Chapter 3
They depart from the Gecko Islands with their new sharpshooter and a brand new ship, fully stocked for any needs they may have.
Luffy finds her way to the figurehead, perching herself on top of it, claiming it as her. She sighs contentedly, leaning back slightly. “Hey, Nami.” She calls out, her voice echoing in the quietness before they set sail.
Nami approaches, her eyes glued to the horizon. She’s never been this far out to sea before. It’s a strange, exhilarating feeling, one that she’s not quite sure she’s ready for. “Yeah?” She replies, her voice a bit shaky.
“You know.” Luffy begins, peering up at Nami with one eye. “You’re pretty good at navigating, you should join my crew.”
Nami’s eyes widen in surprise. She turns to look at the grinning teenager, her heart racing. “Your crew?” She echoes, not quite believing what she’s hearing.
“Yeah, my crew. I like you, you’re a good person, you’re good at navigating, and you’re not like other girls I know, you’re...tough, and that’s what I need if we’re gonna conquer the Grand Line and become the Pirate Queen!” Luffy exclaims, her enthusiasm as boundless as the ocean ahead of them. She waves her straw hat in the air, the wind whipping her jet black hair around her face.
Nami’s heart skips a beat. The idea of joining a pirate crew is ludicrous, and yet...there’s something about Luffy that makes it sound like the most natural thing in the world. Her carefree attitude and unshakable belief in herself is infectious. Plus, the thought of seeing the world beyond the confines of her village and the tyranny of Arlong is incredibly tempting.
But she also know if she doesn’t return to Arlong, Arlong will kill all of the villagers in a fit of rage. She’s torn, her hand trembling slightly as she grips the railing. “I... I don’t know, Luffy. I have responsibilities back home,” she says, her voice wavering.
Luffy waved her at Nami, tapping her on the nose with it. “It’s okay, take your time.”
The group settles into their roles on the ship, Luffy’s enthusiasm spreading like wildfire. Ace and Sabo are like shadows, following her every move. Zoro watches from a distance, his eyes lingering on Luffy with a mix of admiration and something else he can’t quite put his finger on. Nami’s mind is racing, weighing the risks and the rewards. She thinks of the villagers, while Usopp paints their jolly Roger on their sail with pride.
Luffy lanes back on the figure head, her arms behind her head, her strawhat hiding her eyes from the blaring sun above. She looks over to the side, catching Zoro’s eye. Luffy raises an eyebrow, mouthing the word. “What’s up, boner boy?”
Zoro flinches, his cheeks flushing a dark red. “N-Nothing, Captain!” He stammers, quickly looking away from her.
“Cute.” Luffy snickered, noticing Zoro’s flustered state. She sat up, her shirt riding up slightly to reveal her toned stomach. “So, where’s the nearest island we can hit for some grub?” she asked, breaking the tension.
Nami stepped forward, her eyes narrowed in thought. “We could head to Orange Town. It’s got a decent market and we can stock up on supplies without drawing too much attention.”
Luffy nodded, her teeth glinting as she grinned. “Sounds like a plan, Nami. But remember, we’re not just grocery shopping. We’re looking for adventure!”
The Going Merry sliced through the waves, propelled by the wind and the excitement of the crew.
———————
And that’s how Luffy ended up with a hybrid Mink-Human in her arms.
Luffy and the rest of her crew had runoff in different directions once they got to Orange Town, and Luffy had just been wandering around and because of a series of events now she was holding this tiny, tiny, tiny hybrid Mink-Human at arms link. The both of them just kind of blinked at each other for a moment, the little creature's fur fluffing in the gentle breeze. It looked up at her with these golden brown eyes that sparkled like the sun and a tail that was wagging like a puppy.
“Well, hello?” Luffy said, sounding genuinely confused. She pauses for a second, walking down to the dog tag, (cause yeah this poor kid is wearing a damn dog with a dog tag) that says Monroe. “Monroe? Well, that’s a pretty name.” She says with a smile. “Say, what’s a little guy like you doing all alone here?”
The little Mink-Human, Monroe, cocks his head to the side, looking at her curiously before letting out a small, almost human-like giggle. It was like he understood what she was saying.
Luffy the a deep breath, looking around before awkward holding Monroe on her hip. “Well, why don’t we go over… somewhere and say someone where your mommy or daddy is?” She said, her tone gentle, trying to keep the situation calm as she started to walk down the street. She didn’t want to scare the little Mink-Human.
The streets of Orange Town were bustling with activity, the vibrant colors of the buildings and the smells of freshly cooked food wafting through the air. The little one clung to her side, his tail swishing side to side as people passed by, giving them curious glances.
Luffy stops at a small tavern, walking in and instantly going to the counter. Getting the bartenders attention she says, "Hey! Do you know who’s kid this is? I found him wandering down the street all alone.” She holds up Monroe for the bartender to see.
The bartender, a burly man with a thick mustache, looks down at Monroe and then back at Luffy. “Ah, Monroe, nah, he ain’t got no family. He’s a Street rat, 3-years-old, mostly keeps to himself. Poor little fella’s got the heart of a pirate, though. Can’t keep him away from adventure stories for too long.”
Luffy’s eyes softened. “Well, he’s got a family now, if he wants one. What do you say, little buddy?”
Monroe looked up at her, his tail wagging more enthusiastically, and let out another giggle. It was clear he didn’t understand the words but sensed the warmth in her voice.
“Well, thanks for the help, mister.” Luffy says to the bartender with a smile before turning to leave the tavern, Monroe still in her arms. She couldn’t just leave him here. As she walks back through the bustling streets, her mind races with possibilities.
“Well, i’m a mommy.” Luffy thanks to herself, and then instantly another thought her. “Oh shit! Oh fuck! I’m turning into my damn grandpops adopting street rats now!” She sighs, knowing that she couldn’t leave the little guy behind.
“Well, hell, little man. Looks like you’re sticking around with me and my crew.” Luffy said to Monroe, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “You can be our ship’s mascot if you want!”
Monroe’s tail wagged even faster, and he leaned his head into Luffy’s neck, a little nod of agreement. Luffy couldn’t help but laugh, feeling a new sense of responsibility and joy. She knew that with every new member she picked up, the stakes grew higher, but she couldn’t resist the little Mink’s charm.
As they walked through the street Luffy’s mind wandered. Well, if she was a damn parent now, she would have to get kids stuff? child stuff? toddler stuff? She had no fucking clue what a 3-year-old needed, but she knew she had to get something for him. Maybe some toys? No, she’s going to need more than that. He’ll need food, clothes, a bed, all that shit.
“Ohhhhhh! Where’s grandpops ship you could steal from when you need it!” Luffy thought to herself, her mind racing with the excitement of their newfound family member. She knew that taking care of a child, especially one that was part Mink, was going to be a wild ride. “Well, Monroe, let’s go shopping.” She said with a grin.
They walked down the cobblestone street, the sun beating down on them as they approached a small, cluttered store that had everything from toys to clothes to snacks. Luffy pushed the creaky door open and stepped inside, the bell chiming as they entered. The shopkeeper, a plump woman with a warm smile, looked up from her sewing.
"Welcome to Melly's Market!" she called out. "What can I do for ya today?"
Luffy looked around, taking in the array of goods. "We're looking for some stuff for a little one, actually," she said, pointing to Monroe. "What have you got in the way of clothes and toys for a 3-year-old? Well, a very very very tiny 3-year-old?”
Melly's eyes lit up at the sight of Monroe. "Ah, what a peculiar little fellow! Let's see what I can find for you, dear." She waddled over to a shelf at the back of the store, rummaging through a couple piles of clothes before pulling out a tiny pair of striped overalls and a little shirt that had an image of a smiling banana on it. "Let’s see if these are his size and if they fit, we know what we’re looking for.”
Luffy chuckled as she took the clothes from Melly, setting Monroe down on the counter. The little Mink looked up at her with excitement, his tail thumping against the wooden countertop. She carefully slid the overalls over his legs and pulled the shirt over his head. To her surprise, the clothes fit him perfectly.
"Well, look at you, all dressed up like a little pirate!" Luffy said, ruffling his fur. Monroe looked down at himself, then back at Luffy, letting out a yip.
Melly couldn’t help but chuckle. "He's absolutely adorable!”
————————
“Well, that was eventful, huh?” Luffy said to Monroe after their little shopping extravaganza. Luffy had really just bought anything and everything she thought she would need for a 3-year-old Mink-Human, including a tiny pirate hat to match the rest of their crew's attire. The little guy looked up at her with wide eyes, holding onto a wooden toy ship that she had bought for him. It was a simple thing, but it had made his eyes light up like stars.
