entire crew, united in their shock and uncertainty, gazing at the altered version of their beloved nakama. The joyous reunion they had all yearned for had become a silent, poignant moment of profound realization: the person they remembered was gone, replaced by a stranger who wore her face.

The silence on the Sunny's deck was thick, suffocating. No one broke it, no one dared to ask the question that hung heavy in the air. The joyous reunion they had anticipated for two years had dissolved into a profound, aching uncertainty. Luffy, for once, didn't demand an explanation. Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Robin, and Franky all simply stood, their eyes fixed on you, searching for the vibrant light that had once defined you, and seeing only the guarded distance.

A Journey to Fish-Man Island

Eventually, it was Rayleigh who, with a quiet nod, broke the standoff. He guided them through the necessary preparations, a silent signal that, despite the crushing emotional weight, their journey had to continue. The Sunny needed to be submerged, a bubble coating applied, for the treacherous descent to Fish-Man Island.

The process of preparing the ship was a stark display of the crew's unspoken understanding. They moved with a quiet efficiency, the usual playful banter and loud directives replaced by a somber focus. No one asked you to help, no one asked for your input. It was as if they instinctively understood that any demand might shatter the fragile composure you barely maintained. You stood by the railing, a silent observer, watching them move around you, a phantom in your own life.

As the Sunny began its slow, deliberate descent into the inky depths of the ocean, the pressure building around the bubble coating, the true weight of your change became undeniably apparent to them all.

The Unmistakable Shift

The descent to Fish-Man Island was usually a time of shared awe, of excited exclamations at the bizarre and beautiful creatures of the deep. But this time, it was different.

Luffy, normally glued to the observation deck, pressed his face against the glass, eyes wide with childlike wonder. But his usual joyous shouts were muted, almost whispered. He would glance back at you, standing by the railing, your face devoid of wonder, your gaze distant, and a flicker of confusion would cross his face.

Zoro, usually resting or polishing his swords, found himself watching you more than the passing deep-sea fish. His keen eyes observed how you remained still, your body tense, not moving towards the observation deck. He saw the cold, sharp focus in your eyes as you scanned the dark waters, a hunter's vigilance rather than a nakama's shared awe.

Nami, often clutching Usopp in fear during the descent, found herself glancing at you instead. She remembered your comforting presence, your reassuring smiles. Now, you were a silent, unreadable sentinel. She saw the new scar on your jaw, stark against the ethereal glow of the deep-sea creatures, and a shiver went down her spine that had nothing to do with fear of the ocean.

Usopp, despite his own anxieties, usually found a strange comfort in your shared fear. But as he watched you, he saw no fear, only a chilling detachment. He remembered clinging to you during storms, your gentle touch a steadying force. Now, you were like a statue, unmoving, unreachable.

Sanji, normally gushing over any fleeting glimpse of beauty, found himself consumed by a different kind of anguish. He watched your reflection in the glass of the observation deck, seeing the dark, empty space where your "radiant glory" once was. His heart ached, a silent lament for the vibrant, kind woman he had adored, now replaced by this silent, guarded figure.

Chopper, his small hooves pressed against the glass, would instinctively look for your comforting presence, for the candy you always had. But you weren't there, or if you were, you were a silent, distant form. He whimpered, his small heart confused by the absence of the warmth he remembered.

Robin's eyes, insightful as ever, lingered on you. She saw the profound PTSD in your stillness, the way you held yourself, the shadow that clung to your every movement. She understood, perhaps more than anyone else, the invisible chains that still bound you. She didn't press, but her gaze was filled with a quiet, sorrowful empathy.

Franky, despite his initial shock, tried to inject some of his usual "SUPER!" enthusiasm into the descent, pointing out features of the ship and the marvels outside. But his voice lacked its usual booming conviction. He would glance at you, his mechanical eyes dimming with sadness as he saw that your face remained impassive, devoid of the awe or excitement he expected.

The journey continued, deeper and deeper into the ocean's embrace. And with every passing moment, every glimpse of the new you, the crew felt the undeniable, painful truth settle into their hearts: the person they knew, the one who had been their sunshine, their comfort, their emotional anchor, was fundamentally changed. And no one knew how to bring her back.

The Thousand Sunny finally reached the luminous dome of Fish-Man Island, the vibrant colors of the coral and the bustling life of the merfolk and fish-men a stark contrast to the deep-sea gloom they had just traversed. The journey had been a silent testament to the chasm that had opened within their crew. The awe and joy that usually accompanied their arrival at such a fantastical place were muted, overshadowed by the palpable tension surrounding your presence.

Arrival at Fish-Man Island

As the bubble coating dissipated and the Sunny settled gently into the waters of Fish-Man Island, the crew emerged onto the deck, their usual boisterous energy still subdued. Luffy, despite the wondrous new world before him, was unusually quiet, his eyes occasionally flicking towards you.

"Fish-Man Island!" Usopp finally managed, a weak attempt at his usual enthusiasm. "It's even more amazing than I imagined!"

Nami, however, barely glanced at the vibrant scenery. Her gaze was on you, a deep worry etched onto her face. Sanji, too, had forgone his usual ecstatic gushing over mermaids, his eyes clouded with concern.

You, meanwhile, remained by the railing, your posture still rigid, your eyes scanning the teeming underwater city with a distant, almost analytical gaze. There was no wonder, no awe, no recognition of the sheer beauty unfolding around you. Just a cold, calculating assessment, as if you were cataloging potential threats rather than admiring a new world. The vibrant colors of the coral, the graceful movements of the merfolk, the shimmering light filtering through the dome – it all registered, but left no impact on your impassive face.

Rayleigh, ever the silent observer, watched the crew's reactions to your detachment. He knew this would be difficult.

The Unspoken Distance

"Alright, everyone!" Luffy finally declared, snapping out of his quiet contemplation. His voice, though still enthusiastic, lacked its usual carefree thunder. "Let's go explore! And find some meat!" He started to run towards the gangplank, then hesitated, glancing back at you.

You didn't move. You simply stood there, a still point in their eager energy. The others were already heading for the gangplank, drawn by the allure of a new adventure. But they paused, their eyes flicking between Luffy and you, a silent plea for connection in the air.

Nami stepped forward, a tentative hand reaching out towards you, then pulling back. "Y/N, aren't you coming?" she asked, her voice soft, almost pleading. She wanted the old you, the one who would be just as excited, just as eager to explore.

You finally turned your head, meeting her gaze, though your eyes held no warmth. "No," you stated, your voice flat. "I'll... I'll stay here. On the Sunny."

The word "here" hung in the air, weighted with unspoken meaning. It wasn't just about staying on the ship; it was about staying within the confines of your own shattered existence, away from the overwhelming vibrancy of their joy and the painful contrast it highlighted within you.

Usopp swallowed hard, his usual bravado completely gone. "But... but it's Fish-Man Island! It's amazing!"

You offered no further explanation. You simply turned your gaze back to the glowing city outside, a silent wall erected between you and them.

Luffy, surprisingly, didn't argue. He looked at you for a long moment, his usual boundless energy subdued by an unfamiliar concern. He saw the coldness in your eyes, the distance in your posture, and for the first time, he didn't demand, didn't push. He understood, in his own simple way, that you were hurting, and that forcing you wouldn't help.

"Alright," he said, his voice quiet for him. "We'll go then. You... you stay safe, Y/N."

And with that, the Straw Hat Pirates, their usual boisterous departure replaced by a muted, uncertain silence, disembarked from the Thousand Sunny, leaving you alone on the deck, a silent sentinel in the heart of a vibrant, unfamiliar world. You watched them go, a small, hollow ache in your chest. You were safe from the world, safe from the memories, but you were also safe from their love, safe from their comfort, trapped in a silent, self-imposed exile.

Fish-Man Island. It was, in many ways, like all your past adventures. A new, fantastical place, teeming with unique inhabitants. Something went wrong, as it always did, a threat rising to endanger the innocent. And, as always, the Straw Hats, your nakama, fixed it. They rallied, fought, and emerged victorious, their bonds strengthened by the challenge. But it was different. Profoundly so.

