The sunlight streamed gently through the cabin windows, casting a warm glow on the polished wood of the Going Merry. Leo knelt before Tashigi, a small but purposeful smile playing across his face. In his hands, he held a gleaming sword: a Wado Ichimonji, its blade shining like silver fire.
"Here," he said, extending it toward her. "This sword is for you."
Tashigi froze mid-step, her hands hovering over the hilt as if afraid to touch it. Her heart pounded. "Y-you really want me to have this?" she asked, voice trembling with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
Leo nodded, his dark eyes firm yet gentle. "From now on, you'll keep an eye on me. If I do anything wrong, I want you to correct me immediately."
The Wado Ichimonji felt impossibly heavy in her hands, though not in weight but in significance. She had seen many swords in her life, but this one was extraordinary—a great sword, rare even among the elite blades of the pirate world. Only twelve of these supreme swords existed, legendary in their reputation. And Leo had just given her one.
"This… it's a great sword," she whispered, still staring at it. "Are you really giving this to me?"
Leo's hand rose, brushing gently across her forehead, his touch light but possessive. "We're a family now," he said, voice soft but resolute. "A sword is nothing. I'll make sure you have even better ones in the future."
He wasn't joking. He already knew where to find even finer blades, and for someone like Tashigi, who cherished the pursuit of masterful swords, this was paradise. Her fingers traced the edge, the craftsmanship flawless, the weight perfect. It dwarfed her current beloved, the Ryosaku-class sword she'd carried for years.
A flutter of warmth rose through her chest, a dizzying, unfamiliar sensation. Leo… he wasn't like other pirates she had seen. Perhaps it was because of her joining that something inside him had shifted—softened, maybe even changed.
She hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. "I… I'll accept it."
Leo's lips curved into a grin, almost teasing. Though the gesture was partly to win her favor, he knew it was needed. Tashigi deserved a sword worthy of her skill, and more importantly, he intended to train her into a master swordswoman of the Leo Pirates. Ryosaku would never suffice.
Tashigi's small hands closed around the hilt, her grip firm and reverent. "I'll make sure to guide you on the path of justice," she promised, her tone serious, her eyes meeting his for the first time with conviction.
Leo chuckled softly, the sound low and approving. "I believe in you."
He stood and extended a hand. "Come on, I'll introduce you to the rest of the crew."
The hallway was quiet at first, punctuated only by Tashigi's hesitant steps and the faint creak of the Going Merry's deck below. Leo led her through the ship, hand gently holding hers, guiding her with a mixture of authority and warmth.
The introductions were simple but striking. One by one, the crew revealed themselves:
Kaya, the doctor, offered a small, shy smile.Makino, poised and maternal, gave a soft nod of acknowledgment.Nami, the navigator, arched an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued.Carmen, bold and energetic, waved her hand enthusiastically.Nojiko, practical as ever, stood quietly, tending to the small potted plants along the deck.
Tashigi's eyes widened. She had expected a typical pirate crew, rough and chaotic—but this… this was something entirely different. Beautiful, talented, harmonious.
Leo suppressed a smirk as he watched her reactions. Let her take it all in. A few days here and she won't want to leave.
The following days passed quickly, carried by the gentle sway of the Going Merry soaring above the clouds. The advantages of air travel were clear: safety, speed, and the freedom to avoid unnecessary confrontations. With Nami's expert predictions, the crew sidestepped countless natural hazards, steering clear of storms and unpredictable currents.
Leo didn't rush Tashigi's training immediately. Her emotions had only recently stabilized; pushing her too hard might backfire. There would be time enough to teach navigation, sword techniques, and Haki.
But over these days, Tashigi observed the crew closely, growing more familiar with each member:
Kaya's Heal-Heal Fruit powers could mend virtually any wound.Nami, a genius navigator, constantly honed her skills, exploring weather phenomena with her Weather-Weather Fruit.Makino's homemade brews were exquisite, a delight Tashigi had never encountered.Carmen's cooking dazzled her every day, each meal a masterpiece.Nojiko maintained the deck and the small orange trees with patient diligence.
What astonished Tashigi most was the harmony of the crew. Despite being all women aside from Leo, they interacted with warmth and laughter. There was no competition, no petty jealousy—only camaraderie and trust.
Her own heart, restless and uneasy upon joining, slowly began to settle. She felt herself adapting to life aboard the Going Merry.
There was, however, one recurring element that unsettled her deeply: Leo's relentless affection for the other women.
It began innocuously—patting, playful touches—but escalated quickly into habitual displays of physical closeness.
Nami, watering the orange trees, would suddenly feel Leo's hand patting her rear as he passed.Kaya, reading a medical text, found herself suddenly kissed on the cheek, her book nearly falling.Carmen often leaned into him, teasing for attention, seeking the same warmth.
These interactions happened countless times daily. While the women seemed accustomed, even eager, Tashigi's innocence and naivety left her shocked. Her mind raced. What… what is happening here?
Even worse, the Going Merry was not soundproof. She could hear everything, even with her head buried under a pillow or ears plugged. Her cheeks burned red as realization struck: she now had front-row access to the private "lessons" Leo conducted with the other crew members.
Her heart raced with confusion, embarrassment, and an odd fascination. She understood the act, vaguely, from past knowledge in the Marine ranks, but seeing it firsthand… it was overwhelming.
Does he… expect me to…? she thought, fingers twisting nervously. How could I ever…?
The combination of her Marine conditioning, her loyalty, and her new position as a pirate under Leo's command created a whirlwind of anxiety.
One evening, at the dining table, Leo's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts.
"Tashigi," he said casually, leaning back in his chair, "tonight, you'll stay in the room. I'll come teach you some navigation and sword techniques."
Her fork froze mid-air. "Eh?!" she blurted, her mind still occupied with the previous days' experiences. Without thinking, she nodded. "O-okay…"
The other women exchanged glances, suppressing knowing smiles. Nami, Carmen, Makino—they all had caught on quickly. Tashigi's naïveté and willingness made them quietly amused.
"What are you laughing at?!" Tashigi demanded, wide-eyed.
Carmen tilted her head, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Little sister, don't you hear the sounds at night?"
Tashigi's face drained of color. "S-sounds?"
"That's the Captain teaching us… lessons," Nami said matter-of-factly, stifling a laugh.
"What?!" Tashigi shrieked, her cutlery clattering to the table. She hid her face in her hands, cheeks flushed like apples. Lessons? Could a pirate captain's "lessons" really be so… intimate?
The crew smirked knowingly, realizing Tashigi's innocence. Leo, standing quietly in the corner, merely smiled at her reaction, letting her absorb the reality of life aboard the Going Merry.
Tashigi, unsure of how to reconcile her new life with her Marine values, lowered her head and muttered, "I… understand, Captain…"
The crew's laughter rang around her, but Tashigi, for the first time, felt a strange mix of embarrassment, curiosity, and belonging. Here on this ship, life was chaotic, unpredictable, and… impossibly human.
And somehow, she began to trust that, under Leo's guidance, she might learn not just to survive—but to thrive.
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T/N :
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