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A calm breeze flew through the deck of the Sunny. A beautiful clear blue sky, a nice warm heat coming off the grassy flooring as the crew went about their daily routine. Despite their knack for drawing in chaos whenever it deemed to fit them, it was a rather quiet and somewhat uneventful day, one they all needed.
It had been a week since they had left the bright and beautiful Land of Wano. Treading into the final stages of the New World and getting so ever closer to their final goals of this grand adventure they called life. A day or two to relax definitely was welcomed by all.
Luffy however, sat upon the Sunny's figurehead, gazing out over the ocean, watching the world go by, trying to entertain himself, but to no avail. Groaning a little he leant back, laying flat out on top of his beloved ship's face as he gazed up at the sky. Eyes tracking the birds, the small remnants of clouds as they float by. But he caught eye of the crows nest. Zoro would be up there by now, sitting up and throwing his arms in the direction of the highest point of the ship, he pulled himself over and landed up on top of the roof.
Leaning down and peering through the window, just as he suspected, Zoro would be working away thrashing around his abnormally large weights with a focus that could put a veteran monk to shame. He watched as Zoro put down the large swing weight and wiped his brow, then he knocked on the window. The swordsman looked over and spotted Luffy’s big grin. Heading over, he opened the window and the Captain slunk inside.
“Hi Zoro!” Luffy beamed as he clambered in and sat down on the sofa under the open window.
“If you're here to get in the way Luffy, I'll kick you down the hatch.” Zoro sighed in response as he continued to wipe his brow with the towel draped over his neck.
Puffing out his cheeks, Luffy looked at Zoro with a slight pout. “I won't get in the way! I'm just bored!”
Rolling his eyes, the swordsman then threw the towel to the side. “If you want, you can sit and nap in here. Just don't get in the way of my workout.”
“Can't I help with it?” Luffy suddenly asked, tilting his head to the side. “You're always throwing weights around, it'd be fun!”
Zoro watched his Captain for a short moment. Luffy never offered to help out, his eyebrow was raised in confusion, but then he just shrugged and told luffy to lay on his back as he did push ups. Jumping up off the sofa, Luffy ran over to Zoro and did just that, laying fully over the swordsman’s broad back like he would his hammock. Zoro then began the next part of his workout, already feeling the extra weight as Luffy placed his hat over his face, ready to have a nap whilst listening to Zoro methodically count to 2000.
Zoro smiled to himself as he counted, listening to Luffy’s soft snores behind him. Maybe they ought to do this more.
—
Another day on the sea, this time a glistening heat and a warm sky. Having entered the vicinity of some summer islands, the crew decided to enjoy the atmosphere for the moment. Each of the members enjoying the sun. Sanji prepared food for a barbeque he planned, as well as making snacks and drinks for the ladies and then everyone else. Zoro snoring against the mast, Brook playing music whilst Nami, Robin, Franky and Jimbei lay out in the sun. Chopper was grinding away at herbs and chatting to Sanji about anything.
Usopp on the other hand was working away in his garden. Making sure his plants got plenty of water in this blazing heat, as well as making sure they’re free of bugs. Which was proving a little harder than first thought. With the appearance of the sun, a load of little bugs had laid their larva on his plants so he was having to do a lot of trimming and placing pesticides and it was tiring him out. With the number of plants he had, it was exhausting work.
“Oi Usopp, let’s catch some fish for Sanji to cook later!” Luffy called out as he ran over, holding their fishing rods and bouncing for joy. Usopp jolted a little, not expecting the sudden appearance of the Captain.
“As much as I would love to, right now I must attend to my garden. Bugs have been causing havoc since we got this weather.” Usopp sighed and looked up at Luffy.
Luffy tilted his head to look at him as he just dropped the fishing rods, then wandered over. “What kind of bugs?!” Luffy exclaimed a little excitedly as he laid down next to the sniper.
“Pesky green flies and a couple other ones who like to eat at my plants. I’m giving them the best treatment ever! Captain Usopp’s great pesticide formula is working wonders!” Usopp cheered as Luffy’s eyes turned to stars in amazement. “But with the heat and all this gear I gotta wear, I’m exhausted.”
Usopp was wearing a mask to cover the lower half of his face, which he had lowered to talk to Luffy, elbow length rubber gardening gloves and a pair of goggles. Luffy looked at him for a little while, blinking a few times before holding his hand out. “I can help! I’m basically not affected by poisons anymore. Just tell me what to do!”
