Mira peeked over. "Can mine be a strawberry?"
Zoro immediately: "No."
Nami then rolled her sleeve back down. "Perfect. Now if anyone tries to copy me, we'll know."
Sanji suddenly sprang up, eyes burning with determination. "Nami-swan! At least let me check your mark later to verify it's—"
"NO." Nami's fist connected with Sanji's head with a loud BONK.
Zoro smirked. "Nice shot."
As Sanji lay twitching on the deck, the rest of the crew lined up for their marks, laughing at the whole scene.
Usopp's hands shook violently as he rolled up his sleeve. "H-he could be pretending to be any of us right now!" Beads of sweat ran down his forehead. "What if he's already replaced one of us?!"
Chopper whimpered and pressed against Zoro's leg, his fur standing on end. "I'm scared! How will we know who's real?!" His voice cracked with panic.
Zoro yanked up his sleeve roughly. "Simple." He pointed at Chopper. "What's your favorite cotton candy flavor?"
"Cherry blossom!" Chopper answered instantly.
Zoro nodded. "See? Only the real us know these things." He turned to Mira. "Make mine three sword crossing marks."
Mira carefully drew three intersecting lines on Zoro's arm. "There. Fitting for a swordsman."
Sanji stood back, regaining his composure, as he lit a cigarette with a sharp flick of his wrist. "And we'll keep asking until we're sure." He blew out smoke. "No exceptions." He extended his arm. "Make mine a heart with Nami-swan's initials."
Nami smacked him. "Just take a regular heart!"
Luffy suddenly shoved his arm in Mira's face. "Me next! Draw a meat bone! No wait - a whole turkey leg!" His carefree grin eased the tension.
Usopp pushed forward. "Mine should be a slingshot! No, wait - a skull and crossbones! No wait-"
"Just take a simple X!" Nami snapped, making Usopp jump.
As Mira worked on the marks, Takuya suddenly spoke up. "Interesting system." He crossed his arms. "But tell me - what question would you ask to verify me?"
The crew froze. An uncomfortable silence fell over the deck.
Zoro's eye narrowed. "Well...you..."
Sanji's cigarette hung limply from his lips. "Actually..."
Usopp scratched his head. "Now that you mention it..."
Nami bit her lip, realizing their mistake. Even Luffy looked unusually serious.
Chopper's eyes watered. "We...we don't know anything personal about you to ask..."
Takuya's expression remained unreadable. "Exactly."
The weight of their oversight hung heavy in the air. Vivi looked between them, sensing the sudden tension.
After a long pause, Takuya gave a casual shrug. "Don't worry about it for now. He touched me but didn't transform - maybe his fruit has limits."
Rolling up his sleeve, he revealed his distinctive mark: a precisely drawn medical cross surrounded by jagged, lightning-like fractures - the clean lines of healing contrasted sharply with the chaotic lines of destruction radiating outward. His finger tapped the design meaningfully. "Just remember to check for this first."
The crew nodded quietly, each realizing they'd kept Takuya at arm's length without meaning to. Even Sanji didn't make his usual complaints.
Luffy suddenly broke the tension by shoving his marked arm in Zoro's face. "Hey Zoro! What's my favorite meat?"
Zoro shoved him away. "All of it, idiot."
"SHISHISHI! Correct!" Luffy's laughter brought back some normalcy as the crew returned to their preparations, though the unspoken understanding about Takuya lingered in the air.
Vivi hugged herself tightly, her nails leaving crescent marks on her arms. "You're all acting too casual about this!" Her voice trembled with barely-contained panic. "Mr. 2 isn't just dangerous - he could destroy everything we're working toward!"
Takuya moved beside her, his presence calm amidst the storm. "Easy, Princess," he murmured, his hand gently prying hers away before she could break skin. When sapphire eyes brimming with worry met his, he flashed that infuriatingly confident smirk.
"These worried looks don't suit a princess as beautiful as you." He said as he used his hand to brush the bangs of hair from her face to behind her ear. While with his free hand, he produced one of his special cookies - this one shaped like a tiny sun, golden crust dusted with cinnamon.
From the corner of her eye, Nami suddenly felt an odd tightness in her chest as she watched the interaction. She crossed her arms, fingers digging slightly into her sleeves. Why did seeing Takuya lean so close to Vivi make her stomach twist like this?
Sanji, who had been sniffling in the background, suddenly exploded. "NOT THE PRINCESS TOO! First Nami-swan, now Vivi-chan?! IS NOTHING SACRED?!" Saltwater geysers erupted from his eyes as he crumpled against the railing. "HAND-FEEDING NOW?! I'M GOING TO BE SICK!"
Mira clasped her hands together, stars practically shining in her eyes. "Ohhh! Master looks so dashing like a desert prince! And Vivi-chan is like his perfect princess!" She sighed dreamily. "They make such a beautiful couple, don't you think, Nami?"
Ignoring the chef's theatrics, Takuya brought the cookie to Vivi's lips. "Open up," he coaxed softly. To everyone's astonishment - especially her own - Vivi parted her lips without protest.
Nami's eye twitched. "Shut up," she snapped, much sharper than intended. The strange feeling in her chest grew heavier as she watched Vivi accept the cookie from Takuya's fingers.
Nami's grip on her own arms tightened. Since when did Takuya use that tone with anyone but her? The thought came unbidden, startling her with its intensity.
As the sweet citrus flavor melted across Vivi's tongue, her trembling fingers unconsciously tightened around Takuya's wrist, holding him there a heartbeat longer than necessary.
"Better?" Takuya asked, thumb brushing a stray crumb from her lower lip, touching her upper lip as well, making sure there weren't any cookie crumbs near her lips.
