It’s she a Rocks? A Monkey? A Edward?… no, no no NO! She’s a SANDSTORM RUN!

Back on the Going Merry it’s been about 14 days since they had left Loguetown. They had entered the grand line two bays ago, and they were about to dock at their first island. It was an uninhabited island covered in a jungle called Little Garden and currently Luffy was looking down at the daily mail she had gotten from a News-coo and the bounty posters.

Before they had reached the grand line, they had helped a little girl named, Apis, who had escaped from Marine Branch 8. And well one thing led to another. Apis had ended up with the strawhat Pirates. The strawhat Pirates ended up fighting and defeating The captain of the 8th Branch, Nelson Royal, and Nelson Royal mercenaries and marines that worked underneath them.

“Hey! A few of us have gotten bounties and our bounties raised for defeating that fat marine captain and the mercenaries!” Luffy exclaimed, her eyes darting over the bounty posters with a mix of excitement and pride.

Her brothers Ace and Sabo, who had been arguing over who got to steer the Going Merry, froze and rushed over to her side. Ace's orange cowboy hat bobbed as he craned his neck to see the posters. “Damn, Luffy! You're a real threat to the World Government now!” he said with a smirk, nudging her shoulder.

“Oh, but I’m not the only one.” Luffy smirked, flipping through the bounty posters before she found Ace and Sabo’s first ever bounty posters. “Wanted Dead or alive: Ace - 44,000,000! Wanted Dead or alive: Monkey D. Sabo - 44,000,000!”

Ace’s smug grin grew wider as he snatched his poster from Luffy’s hand. “Well, well, well. Look at us. We’re on our way to becoming big shots in the world of piracy!”

Sabo grabbed his poster from Luffy, grinning like a kid in a candy store. "Look at me, Ace, we're worth almost as much as the real big guys!" he exclaimed. Luffy rolled her eyes but couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in her brothers.

“Well, let’s see what else we got— WOW!” Luffy almost choked at her own spit when she saw Zoro’s bounty poster. It wasn’t because of the number, no, no, no, no, no, no, the 60,000,000 berries bounty did not surprise her in the slightest. It was because of the photo that was used for his bounty post. The photo that was used for Zoro’s brownie poster was when Zoro have just cut down a couple marines, and he was holding his sword up and close to his face, his face which has blood splattered across it, the pointy end of his sword pointed to the sky, licking a stripe up his sword, licking the blood off of his sword… it looks fucking hot and sexy to say the least.

The three siblings couldn’t help but laugh at Zoro’s expense. He looked like a wild beast, but in a really good way, like a hot wild beast. The kind that makes you want to tame it and keep it as a pet.

“Hey, Zoro! Come look at your new bounty poster!” Luffy called out. Ace and Sabo snickered behind her, eager to see Zoro’s reaction.

Zoro sauntered over, peering over Luffy’s shoulder. He looked down at the poster, studying it, his brows furrowing as he took in the image. The sight of himself, wild-eyed and blood-splattered, sent a shiver down his spine. “This is ridiculous,” he muttered, trying to sound nonchalant, but the blush creeping up his neck gave him away.

“Come on, Zoro, you look like a total hottie!” Luffy said, slapping her hand against the poster, causing it to flap in the breeze. “I told you, you were pretty and now the entire world knows it!”

Zoro scoffed, tugging at the collar of his shirt, his cheeks flaming. “Shut it, Luffy! This isn’t funny!”

“I’m not making fun of you, Zoro! I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking!” Luffy said, and she sounded earnest. “You’re gorgeous, Zoro, deal with it!”

Ace chuckled, his wavy black hair fluttering in the wind as he looked at the poster. “Luffy’s got a point, you know. You do look pretty badass.”

Sabo smirked, watching the interaction between his siblings with a twinkle in his eye as he grabbed Zoro’s bounty poster from Luffy. “I’d have to agree, I mean, look at the faces of the marines you cut down in the photo. They look absolutely terrified!”

“Hey! You four stop caulking over bounty posters we’re about to dock at Little garden!” Nami’s voice called from the helm. She had the map spread out before her, a look of intense focus on her face.

Luffy rolled her, shoving the bounty posters and newspaper she was holding into Zoro’s hand, running over to portside railing as they moved into the trees, looking over the island until they fell upon a familiar pirate ship. The ship was her, Ace, and Sabo’s older brother’s, Tuatara and Skink, ship. She knew that ship like the back of her hand, and she had no doubt that if they went there, she’d get to see them again.

“OH! MY! GOD!” Luffy yelled, her eyes widening with excitement as she pointed at the ship. “ACE! SABO! LOOK! It’s Tuatara and Skink’s ship!”

Ace and Sabo rushed over, their curiosity piqued. Ace squinted, trying to get a better look at the ship that was slowly coming into view. “You’re kidding, right?” he said, not quite believing his eyes.

“Who?” Nami asked, walking over to them, her curiosity peaked by Luffy’s outburst. Sanji and Usopp followed closely behind, curious to know what had caught the young pirate’s attention.

Luffy grinned, “Mine, Ace, and Sabo’s older brothers!”

Sanji's eyes widened, "Wait, you guys have older brothers? I thought you just had younger siblings?”

“Nope!” Luffy says, not bothering to explain anything.

Usopp looked at Luffy with astonishment, "You never mentioned them before!"

Luffy waved her hand nonchalantly in the air, “Don’t worry about it.” She said, still not bothering to say anything else about her family as the going merry docked on the shore of little garden beside Tuatara and Skink’s ship.

Tuatara and Skink were on the shore with their crew, seemingly just relaxing and waiting for something, or rather someone when they heard the commotion from the Going Merry. They both looked up, and their eyes met with Luffy, Ace, and Sabo’s. Tuatara and Skink smile broadly, a smile that is somehow sweet and charming, and also sharp and deadly at the same time as they wave at them.

“Finally! We’ve been waiting for you three for like a week!” Tuatara called out, his deep voice carrying over the waves as Luffy, Ace, and Sabo jumped over the railing of the going merry landing on the sandy beach below. They sprinted towards Tuatara and Skink, all but jumping into their older brothers, arms and wrapping them into a tight hug.

Luffy pulled back, grinning widely, “what on earth are the two of you doing here?! I thought we weren’t gonna see you until we got back to Alabasta!”

Skink chuckled, patting her on the back, “well, mommy sent us on a little task.” He said with a dramatic sigh, as The rest of the Strawhat Pirates caught up with Luffy, Ace, and Sabo. “Mama had gotten a call from Crocus saying he saw you all off after y’all crossed the Grand line, and that the Log Pose he had given to you was pointing towards little garden and she wanted us to deliver you a Eternal Pose instead of you waiting in a entire year for your Log Pose to reset.” He said, handing over a small wooden box to Luffy.

“Wait! Did you just say an entire year?!” Usopp exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock, as she took in the information. “You’re telling me we would’ve been stuck here for an entire year if you two weren’t here!” She pointed at Tuatara and Skink.

Tuatara and Skink turn to face Usopp in unison, and fuck these guys are pretty. They had short, platinum blonde hair, orangey-pink eyes with a hint of gold scattered through them, and golden tan skin that was covered in freckles. The two boys look like the prettiest most gorgeous things you’ll ever see, but they also look so insane, so unhinged, they look fucking crazy. They looked wild, unpredictable, and absolutely thrilling. The kind of thrill that only comes from knowing you're staring at something incredibly dangerous.

“Yeah, it’s a bitch of a wait, isn’t it?” Tuatara said with a grin, his teeth gleaming as white as pearls as he turned back to Luffy, pointing at the box Skink had given her. “But like Skink had said, that’s an Eternal Pose, it’s pointing you towards Alabasta, just continue your way with this and your Log Pose will automatically reset to the next closest island, i’m pretty sure it’s a drum Island.”

Luffy looked at the box in her hand, feeling the weight of it and the anticipation of what lay ahead. “Thanks, Tuatara, Skink. This is gonna make our journey so much easier!” She exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

Nami blinks, tracing the features of Tuatara and Skink, they looked like what angels would look like. Her eyes snapped to Luffy, Ace, and Sabo and actually studied them, actually taking in their features. It wasn’t just Tuatara and Skink, all five of them looked like they were chiseled from marble and painted by the gods themselves. But before Nami could say anything, Luffy spoke up again as she picked up Monroe, who was sitting at her feet, and held him up for Tuatara and Skink to see.

“Look, I have a kid now!” Luffy exclaimed with a wide grin, “Isn’t he the most adorable little thing ever?”

Tuatara and Skink paused for a second, their expression slipping into surprise and shock for a split second before they burst out laughing, their melodic voices echoing through the air. They exchanged glances before looking back at Luffy with a mix of amusement and fondness.

“Careful, Lu, you might just turn into grandpops if you start collecting strays.” Skink chuckled, ruffling Luffy’s hair playfully.

Tuatara chuckled, leaning down slightly to get a good look at Monroe. “Well, hello there.” He spoke in a gentle tone that seemed to calm the usually hyperactive Mink-human. “It seems you’ve found yourself quite the interesting family.”

Monroe blinked up at Tuatara with wide, innocent eyes before breaking into a giggle, his little hands reaching out to touch the unfamiliar face.

Before they can continue their conversation, the earth beneath their feet gives a tremendous shudder when the volcano erupts. Tuatara straightens himself up and looks over his shoulder “Oh Lordy Lord, here we go again.”

“Here what goes again?!” Usopp practically shrieks, eyes wide with fear as she clutches onto Johnny’s arm, her knuckles turning white.

Skink chuckled, waving his hand dramatically in the air, gesturing further into the forest. “Little garden for the past 100 years has been the Home of two Giants named Dorry and Brogy. The volcano is like a timer? Stopwatch of sorts they use to know when they’re next duel has started.”

“It’s not an actual duel.” Tuatara said, turning his attention back to the Strawhat pirate. “It’s more like a… friendly spat of sorts that has gone on for too long. They’re not actually hurting each other or hitting each other with their weapons, it's just… it’s basically, just a sparring session, you still get to fight, but you’re not hurting the person you’re sparring with.”

Luffy’s curiosity piqued at this revelation. “Why would they do that?”

Tuatara leaned back on his heels, piercing his lips. “It’s all about pride, really. Something about who caught the bigger seeking.” He points to the mountains of the island, “those aren’t actually mountains. Those are bones. Bones of two sea kings they’ve been fighting about for a century, The only reason why they’re fighting is because they couldn’t figure out who caught the bigger sea king so now they’re duking it out to settle it.”

Ace, who had been quietly listening to the exchange, snorted. “Well, that’s just stupid. Why don’t they just measure the bones?”

“I have absolutely no idea.” Skink shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked over at his brother. “But it’s the giants’ way, I guess. They’re pretty stubborn once they’ve set their minds on something. Anyways, you wanna meet them?”

Luffy’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Hell yes! Let’s go say hi!”

————————

“Another draw, you two?” Tuatara and Skink ask it in unison once they break through the forest and find a flat Area where Dorry and Brogy were sitting and relaxing after their latest duel.

“Ah! Tuatara and Skink! Did you two come to drink with us again?” Brogy the Red cheers, toasting him with one of the barrels of ale the Angel Pirates (Tuatara and Skink’s pirate crew) had given them.

“Nah, but mine and Tuatara’s sibling and their crew finally showed up, and our sister wanted to meet you.” Skink said, pointing to Luffy, Ace, and Sabo.

Dorry the Blue finishes downing his barrel and leaned forward, a grin plastered on his face. “So this is the little princess of the sandstorms we’ve been hearing so much about!” He boomed, his voice echoing through the clearing.

Luffy grinned up at them, “Nice to meet ya!” She said cheerfully, not the least bit intimidated by the towering giant.

“Ah, the young ones!” Dorry exclaimed, slapping his knee with his massive hand. “Come, have a seat! Tell us of your adventures, for we have been fighting for far too long and have missed the tales of the seas!”

Sabo and Ace exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued by the giant's invitation. They had heard the legend of the giant warrior pirates, but never imagined they would meet them. Luffy, ever eager to make new friends, hopped onto the giant’s palm without hesitation, her straw hat bobbing as she settled in.

“We met a real life dragon the other day!” Luffy began, her dark brown eyes sparkling with excitement.