“Y-You’d do that?” Usopp asked, a little hesitant. But Luffy gave him a big ol’ smile and nodded his head, eager to help out. Usopp looked him up and down, wondering if this was just Luffy, confused as to why he was so interested all of a sudden, but he just nodded. “Okay then, let me guide you!”
Usopp and Luffy managed to get this all sorted in record time and the garden was looking immaculate. “Thank you Luffy! Now we can go and fish!” Usopp cheered. Luffy threw his hands in the air and scrambled up to grab their fishing rods, ready to get to their spot as he called out to Sanji about cooking fish they catch. Usopp couldn’t help but laugh to himself as he watched Luffy scramble away like that. He even may consider asking Luffy for help again.
—
A starry night, a warm breeze blowing by as Sanji walked out of the galley, lighting the cigarette that he clenched in his teeth with shaky hands. After a few attempts and multiple threats to his lighter, he eventually lit it and took a drag. Heading to the railing, he rested his elbows against it as he looked out over the horizon.
Having woken up from a not so nice dream, Sanji was a little shaken up and couldn’t sleep. The recurring thoughts of his family. What if he ends up like them? What if this sudden transformation to his body is eating away at his personality and removing it slowly as time goes on. He didn’t want that, he didn’t want to be like those evil and hurtful brothers of his. He was different but ever since Wano, he’s been struggling to come to terms with it.
“Sanji?” The cook almost jumped right out of his skin as he turned round and saw Luffy dangling from the mast behind him. He had forgotten Luffy was on watch tonight. Sighing, he took a drag of his cigarette and as he exhaled the smoke, he bit his lip. “Just… Just another nightmare. Nothing major Luffy, don’t worry about me. I can take over watch for you if you wanna head to sleep.”
Dropping down, Luffy then walked beside Sanji and hopped up onto the railing, his legs dangling and swaying as he watched the stars for a short moment. “You’re not like them, you know.” Luffy blurted out of nowhere, catching Sanji off guard.
“H-Huh?!” The blonde exclaimed, turning to face his captain with a wide eye, staring in disbelief that Luffy knew what was troubling him.
“You’re not like them. Your dad said it himself. You don’t take pride in your royal blood, you cook and you’re easily moved and want to help people. You may be his failure, but you’re my cook, my nakama and that’s all that matters.” The bright big smile that came from his Captain warmed Sanji’s heart. As it did over and over again.
Biting the inside of his lip Sanji tried to fight back the tears that he could feel fighting their way out. He’s already cried so much about this topic, he couldn’t cry anymore. Could he? But he knew his Captain wouldn’t judge, wouldn’t call him weak, wouldn’t laugh at him for it, so ultimately he gave in, hands immediately going up to his face and holding it as he sobbed.
After a few minutes, Sanji calmed down and took a deep breath as he stood up straight. “Thank you, Luffy. Sorry to cause any issue.”
“What issue? You’re sad and you’re my nakama! I’m here to make you not sad!”
Sanji couldn’t help but laugh hearing that. Chuckling as he reached into his blazer pocket and pulled out his packet of cigarettes, taking one and then letting it hang loose in his mouth, he looked up at Luffy and smiled.
“Want a snack?” Sanji asked as he began heading to the kitchen, promptly followed by Luffy loudly exclaiming he wants anything with meat.
—-
Rain was always something they came across whilst at sea. It was inevitable, it was just a bit of a minor inconvenience when it came to navigation. Loud and heavy rain was pouring onto the ships deck, drowning the grassy floor and running down the slide. Nami had given the task of driving the ship to Jimbei for the time being as he was more than happy to stand outside in this weather. She decided it was time to work on a map of the recent island they stopped at for supplies.
Working away, the map started to take shape nicely. The main body of the island was fine, she had no issue with that, but when it came to remembering the mountain ranges, Nami was a little stumped and she couldn’t find the copy of the map she had bought on the island around.
As she got up to look for it in her work room, Luffy happened to barge his way in. “Nami! I’m bored, when is the rain going to clear.” He whined as he walked inside and hunched over nearby her.
“Not for a long while yet, so I suggest you find something to entertain yourself with. I’m busy here.” She grumbled as she was sorting through a few piles of bought maps she had on another table.
“What are you doing?” Luffy asked as he stood nearby, watching her look.
