#and the last thing that the ODA wants is the person in charge of the disability group on campus to decide that they’re not doing a good

[physics-of-one-piece]

Update on the I'll build castles for you, my love, more regarding characters+ snippets of them+pics of them.

I finally made all the OC's for Rosinante's marine crew he is in charge of as a Commander. After some googling (seriously there is a lack of military information on the internet) I decided Rosinante would be in charge of about 200 Marines. If anyone wants to know, the ranks of Marines in One Piece are 100% based on the Japanese Navy. Here is the link if anyone wants to read more. The captain (rank above commander) is the one giving orders on the ship but the commander is the one in charge those orders are followed. Commanders are also in army sense brigade/squadron/platoon commanders and that's what I decided to focus on. Just as Hina is in charge of Black Cage Corps as a Captain, Rosinante will be in charge of two things: 1) 200 Navy soldiers 2) Assassination & Espionage Unit

I'm focusing on #2. There will be multiple brigades within the A&E Corps, and Rosinante climbs the rank of the Corps with LIGHTNING SPEED. At 20, he gets put in charge of the first unit, the most elite one. The squad gets the name after its commander's last name, but also after a nocturnal/silent animal.

Honestly, Coby became a Captain at 19, which means he already captains his own Navy ship (gotta say I screamed in joy when I saw Coby was captain I love Coby so much), so Rosinante, who is even more capable, will also be climbing the ranks quick as FUCK. I think Oda made Rosinante a Marine Commander instead of Marine Captain because Marine Commander plays the same role & rank as Doflamingo's Top Executives, which Rosinante IS. They lead a branch of the army/navy, and have their own corps/pirate teams to lead, and answer only to the captain.

“They’re not my friends.” - Corazón to Law about Doflamingo's crew

Without further ado, here are Rosinante's crew & friends :D (die mad, Doffy!)

The Crow Corps 🐦‍⬛

Wulf

(rank below Rosinante, same age as Rosinante)

Full Name & Epithet: Wulf the Direwolf

Marine Title: Lieutenant Wulf

Devil Fruit: Ancient Zoan: Model Direwolf

Height: 2.90 m (9 feet 6.17 inches)

Favourite Food: Beefsteak & Barbeque

Least Favourite Food: Hamburgers

- half-Lunarian

- Rosinante's best friend

- got his scar from fighting Doflamingo when he went to beat him up after Rosinante told him about his past. Wulf was 16, Doflamingo 18. According to Wulf, Doflamingo "wet himself" when Wulf entered his Zoan form

- befriended Rosinante because Rosinante gave him a light during a smoke break when they were 16

- wears a white tank top 99% of the time, on ceremonies and on duty as a Marine, wears the Marine cloak over his tank top

Personality: has a deep but pleasant voice, talks rough & swears a lot, can get heated when trying to help but means well, will pick a fight for the tiniest things, best wingman, observant

Nietzsche

Marine Rank: Lieutenant

Age: 25

Height: 1.90 m

Favourite Food: Donuts & pastries

Least Favourite Food: Potatoes

- only one with a braincell, in charge of intelligence & communications within the corps

Montés

Rank: Lieutenant

Age: 24

Height: 187 cm

Favourite food: warm soba, anything warm with noodles

Least favourite food: salty food

Castor

Height: 174 cm

Age: 21

Favourite food: squid & coconut

Least favourite food: stew

Favourite drink: beer, coconut milk

Least favourite drink: red wine

- pretty vulgar

Bandi

Rank: Lieutenant

Age: 24

Job: Field Medic & Surveillance

Haki: Observation Haki, Armament Haki

Devil Fruit: Telepathy Fruit

Favourite Food: Chiffon Cake

Least Favourite Food: Crabfish

- He's selectively mute bcs he's very shy. He communicates with his telepathy fruit to others, and can choose who hears his voice. Talks a bit with Rosinante & his crew; they are the only ones in entire Marines who heard him speak.

A/N: Bandi is mine, he's mine, mine mine I love him, would marry him. I love him.

Hibou

Rank: Ensign (16), Lieutenant (20)

Height (16): 164cm (16), 170 cm (20)

Devil Fruit: Bird Bird Zoan Fruit Model Owl

Favourite Food: Takoyaki

Least Favourite food: Chicken Wings

- looks like a cinnamon roll, could kill you

- scariest mfr on the team

- absolute sweetheart

- breaks Doflamingo’s lower leg with Armament Haki

Now for the snippets! 😊

Wulf & Rosinante First Meetig (both are 16)

“Man, it got hot in there,” muttered the white-haired, dark-skinned teen, grabbing his white tank top, cooling himself off by flapping it. “Thanks for the light.”

He exhaled a puff of smoke.

“No problem,” said Rosinante, glancing away to the bay. 

Wulf (16) talking about fighting Doflamingo (18) with Rosinante (16)

“Get yourself comfortable, saint. Have I got a great fight to tell you about. So, there we were, docked at Oregon Island in the south bay, while your brother’s ship - some pink insult to all flamingos, really -” Rosinante giggled as Wuf continued talking, “was docked at the north bay. So I snuck out and was there within two minutes in my zoan form. Then I switched back and walked around the port a bit, looking for some form of pink.. and lo and behold, ten feet tall blond mannequin of absolute dreadful fashion was on the other side of the street talking up a girl, but she was clearly not into those tiger print pants and red leather jacket with a fucking pink fur collar, five seas, it was terrible, he’s eighteen, he should dress better if he wants to get girls.”

“Oooh, it was so good, Rosinante. I swaggered on over, but not your brother’s weird bird mating dance walk where he shoves his cock in the girl’s face. I wish I was joking, man, he actually walks like that. Chill, flamingo, what are you, a male escort -”

“Wulf -” gasped Rosinante, unable to breathe.

He was going to choke. Rosinante was going to choke. He was laughing so much he was crying. He couldn’t eat the crackers or he’d be put in the hospital bed next.

“She wasn’t into you,” said Wulf. He smirked cruelly at the eighteen-year-old blond pirate. “Can’t blame her, any girl in her right mind would run for the hills when you smile like a creep at them. The only girls you’re ever gonna get are the ones you pay for, because nobody would date a walking pink fur.”

Rosinante squawked like a frog. He was bent over, clutching his stomach, laughing.

“He was raring to go. I could tell. He said: You stole my fun for the night, mutt.”

“And then I said: Only seems fair for what you did to my mate, bird dick. And then. I. Smashed. My. Armament. Fist. Into. His. Face.”

“And boy, did he fly then.”

Rosinante (22) & Wulf (22) going out to drinks

“Exactly,” said Wulf. “Now move your ass, prince charming. You’re gonna get yourself a girlfriend — not a one-night stand, mind you, those don’t count! — or I won’t be called Wulf the Direwolf.”

“You don’t have a girlfriend, either, Wulf...” muttered Rosinante, letting himself be dragged along the corridor of the marine barracks.

“Keep it up and I’ll throw you all the way up to Mariejois, saint.” said Wulf.

Rosinante chuckled.

Crow Corps (all together)

“Rise and shine!” said Rosinante cheerily, pulling back the blinds of the living room.

Numerous groans filled the living room where his fellow six marines slept when the sunlight hit their faces.

“I give you thirty seconds to pull those things back, Commander.” muttered Nietzsche, face buried in the pillow, flicking open his right eye, purple iris glowing in the sunlight under his purple hair.

“I give him ten before I throw him all the way across the island and explain to his wife why she’s become a widow,” muttered Wulf sleepily, rolling over, eyes shut.

Bandi groaned inside his throat, burrowing his head into the sheet, the dark brown tousles of his hair strewn all around.

Castor and Montés were still sleeping, undisturbed by the sunlight. Castor’s snores were only interrupted with his mumble of, “Coconut oil…” as he turned around in his spread-out sleeping position, the blue bead hair tie holding his light russett bangs up while the rest of his ruffled hair laid in disarray on the pillow.

“Commander Donquixote is a sadist,” muttered Hibou hoarsely, hiding under the pillow, holding his hands pressed firmly over it so nobody could toss it off his blond head. “Sadist.”

Doflamingo & Crow Corps (after Rosinante's death)

“Hello, gentlemen,” said Doflamingo. You gasped, turning to your window. Doflamingo was sitting on the windowsill, arms crossed over his chest, the spring wind breezing in through the open space, ruffling his feathery spikes of blond hair along with the pink feathers of his coat.

A sharp, wide smile of a knife was stretched across his devastating face; your gut sunk with fear. It was sunrise of a Saturday.

Rosinante’s crew shot up at the moment they heard Doflamingo’s voice, their arms coating themselves with Armament Haki.

Wulf growled, his throat vibrating.

“You,” said Wulf.

The air grew thick with the murderous intent of six marines staring down the warlord, wishing nothing else but to kill him.

Doflamingo didn’t move, completely relaxed, lounging on the windowsill, his sunglasses and face turned toward you.

“Would you look at that,” said Doflamingo conversationally, the orange and red light of the sun casting itself on his face, painting him devillishly. “Sunrise on a Saturday.”

He sat up, uncrossing his arms. He stepped down from the windowsill. Tears threatened at your eyes. 

Wulf narrowed his black eyes at Doflamingo.

“She’s mine for the next forty-eight hours,” said Doflamingo, deep voice resounding across your living room. “So be good little marine dogs and get lost.”

Taglist: @fanaticsnail

[drowning-moonlight]

Public Executions in One Piece, Inherited Will, and how Gol D Roger Haunts the Narrative

Since I've gotten caught up in the manga, I am struck by how executions - especially public ones - are used as a narrative device and are even used for character development in some ways as well. Specifically in how the characters that are executed may die physically but their Wills and spirit lives on. There are the obvious ones like Ace and Roger but I also see this with character such as Mont Blanc Noland and Kozuki Oden. I see certain parallels between these government sanctioned killings that I'm sure Oda wrote the story that way on purpose.

Historically and in media like One Piece, public executions serve the purpose of not only punishing the person being killed for crimes they committed - real or perceived - but also to discourage others from committing similar crimes. The thing with One Piece though is that most of these public executions backfire on the ones in charge.

Ace and Roger's executions mirror each other in that the Marines and World Government wanted to end piracy but instead both of them being killed actually ushered in new ages of piracy.

Roger turned himself in and the Marines used his public execution as an opportunity to basically say something like, "Hey, we have the King of Pirates here and we're going to kill him in front of the whole world. This will happen to every pirate we can get our hands on. We are able to kill the King himself, we can definitely get you small time pirates too so you might as well give up being pirate!" But Roger's last words of course completely flipped this around declaring, "If you can find my treasure, the One Piece, then you too can be the next Pirate King!" He destroyed the Navy's plans with his final words and kicked off an era of far more piracy than there ever was before. He dies in body but not in spirit. His spirit and Will lives on for literal decades after his death in every single person who goes searching for the One Piece. The Marines may have succeeded in killing the man but they failed so spectacularly with killing his spirit.

Likewise with Ace's execution, the Navy wanted to end Roger's bloodline and pick a fight with Whitebeard, the strongest pirate in the world at that time. By doing this, they wanted to end this New Age of Piracy. If they could kill the son of the previous Pirate King and also kill the pirate closest to becoming the next Pirate King in one fell swoop then surely this would discourage pirates the world over and prevent people from wanting to become pirates in the future. But again it backfired. The Marines may have succeeded in killing Ace and Whitebeard but their deaths - just as Roger's - ushered in another New Age of Piracy. Whitebeard's last words especially kicked off more people becoming pirates, "The One Piece is real!" Throughout the story we see a few times when characters don't believe that the One Piece is even real, and the Navy probably wants people to think that because if there's no big treasure to find, then there's less of a reason for people to be pirates. But Whitebeard stomps on that notion with his last words:

Ace's execution, which was meant to discourage piracy and get revenge on Roger for starting the New Pirate Age, actually sets off more piracy and changes the story from here on out. Though they both die, just like Roger before them, Ace and Whitebeard's death's carry on meaning and inspiration for future pirates. The world of One Piece is forever changed from this one moment. The story and main character is never the same again after this. Again, the Marine's may have succeeded in killing their physical bodies but the inherited Will of Ace and Roger and Whitebeard lives on in the next generation of pirates.

Roger's execution is also heavily paralleled by the execution of Mont Blanc Noland in the flashbacks of Skypeia. This execution wasn't as grand or far reaching as the Marines killing Roger but the parallel is there. Noland was executed by a king for the perceived crime of lying to said king. He wasn't a wanted criminal the way Roger was but their ends are the same.

The framing of his execution is so similar to Roger's. And later in the series, Ace's execution mirrors them both as well.

The visual parallels are so striking that I doubt it was done accidentally. And just as with Roger, Noland's execution spurred on others to look for the lost city of gold that Noland had found, not knowing that it was in the sky instead of in the ocean. Nolan's death didn't necessarily start a new age of piracy but it did inspire people to go looking for treasure. Which is exactly what Roger's death caused. This search for treasure trickled all the way down to his descendant Cricket and also Luffy, furthering the theme of Inherited Will.

Then there is Kozuki Oden's execution by Kaido in the Wano flashbacks. Kaido wanted to kill Oden for the danger he posed and so that Kaido could further take over Wano without the head of the Kozuki clan stopping him. Oden also wanted to open Wano to the rest of the world and Kaido wanted to stop that. But Oden's death had basically the same affect that Roger's death did: inspiring others and carrying on his will. Even Oden and Kaido himself say as much right before Oden dies:

Is this not metaphorically exactly how Roger died too? The circumstances of their deaths are different but they both still die knowing that their Wills will live on after they are gone. They know that they will not be forgotten. "My soul will live on!! For I am a story to accompany you drinks..." Roger lives on in this way as well, especially through Silvers Rayleigh.

Again, Kaido may have succeeded in killing Oden's body but his spirit lives on to inspire others in the future and thus doesn't really die. His execution backfires and Kaido is eventually taken down by those who carried on Oden's Will.

What's more interesting about this than the other public executions in the series is that Kaido seems to be aware that the death of Oden - and later Luffy - will be remembered. "They will speak of you for years to come," he says to a dying Oden. I find that fascinating. And when Luffy "died," Kaido again mentions that he will be remembered:

It's interesting to me that Kaido is aware that their death's won't really be the end for Oden and Luffy, whereas the Marines and WG definitely didn't seem to understand that publicly killing Roger, Ace, and Whitebeard would mean that they would essentially be martyred and live on in spirit. Kaido seems to have more understanding of what their deaths will cause than the Marines do, which I find... odd... and I'm not sure where to go with that thought.

I also find it interesting that Luffy doesn't care or even want to be remembered once he dies. It's just like Oden saying, "They can forget me, for all I care," but he does go on to say he's a story to accompany people's drinks. Luffy, on the other hand, doesn't seem to see his death that way. He says he doesn't need people to tell tales of his great battle and that once you're dead there's nothing left but bones. It honestly feels like sort of a hopeless statement from Luffy and I'm not sure how to interpret it. Roger seemed to know that his last words would insure that he would not be forgotten, so this difference with Luffy is interesting.

Now what Kaido did to Luffy wasn't a public execution like all the other deaths mentioned before but I think this interaction between them still sheds light on the theme of remembering people after they die. Even though Luffy seems to be saying that he doesn't want to be remembered after he dies, I think we can all agree that he will be remembered when and if that time comes.

And it all goes back to quite literally the very start of the series. Roger's execution is the very first thing we learn about in One Piece. It's the very first scene ever shown, the preamble, the prelude, whatever you want to call it. He's the first named character in the entire series. We learn about Roger's death and his impact on the story before we learn anything at all about Luffy himself.

Roger truly does Haunt the Narrative of One Piece so much and his execution is mirrored by multiple other characters throughout the series that it can't be a coincidence.

it's just... the public executions in One Piece truly do hit different than in other media, don't they?

[roydeezed]

One Piece-Chapter Round-Up(Chapter 1089)

Heyo friends! I am back with another One Piece Chapter Round-Up below the cut, but before we get into spoiler territory, I just want to point out this absolutely hilarious cover page. At first I didn't even notice Sanji behind her in the window but I love these layers Oda adds on to the simple request of Nami being served milk. Since she's being served a drink it makes sense the cook is in charge of it and since it's Sanji there's no way he doesn't use that opportunity to be... himself. And funnier still is that since the fact the paper is facing away from him he'll be waiting eagerly only to be rejected. One thing I might be reading into a little too much is Nami's quill, which looks like a skypeian wing hanging off her shoulder. Foreshadowing perhaps?(Look I have a contractual obligation to be absolutely unhinged at least once per round-up) Anyways, moving on, let's talk about the chapter below.

Obviously I want to freak out about that last panel, but there's something really interesting going on with this chapter before that. I don't know if it's because I have been recently reminiscing over Coby and the time he tried to stop the Marineford War, but I have honed in on the idea Oda presents of The Marines' absolute disregard for life and their acceptance of collateral damage. It was a shock to see it doubled down on in a new chapter just mere days after watching a clip of that moment from Marineford.

With this being tumblr and the overwhelming majority of us being left leaning, I feel quite comfortable in discussing politics as mine are also left wing. Very heavily so. But I preface it with that fact so that you understand that some of my personal biases may play a role in my interpretations. Obviously, Oda and Japan's cultures are vastly different from those that I was raised up in so I am only speaking from a very surface level understanding and not the lived one Oda writes from. I have a very ACAB and abolish the police mentality and from my obviously biased point of view, it seems so does Oda.

But it's not just policing that Oda emphasizes. It's any system of power. But he looks at it through the lens of policing because they make the most natural enemy of lawbreaking pirates. Also just like the popular idea of the Death Note representing Japan's harsh police system, the Marines also appear to be an allusion to it. I am really curious about which way Oda went about creating the Marines and their relationship to pirates. There was an idea of a distinction between pirates called Peace Mains and Morganeers in the two one shots of Romance Dawn where Morganeers were the pillaging type of pirates whilst Peace Mains preyed on the Morganeers like vigilantes and adventured as well. Obviously that put Peace Mains in a sort of policing position so it's really curious how we ended up with the Marines being the big bad(other than Blackbeard of course).

