Chapter 38 – A Swordsman's Oath and a Dreamer's Goodbye
Sunny's POV
The dust of battle still clung to the air. Broken blades, groaning Marines, and the faint smell of gunpowder made Shells Town look like a storm had passed through.
At the center of it stood Zoro—three swords at his side once more, posture calm and dangerous, as if the entire fight had merely been warm-up stretches.
Lucy threw her arms up, shouting for the entire world to hear:
"WOOHOO! Zoro's joining my crew now! That makes four of us! We're unstoppable!"
Zoro's eyebrow twitched. "Oi. Who said I agreed?"
Lucy puffed her cheeks. "I refuse your refusal!"
I nearly doubled over laughing. "Classic."
Nami pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing loud enough for the whole street to hear. "This is going to be my life from now on, isn't it? Babysitting Straw Hat Idiot Number One and Lazy Idiot Number Two."
"Hey," I said, raising a brow. "At least I'm a cool idiot."
Her cheeks colored faintly, but she quickly turned away. "You wish."
Koby's Farewell
Koby stepped forward, straightening his tiny frame. His knees were still shaking from the battle, but his eyes burned bright.
"I… I'm staying here!"
Lucy blinked. "Eh? But you'd make a terrible pirate. We could use you as… um… moral support?"
"I said I'm staying!" Koby snapped, surprising even himself. "I'm going to join the Marines! I'll work hard, I'll climb the ranks, and one day… I'll become a real officer who protects people the right way! No more tyrants like Morgan!"
The townsfolk clapped, murmuring encouragement.
Nami gave him a warm smile. "That's pretty brave, kid."
Zoro tilted his head, assessing him. "…You've got guts. Don't waste them."
Lucy wiped her eyes dramatically. "Koby, you grew up so fast! Don't forget me when you're a big-shot Admiral!"
"I won't!" he shouted, though I noticed he didn't actually promise that.
I stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. He flinched, then looked up at me.
"You'll do fine," I said simply. "You've got a strong heart. Just remember—power without kindness is tyranny, and kindness without power is helplessness. Balance both, and you'll be more than a Marine. You'll be a shield."
His eyes went wide. Then he nodded fiercely. "…Yes, Sunny!"
{Ego}: "Ugh, you're too nice. Just tell him to crush his enemies already."
[System]: "Fufufu~ you sound like a mentor! So hot ♥."
I ignored them. Mostly.
Zoro's Answer
Lucy clapped her hands together, spinning toward Zoro with sparkles in her eyes. "SO! You're in, right? Right?!"
Zoro leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes shut. "Tch. I told you—I'm not interested in being part of some pirate's game."
Lucy stomped her foot. "But you fought beside us! That means destiny! That means nakama!"
Zoro cracked an eye open and glanced at me. "…And what about you? You don't look like the type to chase some silly dream."
I shrugged lazily. "I'm just here to explore, eat good food, nap whenever I want, and protect the people who matter. Doesn't really matter what the title is. Pirate, wanderer, babysitter for Straw Hats…"
Lucy puffed her cheeks again. "H-hey!"
Nami chuckled under her breath, "Babysitter fits."
Zoro stared at me for a long moment. Then his lips twitched into the smallest of smirks. "Hmph. At least you're honest."
Lucy leaned in. "So that's a yes?"
"…Fine. But only because I owe you for getting my swords back. And because I've got a dream to fulfill. If you stand in the way of that dream, I'll cut you down—even if you're my captain."
Lucy grinned like a madwoman. "Deal!"
Nami leaned over to me, whispering, "She didn't even flinch at that threat."
I whispered back, "That's because she probably didn't understand it."
"Hey! I heard that!" Lucy barked.
Comedy at the Docks
We left the ruined Marine base behind, heading toward the docks where our small boat waited. The townsfolk waved and cheered, praising Lucy and Zoro as heroes.
Lucy puffed her chest out so far I thought she might fall over. "Yes, yes, no need for applause, I already know I'm amazing!"
Nami rolled her eyes. "You punched like five Marines and tripped over your own hat."
"I refuse your facts!" Lucy barked back.
Zoro trudged along silently, ignoring her antics entirely.
Koby ran beside us until the dock's edge, saluting so hard his entire body shook. "Thank you! For everything! I'll remember this forever!"
Lucy saluted back with the wrong hand, nearly smacking herself in the face.
Nami facepalmed.
I chuckled and gave the kid one last nod.
And then…
Lucy suddenly shouted, "WAIT! I forgot the most important thing!"
We all froze.
She spun toward Zoro, grinning mischievously. "What's your favorite food?"
"…Meat."
Lucy gasped dramatically. "Oh no… we're rivals."
Zoro just stared at her. "…What."
Nami sighed so hard she almost collapsed.
On the Boat
By the time we pushed off from Shells Town, the sun was dipping low, painting the sea in streaks of gold and crimson.
Lucy stood at the bow, fist raised to the sky. "Next stop—adventure! Treasure! Meat!"
Zoro sat cross-legged, already dozing.
Nami checked her charts, muttering about the Grand Line.
I leaned back, hands folded behind my head, eyes on the horizon.
The world was moving again.
And deep inside me, the two new souls flickered quietly in my inventory. Morgan and Helmeppo. A reminder that every step forward meant more choices, more power, and more responsibility.
{Ego}: "You're too soft. You should've crushed them harder."
[System]: "Eeeh~ but soft Sunny is cute! And scary Sunny is even cuter ♥."
I smiled faintly, letting the sea breeze wash over me.
The age of adventure had begun.