#I LOVE YOU KANJURO

[viridescenttemple]

[hauntingblue]

ANOTHER DEATH BY INMOLATION???? ENOUGH!!!!

[nightmar33y3s]

every time i see this i go absolutely feral

))

[demonio-fleurs]

oh thank god the spy was kanjuro and not any of the other akazaya(sp?) nine. he made the most sense to me && was the only character from wano i did not warm up to in any sense, but my partner refused to tell me who it was

[anongalactic]

Still absolutely gagged by this reveal??!?!?? I love u kanjuro you did nothing wrong. to me <3

no text vers. under the cut vvv

[bzbzbzzz]

"hey. hey hey hey Kinemon! KIN... cough coughekekekehheheehehkhkhe cough cough... phew. listen, how do you like this: do you still love me? no i know you do. and you'll keep loving me. listen, listen... i was loved for much longer than i was hated, and the love was much stronger. one day wouldn't erase 20 years. COUGHghghghkHAHAha cough cough... you... you are an idiot! hAhhahKHEKEEheEEHhe... idiot! you don't talk bad about the dead, right?

I'LL DIE AND YOU'LL REMEMBER EVERYTHING BUT MY BETRAYAL EVERY GODDAMN DAY. I'M THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU. YOU'RE JUST... COUGHEHE... YOU... YOU'LL FIND A WAY TO JUSTIFY WHAT I DID IN YOUR STUPID HEAD AND YOU'LL LIVE ON MEMORIES OF ME. "POOR KANJURO"?! POOR KINEMON!"

(just Kinemon grieving because he can't bury Kanjuro)

[l-in-the-light]

Why do you think Law has a weakness for cute things (like Bepo)? 🐻

What a cute question <3 let's see... I think we don't really see any signs of him liking cute things in his childhood (but that flashback was quite short, so it doesn't have to mean much). His little sister was for sure cute though!

Just look at that bright smile and all thanks to some ice-cream <3

But to answer this more properly, we have to ask few extra questions here: why would Law consider Bepo cute (I mean, he's a polar bear and a mink)? And which things does he actually consider cute?

Cuteness is a funny term. I assume your question is referring to this picture (but even if it's not, it's a good start):

Because Law is holding a cute pen with a bear motif, something we never before suspected he would even own. This totally fits the concept of "kawaii" and that term is broader than just word "cute" in english. For example, Robin's imagination also counts as "kawaii" despite the fact that the images appearing in her mind are not really fitting the idea of something cute.

They're also kinda "ugly" tbh (maybe besides the cat, but it's also a bit strange, objectively speaking!). Which is fine for the term "kawaii" because it can combine contradictions, something can be ugly but cute, weird/strange but cute, and even scary and cute at the same time. In english the term rather suggests something sugary cute, no contradictions involved. That's because the origin of "kawaii" term stems from "something pitiful", "something you feel sorry for". For example, a person who constantly trips on a straight road can be considered kawaii. But it doesn't have to be just about people. As long as you can find that angle of "pitiful" in it, anything can be cute, even a manhole on a road! Ryuunosuke is actually the best example of this, because even without understanding the idea of "kawaii" we can easily call him a pitiable being! Recognizing the quality of "kawaii" requires a whole different mentality honestly.

Now let's go back to Law. We can assume he considers those people and objects cute:

Lammy (she's his sister, so ofc he loved her, but I guess if he considered her cute it means she was probably either clumsy or very carefree or not very smart, or maybe even all of it. This is all just an assumption though)

Cora-san (he was extremely clumsy, to the point he could set himself on fire while lighting a cigarette)

Bepo (who can't control himself very well, when he feels hunger he can't stand it and eats even a poisoned fish, which makes him pitiable. Law's novel also states that Bepo thought he's making friends with Shachi and Penguin when the two were honestly just bullying and beating him up. Not being able to tell such basic things is also quite kawaii by definition, because just looking at him makes you feel sorry for him). There's this infamous anime-only scene in Wano with cute Bepo (below), this really isn't about the sparking eyes, it's about how Law feels sorry for Bepo in this moment that shoots him right in the heart and that's why he can't leave him (despite the fact Bepo would be fine even if he did):

Chopper (because he's very guillible and trusting, so again, it's easy to feel sorry for him. We don't really see Law reacting to that, but since Chopper acts like this all the time, it's safe to assume Law had the opportunity already!)

Luffy (yep, I said that, sue me :D Luffy's carefree attitude makes Law worry constantly, because again, it's pitiable if someone lacks any sort of alertness to dangerous situations)

Kin'emon (yep, I also said it. Kin is a lovely and funny person, but he's not the smartest. He falls from Ryuunosuke because of his and Kanjuro's clumsiness, he is so airheaded he doesn't come up with a backup plan despite having suspicions there's a traitor among the Akazaya Nine and that being his responsibility as the leader, in beginning of Wano's arc he also keeps drinking poisonous water from the river despite knowing perfectly well how bad it is, exactly the same way Bepo did. All of these traits make him kinda pitiable and I bet you anything Law felt incquired to protect/help him because of it)

Eustass Kid (yes, I'm serious! It only happened in their fight against Big Mom, never before that. It's because Kid kept doing those ridiculous attacks and Law even makes fun of it "what will be next? Hippo? Elephant?" which proves he worried for freaking Eustass Kid, Law just couldn't help it, because in that moment he felt he's kinda pitiable. Only for a moment though, mind you!)

Nami, Chopper, Brook and Momo, in that moment when they screamed scared of the fighting fish. Law's not scared of those sea beasts, but he probably felt sorry for the Strawhats, to the point that he later accepts all the blame on himself for everything that happened and calls it "his mistake".

that kid in World Seeker (no spoilers!). Dunno if he considers all kids cute tho, but that's also a possibility. He did help kids in Punk Hazard at the very end of the arc, without anyone asking him to do it.

the bear pen (probably because it reminded him of Bepo or even he received it from someone who got it for Law exactly because it reminded them of Bepo. Anyway, the reason's Bepo)

And what do all of these have in common? They're all people Law feels inclined to protect and help. It started with Lammy, continued to Cora-san, then for a long, long time was exclusive to Bepo. So whenever he spots those traits in someone his older sibling's instinct kicks in, whether he wants it or not. That must mean he was a really good older brother or at least tried to be. Or maybe his regret over Lammy is so strong he now projects it on anything and anyone that resemble him of her.

In other words, I don't think Law is actually into cute things in general as in cute looking colorful desserts in shape of animals, cute looking bentos, cute colorful sweets or plushies (though it's kinda fun to imagine). But he definitely has a soft spot for people he adores, so anything reminding him of the people listed above would be "cute" and in the range of his interests. That means anything bear shaped, for example a bento with rice shaped like a bear - definitely, but not just any cute bento. I guess that's a subtle difference, but an important one.

But would he refuse a cute gift from a person he considers cute? Oh, definitely not, because it comes from someone important to him :) from that point on he would also consider all those gifts cute and so the amount of things he finds cute would only grow bigger. One day he might find himself finding things cute in general as the result, just like Robin, and wouldn't that be hilarious?

And now we have to ask the question! You know which one, right? The final question of all questions:

Did he mean it? Did Ryuunosuke's pitiful effort really not strike any protectional chord in Law's heart? It totally should, considering my mini-analysis here. And I actually think it did, Law would just never make a fuss over that, he *hates* people getting all dramatic / overly emotional after all. And speaking of dramatic...

It most likely means he also felt pity for Tashigi here.

In hindsight, I guess Usopp trying to tie Chopper to his hat wasn't only a bad experience for Law after all, hm. He sure got triggered, but it probably stroke a protectional instinct in him as well. Later on when Chopper asks him stuff Law actually opens up a little and answers him truthfully.

Besides, how can a person wearing a smiley jolly roger all over his clothes AND skin dislike cute things? His jolly roger is kinda cute... and Law came up with that design by himself! Like I always argue I think it proves that Law likes smiling people and wants people to smile, it reminds him of Cora-san, of Lammy, and later on also of Luffy. But it's fine to consider it as just my headcanon. I doubt manga will ever say it directly though.

I guess it means if you want to make Law protect you, you just need to act pitiful, lol.

Thank you so much for your question, I hope you feel satisfied with the answer, anon <3

[v-67]

JIMBEI IS BACKKKK

He officially joins with the Mugiwara Kaizoku, The straw hat pirates.

Aaaah I'm so happy, and I can't wait to see what happens next

I have four stupid exams on 8th and 10th and it just makes me want to watch One piece even more

But I gotta study😭😭

Also some more things I was thinking about :

Love how the Denjiro angle fit in, him being Kyoshiro plus the grief does affect a person's face, maybe this was a little extensive but it is true nevertheless. But absolutely loved how it worked out.

Also it's super funny how Denjiro thinks it's Kinnemon's plan when it's just Kinnemon being simply simple and dumb😂😂

Also also also the whole backstory was fun to watch, not the sad parts, they were super moving.

I loved the transition of when Oden was fighting Kaido and they showed us Sakura leaves, and then just for a slight moment they transitioned it into blood and back again, that was so wow. The bloodshed all around was represented by Sakura leaves.

Also when Kanjuro was leaving and Kinnemon was like, WHO DREW THAT, YOU COULD DRAW THAT WELL? That was kinda funny

Also also also, a part of me is still anxious because I don't know what's happening with Sabo, Istg if something happens to him. I'm just gonna cry for days and be super angry🫠 (what more can I do? But I swear I won't forgive that.)

Episodes 972-982

6th April, 2024

[differentpostrebel]

Lost and Found: A Pirate's Promise

Chapter 39: Fog of Zou and Forbidden Whispers

The first gif because Robin be saying the most out of pocket thing when it was the Zou arc LMFAOO

And this one because the reaction LMFAOOO

A/N: And we are back at it again with another chapter!, thank you guys do much for liking, reblogging, sharing and commenting on these chapters! Starting on chapter 42 its officially the start to whole cake island arc!” I am still working on the bonus chapter for Doflamingo in there. It’ll say chapter 41.5 Bonus Chapter. Each bonus chapter will be a .5 and say Bonus chapter so that way it’ll be easier. I might do color coordinating for the chapters when I go on my master list so that way the different arcs are highlighted. We get a slight confession by Zoro in the end… but all is fair in love and war ;). Now with out further ado, let the adventure begin!

Word Count: 14K

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

Y/N POV…

"Are we all ready?" I called out, making my way down the steps. My sword was secured on my back, and the two blades King had given me were strapped snugly to my thighs. As I descended, I felt the weight of everyone's eyes on me. Zoro let out a low whistle, his gaze trailing up and down.

“My, my,” he muttered as he stepped closer, his hand finding its way to my hip, casually flipping my hair over my shoulder with a playful smirk. “Looks to me like you’ve healed up nicely.”

I shot him a smirk of my own, confidence swelling in my chest. “Well, I need to make sure I’m at my best.” My hand instinctively went to the hilt of my sword. “Especially since this Vinsmoke guy has an ass-kicking coming his way after pulling that stunt on my wanted poster.”

Before Zoro could respond, Kinemon’s voice interrupted. “Sir Law! There you are! Where have you been?”

Law’s gaze was still locked on me, a lingering look of desire flickering in his eyes from our earlier moment. I smirked knowingly. “It’s alright, Kinemon. He was probably just checking his vivre card, making sure his crew is still safe.”

Kinemon nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Alright, let’s catch up to them!” Luffy exclaimed, brimming with excitement.

“Be careful out there!” Usopp called, already inching away from the group.

“Oh no, you're coming too!” I said, pulling him back. Zoro added a playful smack to the back of Usopp’s head.

Kanjuro stepped forward, beginning to sketch what appeared to be... something. "Is that a worm?" Robin asked, tilting her head.

