CW: Child Abuse, Gore/Horror
"Are you kidding? What the hell is this, Usopp?" Sanji (Nami) irritatedly spoke, looking up at the cardboard cut out of Sanji on Nami's forehead.
"I think they're totally super, bro!" Chopper (Franky) happy spoke up with his cardboard cut out of Franky on Chopper's hat.
"I don't care anymore." Nami (Franky) spoke in defeat, not looking up at the Nami cut out on Franky's head.
"Thanks, Usopp! Great Idea!" Chopper (Sanji) had sparkles on his face as he looked up at the Chopper cut out on Sanji's forehead.
Sanji (Nami) pointed up at his cut out. "This thing detracts from Nami's beauty."
"Aw, quit whining!" Usopp irritatedly glared at Sanji (Nami). "Without some sort of system like this, we're never gonna remember who's who."
(Y/N) spoke as she pointed at each of her crew mates. "Nami, Chopper, Franky, Sanji." She turned to Usopp, shrugging. "It's not that hard with or without the cut outs."
"Not all of us what that weird sensing thing like you!" Usopp irritatedly replied.
"Eh? You think I'm using Haki to tell?" (Y/N) hung her head. "Because you'll be right." Usopp chuckled at her defeat.
"So Brownbeard, huh?" Luffy spoke to the tied up centaur making Usopp and (Y/N) 'hm' their captain and turn to him.
"That's right. I'm sure you've heard that name. It's what I used to go by." Brownbeard spoke back to the captain.
"Nope, sorry." Luffy calmly spoke. (Y/N) flew up on the large pipe in front of Blackbeard, sitting next to Luffy as she added in. "Yeah, ex-bounty hunter and all, I've never heard of the name."
"Are you kidding, you fools?!" Brownbeard questioned before turning to the children playing with his crocodile tail. "Hey, get off of me before I bite you!"
"Something's up." Zoro spoke up making Luffy and (Y/N) look over at him. "You wouldn't say a word before, and now you won't stop yapping. Why're you so eager to run your mouth now?"
Blackbeard chuckled. "I'm in a good mood because you guys are in for it. Law knows that I'm with you now, and he's gonna come for me. I despise all the worthless pirates of your damn generation. Law's the exception."
"Hold on. What do you mean 'our generation'?" Luffy questioned.
"Don't you know anything? Little fool." Blackbeard sassed before explaining. "I mean the 12 rookies with bounties over 100 million who arrived at Sabaody two years ago. You lot, and Blackbeard. People call you punks 'The Worst Generation.' Troublemakers who were born at the change of the era. Reckless fools whose actions will determine the future of this world. After Whitebeard died, you all came to the New World and began raising hell. Anytime something big happened, a member of your generation was usually right in the thick of things. Blackbeard, Kid, Law, Drake and Hawkins. Basil Hawkins was the one who shattered my crew, leaving us defeated and broken. It was because of him that my pirate career ended. The coward took my legs from me! My crew was annihilated. I was fleeing for my life when at last, I arrived here, on the island known as Punk Hazard. Do you fools even know what the place is?" Everyone 'huh'ed his words making Brownbeard sigh in defeat. "This island is not what it was. It used to be a paradise teeming with life. Home to creatures of all shapes and colors."
"Wow, for real?" Luffy questioned.
"It's nothing like that anymore." Zoro sassed, glaring up at Brownbeard.
(Y/N) placed her hand on her chin in thought. "I can't imagine such an icy-hot hell being a beautiful wonderland like you speak of."
"Oh, but it was." Brownbeard softly replied and continued his explanation. "This island housed the laboratory of a Government scientist known as Dr. Vegapunk. He and his team were stationed here with the task of developing new chemicals and weapons. Vegapunk needed subjected on which to test his inventions. So, instead of going to prison, criminals were sent here, where they were experimented on. Four years ago, Vegapunk tested one of his chemical weapons, and it went very, very wrong." (Y/N) heard a few of her crew mates gasp in shock, but she was concentrated on the ex-pirate before her. 'Vegapunk, huh? Franky ended up at another one of Vegapunk's laboratories, but what strikes me the most is these human experiments. Aside from the chemical weapons, was the Government attempting to create more human weapons like Kuma? This just grows more questions.' Brownbeard continued. "Two of the three labs exploded, destroying almost entirely. We are standing in the remains of one right now."
"Huh?" The Straw Hats gasped.
(Y/N) looked around the destroyed lab as Usopp spoke. "That makes sense. A huge explosion would do this kind of damage. So Robin's theory was right after all."