“New, why don’t we go find everyone else, huh? I’ve been gone for quite a while, they’re probably worried about me by now.” Luffy said, swinging Monroe onto her shoulders and making her way out of the store. She knew she had to break the news to her brothers and newfound crew members about their new addition. She wondered how they would react, especially Ace, who was always complaining about her bringing home random strays. Well, he really couldn’t complain about this one cause it was technically a kid.
As they approached the Going Merry, the gang looked up from their various tasks to see Luffy approaching with a grin that was wider than the Grand Line itself. Zoro looked up from his sword maintenance and squinted, noticing the small figure on her shoulders.
"Luffy, what the hell do you have there?" he called out, setting his sword down and walking over to them.
“I’m a mommy now.” Luffy announced proudly as she stepped onto the Going Merry, Monroe still on her shoulders, holding onto her neck tightly. Her brothers looked up from their respective activities, both bewildered by the sudden addition to their family.
“What the actual fuck, Luffy?” Ace exclaimed, his eyes going wide at the sight of the tiny Mink-Human. “Did you steal someone’s kid?!” He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, but the way Monroe was clinging to Luffy made it clear she had taken a liking to the pirate girl.
“What!? No, I did not steal someone’s kid!” Luffy protested, her voice a mix of amusement and exasperation. “Monroe’s all by his lonesome. Found him wandering around Orange Town, and we can’t just leave him here, can we? AH! Don’t answer that!” She waggled her finger at him. “You don’t have a say in this, he’s staying.”
Sabo looked up from where he was sitting, munching on a banana. He had always been more laid back than Ace. “Well, if she says so, then he’s family.” He took another bite, seemingly unbothered by the sudden turn of events.
“Jesus Chris!” Ace groaned in exasperation, waving his hand around. “ First, we gotta deal with Mr. I get boners when I watch Luffy beat someone Roronoa Zoro, and now we’ve got a kid?!”
“HEY!” Zoro exclaimed, his face flushing at Ace’s words ‘Mr. I get boners when I watch Luffy beat someone Roronoa Zoro’. “Can we please stop bringing that up?” He was already feeling the heat from his attraction to Luffy and didn’t need his thoughts echoed so loudly.
Nami, who had been quietly watching the exchange, stepped in. “So, what’s his name, then?” She asked, trying to keep the peace and direct the conversation away from Zoro’s blush.
“Monroe!” Luffy announced proudly, as if she had just found the last piece of the One Piece puzzle. She plopped him down onto the deck of the Going Merry, and the little Mink looked around with wide eyes, taking in the new surroundings. The wooden planks creaked under his tiny feet, and the salty breeze whipped through his fur, making him shiver slightly.
Usopp stepped forward, her hands on her hips as she sized up the new member of the crew. “Well, he’s definitely got the look for it. Welcome aboard, Monroe!” She bent down and held out a hand, which Monroe took with a gentle shake, his sharp teeth peeking through his grin.
“Thanks, Usopp!” Luffy beamed, watching as Monroe took a tentative step towards the group. He looked so small. “… is he supposed to be this small? I mean, the town folks said he was 3-years-old?” Luffy whispered to Nami, who had come to stand beside her, watching the interaction with a slight smirk.
Nami shrugged, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I don’t know, but he sure is cute. And it’s not like we can’t handle one more mouth to feed.”
With that, the tension eased, and the crew began to gather around Monroe, introducing themselves. The little Mink-Human took it all in, his tail wagging like a puppy’s as he sniffed and studied each face. It was clear he was a bit shy, but Luffy’s confidence and the welcoming environment helped him to open up.
“So, Ace, Sabo. What do you think mama would do if I just sent her a letter that said you’re a grandma now?” Luffy asked, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she watched her brothers' reactions.
Ace looked like he was about to have a heart attack, his freckles standing out even more on his face. “Luffy, don’t you dare!”
Sabo, on the other hand, couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, that would be one hell of a surprise, wouldn’t it?”
“Come on, what’s the worst she could do? show up unannounced on our ship?” Luffy said with a laugh, watching as Ace’s expression grew more panicked by the second.
“You wouldn’t!” Ace exclaimed, his voice rising an octave. “Mama would have a fit!
Luffy rolled her eyes, popping down on the deck of the going Merry beside Monroe. “Fine, fine.” She waved her hand in the air, “but we are going to have to tell her eventually.”
“Yeah, but maybe after we’ve got him a bit more...piratey?” Ace suggested, scratching the back of his neck.
Sabo just nodded, a smirk playing on his lips. “Sounds like a plan. Besides, he’ll have to learn the ropes eventually.”
“Hey, you know since we’re at Orange twon. Why don’t we go see some old friends?” Luffy suggest, looking over to her brothers. “I was wandering around the town and I heard something about the Buggy Pirates performing tonight.”
Ace’s eyes lit up with excitement, “Really? Can we go, Luffy? I’m always down to watch a good show!”
“Buggy?” Usopp echoed, her curiosity piqued. She had heard tales of the infamous pirate since she was young, her father often speaking of the Star Clown with a mix of admiration and fondness. “What’s so special about the Buggy Pirates?”
“Their pirate crew of performers!” Luffy exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. “They’re like a circus on the high seas. I bet you’ve never seen anything like it!”
Usopp's curiosity grew, and she couldn't resist the urge to learn more. “But isn’t Buggy... I mean, she’s not exactly the most fearsome pirate around, right?”
Luffy waved off Usopp’s worries. “ Yeah, she’s a bitch, but it’s not… she’s not a mean bitch, she’s a sarcastic and sassy bitch.” She grinned as Monroe climbs into her. “Plus, she’s got a son who’s part of her crew. He’s pretty cool. His name’s Dagger. You’ll like him, I promise!”
“Dagger, huh?” Zoro raises an eye brown, leaning against the ship’s rail. “That’s… quite a name.”
“He’s got quite a bit of spirit, too,” Luffy said proudly, ruffling Monroe’s fluffy fur. “His mom is a riot. You’ll love her, I promise.”
The group chuckled at the thought of meeting the infamous clown pirate and her equally colorful son. As the sun began to set, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, they made their way into Orange Town. The bustling streets were filled with the smells of fresh fish and spicy meat wafting from the nearby food stalls, and the distant sound of laughter and music grew louder as they approached the venue where the Buggy Pirates would be performing.
The crew of the Strawhat pirates, + Nami, join the eager throngs of townspeople lining up to board the ship and see the show, waiting to pay admission. Luffy peers around excitedly at all of the carnies on the docks, busy keeping the people in line entertained. Monroe sits atop Luffy’s shoulders, his tail swishing back and forth in excitement. As they get closer to the ship, the music grows louder, a mix of instruments playing a catchy tune that seemed to beckon them onward. The ship itself was decked out in lights and streamers, looking more like a floating festival than a vessel of piracy.
Luffy’s excitement grows as she hops in place from foot to foot, holding onto Monroe’s legs so he doesn’t fall off of her shoulders. She looks around, her eyes landing on a guy juggling knives, and she misses the crowd’s reaction to a lion marching through, his tamer sitting astride his back.
“Luffy!” Zoro, Nami, and Usopp shouted in unison as the lion gets dangerously close to her and Monroe.
“Huh?” Luffy snapped out of her trance, looking down at her crew mates. “What’s up?” She shivers slightly when she feels hot breath on her skin, accompanied by the sound of a lion growling in her ear. Her head snapped around to. “Boy!” She warns, pointing a finger at the lion. Both lion and tamer give her shocked looks until the tamer leans slightly, squinting. “Luffy?” Mohji, the lion tamer, called out in surprise.
Luffy stops pointing at the lion, Richie, and points at Mohji. “MOHJI! Where’s my man?!” She calls out, referring to Dagger.
Mohji laughs, a boisterous sound that makes the lion jump back. “Luffy, you’re looking for Dagger? He’s probably already inside in the back, getting all dolled up.” He says, sliding off Richie’s back and walking over to them, the lion obediently following. “What brings you to our little show?”
Luffy grins, swinging Monroe down from her shoulders. “We’re just here to check it out! But, look, I have a son!” She hold Monroe up to Mohji by the armpits, Monroe’s feet dangling limply, as his tail wags like he’s trying to start a tornado.
Mohji’s eyes go wide, and he laughs even harder. “Well, ain’t he a cutie? I’ve gotta hand it to you, Luffy. You’ve got quite the knack for collecting strays. But, if you’re looking for Dagger, you should probably get inside. The show’s about to start!”
Luffy nods, holding Monroe to her chest like as if he was a stuffed animal. She turns on her heels and starts running towards the tent, calling over her shoulder. “I’ll introduce all of you to my crew after the show!” She says, disappearing into the vibrant fabric of the tent, her crew, + Nami, following her closely behind.
The inside of the tent is a kaleidoscope of colors, lights, and the smell of popcorn. The seats are filled with townsfolk dressed in their Sunday best, whispering excitedly about the upcoming show. The stage is a flurry of activity as clowns and acrobats practice their routines.
