Kuina whistled from the sidelines. "Damn. That's just cruel."
Luffy grinned. "He'll live."
Weevil's once-mighty strength began to fade. His legs trembled, his breath ragged. His face was swollen beyond recognition, his once-massive form hunched and broken.
Luffy could end it. He should end it.
But this wasn't his kill to make.
He slammed his fist into Weevil's chest one last time, sending him crashing into the earth. The massive man lay motionless, only weak groans escaping his lips.
Luffy exhaled, shaking the tension from his knuckles. "That's enough."
He turned toward Buckingham Stussy. The old woman, now visibly shaking, tried to scramble away.
"I— I can pay you! Anything you want!" She shrieked.
Kuina smirked, stepping forward. "Not interested."
With a blur of movement, Kuina closed the distance and struck Buckingham Stussy in the stomach with the hilt of her sword. The woman crumpled, unconscious.
Kuina tied her up with Seastone chains. "Well, that was easy."
Luffy hoisted Weevil over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Let's go."
----
By the time they returned to the ship, the Marines were in a frenzy.
They had been moments away from sending out an emergency report, fearing the worst. But when they saw Luffy and Kuina emerging from the jungle, completely unscathed—and carrying both criminals—they stood frozen in shock.
One officer fumbled with a Den Den Mushi. "Uh— Uh, Marineford, sir! They're back! Mission successful!"
Luffy tossed Weevil onto the deck with a thud, while Kuina dumped Buckingham Stussy beside him.
"We'll deliver them to Marineford," Luffy said simply.
The Marines quickly secured the prisoners, binding them in reinforced Seastone chains and locking them in separate cells below deck.
As the ship turned toward Marineford, Kuina leaned against the railing, looking at Luffy. "Still think this wasn't about revenge?"
Luffy gazed at the horizon. "It wasn't."
She smiled. "Then I guess Zephyr owes you one."
Luffy smirked. "He'll get his chance."
The ship sailed forward, back to Marineford.
----
The voyage back to Marineford was uneventful, the sea unusually calm as if it too had recognized the weight of what had transpired.
Luffy stood at the bow, arms crossed, gazing at the horizon. Beside him, Kuina matched his stance, though her eyes flickered toward him occasionally. She didn't ask what he was thinking—she didn't have to.
The ship finally docked at Marineford after a day, its arrival marked by the rushed footsteps of Marines preparing to receive the prisoners.
Weevil and Buckingham Stussy were immediately hauled off, their chains rattling as they were dragged toward the holding cells.
A stern-looking officer, sent personally by Sengoku, approached Luffy and Kuina. "Seaman Apprentice Luffy, Fleet Admiral Sengoku requests your immediate presence for a debriefing."
Luffy yawned and stretched. "Nah, later."
The officer stiffened. "But this is a direct—"
Luffy turned his head slightly, his gaze sharp. "I said later."
The Marine flinched under the weight of his stare, unable to argue.
Kuina chuckled, shaking her head. "You really don't care about rules, do you?"
Luffy smirked. "Not when someone more important is waiting."
Without another word, he turned on his heel and made his way toward the infirmary, Kuina following closely behind.
----
The infirmary was eerily silent.
Zephyr lay on his hospital bed, his massive frame looking somewhat diminished beneath the white sheets. His face was set in a deep scowl, his hands clenched into fists.
Beside him, Ain sat quietly, her fingers gripping the edge of his bed. Her normally composed expression was laced with helplessness. She wanted to say something—anything—to ease his grief, but no words felt right.
Zephyr's breathing was slow and controlled, but the weight of loss pressed down on him like a boulder. The deaths of his students haunted him, their faces burned into his mind. I should have protected them. I should have been stronger.
A shadow passed over the doorway.
"Yo, old man."
Zephyr's eyes flickered up, his expression hardening. "Brat."
Luffy strolled in with his usual lazy gait, hands in his pockets, but there was something softer in his eyes. He nodded at Ain. "Hey, blue hair."
She blinked, slightly taken aback by the casual greeting, before nodding back.
