"Bitter sand, stinging my face with the wind..."
Early in the morning, Eli Winters stood at the bow of the ship, belting out a song that echoed across the sea. He was completely absorbed in it singing with passion, waving his arms like a stage performer in front of an imaginary audience.
At the deck below, Big Pan stopped mid-training, giving him a look that could only be described as concerned amusement. He stared at his captain as if watching a madman and muttered, "What's gotten into him this early?"
Catching that look, Eli turned sharply, narrowing his eyes. "What's with that face, Big Pan? You saying your captain can't sing?"
Big Pan blinked. "Do you want the truth?"
"No need," Eli said quickly. "I already know it sounds amazing." He refused to risk hearing an honest review.
But Fiona, who had been trying to train upstairs, couldn't take it anymore. She leapt down from the second-floor training room, her expression icy.
"Terrible," she said flatly.
"Uh... that must be your ears," Eli replied stiffly.
"Hmph. Don't believe me? Ask Simon or Dorte." Fiona crossed her arms, glancing at him like she was dealing with a hopeless case.
At that exact moment, Simon and Dorte, who were hoisting the sails, froze. They exchanged a quick glance then spoke in unison.
"I'll go check the kitchen."
"Yeah, I'll help with breakfast."
Just then, Chiyo Mochizuki appeared on deck carrying a tray. "No need. Breakfast is already ready," she said kindly.
"Yay! Food!" Big Pan cheered instantly, dropping his training weights without a second thought.
"Chiyo," Eli called out as she passed, "be honest with me was my singing bad?"
"Uh... it was okay," Chiyo said gently. She didn't have the heart to hurt him.
But before Eli could look too smug, Filina came bouncing over, mischief in her eyes. "Captain Eli, your singing's about as good as my cooking."
The deck burst into laughter.
Eli's face twitched. "Filina..." he muttered through clenched teeth.
Filina only stuck her tongue out playfully before grabbing Chiyo's hand. "Come on, let's eat!"
And thus, the world of pirates lost a great singer that day.
Thanks to Chiyo's arrival, the meals aboard the Voyager had gone from barely edible to divine. As the heir of the royal chefs from the Flower Kingdom, her cooking could make anyone feel at home.
"Chiyo, this is amazing!" Big Pan said, rubbing his now-round stomach in delight.
"It really is!" Filina agreed, hugging Chiyo impulsively. "You're the best!"
Chiyo blushed, smiling shyly. "I'm just glad you like it."
After breakfast, Filina and Fiona helped clean up the dishes while Simon returned to the lookout post and Dorte went back to maintaining the sails.
Sunlight shimmered across the calm waves. With nothing urgent to do, Eli and Big Pan stood side by side at the bow, each holding a fine fishing rod. A light sea breeze brushed their faces as they waited for a catch in comfortable silence.
Minutes turned into hours. Big Pan's bucket was already half full with four or five fish. He grinned proudly as he tossed another in. Meanwhile, Eli's line hadn't moved once.
Watching Big Pan's success, Eli's patience thinned. He scowled. "You're not cheating, are you? How the hell did you catch that many so fast?"
Big Pan blinked, then burst out laughing. "Cheating? No way! You're just bad at it, Captain! Not even a minnow wants your bait!" He pulled a face and shook with laughter.
Eli glared at him, tempted to throw his rod into the sea.
Just then, Filina and Chiyo appeared with drinks and snacks. "How's it going, Captain? Any luck?" Filina asked with a teasing smile.
"I caught five!" Big Pan announced proudly before Eli could answer.
"I just started," Eli said quickly, the classic fisherman's excuse. He shot Big Pan a warning look say one more word and you're swimming.
Knowing Eli's pride too well, Filina mercifully played along. She set down the drinks and snacks with Chiyo, then led her back inside to resume training. Fiona had been pushing her hard lately.
Two hours later, Eli admitted defeat. Without using Haki, he realized he wasn't going to catch a single fish. Sighing, he set down his rod and glanced at Big Pan, who was still enjoying himself. Not wanting to disturb him, Eli headed upstairs to check on training.
In the training room, Fiona was doing squats with two massive barbells heavier than herself. Sweat dripped steadily down her face, proof she'd been at it for a long time.
Nearby, Filina and Chiyo were running with weighted sandbags strapped to their arms and legs. Filina's face glistened with sweat, but she was holding up well Chiyo, on the other hand, was clearly struggling. Her movements had slowed to a walk, though she still pushed on with gritted teeth.
Eli shook his head and called out, "That's enough, Chiyo. You'll hurt yourself if you push too hard."