Luffy ignores it all, sticking close to the wall of the tent as she curries to the back rooms, her crew and Nami in tow. She knows where Dagger’s dressing room is because she’s been to enough of these shows to know the layout. The Star Clown Pirates are famous for their flamboyant performances, and their set up is always the same.
“Dagger!” Luffy calls out once they get to the back, her voice echoing through the corridor. There’s a moment of silence before the sound of someone stumbling over something echoes back.
A door swings open, to reveal a shirtless muscular young man, Dagger. His torso and chest was bare, except for the smudges of white face paint that trailed down his collarbones, shoulders and chest. The white handprints and finger smudges that adorned his body looked like they were reaching for his heart, and gave him a wild untamed look. his face was completely covered in white face paint with intricate purple swirls. He’s wearing a pair of baggy, low rise, Sky blue pants with White clouds on them that were slung dangerously low, and healed platform boots. Dagger had dark tan skin, vibrant red hair, and equally as a vibrant blue eyes. On his right shoulder and back a swirling bright blue tattoo lay, a start contrast to the dark tan of his skin.
Dagger looks a mix of shock and excitement, until it melts into a smirk. “Luffy, Luffy, Luffy, Luffy.” He murmurs, slowly walking around Luffy like a shark eyeing its prey. His eyes wander to Monroe and then back to Luffy. “What’s this?” He asks, poking Monroe’s cheek with a finger, making the pup squeal and nip at him playfully.
“This is Monroe. He’s with us now,” Luffy says with a proud grin.
Dagger's eyes light up with curiosity, "A mink-human, eh? He's adorable! And feisty." He laughs as Monroe tries to bite his finger again as his hand goes ran up Luffy’s arm, up her shoulder, neck, until his hand cradles her face, "But not as feisty as you, Luffy." He says with a smoldering look in his eyes.
“HEY! NO!” Ace and Sabo shout in unison as they tackle Dagger, pulling him away from Luffy. Ace’s wavy black hair falls into his face as he glares up at the taller boy. “What do you think you’re doing, you perverted clown?”
“What? What? What?” Dagger laughs, putting his hands up in defense as Ace and Sabo pin him to the floor. “I was just saying hello!” He winks at Luffy, who rolls her eyes but can’t help but smirk.
Zoro’s eyes twitches at the way Dagger touched Luffy, his hand tightening around the handle of his sword. He didn’t like it, not one bit. But he knew Luffy could handle herself.
“Ace, Sabo, leave him alone, he was just flirting.” Luffy says, laughing as she pulls her brothers off Dagger. She offers a hand to help him up, which he takes with a dramatic flair, using the momentum to bounce back onto his feet.
Dagger dusts himself off with a grin. “It’s been ages, Luffy!” He says, going right back to flirting with Luffy, as he reaches up both hands this time to cup her face. “Oh, how I’ve missed you, my little pirate queen in the making!”
Luffy’s cheeks flush at his touch, but she doesn’t push him away. Instead, she laughs, her voice filled with warmth. “Dagger, you haven’t changed a bit.” She says, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Zoro watches the exchange with a mix of amusement and jealousy, his gaze never leaving Dagger’s hands on Luffy’s face. Nami, having picked up on the tension, decides to intervene. “Alright, break it up, you two!” She says. “We’re here for a show, not to start our own circus act!”
Dagger sighed dramatically, letting go of Luffy’s face with a flourish of his hands. “Fine, you’re no fun at all!” He grinned, his vibrant eyes shimmering with excitement. “But I promise you, the real show is just beginning!”
The group made their way back to the main tent, Luffy and Dagger chatting amicably while Ace and Sabo trailed behind, their arms folded over their chests, glaring at the back of Dagger’s head. Monroe, now comfortably sitting on Luffy’s shoulder, chattered away, his eyes wide with wonder at the sights and smells of the circus.
The performance began with a bang, literally. The Star Clown Pirates had a flair for the dramatic, and their opening act involved cannons firing confetti and glitter into the air. The audience ooh’d and aah’d, while the Strawhat Pirates and Nami found their seats, ready to enjoy the show.
Zoro sat down beside Luffy and Monroe, crossing his arms over his chest as he watch the show unfold. “… so, Lufffy. What’s your relationship with Dagger?” He asked, his eyes not leaving the stage where Dagger was now swinging from a trapeze.
Luffy looked away from the show and to Zoro, raising an eyebrow. She smirks and leans closer to him, her voice dropping to a whisper only Zoro could hear. “What’s it to you, boner boy, you getting jealous?” She teases, poking his side playfully.
Zoro’s face flushed scarlet, his eyes snapping to Luffy in surprise. “What? No, it’s just—he seems a bit too friendly, that’s all.” He stammers, trying to maintain his cool exterior.
Luffy shrugged, tossing a piece of popcorn in the air and catching it in her mouth. “He’s always been like that. He’s flirty, but he’s harmless… and well, me and Dagger are friends with benefits.” She winks at Zoro.
Zoro’s grip on the armrest tightened. He hadn’t expected that answer. The thought of Luffy with someone else stirred something in him, something he didn’t quite understand yet. He took a deep breath, trying to ignore the sudden heat in his cheeks.
The show went on with daring acrobatic feats, wild animals, and colorful costumes. Dagger was the star of the show, his flaming red hair and vibrant blue eyes drawing everyone's attention. He performed with an ease and confidence that was hard not to admire. Each act grew more intense, and the audience’s cheers grew louder.
————————
Luffy clapped along with everyone else who had watched the show when it ended, her cheeks rosy from the excitement. Dagger took his final bow, blowing a kiss to the crowd before hopping off the stage, scurrying backstage, the other performers soon following him as they cleaned up the stage.
"Well, what do ya think?" Luffy turned to her crew and Nami, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Me, Ace, and Sabo see these shows constantly, but what did you guys think?”
Usopp leaned back in her chair, her eyes wide. "Honestly, Luffy, that was incredible!" She exclaimed, still in awe of the acrobatics she had just witnessed. Nami nodded in agreement, her eyes still glued to the empty stage as if waiting for an encore.
Zoro granted, still feeling disgruntled about the fact Luffy and Dagger are apparently "friends with benefits." "He's pretty flashy," he admitted begrudgingly.
Nami smirks, noticing Zoro's discomfort. "Looks like someone's feeling a little territorial," she teases, nudging him with her elbow.
"I'm not territorial!" Zoro snaps, though his voice lacks conviction.
Luffy laughs, slapping her knee. "Oh, come on, Zoro. It's just a bit of fun."
Nami's smirk grew into a full smile. “I can see why you’re friends, Luffy. He’s got the charm of a snake oil salesman and the moves of a devil fruit user!”
“Thanks, I guess?” Dagger said, popping out from the side of the stage, sweat glistening on his flushed face. He took a dramatic bow, causing Luffy to laugh.
“You guess? That was amazing!” Usopp said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Dagger straightened up with a proud smile. “Glad you enjoyed it, darling. But the real fun is behind the scenes.” He winked at Luffy, who rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her own smile.
“You know, my offer still stands Dagger.” Luffy said, standing up and walking towards Dagger. “You can always come with me and explore the Ocean with me.” She said, barely stopping an inch away from Dagger, looking up at him through her lashes, tilting her head to the side, and biting her bottom.
Dagger’s smile grew even wider, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “And leave all this?” He gestured to the stage behind him. “You’re flattering, Luffy, but I’m quite content here.” He leaned down closer to whisper in her ear. “But maybe I’ll take you up on that offer sometime. Who knows what could happen in the future?” His breath was warm against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.
“You better keep that promise.” Luffy whispered back, “after all, you’re the one who wanted me to call you my man so badly, remember?” She nudged him with her elbow, her smirk turning into a full grin as she watched Dagger’s cheeks turn a shade of pink.
SUMMARY^1: Dagger's performance amazes Usopp, and Luffy reiterates her offer for him to join their adventure. Dagger declines, preferring his current life but leaves the possibility open for the future, hinting at a potential reunion. The playful banter between Luffy and Dagger reveals their flirty friendship, with Dagger blushing at Luffy's teasing.
Dagger chuckled, his hand lightly touching hers. “Ah, the memories. But seriously, Luffy, if I ever get tired of this circus life, you’ll be the first to know.” He took a step back, his eyes traveling over Luffy’s outfit. “But for now, I think I’ll stick to the spotlight and the applause of the crowd.”
Luffy sighed, her smile never leaving her face. “Oh well.” She conceited, “It’s your loss. But when you do decide to leave, you know where to find me, Dagger. I’ll be waiting.” She turned to the rest of her crew, her eyes lingering on Ace and Sabo, who had been strangely quiet during the exchange. “Come on, chickadees. We’ve got a Adventure to start!” She said, reaching over and picking up Monroe from his seat beside Nami and Usopp.
