Chapter 55: Goodbye, Mama Bell-mère
**Mixed POV**
The morning sun ascended gracefully over Cocoyasi Village, bathing the landscape in a soft, golden luminescence that transformed the ordinary into the ethereal. Rays filtered through the swaying palm fronds, casting dappled shadows across the modest homes and the endless expanse of tangerine groves that stretched like a verdant sea toward the horizon. The ocean waves lapped rhythmically at the shore, their whispers a gentle lullaby that harmonized with the distant calls of seagulls wheeling overhead in lazy spirals. The air was alive with the savory aroma of grilled fish mingling with the tangy zest of fresh tangerines and the faint, salty tang of the sea breeze—a symphony of scents that evoked memories of simpler times. It was the kind of dawn that promised renewal, yet today, it carried an undercurrent of bittersweet farewell, as the Straw Hats prepared to bid adieu to the haven that had sheltered them.
Bell-mère stood resolutely on her porch, hands planted firmly on her hips in that signature pose of unyielding authority, her gaze fixed on the outdoor table laden with breakfast delights. Plates brimmed with sizzling grilled fish, golden-brown toast slathered in homemade tangerine jam, steaming bowls of miso soup, and heaps of fresh fruit plucked straight from the groves. Her cigarette dangled precariously from her lips, a thin trail of smoke curling upward like a lazy spirit ascending to the heavens. But her eyes—sharp and maternal—narrowed at the scene unfolding before her.
"Lucy, I swear on every tangerine in this grove, if you snag one more piece of that fish before I even get a chance to sit my ass down—" Bell-mère's voice carried the gravelly edge of a woman who'd faced down marines and pirates alike, yet it was laced with the affectionate exasperation reserved for family.
"Too late!" Lucy chirped triumphantly, her cheeks ballooning out like a chipmunk's hoard as she stuffed another flaky morsel into her mouth. Her wild hair bounced with each chew, and her eyes sparkled with mischievous glee, utterly unrepentant. Crumbs dusted her chin, and she flashed a guilty grin that could melt the sternest heart—or at least distract from the crime.
Bell-mère let out a long-suffering sigh, rubbing her temple as if warding off an impending headache. "You're worse than Aqua on a bad day, kid. And trust me, that's saying a hell of a lot. That one's ego alone could sink ships."
Aqua, seated at the table with her long blue hair cascading like a divine waterfall, lifted her head in dramatic indignation. A faint halo of ethereal light shimmered around her, as if her very presence demanded celestial fanfare. "Excuse me? I am a goddess of unparalleled beauty and wisdom, thank you very much! Divine beings like myself deserve portions befitting our exalted status—nay, we demand them!" She gestured grandly to her plate, which was already piled high with double servings, her smug grin radiating self-assured superiority.
"Divine my foot," Bell-mère muttered under her breath, swatting Aqua's wandering hand with the flat end of a wooden spoon. The impact produced a satisfying thwack that echoed lightly across the porch. "You're lucky Sunny's around to clean up your 'divine' messes before they turn into full-blown disasters. Last time you 'blessed' the kitchen sink, we had a geyser shooting water for hours."
Sunny, leaning casually against the weathered wall of the house with his arms crossed over his chest, allowed a small, knowing grin to tug at his lips. His hair ruffled gently in the breeze, and his eyes held that quiet intensity that spoke volumes without a word. "She's got a point. If I didn't intervene, Aqua, you'd probably flood the entire kitchen just trying to wash a single dish. Remember that time in the village square?"
Aqua gasped theatrically, clutching her chest as if struck by a mortal blow, her blue eyes widening to comical proportions. "Are you implying that I, the magnificent Aqua, am clumsy? How dare you besmirch my godly reputation!"
{ego}: "Implying? Ha, no—Sunny's straight-up declaring the obvious. Even the author penned you as a walking catastrophe. Own it, goddess girl; it's your brand."
[system]: "Aww, don't tease our dear Aqua too harshly, Master~. She might burst into those adorable tears of hers. And then, of course, you'd have to console her... with a kiss, just like last time~♡. Wouldn't want that in front of the others, now would we?"
