"You were a ship's doctor, old man?" Luffy exclaimed as the Strawhats and Crocus walked along the metal hallway of Laboon's insides.

"Aye, for a few years," Crocus said without turning around. They reached the hatch and he fiddled with it as he continued, "They were good-natured, much like yourselves . . . I remember two youngsters who always fought together, in more ways than one."

"More ways than one?" Nami said. "You mean they argued, but had each other's backs in a battle?"

"Oh, that too," Crocus agreed absentmindedly. He finally got the hatch open. "Here we go . . ."


"Luffy, there you are," Zoro said, spotting him at the end of the street. He shouldered a sword and grinned. "Let's fuse. We can take these guys out faster that way."

"ZORO!"

"You don't have to shout." Zoro paused, noticing Luffy's face twisted in anger.

"These nice people . . . gave us food . . ." Luffy growled, striding forward with hands balled into fists, "and you're attacking them?!"

"For the love of—Luffy, they're all bou—"

"I won't forgive you!" Luffy yelled, raising his fists. "I'll—I'll never fuse with you again! Zoro, I challenge you!"


"What a funny mix-up," Luffy laughed while Nami and Vivi sat tensely and Zoro scowled. "You should've told me, Zoro!"

"I was trying!"

"Shut up, you two," Nami hissed.

"Ah, by the way," Luffy continued, lowering his hat, "I, um, didn't really mean what I said about fusing."

"I know."

Luffy grinned. "Great! So, can we fuse now?"

"I said shut up!" Nami snapped, and they went quiet, fearing her wrath.


On their way to Little Garden, Vivi had heard snippets of conversation about fusion, but it wasn't until they reached the island itself that she finally learned what it was before her eyes.

As she was dragged away by Baroque Works, Luffy pounded the ground in frustration while Usopp lay on the ground, shivering in fear.

"Karoo," Luffy said, struggling to pull himself out from under the rock, "can you stand?"

Karoo squawked softly and struggled to his feet, flapping his wings until he got his balance.

"Usopp?"

"I'm good," Usopp whispered, getting to his feet.

Luffy finally popped out from the rock and went flying across the clearing smack into a tree. He got up and went back to Usopp and Karoo, dusting himself off.

"Usopp," he said. "We gotta get those Baroque bastards."

"Right."

"They interfered with the fight, and they have Zoro and Vivi."

"Right."

"So, let's fuse."

"Right."

A pause, and Usopp's eyes widened as he stumbled a step back. "What?!"

"If you want to," Luffy added, holding out a hand with a grin.

"But—" Usopp looked away, crossing his arms. "Last time, I—"

"Last time was a mistake," Luffy agreed. "But we won't be fused for long. And now that we know something like that can happen, we'll both be fine. Right?"

Usopp eyed his outstretched hand and expectant grin.

"Right," he said at last, and took Luffy's hand.

As they started dancing the Hokey Pokey, Luffy remarked, "This sure would be easier with music, huh?"

"Yeah," Usopp agreed.

"Which is why we need a musician immediately."

"I can sing!"

"I said a musician!"

"I'm hurt!"

Luffy laughed and spun around in sync with Usopp; they took each other's hands, and Usopp dipped Luffy to the ground, perhaps a bit awkwardly; as their bodies glowed and melded together, Karoo waddled backwards, squawking in shock.


Zoro had just began hacking into his legs when a battle cry reached their ears and the three stared as someone burst from the trees with Karoo, yelling and running across the clearing.

"There you are!" he yelled, spotting Zoro, Nami, and Vivi, just before he ran into the trees on the other side, momentum carrying him.

"What the hell was that?!" Mr. 3 shrieked. "Who the hell was that?!"

The man came back sheepishly from the other side of the clearing with Karoo, brushing off dirt.

"Got carried away running," he admitted. He was tall, not quite as tall as Zolu or Zosopp but tall nonetheless, and he was thin and gangling, his hair an absolute mess of thick uncombed curls, his nose long, and his overalls half-off, revealing a red shirt underneath. Luffy's scar was under the left eye while a smaller third one blinked on the forehead, and Luffy's hat hung from the man's neck.

"Who is that?" Vivi exclaimed. "That couldn't be Baroque—why does he have Luffy-san's hat?"

"There was yet another in this place?!" Ms. Valentine cried. "Who are you, stranger?!"

"Geez, you guys had me worried," the man said to the ones trapped in the cake, "but never fear! I'll save you!"

"Don't ignore me!" Ms. Valentine yelled indignantly.

Nami squinted at the man, studying his appearance.

"By any chance," she called, "are you . . . Lusopp?"

Lusopp grinned. "Yeah, that sounds right! You guys, are you stuck?"

"Obviously!" Nami yelled. "It's a good thing you got here when you did!"

"I could've sewed them back on later," Zoro pointed out as blood pooled around his feet.

"That's not how it works," Vivi said despairingly. "And . . . Lusopp-san? Who are you?"

"The amazing Captain Lusopp," he said promptly.

"Oi, here we go," Zoro muttered.

"Technically he is the captain," Nami said.

"I thought that was Luffy-san," Vivi said. "But, never mind that! Lusopp-san, can you help us? That pumpkin needs to be broken!"

"Got it," Lusopp said.

"Now listen here!" Mr. 5 yelled, throwing a booger bomb at Lusopp, but it was dodged and Lusopp spun around, firing his own bomb right into his mouth with a slingshot.

Mr. 5 gulped it down, and it exploded inside him.

"You need better gunpowder," he said, wiping his lips.

"He swallowed it!" Lusopp yelled, and promptly unfused in comic shock.

"What, what, what is this now?!" Mr. 3 cried as Luffy and Usopp sat up frantically. "Two dastardly pirates, becoming one dastardly pirate?!"

"We'd do best to split up and go after them," Ms. Valentine said with an evil look, approaching Usopp. "Keep them apart . . . so they can't be a part of each other!"

"Usopp," Luffy exclaimed. "We'll get back together later! Run!"

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Usopp yelled. "Do your best here! Come on, Karoo!"

He and Karoo made a mad dash for the trees, Ms. Valentine and Mr. 5 in hot pursuit.

"What just happened?" Vivi exclaimed.

"I'll explain later!" Luffy said, winding up his fists.


"Usopp, can you move?" Luffy said. The paint had been burned away, and Mr. 3 was putting the finishing touches on his strange armor.

