Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
━─────── Despite knowing it was all in jest, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates felt their eyebrows twitch in irritation, the humor tinged with a hint of disbelief.
Thatch smirked, crossing his arms with an air of confidence that only he could muster. "Well, I wouldn't want to look like a beauty when I'm so manly." He threw back his head, laughter dancing in his eyes.
Ace and the others snickered at Thatch's audacious comeback, the sound a mixture of admiration and amusement. Izo merely smiled "sweetly," his expression innocent but eyes twinkling with mischief.
"You said that, but I found some make-ups in your room," Izo teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
A chorus of "ohhh" and playful whistles erupted from the crew, their laughter mingling with the salty breeze, adding to the camaraderie that hung thick in the air.
Thatch frowned, a dust of pink creeping over his cheeks, making him look uncharacteristically flustered. "That's not mine! It's from that chick I slept with!" he protested, though his voice lacked conviction, the playful glint in his eyes betraying his embarrassment.
"Yeah, sure it is," Izo replied, covering his mouth with his fan, struggling to contain his laughter. The tension eased, replaced by a light-hearted atmosphere that enveloped the crew.
Marco watched the exchange with a knowing smile, the corners of his lips lifting in amusement. He knew exactly where the makeup had come from; it wasn't from any 'chick' Thatch had slept with. It was a generous gift from a shop owner, convinced that Thatch's rugged charm and good looks were perfect for someone who looks like they had a girlfriend. The thought made Marco chuckle quietly to himself.
Besides, sleeping with a girl aboard was strictly forbidden on Whitebeard's ship.
Why, you ask?
It was simple: the ship was a sanctuary for pirates, raised under the noble ideals of Whitebeard, who believed that a civilians's presence might disrupt the harmony of his rowdy crew. While he trusted his sons with their lives, the idea of a civilian girl on board, exposed to the dangers of the sea and the notorious reputation of their crew, was a burden he couldn't bear.
Usopp stood up, his eyes bright with realization, and a broad smile spread across his face. "There's nothing we can do! We have Chopper and Franky's bodies, so their souls can return to the right places... but Sanji took your body to search for the samurai!" The sniper gestured animatedly at Sanji-or rather, Nami, his voice ringing with excitement. "Your soul was left behind, so you had to go into Sanji's body."
"Yeah, and the Ero-cook had to involve us with his problems," Zoro suddenly said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He could still picture Nami, fierce and unwavering, threatening him with her signature glare, demanding he help Sanji. He leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, recalling the moment when he felt like a reluctant bodyguard, ensuring that Sanji and Brook──those two perverts──wouldn't dare lay a hand on her.
Sanji's eyes flashed with irritation as he glared at Zoro, but before he could unleash a retort, a pair of hands sprouted from his back, covering his mouth with a surprising force. The sudden intrusion left him momentarily stunned, a muffled protest escaping into the warm air around them.
The crew's attention shifted to Robin, who sat calmly, seemingly detached from the chaos. Her focus was entirely on the mirror, her expression enigmatic as she traced the contours of her reflection. It was as if the world around her faded, leaving only her quiet intensity.
With a resigned sigh, Sanji opted for silence, knowing well that it was what his beloved Robin-san preferred. However, he couldn't resist throwing a sharp glare at Zoro, who met his gaze with a smug smirk that said he relished every moment of Sanji's frustration.
Meanwhile, Nami, now possessing Sanji's body, sauntered closer to Law, her hands playfully resting on her chest. "Can't you do anything? Come on!" she urged, her tone a mix of playful impatience and underlying determination.
The mirror suddenly blurred, the surface rippling like water disturbed by a sudden splash. A sound like zing crackled through the air, sharp and electric, before Law's serious face emerged, his brow furrowed as he appeared to be engaged in a conversation with someone unseen.
"Wait, it skips! The mirror just skipped the scene!" Usopp exclaimed, his voice rising in alarm as he pointed at the undulating glass, eyes wide with disbelief.
