The sun burned mercilessly above Windmill Village's abandoned beach. Waves lapped lazily at the shore, yet the air was anything but calm.
Steel rang against steel. Fists cracked against flesh. Sand plumed like smoke across the battlefield.
"Enough already," Jin muttered, pressing his palm against his forehead. "This makes what now, the third time?"
Across the beach, Kuina and Tina clashed again, their movements wild yet precise, the echoes of blade and boot painting chaos into the salty air.
Beside him, Kuma squatted with a pair of massive iron bars balanced across his shoulders, his voice steady even through deep, controlled breaths. "Third round today. If they're tired, they just rest. Rest long enough, and they'll start all over again."
Jin sighed, eyes glued to the duel before him. His gaze wasn't entirely pure—though he wouldn't admit that out loud. Every slash of Kuina's blade, every whip-crack kick from Tina's legs, sent dangerous ripples through the air. Yet the one who held his gaze longest was Tina, her sharp movements cutting arcs in the sunlight, sweat streaking down her collarbone. His violet eyes glinted with heat every time her body twisted just right.
Kuma noticed. Kuma always noticed. The giant bear-man shook his head and grumbled, "I don't get it… humans. You say you want peace, but you stare at them like prey. Wolf-hearted, confusing creatures." Still, he went back to his squats, sweat rolling like rivers down his fur.
Jin smirked faintly but didn't answer.
Kuina darted forward, sword flashing like a silver snake. "If you don't use your Devil Fruit, you'll never beat me!"
Her strikes rained down without pause—slashes, thrusts, cuts sharp enough to split the air itself.
Tina met them all head-on. Metal gauntlets clashed against Kuina's blade, sparks scattering like fireflies. Her long legs snapped out between blocks, each strike a whip meant to snap bone. "Hmph. Even without my fruit, I won't lose to a little girl like you."
It had started four days ago. Neither Jin nor Kuma knew exactly how, but Kuina and Tina had locked horns, and once they started, there was no stopping. Duel after duel, day after day, the two women tested each other to the brink of collapse. Tina had even crafted gauntlets just to resist Kuina's blade.
And so it became routine: sword against steel, pride against pride, woman against woman.
Jin's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Looks like they're reaching their limits."
The rhythm of their clash faltered—swings dulled, movements slowed, the once-savage tempo sagging under exhaustion. Finally, both collapsed backward into the sand, chests heaving, sweat dripping, but eyes still locked in silent defiance.
Jin stepped forward, expression a blend of irritation and amusement. "You two… really? Fighting like this every damn day? Sparring once in a while is good for growth. But this? This is just burning yourselves out."
"Che."
Both women turned their faces away with the same dismissive snort, refusing to give him the satisfaction of agreement.
"Fine, fine." Jin rubbed the back of his neck. "Can either of you walk, or should I carry you back for a bath?"
Kuina, her pale face streaked with sweat, suddenly extended her arms in mock-arrogant command. "I can't move. Carry me."
Jin chuckled under his breath. That stubborn little tsundere—never changing.
But Tina wasn't about to be outdone. Her lips curved slyly as she shifted, voice turning soft, almost sultry, like silk brushing against his ears. "Fufu… I'm too tired too. You'll carry me as well, won't you?"
The softness of her tone made Jin's chest tighten unexpectedly. Damn. That voice could melt iron. Without thinking, he blurted, "Alright, I'll just hold you in my arms, then."
A sharp pain shot through his neck. "Tch—!"
Kuina's teeth sank into his shoulder, biting down with small but merciless ferocity. It didn't hurt as much as it startled him—the contrast of her warm lips and sharp teeth sent sparks racing down his spine. "Damn brat," Jin hissed, "you trying to mark me like territory?"
Kuina turned her face away with a tiny huff, cheek pressed against his back, refusing to answer.
Meanwhile, Tina blinked, stunned by how easily he'd agreed to her ploy. Her face flushed crimson, but she leaned closer when Jin bent down and slid his arms beneath her. Her hands looped around his neck, pulling herself against his chest. The warmth of his body, the faint scent of steel and salt clinging to him—it was intoxicating.
She thought: Damn it, why does this feel… safe? Too safe. Too good.
Jin trudged forward, Kuina on his back, Tina in his arms. He couldn't help but smirk. "Between the dead weight and the biting, I feel like a mule. But… hell, maybe I don't mind this particular load."
The quiet sound of waves crashing filled the silence, broken only by the thump of Jin's boots in the sand. For a rare moment, it felt almost like a family.
In the days that followed, the duels ceased. Kuina buried herself in sword drills with a new ferocity, while Tina focused on refining her powers, watching Kuina in silence between training sessions.
One evening, as Jin worked in his workshop, the door creaked open. Tina entered, movements graceful but deliberate, holding a file of papers. She placed it gently before him.
"I'm free now," she said softly, her violet eyes steady. "My resignation was accepted. No more chains from Marine HQ. From now on… I'm yours, Captain Jin."
Jin's gaze fell on the papers, then lifted to meet hers. A slow grin spread across his face. He rose, spreading his arms in mock-dramatic welcome. "Then… welcome aboard, Tina."
Something inside her cracked at those words. She had always prided herself on being strong, untouchable, untamed. Yet since stepping into Jin's orbit, her pride faltered. She had felt her cheeks flush more in the past week than in her entire career. What the hell are you doing to me, boy…
And still, when he offered his arms, she stepped into them without resistance. She wrapped herself around him, holding him tightly, breathing in that maddening scent of steel and warmth.
She whispered, "Don't you dare betray me, Jin."
He chuckled against her hair. "Tch. You think a mercenary king wastes time betraying family? You're one of us now. That means I'll fight with you, bleed with you… even kill with you."
Her heart hammered. Her lips brushed his neck, not quite a kiss, not quite a threat.
And for the first time in years, Tina felt like she belonged.
On the cliffs overlooking the sea, Kuma paused from his weighted squats, glancing at the trio returning together. He muttered, half to himself, half to the waves:
"Family… huh. Even wolves can build one, it seems."
The bear's shadow stretched long into the setting sun, while Jin's laughter carried faintly on the wind—warm, dangerous, alive.
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
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T/N :
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