The sound of clashing swords echoed across the deck of the Thousand Sunny as Zoro and Kikidori sparred in a heated match. The crew had gathered around, some casually watching, others busy with their own tasks. Amid the excitement, Luffy Jr. toddled across the deck, gripping his tiny wooden sword with determination in his eyes. He stopped near Robin and Nami, who sat under the shade of the mast, and pointed at the two swordsmen.
"I'll do that too!" Luffy Jr. announced with a big grin, waving his wooden sword in the air.
Robin chuckled softly, her gaze warm. "Be careful, little one."
But the boy was already engrossed in copying Zoro's swift, powerful strikes and Kikidori's unpredictable, flashy movements. With his tongue sticking out in concentration, Luffy Jr. swung the wooden sword overhead like Zoro, only for it to bounce awkwardly off the deck. Determined, he tried again, this time mimicking Kikidori's spinning move.
It was all going fine—until it wasn't.
"HAH! Snake Spiral—OW!" Luffy Jr. shouted, tripping over his own feet mid-spin. The wooden sword slipped from his grasp, flipping backward before the tip hit his right eye.
A loud cry split the air.
"Luffy Jr.!" Ere'ana screamed, dropping the plate of snacks she had been carrying.
The sparring match screeched to a halt. Zoro and Kikidori turned, panic flashing in Kikidori's eyes as he saw the tiny boy clutching his face. Blood trickled between Luffy Jr.'s small fingers, and his wails grew louder.
"WHAT HAPPENED?!" Kikidori bolted toward him, nearly tripping over his sword in the process.
Nami was already at the boy's side, pressing a handkerchief gently to his eye. "Shh, shh, it's okay, baby. Let me see."
"IT HURTS!" Luffy Jr. sobbed, trying to push her away.
"Let Chopper look at him!" Ere'ana cried, scooping up her son and running to the infirmary. Chopper, who had been sunbathing on the deck, leaped into action, grabbing his doctor's bag and following her inside.
The rest of the crew stood in stunned silence. Kikidori's face was pale, his usual carefree attitude wiped away by guilt. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
"Don't blame yourself, Kikidori," Robin said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It was an accident."
Inside the infirmary, Ere'ana cradled her son while Chopper worked quickly. After cleaning the wound, the doctor sighed heavily.
"The good news is the injury isn't life-threatening," Chopper said, looking up at Ere'ana and Kikidori, who had finally gathered the courage to step inside. "But the bad news... the damage to his eye is permanent. He's lost sight in his right eye."
Ere'ana gasped, her grip tightening on Luffy Jr. Kikidori's heart sank, and he sank to his knees beside the bed.
"I'm sorry, Luffy Jr.," Kikidori said, his voice breaking. "I should've stopped you—"
"Daddy?" Luffy Jr.'s small, tear-streaked face turned toward him.
Kikidori leaned closer, his chest tight. "Yeah, buddy?"
"It's... okay. I'm strong like you now," Luffy Jr. said, his lip trembling but his tone determined.
Kikidori felt his chest ache with pride and sadness. He ruffled Luffy Jr.'s hair and smiled shakily. "You're tougher than me, kid."
Outside the infirmary, the crew quietly talked amongst themselves, keeping their voices low.
"Poor kid," Sanji muttered, lighting a cigarette. "But he's got the spirit of a warrior already."
"And the scars to prove it," Zoro added, his arms crossed.
Luffy Jr. may have cried that day, but the crew knew this wouldn't stop him. If anything, it was just the beginning of his journey to becoming a great warrior of the sea—just like his father.
The End of Chapter 115