The seven of them left the tent, the sound of laughter and applause following them out. Luffy walked in the back, her steps slowing to a stop at the tents entrance. “Hey, Dagger, i’ve got something for you before we leave. Come here, well ya?” She called out, her voice playful and teasing.
Dagger, still dressed in his flashy circus attire, approached with a swagger, a knowing smirk on his face. He knew Luffy’s playful nature all too well. “What is it, Luffy?” He asked, leaning down slightly to hear her better.
Luffy smirk, and raised an eyebrow at him. Her right and going up to bury in his hair, grabbing a fist full of it tightly and pulling him down into a kiss.
It was a kiss that was passionate and full of promise. Dagger’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment before he melted into it, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer. His lips moved against hers with an urgency that made the air around them crackle with energy.
The sound of their kiss echoed through the emptying tent, and when they finally pulled apart, Luffy’s eyes were sparkling with mischief. “Something to remember me by.” She whispered against his mouth.
Dagger chuckled, a little breathlessly. “I’m not likely to forget you, Luffy.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face, his thumb lingering on her cheek.
Luffy chuckled, leaning to kiss him again. This kiss was a hard, lingering pressing of their lips together, a promise of future adventures and nights spent tangled in the sheets. Dagger’s hand slid around her neck, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw.
When they pulled apart, Luffy winked at him and turned to leave, Monroe squirming in her arms. “See ya around, Dagger!” She called over her shoulder. “And tell your mama I said hi, yeah?”
Dagger chuckled, watching her go with a warm feeling in his chest. He couldn’t help but admire the way she moved, so full of life and energy. He knew that Luffy was destined for great things, and part of him wished he could follow her on her journey. But for now, he had his own path to walk.
Luffy saluted Dagger as she walked out of the tent, and her crew, + Nami, eyes zeroed on her. “You kissed that clown, didn’t you!” Sabo yelled, pointing of finger at Luffy’s face, wear smudges of Dagger’s make up was.
“I kissed him twice actually.” Luffy grinned, her eyes gleaming with excitement as they stepped out into the bustling streets of Orange Town. The setting sun painted the horizon in hues of fiery orange, casting long shadows over the cobblestone paths. The smell of freshly cooked street food filled the air, mingling with the distant sound of the ocean waves.
Ace looked scandalize, he looked like he just saw something that he shouldn’t have seen. “You what?!” He squealed.
Luffy rolled her eyes, Monroe still wiggling around in her arms. “It’s not like it’s the first time we’ve kissed.” She said, using the sleeve of her shirt to wipe the makeup off of her face.
Both Ace and Sabo splatter and gaped at Luffy as she walks up to them, a smug grin playing on her lips.
Nami and Usopp exchange glances, trying to hide their smirks.
Zoro’s eye twitches slightly at the revelation, his arms folded over his chest as he glared at the tent. Luffy caught the look and couldn’t help but laugh, nudging him with her elbow. “What’s eating you, Zoro? Jealous?”
Zoro scoffed, trying to maintain his cool demeanor. “Me? Jealous of a clown? Don’t make me laugh.”
Luffy rolled her eyes, “yeah, whatever. Let’s get back to the going merry! We’ve got an adventure to start!”
—————————
“That was way off the mark!” Luffy shouts, her hand on top of her head to keep her strawhat on. It’s been about a week since they left Orange town and Luffy and Usopp are currently trying out the cannons on the Going Merry, trying to hit a random rock formation in the middle of the ocean.
Zoro is jolted from his nap on the upper deck of the Going Merry, he blinks and takes a deep breath, trying to rein his thought. “Hey, what’s so loud down?” He asks, stretching his arms out. Monroe, Who was taking a nap with him didn’t even stir slightly.
“Cannon firing practice!” Luffy shouted back, “but it’s ot going very well.” She pouted, looking over at the untouched rock.
“Like I said, let the let the expert aim the thing!” Usopp says, jabbing her thumb at herself. Her short, curly black hair flowing in the sea breeze. “Judging from the flying distance of the last one, this should do!” Usopp says, aiming the cannon with surprising precision for a pirate her age. “FIRE!” She yells, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
The cannon boomed, the rock shatters into a million pieces. Usopp throws her arms up in victory. “Told you, I’ve got a good eye for this!”
“Awesome! You hit that thing on the first try!” Luffy cheered, jumping up and down.
Zoro watches them and rolls his eyes, but he can’t help but snicker. He plops back down on the upper deck of the Going Merry, Monroe curling up on his chest, oblivious to the commotion below. "You two are going to sink us with all that racket," he calls out, though there's a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“That’s not how that works, Zoro!” Liffy called up to him with a laugh, her voice carrying over the waves. “But thanks for the vote of confidence!”
————————
Luffy huffed, popping down on at the kitchen table beside Usopp. There was nothing more to shoot at with the cannons and they got bored pretty quickly. “You know guys I was thinking.” Luffy began, leaning across the table, watching Nami chart down something. “I love to cook and all that but, i’m the captain, not the cook. So there’s one other position we have to fill before we hit the Grand Line.” She says, stretching out her arms across the table.
“You’re right, The kitchen is really nice on the ship. Just, pay me and I’ll do it.” Nami said without looking up from her map, her ponytail swishing to the side as she tapped the tip of her pencil against her chin in thought.
“I suppose a cook is vital for long trips.” Zoro says, not bothering to open his eyes from his spot on the ground, leaning on the side of the fridge.
“Yeah! No decent pirate ship should be without a cook!” Luffy exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “But we can’t just grab anyone, it has to be someone good, someone who can handle our appetites and all the crazy stuff we’re gonna get into!”
Sabo looks up from rummaging in the fridge, looking slightly crestfallen, Monroe clinging to his shoulder like a parrot. “No sissy, you’re the best cook in the world! Why would you ever need to find someone else?”
“Aw, thanks, bubba.” Luffy grinned, ruffling his hair. “But we need a professional chef. Someone who can whip us up a feast no matter what we throw at them, literally and figuratively speaking.”
Ace leaned against the kitchen counter, munching on an apple. “You’re not wrong, Luffy. And we’ve got to find someone who can handle all the random shit we come across on our adventures. Maybe even someone who’s got a bit of fighting spirit themselves, so they won’t get cold feet when things heat up!”
“Exactly!” Luffy nodded. “Someone who’s got guts and knows how to handle a knife just as good as they can handle their fists!” She slammed her palm on the table, making the dishes rattle.
“We don’t just need to cook we need a musician!” Sabo slumped into a chair at the dining table. “I’m so used to mama’s ships and the built-in speakers all throughout film! It’s so quiet and boring without it!” He complained, Monroe jumping onto the table with a cheerful bark in agreement.
Nami looked up from her map, raising an eyebrow. “We’re going to have to get someone who’s got a good sense of rhythm to keep our spirits high!” She suggested with a smirk.
“We’re gonna need someone who’s not gonna be embarrassed, playing the music our mother listens to.” Ace said, sliding into the seat beside Luffy. “There’s a reason why our mom has built-in speakers in her ships instead of musicians, or well, she does have musician, she’s named Juicy. But that’s not the point. We grew up on lets say… not so PG-13 Music.” He chuckled.
“Yeah, we can’t have someone playing nursery rhymes while we’re fighting off sea kings!” Usopp said, joining the conversation with a grin.
Luffy nodded thoughtfully, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief. “Alright, so we need a cook and a musician, someone who’s got the rhythm to keep our spirits high and the skills to keep our bellies full—” she was cut off mid sentence by the sound of someone landing on their ship, wooden barrels breaking and a man yelling. “Get out here you damn pirates!” The voice was gruff and unmistakably hostile.
Luffy’s expression was one of pure bewilderment in a hint of anger as she got up from her seat, untangle Monroe from her sleeve he was chewing on. “All of you stay in here, okay? I’ll deal with our unwelcome guest.” She said, walking towards the door and throwing it open.
“Hey, what the hell?! Who are you?” Luffy snapped, slamming the door closed behind her. The man Who was on the deck of their ship was a fairly tall Young man with tan skin, short brown hair. He has on a pair of black sunglasses, and he has a tattoo on the side of his face with the congee for ‘sea’. He’s wearing a blue hooded jacket with a purple undershirt, tan pants, boots, and a watch on his left wrist, and he has a sword in hand.
“Shut up!” The man snapped. “Who I am means nothing, you stinkin’ pirate!” He yells, lunging for Luffy, swinging his sword and breaking a chunk of the Going Merry’s upper deck railing.
“Oh, hell to the fucking no!” Luffy growled, chopping backwards so the sword doesn’t hit her, the wind from the blade slicing through the air like a scythe. Her fists clenched, and her anger starts to slowly grow. “You’re gonna regret coming onto my ship, buddy!”
