**Chapter 67 — "The Whale That Waited"**
**Sunny's POV**
The ocean was being a dramatic bitch today, honey—waves slamming into the Going Merry like they had a personal grudge, each crash sending sprays of saltwater that stung like little slaps. The wind howled through the rigging, carrying that thick, electric tension that screamed "welcome to the Grand Line, assholes." I leaned against the railing, eyes half-lidded, letting the mist cool my face while the ship bucked and rolled under my feet. The wood creaked in protest, sails snapping like whips, and the horizon was a blurry mess of gray sky bleeding into darker gray sea.
"You know," I muttered to no one in particular, voice low enough to cut through the roar, "for a sea that's supposed to be this impossible hellhole, it's sure putting on a show. Like it's auditioning for 'most over-the-top entrance' or some shit."
Aqua's laugh pierced the storm from the deck behind me—high-pitched, smug, and annoyingly infectious. "Stop acting all cool and brooding, Sunny! You're not fooling anyone with that 'mysterious' vibe. Want some orange juice? Sanji whipped up a fresh batch, extra pulpy just how I like it!"
I turned, raising an eyebrow at the sight of her. There she was, lounging in this ridiculous floating chair she'd conjured out of pure water—bobbing gently above the deck like she was on a goddamn spa day instead of sailing through what felt like the apocalypse's wet dream. Her hair was perfect, not a strand out of place, and she was sipping her juice through a curly straw, legs crossed all elegant and shit. The storm raged around her, but not a drop dared touch that divine skin of hers.
"You do realize we're in the middle of a fucking hurricane, right?" I shot back, smirking despite myself. The ship pitched hard to starboard, and I had to brace against the rail to keep from sliding.
"Pfft. Storms? They don't touch a goddess like me!" she declared, chest puffing out in that way that always made her look like she was posing for a statue. Right on cue, a lightning bolt cracked across the sky behind her—jagged and furious—only to freeze midair, bending away like it suddenly remembered it had somewhere else to be. The thunder grumbled in defeat, and Aqua just sipped her juice with this triumphant grin. "See? Even the weather knows who's boss."
{Ego}: "Can confirm. The elements fear stupidity on a cosmic level."
"Excuse me!?" Aqua shouted, whipping her head toward the sky like she could deck my inner monologue if she glared hard enough. "Who asked you, you disembodied smartass?!"
[System]: "Oh, don't mind him, Aqua dear~" Her voice slithered into my head like warm honey with a razor edge. "I'll make sure Sunny doesn't ignore you for too long. After all…" —her tone dipped into that possessive sweetness that always sent a shiver down my spine— "I don't like it when other girls take too much of his time. Gets me all… territorial."
"System," I warned under my breath, keeping my voice steady as the ship crested another wave. "Don't start that shit right now. We've got enough chaos out here without you two turning my skull into a battlefield."
[System]: "Start? Oh, darling, I never stopped. I'm always watching, always waiting… for you~"
Yeah, that's my life in a nutshell—my own thoughts bickering like a dysfunctional couple while the world tries to drown us. Fucking fantastic.
The crew was scattered across the deck, each handling the storm in their own way. Zoro was up in the crow's nest, swords drawn like he was daring the lightning to strike him—probably napping through half of it, the lazy bastard. Sanji was in the galley, chain-smoking and yelling about how the waves were ruining his mise en place, but still somehow managing to whip up those orange juices without spilling a drop. Usopp was tied to the mast (his own idea, the dramatic fuck), screaming about sea monsters every time the ship dipped. Nami and Nojiko were at the helm, barking orders and adjusting sails with that seamless sisterly sync that always impressed me—Nami's sharp commands cutting through the wind, Nojiko's steady hands keeping us on course. Lucy was right there with them, her laughter wild and free, gripping the wheel like she was born for this shit. And Merry? The ship herself was holding strong, her figurehead almost seeming to grin defiantly at the storm.
As we powered up the insane upward current of Reverse Mountain—the water roaring like a beast, pulling us higher and higher—my Observation Haki kicked in hard. It was like a sixth sense on steroids, picking up every heartbeat, every flicker of intent in a radius that stretched farther than most people could imagine. Two faint pulses ahead—frantic, desperate, laced with exhaustion.
"Hmm…" I muttered, narrowing my eyes against the spray. "Vivi… and Mr. 9? What the hell are they doing out here?"