“No, it looks like a fish?” I said, narrowing my eyes at the drawing.

“It’s got legs, Y/N. I’d say it’s a lizard,” Franky added with a shrug.

“What is it though?” Luffy asked, confused.

“It’s a snake, I told you!” Usopp interjected confidently.

“A snake, you say?” Kinemon echoed.

Kanjuro pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration before exclaiming, “Appear, rising dragon!” Suddenly, the drawing came to life.

“No way!” Luffy shouted in amazement.

I couldn’t help but question the creature. “Is that dragon okay?”

“Unleash your might, dragon!” Kanjuro urged, but the dragon looked anything but mighty.

“Whimpy or not, if it can fly, it’ll make things easier,” Usopp muttered.

“Make haste, everyone! Climb upon it so that it may carry us,” Kanjuro announced.

“So it can fly!” Usopp said with a bit more enthusiasm. One by one, we climbed onto the dragon. As I was about to get on, Zoro lifted me up effortlessly and placed me in front of him.

���Really, Zoro?” I said, raising a brow.

“Gotta make sure you’re secured,” he teased, his grip tightening slightly around my waist, a flirtatious reminder of how he held me back in Dressrosa when we rode the bull.

Before I could respond, I felt a sudden shift. In the blink of an eye, Law’s Room technique activated, and suddenly, Zoro was switched with Law, who was now behind me, his chest pressing lightly against my back.

I glanced over my shoulder, catching Law’s smirk as he leaned in slightly. “Looks like I’m the one keeping you secure now.” His voice was low, sending a shiver down my spine.

Zoro let out a frustrated sigh. "Tch, damn room technique..."

As we continued to travel up the elephant's leg, the drawing Kanjuro drew was having a difficult time pulling all of us up. "You can do it, big guy!" Luffy shouted encouragingly.

"How long is it?" Usopp asked, looking up at the towering elephant. His voice wavered with nervousness.

"Hey, Luffy! Your biggest fans have something to say!" Franky called, glancing back to see Bartolomeo and his crew, who were in tears.

"Oh yeah! I forgot to thank them for everything!" Luffy exclaimed, turning toward them. "Hey, Lomeo, thanks for bringing us here! You and your crew were a huge help!" Luffy yelled, waving energetically.

"Please take care, Mr. Luffy!" Bartolomeo yelled back, tears streaming down his face.

"Same to you! Be careful, and see you later!" Luffy waved one last time as we continued to ride the dragon, now climbing higher along the elephant's leg.

"We're so high!" Usopp groaned, clutching the dragon tightly. "I can't take this!"

Suddenly, the dragon started to slip, its grip faltering as it tried to maintain its balance. Instinctively, I tightened my grip, my heart racing. Law's hand moved to my waist, steadying me, and I gasped softly at the sudden contact. His fingers tightened slightly, the warmth of his touch grounding me.

I turned to look at him, catching his intense gaze. His eyes were filled with a mix of concern and desire. "Careful now," he murmured, his voice low, the closeness between us heightening the tension.

"Aw crap! We're all going to die!" Usopp screamed as the dragon started slipping again.

"Are you trying to pull my pants down, or what?!" Zoro yelled at Usopp, who was clinging onto him in a panic.

"Don't give up on us now, buddy!" Luffy cheered, holding on as the dragon struggled to maintain its footing, slipping all the way back to where we started.

Usopp, his nerves getting the better of him, named the dragon "Reonosque."

"That scared the crap out of me," Law muttered, his usual calm demeanor shaken just slightly.

I clenched my left hand in frustration. "I'm on the verge of just flying up there myself."

Law’s hand gently gripped my arm. "You're not going anywhere, princess."

Kanjuro suddenly mentioned his friend Raizo, a ninja, causing every single guy in the group to light up in excitement.

"Oh my," Robin said with amusement.

"That's so cool!" Luffy's eyes sparkled.

"Does he have shuriken?!" Zoro asked eagerly.

"Does he sit on a waterfall?" Usopp added, starry-eyed.

"Does he have powers? He has to!" Law's usually composed face was lit up with interest, almost geeking out at the thought of an actual ninja.

"Can he move in shadows and disappear?" Franky chimed in, his excitement infectious.

Robin and I exchanged a look, both confused but amused by the guys' reactions. "So… are we going to move, or—"

Suddenly, a loud sound came from above, startling us. Something fell toward us at high speed. "Ahh, that came out of nowhere!" Luffy yelled.

"Hit the deck!" Luffy shouted again, but before I could react, something hit me square in the face, causing me to lose my grip.

"Y/N!" Law shouted as I began to fall.

"Ahh!" I screamed, trying to steady myself as the wind rushed past me. In mid-air, I noticed Kinemon and Kanjuro also tumbling through the air.

"Why are you guys falling too?!" I yelled in disbelief.

"We lost our grip!" they both shouted back, flailing wildly.

"You boneheads!" I shouted, the panic in my voice mixing with the absurdity of the situation.

Taking a deep breath, I clenched my left hand and used the momentum of the fall to leap back into the air, flipping gracefully. "That was close," I muttered, landing safely back on the dragon.

Zoro smirked as I settled in front of him. "Comfortable now?" he teased, his arm naturally wrapping around me to steady us both.

"That was one rush, geez," I said, smoothing my hair out of my face, the adrenaline still pumping through me. I glanced back at Law, catching his expression—guilt weighing heavily in his eyes. I gave him a soft smile and a playful wink, letting him know it was alright. His features softened, though the hint of jealousy lingered.

"At first glance, I thought it was a wounded man covered with knives," Robin commented dryly from behind us.

"Really, Robin, can you not be morbid for one second?" I chuckled, trying to shake off the absurdity.

"Or perhaps a little monkey," she continued with a deadpan expression.

Suddenly, we heard Kinemon’s voice call out, "We’re alright! We’ll reunite soon!"

The dragon continued to climb, even though Usopp and the others kept insisting that it was suffering. "He’s struggling; we better press on," Usopp said, looking genuinely concerned as tears formed in his eyes. "Stay strong, Reonosuke!"

"You can do it!" Robin added, holding her hand over her mouth to contain her emotion.

As the evening sun began to set, casting a warm glow over everything, Luffy, completely oblivious to the tension, decided it was nap time and fell right on me.

"Luffy! I swear, if I fall off one more time..." I muttered, trying to shift under his weight.

"Hey, look up there! I see the top!" Franky shouted, his voice filled with excitement.

Suddenly, Luffy stirred in his sleep, lost his grip, and nearly toppled over the side, which set off a chain reaction.

"Phew, that was a—" I started to say until I was cut off by screams.

"Crap! Luffy fell!" Usopp shouted in panic.

"Usopp!" I yelled back. 

"How stupid can you be?!" Zoro roared, clearly frustrated with the chaos.

Before things got worse, Luffy managed to save himself by using his stretchy arms to grab hold of the dragon’s horns, but the sudden shift caused us to start tipping over. Now, Zoro, Usopp, and I were hanging upside down, blood rushing to my head as I tried to maintain a tight grip on the dragon.

Zoro’s arm tightened around my waist, pulling me in closer to secure me. "I got you, Y/N," he whispered, his voice low and filled with a mix of protectiveness and something more... intimate.

I could feel Zoro drawing me even closer, his grip firm yet gentle as he pulled me against his chest. His face was now tucked between my neck and shoulder, his breath warm against my skin.

Suddenly, I felt him place a light, teasing peck on my neck. My breath hitched at the unexpected gesture.

"Z-Zoro…" I started, but his hand remained on my waist, his touch lingering. The playful flirtation between us was undeniable, and Law, from his spot behind, was watching—his eyes darkening with jealousy.

Law clenched his jaw, his irritation clear as he witnessed the moment, but Zoro’s smirk only grew wider. He held me tightly, his lips grazing my skin again, sending a shiver down my spine.

Zoro's smirk widened as he held me tight, still savoring the tension between us, his lips grazing my skin one more time before we both refocused on the task at hand. Luffy, oblivious to the earlier moment, finally managed to pull himself up and land on the dragon's nose. Despite still hanging upside down, we all cheered for Reonosuke to keep going.

"You can do it, Reonosuke!" Luffy yelled encouragingly.

"That’s your word of encouragement?" Usopp said, clearly about to slip off himself.

"Do your best, dragon!" Zoro muttered, annoyed but smirking again. "Actually, take your time."

"Zoro, really!" I said, rolling my eyes at his teasing, though secretly enjoying the playful moment. Finally, Reonosuke managed to pull himself up, and we sped ahead, the dragon straining but continuing the climb.

"Almost to the top! Almost to the top!" everyone cheered, calling Reonosuke's name.

"Be strong, Reonosuke," Robin whispered, tears in her eyes as she covered her mouth.

We finally reached the top and all dismounted the dragon. "We made it! We're here!" Luffy exclaimed with joy.

Robin and I turned to thank the dragon, but he was starting to change back into the drawing.

"You can’t leave!" Usopp cried, emotionally attached now. "Please, Reonosuke! You’re a true hero!"

The rest of us, except for Law and Zoro, were moved by the dragon’s sacrifice.

"This is dumb," Law muttered, crossing his arms. "It’s just a crappy drawing."

Zoro snorted. "Yeah, let’s not get sentimental over a doodle."

As we continued forward, the atmosphere shifted. The once lively place looked abandoned, and the gate ahead was destroyed.

"Did something happen here?" I asked, my eyes scanning the eerie surroundings.

"You see Curly Brows anywhere?" Zoro asked as he stood next to me.

Usopp, who had climbed a tower, yelled down, "Nope, nothing!"

"Should we wait for the others?" Robin asked, a little hesitant.

"Nah, they’ll be fine," I said, waving it off as we ventured further inside. The place felt strange—like something ominous had happened recently.

"Look at the trail too," Zoro pointed out. "No normal animal could’ve made a path this wide."

"I wonder what caused this," Usopp said nervously. Zoro and I exchanged a glance, both sensing the tension in the air.

I clenched my right hand, allowing electricity to surge through it. "Only one way to find out!" Zoro and I said in unison as we moved ahead.

"Wait, slow down!" Usopp yelled, clearly panicking.

"The flowers here grow in odd places," Robin mused, her eyes examining the strange flora around us.

"Geez, what happened here?" Franky added, sniffing the air. "It smells like gas and gunpowder."

Suddenly, we all felt a presence nearby. Zoro unsheathed his sword with a confident grin. "I got this."

A figure darted out from the shadows, swiftly dodging Zoro’s attack mid-air. Before the figure could land a strike, I managed to block it with my electrically charged hand, sending sparks flying.

"Sorry, Zoro, looks like you needed a little backup," I teased, electricity still crackling from my fingertips as I smirked over at him.

Before Zoro could respond, a voice called out. "Carrot! Stop immediately!" Another figure—a giant gator—burst through.

"Since when are there gators here?!" I asked, not taking my eyes off the mink who had just attacked.

"Talking animals?" Usopp said, his voice shaking.

"They’re the Mink Tribe," Law explained, sounding more intrigued than alarmed.

"Wait a second... I know those clothes!" Usopp shouted, realization dawning on him. "But that’s not Nami…"

The mink and I stood off, both still charged with electricity. I raised an eyebrow. "Why don’t you lower your hand?" I suggested, smirking at her. The mink hesitated but backed away as I did the same, turning off the electrical current in my arm.

"There's an invader in the Whale Forest too?!" the mink, Carrot, exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"Yes, the situation is dire," said another mink, wearing Nami's clothes. "The Guardians won’t be happy about this."

"Listen, what did you do to Nami?" Usopp shouted, his fear clear.