After a few moment of silence, Brownbeard began the story again. "Intense heat and toxic substances seeped into the air, and none of the plants or animals on the island survived." (Y/N) kept calm, staring up at Brownbeard. 'Toxic chemicals in the air? There certainly isn't any chemicals now. I wonder if that gas guy had anything to do with it...' After another short pause, Brownbeard continued. "The Government ordered the island evacuated, retrieving their own people but leaving the test subjects behind. Vegapunk's operation was shut down, and his guinea pigs were thrown away like trash. They did what they could to survive, taking shelter in the Third Laboratory, the only one still intact. There, they were protected from the poison gas that contaminated the entire island. Those who survived were paralyzed from exposure to the gas, which stole the use of their lower body. They lived on, without any real hope for the future. But then... a year later, everything changed. A kind master arrived on the island, restoring the hope that had been lost. With his ability, he purified the island of the toxic gas. He also gave the prisoners who couldn't walk the mechanical means to move. More than that, he gave them purpose by making them his loyal subordinates."
Chopper (Sanji) and Franky (Chopper) tried to hold back their whimpers and tears until Franky (Chopper) cried out. "Ah! Kind Master!"
Followed by Chopper (Sanji)'s crying shouts. "Master!"
Brook even joined in, sobbing. "Merciful Master!"
(Y/N) blankly stared at her three crew mates behind her. 'How can you cry over something like this? Gas guy wasn't merciful. He helped them out, yes, but he also took away their freedom by making them his 'loyal subordinates'.' (Y/N) turned back to face Brownbeard when he began speaking again. "I came to the island a year after that, desperate and broken. Two years have passed since my arrival." He deeply sighed. "Some toxic substances remained in the air even then, and breathing it left me feeling nauseous. I began to think I had no more strength to carry on. I had fought to survive, but I was reaching the end. But then I saw them, the men that has lost the use of their legs just as I had. And with them, the Master." Brownbeard had tears in his eyes. "I owe everything to him. His kindness saved my life as it saved others before me. Vegapunk and his experiments stole my comrades' legs. But then the Master arrived, a kind and generous savior. And then a few months ago, fate brought us another surprise. Trafalgar Law. A Warlord arrived on the island and became our second savior. Using his special ability, he gave legs to those of us who couldn't walk without mechanical assistance. They were the legs of living animals! We thought we would never walk again, so we wept when our bodies were restored."
"Oh, my gosh, that's the most beautiful story ever!" Chopper (Sanji) and Franky (Chopper) wept with tears pouring from their eyes.
"You see? I told you Traffy was a good guy." Luffy happily smiled. "I'm not the only one whose life he saved."
(Y/N) blankly stared at her captain and two weeping crew mates. 'I still wouldn't call it 'saving' if they're going to make these people their 'loyal subordinates'.' She looked down, placing her hand on her chin in thought. 'Law doesn't seem like a guy that would want the label 'savior.' Why did Law even come to a place like this? He has to be up to something...' Nami (Franky) spoke up making (Y/N) look back at her. "How could Dr, Vegapunk do something so horrible?"
"Well, I guess this explains the half-sheep people. The ones back at the laboratory." Sanji (Nami) spoke up.
Usopp spoke up next. "Centaurs and the bird-woman. It all makes sense now. 'Cept the dragon. What was up with that?"" (Y/N) tilted her head in confusion. 'I remember the sheep people, but a bird-woman and a dragon? What was his group seeing out there?'
"Ah, yes." Brownbeard quickly replied. "Saw the dragon, did you? That's just an artificial creature Vegapunk created to guard the island from unwanted visitors. It can adapt to any environment imaginable. I heard one of the World Nobles liked it and gave it a name. I forgot what it was, but run if you see it. It's very aggressive." (Y/N) looked over at Luffy in slight confusion when he laid his head on her shoulder while Brownbeard was speaking. A small smile appears on her face. 'He's really getting sleepy at a time like this? Classic 'Capt. At least, now, I don't feel so bad about sleeping earlier.'
"I'm not worried." Zoro sassed Brownbeard. 'We already ate it.' Zoro's voice rang through (Y/N)'s mind making her body lightly jolt in shock before slowly looking over at him with wide eyes. Zoro locked eyes with (Y/N). His voice rang through her mind again. 'Get out of my head, gakusei.' (Y/N) nervously sweated and quickly looked away from Zoro.
"Now you know who's in charge of the island and why we're here." Brownbeard spoke up. "Nobody dared to come near it now. It belongs to the the Master. Punk Hazard is the domain of our savior." He chuckled at Franky (Chopper)'s and Chopper (Sanji)'s sobs. "No, don't cry. The Master continues his research for the betterment of mankind. To do so, he needs test subjects, and each of you will have the honor of becoming one. Like it or not, you're his!"