In a tangent before we get back to the Marines, it's really interesting what carried over from the one shots, what didn't and what could. It had been a while since I revisited them but one thing I realized because of Crescent Moon Gyari is that Whitebeard's Beard looks like a crescent moon, basically symbolizing the moon before the dawn that is Luffy. Sorry if that was obvious, I'd just never made that connection before. The more interesting things to me are what might still carry over. Particularly from the second one shot where the Nami stand in, Ann, a blue haired girl with a pet bird is featured. Ann obviously also shares similarities with Vivi and Karoo but the idea of the Roc being a bird who's blood can cure diseases got my attention. That coupled with the Big Egg on the Oro Jackson and Choppers dream makes me think this could make a appearance once again. Also interesting was the fact that one of Luffy's moves was called Moon Shot and the idea of flying was presented over and over again. And Nami was also the child of Pirates. Wonder if that'll ever come into play. Another thing that was quite apparent was the imagery that really made an impact and crossed over to the final version. Honestly, I'd love to examine the two one shots in relation to the real story one day if someone hasn't already.

Okay tangent over, back to the main topic. Which is, first of all, Oda's take on the Marines. There's two things at work here. One is Oda's take on the Marines as an organization through Imu's actions. One that does not care about the collateral damage as long as their power in ensured. And the other is institutions of power perpetuating their power through terrorizing life and the environment it lives on. They're kind of the same idea but one directly criticizes policing while the other criticizes any position of power. We'll focus on the first idea and then talk about how it connects to the second.

The idea has been hammered into us over and over again. The Marines exist to further themselves. It's the absolute and peak function of institutions of power. And also very antithetical to the idea of dreams, which terminate once you reach them. Each of our Strawhats have a dream that has an end goal. But as a result of this goal of self perpetuation, the Marines often overlook their secondary goal of keeping the peace. This idea started as early as Axe-Hand Morgans but gets properly implemented in Arlong Park where the Marines look away as they get paid. Arlong doesn't disturb them and they benefit by having him essentially be an agent for them. That's how you know peacekeeping is a secondary goal. It's secondary to the idea of the Marine's keeping power. Oda criticizes privateering and the warlord system through this hypocrisy.

And if this was just one instance then it could be seen as just one bad egg. Like policing so often wants to put out. But a system of power relies on the methods they use to stay in power always staying relevant. And that's when we come to Marineford, skipping over a lot of incredibly relevant examples to this argument like Enies Lobby. I feel like ya'll can follow that tangent yourselves. Ohara, knowledge that would invalidate their power, etc, etc. I would go more into it but I don't want to write so much away from the current chapter and the fact is that Marineford appears to deal with my criticisms.

So how does Marineford appear to address the criticism of self preservation and perpetuation? (And this next statement is me playing Devil's Advocate if it's not apparent) If the Marines cared about preserving themselves, why would they seek to end the age of piracy if the function that keeps them in power is dealing with Pirates?

Because, my devil's advocate self (wow, thank you for the softball Roy(no problem, Roy)), Marineford was an attempt by the Marines to depose Pirates and crown themselves the key power in the One Piece world. Oda did the math for us, the three great powers used to be the Four Yonkou's, The Marines, and the Seven Warlords. Do the math there and the Pirates come out on top. Also Oda cleverly states the strength of freedom by showing how strong these scattered, unaffiliated, and free people are by having the Marines, a wholly organized military force, be only a third of the equation instead of dominating. Oda follows George Lucas's lead on the idea of Rebels and Vietnam. So, Marineford wasn't just an attempt to put an end to the age of pirates, it was also an attempt to declare the Age of the Marines. And they did the math too, regardless of what happened, they would come out on top. Whether they declared their age or the pirate age kept going, they would still be needed. As Billy Butcher once said, "Fucking Diabolical". Why Koby was so important to the narrative of the War was because he let you see the true colours of the Marines. One that did not care about collateral damage as long as they stayed in power. They sacrificed so many lives needlessly for that reason. And they might have possibly ended the pirate age if not for Whitebeard.

So all of that just to get to this chapter. Sorry for the long ride, but thank you for sticking with me. This chapter horrifically signifies the Marine's policy, by way of Imu, of collateral damage through very familiar sights of rising sea levels. I will speak to the real world connections soon. But these scenes of climate devastation show how uncaring the Marines are to the suffering of their subjects. And Subjects they are. Some people say One Piece is pro monarchy but Oda positions the Marines, even clearer now with Imu, as Monarchs, and criticizes them. Oda isn't pro monarchy, he's showing us how these instituions of power supplanted the previous institutions. And while people suffer, the Marines launch yet another offensive to keep ahold of their power. It's blatant at this point. Where they could be helping people, they gather one of the biggest forces they have since Marineford and try to stop the release of information that could weaken their hold.

And the scenes of Climate Devastation precede an even more horrific sight. Not one of collateral damage. Not of the uncaring nature. But of the direct cost of keeping their power. The sunken island kingdom of Lulusia. It's terrifying and it ties the collateral damage to the cost directly. It's Oda's way of pointing out that the consequences of their actions and the actions they take to stay in power don't affect them, but their subjects, the people they purport to protect.

All of this is why I am so interested in the conclusion Oda reaches in terms of the Marines. It's the reason I support the Ancient Kingdom being a nation of Pirates, it supports the idea of dissolution of the Marines. Oda is clearly setting up Koby and the rest of his peers as the next generation of the Marines but up until Koby became the clear front runner of the Marines, I always thought the Marines were meant to dissolve. But Oda seems to be setting them up to reform in a new direction. There's not a lot I disagree with Oda on but this might be one. Either way though, I will appreciate the nuanced take that Oda so often hides under layers of shounen action.

But now to get to the real world implications. The whole situation with Imu is such a startling reflection of our own world. Again my politics come into play here. The Marines and the Twenty Kingdoms purport to be equal and not ruled under anyone but it's revealed that all along Imu has ruled them. Which would be a stark contrast to our largely democratic nations, right? But then Oda uses the visual metaphor of climate change and his point is clear. While policing exists to self perpetuate, it also answers to the beck and call of billionaires and corporations. I'm sure the statistic of 100 companies being responsible for 71% of global emissions is a statistic you've heard before dear reader. The governments bend over backwards to lobbying from these corporations while the police enforce it on the base level. On a visceral and violent level. We never left the monarchy, we just got new rulers.

Oh no! I've revealed my personal politics. Ahh! But in all honesty, this is my blog and I want to be able to talk freely here so I'll say what's on my mind. I'll always try to be upfront when my biases show though. The reason I am so explicit about my political opinions is because a lot of people who talk about One Piece don't engage with the deeply political and radical ideas it has. And as a result, you get a neutered audience and a neutered discussion. Anyways, that was my very long and convoluted idea on Oda's representation of policing and related politics, especially in relation to this chapter. Now onto a breakdown of the actual chapter.

So right away we see an interesting sight. Morgans has already positioned Luffy as the main character of this conflict. And as we later find out, the Marines approve. Knowing that this will be a much talked about event sheds a really interesting light on this. One, Morgans has made Luffy undeniable in the media in regards to whatever happens next. Two, something big is going to happen. Three, the Marines will probably want to disavow it. Four, Luffy's presence is going to have the opposite effect and solidify this event as if he wasn't presented in such a central light, the Marines would've been able to sweep it under the rug easier. Also while a lot of that is speculation, one more reaching bit of speculation I want to put forward is that whatever happens next is going to invalidate Lulusia's disappearance. Some major truth is going to be revealed and it's going to show how unnecessary these sacrifices that the Marines make are. This also only furthers my interest in Morgans. Who is he? What's his play? What are his goals and is he playing a game with the Marines? It seems he regularly withholds information but eventually plays it in an acceptable manner to the Marines. My take is that he's possibly a revolutionary who's doing his best to sway the tide in their favour. If you look at a lot of his moves, it suggests they're highly calculated for maximum effect under the Marines rule while also shifting the discussion more in favour to the Revolutionary's and their causes and setting up for future dissemination of information he's currently withholding. Or it could be entirely posible I am giving him too much credit. Next, Makino calling Luffy her baby's big brother. Another clue to deadbeat dad Shanks theory? Don't mind me here, just watering my pet theories.

But next, as I mentioned before, we see the consequences of the Marine's actions. From the apparently mundane but heartbreaking in Kamabakka, to the loss of life through tsunami's and the loss of homes on other islands. It's horrific and centers on the very real horror of Climate Change. But the sea levels rising a meter is also horrific in another way. Just to show how much water has been displaced, it's almost five times as much as the sea level has risen over the past 100 years in the real world. I think I dove a lot into the real world side of things so I do want to indulge in the One Piece world for a bit.

So first off, the connection to Enies Lobby is completely apparent. Enies Lobby has some connection to the Mother Flame and perhaps the Ancient Kingdom being there holds some weight? I think another thing that is interesting is that the water was displaced. Somehow the Mother Flame doesn't just create a hole, but an entire Void where the water can't take the space of. Something something Void century, the theory's not fully there yet. But what it also suggests is that maybe Lulusia isn't completely gone? Perhaps it's been sent to Davy Jone's Locker? There's so many pieces of evidence floating around that I'm sure I'm missing something or overlooking a key piece that ties everything together, because right now this feels like a major hint to the true nature of the world. Also this could be a key factor in One Piece's unique world, like the Calm Belt and the Red Line. Also one interesting line is, "had no parallel in recorded history." But perhaps the Void Century? Speculation abounds! But maybe I'll have a concrete theory in the coming days, who knows. The Truth is Out There. No, but really, I feel like one or a few of those massively popular and some not so popular theories are somewhere close to the mark. Like the One Piece being a log book or the destruction of the Red Line. There's so much that's valid that I can see it all happening.

Another heartbreaking scene plays out a little bit after we see the Marine's massive fleet, with a small flashback to Vegapunk, Sentomaru and Kizaru all looking much younger and happier. Kizaru is such an interesting character. He apparently has Unclear Justice but in everything he does it's hard to understand what that actually means. Nature of the word I guess? But Aokiji was Lazy Justice, and that can be seen in that he seems to be taking the easy way out by falling in with Blackbeard but what does that mean for Kizaru? He seems happy in the past and now he is very much uncaring. He mentions he's a cog in the machine but there seems to be some wiggle room. Perhaps unlike his previous two comrades, Akainu and Aokiji, Kizaru is the only one who can change? Honestly I don't really have a bead on him. But I am fascinated. Like with many things.

After that we get a recap and two key moments. The moment where Jay Garcia tells them to sink the escaping scientists is quite obvious and a parallel to Ohara and I think we've talked enough about direct actions, consequences, and collateral damage to get a rough gist of where that would go in reinforcing the themes Oda has set up in regards to the Marines. But the smaller moment of Jay Garcia remarking he likes what Morgans wrote is also key. The Marines hold some sway over the media, from withholding key information to actively enforcing violence but this is also an insight into how Morgans plays the game. He pacifies them but he also pushes his own agenda. A free media is key to citizens freedoms so it's really interesting how these two entities push and pull. I hope we get more insight into Morgans to see what Oda is actually trying to say because I'm curious.

And now we finally get to the last few pages. York is at times terrifying and at others painfully stupid. Just my type of character. She reminds me a lot of Buggy, who first started off as terrifying before becoming our lovable clown boy. But this makes me want York in the crew so bad. I would love if Vegapunk and all of his satellites joined because it would be such an interesting dynamic. The Come Save me panel is also quite a hilarious inversion of "I want to Live" from Enies Lobby as York is asking the Marines for help this time. I love her confident blustering. It's peak One Piece. It's peak Oda. I love it so much.

AND THEN FINALLY!!! OMFG THEY LOOK SO FUCKING COOL!!! I lost it so hard here. They're back and they look so badass! They look like a proper yonkou crew. This cutaway also hammers home how close we are getting to the end as Oda is skipping over some big fights. What this flash forward does let Oda do is that he can use it to do a small flashback chapter and recap key skipped over elements instead of going through them at a much slower pace in chronological order.

One final thing. All the strawhats look so cool, but a really surprising thing I noticed was that Ussop was holding the phone where I would assume Sanji would be. It feels like Sanji has shed a lot of the baggage that came with being Mr.Prince after Whole Cake Island and Wano. Now he's enjoying himself in the background. This could also be setting up the central role Ussop is going to be taking in Elbaf. Ussop of course has employed trickery before but just in this particular case with it's callbacks to Enies Lobby, I would've assumed Sanji be the one pulling off this ruse. Anyways, that's all for today folks. If you've read this far, thank you so much for sticking through. I really appreciate it! See ya for the next one! (Gonna slink off now to watch 1071).

[cousticks]

OMYGOSH COU!!!

You can't just drop that idea and gatekeep it!!

make Beastzai's death more gratifying??? H-How?

w-when, where, why, who, what-

AIJDFRIEOGHB

okok yes, if it's bad for your mental health, don't write it

but if you don't mind, can I get the concept at least?

I must see what's happening in the cou misery machine's little brain. 😭🥺

#nopressureasks

Well first I'd like to clarify I'd be making his death more gratifying to ME, not necessarily to anyone else. That man has dealt me horrendous amounts of psychic damage for years now and I believe he should answer for it in blood. Its personal.

That being said. He gets off easy, in the end, by being able to jump off a building and just... disappear. He finishes his plan and removes himself from the equation. Done and dusted. Its almost anticlimactic, its a little unsatisfying, and in the original story I think that's part of why his death works so well. There's no dramatic final battle, not really. He's finished writing the story and he's writing himself out of it.

It's also very, very Dazai. In a world where he forces himself to be more machine than man to keep his goals in line, there's not much left that's actually Dazai, you know? He's subject to the world he's created as much as everyone else is, the only difference is that he knows that. Back in the main timeline, as odd as it is, suicide attempts end up almost a hobby for normal Dazai. That's just... a thing he does. But Beast Dazai doesn't have that identity, not anymore. He doesn't have "hobbies" he doesn't have things he's imbued so much of the book with his will and in turn is so subject to the will of the book that they're one and the same at that point. He's ceased to really be Dazai. So in a way? Beast Dazai offing himself at the end is really like severing his ties to the book and becoming Dazai again before he dies.

For me, personally, in my own acts of retribution against Beast Dazai for the way he charges me rent in my own brain, I'd want to strip him of that one last shard of autonomy. Someone else has to kill him. Preferably me with my own bare hands. The problem is that there's really no one in that world that has a good right or reason to kill him, honestly. As much as Chuuya wants to, as much as he claimed his stake on Dazai's life in that world, he'll never do it. Chuuya will never be the one to kill Dazai. It just... won't happen. Atsushi never would either, for tangential reasons. The most appropriate would be Akutagawa, but the entire point of Beast is, in part, proving that there is a world where Akutagawa can do and be good even without Atushi's influence. Proving that it was already in Akutagawa to start. Having him kill Beastzai would be a backtrack of that progress. The most tragic would be Oda, but Oda is going to write his novel. He's done killing, now. So that doesn't work either. The only one who could have killed Beastzai is himself, unfortunately.

Now, if you let ME into the Beast universe, unlike all these characters with personal motives and layers and thematic character arcs, I'm just some guy with a vendetta and no stakes in the game and I'd personally love to put Beastzai through as much physical pain as possible before offing him just because I know he hates pain and I want to watch his skull bounce. I haven't worked out the details of how I'd kill him if given the chance but let me just say it is not a pleasant way to go and he'd totally for sure hate the entire thing. I'd have to have Beast Chuuya locked up somewhere though because he'd have me dead seven times over before I got the chance.

[the12thnightproject]

Chapter 51: Past Perfect -The gang's all back together again.

Shingen x OC; Kenshin x MC (Mai)

Previous Chapter: Here

Logline - Disguised as a boy, Katsuko finds herself working for Shingen, but her dangerous masquerade becomes difficult to sustain when she falls for the man with a fatal secret.

“The wormhole is manifesting.” Sasuke’s announcement was unnecessary. By this time, we all had been through a wormhole at least once. Even if we hadn’t seen the cloying grey fog, we couldn’t miss the thunder and lightning, let alone the rain that was pelting us.

Shingen tightened his grip around my waist. I had one hand hooked to the back of Sasuke’s kimono. None of us wanted to be separated. None of us wanted to be surprised by a bandit attack either, so our free hands were on our weapons. I wasn’t scared, exactly, but given what had happened the last time, I was apprehensive. Would we end up in the correct timeline? Would we end up in the correct decade?

Would there be dinosaurs?

None of these fears came to pass. The fog swept through us as unpleasantly as always, but the trip was mercifully fast. We stumbled out of the wormhole into a fresh pine-scented breeze. No bandits or dinosaurs attacked us. Instead, there was a welcoming shout from Yukimura, as he rushed to greet us.

“Yo! Bestie!” Sasuke yanked Yuki into a hug before either Shingen or I could react. Well, Sasuke had been the third wheel often these past couple months. I imagined he was relieved to have his bro back for company.

Once Sasuke let go, Yuki approached Shingen, and bowed. “My lord, you’re looking wel-” was as far as he got before Shingen also hugged him.

“Don’t be so formal, Yuki. It’s good to see you.” He punctuated that by ruffling Yuki’s hair in all directions.

Yuki stepped back, sputtering, but before he could recover, I grabbed him for yet another hug. Iekane’s actions had meant I had not been able to say goodbye or thank Yuki for traveling with me to Ikuno. He and Sasuke might be ‘besties,’ but in some ways, Yuki was as much a friend and brother to me as Toshiie. A hug was not adequate, but the only way I could say all that.

He embraced me briefly but fiercely, then stepped away. “So, you got eaten by the whole worm. Dummy, you have to be different, don’t you?”

“Yuki. Thank you for -.” I stopped. He knew why I was thanking him, and he never had been a words person anyway. “I’m sorry I made you worry… and glad that you survived those bandits.”

“Of course, I did.” He lightly punched my shoulder. “There weren’t that many of them, and once Iekane and you disappeared, they all turned tail and ran.”

“Oh! You brought our horses!” I rushed over to Moonlight, who promptly showed her displeasure at being left alone for over a year by trying to bite me. I jumped out of the way of her teeth, then turned back to Yuki. “Have you brought them to greet every wormhole?” I knew Sasuke had given him a list of potential dates.