“Looking for the map of that island we not long left. I’m struggling to draw up the mountain ranges, I can’t remember where it would be on the map.” Sighing heavily, Nami lifted up the pile and brought it closer to her to sort through. Luffy however, walked over to her map and looked it over.
“I’m not good at this stuff like you. But I saw the town from the mountain, it looked about here.” Luffy said as he pointed on Nami’s hand drawn map. Stopping what she was doing, Nami looked around and saw Luffy pointing somewhere on the drawn map.
“You know the layout of the island?” Nami asked, a bit bewildered that Luffy of all people knew.
“Yeah, I climbed to the top of the mountain on an adventure looking for something cool.” He shrugged as he took a few steps back from the desk. Nami looked over at him, wide eyed but then ran to sit down. “Tell me all you saw, Luffy!” She exclaimed excitedly as she got ready to draw.
Sitting down beside her on the floor as he rambled what he remembered seeing, explaining in as much detail as Luffy would. But Nami didn’t care, she found it nice and fun to have Luffy chat with her for a while.
Smiling to herself as Luffy explained what he saw, Nami watched as the feather pen ran along the cartography paper. This was definitely a moment she’d cherish.
—-
Thanks to Franky and his genius, he had managed to build a machine for Chopper’s office. Something to help with diagnosis when tests could come up indifferent or just to aid him in quickly diagnosing a patient. The little doctor was definitely excited to try it out, but everyone on the ship was busy.
Chopper was working away when he overheard a loud bang. Walking out of his infirmary and then out onto deck, he saw Nami holding up her fist, screaming angrily at Luffy who was laying face first on the grassy deck.
“I told you to quit it!” Nami yelled out as her smoking fist lowered. “Get out my sight Luffy! Go pester Usopp!” Then she walked off and slammed the girl's room door shut behind her. Luffy sat up, groggy and rubbing his head with the very obvious bump on it. Jumping into action, Chopper ran down.
“Luffy! Are you okay?! Someone call a doctor!” Chopper cried as he frantically ran around Luffy.
“Chopper, you are the doctor.” Usopp laughed as Chopper realised and changed into his human form to pick up Luffy and carry him to the infirmary. Once inside, he lay Luffy on the cot and was about to check him over but then had an idea.
“Luffy, could you help me test out my new machine? It won’t hurt, it helps me look at what’s hurting you!” Chopper exclaimed as he held up the straps and wires for the machine. Luffy looked over at Chopper, still dazed from Nami’s blow to the face. He smiled and nodded, sitting up for the reindeer to get to work. Chopper beamed and excitedly strapped Luffy up to the machine and turned it on.
The machine whirled to life and Chopper went to the screen, typing in what he saw and calibrated it along the way. Luffy sat still and let it do its job. After a short while, the machine beeped and on the screen showed what it came up with.
“Head injury induced by a melee attack, most likely a punch or kick! Luffy it works!” Chopper started jumping for joy, ecstatic that this new machine worked as well as it did. Luffy, no longer in pain from Nami’s punch, watched the machine in awe with starry eyes.
“Thats so cool!” Jumping up off the cot, he ripped off the straps and moved round to look at the screen as Chopper pointed out the image of a basic human figure where the head had a couple of points marked out and labelled with the injury.
“Thank you so much for getting hit Luffy! This is going to help me out so much! Now I don’t have to force Zoro down so I can examine him anymore!”
—-
Night time on the Sunny was always something Robin enjoyed. The swallowing presence of darkness when she was sat down in the aquarium, the calming sounds of the fish swimming by and the melodic music coming from Brook up on the deck above. It was her favourite pastime, sat on the sofa with a book.
This evening, she was reading a book about a girl who suddenly finds herself in a world of magic and mystery, working alongside a man with a skull for a head. Robin found the concept fascinating and so far, the story has proven a really good read. As she read, she heard the aquarium door open and the familiar slaps of flip flops head inside.
“Luffy, how can I help you?” Robin smiled as she looked up from her book. Luffy stood before her, clearly looking tired and unhappy.
“I can’t sleep.” He groaned as he yawned. Looking around, he saw Robin was reading once again, the bright colour on the front of the book did interest him though. “What are you reading today?” He asked as he sat down on the sofa beside her.
Smiling, Robin lifted up the book and showed him the cover. “I found this on the last island we were on. It's full of magic and mystery. One of the main characters reminded me of Brook.” She chuckled as she placed the book back on her lap.