"Do you think they’re cannibals?" Robin asked with her usual calmness, causing Usopp to scream in terror.

"Great, now I’m double scared!" Usopp wailed.

Just then, the mink I had faced, Carrot, leaped into the air with impressive force. "That technique looks similar to mine," I thought. "I’m definitely learning that to improve my left leg's agility."

I turned to Zoro. "I could use that move."

Zoro chuckled but stayed focused. "Looks like it could come in handy."

"Carrot, see anything unusual?" the other mink asked.

Carrot pointed west. "Over there!"

The mink in Nami’s clothes got ready to move. "There’s no time to transport you all-tia, so head west to the Trump Forest. That’s where you’ll find your crew’s corpse. Wait for us on the right flank."

The words hit us like a punch. Usopp dropped to the ground in shock.

"Wait… what?" I asked, my voice trembling. "What did she mean by corpse?"

Fear surged through me as the reality of the situation began to settle in. Something terrible had happened to the crew, and we needed to find out what.

Fear still gripped me, but Zoro’s calm logic cut through the panic. "Nobody’s been killed. Curlybrows is with them, remember?"

Usopp, still crying, sniffled, “But she said something about a corpse!”

“Well, she did say ‘corpse,’ which means they haven’t been eaten… yet,” Robin added, ever the realist.

“That’s not the point!” Usopp wailed, shaking his head dramatically.

"Those animal ladies must’ve been trying to trick us," Franky added, his voice tinged with skepticism.

"If that’s the case, then it’s a terrible lie," I said, crossing my arms, trying to push down my own anxiety as I watched Usopp continue to cry.

“Are they the only tribe, or not? And are they cannibals?” Robin asked, still fixated on the worst possibilities.

"Can you please stop with the cannibal stuff?!" Usopp freaked out, his nerves clearly getting the best of him.

"First things first, we need to learn everything we can about this place," I said, trying to focus the group. "Law, your crew should be here, right?"

Law nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, they should be."

"And can you contact them?" Robin asked, always thinking ahead.

"I'm afraid not," Law replied, a hint of regret in his voice. "I didn’t expect to see them again this soon, but I do still have this." He pulled out a small piece of paper from his pocket. "It’s a Vivre Card—from our navigator, Bepo."

“That’s right!” I said, feeling a bit of relief. “Bepo should be here, waiting for you.”

"Yeah," Law added, "this place is where he was born. But he left the island when he was little, so he doesn’t remember much about the Mink Tribe."

"Are you sure we can trust him?" Usopp piped up, his voice shaky. "Like, what if he still longs to taste human flesh?"

Before Law could respond, I stepped forward, holding up a hand. "Usopp, calm down. I know Bepo, and he’s the sweetest little mink you’ll ever meet. He wouldn’t even think about doing something like that."

Usopp was still unconvinced, his eyes wide. "Y/N, you’ve only met him a handful of times! How can you be so sure?!"

I rolled my eyes, sighing. "Because, Usopp, I met Bepo back in Sabaody. I even gave him my number back when we were in that auction house. When we met, he was so nervous! Trust me, he’s super sweet. Once you see him, you’ll understand." My words came out with complete confidence, trying to ease Usopp’s worries.

As I turned to Law, I noticed something. His gaze had softened as he listened to me talk about Bepo. There was a warmth in his eyes that wasn’t there before, like hearing me speak fondly of his crewmate had stirred something in him. His usual calm demeanor shifted slightly, and for a brief moment, his expression held a depth of emotion—appreciation, admiration, maybe even something more.

But just as quickly, Law broke out of his trance, clearing his throat and composing himself. "Look," he said, his voice steady but with a lingering softness, "I’ve known Bepo for a decade. He’s my friend, and if you want reliable info, follow me." His tone carried a certainty, but there was still that lingering connection in the way he looked at me, like something unspoken had passed between us. 

"Wait! There was a town back there, what if they’re all there waiting?!" Usopp said, still not convinced.

"There might be some cannibals," Robin chimed in, causing Usopp to freak out further.

All of us followed Law as we made our way into town. Destruction was evident everywhere—buildings and houses were reduced to rubble, and debris littered the streets.

"What happened?" I asked, feeling a chill run down my spine as I took in the devastation.

As we moved further, Zoro’s voice came from behind me. "What is this?" He pointed toward a series of crude torture devices scattered in the ruins.

"I don’t know, but it doesn’t look right," I replied.

"Hey, check this out!" Law called, showing us a giant dent in the ground. "This is huge."

"Two weeks," Robin said, eyeing the area. "This place has been abandoned for two weeks."

"Two weeks?!" Usopp exclaimed in disbelief.

Suddenly, the ground shifted beneath us.

"What is it now?" I said, my voice laced with frustration just as a water eruption burst forth, sending us all into chaos.

"Run, guys!" Robin shouted. "Get to higher ground!"

"It’s too late, brace yourselves!" Franky yelled as the floodwaters swept us away.

I fought to stay above water, but the current was relentless, pulling me under again and again. Water filled my lungs, and every gasp for air was followed by another forceful wave that dragged me down. Just when I thought I might be lost to the flood, a strong hand grabbed hold of me.

"I got you!" Zoro shouted, pulling me to safety along with Franky, Usopp, Robin, and Law.

I collapsed onto higher ground, coughing up water as I tried to catch my breath. "Th... Thanks, Zoro," I managed to say, my voice weak but grateful.

Zoro knelt beside me, his strong arms helping me to sit up as I placed a trembling hand on my chest, focusing on steadying my breathing. "Easy, princess, breathe," he said in a tone that was both protective and teasing.

As I opened my eyes, I saw both Zoro and Law staring at me. There was a palpable tension in the air. "Is everything alright with you two?" I asked, my confusion growing as I followed their gazes—only to realize, with a jolt of embarrassment, that my wet top was now clinging to my body, revealing far more than I intended.

Zoro's smirk widened as he looked at me with his usual playful glint. "Well, if you wanted to get my attention, you definitely succeeded, princess," he teased, his voice low and suggestive. His fingers brushed against my arm again, sending another shiver through me. "Though you didn’t have to go this far."

I shot him a glare, my face heating up. "Zoro, seriously—this is not the time."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying my flustered reaction. "Could’ve fooled me," he murmured, leaning in slightly as his grin deepened. "But hey, I’m not complaining."

I turned away, trying to regain some semblance of composure, only to lock eyes with Law, who had been silently watching the entire exchange. His expression was harder to read, but his eyes were dark, filled with an intensity I hadn’t seen before. Though he said nothing, the hunger in his gaze was unmistakable, sending a different kind of shiver down my spine.

"Law?" I asked, my voice hesitant. "You okay?"

He blinked, breaking free from whatever trance he was in, but the tension in his body and the lingering look he gave me told me everything. He cleared his throat, his usual stoic demeanor returning. "I’m fine," he said curtly, though his gaze drifted back to me, betraying his words.

"Right..." I muttered, feeling the weight of both their stares.

Suddenly, Usopp's frantic voice echoed through the air. "Luffy! Luffy's with that Nami dog lady, and the flying rabbit is there too!"

"Ahh! Luffy is being eaten... kinda!" Usopp screamed from above.

"Then it's true, they must be..." Franky started, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"A cannibal tribe," Robin finished calmly, as Usopp spiraled into another panic.

I slapped my hand on my forehead in frustration. "Of course..." I muttered as we quickly made our way toward Luffy’s direction. The idea of a cannibal tribe was starting to become ridiculous, but convincing Usopp otherwise seemed impossible.

As we ran, Law swiftly used his powers, calling out "Shambles!" In an instant, we were teleported—Usopp and Franky landed horribly on the ground, groaning and tumbling in disarray. Robin, as always, landed gracefully alongside Zoro.

Just as I braced myself for a rough landing, I felt strong arms catch me mid-air. Law held me steady, his grip firm but gentle, and for a brief moment, I was suspended in his arms, our faces inches apart.

I blinked, surprised by the sudden closeness. "Thanks for the catch," I said, my voice soft as I met his eyes.

Law gave a small nod, his usual stoic expression momentarily replaced by something warmer. "Anytime," he replied, his voice low and deliberate, his gaze locked on mine for just a moment longer than necessary.

I felt my cheeks heat up at his words, but before I could respond, Law finally let his hand fall away, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake as he turned his attention back to the task at hand.

"Hey, look who it is?" yelled Luffy, his voice echoing across the clearing as we saw him standing with two Minks by his side. "Are you okay? No missing arms or legs?" Usopp questioned, hiding nervously behind Zoro. Then, in typical Usopp fashion, he took over, pretending to be Zoro, moving his arms like a puppet as if he was Zoro himself.

I sighed, shaking my head at the absurdity. "Well, this is a mess, whatever impression you guys have, it’s all wrong," said the female Mink, crossing her arms. "Look over there. There’s a guard and a gate to our fortress," she continued, pointing ahead where a group of Minks stood guard, watching us cautiously.

"None of them meant any harm. They just didn’t know they were supposed to ring the welcoming bell, open the gate, and deliver this message for me—the Straw Hat Pirates have arrived!" she announced proudly. "We have very important guests! They are friends of our saviors and should be welcomed as such!"

Instantly, the crowd of Minks surrounding us cheered in unison, "Garchu!"

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. "Well, I’ll be damned."

"Garchu!" Luffy yelled back, beaming at the crowd.

Suddenly, familiar voices cut through the noise. "There they are!" came Nami’s voice.

"You’re right! I see them!" shouted Chopper, running toward us.

"Chopper!" I called out, rushing forward to meet him. His little arms flew around me as he jumped into my embrace.

"Hey, look! It's Nami and Chopper, and not a scratch on them!" Usopp cried, tears streaming down his face.

"Y/N! You’re not dead!" Chopper sobbed, squeezing me tightly.

"Of course, I’m not, Chopper!" I laughed, hugging him close.

"Luffy!" Nami yelled, relief clear in her voice as she threw herself toward him. "I was so worried! I’m so glad you’re safe!" Luffy just grinned, completely relaxed.

But then, as I held Chopper, I felt him start to tremble. I looked down, only to see him starting to cry again. "Chopper, what’s wrong?" I asked softly, my heart sinking a little at seeing him like this.

He sniffled and looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. "Why didn’t you tell me you were engaged?"

I froze, completely blindsided. "Engaged?" I blinked. "What made you think that, Chopper?" I asked, genuinely confused, wondering what could have given him that idea.

But before I could get a response, I turned to the others. "By the way, have you guys seen Brook or Sanji? I need to talk to Sanji... I’m sure he’s been going through it." I chuckled, imagining his dramatic reaction to everything.

However, Nami’s expression turned serious. Her smile faded, and I could see the weight of something dark in her eyes. "I’m sorry, but... Sanji is gone."

Her words hit like a punch, and everything around me seemed to blur. "Gone?" I whispered, feeling the weight of the revelation press down on me.

The shock lingered as time passed, but eventually, the minks began to bring us food and booze, trying to lift our spirits.

I found myself sitting next to Zoro as they served us some kind of monkey wine. Zoro took a sip, nodding appreciatively. "This is fine wine," he said, sounding a bit impressed.

"Mind if I try some?" I asked, curious. I was handed a cup, and as I took a sip, the warmth of the drink immediately spread through me. "Delicious," I murmured, feeling a slight flush rise to my cheeks.

Suddenly, the minks began to cuddle up to Zoro, yelling, "Garchu!" and nuzzling against him. I couldn’t help but giggle at the sight.

Zoro, looking completely annoyed, tried to shake them off. "Enough of the cuddles! Can’t you see I’m drinking here?" he growled, pushing them away gently.

"Aww, but it’s fun!" one of the minks whined, trying to cling to him again.

