PART 6 — The Night That Won't End
Foosha Village went quiet the way it always did.
Lamps dimmed. Doors shut. Voices faded into muffled murmurs and then nothing at all. The sea kept breathing, steady and patient, like it knew it would outlast everyone.
Luffy lay on his back in bed, straw hat resting on his chest.
He stared at the ceiling.
The room was dark, save for a sliver of moonlight sneaking in through the window. His muscles ached in that deep, satisfying way that usually meant sleep came fast.
It didn't.
Luffy shifted.
The bed creaked.
He adjusted the hat, turning it slightly so it sat straighter.
"…Huh," he whispered.
He rolled onto his side.
Then onto his stomach.
Then onto his back again.
He frowned at the ceiling.
His leg bounced.
He grabbed it, forcing it still.
It lasted exactly one breath.
Luffy groaned quietly, sat up, and swung his legs over the side of the bed. The wooden floor was cool under his feet. He stood there for a moment, head tilted, listening to the silence.
Too quiet.
"Guess I'll train a little," he muttered, like it was the most obvious solution in the world.
He dropped to the floor and started doing push-ups, careful to keep quiet this time. His arms shook more now. His breathing was heavier. Sweat dotted his brow almost immediately.
He smiled anyway.
"Five… six… eight…" he whispered, losing track again.
When his arms finally gave out, he flopped onto his back, chest heaving. He stared at the ceiling again, grin fading into something thoughtful—not serious, not sad. Just… alert.
Restless.
He sat up once more, slipped the straw hat onto his head, and padded quietly to the window. He pushed it open and climbed out onto the roof, crouching low as the night air washed over him.
The village slept beneath him.
The sea glittered in the distance.
Luffy stood there, breathing hard, heart racing, eyes bright.
"I'm gonna go," he whispered to no one. "Soon."
The wind stirred.
Somewhere far beyond Foosha Village—far beyond the notice of sleeping fishermen or laughing pirates—something ancient shifted its attention.
Not awakening.
Not acting.
Just noticing.
Luffy shivered.
"…Cold," he said, grinning as he pulled the hat down snug over his head.
He dropped into a crouch and started stretching again.
The night went on.
And on.