**Chapter 69 – Welcome to Whiskey Peak, (Cute no Jutsu), Midnight UNO and Mr. 5's Bad Day
[A/N: I very much enjoy this type of chapters I hope you all can enjoyed too]
**Sunny's POV**
I smiled, hand gripping the railing tight, eyes glinting in the dying sunset like I was daring the horizon to throw the first punch. Cute, mysterious, utterly trustworthy—yeah, that's what they all say, but with the loves of my life scattered across the deck, laughing and bickering like the world's most chaotic family, I felt ready for whatever bullshit came next. The Going Merry bobbed gently into Whiskey Peak's harbor, the cactus-shaped mountains looming like nature's bad acid trip, and the air thick with that too-perfect welcome—cheers, flowers, the whole nine yards. But my gut twisted; nothing this sweet ever stayed that way.
As we neared the port, I let Observation Haki flare up instinctively—tendrils of awareness stretching out like invisible fingers, probing the crowd for the usual red flags: killing intent, hidden blades, that sharp tang of hostility. Expected a wall of it, given the anime about this place being a Baroque Works trap. Reality? Pure, unfiltered excitement slamming back at me—fluttering hearts, giddy pulses, zero bloodlust. It was overwhelming, like diving headfirst into a sea of estrogen. Women in the crowd—young, old, every flavor—radiating this fan-girl energy that hit me like a tidal wave. I sneezed hard, rubbing my nose. "Fuck, too much estrogen in the air. What the hell is this, a convention?"
[System]: Her voice purred in my head, proud as a cat with a fresh kill. "Full emotional data collected for passive skill: Cute no Jutsu. You're welcome, darling ♡."
{Ego}: "Wait, is this a harem buff or a public-safety hazard? Because if you weaponize that puppy-dog face of yours, we're talking mass hysteria."
I blinked, shaking my head like I could dislodge them. "What the actual hell is 'Cute no Jutsu'?"
[System]: That sweet yandere lilt crept in, velvet wrapped around a blade. "A love-based charm technique derived from your natural charisma and weaponized adorableness. I made it just for you, Sunny ♡. Think of it as an upgrade—your smiles now hit like Cupid's arrows, but deadlier."
{Ego}: "Translation: she coded brainwashing into your dimples. Congrats, you're officially a rom-com villain."
I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose as the ship bumped against the dock. Curiosity won out; I mentally flicked open the unused System Interface tab—glowing HUD bullshit only I could see—and there they were: absurd stats staring back like a bad video game. > *'Cuteness – S-Rank (Fatal)'* > 'Talk no Jutsu Variant: Active'. "You two are gonna be the death of me. System, did you seriously hack reality for this?"
[System]: Giggling like she'd just won the lottery. "I only modified it a little. People just… love you more now. Can't blame them—look at you, all brooding and handsome under that sunset."
{Ego}: "He's a walking K-Pop concert, that's what. Next up: fan clubs and merch. 'Sunny's Smirk' plushies, anyone?"
"Hard pass on all of that," I muttered, but a reluctant grin tugged at my lips. The crew was already piling off the Merry—Lucy leading the charge as our fiery captain, her straw hat tilted jauntily, Nami and Nojiko flanking her with maps and smirks, Aqua floating dramatically like she owned the sky. Vivi and Mr. 9 trailed behind, still half-tied for show, with Karoo the duck waddling at Vivi's heels, quacking indignantly at the ropes. And there, waiting on the dock like a bad actor in a play, was Igaram—Mr. 8, the so-called mayor, with his ridiculous curly hair and fake-ass smile, arms wide in welcome. Baroque Works through and through, but my Haki picked up no immediate threat. Just more of that giddy energy.
The instant our boots hit the wooden planks, the crowd exploded—cheers roaring like a stadium, women squealing, kids waving handmade banners that said shit like "Welcome, Cutest Pirates Ever!" and "Marry Me, Sunny!" Flowers rained down, petals sticking to my cloak, and musicians kicked off a jaunty tune that sounded suspiciously like a One Piece filler episode soundtrack. Every female in sight surged forward, phones out (wait, do they even have those here? Fuck it, plot hole), begging for selfies, autographs, even locks of my hair. The men? Glared from the sidelines, arms crossed, looking like they'd just lost a bet.