“Eh.” He rubbed the back of his head, further ruffling his hair. “It was only a couple times here and once in Kyoto, so it wasn’t that bad. Besides, it got me away from Kenshin for a bit.”

Shingen mounted Good Horse, who as usual, was a lot better behaved than Moonlight. “Alright boys. Move ‘em out. If we hurry, we can be back before sunset.”

Once we were on our way, I hung back with Sasuke to let Yuki catch up with Shingen. It looked like their relationship had picked up where it left off a year and a half ago – and I knew that Yuki had been as worried as I was about being forgiven for sending Shingen through the wormhole. A long separation can make these things seem unimportant anyway.

I tuned back into their conversation when Yuki gave him a status report on the Oda. “He’s been kept busy with the Mouri – apparently Motonari came back from the dead, along with a heavily armed navy.”

“There’s a lot of back from the dead going around.” I elbowed Sasuke, wondering if he would make a zombie joke about that. “I’m really glad I’m not in charge of keeping the timelines str…”

As I trailed off, Sasuke and I looked at each other with probably the same thought. “Is that what Professor Yamaoka is doing?”

“I just got an image of the multiverse as one giant game of cat’s cradle and Aki with a big ball of wool.” He always had loved pulling strings. I glanced over at the mountain in the distance, where Aki made his home. Detouring there was tempting. But… I wanted to go home. Somewhere along the line, I had begun to think of Kasugayama as my home.

“That’s another thing we ought to ask him once we locate him.” Sasuke sounded like he was all in on this. Of course, Aki wouldn’t be his primary responsibility - Kenshin would likely have some things for him to do once he killed Sasuke a few times for leaving.

Shingen and Yuki continued to strategize. “If Oda is occupied with the Mouri, perhaps it would be worth pressuring him to cede Kai back to me in exchange for avoiding a war on two fronts.” He was clearly content to be back in his tactical element – and I was happy to see him so intent on his plotting.

“Kenshin’s not going to be pleased if you avoid a war,” Yuki pointed out, then immediately contradicted himself. “Although I know Mai doesn’t want him to attack her friends in Azuchi, so maybe he’ll be ok.”

“Thanks to Mai, he’s become more mellow?” I brought my horse alongside theirs to join in the conversation. “Does that mean we’re less likely to be killed on a daily basis?”

Yuki sighed and rolled his eyes. “No, he’ll still do that, and he’s been talking about how much he’s looking forward to killing Shingen, if he’s healthy.”

Shingen muttered something under his breath.

“You know, I would pay to watch that,” I told him. “Try to last more than ten seconds.”

He gave me a look… I was going to pay for that too. “You didn’t have any complaints last night.”

Yuki made a disgusted noise, then continued as if we hadn’t interrupted. “Thanks to Mai, he’s also learned more um, creative ways to punish people he’s unhappy with.”

“Please don’t tell me he’s picked up the habit of practical jokes.” Sasuke looked ready to take the next wormhole back to the future. “I imagine the fatality rate at Kasugayama has increased exponentially if that is the case.”

“No. He let Yoshimoto redecorate your rooms.” Yuki laughed at the look on Sasuke’s face.  Then he turned to me. “There’s a good surprise waiting for you, too.”

Kenshin lurked outside the gates of Kasugayama, sword in hand. Mai and Yoshimoto were ranged behind him, and they both appeared to be trying to reason with him. Suffice it to say, that did not look like a good surprise. “Who gave you permission to stay away for so long?” He might have been carved out of a block of ice.

I glanced at Sasuke. “Did you not visit him when you came through last year?”

“You ought to know by now that Kenshin doesn’t keep conventional time. As soon as anyone is gone long enough to be missed, it becomes too long. Usually that’s … a week, depending on the person.” He pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, cracked his knuckles, and said out of the side of his mouth, “I’m going in. Cover me, Porkins.”

“I’m right with you Red Three.”

He got off his horse and bowed deeply before Kenshin.  (I personally, would not have presented such an easy target for Himezuru Ichimonji.) “I am happy to have returned to you, my lord.”

“Hmph.” Sasuke began to get to his feet. Kenshin poked him with the sword. “Did I give you permission to move?” Sasuke stopped moving.

Kenshin stepped over him and approached Shingen. “Are you well?”

Shingen inclined his head. “I am.”

“Good. I look forward to killing you tomorrow.” He paused and shot a glance at me. “Do not think that I will forget to kill you too.”

Well, won’t that make for an exciting wake-up call. “Looking forward to it.”

“Katsuko!”

I whipped my head around at the sound of Toshiie’s voice.

My brother hurried up to the castle, followed closely by Hana – who was carrying an infant – and Nao…. who blew right past my open arms and attached himself to Yuki’s leg. “Uki!”

Sigh.

Toshiie pulled me into a hug. “As soon as we found each other, you disappeared again! What happened?”

As if it had been my fault. But brothers gotta brother. “It’s a long sto-.”

AAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

I was interrupted by an outraged howl from the baby in Hana’s arms. In fact, all conversation ceased. Baby had a healthy set of lungs on ….Him? Her? Them?

Toshiie took the baby from Hana. “Sorry. She’s teething,” he said, pitching his voice louder. “This is Mayumi.” Oh. He named her after our mother. I supposed Toshiie had less conflicted emotions toward her than I did.

I hoped he didn’t want to dump her in my arms because Mayumi did not seem impressed with me. Or with any of us.

AAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Nao slapped his hands over his ears and yelled, “SHE DOES THAT ALL THE TIME.”

“Let me try.” Mai picked Mayumi out of Toshiie’s arms, cooing while she bounced her up and down.

Mayumi continued to howl like she was possessed by a demon.

I met Shingen’s eyes and pointed at Toshiie. “My brother,” I mouthed.

Shingen immediately made his way over, but introductions were impossible over Mayumi’s screams.

AAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Kenshin leaned over Mai’s should and stared down at Mayumi. He gently touched her nose with his finger. “Hello little Mayumi. If you will please be quiet, I won’t have to kill you.”

Mayumi stopped mid-howl.

She blinked twice.

We all held our breath.

AAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Yoshimoto eyed the baby like she was an unexploded bomb and edged himself away from the blast zone. Nao climbed Yuki like he was a tree (the climbing gene comes through!) then buried his face in Yuki’s shoulder.

Sasuke was still bowed at Kenshin’s feet. He started to rise, but Kenshin poked him again with Himezuru Ichimonji.

AAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Mayumi continued to make a noise that was probably causing them to take cover all the way down in Azuchi.

Finally, Shingen grabbed my banshee of a niece out of Mai’s arms and cradled her. “Hello Princess. Aren’t you the pretty one with those big eyes just like your aunt’s?”

Mayumi quieted instantly. Her little fists reached out to touch his face. He rocked her for a while longer, as she started babbling and giggling.

Of course.

Mai leaned over and said softly, “I think my ovaries just exploded.”

Toshiie sighed. “Mine too.”

I elbowed my brother. “You don’t have ovaries.”

“I just grew them. Then they exploded.” Yeah, and someone gave him medical credentials. Or whatever passes for that here.

Shingen very carefully put Mayumi back in her mother’s arms. “Here’s your little angel. If she grows up to be half as lovely as you, she’ll be spectacular.”

Even the self-possessed Hana blushed at that. “Thank you, my lord.”

“May I get up now?” Sasuke asked.

Being the only sober person at a party where everyone else rated on a spectrum from pleasantly relaxed (Shingen) to face down on a table (Toshiie) was one part isolating and one part amusing. I consoled myself with the idea that I might actually have a shot of winning a sparring match tomorrow morning.

Two more vassals slid to the floor.

Tomorrow afternoon.

Before he passed out after a long session of “cap the movie quote” with Sasuke, Tosh had told me he’d moved his family to Kasugayama. Not into the castle itself, as Hana didn’t think small children needed to be exposed to stabby people and weapons, but into the town proper. I liked that plan. My brother and his family would be close enough to visit as often as I wanted, but we wouldn’t be in the same thin-walled building at night. Some things siblings did not need to know about each other.

Though – and possibly because – Shingen had effortlessly charmed Hana and Mayumi – my brother was still suspicious of him. I suppose that relationship would take time. I’d let them work that out on their own.

Since Shingen was occupied with Kenshin and Yukimura, I made my way to the back of the room, where Yoshimoto was sitting by himself. He seemed to be gazing into his cup of sake as if it were a scrying glass, and something about that look and posture sent a shiver through me.

Taking a seat next to him, I watched as he transformed his attitude into the nothing-bothers-me indifference that he sometimes put on. “Good evening, honorary cousin. You ought to be with them,” he indicated Kenshin and Shingen, “celebrating your return.”

“So should you.” Er, that didn’t come out right. “I mean, there’s a place over there for you as well.”

He put his hand on top of mine. “I wanted a bit of quiet. Kenshin can occasionally be  - overbearing – in his impatience to see me take up arms again as the leader of the Imagawa. Though I was sitting alone, I was not lonely.”

I would have to take him at his word. Perhaps my experience with my mother made me see depression with every set of drooped shoulders. For now, I would drop the subject. “Thank you for screen and tapestry you put in our rooms.”

He inclined his head. “Though Shingen’s quarters weren’t as chaotic-” he winced for emphasis, “as Sasuke’s, I thought it would suit you to have a few feminine additions. Although I did worry a bit that you might prefer pick some things out on your own.”

I shrugged. “I might have done so eventually, but I wouldn’t have come up with anything as beautiful or tasteful as what you did.”

“Yes. That occurred to me as well.” He poured himself another cup of sake and winked at me over the rim.

“Shingen said that you mentioned having encountered another time traveler. I think it might have been my mentor.” I started to describe Aki, only to have Yoshimoto interrupt me.

“Not unless your mentor was a short Portuguese merchant with an impressive ability to mangle our native language in the worst possible way, at the worst possible time.” He closed his eyes at what was apparently a painful memory.

“Francisco Botelho.” It couldn’t be anyone else. My erstwhile Portuguese instructor was an “old friend” of Aki’s. It made sense he was also a time traveler. Did that mean Fume was as well? Why couldn’t she have been the one to have gotten stuck in the wormhole and punted into another reality?

“Katsuko!” Kenshin yelled across the room and gestured to his table. “Join us.”

I paused and gave Yoshimoto a look. “You’re coming with me – there’s room there for both of us.”

“As you wish, but if I expire due to overexposure to your and my cousin’s domestic bliss, it is on your head.” He languidly rose and followed me across the room.

“Katsuko,” Kenshin said again, as Sasuke filled his sake cup from a bottle that we’d brought him from the future. “Why do you not drink with us?”

“No insult is intended.” I scooted in next to Shingen, who automatically put his arm around me while continuing his conversation with Yuki. “Sake and other drinks give me terrible dreams.”

He drained his cup without blinking and held it out in front of Sasuke for another pour. “The solution to that is to wake up and drink more.”

I think he was joking. Probably.

“If you will not drink, then you must try these pickled plums.” A bowl of them was thrust under my nose. Yoshimoto and Shingen both recoiled at the sight of them.

“Ah yes, the ceremonial dish of foot-scented plums.” Yoshimoto broke out his fan and flapped the odor away.

“Eat with me.” It was an order from the Laird of the land.

Ah. I got it. As incredibly possessive as he was, Kenshin also wanted everyone to appreciate the things he loved (from a distance… a far distance… in Mai’s case). Since I couldn’t share his love of sake, I would instead be invited to partake in this culinary … delicacy? I eyed the dish hesitantly. I had eaten umeboshi before and thought it tasted mostly like salt, and if the modern version was mellowed out from the ones served here, I was risking a highly unpleasant experience.  “Thank you, Lord Kenshin.”

I reached to try the plums, conscious of Shingen’s reassuring pat on my back, and prepared myself to not make a face in case I put a saltlick into my mouth-

Huh.

Actually.

Ok, yes, I tasted salt, but the predominant flavor was sour. Very sour, kind of bracing, and not… bad.

“I… I… I like them,” I was able to say truthfully.

“Better than those too sweet chestnut buns Shingen’s always going on about?” Kenshin challenged me and unfortunately, it was during one of those conversational lulls that brought everyone’s attention to me.

Shingen tugged at my hair. He spoke loud enough for the entire table to hear. “I would think very carefully about how I answered that, if I were you.”

Hm. I was pretty sure I knew what my clever spymaster was doing and picked up on the cue. “Why? Will you punish me if I choose the plums?”

While Mai giggled uncontrollably, Shingen kissed my cheek. “Yes. I will punish you all night long.”

“Ah geez,” Yuki muttered.

“In that case, I definitely choose the plums.” I would have done so in any case… which Shingen had to have known. Sneaky tactician.

Kenshin held out the dish for me to take another. As I reached over with a pair of chopsticks, the sleeve of my kimono slid back, revealing the scar on my arm. Kenshin stared at it. “Tomorrow, I will kill you twice.”

“Thank you.” I wasn’t being sarcastic. He just wanted me to learn how to protect myself better. Of course, tomorrow, once I was in the middle of what promised to be a grueling training session, I’d likely be feeling a lot more sarcastic. But right now, I was happy that I was with my family – both the blood relative and ones that I had chosen.

By the time we’d been back for a couple weeks, we’d already smoothly picked up the threads of our Sengoku lives. I hadn’t realized just how much Shingen had been compensating for his illness before, and I soon got used to sight of his long-limbed form striding down the corridor,  enthusiastically sparring with Kenshin, or conducting long strategic discussions with visiting Daimyos.

I continued to perform the local message route – I liked getting out and about in the early morning. It was almost like going for an early run that woke me up… and got my blood going for the morning sparring sessions (where Kenshin continued to kill me… but not as easily as before).

Most afternoons Shingen would teach me tactics and strategy – it was fascinating how his time in the future had informed his decisions. He had made a good attempt to cram nearly five hundred years of politics, military history and domestic policy into a year and a half of self-learning. This man’s brain continued to fascinate me.

“You keep looking at me like that and we’ll never get any more work done today.” Shingen raised his eyes from the report he had been reading – the Mouri were still encroaching out of Chugoku, into the border regions, becoming bolder as they harassed Nobunaga. He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, then let his hand linger on my face.

I knew if I said the word, reports would be abandoned on the desk, and our clothes would be tossed on the floor somewhere between here and the futon. From the look in Shingen’s eyes, he knew that too.

Hm. He never had managed to ‘punish me all night long’ after Kenshin’s banquet the other week. Shingen, along with nearly everyone else in the castle, had stayed up drinking with Kenshin until sunrise. One of these days, I was going to cash that rain check in. But I knew that he still had a lot of work to catch up on, especially now that Chiyome had transferred authority back to Shingen.

I kissed the palm of his hand, then regretfully schooled my face back to a neutral expression and asked, “Which would be more advantageous in the long run? Offering aid to Motonari’s forces in the hope of breaking Nobunaga completely, or offering to help Nobunaga in return for him ceding Kai back to you?”

“There’s no denying I still want to take my shot against Nobunaga,” Shingen said. “But the latter option would be better for my people.”

If Nobunaga agreed.

If he then kept that agreement.

“What is Motonari like?” He might not be the type of person Shingen would want to ally with in any case. “Though if he’s mostly concerned with sea power, I guess he’d be more interested in using your mounted archers to attack Azuchi, than taking over Kai in Nobunaga’s stead.”

“There is that, true.” Shingen sifted through a few reports. “He appears to be two parts mystery and three parts loose cannon. I’d rather ally with smaller territories and put pressure on Oda in that fash-” His musing were cut off by a knock on the ceiling. Then Sasuke poked his head in and stared down at us.

“Sorry to disturb you, but a messenger dropped this off at the gate.” He executed a double backflip to the floor (I’d been teaching him some advanced tumbling moves for fun). “It’s addressed to all three of us.” He brought a thin packet to the desk.

I recognized the handwriting immediately – it was from Aki.

[plinko-mori]

@dizzyfuzzy I hope you will enjoy these...

More than 30 reasons of why I relate a lot to Ougai Mori

1) Clingy and cloying

2) Rational and logic

3) Necessity to have many things around us under our control

In those three aspects we are the same

My closest friends use always those words to describe me too, and well I can't deny it... I'm clingy as fuck

I always use, and try to avoid it but it's hard

4) We have our both "Elise-chan" that people confuse it with a crime because of the weird obssesion

This needs an explanation but not too deep because this is not analyzing Mori's character with Elise

Mori's relationship with Elise is bad seen for most of the BSD fandom, telling he is a pedophile (something I disagree) and pedophilia is actually a crime

Incest too, but why is it related?

Because when I talk about my dad, I sound like clingy Mori interacting with Elise... When I clarify the fact it's just my dad and I love him a lot, people think I'm incestuous

5) Way to talk, same tone of voice

6) Manipulation

7) Emotional blackmail

8) See someone small and younger, adopt them, give them our affection, traumatize them, we loving them and hope the same affection back

Also having favouritism which from time to time are noticeable

9) Taking the charge of a leader very seriously

10) Dramatic bitches

11) Be with a person, torture them, affect them my own words and see how they fall to pieces in front of you over something as minuscule as words

Attitudes and parts of my personality that I share with Mori, not only that I notice but that people tell me while explaining to me why they call me «Mori»

8 and 11 may look the same but they are actually not

8 is about how I actually adore many people that I end up traumatizing by mistake when I try to give them lessons... While number 11 is related to me enjoying some people suffering!

12) Walking red flags

I don't think this one is necessary to explain tho...

13) Necessity to take care of people, to make them grow in their biggest potential

14) Throwing everyone's emotions and desires (including our own) out the window in favour of the """optimal solution"""

15) Can hurt people close to us if it's necessary for them

This is getting way too personal but that's basically how it is

Last year I wanted to break a friendship that was basically annoying me but the other person still wanted to be my friend

So I started to do things with some people to make her lost interest, hate me, I betrayed her trust whatever and basically how she ended the friendship was like that scene of PM Dazai arguing with Mori after the Oda-event

16) Observers and analytics

17) Changing our mood from one second to the next

18) Being reserved with our emotions about how we really feel about doing various things we do/did/will do

Idk I just don't like sharing many emotions tbh... It's not like «lmao I'm edgy» but a «I won't tell you the truth so believe what you want to believe»

19) Choosing the worst possible option that makes us look the shittiest

20) Both wanted to die when we were younger

21) Similar to Mori, I'm in charge of my house and I I have to organize everything

I make sure everyone is taking good care of themselves (they don't so I do it), I make sure how they spend the money so later we don't have problems, I organize almost everything they do and make them remember everything because hahan't good memory

I feel like a slave to my own family as I am the only one who takes care of their welfare lol

22) We both act "childish and silly" to "strangers", to people we are starting to know oh but the people we know for a long time? They know we are bastards

Anecdote but that Atsushi scene of Mori interacting with him happened to me in real life and it was weird but hilarious

23) "Even if that's true, so what?"