You remained on the Sunny, a silent observer to their heroics. You heard the distant roars of battle, the cries of the fish-men, the familiar sounds of your crew fighting for justice. A part of you, the old you, yearned to be there, to join the fray, to comfort Chopper when he was scared, to patch up Luffy’s inevitable injuries. But the new you, the one forged in the fires of a hidden hell, kept you rooted to the deck. You watched the unfolding drama through the Sunny’s observation bubble, a detached witness to a world that no longer felt entirely your own.

When they returned, triumphant but weary, the air was still thick with unspoken questions. They tried to bridge the gap.

The Unspoken Conversations

Nami would approach you tentatively, a plate of food in her hand, her eyes pleading. "Y/N, you haven't eaten properly. Please, just a little." She'd sit beside you, sometimes in silence, sometimes talking about the day's events, her voice soft, trying to coax a response, a flicker of the old warmth. You'd usually just nod, perhaps take a few bites, but your gaze remained distant, your replies monosyllabic. She missed your shared quiet moments, the comfort of your presence.

Usopp, after recounting a particularly exaggerated tale of his bravery, would always cast a glance your way. He’d try to make you laugh, to draw a smile with a silly face or a ridiculous dance. He remembered your genuine, comforting laughter. When you only offered a ghost of a smile, or nothing at all, his own enthusiasm would falter, and he'd eventually retreat, his shoulders slumped.

Sanji would prepare your meals with even more meticulous care than usual, each dish a silent offering of his concern. He'd bring it to you, his heart-eyes replaced by a deep, aching worry. "Y/N-chan, you need to nourish yourself. You're too thin." He'd stand by, watching, longing to see the light in your eyes, to hear your gentle voice, but you rarely offered more than a quiet thank you, your gaze often fixed on the horizon, miles away.

Chopper, in his childlike innocence, would bring you a piece of candy, his large, tearful eyes begging you to take it, to show him the old comfort. He'd sit beside you, sometimes for hours, simply holding your hand, hoping his presence alone would bring back the warmth. You'd accept the candy, sometimes even pat his head, but the genuine interaction, the shared moment of innocent joy, was missing.

Luffy, surprisingly, was often the quietest. He wouldn't demand answers. Instead, he'd sometimes just sit near you, his presence a silent anchor. He'd watch you with a profound sadness in his wide, innocent eyes, as if trying to understand the invisible chains that bound you. He missed your bright presence, your easy smile, and the unspoken comfort you brought to his chaotic world.

Zoro, ever the stoic, would occasionally find himself near you during his training. He'd observe your silent watchfulness, the almost predatory sharpness in your gaze, and he’d recognize the raw strength and controlled anger that simmered beneath your distant exterior. He didn't speak of it, but his presence was a quiet acknowledgment of the transformation, a silent respect for the warrior you had become, even if the cost was clear.

Robin was perhaps the only one who truly understood the nature of your struggle. She would simply sit with you, often reading a book, her presence a calm, non-judgmental comfort. Her eyes, filled with a deep, silent empathy, would occasionally meet yours, a shared understanding of past trauma passing between you without a single word. She didn't press, didn't ask, but her unspoken support was a steady presence.

Franky, despite his initial shock, tried to be his usual boisterous self, hoping his "SUPER!" energy would somehow reignite your "sunshine." He'd talk about the Sunny's new features, his latest inventions, or his future plans, always trying to draw you into the conversation, but your responses remained minimal, your engagement distant.

Through Fish-Man Island and the next few adventures, they tried. They tried to talk to you, to reach you, to pull you back from the shadows. Their attempts were gentle, hesitant, born of love and deep concern. But every time, you retreated further, a silent wall guarding the unspeakable horrors you carried within. You were on the Sunny, you were with them, but a vast, silent ocean still lay between you and the crew who desperately longed for their old nakama to return.

Night had fallen, cloaking the Thousand Sunny in a blanket of stars. The sounds of the ocean were a gentle lullaby, but in the galley, a different kind of storm was brewing. You were there, at the dinner table, surrounded by your crew. But you weren't the silent, distant figure they'd grown accustomed to. Not tonight. Tonight, you were drunk. Blackout drunk, the kind where inhibitions evaporated like sea mist.

You were laughing, a loud, almost unhinged sound that echoed strangely in the familiar space. It wasn't your old, gentle laugh, but it was laughter, something they hadn't heard from you in months. You were making jokes, crude and witty in equal measure, something you'd never dared to do before. You were gesturing wildly, spilling sake, and occasionally leaning into Usopp with exaggerated affection that startled him.

The Straw Hats were chuckling, a nervous undercurrent beneath their amusement. They laughed with you, but their eyes, when they met yours, held a subtle fear, a mixture of relief and unease. This was the most open you'd been since your return, a raw, unfiltered version of you that was both fascinating and unsettling. They shared glances, a silent consensus that this was a rare moment, a bizarre glimpse of the "old" you, or at least, a version of you that wasn't encased in ice.

Sanji, who had been refilling your cup with a worried frown, watched as you roared with laughter at one of Franky's outlandish stories. Nami, though still wary, found herself smiling, a genuine smile, at your uncharacteristic antics. Even Zoro offered a rare smirk as you stumbled over a word, only to recover with a surprisingly sharp retort.

Then, the laughter died on your lips, replaced by a strange, knowing glint in your eyes. You leaned forward, sloshing sake onto the table. Your voice, though slurred, dropped to a chillingly clear tone.

"You know," you slurred, gesturing expansively with your cup, "you guys always ask about the two years, right? Where'd I go? What happened?" You giggled, a hollow, unsettling sound. "Well, let me tell ya! It was a real blast! Like a spa retreat, but with more... needles. And screaming. Lots and lots of screaming." You paused, then added, your eyes wide and unfocused, "They really wanted to know what makes a 'sunshine' tick, you know? Like, what happens if you break all their pretty little wires?"

The air in the galley froze. The laughter died, replaced by a stark, horrified silence. Nami's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief and dawning understanding. Usopp choked on his drink, sputtering, his face paling. Sanji dropped the bottle of sake he was holding, the glass shattering with a deafening crash on the floor, unnoticed. Luffy, who had been reaching for another piece of meat, stopped, his hand suspended in mid-air, his innocent eyes now clouded with a deep, chilling dread. Chopper whimpered, burying his face in Robin's side.

Robin's serene expression finally broke, her eyes filled with a profound sorrow as she closed her own, as if the images you were conjuring were too much to bear. Franky, who had been mid-sentence about a "super" upgrade, looked as if all the cola had been drained from his system, his mechanical jaw hanging slack.

You, oblivious to the terror you had unleashed, simply giggled again, leaning back in your chair. "Good times," you mumbled, taking a long swig from your cup. "Real character building. Highly recommend it."

The galley was still, silent except for the gentle lapping of waves against the ship's hull. The joke, if it could even be called that, had ripped open the carefully constructed facade you'd maintained for months, revealing the raw, festering wound beneath. And in your drunken, fragmented confession, they finally, horrifyingly, began to grasp the true extent of the hell you had endured.

The shattered glass of the sake bottle on the floor was the only sound in the galley, a sharp echo of the silence that now enveloped the Straw Hats. Your drunken confession, so stark and chilling, had ripped through their carefully maintained pretense of normalcy. They looked at you, their nakama, their sunshine, and finally, truly understood that the void wasn't just sadness or distance—it was something far more monstrous.

Luffy’s rubber arm, still suspended mid-air, slowly dropped to his side. His usual boundless energy seemed to drain from him, replaced by a profound, unsettling stillness. His eyes, usually so bright and carefree, were clouded with a depth of concern they rarely held. He didn't understand the words "needles" or "screaming" in the way an adult would, but he understood the raw pain and terror in your voice. He just looked at you, a silent plea in his gaze for you to be okay, for you to be you again.