“Over the years I’ve lost count on how many pirate heads we’ve taken! And now you guys think you can kill my partner!” The man yells, going to swing his sword again, Luffy dodged, and the mans sword connected with the Going Merry again and Luffy anger grew.
“Partner!? Look, I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about but quit wrecking my shit!” Luffy snaps, lunging forward and grabbing the man’s head, and headbutting him, and it wasn’t gentle either. Luffy slammed her head into the mans head so hard that he flew back and crashed into the wall of the upper deck of the Going Merry.
The man stumbled forward, then backwards, then he stumbled forward again before falling backwards on his back. “L-Lost by a hair.” The man said, groaning slightly. “You’re strong, kid.”
“Who the hell is this guy?!” Luffy thought out loud, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the intruder sprawled out on the deck.
“Johnny, tell me that’s you?” Zoro said as he emerged from the mess hall of the Going Merry on the upper deck of the Going Merry.
The man, Johnny, manages to look up squinting. “HUH! Who say my name like they think they know me or somethin’!” He spits, blood dripping from his nose from the headbutt he just got from Luffy.
Johnny looks up to see the unimpressed look from Zoro and he splutters, sitting up surprisingly quickly. “B-big bro Zoro!?” Johnny says with a mix of shock and excitement.
“Johnny, it is you.” Zoro said with a deadpan tone, eyeing the older pirate before him.
“What are you doing here, Big bro!?” Johnny exclaimed, his eyes wide.
Zoro doesn’t answer his question, instead, asks his. “Where’s Yasaku? Isn’t he with you?”
“What the actual fuck is going on?” Luffy cuts into their conversation, looking utterly and completely baffled. She didn’t miss the fact that Johnny called Zoro ‘big bro’ and that was definitely something she wasn’t expecting. “You guys know each other?”
“W-why are you on a pirate ship?! What’s going on around here!?” Johnny ignores Luffy’s question, scrambling to his feet to look up at Zoro with a mix of shock, nervousness, and excitement of seeing Zoro.
“Johnny, calm down.” Zoro said calmly, sheathing his swords and walking over to the intruder with a casual stride. “I haven’t seen you this frantic in… ever. Is something wrong? Where’s Yasaku?”
Johnny looks about ready to burst into tears as he waves his hands around frantically in the air, before pointing to the side of the Going Merry, where a rope is holding another smaller ship to the Going Merry. Running towards it and peering over the railing, Zoro following him closely behind. “H-he’s been sick!” He points at the unconscious figure of Yasaku sprawled out on the deck of the smaller ship.
——————
“Up until a few days ago, he was healthy and full of life! And now he keeps fainting and getting really pale!” Johnny says, his voice, shaky as he slowly lowers Yasaku on the deck of the Going Merry, the inhabitants of the ship surrounding them. “I have no idea what’s causing it! His teeth has been falling out, and his old wound has opened up and started bleeding! He just kept on getting worse and worse, and I didn’t know what to do! So I thought maybe we would just rest on a little island. But then!… a cannonball came flying from the ship!” He cried, his eyes glossing over with tears.
Luffy and Usopp share look, (because yeah, they were the one to shoot the cannon), and she could see the guilt in Usopp's eyes. Ace looked on with a mix of confusion and concern. They had never meant to hit anyone with that cannon, just scare off the birds.
“W-we’re sorry!” Usopp stutters, looking mortified. “We didn’t mean to hit you guys with that cannonball! We just wanted to practice our aim!”
“Sorry isn’t good enough… isn’t that right? partner?” Johnny’s hands hover over Yasaku, not knowing what to do. “Big Bro?… give it to me straight, is he going to die?” He looks over to Zoro, desperation in his eyes.
Sabo rolls his eyes, dropping Monroe into Johnny’s lap. “He’s not gonna die, It just sounds like he has scurvy.” Sabo says nonchalantly, squatting beside Yasaku’s head, pulling down one of his eyelids to look at how pale they are. “It’s just a lack of vitamin C, Johnny. Give him some oranges, lemons, or limes and he’ll be good as new in no time.”
Johnny looks at Sabo with a mix of relief and skepticism. “Really?” He asks, his voice hopeful.
“Yeah, it’s easy to get and it’s easy to get rid of.” Sabo shrugs, standing up. “But he’s gonna need to lay off the booze for a bit if he wants to get better faster. And maybe lay off the salt too.”
Luffy looks over at Zoro, who is watching the exchange with a furrowed brow. She can tell he’s deep in thought, his mind racing as he looks over at Yosaku and then at Johnny. The silence stretches on for a moment before he finally speaks.
Luffy sighed, looking over to Johnny, pointing a finger at him. “You babysit my son.” She points down at Monroe, who was still sitting in Johnny’s lap. “And me and Usopp will go get some oranges, limes, and lemons we have out of storage for him.” She says, getting up from her seat on the deck and dusting off her legs.
Johnny nods, a look of relief washing over his face. “Yes, yes, of course!” He says eagerly, bobbing his head.
Luffy nods, holding her hand out Usopp to help her up to her feet. “Come on Usopp, let’s go get some of that sour shit out of storage for Zoro’s bro.” She says with a grin.
Usopp rolls his eyes but takes Luffy’s hand and gets up. “Why do we always end up babysitting?” He mumbles under his breath as they head towards the storage room of the ship.
Nami rolls her eyes, walking down the stairs of the upper deck of the Going Merry, walking towards the group and taking a seat beside Johnny. “He’ll be fine, he just needs to rest and eat some fruit. The only reason why people get scurvy is because they don’t have the right diet for the seas.” She says, her voice filled with a hint of annoyance, but mostly concern for the sickly looking Yosaku.
Johnny nods, stroking Monroe’s head as the little mink napped in his lap. “Thanks. We were just trying to find some peace on an island and ended up here. Didn’t expect to get fired on, though!” He chuckles nervously. “… uhm, Miss? I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name… well, I didn’t get any of y’all‘s names, actually. My mind kinda just went blank after I saw my Big Bro.” He says, his voice, a little shaky as he points at Zoro.
Zoro grunts, sitting beside Johnny. “Well, The two that shot the cannonball is Luffy and Usopp. That Ace and Sabo.” He points towards the two boys, before pointing towards Nami. “That Nami, and that’s Monroe.” He points down to Monroe in Johnny’s lap.
Johnny nods, taking in the names and faces, his eyes lingering on Ace and Sabo for a moment. “Thanks. And I’m Johnny, and that’s Yosaku over there, still out like a light.” He says, nodding towards the unconscious Yosaku.
His eyes wander back to Zoro, his eye locking onto the hanafuda earrings that dangle from the swordsman’s ears. A silent stretches on for a second before Johnny lets out along weary sigh. He reaches up and gently grabs one of the hanafuda earrings, being careful not to tug on them. The earrings are massive, nearly the same size of his hand and look like they could have costed more than his entire life’s savings. Johnny’s eyes scan over everyone again, noticing that everyone, except for Nami, has a pair of the same earrings, even Monroe has a pair, but instead of being in his ears, it is on a chain and around his neck like a necklace.
Zoro watches Johnny, watching the emotions and expressions flit across Johnny’s face. He can tell the guy is confused, possibly overwhelmed. He clears his throat and says, “You’ve got questions, spit it out, I know that look. You’re staring at the earrings like they’re gonna jump out and bite ya.”
Johnny looks up, blinking rapidly. “Ah, sorry, yeah, I do. What’s with the fancy earrings, Big Bro? They look like something that could buy a whole fleet!”
Zoro sighs, crossing his arms over his chest. “Well, Johnny, i’m not exactly in the business of bounty hunting anymore.”
Johnny’s eyes widen in surprise. “Wait, what? You left the bounty hunting gig?” He asks incredulously.
“Zoro joined my family!” Luffy says as she and Usopp emerge from the storage room, barrels in hand. She slaps a barrel down onto the deck with a loud thump. “It’s a long story, but he’s not just a bounty hunter anymore. He’s a Strawhat!”
Johnny’s jaw drops at the revelation. “No way! Zoro, you’re a pirate now?” He stammers.
Zoro grimaces as Johnny yells in his ear, and he pushes Johnny away from him gently but firmly. "Keep your voice down," he warns, his eyes sweeping the horizon for any signs of trouble. "And yes, I've sworn allegiance to Luffy. She's got a good heart, and she's got a dream that's even bigger than the sea we're sailing on."
“He’s also got the hots for our captain.” Usopp says, as she sets the barrel she was holding down beside Luffy.
Johnny’s cheeks flush bright red. “What?!” He asks, looking at Zoro for confirmation.
Zoro, for his part, face is so red it could have given a sunburn a run for its money. “Shut your fucking trap, Usopp!” He yells, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and embarrassment.