Laughing, I leaned in toward him, teasingly adding, "You guys, Zoro isn’t the mushy type. Watch this." With a smirk, I nuzzled my cheek against his, just like the minks had done. "Garchu!" I said playfully.

Zoro’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he froze, caught off guard by my sudden closeness. But then, with a playful smirk of his own, he slid his arm around my waist, pulling me even closer. His breath was warm against my skin as he whispered, "Oh, so you think you’re clever, huh?"

I giggled, enjoying the lightheartedness of the moment. "Looks like you’re getting used to the cuddles, Zoro."

"Don’t push your luck," he murmured, though his tone was laced with amusement. His fingers gently brushed my side, and I felt the warmth of the wine and his touch mix, sending a slight shiver down my spine. He leaned in, his lips brushing close to my ear. "I’ll give you something to 'garchu' about."

His words, paired with the proximity, sent my heart racing. "Oh, really?" I teased, trying to keep my voice steady, but the tension between us was palpable.

Zoro chuckled, his grip on me tightening slightly. "Remember that favor you owe me from losing that drinking bet?" he said, his tone playful but carrying a hint of challenge.

I blinked, momentarily surprised. "Oh? I thought you’d forgotten about that," I replied, laughing lightly.

"Not a chance," he whispered, his lips almost grazing my ear as he spoke. His voice was low and teasing, making it clear he had been waiting for the perfect moment. "I’ve just been waiting for the right time to cash it in. And trust me, you won’t forget it when I do."

I was about to respond, but the minks once again garchued Zoro, and I couldn't help but laugh at the adorable interaction unfolding. "Don't be mean, Zoro! They are giving us all this meat, and you can't be nice for one second," Luffy muttered, his mouth full of food.

Suddenly, a mink came up to me, garchuing with excitement. "You're so cute! Garchu!" it squeaked. I couldn't resist the playful energy around us, joining in the laughter as we all began to mingle and enjoy the feast.

Just then, someone burst through the doors. "You're... you're here!" Brook exclaimed, rushing towards us with an air of excitement.

"Brook!" I exclaimed, placing my drink on the floor and rushing to greet him. "Brook!" everyone echoed joyously, their voices filling the room.

"Ohhh Joy! I read about your big battle!" Brook cried, his eye sockets dripping with tears of relief. "I'm so glad you’re all okay!" His gaze fixed on me, and he added, "Y/N! You’re not dead!"

I laughed, a sense of warmth spreading through me. "No, I’m very much alive!" I replied, grinning at his exuberance.

But then Brook's expression shifted to one of concern. "Also, why didn’t you tell me you were engaged?!" he asked, rushing over to hug me from the side, his tears now flowing freely.

"Brook, what are you on about?" I replied, slightly confused. I raised my right hand, showcasing the only ring I carried. "Engagement ring? The only rings I carry are the ones King gave me!" I insisted. "Who told you I was engaged?"

Before Brook could answer, he turned his attention to Luffy. "I’ve missed you!" Brook cried, suddenly clinging to Luffy and shedding tears. "What’s wrong? You’re all banged up!"

"Never mind me, I’m sorry about Sanji! I feel like I’ve lost all face! Although not that I have one to begin with," Brook lamented dramatically. I was about to ask about Sanji when Usopp interrupted.

"Oh yeah, wasn’t Momo supposed to be with you guys?" he asked, curiosity lighting up his face.

Brook tensed up at the mention of Momo. "Momo isn’t fond of the minks," he explained, his tone becoming more serious. He then pulled us aside for a private chat, clearly wanting to ensure the discussion remained discreet.

"We aren’t allowed to mention samurai or Wano," Brook explained, glancing around cautiously. "It might cause offense or pain to the minks."

"What’s the deal?" I asked, confused and concerned about the implications.

Just as Brook was about to continue, he was suddenly bitten by one of the dog minks, who seemed enamored with his bony figure. "He’s so popular," Robin remarked, smirking as we all walked to sit down together.

"Luffy, I don’t see Traffy anywhere," Chopper said, looking around.

"Yeah, he said ‘bear place,’" Luffy replied, scratching his head in confusion.

"Bear place?" Chopper echoed, his brows furrowing in thought.

"I think what Luffy is trying to say is that Traffy is with Bepo and the rest of his crew," Robin clarified, rolling her eyes at Luffy’s usual antics.

I felt a surge of relief knowing that Traffy was with his crew. "I hope they’re okay," I said quietly, glancing at my friends.

"He’s fine! Instead, we should worry more about Sanji," Nami interjected, her expression turning serious.

"He left you a letter, didn’t he? His thing will work out," Zoro said, his tone indifferent, though I could sense his concern.

"Actually, Zoro, he left two letters, and one was for Y/N," Nami corrected, holding out the folded paper to me.

"A letter for me?" I said, my curiosity piqued as I took the letter from Nami's hands.

I carefully opened its contents, and as I read, the words made my eyes glossy with tears. "What is he saying?" I whispered, my heart racing.

The letter read:

My beloved Y/N,I didn’t want you to find out this way, nor did I want the crew to think I was hiding anything. I’m not marrying Big Mom’s daughter, nor do I care about engagements. The only woman I have my eyes set on is you. I’ll be damned if I let anybody harm you or force you into doing anything against your will. I’ll be back in no time, once I sort this whole situation out. Y/N, as I write this letter, I want you to know...

The ink smudged slightly, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. The words danced before my eyes as I tried to process everything. I only want to be engaged to you, and I’ll be damned if I let a Vinsmoke claim you as his.

"This letter doesn’t make any sense," I said, my voice trembling as I struggled to comprehend his declarations.

Luffy began to ponder, his brow furrowed in thought. Zoro’s grip on my waist tightened slightly, a possessiveness evident in his posture. "Hmmm, he didn’t get kidnapped; he just left?" Luffy mused, trying to piece together the situation.

"That’s what I’m worried about! It all seems too fishy!" Nami exclaimed, her eyes wide with concern.

"I’m so sorry!" Chopper chimed in, his voice quivering with emotion. "We couldn’t do anything to stop him."

"You’re going to need to give us more details because I’m lost," Franky added, crossing his arms as he looked at Nami expectantly.

"Same here!" I echoed, my thoughts racing. With the letter Sanji gave me, my wanted poster stamped with "Only Alive," and the ominous mention of a Vinsmoke, I felt like I was caught in the middle of a storm. "I need a rundown of everything."

"Listen, Nami, we need to know the details in full. Tell us what happened in the last 11 days since you left Dressrosa and boarded the Sunny," Robin urged, her expression serious.

"Okay, I’ll tell you everything that happened," Nami said, her tone shifting as she prepared to recount the story.

As Nami began to detail the events that unfolded—from my capture by Doflamingo to the sudden appearance of Big Mom’s ship—we all listened intently, absorbing every word. The atmosphere shifted from anxiety to excitement as Nami recounted how they fought valiantly against overwhelming odds.

We all cheered as Luffy recounted how they kicked ass. 'Way to go, guys!' I said, resting my head on Zoro’s chest, feeling the comfort of his presence. His heartbeat was steady, a reassuring rhythm amidst the chaos of our situation. Zoro looked down at me, a hint of a smirk on his lips, as if he was proud to be my anchor in this whirlwind of emotions and revelations.

"So, you came here after that? How long did it take?" Robin asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Zou was close to us, so we arrived in a day," Nami replied.

"We’ve been here ten days!" Chopper added, holding up his hooves, his eyes wide with surprise.

Robin then turned her attention to Wanda, asking about the city’s situation. With a solemn expression, Wanda recounted the tale of what had transpired, her face bearing the weight of the tragic events. She explained how they owed everything to the Straw Hats and Chopper's medical expertise for saving many lives in the aftermath of the attack.

Just then, the minks received news that the Duke was awake. "Duke Dogstorm would like to meet the saviors," one of the minks announced, excitement rippling through the gathered crowd.

Wanda continued, her tone turning serious as she recalled the assault by Jack and the Beast Pirates. "They wanted something we didn’t have," she explained, her voice thick with emotion. "The Beast Pirates attacked and caused destruction beyond what we could handle."

"So it was Kaido's crew that attacked, and they are the Beast Pirates," Robin clarified, piecing together the information.

Wanda nodded, confirming Robin's deduction. "Those bastards," I muttered, my anger flaring at the thought of what the minks had endured.

Sensing my growing rage, Zoro placed his arm around my shoulder, a silent gesture of support meant to calm me down. His warmth enveloped me, grounding me amidst the tumult of emotions swirling within. I leaned into him slightly, grateful for his presence as I tried to push the anger aside 

"They wouldn't listen to a word we said; we were forced to fight or die," Wanda recounted, her voice heavy with the memories of the battle.

"Wait, so Jack ended up leaving but he never found the samurai?" Usopp asked, piecing together the timeline.

Luffy, oblivious to the tension, began bouncing with excitement, his voice high and squeaky. "Wow, that was fun!" he declared, moving up and down the bridge in his usual overenthusiastic manner.

"Luffy! Stop!" I shouted, half-amused and half-exasperated.

"Not for us!" the rest of the crew chimed in unison, their frustration evident.

We finally arrived at the place where Duke Dogstorm was resting, and Wanda continued sharing details about Cat Viper and the Duke, her tone shifting to a more somber note. "But then... a poison gas," she said, her expression darkening.

Realization dawned on all of us simultaneously. "You know what that means," Chopper chimed in, his eyes wide. "The poison gas—it was Caesar's."

"Looks like he’s getting another ass-kicking," I muttered, my determination hardening. "He’s number three on my list." I made a mental note to settle the score with Caesar, the memory of his past actions fueling my resolve. Zoro tightened his grip on my shoulder,

"So I see the connection now! Kaido's bio-weapons came from Doflamingo!" Robin said, her words cutting through the room with sharp clarity.

The mention of his name made my body tense up, a wave of anxiety washing over me. My breathing became shallow, and the air around me felt like it was closing in. The memories of Doflamingo's cruel grip, his suffocating presence, all surged back.

"Y/N, breathe... breathe," Zoro's voice came, steady and firm, his hand gently squeezing my shoulder.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the rhythm of my breaths, trying to push the panic back down. Just the mention of Doflamingo was enough to set me on edge, but Zoro’s calm presence beside me helped me regain control. I nodded slightly, silently thankful for him as I worked to ground myself, the weight of the past momentarily easing.

Luffy gritted his teeth, fists clenched tight. "Caesar!" he growled, fury evident in his voice. "He's getting an ass kicking!"

"I've already made a mental note, Captain," I said, my eyes narrowing. A small electrical current sparked from my fingers as I added with a smirk, "He's getting an ass kicking and a shock."

Luffy grinned, his anger momentarily turning into excitement at the thought. “Good! He deserves it!”

Luffy’s grin faltered, replaced by a more serious expression as Wanda continued recounting the terrible events they endured. “It wasn’t your fault, you must’ve been frustrated,” Luffy said, trying to comfort her.

Wanda’s voice trembled as she recalled the horrors. “We were all completely paralyzed… and as for what happened next... I don’t even want to say it.” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “I can’t shake the screams of innocent lives, begging for help…”

I felt my heart ache for her and the minks. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered, wishing there was more I could do to ease their pain.

“We were spared by fate,” came a deep, weary voice. Duke Dogstorm was now awake, slowly lifting his head.

“How long have you been awake?!” Luffy exclaimed in surprise.

The Duke, still groggy but focused, lifted a newspaper to show us. The headline read that Jack had died. "The day Jack left our kingdom was the day you two, Gara,"—he nodded towards both Luffy and me—“challenged Doflamingo. I realized then, Jack was trying to liberate Doflamingo from captivity. It must have been bound by some deep-rooted connection. The reason they left... was because of you two.”