"No," Usopp gasped. Karoo was running around the tree, dragging the oil-soaked rope as far as he could manage.

Luffy glanced at the three stuck in the cake, now completely solidified into statues. He grit his teeth, turned to Ms. Valentine, and yelled with a scary face, "MOVE IT!"

She jumped, her concentration broken and weight returning to normal in shock, and Usopp rolled out from under her, coughing.

"Are you up for it?" Luffy said, holding out his hands. Usopp nodded.

This time, Lusopp's chest was bare, since Luffy's shirt had been burnt off earlier.

"That tactic again!" Mr. 3 cried. "A fantastic display of art, it is, but it's not good for me, now is it?!"

"Not at all, you wax jerk!" Lusopp said, cracking his knuckles. "Ah, wait, I need a flame for the rope, don't I?"

He spotted the candle on top of Mr. 3's head and grinned.


"Wait, you stupid wax!"

Lusopp charged after Mr. 3, leaving the others in the clearing.

"Who is that?" Vivi said in utter confusion. "He's one person, but Luffy-san and Usopp-san—?"

"That's Lusopp, I s'pose," Zoro said, sitting heavily and checking his legs. "Looks like those two work well together. That's good."

"It's fusion," Nami explained.

"That's fusion?"

"Yeah. Two people, in perfect sync, combining to form an amalgam of their strength, intelligence, and form."

"Two people smooshed together," Zoro said from the ground.

"That's incredible," Vivi murmured.

"I'm back!" Lusopp announced, bouncing from the trees with a proud grin.

"You took care of that wax guy?" Zoro said, looking up at him.

"Well, let's just say he won't be bothering us anytime soon," Lusopp said proudly. "Unless he comes back. Ah, Zoro, your legs are . . . ?"

"They'll be fine," Zoro said nonchalantly.

Lusopp turned his attention to Broggy and Dorry, and his face shifted. "Master Broggy," he said, and his body glowed and morphed, Luffy and Usopp falling out.


"I missed your fusion?" Sanji exclaimed, shoulders slouching.

"We'll fuse later!" Luffy offered, shoving another rice cracker in his mouth.

"Oh, okay," Sanji said with a nod. He glanced at Usopp. "How'd it go?"

"It was great!" Usopp exclaimed. "It felt different—fusion is so interesting!"

"Yeah, it's always different," Luffy said matter-of-factly while Nami complained of a bug bite and Sanji gave her his jacket. "I mean, no one's the same as anyone else, right?"

"R—Right," Usopp said. He glanced at the others, wondering how it would feel to be fused with them.


"Then . . . you've done it, too, Nami-san?" Vivi said.

Nami nodded. "With Luffy," she said. She frowned and brushed some hair from her face, feeling her forehead. "Luffy's fused with Zoro and Sanji-kun, too, and Usopp's been with Zoro before."

"How interesting," Vivi murmured. "What is it like?"

Nami blinked, licking her lips. "Well . . . it's like you . . ." She rubbed the back of her neck, making a face. "You're not totally yourself anymore. You can feel the other person—their strength, feelings, personality—everything."

"That's so fascinating!" Vivi stared out to sea. "I never knew such a thing existed . . ."

Nami shrugged, forcing a smile. "None of us did, either, until Luffy . . . showed us."

"How is it done?"

"We . . ." Nami pressed a hand to her forehead, squinting. "Start . . . dancing in . . . sync, and . . ."

She sank to the deck, face burning with fever.


"Wait," Sanji said as Luffy started hoisting Nami up on his back. "Let's fuse first."

"Ah, good idea," Luffy agreed, handing Nami to Vivi for the time being. He frowned. "Hey, last time we fused around Nami, you got weird feelings and we separated. Are you sure that's not gonna happen this time?"

"I'll be careful," Sanji promised. "I will channel my love into protecting her!"

Luffy grinned. "Okay, then, if you're sure!"

The others watched while he and Sanji began dancing. Soon enough, Sanlu stood before them, checking himself over.

"Good thing the clothes change with the fusion," he remarked, rubbing his arms. "Otherwise they'd be way too short! Here—"

He knelt and took Nami gently from Vivi, tying her onto his back.

"Excuse me," Dalton said. "Just who are you? What happened to the other two?"

"Sanlu," Sanlu said shortly. "I—well, Sanji and Luffy are part of me. Don't worry about it, it's complicated."

"Be careful!" Usopp burst out. "It looks like a hard climb!"

"Yeah!" Sanlu exclaimed, pumping a fist in the air. "Don't worry! I'll protect her with everything I've got! We'll see you later!"

He turned and hurried away, and was soon out of sight.

"That was . . . Sanlu," Vivi said. "Fusion is so interesting . . ."

"You're telling me," Usopp said.

Dalton shook his head. "Would you two like to come back inside? Your friends won't be down for some time."


Sanlu hurried up the mountain as fast as possible without hurting Nami, and absentmindedly kicked away a rabbit chasing him on his way.

"Women in snowy countries always have smooth, snow-white skin," he said, talking to himself. "Because the snow dyes their skin white, and it becomes smooth from them rubbing it to keep warm. And people in snowy countries never sleep." He frowned. "Huh? No, that's not right, is it? If that's true, why would that guy Dalton have a bed in his house . . . ? Whatever, I need to focus on Nami!" He glanced behind him. "Hang in there!"

When he turned around again, he found himself facing a herd of Lapins.

"Oh, great, polar bears?" he said. "Wait, they're rabbits."

He leapt out of the way as one attacked.

"How can a rabbit move like a gorilla?!" he yelled. "Damn it!"

He started to kick out at the Lapin, but stopped himself, face scrunching in an internal struggle.

"Luffy, stop it," he said. "We can't fight them! But then how're we supposed to get around them? We have to avoid them, but don't retreat and don't fight!" His face scrunched again. "That's really difficult!" He looked back at Nami. "Nami's our first, second, and third priority. Stay on task! Fighting might hurt her!"

He shook his head, blinked, and dodged the Lapins again.

"Okay," he said to himself. "Hang in there."


"Do you . . . I mean, do you want to try it?" Usopp said tentatively. His time together with Luffy had gone well, but . . .

"What?" Vivi said as they walked.

"Fusion."

. . . He would need practice controlling himself with others, too.

"With you?"

"I don't see anyone else around." Usopp shifted awkwardly.

Vivi hesitated, looking him up and down.

"Okay," she said at last.


