Chapter 61 : The Cutest Terror on the Sea
The world hadn't stopped laughing.
Every island, tavern, and marine base from East Blue to the Red Line buzzed with one shared phrase:
> "The Most Handsome and Cutest Man on the Sea."
By now, the Going Merry crew were sailing straight into legend — though not in the way any of them expected.
---
Going Merry — The Fanmail Disaster
Morning sunlight painted the deck in gold. Sunny yawned, rubbing his eyes— only to find a mountain of letters stacked in front of him.
"...What the hell is this?" he muttered.
Usopp saluted dramatically. "Captain's orders! We're delivering the fanmail from the News Coo! Apparently, you've got admirers in four seas!"
"Admirers!?" Sunny flipped one open.
> 'Dear Sunny-sama, your eyes shine brighter than the sun. Please step on me—'
He immediately slammed it shut. "OH NOPE. NOPE. I'M OUT."
Lucy rolled on the deck laughing. "Pfft—! Even pirates are simping for you now!"
Nami chuckled slyly. "You could auction your photos and make a fortune."
"Over my dead body," Sunny growled.
{ego}: "Technically, the mortals already worship your cuteness. Just embrace it, Idol-kun." [system]: "Ara~ I agree. Maybe I should open your official fan club. Tier 1 gets a daily wink. Tier 2 gets... exclusive morning voice recordings~♡"
Sunny buried his face in his hands. "Why are you both like this?"
---
Sanji's Tragic Monologue
At the edge of the deck, Sanji knelt dramatically, cigarette dangling, tears streaming like waterfalls.
"WHY! WHY DOES HE GET ALL THE GIRLS!?"
He looked up to the heavens. "I trained for years to be the prince of ladies— and yet that sunshine-haired menace sneezes and earns worship!"
Lucy patted his back. "It's okay, curly. You're still... uh, useful?"
"USEFUL?! That's the pity word!"
Nojiko giggled from the kitchen window. "Maybe if you stopped fainting every time a woman talks to you…"
Sanji twitched. "I—I'm a gentleman, not a beast!"
Aqua popped her head out beside Nojiko. "You? Gentleman? I've seen slimes with more self-control, darling~"
Sanji's eyes turned into hearts. "AQUA-CHAAAN! My goddess!"
Sunny sighed. "He's broken again."
---
Zoro vs. Lucy: The Mock War
Lucy was still beaming at her bounty poster when Zoro walked by, polishing his swords.
"Oi, Captain of the Cute Crew," he teased, smirking.
She puffed her cheeks. "You jealous, mosshead? You got a zero, I got thirty million!"
"Yeah, but mine's coming from strength. Yours is from babysitting that walking plushie over there."
Sunny: "HEY!"
Lucy's grin sharpened. "You wanna go, sword-boy?"
Zoro: "Always."
{ego}: "Ladies and gentlemen, the daily chaos begins. Grab your popcorn." [system]: "Mmm~ nothing like morning violence to start the day~♡"
The two lunged— Lucy with a frying pan she found in the kitchen, Zoro with the blunt side of a katana.
Usopp screamed, "NOT AGAIN! NOT ON THE SHIP!"
Sunny sighed and, with one wave, used his Haki to separate them across the deck.
Lucy puffed up like an angry cat. "You're lucky my Sunny stopped me!"
Zoro snorted. "Your Sunny? He's everyone's Sunny now, poster boy."
That earned him a cloud-punch to the face.
---
Bell-mère's Village — Reaction Part II
Meanwhile, back in Cocoyasi, Bell-mère's table was covered with papers.
"100 million bounty, 30 million bounty, all for my kids," she muttered, smiling warmly. "Guess I'll need a new scrapbook for wanted posters."
Genzo rubbed his temple. "Do you ever worry they might cause an international incident?"
"Oh, please," Bell-mère said, flipping her hair. "If they do, the world deserves it. Anyone who calls Sunny cute after he punches a sea monster needs therapy."
Nojiko's letter sat open beside her, filled with laughter and drawings. At the end, one line made her eyes soften:
> 'We're getting stronger together, but don't worry, Mom. We're still smiling.'
Bell-mère chuckled. "They always are."