(Y/N) looked back at Chopper (Sanji), Franky (Chopper) and Brook still sobbing. "Oh, Master!" They shouted out in unison. 'Did they really just ignore the threat about becoming a 'test subject'?'
"He must be a really nice man, huh?" Franky (Chopper) cried up to Brownbeard.
Brownbeard smiled from ear to ear. "Yeah. That's true. He's a wonderful person."
Franky (Chopper) happily cried out. "The Master is super!"
Followed by Chopper (Sanji). "Merciful!"
Finally, Brook. "Mankind's last hope!"
"Gimme a break, you don't even know the guy!" Usopp sassed the way too happy trio. "Are you even listening?!"
"We!" Franky (Chopper) started.
"Love!" Brook and Chopper (Sanji) joined in.
"The Master—! WOAH!!" Franky (Chopper)'s cheering was cut short when he blew up into Chopper's Guard Point form. "What the hell's going on?!"
Luffy snapped awake from Franky (Chopper)'s yells. He sat up from (Y/N)'s shoulder and looked over at Franky (Chopper) in sleepy confusion. Franky (Chopper) shouted. "Why'd I puff up like this?!"
Luffy shot up to his feet, happily shouting. "A fuzzball!" Before leaping over (Y/N), landing on Franky (Chopper).
"Yeah, that's called Guard Point. It's one of six different forms you can change into." Chopper (Sanji) quickly explained as the children and Luffy started jumping on the giant fuzzball.
"It'll change on a whim?" Franky (Chopper) questioned back to his doctor.
"Get used to it!" Chopper (Sanji) joyfully shouted back.
"Hey, I'm not a toy, so quit playin' with me!" Franky (Chopper) shouted at the children and his captain. (Y/N) giggled when the children began rolling him away.
"Seriously?!" Sanji (Nami) shouted up at Brook making (Y/N) look over at him in confusion as he continued. "The samurai just ditched us?"
"Yes." Brook calmly replied.
Sanji (Nami) clutched Nami's head. "Damn It! I thought it was a little too quiet around here."
(Y/N) shrugged. "Honestly, I'm happy that moron left."
"I thought you desperately wanted to fight that guy." Zoro sassed with a smirk on his lips.
"I did, until I found out how annoying he was." (Y/N) slightly cringed. "I mean, who fart-talks to strangers? Disgusting." Zoro chuckled at her words.
Brook spoke up again to his frustrated chef, walking up to the pipe where (Y/N) sat on. "When I mentioned that I had fought with a lone torso earlier, he asked me where I had seen it. I told him I lost it somewhere around the lake. That's when he went storming off, presumably to go and look for his missing middle."
Sanji (Nami) swung back and forth, feeling Nami's body as he spoke. "I must've missed it 'cause I was distracted by Nami's sexy body!"
"Quit it, lover boy, or I'll start tallying punches for you when you're in your own body." (Y/N) spoke with boredom in her voice. Her words quickly stopped Sanji's lustful actions on Nami's body.
"What does it matter to you, Sanji?" Brook innocently questioned.
Sanji (Nami) sighed. "I'm the one who took him out of the cell and brought him with us. The poor guy. He couldn't move. Like it or not, I'm responsible for the guy. If anything were to happen to him, it'd be my fault."
"I see. He can't hold a sword. Therefore, if an enemy were to attack him, all that he could do is run away." Brook softly spoke. Sanji (Nami) let out a deep sigh. Brook held his hands together. "Well? What now? He could be in danger."
"Damn it. Let's go find him." Sanji (Nami) spoke with slight irritation. He turned to his captain, shouting. "Luffy, I'll be right back. You just stay put."
"'Kay! I'll try!" Luffy happily shouted back, jumping up and down on Franky (Chopper).
Sanji (Nami) and Brook took off running out of the rundown laboratory. "I'll make you a deal. I'll show you the way, but only if you'll show me your panties."
"Works for me!" Sanji Nami shouted back. "Aw, man. I'm still wishing I had a camera! Or (Y/N)'s vision dial!"
"Oh, no you don't!" Nami (Franky) shouted at the two. She quickly ran after them, delivering several blows to Brook.
(Y/N) tilted her head in confusion. "Why did she just hit Brook?"
"Do you think Nami would hurt her own body?" Usopp questioned back with a slight bored expression on his face.
(Y/N) nodded. "Ah... okay, that makes sense."
Nami (Franky) quickly walked back, yelling at Zoro. "Hey! You've gotta go with them!" Zoro turned around to her, groaning in frustration, but Nami's death glare definitely made him go. Nami (Franky) turned to (Y/N) making her gulp. "You're going as well!"