Dorry’s grin grew wider, revealing a set of teeth as large as dinner plates. “A dragon, you say?”

Luffy nodded excitedly, and began telling them the story about Apis and her old dragon friend.

—————————

The Strawhat pirates spent about three days on Little Garden before they left four days ago. Tuatara, Skink, and their pirate crew had left little garden two days before the Strawhat pirates did, having another errand to run their mother.

Luffy was sitting on the figurehead on the going merry, looking down their Log Pose when Zoro came up beside her, leaning on the railing beside the figurehead. “What are you doing with that? I thought it was Nami’s job to navigate us?” He questioned, raising an eyebrow at her.

“Nami’s sick.” Luffy answered simply, stretching out her body as she leaned back on the figure head. “Something on little garden got her, probably some sort of poison plant or some bug or something, she’ll be fine. I gave her some of those antibiotics you didn’t take we got from Loguetown. That should keep her at least somewhat fine until we get to Drum Island and to a proper doctor.”

Zoro nodded, looking at her with a hint of concern, “Well, we’re in good hands then, Luffy.” He said with a smirk, looking over the horizon.

Luffy stretches again, rolling her neck to pop it, and let’s have a satisfied sigh. “It’s gonna start snowing, and dropping to freezing temperatures. We should probably start bundling up before we get too close to Drum Island.”

Zoro raises an eyebrow, his eyes flicking up to the sunny and clear sky. "Freezing temperatures and snow? Are you sure?" He says skeptically.

Luffy nods, setting up. “That is the type of climate at Drum Island, all year, 24/7 it's either blizzarding or snowing.”

“Why would we go to such a cold place?” Sanji questioned as he came to join them on the deck, wiping his hands with a towel after cooking.

“Well, that’s our next stop, and Drum Island is home to the best doctor to ever exist, Dr. Kureha.” Luffy says with a knowing smile, turning to face Sanji. “And she’s got this adopted kid named Chopper who’s a genius at medicine. If anyone can help Nami, it’s them.”

Sanji’s eyebrows furrow. “Never heard of them.” He says, skeptically eyeing Luffy’s overconfident smirk.

“Well, most things that happen in the grand line do not get broadcasted to the East and south blue, so I’m not surprised.” Luffy shrugs, hopping off of the figurehead, landing on the deck of the going merry with a soft thud. “But trust me, Sanji, Dr. Kureha is the best.”

Zoro eyes her. “Whatever you say.”

Luffy mm-hmm’s clapping her hands together, before spinning on her heels so she was facing the seat. She points out where there’s a visible straight line in the sky where the weather goes from bright, warm, and sunny to cold, cloudy, and snowy. “Now, go get warm and bundled up! We don’t need anyone else getting sick!”

The crew nods and disperses, each getting ready in their own way. Luffy watches them for a moment before screening off to the girls cabin to get all dressed up and warm.

———————

Luffy didn’t know what she was expecting when she emerged back on the deck and went to go claim her seat back on the figurehead of going merry. But a guy dressed as a jester standing on the water was not it.

Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp stare at the man.

The man standing on the surface of the water stares back, the wobbly line of his mouth parting. “Hello! Sure is cold today, isn’t it?”

Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp just continue to stare in astonishment at the figure dressed as a jester, standing nonchalantly on the water. Luffy takes a deep breath and opens her mouth to say something but was cut off by the going merry starts shuddering and shaking under her feet. And a ship rises from the water higher and higher above their small caravel.

“What the hell is going on?” Luffy stumbles backward, and slips on a patch of snow, stumbling back into Zoro’s chest. He catches her with a grunt.

“Great! Just what we needed.” Zoro mutters, un-sheathing one of his swords, his eyes narrowed on the floating figure. “Another oddball to deal with in this already weird-as-hell trip!”

Luffy turns her attention back to the ship in question, her eyes narrowing as it starts to unfold. Transforming from a round ball into a more familiar ship shape, still towering above the going merry. The ship’s figurehead was a massive woolly hippo, and there were two massive gears on both the starboard and port sides that probably contributed to the ship’s ability to shift to and from its submersible state.

The crew of whatever ship just emerged from the ocean jumps onto the deck of going merry. Luffy doesn’t blink when the barrels of several rifles are pointed in her direction, focusing her attention on the three men choosing that moment to board her ship. Tall and rotund, his long chin wide and square. Wearing luxurious winter clothes and metal body armour. Overtop his outfit, the hood over his long, jagged hair, is the fur of the same creature that marks his ship, a woolly hippo.

On either side of him are two bizarre-looking individuals. One is dressed in a jester hat, a recurve bow slung across his back, a quiver full of arrows alongside it. His head was unusually small, his gloved hands were unusually large, and his lips were a squiggly line. The other has the air of a boxer. Wearing loose shorts, sturdy shoes and a pair of what looked to be boxing gloves. He wears his hair in an afro and his beard short and neat.

“You all consider yourself a band of pirates, that’s amusing. I only count three ya!” The man was wearing luxurious winter clothes and he had a dagger in his hand, a piece of meat skewered on the dagger. The man, Luffy was guessing was the captain, opens his mouth wide and bites down on the meat. When he pulls away most of the blade of the dagger was gone as well, he chooses and swallows before he tosses the rest of the dagger into his mouth. “Sort of strain, that your group would have such few members.” He says through chewing the meat and the dagger.

“Okay, this is weird, what kind of guy likes to eat knives?” Luffy mused aloud, her dark brown eyes squinting at the captain as he chewed and swallowed the rest of the dagger. The man chuckled, his teeth gleaming as he patted his belly contentedly.

“Ahhh! My gums are bleeding just watching!” Usopp exclaimed, her eyes wide with horror as she took a few steps back from the unsettling sight.

“All right, I’ll keep this simple. My name’s Wapol.” The man, Wapol, who just ate a dagger begins. “And see, my men and I here wish to travel to the Drum Kingdom. You wouldn’t have an Eternal Pose or a Log Pose, would you?” He asks, still chewing the meat and dagger.

“No, can’t help you.” Zoro says simply, his tone as sharp as a blade as his grip on Luffy’s arm tightening, his other hand tightening on The health of his sword.

“Well, now that we got all that settled, can you guys leave now? We’re in a hurry and we don’t have time to deal with all this.” Luffy said, getting more irritated by the second.

“You’ll never enjoy life if you’re always in a rush.” Wapol who had just eaten a dagger says nonchalant, ignoring Luffy’s irritation. He wiped his hand before continuing. “But if you have neither pose what can be done? I suppose I will have to settle for your treasure on the ship.”

“Bitch, excuse me!” Luffy’s temper flared, her eyes narrowing at Wapol.

Wapol kept on ignoring. “But first things first, I'm feeling a bit hungry!” He laughs and down onto the side of the going merry and tears off a massive chunk.

“What the actual fuck!” Zoro’s eyes widened as Wapol took a bite out of the Going Merry.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! HE’S A SHIP EATING MONSTER!” Usopp screech’s absolute bloody murder, loud enough to make everyone’s ears ring.

“Hey, I’ll ship isn’t your!” Luffy yelled, looking about ready to rip Wapol’s Head off. “Hey, be quiet! Wapol-sama doesn’t like to be disturbed when he’s eating!” One of Wapol’s men who were pointing a gun at Luffy’s face nervously said as he tried to keep his boss from seeing the rage in Luffy’s eyes.

“Fuck, you get that piece of shit out of my face!” Luffy sneers, all but shoving the man in the gun away and stomping over to Wapol. “HEY, I said stop you ugly son of a bitch!” She tries to pull him away, and he glares at her out of the corner of his eye and bites down on her instead.

Zoro and Usopp jerk, startled, and the Bliking pirates, Wapol’s crew, turn their guns to the tangled captains. They exchange a quick glance and begin disarming the distracted pirates. Both of them know that Luffy will be just fine.

Wapol gives Luffy an agitated look, muttering, “You’re too chewy,” while trying to pull her further into his maw.

Luffy sneers, yanking her hand free, and the sound of the mess hall door of the going merry opening, followed by a gun caulking, one of Ace’s guns, echoes through the air. Before a loud gunshot goes off, Wapol’s head explodes and chunks of it scatter across the deck of the going merry and the ocean once the bullet connects. The now carcass of a man falling backwards into the ocean with a loud splash.

The Bliking pirates looked absolutely stunned, guns dropping from their hands as the realization dawned on them that their captain is dead. They had no idea what to do, and it was clear in their eyes.

Ace’s smoking gun, still in hand, his eyes are as calm as a serene lake. “Bitch.” He mutters, taking a bite of the meat skewer he had been eating. Ace had shot Wapol through the mouth and out the back of his head. Ace walks up to the railing beside Luffy, pointing his gun at the carcass of Wapol starting to sink in the water, and started shooting him again, over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again, not flinching nor even batting an eyelash once, still eating his meat skewer as he repeatedly pulls the trigger.

The Bliking Pirates stare in shock, their eyes wide and unblinking, as their captain's lifeless body sinks into the briny depths. The air is thick with the smell of gunpowder and the echo of the gunshot still rings in their ears.

“Get the fuck off of my ship before I decide the rest of you are better off dead than breathing.” Luffy practically growled at The Bliking Pirates as she bent down and picked up her dropped hat, placing it back onto her head. The pirates didn’t dare to move, their eyes still glued to their sinking captain.

“GET THE FUCK OFF OF MY SHIP, NOW!” Luffy’s voice boomed through the air, echoing the fury in her eyes as she stared down the Bliking Pirates. “I know I didn’t st-st-st-st-stutter!” She marked a stutter, her voice growing louder and more angry with each word. “I said get the fuck off my ship, and when I say get the fuck off my ship, that doesn’t mean dillydally and jerk your dicks off, it means get the fuck off of my ship!”

The Bliking Pirates stumbled over each other, desperately trying to board their own ship before Luffy decided to go full ham on them.

————————

Once the Strawhat pirates got to Drum Island Ace went off by himself to buy some more bullets, grumbling to himself about how he wasted perfectly good bullets on an overgrown hamster.

He shoved his glove clad hands into the pocket of his jacket, shivering slightly. He was dressed in a thermal shirt and pants, a thick wool sweater, a heavy insulated pants, a high-quality down parka with a fur hood, thick wool socks, waterproof boots, and a warm, thick knit hat and gloves but he was still freezing his ass off. His Orange cowboy hat was hanging around his neck from a stampede string, the hat slightly bouncing and smacking against his back with every step he took, his earrings swaying with every step he took as well.

The snow crunched beneath his boots as he walked down the streets of the village, looking around and weaving through people. The buildings here were all made of red bricks. Most of them were two stories tall with pointed roofs and tall chimneys that puffed out smoke. The people here were all wrapped up in warm fur-lined cloaks and hats, their cheeks rosy from the cold. The village was bustling with activity, people were selling all sorts of things from fruits and vegetables, to weapons and armor.

Ace grumbled under his breath as he stopped in front of a store, peering in through the window, looking at all the different articles of clothing that was either hung up or displayed on a mannequin. His eyes flicked up to the sign above the shop where it read. “The Warm Hearth’s Attire.”

———————

Inside The Warm Hearth’s Attire A certain young boy with light blue hair had stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide, and his mouth slightly agape as he looked out the front window of the shop.

Deuce was currently clothes shopping with his friends Skull and Laguna. Or well technically Laguna had dragged him and skull along for her shopping trip. Deuce didn’t mind much, as he liked to look around the various stores, mostly because he enjoyed the warmth they provided from the frigid outside.

But currently, right now, all his attention was on the boy standing outside, who was looking at the clothes on display through the window.

Deuce's heart skipped a beat when he saw the gorgeous young man with wavy black hair and piercing dark brown eyes. He was wearing a pair of hanafuda earrings that shimmered in the light. The way the snowflakes danced around him, it made him look like an angel dressed in a thick winter outfit.

Deuce’s eyes followed the boy’s glove-covered hand as it came up to cradle the side of his own face as the boy tilted his head, scrunching his nose at the cold as he landed closer to the window to get a better look at the price of the clothing.

Skull poked his head over Deuce’s shoulder, his own curiosity peaked by his friend’s sudden silence. “Whatcha lookin’ at, Deu?” he asked, his voice a low murmur.