"Higher ground, higher ground," Sanlu muttered as the avalanche roared and he rode a log like a surfboard towards a rock.

He spotted a cliff jutting out above him. With a lightning-quick calculation, his eyes widened and he yelled, "Wait—!"

He unfused, Sanji throwing Luffy and Nami up to the cliff and forcing himself away from them in the process.

"Treat her gently!" he called to Luffy with a grin before smacking against the rock with a sickening crunch, falling down with the snow and being buried alive.

"Sanji!" Luffy screamed when he got his bearings. He shielded Nami with his body from the chunks of snow breaking off from the downpour.

When the avalanche finally cleared, Luffy laid Nami gently on the cliff with his coat as a blanket, placing his hat on top of her. He turned and dove into the snow, determined to find Sanji.


Luffy, with Sanji clenched in his teeth and Nami tied on his back, stared up at the mountain before seizing the rock, jumping up and digging his feet in as he started to climb agonizingly upwards.

"Good thing . . ." he mumbled around the cloth, "Sanlu's . . . not here . . . after all. Can't . . . hurt . . . his hands."

Already breathing harder, he stopped talking and focused on the climb.


Gasping for air, the person sat up from the snowdrift. Their nose, bridge strong and tip long, was the first thing out, followed by a face set with three long-lashed gentle eyes and a soft mouth. Wild long curly blue hair fell everywhere as they pushed themselves up, standing and stumbling.

"We . . . I did it?" they whispered, staring at their four hands, two forearms on each upper arm. "It worked! We're—I'm okay! Usopp, Vivi . . . Usovi . . . Visopp. I'll stay like this a little longer . . . that's okay, right?"

They started walking, getting their balance in the thick snow with an entirely new body.

"Darn it, all the signs got buried," they said, looking around in concern. "If I keep going in one direction, I'm bound to find someone, right? Right?"

Someone sat up from the snow and they shrieked in surprise, jumping back.

"That was close," Zoro whispered, shivering, skin tinged by cold. "I saw a field of flowers . . ."

"Zoro-san?!" Visopp said in shock. "What are you doing h—are you okay?!"

"I'm fine," Zoro said, standing with crossed arms. He looked over at Visopp and squinted. "Uh . . ."

He studied their nose.

"Usopp?"

"Not quite." Visopp frowned. "Where are your clothes?"

"Back at the ship," Zoro said. "Usovi?"

"I went with Visopp."

"Got it." Zoro looked up at the mountain. "That avalanche . . . are you fine?"

"Thanks to this form, yes," Visopp said with a smile. "We—I was looking for the village."

"I'll come with you. Where're the others?"

"Well, uh . . ."


"Behold, you scoundrels! The ultimate fused form of Chess and Kuromarimo . . . !"

Luffy, Sanji, Chopper, and Kureha watched expectantly as a looming figure emerged from Wapol's mouth.

"They can do it, too?" Sanji said in surprise.

"Who knew even jerks had that ability?" Luffy remarked.

"Behold!" the figure cried, coming into the light. "Chessmarimo!"

Luffy leaned forward, grinning, but fell back in disappointment when he got a good look at the figure.

"Boo!" he yelled. "That's not fusion!"

"One's just standing on the other's shoulders!" Sanji yelled, giving them a thumbs-down. "How dare you make a mockery of real fusion!"

"Don't taunt me!" Chess and Kuromarimo said together. "What's real fusion, if not this fine form?!"

Luffy and Sanji turned to each other, clasped hands, and spun around. With a flash of light, Sanlu stopped spinning and faced Chessmarimo with a hand on his hip and jaw jutted cockily.

"This is real fusion, you shitty fakers," he said around his lollipop. "The name's Sanlu, and I'm gonna kick your ass!"

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Chessmarimo and Wapol screamed together.

"What—what—?!" Chopper cried, staring in wonder. "Those other guys—where'd they go?!"

"They're right here," Sanlu said to him, glancing down. "Don't worry, I'll take down these jerks faster than you can say—"

He suddenly groaned in pain and unfused with a pop.

"Ow, Sanji, geez!" Luffy yelled, clutching his backside. "Your back!"

"I'm fine!" Sanji snapped, though he struggled to stand. "Let's try again—"

"Oh no you don't," Kureha hissed, slamming her foot down on Sanji's lower back and holding him there. "You aren't doing anything with your back in this condition, much less any weird techniques!"

"Sanji, I hate to say it, but she's right," Luffy said solemnly. "We can fuse again when you're all better!"

"I hate you," Sanji snarled to him, trying to stand again only to yell in pain when Kureha ground her boot into his spine.

"What sort of technique was . . ." Chopper shook his head. "Doctorine! Can I fight?"


Visopp, Zoro, and Dalton sat in the car, Visopp and Dalton forced to hunch due to their heights. Zoro's eyes were shut, waiting for their arrival, while Dalton was tense and Visopp shot nervous look after nervous look up at the mountain.

"Are they okay?" they blurted out. "Luffy, and Nami-san and Sanji-san—"

"They're fine," Zoro said without even opening his eyes.

"How do you know?" Visopp asked, voice controlled even as they dug their fingers into their jacket, squeezing their arms until it hurt.

"Luffy's Luffy," Zoro said, eyes still shut. "The cook's the cook. And Nami's sick, but those two will protect her."

Visopp nodded, forcing themselves to take a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" Dalton asked, looking at them with concern. "I understand your worry, but . . ."

"I'll be fine," Visopp insisted. Nonetheless, they went to sit by Zoro, who subtly shifted to give them room.


"Oh! Zoro!"

Zoro and Visopp had barely registered Luffy flying towards them before the enormous crash into the snow nearly knocked them out.

Luffy popped up, laughing. "Geez, you startled me! I thought you were one of those guys working for Big-Mouth!"

"Will you be more careful?!" Usopp shrieked as he and Vivi sat up, getting their bearings.

"Where'd the other one go?" Luffy added, looking around. "There was someone really tall."

"That was Visopp," Zoro said, standing. Usopp used him to stand while Vivi got herself up. "And thanks to you, these two unfused."

Luffy's mouth dropped open. "Ah! Really?! I'm very sorry! Can you fuse again?!"

"Maybe later," Vivi said, glancing back as Dalton exited the car. "More importantly, Luffy-san, what happened to Wapol?"


"Hey, Princess, I'm all better!"

Vivi looked over as Nami jumped down from the balcony. "Oh, that's good," she said with a relieved smile. "You're absolutely sure? One hundred percent?"