The Duke’s words weighed heavily, the realization settling over us all. His eyes closed again, falling back into sleep as exhaustion claimed him.

Wanda, tears still fresh, turned to us. “Knowing that, I feel even more gratitude. All of our lives are deeply indebted to you.”

“And the day Doflamingo was defeated was the day we arrived here,” Chopper added, putting it all together.

I couldn’t help but feel the immense gravity of our actions—how they rippled across the world and saved so many lives, even when we didn’t realize it.

Zoro’s grip tightened slightly, his proud grin never faltering. “That’s my partner,” he repeated, leaning down to kiss the top of my head again, his lips lingering just a bit longer this time.

I smirked, unable to resist teasing him. “Look at you, Zo. Being all soft.”

Before Zoro could reply, Usopp’s voice cut through the moment. “Soft? Zoro? Are we still talking about the same guy?!” Usopp threw his hands up in exaggerated disbelief. “Must be the wine talking, no way he’s being all cuddly!”

Zoro shot Usopp a glare, his face flushed—probably a mix of both embarrassment and the booze. “Hey!, keep it up and you’ll be next.”

Usopp immediately raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright! No need to get all ‘swordsman’ on me!” he said, backing off with a grin.

Zoro pulled me closer, his arm a steady presence around my shoulder as Chopper recounted their harrowing journey to Zou. He detailed how Nami and Brook faced off against one of the Beast Pirates, and how he, Sanji, and Caesar saw the devastation that had torn through the Mink Tribe. The image of the crucified Minks caused a chill to settle over the group. Chopper explained how he managed to create an antidote, saving lives while Caesar, predictably, gloated about his role in creating the gas.

"Man, Gas Guy sucks," Luffy muttered, his face twisted in disgust.

"Just wait until I get my hands on him," I growled, my right hand now glowing with a red crackle of electricity. The spark of power surged through me, fueled by the anger at the devastation Caesar had caused.

Zoro gave a quick side glance at the electricity in my hand, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Seems like someone’s extra fired up."

“Y/N?! When did you learn to do that?!” Chopper asked, eyes wide with surprise.

I was about to explain, but Zoro cut in. “The princess’s blades pick up on her energy. So it depends—one can be blue, one can be yellow, and I believe red. Right, princess?” he said, resting his chin on my head with a casual possessiveness.

“There’s more to the blades,” I added, “but I’m still figuring it out. They can even cast white sometimes.”

Usopp, ever observant, raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Zoro, are you sure that wine didn’t do something to you? You’re acting a bit… soft.”

Zoro’s eyes narrowed, but before he could retort, I grinned and added, “Maybe it’s the garchu he got earlier.”

The group continued to laugh as Zoro tightened his hold around me, a playful yet protective gesture. Chopper then recounted how he and Caesar had managed to neutralize the gas, detailing the tense moments where time was against them. “We were in a race against time,” he said, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. He explained how Wanda initially thought they were enemies, but Pedro and Tristan vouched for the Straw Hats. With Caesar’s reluctant help, they managed to create a vaccine to save the minks.

Wanda’s voice trembled as she spoke, tears welling in her eyes. “You-tia saved our civilization.”

Franky, ever the emotional one, began to cry openly. “I’m so proud of you guys! Look at that! You guys are super!” His exaggerated sobbing only added to the warmth of the moment.

Chopper suddenly perked up, remembering something. “Oh! Since the sun’s down, that means I’m on night shift. I’ve got to take care of Cat Viper!”

“I’m coming! Let’s go meet him!” Luffy said excitedly, his energy as boundless as ever.

“Let’s all go!” I chimed in, my own curiosity piqued by the mysterious figure of Cat Viper.

“Sweet, guess that settles it!” Luffy grinned as we all made our way to climb onto Wanda’s gator. 

as we all made our way to climb onto Wanda’s gator, excitement buzzing through the group. As we rode through the lush forest, Luffy leaned forward, his curiosity clearly building. “Anyway, Wanda, you never finished the story.”

“Yeah, you didn’t tell us what happened to our dumbass cook and idiot gas guy,” Zoro added from behind me, his arms wrapped securely around me as my back rested against his chest. His casual comment earned a few chuckles from the others, but there was an edge of concern beneath his words.

As the gator moved through the forest, the cool night air brushing past us, I could feel Zoro’s steady heartbeat against my back. His head resting gently on my neck sent a soft laugh bubbling up from my chest, and I couldn’t help but lean into the moment, feeling completely at ease.

That’s when Usopp, always the drama king, jumped in with a theatrical gasp. "Zoro has definitely gone soft! This would totally set Sanji over the edge!" He threw his hands in the air for extra emphasis, grinning widely as he continued his teasing. "It’s like you’re claiming Y/N or something!"

Everyone burst into laughter at Usopp’s over-the-top performance, and I shook my head, trying to stifle my giggles. "Usopp, you’re too much!" I managed to say through the laughter.

Zoro, however, remained calm, though the corner of his mouth quirked into a smirk. "Tch. Let Sanji think what he wants," he muttered, his arms tightening just a bit more around me. "I don’t need to explain myself to him."

Usopp snickered. "You’re totally claiming her!"

Zoro smirked, completely unfazed. “Well, she is my partner, after all,” he said boldly, tightening his grip slightly.

My cheeks flushed at his statement, but I couldn’t help but laugh along with everyone else, feeling a mixture of warmth and excitement. “I thought I was just your nap sidekick?” I teased, looking up at him with a grin.

Zoro leaned in, his grin widening. “You’re that too,” he replied, making the others chuckle more. Usopp exaggeratedly threw his hands up again.

“Now they’ve got titles for each other! Sanji’s gonna lose his mind when he hears this!” Usopp added dramatically, shaking his head.

Before Wanda could respond to Luffy’s earlier question, Brook suddenly intervened, strumming his guitar ominously. “Perhaps it’s best if I tell the rest of this tale,” he said solemnly. “I fear our dear friend Sanji may never return to our side.”

“What?!” Luffy and I both exclaimed in shock.

“That’s crazy. In both our letters, Sanji said he was coming back,” I argued, confusion creeping into my voice.

“He wouldn’t lie to us! I believe Sanji’s story!” Luffy shouted, fists clenched in determination.

Zoro, leaning back with a scoff, added, “Don’t know about you guys, but I wouldn’t miss him. If I never see him again, he was kind of dead weight for us.”

I turned in Zoro’s arms and thumped him on the chest. “Don’t be mean!” I said, giving him a stern look before turning back around.

“Sanji is still our friend, Zoro!” Luffy yelled, his temper flaring slightly.

Brook then continued the story. “It was then that Pekoms and Bege from Big Mom’s crew showed up on the island as well.”

“So, Big Mom’s pirates were here on Zou?” Usopp asked, his voice incredulous.

“Yeah, so Sanji must have kicked their pickled asses, huh?” Luffy added, grinning wide.

“That would’ve really set Big Mom off!” Usopp said, a mix of awe and fear in his voice.

“It’s fine since I already started that fight,” Luffy said nonchalantly.

Brook strummed his guitar once more, his voice softening. “Sanji is as kind-hearted as they come... He led those two into a fortress in the forest. But Bege kept mentioning something odd. He kept asking, ‘Where’s the girl?’”

I furrowed my brows. “What do you mean?”

Brook looked at me seriously, his hollow eyes reflecting concern. “When Sanji confronted Bege about it, he thought they were talking about Nami at first. But we were all taken inside Bege’s body. Sanji sat across from Bege, while Pekoms was shot for being willing to call Big Mom and tell her the mission failed. Nami, Caesar, Chopper, and I were all chained.”

My body tensed at the revelation. Zoro’s grip on me tightened instantly, his protective instinct kicking in.

“Wait, inside his body?” I interrupted, my body tensing at the strange revelation.

“How’d you guys even fit?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood despite my rising unease.

"I would presume you'd need to cut up his abdomen," Robin said casually, prompting Usopp to freak out.

"Enough with the body horror, okay?!" Usopp exclaimed, visibly disturbed.

Brook continued. “After that, Bege asked about ‘the girl’ again. Sanji, still assuming it was Nami, asked who they meant. But then Bege clarified, saying the one they were looking for was Princess Y/N.”

“What?!” I shot up from my position, now sitting straight. “What could Big Mom want with me?!”

Zoro’s grip tightened further, his tension matching mine as he tried to keep me calm.

“We all tried to figure that out too,” Brook said gravely. “But then, there was startling news. Bege revealed that Big Mom had planned two weddings, and she requested both Sanji and Y/N’s attendance. Sanji was enraged and rejected the idea, saying he was already engaged—to you, Y/N.”

“He said what?!” I shouted, coughing in surprise as I tried to process the revelation. "I never agreed to any marriage! Why would Sanji say that?!" My mind raced, recalling the words in Sanji's letter. “Is that why he added that to my letter?!”

Brook nodded, continuing, “Which is what I told Nami—it’s more of a one-sided marriage since you didn’t agree to it.”

“But I just know you would’ve made a blushing bride! Yohohohoho!” Brook added, his laugh oddly light-hearted despite the tension.

Before I could respond, Luffy, oblivious to the seriousness of the situation, cut in. “Y/N! Why didn’t you tell me you were engaged?! We could’ve done something on the Sunny!” he said with wide, innocent eyes.

“Well, you know, Captain, I was hoping to keep it under—" I began sarcastically before losing my temper. "I HAVEN’T EVEN AGREED TO A PROPOSAL!” I yelled, my rage finally spilling out.

Zoro, sensing I was on the verge of losing control, got up from his lounging position and pulled me back into his arms, holding me close. He leaned down to whisper in my ear, his voice calm but firm. “You’re not marrying anyone you don’t want to, princess. I’ll make sure of that.”

Brook then revealed the next shocker. “Bege pulled out a second invitation—this one meant for you, Y/N. You were to be married to the first son of the Vinsmoke family, Ichiji.”

“So I’m in an arranged marriage?!” I said, my voice rising with the burning anger inside me.

Luffy’s confusion was palpable as he scratched his head. “Wait, Y/N, I’m confused. So are you marrying Sanji or this Ichiji guy?”

“I’M NOT MARRYING EITHER ONE!” I yelled, my frustration boiling over.

Zoro’s arm tightened protectively around me as he smirked, his voice low. “That’s the spirit.”

Brook continued with the story, “Sanji then asked whose bright idea it was and why. Bege answered, telling him he’s a Vinsmoke and how should he know. Sanji even asked why you were involved, to which Bege said that Ichiji would have been there, but he was taking care of business for Judge. He’s excited to see his soon-to-be bride, but what shocked me was that he was the one who called for your wedding and that yours would be first, then Sanji's,” he said, causing me to cough once more.

Brook continued, saying that the revelation that Sanji was also a Vinsmoke chilled him to the bones. “Sanji kept denying it, saying he wasn’t going to marry or go to a tea party for Big Mom, and that he’d be damned if he let any of those bastards harm Y/N,” Brook added, looking solemn.

“Bege was adamant in having you there as well, but since you were in Dressrosa fighting, they both kept arguing back and forth.” Brook continued, his tone growing more serious. “Bege even said that if you didn’t show, then something would happen.”

“What do you mean, something?” I asked, my heart racing at the implication.

“We don’t know,” Brook admitted, his expression grave. “But Sanji willingly left with Bege and helped us escape. He said that he was going to deal with his… family, along with the whole wedding situation.”

“So now I understand why my wanted poster suddenly showed ‘Vinsmoke Y/N.’ This Ichiji guy was trying to claim me,” I said, the weight of it all crashing down on me.

"One of Bege's members also whispered something to Sanji which caused him to tense, which also led to him deciding to go," said Brook.