Deuce’s face flushed crimson at the realization that he had been caught staring. He whipped around to face Skull and Laguna, his eyes darting back and forth between them nervously. "N-Nothing!" he stuttered, trying to play it cool. But the blush on his cheeks was a dead giveaway.

Skull raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He pushed Deuce’s Head out of the way so we could a butter look at whatever had his friend blushing like a Schoolgirl.

"Well, what do we have here?" Skull's voice was a low, amused rumble.

Laguna leaned in to get a better look, her lime-green eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Who's the cutie, Deu?"

Deuce felt his cheeks burn even hotter as he tried to shoo them away. "It's nobody, okay? Just some guy.”

But it was too late; Ace had already turned around, his eyes locking onto Deuce's. There was a moment of silent understanding between them, a spark that made Deuce's heart skip a beat. Ace’s eyes were a warm, welcoming brown, filled with the same curiosity that reflected in Deuce's friends' gazes.

Ace tilted his head to the side, the earrings he was wearing swaying with the action as he looked at the trio of friends curiously. He waved at them for a split second before something caught his eye and he was walking away from the window.

"W-wait!" Deuce called out, his voice cracking with nerves. He stumbled over to the door, pulling it open and stumbling outside. The cold air slapped him in the face like a wet fish, making him gasp and cough. "Are you okay? Do you need help with anything?"

Ace stopped in his tracks, looking over his shoulder to Deuce. “Uhmmm?… I’m just looking for a gun shop that sells bullets. I used all of mine for… hunting.”

Deuce's cheeks flushed as he tried to hide his excitement. "Oh, yeah, I know just the place! It's not far from here, I'll show you!" He stepped out of the warmth of the shop, already missing the warmth of the shop. Skull and Laguna exchanged amused glances before following them out.

The snow crunched under their boots as they made their way through the village. Deuce couldn't help but sneak glances at Ace as they walked, his heart racing faster with every step. He noticed the way the fur hood framed Ace's face, emphasizing the sharpness of his jaw and the brightness of his eyes. Ace looked like a prince from a distant land, lost in the cold embrace of Drum Island.

As they approached the gun shop, the bell jingled as the door swung open. A burly, bearded man looked up from behind the counter, a cigar clamped between his teeth. "Welcome, lads!" He boomed out a greeting, eyeing Ace with curiosity. "What can I do for the four of you?"

“I’m just here to stock up on some bullets.” Ace spoke casually, the warmth of the shop feeling like heaven compared to the biting cold outside.

The shop owner’s gaze lingered on Ace’s earrings, recognizing the unmistakable symbol of the Strawhat Pirates. He had heard whispers of their exploits, but never thought he’d have one of them right here in his store. “Ah, I see. I’ve got just what you need, top of the line ammo. It’ll punch through ice like it’s paper! Just tell me what kind of guns you got and I’ll fix you up right!”

Ace walked over to the counter, eyes the shop owner curiously. He stops at the counter and doesn’t say or do anything for a couple seconds before pulling out a piece of paper and sliding it across the counter towards the shop owner. The piece of paper had about 20-to-25 different types of guns and the type of ammo they took written on it. “Which ones of these do you have?” He asked, his voice calm and cool despite the freezing temperature outside.

The shop owner’s eyes widened as he scanned the list. He knew the Strawhats were powerful, but he had no idea they had such a diverse arsenal. “Well, I don’t got all of these, but I can get you bullets for these four types. It’s the best I can do on such short notice, I’m afraid. But they’re the best in the business, I promise ya!” He said, pointing to four different types of ammo behind the counter.

“That’s fine, me and my… families… next stop is alabasta, I can get the rest of the bullets from there.” Ace said nonchalantly, his gaze never leaving the shop owner’s eyes. The owner nodded, grabbing a clipboard, and clipped a form to the clipboard, he scribbled something on the form and handed it to Ace. “Just sign here to confirm your purchase, and I’ll get these loaded up for ya!”

Ace nods, and in the most elegant looking, most prettiest, neatest, cleanest, most precise, orderly cursive handwriting the shop owner, Deuce, Skull, and Laguna has ever seen, he signs his name on the form. The shop owner can't help but stare for a moment longer, his eyes wide with astonishment, before snapping back to reality and starting to pack the bullets.

"Thank you, I appreciate it." Ace says with a smile that lights up the room, and Deuce can't help but swoon. Skull nudges him, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"You got good taste, Deu," Skull says with a chuckle.

"Shut up," Deuce whispers, his cheeks a slight shade of pink.

Laguna, noticing her friend's reaction, giggled quietly to herself. She leaned closer to Skull and whispered, "Looks like our Deuce has found his first crush." Skull couldn't help but chuckle at Deuce's expense, but he knew it was all in good fun.

The shop owner finished packing the bullets into a large sack and handed it over to Ace with a nod. "Safe travels, kid. Watch yourself out there," he said, a hint of concern in his voice. Ace nodded and slung the sack over his shoulder as he paid for the bullets, the weight of tge sack not bothering him in the slightest. He turned to leave, but not before giving Deuce one last smile that made the  older boy's heart race.

"Thanks for the help.” Ace said with a wink to Deuce as he stepped out of the warm shop into the blistering cold of Drum Island. The snow crunched under his boots.

Deuce was breathing like he just ran a marathon. Ace's smile was like a warm cup of hot cocoa on the coldest night of the year. His heart was racing, and his face was definitely crimson. He watched as Ace walked away, his orange cowboy hat standing out like a sunflower in a snowstorm. He looked over to Skull and Laguna, who were both trying not to laugh at him. "What?!" He exclaimed defensively.

"You've got it bad, Deu," Skull chuckled, slapping him on the back. "That's not a good look for you."

Laguna smirked, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I think he's adorable. Who is he, anyway?"

Deuce pause, a mix of emotions flickering across his face, before it turned an even darker shade of red. “I didn’t ask his name!” He whaled, sounding utterly embarrassed and defeated, which only made Skull and Laguna laugh harder.

“Well, you should have!” Laguna said, still smiling.

The shop owner watched the trio before he sighed, whistling sharply to get their attention. “That’s him.” He snapped his fingers and pointed to one of the various bounty posters behind the counter hanging on the wall. The bounty poster was obviously of the boy Deuce was practically drowning with how much swooning he was doing. But it was not what Deuce, Laguna, nor Skull were expecting to see, they were not expecting to see the guy who looked like a prince on a bounty poster. The bounty poster picture was of Ace hanging upside down in a knee hang by a pipe, holding a Machine gun as he shot at Marines he was fighting, a serene look on his face, and his mouth slightly open as he exiled, a plume of smoke being created from the excel as if he was somewhere cold. The bounty poster read “Wanted Dead or alive: Ace - 44,000,000.”

The room suddenly got cold, colder than the outside. Skull’s and Laguna’s laughter immediately ceased as they stared at the bounty poster, eyes wide and jaws hanging open. Deuce was frozen in shock. A pirate? The most beautiful person he had ever laid eyes on was a pirate?

“44 million berries?” Laguna murmured, disbelief etched in her voice. “How? What? He’s younger than me. How can he be worth 44 million berries?!” She stared at the bounty poster as if it had suddenly turned into a sea monster before her very eyes.

“He’s not afraid to kill.” The shop owner sighed, tapping the ashes of his cigar into an ashtray on the counter. “From what I know him and his crew haven’t been in the grand line for more than a couple weeks. So he got that bounty when he was still in the… East blue I believe?” He said, squinting at the bounty poster as he looked for where they put the origin of where the pirate came from at the bottom. “Yeah, down here…” he pointed at a little detail box at the bottom right corner of the bounty poster. “Ace of the Strawhat pirates, one of the original three of the pirate crew, which just started their journey three months ago in the East blue, 14-years-old, the crimes listed: piracy, theft, destruction of property, assault of a marine, assault of a officer, multiple accounts of murder, and this 44 million berries is his first ever bounty.”

Deuce felt his heart drop to his stomach. The person he had just met, the person that was so kind and sweet, had a 44 million berry bounty? That’s more than anyone he’s ever seen. “But he’s just a kid!” He sputtered, his voice was full of disbelief and shock.

“You think the world government cares?” The shop owner said, shaking his head. “When I first opened the shop about 20 years ago, they gave a 8-year-old a bounty of 79,000,000 berries all because she knew how to read some fancy letters. And it wasn’t just a wanted dead or alive bounty poster, it was a wanted dead bounty poster. A kid, for just knowing how to read something. So, if you think a pretty boy with a fancy hat is safe because he’s not even 15, you’re in for a rude awakening, kiddo. The world’s a cold, cold place and if he’s got that kind of bounty already, he’s earned every single berry of it.”

Deuce felt his heart drop to the floor as the words sank in. He had never seen the harsh side of the world outside of Drum Island, and here it was, slapping him in the face like a cold wet fish. Ace was a pirate. A dangerous one, at that.

“But, but he’s so nice!” Deuce protested weakly, unable to fathom the disconnect between the Ace he knew and the one on the poster.

The shop owner sighed, leaning against the counter. “Look, Kid, just because you’re a pirate doesn’t make you a bad person. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to survive. And sometimes, those fancy letters on the bounty poster don’t tell the whole story. Maybe he’s just trying to make a name for himself, or maybe he’s fighting for something he believes in. Hell, look at Dr. Kureha, she used to be on the most wanted pirate crew ever to exist, her captain had a bounty of 7,367,100,000 berries before he died and she’s not exactly what you’d call a villain, right?”

Deuce nodded slowly, taking in the words. It was true, he’d heard the whispers about Dr. Kureha’s past, but she was like a grandmother to everyone on the island. A… ‘gentleish’… soul who’d patched up more wounds than anyone could count. If she could leave that life behind and be accepted here, then maybe Ace wasn’t the monster the Marines painted him to be.

“But what about the bounty?” Deuce’s voice was small, unsure.

“What about it?” The shop owner asked, raising an eyebrow.

Deuce fidgeted, trying to gather his thoughts. “Isn’t that a big deal? Having such a high bounty, I mean. It’s not like he’s just a little troublemaker, he’s practically a legend in the worst way!”

The shop owner chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. “You’re right, but legends come in all shapes and sizes, Kid. Some are heroes, some are villains, and some are a mix of both. And as for Ace, well, you’ll have to figure out which one he is for yourself. Just don’t go jumping to conclusions based on what’s written on a piece of paper. The world’s a lot more complicated than that, and people are too. Now, you run along. I’m sure you’ve got better things to do than moon over a pirate you just met!” He winked, shooing Deuce, Skull, and Laguna out of the warm shop and back into the frosty embrace of the island.

As Deuce stepped out, the cold air slapped him in the face, bringing him back to reality. He glanced at Skull and Laguna, who were both grinning like they had just watched the world’s best comedy show. Skull nudged him with an elbow. “Looks like you’ve got it bad for the pirate prince, huh?” Laguna giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Deuce rolled his eyes, his cheeks flushing a shade darker than the snow around them. “Shut up, you two. I just want to make sure he’s okay, that’s all!” He stomped away, trying to ignore the flutter in his stomach at the thought of Ace as the trio walked through their home village.

The snow crunched beneath their boots as they approached the bustling marketplace. Stalls were packed with villagers, all wrapped up in their warmest clothes. The smell of freshly cooked meat wafted through the air, and the sound of laughter and haggling filled the square.

Deuce spotted Ace in the distance, but he wasn’t alone. He was standing beside a tall, Green haired, beefcake of a man whose features were soft and somehow as sharp as a blade at the same time, a very pretty man with four ear piercings on one, and one ear piercing on the other. Ace was holding onto his arm by the elbow as he pointed at something, polling the taller man along with him, the taller man who was now carrying the bag of ammo Ace had just bought.

"Who’s that?" Deuce asked Skull and Laguna as they walked closer to Ace and the man.

Laguna rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. “Why are you asking us like we know?” She replied, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips.

Skull shrugged, his deep voice rumbling through the frosty air. “Looks like he’s got a friend.”

Deuce’s heart skipped a beat as he took in the sight of Ace with the green-haired man. The tension was palpable, and he felt a sudden urge to protect Ace from whatever this newcomer might bring.

As they drew nearer, they could start hearing the Conversation in between Ace and the green-haired man. “The hell are we looking for?” The man asked, his tone gruff yet playful. “A Music player or speaker, Zoro! It’s so quiet when we’re on the ocean we need music or something!” Ace replied, grinning.