"Two hundred! Chopper's a good doctor, we're so lucky to have him . . ."

Muffled squeals and a wiggling arm around the corner told them Chopper was in earshot.

"But, as for what I wanted to ask before . . ."

"Before?"

"Before I got sick." Nami held out a hand and winked. "Wanna fuse?"

Vivi covered her mouth, staring at Nami's hand.

"We don't have to. I heard you fused with Usopp on Drum?" she added, interested.

"Yes, it was . . . an experience," Vivi said. She took Nami's hand. "I'm honored, Nami-san."

Nami led her to the center of the ship, spinning her around in a gentle ballroom fashion. Chopper peered around the corner curiously as they stepped in time to invisible music, trying to get a rhythm down—Vivi stepped on Nami's toes, and Nami tried to hold Vivi's other hand.

"How did you do it with Usopp?" she asked conversationally.

"You mean . . . the dancing?" Vivi said, biting her lip as she focused on placing her feet. "Well, neither of us could really—sorry—get a good pattern of steps down—but then the avalanche came, and I think that helped us . . . fuse very quickly . . . ?"

"For protection?" A nod. "That makes sense. I don't know much about it myself, but strong desire or impending danger must make it easier . . ."

Nami brought her closer, their foreheads touching as they spun slowly; with one hand they held each other, the others outstretched and clasping, and it was in this manner that they began to glow.

Long hair, orange and blue and spun soft like cotton candy, floated from the woman's body as she spun, eyes shut, three hands holding herself while one remained outstretched. Her outfit, too, had fused into a pink tank top and short shorts. As always, Nami's tattoo remained on the left shoulder.

A scream snapped the woman from her reverie, and she opened her four eyes (the top two resembled Nami's, the bottom two Vivi's) to see Chopper staring at her in shock.

"Tony-kun," she said, smiling and kneeling. She was about Zolu's height. "Sorry, this must be strange to you."

"What's up, Chopper?" Usopp called, the scream having gotten his attention. His eyes nearly popped out of his skull when he saw the woman. "Whoa! Giant woman!"

"Giant woman?" Sanji exclaimed, running out of the kitchen, ears sharp as ever when it came to his perverted senses. His eyes filled with hearts. "Giant woman!"

"What's going on?" Luffy said, coming around with Zoro. He grinned. "Oh! Nami and Vivi?"

A nod. "I think Navi works." Navi looked back at Chopper. "This is your first time seeing fusion, isn't it?"

"Boy, we have a lot to explain," Usopp said with a sigh.

"No," Chopper said to Navi, recovering. Sanji ran down and tried to get her attention as Chopper continued, "Luffy and Sanji . . . did something similar back at Drum. But they undid it immediately . . ."

Luffy laughed. "Oh, yeah, 'cause Sanji's back hurt!"

"Watch your tongue," Sanji hissed before turning back to Navi with a smile, taking a rose from his jacket and placing it between his teeth.

"But . . . what is it?" Chopper said in wonder. "I've never seen anything like it!"

"Fusion!" Luffy burst out, bouncing in place and grinning at Navi, who straightened up, ignoring Sanji. "Two people, they get in sync, see, and then they make one person!"

"That's so cool!" Chopper cried, eyes shining. "How'd you discover it?!"

Everyone looked to Luffy pointedly, who laughed and shrugged. "Long story. Well, no, it's a short story, but I'll tell you another time. Point is, it's super cool and useful!"

"Have all of you fused?" Chopper exclaimed as Navi used just one hand to gently push Sanji away.

"Me n' Zoro, me n' Usopp, me n' Sanji, me n' Nami," Luffy said. "And others."

"Usopp and I have," Zoro said. Usopp looked down.

"Yeah," he said. "And me and Vivi, on Drum, before we came up to the castle!"

Sanji trudged to the railing, sulking against it.

"Luffy," Navi said, turning to him, "can more than two fuse at a time?"

Luffy tilted his head.

"Yeah," he said at last. "I've done it, once. It didn't last long."

"I suppose more than two makes it difficult to find balance," Navi said thoughtfully.

Luffy lit up, looking around. "Hey! Can three of us try? Zoro, Sanji, how about you guys and me?"

"I'm not fusing with someone with moss for hair," Sanji snapped, still annoyed about being ignored earlier.

"Yeah, I don't really want stupid swirly eyebrows," Zoro agreed.

"You say that again and I'll kick you," Sanji hissed.

"What, about your stupid eyebrow?"

Sanji leapt forward and they started to spar. Luffy stared at them in disappointment before turning to Navi hopefully. "Navi? What do you say?"

"I don't know if that's a good idea," Navi said. She held up a hand at Luffy's expression. "Because you haven't fused with—Vivi."

"Come to think of it," Usopp said, "if we wanted the best chance of balance, we would have to do three people who have all fused with each other separately, and in that case, that'd be me, Zoro, and you, Luffy. But . . ." He frowned. "Well, I dunno about that, even . . ."

"It's fine," Luffy said dully, an aura of gloom surrounding him. "Maybe another time. Or something. Yeah."

"Luffy, cheer up," Usopp said hastily, patting his back. "Look, whenever Zoro and me fuse again, we'll be more careful, right? Then when we've practiced enough, then you and me and him can fuse all together, if he says yes. Okay?"

"Yeah," Luffy said, sadness already leaving as he quickly convinced himself Zoro would agree. Usopp hurried to Zoro and Sanji to break up their fight while Chopper frowned, staring at the floor.

"What's up, Chopper?" Luffy asked. Sanji hurried to Navi, declared his undying love, and ran to the kitchen to make snacks for her and start on dinner.

"Can . . . is it possible for me to fuse?" he asked tentatively. "It sounds amazing, and looks amazing! But I don't know if I . . . since I'm a reindeer . . ."

"We'll find out sooner or later," Luffy said with a careless grin, patting his shoulder. "In the meantime, wanna go fishing?"

Chopper brightened, and he, Luffy, and Usopp ran off to grab the fishing poles. Navi watched them go and glanced at Zoro, who was looking at her pensively. She tilted her head. He nodded after a moment and gave her a thumbs-up before leaving.

Navi unfused, and Nami helped Vivi stand. They shared secret smiles before Nami left to work on a map and Vivi waited by the mast to keep an eye on the boys fishing.


