White Clouds, Green Land
The sea was calm as Heaven's Embrace glided toward the sprawling green of Long Ring Long Land. Sunlight bounced off the clouds, and the crew was in high spirits — mostly because Vegito had announced "Picnic Day."
Blankets were spread across the grass, baskets of food were unloaded, and Sora was already fussing over Kaya's hydration while Nojiko scolded Chopper for trying to eat the dessert first.
Kuina and Tashigi, both swords at their sides, eyed the wide open space with the same thought.
"You want to spar?" Kuina asked.
Tashigi pushed her glasses up. "You'll lose."
Bell-mère smirked. "And here we go."
The Tail's Reach
Vegito stepped in, tail lazily swaying. "Mind if I join? Been a while since I stretched my legs… and tail."
The "spar" turned into a full-blown spectacle — Kuina darting forward with precise, lightning-fast strikes, Tashigi moving in perfect counter rhythm, and Vegito not even using his hands.
He blocked every slash with his tail, flicked pebbles at their swords to throw them off, and — at one point — balanced both women on his tail just to prove he could.
By the time Kuina finally landed a glancing blow, the whole crew was watching, some cheering, some laughing, some shaking their heads.
The Foxy Entrance
A booming, theatrical laugh cut across the field.
"FAFAFAFAFAFA! Such spirited competition! Perfect for a DAVY BACK FIGHT!"
Everyone turned to see a gaudy pink-and-purple ship gliding into the bay. At its prow, Captain Foxy struck a pose — chin high, chest puffed, and his ridiculous afro shining in the sunlight.
Vegito blinked. "Is that… a pompadour and an afro?"
"IT'S A FOXTRO!" Foxy announced proudly.
Bell-mère muttered, "That's not a thing."
The Challenge
Foxy leapt down with a flourish. "You! Spiky-haired mystery man! I challenge your crew to a three-round Davy Back Fight! Loser surrenders crew members to the victor!"
The crew immediately turned to Vegito.
Nami: "Don't."Kuina: "Don't."Bell-mère: "Do it."
Vegito grinned. "We accept."
Foxy's grin widened. "You're a brave fool."
"No," Vegito said. "You're just not ready."
Round One – Donut Race
The Donut Race was simple: row through a ring course faster than your opponents. Foxy's crew got into their oars with smug confidence.
Heaven's Embrace didn't even use oars.
The ship's side runes flared, and it glided over the water like a skater on glass. No wake, no splash — just silent, effortless speed.
By the time Foxy's boat reached the first checkpoint, Vegito was lounging on the beach at the finish line, sipping juice.
"That's one," Vegito said, tail curling lazily.
Round Two – Groggy Ring
Foxy's Groggy Monsters strutted into the ring — huge, scarred, and full of bravado. Zala, Mikita, and Raki stepped forward from Vegito's side.
"This hardly seems fair," one Groggy Monster sneered.
"You're right," Zala said. "For you."
What followed was a clinic in speed and coordination. Raki dismantled one opponent with fluid spearwork, Mikita used her umbrella as a bludgeon (and occasionally a trampoline), and Zala's kicks cracked the ground beneath them.
The crowd roared. Two rounds down.
Round Three – The Captain's Duel
For the final match, Foxy insisted on facing Vegito himself. The rules were simple: first one out of the ring loses.
The match lasted three minutes. Not because Vegito couldn't end it instantly, but because he used every second to narrate Foxy's moves aloud.
"Here comes the left hook — slow.""Now the knee — slower.""Ah, the famous Foxy Side Shuffle — still slow."
By the time Vegito tapped him lightly on the forehead and sent him flying into the bay, Foxy was red-faced and sputtering with rage.
The Prize
With all three rounds won, Foxy had to hand over a crew member or treasure. Vegito surprised everyone by pointing at a small, ornate chest on the deck of Foxy's ship.
Inside lay the Noro Noro no Mi — the Slow-Slow Fruit.
Vegito tossed it to Mikita.
She caught it, eyes widening. "You're giving me a Devil Fruit?"
"It'll make you faster by making everyone else slower," Vegito said. "Perfect fit."
Mikita's grin was downright wicked.
Celebration… Interrupted
The crew returned to their picnic spot, spirits high. Mikita tested her new powers by slowing a falling apple so Nami could casually pluck it from the air.
Then the temperature dropped.
A shadow fell over the clearing. A tall man in a long blue coat stepped into view, hands in his pockets, bicycle propped against a tree.
Robin froze. "…Aokiji."
Vegito stood slowly, tail curling. "Admiral, huh? Guess playtime's over."
[Crew Roster Updated]
Vegito (Captain)
Bell-mère (Crew Mother / Fighter)
Nami (Navigator)
Nojiko (Support Fighter)
Kaya (Doctor – Heal-Heal Fruit User)
Kuina (Swordswoman)
Reiju (Combat Medic / Poison Specialist)
Nico Robin (Archaeologist / Poneglyph Reader)
Vivi (Princess of Alabasta)
Zala (Miss Doublefinger – Martial Artist)
Mikita (Miss Valentine – Aerial Combat, Slow-Slow Fruit)
Next Destination: Chapter 16 — Vegito vs. Aokiji, and the world's first serious taste of just how far above an admiral he really is.