---
Syrup Village — Kaya's Letter Scene
Kaya sat at her desk, writing a letter with trembling hands.
> 'Dear Usopp, I saw the paper today. You're part of something big now… I'm proud of you. But please— don't let that Sunny boy get you into trouble. And if you do— write to me first.'
She paused, blushing slightly. "I hope he's eating properly."
Merry peeked in. "Miss Kaya, are you writing another letter to Captain Longnose?"
"Don't call him that!"
Merry chuckled. "He'll be happy, you know."
---
Marine HQ — Meeting of Despair
In the war room, marines huddled around the wanted posters like archaeologists examining cursed relics.
One officer whispered, "We tried printing 'dangerous pirate,' but every time we used his picture, the printing snails drew sparkles."
Another slammed his fist. "THE SNAILS THINK HE'S CUTE TOO!"
Sengoku stood before the chaos, temple throbbing. "This is a disgrace to the Navy's dignity! How are we supposed to fear someone nicknamed Sunshine-sama?"
A small voice piped up from the back. "Sir… there's a report from female officers requesting Sunny keychains."
The Fleet Admiral screamed into the heavens. "GAARP!! THIS IS YOUR FAULT SOMEHOW!!"
From the corner, Garp snorted with laughter, doughnut crumbs flying. "BAHAHAHAHA! Maybe we should promote the boy to model marine. Would boost morale."
---
Back on the Merry — Dinner Chaos
Evening. The sea glittered with starlight as the crew gathered for dinner.
Sanji's cooking smoked from the kitchen as Aqua and Nojiko helped set the table. Lucy and Nami were arm-wrestling for dessert rights while Usopp narrated dramatically from atop a barrel.
Usopp: "And thus, the legend of the Handsome Demon Pirates spread across the four seas! The Marines tremble at the sight of Sunny's radiant face!"
Sunny: "Usopp, please stop."
Lucy: "No, no, let him continue! This is gold!"
{ego}: "I should start a podcast for this crew."
[system]: *"Only if I can host it. Episode one: 'When your captain's smile causes global panic~♡'"
Sunny sighed, smiling despite himself.
He looked around at his laughing crew — Nami teasing Lucy, Sanji trying to flirt with Aqua, Zoro half-asleep with a drink, Usopp gesturing wildly mid-story.
His heart warmed.
"Guess this is what it means to sail with chaos," he murmured.
{ego}: "You love it." [system]: "You love them, darling~♡"
Sunny smiled faintly. "Yeah… I really do."
The sea breeze carried their laughter far into the night — the legend of the Cutest Terror on the Sea just beginning to bloom.
News Coos — Aerial Chaos
Above every island in East Blue, the News Coos flapped frantically. Each flying messenger bird clutched newspapers tightly in their claws, flapping their wings like their lives depended on it.
"Delivery… almost… perfect…!" one coo gasped, its feathers ruffled by the chaotic winds.
The headline on each paper screamed in bold letters:
> "SUNNY — 100 MILLION BELLYS! MOST HANDSOME PIRATE ON THE SEA!" "LUCY — 30 MILLION BELLYS! CAPTAIN OF THE CUTEST CREW!"
Everywhere the papers landed, people paused. Taverns filled with gossip, markets slowed with whispers, and children pointed at each copy like it was a magical scroll.
---
Island Reactions — Chaos Everywhere
On an island near the Grand Line, a pair of merchants stared at the papers.
Merchant 1: "Did… did he just get a hundred million for being cute?" Merchant 2: "I'm reading that right. And his captain… thirty million?" Merchant 1: "What kind of world is this?! Are we supposed to fear them or start an autograph line?"
Meanwhile, a group of Marines struggled to comprehend the chaos.
Marine Sergeant: "Sir… they're… simping. Everywhere. Our wanted posters are… being collected as fan merch." Captain: "This isn't justice, this is… fashion!"
One junior officer whispered to his friend: "I… think I'm in love with him already." His friend fainted. Literally.
---
On the Merry — Crew Reactions
The crew gathered on deck, reading the bounties together.
Sunny held up his poster, grimacing. "They literally wrote handsome and cutest man as the reason for my bounty…"
Lucy tilted her head, smirking. "So what's your problem? You've been labeled the idol of the seas."