Zoro's jaw tightened, his expression grim. He didn't speak, but his eyes, sharp and intense, were fixed on your face, particularly the scar. The casualness with which you'd mentioned "good times" and "character building" grated on him. He instinctively understood that pushing too hard now would only cause more damage, but the urge to find whoever had done this, to make them pay, was a palpable tension in his shoulders.

Nami, tears already brimming in her eyes, slowly reached out a trembling hand, hovering uncertainly over yours before pulling back. She saw the forced chuckle, the distant gaze, and the horrifying truth of your words. "Y/N," she choked out, her voice raw, "what... what did they do to you?" She didn't press for details of the "needles" or "screaming," intuitively understanding that the mere mention of it was torture enough. She just wanted to understand the depth of your pain.

Usopp, pale and wide-eyed, finally found his voice, though it was a shaky whisper. "Y-Y/N... is that... is that true? About... about the experiments?" He couldn't quite bring himself to say the word "torture." His mind, usually so quick to invent lies, struggled to comprehend the horrific reality you had just unveiled. He instinctively looked around, as if searching for something, anything, to distract from the terrifying truth.

Sanji, still frozen, finally moved, slowly bending down to pick up the shattered sake bottle, his movements stiff and deliberate. He didn't ask a direct question, but his entire being radiated a raw, desperate need to understand, to somehow absorb your pain. He simply looked at you, his eyes filled with a grief so profound it mirrored your own emptiness. "Sunshine..." he whispered, his voice thick with unspoken anguish.

Chopper, his small body trembling, didn't ask questions. He simply climbed onto Robin's lap, burying his face against her chest, muffled whimpers escaping him. He was terrified, not just for you, but by the dark implications of your words, which his innocent mind couldn't fully process.

Robin, her eyes now open, rested her cheek gently against Chopper's head. Her gaze was soft, filled with a deep, sorrowful empathy. "Y/N-san," she said, her voice calm but firm, "you don't have to talk about it now, if you don't want to. But... are you hurting?" It wasn't a demand for details, but a gentle offer of acknowledgment, an invitation to share only what you were ready for. She understood that sometimes, just naming the pain was a way to begin healing.

Franky, his initial "SUPER!" deflated, remained quiet, his gaze fixed on the table. He simply watched you, his posture radiating a heavy, concerned silence. The idea that his "sunshine" had been subjected to something so unspeakably cruel, something that had stolen her light, was a horrifying blow. He didn't know what to say, what to ask. How do you fix a broken spirit?

The galley remained in a state of suspended animation, filled with the raw emotion of your crew. They didn't push, didn't demand a full explanation, but their silent questions, their profound concern, wrapped around you like a suffocating blanket. The truth was out, not in a controlled revelation, but in a raw, drunken confession, and now, they had to grapple with the terrifying reality of what had been done to you.

The air in the galley was thick with unspoken questions, heavy with the weight of their profound shock. Your crew, your nakama, sat in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on you, desperately searching for understanding. The raw, unfiltered truth of your drunken confession hung in the air, undeniable. You had ripped open the wound, and now, despite the haze of alcohol, you felt a chilling clarity. You couldn't leave them in this agonizing uncertainty.

You took a shaky breath, the alcohol still dulling the sharp edges of your pain, but lending a strange, detached courage to your voice. "It... it wasn't a joke," you began, your voice raspy, a stark contrast to the slurred, joking tone moments before. You looked at their faces, one by one, your gaze lingering on Nami's tear-filled eyes, Usopp's pale face, Sanji's anguished expression, Luffy's profound confusion.

"After Sabaody," you continued, your voice gaining a strained, faraway quality, as if recounting a nightmare that belonged to someone else, "I... I landed on an island. It was... they were scientists. Not pirates, not Marines. Just... scientists." You paused, a shudder rippling through you, despite the alcohol. "They were trying to understand... what makes people 'shine,' what makes them... kind. What makes them resilient." You almost scoffed, a bitter, humorless sound. "They used me as an experiment."

Your eyes drifted to the scarred line on your jaw, and your fingers instinctively brushed against it. "They kept me for a year, five months, and ten days. Isolated me. Deprived me. They... they manipulated my emotions, forced me to witness things..." Your voice hitched, the words catching in your throat. You didn't elaborate on the "screaming" or the "needles," sensing that the implication was enough. "They wanted to see what would happen if they broke all the 'wires.' If they took away the kindness."

You looked at them again, your gaze meeting theirs, seeing the horror deepen in their eyes. "It was hell," you stated, the words flat, devoid of the emotion that should have accompanied them. "But... but I got out. There was a breach. Chaos. I just... ran."

A moment of silence stretched, broken only by Chopper's muffled whimpers against Robin's side.

"The healing... the speed, the senses," you continued, your voice a little stronger now, the detachment returning like a shield. "That's... that's them. Their experiments. They made me stronger, yes. But it was..." You trailed off, searching for the right word, "It was a cost. A trade." You didn't specify the cost, but your hollow eyes, your distant posture, your very being, spoke volumes.

"I tried to recover," you confessed, your voice softening infinitesimally, a flicker of the old you. "I really did. But... the nightmares. The panic. I... I couldn't be the same. I'm not. I'm not who I was." Your gaze swept over their faces again, searching for something, anything, a sign of rejection. "I was afraid... afraid you wouldn't accept me. That I wouldn't... fit anymore."

You finished, your confession hanging heavy in the air. The alcohol was still coursing through your veins, numbing the pain, but the stark truth of your words was undeniable. You had laid bare the shattered pieces of your soul, leaving them to grapple with the horrifying reality of what had been done to you.

The air in the galley was thick with the weight of your confession, a raw, undeniable truth laid bare. Their faces, a mixture of shock, grief, and dawning comprehension, swam before your eyes. You had told them, finally, about the hell you'd endured, about the shattered pieces of the "sunshine" they once knew. The alcohol still hummed in your veins, dulling the edges of the pain, but the sheer exhaustion of having unveiled your trauma was overwhelming.

You watched their expressions, waiting for judgment, for rejection. But there was none, only a profound, silent sorrow. Nami's hand was still hovering, trembling. Usopp looked physically ill. Sanji, silent and grim, was staring at the shattered sake bottle. Chopper was still whimpering against Robin. Luffy's eyes were wide, unblinking, filled with a depth of concern that was almost unbearable.

The silence stretched, filled only by the distant lapping of waves against the Sunny's hull. You had given them the horrifying truth, and now, you couldn't bear to witness their reaction any longer. The strength, the detached courage the alcohol had lent you, was rapidly draining away, leaving behind only profound weariness.

You slowly pushed yourself back from the table, the scrape of your chair a harsh sound in the quiet galley. Your movements were sluggish, heavy. You didn't meet anyone's gaze. You couldn't.

"I..." you began, your voice a rough whisper, "I need to... sleep." It wasn't a question, not a request. It was a statement of absolute necessity, a desperate plea for escape, if only into the temporary oblivion of unconsciousness.

No one spoke. No one tried to stop you. The shock of your confession still held them captive.

You turned and walked towards the galley door, your steps unsteady, your shoulders slumped. The familiar space felt alien, the silence of their shared shock a tangible weight. You felt their eyes on your back, a silent, burning presence as you made your way out.

You stumbled through the ship's quiet corridors, the gentle rocking of the Sunny a constant reminder of your presence aboard, yet your mind felt miles away. You reached your cabin, the familiar door a welcome sight. Pushing it open, you stepped into the darkness, the faint glow of the deep-sea outside filtering through the porthole.

You didn't bother with lights. You didn't change out of your clothes. You simply moved to your bunk, the soft mattress a sudden comfort beneath your aching body. You curled in on yourself, drawing your knees to your chest, your arms wrapping around your trembling frame.