"Huh?!" (Y/N) held up her hands in defense. "Why me?"
"Make sure my body doesn't get harmed or harassed in any way. And I need you to keep an eye on those boys, I'm sure they'll wind up in some kind of trouble. I know I can count on you." Franky (Nami) sweetly smile at (Y/N).
(Y/N) shivered in disgust. "Okay, fine. But don't ever make that face while you're in Franky's body. It's disturbing." (Y/N) hopped off the pipe she sat on and ran after her boys.
(Y/N) ran along side Brook, as Sanj (Nami) and Zoro butted heads with each other as they ran. "I can't believe I'm being forced to go search for that farting samurai in this weather just 'cause you can't control yourself!" Zoro shouted. "You idiot!"
"Do you think I want you here? I wanna around guys who can share in my happiness! Not a loser like you!" Sanji snapped back.
"Ah... Why was I the only one hit?" Brook groaned out in pain. "I hope I didn't break a bone. No. The only thing broken is my panty-loving heart. Hey, (Y/N), can I...?"
"Don't even ask." (Y/N) quickly snapped before hanging her head with tears in her eyes. "Why did I get stuck with these morons? I should have asked Robin to switch with me..."
The four ran for a long while towards the lake Brook mentioned. Brook began to shout. "Hello? Mr. Samurai? Where are you?"
Zoro lightly groaned. "You'd think his wooden clogs would leave tracks in the snow."
"Maybe he's already dead and we missed his body a while back?" (Y/N) questioned in sight irritation.
"Ah, (Y/N)! Don't say stuff like that!" Brook quickly scolded the (h/c) haired woman next him. "I think Robin's cold behavior is rubbing off on you." (Y/N) just shrugged in response as they ran.
"So heavy!" Sanji (Nami) sang out behind the three, causing them all to turn to their chef. (Y/N) wore a bored face as Sanji skipped through the snow. "My boobs are so heavy that they bounce whenever I run!"
"Welcome to being a woman." (Y/N) calmly replied.
Zoro irritatedly shouted back at Sanji (Nami). "Get it together! Do you want to save that samurai or not?!"
Sanji (Nami) began to fall backwards, but Zoro quickly caught Nami's wrist. (Y/N) and Brook turned around, placing their hands on their face. "So.. romantic!"
"Huh?!" Both Sanji (Nami) and Zoro gasped.
Zoro quickly dropped Sanji (Nami) on the snow, yelling. "No! The only reason I caught you is 'cause you're in Nami's body!"
"Then why'd you drop me? Now she's gonna be all bruised up!" Sanji (Nami) quickly shouted back.
(Y/N) looked back at Brook running up ahead of the path, gasping as he looked towards the ground. "You guys aren't going to believe what I've found over here!" (Y/N) ignored the two boys arguing and jogged up to Brook. She gasped at the sight before her as Brook spoke. "Look! It's a footprint!"
"You think it's the samurai's?" Zoro questioned back.
"I don't think it's human." Brook replied, followed by (Y/N). "Yeah... This is far from human."
"Well, then it must be a centaur footprint." Sanji (Nami) theorized.
"Uh... No..." Brook started before (Y/N) and himself spoke in unison. "This is... way too big." Brook turned around to the two behind him. "Well, what do you think? This footprint. Could it have been left by the legendary Yeti?"
"Uh— Not a chance. No way. Don't be so ridiculous." Sanji (Nami) and Zoro spoke in unison.
"Wow." (Y/N) looked at her two boys in surprise. "They finally agreed on something."
"Well, damn! It's true! There are giant footprints in the snow!" Sanji (Nami) spoke as he walked up to the footprints. Zoro simply 'huh'ed the fact.
"This island just keeps getting crazier and crazier, huh?" (Y/N) questioned her group, placing her hands on her hips. Her group nodded in agreement.
Brook pointed down at the footprint in front of him. "This is just incredible! I can't believe it! There are so many of them, and they look fresh! If we follow them, we may find..."
(Y/N) turned to the boys next to her as three images popped in her mind. A regular Yeti from Brook, a gorgeous female Yeti from Sanji (Nami) and a swordsman Yeti from Zoro. The boys thought in unison. 'One of nature's greatest mysteries.' (Y/N)'s jaw lightly dropped in shock before she yelled. "Each one of you are complete morons! Why is that all you think about?!"
The boys 'huh'ed her before Zoro snapped back. "Would you quit reading our minds, damn psychic!?"
"It's not like there's much to read, three-sword-style!" (Y/N) snapped back, butting heads with Zoro.