Usopp just laughs. “It’s true, Johnny boy, your Big Bro Zoro here has been swooning over our captain. It’s kind of adorable, really.”
Johnny’s eyes dart back and forth between Usopp and Zoro, trying to gauge the truth in the sniper’s words. Meanwhile, Luffy, is completely unfazed, cracks open one of the barrels to reveal a bounty of citrus fruits. She tosses a few to Nami, who catches them deftly.
"Alright, let’s get this sour citrus party started!” Luffy says dramatically, breaking the tension as she sits on her knees beside Yosaku's head. She grabs his cheeks and squeezes them like a squishy toy. "I know you really can’t hear me right now, but sorry man, that’s gonna be sour as shit.” She says, digging her fingers into the citrus she was holding, ripping it in half before squeezing the juice into Yosaku's mouth, Nami, and Usopp sitting beside her and doing the same.
Johnny watches in amazement as the trio works together, the juice from the fruits mixing with Yosaku’s drool and making a mess on the deck. He’s never seen such camaraderie between pirates before. Most pirates he's encountered were more likely to cut their own throats than help each other. But here, on the Going Merry, it seems like a different kind of pirate lives. One that actually cares.
He looks over to Ace and Sabo, who had ran off to the railing of the ship and were now trying to set up fishing poles to fish. Johnny’s eyes linger on them for a split second longer before his eyes dark down to his lap, to Monroe, who was snuggled into his lap. He’s never had a family, not really. Just his dad, Zoro, and Yosaku, and now his dad was gone, he and Yosaku barely see Zoro, and Johnny’s afraid that if he doesn’t get his head straight, he might end up losing Yosaku too.
Johnny takes a deep breath and looks over to Zoro, who's still sitting beside him, watching the three girls and Yosaku with a fond smile on his face. “You know," he murmurs. “I never knew pirates could be like this. Caring and... actually giving a damn."
Zoro opens his mouth to reply but pauses for a second, instead, letting out a long sigh. “Yeah, Luffy’s… she’s a bit off. Got a few marbles and screws loose up in her head. But she’s good, she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty and beat someone to a pulp. But she’s got a heart of gold, Johnny, she’d give you the shirt off her back if she thought it’d save your life, even if she had to go topless herself." He says, chuckling lightly at the thought.
Johnny nods solemnly, his eyes wandering back over too the three girls tending to Yosaku. Yosaku’s hand had ended up in Luffy’s lap, her hand cradling the side of his face as she looks down at him a soft smile on her lips as she, Nami, and Usopp continue to squeeze the juice of the citrus into his mouth. It was weirdly… gentle, like a mother dealing with her sick child. It was definitely not what he’d expected from a bunch of pirates, especially not from the one he’d come here to fight.
The quiet on the deck is only broken by the occasional laugh from the girls and the sound of Yosaku choking down the fruit juice. It’s a strange moment of peace amidst the chaos of their lives. Zoro’s eyes follow the scene, a soft smile playing on his lips as he watches the three of them.
Johnny looks at Zoro, really looks at him. His Big Bro scenes… happy? Not as stressed, not so unhappy, not so distant, cooled, not so much of the edge all the time. It's a stark contrast from the man he knew from the bounty hunting days.
"What happened to you, Big Bro? You've changed a lot since we last met. You seem...happy." Johnny says, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Zoro's smile fades slightly as he looks down at his hands, the calluses a testament to his countless battles. He glances back at Luffy, and the warmth in his eyes is unmistakable. "I know it’s weird, Johnny. It really is.” He sighed, looking over to Johnny. “ I might not have known Luffy for to long, just a couple weeks tops. But… it’s like she’s the sun, you need the sun to survive, and I need her to live. She’s just got this way of bringing people together, making them feel like they’re part of something, and it’s fucking infectious. You can’t help but want to follow her to the ends of the earth, even if she’s as crazy as a shithouse rat on crack."
Johnny looks at him, a hint of skepticism in his gaze. "Yeah, I can see that. She’s something else, alright." He pauses, watching as Usopp, Nami, and Luffy laugh together, the latter two's hands moving in a blur as they try to get more juice into Yosaku's mouth. "But what about the rest of the world, Big Bro? What about the marines, the other pirates? The shitstorm you guys are gonna stir up?”
Zoro stay silent for a few seconds, rubbing his eyes with his palms, trying to organize his thoughts. "If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Luffy is that the only thing that matters is family, Johnny. And it doesn’t have to be by blood. It’s about who you trust, who’s got your back, and who you’re willing to lay your life down for." He looked at Johnny, his gaze intense. "You know, Johnny, I’ve fought against marines and pirates alike, and let me tell you, there’s good and bad in both worlds. The marines might be the face of justice, but they’re not the only ones fighting for what’s right. And as for other pirates, well, we’re not all cut from the same cloth."
Johnny studied Zoro, his curiosity piqued. "What makes you think you can trust them?" He gestured at the ragtag group around them, where Ace and Sabo had now joined the fray, trying to outdo each other in getting Yosaku to swallow the foul-tasting but essential medicine.
“I really don’t have an answer for that, Johnny.” Zoro murmurs, stretching out his legs for a second before crossing them again. “It just kind of… what happened? One second I was a bounty hunter everyone called a demon, and then the next second I was getting bombarded by a girl who didn’t even blink at my presence and offered me barbecue. And you know what? That barbecue was the best fucking thing I ever ate. And I’ve just… I couldn’t leave, it was like she had some kind of crazy gravitational pull.”
Johnny snorted, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re telling me you just fell for a good meal?”
Zoro nodded solemnly. “… she promised to make me the world‘s greatest swordsman, Johnny. She doesn’t just want to be a pirate to be pirate. She told me her dream is to be the freest in the world. And somehow, that dream of hers became part of me. And every time she smiles, every time she laughs, it’s like the sun coming out from behind the darkest storm clouds. You know how rare that is? To find someone who makes you want to throw everything away just to keep seeing them smile? That’s Luffy. And Ace and Sabo, they’re part of that. They’re part of the storm and the sun. They’re part of the reason I’m still here, still fighting, still hoping that maybe, just maybe, we can carve our names into the history books as more than just bounties to be collected.”
Johnny's skepticism didn't waver entirely, but the sincerity in Zoro's eyes was unmistakable. He knew his "big bro" was a man of few words, and when he talked about something with such passion, it was worth paying attention to. He took a moment to mull over Zoro's words, the ship gently swaying under their feet as the air whispered past them.
———————
Luffy sighed as she closed the door to the cabin Yosaku was sleeping in. She made her way to the Mess hall where everyone else was gathered, Monroe climbing up her body and settling in her arms as soon as she opened the door.
“Let this be a lesson to you.” Nami says, dipping her quill into her little vile of ink as she charts stuff.
Luffy hums as she sit down beside her, and Zoro nods. “Yeah, scurvy is one of the troubles you run into when you choose a life at the sea.” Zoro says, his eyes drifting over to Luffy for a brief moment.
Usopp nods in agreement, tucking her hair into a bonnet, yawning. “Which means when we’re out at sea, we really gotta think about the best ways to get the right amount of nutrients with very little food.” She says, dropping into a seat at the dining draping the upper half of her body across the table.
“It’s absolutely necessary that someone on the ship knows how to do that.” Namoy said with a nod. She had a point, Luffy mused as she tickled Monroe’s belly. The little mink giggled and squirmed in her grasp, tail wagging.
“Well, I guess that’s our next task. Finding ourselves a cook!” Luffy exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she set Monroe down on the table. He chirped and rolled over, playing with a piece of fruit that had been left out.
Usopp’s eyes light up. “I’m in! We’ll have good, yummy food even when we’re out at sea!” She exclaims, her enthusiasm palpable.
“A Cook?” Johnny spoke up, “I know just the place and the food is gonna blow ya mind.” He says, walking over to the table and taking a seat beside the half asleep Ace and Sabo.
Luffy looks at him, raising a curious eyebrow. “Where’s that?” She asks, leaning forward slightly.
“Consider yourself warned, this place is close to the grand line. And I’ve heard a lot of rumors lately, that a certain hawk-eyed man you’ve been looking for is there, Zoro.” Johnny said, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
Zoro smirks, his grip tightening on his sword. “Set a course!” Johnny claps his hands together. “North-Northeast!” He commands. “Our destination is, The sea restaurant, the Baratie!”
————————
It's about a week and a half, two weeks later when they arrive at the Baratie. Luffy squints at the blinding Sun, Monroe sitting happily on her. There weren’t any islands in sight, just the giant floating restaurant in front of them. “ This place looks pretty fancy-schmancy, does it got a dress code?” She asked, looking over her shoulder to Johnny, who was lounging on the steps leading up to the upper deck of the Going Merry.