The alcohol, which had momentarily released your demons, now threatened to plunge you into a deeper, more terrifying darkness. You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to stave off the impending nightmares, the vivid replays of the hell you'd described. Sleep, usually a refuge, felt like a dangerous descent into a world where the monsters of your past lay waiting.

But the exhaustion was too profound, the emotional toll of the confession too heavy. The sounds of the ocean outside, the gentle creaks and groans of the ship, slowly faded into the background. Your breathing deepened, evening out, and despite the lingering terror, the world finally, mercifully, slipped away into unconsciousness.

The first rays of dawn filtered through the porthole, painting the cabin in soft, shifting hues of blue and gold. You stirred, a dull ache throbbing behind your eyes, a testament to the alcohol and the emotional explosion of the night before. Consciousness crept back, bringing with it a familiar dread. The memories of your confession, raw and unbidden, surged to the forefront of your mind. You had told them. You had shattered the fragile peace, unveiled the horrifying truth of your two years, and now, there was no going back.

The Morning After

You pushed yourself up, the rough blankets tangling around your legs. The silence of the cabin was profound, amplifying the frantic beat of your own heart. Every creak of the ship, every distant splash of water, felt like an accusation. How could you face them? How could they look at you, knowing the depths of the darkness you now carried? The old you, the one who would have bounded out of bed with a cheerful greeting, was a distant memory. This new you, the one who had confessed to screams and needles, felt utterly alien.

You dressed mechanically, your movements stiff and precise, devoid of thought. Your fingers brushed against the scar on your jaw, a stark, jagged reminder of the reality you had unveiled. The reflection in the small, polished surface on the wall showed a face that was yours, yet wasn't. The light in your eyes was still absent, replaced by a deep-seated weariness.

Stepping out of the cabin, the Sunny felt different. The usual vibrant energy that pulsed through its decks was muted, replaced by a quiet, almost reverent calm. The sun was higher now, illuminating the main deck. You saw them.

Luffy was sitting on the railing, not perched on the lion's head, but simply sitting, his knees drawn up, staring out at the vibrant underwater city. His usual boundless energy seemed contained, contemplative.

Zoro was polishing his swords, but his movements were slower, more deliberate than usual. His gaze occasionally flickered towards Luffy, a silent communication passing between them.

Nami was by the navigation table, but she wasn't charting. Her head was bowed, her shoulders slumped. Usopp sat beside her, his shoulders touching hers, his head in his hands.

Sanji was in the galley, but the usual sounds of his bustling morning preparations were absent. A faint clinking of dishes suggested he was cleaning, but without his usual flair.

Chopper was nestled against Robin, who sat quietly on a bench, a book resting unread in her lap. Chopper was awake, but unusually still, his small body pressed close to Robin's.

Franky was by the mast, not examining it, but leaning against it, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the deck, a somber stillness in his super-sized frame.

They were all there, your crew. They were all quiet.

The Unspoken Embrace

As you stepped fully onto the deck, their heads slowly lifted. One by one, their eyes met yours. There was no shock this time, no confusion. Just a profound, quiet understanding. The raw sorrow from last night lingered in their gazes, but beneath it, something else had solidified: an unwavering, unwavering acceptance.

Luffy slowly uncurled himself from the railing. He didn't smile, didn't laugh. He simply walked towards you, his rubber legs carrying him with a gentle, deliberate pace. He stopped before you, his wide, honest eyes meeting yours. He didn't speak, didn't ask a question. Instead, he slowly reached out, his rubber arm stretching, and gently, carefully, wrapped it around you.

It wasn't a bone-crushing hug, not his usual boisterous embrace. It was soft, hesitant, yet utterly firm. A silent, unwavering hold. He rested his head against your shoulder, a comforting, familiar weight.

And in that moment, the dam broke.

The cold detachment, the fear, the shame, the profound emptiness you had carried for so long – it all crumbled. Tears, hot and uncontrollable, streamed down your face, the first genuine tears you'd cried in two years, five months, and ten days. You didn't sob, didn't wail. It was a silent, profound weeping, the release of an unimaginable agony.

You slowly, hesitantly, raised your arms, wrapping them around Luffy's back, clinging to him. His familiar scent, the warmth of his small, sturdy frame, was an anchor in the storm of your emotions.

One by one, the others joined.

Nami was first, her own tears flowing freely as she wrapped her arms around you both, her touch gentle but firm. Usopp followed, his trembling hands finding a purchase on your arm, his face buried against Nami's shoulder, silent sobs shaking his body. Sanji, his face etched with a profound sorrow, reached out and gently placed a hand on your back, a silent promise of protection. Zoro, his expression still grim, reached out and placed a large, calloused hand on your head, his touch surprisingly soft, a silent acknowledgment of your pain. Chopper, sniffling, joined the huddle, burying his head against your side, his small body trembling. Robin, her face softened with empathy, laid a hand on your shoulder, a quiet presence of understanding. Franky, his eyes surprisingly wet, gently patted your back, a silent "SUPER!" of unwavering support.

You were engulfed in a group hug, a silent, powerful embrace. There were no words, no questions, no demands for explanation. Just the warmth of their bodies, the steady beat of their hearts, the undeniable presence of their love. They didn't try to fix you, didn't try to bring back the "sunshine." They simply held you, acknowledging the fractured pieces, accepting the scars, both seen and unseen.

In that quiet moment, surrounded by your nakama, you didn't feel fixed. The pain was still there, the darkness still clung to you. But for the first time in an unimaginable eternity, you didn't feel alone. You were broken, yes, but you were still loved. And perhaps, just perhaps, that was enough to begin again. The journey to the New World, and the journey of healing, had just truly begun.

[zosanniz]

Hello 🤗 If you're interested, may I please request headcanons for the Strawhats with a crewmate that likes to crochet, and their "comfort crochet" pattern is a manatee? So the ship slowly fills up with amigurumi manatees of various colors and sizes. Thank you, friend!

(Can be interpreted as platonic) (alabasta spoilers in vivis) (I didn’t add chopper again I love him I promise) (thriller bark spoilers for brook)

Luffy is the worst to crochet around cuz he is a person that makes it impossible to relax with and focus on a task in silence. Luffy of course catches onto your habit of comfort crochet, and when he’s really, REALLY bored, that’s about the only time he’ll sit still and watch you. Which is how you know he’s truly suffering from boredom. Beyond this, Luffy likes your little hobby and thinks your little manatees are cute!

Zoro doesn’t care too much for the hobby itself and probably pokes fun at you and calls you a granny regardless of your age or gender, (though if you really are uncomfy with the term because of gender identity he’s just gonna use gramps instead) he doesn’t actually mind your hobby or anything he’s just really terrible at bonding and connecting with people. Zoro probably yells at you as to why there’s a million manatees in his room but it’s not serious.

Sanji thinks it’s cute! He likes watching you crochet and might ask to do it with you. He doesn’t know anything about it but is more than happy to learn. In return he’ll teach you how to cook. If you’re making an excessive amount of manatees he will probably ask if you need a hug.

Usopp finds this really cute but probably teases you about it sometimes. He’s just poking fun at you though nothing serious. He’ll actually tell you he thinks your manatees are adorable and asks you to make him one, and then he keeps it by his sleeping quarters FOREVER. He takes the time to learn how to crochet on his own to impress you and give you one!

Nami thinks it’s cute, and over time watching you do it she slowly learns how to do it herself! She assumes you just really love manatees or something, so one day she just buys you a bracelet with manatees on it.

Vivi will talk to you while you crochet. She also finds this really cute and you’ve made her a lot of blue manatees. Even after separating from the crew she still has all your manatees with her, in her room.

Robin watches you crochet. You tend to spend time together by you crocheting and her reading. One day she asks you casually, “will you ever make me one?” And then just laughs affectionately to herself when she finds a purple one in her bag the next morning.

Franky wishes he could do it with you, but, he just can’t get a handle on it at all. Perhaps his hands are too big for it, but that leaves you with a lot of other questions on your mind. That being said, while Franky can be considered an “obnoxious” fellow, he is perfectly capable of being quiet and tinkering away while you crochet. He asks you to make him some all the time.