Before Nami could even glance my way and ask what I was mumbling about, I snapped my fingers. Space Crunch—my little trick for folding reality like a napkin. In a blink, a prepped rope trap I'd set up earlier (because why not be prepared for random assholes?) activated, and poof—two soggy figures materialized on the deck, bound tight and flopping like fish.
Mr. 9 hit the wood face-first with a muffled scream, his ridiculous crown hat squishing under him. Vivi landed a bit more gracefully, but her eyes were wide as saucers, blue hair plastered to her face.
Nami gawked, nearly losing her grip on the wheel. "Sunny! What the fuck—you could've warned us before teleporting strangers onto the ship! We're in the middle of a goddamn ascent!"
I shrugged, leaning back against the rail with a lazy grin. "Surprise guests keep life exciting, babe. Besides, they're not total strangers—Baroque Works agents, right? Vivi and her clown sidekick."
Vivi blinked up at me, stunned, struggling against the ropes. "H-how did you know? Who are you people?!"
"Observation Haki, black market whispers, and a dash of intuition," I said smoothly, even though half of it was plot armor bullshit. I crouched down, tilting her chin up with a finger—flirty, but real. "Name's Sunny. Unofficial babysitter of this madhouse. You two look like you could use a dry towel and some answers."
{Ego}: "You mean, 'the author fed you spoilers.' Smooth."
"…Shut up," I whispered through gritted teeth, hoping no one heard.
The crew swarmed in—Zoro dropping down from the nest with a grunt, Sanji emerging with a tray of hot towels (how the hell he managed that in a storm, I'll never know), and the girls crowding around with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Lucy prodded Mr. 9 with her foot. "This one's got a weird vibe. What's with the number on his face?"
Before we could dive into a full interrogation—because nothing says 'welcome aboard' like tying up spies—the ship lurched violently. Lucy shouted from the bow, her voice cutting through the wind like a knife. "Uh, Sunny? You might wanna see this! Like, now!"
I bolted forward, the others trailing behind, and holy shit—the sea ahead was bulging, swelling like a goddamn volcano about to erupt. Something massive rose from the depths, water cascading off its slick, barnacle-crusted hide in waterfalls that could drown a village. It was a whale—a giant fucking whale, bigger than any Marine fortress I'd ever seen. Its shadow swallowed the Merry whole, turning the stormy day into twilight. One massive eye gleamed down at us like a harvest moon, ancient and weary.
Everyone lost their shit.
"Sunny, do something!" Nami shouted, grabbing my arm tight—her nails digging in, but I didn't mind the spark of contact.
"Yeah!" Usopp wailed from his mast perch, already halfway to fainting. "It's gonna eat us! We're whale chow!"
Aqua floated up beside me, her water chair dissolving as she hovered dramatically. "Ooh, a big fishy! Think it wants to play?"
I crossed my arms, playing it cool even as the whale's mouth yawned open like the gates of hell—rows of teeth the size of trees glinting in the dim light. "Nah, I don't have to do a damn thing. Let's just accept fate. Free meal for a whale—sounds poetic."
"WHAT?!" The crew yelled in perfect unison, their faces a hilarious mix of horror and betrayal.
I smirked, but before I could drop the punchline and calm their asses down, the world tilted. The whale's maw engulfed us—darkness swallowing the ship whole, the roar of water echoing like thunder in a cave.
---
**Inside the Whale – The Acid Trip Begins**
We splashed down hard into what felt like an indoor sea—warm, sloshing water that smelled faintly of salt and regret. The Going Merry bobbed unsteadily, her sails drooping like she'd just woken up from a bad nap. Around us, the 'sky' was a fleshy ceiling, veined and pulsing faintly, and ahead stretched a massive metal wall dotted with doors and hatches, like some steampunk mad scientist's lair.
"Okay," Zoro grunted, shaking water from his swords and looking more annoyed than scared. "I've been in a lot of weird situations—hell, I once woke up in a barrel floating down a river—but this? This takes the goddamn cake."
[A/N: Yeah, he's been to my house too somehow. Don't ask.]
Aqua floated beside me, completely dry and pristine, striking a pose like she owned the place. "See? I told you whales love me! This big boy probably sensed my divine aura and invited us in for tea."
"Yeah," I muttered, wiping seawater from my face with a grin, "you do have that whale-level energy—loud, unstoppable, and full of hot air."