Deuce felt a knot in his stomach. He had never felt this way before, a strange mix of excitement and possessiveness that he couldn’t quite put into words. He had to admit, the man was handsome in a rough kind of way, with a presence that was as commanding as it was gentle.

“You can’t tell you don’t get bored just listening to the oceans in the seagulls all day, Zoro.” Ace said with a laugh, his wavy black hair fluttering in the cold breeze. “Tell me, do you know how to dance?”

The green-haired man, Zoro, raised an eyebrow. “Why would I know how to dance?”

Ace shrugged, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink from the cold. “I don’t know, Luffy likes to dance so I guess I thought she would’ve made you dance with her by now. Or at least try to.” He says, his arm sliding from Zoro’s elbow, down to his hand, grabbing it, and holding it up in the air. Ace spun himself in a circle as they continued to walk as if they were dancing together.

Zoro looked down at his hand in Ace’s, his own hand large and calloused from years of sword training engulfed Ace’s surprisingly small and just slightly calloused hand. Zoro squeezed it slightly, a silent protest, but the smile didn’t leave Ace’s face. “Don’t get any ideas, I’m not letting you cut in on my dance partners anytime soon.”

Deuce, Skull, and Laguna watched from afar as Ace and Zoro continued their playful banter. Deuce couldn't help but feel a twinge of something unfamiliar as he took in the sight of Ace's hand in Zoro's. His heart raced, and he realized that the feeling was jealousy. He had never felt this way about anyone before, not even the village girls he had grown up with. Ace's laughter echoed through the marketplace, and it was like music to Deuce's ears.

"Come on, Deu, let's go," Laguna tugged at his sleeve, trying to pull his jacket sleeve. You’ve gotten me invested in this pretty boy you’re suddenly infatuated with." Skull chuckled, slapping Deuce on the back, "Looks like our innocent little Deu has a crush!"

Deuce blushed furiously, trying to hide his feelings. "I-It's not like that! He's just..." His words trailed off as he watched Ace and Zoro continue their shopping, the pirate's laughter mingling with the sounds of the bustling market.

"Just what?" Skull grinned, raising an eyebrow.

Deuce sputtered, trying to come up with an excuse. "I-I just think he's interesting, that's all!"

Skull and Laguna exchanged knowing glances, their teasing smiles growing wider. "Interesting, huh?" Skull said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, you know what they say about the quiet ones."

"I'm not 'quiet'!" Deuce protested, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. But even as he denied it, he couldn't help but watch Ace with a newfound fascination. The way he moved, so gracefully and with purpose, was mesmerizing. And the way Zoro looked at him, with a mix of annoyance and warmth was intriguing.

"C'mon, Deu," Laguna giggled, poking his side. "You can't seriously tell us you don't have a crush on that pretty boy."

Deuce rolled his eyes, trying to shake off the attention. "Whatever," he mumbled. "It's not like I do." But even as the words left his mouth, his heart fluttered at the sight of Ace's carefree laugh. He had never met someone so charming and fierce at the same time. It was a strange mix that drew him in like a moth to a flame.

—————————

Meanwhile with Luffy, and Nami in the old Castle of drum Island that Dr. Kureha and Chopper had taken over one Wapol hand abandoned drum Island. Luffy sat beside Chopper as he experimented with making medicine and Dr. Kureha did… something? Luffy really doesn’t know, she wasn’t paying attention to the woman as she tended to the passed out feverish Nami.

Chopper had made a breakthrough with his Rumble Ball and had been playing around with different mixtures. He had made Nami a special kind of medicine that would help fight off the fever.

“Luffy.” Dr. Kureha suddenly broke the silence. “You’ve been pissy since you got to Drum Island, what’s got you so riled up?”

Luffy scowled and grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. “Some piss rag bit a chunk off of my ship, and then bit me like he was a rabid dog.”

Dr. Kureha paused, straightening up and looking over her shoulder to Luffy. “Bit a chunk out of your… ship?” She repeated, raising an eyebrow. “What in the world are you talking about, girl?”

Luffy grumbled again, crossing her legs one over another. “Well, apparently the almighty Wapol managed to get his hands on a devil fruit after he abandoned drum Island, he ended up on my ship, said something about a Log post, then he said something about stealing my treasure, then he bit a literal chunk off of the railing of my ship, then he bit me. And one thing led to another and Ace shot him in the head.”

Chopper looked up from his work, his eyes wide. "Ace shot him in the head?!"

“Straight through the mouth and out the back of the head.” Luffy said, mimicking the motion with her hands. “It was pretty impressive, honestly. But the bastard sunk to the ocean floor after Ace shot him a couple more times. I mean, he was dead on the first shot, but Ace just kept on shooting him.”

Dr. Kureha chuckled, “Well, your brother’s always had a flair for dramatics. And a bit of a temper, I must say. But that’s neither here nor there.” She turned back to her work, mixing ingredients with a gentle but precise hand. “Now, about your ship, you say?”

Luffy huffed, looking more pissed by the second. “I don’t know what his devil fruit was, but whatever it was it let him stretch his mouth wide, like, his jaw hit the deck of my ship before he took a massive chunk out of my railing. And now I’ve got to deal with fixing it, on top of everything else.”

Chopper nodded, scribbling notes onto a piece of paper. “Ah, yes, I’ve heard of a fruit like that, it’s quite rare. It’s called the Baku Baku no Mi, it’s a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows the user to eat otherwise-inedible objects, then later manifesting them from their body. But I’ve never seen one in action before. It must have been quite the sight, Luffy!” He paused, looking up at her with a twinkle in his eyes.

Luffy’s scowl deepened. “It was annoying, that’s what it was. And weird! He told me I was too chewy!”

Dr. Kureha's laugh boomed through the room, the sound echoing off the high ceiling. "He’s always been a weird, perverted, dickhead." She winked at Luffy before turning to the passed out Nami. "Now, let's get this fever down, shall we?"

———————

Back in the town below the drum Island castle Deuce, Skull, and Laguna were still following Ace and Zoro through the snowy bustling street, trying to keep their distance while simultaneously ogling the pirates. Skull nudged Deuce playfully, "Dude, you met the guy less than two hours ago, and barely said more than a couple sentences to each other. It’s not like you're going to marry him or anything."

Laguna giggled, "Yeah, Skull's right, Deu. It's not like Ace is going to whisk you away to his pirate ship and make you his first mate!"

Deuce blushed furiously, "Shut it, you two! It's just...he's different, you know?"

Skull grinned mischievously, "Different? Like how he's got that fancy hat and those big guns? You want him to risk you away and call you, darlin!” He says in a cheesy southern-cowboy accent, which only makes Laguna laugh harder.

Ignoring his friends' teasing, Deuce watched as Ace and Zoro approached the local food stamp, their footsteps leaving imprints in the fresh snow. He knew he shouldn't get involved, but something about Ace just drew him in. Maybe it was the way he moved, so effortlessly and yet with such confidence, or the warmth in his eyes that seemed to contradict the cold steel of his weapons. Whatever it was, Deuce couldn't help but feel a strange pull towards him.

————————

“God, I want that girl so fucking badly.” Bartolomeo mumbles to himself as he looks up at Luffy’s bounty poster pinned to his wall. He’s currently on the East blue Island called Hotaru Land, his home Island, and he was currently at home, laying on his king sized bed in his bedroom.

He rolls over in his bed, his blankets and sheets tangling around him as he roughly rubbed his face with a groan, smudging his half wiped off makeup even more. “What the hell is wrong with me?” He murmurs, It was a rare moment of vulnerability for the usually flamboyant and unflappable kingpin of Hotaru Land's underworld.

Luffy had become his obsession ever since he saw her on the execution platform in Loguetown. She had survived something no one should have been able to, and he had been hooked from that moment on. Her devil may care attitude, her unwavering belief in herself, and her unshakable kindness even in the face of adversity was something he had never seen before. It was like watching a living legend, a mythical hero that he had always read about in books.

But she was real, and she was a pirate.

Bartolomeo had always been fascinated by the idea of pirates, their freedom, their power, their stories. And now, the pirate of his dreams had become a reality. He had followed her career from afar, collecting every piece of information he could, every article, every rumor, every bounty poster. He had studied her moves, her tactics, her crew. He knew every member of the Strawhat Pirates by heart, but it was Luffy who truly captivated him.

He sighed, his eyes scanning the various knick-knacks that lined his shelves. Each one was a trophy from his own adventures, a testament to his own power and influence. Yet none of them brought him the joy that thinking about Luffy did.

“Fuck! These feelings is a fucking bitch!” He gripped to himself, pushing himself up to sit up right in his bed. “What the hell is going on with me? A pretty face has never affected me this way before, especially not a pirate’s!”

He had to admit though, she was more than just a pretty face. Her fiery spirit, her unshakeable belief in herself and her crew, it was all so... intoxicating. It was like nothing he had ever seen before. He had to meet her, he had to talk to her, he had to know her. He had to… … … … … he wanted her, he wanted her badly.

But he was no fool. He knew the world of pirates was no place for a love-sick mafia kingpin. But still, he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to stand beside her, to fight alongside her. To be a part of her legend.

——————————

Back over the reverse mountain and in the grand line in alabasta Law sat across from Rocks D. Xebec at One of the various gambling tables in Rain Dinners. The man’s expression was a mix of curiosity, bewilderment, and amusement. “Law, son, did you really just ask me if you could date my granddaughter?” Rocks asked, a smirk playing on his lip.

Law’s face flushes a dark crimson, and he shifts in his seat slightly. “Well, I was going to ask Crocodile, but I couldn’t find her.” He murmurs, looking anywhere but at the man in front of him. “And well, Dragon’s not exactly the easiest guy to get a hold of.”

Rocks throws his head back and laughs, a deep, rumbling sound that fills the air. “You know how unpredictable Dragon is. But I suppose if it makes you feel any better, I'd be more than happy to give you my blessing. After all, she's going to need a strong man by her side if she's going to conquer the Grand Line."

The atmosphere in the room lightens, and Law's shoulders visibly relax. "Thank you, Rocks. I just want her to be happy."

"Happy? Hmph." Rocks leans back in his chair, his eyes twinkling as he crosses his arms over his chest. "That girl is destined for more than happiness. She's going to stir up a storm that'll make the Marines tremble in their boots. And if you want to be by her side, I expect you to be by her side every step of the way, Island to island, battle to battle. You understand me, boy?"

Law nods solemnly, his eyes never leaving Rocks' intense gaze. "I do, sir. I'll do everything in my power to support and protect her with all that I am."

————————

Meanwhile on the Victoria Park that was docked on an island called Koko Island. Kid sighed as he rubbed his eyes, smudging the makeup he had halfway wiped off before giving up before bed. He was sitting down on his bed, one leg tucked up underneath him, looking down at Monkey D. Luffy’s newest bounty poster with a bounty of 100,000,000 berries. Kid’s eyes flicked over to the window in his captain's quarters, watching the sunset when he felt Killer’s warm hand slide up his shirtless back.

“She’s cute, isn’t she?” Killer asks, Rolling over to lay on his stomach, his side touching Kid’s back as he props himself up on his elbows to look at the bounty poster with him. The blanket, which is the only thing covering his naked body, barely covering his ass and nothing else.

Kid’s heart skips a beat at the touch, the feeling of Killer’s bare skin against his own sending a warm shiver down his spine. He nods without looking away from the poster. “Yeah, she is.”

Killer hummed, his hand sliding around Kid’s waist, his massive hand splayed across Kid’s stomach, before sliding down to Kid’s hip, and squeezing. “Well, I think she’s cute as well.” He admitted, leaning slightly closer to Kid, leaving a kiss on his spine. “And just think how much cuter she would be in our bed, naked.”

Kid’s cheeks heated up at Killer’s words, and he felt himself get slightly hard. He knew that Luffy was Killer’s type, but hearing him say it out loud, knowing that he felt the same way, was a whole other thing. He didn’t know what to say, so instead he leaned back slightly, letting Killer’s body press against his own. “Yeah, she would be pretty cute in our bed, wouldn’t she?” He agreed, his voice low and filled with a hint of desire.

