Surmounting Grand Fall, clearing Hannibal, ships barreled toward the goal in frenzy.
Battles had quieted since the frenzy; the Merry hung back from the lead pack, dodging danger, plotting a late surge near the end.
Smoother sailing now. Even mid-race, faces brightened—timid Nami and Usopp puffed with spirit.
Fiercer clashes loomed, but cannon echoes stayed distant. Crew exhaled, tension easing.
"Alright, real test ahead. Prep now."
"Food before next scrap? What're you craving?"
"Meat~!"
"Always that, huh?"
Luffy's yell met Sanji's wry grin as he headed below, cooking routine.
Idyllic interlude, race be damned. Gentle waves, stunning views.
Crew gawked at beauty, shoulders loose—back to normal voyages.
One face soured: guest Shuraiya. Amid the blissed-out bunch, he alone stewed, cornering Nami.
"Oi, Gasperde update? Told you—eyes on him."
"Fine. Distance lets us counter anything; Michelle confirmed mileage. Stick to my route, first place locked."
"Not what I meant..."
"Still griping?"
"You're underestimating him. Hope he doesn't flip the script."
Hat low, muttering—Shuraiya clammed up. Vague, sure. No hard intel? Nami dropped it. If he knew Gasperde's scheme, fine; he seemed as clueless.
No point arguing. Priorities: Nami stepped up sans Kir, barking orders.
"Damage check, rooms. Stowaways from the chaos? Handle 'em."
"You skipping?"
"Yeah. Scary."
"That's your reason? I'm spooked too."
"Man up, Captain Usopp."
"Damn, plays me when it suits..."
Grumbles aside, crew mobilized; Nami held deck. They divvied spots, vanishing below.
"Zoro, baths. I'll hit the girls' room."
"Tch."
Silk's nudge; Zoro trudged to the unit bath—tub-toilet combo. No bathers now; deck scan confirmed no users. Casual door push.
No damage. Out quick.
But turning—prickle.
Zoro wheeled, scowl deepening. Empty tub ahead.
Hand drifted to hilt.
Killer intent. Presence.
One hidey-hole. Eyes locked.
"Wrong ship to crash. Pick foes wiser."
Too late, he added, addressing shadows. Realization dawned; before Zoro lunged, a figure vaulted from the tub.
Split-second: dual pistols.
Zoro drew swift, flicking weapons aside in fluid motion.
Right blade parried; left hand clamped throat, slamming wall.
Done.
Shock hit then.
Dim light: pinned prey—a scrawny kid.
Grimy rags, helpless.
"Urk—cough...!"
"Kid—?!"
Trained or not, feather-light in one grip.
Tiny hands clawed futilely—no give. Stuck.
Zoro blanked, released. Kid thudded back to tub.
Hacking slump, immobile.
"You..."
Mutter drew a fierce glare.
Guts fine, moves amateur. Rags screamed no pirate.
Even so, Zoro wasn't child-slaying scum. Whiskey Peak ambush? Flat of blade for kid and lady accomplice.
Sheathed silent. Grabbed scruff, hauled kicking.
Captain's call—solo calls wrecked crews. Duty-bound thinker.
Deck return with kid: gasps inevitable.
＊
All crammed in Merry's lounge.
Sanji cooked adjacent; eyes fixed on the kid—Anaguma—huddled cornered, glaring bloodshot.
"Kid-handling brute. Can't go easier?"
"Had to. No injuries—merciful."
"Zoro meaaan."
"Lowest, beating kids~"
"You bastards...!"
Nami's opener cracked ice; chatter swelled. Luffy, Usopp goofed; Zoro flustered but steely-eyed, unbowed.
Calm teetered toward taut.
Anaguma? Zero ease. Curled tight, eyes pure venom.
Rough past screamed from the vibe.
Silk, Vivi, Igaram fretted; Nami probed, pistol on table—interrogation vibe.
"Fair play. Waving this? Deserved worse. Spill: what'd you plan? Sneak on a pirate ship armed? Beg for death."
Scolding edge, but firm; Anaguma's scowl hardened, hostility unyielding.
Sigh; Nami pressed.
"Goal? Who sent you?"
Fists balled white.
Pity stirred; Vivi interjected.
"Nami-san, kid looks rough. Warm meal first—"
"To kill you...!"
"Huh?"
"Kill you for bounty cash! That's why here!"
Determined yell, panting, shoulders squared.
Eyes trusted none—bare blade sharp. Childish? Gone. Vivi's gaze saddened, studying.