"HEY!" she yelped, splashing a harmless wave at me that I dodged effortlessly. Her cheeks puffed out in that adorable pout that always made me want to ruffle her hair… or something more.
{Ego}: "That's a rare burn where you weren't exaggerating. She's got the ego of a blue whale and the usefulness of a goldfish."
Sanji was already lighting a cigarette, somehow keeping the flame steady in the humid air, while Lucy pressed her face against the metal wall, cupping her hands around her mouth. "HELLOOOO! ANYONE HOME IN THERE!? WE COME IN PEACE—KIND OF!"
A loud *clank* echoed back, followed by grinding gears. A door slid open with a hiss, and out stepped this old man—pink hair tied in a ponytail, round glasses perched on a weathered face, wearing a striped shirt and looking like he'd seen too many sunrises. Crocus, the lighthouse keeper turned whale-sitter.
"Oh great," Aqua whispered, leaning into my side—her body warm against mine, that subtle press that always sent a little thrill. "Another weirdo to add to the collection. This ship's turning into a circus."
The 'interrogation' devolved into chaos quick. Crocus eyed us like we were pests, shouting about intruders. Usopp fired a cannonball in panic (aimed at nothing, thank fuck), which bounced harmlessly off the whale's innards. Aqua retaliated with her "water art"—summoning a mini-tsunami that soaked everyone but her and Crocus, who dodged with surprising agility for an old guy. Lucy, in the confusion, punched the wrong wall—denting the metal and yelping as her knuckles smarted. Zoro just laughed, swords out but not swinging. Sanji offered the old man a cigarette mid-shout, because priorities.
Finally, after the dust (or water) settled, Crocus sighed, adjusting his glasses. "Alright, you lot. Sit down before you flood the place. This whale's name is Laboon. He's been waiting here for fifty years—banging his head against the Red Line, hoping for a crew that promised to come back."
The air got heavy, the humor draining out like the water around our ankles. Even Aqua's smug grin faded, her eyes softening in a way that made her look almost… human.
"Fifty years…" she murmured, slipping her hand into mine—squeezing gently, that romantic spark amid the weirdness. "That's even older than Sunny's ego."
{Ego}: "Impossible. My magnificence transcends time, space, and bad jokes."
Crocus launched into the full story then, his voice gravelly but steady, painting a picture that hit harder than any storm. "Laboon was just a calf when he met them—the Rumbar Pirates. A lively bunch, led by a captain named Yorki. They sailed the seas together, Laboon following their ship like a loyal pup. Music filled the air—Yorki's violin, the crew's songs. Laboon loved it, danced in the waves to their tunes. But the Grand Line… it's a cruel mistress. Halfway through, Told Laboon to wait at the entrance, at Reverse Mountain. 'We'll circle the world and come back for you,' he promised. Gave Laboon a tone dial with their favorite song, 'Binks' Sake.' But… they never made it. The crew perished in a battle with rival pirates. Laboon's been here ever since, waiting. Bashing his head against the mountain, scarring himself raw, refusing to believe they're gone."
The words hung there, thick and sorrowful. I stepped closer to the massive interior wall, my hand pressing against the fleshy surface. Through my Observation Haki, I felt it all—Laboon's pain, a deep, echoing ache of loneliness, hope clinging like barnacles despite the years. It twisted something in my chest, raw and real.
"Laboon…" I whispered, voice cracking just a bit. "You're still holding out for them, huh? Fifty fucking years of waiting. That's… that's some loyalty."
The dam broke then. Tears welled up unbidden—hot, stinging—and before I could swipe them away, the girls noticed. Aqua was first, her eyes widening. "Sunny? Are you… crying?"
"Shut up," I muttered, but it was too late. Nami and Nojiko exchanged glances, smirks blooming. Lucy's face lit up like she'd won the lottery.
"Oh my god, he is!" Lucy squealed, rushing over. "You look so cute when you cry! Like a puppy with big sad eyes!"
"What? No, I—" But they swarmed me. Aqua pulled me into a hug first, her arms wrapping tight, pressing my face right into her chest—soft, warm, and smelling like fresh rain. "Aqua, what the hell—"
"Shh, let us comfort you, darling," she cooed, but there was that flirty edge, her fingers tangling in my hair.
Nami piled on next, sliding in from the side, her body flush against mine. "Yeah, Sunny, you big softie. Who knew the tough guy had a heart?" Her boobs smooshed against my arm, and fuck, it was distracting as hell.