"Okay! If we can't figure it out, then we'll just have to go and ask Sanji!" yelled Luffy.

"You're crazy!" Usopp exclaimed, eyes wide. "Bad idea!" Zoro chimed in, still gripping my waist.

"I'm with you, Luffy!" I declared, causing everyone to turn to me in disbelief. "What?!"

"You guys have to understand, I'm also at stake here," I insisted, pulling out one of my blades from the thigh halter, its blue hue glowing. "I'd like to pay my fiancée Ichiji a visit."

"You’re crazy! So you think we can just waltz on over to Big Mom?" Usopp protested.

"Yeah, we gotta," Luffy affirmed, determination in his eyes.

"She's one of the Four Emperors! We've never faced anyone like that," Robin cautioned.

"Right, which is why we gotta be sneaky!" Luffy said, and I pointed at him, nodding. "That's the idea."

"Now that I think of it... I might know a way," Chopper added thoughtfully. "They did leave someone behind, so he could tell us something helpful."

As time continued to pass, I found myself leaning against Zoro as we traveled to Cat Viper. His hands traced soothing patterns on my body, trying to ease my anxiety. My blades were now back on their halter. I turned to look up at him; he met my gaze with a lazy grin, clearly enjoying the moment of peace.

"Poor Pekoms, he put himself in harm's way to defend us," Brook said with a sigh.

"We need to know where to find Sanji. Pekoms is the best lead we have," he continued.

"Right! He'll talk to me. If not, I'll drag it out of him," Luffy declared, enthusiasm bubbling over. "Then when we find Sanji, we can figure out if he’s getting married or what."

"And I can kick Ichiji's ass and make him take off his last name on my wanted poster! It’s a win-win if you ask me!" I chimed in, grinning.

We finally arrived at Cat Viper's location, greeted once again by the guardians. Pedro came down from the tree, his demeanor sheepish as he apologized for attacking Luffy earlier.

"Go see Bepo; they’re in the back," said Pedro, motioning for us to move.

"Not right now. We want to talk to Cat Viper and Lion Viper first," Luffy responded, his tone firm.

Pedro leaned in closer and whispered, "Pekoms is awake. We should head to the back."

Chopper, starstruck by a lady reindeer, decided to check on Cat Viper himself. I couldn't help but smirk at the interaction. Robin, Brook, and Usopp followed Chopper, while Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Wanda, Carrot, and I made our way to see Pekoms.

As we approached, Pekoms looked weary but determined. "That bastard Bege, I’m sorry I couldn’t do more, but your pal Black Leg’s long gone," he said. "No one can refuse Mama’s wedding."

"As for you, Princess," Pekoms continued, "Ichiji will more than likely look for you since you're not on the boat with Black Leg."

"He can try, but I’ll still be able to kick his ass," I smirked defiantly. "No one is going to force me to marry anybody, and these Vinsmokes can all get their asses kicked too if I have anything to say about it."

Luffy chimed in, "Sanji would never just pick one girl to marry. Besides, he said he was engaged to Y/N already."

I thumped him on the head, feeling my face heat up. "We aren’t engaged!" I snapped, frustration bubbling over. "There were already two agreements established: one was Mama’s, and the other was Sanji’s father. Since, Princess, you are to be married to Ichiji, then you were also invited to Mama’s party, and your wedding is first."

"Again, I’m not marrying anybody," I said, my tone still defiant.

"So what kind of person is Sanji's father?" Nami asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.

"He’s got quite the reputation in the underworld," Pekoms replied, a serious expression crossing his face. "Are you familiar with a group called Germa 66, the warmongers?"

"The Vinsmoke family sits at the top, and their leader is Black Leg’s father," Pekoms said, his voice steady.

"What?!" I exclaimed, disbelief washing over me. "If you know anything about them, then you’d know they are a vicious group of assassins."

Suddenly, the revelation caused me to stumble back slightly. "So... does that mean..." I said in a low voice.

"That’s right, your future husband is an assassin," Pekoms confirmed, his words hanging heavily in the air.

“No way! This can’t be happening!” I shouted, feeling panic rise like a wave threatening to crash over me. My chest tightened as I felt the weight of it all—the forced engagement, Sanji's family, and everything beyond my control. "I won’t be part of this! I refuse to let anyone dictate my life like this!"

Feeling overwhelmed, I muttered a rushed excuse and bolted from the room. Once outside, I pressed my hand to my chest, trying desperately to steady my breathing. The cool air hit my face, but it did little to calm the whirlwind inside me. My other hand gripped my hair tightly, as if holding myself together.

From inside, I could still hear Luffy’s voice, his tone sharp with determination. "Is Sanji coming back to us or not? I don’t care if he’s getting married! Listen, if you think we’re going to work under Big Mom, then you’re crazy! I’m fine with making an alliance, but you guys gotta work for us!"

Luffy's words were bold and comforting in their own way, but I could barely focus. My breaths came shallow, rapid. My heart was pounding too fast, too hard. I was teetering on the edge of a full-blown panic attack.

Suddenly, I felt strong hands snake around my waist from behind, pulling me close to a warm, familiar chest. "Breathe, princess. Breathe," Zoro’s low voice rumbled in my ear as he gently kissed the back of my neck. His lips grazed my skin, and the sensation sent shivers down my spine.

"I… I can’t—" I started, but he tightened his grip just a little, his calm presence pulling me back from the brink.

"Shhh," he whispered, his lips still close to my neck. "You’re stronger than this. I know you are." His hands slowly moved up to my shoulders, grounding me, his thumbs tracing slow circles. "No one’s going to make you do anything you don’t want. Not Ichiji. Not Sanji’s father. No one."

I leaned back into him, letting his steady breathing guide mine, the storm inside me slowly subsiding.

"You don’t have to handle everything alone," Zoro murmured into my ear, his voice deeper now, filled with something more than just comfort. His lips brushed the edge of my jawline. "You’ve got me. And I won’t let anyone hurt you, not them, not anyone."

I could feel the heat of his breath against my skin, his hands sliding down to my hips, holding me firmly against him. There was a protective intensity in the way he touched me, but something else lingered beneath the surface.

He leaned down, his mouth ghosting over the shell of my ear. "I’d take on the entire Vinsmoke family myself if it meant keeping you safe. Don’t doubt that for a second."

My heart, still racing from the panic, now fluttered for a different reason. "Zoro…" I whispered, his name barely leaving my lips as his hands wandered lower, his touch both reassuring and wanting.

He turned me around slowly, his eyes dark, intense, locking onto mine. "You don’t have to be afraid, Y/N," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "Not when I’m here. I won’t let them take you." His forehead rested against mine, his breath mingling with mine as his hands gripped my waist tighter.

"Zoro... thank you for everything," I whispered, my voice barely audible, but he heard it clearly. My hands slid up behind his head, fingers tangling gently in his hair as I scratched lightly at his scalp. He let out a low, quiet groan, the sound rumbling in his chest and sending a thrill through me.

For a moment, I stayed there, relishing the warmth of his body and the comfort he gave me. Slowly, I began to pull away, my heart still racing, though for entirely different reasons now. Before I let him go completely, I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his cheek, feeling the heat of his skin beneath my lips.

"Thank you... again," I whispered, my breath brushing against his face. His eyes stayed locked on mine, the intensity never leaving them as he nodded, though I could see a flicker of something deeper behind those dark eyes.

I turned and made my way back inside, feeling his gaze linger on me as I reentered the room, a small sense of calm returning to my chaotic world.

“So you get it or not?! Go tell Big Mom that’s the deal!” Luffy shouted as I finally reentered the room. My eyes met his as he turned to me, grinning. “Your little eyeballs are funny,” he said with a laugh to Pekoms, as both he and Carrot giggled.

“Either way, neither Blackleg nor the princess can get out of this marriage,” Pekoms muttered darkly.

“And why not?” Luffy snapped back.

“Nobody puts Mama to shame, not without paying the price,” Pekoms responded.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, feeling the dread rise in my chest again.

“In a couple of days, if they don’t show up to the party, Mama’s guests get a surprise. They get a box... with the loved one’s decapitated head in it,” Pekoms said grimly. I felt the weight of his words crash down on me, heavy and suffocating.

Pekoms continued, “It might be one of your heads if Mama sees fit, or maybe it’s one of the heads of Blackleg’s old crew back at the restaurant, or someone who trained with him from Kamabakka Kingdom. And for you, princess, it’s the same. Could be one of your crew, or King, or one of the men you trained with.”

My eyes widened, and rage surged through me. Before I could stop myself, I lunged at Pekoms, grabbing him by the shirt. I didn’t care if he was injured—I wasn’t going to let him finish that threat.

“Now you listen, and you listen good, you lion viper!” I snarled, tightening my grip. “I will not let you or anybody lay a hand on my crew, or King, or the men I trained with back on that island! You got that?!”

“Y/N, relax!” Nami tried to intervene.

“No, Nami, you don’t understand!” I shouted, tears welling in my eyes. “I’d rather die than let anything happen to you or them!” The tears finally spilled over, and I could feel the overwhelming sense of helplessness creeping in.

Luffy’s voice snapped me out of my rage. “Hold on, how do you guys even know all this about Sanji and Y/N?”

“There’s no hope... she’s gonna follow through with it. That’s why no one can fight the Four Emperors,” Pekoms muttered as I released him, feeling a wave of exhaustion hit me.

Pekoms coughed before adding, “Once these marriages happen, Blackleg and the princess will no longer be part of the crew. These marriages are strictly political.”

I felt lightheaded. Luffy, clearly frustrated, grabbed Pekoms and shook him. “What the hell kind of threat is that? Y/N and Sanji are my friends! Okay?!”

“Alright! You can take me with you!” Luffy declared, determined.

“Luffy!” Nami protested.

“Listen, I’m going without you,” Luffy said, turning to her. “I’m with Robin on this one. If we all go together, it’ll be like we’re starting a war.”

Luffy then turned to me. “Y/N, you’re coming with me too!” he said confidently.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” I smirked, pulling my sword from its sheath. “We don’t have time for an all-out war. If I stick with this guy, all we need to do is stop Sanji’s wedding and kick Ichiji’s ass.” said Luffy

“Hey, screw you!” Pekoms interjected.

“Well, too late, Pekoms. Looks like you’re doing it,” I said with defiance.

“I never agreed to this,” Pekoms grumbled.

“And I never agreed to get married. Looks like we both got issues,” I shot back, making my way outside.

As I stepped out, I could see Luffy and Zoro talking. “You’re worried about Sanji too, huh?” Luffy asked.

“You want me to cut you? I’m more worried about Y/N than that lovesick cook,” Zoro muttered.

I couldn’t help but smile at his words. “Thank you for worrying about me, Zo,” I said as I leaned in, placing a kiss on his cheek. He was taken off guard, eyes widening in surprise.

Just then, Usopp called out. “Hey! Luffy! Zoro! Y/N!”

The rest of the crew caught up to us, and Chopper asked, “Hey, how’s Pekoms doing?”

“Oh, good! You’re here! Pekoms is bleeding a lot and banging his head—better check him out,” Luffy said casually as Chopper rushed over.

“Hey there! You guys must be the Straw Hats!” a voice called out. We turned to see Cat Viper approaching, towering over us.

“He’s so cute!” I squealed in surprise.

Suddenly, Cat Viper charged at us with excitement, giving us a giant thank-you “Garchu,” knocking Luffy, Zoro, and me onto the ground.

“Ugh... oww,” I groaned.

Luffy, who had already bounced back up, grinned. “Alright, Zoro, it’s your turn.”

As I tried to pull myself back up, Zoro straddled me, smirking down with his trademark lazy grin. “I’m actually starting to like this position,” he said with a teasing edge to his voice.

