I raced to the railing of the ship. I could see the waves, all seemingly to move in the same direction, almost like a whirlpool that expanded to the horizon. I also glanced up to see that the ropes the sea kings were pulling were slack, not taut like they should be.

Chopper leaned over the side to talk to the huge dolphin like one.

"This is as far as we can go. We cannot pull you in the current, unless we wish to die. Is what he said."

Understandable. I wouldn't want them to drown or kill themselves just for us. I nod.

"Tell them thanks so much again Chopper. We wouldn't be this far without them."

Chopper whispered down to the dolphin, and with a few clicks, it dissappeared, along with its army of seakings. We were alone again, but the current was pushing us at about the same speed as when we were pulled by the seakings.

Ok, one less thing to worry about. I glanced at the horizon and realized it was close to dusk now. Hmm, now that I think about it, I'm quite hungry. I wander back into the kitchen.

"Yo Sanji, supper please!"

Chopper sat at the table, rubbing his tummy.

"Yeah, supervising is hard work."

I giggle at the look on Sanji's face.

"Get your own you animal. I only feed the ladies."

Everyone else joined us, and supper dissolved into normal chatter. Well sort of normal. I kept expecting a rubbery arm to hijack my food. I actually ate all of the meat in front of me, and didn't have any extra vegetables. The table was calmer, and quieter. I sipped my drink thoughtfully, trying to ignore the lack of my captain's presence.

"Any other bright ideas or strategies Rose?"

I was jerked back to reality by the gentle question by Nami. I took a deep breath.

"Yes, a little. There will be a lot of splitting up. Hancock and Ivankov will be on one side, while Shanks and Law will be on the other in a pincer attack. Jinbe and the revolutionary army will take care of the ships. We will go up the middle."

I glance around, trying to gather my thoughts about the crew. I had focused on forces, not individual people.

"Franky, I need to commision you again."

The shipwright sighed.

"Geez Rose sis, what next? You need another ship or something?"

I smiled.

"I'm truly sorry, but I need you to make portable containers for the ice bullets that are easy to carry and will keep them cool."

He nodded.

"Fine, I bet I can do that."

I clasp my hands together.

"Also, for the battle, I need you to be our eyes on the skies. We have an enemy that can bring magma fists from the sky, and one can bring down meteors. I need you to shoot anything out of the sky with canons. I would ask Usopp, but he has to help me shoot Akainu."

Franky grinned, banging his fists together.

"Yes Sis, Super job."

I nod at Nami.

"Nami, I am pairing you with Sanji."

The cook threw himself across Nami's lap.

"Oh Nami-swan, I will protect you."

Nami shoved him unceremoniously off, asking me in the same movement.

"Is there a specific purpose to that?"

"Yes, Sanji can protect you like he says. Also, if there is a female enemy, he will be defeated by her unless you step in. Also, I need you to be my eyes. If he acts against his promise he made this afternoon, you will tell me and I will keep my end of the bargain."

Nami smiled evilly, in fact it almost terrified me.

"You got it. I won't let him out of my sight."

Sanji laid his head on the table, looking depressed.

"Aww, I won't be able to see the beautiful ladies."

Zoro snorted softly from his corner, and murmured something probably offensive. I hide a chuckle with a cough and turned to the archeologist.

"Robin, you are on key retrieval duty. You find whoever has the key to Luffy's chains and give it to whoever gets there first. Other then that, if everyone focuses on just getting themselves to Luffy as fast as possible, then surely someone can slip through. I'm counting on you all."

Chopper had quit eating and had started to rebandage my feet. I had forgotten my 'injuries' in my haste to make everything perfect. Usopp asked.

"What about you Rose? What will you be doing?"

I chuckled, knowing I will probably be the busiest.

"Well, I'm on Akainu duty with you, and try to get to Luffy of course. Also, I'm going to try to coordinate all of our allies at the same time. I will be pretty busy."

Sanji's jaw dropped.

"Rose-swan, that's too much work for one person. Give some of the share to us."

I shook my head. No, I'm too much of an anxious control freak. If i'm not in charge, then I feel like something will go wrong, and if I don't fight I won't be doing enough. I can do both. Zoro nodded.

"Nah, Rose can handle it."

I nod gratefully.

"Yes, I prefer it that way."