Nojiko joined the fray, laughing softly as she hugged from the other side. "Admit it—you're adorable like this. Makes me wanna squeeze you forever." More softness, more warmth—my face buried in a sea of curves.
Lucy dove in last, giggling maniacally. "Group hug! But mostly boob smother!" She pressed in, and suddenly I was trapped in this chaotic, romantic pile—tears forgotten amid the laughter and the overwhelming… assets.
Even Merry got in on it—her spirit shimmering faintly, manifesting just enough to add a ghostly hug, her starry form draping over us. "Sunny… you're warm even when sad," she whispered shyly.
I mumbled into the chaos, voice muffled. "You're all suffocating me… but in a good way? Get off before I pass out from cuteness overload."
The crew burst out laughing—Zoro rolling his eyes but smirking, Sanji jealous as hell but too polite to say shit,[System] snapping a mental picture for blackmail. Crocus just chuckled. "Kids these days."
Finally extricating myself—face flushed, but grinning—I cracked my knuckles. "Alright, enough of that sappy shit. Laboon's hurting. Let's fix him."
[System]: "Fufufu~ another patient for my darling doctor? Just don't overdo it. I like you in one piece, not scattered across the ocean like confetti."
"Relax," I said with a wink toward the air, knowing she'd hear. "I'm just giving a friend a tune-up."
---
**Healing the Whale – The Grand Fix-Up**
I focused, channeling my power—Air Crunch, compressing the atmosphere beneath my feet into a solid Haki platform. It shimmered into existence, blue and stable, lifting me up like an invisible elevator. The crew watched in awe as I glided along Laboon's massive body, the wind from his breaths ruffling my hair.
Up close, the damage was heartbreaking—scars crisscrossing his hide like a roadmap of pain, cracks from years of headbutting the Red Line, old wounds festering under the surface. I extended my Observation Haki, scanning every inch: the fractured bones, the bruised organs, the sheer exhaustion etched into his cells.
"Knocking Technique: Full Restoration," I murmured, hands glowing with concentrated energy. Starting at his head, I pressed palms to his skin—tapping in rhythmic patterns, ancient medical combat fused with my raw power. Each knock sent ripples of healing through him, knitting flesh, mending bone, easing the ache.
Laboon groaned—a deep, rumbling sound that shook the entire interior like an earthquake. The crew braced, but it wasn't pain; it was relief, like a sigh from the depths.
I worked methodically, gliding around his body on my Haki platform—tapping along his flanks, his fins, even diving underwater to reach his underbelly. Hours blurred, sweat beading on my brow, but the transformation was magic: scars fading, cracks sealing, vitality surging back.
Finally, I pulled out a massive slab of Sea King meat I'd stashed in my spatial storage—a pitch-black hunk the size of a small boat, rich with nutrients. "Here, big guy—protein boost." I hurled it into his maw; he swallowed it whole, energy flooding his system.
One last round of knocks—intense, focused—and it was done. I patted his head gently, feeling the gratitude pulse through my Haki. "Laboon, you're as good as new now."
He let out a joyful bellow, the walls vibrating with what felt like laughter.
---
**The Promise – And the Aftermath**
Aqua and Lucy climbed up beside me on makeshift water platforms (Aqua's doing), their faces serious for once.
"Hey, big guy," Lucy said, patting his hide. "If we find your friends first, we'll drag their asses back here ourselves. Promise."
"Yeah," Aqua added, puffing her chest but with real warmth. "And if we can't… we'll adopt you when we come back 3 year later! Then you can be our giant pet whale—follow us around, eat bad guys for breakfast!"
Laboon's eye twinkled, and he rumbled a laugh that nearly capsized the Merry. The crew erupted in cheers—Zoro grinning, Sanji clapping, everyone caught in the moment.
"You're all idiots," Nami sighed, but her smile was soft, eyes on me with that romantic glint.
"Idiots maybe," I replied, pulling her close for a quick kiss—salty and sweet. "But the best kind."
We climbed back to the deck, the storm outside cleared to golden sun. Merry creaked happily, almost giggling. Vivi and Mr. 9 were still tied up, glaring daggers.
"So," I stretched, feeling the romance in the air—the girls stealing glances, Aqua winking. "Guests for now. Let's enjoy the calm before the next shitstorm."
Aqua threw her arms up. "To adventure!"
Usopp screamed as the wind kicked up, ship lurching forward. "Not again!"
The horizon called, full of promise and peril.