3rd person POV
Haku's boots thudded lightly against the cobblestone as he and Dragon dashed out of the bar, leaving behind the chaos that had already begun to envelop the streets of Loguetown. Without exchanging a word, they moved swiftly through the city, leaping effortlessly onto the rooftops for a better view of the unfolding situation. Chibi perched on Haku's shoulder, her keen eyes scanning the square below, where chaos was brewing around the execution platform.
Dragon's powerful presence hung in the air, his cloak billowing in the wind as the first drops of rain began to fall. The storm was coming. His piercing eyes met Haku's.
"Go," Dragon said firmly, his voice steady despite the swirling winds. "Your friend is in danger."
Haku followed Dragon's gaze to the execution platform. Luffy, bound in shackles, grinned up at the sky, seemingly unconcerned that Buggy the Clown was about to bring his sword down on his neck.
The crowd below was a mix of chaos and anticipation. The Straw Hats were scattered among the people—Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp already pushing through the throngs of Buggy's pirates, struggling to reach the execution stand. Nojiko stood with Nami, both trying to stay out of sight while keeping an eye on the platform. The marines surrounded the square, their weapons drawn, waiting for the right moment to act. Buggy's crew cheered loudly, eager to see the execution carried out.
"Help Luffy," Dragon urged one final time, before leaping into the air. In a flash, he disappeared into the stormy sky, leaving Haku to act.
Without hesitation, Haku turned to Chibi. "Let's go."
Chibi chirped in response and took flight, circling above as Haku dashed toward the platform using Soru. The wind rushed past him as his body moved faster than the eye could follow. As he reached the edge of the square, Buggy's sword was raised high above Luffy's head.
Luffy grinned widely, his voice carefree. "Sorry... I'm dead."
Just as the blade was about to fall, a deafening crack of thunder echoed across the square. In an instant, a bolt of lightning struck Buggy's sword, shattering it to pieces. The platform collapsed, sending Luffy tumbling down, unharmed, with his shackles breaking in the process.
The entire square fell into stunned silence. Buggy's crew was frozen in disbelief, their cheers dying on their lips. The marines hesitated, unsure of what to make of the situation. This was the moment Haku needed.
"Chibi!" Haku called out, his voice sharp. Chibi swooped low, her wings flaring wide as she used her Sound-Sound Fruit abilities to record his message. "Get Luffy and the crew! Run back to the ship! I'll hold them off. Don't worry, I'll be back soon!". She gave him a quick before storming off.
Haku watched as Chibi flew across the square, zipping through the crowd with ease and precision. In the distance, he saw Zoro and Sanji catch sight of her and understand the message. Chibi then B-lined towards the sisters. Nojiko's eyes widened with recognition, and she grabbed Nami's arm, already moving to follow the plan. Chibi circled the square once more, relaying the message to everyone before speeding off to the edge of the town.
Now it was Haku's turn to act.
Activating the Frozen Veil, Haku extended his hands, and a swirling cold mist began to form around him, rapidly spreading across the square like a wave of winter itself. The temperature plummeted, the air growing sharp with frost as the mist thickened into a dense, freezing fog. The cries of Buggy's pirates echoed through the fog as confusion and panic set in.
"Let's do this," Haku thought, adjusting his mask with needles in hand, his mind calm amid the growing chaos.
As the frozen mist swallowed the square, Buggy's pirates stumbled around blindly.
"W-What the hell is this?!" one of Buggy's lackeys shouted, his voice trembling as his breath turned to visible frost in the air.
"Captain Buggy! Where are you?!" another screamed, his panic only intensifying as the cold bit at his skin.
Haku became a phantom in the mist, slipping between the disoriented pirates with ghostly speed. His footsteps were silent, his form barely visible as he combined the rapid movements of Soru with his ninja training. Needles gleamed briefly before disappearing into the fog, each one finding its mark with deadly precision.
A pirate staggered, clutching at his neck where a needle had pierced his pressure point. "H-help…" he gasped, before collapsing into the snow-covered ground, unconscious.
"Captain Buggy! Help us!" another yelled, only to be silenced as Haku's swift hand delivered a pinpoint blow, sending him crumpling to the ground.