“Would you like me to read it to you? Maybe it can help you sleep?” Robin asked. “I don’t mind the company, actually it's quite nice. It can get a little lonely down here after all.” She smiled softly at Luffy as he nodded, smiling back. He laid down on her lap and rest his head. Robin smiled down at Luffy and opened the book back up to the page she had left off at.
As she began to read aloud from the book, Luffy cuddled into her. As she read aloud, Luffy slowly managed to drift off to sleep and even as Robin knew he was away with the clouds, she continued to read aloud, wondering if Luffy could still hear her in dream land.
Once she finished at a point, Robin closed the book and set it aside. Looking down at Luffy out like a light on her lap, she couldn’t help but smile softly at his sleeping form. Gently running a hand along his back, she thought about everything he had done for her. From saving her in Alabasta, to getting her back from Foxy’s crew.
To breaking into Enies Lobby for her and her alone.
Robin couldn’t help but admire him wholeheartedly. Every day he managed to surprise her with his antics and she couldn’t be any prouder of the man he was becoming. The events of Wano proved the kind of man he is to so many people and Robin was so happy to be by his side.
“Let's get you to bed Captain.” Robin spoke aloud as she sprouted a few more arms to scoop Luffy off her lap and then carried him to his bunk in the men’s room. Placing him gently on his bunk, Robin then left a small kiss on his forehead, tucking him in and then leaving the room.
—-
Franky was down in the cola room. They had come across a fleet of marine battleships and the Sunny took a couple of hits before they flew off with a coup de burst. Luckily, no one was hurt and they managed to get away with ease, but the poor Sunny’s cola system had taken a bit of a beating upon landing. So Franky was down there to fix it.
He was working away, hammering at things and tinkering with the possibility of an upgrade when Luffy walked in. “Oh if it ain’t the Captain himself! Come to check up on the Sunny’s cola system huh?” Franky exclaimed as he watched Luffy walk in, arms behind his head.
“Yeah! Was wondering if it was okay and if you wanted help!” Luffy beamed. Franky felt a small chill go up his spine at the offer of help. Knowing luffy’s ability with a hammer only meant more destruction, he didn’t want to let the boy help out in that front.
“Ow! Sure lil man, want to help with the tools?” Franky asked him as he looked back at what he was doing. Luffy nodded and jumped over, sitting beside Franky cross-legged with a massive smile on his face. “Also, I was thinking of upgrading the Cola system, add another barrel and make it more powerful. What do you say?”
“Oh yeah! That sounds super awesome!” Luffy cheered and rocked back and forth. “Can I help watch you do it?!”
“Of course!” Franky then got back to working, he handed Luffy the toolkit of his basic tools and then began working on preparing for the upgrade. They sat in silence as they worked, Luffy occasionally asking a question here or there about things Franky could make or what he was doing, but Luffy’s attention span always wondered elsewhere. But Franky didn’t care, he was enjoying the company of his Captain and it was always nice to have someone else be interested in your work.
Luffy did prove to be a good tool holder for Franky. Passing him the right tool, even after a few wrong attempts at first and allowing Franky to work without getting in the way which the cyborg was worried about at first.
Soon the preparations for the new upgrade was ready and Franky stood up proudly. “Thank you Luffy! Now lets go beg Nami for the funds to do this!”
“Yeah, let's do it!”
—
The evening was the perfect night for a barbecue. The warm air, the starry sky and everyone was in a good mood. Sanji was cooking up an abundance of food, allowing the crew to pick and choose what they ate as the night went on. Franky had made a fire pit for them to place on the deck for them all to crowd around and enjoy.
Brook was standing up in front of the galley door playing his violin and swaying back and forth. Happily playing as he watched his crew mingle with one another and enjoy conversations. Gleefully playing away tunes and swaying side to side as he got lost in the music.
Brook loved these evenings, the simplicity of it all, it was just something he loved. After spending so long alone and in silence, it was nice to have those around him who could appreciate his music, even if it was in silence or just playing the in the background.
“Oi Brook.” Luffy called out as he pulled himself up onto the walkway. Brook turned to face him, still slowly playing his violin.
“Yes, Luffy-san?”
“What songs did you and your old crew like?”
The question took Brook off guard a little. Finishing the song, Brook lowered his violin and held it to his side. “Well… Captain Yorke really liked Binks Sake as you know. But we did enjoy a few different shanties. Would you like me to play one?”