Brook held his index finger up. "Uh, (Y/N), that's not an insult."
"Four-sword-style!" (Y/N) snapped again.
Brook just slouched in defeat as Sanji sung. "That's my girl!"
(Y/N) quickly looked back towards the direction the group came from making Zoro stumble forward a few steps. Brook looked back up at (Y/N) while she searched the area. "Huh, do you see something? Maybe the Yeti?"
"Hm... I don't think it was a Yeti... but I thought I felt something behind us. Whatever, let's get moving." (Y/N) turned back and walked along the large footsteps.
Eventually, her group made it to the end of a cliff. (Y/N) stopped in her tracks, causing her boys behind her to look up from their slouched positions. "Looks like they stop here." Sanji (Nami) spoke, looking down at the large tracks.
(Y/N) quickly turned around, staring up at two large figures in utter shock. Her boys followed her actions, staring at the creatures. "Do you see that? There are two huge shadows behind us!" Brook nervously shouted out.
"Huh?!" Zoro gasped in shock.
"Do you think they could be Yeti?" Sanji (Nami) questioned.
"That's what I sensed earlier!" (Y/N) shouted out in shock.
The two figures held up their guns, firing at the group. (Y/N) quickly clasped her hands over her mouth, groaning out as gas surrounded her group. "Quickly.. cover your mouth." She stumbled over a bit, trying to stay awake.
"What kind of gas is this?" Sanji (Nami) groaned out.
"It's almost as if I'm drunk." Brook groaned. "I suddenly find it hard to speak clearly, and I'm so very tired." He unsleeved his sword. "Ugh... it's an enemy attack!"
"I feel so sleepy. But—" (Y/N) giggled. "I kinda like this feeling... What's g-going on? Nami~ Did I even tell you how gorgeous you looked today?" She stubbled forward, hugging Sanji (Nami) from behind.
"Don't waste your time fight against the effects. KYP leaves you drunk and drowsy, no matter how high your tolerance." One of the figures spoke, followed by the next. "Beneath this cliff lies district F-16, home to the terrible Ice Spikes."
"Four targets down." The first figure spoke before the two shot more fire.
(Y/N) felt the ground falling beneath her, but she was still happily hugging on to Nami's body. "Hm? Spikes?" Zoro yelled out. He looked over at his crew mates. "Hey, guys, any ideas?"
Brook and Sanji (Nami) were snoring as they slept. (Y/N) looked over Nami's shoulder at Zoro, giggling. "We'll be finneee. I like spikey, spikes! Hehe~"
Zoro grunted, looking back down at the spikes. (Y/N) felt her vision blurring and soon enough, she fell asleep on Nami's shoulder.
~ Dream... or Nightmare? ~
(Y/N) sat up, looking around a scenery she knew only as a child. "What? This is my mother's home. What am I doing here?"
"Sweetheart, please come here." Her mother called out.
(Y/N) stood up, walking down the hall of her old home. "Mother— No.. Hayami? Is that you?" She called back out, but didn't receive a response.
"Coming, momma!" A young girl's voice happily sung behind (Y/N). She turned around watching her younger self run straight though her.
'Am I... dreaming?' (Y/N) followed her younger self to her mother's room. "Come sit with me." Hayami patted next to her as she sat on her bed, holding a white box with golden accents with her other hand.
Young (Y/N) climbed on her mother's bed, sitting besides Hayami. "What's that, mommy?" She curiously looked down at the box in her mother's hand.
Hayami smiled, slowly opening the box. "This was my father's. It's a price treasure he held onto ever since his father gave it too him when he was around his teens. They're name is 'Hachi-kaman'."
"Hichi-coo-man?" Young (Y/N) innocent questioned, looking down at the beautiful pair of sickles.
Hayami giggled. "No, it's 'Hachi-kaman.' The story behind these blades is one I'll have to tell you when you're older." Hayami booped young (Y/N)'s nose making her giggle.
(Y/N) smiled at the old memory before her. "This must have been when I was five." Her smile slowly dropped. "When father left... before everyone went south." She sighed off her words, but froze in shock when Hayami looked up at her.
"You greedy little bastard!" Hayami shouted making (Y/N) back up a few steps. The scene shifted and Hayami began to grown larger and larger as she stood up from her bed.
"M-Mother?" (Y/N) questioned, felling her back hit a wall.
"I'm not your mother! I should have tossed you out just like your father! You'll never be my daughter for as long as you live!" Hayami rose her hand causing (Y/N) to hyperventilate.
"N-No! Stay back! Please! I am your daughter! M-Mother, please!" (Y/N) shielded her face when Hayami's hand came crashing down upon her.