Ignoring the fact that this happened with an ex friend... Because I literally said it and had the Yosano scene-

I love that phrase, ignoring the post I'll do analyzing it... I don't feel it's necessary to explain everything to everybody

Even if there are horrible interpretations of things, people should be prepared to face anything. Bad or good things, also to ignore their emotions and do anything they need to do or should do... So what? What's the problem with it? Ignore the reputation you give to people and worry a little more about yourself, about the things you must or should do

24) Friends that treat us like trash and we don't do anything to stop it <3

25) Ideals, optimal solution >>>>>>>>>>>

26) Know exactly what to do in our lives and who to actually trust to stay at our side

27) People trying to understand or predict us, kind of, understand us, but they don't quite manage to do so– Dazai when Mori released Q, me with ex friends and more etc

Some people tried to predict me into something??? And I literally did something worse and they got shocked and I laughed

28) Dislike dirty things, probably hate them

29) Medical things, like, if someone tells me my hand are cold I will answer something like:

"Cold hands are often a sign that your body is trying to maintain its normal body temperature. However, always having cold hands could indicate that there is a problem with blood flow or blood vessels in the hands"

30) Being paranoid (a little, maybe) about ending up as one person we don't want to be like but it's not like we say it a lot-

31) People do not fucking understand us and that offends me tbh... The things I do is for the greatest good for them and Mori also did it for the best of them

32) «Heart!? This is war. It's a side where the side that cares about "heart" first loses»

For me it's a fact and you can't convince me otherwise

33) Dude our friends/people we interact to are the same I see my friendships and ex-friends there

34) The necessity to control almost everything around us (I'm sorry)

[chuuyascumsock]

Lament of a Bleeding Heart Incorrect Quotes Part One || Spoiler Warning

MC: Chuuya, keep an eye on Dazai today. He's going to say something to the wrong person and get punched.

Chuuya: Sure, I'd love to see Dazai get punched.

MC: Try again.

Chuuya, sighing: I will stop Dazai from getting punched.

—

MC: While I'm gone, Dazai, you're in charge.

Dazai: Yes!!!

MC, whispering: Chuuya, you're secretly in charge.

Chuuya: Obviously.

—

*Atushi and Dazai sitting in jail together*

Dazai: So who should we call?

Atushi: I'd call Kunikida, but I feel safer in jail.

—

MC: What if I press the brake and gas at the same time?

Dazai: The car takes a screenshot.

Kunikida: For the last time, get the fuck out.

—

MC: I love you guys, you're the best thing that's happened to me.

Dazai: We're the best thing that's ever happened to you?

MC: Yes!

Chuuya: I'm starting to feel a little sorry for you.

—

Akutagawa: MC, my old arch enemy.

Atushi: ... I thought I was your arch enemy?

Akutagawa: I have a life outside of you, Jinko.

—

MC: Let me show you a picture from last night that really upset me.

Dazai: Okay, but in my defense, Chuuya bet me 50 cents I couldn't drink all that shampoo.

MC: That's not what I wanted to- you drank SHAMPOO?!

—

MC: You often use humor to deflect trauma.

Dazai: Thank you.

MC: I didn't say that was a good thing.

Dazai: What I'm hearing is, you think I'm funny.

—

MC: Sorry it took me so long to bail you out of jail.

Dazai: No it's my fault, I shouldn't've used my one phone call to prank call Chuuya.

—

MC: On the count of three, what's your favorite cake? One, two, three-

MC and Dazai, in unison: Chocolate cake peanut butter frosting with chocolate chunks!

Atsushi: Our turn, Kyouka! One, two, three- vanilla!

Kyouka, deadpan: I've never had cake, what is cake.

—

Atsushi: *Screams*

Akutagawa: *Screams louder to assert dominance*

MC: Should we do something?!

Dazai, observing: No, I want to see who wins this.

—

Dazai: There is no future. there is no past. do you see? Time is simultaneous, an intricately structured jewel that humans insist on viewing one edge at a time, when the whole design is visible in every facet.

MC:

Atsushi:

Kunikida:

Everyone Else At Dazai's Surprise Birthday Party:

MC: All I asked was if you wanted to cut your birthday cake first.

—

Dazai: So are you flirting right now?

Chuuya: I AM LITERALLY STABBING YOU!

Dazai: That doesn't answer my question.

—

MC: Remember when you didn't try to solve all your problems with attempted suicide?

Dazai: Stop romanticizing the past.

—

MC: Hey, it's your turn to wash dishes.

Akutagawa: I'LL WASH THE WALLS RED WITH YOUR BLOOD.

MC: 'Kay, but before that, wash the dishes, also use soap this time?

—

Oda: So, how's MC?

Dazai: Oh, she's well. She's been staying out of trouble lately— which is a lot coming from ME, haha—

MC: *Runs into Lupin* If anyone in the mafia asks, I'm dead. *Runs back out*

Dazai:

Oda:

Dazai: ... I take it back, will you excuse me for just a second? *Runs after MC*

—

Chuuya: What the hell are you writing?

Dazai: The government wants to know what kind of weapons we have in the mafia. I'm letting them know it's private information.

MC, looking over Dazai's shoulder: This just says "fuck around and find out" in calligraphy.

—

MC: That's ridiculous, Dazai and Chuuya don't have feelings for me—

Oda: Yes they do.

Ango: Yes they do

Chuuya and Dazai: Yes we do.

—

Chuuya: I may be "small", but I am not cute!

Dazai: It's adorable when you try to be tough!

Mc: *Nodding her head in agreement*

Chuuya: Stop it! I've killed people! I'm not adorable!

—

Yosano: So... You scored a 28 out of 28 on your mental health questionnaires.

MC, looking at Dazai: That means we're good at mental health, right?

Yosano: It means you're having a crisis.

MC and Dazai: Oh.

—

MC: Chuuya, you have to apologize to Dazai.

Chuuya: ... Fine.

Chuuya: "Unfuck you" or whatever.

—

Dazai: MC, you deserve an award for putting up with me.

MC: Don't say that, you are my award!

Dazai: Chuuya, you deserve an award for putting up with me.

Chuuya: Damn straight I do!

—

MC: Okay, so apparently the "bad vibes" I've been feeling is actually severe psychological distress from being in the mafia—

—

Dazai: MC is the most perfect woman who's never done anything wrong in her entire life!

Chuuya: Never done anything wrong?! She blew up a rivaling mafia's warehouse!

—

MC: Are you ready to commit?

Dazai: Like, a crime, suicide, or a relationship?

—

MC: Make no mistake. Not only am I party rocking, but I am also in the house tonight.

Atsushi: But are you shuffling?

MC: Everyday.

Kunikida: What language are you two speaking?!

—

Ango: No, absolutely not.

MC: ...

Ango: What have I said about batting your eyelashes at me?

MC: "That only works on Dazai and Chuuya"...

—

Dazai: I may have accidentally poisoned someone's drink while trying to make a concoction to kill myself.

Kunikida: YOU WHAT—

Dazai: I hope it's mine. *Chugs his drink*

—

Dazai: Guess what? I have flaws. What are they? I sing in the shower, I spend an unnecessary amount of time on my looks, and I occasionally commit first degree murder—

—

Chuuya: I know I haven't exactly proposed to MC yet, but in my head we already have a house, two kids, and a dog.

—

Chuuya: I'm so frustrated, I hate everything, and I hate everyone.

MC, voice cracking: Everyone?

Chuuya: *Sighs*

Chuuya: Everyone but you.

—

Dazai: What can I say, I'm charming and irresponsible.

MC: Don't you mean "irresistible"?

Chuuya: No, he doesn't.

—

MC: Smart is attractive, educate me on something I don't know!

Dazai: The mouth of the jellyfish is also the anus.

MC: Stop.

—

Chuuya: Valentine's Day is just a consumerist holiday that holds no real value other than to drive people insane buying heart shaped chocolates for their significant other and pos—

MC: Chuuya, guess what? I wrote you a poem!

Chuuya, already crying: You did?

—

Chuuya: Yesterday, I overheard MC saying "Are you sure this is a good idea?" and that damn Mackerel replying with "Trust me," and I have never moved from one room to another so quickly in my life.

—

Atsushi: *Walking around disappointed after visiting an aquarium*

MC: Atsushi, what did you think a tiger shark was?

—

MC: We just ate. Why are you making pancakes?

Chuuya: For the dogs.

MC: Why are you making pancakes for the dogs?

Chuuya: They don't know how.

—

Dazai: That was so hot, MC.

MC: I literally called the person who just flirted with you a degenterate dog and told them I hope they get dragged through the streets.

Dazai: I'm so in love with you.

—

MC: I love murder mysteries!

Dazai, trying to impress her: I've been a suspect in over a hundred murder cases.

—

MC: You've got to learn to love yourself.

Atsushi: But don't you hate yourself.

MC: Yeah, but this is about you. Stay focused.

—

Chuuya: You're alive.

Dazai: No need to sound so disappointed.

—

Dazai: Guess what I'm about to get!

Kunikida and Chuuya: On my nerves.

—

Dazai, throwing his head into MC's lap: Tell me I'm pretty!

MC, lovingly stroking his hair: You're pretty fucking annoying, that's what you are.

—

MC: I made you all playlists!

MC: Akutagawa, yours has only heavy metal, and is dark like your soul.

MC: Dazai, yours has sad songs and blues to pair with your crippling depression.

MC: And Chuuya has the ABBA Gold album.

—

Dazai: Hold on! I'm having one of those things... a headache with pictures.

Chuuya: What the fuck?

MC: He's having an idea.

—

MC: What's it like being tall?

MC: Is it nice?

MC: Can you reach comfortably for the cupboards?

Dazai: We live in constant fear of the short ones who, in my experience, will climb 4 chairs, 2 boxes, a small coffee table and 6 oddly placed stools to get what they want.

Chuuya: It was one time!

—

MC: Do you feel any better?

Chuuya: I feel much better now that you here with me.

*Dazai walks in*

Chuuya: I feel half better.

—

Dazai: Someone take me to art museums and make out with me.

MC: But they said not to touch the masterpieces.

Dazai: Well somebody's got to pin the artwork to the wall.

Ango, on a walkie talkie: This is Ango, those idiots are fucking around in the East wing again.

—

*MC is telling a story*

Dazai: Wow, MC, this story has everything! Action! Adventure! Romance!

Atsushi: Romance?

Dazai: I have a crush on her.

—

MC: Come on, Atsushi. Nobody actually believes that Dazai is in love with me.

Atsushi, to the ADA: Raise your hand if you think that Dazai is helplessly in love with MC.

*Everyone raises their hand*

MC: Dazai, put your hand down.

—

MC: You are irrationally angry 365 days a year.

Chuuya: Well, that's just your personal opinion, I don't have anger issues. Do you guys think I have anger issues?

Dazai: Well, I wouldn't really call it an issue. An issue is something you can fix.

—

MC: Do you guys ever have a civilized conversation that doesn't require insulting each other every time you get a chance?

Dazai: No.

Chuuya: No.

MC: Didn't think so.

—

Chuuya: When I first met you, I did not like you.

Dazai: I'm aware of that.

Chuuya: But then you and I had some time together.

Dazai: Uh-huh?

Chuuya: It did not get better.

—

Dazai: I told MC her ears flush when she lies.

Chuuya: Why?

Dazai: Look.

Dazai: Hey MC! Do you love us?

MC, covering her ears: No.

Chuuya:

—

MC: You bought a taco?

Chuuya: Yes.

MC: From the same truck that hit Dazai?!

Chuuya, with a mouthful of taco: Well, me starving isn't gonna help him.

—

Dazai, in a high voice, holding barbie: Hey ken! I was thinking about going back to school and starting a career!

MC, in a deep voice, holding ken: Nonsense, barbie. you're staying home and having my kids.

Chuuya: What the fuck are you guys doing?

Dazai: Playing systemic oppression.

—

Dazai: Hey.

MC: Yes?

Dazai: Can a person breathe inside a washing machine while it's on?

MC:

MC: Where's Chuuya?

—

MC: In your opinion, what's the height of stupidity?

Chuuya: *Turning to Dazai* How tall are you?

—

MC: *Holds a sign that says "Prom?" outside

Chuuya's window*

Dazai: OH my God, Yes!

MC: *Yelling up* No, tell Chuuya!

Dazai: Hey Shorty! I'm going to prom with MC!

—

MC: Hi, sorry I'm late. I was doing a couple of things and got distracted.

Chuuya: I'm "a couple of things".

Dazai: I'm "got distracted".

—

MC: Two years ago, I married my best friend.

MC: Dazai is still mad about it, but me and Chuuya were drunk and thought it was funny.

—

MC: Dazai and Chuuya annoyed me today with their arguing so I told them that I can't wait to see what they have planned for our special day tomorrow.

Atsushi: There is nothing special about tomorrow.

MC: But there is something special about watching the color leave their faces as panic takes over.

—

MC: *looks at Akutagawa*

MC: Baby boy. Baby.

MC: *looks at Dazai*

MC: Evil.

—

Dazai: The moon looks beautiful, doesn't it?

Chuuya, looking at Dazai: Yeah... but do you know what's more beautiful?

Dazai and Chuuya in unison: *sighs* MC

—

Dazai: Uh, I think I got your lunch. *Holds up a note that reads: 'I am very proud of you. Love, MC'*

Chuuya: Oh yeah. I didn't think this was for me. *Holds up a note that reads: 'Be good. For the love of God, Please be good.'*

—

Kunikida: I haven't seen Dazai and MC for fifteen minutes now.

*Outside a nearby window, a car without a driver inside is seen rolling down a driveway, with Dazai and MC running after it in a panic. Kunikida doesn't look outside at all.*

Kunikida: That probably means they're getting into trouble.

—

Dazai: Hey, do you know the password to Chuuya's computer?

MC: Fuck you, Dazai.

Dazai: Hey!!

MC: No, you misunderstood, the password is "fuckyouDazai".

Dazai: Oh, no numbers? Not very safe.

—

Mori: Did you take out MC as I requested?

Chuuya: MC has been taken out, yes.

Mori: You have my grat-

Chuuya: It was a great restaurant.

Chuuya: We had a romantic candlelit dinner.

Chuuya: MC proposed afterwards- we're filing the wedding papers.

—

Chuuya: Do you ever get pre-annoyed? Like you already know someone is going to piss you off?

MC: What? No, I—

Dazai: *enters room*

Chuuya: *jaw clenches*

—

Dazai, to MC: You know, Chuuya can be really aggressive, so it's important to take all the necessary precautions when approaching.

Dazai: *blows airhorn at Chuuya* GET FUCKED!

—

MC, Dazai, and Chuuya: *Discussing a plan for a mission*

MC: Any questions?

Chuuya: Uh, yeah, WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?

MC: Uh, a plan, duh...

Dazai: Chuuya, chill, I know it's weird, but MC has a point.

Chuuya:

Chuuya: THAT WAS LITERALLY A PONY DOODLE WITH A HAT!!

—

MC: Dazai isn't talking to me.

Chuuya: Enjoy it while it lasts.

—

*MC sneezes*

Chuuya: Hey, dumbass, are you sick? Here, let me wrap you in a blanket and hand-feed you some warm soup while singing you a lullaby—

*Dazai sneezes*

Chuuya: Oh my god. Shut the hell up.

—

Chuuya: You're pathetic!

Dazai: You're pathetic-er!

MC: You're both losers.

—

MC: Don't worry, I've got a few knives up my sleeve.

Atsushi: I think you mean cards.

Dazai: She did not.

MC, pulling out knives: I did not.

—

Dazai, reading a recipe: Beat three eggs?

MC: It means like in hand-to-hand combat.

Dazai: Ohhhh-

Chuuya: Both of you get out of this kitchen.

—

Dazai: Would you take a bullet for me?

MC: ...yes?

*Chuuya angrily burst into the room*

Dazai: *running away* Great, thanks!

—

MC: Without ugly, there would be no beauty in this world.

Dazai: Thank you for your sacrifice, Hat rack.

—

MC: *About the mission* What's the signal when something goes wrong?

Dazai: We yell, 'oh shit.'

Chuuya: ...That'll work.

—

MC: The results are in, I'm afraid you have updog...

Mori: What's updog?

MC: Chuuya! Dazai! Get in here, I told you I could do it!

—

MC: *sneaking in through their window*

Chuuya: *turning in his chair and flicking the light on* You want to tell me where you've been all night?

MC: I was with Dazai?

Dazai: *turning in his chair* Wanna try again?

—

Mori: Why are there little handprints all over the walls?

MC, whispering: Why are there little handprints all over the walls?

Elise, whispering: Because I have little hands.

MC: Because she has little hands.

—

Chuuya: The first time I ever got upset in front of MC, they put their arms around me and it was so awkward that I had to ask them if they were hugging me or reaching for something on the shelf behind me.

MC: I was doing both, for your information.

Dazai: The first time MC hugged me, it was such a disaster we didn't make eye contact for, like, a week after.

—

MC: I think Dazai is in trouble.

Chuuya: Alright. Struggling to give a fuck, if I'm honest.

—

MC: When I said you should try being friendlier this isn't what I meant.

Chuuya, stirring a cup of tea aggressively: Oh, so now I'm TOO friendly? There's no pleasing you!

Dazai, who broke into their house an hour ago: Two sugars please.

Chuuya: Coming right up!

—

MC: Oh Chuuya, we have a visitor!

Chuuya: Don't tell me it's Dazai.

MC: It's Dazai.

—

MC: Can we go out to get icecream?

Oda: Did you ask Ango?

MC: He said no.