Buggy, still smoking from the earlier lightning strike, cursed under his breath as he tried to reassemble his fragmented body. His torso was barely connected to his legs, and his arms were still scattered across the platform. "Damn it! Who hit me with that lightning?!"
Haku spared Buggy no attention. He knew that Buggy's powers made him more of an annoyance than a threat for now. His focus was clear—create an opportunity for his friends' escape.
His icy mist billowed outward, cloaking him further as the marines tried to respond.
"Surround the area! Don't let them escape!" a marine officer shouted, but his voice cracked under the cold. The marines rushed forward, weapons drawn, but the Frozen Veil distorted their senses.
Haku moved like a shadow among them. One marine charged through the fog, sword raised, but before he could even swing, Haku darted behind him, a hand briefly grazing the soldier's weapon. Frost crawled up the blade instantly, freezing it solid. The marine stared in shock as the sword shattered in his hands.
"What the—?!" the marine tried to turn, but Haku was already gone, reappearing behind another target. A swift strike to the back of the neck dropped the marine like a stone, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Another soldier, trembling, fumbled to aim his rifle. "W-where is he?!"
Haku answered without a word, sliding in low and sweeping his legs out from under him. The marine crashed to the ground, and Haku silenced him with a swift jab to the throat, rendering him unconscious.
"Stop messing around!" a marine officer yelled, his sword cutting through the fog in desperation. His blade met nothing but cold air, and in the next moment, Haku disarmed him with a precise kick, sending the sword clattering to the ground. A frozen needle to his shoulder made the officer wince in pain before he too was taken down.
Through the chaos, Haku felt a shift in the air—a sudden, oppressive pressure that pushed against the mist. Smoke began to swirl at the edges of his vision, and Haku's senses sharpened.
Smoker had arrived.
A thick cloud of fist-shaped smoke swept through the frozen mist, cutting a path toward Haku. The air grew heavier, filled with the scent of tobacco as Smoker's elementalized form surged forward.
"You," Smoker's voice cut through the fog like a knife, his gaze locking onto Haku through the swirling cold. His jitte, gleaming with seastone, was already drawn. "You're that pirate hunter. The 'Prettiest Demon of East Blue.'"
Haku didn't flinch. He had dealt with Smoker before, but this was different. The Marine captain's anger was palpable.
"You're helping Straw Hat escape." Smoker's voice was low, seething with controlled rage.
Haku's mask concealed his amused smirk. "Who says I'm helping him? Maybe I just enjoy causing chaos."
Smoker's eyes narrowed, his grip on his jitte tightening. "You're wasting my time."
Without another word, Smoker lunged, his body exploding into smoke as he charged toward Haku, his jitte swinging with force. Haku sidestepped the attack easily, using Soru to appear behind the Marine captain in a blink of an eye.
"Relax, Smoker," Haku taunted, his voice smooth as ice. "You're always so uptight. What's the harm in letting a pirate or two slip through your fingers?"
Smoker snarled and spun, his jitte whistling through the air as it sliced toward Haku's head. But Haku was faster. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected the jitte with a steel needle, sending it off-course. The seastone barely missed him, and Smoker's frustration was growing.
"You think this is a game?" Smoker's voice was low and dangerous, his elementalised body expanding to fill the space around them, his smoke form swirling more aggressively.
Haku leaped back, the frozen mist swirling in his wake. "Isn't it? You chase pirates, I stop you from catching them. Sounds like a game to me."
Smoker's eyes narrowed as he fully transformed into smoke, his body expanding to engulf the entire area. The fog was being overwhelmed by his cloud of smoke, and he tried to envelop Haku in his billowing form.
But Haku had anticipated this. As the smoke closed in, he extended his hand, forming a crystalline container of snow and ice, swirling with intricate patterns. The icy prison expanded rapidly, catching Smoker's smoke form inside it before he could react.
Smoker's figure, and most likely furious face, appeared within the swirling smoke, his fists pounding against the frozen walls. The construct didn't budge.
"Looks like I win this round. But hey, no hard feelings, man. As an apology, next round of cigars is on me." Haku said calmly, watching as Smoker struggled within his prison.