(Y/N) felt herself falling backwards. She looked up, seeing her younger self being slapped by her mother. Tears began to fall from her eyes from the sight until she fell back into ice cold water. (Y/N)'s eyes widened in shock and felt the horrible feeling of her lungs filling with water. She desperately reached up, trying to escape the drowning feeling. Her eyes began to shut, but someone grabbed her hand. (Y/N) was pulled up out of the cold sea. She coughed up water when a familiar voice spoke down to her. "What did I tell you about jumping into the seas? Everyone knows you can't swim, my daughter."
(Y/N)'s eyes widened in fearful shock when she saw Artie looming over her. "No.. no, no, no! This is a dream! It's not real!"
"Dream? What are you going on about?! Get up and get back to work. Don't think I'm going to let slack off just because it's your birthday. Now stand up before I make you!" Artie growled at (Y/N). (Y/N) stood up, staring at Artie in utter shock. "Good. Now go clean the crew's laundry! Now!"
"This is a dream." (Y/N) grinned her teeth in anger. "Screw you, you good-for-nothing fat bastard."
"What did you say to me?!" Artie grabbed (Y/N) by her throat, holding her up in the air. (Y/N) gasped for air and started to feel small, around age 10. "You're going to think twice next time you decide to call me a 'fat bastard'." Artie punched (Y/N) in her stomach making her groan out in pain. She felt more and more of his beating before she eventually fell limp from exhaustion and loss of air. "Served you right." Artie grunted, dropping (Y/N). All she heard was cheers and laughed from the rest of his men on the cold island's dock.
(Y/N) huffed, slowing tilting heard head over to the ocean besides her. 'Maybe... I can escape... if I just end it here.' (Y/N) used all of her strength in her body to crawl towards the edge of the dock. She screamed out in pain when she felt the back of her hair being pulled up. (Y/N) closed her eyes wyes, sobbing even harder as Artie's laugher echo'ed through her mind.
(Y/N) felt her shoulders get grabbed from behind and the hold on her hair release. "(Y/N)? Hey, (Y/N), are you okay?" Another familiar voice echo'ed around her. This time, it was oddly comforting. (Y/N)'s breathing slowed as she slowly turned around, opening her eyes. "Don't worry, (Y/N). I'll keep you safe." Greg Delvin reached out for her, he gently placed his hand on (Y/N)'s face.
(Y/N) took a few deep breaths as a wide smile slowly grew on her face. "Del... Del, You're alive. Oh, Del..." (Y/N) gently placed her hands on his face, crying tears of joy from seeing her old friend.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Devin chuckled. "You've grown so much. I'm proud of you, (Y/N)."
(Y/N) cried even harder from hearing Delvin's words, but her happiness ended quickly when she felt a warm liquid on her hands. (Y/N) held her hands in front of her, watching dark crimson blood drop off them. "W-What? Blood... Del—" (Y/N)'s eyes widened when she looked up at Delvin.
Delvin's body was now covered in bruises and sores, his nose broken as bloody tears seeped from his eyes. "You did this too me... You killed me. You... You!"
"No! No! I'm sorry! Delvin, I'm sorry! I never met for it to happen!" (Y/N) desperately shouted out, but Devil didn't respond. He looked lifeless, his body held up by serval stings, his corpse being used like a puppet. Even so, he bagan laughing... his laugher stared with a slow closed-mouth chuckle, but soon became louder and louder. (Y/N) clutched her ears. "S-Stop laughing! Stop laughing! This isn't funny! This is sick! STOP LAUGHING!!" (Y/N) screamed out, attempting to pull off her own ears. "STOP LAUGHIN—"
~ End of Dream... or Nightmare? ~
(Y/N)'s body jolted and her breathing was erratic. "(Y/N)! You're up! Are you feeling okay?" Brook questioned making (Y/N) look around, but she looked up at Zoro who was carrying her bridal style.
Zoro stopped in his tracks, placing (Y/N) down. (Y/N) looked around her, still on alert. "Seriously, are you alright? You were groaning and crying in your sleep." Zoro questioned, looking at (Y/N) with softness in his eyes.
(Y/N) stared at Zoro for a few seconds before placing her hand on his chest. Zoro bright blushed, starting at (Y/N) in confusion. (Y/N) sighed in relief, pulling Zoro into a tight hug. "You're real. Thank goodness, you're real." (Y/N) light whimpered and cried on his chest. Zoro huffed, wrapping his arms around her.
Brook gasped. "So poetic!"
"Hey! Get off her, ugly moss-head! She needs her charming prince to comfort her, not you!" Sanji (Nami) irritatedly yelled.