Johnny snickered at her enthusiasm. “Nah, no dress code, but most people that come here do dress up.”
The Baratie looked like a floating metropolis, a stark contrast to the simplicity of Going Merry. It was a grand, multi-story restaurant, bustling with activity. As they approached, the sound of laughter, sizzling food, and the clanking of pots and pans grew louder, filling the salty air with the mouthwatering scents of exotic dishes. Above the chaos, a proud skull and crossbones flag fluttered, signifying that even amidst luxury, this was still pirate territory.
Luffy drops the gangplank onto the dock of the Baratie, an ocean-going restaurant, Monroe still on her hip as she walks down the ganfplank. Her crew, + Nami, Johnny, and Yosaku(he’s been feeling better the past couple days), follow her.
Luffy holds the door to the Baratie open, stepping aside and holding the door open with her foot to let everyone in. She’s about to say something when someone inside notices they’ve entered. Luffy watches as the handsome blond in a finely tailored suit practically dances across the dining room to her. “Oh, glorious Sun Goddess! My heart weeps with joy to know you decided to grace this lowly place with your radiance!” The blond’s eyes are lovestruck when he looks at her.
His eyes shift from her to Usopp, then Nami, and another wave of whatever it is seems to overcome him. “Oh, two others! Two delicate, earthbound angel!” He somehow manages to grab one of Luffy’s, Usopp’s, and Nami’s hands at once. peppering kisses across their knuckles. “Beautiful girls! Let this poor, humble chef feed you!“
Luffy blinks, utterly bamboozled. She looks over her shoulder to Zoro, but he's staring at the flamboyant chef with a mix of confusion and irritation. "Chill the fuck out, will ya?" He says, rolling his eyes. "We're not here for a romance novel.”
The blond chef pauses, glancing up at Zoro, his expression suddenly passive. “Ah, a man who doesn’t understand the beauty of the divine feminine. A rare breed indeed.” He releases their hands, his gaze flicks back to the girls, his expression instantly changing back to lovestruck. “But the Sun Goddess's entourage must be treated like royalty!" He declares, his accent thick and exaggerated. He leads them to a table with a dramatic flourish of his hand. "I am Sanji, the sous chef of the legendary Baratie! And I will be the one to serve you three beautiful ladies!"
Luffy, Nami, and Usopp share a look before just shrugging, following Sanji as he seats them at a large circle booth pulling Luffy’s chair out for her, and doing the same Nami and Usopp. They sit down and Luffy says, "Thanks, I guess," eyeing Sanji curiously as she sat Monroe down on the seat beside. The blond chef winks back at them, his gaze lingering on the females before turning to the menu. "Now, what will you fine pirates be having today?"
Sanji rattles off a list of extravagant dishes, his eyes lighting up with each description. Nami’s eyes widen at the mention of a dish she’s never heard of before. "Oh, I’ll have that one," she says, pointing to the exotic meal. Luffy, ever the carnivore, chooses a towering seafood platter that Sanji assures her is "fit for a pirate queen." Usopp, trying to play it cool, selects a simple dish of fish and chips, despite the temptation of more elaborate fare. Sanji nods approvingly before, begrudgingly taking Zoro, Johnny, and Yosaku’s orders, and less regretting Ace, and Sabo’s order. And Luffy orders a steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables for Monroe. Sanji dashes back into the kitchen, his long legs moving swiftly across the floor.
Sabo watches him leave, shaking his head. “He’s a weirdo.” He says with a chuckle.
“I like him!” Luffy says, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she watches Sanji retreat to the kitchen. Ace rolls his eyes good-naturedly, while Usopp giggles.
The dining area of the Baratie is a blend of vibrant colors and nautical decor, with a large chandelier made from repurposed ship parts casting a warm glow over the polished wooden tables. The walls are adorned with paintings of the sea, and the air is filled with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly cooked food. The atmosphere is lively, with the sound of clinking glasses and laughter from nearby tables.
Luffy leans back in her chair, glancing around the dining room. Most of the customers appeared to be civilians, with at least one or two tables occupied by what might have been pirates. And sitting at a window table is a marine with a woman. The woman is beautiful, with perfectly coifed blonde hair, wearing a long glamorous dress. The man is undoubtedly a marine. Handsome, albeit scarred, with perfect pink hair. Luffy makes notes of the iron knuckles he wears on both hands.
The marine, Luffy recognizes as Fullbody, looks over and catches her eye. Luffy raises an eyebrow and salute him with two fingers.
(Fullbody is known as the Playboy of the marines and Luffy recognizes him because when she was little, and before she was a pirate, her grandfather would take her and her brothers to the Marine headquarters with him sometimes and she’d see him sometimes)
Fullbody, the marine with the pink hair, smirks slightly, raising his glass in return. Luffy can't help but chuckle at his reputation preceding him. The man had quite the notorious charm.
Luffy turn to retention back to her crew, and friends. Briefly paying attention to what they were saying before continuing to look around. She spots a chalkboard with a set of rules on it. Rule number one was, ‘Start shit, get tossed out on your ass.’ Rule number two ‘No Marines nor Pirates fighting each other or you will get your ass handed to you’, Rule number three ‘Be polite to the wait staff or you will get tossed out’ Rule number four, ‘Leave your weapons at the door’, and Rule number five, ‘Treat women with the upmost respect, no matter who they are’.
Her eyes scanned the room again, spotting a group of marines in the corner, eyeing them with suspicion. Luffy finger waves at the of Marines, they couldn’t be no older than teenagers, one had a spiky haircut and was slurping down a bowl of soup like it was going out of style, and the other had a stern look on his face, his eyes never leaving the blonde woman sitting across from him. The blonde woman herself was a sight, with a sharp jawline and piercing blue eyes that seemed to cut through the bustling restaurant, even from afar. Luffy couldn't help but grin at the sight of them, she knew the type, all bravado and bluster. But she knew better than to start a fight, not here, not now.
Her eyes flickered back to her Group going to say something, but she sees Sanji making his way across the dining room, at least three more cooks following him, each laden with several plates.
SUMMARY^2: Luffy identifies Fullbody at the Baratie, offering a glimpse into her past with the Marines and setting the stage for future interactions. The introduction of the marines, combined with Sanji's grandiose food presentation, adds depth to the story's setting and character dynamics.
“Food time.” Sanji announced dramatically, a wide smile on his face as he set down the plates in front of the hungry pirates. Each dish was a masterpiece of flavor and presentation, steaming and smelling heavenly.
“It looks amazing, Sanji.” Luffy leans her elbow on the table, smiling at Sanji. “Did you make all of it?”
Sanji bows with a flourish. “But of course, my dear pirate queen. A chef of my caliber wouldn’t dare serve you anything less than perfection. Bon appétit!” He winks, and Luffy laughs.
The pirates dig into the feast before them, the sounds of clinking cutlery and satisfied moans filling the air. The tension from earlier seems to dissipate as flavors explode in their mouths. Sanji watches them from the kitchen, a proud look in his eye.
“So, you’re flirting with a sandstorm now, huh?” Zeff’s Voice comes from behind Sanji, causing him to nearly jump out of his skin.
“What? No!” Sanji stammers, turning to face Zeff, his cheeks flushing a little. “I was just being polite! Sandstorm? There’s a Sandstorm here? I talked to a Sandstorm?”
Zeff chuckles, his stern expression giving way to amusement. He walks over to the serving window Sanji was working out. Pointing at the table of nine. “The girl with short curly black hair, and the two young boys in the Hawaiian shirts. Those three are Sandstorms, I don’t know about the others with them since they’re with them I’m guessing they’re also Sandstorms.”
Sanji's eyes widen in surprise. "But they don't look like mafia," he murmured, peeking out at the table, watching Luffy cut up the steak for Monroe. “They just look like a bunch of teenagers and young adults, and well, whatever the Little guy is.”
Zeff raised an eyebrow. "Looks can be deceiving, my boy. Besides, it doesn’t matter. Here in the Baratie, everyone is equal as long as they don’t cause trouble. Now, get back to work." He clapped Sanji on the shoulder, his expression turning serious. "Keep an eye on them, though. The marines might get ideas."
Sanji nodded, his mind racing with thoughts of the powerful Sandstorm family. He had heard whispers of them, but never expected to serve them in his own restaurant. He couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety.
————————
Luffy shovelling another spoonful of food into her mouth when an in-uniform Marine bursts into the dining room. “Lieutenant Fullbody! W-we’ve got trouble! Sir, she’s escaped! Pirate Krieg’s henchman escaped vanished! I’m sorry lieutenant I–” The young man is cut off when the blast of gun shatters the peaceful air, and he falls forward in a spray of blood.
“Well, shit.” Luffy thanks to herself, shuffling another spoonful of food into her mouth as Nami, and Usopp, and well, most of the other customers of the Baratie scream bloody murder, and ran.
