Chapter 40 — The Swordsman and the Cat Burglar
Sunny's POV
The morning sun glimmered over the rolling waves as Shells Town faded behind us. The air smelled of salt, freedom… and regret. Regret that I hadn't hidden the emergency food stash better.
"MORE!" Lucy bellowed, shaking an empty barrel over her mouth. Crumbs clung to her straw hat. "I'm going to be the Pirate Queen on an empty stomach! This is a tragedy!"
"The only tragedy is my sanity," Nami muttered, tracing routes on her map. She glanced at the disappearing island. "Good riddance. Next stop: a proper market—and fewer pink-haired Marine trainees."
"Hey, Koby was brave," I said, leaning casually against the mast.
"He was a walking liability," Nami retorted, though her tone softened. A sly grin curved her lips. "You looked proud of him, didn't you?"
I shrugged, smiling faintly. "Someone has to root for the dreamers."
"I REFUSE YOUR REFUSAL TO ROOT FOR ME MORE!" Lucy shouted, mishearing as usual. She leaned far over the railing, pointing dramatically at the sun. "OOOH! A SEA KING! IT LOOKS TASTY!"
The boat lurched violently. Before she could topple over, I snagged her vest and hauled her back aboard.
"Idiot," I scolded, setting her down like a misbehaving kitten. "You'll feed the fish before you become Pirate Queen."
"But it looked so juicy…" she pouted.
Nami approached, straightening the collar of my shirt. Her fingers brushed against my neck just a second too long.
"You're always cleaning up her messes," she murmured, voice soft.
{ego}: Pathetic. A collar adjustment and he's melting.
[system]: Heart rate elevated 18%. Pupillary dilation suggests high affection receptivity. Nami's proximity is… acceptable. For now. ♥
"Will you two shut up?" I muttered under my breath.
Zoro, polishing his swords, gave a dry glance. "You say something?"
"Just the usual voices," I deadpanned.
Lucy blinked. "You have voices? Can they get me meat?"
Nami sighed and returned to her maps, faintly flushed. I let my Observation Haki ripple gently—not as a weapon, just a comforting presence.
Lucy's aura was a blazing sun—chaotic, warm, bright.
Nami's was like a detailed chart; sharp, clever lines with hidden depths.
Zoro's was steady and sharp—a forged blade, unyielding.
Perfect chaos.
Nami's POV
"Our priority," I said, tapping the map, "is a detailed chart of the Grand Line. Without it, we're just a floating buffet."
Lucy slammed her fists on the deck. "Who needs maps! Adventure is that way!" She pointed randomly, which, unfortunately, was directly at the sun.
"We'd be blind idiots!" I snapped, lightly smacking her on the head.
"I REFUSE YOUR REFUSAL TO BE BLIND IDIOTS!"
Sunny chuckled. "Nami's right. A navigator without a map is like a swordsman without a blade. But charging into the unknown because you believe… that's a special strength too."
I leaned against his shoulder as I explained the currents. His solid, reliable presence sent warmth through me.
{ego}: Finally. Took you long enough to notice. Lazy show-off.
[system]: Nami is too close. Must monitor. Ara~ Ara~ Master's attention is desirable. ♥
Lucy noticed my closeness, a tiny pout forming. She didn't understand why it stung.
Sudden interruption
A nasally voice cut through. "HEY! Stop right there, scum-bags! These waters are ours!"
A tattered dinghy approached, three pitiful pirates aboard. Barely a skirmish.
I didn't even stand. A single raised eyebrow and my blue Haki flared, subtly—but palpably.
Lucy shrieked, "PIRATES! GOMU GOMU NO… PISTOL!"
POW! One pirate flew into the horizon.
Zoro sighed, drew and sheathed a single sword. The dinghy split in two. The remaining two floundered in the water.
I let the Haki ripple outward—a low, heavy pressure. The pirates' eyes went wide. They scrambled backward, swimming like terrified children.
{ego}: Took you long enough.
[system]: Threat negligible. But Master's aura when annoyed… irresistibly possessive. ♥
Sunny's POV — Evening
Nami took the galley, using rare spices I'd collected. Zoro paused mid-drink, sniffing appreciatively.
Lucy stared, aghast. "It's not enough!"
"Chew instead of inhaling," Nami retorted, smirking. She fed me a bite, fingers brushing my lips.
"Wow… you're better than you let on," I said.
"Many hidden talents," she replied, pride in her eyes.
Lucy, never missing a beat, flopped onto the plate. "FEED ME TOO!"
[system]: Ara~ Ara~ Master is vulnerable and domestic. Must monitor. ♥
The sun dipped, turning the sky violet. Nami traced our next route.
"Orange Town," she said. "Vibrant market. Resupply."
Buggy. Clowns. Chaos waiting.
I looked at my crew: Lucy's bright face, Zoro's calm strength, Nami's clever gaze. A quiet vow formed: I'll protect this. All of it.
Lucy face-planted mid-chew, asleep.
Zoro muttered, half-amused, half-annoyed: "…This is my crew?"
I grinned, taking it all in. The Grand Line had no idea what was coming.