The sun began to descend slowly behind the clouds, casting a golden hue over the battered village.
Luffy and his crew sat gathered around a half-broken platform in the center of the village.
The scent of burnt wood still lingered in the air.
The villagers moved quietly, tending to each other's wounds, giving occasional glances toward the uniformed figures in white who had arrived as their saviors.
Doll folded her arms and leaned slightly toward Luffy, her eyes sharp yet thoughtful.
"So… what now, Vice Admiral?" She asked, her voice laced with both curiosity and caution. "You must know the political implications here. Wano is not a World Government-affiliated country. The Marines technically have no jurisdiction. We can't just waltz in here, swing our swords, and call it justice."
There was a brief silence.
Luffy turned to look at her for a second before he chuckled softly. He tilted his head, the corner of his lips pulling into a carefree but dangerous smirk. He pointed at the back of his coat, the bold black letters 'Justice' visible under the flickering torchlight.
"That word right there," Luffy said firmly, "is all the reason I need."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried across the quiet square like a hammer striking steel.
"I don't care about 'jurisdiction' or 'political authority'. If people are crying for help and we're strong enough to answer… then we help. That's it. Anything else is just an excuse made by cowards."
Doll blinked and stared at him, caught off guard.
Luffy stood up, his boots thudding against the cracked tiles. He swept his gaze across his crew. "That's what Justice is. Not sitting in a comfy chair while people starve behind borders. Justice isn't selective."
Issei, who had been sitting cross-legged on a wooden crate, grinned and nodded. "What great words... Justice isn't selective, huh? You really hit the nail on the head. That's what made me join you, Vice Admiral. Your heart's too loud to ignore."
Kuina, who had been sharpening her blade with gentle strokes, paused and looked up. Her eyes sparkled with admiration, and maybe something more. "I knew there was a reason I followed you out of Marineford. You're a madman… but the kind that changes the world."
Gion leaned against the village well, her long legs crossed and arms folded. She arched a brow, lips curled into a smirk. "You better not get us court-martialed, Luffy. I still have a career to think about."
"You can just marry me and quit the Marines," Luffy teased without missing a beat. "We will take a boat and just travel around the world for adventures."
The group collectively paused.
Gion's face flushed, but she recovered fast, smirking back. "As if you could handle me."
"Oh, I can handle you just fine," Luffy muttered playfully, winking.
Ain chuckled and whispered to Hina, "He really is a devil… not just on the battlefield."
Hina flicked her cigarette away, exhaling smoke slowly. "Hina agrees… but it's charming."
The laughter began to build, the tension in the air dissolving slightly.
These were not ordinary soldiers. They were elites... fighters forged in battle, seduced by charisma, led by a man who wore rebellion like a second skin.
Luffy raised a hand, and everyone quieted again.
"There are twelve of us here," He said with a serious expression. "...each one among the best the Marines has to offer. The world may not be watching, but we don't need a spotlight to make a change. With all of us moving as one… there's no mission we can't complete."
A spark lit in the eyes of every Marine there.
Doll nodded. "You're reckless… but damn if that didn't stir my blood."
Issei stood up and stretched, muscles bulging under his coat. "So what's the plan? When do we move on to Onigashima?"
"Not yet," Luffy replied. "Tonight… we rest. First, we will go and blend in the capital to gather intel. We need to gather every little detail about Kaido's operation. We cannot rush into a beast's den blind."
Kuina grinned. "So in short... you're still scheming."
"Always," Luffy replied, tipping an imaginary hat.
"And what about food?" Chaton suddenly asked, rubbing her belly. "We gave away all our emergency rations to the villagers. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret it... but I am starving."
Kuina looked equally concerned. "Yeah… you always bring sake, but never snacks. We're not built like you, Luffy. Some of us need rice and fish, not just booze."
Luffy leaned back against the old wooden railing and grinned. "Food, huh…? Don't worry. I've got a solution."
Gion narrowed her eyes. "What type of solution?"
Luffy smirked, turned around, and started walking toward the village's forested edge. "It's a surprise."
He stood and waved his hand as he walked toward the forest. His steps slowed as he made his way toward the edge of the village.
The distant sound of children laughing mixed with the soft crackle of small cooking fires, as the villagers finally found some comfort after days of despair.
But just as he reached the village outskirts, something caught his eye.
It was a small, motionless figure sitting near a wooden post beside a crumbling house.
She sat cross-legged in the dust, her back straight but eyes hollow. A roasted sweet potato rested in her lap, barely touched. Her dark-violet hair glistened in the sun, pulled into a neat Shimada style that was far too elegant for someone so small and frail. Her pale cheeks were streaked with grime and soot, and the pink hana kanzashi swayed gently beside her ears in the breeze.
Luffy paused as his steps stopped completely. He changed his direction and walked towards her.
The girl had not noticed him at first… but then, as she sensed someone approaching, she looked up. Her wide violet eyes blinked up at the tall man with the messy black hair and the carefree yet powerful aura that wrapped around him like a warm summer breeze.
Luffy stopped in front of her and crouched slowly down to her level, his expression softening, the usual mischief in his eyes replaced by something else.
"Yo," He said casually, the corners of his lips curling into a light grin. "You ate earlier, right? That big bag I brought."
Otama blinked at him, startled, the half-eaten sweet potato forgotten in her lap. Her hands clutched the fabric of her ragged kimono.
"Y-Yes… I… I had some," She said, her voice almost a whisper.
Her tone was polite, but her nervousness was visible.
Luffy leaned a little closer, enough to let his shadow shade her tiny face from the sun. His grin widened into a warm, gentle… brotherly smirk.
"But was it enough?" He asked softly. "You still hungry?"
The question hung in the air like a floating leaf.
Otama's lips trembled. Her fingers tightened around the hem of her sleeve. She looked down at the sweet potato, then at Luffy, and then back down again. As if ashamed to admit the truth, she slowly gave a small nod.
GUUURRGLLLE...
Her stomach made the decision for her.
Luffy laughed cheerfully. "Haha! Your belly told me the truth before your mouth did."
Otama's face turned red from embarrassment, and she opened her mouth to apologize, but Luffy raised a hand and ruffled her hair gently.
"Oi, don't look so sad," He said, voice smooth and lighthearted. "What's a captain good for if he can't feed the hungry?"
Her eyes shimmered at his words, and despite herself, she smiled.
Luffy stood up, brushing off his knees.
"Look forward to tonight," He said with a wink. "I'll bring something so tasty, it'll make your belly dance!"
Otama tilted her head. "Really?"
"Really, really," He replied, sticking out his pinky. "Captain's promise."
Otama stared at the offered finger, stunned… before shyly extending her own pinky and hooking it with his.
Luffy smirked and gave her a thumbs-up. "That settles it, then!"
With a final pat on her head, he turned around, his red coat fluttering behind him with every step like a flame against the green of the forest.
Otama watched him go, her heart beating faster.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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