Lucy became an accidental celeb overnight—her bounty poster apparently listed her as "Captain of the Cutest Pirate Alive," which had the crowd chanting her name. She signed autographs with flair, scribbling on kids' arms and fans' shirts. "Write 'To My Future Wife'? Ma'am, there's a line behind you—keep it PG!" One overzealous grandma shoved forward, planting a wet kiss on Lucy's cheek; Lucy laughed, hugging her back. "You're all wild! Aqua, get in here—photobomb this shit!"
Aqua obliged, popping into every picture with sparkles manifesting from her divine aura—water droplets turning into glitter mid-air. "Smile for the goddess! Make it snappy, mortals—I charge by the sparkle." But her eyes kept flicking to me, possessive, loving. God, I loved her back—her chaos, her fire. She caught my gaze once, winking, and I felt that spark, mutual as hell.
Nojiko and Nami turned into my accidental bodyguards, fending off the bolder fans with sassy quips and gentle shoves. Aqua joined in, hissing at one particularly grabby woman: "Back off, peasant! His cuteness is sacred property—mine, Nami's, Nojiko's, Lucy's. Touch him and I'll drown you in holy water!" Nami dragged her away by the ear, rolling her eyes but laughing. "Aqua, chill—you're scaring the kids. Sunny can handle his own fan club." Nojiko nodded, linking her arm with mine protectively, her touch warm, romantic. "Yeah, but we like reminding them who's got dibs." I pulled her closer, kissing her temple—sweet, real, the kind of love that grounded me amid the madness.
Sanji? Poor bastard was in heartbreak city. Women ignored his flirty bows, eyes glued to me instead. "Even the grandmas prefer Sunny! There is no God—only betrayal!" He dropped to his knees dramatically, cigarette dangling, while Usopp patted his back. "There, there. I trained Sunny's smile technique myself—want lessons?" Sanji swatted him away, but Usopp doubled down, spinning tales to a group of kids: "Yeah, I taught him everything! One smile from Sunny can melt steel beams!" Nami smacked him with her staff mid-sentence. "Liar! Get back to the ship before you embarrass us more."
Zoro tried to nap under a massive cactus statue, swords propped like a makeshift pillow, but locals mistook him for some shrine guardian—piling gifts at his feet: fruits, flowers, even a bottle of sake. He cracked one eye, grumbling. "The hell is this? I'm not a damn altar." A kid bowed deeply. "Mister Sword God, bless our town!" Zoro sighed, snatching the sake. "Fine, whatever. Blessings or some shit."
Igaram weaseled his way through the crowd, that fake mayor grin plastered on—curly hair bouncing like a bad wig. "Welcome, welcome to Whiskey Peak! I am Igaram, humble leader of this fine town. Pirates like you are our honored guests!" His Haki vibe was all deception, but layered under excitement—no kill intent yet. Vivi, still playing undercover beside Mr. 9, shot him a subtle glance, her face paling. Karoo quacked nervously at her feet, pecking at the ropes like he knew the jig was up. I caught Vivi's eye, winking—cute, reassuring—and she blushed, that royal poise cracking just a bit. Damn, Cute no Jutsu was working overtime.
The party kicked off in earnest—genuine celebration blending with whatever Baroque Works script they were running. Tables groaned under food: roasted meats, fresh fruits, barrels of whiskey flowing like rivers. Music swelled, awkward dancing breaking out under string lights. Sunny chaos at its finest. I danced with the girls—first Nami, her hands in mine, spinning her under the stars with that flirty laugh I loved. Then Nojiko, slow and close, her head on my shoulder. Aqua cut in, dramatic as hell, summoning water ribbons to twirl around us. Lucy jumped on my back mid-song, yelling "Captain's turn!" We all loved each other—mutual, deep, the kind that made the world feel right.
But under it all, my Haki hummed: something too perfect, that underlying Baroque Works manipulation vibe. No malice yet, just scripted joy. Cute no Jutsu kept things friendly—women blushing, men backing off without fights.
[System]: "You could use your cuteness offensively, darling. Shall I enable 'Charm Radius'? Make the whole island swoon ♡?"
{Ego}: "Yeah, charm the tectonic plates while you're at it. Turn the Grand Line into a rom-com set."