Killer chuckled, his breath ghosting over Kid’s skin, sending more shivers down his spine. “Oh, you’re playing shy now, Captain?” He teased, his hand moving to Kid’s cock, squeezing it gently as he began to lazily stroke Kid’s cock. “I thought you liked the idea of sharing our bed with her?”

Kid’s eyes snapped over his shoulder to meet Killer’s, surprise and excitement swirling in them. “Fuck, yes,” he breathed out, his cock thickening in Killer’s grasp. “But it’s just a fantasy, right?” He was still in shock that Killer was okay with this, with sharing their bed with a woman. “Ever since you brought me her first damn bounty poster, telling me you found ‘the love of my life’, all I’ve been thinking about is her in this bed with us.” He groaned.

Killer’s eyes glinted with mischief, a smirk playing on his lips. “Well, I suppose we could make it more than just a fantasy,” he murmured, leaning in closer to whisper in Kid’s ear. His breath was warm and sent a shiver down Kid’s spine. “We could bring her here, show her what it means to be with two of the world’s most notorious pirates. Think of the fun we’d have, and I bed she’s a real animal in bed.” he said, his voice dropping to a seductive purr. Killer’s thumb rubbing over the head of Kid’s cock, his thumb pressing down on the tips hole, making Kid jolt and moan. “At the rate she’s traveling islands, I bet our crew and her crew will end up on the Sabaody Archipelago at the same time. Think about it, we will get to see her up close and personal, take to her, touch her, and possibly… have her… for at least a night.”

Kid’s heart raced at the thought. He had always been a fan of the chase, the thrill of the unknown, and Luffy was the ultimate prize. Her reputation as a fierce, untamable force on the high seas had only made him more eager to claim her.

Kid groaned and Killer chuckled, sitting up, his head never leaving Kid’s cock as he pushed the taller man down to the bed, settling himself in between his legs. “You like the idea don’t you?” Killer said, his voice barely above a murmur, as his free hand wasn’t wrapped around Kid’s cock slid in between Kid’s ass checks, three fingers sliding into Kid’s still loose, stretched, and lubricated hole from their earlier romp. “Admit it, you want her just as much as I do.”

Kid’s eyes rolled back in his head as Killer’s fingers found his prostate, his whole body spasming. “Fuck, Killer, yes, yes I want her, but it’s not just about fucking her, it’s about...” He trailed off, unable to put into words the possessive need he felt for the girl on the poster. Killer’s hand never stopped their magic as his eyes met Kid’s with a knowing look.

“You feel like you need her to survive.” Killer whispered as if he knew it to be true, as if that was how he felt about it as well. “It’s not just about the pussy with her.”

Kid nodded, his eyes squeezing shut, and Kid could swear that he could hear a deep, rumbling, gruff voice in the very back, in the deepest darkest corners of his mind telling him to agree with Killer. The voice was barely audible, like it was just a figment of his imagination, the voice was in a language long forgotten but Kid could somehow understand it completely. "Yes, that's right, you want her, you want her because you belong to her, every fiber of your being belongs to her, she’s the sun in your sky, she’s the reason you breathe, you need her to survive.”

Kid’s mind raced as the voice whispered in the back of his head. He was a lot drunk, and kind of high and he couldn’t tell if it was a hallucination from the alcohol mixing with the weed, or if it was something real. He didn’t care, all he knew was that he nodded. “Yeah, I fucking need her to survive. She’s like the air that I breathe, I need her to live. I need to protect her, keep her safe from everything out there.” He all but begged, his back arching off of the bed as Killer’s fingers rub circles on his prostate, Killer’s other hand tightening its grip on Kid’s cock. “God, Killer! I don’t know what the fuck is going on with me, ever since you showed me that first bounty post I’ve had her on my mind every waking moment! It’s like it hurts to think of anything else!”

Killer chuckled lowly, his eyes glinting in the dim candlelight of the room, his hand moving faster and faster on Kid’s cock, his fingers on Kid’s prostate hard enough to make him whine. Killer’s chest heaved with deep, ragged breath that seem to come from his very soul. “Good to know I’m not the only one.” He murmured, leaning down to press his forehead to Kid’s. “I don’t know what the fuck is going on with us either.” He said, his voice a gruff whisper. “But it feels like I’m going crazy, like my mind is being torn apart from the inside out and all I can think about is her, all I want is her, all I need is her, and I don’t know why, I just know that I need her.”

Kid’s eyes fluttered shut and his breath hitched in his throat. “You too?” He moaned out, his hips bucking into Killer’s touch, his body trembling with need.

“Every goddamn second of every goddamn day, Luffy is all I can think about,” Killer confessed, his voice thick with desire and something else, something neither Kid nor Killer could quite place. “It’s like she’s in my blood, man, in every beat of my heart. And half the time it’s like my thoughts aren’t even mine, there’s someone else’s voice in my head telling me to find her, that, Yes, I want her, I want her because I belong to her, every fiber of my being belongs to her, that I need her to survive! It’s fucking maddening!”

Kid’s eyes snapped open, a shiver racing down his spine as he felt the same words resonate within him, echoing from that deep, rumbling voice in his own mind. “You too?” He breathed out, his body tensing with each stroke from Killer’s skilled hand.

Killer’s grip tightened around his cigarette, a smirk playing on his lips as he nodded. “Aye, it’s like she’s a siren, calling us to our doom, and yet we can’t resist the song. It’s maddening and thrilling all at once. Like we’re meant to serve her, protect her, and claim her all at the same time.”

The tension in the room grew thick as molasses, the air charged with an electricity that neither man could ignore. They stared at each other, the silent understanding passing between them before Killer leaned back, tilting his head and face to the ceiling of the captain's quarters. His head left Kids cock for a split second as he shifted slightly, wrapping his hand around both his own and Kid’s cocks, stroking them in unison, his other hand still pumping in and out of Kid’s hole, feeling the heat and desire pulse through them both.

“What the fuck is happening to us?” Killer whispered, his eyes slip closed as he listened to that FUCKING voice in the very back, in the deepest darkest corners of his mind, that voice that’s been driving him mad for Luffy for the past months, it’s like it’s been speaking to him in his sleep, it’s been speaking to his in waking moment of his life he’s known she’s existed all because of the fucking bounty poster he saw two? Three months ago? And It’s driving him insane, but he can’t get enough of it, he needs to hear it more, he needs to hear it louder, he needs it to consume him whole, he needs it to be his everything.

But he’s not the only one feeling this way.

Kid’s hips rocked to meet Killer’s hands, he felt like he was going crazy with that damn voice in his head. But he didn’t want it to go away. He liked it there, whispering sweet nothings about Luffy, making him feel like he could conquer the Grand Line just to get one look at her.

“Yes, you want her, you need her.” The deep, rumbling, gruff voice whispered in Kid’s head, its voice filled with amusement and satisfaction, like it had known all along that this would happen, that they would come to this point. “You need her Eustass Kid, she’s your Nika, she’s your everything, she’s the reason you breathe, she’s the reason you live, she’s the reason you fight, she’s the reason you exist.”

Kid whimpered, his ass clenching around Killer’s fingers, his teeth digging into his bottom lip as he tried to hold in the moan that threatened to escape his throat. The room around them was spinning with lust and desperation, their bodies moving in sync with the rhythm of the siren’s call that was Luffy’s name. The voice in his head grew louder, more insistent, until it was all he could hear. It was a symphony of want and need, a crescendo that made his blood boil and his heart race.

“You need her, not just you, you need her because of me.” The voice in Kid’s head grew stronger, more demanding. It was as if it could sense his desperation and was feeding off of it, growing more powerful with every beat of his racing heart. “You are me, and I am you, we are one in the same, Nika’s chosen, and she is our queen, our sun in the sky, our beacon of hope. We must have her, we must protect her, we must conquer for her, we must love her!”

Both Kid and Killer’s breath stuttered in their chests, as if the separate voices that they heard in their head said the exact same thing. Kid didn’t know what the fuck was going on, but he knew he liked it, he liked it a lot. He liked the way the voice in his head was making him feel.

“Nika?” Killer breathed out like it was a question, and a full body, shuttering shiver, that makes your hair stand on end, and make them jolt and jerk struck both Killer and Kid’s bodies like a bolt of lightning.

“Fuck, what the hell is going on?” Killer groaned, his eyes snapping open to find Kid looking just as lost and bewildered as he felt.

“I don’t know, but it feels like we’re being called to her, like she’s our...” Kid’s voice trailed off, unsure of how to articulate the intense emotions that surged through him. “… god?”

The word barely left Kid’s lips before both of them heard a booming “YES! SHE’S YOUR GOD!” From the voices in their head and another full body, a shuttering shiver, that makes your hair stand on end, and make them jolt and jerk, striking both Killer and Kid’s bodies like a bolt of lightning.

The room grew hotter, the air thick with a desire that was palpable, and the two men couldn’t help but look at each other with a mix of fear, confusion, and a burning need that was now unquenchable. They knew they had to find Luffy, and soon.

“Our god?” Killer whispered, his voice barely above a breath. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, as if it were trying to escape the confines of his ribcage. He took a deep, shattering breath, looking down at Kid, his hands stilling. “Our Nika, our… god.”

——————————

Meanwhile, far away from Koko Island, far away from Kid and Killer, at the marine headquarters Marineford Smoker and Tashigi were sitting in front of a very stressed out Sengoku. “Of course! Of course! Of course Luffy had to tell the two of you, God fruits exist!” He slams his fist down on his desk multiple times, making the papers jump and flutter around his desk. “Why! Why is she like this?!” He shouted, his face red with frustration, he looked about ready to rip out his hair.

Smoker eyed the fleet admiral, taking a deep drag off of his cigar. “So, you’re telling me she was telling the truth and Dragon just doesn’t have an overpowered weather devil fruit?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sengoku paused, his expression a mix of dread, anger, and something that looked a bit like admiration. He took a deep breath, fixing the papers that had been on his desk. “No, Luffy was telling the truth. Her father, Monkey D. Dragon… when Luffy said Dragon is… the… weather God Shenlong… she was telling the whole hearted truth.”

Tashigi’s eyes widened behind her glasses. “But, but, but that’s impossible! That’s just a legend! A myth!” She stuttered, trying to wrap her mind around the revelation.

Sengoku looks torn in between throwing himself out a window, and smacking a fist through his desk. He nodded slowly, and took a deep breath. “Okay, i’m gonna tell both of you something, but this stays in between me and the two of you, do you understand me? The only people that are privy to this information are the higher ups.” He says with a stern look in his eyes.

Smoker and Tashigi nodded, leaning in closer, their eyes wide with curiosity.

“The three types of Devil fruit, they don’t exist, they’re not real.” Sengoku forces himself to say, his eyes boring into Smoker and Tashigi. “It’s all a lie, the only reason why the world government says there’s three types of devil fruit is so people don’t lose their minds and go crazy fighting over the damn things. There is only one species of devil fruit, and you heard me right, species. A devil fruit is not a fruit. It’s a species.”

Smoker’s eyebrow twitched in confusion, “What do you mean by that, Sengoku?”

“The only type of devil fruit to exist is the god fruit. Every single last devil fruit is a god.” Sengoku's voice was low, his words hanging heavy in the air. “The classification into three types was a lie concocted by the World Government to control information and maintain order. Each god fruit holds the power of a deity within it, granting its user an ability that can change the very fabric of the world if wielded by the right person. The government didn't want everyone to know that. It's why they're so tight-lipped about it, and… when you eat a devil fruit, you just don’t get the powers… you become the living embodiment of that God or Goddess, the host of the God or goddess, you become that God or Goddess.”

Tashigi's eyes widened behind her glasses, and even Smoker, who had seen and heard much in his years as a marine, couldn't hide his astonishment. They had always known the fruits to be powerful, but to think that they were literally divine... it was almost too much to comprehend.

But before either of them could speak up Sengoku continued. “And no, it’s not just the devil fruits that are divine. It is the person who eats them. The world says devil fruit shows back up after the wielder of the fruit dies, but that is not true. Devil fruits will only show back up when the chosen wielder of the power is born. You don’t just become divine when you eat the fruit you are born divine, the fruit has chosen you before you were even conceived.” He sighs heavily, his hands gripping the edge of his desk.