I stretch and feel Chopper back off, my feet rebandaged. I wave, and clamor out of the kitchen onto the deck. I feel like my brain is a little taxed, like having to take a standardized test all day. I need a little break. So I wander the ship.

I explore the familiar halls I had made my second home. I stopped by the figurehead, and climbed up to sit in Luffy's special seat.

The moon was just rising over the sea, bathing it in milky light. I watched peacefully as the waves swirled and circled back and forth. The freedom I feel at this sight is tainted by the fact Luffy is not experiencing it right now.

Doubt had started to drift through my mind like the unwelcome guest they were. With me becoming the main planner, also comes with the weaknesses and what ifs of the plans. The self doubt I had had for myself was not as prevelent as it was years ago, when I first stepped on this wooden deck, but it is still there, just slightly.

I am going up against the most powerful men in the world. I'm just an eighteen year old girl from a world where college was my only problem. How was I supposed to cope, no prepare for that? To expect to watch people die, people I know or do not know. I'm naive sure, but not naive enough to know that there will not be casualties. How am I supposed to just accept that?

Simple. Luffy is my captain, and the crew protects their captain.

They follow every order, follow his leadership, whether to hell and beyond and back. Luffy has done great things with us at his back, but more importantly, we have done great things with him at our back. He is an avid believer of our dreams, as we were of his.

That is how I will accept it. I will put aside less important distractions and focus on the top priority. I smile to myself as I stare up at the moon. It would be even better at a higher vantage point too.

With a leap and a bound, I climb up the ladder to the observation tower. It is cold, dark, and empty without my favorite swordsman, but I stolled over to the window, leaning my arms against it as I stared at the sky with unbridled awe. The stars were showing thier faces, joining the moon in its heavenly dance across the sky. It was beautiful.

I was surprised I didn't jump when someone leaned against the window sill next to me. I don't take my eyes off the sky as I smile.

"Hello Zoro."

"What are you doing Rose?"

I laugh.

"Giving my brain a break. Strategizing hurts my teeny little brain."

He snorted.

"Yeah right."

Hmm, a Zoro pick me up would be ideal right now.

"Hey Zoro? You sure I can do this?"

Zoro had a nostalgic smile on his lips as he glanced over at me.

"Why hello there, long time no see. I haven't talked to you in awhile insecure Rose."

I rolled my eyes.

"Come on Zoro, I'm serious."

He turned to fully face me.

"As am I. What are you afraid of?"

I smile. My fear has shifted, taking advantage of the situation.

"Failure."

He shook his head, his brawny arm looping around my shoulders.

"Have you ever failed to protect one of us before?"

I nodded.

"Plenty of times."

He smirked.

"You do not see what I see. You didn't see you down there."

I cocked my head.

"What do you mean?"

He chuckled.

"You. When you were explaining your strategies, you had such determination and enthusiasim and straight belief that your plans would all go perfectly, that the ice bullets would work, even though I know you haven't tested them yet. When you were digging up more strategies, your face was so focused and relaxed, as if it came so easy to you, I feared for the marines who had to face you. Someone that works that hard cannot possibly fail."

I smile gently, unhappy to burst his bubble.

"And if that is what side I was going for? If I wanted you to see that side of me and not the insecure one who doubts?"

Zoro tapped his head.

"You forget, I know what you are feeling. I know your insecurities Rose, and they are misplaced."

He placed a hand on my shoulder.

"You have a gift, a lot like Luffy's. Not one that draws people to them, but one who sparks hope and belief in the most impossible things. It's small, but it soon grows into something our enemies cannot possibly compete with. Your bravery does that Rose. The fact you are willing to push so hard gives other people bravery and strength too."

Once more, my confidence has been revived, and then some. I nuzzled my head against his shoulder.

"No, your calm encouragement does that Zoro. More then any amount of bravery I have."

He snorted.

"I am a swordsman. Words are not my style."

I laughed.

"Yet you use them so well. Thank you Zoro."

He yawned, and because of that I yawned.

"Go sleep Rose. We have a big day tomorrow."

I salute.

"Yes sir Zoro sir."

He rolled his one eye and basically booted me out of the crow's nest. Chuckling I made my way to my old familiar bed, passing an already snoring Robin and Nami. My head had barely touched the pillow before I was asleep, dreaming of defeating the best men in the world.