"A brother?!" Usopp exclaimed as he and the others ran along the road, Luffy running backwards to watch the fight between Ace and Smoker. "A brother! Luffy, why didn't you tell us?!"

"I did," Luffy said.

"You didn't," the others said in unison.

"I didn't? My bad."

Distracted, Luffy ran into an alleyway while his friends went the other way. He slowed, stopped, and looked around.

"Weird," he said, sitting on his barrel. "Where'd they all go? I could've sworn they were right behind me."

"Luffy, why aren't you back at your ship?"

Luffy grinned at the familiar voice, looking around.

"Geez, here I went to all the trouble of keeping that Marine at bay . . ."

Luffy looked up with a broad grin as Ace leapt down from the roof.

"Ace!" he said, jumping at him, but to his surprise Ace stepped back. "How've you been?! I like your tattoos! Have you gotten stronger?!"

"Have you? You're still so skinny!" Ace dodged another leap.

"Ace," Luffy said, "come on! Let's fuse again!"

"Remember when we got in trouble for hiding from chores?" Ace said as if he hadn't heard him. "And then Dadan would whoop us . . ."

"Ace, let's fuse," Luffy insisted.

"Let's see how much stronger you've become," Ace said, still ignoring the demand. Luffy grinned, momentarily distracted, and they clasped hands on the barrel, straining against each other until it broke.

"I'm proud of you," Ace said seriously, pulling his hand away from Luffy's the second their bout ended. "I knew you'd be fine without me. Now let's go find your friends. They must be at the harbor, right? Come on."

"Ace."

Ace stopped, having begun a brisk walk downhill. "What?" he said, not turning around.

"Why don't you want to fuse?"

Silence. Ace didn't look at him.

"Is there . . . something wrong?" Luffy shuffled and tapped his feet. "Is there something wrong with me? Or did something happen?"

"It's not you." Ace turned to look at him, eyes grim. "It's my fault. I didn't know . . ."

"Know what?"

"It's not that I don't want to fuse." Ace gripped his left arm. "Luffy, I want to be with you again . . . more than anything. But, the thing is . . ."


The Strawhats were knocked over like bowling pins when Luffy crashed into the railing. He picked himself up, laughing. "Sorry!"

"If you were really sorry, you'd stop doing that!" Zoro snapped.

"Where did you go?" Vivi exclaimed. "You were right behind us, and then—?"

"Where'd you go?" Luffy shot back. "I mean, geez, I turn my back for one minute on you guys—!"

"You're not one to talk," Sanji hissed. "Regardless, do you think your brother's okay? That fight looked intense."

"But it was outdoors," Chopper said, confused.

"He's fine!" Luffy exclaimed, still smiling. "We, um, we met up back there, and talked, and then some guys came after us so he told me to go ahead. Boy, I wasn't expecting to see him! What a surprise! He's really strong now, isn't he? I bet I could beat him in a fight, though!"

All this was said very quickly, but before anyone could question him, someone said, "Who could you beat?" just before Ace leapt up from his dinghy to clock Luffy in the back of the head.

"Hi, Ace," Luffy said with a sheepish grin, looking up at him. Ace hopped to the deck, dusting himself off and eyeing Luffy with a good-natured scowl.

"I'm Ace," he said to the others. He bowed. "Thanks for taking care of my little brother."

"No problem," the others said, bowing in turn. Ace grinned and pointed at Sanji's cigarette, which relighted itself. Sanji glanced at him, impressed, and then looked to Luffy.

"Luffy," he said. "You mentioned before you'd fused with someone for years. Is this him?"

"Yeah," Luffy said, smile fading. Ace folded his arms, shifting against the railing.

"Years?" Usopp cried. "Amazing!"

"When physical or emotional turmoil alone can separate a fusion?" Nami said in wonder. "Just how well did you two work together?"

"Impressive," Zoro said, gazing at Ace with a new respect.

"Brothers are amazing," Chopper whispered.

"Are you two . . . going to fuse again, now?" Vivi asked tentatively.

Luffy pulled his hat down, wiggling in place, and Ace crossed his arms, gripping himself so hard he might bruise.

"Guys?" Usopp said in worry when they remained silent.

"Ace . . . has to go again, soon, so there's no time," Luffy said, rocking where he sat. "Right?"

"Yeah," Ace said. "Sorry to cut my stay short. Just came to check on Luffy."

"Is there something you're not—?" Usopp began, but Sanji cut him off with a nudge.

"You wanna ride with us until—where're we headed, Vivi?" Luffy asked, still not quite looking at anyone.

"We're sailing to the Sandora Delta," Vivi said patiently.

"Until then, yeah," Luffy said.

"If that's alright with everyone," Ace said.

The others agreed, and they continued on their way.


"You're amazing."

Ace glanced up at Zoro. "How's that?"

"If you two really fused for years, I'm amazed you could put up with him for that long."

Ace laughed. "He had to put up with me, too. It was a mutual thing."

He stared wistfully at Luffy playing with Usopp while they washed dishes.

"What's it like, for you?"

"You mean fusion?" Zoro said.

Ace nodded. "You must've done it with him. There's no way he wouldn't want to try it with his new friends."

Zoro leaned back in his chair. "We've only fused twice. It was . . . easy, even the first time. There's something about him that makes it simple to get into sync . . . or maybe it's just me and him. I wouldn't know." He closed his eyes. "Being with Luffy, for me . . . Zolu's instinct-driven practically all the way, and very confident in that sense."

"And the others?" Ace pressed.

"Me and Usopp . . . well, Zosopp was . . . a little out-of-control," Zoro said. The others quieted their activities, eavesdropping. "He was too arrogant. I'm sure we'll be better the next time we fuse."

Luffy tapped Usopp to show him a funny face, making him laugh, and they resumed their play, Sanji likewise returning to his cleaning.

"Well," Ace said. "That's fine, but I meant the others with Luffy."

"You'd have to ask one of them, then."

"Right, right."

Zoro opened his eyes to see Ace playing with his hair in agitation.

"Have you fused with your crewmates?" he asked. "You're under Whitebeard, aren't you?"

"I have," Ace said shortly. "Though most of the others don't seem to be able to do it."

He stared at the table, and Zoro, having nothing more to add, closed his eyes again.


Luffy gazed after Ace, clenching the paper he'd been given, as he vanished into the desert. They hadn't touched at all after setting sail; several times they'd almost clasped hands, or patted the other's shoulder, but both had withdrawn every time as if afraid of something.