Oda: Then why did you ask me?

MC: He's not the boss of you.

Oda, internally: It's a trap, it's a trap, it's a trap.

—

Tachihara: Do you cook?

Chuuya: I made a cake once.

MC: Yeah, it was good.

Chuuya: Really?

MC: Don't make me lie twice, Chuuya.

—

Dazai: All in all, a 100% successful trip.

MC: But we lost Chuuya.

Dazai: All in all, a 100% successful trip!

—

MC: Akutagawa made Atsushi cry!

Dazai: Atsushi always cries!

Atsushi: That's not true! *cries*

—

MC: You need a hobby.

Chuuya: I have a hobby!

MC: Drinking wine and brawling Dazai isn't a hobby.

—

Dazai: Look, I know you think my judgement's clouded because I like MC a little bit.

Kunikida, holding Dazai's notepad: You doodled your wedding invitation.

Dazai: No, that's our joint tombstone.

Kunikida: My mistake.

—

MC: There are three ways to handle a difficult situation. The right way, the wrong way, and the Dazai way.

Chuuya: Isn't that the wrong way?

MC: Yes, but it's faster.

—

Akutagawa: Sometimes I like to place my hands on someone's cheeks, look into their eyes...

Akutagawa: ...And violently jerk their head until it snaps.

Atsushi: ...That took an unexpected turn.

MC: So did their neck.

—

Mori: *To MC, Dazai, and Chuuya after a failed mission* I hope you have an explanation for this.

Dazai: We have three actually-

MC: Pick your favorite.

—

Q: Adults are the most insanely stupid people I have the displeasure of interacting with.

Chuuya, referring to him and MC: Even us?

Q: Especially you guys.

MC:

Chuuya:

MC: Petition to kick Q out so he stops insulting us.

Chuuya: Seconded.

—

Chuuya: WHO ATE MY BREAD?!

Chuuya: I'M GOING TO FUCKING K-

MC: I did?

Chuuya: Kiss you and buy some more, you haven't been eating anything today MC.

*walking away*

MC:

MC: He's gone Dazai.

Dazai, coming out the closet with bread stuffed in his mouth: Twankh uh!

—

MC: Hi, who's this? Dazai changed all of my contacts to mythical creatures.

Chuuya: What's mine?

MC: Dwarf.

Chuuya: WHAT THE FUCK, I'M NOT THAT SHORT?!

MC: Oh, hey Chuuya.

Chuuya: FUCK YOU!

-

Rival Mafia Member, smugly, after security arrives to escort Chuuya, Dazai, and MC out: So, do you wanna walk out of here or do you wanna be carried out?

Chuuya, in defeat: Let's go.

MC: Wait.

Chuuya: What?

MC: I'd kinda like to be carried out...

Dazai: Me too.

Chuuya:

—

Dazai, grinning: Before you were what?

Chuuya: Before I was-

Dazai: What?

Chuuya: Before I was inter-

Dazai: Before you were interrupted?

Chuuya: Cut me off one more time and I swear I'll-

Dazai: What?

Chuuya: *makes frustrated sound*

MC, nervously: Stop that. Before he hurts you.

—

Chuuya: So, MC is no longer allowed to take the trash out at night.

Dazai: Why?

Chuuya: Because I've caught her trying to train raccoons to fight five times in a row.

MC, arms crossed and pouting: You'll be thanking me when the third raccoon battalion saves your asses in a mission.

—

MC: The ritual. To preform it requires a sacrifice.

Dazai: Sacrifice? I nominate Chuuya.

Chuuya: Wait, what?

Dazai: Because you're little, you'll fit on a barbecue.

Chuuya: I'm 5'3", it's like average height in most of the world!

Dazai: Yeah right—

MC: Its not that kind of of sacrifice guys!

—

Dazai, planning a group disguise for a mission: You can't be Blake Bortles, I'm Blake Bortles.

MC: Fine! Then I'll be Jake-

Chuuya, under his breath: Don't say Jortles.

MC: Jortles! And I work at the molotov cocktail department.

—

MC: What are you two arguing about this time?

Chuuya: He's always using common phrases incorrectly!

Dazai: Cry me a table, Slug.

—

Fukuzawa: Dazai, can I speak to you for a minute? In private.

Dazai: Ooh, someone's in trouble. It's me. I don't know why I did that.

—

Kunikida: You spent all your money on THIS??

MC, putting tiny raincoats on ducklings: They live outside. They need this.

[amethystroselily]

Again, reply at your convenience.

If canon Dazai goes BEAST AU mode and that's how the manga ends, i'll find it a very depressing ending. Since many say that BSD is about hope and improvement, so stuff like that would feel really sensationalist, cheap and cowardly to me. I prefer a hopeful story so much more; hope is what betters the world and keeps us going after all. And BEAST is all about Dazai terminally succumbing to his narrow worldview and depression, losing all hope for other paths to happiness and belonging, traumatizing others along the way 😔

If Dazai does go BEAST mode, I want some suicidal / depressed / troubled characters to obtain a happy ending solely by getting life - changing epiphanies and growing into wiser, smarter, more skilful people. Sure, let some characters break completely and get bad endings, but show how they had actual paths to a better life if they could've avoided giving in to negativity and rigidity ( Many of them will have to break free of this Dazai's influence / legacy to achieve this) :

Kyouka and Atsushi taking charge of their life and happiness instead of unwillingly risking severe PTSD, depression and death due to their sense of worthlessness and due to being bound to the ADA. Akutagawa realizing his worth and the value of his life, becoming independent and happy. Kenji being free from his trauma. Sigma becoming competent and street smart enough so nobody can use him like a pawn, and finding a peaceful safe home. Kunikida realizing how shitty it was to be initially uncaring of Atsushi and Kyouka, learning to live for himself too instead of only living to be good, and learning to prioritize living breathing people over his ideals.

Now that will be an actual meaningful and inspiring story, not some trauma - porn tragedy bullshit. If I wanted BSD to be meaningless torture porn, I would've watched Saw instead.

I suppose I can’t really answer this to the best of my abilities until I actually read Beast.

But, like, as far as I can tell, isn’t beast supposed to at least semi-hopeful for everybody but Dazai. And even then it’s implied he sacrificed himself so everybody else could have a better life. Yeah it’s sad, but in canon there are other characters who have already done similar things who were also doing bad mentally. Like Oda. Kind of. And he gets his happy ending in beast. And Akutagawa gets the chance to be a better person. And I could be very wrong here, but aren’t Atsushi and Kyouka still implied to possibly be on their way to joining the ada in beast? Like it feels entirely possible that everyone can still change in that universe. Can still improve their lives. Just not.. Dazai…I guess. In a way Beast itself could be said to be about hope, if you’re looking at the right characters.

Anyways what I’m trying to say is I think it’s a matter of perspective. Beast is better for some characters, worse for others. Which feels… realistic? I guess? It might even be the only universe where Fukuchi doesn’t win. Probably Not. But we don’t know that yet.

Also I’m not actually sure how I personally think it’s going to end. That’s the really fun thing about bsd, despite it being inherently derivative due to every character being based on exsisting people, characters, and works, it’s actually one of the most unique things I’ve ever read. You never really know where it’s going.

Alas, one day I will actually read the beast light novel instead of going off of all of the spoilers I’ve heard and the few chapters I read of the beast manga like last year, and then I will have a fully formed opinion on this.

[writer-akihiko]

Hi!! I know this story is finished and old already but is it ok if you make a ending where the reader ends up with Nobunaga? I kinda want angst in it.. That would be all TY and have a great day. (The story that I'm talking about is "All For Her")

All For Her - Kennyo X Reader X Yandere!Nobunaga [ALT]

PART 1, ACTUAL ENDING

I think I got carried away, but I basically got a wheel to choose some events of this story. This is my personal characterisation of Nobunaga from IkeSen as a Yandere. Actual Nobunaga would not do this; this is my take on how Nobunaga acts as a Yandere.

Warnings: Tragedy, Character Death, Yandere Content and Emotional Manipulation

"You defiled her!" Kennyo roared, unsheathing his staff. He blocked the rampant parries of the Devil King. "And you think that's love."

"Of course," Nobunaga said smugly, dodging Kennyo's swing. "This war…

It's all for her."

~○~

"This will be the last time you hold her, Kennyo."

He roared, howling at the pain of the sword. Kennyo fell to the ground, the stab to his shoulder numbing all of his senses as the blade cuts deep into his flesh.

"Perhaps YN would cast you away if I scar your face once again… Oh… How adorable she'd look to you in horror with the new scars I give you," Nobunaga teased, his menacing tone only edging his sword. "Or, I should kill you right here, and your head should be my bride's present…"

"KENNYO!"

You had come out to the battlefield since more of the injured soldiers could barely make it to the base. Despite of the fact of being on opposite sides, you still treated some of the Oda's soldiers that couldn't reach their own healers. Those with you moved their troops away as you ran to your lover.

Nobunaga pressed the blade further into Kennyo's neck, taunting you to come closer. You kept your distance, but you were horrified at Nobunaga's antics, as his words froze you on the spot. Your body and mind shut down at the thought of Kennyo being harmed. Your blood went cold, and before you knew it you had thrown yourself on top of Kennyo, protecting him from Nobunaga's swinging sword.

"How endearing," Nobunaga smiled at you, his gaze suddenly soft at seeing you. "It's been quite long, my fireball. I knew you'd come running to me."

All the strength left your body as Nobunaga ripped you away from your lover. Your will never left you, but your fear overcame it to the point you couldn't fight against the crazed man that desired you.

The Oda, as usual were efficient in wrapping up the war. Kennyo was arrested and it was claimed as a win for the Oda. The soldiers retreated and Ieyasu cared for the wounded. You'd usually see Hideyoshi and Masamune with grins on their faces, but Hideyoshi was practically expressionless and Masamune's eye only held rage but you weren't sure who it was directed to.

The Oda celebrated their grand victory with a banquet, and the Demon King kept you by his side, pampered and decorated for his eyes only. He kept you in his lap, as your being shifted to the automatic machine it used to be, pouring sake for your obsessed captor.

What sickened you to the stomach was how he announced the banquet.

"With the capture of Kennyo, I sentence him to continuous torture!"

Oh how you wanted to throw up at whoever cheered Nobunaga on...

Eventually, once Nobunaga had gotten drunk, Hideyoshi and Masamune flanked each side of Nobunaga, as Mitsuhide and Mitsunari guarded you. You made no effort to make conversation with the other warlords, for you feared what they might spill to Nobunaga, with the exception of Mitsuhide.

With how everyone was acting, you could only assume Mitsuhide messed with the sake as he was so bold to engage in conversation with you. "Princess, you must be prepared tomorrow."

"Is there something that I missed when I return?"

His voice lowered to a hush, as he explained his intentions. "Nobunaga will find my involvement with your escape. He'd execute me, but it will give you a chance to freedom."

You almost lost your stiff conduct, a drop of sake spilling onto your kimono. Yes, it was true that Mitsuhide was involved in convincing Nobunaga to let you roam to where you were taken by Kennyo, but even by then you weren't sure of his intentions. "Mitsuhide… Why?"

His hushed voiced tickled your ear as he revealed his one intention to you.

"For the woman I love. Even if I don't have your heart, I want you to bask in freedom."

~○~

The next morning's war council came, and there and then, another lower vassal accused Mitsuhide as the traitor that led their beloved Princess to Kennyo's army. The war council this time took a casual turn, as Nobunaga deemed it fit for the ladies of the court to witness the accusation from your balcony. Behind your veil, you shed a tear, sending a venomous gaze to Nobunaga.

You excused yourself from your maids, making your way out of your personal bedroom. Mitsunari should be waiting for you, as he authorised all the guards to be positioned else where. From your knowledge, Ieyasu, Masamune and Hideyoshi were in on Mitsuhide's plan too. Masamune and Ieyasu were to take charge of Kennyo's 'daily torture', while Hiedyoshi was to cause a scene by his natural rage at Mitsuhide betraying his Lord Nobunaga.

Nobunaga raised his fan, quelling the arguments amongst his vassals. "Ah… but wait, Akechi Mitsuhide isn't the only traitor amongst the Oda."

"W-What do you mean Lord Nobunaga?" Hideyoshi, who delivered slightly fake punches to Mitsuhide in his 'anger', stopped as he questioned Nobunaga. "Mitsuhide is always one to do things on his own!"

You raced through every corridor near the tenshu, trying to find Mitsunari in the hallways. Anywhere. Where could he be? Did he get-

The roars of shock from the Oda vassals rang as two guards brought none other that Ishida Mitsunari to the podium of Nobunaga, clearly bruised and beaten.

"A report from the guards came about suspicions of your vassal here to change the guards around the palace," Nobunaga said, as he ordered the guards to drop Mitsunari. "How could I not assume he was acting under your orders, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, you monkey?"

Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi were both apprehended at the hands of their own friends. They were brought to their knees in front of their long time lord, as their heads were pushed down to hang in shame.

"To honour your execution, since you both are great friends," He announced, drawing his pistol from his kimono. "I shall have you both shoot each other until your bodies fall. I'll allow your families to bury your bodies and your next brothers shall carry on your clan's lines."

"Any last words?"

Hideyoshi walked up to his lord he once respected, snatching the gun into his hand. "I thank you for letting me die by the hands of an honorable warlord unlike yourself."

Nobunaga did not hold back his anger as he struck Hideyoshi across the face with his iron-ribbed fan.

"I wouldn't have done this if you returned to the Lord Nobunaga I used to serve," Hideyoshi retorted, taking his stance with the gun pointed at Mitsuhide.

Mitsuhide had nothing to say to Nobunaga, except the silent nod to receive his gun. He raised it to Hideyoshi, saying his last to an old friend.

"Sorry for being a good shot."

"Don't be."

BANG!

You couldn't hold back your tears for Hideyoshi and Mitsuhide. You sobbed into your kimono, your mind being invaded by negative thoughts of your doings being the cause of their deaths. You didn't want this. You didn't want this. If only you had-

"The other two traitors are here!"

The crowd shifted as Ieyasu and Masamune made their way through the crowd, having heard the gunshots. From what you could discern, they were brought there by the jail guards by the orders of Nobunaga's messengers.

"This audience has had enough execution for the day," Nobunaga decided, looking over the three captured warlords under his hand. "However, I might as well give out the sentences now."

Ieyasu and Masamune were not bounded to any guards, but it was clear that they had long accepted their deaths. You wanted at least one of them to abandon you, to give you a sign that you weren't worth the trouble but none of them did. Those three stood their ground, as they face the Devil King himself.

"Ishida Mitsunari, under influence of Toyotomi Hideyoshi shall have a beheading for all to see," He commanded. The scribes were rapid to jot everything down, their parchment wet from the ink and not from the blood seeping into the paper. "Tokugawa Ieyasu and Date Masamune, for assisting the traitors, from this moment our alliance in dissolved. The Oda shall act on their own without your help."

"You shall be sent away. Unfortunately my authority does not reach you."

Masamune scoffed, "I wouldn't want to serve such a stupid warlord anyway."

Nobunaga shrugged it off. "May I meet you two on the battlefield, where I shall have your heads."

"May we have our revenge," Ieyasu said, walking away from the crowd, Masamune behind him.

~○~

Months had passed. Months of staying in this empty shell of yours, made to serve only Nobunaga. Before the last of his days, Mitsunari had requested to play Go with you. You apologised immensely for causing such tragedy, but Mitsunari welcomed you wholesomely. There was no hard feelings as his execution neared, and he advised you to not attend or witness it. You shed tears for Mitsunari, the handkerchief used to catch your tears delivered to Mitsunari's grave.

The day Nobunaga returned from his umpteenth war was as normal as any other day to you. You were sewing mindlessly, as you had no will to greet Nobunaga. He understood that, instead barging into your shared bedroom with familiar cloths around his arm.

He grinned as he noticed you recognise the band of cloth around his arm. "Ah, a parting gift from Ieyasu and Masamune before I took their heads. They consented to it as well, but you're not allowed to bring it around-"

"I hate you. I hate you, I HATE YOU!" You screamed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I don’t mind firecracker," He said, his grip starting to feel painful at your wrist. "You see, I didn't care if those five were traitors or not. It was my luck that they fit into the narrative."

He continued, soothing your cries. "I was only getting rid of anyone who held your attention. I was drunk at that banquet but I still loathed how they befriended you so easily… I did it for you…

It's all for you."

[holykillercake]

Strawberry and Cigarretes

pairing: Sanji x Reader

word count: 2.6k

highlight: ¨Everything hurt, and for the first time, you wished to forget what the ocean sounded like.¨ 

warnings: slight angst

notes: This was a request from @vemuabhi​! <3 Very special because it was my first ever request! I wanted to doge the obvious path (which I almost took) and do something that didn´t involve Whole Cake Island, so maybe it is not the biggest angst (hats off to Mr. Oda cause he is Father angst) but I did my very best! I hope you all enjoy and Happy Birthday, Sanji-kun! <3

𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤, 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕤, 𝕠𝕣 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤!

Do you remember when you were a kid, and you´d find a shell laying on the sand? And you would pick it up and put it on your ear, hoping to listen to the ocean? It´d always make a smile grow on your face before you tossed it aside and jumped into the water.

That time was different. When you heard the ocean share its endless secrets and tell its adventurous stories, you just wanted to sit there all day and listen. 

This specific event happened a couple of months after you joined the Strawhats. Chopper had borrowed you his stethoscope cause you thought it was cool, and in the middle of thousands of things you´ve already heard in your life, good and bad, the heartbeat was something that you were oblivious to. 

Some would think that asking to hear someone else´s heartbeat was weird, but inside the Thousand Sunny... well, those guys put ¨weird¨ on another level, and you would have to work your ass off to surpass that. 

Chopper got all blushed when you leaned closer to his tiny and furry torso, Usopp told you stories about a war he once won but had to have his heart replaced by a lion´s, Franky said that if you wanted to see a heart he could simply pull it out for you, Brook invested on the same ¨Oh, I don´t have a heart. Yohohoho¨ joke, Zoro let you listen to his wrist, Nami and Robin almost had you sinking into their generous breasts, and Sanji... you left him for last because you didn´t know how to ask him. So you just tiptoed quietly inside the kitchen, sneaked behind him, and tried to listen to his heart through his back. You feared that your nose would start bleeding if he faced you while you were doing it. 