Sunny groaned. "I left my cute face when I was fifteen. Now the world thinks I peaked and hasn't aged a day. It's a nightmare!"
{ego}: "Darling, they're in love with your past self too. Isn't that adorable?" [system]: "Mmm~ adorable indeed. I'll arrange a fanclub tour if you like~♡"
Sunny: "…System. Stop."
Nami pinched the bridge of her nose. "Honestly, you're lucky. Only you could cause a bounty for being cute and not criminally dangerous."
Usopp puffed his chest. "I knew it! I told you! We're legends now! The Greatest Crew East Blue has ever seen!"
Sanji groaned from the galley. "I hate all of you."
---
Sanji vs. Zoro — Daily Ritual
Zoro leaned against the railing, glancing at Sunny's poster. "So… the world fears his smile."
Sanji spit out his tea. "FEARS!? They're worshipping him like a goddamn dessert!"
Zoro smirked. "And you think you're the only one capable of seducing women? Hah."
Sanji's eyes bulged. "I'm not supposed to compete with him! He's… he's—"
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Cute. He's literally cute. You're never going to win, curly."
Sanji groaned, dramatically collapsing onto the deck. "My life… my honor… destroyed by a man with nice hair and puppy eyes!"
{ego}: "Ahh, the tears of a simping chef… exquisite." [system]: "I love this. Should I write a motivational poster for him too?"
---
Worldwide Fanclubs — Chaos Ensues
Somewhere far away, in an East Blue town, a group of teenage girls and boys were forming fanclubs for Sunny. "Captain Sunshine" merchandise began to appear: plushies, hats, posters, even miniature ships shaped like the Going Merry.
Lucy's fanclub? Smaller, but equally intense. "She's the captain of the cutest pirate in the world! I must follow her!"
Meanwhile, Marines were flustered. Wanted posters were being hung upside down, sold in taverns, and even framed in cafes. It was impossible to maintain authority.
One Marine whispered: "Maybe we should just… give up?" The Admiral shouted: "NEVER! The world must fear them! But… maybe also… appreciate their… faces?"
---
Evening — Crew Reflection
By nightfall, the Going Merry anchored in a quiet cove.
Sunny leaned against the mast, staring at the stars. "A bounty for my cute face… Lucy's bounty for… me… I don't even know anymore."
Lucy playfully nudged him. "You're not complaining, are you, Mr. Idol?"
Sunny rubbed his temples. "I'm dying inside."
Nami chuckled, holding her charts. "You'll get used to it. Just… don't get cocky."
Aqua bounced over, laughing. "I say bask in the glory, darling! You earned it!"
Nojiko added, softly: "We'll handle the chaos… you just keep being you."
Usopp jumped atop a barrel. "And I will tell stories of this day for generations! The world will remember: The Cutest Terror of the Sea!"
Sanji peeked from the galley, muttering: "I hate you all."
Zoro yawned, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. Cute and deadly. Great."
---
Bell-mère's Letter — Perspective
Late at night, Bell-mère sat at her table, writing again.
> 'Sunny, Lucy — your bounties make me laugh more than I should. Don't lose your way, my dears. Remember your roots, your friends, and… always smile.'
She sighed, placing the letter in an envelope. Somehow, she knew it wouldn't reach them immediately — but it didn't matter.
"They're growing… and so is the world," she murmured, smiling.
---
Next Destination Tease
Sunny folded the latest News Coo report and handed it to Nami.
"Where to next, captain?" she asked, eyes sparkling.
Sunny grinned. "East Blue was just the beginning. Grand Line… here we come. And maybe… we'll get even cuter along the way."
Lucy puffed her cheeks. "As long as you don't steal my thunder again."
{ego}: "Oh dear… this crew is officially unstoppable. Reader, fasten your seatbelt~" [system]: "Next stop, adventures and chaos beyond imagination. UmU~♡"
The Going Merry rocked gently in the cove. Wind carried the laughter, the cheers, and the faint hum of future chaos far across the ocean.
> And somewhere in the world, someone whispered, "That pirate… that handsome, cute pirate… we'll never forget him."