🂴 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

034 ❘❘ Memory 6 (Part 1)

Ace only smirked, tilting his head as he pointed at him. "Shut it, you're smiling, Sabo~"

Their gazes met, and for a fleeting moment, the tension shattered. Laughter spilled between them, warm and infectious, filling the room like a fire catching in dry wood.

From the sidelines, Marco stood with arms crossed, unimpressed. His usual stoic expression remained intact, though the slight twitch at the corner of his lips hinted at his true feelings.

"Childish brats," he muttered, voice flat.

Whitebeard's deep, booming laughter rolled through the room, rich and full of life, while Thatch leaned back with a knowing grin.

"Says the one who cried when his favorite book went missing~"

Marco's head snapped toward him, his casual posture stiffening as a vein pulsed at his temple. A slow inhale, a narrowed gaze.

"What was that, you jerk?" He could vividly recall the moment Thatch had orchestrated that prank, hiding his cherished book while collaborating with the other crew members. It was only after Marco had burst into tears that they returned it, showering him with an array of items in a half-hearted attempt at appeasement.

【Suddenly, Luffy let out a surprised yelp as Sanji landed with precision, stepping mercilessly on his back.

"Gah!" Luffy squirmed beneath him, desperately attempting to crawl forward, Sanji's weight pressing down like a boulder.

"Food.... Food..." Luffy's mantra echoed through the room, each word dripping with desperation.】

"How desperate is he for food..." Sachi murmured, glancing at the crew with an eyebrow raised. His comment earned a collective sigh from those who knew exactly what Luffy's appetite entailed.

Blinking in confusion, Sachi turned to the Straw Hats, silently questioning their sighs.

"Just stay silent and watch, Sachi." Law suggested, his voice laced with resignation as he adjusted his hat, the slight tilt adding to his stoic demeanor.

Law pondered silently, 'Who knew how the Straw Hats managed to keep their captain full... if he ever felt full anyway?'

【Sanji crouched low, his arms resting on his knees, the tension in his posture mirroring the urgency of their predicament. His gaze fell to Luffy, who was crawling desperately across the cold, tiled floor, his movements frantic and erratic, like a cornered animal.

"You're so stubborn!" Sanji exclaimed, shaking his head in exasperation just as an unfamiliar voice echoed through the dimly lit corridor.

"Who's there?!"

A chill ran down Sanji's spine, and he turned sharply, heart racing.】

"Oh no! Luffy-san!" Coby's concerned whisper sliced through the air, a mixture of panic and urgency. The sound earned an annoyed 'tsk' from Sengoku, causing the poor pink-haired boy to cover his mouth with trembling hands, eyes wide with fear.

【Sanji's eyes darted up, and he heard the unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps, heavy and hurried, like a storm rolling in. Without a moment's hesitation, he shoved his hand into Luffy's mouth, a frantic attempt to silence him. Glancing around the cramped room, his gaze landed on a sturdy metal door at the far end. With a surge of adrenaline, he grabbed Luffy tightly, dragging him towards safety, their bodies pressed together as he shielded his troublesome captain from discovery.】