That was exactly what he did, by the way. He poured more water into the stew he was cooking and turned around, putting out his cigarette so ashes wouldn´t fall on you. Immediately you began to sweat, your breath quickened, and hold the stethoscope with a steady hand became a herculean task. 

His lean fingers moved to the collar of his blue shirt and started to unbutton a few, enough for you to have better access. At that point, you believed that the reason why you weren´t bleeding yet was that you were slowly having a stroke, and Sanji´s action was God´s gift to you for being a good person while alive. 

Then he didn´t do anything else, just put both hands in his pockets and waited while you listened to every single bubble popping inside his chest like you were afraid to miss one. In the end, he tucked a lock of hair behind your ear and went back to his stew.

But that was all about it. The following months were just like any other, the crew kept acting as weird as their minds allowed, and you kept shutting whatever your stupid heart was yelling at you. Although... if you could be honest for one moment, deep down you were hurt. 

Maybe you scared or crept him away with your childish curiosity. Maybe he had noticed your feelings for him and got disgusted. Well, not disgusted, he probably didn´t like you the same way and didn´t know how to tell you, so keeping words to a minimum was his way to go. 

He stopped singing and twirling around you, he´d rather call your name respectfully; when you shared the night watches, he just remained quiet by your side, answering briefly to your questions or comments; he even stopped trying to sneak into your baths or make suggestive comments - which you didn´t love before, but you know, you only miss something when it's gone. 

The whole crew had noticed the change in both of your behaviors, but they too were not sure how to address it. Whenever someone asked something about it you would say ¨Really? I didn´t notice anything.¨. Either too proud to confront him or too afraid of the truth. 

~

¨Oi, you ok?¨ Zoro asked, breaking into your personal bubble of sadness. 

You knew it was Zoro because you two were taking the night watch, but you didn´t expect him to show interest or concern about your upset state. 

The night was chilly, so you were sitting on Sunny´s grass, arms around your knees, holding them close to your chest to keep the warmth. 

¨Why do you care?¨ you answered bitterly, but he didn´t mind since he was the king of freaking Bitter Land. 

¨I don´t. But I´ll go crazy if I hear you sigh one more time.¨ he sat close to you, not too close, just enough for you to listen to each other.

A chuckle left your mouth involuntarily, you never expected his grouchy temper would come in handy in times like this. Then your frowned expression came back, and you let out another sigh. 

Before you realized Zoro had pushed you with his Sandai Kitetsu scabbard, making you fall to your side with a squeak. 

¨I told you.¨

You sat again, taking some grass off your leg ¨Yeah. Can´t deny it.¨

¨Yeah, you´ve been doing that a lot lately.¨ 

He didn´t look like he was teasing you, his eyes focusing on the line where the sky met the ocean, where the stars disappeared and became blurry white brushes on the water. 

¨I... I don´t-¨

¨I think you can do better than the stupid cook.¨he kept his usual tone ¨ But I guess we don´t get to choose these things.¨ 

You were taken aback by his words, and despite you trying to fight your lips from trembling and tears from falling, it was useless. You had been crushing these feelings inside you for too long, and it killed you the more you ignored it. 

The swordsman wasn´t saying those things because he loved you or anything like that, but because the entire crew - except for Luffy - had already noticed and began acting weird about it. And despite being the captain´s duty to solve any problem or an uncomfortable situation, your captain was a bit too oblivious, so he had to step in. 

Besides, his nakama was getting hurt. He didn´t care about the ero cook. 

¨If you want me to beat him up... just let me know.¨ 

He said it to cheer you up - not that he didn´t mean, he´d do it for much less - but nothing seemed worth smiling for now. You just bit your lip in order to avoid an embarrassing whining, since you were unable to stop the painful tears from rolling down your cheeks. 

Everything hurt, and for the first time, you wished to forget what the ocean sounded like.

¨W-What should I do?¨

¨That´s not my problem to solve, Y/N.¨ he stood up beside you ¨But sometimes, when I have a difficult problem that I can´t solve my way...¨ his gaze still locked with the horizon ¨... I think about what my captain would do.¨ he left without any further words, leaving you not only sad but confused as well. 

You slept on it for the next couple of days, still not understanding what he meant. Maybe he just wanted to leave the conversation and said whatever came to mind. But even that didn´t fit right. If he didn´t want to be stuck in an uncomfortable conversation, he wouldn´t have started one. 

So you took as a personal mission to observe your captain until you learned how to think like him, hoping that figuring that out would solve your problem. 

You had joined the crew as a historian, the person responsible for writing down every adventure meticulously, every tiny detail of every battle, and every glorious victory along the Strawhats journey. So in one dusk, when you were in charge of the night watch with Robin and the moon was full and bright, you took your journals and began rolling through the pages, looking for a pattern, something that anticipated every major decision of your captain.

You even borrowed old diaries from the time you were not part of their crew. The stories lacked details, but they served to paint a picture. Basically:

Luffy insults an ugly lady, saves a kid, eats something, finds Zoro, beats the crap out of a crazy marine, saves the day, gets his first crewmate. 

Luffy gets eaten by a bird, then vomited in a town, finds Nami, eats something, is put in a cage, beat the crap out of some pirates, saves the day.

 Luffy wants a new ship, meets Usopp, eats something, gets thrown from a cliff, beats the crap out of some pirates, saves the day, gets Going Merry and a liar. 

Luffy wants a cook, explodes a restaurant, becomes a waiter, eats something, meets Sanji, beats the crap out of some pirates, saves the day, gets a cook. 

Luffy eats something, finds the fishmen, goes for a walk, is thrown in the water, beats the crap out of some pirates, saves the day, gets a navigator.

Luffy wants a doctor, eats everything, fights some crazy ass bunnies, climbs a mountain, meets Chopper, beats the crap out of some pirates, saves the day, gets a doctor. 

Luffy eats something, wants to fix Going Merry, meets Franky, loses Robin, beats the crap out of some world government agents, saves the day, gets an archeologist, a shipwright, and Thousand Sunny. 

Luffy hears a ghoulish singing, finds a speaking skeleton in a busted ship, has his shadow stolen, beats the crap out of some Warlord of the Sea, gets a musician.

When you finished the last journal, the weight of your body pushed you to the floor, and you laid on your back for a couple of minutes, overwhelmed by the amount of information in your head.

¨I know what to do...¨ you took a deep breath ¨... I´m gonna eat something.¨

You mumbled something to Robin, telling her that you´d be back in a few minutes, and wandered to the kitchen. 

As soon as you entered the room a sweet and comforting aroma like whipped cream and strawberries invaded your senses, making your head turn to the counter immediately. 

¨Y/N-chan...¨ the cook said.

You opened and closed your mouth a couple of times, looked at him, and then to your feet, your fingers fidgeting as a sign of your anxious state. 

¨D-Didn't know you were awake.¨ you marched to the table and helped yourself with some sugar cookies.

¨Oh... It won´t take much longer...¨ you heard his muffled voice somewhere in the back of your mind, all you could hear was the blood pumping in your ears ¨... cake because today is my birthday and I thought we...¨ your vision was focused on the cookie jar, crushing the granular biscuit with your fingertips ¨...and I...I didn´t know if-¨

¨What would Luffy do?¨ you whispered to yourself.

¨W-What?¨ 

¨What would Luffy do?¨ 

The question wasn´t for him, it was for you. You felt something growing inside your chest, like the blood that pumped in your heart was boiling and burning, giving you the strength and courage you needed. 

¨I have been trying to find answers to a lot of things, you know?¨ you stood up to face the cook, palms spread on the table, ¨I ... do you hate me, Sanji?¨ 

He stopped what he was doing and let the knife rest on the cutting board. When his gaze found yours, there was no way back. That is what Luffy would do. He´d eat something, do whatever came to his mind, and deal with the consequences. No need to go back. 

¨Y/N-chan... why do you...¨

¨I mean, I ask this because...¨ you clenched your hands, cursing yourself for feeling the need to cry ¨I can´t take this anymore, Sanji! If I did something to offend you or if I said something...¨ your voice was broken and weak, and you were a mess of tears and sobs ¨You don´t have to love me back, that´s not what I am saying, but... I can´t stand-¨

¨Y/N-chan... why do you think I hate you?¨ he wiped his hands with a towel and made his way towards you, slowly.

¨Oh, come on, Sanji... You treat me differently, you´re cold and distant, you don´t say a word to me even when we share night shifts! If you don´t hate me, then this must be a sick game you´re playing.¨ your legs felt wobbly, and you sat back in the chair, not being able to face him anymore.  The courage and strenght you had minutes ago was gone.

You just watched him get closer and kneel in front of you, his cold fingers gently brushing away the hot tears on your cheeks. 

¨I could never hate you, Y/N.¨ he said softly ¨I am sorry I made you feel like this, I am sorry I made you cry...¨ his fingers touched your trembling lips. 

¨Then why...¨

¨I didn´t want to scare you away like I always do, Y/N... I know I can be too much sometimes, with the nose bleeding and everything. But that´s how I am, and I didn´t want you to think of me as an idiot... so I prefer being silent, then say something stupid and... ¨ 

¨You don´t have to say this. I don´t need pity talk...¨you spoke as more tears fell, giving him a chance to take his statement back.

¨I have to, Y/N. But not because of pity talk.¨ he gently pressed his forehead against yours, like bunnies do when they apologize. 

¨Then why?¨ 

¨Because I love you, Y/N.¨ the blonde closed the space left between the two of you, kissing you passionately. 

He helped you get up without breaking the kiss and leaned you against the kitchen table, his hands holding your body close while yours ran through his golden hair. His mouth tasted like strawberries and cigarettes, a flavor to which you could easily get addicted. 

You parted the kiss just enough to get some oxygen, your noses were touching, and you could feel his heavy breathing against your skin. 

¨I didn´t know today is your birthday...¨ you whispered, afraid that this was a dream and you´d wake up alone again. 

¨Yeah, I was hoping to get a Happy Birthday from you, you know.¨ he chuckled.

¨I think you´ll be getting more than that.¨

You stared into each other´s eyes for a moment before he pulled you to a hug. When you leaned against his warm chest you heard it again, the same babble of the ocean, only this time you smiled, knowing that it wanted to listen to your stories and secrets as well. 

¨Sanji?¨

¨Hm?¨

¨Happy Birthday... I love you.¨

¨I love you too, Y/N.¨ he kissed you again.

¨Please, don´t have sex on the dinner table.¨ you jumped when Robin spoke.

 When you turned, you saw all your crewmates dressed in pajamas and messy hair staring back at you with sparkly sleepy eyes. You spot Zoro back in the crowd, you smiled and gave him a silent ¨Thank you.¨. You couldn´t help but wonder how the guy who manages to gets lost walking down a straight path was able to guide some sense into you. 

In any way, you´ve found it. Inside of his chest, inside of his heart was the All Blue you heard so much of. Maybe that was the thing with it, and why only a few people found it. Everyone assumes that it is a place, where the four Blues meet, but it´s easy to forget that when you´re a pirate the ocean becomes the essence of who you are.

Little did you know that Sanji had found his All Blue too.

[ikeromantic]

Old Friends, New Adventures

A Mitsuhide Akechi fanfic - this scene occurs post-Romantic epilogue. Approx. 2200 words of fluff and stuff.

First: Mitsuhide and the Maiden

Previous: My Home is Your Home

Mitsuhide was expecting to see Sarutobi. Afterall, he had invited the ninja and arranged the trip to align with the . . . worm hole. Instead, it was Ranmaru waiting for them downstairs. His wide smile and bright gaze made the warlord suspicious. He watched through narrowed eyes as his fiance bounded down the stairs and threw her arms around Ranmaru in greeting.

“It’s good to see you! Is everything ok?” She let go to look him in the face.

Ranmaru laughed. “I was about to say the same thing!” He took her hands. “I just had to come say hi when I realized this was where -” his gaze shifted to Mitsuhide. “Akechi ran off with you to.”

“We didn’t run off!” She pulled her hands out of his grip, clearly remembering Mitsuhide’s advice. “Anyway, I thought you were staying in Azuchi. Did you come all the way here to visit me?”

“Yes, why are you here,” Mitsuhide added.

Ranmaru took them both in with his wide, guileless eyes. “Oh! I suppose you left before Nobunaga announced it! I am taking a message to Kyoto for him.” He leaned forward and whispered theatrically. “It’s top secret.”

Mitsuhide did not believe the page. There were countless messengers for most letters and for important correspondence, there was no way Nobunaga would entrust that to Ranmaru. He needed to see this letter. With his crescent moon smile in place, the kitsune replied. “In that case, I must offer you my hospitality tonight. I’ll have a guest room set up for you.”

He expected Ranmaru to argue, and had already prepared several potential counter-arguments. None of them were needed. The page bowed. “Thanks, Mitsuhide! That’s really nice of you!”

His reaction almost made the warlord second guess himself. Was this what Ranmaru wanted all along? And if so, why? But he couldn’t ask. He just smiled and nodded to his castle staff. They would know what room to put the page in. It had thick walls and no windows. A secure door that could slide into place from the outside, turning the room into a cell. Mitsuhide would have answers from the page one way or another.

“Would you like to join us, Ranmaru? We’re going to visit the town and then have dinner here at the castle.” The chatelaine glanced at Mitsuhide to make sure this was alright.

“No, no. I’ll just head up to my room for a nap. I ran all the way here and I’m pretty tired.” The page wrinkled his nose. “I know you two want some alone time, anyway. But maybe we can have dinner together before I leave. That would be nice.”

Mitsuhide’s smile widened. Miyake could keep tabs on Ranmaru and maybe that would reveal all he needed to know. They said their goodbyes and left the page in good hands.

Outside the castle, the wind picked up. On the horizon, grey storm clouds billowed and boiled. There was a charge in the afternoon air that set teeth on edge. Even grown men looked askance at the shadows under trees and the darkness between close-packed buildings. It felt like the town was waiting for something.

The chatelaine noticed the brewing storm and frowned. “Do you think we’ll get rained on?”

Mitsuhide shook his head. “If a storm blows through while we are out, we can stop in a shop until it passes. This isn’t the season for heavy rains.” Still, he felt the strange currents in the cool breeze. His hand settled on his sword hilt and for just a moment, he thought of bringing the tanegashima. But this was not a battlefield and he was confident he could handle whatever came.

Many of the town’s residents still remembered the battle at Enryaku-ji, and they regarded their new lord with a wary respect. It was obvious in the way their gaze skittered to the side. How they answered every question with care. His little mouse noticed.

Her smiles were gentle and her compliments many. Mitsuhide could not help but be impressed at the way she set people at ease in her presence. She would make an excellent partner, he thought. One that could balance his strength and weakness. He didn’t notice the proud smile that turned his lips up or the warmth in his eyes as he watched her.

It was early evening when the sullen sky began to loose fat, wet rain drops. They fell in a slow but steady patter, creating little streams down the sides of buildings. The street sellers packed up their wares and people ducked into homes and shops to wait out the storm. Mitsuhide and his little one tucked themselves under the eaves of a closed shop.

“Do you want to stop by the inn for some warm sake before we go home?” Mitsuhide had to lean close to be heard over the rain on the rooftop.

She smiled and nodded. “Just one for me though. I can’t drink like you do.”

Mitsuhide grinned, wondering what she would say if she knew he didn’t drink as much as he seemed to. A man needed to have some secrets though. He grasped her hand and together they ran out under the rain, across the street and down two doors to the building with bright lanterns and music.

The inn here was always busy. It was a waystation for merchants between Kyoto and Azuchi. A natural place to stop and rest. Today was no exception. With the storm outside, the inn’s benches were packed from one side to the other. Mostly with merchants and their guards. A few townspeople, and some of the evening ladies who walked between tables looking for the most advantageous company.

One of the servers recognized Mitsuhide as they walked in, and hurried over. In moments, they were seated in a private room, hidden from the common area by deftly painted screens. Another server arrived with a tray of warm sake and onigiri.

“For you, my lord.” Both servers bowed low. It seemed they remembered his comment last time about preferring easy to eat foods.

“My betrothed would like -” Mitsuhide began, but she shook her head.

“No, this is fine. I’m not that hungry right now.”

Mitsuhide raised an eyebrow but nodded agreeably. “Thank you. You may go.”

Both men ducked out quickly, as if afraid the kitsune warlord might change his mind.

“They really seem afraid of you,” the chatelaine frowned after them. “I wish they knew how good and kind you really are.”

“Don’t go ruining my reputation, little mouse. I worked hard on it.” Mitsuhide laughed, but he was only half joking. “Let them see you as the kind and gentle Akechi, and continue to believe I am the monster.”

“But-”

Mitsuhide shook his head. “It is what must be. For now, at least.”

She looked as if she wanted to argue but after a moment, she smiled. “Alright. I know it is necessary, but I will look forward to the day I can introduce the Mitsuhide I know to all of them.”

He felt his cheeks heat at her sweet words and the look of adoration she wore. It never ceased to amaze him how precious she could be. To hide his unwieldy emotions, he turned his head to look at the screens. “Are you going to pour the sake or keep chattering away, little mouse?”

“Ooh that got to you,” she giggled. “I can see red in your cheeks!”

“You had best pour me a drink before I decide to return the favor,” he murmured. His tone had turned more husky than brusque. He hated the way she made him reveal his heart to her. It was impossible to hide from her.

“Alright, alright.”

Mitsuhide felt her move, heard the delicate clink of porcelain. He tried to focus on details to calm the fast beat of his heart and the warmth in his face. It wasn’t working very well. All he could think of was getting his love back to their room in the castle and peeling every stitch of fabric from her. With his teeth.

“You know, Nobunaga asked me once to serve him sake from my lips . . .”

Wide-eyed, Mitsuhide’s head snapped around to look at her. She was holding his sake cup in her hands. While he watched, she put it to her mouth and tipped it just enough to leave a trace of wine on her lips.

It was too much. First the sweetness and now this bold flirtation. Mitsuhide pulled her to him and kissed her. The rice wine blended with the taste of her, a heady alcohol to the drunkenness of his love.