“A pirate, huh?” Luffy murmurs as a Young woman with short, spiky dark hair, dark circles beneath her eyes, and tan skin. She was dangerously thin, like it had been weeks since she’d last had anything to eat.
Fullbody shoves himself to his feet, using the table he and his lady friend had been sitting at as leverage. The cocky playboy act he’d been affecting falling away to reveal the competent officer beneath, snarling, “Where are all my Marines?”
“Either dead or dying.” The Young woman murmurs, walking right past Fullbody and taking a seat at one of the tables in the middle of the room.
Luffy raises an eyebrow, she’s heard that tone of voice before. A tone where someone is tutoring on the edge of just killing themselves. She looks over to Fullbody, who was surprisingly not doing anything. Luffy’s eyebrows shoot up to her hairline.
Luffy take another bite of her food, her eyes wandering to a cook that was approaching the table the young woman was sitting at. The Cook was tall and bulky with a shaved head, heart tattoos and a short beard.
“I don’t care what it is. Just bring me something to eat.” The Young woman says, her voice monotone. “Come on this is a restaurant.”
“Hello and welcome you damn crook!” The Cook says in a exaggerated customer service voice, causing people to gasp.
“I’m just gonna say this one more time bring me something to eat and make it quick.” The Woman’s tone was flat, unamused by the Cook’s theatrics.
SUMMARY^1: A young, emaciated woman with the aura of a pirate enters the Baratie, causing a stir among the marines present, including Fullbody. Despite her dire appearance, she maintains a calm, commanding demeanor, ordering food without reacting to the Cook's antics. Luffy, an astute observer, notes the woman's potential danger, setting the scene for a tension-filled encounter. This new character's introduction suggests she may have a significant role in the unfolding events and the pirate-marine dynamics of the story.
“That cook is going to get us killed.” Fullbody mutters to himself, his eyes starting in between the cook and pirate.
“Of course, right away, but may I be so bold to inquire how you’re paying for your me?” The cook chuckled, his voice still that exaggerated customer service voice.
The Young woman looks up at him, her expression board. “I don’t got any money.”
“Then you ain’t a customer,” The cook says simply, clasping his hands together as the Young woman’s bland expression shifts to anger, “And I sure don’t feel bad about doing this.” The cook, surprisingly gently, grabs the woman by the arm, and again surprisingly gently, drags her to the door, tossing her out.
Luffy’s eyebrows raise even higher in curiosity before she remembers the chalkboard with the rules on it, and the fifth rule ‘Treat women with the upmost respect, no matter who they are’.
Luffy shrugs, her eyes wandering around the restaurant again, noticing that Sanji was gone. Luffy notes, curiosity peaked. She swallows her mouth full of food and stands up. “I’ll be right back, keep an eye on Monroe, okay?” She says to Ace, who nods, still too busy devouring his food to speak.
Luffy pushes her way through the cheering crowd and wanders around, until she finds herself on the second floor of the Baratie standing on the balcony. She can hear someone crying and the sound of food being scarfed down like someone’s life depended on it.
She walk over to the railing of the balcony, peering down to the balcony on the floor below she sees Sanji sitting on the floor across from the Young woman one knee up, his other leg stretched out in front of him, a cigarette held between his index and middle finger, blue eyes closed. He has a soft, almost serene smile on his face.
The Young woman was laying on the ground, sobbing as she ate, tears streaming down her face like she was eating for the first time in months. Sanji sat across from her, his expression unreadable as he watched her devour the food he had brought up from the kitchen. Her ragged breaths were the only sound in the quiet space, other than the clinking of silverware and the occasional sniffle.
“M’sorry… I’m sorry… thank you so much… I thought it was over, I truly thought I was going to die.” The young woman hiccups out between bites. “This food… I-it’s delicious, i’ve never eaten food this good before.” The Young woman says, sniffing and wiping her nose with the back of her hand.
Sanji chuckles, leaning back on the railing. “Of course it is, I made it.” He murmurs to himself, looking up just to see Luffy sitting on the railing of the balcony above them, looking down and watching them. He inhales sharply on his cigarette and starts to choke and cough, trying to cover his face. The young woman looks up at Luffy with wide eyes.
“So, you can talk to women normally?” Luffy quipped from above, a smirk tugging at her lips as she watched Sanji's flustered coughs. She jumps down from the railing above, landing almost soundlessly beside Sanji, plopping down beside him.
“Y-Yeah, of course, miss!” Sanji stammers, trying to regain his cool. But Luffy's teasing laughter fills the air, and even the young pirate woman can't help but crack a smile at his expense.
“I didn’t mean anything bad about it, Sanji, and call me Luffy, that’s my name.” Luffy said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Sanji nodded, a hint of pink tinting his cheeks. “Of course, Luffy. I just don't want to be too casual with a lady as beautiful as yourself." He said, trying to recover some of his composure. The young pirate woman looked up at Luffy with a mix of curiosity and weariness, her eyes lingering on the intricate hanafuda earrings that dangled from Luffy's ears.
Luffy winks at the woman before turning her attention to Sanji. “You know, I need someone like you on my crew, Sanij.” She says with a grin, nudging his shoulder playfully. “Plus, I’ve already decided I’m not leaving the Baratie until you agree to come sail the Grand Line with me as my cook,”
Sanji has to admire her forthrightness.
Gaping at her, the Young Woman sputters out, “I’m name is Gin, I’m a member of the Krieg Pirates. And I’ve got a word of advice for you, Kid. You wanna go to The Grand Line? You should forget it.” She places her plate carefully on the deck, looking like she’s just seen a ghost, “That place…they call it the Pirate Graveyard for a reason.”
“I know, I was born and raised in the New World.” Luffy answers nonchalantly, the wind rastling through her hair and pushing her strawhat askew. “I’ve barely been out of the New World for like three months, I’m just slowly making my way back.”
Sanji looks at her with a mix of disbelief and admiration, “You’re not scared?”
“Why would I be?” Luffy asked, kicking her feet out and crossing her legs as she leans back on the Baratie’s railing. “All of my family, either lives in the grand line or in the New World. I’ve got nothing to be scared about except for maybe my mother when she’s upset with either me or my brothers.”
Gin’s eyes widened, “Your mother? Who’s your mother?”
Luffy leans closer to Sanji and Gin, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “The Desert Queen.”
Sanji's grip on his cigarette tightens, while Gin's eyes widen even more. They both know the reputation of Crocodile, the feared and powerful captain of the Sandstorm Pirates. Sanji takes a long, deep breath, before letting it out. He doesn’t know why he’s so surprised hearing it out of Luffy’s mouth with Zeff had told him not even 30 minutes ago that Luffy was a Sandstorm.
"The Desert Queen, huh?" Gin whispers, a hint of awe in her voice. She had heard the name before, but to think she's speaking with the daughter of such a legendary pirate? "I didn’t know she had kids."
Luffy nodded, “she’s got 11!” She says proudly.
Sanji raised an eyebrow, "11?"
“YeP!” Luffy says popping P, not elaborating any further. “But what do you say, Sanji, You gonna join my crew?” She asks again, leaning forward, crowding Sanji’s space slightly and watching the older boy flush red. He is malleable putty in Luffy’s hands, and she knows it. She leans even closer, dragging her index finger along the underside of Sanji’s jaw. She shifts her expression deliberately eyes half-lidded, smile promising secrets, her other hand resting on his thigh, her arms positioned in a way where they squish and push up her already ample chest. Sanji’s gaze drops to her ample chest, swallowing visibly.
Sanji clears his throat, trying to compose himself. He can feel his heart racing in his chest, his cheeks burning with an embarrassed heat. “Well, I—I don’t know if I— uhh— I— ahem— uhm?” He stammers, his usual suave demeanor forgotten like a forgotten recipe.
Gin’s eyes dart in between Sanji and Luffy, a smirk slowly spreading across her face as she watches the interaction unfold. She leans back on one of her palms, sipping her drink with a knowing look.
“Come on, sanij, baby, won’t you be a sweetheart and join my crew?” Luffy pouts playfully, her voice dripping with charm. Sanji’s eyes dart to the hand on his thigh, and he swallows hard again.
“But, but, but, I’ve got responsibilities here, Luffy!” He squeaks, trying to ignore the heat rising in his cheeks. “Chef Zeff, the Baratie, the customers, I can’t just leave them all behind! I’m a fool to say it, but no.”
“Boo.” Luffy pouts at him. “I refuse.”
“You refuse?” Sanji blinks, really not expecting her response to be what it is.
“I refuse your refusal,” She huffs, pulling back and crossing her arms over her chest.
Sanji take a deep breath, trying to regain his composure before giving her a smile. “Maybe, one day, I’ll meet you on the Grand Line. You ever heard of the All Blue?”