Luffy beamed and nodded “ Yeah! I wanna hear what else you can play!”
If Brook had a face, he would be beaming with happiness and pride. Lifting up his violin, he began to play a somewhat upbeat, but slow tune of a shanty. He began to sway and then sing along to the tune.
Luffy climbed up onto the railing and sat beside Brook as he played. Swaying his legs back and forth as he watched his beloved musician play with so much passion. Knowing his Captain was enjoying a song his late Captain enjoyed, Brook couldn’t be anymore happier.
—
“Luffy-kun, it’s late. Aren’t you heading to bed?” Jimbei asked as he was manning the helm. It was his turn on watch this evening, so he just decided to man the helm and watch the waters like that. Everyone else had gone to bed par Luffy, who remained on his favourite place on the Sunny.
“I’m not really tired.” Was all Jimbei got in a response. The fishman watched as his now Captain was just looking out over the sea. The weather was nice, not too hot nor too cold, minimal breeze as well. Jimbei sighed and just walked back to the wheel.
“Do you believe in the afterlife, Jimbei?” Luffy suddenly asked. It caught the fishman off guard a little.
“To some degree. Why the sudden question?”
“Its just getting closer to that time.” Luffy replied quietly, but Jimbei heard it. This wasn’t something that Jimbei expected from the 19 year old. But it was a nice change, seeing this side of Luffy, someone who can appreciate all the little things in life.
“I guess I see the afterlife as the ocean. It’s full of life and beauty, something that is comforting and calm.” Jimbei humoured him. Luffy listened and then got up off the figurehead and walked over to the fishman.
“You’re a really good friend Jimbei” Luffy laughed and then began to walk away. “Have a good watch!”
Jimbei watched as Luffy walked away and then laughed to himself as he looked back out over the sea. “I made a good choice joining this crew.”
—
It was the end of the year, the crew had been getting ready for a party. Sanji was preparing food, Robin, Zoro, Franky and Usopp had been decorating the ship, Nami, Chopper and Jimbei had been sorting things out. Everyone was excited about the concept of a new year of fun and adventures.
It was getting closer and closer to midnight and everyone was having a good time, dancing, eating and drinking. But as the evening went on, it was about 2 minutes to midnight and everyone was gathering on the deck ready to call out for the new year together.
“Are we all here?” Nami called out as she checked for the time and then looked around.
“Luffy isn’t here.” Zoro responded as he looked around for his Captain.
“Has anyone seen him?” Usopp asked.
“I last saw him in the lower deck.” Robin replied and looked around, then closed her eyes and began to look around the ship for him, spouting eyes around, until she eventually found him in a storage room with a simple candle and a small cup of sake. “He is still there, but he looks… sad.” Robin’s voice echoed her feelings. Seeing Luffy like that, it wasn’t something she liked to see.
Everyone looked at eachother, hearing their captain was sad when a party was going on, definitely wasn’t something they were used to. Everyone then began to head downstairs to the storage room Luffy was in. They all stood outside the door, pressing their ear against the wall or looking through the small window. They watched as Luffy lit the candle and held the cup of sake.
“Happy Birthday Ace.”
The silence could be cut with a knife, hearing Luffy sound so defeated. Looking at one another, they all headed back upstairs and planned a way to make Luffy feel better. After a short while, Zoro headed down and knocked on the door. “Oi Luffy, you coming to join us? It ain't a party without you.”
Luffy turned round and then back at the candle. “Sorry, I just had to do something.” Grabbing the cup of sake, he swigged it and then came back out, following Zoro.
Once Zoro left the galley, he watched as Luffy walked out and everyone cheered.
“HAPPY NEW YEAR LUFFY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ACE!”
Luffy stood, stunned and surprised at his crew. They all had a drink in their hand which they raised and smiled brightly at him. After a short while, Luffy walked closer as he started to smile brightly.
“You guys.” He began as he walked in front of everyone. “You guys knew?”
“We couldn’t find you, so we looked for you and saw you alone. We want to celebrate Ace’s life with you too. You’re our captain, we want to make sure you’re happy.” Nami smiled as she placed her drink down and went to hug him. Then slowly one by one, everyone joined in on the hug.
Luffy looked around over his crew as they all hugged him. Slowly he reached his arms up and then stretched around them all, hugging them tightly.
“Thank you guys, you’re the best nakama ever!”