Backstory heavy. But defiance on enemy turf? Trouble.
Nami hardened. "Cash. Blunt, clear. Other ships around—why ours?"
"'Cause you're the Straw Hats, world-shakers! Kid or not, who doesn't know—"
"Dunno you. Looked weakest."
"Ohhh, gotcha. Punchline time."
"Dahaha!"
"Don't laugh! I'm serious!"
Usopp's quip sparked Luffy's guffaw; Anaguma fumed harder, mocked.
Nami rolled eyes; Vivi worried. Luffy, bored till now, stepped up.
Stood, no chair. Few paces near, space kept.
Grinning wide—misfit cheer.
Vivi scanned: crew matched—Usopp's clowning thaw, Nami's stern mask, Zoro's crossed arms silence, Sanji's cooking smile, Silk's fret. Even her.
Subtle shift: unnamed warmth. Luffy its pinnacle.
Hands on hips, bold: "Pirates get hunted—norm. Motive? Whatever. Dead set on me?"
"O-Obviously!"
"Prove it. Here—use this."
Scooped pistol, tossed.
Anaguma fumbled catch, clutched two-handed.
Nami gaped—returning the gun?!
"Luffy, sure?"
"No sweat."
"Sigh... Don't let him aim our way."
"Gotcha."
Smile earnest, rare steel.
To Anaguma: "My head? 30 mil Berry. Go on."
"Th-thirty mil? That's..."
"But one-on-one. Anytime."
No guard, no fists. Anaguma, clueless to his tricks, swallowed hook.
Kill him: jackpot. Meds covered, surplus.
Gripped firm, arms slow-raised.
Hands quaked.
Overgripped? Tremors endless.
Pathetic sight.
Knew it—willed stop. Body rebelled.
Panic swelled, sweat beaded.
Room's weight crushed, palpable.
Luffy's gaze unwavering.
"Half-assed resolve? Ditch it. That's no bluff toy."
"M-Mock me?!"
Bait snapped.
"Raaagh!!"
Tremors peaked unseen; trigger yanked.
Bang. Bullet flew true—gut hit?
Anaguma paled worse, face twisting, frozen.
Blink: awe.
Luffy rebated the shot—rubber gut flung it back double-speed, whizzing past Anaguma, punching lounge wall outward.
Screamless rigormortis; pistol clattered loose.
Luffy's gotcha grin. Usopp's headsmack from rear.
"Shishishi—see? Bounces."
"Oi, don't scar the Merry."
"Wh-what the—?!"
Words pierced fog.
Anaguma's wail echoed, quake unending. Seconds: realization.
"D-Devil Fruit...?"
"Yup. Know 'em? Mystic berries granting demon powers. Our captain? Gomu Gomu no Mi—rubber man."
"Rubber... human?"
"Weirder than it sounds. Watch—stretches like this."
Nami's cue: Luffy yanked cheeks elastic, grotesque stretch.
Legs buckled; terror surged late.
No-win from jump.
Surrender? Anaguma squatted, head bowed, tone defiant—no flight. Ready to die. Noble? Or foolhardy—Nami's brow furrowed.
"Kill me... Just do it! Got resolve! No begging now—hurry!"
"Nice guts. But you're cheapening life, kid."
"Don't preach, pirate! Whatever. No hope, living's pointless. I'm waste breathing."
Resigned, shut to rebuttal.
Nami's lips thinned. Abrupt stand, straddled couch over Zoro—straddled, he arched, eyes shut, deadpan.
"Zoro—sword borrow."
"...Don't straddle."
Snagged Wado Ichimonji from wall-rack, advanced on Anaguma.
Vivi gawked; blade drawn before her.
"Don't wiseass. Fine—your way."
"Ch-Nami-san?!"
"Easy, Nami—calm."
"Back off!"
Vivi, Silk lunged to halt; Nami barreled on. Fury-twisted, blade high, shrugged off their cling, roared.
"Hate this most! Chance to live? Fight for it! Suffering? Claw through anyway—that's resolve! Don't play enlightened, you smug quitter!"
"Nami-san, he's a kid! Calm—"
"I'll slice that soft thinking~!"
"C-Calm down?! Nami-san!"
Anaguma scrambled back, terror-pale. Not just fear—Nami's barbs rattled, confusion mounting.
Eyes panicked, words failed.
Agony enough.
No rescue here.
Vivi, Silk strained alone.
