Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Kaya faced Kon, their expressions were a mix of shock, awe, and confusion.
The Black Cat Pirates, leaderless and terrified, cowered behind, their weapons dropped.
Kon rubbed his stomach, grinning sheepishly after his sudden declaration of hunger, oblivious to the tension around him.
Luffy broke the silence, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "What was that? Why were your eyes glowing, Kon? You made fire—that's so cool! Why didn't you tell us you can use fire like you do air?"
'He's like a walking fireball!' Luffy thought, bouncing on his toes. 'My vice-captain is awesome! Maybe he can shoot lasers too and he has not told me about it.'
Kon's cheeks turned red, and he scratched the back of his head under his straw hat, laughing nervously.
"That was what I call Pre-Very Mad and Angry Kon State. It's what others call the prelude to my Avatar State. When I get like that, my eyes start glowing white with Chi, and when I hit Very Mad and Angry Kon State, my head glows too!"
He mimicked his head lighting up, puffing out his cheeks and waving his hands dramatically. "It's like, whoosh, super bright! Makes me look like a lantern!"
'Hope they think it's cool,' he thought, grinning wider to hide his embarrassment. 'I didn't mean to scare 'em. Not that I have any control in that state.'
Zoro opened his mouth to ask what Chi was, his brow furrowed. 'Chi? I wonder what's that,' he thought, but Nami cut him off before he could ask it, "So you weren't even in this 'Avatar State'? That was just the part before it, and you burned a man to ashes? Why would you do that?"
'He's dangerous,' she thought in fear, 'What if he loses it again?'
Kon's grin faded, and he rubbed his neck, looking down. "I'm not in control of my emotions in that state. In Very Mad and Angry Kon State, I don't even remember what I do."
He paused, his voice quieter. "There were two times I went full Avatar, and a few times my eyes glowed like that. I don't remember those full-on times at all."
'It's kinda scary,' he thought, his stomach twisting. 'What if I hurt someone I didn't mean to and I don't even remember it? But Chief Iroh said that every Avatar has to deal with it. The records of previous Avatar in the library said to be in control of yourself. Stupid old people, how am I supposed to be in control when the Avatar state makes me lose control?'
Nami's eyes widened, her voice rising. "And how do you get out of it?"
'If he can't control it, we're all in trouble,' she thought, stepping back.
Kon's face turned redder, and he laughed awkwardly. "My mom went into her own Very Very Mad State and slapped me back to normal. Goku learned the trick from her. For some reason, no one else can do it."
He mimicked a slap, making a loud "whack" sound with his mouth, then chuckled. "Mom's slaps are legendary! Goku's are pretty good too, though!"
'Goku's smack hurt, but it worked to get me back to normal. Why was I so angry anyways?' he thought, patting the monkey, who chirped proudly.
Zoro's jaw tightened, his thoughts racing. 'So he thinks his mom and the monkey have the same pull in his head?' he thought, raising an eyebrow. 'Wonder how his mom would take that.'
He glanced at Kon, who was grinning like he hadn't just killed a man. 'He has no regret at all. Kuro deserved it, but this kid's got some serious power and resolve. Says he's an Avatar—what's that really mean? Not some symbol, that's for sure. I'll have to figure it out. Luffy is an idiot and doesn't seem to care. So I would have to do it myself. Though, Kon is too innocent to be this dangerous,' he thought.
Kaya stepped forward, her face pale but resolute, and bowed deeply to Kon. "Thank you, mister, for saving my life!"
'Klahadore… Kuro… he was going to kill me,' she thought, her heart heavy with betrayal but gratitude for Kon. 'He deserved it, but it's still sad.'
Kon blinked, rubbing his neck. "No problem!"
'She's nice,' he thought, smiling. 'Glad I helped.'
The Black Cat Pirates, still cowering, turned to Jango, their voices desperate. "Hey, Jango, what're you doing with them?! Put 'em to sleep so we can escape!"
'We're done for without Kuro. Jango is our only hope,' one thought, clutching his dropped sword.
Jango shook his head, his heart-shaped glasses glinting. "Sorry, people, but this little guy opened my eyes. I'm joining their crew to follow my passion as a dancer."
He pointed to Goku, who chirped and mimicked a moonwalk. Jango's chest was warm with admiration. 'He forgave me, danced with me—reminded me why I loved moving. No more dirty work for me.'
Luffy grinned, slapping Jango's back. "Wow, Goku, you got us a dancer! Cool! Welcome to the crew. I'm the captain, Monkey D. Luffy."
'A dancer's gonna make our ship fun,' he thought, already picturing Jango spinning on deck. 'Goku's the best recruiter!'
The Black Cat Pirates shuffled toward their ship, ready to flee, but Kon's voice stopped them cold. "Wait!" He grinned, his eyes gleaming.
"Swim from the island. Leave your ship behind. When I came here, I saw your ship—it's big and perfect for our crew."
'It's got room for sweets and a circus room for Buggy!' he thought, bouncing on his toes.
Luffy's grin matched Kon's, and his rubbery arm stretched, wrapping around Kon in a tight hug. "Now we have a ship for free!! Hahaha. You're the best vice-captain, Kon."
----Author Notes------
Thankyou Shay Cormac, Vitatie, Scott DePaepe, Bigbowser, Connor Behan and Over Lord for supporting me!
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