"Let's go," he said at last, smiling as if trying to force himself to cheer up.


Ace reclined in his boat, leisurely sailing away into the ocean. He pulled his hat over his eyes, shielding them from the sun.

"Luffy . . . I'm sorry."


"So, Mr. 3 . . . you're saying despite orders, you failed to eliminate the Strawhats?"

"Y—Yes," Mr. 3 whispered. "But, Mr. 0! There's more! Two of them displayed a very strange technique, it was almost a work of art—"

"I don't have time to listen to failures," Crocodile interrupted, standing.


As Zoro and Sanji argued for perhaps the tenth time that day, despite already being exhausted from the trek and the heat, Usopp came up behind them.

"Listen," he said gently, placing his hands on their shoulders. "You two really just need to fuse and make up."

They knocked his hands away, glaring at him with scary faces, and he shrunk back defensively.

"I'm just saying!" he exclaimed. "I mean, first off, I bet you guys would be really cool fused together, right? And you and Luffy took down that big lizard earlier! Imagine, if all three of you could've fused—!"

"I don't want stupid swirly eyebrows on my face!" Zoro snapped.

"And I don't want such a dumb hair color!" Sanji hissed.

"Who cares what you look like?!" Usopp exclaimed. "You'd be super cool no matter what! Just fuse!"

"Just fuse!" Luffy echoed.

"Just fuse!" Chopper echoed.

"Again, I'm not fusing with this guy!" Sanji kicked Zoro's shin.

"Feeling's mutual!" Zoro elbowed him in the chest.

"Will you please preserve your energy back there?" Navi said in exasperation, looking down from Lashes. Nami and Vivi had fused in order to save strength, despite the others complaining that she would be riding a camel and didn't need to do any such thing. "We have a ways to go, you know!"

"Of course, Navi-chan, my love!" Sanji cried. Zoro rolled his eyes. The others had decided not to fuse on the grounds that if they fused, they would be taller, and therefore closer to the sun, and therefore even warmer (despite Navi's desperate attempts to explain that that wasn't how that worked).

"Any idea how much farther, Navi?" Luffy added after recovering from disappointment.

Navi thought for a bit and told him.

"That far?" he whined. "But I'm so tired . . ."

"We all are!" Usopp pointed out. "Just bear it for a bit."

Chopper collapsed into the sand.


Navi unfused when they reached Yuba, Vivi's shock at its state too great to keep them together. The Strawhats spent a restful unfused night in the tiny house Toto offered them, and set off again in the morning.

Ignoring the protests of the others, Luffy set Vivi straight with his fists halfway to Rainbase, leaving her with a bruise and angry tears as she knelt on the ground, clenching the hot sand and burning her hands.

"You're right," she whispered. Raising her voice, she repeated, "You're right. Luffy-san, fuse with me."

"Okay," he said without even pausing to think. He offered her his hand, and she took it, standing. He pulled her into him and they clutched each other, spinning only once, so in-sync they were already that that was all they needed to fuse.

The crew stared at the person in shock. The person stared back at them with three soft and determined eyes, Luffy's scar where it always was, and wild cobalt hair loosely tied up. They were as tall as Navi, and four arms (sprouting close from two shoulder sockets) hung by their sides, fists first clenched then loosened.

"Well?" they said when everyone kept staring. "Let's go. Crocodile won't defeat himself."

Luvi (one could only assume their name was Luvi) whirled around and pulled Luffy's hat over their head. The others shook themselves out of shock and hurried after them, Luvi's strides greater than the crew's.

"Why?" Sanji whispered as they trekked. "Why can't I fuse with a beautiful girl? What does Luffy have that I don't?"

"Well, he's younger," Usopp said, counting on his fingers, "and cuter, and more charismatic, and not desperate, and possibly stronger, and, what, Chopper?"

Chopper, who had started frantically tugging on Usopp's robe when Usopp had mentioned being cute, pointed to Sanji. Usopp looked to Sanji and felt a chill run down his neck despite the heat when he saw the dangerous aura emitting from him. Sanji wasn't even looking at him, staring straight ahead with a murderous gaze.

"But, I mean," he continued, voice cracking, "you've got a lot of things going for you, too! Um, you're an awesome cook—"

"Debatable," Zoro said.

"Zoro, do you want to die?! And, um, you're very handsome, I must say, your hair always looks good, I don't know how you do it even when we're out at sea, you're really nice most of the time, will you please stop looking like you want to kill someone?!"


"Phew," Luvi sighed, unfusing as they stopped under a desert palm. Vivi leaned against the trunk while Luffy hopped to his feet, still full of energy.

"Let's get some water!" he exclaimed, bouncing in place. "Usopp, come on!"

"Be careful," Vivi exclaimed, sitting up. "The casino here is run by Crocodile. There are probably Baroque agents hanging around."

"We'll be careful," Luffy said carelessly. "Usopp!"

"Yeah!" Usopp exclaimed, hurrying after him and tripping over his feet. They ran off from the others.

"Will they really be okay?" Nami sighed, sitting next to Vivi.


"Luffy!"

Luffy screeched to a stop when Usopp grabbed him by the shoulder. He looked back. "What now?"

"I have an idea," Usopp said. "Baroque Works knows your face, right?"

"Right."

"And thanks to that Mr. 2 bastard, they probably know mine, right?"

"Probably."

"But thanks to Sanji, they don't know . . . him. You know?"

A grin slowly came onto Luffy's face. "I get it . . . yeah! You're smart, Usopp!"


Lusopp, tall and gangling, hurried into the café and ordered water, clambering onto a barstool. He drank some down right away, thirsty from earlier efforts during the desert trek. The water barrel Luffy had worn hung around his neck at the front, and Luffy's straw hat hung at the back.

"How refreshing," he sighed before taking another gulp. Just as he did so, he turned to his left, and Smoker and Tashigi, sitting next to him, looked to their right.

Lusopp's eyes widened and he spat the water into their faces.

"It's you!" he yelled. "No, wait, I'm like this, so it's fine! Never mind!"

Tashigi handed Smoker a towel, staring at Lusopp, and Smoker eyed him with suspicion. "Have we met?"

Lusopp shook his head. Smoker stared at them, studied the scar under the left eye and the long nose, and spotted the hat.

"That straw hat," he muttered. "It looks familiar . . ."

"He figured it out!" Lusopp yelled, and promptly bolted for the door.