"Hard pass," I muttered, sipping whiskey. Mini-comedies erupted everywhere: Aqua vs. Lucy in a drinking contest—Aqua cheating by bending water into her cup, turning booze into endless refills. "Divine intervention!" she crowed. Lucy slammed her mug down. "Cheater! Rematch—no goddess bullshit!" Mr. 9 and Vivi danced awkwardly nearby, Mr. 9 stepping on her toes while Igaram watched from the sidelines, sweating bullets. Sanji sobbed into his drink, ignored again. Usopp's storytelling earned him honorary town-bard status—until a kid yelled, "Hey, that's from my comic book!" Usopp bolted, crowd chasing him with laughs. Karoo waddled through, stealing snacks, quacking triumphantly.
As sunset bled into twilight, party lights flickering under a golden sky, I slipped away to a quiet spot—Haki brushing the crowd again. Still peaceful, but too damn peaceful. Like a scripted play waiting for act two.
[System]: "Would you like me to scan for anomalies, my love? I can tweak reality just a touch ♡."
I sighed, smiling faintly at my reflection in a wine glass—cute, mysterious, with that ominous edge. "Not yet. Let them have this moment. The everyone deserve a breather."
The night stretched on, laughter echoing, but I knew—trouble was brewing, cute or not.
A few hours later, the "harmless" party had turned into a full-blown pirate sleepover: confetti cannons still popping, half the town snoring under tables, and an alarming number of empty whiskey barrels rolling around like tumbleweeds. I leaned against a cactus-shaped bar, arms crossed, watching the chaos wind down. The black-market chatter had been spot-on: Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine were en route, probably Crocodile's opening salvo. I dropped the info bomb like it was just another drink order.
"By the way," I said casually, loud enough for the crew to hear over the dying music, "Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine are inbound. Baroque Works grunts. Explosive boogers and umbrella floaty bitch. Crocodile's probably testing us."
Immediate panic—Usopp shrieked and dove behind Karoo, who quacked in protest and pecked his ass. Vivi's face went pale; Igaram started sweating bullets, his curly wig slipping. Mr. 9 struck a heroic pose that lasted exactly two seconds before he tripped over his own cape. Lucy's eyes lit up like fireworks. "Finally! I get to test my new transformation—"
But Nami cut her off with a smirk, already shuffling a deck of UNO cards she'd swiped from a passed-out bartender. "Hold the murder, Captain. We do this democratic: UNO tournament. Winner gets first dibs on the agents. Loser buys breakfast for a week."
The panic devolved into pure, glorious idiocy.
Aqua conjured floating water-cards that hovered mid-air like holographic bullshit. "Divine UNO! I call blue—because I'm a goddess and blue is my color!" Lucy accused her of cheating on sight. "You're literally making the cards out of water, you cheater! That's a +2 just for existing!"
Zoro and Sanji turned it into a blood feud. Sanji slapped down a red +4 with vicious glee. "Take that, moss-head! Feel the burn of love rejected!" Zoro countered with a green skip, muttering, "Unromantic cook. Your food's the only thing worth skipping for." The table literally caught fire when Sanji's cigarette ash landed on a wild card—Usopp doused it with a bucket, soaking everyone. Nami won the first three rounds by pure strategy, then quit to run bets on the side. "Place your beri, folks—Zoro's got the muscle, but Sanji's got the spite!"
I spectated from the sidelines, feet kicked up, munching on tangerine slices Nojiko peeled for me—her fingers brushing mine every time, that soft smile saying everything without words. God, I loved her. Loved all of them. Aqua kept photobombing the game with water-sparkles; Lucy sulked when she lost early, pouting until I ruffled her hair. "Next time, Captain. Promise."
[System] live-commentated like a sports announcer on steroids: "And there goes Sanji with the +4! Pure spite—classic cook aggression. Zoro counters with a reverse—oh, the tension! Morale: 100/10 ♡."
{Ego}: "We're one musical number away from a circus. Add confetti cannons and we've got a Broadway flop."
Finals: Zoro vs. Sanji. Cards flew like shuriken. Tie after tie—until both played their last wild card simultaneously. Lucy declared double-winners. "You both get the grunts. I wanted the spotlight, dammit!" She crossed her arms, hat tilted low, but I pulled her into a side-hug—warm, loving. "You'll sparkle soon enough, babe."