Nami suddenly found the deck very interesting, staring hard at the wooden planks. This strange, prickly feeling was ridiculous. She shouldn't care who Takuya fed his stupid cookies to.
Vivi nodded, touching her lips, the cookie's magic already easing her tension. "The flavor... It reminds me of home."
Before she could analyze why she'd allowed such intimacy, Takuya was rolling up her sleeve with practiced ease. The marker glided across her inner arm, leaving behind an intricate peacock feather - its emerald hues perfect for Alabasta's royalty - artfully intertwined with protective thorns.
Mira sighed dramatically. "So romantic! Master is so gentle with her~"
"Would you shut up about romance already?" Nami snapped, her voice coming out more strained than she intended. She immediately regretted it when Mira blinked at her in innocent confusion.
"There," Takuya said, blowing gently to dry the ink. "Now even if he copies you, we'll know our real princess by her crown."
Vivi's breath caught as she examined the masterpiece, her fingers tracing the design in awe. "It's...perfect," she whispered, the cookie's warmth still spreading through her.
"Only the best for our desert rose," Takuya winked, deliberately loud enough for Sanji to hear.
The resulting shriek rattled the rigging. "FLOWERS?! POETRY?! WHEN DID THIS BECOME A ROMANCE NOVEL?!" Sanji's soul visibly departed his body as he collapsed face-first onto the deck. "JUST THROW ME OVERBOARD ALREADY!"
Luffy chose that moment to poke the sobbing chef with a stick. "Hey Sanji! What's—"
"I REFUSE TO LIVE IN THIS CRUEL WORLD ANY LONGER!" Sanji's wail carried across the waves as Vivi finally laughed.
Nami turned away abruptly, the sweet sound grating on her nerves for reasons she couldn't - wouldn't - examine. That warmth still radiating from her own hidden tangerine mark suddenly felt... different. She pressed a hand over it unconsciously, as if to contain whatever this strange, unwelcome feeling was.
The ridiculous outburst finally made Vivi laugh, the sound easing the remaining tension. As the crew returned to preparations, she found her fingers lingering on the peacock tattoo - and on the unexpected comfort it brought.
Meanwhile at Nanohana Port
White plumes of smoke billowed across the dock as Marine Captain Smoker stepped off his warship, his jitte resting heavily on his shoulder. The entire port had gone silent at his arrival.
"Spread out," he ordered his men, cigar smoke curling from his lips. "Check every tavern and inn. I want that drug-running bastard Takuya found as soon as possible, he's been traveling with strawhats now.."
Behind him, Tashigi adjusted her glasses. "Sir, shouldn't we prioritize Monkey D. Luffy first? He's the one with the 30 million Berries—"
Smoker's teeth clenched around his cigar. "Takuya's poison has destroyed the entire Marine base, made logue town inoperational for too long along with that, that bastard slips through our fingers every time. He's more dangerous than straw hat luffy right now" His fist tightened around his weapon. "This ends today."
As his troops scattered, Smoker's gaze swept across the bustling port - unaware that just two docks over, a very different threat had arrived.
At the Eastern Wharf
The air shimmered with heat as Portgas D. Ace stepped off a small fishing boat, tossing a bag of berries to the grateful captain. His black hair was damp with sea spray, his signature orange hat tilted low over his eyes.
"Thanks for the ride, old-timer," he said with a grin that didn't reach his eyes. His fingers absentmindedly traced the folded wanted poster in his pocket - the one bearing Teach's face.
The port activity continued unaware as Ace moved through the crowd like a shadow. His usual cheerful demeanor was replaced by focused intensity. Every glance, every step was calculated - until the scent of roasting meat wafted from a nearby tavern.
His stomach growled loudly. "Okay... maybe one quick stop first," he admitted sheepishly, the ghost of his usual smile returning.
Back on the Going Merry
The Straw Hats continued goofing around as their ship cut through the waves toward that very port. Nami still stood apart from the others, her fingers tracing her hidden tangerine mark absently while watching Takuya from the corner of her eye.
Sanji, having recovered slightly, was now dramatically arranging a tray of sandwiches. "Vivi-chan! Nami-swan! I've prepared—"
"Not hungry," Nami said abruptly, then flushed when several heads turned her way. "I mean... I'll eat later."
Takuya's knowing smirk in her direction made her blood boil. That infuriating man always saw too much.
At the Port Bar
Ace had just taken his first glorious bite of a meat skewer when the door burst open. Marine soldiers flooded in, knocking over tables.
"Everyone stay where you are! We're searching for wanted criminals!"
Ace sighed, setting down his food. "Can't a guy eat in peace?" he muttered, eyeing the nearest exit.
On the Dock
Smoker suddenly stiffened, his Logia senses tingling. That presence... "Fire Fist," he growled. What was a Whitebeard Commander doing here?
His communicator crackled. "Captain! We've spotted the Straw Hat ship approaching the southern bay!"
Smoker's cigar glowed red with anticipation. "Perfect. Two birds with one stone."
Back on the Merry
Luffy suddenly perked up, his nose twitching. "MEAT!" he shouted, pointing at the distant port. "I smell meat!"
Usopp groaned. "We're supposed to be keeping a low profile!"
But it was too late - Luffy's arms were already stretching toward the shore. "CANNONBALL!" he cried before launching himself through the air.
"LUFFY!" the crew shouted in unison.
Takuya smiled seeing Luffy's antics as he said, "And there goes our subtle approach."
As chaos erupted on deck, no one noticed the distant figure of Ace stepping out of the tavern just in time to see a rubber boy come flying through the air toward the town square - followed by an enraged cloud of white smoke barreling down the main street.
The game pieces were all in position now. The real question was - who would make the first move?
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