She was vibrant and alive against him, her body warm, her hands caressing his back. Her lips moved against his, savoring the kiss. A breathy moan lost itself between them.

Mitsuhide might have done more, had they not been interrupted. Again. An embarrassed cough from a silhouette behind the painted screen. He broke their kiss reluctantly and turned his head to face the door. “Yes?”

Miyake poked his head in, cheeks stained red, eyes bright with held laughter. “Ehm. Sorry to interrupt your . . drink.”

“I assume this is an emergency?” The warlord’s tone was not amused.

“Maybe?” Miyake shrugged. “The page disappeared from his room. He is not in the castle and no one has seen him in the town. I have some men out looking for him. In fact, I’m on my way to join them. But I wanted to bring you this - in case it’s important.” He held out an envelope.

Mitushide took it. His expression remained one of calm annoyance, but inside he was a tumult of emotion. Worry for his little one, concern for the Oda forces, and even for Ranmaru. It was hard to play the traitor, harder still to be one. The envelope was sealed and on the front, it was addressed to the chatelaine.

She looked at it curiously. “Why do you suppose Ranmaru ran off? You think he’s in such a big hurry? And why did he leave me a letter? He could have just said goodbye in person.”

“I hope the letter will enlighten us.” Mitsuhide broke the seal and unfolded the paper. It held just three words.

I am sorry.

“What do you suppose that means?” The chatelaine looked anxious and confused.

Her naivete was endearing, but there were times Mitsuhide wished she was more suspicious.

Miyake snorted. “Pretty sure he’s not apologizing for missing dinner.” He turned around at the sound of a disturbance in the common room. Benches being pushed across the floor, shouts of alarm, and the stomp of running feet.

A ball of ice solidified in Mitsuhide’s belly. He hadn’t thought the ninja would act so soon - nor so precipitously. And now . . . he stood up. “Let’s see what is going on.”

The three of them pushed past the milling crowd and out into the rainy street. Across Lake Awaumi, red flames reflected against the steel grey sky. A fire big enough that even from this distance, they could smell the char of wood.

“Is that Azuchi,” his little mouse asked in a small voice.

“You can bet your best slippers, my lady.” Miyake’s face was set in a hard smile. One that promised violence to come.

“It appears, my little one, that our vacation has been cut short. We must return to Azuchi tonight.” Mitsuhide hugged her, taking comfort as much as giving it. The peace he’d hoped for was short lived, and now there was work to be done.

Above them, the storm rumbled and the rain began to fall in earnest. In moments, the fires across the lake were no more than a red glimmer barely seen through the wall of falling water. There was no sound but the rushing rain and the thunder.

Mitsuhide, Miyake, and the chatelaine fled back toward Sakamoto Castle to gather what they needed to return to Azuchi.

A figure collided with them in the street. Miyake stumbled and almost fell. Mitsuhide pushed his beloved behind him and set a hand on his sword.

“I - I’m sorry. I can’t see anything without my glasses. Please accept my deepest apologies!” The man had to shout to be heard, but even with his voice raised, Mitsuhide recognized the speaker.

“Sarutobi Sasuke.” It was an inopportune arrival, but then, neither of them could have planned for the events of this evening.

“Sasuke!” The chatelaine pushed past her fiancee to throw her arms around her old friend.

Mitsuhide pushed wet hair back from his face, squinting into the darkness. It looked like the ninja was alone, as agreed.

“Uh, my lady? Could we do this someplace dry?” Miyake’s strained voice cut through the storm sounds.

Sasuke nodded, wiping at his face. “Yes, that would be preferable. We don’t have much time though. I miscalculated the -”

A rush of wind silenced whatever else he’d been about to say. It came with a flash of lightning so bright, it blinded. And a roll of thunder that shook him to his bones. As suddenly as the wind came, it died. It left behind only empty silence and the sense of a vast space.

For a heartbeat, Mitsuhide panicked. This was a strange place, one without a sky or ground. Without familiar sounds or smells. He was alone. His little one, gone.

And then her hand found his.

He traced the small bones with his thumb, fingers entwined with hers. Though he wasn’t sure what was happening, he feared he understood.

Next: Adrift

[animebw]

Reading One Piece: Chapters 522-523

-”You’re charging them for it?!” skjhsdjkfhsk

-AHAHA I FORGOT LUFFY DIDN”T KNOW ABOUT HANCOCK BEING A WARLORD

-Oh shit. He knows now. Ace, the Whitebeard pirates, the Navy and Warlords allying... the scope of Luffy’s adventure just jumped up a hundredfold.

-Hot damn, so the navy’s literally using the geography of the area to their advantage. I love learning how this world works, man! It’s so cool!

-...Jesus, I didn’t even think of that. If Luffy’s heading straight for Ace, he can’t meet up with his friends yet. He might be alone for a while.

-”You’re like an ant diving into a hurricane.” Lads, the next era of this manga is gonna be fucking nuts.

-So we’ve got a hard time limit, Luffy can’t go back to pick up his friends, and now the one person who can get him there in time has gotten deathly sick. Talk about stacking the fucking odds.

-...Seriously? Lovesickness? That’s what were going with after all the great stuff this arc has done? Come ON!!

-God dammit, I hate this. I hate it! We were so close to doing this entire arc without descending into bullshit, and then at the last fucking minute we get this! For god’s sake, Oda, stop shooting yourself in the foot! You’re clearly capable of being better than this!

-On the positive side, I like how the women are doing Luffy’s chopstick face. He’s rubbed off on them.

-Not two minutes in this navy headquarters, and already it’s a bureaucratic mess. What a rotten state of affairs.

-And now Whitebeard’s on the move too! Man, everything’s just crashing together all at once, and we’ve only just gotten started.

-Okay, I want to geek out over all the cool islands the other Straw Hats landed at, but then I see Nami crying and I can’t focus on anything else. Fuck.

-And just like that, a single panel at the end of this chapter makes me want to take back every good thing I said about Oda avoiding sexism during this arc. Fuck. Why can’t Oda just get out of his own fucking way?

[skampi835]

Letters (Mitsunari x reader x Ieyasu)

This is another contribution for the Unloved Characters Month event, hosted by @the-moonlight-dreams. Because I had so much fun writing the two before. Motonari: Hell of the Living & Yoshimoto: Corolla Promise. I really wanted to do another one (like an addict).

Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku

Language: english

Starring: Mitsunari x reader x Ieyasu (no real pairing though)

Genre: Fluff 

Warning: none

Prompt: Day 22 - Letters

Word Count: 1.400

Also I have absolutely NO IDEA why the heck Mitsunari’s on this list of unloved characters!😳 I mean, come on!😭😭 Mitsunari’s like the politest, sweetest cinnamon roll on earth (besides Vincent). Hope you enjoy!

"You're smiling like sunshine, again. Is there any good report?" You’re asking, while pouring tea into cups, which sit on the desk. Mitsunari’s raising his head thoughtfully, with that warm, angelic smile of his. "Yes, Lady (y/n). There was a very lovely letter in between again."

“Oh, was there?" Jokingly replying, you’re placeing the teapot on the desk between the two of you. You just brewed it a few moments ago, even though Mitsunari insisted in offering you tea in the first place, when you arrived with his mailing. But you're quite aware, that under no circumstances you should letting him work with boiling water or tealeaves, because you knew how clumsy Mitsunari could be sometimes. Besides it doesn't bother you at all, spending some time with Mitsunari and getting a break from your chatelaine duties, for he was always the politest among the warlords, when you’d first arrived in the Sengoku period. "Is it one of those love-letters?"

You are calling them love-letters in jest, since the first one had arrived a few weeks ago. "You know it's not such a thing." Mitsunari snickers lightly and its sound is warming your heart with delight. "But it's a very comforting letter with good advices I'll have to reconsider. Whoever's sending me this letters must care deeply for me."

A soft smile blooms on your lips as you’re reaching for your cup. "That's awesome. I'm so happy for you, Mitsunari.” Honestly you are more than relieved and thankful as you’ve thought, ever since these short messages from an anonymous individual started.

Mitsunari had a rough time lately, struggling with his self-care, after an incident that happened one month ago. During a combat against some threats from the Ouchi-clan, almost a devastating mistake had slipped through Mitsunaris calculations. It was thanks to Mitsuhide, that nothing dangerously had happened, for he was the one in charge of Azuchi, while Nobunaga was fighting on the front. Prescient thinking, Mitsuhide assumed a siege towards Azuchi, whereas the war had focused with the heated battle. This had made him evacuate the civilians inside the castle walls. Thanks to the kitsunes quick thinking he averted bloodshed among the village and prevented a great loss for Azuchi and the Oda.

Sadly though, Mitsunari’s miscalculation had left him so deeply crestfallen, that he’d fallen back in his old bad habits, even more than usual. It took you an amount of effort, dragging Mitsunari out step by step, of the cloudy thoughts, he’d locked himself to. Lastly it was thanks to those words written in these letters Mitsunari had received for a while, that he’s finally able to smile again, honest and candid.

Plus Mitsunari’s doing a great job, caring about himself again, besides for a few known issues. His place looks more organized, although with a few stacks of books. He’s even almost having a proper meal daily, looking rested and at ease. You had not enough words of gratitude for this unknown individual, who had sent Mitsunari the letters, lifting his spirit in a quite peculiar way.

Mitsunari was so confused when the first letter arrived and after your request, he had lent it to you.

“Stop worrying the people and get some sleep already!

You made a mistake, so what? It happens sometimes. Nothing bad happened, so pull yourself together.

The townspeople are talking that you’re looking tired and they were annoyingly noisy, that you weren't smiling during your last visit. You know how pesky that blabber is?”

There wasn’t any hint to the sender of this letter and after you finished reading, you were puzzled and worried about those harsh words towards poor Mitsunari. You recommended to just ignoring it, but Mitsunari was strangely solemn. “Ignore it? But Lady (y/n), the writer of this letter is probably right.” He confessed mournful and guilty. “I am worrying you and the others, don’t I?”

He’d looked so sad and lost, but after a good night’s rest, like the writer has requested, Mitsunari opened up again. He allowed you to help him, eliminating the mess in his room. Together you slowly established a new routine, that’s good for his self-care. Every time when one of these few letters arrived once in a while, Mitsunari’s amazing bright smile returns on his lips.

“What does this one say?” Curiously you’re asking over the rim of your teacup, that you just had a sip of. Mitsunari’s gently folding the letter and circumspectly tucking it back into its cover, while he's gifting you with an honest and featherlight smile. “It says that I’m not alone, when there’s a tough decision.” He answers with calm in his voice, pausing for a little while, searching for his following words. “I am sorry, but I’d prefer to keep the accurate choice of words a secret this time if you don’t mind.”

“Oh... But of course not.” Compliable you nodded, smiling mindful. “It’s a message just for you, after all.”

Mitsunari’s radiant smile’s remaining ever so lightly and beautiful on his handsome face, brightening even the sunny day outside. “Thank you, for your kindness, Lady (y/n).”

_____

After your nice break, with a delicious cup of tea and some pleasurable chat with Mitsunari, you’d left Hideyoshi’s manor with a good feeling, in order to continue your duties as chatelaine. It was nice, seeing polite Mitsunari so much calmer, than a few weeks ago. His reservation had occupied and saddened you very much, to the point of aching. Seeing him now with the same charming smile and kind yet clear alertness in his amethyst eyes, that you’ve grown so familiar with, makes you almost impossibly happy.

As you returned to Azuchi castle you’re catching sight of someone familiar who was just about to leave, before he spotted you. “Just when I decided not wasting my time any longer.” He mutters in his usual snarky tone. “Ah, Ieyasu, I totally lost track of time.” And you’ve nearly forgotten! For a while now Ieyasu had finally given in to your constant whinings and secretly prosecutions - that weren’t that secret at all - to teach you medical herbalism, biweekly. But telling him that, would’ve make him reconsider this decision, so you quickly add: “I’m so sorry, Ieyasu. I visited Mitsunari before and I guess I’d got a little distracted.”

“You guess?” Ieyasu’s bored scrutinizing glare is drilling through you, while he crossed his arms before his chest. But after a while, he unpleasant sighs. “It can’t be helped. It’s too late for your lesson today.” You’re sighing distressful, which made Ieyasu even looking more annoyed. Exasperated he avoids your gaze. “I can spare some free time tomorrow afternoon. But don’t you dare set me off again! My time’s too valuable.”

With relief you’re smiling happily. “I would never! Thank you, Ieyasu!” -- “You don’t have to thank me for that.” He’s answering stroppy, lifting his gaze again. “How is he doing?”

“He...? Oh, you mean Mitsunari?” You’re asking amazed, before a cute, joyful smile is curving your lips. “He’s doing great, lately. I’d like to believe he’d got over his personal rock bottom.” Suddenly you’re beaming a grateful smile towards Ieyasu. “Your letters helped a lot, truly.”

Regardless of Ieyasu, narrowing his eyes doubtfully, you go on: “Mitsunari showed me the first two letters and the characters are quite similar with your scrawly handwriting in some way. So I figured, that maybe you’re the unknown writer.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. And I don’t care. I don’t write letters.” Ieyasu answers brusque shooting a tetchy frown in your direction like a silent warning. But it couldn’t blur your smile nor falter the knowing look in your eyes. “You always insult Mitsunari, when he’s around you. Yet the last time you spoke with Masamune you’ve said, that it irritades you, seeing Mitsunari’s letting himself being pushed around, when he’s got such an extensive knowledge. I’d like to think, that you’re secretly admiring him.”

If Ieyasu was shooting with his glare before, now he’s definitely striking you down with his killing glance. “What are you babbling?” He blurts out, snapping a painfully irritated “Idiot.” as an extra. Without any hesitation, Ieyasu’s trudging off, his scarf fiercely wafting behind him.

“See, now I have a reason! Thank you, Ieyasu! See you, tomorrow!” You shouted cheerfully after him, whereas Ieyasu just grumpily groans, while he’s hurrying to leave the castle.

[eirist]

A Taste of Summer II

SUNKISSED

One-shot #: 5

Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.

Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.

Warning: OOC possible. One shot.

Rating: T  (Teasing… Flirting… lots and lots of teasing and flirting. Plus a hint that they probably will have an unwritten sexy time.)

Note: Last prompt for the ZoNami Week 2020 at zonamievents in Tumblr. Day 5: Tan Lines. And it only took me months to finish this collection. But it’s done so I can now start my Autumn/Fall prompts.

Summary: His grey eye met hers. And the heat behind it was unmistakable. It was hotter than the sun she loves basking under.

It vaguely registered to him how brilliantly her orange hair shone against the sun.

How it glowed so radiantly…

Vibrantly…

As fiery as her personality.

Any more thoughts running inside his head came to a standstill when her lips slanted against his to deepen their kiss, prompting him to give her more access to his mouth.

She hummed—a rather, satisfied sound—as her fingernails scratched lightly against his scalp.

Her other hand started rubbing the well-defined muscles of his chest; his own was grasping her by the nape, pushing her closer to him while his free arm all but caged her body against his as their kiss turned aggressive.

She shifted on his lap slightly, pressing herself to him as they continued their lip lock.

They were on the top of the island’s lighthouse. Nami had seen it when they docked a few days ago and figured it would be nice to get a view of the whole area from that vantage point. But she only got the time to put her plan to action today—after arm twisting him to accompany her by reminding him of his accumulated debts these past few weeks from all the stress and waiting he subjected her to. 

He wasn't all too happy to acquiesce and she already expected that. So she threw in a promise of an undisturbed nap and some booze from the Sunny's secret stash as well. 

That changed his mind and sealed the deal.

So they headed towards the old white structure after breakfast despite the irritating, non-stop whining of that stupid love cook about how his Nami-swan shouldn't be left alone with him—the idiot moss head. 

Once at the top, Zoro settled down the wide gallery deck as Nami set up her surveying tripod and telescope.

The moment she finished… she made herself at home on his lap. 

What was supposedly a 'thank you' kiss had turned into a full blown make out session. And now they are kissing each other like there's no tomorrow.

This is most likely the result of all the tiptoeing they've been doing around each other these past weeks. Ok, more like the tiptoeing HE had been doing these past weeks… because Nami already knows what she wanted and was just waiting for him to come around.

“Mmmm…” she murmured against his lips, finally managing to pull away after a little while. “At this rate, I’m not gonna finish surveying this island.” Her voice was husky, eyes a bit unfocused as she gazed at him.

“Not my fault,” Zoro drawled, stealing one last kiss on her lips before giving her a rather arrogant smirk. “I’m not the one who got comfortable in my lap.”

“It IS comfortable here,” she agreed cheekily, her hand still rubbing at his pectorals.

"I can see that."

“You complaining?”

The corners of his lips quirked up some more and he shrugged. 

Her laugh was melodious as she untangled herself from him.

He must say... he was rather disappointed. How can he easily miss the way she was wrapped around him when it was just merely seconds ago?

"You should stop distracting me Zoro," she teased as she stood up. 

"Can't help it if you can't stay focused on what you're supposed to be doing."

Nami just chortled at his response. There was that certain twinkle behind her brown eyes as she regarded him... a naughty gleam he had just recently got accustomed to seeing.

She gave him a cat-that-ate-the-canary grin before swiveling around to finally pay attention to her surveying tools.

Zoro leaned back against the metal wall, hands behind his head, ready to pass out anytime as Nami gradually gets into her zone. It’s not like he will be able to disturb her without risking an increase in his currently renewed debt. Plus, she did promise him booze and an undisturbed nap.

And damn he’s going to get 'em both.

He yawned widely as he felt himself relax at the soporific sound of the waves crashing on the rocks below. His grey eye flitted towards Nami to check on her first before he succumbed to sleep.

The swordsman silently observed her… admiring the serene look she had on her face as she scribbled and doodled on that small notebook she had remarkably pulled out somewhere from her tight, pale yellow sundress.

Her orange hair whipped wildly across her face, prompting her to tilt her head towards the wind so they will be blown back and away from her pretty face…

…and sun-kissed shoulders.

“Quit staring at me Zoro,” she suddenly said, looking back at him with a smirk. “You’re making me blush.”

He scoffed.

She snickered at his reaction and went back to charting the island.

