The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, washing the village in a soft golden glow. The faint chirping of birds and the distant bubbling of a stream replaced the drunken songs of last night's banquet.
The villagers were already stirring, some yawning as they carried buckets of water, others stoking the large outdoor stove from yesterday's feast. The smell of fresh firewood and damp earth filled the crisp morning air.
Inside the small house, the floor was littered with futons and scattered blankets from the previous night's exhaustion.
A soft rustle broke the stillness. Doll was the first to wake, stretching her arms high above her head with a long, drawn-out yawn.
"Uuuuuh… my back…" She muttered sleepily, twisting her waist until her joints gave a satisfying crack. She rubbed her eyes, blinking at the dim light filtering in through the shoji doors.
Her gaze swept across the room, looking at her friends sleeping soundly. Gion was curled up with her coat draped over her, Ain was clutching a pillow as if it were a lifeline, Hina had one arm dangling off the futon, and Kujaku was sprawled in a very unladylike pose, a thin trail of drool glistening at the corner of her mouth.
Doll smirked. "Tch… what a battlefield…"
She leaned down, giving Hina's shoulder a firm shake. "Oi, sleepyhead, time to get up."
Hina groaned, rolling onto her back. "Mmm… I had the strangest dream… Luffy was carrying me… and then—"
From the other side of the room, Gion's muffled voice cut in, "It wasn't a dream."
Hina's eyes half-opened as she muttered. "Eh?"
Gion turned her head lazily, her hair a complete mess. "Last night, after you passed out, he actually carried you to the futon. Actually, he carried all of us."
Ain, now awake and sitting up, smiled warmly. "Even after drinking and laughing so much… he never forgets to take care of his crew."
Doll let out a low chuckle as she stood up, stretching like a cat. "Mm… no wonder the little brats here adore him. Handsome, strong, and thoughtful. Dangerous combination."
The women shared faint smiles, a quiet warmth lingering in their expressions.
They began slipping on their coats and tying their sashes, the soft swish of fabric filling the room. One by one, they stepped into their shoes and slid open the shoji doors as a burst of fresh morning air greeted them instantly.
Standing right outside was Otama, her big, curious eyes lighting up.
Otama quickly jumped in excitement and asked. "Good morning! Did everyone sleep well?"
Her voice was so sweet and bright, it was almost like the morning sun itself had spoken.
Kuina, who had been standing at the back, stepped forward and crouched slightly, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "We did… and I think you're even more energetic than the sun today."
Otama giggled, swaying side to side. "Heehee… Luffy-nii told me you're all very strong and very kind! And… and that you protect people like heroes!"
The women exchanged looks as they were slightly surprised but undeniably touched.
Ain crouched beside Kuina, poking Otama's forehead lightly. "That captain of ours talks too much sometimes… but maybe this once, he's right."
Otama beamed, holding her cheeks with both hands before running off to help a villager carry water, her laughter trailing behind like a little bell.
Gion let out a low hum, her gaze lingering on the girl. "If Luffy keeps picking up people like that… we're going to end up with an entire village trailing behind us."
Kujaku smirked slyly. "Maybe that's the plan."
They all chuckled softly, the warmth of the morning wrapping around them as they began their day.
The girls were still chatting with Otama, the little girl giggling shyly at their compliments, when a deep, familiar voice cut through the morning air.
"Oi~ ladies!"
They turned their heads and spotted Chaton strolling over with his hands in his pockets, his lazy grin in place as always.
Gion tilted her head, arms crossed, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
"Where are the others?" She asked.
Chaton jerked his thumb toward a shaded corner near the edge of the village, where Issho was sitting cross-legged with a group of locals.
Beside him, Binz and Prince Grus were deep in conversation with a few elders, gathering intel.
Kuina scanned the scene carefully, but her frown deepened when she didn't spot two very specific troublemakers.
"And where's Luffy and Zoro?" She asked, suspicion already rising in her tone.
Chaton sighed, dragging his fingers through his messy hair.
"Out for their morning training, as usual," He said in that half-annoyed, half-resigned drawl of his. "Honestly, I'll never understand those two… Both of them are already so strong, like complete monsters. So why are they still training even more and chasing more strength?"
Doll clicked her tongue and placed her hands on her hips, her sharp voice cutting in.
"Because discipline isn't just about strength, Chaton. It's about pushing yourself every single day. No wonder you've barely made any progress." She folded her arms with an air of superiority, but then her expression softened, just a little, as she added, "Though I still think Luffy's annoyingly relaxed and far too easygoing… I can't deny he was still a disciplined guy. He takes care of his body, his mind, his training… and his crew."
She had barely finished that rare praise when a low, amused chuckle drifted toward them from behind.
"Well, well, well… Did I just hear what I think I heard?"
Everyone turned to see Luffy sauntering toward them from the path leading into the woods, shirt clinging to his torso from sweat, hair damp and wild, his confident grin glinting in the morning light.
Zoro trailed lazily behind him, a towel draped around his neck, looking like he'd just wrestled a hurricane.
Luffy tilted his head at Doll, his eyes dancing with playful mischief.
"This is even rarer than Sengoku giving me a compliment," He teased, tapping his chin as if in deep thought. "Too bad I didn't bring a camera… I would've framed that moment."
The women instantly caught the playful edge in his voice.
Hina rolled her eyes, hiding her smirk behind a cigarette.
Gion tried to look unimpressed but failed when the corners of her lips twitched upward.
Doll's cheeks colored faintly, whether from irritation or something else, no one could tell, and she snapped back,
"Don't get used to it, Vice Admiral. You'll be lucky if you hear me say it again this century."
Luffy only chuckled, stepping closer until he was well within her personal space, lowering his voice just enough that the others could still hear.
"Guess I'll have to spend the next hundred years trying to earn the second one, then."
That earned him a chorus of soft groans, quiet chuckles, and one or two knowing smirks from the rest of the women.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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