Sunny choked on his tea mid-sip, coughing violently as his face flushed a subtle shade of red. His eyes darted nervously to the side, where Nami and Nojiko had both paused in their eating, turning toward him with identical thin smiles that promised a world of interrogation later. The air thickened with unspoken tension, a comedic storm brewing on the horizon.
Lucy, oblivious at first, blinked innocently while swallowing her pilfered fish. "Eh? Kissed her? When did that happen? Spill the beans, Sunny—inquiring minds wanna know!"
"I DID NOT!" Sunny snapped a tad too quickly, his voice pitching higher than intended, waving his hands in frantic denial as if warding off evil spirits.
"HE DID TOO!" [system] sang out in a honey-sweet melody, her tone dripping with playful mischief. "It was so romantic~♡. Moonlight, tears, a gentle peck to dry those divine eyes..."
{ego}: "Drama alert incoming. Readers, buckle up—jealousy levels are skyrocketing over 9000. This breakfast just turned into a full-on romantic comedy showdown."
Instantly, the table erupted into a cacophony of overlapping voices. Aqua threw her head back in laughter, her divine glow flickering like faulty fireworks. Nami's eyes narrowed to slits, her fork tapping rhythmically against her plate in a subtle warning. Lucy's pout deepened so profoundly that her cheeks resembled puffed-up storm clouds ready to unleash a torrent. Nojiko crossed her arms, her expression a mix of amusement and mild exasperation, while Zoro, ever the observer, snorted into his rice bowl. Sanji, meanwhile, swooned dramatically at the mere mention of romance, roses materializing from thin air around him.
"Sunny-kun," Nami said sweetly, though her smile didn't reach her eyes, "care to elaborate on this... kiss?"
"Yeah, elaborate," Lucy echoed, her rubbery arm stretching subtly under the table as if preparing to lasso him for answers.
Bell-mère, watching the entire spectacle unfold like a seasoned spectator at a chaotic theater production, leaned back in her chair and let out a quiet, hearty laugh. *They're a walking disaster,* she thought warmly, *but damn if it isn't the most beautiful kind I've ever seen. Like a family forged in fire and folly.*
---
Breakfast proceeded in its noisy, emotional, and oddly comforting fashion, the clatter of utensils and bursts of laughter filling the air like a lively symphony. The table groaned under the weight of additional servings—Sanji, ever the devoted chef, darted about like a whirlwind, plating extra helpings with flair. "More for the lovely ladies! A touch of spice for Nami-swan's fiery spirit, a delicate glaze for Nojiko-san's gentle grace, and for Lucy-chan, a mountain of meat to fuel that boundless energy!" He sparkled with each compliment, his cigarette smoke forming heart shapes in the breeze.
Zoro, true to form, ate in stoic silence, his three swords propped nearby like silent guardians. Yet even he couldn't hide the occasional twitch of amusement at the table's antics, his green hair catching the sunlight as he shoveled food with mechanical efficiency. Usopp, on the other hand, was midway through one of his trademark "heroic" tales, gesticulating wildly with a fork in hand. "And then, with my unbeatable Usopp Hammer, I single-handedly felled the colossal Sea King that threatened the village—its jaws snapping like thunder, but I—"
Bell-mère's keen eyes caught the exaggeration immediately. With a swift flick of her finger to his forehead—thwack!—she interrupted. "Cut the crap, long-nose. That 'Sea King' was a oversized tuna you hooked by accident last day. Don't lie before breakfast; it'll give you indigestion."
"Oi! That hurt!" Usopp whined, rubbing the spot dramatically, though his grin betrayed his enjoyment of the banter.
As the meal wore on, a subtle shift settled over the group—a palpable realization that hung in the air like the morning mist. This was their last shared breakfast in Cocoyasi for who knew how long. Plates slowed, conversations lingered, and glances exchanged carried unspoken weights. Sunny, ever perceptive, noticed Bell-mère's gaze sweeping over them all: Nami's determined smile, Nojiko's quiet poise, Lucy's infectious energy, Aqua's dramatic flair. Her expression held no bitterness, only a profound, proud love that radiated like the sun above.
