Back in the heart of the ruined village, nestled beneath the night sky of Wano, a peculiar stillness settled among the gathered people.
Despite the earlier relief of filling their stomachs, an anxious undertone lingered.
The Marines, led by the famously alluring and deadly Gion, stood nearby, chatting lightly with some villagers. But anyone paying attention would see a shared flicker of concern in their eyes.
Gion folded her arms beneath her chest, eyes narrowing toward the edge of the forest path.
"That idiot's taking too long," She murmured, her voice like a silken blade. "He said he'd just bring more food. Why do I feel like he's out there picking a fight with someone?"
Kujaku giggled softly beside her. "With his charm? Maybe he seduced some women of Wano and traded a kiss for some dumplings."
Binz coughed and looked away.
Hina let out a low, smoky chuckle. "Knowing that man, I wouldn't be surprised if he flirted with a general's wife while stealing food from their storage."
"I would be surprised if he didn't," Chaton muttered flatly.
Prince Grus ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. "We're in enemy territory… he's too casual. That reckless brat—"
Whiiiiiirrr…
A distant, metallic creaking sound cut through the air.
Click-clack…click-clack…
The villagers paused mid-step, ears twitching toward the edge of the road.
And then, it came.
"Yohoho~!! Ladies and gentlemen! Sorry to keep you waiting!!"
A loud, flirtatiously dramatic voice echoed through the village, unmistakably filled with pride.
All heads turned in unison and saw a dazzling figure emerging from between the trees, bathed in the moonlight like a hero from a forgotten legend.
Luffy's signature Marine coat swayed open, revealing a toned, glistening torso, beads of sweat tracing the grooves of muscle down his abs. His steps were light, almost bouncing, and his face bore the kind of roguish grin that could melt hearts and piss off superiors.
And he wasn't alone.
Behind him rolled a massive cart, creaking under its weight and towering with food, including fresh fruits, barrels of sake, slabs of seared meat, fluffy buns, rice cakes, and golden fried delicacies that shimmered like treasure in the fading light.
The villagers gasped. Some even dropped to their knees, mouths agape.
"F-Food…?"
"S-So much of it…!"
"It's like a dream…"
"Am I dead…?"
The whispers spread like wildfire.
Gion's eye twitched. "What… the hell…"
Kujaku let out a whistle. "Okay. Either he charmed a goddess… or robbed a whole feudal lord."
Luffy strode in with flair, halting beside the stunned Marines. He clapped his hands together, drawing attention.
"Alright, everyone!" He declared loudly. "Banquet time! Eat to your heart's content!"
BOOM!!
A shockwave of cheers exploded from the villagers.
"BANZAAAAAI!!"
"LUFFY-SAMAAAA!!"
"OUR SAVIOOORR!!"
The children raced forward, elderly men fell to their knees in gratitude, women clasped their hands in tears. Some even tried to hug Luffy's legs, but he simply laughed, stepping back with a playful wink.
"I'm flattered, I'm flattered, but come on, I just wanted to eat too, ya know?" He grinned. "Don't make me look so cool... I might start believing it myself."
His charisma practically oozed into the air, intoxicating and unreal.
Even the Marines had to admit that it was kind of hot.
As villagers began unloading the food like ants on honey, Gion and the others approached Luffy, curiosity written all over their faces.
Chaton squinted at the massive pile. "Where… the hell did you even find this much food? I thought we already gave the villagers all we had."
Luffy shrugged, stretching his arms behind his head. "Wellll, turns out Wano's still got some generous people out there."
"Generous?" Kujaku smirked, tilting her head and letting a strand of violet hair fall seductively. "You? Asking nicely? That doesn't add up, Captain."
Luffy blinked innocently. "Hey… I'm not always a brute, you know?"
"Hmm," Kujaku narrowed her eyes and leaned closer, poking his chest. "So you asked nicely, and they just gave you all of this?"
"…Right after I beat the living crap out of forty or so guards who tried to stop me," Luffy confessed with a sheepish grin.