He, on the other hand, went back to watching her.

Her brows were furrowed in what could only mean deep concentration. She chewed on her lower lip as she focused on whatever was jotted down her notebook. 

He always marveled at the discipline and effort she puts out for her beloved maps. It was almost the same as what he devotes to his training and swordsmanship.

When she’s like this… Zoro realized that he can stare at her forever.

“You’re still looking, Zoro,” her playful voice broke into his thoughts.

He blinked up at her.

Nami was eyeing him again. Though despite the mischievous grin on her lips, he can see that her cheeks were slightly flushed and he knows that it has nothing to do with the sun.

He inwardly smirked.

“I take it you like what you’re seeing?”

He returned her grin with his signature shark-like one. “And if I do? Are you going to charge me for looking?”

“Yes. That’s 200,000 belis added to your debt.”

“200,000 belis are for groping.” Zoro pointed out, cocking an eyebrow at her.

She looked genuinely surprised that he knows that. 

“How come I owe you 200,000?” He asked, frowning. “Wait, don’t tell me you put a price on earlier?! I didn't grope, you greedy onna!”

“Idiot,” Nami reached down to pinch his cheek. “That doesn’t have a price. The charge is for catching you ogling at me twice!”

“The hell? You sure are evil,” he grumbled, wrapping a hand around her wrist. A wicked smile suddenly appeared on his face and he tugged her down to him.

She easily let him pull her right back into his lap… arms automatically wrapping around his neck.            

“And that’s why you like me,” Nami joshed, beaming at him.

“Who says I do?”

She pouted. “Didn't you kiss me because you like me? Oh you wound me!”

The corner of Zoro’s lips twitched amusedly. “You’re mistaken.”

“Am I really?”

“Really.”

"That wasn’t what you said last night.”

She was right. He did say that when they finally talked about what happened in the orchard after they  sneaked out of the villa for a late night stroll along the beach and almost got caught by Robin and Franky. 

And Brook.

And Usopp.

And Sanji for crying out loud!

Why are their crew mates such night owls?

Luckily they were able to wrap things up about their relationship and managed a kiss or two before nearly encountering their still awake and about friends.

“Hello?” Nami tapped his forehead with her knuckles. “Are you still there Zoro?”

“What?” He must’ve zoned out, thinking about yesterday’s events.

“Getting lost in your own thoughts huh?”

"Shut up."

He playfully sank his teeth on one bare shoulder.

“Hey!!!" 

Zoro grinned roguishly at her and immediately planted a kiss on the spot to appease her. “Can't resist. You're being more cheeky than usual."

Nami scowled at him. "Biting will cost you another hundred thousand belis!”

"Just put it on my tab. You have my permission to cash my bounty once my debt reaches it.”

Her eyes widened. Then she sniggered. “You must like me so much that you’re actually willing to be surrendered to the marines.”

“Yeah.”

She blushed when he easily admitted it but instantly recovered her composure as she tossed her head back and laughed loudly. 

Damn! Who knows Zoro can be endearing sometimes?

Nami kissed his cheek adoringly. “I’ll hold on to that. Nothing can make a woman fall so hard than a man willing to be handed over to the marines.”

“To cash out his millions worth bounty.” Zoro added.

“To cash out his millions worth bounty.” Nami agreed with a wide smile. “I really like that part a lot.”

“Tch. Of course you do. You're a money fiend after all.”

She laughed again and childishly stuck out her tongue at him. “Priorities Zoro.” 

“Glad to know I’m one of the least.”

“Uh-huh,” she nipped him on the jaw. “Now I'm going to focus on my other priority," she gestured to her equipment. "The earlier I finish, the sooner we can head back. Robin and I planned to sunbathe while we babysit you boys. Pretty sure you all want to run amok and play before we leave this island.”

“Is that why you’re wearing a swimsuit underneath this?” Zoro inquired as his fingers played with the thin strap of her dress.

“That and you know how spontaneous our crew is. First it's a barbecue party then the next thing you know one or three of our idiot hammers’ in the sea, drowning."

“You rarely go after our hammers.”

Nami rolled her eyes exaggeratedly. “That’s because we have you and Sanji-kun for that.”

“Hnnn…” he traced the strap on her shoulder before his finger strayed off path, to run along the bikini string that was diagonally traversing her collarbone.

She shivered slightly under his touch. Something inside her immediately sparked.

“I don’t see why you still need to sunbathe,” he was saying as he hooked a finger on her strap, nudging it to the side. “You’ve already had too much sun while we’re staying here.” He touched the tan line she was sporting underneath. “Still not roasted enough?”

Nami looked indignant. “What the hell do you mean by that?!”

He chuckled, dipping his head down and kissing the still pale skin.

And she melted just like that... her annoyance instantaneously dissipating. A familiar heat crept up her entire body and she groaned. “Damn it!”

He was looking smug. Absolutely liking the way he affects her. 

This is better than he expected when he kissed at the orchard.

"Thought we're here to map and nap Nami?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. She was slowly learning that Zoro can be a tease when he wants to.

But she wasn't the kind to just let him one up her. Together or not she wouldn't let him take the upper hand.

She batted her eyelashes at him. 

"Oh," her voice took on a flirtatious tone. "Here I thought you want to see and touch more."

Apparently Zoro was thinking just the same thing. 

“Of course I do,” he played along, whispering in her ear. “How about you lose the dress? Lemme see those tan lines you worked so hard to get?”

It took all her willpower not to let her jaw drop in pure amazement.

Was he really the same person who was hesitant to make the first move? Who managed to turn his back on her while she was top naked in front of him after skinny dipping on the lake?

Who consistently refused to kiss her despite every damn opportunity they have until he cannot stop himself anymore?

She heard the low rumble of his laughter as she just stared blankly at him.

“Is this…” she managed to say after a few seconds of short circuiting. “Your not-so-subtle way of saying you want me naked?”

“I think I’ve waited long enough Nami.” He stated in that deep, lazy yet light-hearted voice that she was secretly fond of.

A delicious shiver of anticipation ran all over her body and made her skin crawl.

“And you actually want me to believe that Roronoa Zoro’s actually interested in things like tan lines and a naked girl?”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“You!” She exploded when she saw the corner of his lips twitching. Her moron swordsman was trying not to laugh. “Quit teasing me, you idiot!” She bopped him on the head lightly as he finally laugh out loud.

She glared at him as he continued laughing at her expense.

This is going to be one hell of an interesting relationship.

With a vexed-sounding huff, she scooted away from his lap to stand up, giving his leg a nice, good kick.

Zoro caught her by the ankle. Still grinning up at her, he said, “Just go back to your mapping Nami, I still want my nap.”

“Damn right you still do! By all means kindly please pass out now!”  

“And booze.”

“I will drown you later in favorite sake!”

He threw her a cocky smirk as his thumb rubbed circles on the inside of her ankle. “The sooner you finished the better. We can continue where we left off back at the villa.”

Nami raised an eyebrow at him. “Where we… left off?”

His grey eye met hers. And the heat behind it was unmistakable. It was hotter than the sun she loves basking under to get tanned.

“You actually thought I was just teasing you?”

[fifteenleads]

the fun they had

AO3 | FFNet

Week after week of arson, murder, and jaywalking, and the Port Mafia as a collective would hardly blink at it all. It comes with the territory, one that they have proudly staked their claim on since their humble beginnings.

All that changed when Kajii was put in charge of the kids— sort of.

No one was available, Mori had reasoned. Hirotsu, their usual go-to person for this, is out on a mission. Ace was too busy torturing his subordinates. Kouyou was simply gone, for some reason. There's another guy's name at the tip of his tongue who he's heard is also good with kids, but he tends to not remember insignificant scrubs as much.

Everyone else, including the infamous Double Black themselves, were the kids in question.

So naturally, the role fell to Kajii, resident mad scientist extraordinaire, to keep them in line and prevent them from wrecking havoc on the headquarters, just like that one time that just makes everyone shudder in fright— yes, the kids themselves included.

It's gonna be a cinch, Kajii had reassured him before swiftly leaving with a flourish, but as the afternoon slowly (veeery slooowly) went by, Mori isn't so sure anymore.

There are shrieks from the other room— this alarms him, as said "other room" is located in a whole other building on the other end of the compound, and it's supposed to be soundproof. No explosions, though.

So Mori bides his time a little longer with some more paperwork. Ango had sent him quite a comprehensive report, as usual, despite being a double agent himself. He does his job very well for a traitor. A good thing, really— probably no one else would have noticed such well-crafted deceit, even from up close.

An hour passes by in a flash, and Mori finally decides to drop by the daycare and check on the kids. Part of him hoped Kajii had just put them all to sleep for the afternoon, because he'd really rather not deal with the damage and the costs this will incur. Maybe putting all of them in a single room like this wasn't a good idea, after all.

Just as he is about to knock, there is another round of shrieks, followed by enthusiastic howls of admiration. Mori could pick out Dazai's voice from the muffled cacophony of questions that follow, and suddenly he already has an idea of what's going on.

"— Just you wait, I'll call Ane-san and prove you wrong, you shitty—" Chuuya's last words die on his tongue as he literally bumps into Mori on the way out. Everyone else, too, stops cold at their Boss' presence, and it takes a few, tense moments before everyone immediately stands in attention. The serious expressions they now all wear contrast horribly with the very much colorful powders and pastes and paints haphazardly smeared all over their arms and clothes, and the sight makes Mori want to laugh, if Kajii hadn't done that first just now.

"Hello there, Boss," he greets with much aplomb, pocketing back the white menthol dragee he had almost dropped into the bottle of soda on the demonstration table. No lemons around, thankfully, but the three crudely-made lava lamps on the low students' armchairs were definitely shaped like them. Sneaky, Mori thinks.

"... I see everyone's having a good time," he observes casually as he saunters in, making sure to avoid all the clutter as he tiptoes his way to Kajii's area. The kids could only watch in mute horror at the beatdown about to happen any minute.

A sniffle— probably Q, who is immediately smothered by Dazai, who seems mildly disappointed at the interruption. An audible gulp from Chuuya. Higuchi awkwardly sucking on a lollipop. Both Akutagawas are not much worse for wear, despite the elder brother's growling at the cotton candy all over his hair. Kyouka is the same as always, although the large, white bib covering her red kimono is also splayed with the telltale rainbow hues of a scientific carnage rated 'G' for 'Gentle'.

Interesting. Maybe he should get Kajii to cover for Hirotsu more often. Mori doesn't want to take Oda away from his kids more than he already does. (Also, he does remember Oda— he just pretends he doesn't, for both their sakes.)

"But of course, Boss!" Kajii beams at him. "I've got everything under—"

Just then, everyone else and their brother storms into the daycare room, with Hirotsu, Ace and Kouyou leading the fray, with guns, swords and cards akimbo. "Forgive us for arriving late! There was an alarm just now, and—"

Oh, right. He might have pressed a button before leaving his office, Mori recalls with an imperceptible shrug. Doesn't matter.

"... control." The tail-end of Kajii's statement comes out in a weak, disappointed mumble instead, and he eyes all the intruders with much more sour vitriol than his usual. "What did you all think I'd do, juggle dynamites or something? Even the great Kajii Motojirou wouldn't do something wasteful and stupid as that."

"Says the one who dumped all the condiments into the soup just the other day at lunch 'for science'," Dazai deadpans, which is met with a collective "shush" and a glare from Kajii.

"All that aside, though," Higuchi says after taking the lollipop out (an asymmetric-shaped rainbow-colored one, as with everything else in the room), "it was a great afternoon. Senpai and I had a great time." She looks as if she were about to pull the elder Akutagawa close to her, but the younger one remains overly protective as ever.

"We never had this on the streets before," Chuuya concurs with an emphatic nod. "Thanks for today, Kajii."

The subsequent murmurs of appreciation that come forth from his tired, dirty students makes Kajii tear up in earnest— almost, that is. Probably holding out while the Boss and the rest of the party poopers are here. Mori takes this as his cue to leave, signaling everyone else but the kids to follow him with a snap of his fingers.

There is a muffled sniffle of joy from inside the daycare room as the door is quietly shut behind them.

"What is the meaning of all this, Boss?" Kouyou ventures to ask. Mori does not miss the small, purple bruise she thinks she is hiding well under her robes, but he doesn't comment on it. Hirotsu and Ace, too, exchange glances, but do not add to the question.

"Nothing much," Mori addresses everyone at large, just to dismiss the small talk. "Let the kids have their fun for now. Things will be even harder for them, from here on. You all know this."

And the Port Mafia, as a collective, agree on that.

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 986 - Initial Thoughts

That’s some good juice there, though I still have some reservations Chapter 986 has its translations at last and it’s time to see what made the editor cry

Spoilers for Chapter 986, Support the Official Release

Dang they did Pound dirty like that, he finally reunites with his family and they are just put into such an overload that they bounce in disbelief

We begin with Kin’emon and Denjiro strangely having done a full rotation around Onigashima to meet up with the other Scabbards, I guess only half of their unit raided each side of the dome

Kanjuro’s limp body lay as nostalgia gets the better of the Scabbards, though I still am not sure I believe it, why show the cut hand? If he is dead (his paintings did disappear) then I’m fine with that too, it’s just dead bodies don’t tend to “POF” when being walked past...okay so maybe the week has gotten to me, turns out Kin dropped his hat over Kanjuro’s head, still reserve that he may not be dead yet

Izo here though to lift spirits, saying you’ve survived worse though...The Payback War leads to questions but that is a red flag

Back to Kaido’s ultimatum though, it’s unsurprising that Orochi’s men would join Kaido, they weren’t really one for respecting the Kurozumi, though the Oniwaban and Mimawari do seem to have doubts, interesting too was how Kaido acknowledged and respected if the Samurai refused to join him

Hyou however is about to throw fisticuffs over this dishonour, it does make me wonder though, could I really fault Orochi’s forces for choosing to live under a strong banner than die for an honor code you could still personally live by?

Things are not looking good for Nami and Carrot, who have been collected by Big Mom’s new homies and probably gonna be used as bait, I would have to guess that someone steps in for them, Sanji is the obvious choice but how’s about Robin, or Brook! He can Soul King those Homies away and he and Franky have been AWOL for months

Meanwhile Shinobu becomes accounted for as she charges in to rescue Momo

The Kozuki heir himself is given a lifeboat by Kaido though, his growing disappointment in Momo reaching a point where he doesn’t even want him to be Oden’s son, so he gives him the chance to leave that shadow, In a way it’s the same ultimatum as Orochi’s forces: dishonour your culture to live, or die

Yamato is getting kept up to speed too, now they know that Oden’s bloodline lives on and so do his retainers. I wonder if it changes them in any way, they wanted to ‘be Oden’ partly to achieve Oden’s will because they thought nobody else was left

The cuffs actually come off at last, seems that Luffy still needs to focus a little to use his Goken Armament, but at least we won’t faff about with that. It’s strange that Yamato as strong as they’re implied was so surprised by it too

News of Luffy and Yamato’s presence though has begun a convergence, Ulti and Who’s Who pictured (wonder where Drake, Maria and Pay-Pay are), Usopp and Chopper are now going in to save Momo from what looks like the storage room, Chopper seems to imply they’re around the numbers so that means God Usopp’s gotta slay some giants

We get a Supernova shot as well; Law be sneakin’, Kid looks a bit bloodied but having fun and Zoro is still not trying to exert himself. Only ones missing are Killer, Drake, Apoo and Hawkins for it to be all the Wano Supernovas (unless Bege somehow ends up in Wano from the cover story)

Thinking of Luffy and his parents, Momo refuses Kaido’s life boat, declaring himself to the world and finally cementing his goal, he wants to be Shogun, and he basically does it the same way Luffy does his Pirate King speech

Kaido did not like that though, and the crowd laugh at his ‘foolishness’, but as a blow is about to be made Yamato’s cuffs blow up! Kaido really wasn’t kidding

So of course, as any child would if they discovered that their parent had legitimately imprisoned them with explosive cuffs, Yamato denounces Kaido as their father. Though they are really choked up about it, the last panel of their hand is weird too

Luffy with the nicknames, Yama-o. I dunno if it’s some joke, Yama is a god of death but that’s as far as my knowledge goes XD turns out it’s just the same a Tora-o, so it’s Yama-guy. Luffy respecting them pronouns even though I’m not certain if Yamato still identifies as he, would be an SBS one for clarification

Luffy does that badass bait and switch ‘the raid has started, but not for us!’ - From the Back come the scabbards as Jack is given a blast from the past

Izo quickly disarming King was surprising, Neko disarming Kaido was even more

Mid Brag though Kaido sees it, the image of Oden before he was last cut, he still tells his men to be ready but he’s off the balcony already thanks to Kin and Denjiro’s lunge

Sunacci In Fucking Deed!

A big chapter of course, we are officially starting the raid now But it is still very crowded, and we haven’t even seen Brook and Franky, let alone Caribou, Apoo, Jimbei, Robin, Sanji, Hiyori, Drake, Marco, Perospero or Killer in this chapter. Straight off the bat I am still unsure if Orochi or Kanjuro are dead, I feel there may be more to it, but maybe the Nine Scabbards prophecy by Toki wasn’t for Orochi but for Kaido, and it is he who will know the brilliance of the dawn? This chapter mainly belonged to the Scabbards and Momo, the latter finally gaining his courage in the face of death. The Luffy and Yamato stuff was a bit simple, I am still not on Team Yamato for Nakama and Luffy getting their name wrong feels like it could be a hint (I can’t remember, has Luffy every gotten the name of a future crewmate wrong?) but who knows at this point Usopp and Chopper have Numbers to deal with, Law, Kid and Zoro are walkabouts, Nami and Carrot are captured, Sanji nowhere to be Stealth Black’d, it’s not even by the slightest bit evenly matched given that two Yonko are here. And while I expect Shinobu to make it to Momo, I don’t expect Kaido to be killed by the Scabbards like that.

But alas, I did not cry at this, maybe there’s some hindsight required or maybe the editor is a bit soft, we had a similar thing with a My Hero Academia chapter which while tense was not tears level for me. Ah well, good chapter all the same.

Oh, and mercifully no break, colour page incoming as well, time for Oda to wack us out again with unusual colour schemes