"Oh, there they are," Nami said in relief, spotting a running, yelling figure. "Wait—"

"Guys!" Lusopp yelled. "Captain Smokey's here! We're all doomed!"

"The Marines?!" Chopper cried.

"Okay," Sanji said, gritting his teeth as he looked behind Lusopp. "So why are you bringing them here, stupid?!"


Lusopp stared despondently through the bars of the cage while Smoker stared at him and Zoro rolled his eyes.

"What a clever trap," he whispered.

"It was not!" Nami snapped, smacking him. "You're the idiot who led us down here!"

"It was pretty tricky," Zoro said solemnly. "A triple-bluff."

Nami buried her face in her robe and screamed.

"Just so you know, I don't plan to attack anyone in here," Smoker said gruffly. "There's nowhere to go. I'll just arrest you all when we're out."

"That's fair," Zoro said with a nod.

"But what I want to know," Smoker continued, staring at Lusopp, "is who this guy is."

"Hi, I'm Lusopp," Lusopp said helpfully.

"There was a kid with a goblin nose on your crew, wasn't there?" Smoker said. "And that's Strawhat's signature hat."

"Goblin?! Rude!" Lusopp huffed.

"Well, that's a long story, and pretty personal," Zoro said. "Though, if he wants to tell you about it . . ."

Lusopp stuck out his tongue. "I'm not telling." He turned to the bars and studied them. "Wonder if I can break these?"

He seized them, and a shock ran through his body before he unfused. Luffy and Usopp sat up, shaking their heads, and Smoker's cigar fell from his mouth.

"Ow," Luffy whined. "What was that?"

"Anti-fusion bars!" Usopp cried.

"What?! Really?!"

"That must be it!"

"Oh, no! I didn't know that was a thing!"

"There's no other explanation!"

"They're not . . . whatever you just said," Smoker said, still staring at them. He drew out his jutte and pressed it to Luffy's chest, immobilizing him on the ground. "It's Seastone. A solid material that holds the essence of the ocean . . . and because of that, it neutralizes Devil Fruits. It's supposedly harder than diamond."

"What happened to not attacking?" Zoro snapped, placing a hand on a sword.

Smoker withdrew his jutte, and Luffy sat up, coughing dramatically. "He's fine, isn't he? That's why I can't just fly through the bars."

"Oh, that makes sense," Luffy said, recovering. He and Usopp stood. "Mystery bars. Got it."

"But how did you . . . combine like that?" Smoker said, placing his weapon back into its sheath.

"Geez, I guess we might as well tell you," Usopp said, folding his arms. "See, when two of us—"

"Well, well . . . the Strawhat pirates."

Crocodile had arrived at last.


"Can't one of you fuse and do something?!" Nami shrieked.

"Fusing won't grant the ability to cut the bars, I'm pretty sure!" Zoro snapped.

"And the water's . . . too high . . ." Luffy collapsed, kneeling in the waves. "For me . . . to . . . fuse . . . with . . ."

"Luffy, don't die!" Usopp yelled, picking him up and shaking him.


Zoro scowled at the approaching Ms. Doublefinger and Mr. 1, sauntering as if they had all the time in the world.

"Hey, Nami," he said. "If you want, we can fuse and—"

He turned around, but Nami was gone.

"She ran off," he muttered. "Great."


"Where'd he go?" Nami moaned in horror, backed into a street with Ms. Doublefinger. "That jerk! Why didn't he stay and fuse with me?!"


"And that moment . . . is when his friend's dream is laughed at!" Usopp coughed and stood his ground. "I can't let you laugh at that!"

"He's still alive!" Ms. Merry Christmas shrieked.

"Chopper!" Usopp yelled. "Come over here! Quick! Fuse with me!"

"Right!" Chopper yelled. He transformed into Horn Point, galloped towards Usopp, and turned big. "What do we do?!"

"Follow my lead!" Usopp grinned at Ms. Merry Christmas and Mr. 4. "We have something amazing to show you! Watch this!"

"As if!" Ms. Merry Christmas scoffed, but before she could do anything, Mr. 4 put his hand in front of her.

"You want to see it?!" she snapped, incredulous.

"Now, do what I do! We'll get in-sync!" Usopp shimmied his shoulders and stepped from side to side, first right, then left, then left, then right again. Chopper mirrored him, keeping an eye on their enemies.

Usopp took Chopper's hand and gestured. Chopper swung Usopp's arm over his head, lifting him briefly in the air, and then took him back the other way. The steps were repeated, over and over, until finally Usopp's instincts told him it was time, and the next time Chopper took his hand, he took Chopper's upper arms and pressed the two of them together.

When the blinding light faded, a huge man stood in Usopp's and Chopper's place. He was muscular, and his nose was long and blue. Three round eyes blinked in the desert sun, and a long blue nose stuck out between them. Light brown curly hair fluffed out from under a pink top hat.

"Should be smaller," he murmured, and shrank down to about Usopp's height. He was now furrier in his limbs, and had more deer-like legs as well as hooved extremities. His eyes had shifted—he now had four, two on either side of the normally-placed ones. Antlers stuck out from his hat.

"What kind of technique is this?!" Ms. Merry Christmas shrieked. "Come to think of it, Mr. 3 was trying to tell Crocodile about a strange technique the Strawhats used! A stranechnique! A strique! Could this be it?!"

"I am . . . Chosopp!" Chosopp declared, turning to them. "Come at me, you penguin and strike-out batter and weird gun!"

"I'm a mole!" Ms. Merry Christmas screamed. "Get ready, Mr. 4!"

She dove under the ground and seized Chosopp's legs, dragging him along the sand towards Mr. 4.

"Oh, no!" he cried. "You got me!"

He grinned and reached into his bag. "Let's see . . . this is it, right? Smoke star!"

He fired the smoke bomb in front of him and knelt, pushing himself off the ground to backflip out of Ms. Merry Christmas's grip. Before she could do a thing, Chosopp transformed again so he stood on all fours, looking more deer-like than ever with enormous horns. He had three eyes again.

"You underestimated me!" he exclaimed, charging. He scooped up Ms. Merry Christmas, bringing her in for Mr. 4's final blow. As Mr. 4 stared, shocked at what he'd done, Chosopp transformed into the huge, muscular form again, and reached into the bag for Usopp's hammer.

"And now, take this!" he yelled. "The ultimate attack of combined strength and skill!"