Smoker's muffled curses filled the air as he tried to break free, but Haku didn't wait around for the inevitable. He vanished into the mist, his body a blur of motion as he used Soru to escape.
As he moved, Haku could hear the fading commotion behind him. Buggy's crew had been subdued, and Smoker was trapped. His mind calmed down a bit, "The guys should have enough time by now."
------
As Haku made his way back to the docks, the wind howled through the streets, whipping at his cloak as the icy remnants of his battle still hung in the air. The storm, dark and raging above, framed the chaotic scene of Loguetown as Haku approached the harbour. Through the veil of rain and snow, the Going Merry emerged from the mist, its crew anxiously waiting for him on deck.
Nami, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp stood at the railing, their eyes scanning the streets, tense and on edge. Meanwhile Luffy was laying on the deck, trying to catch his breath, with Chibi perched on his head. The earlier events clearly took a toll on the captain. Nojiko was crouched down with a first-aid kit in hand, tending to Luffy, visibly tense. When Nami spotted Haku, her expression shifted from concern to a mix of relief and irritation.
"Haku!" she shouted, her voice barely carrying over the storm's fury. "You're alive! I swear, if you had gotten yourself killed, I would've—""
"Relax," Haku interrupted. He couldn't help but grin under his mask as he stepped onto the dock, his body still tense from the fight but the adrenaline subsiding. He pulled off his mask, revealing a playful smirk. "Did you really think I'd let a little chaos keep me from the rest of my adventure?"
Nami crossed her arms, her expression a mix of exasperation and relief. "You took your sweet time, though!
Zoro, standing beside her, smirked with his arms crossed, his usual calm demeanour masking any concern. "If he got caught, that would've just been a bad look for him. Took you long enough, though. Thought we might have to drag your frozen body back here."
Haku chuckled softly. "I'm not that easy to kill."
Sanji flicked his cigarette, the ember glowing briefly in the storm. "You did good back there," he said, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "Thanks to you, we're getting out of here in one piece."
"Yeah!" Usopp chimed in from the mast, waving enthusiastically. "I mean, not that we couldn't have handled it ourselves… but it's a lot easier with you freezing everyone! But seriously, cutting it this close—"
"I like to keep things interesting," Haku quipped with a wink, though there was a deeper exhaustion beneath his playful exterior. His eyes flicked past the others, landing on Nojiko.
She stood a little apart from the rest, her posture more relaxed, eyes fixed on him, arms folded. Her expression was a mixture of relief and something else, something deeper. She smiled, but it wasn't the usual carefree smile he was used to. There was a softness in her gaze, tempered with a hint of warning.
"Don't scare us like that again," Nojiko said, her voice carrying despite the wind. Her eyes, usually full of quiet confidence, now held a flicker of vulnerability, though she masked it well.
Haku met her gaze, his own smile gentler now. "I won't," he promised. There was a quiet understanding between them—unspoken but felt.
Nojiko stepped forward, her arms crossed, but there was something more playful in her approach as she cocked an eyebrow at him. "You might think you're some kind of snowy phantom, but disappearing into that mess and leaving the rest of us worried? Not cool, Haku. You owe me."
Haku chuckled, his grin widening as he leaned in slightly. "Owe you, huh? And what exactly do I owe you for?"
"For starters, an apology," she teased, eyes sparkling as the tension between them eased into familiar banter. "And maybe a drink when we hit the Grand Line."
Haku tilted his head, pretending to consider. "A drink, huh? Seems fair... But only if you promise not to get me into any trouble."
Nojiko laughed softly, nudging him with her shoulder. "You're the one who attracts trouble, not me."
"Touché," Haku said with a chuckle, though there was an underlying warmth in the exchange.
A moment of shared silence passed before Haku said, "Though I have to admit, seeing you worry about me is kind of nice."
Nojiko raised an eyebrow, stepping forward to stand beside him. She tilted her head slightly, her lips quirking into a playful smirk. "Don't get used to it, pretty boy. You're still not off the hook."
Haku chuckled, leaning closer. "I'll keep that in mind," he said quietly, their faces close enough that he could see the light flush on her cheeks, barely noticeable beneath the rain.