Smoker, usually so stoic, looked visibly shaken by this revelation. “So, what you're saying is that every devil fruit user is born to wield that power?”

“In most cases yes.” Sengoku rubs the bridge of his nose, taking off his glasses for a second to rub at his eyes. “But in some cases, devil fruit powers are forcefully taken by their rightful wielder… like the Marshall D. Teach incident, The man who betrayed Whitebeard. He wields the devil fruit called Yami Yami no Mi. That fruit belongs to Tsukuyomi the god of darkness and fear, and well, you know how we got his hands on the. He stabbed one of whitebeard's commanders in the back nearly killing and took the fruit by force from It’s chosen vessel. He’s an abomination, a thief, and a blight on the world of piracy and the marine world alike. And that’s just one example of how these fruits can be misused.”

Tashigi's eyes widened, her mind racing with questions. “But how do we know which fruits are linked to which gods?”

“Because the said gods used to walk among us.”

Sengoku's words hung in the air like a thick fog, heavy with the weight of secrets long buried. Tashigi and Smoker exchanged glances, trying to process this revelation that shook the very foundation of what they thought they knew.

“Smoker, you have a devil fruit.” Sengoku pointed at Smoker, who stiffened in his seat. Smoker’s eyes flicked back to Sengoku, his expression unreadable. “Yes, Sir, I have the Mera Mera no Mi.”

Sengoku nodded, taking a deep breath. “Okay, I know this is gonna make me sound crazy. But if you want to think of it as a fantasy, a delusion just plays into my delusions, okay?” He leaned forward in his, lacing his fingers together as he rested his elbows on the desk, his eyes boring into Smoker’s. “Smoker, I want you to clear your mind, think of absolutely nothing except for activating your devil, except don’t actually activate it just… listen.”

Smoker nodded, his curiosity piqued. He knew Sengoku wasn’t one to play games. He took a deep breath and focused on his fruit, the power of the smoke that lay dormant within him. A strange sensation began to stir, like a whisper in the wind—familiar, yet foreign. It was the presence of something ancient, something powerful that resonated with the very core of his being. He heard the faintest of whispers, a voice that didn’t quite sound like his own.

But then, as if whatever was whispering to him since he was finally listening to it, the voice hit him like a freight train, it was loud, clear, and demanding. “Find her! Find your Nika, you find the one you belong to, you want her, you belong to her, every fiber of your being belongs to her, she’s the sun in your sky, she’s the reason you breathe, you need her to survive, you need her to live, she’s your everything! Your Nika! Your Nika! Find her! Serve her! Protect her! She’s yours! She’s yours! She’s yours! She’s yours!” The Voice all but screech in Smoker’s head for only him to hear.

“Jesus fucking Christ!” Smoker bellowed, clutching his head as if trying to keep it from splitting apart. Sweat beaded on his forehead and trickled down his neck as he hunched forward in his seat, his cigarette falling to the ground unnoticed.

“Smoker, what’s wrong?” Tashigi all but shot out of her chair, rushing over, her eyes wide with concern. She had never seen the stoic man in such distress, his usually composed demeanor shattered by an invisible force.

Smoker didn’t answer, his eyes were going from in between squeezed shut, and wide open, his chest heaving in ragged, broken, stuttering breaths. The room was eerily quiet, except for the muffled sound of his pain. Tashigi looked over at Sengoku, her eyes asking for an explanation. Sengoku’s expression was one of understanding and concern.

“It seems his fruit was quite eager to speak with him.” Sengoku observed calmly, his gaze never leaving the writhing Smoker.

Tashigi looked bewildered. “What’s happening to him?” She whispered, as if afraid to disturb the chaos that had overtaken their colleague.

Sengoku cleared his throat, pulling his eyes away from Smoker and to Tashigi. “He’s speaking with the god that he is the vessel of. Most of the time reactions are not this severe when you first hear the deity voice, usually, you gradually start to hear the voice after a certain string of events, but sometimes you can ignore the voice from the fruit, like a whisper in the wind. And when you actually acknowledge the voice sometimes it can be feather light like a butterfly or as explosive as a volcano erupting. It’s a strange bond, one that’s hard to explain to those who haven’t felt it themselves. It’s like they’re with you, but they’re not. It’s like you’re one in the same, but you’re not… you’re the same being in two different bodies, but somehow you were also in the same body.”

Tashigi nodded her head, trying to absorb the information. “Does everyone with a Devil Fruit go through this?”

“If you are the chosen vessel of the fruit, yes, but if you get the fruit from some unsavory means, stealing the fruit from its rightful owner, then the god will never speak to you, and it will drive you mad. It’s a delicate balance.” Sengoku leaned back in his chair, his eyes flicking back to Smoker, who was still trying to regain his composure. “It’s either you are the vessel for the fruit and you gain their power with the blessing of the God you were born to embody, the God you are meant to be the embodiment of. Or you’re a thief of the divine, and the fruit will eat away at your sanity until you are no longer you. The fruit will consume you, and then the god will leave, finding the vessel it was stolen from, or finding a new vessel to call home. This is why we keep the existence of the Devil fruits real name a secret, to prevent the chaos that would ensue if everyone knew the true power of the Devil fruits, and the gods they contain.”

Tashigi nodded solemnly, taking in all the information. She had always felt that there was more to the fruits than the government had told them. It was one of the reasons she had decided to pursue her own brand of justice. But to hear it from Sengoku, one of the most revered figures in the Marines, it was mind-blowing. She glanced over at Smoker, who had finally stopped shaking, and his breathing was still ragged and choppy but started even out, the voice in his head quieting down.

Sengoku watched them for a second, giving Smoker a second to regain his composure before continuing. “It’s not just devil fruits, who are embroidered with the souls of God. It is also a few weapons, there are only two weapons that are known by the world government to be connected by Gods. That is the Enma The Demon God and King Of Hell and his soul is intertwined in a katana lost in the land of Wano. And the second sword is Dracule Mihawk’s sword Yoru… Yoru is The God Of Night, Nightmares, and Yoru one of the gods of death.”

Tashigi’s eyes grew wide with shock, “But what does this mean for the marines? For the balance of power in the world?”

“We can’t do shit, fuck the marines!” Sengoku slammed his fist on the desk, causing a tremor to ripple through the room. “The balance of power has always been a joke! The World Government controls what people know, not what truly is!”

Smoker nodded, picking up his cigar that he had dropped, his mind racing with the implications of what Sengoku had just revealed. “But if everyone knew, if the truth got out about the gods, the whole system would crumble, wouldn’t it?”

Sengoku took a deep breath, trying to regain his controller from his little snap. “Most likely yes, or we might get another great pirate era if the truth gets out. It's a 50-50 chance.”

Tashigi nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. She knew that the world wasn’t black and white, especially when it came to the government and pirates. But she had always believed in the justice that the marines stood for, and to find out that it was all a facade was a harsh reality to swallow.

“Now tell me, Smoker.” Sengoku took a deep breath, running a hand down his face. “What did the god say to you?”

Smoker paused, his cigar held up mid air from where he was picking it up. He took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair before straightening all the way up very slowly. “… find Nika… that I belong to Nika… that I’m supposed to be by Nika’s side.”

The room seemed to pause when the name ‘Nika’ slipped from Smoker’s lips. Sengoku’s face went through a flurry of emotions from fear, dread, skepticism, back to fear, and a whole lot more. “Nika?…” he whispered, his voice cracking slightly. “No, no, no, no, no! This cannot be happening! Nika’s Devil fruit has not been eaten in over 800 years! Who? Who could possibly have that fruit?” His eyes darted around the room, as if the answer was scribbled on the walls. “… oh… oh god, if Nika is back in the flesh, that means the rest of them are too! Shit, shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit! FUCK! If Nika’s back that means it’s not just one or two of her… husbands.” He said the word ‘husbands’ a bit flustered and embarrassed, but mostly panicked. “It’s all of them, it’s all of the gods from the ancient texts! They’re all back and they’re all in the hands of… I don’t even know who’s hands they are in now! This is bad, this is so much worse than Blackbeard! If Nika’s back, oh god I don’t even wanna think about it! We’re either gonna all burn and die or live in peace! There’s no in between! The prophecy, oh the fucking prophecy!”

Smoker and Tashigi looked at each other, their eyes wide with shock and confusion. Tashigi’s mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle of what Sengoku was saying. “Prophecy?” She questioned, her voice a mere whisper. Sengoku’s head snapped towards her so fast, she was surprised it didn’t snap. “SHHHHH! Don’t ever repeat those words again!” He hissed, his hand slapped over his mouth immediately after. The room was dead silent, only the sound of the waves crashing against the walls of Marineford could be heard.

Smoker tried to process what he was hearing, and tried to ignore the deep, gruff voice that was whispering in the deepest darkest corner of his mind. “H… husbands?” He stuttered, trying to grasp the gravity of what Sengoku was saying. “What prophecy? What are you talking about?”

Sengoku swallowed hard and rubbed at his eyes with the palms of his hands. “I… I can’t tell you about the prophecy without getting myself killed by the higher-ups of the world government. But I can’t tell you about Nika’s… husbands.”

Tashigi’s curiosity was piqued. “Husbands? You mean to say that the gods of the ancient texts had multiple spouses?” She asked, trying to keep her voice low.

Sengoku cleared his throat, looking anywhere but at Smoker. “Nika had ten consorts… uhhh… and well, let’s just say the husbands were also quite… friendly… with each other, if you know what I mean.” His cheeks flushed slightly, and he cleared his throat.

Tashigi’s eyes widened and she looked like she was about to comment on the sheer amount of husbands before the other half of Sengoku’s sentence sunk in and her face turned red than a ripe tomato. She coughed awkwardly, trying to cover her reaction. “Ah, yes, I see. Well, that’s quite fascinating from a historical standpoint.”

Smoker, on the other hand, had to ask, he had to know. “Why is my fruit asking me to find Nika?… is it because I’m…” he trailed off, not sure if he could voice the words.

But Sengoku didn’t have time to answer before the voice in Smoker’s head Smoker could only hear, sounding so exasperated, yelled. “YES! YES YOU ARE! YOU’RE HERS!” The voice was so loud, so clear, that for a moment, Smoker thought that everyone else in the room could hear it too. His eyes widened in shock and confusion.

Sengoku sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I’m guessing from your expression you just got your answer?” He asked, his gaze lingering on Smoker for a moment before looking away.

Smoker nodded, his mind racing with implications. “What does this mean for me?” He whispered, his voice barely audible.

“Honestly, I have no clue. Nika hasn’t walked among mortals for over 800-years, I have no idea what it means. The best thing I can tell you is try your best to ignore the voice or… talk to it to try to figure out what to do since… you are… well, yeah…” Sengoku trailed off, waving his hand around in the, not daring to say ‘One of Nika’s Husbands’.

The room was eerily quiet, the tension thick enough to cut through with a knife. Tashigi stared at Smoker, her eyes wide with shock. “Oh… my… god…” she said slowly, her face turning redder and redder and redder and redder by the second with a mix of embarrassment, flusteredness, and shock. She blinked, trying to process the fact Smoler was a husband to a GOD. “Y-You mean to tell me, Smoker, that you’re married to a GOD?” she squeaked out, her voice quivering.

Sengoku for his part started to look like he didn’t have a clue what was going on. “Honestly, yes… no… yes?” He said, looking at Smoker like he had just been told that his pet goldfish could talk. “It’s complicated. The Gods and their consorts, they had their own rules. But from what I know about the whole marriage part of Gods… in the sense since the God is a part of you, you are married to the other people’s that are vessels of the other gods by some sort of Bond in your soul… it’s all very confusing.”

Tashigi blinked a few times, trying to process this information. “So, Smoker, if he’s one of Nika’s consorts, that means he’s like married to gods?” she asked, her voice quieter than usual, trying to keep the shock out of her tone.

“Yes, and it's just not smoker being married to Gods, God‘s being married to God because like I told you a person who has a devil fruit is the living and body of the God the devil fruit holds.” Sengoku sighs, rubbing his forehead. “But I don’t know anymore, I truly don’t know what else to tell you. The only reason why I know this much is because… Dragon used to be a marine, Monkey D. Dragon used to be a marine before he became the revolutionary army leader. The only reason why I know so much about devil fruits being connected to God is because Dragon unlocked his full ability when he was still a marine. I don’t know anything else, I can’t tell you anything else. Just… The only thing I can tell you is to just try to ignore it, go back to using your Devil fruit how you used to before the little voice, and hope and pray nothing happens.”