Brook asks you to make him a pink one. That being said he finds it cute. Manatees and whales are different creatures, but the dark blue manatee you made for him reminds him of Laboon, and it means a lot to him.

Jinbe loves it. It’s only natural, he is a fishman so he likes the manatees a lot, reminds him of childhood. He thinks your hobby is sweet, and often sits with you in a comfortable silence as you crochet. He didn’t know how to at first, but over time he learns with you, and he’ll crochet for you as well!

[ohnoitstbskyen]

I think you’ve said it before, but what are your sexuality headcanons for the Straw Hats?

Luffy is aroace, obviously, that's not so much a headcanon as hard actual canon. Like, even calling it "subtext" is giving it too much credit for subtlety.

Nami is lesbian as hell, and that's also basically canon, literally nobody can tell me otherwise. Jimbei is pansexual but demiromantic at best, his first love is the sea, and Franky is the most bisexual man who has ever walked the earth. If he ever meets someone more bi than him, he will self-engineer upgrades until he takes back the top spot.

Zoro is gray ace, I think, and Brooke is ace now but was probably some flavor of highly fluid queer, back when he still had fluids to be queer with. Chopper hasn't quite gotten to the point of exploring his identity yet, and I think he'll be a late bloomer in that regard. No idea where he'll fall.

I'm fairly convinced that Sanji is either a lesbian who needs to do some Gender about it, or a gay man who is not so much closeted as he is lost in a very specific fantasy of manhood where obsessing over beautiful women who he will never actually desire gives him access to masculinity untainted by, and powerfully in defiance of, the patriarchal example set for him by his father and brothers. Either way, he and Zoro are life partners, platonic or otherwise.

Usopp is like a kinsey 1, while Robin is straight, but in the gayest available way.

also I am a Frobin truther

[polarspaz]

HauntedCrew AU

What Sanji had thought was going to be the start of another day of crazy adventures, quickly transformed into the worst day of his life. Only moments after departing Wano, the StrawHats and their allies are fired upon by a fleet of ghostly ships.

Rotting corpses emerge from the ocean current and crawl up the Sunny's hull like spiders. These undead are vicious, strong, and relentless, chasing and killing everyone they come across. Worse still is that the Sunny is being shredded by cannon fire and before Sanji knows it, everyone but him is killed in the onslaught.

After the slaughter, the ghost ships disappear into mist and the undead sink back into the sea, leaving Sanji alone, drifting in the debris with a sword sticking out of his back. Grief stricken and exhausted, he passes out and only awakens when he feels someone pulling him out of the water.

It's a really, really old woman with floor length oily hair and pearly white eyes. She explains to Sanji that the spirits called her here, that someone has tampered with fate and changed it's course. Luffy and his crew were not meant to die here and the spirits are not happy, and the witch tells Sanji that he is going to fix this.

She tells him he must find specific items that belonged to his crew and bring them to her. With these tokens and some powerful magic, the witch will be able the bring back the StrawHats from the dead, alive and whole once more.

The items she requires are Luffy's hat, Zoro's Wado Ichimonji, Nami's compass, Usopp's slingshot, Chopper's journal, Robin's book, Brook's violin, Franky's sunglasses, and Jimbei's comb. All of which have been either taken by the government or stolen by scavengers.

To help find these items the witch explains Sanji must give up his most precious treasure, the use of his hands, and he accepts immediately. As the life ebbs away from his fingers, he begins to feel a ghostly fire ignite inside him. He's WAY stronger and can now hear the whispers of his ghostly crew-mates, who know innately where their treasured items are hidden.

With their guidance, Sanji sets off as soon as he can, Hellbent on getting those items no matter what. And boy is he relentless, chasing every lead and hint like a rabid hound. He will not rest until he brings his crew-mates back, and he will burn anyone who stands in his way.

But there's also the mystery of who killed his crew, and their dark plans for the world are far from over...

((I know I forgot chibi ghost Jimbei! Sorry about that! ))

[kuroananosanji]

One aspect of ZoSan that Westerners may not get the full nuance of is the concept of “うちの”, literally “of our/my household”. There’s a reason why the EA fandom (mainly Chinese from my POV) disproportionally ship ZS over other ships, to the point where even dudebros hop the joke.

So there’s this Chinese saying that means “be strict to yourself but lenient towards others” which is seen as model behaviour for respected individuals. I don’t know if there’s an equivalent idiom in Japanese but both Koreans and Japanese hold similar attitudes towards treatment of self vs treatment of others in society. Here’s the fun part: thanks to collectivist culture, one’s “self” extends to your immediate family too. Since you’re seen in conjunction with your family, if you’re head of the house and your “inferiors” misbehave in public, it reflects badly on you as a person. That’s why strict parenting is more normalised in EA culture, because controlling how your kids behave is more or less the same as controlling how you yourself behave. This is also related to how tough love is a more common form of affection in EA families, there’s a sentiment of “being able to be mean to you means we’re close, being too nice means I see you as a stranger.”

You might now see how this relates to the Strawhats in general (see: Nami beating up members for acting out of line). Sanji is a funny one coz he was sort of a maternal figure secondary to Nami early on in the series. Women aside, there’s a difference in how he treats men on his crew and “outsiders” (e.g. Ace). He’s actually not rude towards men, it’s just that we predominantly see his interactions with the crew! Since his crew is his family, he can be strict with them like how he’s strict with himself.

How does this relate to ZS in particular? Well, it’s because Zoro is closest to him on the self—others sphere. Luffy is his captain so despite the usual bickering he has to obey him to some degree. Usopp and Chopper are younger and weaker, so Sanji has a responsibility to take care of them and show generosity as an “elder”. Franky, Brook and Jinbe are way older than him so there has to be some degree of respect when interacting with them. Nami and Robin are Women. This only leaves Zoro, who is his equal in both age, power and hierarchical position on the crew. Essentially, Sanji has every right to hold Zoro to the exact same standard as he would himself. And given that Sanji is extremely harsh to himself, he’s harsh to Zoro too.

This is why there was virtually no discourse over the “Sanji calls Zoro a liability” moment in the EA fandom. The unspoken context was that Sanji was apologising to Jinbe for Zoro, who wasn’t performing his best. And since Jinbe is relatively new to the crew and also much older than Sanji, it feels like a mother/wife apologising for her son/husband?? It’s giving “I’m sorry my Zoro embarrassed us”?? It’s giving “Zoro is my responsibility”?? On the flip side Zoro absolutely does this to Sanji too. I can’t name a specific anime moment but in one of the mobile game collabs he said something like “sorry our cook caused trouble for you”. The specific wording was うちのコック. (They both think they’re managing the other lmao I hate them)

Tldr: Zoro and Sanji see themselves as one household unit 😭 hence the bickering and bluntness and lack of pretences in general.

[hummingbird24220]

Could I request reader getting into a drinking contest with Nami and Zoro at some random bar on a random island. Maybe Reader wins the contest, maybe they don't but they do absolutely get drunk off their ass which is fine but none of the straw hats have ever seen them this drunk and it turns out Reader is a flirty drunk. Maybe Reader starts flirting zoro and nami(the closest people available) but soon no one is safe but the straw hats put a stop to it real quick when Reader starts flirting with random people in the bar.

(Feel free to lean into whatever ship you want! Love the neko! Reader story! Respectfully waiting to see more of it!)

Of course! I love thissss. Hope you do too! Sorry it took so loooooooong <3

------------

Rum, Regrets, and Really Hot Pirates

One Piece x Drunk!Reader

It started off innocently enough.

A pit stop at a tiny, loud island for supplies and a little relaxation had landed the Straw Hats in a bar that smelled like citrusy alcohol, grilled meat, and the promise of poor decisions. You sat between Zoro and Nami at a round table, elbow propped on the wood, a lazy grin tugging at your lips.