Then—**BOOM.** The night sky lit up like the Fourth of July on crack. Outside the tavern, a massive explosion rocked the street. Mr. 5 strutted in like he owned the place, flicking a glowing booger between his fingers. "Bomb-Bomb Fruit, bitches. Time to blow." Miss Valentine floated down beside him, umbrella twirling, smirking. "And I'll crush you under my kilo-kilo charm~."
Townfolk scattered—screams, overturned tables, Karoo sprinting in circles quacking like a siren. Igaram dove behind a barrel, yelling, "Protect the princess!" Vivi facepalmed. Music cut dead.
I yawned, stretching. "Right on time. Ladies first? Nah, Zoro—Sanji—go nuts."
Zoro unsheathed his swords with a metallic *shing*, grinning like a wolf. Sanji cracked his knuckles, cigarette glowing. "Finally, something worth kicking."
[System] purred: "Their Observation Haki is stable. My training paid off ♡. Look at them dodge intent like pros."
{Ego}: "Yeah, yeah, you're basically a pushy coach app with a crush."
Battle choreography exploded—literal and figurative. Sanji sensed the booger-bomb's trajectory, dodging with a spinning kick that sent air pressure slicing back. "Diable Jambe—feel the heat, you snot-nosed freak!" The explosion painted the night in fireworks; Aqua accidentally added water jets "for effect," turning blasts into steamy geysers. "Oops~ Divine special effects!"
Zoro slashed Miss Valentine mid-float, muttering, "Unromantic altitude. Get down here." She yelped, umbrella spinning wildly as she plummeted—only to balloon up to 1000 kilos and crash through a roof. Dust plumed. Lucy cheered from the sidelines like a wrestling fan, fists pumping. "Get 'em, boys! Make it pretty!" Vivi and Mr. 9 hid behind barrels; Karoo pecked at Mr. 5's shoelaces in distraction, quacking triumphantly when the agent tripped.
Comic interruptions everywhere: Usopp tried "helping" with his new slingshot—fired a star that ricocheted and bonked Zoro on the head. "Ow—what the hell, long-nose?!" Nami yelled about collateral. "That's coming out of your pay, Usopp! My bets!" Nojiko joined the fray, hurling tangerine peels like shuriken—"Take this, floaty bitch!"—one hitting Miss Valentine square in the eye. She shrieked, weight fluctuating wildly.
Amid the chaos, my Haki pinged—someone watching, calm as a shadow. Robin, perched on a rooftop, arms crossed, that unreadable smile. I Space Crunched up beside her in a blink, landing silent.
"You've been watching a while," I said, voice low.
She didn't flinch, just tilted her head—small, intrigued smile. "Observation Haki… impressive. Most men don't notice me until it's too late."
[System] whispered, jealous venom dripping: "Don't flirt with her, Sunny. Or I'll sprout hands and yeet her into the harbor ♡."
{Ego}: "He's literally talking, not proposing—chill, you digital yandere."
I chuckled, eyes glinting back at the fight below. "Stick around, archeologist. The real fun's just starting." Snap—back to ground level.
Resolution hit like a combo finisher. Zoro and Sanji double-teamed: Sanji's flaming kick launched Mr. 5 skyward; Zoro's slash carved an air blade that sent him crashing into a cactus statue—boom, self-explosion. Miss Valentine tried one last kilo-crush; Aqua finally nailed sea-stone chains after three goofy attempts (first two tangled her own feet). "Divine craftsmanship, thank you!" Chains wrapped the agents upside-down from a lamppost.
Lucy hopped onto my back, arms around my neck. "Good job, useless goddess."
Aqua huffed. "Excuse you, that was art!"
[System]: "Mission success ♡ Villains subdued. Cute factor +12% from all the blushing townsfolk."
{Ego}: "Add another 5% for comedic value. We're at circus levels."
The crew stood over the dangling captives; town lights flickered back on, confused cheers rising. I stretched, grinning at my girls—Nami smirking, Nojiko winking, Aqua blowing kisses, Lucy clinging tight. "Well, that's one way to end a party."
Nami leaned into me, romantic as hell. "And people say pirates don't clean up after themselves."
Zoro and Sanji resumed arguing—who did more damage, whose kick was hotter. Lucy pouted. "Next time, I get to fight."
I laughed, turning toward the glowing horizon, her weight warm on my back. "Next time," I promised, "we'll make it prettier."
[System]: "And bloodier, if anyone flirts again ♡."
{Ego}: "Roll credits before she short-circuits."