Quietly, Sunny rose and approached her, setting his empty cup down with a soft clink. The breeze tugged at his shirt, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them. "Thank you... for taking care of us all this time. For being the anchor we needed."
Bell-mère looked up, momentarily surprised by the sincerity in his voice. She stubbed out her cigarette, her tough exterior cracking just a fraction. "You make it sound like you're whisking them away to the ends of the earth forever. They're tough girls—they'll be back."
Sunny's eyes softened, a rare vulnerability shining through. "I know. But I'll make sure they come back smiling, stronger than ever. You have my word on that."
For a heartbeat, the warmth in Bell-mère's eyes wavered, a flicker of emotion she quickly masked with a gruff chuckle. She punched his chest lightly—not with force, but in that affectionate way mothers do when words fail. "You damn well better, kid. Or I'll sail out there myself, drag you back by the ear, and make you replant every tangerine grove as penance."
[system]: "Heh~ She really likes you, Master. That punch? Pure affection. But don't get any funny ideas—she's taken by her memories and that grove~♡."
{ego}: "Wow, System's turning into a full-blown jealous matchmaker now. This story's devolving into a soap opera faster than Aqua's floods. Next up: love triangles at sea?"
Sunny rubbed his chest with a wry smile, the moment lightening the air even as the farewell loomed.
---
With breakfast concluded, the group migrated toward the beach, the sand warm underfoot and the sea sparkling like a vast sheet of polished glass under the climbing sun. Clouds drifted lazily overhead, their reflections dancing on the water's surface. The Going Merry bobbed gently in the shallows, her sails half-unfurled and catching the light, her polished wooden hull gleaming as if eager for the adventures ahead. The merry-goat figurehead seemed to grin in anticipation, a silent promise of journeys to come.
The crew gathered in a loose semicircle, the weight of departure settling like a gentle fog. Nami stepped forward first, enveloping Bell-mère in a tight hug, burying her face in the crook of her mother's shoulder. The scent of cigarettes and tangerines enveloped her—a familiar comfort that tugged at her heartstrings. "I'll come back soon, okay? Promise me you won't eat all the best tangerines without saving some for me."
Bell-mère laughed, a rich, throaty sound that echoed across the beach, as she ruffled Nami's orange hair with rough affection. "I'll hoard the juiciest ones just for you, kiddo. And don't you forget who taught you that stubborn streak—use it wisely out there."
Aqua approached next, her entrance as dramatic as ever. She swept in with arms outstretched, her ethereal dress fluttering like wings, her voice booming with godly pomp. "Fear not, noble Bell-mère! I, the resplendent goddess Aqua, vow to shield your cherished Nami—and indeed, the entire world—from all manner of peril and villainy! My divine powers shall—"
Bell-mère cut her off with a smirk, thrusting a folded towel into her hands. "Save the speech, waterworks. Dry those tears before you trip over your own ego and cause another flood."
Aqua sniffed indignantly, dabbing at her eyes theatrically. "You're so cruel... just like Sunny when he's in one of his moods..."
{ego}: "I honestly can't tell if she's flirting with disaster or just emotionally short-circuiting. Either way, popcorn-worthy."
[system]: "Aww, she's utterly adorable in her dramatics! But Master, a word of caution: don't you dare pat her head consolingly in front of Nami or Lucy again, okay? I prefer you in one piece, alive and kicking~♡."
Sunny chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Duly noted... no divine head-pats on the docket."
Lucy lingered at the edge of the group, her usual boundless grin faltering into something softer, more vulnerable. When Bell-mère turned to her, the girl's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I'll make sure everyone keeps laughing, okay? No matter what craziness we run into out there."
Bell-mère crouched down to Lucy's level, her calloused hand gently resting atop the girl's wild mane. "That's all I could ever ask for, Lucy. Your smile's like sunshine—keep shining it on them, yeah?"
Lucy nodded fiercely, her lower lip trembling before she launched herself forward, hugging Bell-mère with such rubbery enthusiasm that the older woman nearly toppled backward into the sand. Laughter bubbled up from both, a mix of tears and joy that lightened the heavy air.