I felt my cheeks flush at his words, but I rolled my eyes, not willing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flustered. “You would,” I muttered, trying to push him off, but his weight remained firm, pinning me beneath him. His grin only widened as he watched my futile attempts.

“Zoro! Get off her, we don’t have time for this!” Usopp called from behind, half-panicked but also mildly amused by the scene

Zoro’s irritation was palpable as he pulled out his swords, but I couldn’t help but laugh at his frustration. “If you want to garchu to death, do it without me!” he barked at Cat Viper, who looked like he was having the time of his life despite the injuries.

Luffy and I burst into laughter at the sight of Zoro dealing with the giant feline's enthusiastic energy. "Come on, Cat, get up! We’re going to fight!” Zoro growled, drawing his two swords.

“Woah, take it easy! He’s still injured,” Usopp shouted, trying to calm Zoro down.

Zoro, with a cocky grin, muttered, “So? He’s got nine lives. About to be eight, though!”

I quickly smacked him on the head, giving him a stern look. “Don’t be rude!”

Amid the playful chaos, I heard Luffy call out, “Hey, Traffy!” My gaze followed his voice, and there stood Law with his usual stoic expression, seemingly ignoring the lively commotion. “Is this your crew!” said Luffy eying traffys crew. 

“Those are the Heart Pirates, twenty members strong,” Luffy said, pointing toward Law’s crew. Each of them struck poses in unison, proudly displaying their unity.

“Thanks for taking care of our captain, Strawhat!” they called out in unison.

“No problem!” Luffy replied with his signature grin.

Law, ever the serious one, tried to steer the situation back on track. “Let’s talk in private,” he said, causing his crew to boo in disappointment.

“We’re not having a party, and we’re not friends. We are strategic allies,” Law added, his tone firm.

I couldn’t resist the chance to tease him. I crossed my arms and smirked. “Ohh, is that so?” I said, stepping forward.

Law’s eyes widened when he finally noticed me. “Princess... I...”

Before he could finish, I clenched my left fist playfully and leaped into the air, landing gracefully beside him. “Are we really just strategic allies?” I teased, leaning in slightly with a playful smirk.

Law, flustered, was about to reply, but before he could, Bepo’s loud voice interrupted. “Y/N!”

I laughed as I turned to Bepo, who was already making his way toward me. “Bepo! Come here!” I exclaimed, running toward the giant polar bear, who lifted me effortlessly and nuzzled my cheek. His soft fur tickled my face, making me laugh harder. “I missed you!”

When Bepo finally set me down, I turned to see Penguin and Shachi standing nearby, their expressions a delightful mix of awkwardness and warmth. “Penguin, Shachi! Always good to see you!” I exclaimed, pulling both of them into a hug. They exchanged glances, unsure whether to hug back or blush, their faces turning a bright shade of pink.

“It’s great to see you too, princess!” they finally said, giving in to the hug with relieved smiles.

“And these must be the rest of the Heart Pirates,” I noted, eyeing the crew curiously. “I’m sorry if your captain hasn’t introduced us to you guys, but my name is—”

“Ohh, we know who you are!” one member interrupted with a playful smirk.

“Yeah, Captain goes on and on about you,” another chimed in, grinning.

“Oh really? Is that so?” I teased, turning my gaze to Law, who was trying his best to maintain a stoic expression while Luffy pointed and laughed at him. I could see a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks.

Bepo's eyes widened in excitement as he spotted the half heart necklace hanging from my neck. “Ohh, Y/N! Is that the heart necklace?” he asked, practically bouncing on his feet.

“Yes, it is, Bepo! But while I was with Doflamingo, he yanked it and it split in two. So I keep one, and Law kept the other. He’s wearing it too,” I explained, smiling at the memory.

“Look at that! Our captain has a matching accessory with the princess!” Penguin teased, elbowing Shachi, who giggled in response.

“Getting pretty cozy, aren’t we, Captain?” Shachi added, winking at Law.

I laughed at the teasing, enjoying the light-hearted atmosphere. Just then, Law suddenly teleported next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. His hat tilted forward, casting a shadow over his face as if to shield himself from the relentless banter of his crew.

“Don’t mind them, princess.,” he said, trying to play it off casually, though the smirk on his face betrayed his amusement. I rolled my eyes playfully.

In response, Law leaned closer, whispering softly, “At least I can hide my face while still being close to you.” He then subtly pressed a soft kiss to my shoulder, his breath warm against my skin. The gesture sent a delightful shiver down my spine, and I couldn’t help but smile at the unexpected sweetness amid all the teasing.

The crew exchanged glances, clearly noticing the moment, and Shachi raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Wow, look at you, Captain! Getting all romantic now!”

“Shut up,” Law muttered, but I could see the hint of a smile creeping onto his lips, even as he tried to maintain his usual stoic demeanor.

Bepo grinned, clearly pleased for his captain. “I think it’s sweet!” I laughed, pulling away from Law’s embrace. “I’ll see you inside, okay?” I said, placing a hand gently on his cheek and slowly gliding down to his chin, making sure to savor the moment just a bit longer.

With a playful smirk, I clenched my left hand once more and leaped into the air. “Great meeting you guys! I can’t wait to hang out more!” I called back, waving as I made my way toward Luffy.

“Well, that was fun!” I said, laughing as I joined Luffy, who wore a wide grin.

Minutes passed, and Law, along with our crew, finally stepped inside. Usopp was animatedly giving him the rundown of everything, from Sanji's arranged marriage to my own alleged engagement.

Law’s expression darkened at the mention of my supposed marriage, his brows knitting together in frustration. “What do you mean, Y/N is getting married?” he snapped, his voice low but intense.

Usopp scratched his head, looking sheepish. “Uh, well, it’s a long story, but apparently, she’s supposed to marry Ichiji from the Vinsmoke family,” he explained.

“Like hell I am!” I interjected, crossing my arms defiantly. “I won’t let anyone dictate my life like that!”

Law's gaze softened slightly as he looked at me, but the irritation was still evident in his posture. “You shouldn’t have to deal with this, Y/N. We need to figure out a way to stop it,” he said, his voice calmer now but filled with determination. 

“Don’t worry, Y/N and I are going to get Sanji and kick this Ichiji guy’s ass!” Luffy declared, grinning broadly while seated on top of Cat Viper, who looked a mix of bemused and amused.

“Do you mind if we hold off fighting Kaido a little?” Luffy asked, glancing around.

“Not really my call. Anywhere around it, Kaido is going to come for us,” Law replied, standing next to me with a serious expression. “My original plan was to hide out here in Zou for a while, but now that they know we’re here, we’re screwed. If they come back for us and invade this country, then its people will suffer, and it’ll be all our fault.”

Just then, the minks overheard, and a few of them began to shed tears. “That is so kind!” one of them exclaimed, clearly touched by Law’s concern.

Cat Viper, who had been resting, suddenly woke up with a loud declaration. “Let’s have a party! BBQ time!”

The mood instantly shifted as everyone cheered, and we began to feast on the meals provided. The smell of grilled meat filled the air, and drinks flowed freely.

“Cheers!” I said, raising my cup with a wide smile, surrounded by my friends. “Again, this is great booze,” I added, taking a long sip.

Zoro, sitting next to me with his drink in hand, smirked. “You know, if you keep enjoying it this much, you might turn into a total lush.”

I laughed, nudging him playfully with my elbow. “And what’s wrong with that? Someone has to keep the party going!”

As we all dug into the delicious food, Cat Viper brought out a massive tray of lasagna, setting it in front of us. “This is my special recipe!” he proclaimed proudly.

As I took a generous bite of the lasagna, I couldn’t help but let out a little moan of delight. “This is so yummy!” I exclaimed, savoring the flavors.

“Zoro, are you okay?” I asked, noticing he wasn’t looking at the food but at me, his gaze intense, a darker hue glinting in his eyes.

He blinked a few times, seemingly pulled from a trance. “Uh, yeah,” he replied, a slight flush creeping onto his cheeks. “I just didn’t expect that sound to come from you.”

I raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on my lips. “What, you never heard someone enjoy their food before?”

Zoro smirked, leaning a bit closer. “Not like that. You’ve got to be careful; a sound like that might give someone the wrong idea.”

“Maybe I want to give someone the right idea,” I shot back, my heart racing a little at the implication.

Time passed and I found myself settled against Zoro's chest, the warmth of his body enveloped me like a comforting blanket. The night had taken on a cheerful glow, with laughter and chatter filling the air, but as the drinks began to flow, I felt a gentle drowsiness creeping in.

"Zoro, what are you..." I started to ask, but he shushed me softly, his grip tightening around me as he pulled me closer. "Shhhh, get some rest," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that soothed me.

With the rhythmic beating of his heart echoing in my ears, I let my eyes flutter shut, my mind drifting in and out of sleep. "You know, it's kind of funny," I confessed, the wine loosening my tongue. "The way you're holding me is the same way Sabo used to hold me back when I was training."

Zoro, feeling a bit tipsy himself, chuckled softly. “Yeah? Well, Sabo’s not here now, and I’m not letting you go.” He tilted his head back slightly, allowing a lazy grin to spread across his face. “Plus, I think I’m better at it than he is.”

I couldn’t help but giggle softly, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. “Is that so?” I teased. “What makes you think that?”

He smirked, his eyes glinting mischievously. “Because I’m not just holding you for training; I’m holding you because I want to.” There was a playful confidence in his voice, and even in my drowsy state, I felt a flutter in my chest at his words.

“Is that your way of flirting, Roronoa?” I half-laughed, half-yawned, snuggling deeper into his embrace.

“Maybe it is,” he replied, his voice dropping to a husky whisper as he tightened his hold, making me feel safe and cherished. “But don’t get used to it. I might just be too tired to do it again tomorrow.”

“Yeah, right,” I mumbled, already slipping into the comforting embrace of sleep. The last thing I heard before I fully succumbed to slumber was Zoro’s low chuckle, warm and reassuring, echoing in the night air.

Third person POV…

As the party continued around them, Zoro found himself enveloped in a haze of warmth and contentment, his heart beating steadily beneath Y/N’s gentle weight. The laughter and chatter of the crew were like distant echoes, a soundtrack to this rare moment of tranquility. He had always been the stoic swordsman, known for his fierce loyalty and unwavering resolve, yet here he was, cradling Y/N as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

The soft rise and fall of her chest against his own made him acutely aware of the closeness they shared. In that cocoon of warmth, he allowed himself to let down the walls he had carefully constructed over the years. “What am I even doing?” he muttered softly to himself, a mixture of disbelief and acceptance washing over him. “This isn’t like me at all.”

Zoro’s tipsy mind spun with thoughts he rarely entertained. He thought about how Y/N had a way of breaking through his defenses, melting the ice that surrounded his heart. The way she laughed, the way she fought, and how fiercely she cared for her friends—it all drew him in like a moth to a flame.

“You’re not just some princess,” he whispered, his fingers absently tracing patterns on her back. “You’re… different.” He shook his head slightly, as if trying to shake off the feelings that threatened to overwhelm him. “It’s a pain, you know?”

Yet, beneath his gruff exterior, a soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he glanced down at her peaceful face. She looked so serene, lost in her dreams, and for a fleeting moment, Zoro wished he could protect that tranquility forever. “You’re going to get me killed,” he murmured, half-laughing as he recalled the danger that seemed to follow her wherever she went.

As he sat there, holding her close, the tension from earlier began to fade. His thoughts drifted back to Sabo, to the challenges they faced, and to the looming threat of the Vinsmoke family. But in this moment, none of that mattered. All that existed was the two of them, wrapped in the soft glow of lantern light and the warmth of camaraderie.

