The Thousand Sunny sailed smoothly under the bright afternoon sun. The crew was busy with their usual tasks. Nami was charting the course, Zoro was napping, Sanji was preparing lunch, and Kikidori was lounging on the deck, tossing a small ball back and forth with Luffy Jr.
"Catch, kid," Kikidori said, tossing the ball lazily.
Luffy Jr. caught it and grinned, tossing it back a little too hard. The ball flew over Kikidori's head, rolling across the deck.
"I'll get it!" Luffy Jr. shouted, running after it.
"Don't go near the edge!" Kikidori called, not bothering to get up.
But, as expected, Luffy Jr. ignored his father's warning. The ball rolled closer and closer to the railing, and in his eagerness to grab it, Luffy Jr. tripped over his own feet and tumbled headfirst over the side of the ship.
A loud *splash* followed.
For a moment, no one noticed. Luffy Jr. flailed in the water, his small arms struggling to keep him afloat.
It was Luffy, perched on the figurehead, who spotted him first. His eyes widened in panic. "Luffy Jr.!"
In a split second, Luffy stretched his rubbery arms down into the water, grabbing Luffy Jr. by the back of his shirt and yanking him out. He reeled him in like a fishing line, depositing the soaked child onto the deck.
The crew finally turned their attention to the commotion. Ere'ana rushed over, scooping up Luffy Jr. and checking him for injuries. "Are you okay, baby?!" she asked, her voice frantic.
Luffy Jr. coughed up water and nodded weakly. "I'm okay…"
Kikidori, who had only just gotten up, groaned and rubbed his temples. "Why does he always try to die?"
Ere'ana shot him a glare. "Because you're his father!"
The rest of the crew erupted into laughter.
"I'm not that reckless!" Kikidori protested, crossing his arms.
"You're *exactly* that reckless," Zoro muttered, earning a round of agreement from the crew.
Kikidori rolled his eyes and tried to change the subject. "You know, I think we're out of milk. Maybe we should make a stop somewhere soon."
But Ere'ana wasn't having it. She grabbed Kikidori by the collar, pulling him close. "He. Is. Your. Son," she said through gritted teeth.
The rest of the crew chimed in, shouting in unison, "HE IS YOUR SON!"
Sanji, carrying a tray of snacks, added, "And by the way, we have *plenty* of milk."
Kikidori sighed dramatically, prying Ere'ana's hands off his shirt. "Fine, fine. I'll keep an eye on him. Geez."
Ere'ana set Luffy Jr. down on the deck, and he immediately ran over to Kikidori, clinging to his leg.
"Daddy," Luffy Jr. said, looking up with wide, innocent eyes, "I wasn't trying to die. I was trying to get the ball!"
Kikidori crouched down, ruffling Luffy Jr.'s hair. "Kid, next time, just ask me to get the ball. You're not allowed to die before me, got it?"
Luffy Jr. nodded solemnly. "Okay, Daddy."
The crew watched the exchange with fond smiles, even as they prepared for whatever chaos might come next.
The End of Chapter 118.