The small boat drifted steadily across the endless expanse of sea, its wooden hull rising and falling with each swell. The flag atop the mast snapped and fluttered in the constant breeze, the fabric rippling with sharp cracks that carried over the water.
Waves rolled past in rhythmic patterns, slapping against the sides with wet, repeating thuds that echoed softly beneath the clear sky.
The Straw Hat jolly roger stood out boldly on the white sail, the black skull and crossed bones crisp against the fabric, the straw hat emblem tilted slightly as the sail caught the wind and billowed outward.
Luffy, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and Chopper spoke at the same moment. "I miss her…" Their voices merged into one low murmur that floated across the deck under the bright sunlight. Their shoulders dropped. Eyes softened as they gazed at the small island fading on the horizon.
Lei and Zoro stood several steps away. Their faces remained still. Eyes stayed half-open. Small twitches lifted the corners of their mouths.
A smile grew on Lei's face. He folded his arms across his chest and turned his head toward Zoro.
Zoro turned his head toward Lei. Their eyes locked. Lei nodded once.
Zoro dropped his arms and shouted. "Stop weeping already! God, if you didn't want to part with her that much, we should've just brought her on board by force!" He stared hard at the group. His mouth pulled sideways.
Chopper gasped. His small hooves pressed against his cheeks.
Nami widened her eyes. "Could you sink any lower?"
Sanji spoke low. "Marimo…" The cigarette at his lips glowed orange as he drew in air.
Luffy tilted his head. "Three-swords…"
Usopp leaned toward Luffy. "Uhh, Luffy, three-swords isn't an insult."
Luffy straightened his head. "Four-swords."
Usopp flung his arms out. "How's increasing the number gonna change anything!?"
Luffy raised one hand and pointed. "Listen up! You know what natto is, right? Calling him four-swords is like calling natto rotten…!"
Lei nodded again. "Guys! Zoro is right."
Nami turned sharply toward Lei. Her cheeks turned red. She thrust a finger toward him. "You two are totally heartless! Do you even have a soul!?" Lei kept smiling.
Chopper lifted one hoof and pointed at Lei. His eyes grew round. "Look! Even though everyone's so sad, he's smiling!"
Zoro turned to Chopper and shouted. "Shut up! Lei and I are right. A man shouldn't make a fuss when he's already made his choice!"
Zoro exhaled loudly. His arms fell to his sides. "Fine, fine. Cry as much as you want."
Clank.
The lower cabin door pushed open. Metal scraped against wood.
A slender young woman with shoulder-length black hair walked onto the deck. Sunlight struck her light skin as she stepped forward. Her hands rested at her sides.
She spoke. "Seems like we finally left the island… Well done."
Lei's nichirin blade rose and pressed against her neck in one quick motion. The flat edge touched her skin.
The crew stiffened. Zoro drew one katana. Steel slid out with a clear ring. He aimed the blade forward. His feet spread wide. Veins rose on his forehead.
Zoro yelled. "HERE TO AVENGE YOUR ORGANIZATION!? FINE, I'LL TAKE YOU ON…"
Nami shouted. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" She stepped back.
Sanji swirled on one foot. His eyes changed to heart shapes. "Ch my, such a lovely lady!"
Usopp waved both arms high. "ENEMY ATTACK! ENEMY ATTACK!" He dropped behind the mast.
Chopper screamed. "AAAAAHHHHHH!" He ran behind Nami's legs. He peeked out. "Who's she?"
Luffy tilted his head sideways. He scratched his cheek with one finger. His eyebrows lifted. "Ah! It's you! So you are alive?"
The woman turned her eyes to Lei. A warm smile appeared on her face. "My, what a warm welcome. You should be careful with that… you might actually hurt someone."
She lifted her forearms to shoulder height. "Please don't point these savage objects at me."
Pale hands appeared on Nami's arms and Zoro's torso. Fingers closed around wrists and shoulders. They twisted. Nami's staff fell from her hands. Zoro's katana dropped from his grip. Both weapons struck the wooden deck with sharp clatters.
Lei's blade stayed against her neck. It did not move.
Robin folded her arms across her chest. She tilted her head slightly. "I see. So there's a monster hiding in this crew after all… How terrifying. If you wanted me dead, I'd be in pieces already, wouldn't I?"
She paused briefly, then continued. "I didn't come here to fight. I'm just a traveler looking for a place to belong. Are you going to keep me waiting at sword-point all day?"
Lei slid his nichirin blade back into its scabbard with a smooth, metallic click. His ponytail lifted and fluttered in the steady breeze blowing across the deck. He turned his eyes toward Robin. A smile formed on his face. He nodded once.
Robin's eyes widened for a short moment. She spoke again. "My… you're a strange one, aren't you? Thank you for the 'approval.' I'll be sure to take you up on that."
Robin stepped past Lei, her shoes tapping lightly on the wooden planks as she approached Luffy. She stopped in front of him. "Luffy-san… you're the one who saved me back there, even though I had no desire to live. It's your fault that I'm still here. So… since I have nowhere else to go, let me join your crew."
Luffy's eyes shot wide open. His mouth dropped. "WHAT!?"
And just like this…