Tashigi nods slowly, trying to digest all the new information. She looks over at Smoker, who has been uncharacteristically quiet this whole time. “What are you thinking?” she asks him, breaking the tension in the room.

“That this motherfucker in my head is loud.” Smoker murmurs under his breath, a hint of irritation lacing his voice. He sighed, looking at Tashigi with a mix of confusion and determination. “But, it’s not going anywhere. And if this is my fate, then I’ll deal with it when the time comes. For now, we have a job to do, a world to protect, and a future to secure. We can’t let this get in the way of that.” He stands up, placing his hand on Tashigi’s shoulder. “We’ll keep this between us for now. No need to cause a panic or stir up trouble before it’s necessary. We’ve got enough on our plates already, especially with these damn strawhats causing ruckus everywhere they go.”

The room falls into a contemplative silence for a moment before Sengoku chuckles, the sound echoing off the walls of his office. “Well, If you need anything, you know where to find me… I guess I’m gonna try to figure out who ate Nika’s fruit.”

Tashigi nods solemnly, her mind racing with the implications of the prophecy and the potential of her friends. “Thank you, Sengoku. We will be careful with this information.” She glances over at Smoker, who is staring at the floor, lost in thought.

“This motherfucker talks a lot.” Smoker suddenly said, sticking his pinky finger in his ear to scratch his ear, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips despite the gravity of the situation.

Sengoku couldn't help but chuckle at Smoker’s candidness. “Indeed, the voices of gods are not to be taken lightly. But remember, your duty as Marines is clear. We must uphold justice and protect this world from chaos, regardless of the whispers in our heads.”

With a nod, Tashigi and Smoker left the office, their minds buzzing with the implications of what they had just learned. As they walked through the corridors of the Marine headquarters, Tashigi couldn’t shake the feeling that their lives had taken a sudden, unexpected turn.

———————————

Koby was 100% sure he was going mental. Koby had been in the grand line for a little over two weeks. Garp had brought him and Helmeppo to the Grand line for training to become marines and Koby is 100% he’s been hit on the head one too many times by Garp because there’s a little voice in the back of his head that talks to him constantly.

He sighed, spacing out as he looked down the drain of his shower, the shower water pelting down right on his head from the way he was in the shower. He squatted down with his ass just hovering an inch above the ground, his knees touching and his arms wrapped around his legs, staring off into space, the blood that soaked his knuckles being washed away from the water.

The voice was just a little little itty-bitty little tiny whisper coming from the very back, in the deepest darkest corners of his mind. The voice was surprisingly soft. It was soft, kind, gentle, and loving, it was a man’s voice, and it’s in a language Koby knows he shouldn’t know but he does.

“What do you want?” Koby whispers, his voice barely above a breath. And it takes him a split second to realize this is the first time he’s actually acknowledged the voice in his head.

The voice, now slightly clearer, responds, "You to go to her, you want her, you want her because you belong to her, every fiber of your being belongs to her, she’s the sun in your sky, she’s the reason you breathe, you need her to survive.” The voice's gentle, soothing tone sends chills down Koby’s spine.

“Who?” Koby whispers, his heart racing as he tries to piece together what the voice is referring to.

SUMMARY^1: Koby starts to communicate with the divine voice in his head, which is gentle and insistent. The voice speaks in a language Koby shouldn't understand but does, and it tells him he belongs to a woman who is essential to his survival. This mysterious presence adds intrigue to Koby's character and suggests a significant relationship in his future that ties into the prophecy and the unfolding narrative of the One Piece world.

“You know who, Koby. You think of her day in and day out, in every waking moment, you dream about her every time you sleep. You think about her every second of every day. You want her, and you belong to her.” The voice says with a knowing smile that Koby can feel but not see. “You want her, you want to touch her, you want her to touch you, you want to hold her, to love her, to be loved by her, to protect her, to be by her side, to be her everything. To be the man she needs you to be, the man she’s destined for you to be. She’s the one you’ve been looking for all your life, the one who makes your heart skip a beat, the one who makes your blood boil, the one who makes you feel alive. You know who I am talking about, Koby. You want Luffy.”

Koby’s knees wobbled at the mention of Luffy’s name. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—confusion, excitement, fear, and a burning desire he hadn’t felt before. The voice grew more insistent, filling his mind with images of Luffy’s fiery spirit, her courage, her unshakeable resolve to become the Pirate Queen. The thought of being by her side, fighting alongside her, made his heart race even faster. He had always admired her, but this was something entirely different—it was a feeling that went beyond friendship, beyond hero worship. It was a connection, a bond, a need that seemed almost primal in its intensity.

“You want her so bad you won’t even let your little friend, Helmeppo, touch those earrings she gave you, don’t you?” The voice in Koby’s head teases, making him clench his fists protectively around the golden chain of the Hanafuda earrings.

“I can’t, I’m a marine.” Koby’s voice was shaky, but his resolve was strong. The thought of betraying his newfound comrades was almost painful.

The voice chuckled, “oh, trust me, you will always go back to your God, Koby. You will always go back to her.”

Koby felt his cheeks reddening, the realization of his feelings for Luffy becoming all too clear. He quickly exits the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist as the voice in his head grew quiet once again. He tries to shake it off, telling himself it's just the stress of his new life, but deep down, he knew it was more than that.

——————————

Meanwhile, back on Drum Island far away from Koby and everyone else. Johnny, yosaku, and Monroe, were on the Going Merry. They have been given the task a couple hours ago to watch over the ship as Ace, Zoro, Sabo, Usopp, and Gin went shopping for supplies, and Luffy took Nami to that Dr. Kureha woman and her son Chopper.

Johnny, Yosaku, and Monroe were in the mess hall of the Going Merry, trying to keep warm. Monroe had passed out on top of the table after eating like half of a blueberry pie, most of the damn pie ended up on him than in him. Johnny and Yosaku were sitting against the wall closest to the door, blankets swaddling them up and piled up on top of them. They had hoped that Luffy and the others would be back by now, but it was getting darker and there was no sign of them yet. They both exchanged a look, the kind that said 'I told you so' without actually saying it.

Johnny signed, and watched as Yosaku went to run a hand through his hair, and grimaced when his hand touched his head. It’s been about two months since Yosaku had gotten sick for a little while, and all of his long blonde hair had fallen out, but it was starting to grow back, it was kind of like a buzz cut now. Johnny chuckled, "Yosaku, your hair is growing back, it looks good on ya."

Yosaku blushed a little, "Thanks Johnny, it’s just weird, you know?"

Johnny nodded, "Yeah, but hey, you're still the sharpest-looking swordsman I know."

Yosaku couldn't help but smile at that, his emerald eyes sparkling with amusement. "Thanks, Johnny. I'll take that as a compliment."

Johnny’s grin grew wider, his eyes tracing every line of Yosaku’s face, admiring his friend’s resilience. He had seen him at his worst and was proud to see him bounce back.

Yosaku raised an eyebrow at him, “Whatcha lookin’ at? You’re looking at me like you’re about to smooch me, Johnny!”

And if Johnny was gonna be completely honest, he wouldn't be doing just that. And well, Johnny’s never been a man to deny himself what he wants. He chuckled as he leaned closer and before Yosaku could react one of Johnny's hands shot up to cover Yosaku’s eyes as he kissed him.

Johnny felt Yosaku's shock, his body going rigid for a second before he melted into the kiss, his arms wrapping around Johnny’s neck and his tongue sliding into Johnny’s mouth with a passion that surprised even him. The kiss was hot and desperate, full of all the pent-up emotions they’d been carrying around since they first met. They broke apart, panting, and Johnny pulled back to look at Yosaku's flushed face, a smirk playing at his lips.

"Well, that was unexpected," Yosaku murmured, a hint of a smile tugging at his mouth. "But not... unwelcome."

Johnny's smirk grew wider as he leaned in for another kiss, this one slower and more deliberate. It was like the calm before the storm, a promise of the passion that was about to unfold. Monroe, still passed out on the table beside the blueberry pie, remained blissfully oblivious to the sudden shift in atmosphere.

Johnny pushed Yosaku back to lay on the cold wooden floor of the mess hall, the cold floor sending a shiver up his spine as his back hit it.

Johnny never broke the kiss as he hovered above Yossku, grinding one of his knees, roughly, against Yossku’s crotch. Causing the older man to groan into the kiss, squirm, and try to snap his legs close, but the way Johnny’s leg was placed Yossku’s legs up squeezed Johnny’s leg.

Johnny pulled away from the kiss to look down at Yossku, his eyes glinting with mischief, "You want me to stop?" He whispered into his ear, his hot breath making the older man's skin prickle with anticipation.

Yossku's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, "N-no," he stuttered, trying to regain his composure, "But what if Monroe wakes up?"

Johnny chuckled, his hand sliding down Yossku's chest, "Don't worry about him. He's out cold."

Their eyes locked in a silent understanding, a sudden spark igniting between them that neither could ignore. They had always had a deep friendship, one forged through shared battles and adventures, but this was uncharted territory for both. Johnny leaned back in, capturing Yossku's mouth in a fiery kiss, his hand now cupping the older man's cheek, his thumb brushing against the soft skin of his cheekbone.

Yossku's heart raced as he felt the warmth of Johnny's hand, his body responding to the gentle yet firm touch. He had never felt this way about anyone, especially not his best friend. The room spun around them, the only sounds of their ragged breaths and the faint crackle of the fireplace. Johnny's other hand found its way to Yossku's waist, gently pulling him closer, their bodies melding together like they had always been meant to.

The fabric of Yossku's shirt was rough against his skin, a stark contrast to the softness of Johnny's lips. He felt a hand slide down his back, and his breath hitched in his throat as it reached the small of his back. The sensation was electrifying, sending waves of pleasure through his body.

Johnny paused for a moment, looking into Yossku's eyes, which were filled with a mix of shock, confusion, and the beginnings of something else - something that made his heart pound even harder. He leaned in again, capturing Yossku's lips in a kiss that was hungry and demanding, yet still tender. The warmth spread from Yossku's chest to his fingertips, and he found himself responding, his arms wrapping around Johnny's neck, pulling him closer.

Their kiss grew more fervent, and Yossku felt a sudden jolt of desire surge through him. He had always seen Johnny as a friend, a confidant, but now... now it was as if a door had been flung open, revealing a whole new world of possibilities. He didn't understand it, but he didn't want to pull away. Instead, he gave in to the feeling, deepening the kiss and letting his hands wander over the broad expanse of Johnny's back.

—————————

Meanwhile, back on the actual island of Drum Island. Leaving Johnny and Yossku at their own devices on the going merry. Deuce, Skull, and Laguna were still following Ace and Zoro through the town. Skull, and Laguna were now 100% invested in deuce, his little crush at first site on Ace, and it was embarrassing Deuce to no end.

Somehow Laguna had gotten Ace and Zoro’s attention like an hour and a half ago, and now they were like a little group walking through the town of Drum Island with Deuce trying to keep up with their conversation.

Deuce nearly ran into Ace’s back when Ace and Zoro both suddenly stopped in front of a liquor store, looking into the shop window. Ace's wavy black hair fluttered in the breeze as he leaned in, his cheeks slightly flushed from the cold. “Hey, so does this island have an age limit for drinking?” Ace asked, turning his vibrant dark brown eyes to Deuce, his voice playful.

Deuce rolled his eyes, trying to keep his face from betraying the jealousy burning in his chest. “Yeah, like most places, you have to be at least 18 to drink here.”

Ace raised an eyebrow, but did it hesitate to dig around in his pockets before pulling out a lot of cash and slapping into Zoro’s expected hand. “I want a new bottle of bourbon, and a bottle of the strongest sake you can find. You know my taste.” He smirked and slapped Zoro on the shoulder, who nodded before disappearing into the shop. “Oh, and grab Luffy a bottle of Rum and a bottle of whiskey, she and Usopp finished the last ones!” He called out after Zoro as he, Deuce, Skull, and Laguna waited outside the liquor shop.

Laguna's eyes went wide at the sight of the money, "H-how did you get so rich, Ace?"