The moment of banter was interrupted as the sound of approaching marine ships grew louder through the storm. Haku's attention snapped to the dock, where a line of marine vessels—three of them—had gathered, their sails shifting as the crew prepared to give chase.
"We've got a problem," Zoro muttered, his eyes narrowing at the ships.
Nami followed his line of sight and cursed under her breath. "Those marines aren't going to let us leave without a fight."
"They're gearing up to set sail!" Usopp shouted, his usual panic setting in. "We're gonna be caught!"
Haku's eyes sharpened, assessing the situation. "I'll handle it," Haku said, his voice calm. "You get the Going Merry ready."
With a fluid motion, Haku extended his hands, his eyes narrowing in concentration as the air around him grew even colder. The rain began to freeze midair, forming delicate, crystalline snowflakes that danced in the wind. The temperature plummeted further as Haku summoned his power, drawing on the Snow-Snow Fruit.
A soft rumble echoed through the storm, and the dock at the far end began to shift. Snow swirled into place, gathering at the base of the marine ships. The water around the dock rapidly froze, ice creeping up the hulls of the ships as Haku's power intensified. Within moments, the marine vessels were surrounded by a solid wall of ice and snow, the water around them completely frozen, locking them in place.
"There," Haku said, watching as the marines on the ships scrambled to react. "That should buy us some time."
Zoro watched with a low whistle. "Impressive."
Sanji adjusted his tie, nodding in approval. "Not bad, ice prince."
Nami grinned from her place at the helm. "Nice work, Haku! Now let's get out of here before they find a way to break through."
As the crew prepared to set sail, Nojiko approached Haku once more, shaking her head with a small laugh. "Always showing off, aren't you?"
Haku glanced at her, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Would you rather I let them chase us?"
She crossed her arms and gave him a mock serious look. "Maybe next time you could, you know, warn us before you pull some crazy stunt."
He shrugged, the teasing smile never leaving his face. "Where's the fun in that?"
Nojiko rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. "You're impossible."
Haku leaned in slightly, his voice lowering just for her to hear. "Maybe. But I'd say you like that about me."
She gave him a sideways glance, her tone light but the meaning beneath it clear. "Maybe. But don't push your luck, snow boy."
With that, she turned and walked back toward the others, leaving Haku standing there with a soft chuckle, the warmth of her presence lingering even in the cold rain.
"Alright!" Luffy's voice suddenly boomed, breaking through the moment as he grinned from the bow of the ship. "Let's go! Sanji, I'm starving, and I want meat!"
Haku shook his head with a grin. "Typical."
The crew sprang into action, with Nami taking the helm and Zoro helping to ready the sails. The storm winds whipped the Going Merry into motion as they finally set off from Loguetown, the towering ice walls holding the marines at bay as the ship caught the wind and sailed toward the horizon.
As the storm began to push them further away from the chaos they left behind, Haku found himself standing next to Nojiko, the two of them watching the distant marine ships struggle against his icy barricade. The wind ruffled her blue hair, and she glanced up at him, her expression softening for a moment.
"I guess I'll forgive you... for now," she said, her tone light but her gaze lingering on him.
Haku smiled, the storm swirling around them but a strange warmth settling between the two. "I'll take it."
------
The storm still raged around the Going Merry as it cut through the turbulent waters, the ship creaking but holding strong under the skilful hands of its navigator. The waves, though rough, felt almost alive—guiding them as if pushing them forward toward their destination. In the distance, through the rain and mist, a towering lighthouse stood sentinel, marking the entrance to the legendary Grand Line.
Below deck, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. The Straw Hats, along with Haku and Nojiko, gathered in the dimly lit cabin, the storm outside lending a dramatic backdrop to the moment they all knew was coming. The crew had fought hard to get this far, overcoming dangerous foes, navigating through treacherous seas, and building bonds that felt unbreakable. Now, they stood at the precipice of their greatest adventure yet.
Luffy, ever the embodiment of boundless excitement, was practically bouncing on his feet. "We're almost there!" he exclaimed, his wide grin plastered across his face. "The Grand Line! It's so close I can taste it!"