Luffy, Usopp? Tea-sipping casuals. Igaram twisted face, held. Zoro slouched mute. Sanji plated finale. Karoo squawked chaos. Shuraiya? Wall-leaned, arms crossed, downcast—veiled.
Women-only fray; bizarre bubble.
Silk's worry mixed unease. Vivi, frantic, appealed: "Everyone—stop her!"
"Food's up. Nami-san, ease off."
"Food~!"
"Hungry~!"
"Guys! This okay?!"
Riot ignored; Sanji served, Luffy-Usopp beamed pure. Vivi's fluster peaked.
Emotion crest: Anaguma bolted for door.
Clipped Shuraiya's foot, tumbled deckward.
Panting escape, stair-slip—tumble. Nose-crunch fail; tears welled pain.
Rolled still, slow rise.
Knees hit deck: vista stunned.
Ship outbound—adrift. No place anywhere.
Trapped, rootless: what now? Denied even death? Comprehension layered shock.
What resolve? Why come?
Sought salvation—naught gained, no retreat. Why here?
Why born?
Why not died then?
Tears spilled.
Force fled; void cloaked, emptiness seeped.
Hand to deck: broke.
"Uh... fu... ug..."
Bit back sobs—leaks anyway.
Crawled to stair-edge, curled knee-hug.
Face buried: silent.
Weather flipped—clouds choked sky, snow fell.
"Whoa, snow? Nice vibe till now. Grand Line's nuts."
Casual voice; Anaguma crouched unresponsive.
Sanji neared.
Plated dishes before knee-clutch; stair-sat, lit cigarette. Then spoke.
"Eat first. Empty gut brews bad thoughts."
Smoke trail, sky-gaze. Overcast, but snow-dusted charm—no ruin. Flakes muffled, serene hush.
Last snow? Fleeting thought.
Anaguma statue-still, untouched—cooling fast.
Sanji murmured soft.
"Nami-san—that sword-swinging beauty? Don't hold grudge. Snapped, see. Heavy past: pirates killed her folks. Treated like tool by 'em till lately. Eight years of hell, she said."
To oblivious-or-not Anaguma: gentle timbre.
Cig smoke; mind wandered absent crew.
"Ship's missing some now—rough histories too. Didn't pry, but others similar."
Recig, faint smile—true.
"Choosing life? Brutal grind. Hate-it levels. Suicidal thoughts? Fair game."
Turned to her.
Knees tight—listening, bet.
Belief fueled calm query.
"But push through—tomorrow gleams, no?"
Kid-grin flash.
Unseen, but offered.
"Eh, brat-talk flies over? Anyway—eat. Cools."
Flicker: Anaguma stirred.
Face shifted—hid expression, but eyes lifted slight.
Pause; Sanji waited, ear cocked.
Yield: question.
"You too...?"
"Hm?"
"You... ever wanna die?"
"Yeah... Kid days, maybe. Gnashed teeth, clawed on—now? Whatever. Fun with 'em."
Grip tightened on cloth.
Stirred something. Vague fine. Trifle spark? Enough.
Slow hand rose: soup bowl.
No spoon—two-handed to lips.
No rush—good.
Sanji shrugged grin, nudged.
Steam lingered; chill drop—perfect timing.
Hook set: Anaguma yielded.
"Soup first. Slow go."
Tremble hesitant. Then tilt—sipped steady.
Gulp-gulp; starved throat worked. No pause—drained clean, bowl down empty.
Sanji lids-low, caught clink.
Next plate: spoon-scooped fried rice, golden.
Bite—crunch. Balanced salt sang on tongue. Best ever.
Tears plopped fat.
Irrelevant; Anaguma shoveled on.
Averted from sobbing kid, skyward gaze.
Snow silent-piled; bite-chill, hush deeper—sound-swallowed.
Clatter cut: utensils.
Poor dine-weather, but tear-veil ideal.
"Dam' good...!"
"Fuckin' right?"
Gotcha beam.
Sob-ignored; Sanji lingered.
Vivi, Usopp—Luffy trailed—peeked covert.
No cuddle, but kindness variant. Touched by tears and Sanji's grace, Vivi swelled unseen.
Usopp? Frowed doubt.
"Why's Sanji so soft? Girl? Sure—but why here?"
"Doesn't matter. Sanji's kind—always."
"You don't know him. Dumps devil on guys. No kid-soft spot."
"Really? I thought sweet."
Rear: rip-snap—meat tear.
Tiny, but near-duo caught crisp.
Turn: Luffy, cheek-bulging chew, grinned odd-joy.
--------------------------
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