“Huh?” Ace eyes flicked over to her for a brief second before turning back to the window, looking into the shop. “Most of its stolen.”

“A-Ace, that’s not funny!” Deuce slapped his hand over his mouth, horrified.

“I’m not joking.” Ace replied calmly, “I’m a pirate, I steal, that’s what pirates do.” He sighed, cracking his neck. “If you’re afraid we stole from civilians, don’t be, all that money I just gave Zoro is from some snobby marine who wanted to Capture and keep a little girl as a pet.”

Skull and Laguna looked at each other in shock. “That’s terrible!” Laguna exclaimed, her hand flying to her mouth.

Ace waved his hand around in the air and nonchalantly. “It doesn’t matter, he’s dead now.”

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife, but before it could get any denser, Zoro emerged from the shop with two bottles in each hand, a smug smile on his face. “Now, let’s get the hell up to that castle, Ace. Before Luffy decides we’re taking too long, and she decides to come and get us herself.”

Just as the words left Zoro’s lips there was a deafening sound of cannons explode, then some pink substance that looks like Sakura petals filled the air, soon followed by what looked like Santa Claus’s sleigh being pulled by one reindeer and Nami, Usopp, and Luffy on in.

“Son of a bitch!” Ace yelled, grabbing Zoro by the elbow and yanking him forward as he ran. “Looks like it’s time to go, we finally got a doctor!”

Deuce spluttered as Ace and Zoro ran past him, Laguna, and Skull, who were still trying to process what was happening. "Wait, what?!" Deuce exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise.

“Hey, it was nice meeting you three, but this is our signal that it’s time to leave! Those are fake Sakura petals made by that old Doctor Who passed away, Dr. Hiriluk!” Ace shouted over his shoulder as he sprinted towards the sleigh, his long wavy black hair flowing behind him like a dark river.

Deuce, Skull, and Laguna stared at the retreating figures of Ace and Zoro, the pink petals from the cannon blast swirling around them like a whimsical dance of destruction.

SUMMARY^1: Zoro returns from the liquor store with drinks, and immediately after, a cannon fires pink Sakura petals, signaling Luffy's approach on Dr. Hiriluk's sleigh with Nami and Usopp. Ace, recognizing the petals as a signal from Luffy, urgently pulls Zoro towards the sleigh. Deuce, Skull, and Laguna are left bewildered by the sudden turn of events, showcasing Luffy's unpredictable nature and the chaotic life of the Strawhat Pirates, which contrasts with their own still-forming bonds and understanding of the pirate life they're being drawn into.

Deuce wanted to follow them, he didn’t want Ace to leave, he didn’t want to say goodbye, he didn’t want to leave the warmth he felt in his chest when he was around Ace. Skull and Laguna eyed him, before sighing in unison. Skull slapped Deuce on the back, pushing him forward. “Go, man, go and get you that boyfriend you want. Just don’t forget about us, you know our Den Den Mushi Numbers.”

Deuce blushed, “I won’t forget you guys!” He took off after Ace and Zoro, his heart racing as he saw the sleigh pulling away. He had to catch them!

The sleigh was moving fast, but Deuce’s legs were long and strong. He sprinted through the snow, the cold air biting at his cheeks as he chased after the fading form of Ace. “Wait! Ace, wait!” He called out, his voice echoing through the quiet island.

Ace looked back over his shoulder and spotted Deuce. A mischievous smile played on his lips. “You comin’ with us?” He shouted back.

Deuce’s heart leaped. He didn’t know if it was the excitement of the chase or the thought of spending more time with Ace that propelled him forward. “You bet your sweet ass I am!” He called out, pushing his legs to their limits.

———————————

Luffy was laughing her ass off as she stood on the deck of the Going Merry, pointing at a very flustered Johnny and Yosaku when Ace, Zoro, and Deuce made it to the ship. Nami, Sabo, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, and Gin were surrounding them, their expressions ranging from embarrassment to full on amusement.

"What the hell happened to you two?" Zoro shouted as he and the other two boys boarded the ship.

“What?!— no—no— huh! Nothing happened!” Johnny stuttered, trying to pull his shirt down to cover the bare chest, which was redder than a ripe tomato. Yosaku looked equally flustered, and his clothes askew.

“I caught them making out and groping each other!” Luffy exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she watched Johnny and Yosaku squirm.

Ace raised an eyebrow, his cheeks flushing slightly. “Really?” He couldn’t help but smirk at the sight of his friends caught in such a compromising position. “Looks like we’re not the only ones with a taste for adventure, huh?”

Yosaku splatter, and looks like you wished the floor would swallow him whole.

“It’s not what it looks like, Luffy!” Johnny blurted out, trying to explain, but his voice was cut short by Nami’s laughter. “You two are so adorable! And here I thought you were just friends!”

Luffy snorted, looking over her shoulder and spotting Deuce. “Oh? Looks like the two of you brought a little friend along with you, huh? Is he leaving with us?”

Deuce looked at Ace, his expression hopeful. “Can I? Can I really come with you guys?”

Ace grinned, slapping Deuce on the back. “Hell yes, you can! The more the merrier, right, Luffy?”

Luffy yayed, throwing her arms up in the air, before spinning on her heels to actually face the two boys. “But Ace, did you tell him the one thing he has to do to join this crew?” She asks, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“What’s that?” Deuce questioned, looking confused.

“Your ears pierced?” Ace asked instead of answering, standing up on his tiptoes and getting, in Deuce’s opinion, very close to him to check. Deuce nodded nervously, his cheeks burning under Ace’s gaze.

“His ears are already pierced.” Ace said, landing back on the flats of his feet, and before deuce could ask what that was all about he got smacked in the face by a pair of the Strawhat pirates iconic earrings. “Put those on and you’ll officially be one of us!” Luffy grinned.

Deuce caught the earrings before they could smack against the ground, his heart racing as he looked at them. They were so beautiful, a perfect blend of gold, obsidian, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, amber, and tigereye. The detailing was exquisite, the craftsmanship undeniably top-notch. They were as wide as a man’s hand, and they’d hang down to his collarbone.

——————————

Luffy watches the boy who was obviously so smitten with her baby brother before turning her attention to the sniffling Chopper, who had just gotten done crying, she bent down to be eye level with him. “Hey, Chopper, you look like you could need some relaxation and something to warm you up. You wanna take a bath with me?”

Chopper sniffled one last time, rubbing at his eyes before nodding at the same time Sanji’s jaw dropped and he pointed a dramatic finger at the two of them. “Luffy-Swan! B—bathing together? That’s—that’s not proper for a pirate captain and a doctor!” He sputtered, his face flushing redder than a cherry tomato.

Luffy waved her hand nonchalantly in the air, standing back up. “It’s just Chopper.” She said as if it explained everything.

Sanji looked absolutely scandalized, his cheeks puffing up like a blowfish as he tried to protest, but Luffy was already hoisting Chopper into her arms, her red button-up shirt flapping open slightly to reveal the bare midriff underneath. "Don't worry, Sanji," she chuckled, "it's just to make him feel better."

“What? What’s got the cook all pissy, what are you doing?” Zoro asked as he walked up beside them, The four bottles of licorice he had just bought still in his hands.

Sanji sputtered for a moment before pointing at the two of them. “She’s going to give the doctor a bath! That’s not right!”

“I’m not giving him a bath. I’m taking a bath with him.” Luffy corrected with a cheeky smile, already making her way to the bathhouse.

Sanji's eyes bulged as he realized the gravity of the situation. "T-That's even more inappropriate!" he protested, chasing after them.

“Sanji, it’s just a bath!” Gin called after him, chuckling as she watched the cook run off.

Zoro raised an eyebrow at Sanji's outburst, his usual stoic expression cracking into a smirk. "It's just a bath," he echoed Gin and Luffy's sentiment, “you’re the one making it weird, cook.” He took a swig of his bottle of licorice, watching as Sanji's face turned a deeper shade of red.

“Shut it! Mosshead! It’s not proper for a lady to take a bath with a man no matter who or what it is!” Sanji exclaimed, his eyes flickering between Luffy and Chopper, who were already halfway towards the bathroom.

Zoro raised an eyebrow before deciding to add fuel to the, he shoved three of the liquor bottles into Sanji’s hands, lightly jogging to catch up Luffy and Chopper, and saying loud enough Sanji to hear. “Do you mind if I join you two?” He smirks as he follows Luffy to the bathroom.

Luffy, for her part, didn't even falter at the question, just grabbed Zoro’s wrist and pulled him along. “Sure, if you don’t mind smelling like flowers and blood oranges!”

Zoro splattered, not expecting her to agree, his face turning red than a cherry tomato. “Lu—Luffy! I was joking! I just said it to make fun of the cook!” He protested as she dragged him along, his words getting cut off as she threw open the bathroom door.

Sanji’s jaw was practically on the floor as he watched the scene unfold, the bottles of liquor slipping from his grasp and clattering to the ground. "W-what the actual fuck, Zoro?!" he stuttered, his mind racing with the implications of what had just been suggested. He didn't know whether to be more shocked by Luffy's casualness or Zoro's sudden interest in joining a bath with their Captain and newest member of their crew. It’s the first one because he knows Zoro was originally joking before he got dragged along by Luffy.

“What are you yelling at?” Sabo’s voice echoed from the upper deck of the going merry as he peered over the edge to Sanji. “And why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”

Sanji, still in a state of shock, could only wave his hands in the direction of the bathroom. “They’re—They’re taking a bath together! And Zoro just joined them! Zoro’s taking a bath with Luffy-Swan!” He yelled loud enough for everyone on the ship to hear his voice.

“WHAT!?” Both Sabo and Ace said in unison as they bolted from the deck, “Did you just say Luffy is taking a bath with Zoro!” Sabo exclaimed, looking utterly scandalized.

“Yeah, and she didn’t even blink when he asked to join them!” Sanji said, his eyes wide with disbelief as he bent down to pick up the dropped liquor bottles. “I swear, she’s gonna be the death of me one of these days!”

—————————

Inside the bathroom Zoro cannot believe he actually got himself into this situation. He knew it was just a joke but Luffy took it seriously and now he’s standing there awkwardly looking at Luffy, who was already in the tub with Chopper, wearing a knowing smirk, and naked, her body barely concealed by the bubbles. The room was filled with the faint scent of lavender, coming from the bubble bath that Luffy had prepared for them. "Well, are you joining us or are you just going to stand there with your mouth wide open like a goldfish?" she asked him, not missing a beat.

Zoro's cheeks flushed a deep red as he quickly stripped down to his boxers, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. He could feel his heart racing as he stepped into the tub, the water barely concealing his embarrassment. Chopper, seemingly unfazed by the situation, was happily splashing around, completely oblivious to the tension. "I can't believe this," Zoro mumbled under his breath as he sank into the warm water, trying to avoid eye contact with Luffy.

Luffy just rolled her eyes, kicking her seat up on the side of the tub and crossing her legs. She leaned back and sighed contentedly, her breasts bobbing slightly above the bubbles, and said, "Oh, come on, Zoro. We're pirates, not a bunch of prudes."

Her words echoed in the bathroom, and Zoro's face started to turn bright red as he sank down into the water, trying to hide his face from her. He was not expecting to take a bath with his crush—Captain Luffy—and the young reindeer doctor Chopper. The lavender scent of the bubbles was a stark contrast to the salty, sweaty air of their usual battles and adventures.

Zoro’s heart was racing like a wild stallion as he submerged himself deeper into the tub, feeling the warm water envelop his tense muscles. His face was turning redder and redder by the second, from the way Luffy was sitting it took every fiber of his being and every will he had not to get a hard on. She was sitting kind of sideways with her back pressed up against the corner of the tub, leaning back with her arms resting on the edges of the tub, her head tilted, she had her feet kicked up on one of the edges of the tub, crossed at the ankles.

Zoro cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to ignore the tantalizing view of Luffy's toned legs and the way the water glistened on her bare skin. He focused instead on the steaming water and the soothing sensation against his skin, which only slightly helped ease his nerves. Chopper, on the other hand, seemed blissfully unaware of the tension, his round, blue eyes sparkling with innocence as he played with the bubbles, occasionally popping one with his nose and causing a delighted giggle to escape him.