Zoro snapped back, still hugging (Y/N). "She hugged me first! And what's so charming about you?!"
(Y/N) sniffed, pulling away from Zoro as she wiped her tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry I acted out... I just had a terrible dream, or more like a horrific nightmare."
"I'm so sorry to hear that, (Y/N). Are you feeling any better now?" Brook softly spoke.
(Y/N) nodded, turning to Brook. "I am that you guys are here. Can I..." (Y/N) held her arms out.
"Of course." Brook leaned out a pulled (Y/N) into a hug.
"Thank you." (Y/N) soft spoke, breaking from Brook's hug. She giggled at her sulking chef in Nami's body. (Y/N) calmly turned to Sanji (Nami) making him 'huh' her as he looked up. Without a question, (Y/N) pulled his into a hug. "Thank you for being by my side, Sanji."
Sanji (Nami) had hearts in his eyes and his cig puffed out with hearts, happily shouting. "Anytime, my princess! Why don't we just get married, so I won't ever have to leave you again?"
(Y/N) pulled away from Sanji (Nami) shaking her head. "Not now, lover boy." Sanji (Nami) swooned over her words. (Y/N) rolled her eyes. "Enough sappy time, what's the plan? Did we get away from those weird shadow beasts?"
"Yeah. We were on the lookout for the samurai when you woke up. We're not too far from the lake now." Zoro quickly explained.
(Y/N) nodded. "Alright, let's get going. We need to make it back to the crew as soon as possible. If those shadows came for us, I can only imagine we're not the only targets."
Brook gasped, clutching his head. "I didn't even think about that! We need to hurry and find that samurai!" He took off running again making the rest of his group take off after him. Thankfully, Brook stopped after only a few meters. "Can you hear me, samurai?" He yelled out, but got no response.
"Hey, samurai!" Sanji (Nami) shouted out, walking around. "Come out, come out, wherever you are! Samurai! Did someone kick your ass already?"
(Y/N) chuckled. "I wouldn't put it past him. That guy's more of a moron than you when you're drunk." She smirked over at Zoro next to her.
"Hey!" Zoro snapped back, crossing his arms. "At least I'm not a flirt like you."
"What?" (Y/N) furrowed her eyebrows. "I don't flirt when I'm drunk."
Zoro busted out laughing. "Oh, yes, yes you do."
(Y/N) rolled her eyes, smiling as the watched Sanji (Nami) and Brook search for Kin'emon. Brook stopped in his tracks, still looking around as he spoke. "If you're able, please say something! Ugh. I truly thought we would find him here."
"Who knows? Maybe he found his torso already and went off to look for his son." Sanji spoke up as (Y/N) and Zoro walked forwards towards the two.
"Perhaps, or he's laying dead somewhere covered in sno—" (Y/N) calmly spoke before tripping over something. Zoro wrapped his arm around (Y/N)'s waist, successful catching her as he looked down at his foot. (Y/N) stood upright, also looking down at what she tripped over. "Huh?"
Zoro moved back his foot, off the weird shaped patch of snow. "Hey, guys. I think this is him."
"What?" Brook spoke in shock, turning back to Zoro.
(Y/N) squatted down, inspecting the snow in front of her. "Would you look at that? It really is him."
"Well, crap. He's frozen solid!" Zoro irritated shouted.
"(Y/N), step back a bit." Sanji (Nami) spoke as he raised his foot up. (Y/N) nodded, standing up and taking a few steps back. "One, two, three!" On the count of 'three', Sanji drove Nami's heel into the back of the frozen samurai's head, landing in his thick hair.
The ice began to crack before Kin'emon shot up, gasping for air and panting. (Y/N) blankly stared at him. "Still doesn't have a torso, huh?"
"Hey, you all right? You don't look too good. So, someone did kick your ass." Sanji (Nami) spoke down to the samurai.
"I... I suddenly became paralyzed. I thought for certain that death was upon me." Kin'emon replied with a shaky voice.
"You mean you got caught in a snow storm and froze solid." Sanji (Nami) questioned in slight irritation.
Kin'emon wheezed. "No! The cold cannot touch me!" He began shivering right after.
Sanji (Nami) groaned in frustration. "Quit being so stubborn!"
"A warrior such as I does not feel the cold." Kin'emon tried to shout back, but his shivering quickly shushed him.
Zoro wore an irritated and bored expression on his face. "This guy's more trouble than he's worth."
(Y/N) sighed, crossing her arms under her chest. "Now, ya see why I didn't want to fight him?" Zoro nodded, rolling his eyes at the samurai.
"Whip up some clothes. Or have you already forgotten your own ability?" Sanji (Nami) sassed making (Y/N) grow confused. 'His ability? Does he mean this guy is a devil fruit user?'