Zoro leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his usual calm and focused demeanour giving nothing away. Sanji was busy lighting a cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he gazed out the small cabin window toward the storm. Usopp, meanwhile, was nervously fidgeting with his slingshot, though there was a glint of determination in his eyes. Nami, the navigator who had led them this far, was standing tall, her expression a mixture of pride and focus as she watched the sea.
Haku stood off to the side, writing frantically on some pieces of paper. Chibi perched comfortably on his shoulder, voicing instructions in a stern and monotonous tone. Nojiko was beside him, her calm presence helping to ground the storm of emotions swirling in the room. She had chosen to come along for the ride, leaving her peaceful life in Cocoyashi Village behind. She wasn't sure what awaited them, but like the others, she had a dream worth chasing.
Suddenly, Luffy's voice cut through the momentary silence. "Alright, everyone!" he called out, standing tall and proud. "Before we enter the Grand Line, let's make it official."
With a grin, Luffy grabbed a small barrel from the corner of the cabin and placed it in the center of the room. "This is it! We're about to head into the most dangerous sea in the world. So before we do, let's remind ourselves what we're fighting for!"
Zoro gave a small nod of approval, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Sanji raised an eyebrow but said nothing, clearly intrigued. Usopp, his earlier nerves fading, smiled at Luffy's infectious enthusiasm.
Nami, however, crossed her arms, tilting her head at Luffy. "And what exactly are you suggesting we do with that barrel?" she asked, though her tone was more amused than sceptical.
Luffy beamed. "We each put a foot on the barrel and say what our dream is! You know, so we all know why we're heading into the Grand Line together!"
A small chuckle escaped from Haku's lips as he watched Luffy, appreciating the simplicity of his mindset. There was something undeniably powerful about declaring your dreams in front of the people you trusted most.
"Well," Nami said, shrugging, "I guess that's not the worst idea you've ever had."
Without hesitation, Luffy was the first to step forward, placing his foot on the barrel with dramatic flair. His straw hat, dripping with rainwater, was perched on his head, casting a shadow over his face as he grinned.
"I'm gonna be the Pirate King!" Luffy declared, his voice filled with determination and excitement. "That's my dream! No matter what!"
Zoro followed, stepping forward to place his foot on the barrel. "I'll become the world's greatest swordsman," he said firmly, his eyes burning with the intensity of his ambition.
Next was Nami. With a determined look, she raised her leg and placed it on the barrel. "I'll draw a map of the entire world," she announced, her voice strong and clear.
Sanji, ever the cook with dreams of grandeur, took his turn. "I'll find the All Blue," he stated, the idea of his dream location lighting a fire within his eyes.
Usopp, full of bravado, stepped forward confidently. "I'll become a brave warrior of the sea!" he declared, puffing out his chest with pride.
Then it was Haku's turn. He stepped forward and placed his foot on the barrel. His voice, though softer than the others, carried no less weight. "I'll live in peace and free, in a world where those close to me can pursue any dream they want," he said, looking around the crew, his gaze momentarily stopping at Nojiko and then to the horizon.
The crew nodded, each respecting Haku's deep, protective wish.
Suddenly, Chibi swooped down, landing on Haku's shoulder, her small form seemingly ready for her moment. In a surprising twist, she began to sing, her voice clear over the storm. "Lord, I can't change, won't you fly high, free bird, yeah," she crooned, mimicking the soulful lines of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Then, without hesitation, she launched into an almost perfect imitation of the guitar solo, complete with whistling tones and dramatic flares, leaving the crew either laughing or impressed.
After Chibi's musical performance, all eyes turned to Nojiko, who stood by the side, contemplating the moment. Her relationship with Haku had drawn her into this unpredictable adventure, and now, as she placed her foot on the barrel, she smiled with a mix of determination and vulnerability.
"I want to see the world, to find out what else is out there for me," she said, her voice tinged with both excitement and nervousness. "To carve my own path."
Her words carried a sense of resolve that made the crew nod in solidarity.
With every dream spoken, the weight of the moment settled in. They were bound together, not just by circumstance, but by their shared commitment to chasing their dreams no matter what challenges lay ahead.
As the storm intensified around them, the Going Merry pressed on, guided by the unwavering strength of the crew's collective resolve. Each one had their own path to walk, but for now, they would sail forward—together.