"You're going down, Nami," you slurred—or maybe purred—already on your third shot of something blue and definitely flammable.

Nami shot you a sly grin, already five drinks in and still as composed as ever. "You sure about that? You’re blinking in slow motion."

Zoro snorted, slamming back a glass of sake. “Both of you are lightweights.”

You turned to him with narrowed eyes and a cocky smirk. “Says the guy who can’t even spell lightweight.”

“What does that even mean?” Zoro muttered, blinking.

Thus began the Great Drunken Showdown of the Century.

Glasses clinked. Booze flowed. At some point, Usopp and Luffy started chanting in the background. Chopper worriedly monitored everyone’s vitals, with a sugar high from too much soda. Sanji kept trying to serve snacks, but Nami threatened to dock his pay if he interrupted.

Robin quietly placed bets with Franky. Brook asked to play background music, but nobody gave him an instrument. He hummed anyway.

By your eighth—or tenth?—glass, your sense of direction had flipped sideways and you were leaning heavily against Nami’s shoulder, your voice sticky-sweet and eyes half-lidded.

"You smell like… like treasure and sass," you mumbled, tapping your finger against her cheek. "Did it hurt? When you… fell from the sky, angel~?"

Nami raised an eyebrow and looked down at you in alarm. "Oh no."

"Yep," Zoro said, voice dry as a desert. "Flirty drunk."

You giggled and slithered out of Nami’s grip only to flop dramatically onto Zoro’s lap.

"You~," you said, poking his chest. "You’re always scowling. Wanna know what would look better on you?"

“No,” he deadpanned.

“A kiss.”

Zoro’s eye twitched. “No.”

"A smile," you corrected, grinning like a drunk fool. "But also, maybe a kiss. For research."

The table went silent. Sanji's soul left his body.

"Oh no, they’re dangerous when drunk," Robin murmured, oddly amused.

"Should we… do something?" Franky asked.

And that’s when it happened.

You stood up. Wobbled. Squinted across the bar. Your eyes locked on a man who looked like a shaved walrus wearing sunglasses indoors and a purple feather boa.

“Oh hellooo~,” you called out, stumbling your way over. “That boa is everything. You look like a sexy coat rack.”

“(Y/N), no—” Nami bolted up.

Zoro caught your shoulder just as you were reaching out to stroke the stranger’s collar. “Back. To. The. Table,” he growled.

“But he looks like—like if a disco ball and a mafia boss had a baby! I wanna kiss his brain.”

“You’re cut off,” Zoro said, dragging you backward.

“Nooo, lemme flirt with the birdman!” you whined, pointing at a completely unrelated bald man with a mustache.

Robin chuckled behind a wine glass. “I don’t know whether to be worried or entertained.”

Back at the table, you flopped down again, this time directly onto Sanji’s lap.

“You’re always so nice to me,” you purred. “Wanna get married?”

Sanji turned to stone.

Chopper ran in circles, screaming, “They’re too far gone!”

You hiccupped, blinked blearily, then grinned at Luffy. “You got really pretty eyes, Cap’n.”

“Thanks!” Luffy beamed. “Wanna share meat?”

“I wanna share my heart.”

The entire crew screamed.

You had switched laps again.

Currently perched across Luffy’s thighs like you were sunbathing on a hammock, you were cupping his face in both hands and squinting at him like he held all the secrets of the universe.

“You ever notice… you got eyelashes like a princess?” you murmured, voice deadly serious. “You’re like, royalty. Pirate royalty. The One Piece is your vibe.”

Luffy blinked. “I dunno what that means but it sounds awesome.”

“Wanna be my prince?”

“I’m already the Pirate King.”

You squealed. “EVEN BETTER.”

Nami yanked you up by your collar. “Alright, Casanova, that’s enough.”

You flopped into her like dead weight, wrapping your arms around her shoulders and nuzzling into her neck. “But I like you guys. You're all sooo hot. Why is our crew so hot? It’s unfair.”

“Stop touching me,” Nami hissed, trying to pry your face off her collarbone. “Stop whispering compliments. STOP BEING CHARMING.”

Zoro crossed his arms, clearly considering whether it’d be morally wrong to just throw you into a barrel of cold water. “They’re like a heat-seeking flirt missile.”

“DO NOT LET THEM WANDER AGAIN,” Sanji snapped, looking like he’d aged 10 years in 10 minutes.

Unfortunately, you had already spotted your next victim.

A scruffy man with one eye and a face tattoo had just walked past. He looked like he’d eaten nails for breakfast and washed them down with lava. Naturally, this meant one thing:

You loved him.

“Hey,” you cooed, slinking off the table and trotting after the man. “You look like you’ve committed at least four crimes, and I respect that.”

“Don’t,” Zoro warned. “Don’t engage.”

“You have ‘mysterious backstory’ energy,” you said dreamily, walking a perfect drunk zigzag. “Like a villain with a redemption arc. Wanna kiss?”

Robin actually snorted. “They’re going to get stabbed.”

The guy blinked at you, completely caught off guard. “Are you talking to me?”

“Yeah,” you purred. “You got haunted eyes. Like you’ve seen things. Wanna trauma bond?”

Zoro moved so fast it was like a jump cut. He grabbed you under one arm and hauled you backward like a sack of flour. “That’s it. We’re done here.”

“I WAS IN LOVE WITH HIM,” you screamed dramatically.

“You’ve been in love with everyone in this bar,” Nami said, pinching the bridge of her nose.

You were now fighting Zoro’s grip like a very drunk and very weak octopus. “Let me flirt!! My charm is a gift! A gift to the world!!”

“You’re trying to flirt with a wall, you idiot!” Sanji barked, pointing to where you’d been gazing with starry eyes at a coatrack.

“…She’s hot,” you whispered.

“No she’s not,” said Franky, looking genuinely offended. “That’s wood.”

You thrashed again in Zoro’s arms. “I REGRET NOTHING—”

“Can we please knock them out?” Nami asked.

“We’re not knocking them out,” Chopper protested. “They just need water and maybe, like, fifty hours of sleep.”

Suddenly you stilled in Zoro’s grip, blinking wide-eyed and innocent. “Wait. Waitwaitwait.”

Everyone paused.

You slowly turned your head, looking around the group with slow drunken realization. “You’re all trying to stop me…”

“Yes,” Robin confirmed.

“…Which means you’re in the way of true love.”

“Oh no,” Usopp muttered.

Your face hardened with conviction—well, as hard as a flushed, drooling, overly flirtatious expression could get. You pointed one trembling finger at the crew and announced:

“Fine. If I can’t flirt with strangers, I’ll flirt with ALL OF YOU.”

The Straw Hats collectively screamed.

Zoro was still holding you like a sack of potatoes under one arm, but now you were writhing with renewed purpose. “LET ME LOVE YOU!”

“NO,” Zoro grunted, trying to pin you back down into a chair. You tried to kiss his bicep on the way down.

“Let me whisper sweet nothings to your scars,” you mumbled.

“You do that sober,” Zoro muttered. “Now it’s just weird.”

As soon as you were on your feet again, you made a break for it—arms outstretched, like you were chasing your dreams. “NAMI, MARRY ME!”

Nami dodged you with the grace of a cat, letting you stumble straight past and slam gently into a barstool. “No.”

“You don’t even know why you’re saying no,” you slurred dramatically, clinging to the bar. “I’d be a great partner. I’m sexy. I’m loyal. I only cry a little in the mornings.”

“You cried on a sandwich yesterday,” she pointed out.

You turned your attention, dazed and deadly, toward Usopp.

“You,” you breathed, staggering toward him. “You got, like… long fingers. For holding my heart.”

Usopp yelped and ducked behind Chopper. “They’re gonna say something weird, I can feel it!”

Chopper, who had made the dire mistake of thinking he might be safe, started backing up immediately.

“No no no no—” he panicked, tiny arms out.

“Chopper,” you said sweetly. “You’re the cutest crew member. If I were your size I’d marry you on the spot.”