"I knew it!!"
The women chorused.
Hina exhaled smoke from her cigarette, shaking her head. "There it is. The Luffy Method™."
Issho chuckled softly, tapping his staff against the ground. "A little direct, but effective nonetheless."
"Hey, you got results," Binz admitted. "That's more than we can say for most."
Kujaku sighed dramatically. "I was kind of hoping for a Luffy who'd grown up."
He leaned toward her with a devilish smile. "That's unfair. I've grown… but only in ways you'll enjoy, Kujaku."
Her cheeks tinted pink. "You flirt…"
"Guilty," Luffy whispered with a wink.
Grus groaned. "Can you not be a menace for just one day?"
"Not if it means stopping fun," Luffy replied, smirking.
"Enough flirting," Gion interjected with authority, eyes sharp. "What's the real story here? And… do you have news from outside?"
Luffy nodded, the playful gleam in his eyes dimming ever so slightly. He leaned on the cart and crossed his arms.
"I've got two pieces of news," He said, his voice a bit heavier now. "One good and one bad. Which do you want first?"
The group exchanged glances.
Gion sighed. "Start with the good."
"Alright," Luffy grinned. "Kaido and his elite commanders are not in Wano."
"…What?"
Several voices echoed at once.
"Yeah," Luffy confirmed. "Seems like they're off dealing with some territory dispute in the New World. Which means... his house is vulnerable."
He clapped his hands and gestured around.
"With no real heavy hitters left, we can sweep through his holdings... destroy Orochi's little empire, free the slaves in the weapon factories and wipe the scum from Wano's soil."
The Marines went still.
"That's… incredible news," Chaton muttered. "This could change everything."
Binz nodded gravely. "A rare opportunity."
Grus tapped his chin. "And the bad news?"
Luffy's grin faded. His eyes flicked toward the distant mountains.
"The bad news… is that Kaido not being here ruins my plans."
He let out a sigh and threw himself into a sitting position on a nearby log.
"I came here to fight him, intending to crush him... And now... The damn dragon is off playing politics somewhere else."
There was a brief pause.
"Seriously?" Kujaku blinked. "That's your bad news?"
Luffy spread his arms. "I feel empty inside, Kujaku. I came here all hyped up, only to find my opponent ran off with his tail tucked."
Gion pinched the bridge of her nose. "You idiot…"
Issho chuckled again. "Still, your disappointment is our gain."
Luffy smirked faintly. "I guess. But hey, it's not all bad."
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His voice grew softer, more serious.
"We have a chance to do something meaningful here. These people… they're suffering. If we strike now, before Kaido returns, we can change lives."
He looked toward the villagers who were now singing, dancing, and devouring food with glowing faces.
"Look at them. They've lived under fear for so long… they deserve a shot at peace."
There was silence for a moment.
Then Hina stepped forward, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll support you, Luffy," She said softly. "We've got your back."
Gion nodded. "You make the call. We'll execute."
Luffy grinned. "That's why I keep you, lovely ladies, around."
Kujaku slapped his arm. "Careful, or we won't warm your bed tonight."
Luffy gave a mock gasp. "Such cruelty!"
Gion turned away, hiding a faint blush. "Just… don't mess around when it's time to fight."
Luffy stood, fists clenched. His smile returned—but there was steel behind it now.
"Oh, I'll fight," He said. "I'll make sure that when Kaido returns, he'll find Wano no longer chained by fear… but burning with rebellion... Orochi dead and his factories dismantled. And his name cursed by the very people he tried to enslave."
He turned, the wind catching his coat, casting a shadow that seemed far too large for a man his size.
"I wonder," He said slowly, voice full of mischief and menace, "what kind of face Kaido will make when he sees his perfect kingdom shattered… hmm, maybe he'll cry."
And then, the group laughed.
Even the villagers caught in the echo of a laughter they didn't understand and found their spirits lifted even higher.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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