Y/N stirred slightly, murmuring something incoherent that brought a grin to Zoro’s face. “What did you say?” he teased, gently shaking her. She responded with a soft sigh, nuzzling deeper into his chest. “You’re lucky you’re cute,” he chuckled, feeling his heart swell with affection.

In that moment of vulnerability, he leaned down, brushing his lips against her forehead. It was a subtle gesture, but it carried the weight of unspoken words. “I’ve got your back, you know? Always,” he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.

Just then, Cat Viper’s booming laughter broke through the haze, and Zoro’s attention flickered momentarily to the chaos surrounding them. He watched as Luffy and the others feasted, their joy infectious, but his heart remained tethered to Y/N.

“You’re trouble, princess,” he said, his voice low and teasing as he pulled her a little closer. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He felt the heat rising in his cheeks, a testament to the alcohol coursing through him and the intoxicating pull Y/N had on his heart.

With a smirk, he pondered how this moment might look to an outsider: the fierce swordsman, often viewed as aloof and detached, holding a girl in his arms, completely lost in the experience. “What would the others think?” he mused to himself, stifling a chuckle.

But as he gazed down at Y/N, he found that he didn’t care. In this world of pirates and chaos, of battles fought and friends lost, she was his anchor, a light in the darkness that surrounded them. “You’ve got me wrapped around your finger, huh?” he whispered, a hint of amusement coloring his tone.

And with that thought, Zoro finally surrendered to the quiet, allowing sleep to take him. The sounds of the party faded into the background as he drifted off, the weight of Y/N in his arms anchoring him in a way he had never imagined possible. For tonight, he was just Zoro, the man who would do anything to keep her safe, and the man who, for the first time, dared to dream of a future where they could both be free.

[cuntyglam]

MAJOR WANO SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT

kanjuro being like “why didn’t you expect one of your own kin’emon ?” BECAUSE HE LOVED YOU. BECAUSE HE TRAVELED ACROSS THE OCEAN TO FIND YOU ONCE YOU WERE CAPTURED. BECAUSE YOU WERE HIS COMRADE AND HE LOVED YOU SO MUCH. don’t fucking piss me off kanjuro, you literally betrayed your husband, i hope he throws you into the ocean.

and apparently bro was just pretending to be shit at drawing ?? why even pretend. pissing me off.

[kinemonsassbiter]

People underestimate Kin's kindness i think

He just heard that traitor got all of their dreams fucked up and probably killed the love of his life and he went "i understand you will have your reasons and we will hope to listen to you" like damn we know Kanjuro doesn't deserved this man

And when he was acting concerned for Law's life at Dress Rosa (and helping with the plan in general despite having own things to do at that time)

Or when Luffy says that they'll go save Sanji he just automatically asks if they need his help when at this point he basically doesn't knew that much about any of them.

Bro is a leader and a friend with big letter.

[hauntingblue]

FRUIT LORE! FRUIT LORE! FRUIT LORE! FRUIT LORE! FRUIT LORE! FRUIT LORE! FRUIT LORE!

[where-does-the-heart-lie]

I just want you to know that I keep the Sabo forehead kiss after Dressrosa comic in my likes because it's such a beautiful and comforting (and funny when kanjuro doesnt pass the vibe check) and i love it so much. thank you for the awesome comics!

ps- I really like that greaser AU and how you drew Sabo made me think of the vintage baker, Dylan Hollis.

awhhh thanks so much, i really feel the same :)

i really like that comic but now that it has over 6,000 notes, i wish i had put more effort into it and i kinda wanna redraw it...

idk though, i dont want two versions of the same post out, ya know what i mean?

maybe i can just edit the post, but the old version is still in people's reblogs.

lmk what yall think ig

thanks for the ask!

[perfusio]

A furious ranting about how Kaido sucks and Yamato should have been the final boss of Wano

To be clear, i don't like Kaido. He's not interressing, the guys (kanjuro) that worked under him were more interressing than him. For me, he always was some kind of of Temu evil version of Shanks.

What does have as a villain. He enslaved and poisoned the land, beat his son, aaaaaand..... killed Oden ? ( i dont really care about that im sorry) thats just one more Crocodile look alike. I know Oda loves that them, slavery, moral degeneration, cruelty, corruption, keeping hope despite evrything etc, etc, but Kaido is the guy that for me the least embody any of the usual theme that Oda has.

I dont think there's enough beef with Luffy. Personnal beef i mean. The kids are cute but they do not have the same presence or charisma of Vivi or Chopper. Monosuke & co were never tragic chracter for me because we sat on their sad backstories for too long and they were insufferable.

Kine'mon made me sad but for me it didnt translate for a fear or a n hatred for Kaido. It made me hate Kanjuro because he was a monstruous liar and it hurt that Kine'mon was hurt but never really against Kaido.

And my big big BIG problem with that, is that Kaido is the reason we have Nikka. Im not going to talk too much about my deal with Nikka now, but its so big of a power up that i feel its wasted on Kaido.

Kaido is just a sad drunk old man, that does not really hate Oden ( because he respected him in some way) who can't die( that aspect is barely explored ).

So my proposition is Yamato instead of Kaido as the big Bad.

Yamato has everything to make a good turn around and become insane and evil. He has a sad backstory involving his dad beating him up, being inspired by Oden old friends, being very inspired by Ace and his desire for freedom and happiness, having to wear explosive cuffs, a long promise that Ace did break with the key moment of the paper burning, and tada, you have a villain.

A guy that goes around after killing his dad ( or emprisonn him idc), terrorising everyone, killing rando or emprisonning them, acting like king of the island, and finaly being confronted by Luffy and they can punch their feelings out in their fight.

( I think all of this stem from my frustation that none of the fights felt personnal in any way except maybe with Izou )

So conclusion for my rambling, yamato should have been the bad guy in wano

[anongalactic]

this post is wano spoilers don't read it if ur not done. and also ace aa5 spoilers. double spoil warning!!!!!! (blackbright + kinkan/clowncostume discussion)

kin'emon x kanjuro is giving me the same content niche i ate UP back in my ace attorney days with blackbright. the soul crushing agony of finding out the man you loved was never real??? that all the memories and laughs you shared we're all fake?? for simon at the very least, we know there WAS a real bobby fulbright. how much of the phantom's acting was accurate, we'll never know. when he infiltrated and took over as the "real" bobby, we also will never know. But there WAS a real man named bobby fulbright, a detective with a big grin and a big personality.

but for kin'emon???? the kanjuro he knew was never real, it was an act from the first moment they met up until the curtains closed. kanjuro is dead, cut down in the snow, but what is there to mourn? a husk of a person, waiting for the day he could die and fulfill his lifes greatest work? evening shower kanjuro was never real, maybe in flesh and blood, but not in the heart. not the soul.

god i love this trope. idek what to call it. but i need more of it NOWWWW

[eustasskidagenda]

☆guidelines for requests 

So, first thing first, before sending a request, please check if my requests are open or not. The current status will always be on my header description. 

☆generals:

When requesting,please, show some kindness, I'm not a bot, a "hello" and "thank you" are always nice.

My current job is, actually, being a writer as a living. So I might not be able to immediately complete your requests, I'm doing this on my free time and sometimes I’m not in the mood to "work" (write) again.

I do not guarantee to write the requests you're sending to me, it will depends on my inspiration.

English is not my first language. Forgive me for the weird sentences you may cross on my writings here. 

I'll gladly accept both sfw and n/sfw requests. But, N/SFW requests must be off anon and are not allowed for the minor/ageless blog. However, I understand if you want to keep your privacy. If you want your nsfw request to be anon, please, just precise you want to stay anon on your request and I won't show your name when I post. ♡ ⇢ I absolutely love writing : hurt and comfort, fluff and funny, smut&kinks. Minors, please DNI with my +18 content or I’ll have to block you.

Fandom : I only do One Piece prompts for now. Consider I'm always caught up in the manga and in the anime. So don't be afraid to spoil me when you request. If the request contains a huge spoiler, then, I'll use this specific tag : #op spoilers. Block it, if you don't want to see that content.  Reader : gender neutral, AFAB reader, AMAB reader, female reader, male reader, transgender reader, non-binary reader. MM, FF and MF pairings are all fine for me. However, I won’t write for male reader with female character. And I only write character x character for the ship I personally enjoy. ⇢ By default, I'll use a gender neutral reader for requests. If you want a specific reader, please, precise the gender! ⇢ Regarding the apparence, I want to keep the reader as neutral as possible. But I can do some exceptions, if it's still vague enough to include a large groupe of people. For exemple : chubby reader, black reader etc. I do not accept requests based on an OC, except for a giveaway or as a winner prize. Age : only 18+ characters Type of post :  one shot (over 1,000 words), drabbles (under 500 words), headcanons (multiples characters, bucket list) ⇢ One Shot : 1 character per request. Please, give me some details and ideas of things you want to read in the OS. And if you request for a smut os, I need to know what kind of smut you're looking for, kinks included ⇢ Drabbles : 3 characters per request, or less. again, please, give me some details or precisions, I need to understand clearly what you're looking for. ⇢ Headcanons : 5 characters per request, or less. ⇢ Group headcanons : how the characters would react in a situation. a small paragraph per type of reaction, with the list of all the suitable characters

☆characters I'll write for:

⇢ my fav characters are in bold

⇢ i do not write smut or romantic prompt with Minks or non-human like character.

Bartolomeo, Buggy, Cavendish, Corazon, Crocodile, Doflamingo, Eustass Kid, Hawkins, Izou, Kaku, Katakuri, Killer, King, Kiku, Kuzan, Luffy (only sfw prompts with Luffy), Marco, Mihawk, Nami, Paulie, Portgas D. Ace, Rob Lucci, Robin, Roronoa Zoro, Sabo, Sanji, Shanks, Smoker, Trafalgar Law, Usopp, X Drake, Yamato (he/him) 

Characters I won't write for: Blackbeard and Blackbeard crew, Brook, Roger, Kin'emon, Kanjuro, Franky, Benn, Akainu, Kizaru, Apoo (it doesn’t necessarily means that I dislike those characters, just that I’m not comfortable writing for them. No offense if your favorite one is listed here)

⇢ if the character you would like is not on one of those lists, just send your request and I'll let you know.

☆I don't accept requests with:

dub con ; rape, even as a consensual play ; stepcest/incest kink ; cheating ; abuse ; pregnancy ; somnophilia, even consensual ; daddy/mommy/and any kind of family kink ; water sport, scat; hateful and religious topic ; self-harm, suicidal intentions.  ⇢ Please, take care of you and your mental health if you struggle with that kind of thoughts, everything will be alright, but I know it can be hard sometimes. You're enough and you're loved. ♡ ⇢ Dysphoria (I don't know enough about this to provide an accurate text, nothing personal and you have all my support if you're facing dysphoria)

☆some kinks idea i can write for:

⇢ if you're unsure about a kink, feel free to ask ⇢ some of my fav are in bold 69, anal sex, aphrodisiac, begging, biting, blindfolds, body worship, bondage, breeding kink, choking, clothed sex, cockwarming, creampie, creative use of Devil Fruit, cum play, dacryphilia (nothing with dubious consent), deep throat, degradation, dirty talk, discipline, dom/sub dynamic, double penetration, dry humping, face sitting, face fucking, fingering, femdom, food play, gagging, gloves, group sex, hair pulling, handjob, hickeys, lingerie, loss of virginity, massage, mirror sex, nipple play, oral sex, orgasm denial, overstimulation, panty stuffing (mouth), pegging, praises, public sex, rimming, roleplay, rough sex, sensory depravation, size kink, soft sex, spanking, squirting, striptease, teasing, temperature play, thigh fucking, thigh riding, toys, vaginal sex, wax play