Chopper turned bright red and made a panicked whimpering noise before running under a table.

Robin was watching like she was enjoying a soap opera. "What about me?" she asked, sipping her drink.

You locked eyes with her, blinking in awe. “You're—You're like… if a library was also a goddess.”

“Mm,” she smiled. “I’ll allow it.”

Franky was next.

You turned slowly toward him, almost reverently. “FRANKY…”

“Don’t do it,” he said.

“You’re SUPER… and I’m… SUPER into you.”

“NOOOO,” Franky said, dramatically flinging his sunglasses across the room. “That was TERRIBLE.”

You were still stumbling forward, tripping over your own feet, when you landed in front of Brook.

You paused. Blinked. Tilted your head.

“…Are you single?”

Brook blinked his empty eye sockets. “I am. Though I do not have a heart to give, yohoho—”

“Perfect,” you whispered. “I’ll give you mine.”

“May I see your panties?”

“BROOK—” the whole crew yelled.

Brook held up his hands. “It was worth a try!”

You collapsed into a seat, breathless, flushed, and proud. “I’ve flirted with everyone. I am invincible. I am an agent of love. The Cupid of Chaos.”

“You’re a problem,” Nami muttered, arms crossed.

“I’m a lover, not a problem,” you corrected, leaning backward with a dreamy sigh.

Then your eyes drifted… again.

Toward the bouncer.

A 7-foot-tall man with one eyebrow, a missing tooth, and a tattoo of a chicken on his neck.

Your eyes widened. Your heart soared.

The Straw Hats collectively noticed the direction of your gaze.

Zoro: “No.”

Nami: “NO.”

Luffy: “Are we fighting again?”

You stood.

They lunged.

Too late.

You stumbled across the room, finger pointed. “YOU! Do you—do you wanna buy a boat together and maybe get a dog? I think you look like someone who likes waffles.”

The bouncer blinked, looked at the crew, and said, “Is this one of yours?”

Nami grabbed you by the shirt collar and yanked you back like a leash. “Yes, and I’m about to duct tape them to the wall.”

You were drooping now—tired, half-asleep, but still grinning. “I love you guys,” you mumbled as Zoro slung your limp body over his shoulder again.

“No more alcohol,” Chopper huffed.

“I’m gonna write you all love letters,” you mumbled into Zoro’s back. “I’m gonna kiss your souls.”

“You try kissing my soul, I’m throwing you into the ocean,” Zoro said.

You just giggled.

You were being carried like a sack of drunken potatoes over Zoro’s shoulder, your arms dangling behind his back and your face smushed against his toned side. The cool night air hit your flushed cheeks, but you barely noticed.

Too distracted. Too mesmerized.

“Mmh,” you hummed, your cheek smearing against Zoro’s back. “You smell like… steel… and bad decisions.”

“Yeah, well, carrying you was definitely one of them,” he muttered, clearly regretting everything.

You giggled. “You’re so grumpy. So strong. So muscly.” You flopped a little, wrapping both arms loosely around his waist like a clingy backpack. “Seriously, your back feels like it’s made of mountains. Big, angry, sword-shaped mountains.”

“Stop talking.”

“No,” you slurred with a pleased sigh. “Your traps could crush my problems. Your lats could carry me into the sunset. Do you even know what you’re working with back here?”

Zoro growled under his breath.

You lifted your head slightly, eyes droopy and glittering, and looked forward.

Eyes met with the person walking just ahead of Zoro.

Sanjiiiiii.

He was glaring over his shoulder at you with twitching lips and a bright red face. “Stop staring.”

“I’m not staring,” you whispered. “I’m admiring.”

“You’re drooling.”

“I always drool when I see art,” you said with the utmost sincerity. Then you raised your hands, still limp over Zoro’s back, and made slow, wobbly grabby hands toward Sanji’s head. “Let me touch your face. Your golden hair. Your perfect jawline.”

“Get your grubby hands away from me!” he snapped, turning a deeper shade of red. “Control your drunk crewmate, Mosshead!”

“She’s your problem now,” Zoro muttered.

“But she’s on your shoulder!”

“She’s trying to fondle you, cook-for-brains.”

“I have enough willpower to fight off the temptation,” you said dreamily. “But do you, Sanji?”

Sanji almost tripped.

Behind you, Nami muttered, “I hate this. I hate all of this.”

Robin was laughing quietly to herself.

You shifted again, getting comfortable. Your face turned slightly, resting against Zoro’s back muscles like a very smug drunk scarf.

And then.

It hit you.

The idea. The moment. The genius.

You wiggled your fingers.

Zoro, sensing movement, started, “What are you—”

SLAP SLAP.

DOUBLE HANDED BUTT ATTACK.

And not just a slap. Oh no. You gave it the full grab-n-squeeze treatment. A grope that would go down in history.

Zoro stopped.

The entire crew stopped.

Sanji froze mid-step. Usopp audibly gasped. Chopper dropped his medical bag. Franky shouted “YO???” and Robin spit out her wine.

You blinked lazily, still gripping Zoro’s very firm, very real ass like it was the softest pillow in the world. “Mmh. Peachy.”

Zoro slowly turned his head, his eye twitching, jaw locked.

“You did not just do that.”

“…I did,” you said proudly. “And I’ll do it again.”

Sanji exploded into flame.

“UNHAND HER, MOSSHEAD! YOU DON’T DESERVE THIS HONOR!!”

“I didn’t ask for it!!” Zoro barked, finally tossing you off his shoulder like a cursed relic.

You hit the sand with a soft oof, then immediately sprawled starfish-style on your back, laughing to yourself. “No regrets…”

“You should have all the regrets,” Nami said.

Zoro stared at you like he was considering whether jail time was worth it. “I should throw you in the sea.”

“I’d flirt with the fish,” you sighed, eyes fluttering shut.

—---

You woke up with your mouth dry, your skull vibrating, and the distinct feeling that you’d either embarrassed yourself horribly… or joined a traveling circus. Maybe both.

You groaned, squinting against the morning sun filtering into the Thousand Sunny’s infirmary.

“I’m never drinking again,” you mumbled to no one in particular.

Chopper popped up beside you like an angry nurse squirrel. “YOU BETTER NOT.”

You winced. “Okay, ow. Indoor voice, please?”

Chopper crossed his little arms. “You got so drunk last night you tried to flirt with a guy who had a tattoo of a chicken on his face.”

“...Hot,” you whispered, then paused. “Wait. What?”

Nami appeared in the doorway with a glare sharp enough to cut diamonds. “You tried to marry me.”

You flinched. “Okay, that’s not so bad.”

Robin followed, absolutely delighted. “You also complimented my brain and told me I had ‘witchy librarian hotness.’”

“…Still not bad, I stand by it.”

Sanji stormed in dramatically, arms flailing. “You called me a golden god of soup and sin!”

You gave a thumbs up from the pillow. “Sounds accurate.”

“You made grabby hands at me.”

“Can you blame me?”

Zoro leaned in the doorway, arms crossed, face unreadable.

You stared at him.

He stared at you.

You both remembered The Incident.

“…I would like to formally apologize,” you croaked.

Zoro didn’t say anything.

He slowly, silently stepped forward, leaned in close…

And poked you in the forehead.

Hard.

“Never. Again.”

“Duly noted.”

Usopp leaned in. “You also tried to seduce Brook.”

“I have no memory of that.”

“You told Franky you were ‘super into him.’”

“…I’m starting to black out again.”

Robin handed you a cup of water and smiled with way too much amusement. “And don’t forget your greatest crime of all…”

You blinked. “…What?”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a scribbled love letter, covered in drunken hearts and smudged doodles. Your handwriting was barely legible.

“To: The Coat Rack at the Bar,” Robin read aloud. “You… complete me.”

You curled into a ball and screamed into your blanket. “I REGRET EVERYTHING.”

The entire crew erupted into laughter—Nami doubled over, Usopp wheezing, Sanji smirked, blowing smoke out with a laugh and Chopper trying to hide his snort. Even Zoro’s mouth twitched.