"I can keep going, Captain," Chiyo panted, her cheeks flushed red. "I want to get stronger."
"Who's the captain here you or me?" Eli scolded gently. "Strength takes time. Don't rush it. You've got us to protect you. No one's going to hurt you while I'm here."
Chiyo hesitated, then nodded quietly. "Yes, Captain."
Eli ruffled her hair and smiled faintly. "Good. Now rest."
Just then, Simon's voice echoed from above.
"Captain! Three pirate ships are approaching half an hour out!"
Filina's eyes lit up instantly. "Where are they?! This time, let me handle it!" She'd been itching to test her Cloud-Cloud Fruit powers. Excitement radiated from her as she threw off her training weights and vanished in a blur of Soru, reappearing on deck.
Eli and the others exchanged weary looks and followed her out.
Flipping through a worn bounty booklet, Filina quickly matched the ships' flags. "Leopard Pirates. Captain Makarov the Leopard, bounty twenty-six million berries. His first mate, Hunter Barbie Brown, bounty thirteen-point-six million a first-rate swordsman. They've slaughtered three villages in the North Blue and raided thirteen more. Cruel, vicious scum."
Everyone's expressions darkened. The mood turned grim.
"Damn pirates," Fiona muttered. "They don't deserve to live."
As the Leopard Pirates closed in, cannon fire erupted. Fiona drew her sword, slicing the shells out of the air one after another.
Filina raised her hands dark clouds began to gather above the enemy fleet, thickening rapidly until the sky itself seemed to churn. Her face paled slightly from exertion, but her voice was firm.
"Divine Punishment."
Bolts of lightning roared down, striking the pirate decks in blinding flashes. Many pirates convulsed and fell, smoke rising from their bodies. Some, though scorched and shaken, remained standing.
Makarov, seeing his men fall before they'd even reached the enemy, roared in fury.
"Kill them all! Leave no one alive!"
The pirates shouted back, charging forward.
Eli gave the order, and Fiona, Big Pan, Simon, and Dorte launched into action. They used Soru to leap aboard the enemy ships like shadows, while Filina formed two white clouds beneath her and Chiyo's feet, lifting them into the air. From above, bolts of lightning struck the decks again and again.
Eli remained at the bow, observing quietly, ready to intervene if things turned south. He'd wanted Chiyo to see this. The sea wasn't a storybook it was blood and chaos, and every member of the Voyager had to face that truth.
The fight was swift and brutal. Simon and Dorte, both wielding strength equal to a Marine rear admiral, tore through the enemy ranks like a storm. The pirates didn't stand a chance their screams were swallowed by the crashing waves.
On Makarov's ship, Big Pan smashed through the deck, sending pirates flying. The leopard-faced captain lunged out of the cabin in a burst of rage, claws gleaming.
"Oh? A Devil Fruit user?" Big Pan grinned. "Guess I can't kill you, then. The captain wants your fruit intact."
"Damn bear! I'll tear you apart!" Makarov roared, transforming into a half-leopard hybrid.
Big Pan snorted. "You can try."
With one clean swing of his iron staff, he sent Makarov crashing through a mast. The pirate staggered up and slashed, grazing Big Pan's shoulder a shallow cut, but enough to spark his temper.
"Now you've done it," Big Pan growled. He vanished with Soru and reappeared behind Makarov, driving his staff into the man's side with a thunderous crack. Makarov collapsed, spine shattered.
Five minutes later, the battle was over. Fiona decapitated the enemy swordsman with one stroke; Simon and Dorte finished clearing the decks. Smoke and blood filled the air.
Big Pan dragged Makarov's unconscious body back onto the Voyager. "Captain, he's a Zoan user. Leopard-type."
Eli smiled faintly. "A lucky haul, then. That fruit's worth at least a hundred million berries."
Filina descended with a trembling Chiyo, whose face had gone pale.
"You okay?" Eli asked quietly.
Chiyo shook her head, eyes wide. The battlefield corpses, blood, mangled limbs was more horrific than anything she'd imagined.
"Take her to rest," Eli told Filina softly. He didn't try to comfort Chiyo further. She had to face this part of the sea on her own.
As Fiona, Simon, and Dorte returned, the three pirate ships behind them erupted into flames, burning away the sins of the Leopard Pirates.
Eli hauled Makarov's body to the storage room, where a pile of fruit awaited. There, he began the quiet process of extracting the Devil Fruit another prize in their endless voyage.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to leave a comment, drop a power stone, or add it to your collection your support keeps the journey going!