Milly, who had been a quiet observer, decided to speak. "It's normal. The orb is broken, after all," it stated nonchalantly, its tone matter-of-fact, as if it were discussing the weather.
"But how come the other two that we watched before didn't skip or glitch like this?" Nami shot back, her hands on her hips, the irritation in her voice evident.
Milly let out an exaggerated "oh..." before letting out a sound of chuckle. "Would you like to re-watch it so I could make it glitch?"
"Definitely not!" Nami yelled, her voice echoing with frustration, causing the demon to chuckle, a light sound that contrasted sharply with the tension in the air.
"Are you willing to stay here alone?" Law asked, his gaze fixed intently on the person he was addressing, a hint of curiosity dancing in his eyes.
Everyone leaned in, wondering who it was, and then Luffy's face appeared in the mirror, his expression unusually serious. "I'm not gonna leave my friend behind," he declared with unwavering conviction. "If that's what Nami and Chopper want, I want it, too."
His words hung in the air, causing Law to falter, the Surgeon momentarily taken aback. Silence enveloped the group as they processed Luffy's determination, a sense of unity swelling within them. The Straw Hats grinned, their spirits lifted, knowing how their Captain had always been there to support them, a steadfast pillar in their chaotic lives.
"Mugi-chan..." Bon Clay mumbled to himself, a wave of nostalgia washing over him as he recalled the moment he first sacrificed for Luffy's sake. Luffy's selflessness had ignited something within him, a desire to reciprocate the unwavering bravery he had witnessed.
Suddenly, Luffy's face broke into a radiant smile, the kind that could light up the darkest of seas. "And Sanji wants to stick the samurai's body together!" he exclaimed, his grin widening as he pointed at Law. "You gotta help us if you wanna team up with us!"
Law's expression morphed into one of confusion and shock, as if he couldn't quite process the absurdity of Luffy's words. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered chaos that even he couldn't comprehend.
Haruta blinked, glancing up at Thatch with wide eyes. "Is that how it works?" he asked, his innocence palpable, breaking the tension that had enveloped the group.
Thatch smiled awkwardly, his brow furrowing as he pondered. "I don't know, but... I'm pretty sure the answer's a no."
Ace sighed, a hint of amusement creeping into his expression, while Sabo chuckled lightly, finding his younger brother's antics endlessly entertaining. Luffy's one-track mind reminded him of a child, unburdened by the weight of the world, blissfully ignorant of the complexities surrounding them.
Seeing Law's incredulous expression, Usopp slapped his forehead in dismay. "I thought so. You have no idea what's going on," he muttered before waving his hands dismissively. "You think an alliance is... a cooperative relationship just for some common goal, don't you?"
"Of course, I do," Law replied, his voice dripping with disbelief, as he stared at Usopp with narrowed eyes, questioning the absurdity of the situation unfolding before him.
"Well, isn't that how alliances work?" Vista chimed in, his tone curious, yet tinged with amusement.
Ace smiled knowingly, a light gleam in his eyes. "Who knows?"
His answer was accompanied by a knowing smile, a flicker of understanding passing between him and Sabo. He had watched over his younger brother for years, recognizing how Luffy remained unchanged, untouched by the tragic events that had marred their past.
But as Ace contemplated, the weight of reality crashed down on him, and his smile faltered. Right, he had died. The thought was like a stone in his chest, and despite his best efforts to push it aside, he couldn't shake it. He wondered how Luffy had coped after his death, how his younger brother had navigated the unbearable pain of loss.
Did he have someone by his side?
Ace didn't know. After all, Luffy had come to Marineford without his crew, but the boy had managed to gather dangerous allies──individuals who had once been his enemies, yet chose to stand by him.
Perhaps... I'll be able to find out here, Ace thought, his gaze narrowing as he focused intently on the mirror, the glimmering surface reflecting not just their present but the threads of fate weaving them together in a tapestry of chaos and camaraderie.
─────── · ·End of Chapter 31· · ─────── ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ Follow for more stories and update announcements✧˖°.