Kin'emon shivered, clattering his teeth. "The truth is... The magic. I did not acquire it without a cost. Because of it, I now have a certain weakness. I, well, ever since partaking of that fruit, when submerged in water, I—"
"You can't swim, right? Yeah, we know." Sanji (Nami) sassed, pointing back at (Y/N). "We've got a user right here that has three of those powers."
Kin'emon shivered, looking at (Y/N) in shock. (Y/N) held up her hands in defense. "Hey, don't make it sound like I ate all three!"
Kin'emon grew more confused, but looked back at Sanji (Nami). "We, you see. I believe I may know where my torso is. I... I suspect that you might locate it somewhere underwater."
"Underwater?" Sanji (Nami) questioned.
"Yes, that's right." Kin'emon shivered. "It feels as if my upper half of my body is submerged."
Sanji (Nami) looked down at Kin'emon a bit. "I see. So, that's how you wound up here, immobilized and frozen. If your body is underwater, than you can't use your ability."
Zoro looked up at Brook. "You said his torso was near the lake. If it's stumbling around headless, it may have fallen in."
"That's possible, and I believe the lake is salt water rather than fresh." Brook replied.
"Well, his other bits are still alive and kicking. So I think we can assume it hasn't become shark food yet." Zoro sassed. "But we have no idea what kind of creatures are in that lake. We better get it out as soon as possible."
"That's true. We should waste no time." Brook quickly replied.
"I... I fear that I must ask." Kin'emon spoke up again making (Y/N) look back down at him. "If you would be willing to, uh..."
"Just ask already." Sanji (Nami) snapped. "Damn stubborn samurai. We'll do it."
Kin'emon gasped. "But aren't you people pirates? And I am an utter stranger to you. So why are you so willing to aid me?"
Sanji (Nami) glared back down at the samurai. "When I saved your head, I became responsible for you. But know this: When you're back in one piece, we will fight, and I will kick your ass."
"I... I accept your aid and your challenge." Kin'emon looked down to the snow beneath him. Zoro, Brook, (Y/N) began to walk past the samurai as Sanji (Nami) stopped to grab Kin'emon, dragging him along. Kin'emon grunted. "You have my gratitude."
"Well, well. Look who learned how to say thank you. The cold taught you manners. What do ya know?" Sanji (Nami) spoke with a smirk. (Y/N) heard the small conversation, but was staring at the sight in front of her between Zoro and Brook. Sanji (Nami) walked up besides Brook. "Huh? What's that?
"Hmm... it's difficult to tell." Brook replied with a hint of confusion.
(Y/N) placed her hand on her chin, tilting her head in confusion. "Some kind of stampede, maybe?"
"Oh! You may be right. Because those look like... centaurs." Brook calmly spoke. "Perhaps the ones we robbed? Brownbeard's subordinates."
"Really? They are quite weak." (Y/N) lightly bit her bottom lip. 'Hm... it looks like they're running from something. But what?'
The centaurs came close enough for the group to hear their yells. "Stay with me! Keep running! We have to get away from the lake now! And away from the monster that appeared on the other side! How has it been hiding on the island all this time? If we could just make it to the Master, he'll know what to do. Save your breath and focus on running! If we slow down at all, it will get us!"
"What? Scared of a monster? Aren't you monsters, too?" Zoro sassed the centaurs in front of him and his group.
One of the centaurs gasped in shock. "Them again?" The centaur group stopped, but continued to run in place. "Those are the pirates who robbed us! Damn, you're right! That one's wearing my coat! Forget about them! Just run! Let's get to the lab." The centaur group quickly ran around the Straw Hats and Kin'emon, still shouting. "Don't forget, they kidnapped Boss! We'll make you pay for that!!"
(Y/N) turned, watching the centaurs run far into the snow. "That was odd."
"Yeah... What's got them so worked up?" Sanji (Nami) questioned.
"They seem to be running from something." Brook replied.
Zoro placed his hand on his chin, thinking aloud. "Hmm... They looked scared, all right. And they were coming from the lake. The one we saw earlier, right, Brook?"
"What?" Brook turned to Zoro in shock. "Yes, that's correct. The lake's that way. The same direction we were headed. Why, what are you thinking, Zoro?"
(Y/N) turned back around, glaring towards the direction of the lake as Zoro spoke. "Well, if it actually the same lake, where did that mountain come from?"
"Huh. How strange." Brook calmly spoke, but utter shock stuck him like a tidal wave. "Wait! That's not a mountain! What the hell?"
"It must be..." (Y/N) sternly spoke. "The monster."