“Don’t worry,” Luffy said, plopping onto the floor next to you. “You’re still our crewmate. Just, y’know… maybe less flirting next time.”

“I can’t promise that,” you groaned.

Sanji huffed. “Then I’m not drinking with you ever again.”

“Good,” Zoro muttered. “I’m not letting you near my ass again either.”

Everyone cackled.

You slowly peeked out from under the blanket, eyes narrowed. “So… we’re good?”

Nami smirked. “We’ll let you live. This time.”

Robin raised her glass of tea. “To drunk disasters.”

You clinked your water cup weakly against hers. “To embarrassing myself in front of the only people I care about.”

“Now that’s the pirate spirit,” Luffy cheered.

And just like that, the chaos faded into laughter, jokes, and the start of a new day at sea—with only a little lingering tension anytime you stood too close to Zoro.

Or made grabby hands at Sanji.

Or winked at Brook.

Or even glanced at a coat rack.

[ricefamine]

HI EVERYONE!! MY POLL HAS CLOSED AND ITS TIME FOR ME TO WRITE FOR LUFFY HEHE!! Honestly it's hard for me to write long stories so I tried my best lol

Luffy x fem!reader (established relationship)

Summary: you and the crew go to a small island called "jewel Island" full of shores of jewelry!

Fluff! Ooc!luffy

The thousand sunny was approaching a big.. and somehow sparkly island? Everyone looked shocked and amazed. This wasn't just some regular island, the shores were filled with jewels and jewelry! Nami was absolutely in shock, not only could she sell this jewelry for berries she could also have boat loads of treasure!! As the sunny came to a halt to the dock of this island there was a lot of clinking noises.

Nami ran straight to the dock and immediately started collecting jewel after jewel while the others were just staring in amazement. Franky collected some pretty flashy bracelets, while sanji was collecting rings to propose to random women with..? Jinbei was going underwater to collect some stray jewels and Zoro, ussop, chopper and brook just mainly stared after a little chopper and usopp went to collect as much jewels as they could! It was basically heaven!

But that usually doesn't last long does it, welp it was good for now! The locals of the island didn't really seem to care about pirates all to much so they were good! You and luffy were also taking some jewels and jewelry but instead of taking them into bags like the others, luffy was just trying to find something of some sort. You blew it off your boyfriend is just like that anyways! But you became a little suspicious when you realized he was just searching for rings and nothing else but again you blew it off as usual.

"HEY GUYS!" Nami yelled "I NEED ANOTHER BAG COULD SOMEONE THROW ONE OVER HERE!" you went back on the ship to put away your bag and went to go give Nami a new bag.

"Hey nami, how many bags you got so far?" You asked curiously.

"I got about, let me think.. I'm pretty sure I have 12 bags!" She said excitedly.

"Thats a lot! I only have 2 bags."

"How much does luffy have? He must have a lot!" Nami said happily.

"He actually has no bags like at all, and have no idea why! He's just been trying to find something for ages now and the funny thing is he keeps looking at rings! I mean sanji is too but he's just picking every ring he sees! It isn't bad but I still wanna know why he's just picking rings.."

"I mean can't you just ask? You're his girlfriend after all, he basically tells you everything about himself."

"I'll go ask then, I'll tell you ehat he says when I'm back, alright?"

Nami nods and you go back to luffy who's still searching for something.

"Hey lu, whatcha searching for?" You asked curiously

"It's a secret!! I can't tell you but I'll tell you later okay?!!!"

You nod and go back to nami telling her what happened, she did find it odd that he wasn't telling you but at least he said he would tell you later right?

After all the collecting everyone went back on the ship to see their winnings!

Usopp had 11 bags

Franky had 14 bags

Chopper had 6 bags

Jinbei had 23 bags

Brook had 17 bags

Nami had a whopping 28 bags!

Sanji had 4 bags

Zoro had 6 bags

You had 7 bags

And finally luffy had.. no bag! He just had a little box. Odd he would usually get bucket loads of this stuff!

It was the after noon, nami was helping sanji cook dinner and you were setting up the table with Robin. Luffy was tiptoeing to your bedroom, he was pretty bad at it so you caught him before he could even go in.

"Lu why are you going into my room? And what's with that little box?"

"I said it's a secretttt, I'll tell you later okay!"

"Alright luffy.." as you say that luffy gives you a big smooch on your cheek and goes to the kitchen! (He's pestering sanji for extra food.)

After dinner everyone went to their cabins, you and luffy share one as of a few weeks ago but it's pretty nice!

"Hey (name).. I'm gonna tell you the secret now!" He said excitedly.

"Uh huh let me hear it lu." You waited for him to show you or tell you.

Luffy pulls out that small box again and opens it, it was a beautiful shimmering ring and it was your favorite color!

"Luffy?! There's no way this is for me I can't accept this!" You said shocked, but wait.. IS THIS MAN ABOUT TO PROPOSE?!

"(Full name) will you marry me! And become pirate queen when I become pirate king!"

"Oh luffy.. I WILL! I WILL MARRY YOU!" you said with tears in your eyes you hugged and kissed his face excitedly!

After a while of you celebrating with giving him kisses and loving you both fell asleep in each other arms as the ring he got for you was shimmering on your ring finger.

────୨ৎ────

Hihi! This might not be very long ngl😭 but in the future I'll try my best to write even more!! I'm currently at episode 522 of one piece! I'll be writing for law soon guys!!

@sillyeonn

[mishelkie-art]

These were supposed to be done and posted by the end of May for MerMay, but the last drawing (Jinbei) ended up taking longer than expected. I actually started these in May of 2023, inspired by the mermaid designs in the live action Little Mermaid. I didn't want to post anything until at least all ten of the Strawhats were done, as I tend to pick and drop projects depending on my motivation, and I kinda got paranoid about potentially keeping people waiting for the next drawing 😅 Most of these are also the second time drawing the Strawhats as merfolk, and I'd like to post those as well for comparison. As for what kinds of animals they are:

Luffy - Mako shark

Zoro- Tiger shark

Nami - Goldfish/barracuda hybrid

Usopp - Sailfish

Sanji - Betta fish

Chopper - Leafy sea dragon

Robin - Zebra shark

Franky - Humpback whale

Brook - Chimera/ghost shark

Jinbei - Whale shark (obvs)

Vivi - Nile perch

I think these choices fit the characters for the most part, for Luffy through Brook, most of them were the same as the first time I drew them as merfolk. The ones I changed were Nami, Franky, and Brook. For Nami, I thought goldfish suited her well for name and colors, but then I read somewhere that barracuda liked shiny things, and I decided to include that as well, making her a hybrid of the two. Franky was originally a lionfish as a nod to Sunny, but I wanted to diversify the designs more and show that not all merfolk are part fish, but can be part aquatic mammal as well.

Brook was originally a random fish I don't remember, maybe a pike? But I'd seen a video about chimera and heard that they're also called "ghost sharks" and like, I couldn't think of anything more fitting 😆 For Robin, I think an octopus would've been more fitting overall, but these designs originated from a specific AU I had in mind, which is why she's a shark instead. Jinbei was obviously going to stay a whale shark, but I still had to redesign him so he'd fit with the others, and overall, I feel he may be the weakest of the designs as he was the last one I did and I was rushing to have them all done 😓

With Vivi, I did like her original design, but I felt that for a character who comes from a country inspired by Egypt, it didn't really come across in her design. I made some slight changes that could hopefully convey it more, but also differentiate her face more from Nami's.

I think overall, the designs I'm most happy with are Zoro, Nami, and Chopper. With Chopper I had this vision of fins shaped like sakura flowers and tree branches and I adore how he came out 😍🥰❤ But overall I am happy with how everyone looks, but I think improvements can be made. I'll make a separate post that shows the difference between my original designs and the new ones and include it in an edit.

Edit: 2017 vs 2024