With a mighty swing, he struck Mr. 4 with the hammer, sending him and Lassoo into the ruins near Ms. Merry Christmas. Chosopp turned around, refusing to look back at the explosion as he walked away.

He fell to his knees, turning smaller again.

"That was stressful," he whispered. He checked the bag, brightened, and pulled out medical supplies, treating some of his wounds.

"Okay," he said when he was able to walk again. "Gotta find Sanji! He might need back-up! 'Chosopp! You're amazing! You came to rescue me?!' 'Of course I did! Don't flatter me!' 'You're my hero!'"


"What now?" Sanji snapped when he saw the approaching figure. He kicked them to the ground swiftly. "I don't have time for—"

"Sanji, why?" the person croaked weakly, struggling to their feet.

Sanji squinted at them. "Wait . . ."

"I'm Chosopp," Chosopp said, wincing. "I guess you don't need help after all . . ."

"Nope. These are for Usopp." He tossed Chosopp the goggles.

"Thanks—Sanji! Guess what? I took care of a team by myself!" Chosopp said brightly. "It was amazing!"

"I'm proud of you," Sanji said with a grin.

"Proud? Well, geez," Chosopp said, squirming in place. "You didn't have to put it like that! Such a jerk! Say it again!"

He doubled over in pain and unfused.

"My ribs," Usopp whispered.

"Ow," Chopper whimpered. He sat up. "Geez, you're really hurt, Usopp! Let me fix you up!"

"I think the fusion helped heal me," Usopp said bravely, trying and failing to stand.

Sanji sighed. "Get on Lashes. Hey, shitty camel, it's an emergency. I know he's not a lady, but make an exception."

Lashes grunted and allowed Chopper to place Usopp on his back when the bandaging was done.


"You're such a jerk!" Nami cried, tears in her eyes. "Why didn't you stay and fuse with me?!"

"I would've if you hadn't run off!" Zoro snapped. "Are you okay? Did you beat her?"

"Barely! I will have words with Usopp when I see him!"

Nami turned on her heel and tripped.

"Carry me?" she whispered, turning to look at Zoro pleadingly.

Zoro sighed and knelt to pick her up.


Luffy swooped in and picked up Vivi on the back of Pell. They soared above the city, and as Luffy held her tightly, they fused into Luvi again.

"Everyone's okay," they said, spotting the Strawhats below. "Pell! Take me down there, please!"

Pell glided down and dropped off Luvi, staring at them in shock as he transformed into a human again.

"Who are—" he began, but Sanji cut him off.

"Luvi?" he said. "Then that means . . ."

"Luffy's alive after all!" Chopper said, smiling.

"I knew it all along," Usopp said, crying with relief.

Luvi unfused. "Okay, Vivi," Luffy said. "I'm gonna take care of Crocodile. Can you handle the situation up here?"

She nodded. He grinned and ran off, yelling a battle cry.


"Usopp!"

Usopp stumbled to a halt and turned to see Zoro approaching. It was the second day after their battles, and Luffy had yet to wake up, still tossing and turning with a high fever.

"Aren't you supposed to be resting?" he asked, squinting.

"You should be, too," Zoro pointed out.

"I'm not the one who got cut to ribbons!"

Zoro knocked on his chest and Usopp doubled over in pain.

"Anyway, what's up?" he asked once he could speak without wheezing.

"Uh . . ." Zoro rubbed the back of his neck. "Do you want to fuse again?"

Usopp froze. "Oh," he said, holding his shoulder. "Are you sure?"

"I thought it'd be good to practice." Zoro closed his eyes. "We probably won't ever need to fuse as long as we did last time, but . . . that arrogance can be dangerous."

"Right." Usopp took a deep breath and held out his hand; Zoro opened his eyes. "I'm ready when you are."

Zoro nodded and reached out.

"There you are!"

The outraged shriek interrupted them, and they yanked their hands back, spotting Chopper running down the hall in human form.

"Get back to bed!" he yelled, grabbing Zoro. "You're not fully healed!"

Usopp laughed. "Another time, Zoro!"

"You, too!" Chopper seized Usopp and dragged them both away.


Only a day had passed since she'd joined the crew when Robin approached Luffy, who was fishing off the railing with Usopp.

"Luffy," she said. "I saw something interesting in Alabasta. Do you mind if I ask you about it?"

"Sure," he said, glancing at her curiously. Usopp squinted suspiciously, and Nami made it no secret she was eavesdropping, as did Zoro, who was only pretending to nap.

"When you saved Princess Vivi," she said, "some kind of light came from somewhere . . . and maybe I'm imagining things, but I thought I only saw one person on the back of the falcon after that."

"You weren't imagining things," Luffy said cheerfully. "That was fusion!"

Usopp groaned, Nami slapped herself, and Zoro rolled his eyes.

"Fusion," Robin repeated, brow furrowing. "I've never heard of it."

"It's where two people get together and become one person," Luffy explained. He pulled up his line, frowned at the empty hook, and hooked a new worm on the end, tossing it back in. "A bunch of us have done it. Usopp, didn't you say you did it with Chopper?"

"Yeah," Usopp said, reluctant to reveal information in front of Robin. "We became Chosopp, and he defeated the batter and the mole-woman."

Robin took note of his phrasing, but didn't question him. Sanji came out on deck for a smoke break and noticed their conversation.

"And me and Sanji become Sanlu," Luffy continued brightly, "and me and Zoro are Zolu, and me and Nami are Luna, and me and Usopp are—well, you get the idea!"

Don't ask her to fuse with you, Usopp thought, trying to send his message telepathically.

Don't ask her to fuse with you, Nami thought, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Don't ask her to fuse with you, Sanji thought, wanting to fuse with Robin first.

"I see," Robin said at last. "That's fascinating. Thank you, Luffy."

"No problem," Luffy said cheerfully.

Robin walked away, retiring to the women's quarters. Usopp, Nami, and Sanji stared at Luffy in surprise.

"Hm?" he said, spotting them looking. "What's up?"

"You didn't ask her to fuse," Nami said in wonder. "I thought you asked everyone new."

"Well, he didn't ask Chopper," Usopp pointed out. "Then again, we didn't know he could fuse until recently, and things were pretty hectic, even after we set sail from Drum—"

"Yeah, I don't ask everyone," Luffy said indignantly.

"But why not her?" Usopp repeated.

Luffy shifted where he sat. "Just didn't feel like it is all."

The others let his lie be.