Zoro, leaning against a nearby palm with his arms crossed, smirked at the heartfelt display, though he averted his gaze to hide the faint tug at his own stoic heart. Sanji, ever the romantic, dabbed at his eyes with a silk napkin, murmuring, "Allergies... must be the sea air... yeah, definitely allergies..." His voice cracked just a touch, betraying the depth of his emotion.
Usopp, unable to contain himself, burst into open sobs, tears streaming down his long nose. "IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL! THE POWER OF A MOTHER'S LOVE CONQUERING ALL! I-I'll write a ballad about this—'The Farewell of the Tangerine Queen'!"
Bell-mère rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her smile, pulling Usopp into a quick, one-armed hug. "Alright, enough with the waterworks, you lot. Dry those eyes and go chase your damn dreams. The world's waiting—and it won't conquer itself."
The crew began boarding the Merry one by one, the plank creaking under their steps. Sunny paused at the gangway, stealing glances at Nami, Aqua, Nojiko, and Lucy—each interaction laced with subtle romance. He caught Nami's hand briefly, squeezing it in reassurance, her blush faint but genuine. With Nojiko, it was a shared look, a silent promise that warmed the air between them. Lucy, still sniffling, leaned against him for a moment, her head on his shoulder in a tender display that {ego} would no doubt mock later. Sunny couldn't resist the urge; he gently ran his hand over Aqua's head. Aqua instantly leaned into the warm touch.
---
As the last of the crew settled aboard, Sunny turned back one final time, the sea breeze lifting his hair like a gentle farewell. The world seemed to pause, the waves holding their breath, the sun casting long shadows that stretched toward the horizon.
"Bell-mère," he said quietly, his voice carrying over the gentle lapping of water, "thank you... for trusting me with them. For everything."
Bell-mère crossed her arms, her stance firm but her smile genuine, etched with the lines of a life well-lived. "You're a strange one, Sunny. You talk like an old soul trapped in a young body—wise beyond your years, but with that spark of recklessness."
"Maybe I am," he replied with a faint chuckle, his eyes reflecting the sea's depth.
"Then heed this, old soul," she said, her tone turning serious yet warm. "Don't break my girls' hearts out there. Protect them, love them right—or I'll haunt you from the grave myself. And trust me, I'd make a terrifying ghost."
[system]: "Oh, she absolutely means every word, Master~♡. Better keep those promises, or we'll have spectral drama on top of everything else."
{ego}: "Yeah, that's no idle threat. She'd probably manifest just to smack you with a ghostly cigarette. Imagine the fan-art: 'Haunted by the Tangerine Matriarch.' Priceless."
The Going Merry's anchor rose with a metallic groan, the ship drifting slowly from the shore as sails caught the wind. Bell-mère's figure diminished on the beach, her hand raised high in a steadfast wave, a beacon of enduring love.
Aqua, balanced precariously on the railing, waved so vigorously she nearly toppled overboard, her divine light sparkling like fireworks. "Farewell, valiant Bell-mère! Your wisdom shall echo in our hearts eternally!"
Lucy, cupping her hands around her mouth, shouted with all her might. "BYE, MAMA BELL-MÈRE! WE'LL BRING YOU THE COOLEST SOUVENIRS FROM EVERY ISLAND—PROMISE!"
Nami stood silently beside Sunny at the stern, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, her hand finding his in a quiet, romantic clasp. The touch was electric, a silent vow amid the farewell.
Sunny whispered, almost too softly for the wind to carry, "Thank you for everything, Bell-mère. We'll make you proud."
[system]: "Goodbyes always sting, don't they? But it's alright~ I'll archive every moment in perfect detail: the smiles, the tears, the love. You're never truly alone, Master~♡."
{ego}: "...Heh. Even I won't poke fun at that. Stories like this need their quiet, heartfelt beats to balance the chaos."
The wind bore Bell-mère's fading voice across the widening waves, a final, gruff benediction: "Take care of my kids, you idiot!"
As the Merry sailed toward the horizon, the crew's laughter mingled with the sea's song—a promise of new adventures, woven with the threads of romance, comedy, and unbreakable bonds. The village receded, but the memories lingered, warm and eternal.