Nom Nom Nom
"Hey, chew slowly. I'm not going to take it away from you," Luffy said, exasperated. He rubbed his temple as he watched the three young Gorgon Sisters tear through the food he had carefully packed in his inventory.
That stash was supposed to last him during his intense training sessions, but here they were, devouring it like they hadn't seen food in days.
His inventory was a handy tool, preserving food in its original state no matter how long it was stored. A meal packed a year ago would taste as fresh as if it had just been prepared. It was a lifesaver for someone like him who was always on the move, but right now, it seemed like the Gorgon Sisters were determined to empty it in one sitting.
From the corner of his eye, Luffy noticed Boa Hancock sneaking glances at him, her expression a mix of suspicion and unease. Her guard never dropped, and Luffy couldn't blame her.
After all, she and her sisters had endured hell as slaves under the Celestial Dragons. Trust didn't come easily, and the fact that a young boy had suddenly appeared, offering food and kindness, only made her more cautious.
Luffy sighed, leaning back on his hands. "Can you stop staring at me like I'm some kind of enemy? I've told you a hundred times, I'm not here to hurt you. I'm actually trying to help."
Boa Hancock's sharp eyes met his.
"I don't believe you," She said flatly, her tone colder than ice.
Luffy groaned, throwing his head back. "Why does nobody ever trust me the first time?"
He muttered under his breath. With a resigned sigh, he started drawing lazy circles in the dirt, the picture of frustration.
No matter what he said, Hancock's suspicion didn't waver. The weight of her stare bore into him, a constant reminder of the trauma she carried. Yet, despite her cold demeanor, Luffy wasn't deterred. He knew that trust wasn't something you could demand; it was earned. And he was prepared to do just that, no matter how long it took.
[Hancock's POV]
"Umm..."
I steal a glance at the strange boy sitting a few feet away from us, my curiosity piqued despite myself. He's roughly my age, maybe a little older, and I can't help but wonder what he's thinking. He's been quiet for a while now.
When my gaze lands on him, I catch him drawing lazy circles in the dirt with a pouty, almost comically wronged expression.
'What a weird guy!'
I think to myself, trying not to laugh at how ridiculous he looks. For a brief moment, his silly antics chip away at the walls I've built around myself. But just as quickly, I shake my head, scolding myself internally.
'No,' I remind myself. 'Never trust anyone so easily, especially not a man.'
The memory of the Celestial Dragons' cruelty flashes in my mind, and I steel my resolve.
'All men are the same—deceitful, selfish, and cruel.'
But even as I repeat these thoughts like a mantra, a tiny, irritating voice whispers from the depths of my heart.
'What if… what if he's really trying to help us?'
I push the thought aside, but it refuses to go away. My mind swirls with uncertainty.
'What should I do?'
I don't know the answer.
"Big Sister, what do we do now?"
The soft voice of my youngest sister, Sandersonia, pulls me from my thoughts. I turn to see both her and Marigold looking at me with anxious, expectant eyes, waiting for guidance.
"Big Sis, what if he's really…?" Marigold hesitates, her voice barely above a whisper as she leans closer.
Her words make me freeze.
'Believe a man?'
My gut reaction is anger, and I glare at her. But when I meet their hopeful eyes—eyes filled with trust in me—I feel my resolve waver.
I sigh, rubbing my temples in frustration.
'I can't let my personal fears dictate their future. They're depending on me.'
Taking a deep breath, I gather my courage and step toward the boy, my heart pounding with nerves. This decision could shape our future. I can't afford to make a mistake.
"Boy, I have a question for you." My voice is steady, but inside, I'm anything but calm.
The boy immediately perks up, standing and turning toward me with a wide, hopeful grin. His eyes shine with kindness and an almost innocent excitement, which, strangely, makes my nerves worse. I quickly compose myself, forcing my usual cold demeanor back into place.
"What is it?" He asks, his voice full of enthusiasm.
I narrow my eyes, still suspicious. 'How odd… he hasn't even told us his name yet.'
Come to think of it, his behavior has been strange from the start. Most men—even in these ragged clothes—would have been swayed by my natural beauty. Yet this boy doesn't seem affected at all.
