Morning in the Heaven's Embrace
The day after the heist, the Heaven's Embrace sailed quietly above the cloud line, the chaos of Mariejois far behind them. For once, there were no alarms, no cannon fire, no screaming Celestial Dragons.
Just the smell of breakfast drifting from Cosette's galley, the low hum of the ship's engines, and the sound of crew chatter.
Vegito was halfway through his fifth plate of eggs when Reiju set a small envelope in front of him.
"What's this?" he asked, tail swishing idly.
"Something… you might want to see."
Inside were a stack of folded notes. Each one had the same neat script, signed by a different woman in the crew.
The First Hint
The first note read:
Dear Vegito,You're going to be a father. — Reiju
He blinked, pulled the second note.
Me too. — Nami
The third.
Also me. — Bell-mère (You dog.)
By the fifth note — Nojiko's — his jaw had dropped. By the tenth, his grin was wider than the Embrace's hull.
The Announcement
He stood abruptly, sending his chair skidding across the deck. "Alright, everyone in the lounge. Now."
When the crew had gathered, Vegito paced in front of them like a captain about to announce a new voyage.
"So… apparently I've been busy."
Reiju arched an eyebrow. "You just figured that out?"
Cosette raised her hand. "Do you… want the full list?"
The Mink Reaction
Before Vegito could answer, Carrot burst forward, ears quivering with excitement. "We're pregnant too!" she yelled, pointing between herself, Wanda, and Tristan.
The three minks spoke in unison, voices high with glee: "And in mink culture, that means you're stuck with us forever!"
Wanda leaned in close, eyes glinting. "You're part of our pack now, captain."
Tristan's tail thumped against the couch like a drum. "And you're not getting out of it."
Chaos Erupts
The lounge exploded into overlapping voices.
Nami waving a finger at Carrot: "What do you mean forever?!"
Bell-mère laughing so hard she nearly fell off her chair.
Nojiko muttering about "finally getting payback" for years of Nami bossing her around.
Reiju smirking, "Well, I did say I wanted a big family."
Meanwhile, Cosette, Vivi, and Shirahoshi were quietly discussing baby names in the corner.
Vegito's Response
He held up both hands for quiet. "Alright, alright. First — congratulations to all of us. Second — I am not running from this. Third — we're going to make sure every single one of you is safe, healthy, and spoiled rotten until these kids are born."
Bell-mère crossed her arms. "That last part better be true, or you'll be eating the couch."
"Noted."
Practical Concerns
Robin, ever the historian, raised a finger. "There's the matter of where these children will be raised. We can't exactly keep newborns on the front lines of the Grand Line."
Lilith tapped her chin. "We could expand the inner dimension. Give them a safe, isolated sector with automated defenses and full environmental control."
Vegito nodded. "Do it. And while you're at it, make sure the nursery can survive a Buster Call."
A Mink Promise
Wanda stepped forward, placing a hand over her heart. "In our culture, the father's role is to guard the pack until the pups can fight. That's now your sacred duty."
Carrot beamed. "Which means if anyone threatens us—"
Tristan finished, "—we all get to help you tear them apart."
The Planning Continues
As the laughter and teasing died down, Reiju slid a map onto the table. "Which brings us to our next move. If we're heading into the New World again, we need allies — and resources."
Vegito leaned over the map. "Egghead Island's the next stop. Vegapunk owes me a few favors. Plus, I want him to take a look at those schematics we stole."
Robin's eyes lit up. "If anyone can decode the full scope of the world-ship, it's him."
Evening Reflections
That night, Vegito stood alone on the upper deck, watching the stars. The idea of fatherhood had never scared him before — but now, with so many lives tied directly to him, the stakes felt different.
A soft step sounded behind him. Reiju slipped her arms around his waist. "You're thinking too much again."
"Maybe. Just… trying to picture all of it."
She smiled against his back. "You'll be fine. You're already doing the impossible every day. This is just… another kind of impossible."
Final Orders Before Egghead
The next morning, the Heaven's Embrace angled toward the east. Vegito gathered the crew one last time.
"Next stop: Egghead Island. We'll get the tech we need, make sure our future kids have the safest place possible, and maybe swipe something shiny while we're at it."
Bell-mère grinned. "Back to business, then."
Carrot punched the air. "And if anyone gets in our way, we bite!"
The ship surged forward, its dragon-woman figurehead glinting in the rising sun.
[Crew Status Updated]
Multiple confirmed pregnancies among human and mink crew members.
Vegito's protective instincts doubled.
Next Arc: Egghead Island – science, secrets, and new allies.