Luffy pulled up a chair and plopped down next to the bed, propping his legs up on the edge. "Man, you look miserable. Are you sure you're the same Zephyr-sensei who kept ranting about how Marines should 'stand tall no matter what'?"
Zephyr's glare could have split steel. "Watch your mouth, brat."
Luffy grinned. "Oh? You're getting mad? That's good. Means you're still alive."
Zephyr exhaled sharply through his nose, clearly unamused. Ain, however, bit her lip, fighting a small smile.
Luffy leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Seriously though, you need to cut the whole brooding act. It's depressing. Ain looks like she's about to cry. Kuina is bored. And honestly? It's pissing me off."
Zephyr's fists tightened. "You don't understand—"
"I don't."
The firmness in Luffy's voice made Zephyr pause.
Luffy's grin faded, his voice dropping to something softer. "Yes, I don't know what it's like to lose people. Yes, I don't know what it's like to feel powerless yet, to want to turn back time. But you know what I know for sure? That sulking won't bring them back."
Zephyr's jaw clenched, but he didn't interrupt.
Luffy's gaze was unwavering. "Your students wouldn't want to see you like this. They died as Marines. They believed in you, didn't they?"
Zephyr closed his eyes. The memories of his students flashed in his mind—their eager faces, their unwavering loyalty.
"They did." His voice was gruff, but quieter.
Luffy smirked. "Then honor them. Stop blaming yourself. And hey…"
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I brought you a gift."
Zephyr raised an eyebrow. "A gift?"
"Yup." Luffy grinned. "But you only get it if you stop being a grumpy old man and promise to get better."
Zephyr scoffed. "What kind of dumb deal is that?"
"The best kind."
Ain stared at Luffy, her heart pounding.
He's… amazing.
She had always admired him, but this was different. This wasn't just strength—this was something deeper.
Zephyr sighed heavily. "…Fine. What's this 'gift' of yours?"
Luffy's smirk widened. "Edward Weevil."
Silence.
Zephyr's eyes snapped open, disbelief flashing across his face. "What?"
Luffy leaned back casually. "Captured him. Tied him up nice and tight. He's currently enjoying the hospitality of Marineford's cells."
Zephyr was speechless. The same Edward Weevil. The monster had slaughtered his students.
But Luffy—just a Seaman Apprentice—had done what the other Marines just weren't able to do.
"…You went against orders."
Luffy shrugged. "I don't care about orders. I care about you."
The room fell silent.
Ain's breath hitched. He really… cares.
Zephyr exhaled deeply. "You reckless brat."
Luffy smirked. "That's me."
Zephyr studied him for a long moment before something softened in his gaze. Slowly, a small chuckle rumbled in his chest.
"Heh."
Then, laughter. Deep, genuine laughter.
Ain's eyes widened. She hadn't heard him laugh in weeks.
Luffy grinned. "See? That's better. Old men shouldn't sulk."
Zephyr shook his head. "You're a pain in the ass."
Luffy leaned back, satisfied. "And you're welcome."
Zephyr eyed him, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You're an idiot."
Luffy smirked. "Takes one to know one."
Zephyr exhaled, shaking his head. "I'm proud to have taught a student like you."
Luffy's expression twisted. "Ugh. Gross."
He stood up, dusting off his pants. "Don't say stuff like that. We're family, aren't we? No need for weird, emotional crap."
Zephyr laughed harder.
Ain covered her mouth, hiding her giggles.
Kuina sighed. "Can we go now? You still have to report to Sengoku."
Luffy stretched. "Yeah, yeah."
He turned to leave, pausing at the door.
Zephyr called out, his voice steady. "Luffy."
Luffy glanced back.
"…Thank you."
Luffy grinned. "Took you long enough to say it."
With that, he strolled out, Kuina beside him.
Ain watched him go, her heart thudding against her ribs.
Admiration wasn't the right word anymore. What she felt now was something deeper, something warmer, something… dangerously close to love.
She pressed a hand to her chest, her cheeks warm.
Damn it.
As Luffy's figure disappeared down the hallway, she knew one thing for certain—this reckless, infuriating man had stolen something from her.
And she wasn't sure if she ever wanted it back.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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