'What's wrong with him? Or rather, what's wrong with me that it bothers me so much?'
I cough twice, trying to hide my flustered thoughts. "What's your name?" I ask, my tone sharp.
The boy blinks in surprise, then frowns. "That's all? I thought you'd want me to help you get back to your family,"
He says, sounding a bit disappointed.
"I said, tell me your name," I repeat, louder this time, crossing my arms.
"Luffy. My name's Luffy," He says quickly, as if afraid I'll scold him again.
Something about his straightforwardness makes me smile, though I quickly suppress it. "Fine, Luffy," I say, keeping my voice firm. "How exactly do you plan to help me and my sisters return home?"
Luffy's face lights up. "Ah, finally! The right question," he says with a laugh.
"I know someone from Amazon Lily—a strong woman who can help. If I take you to her, she'll make sure you get back home safely."
His confidence is almost convincing, but I'm not about to drop my guard just yet. "And why should I believe you?" I ask, my tone icy. "What if you're just another human trafficker looking to sell us?"
Luffy sighs deeply, scratching the back of his head. "If I was a trafficker, I'd be the dumbest one alive," he says.
"I've already spent twenty minutes here, and I haven't done anything but give you food. Besides," He adds with a grin, "I'm way too strong for that kind of nonsense."
He straightens up, looking more serious now. "Honestly, I'm in a bit of a hurry. If my grandpa finds out I sneaked out, he's gonna lose it. His 'fist of love' isn't exactly gentle, you know. I'm pretty sure his punches are knocking some of my brain cells loose every day."
The ridiculous image makes me pause. 'Fist of love?'
I can't help it—before I know it, a small chuckle escapes my lips.
Luffy's face brightens at the sound, and for the first time, I feel a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, this boy isn't like the others.
[POV ENDS]
Luffy's face flushed slightly as Hancock's bright smile momentarily captivated him. Despite the dirt and tattered clothes she wore, her beauty was undeniable, radiating through every mark and stain.
After all, the young woman standing before him would one day become the most beautiful woman in the world.
The Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.
'Her charm really is deadly, especially with her natural beauty,' Luffy thought, sighing bitterly. He quickly shook his head, trying to clear away the intrusive thoughts. Fixing his gaze on her, he spoke firmly.
"So, whatever you decide, please make it quick."
Hancock noticed his flustered face, and a hint of pride flickered in her eyes. Her charm had finally gotten to him—or so she thought. But just as quickly, Luffy regained his composure, shaking his head as if snapping himself out of a trance.
The sight of him recovering so easily left her feeling annoyed.
"Look," She said coldly, crossing her arms. "I don't trust you at all. But I won't let my sisters stay stuck here because of my stubbornness."
Luffy nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "That's enough for me. I don't need you to trust me."
Without another word, he reached behind his back, pulling a sharp dagger from his inventory and offering it to her. "Here. You know how to use this, right?"
Hancock's eyes narrowed in offense as she snatched the dagger from him, twirling it effortlessly in her hand. She pointed it at him with a haughty snort.
"Hmph! We are proud warriors of the Kuja. Of course, I know how to use it."
"Good," Luffy said, his tone calm and serious. "Then if you ever think I've betrayed you, you can use that dagger to kill me."
Hancock's eyes widened in surprise, her grip tightening around the weapon. "What? Why would you—"
Even Marigold and Sandersonia gasped, their shocked expressions mirroring their sister's.
Luffy ignored their reaction and stepped closer to Hancock, gently taking her hand in his.
She recoiled, trying to pull away.
"Unhand me!" She snapped, glaring at him.
"Relax," Luffy said, his tone soothing. "As I told you, I'm a Devil Fruit user. If I touch you, I can get us out of here faster."
Hancock hesitated, her suspicion still evident, but Luffy turned toward her sisters and extended his free hand. "You two as well. Come on."
Marigold and Sandersonia exchanged nervous glances before stepping forward and taking his hand.
"Good. Now, don't panic. Hold on tight… and here we go!"
With a confident smile, Luffy activated his power. In an instant, the four of them vanished from the spot, leaving the desolate ruins behind as they teleported to safety.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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