Silence reigns on the Merry, which pitches slightly to the rhythm of the waves Laboon creates a little further out, happy with the drawing Luffy continues to make on its nose. The rest of the crew are on the ship, all staring wide-eyed at Stella, while Nami restrains herself from having a panic attack in the arms of Sanji, who is doing everything he can to try and calm and reassure her.
"What the hell?!" Growls Zoro as he grabs the collar of Stella's jacket, who still has her head in her hands to prevent a cry of frustration from crossing her lips. "Why the fucking Fleet admiral of the navy is calling you?! Answer me!" Shouts the swordsman, shaking the white-haired woman in front of him. But the green-haired man doesn't shake her for very long as he ends up on the ground when Stella grabs his arms and does a judo hold to throw him over her shoulder, not liking being shaken at all.
He lands heavily on his back, letting out a grunt as Stella runs her hand through her now tousled hair and puts her orange hat back on her head, which had moved in her swift movement. Aoi looks at him with a small, satisfied smile before taking a picture of the swordsman on the ground.
"Calm down, fingerling. I've already told you that many people can call me and that under no circumstances..." She turns to Nami, who bites her lips when she sees the woman's stern look. "You had to answer. Wasn't it clear enough, maybe? " She lets go harshly. The redhead lowers her head and looks at the ground, a little ashamed of having potentially put everyone in danger because of her.
Stella lets out a sigh and heads for the bedroom. Now that the Den Den has been unhooked, Sengoku knows she's back on Grand Line. So it's best to find out quickly what he wants, or risk a number of unfortunate consequences.
"I'll take care of that problem. As for you, make sure you don't make any noise, especially for Luffy. If Laboon makes noise, it's no big deal, but I don't want to hear any voices until I'm out of this room. Is that clear?" She asks seriously of the children in front of her. They all nod briskly, not wanting to incur the wrath of the marine commander so early in their journey. Zoro grunts in response as he stands up, but conceives of listening to her order. "Good." A little more reassured that the pirates will hold their tongue. Stella enters the room and locks it.
Inside the room, she quickly spots her green and maroon Den Den on the desk with Sengoku's face.
"Agent Star?! I know you can hear me! Answer for God's sake!" Shouts the man on the other end of the line, who doesn't seem to appreciate being left in the lurch. As discreetly as possible, Stella reaches over and grabs the small round microphone lying carelessly on the table.
"Hello? Sengoku, can you hear me?" She asks, as if she can't hear him because of an imaginary sizzle, while removing her hat from her head to let Sengoku's Den Den display its usual face.
"You deign to answer at last! You haven't answered me for over five minutes. May I ask what you're playing at?" Stella puts on a falsely apologetic face as she searches for an excuse.
"Sorry, my Den Den decided to act up. I didn't want to give it a taste of a new fruit and it decided to give me the cold shoulder. So I could see you talking but no sound came out." The offending green and maroon Den Den squints, not liking the idea of being used as a lame excuse. Are you serious? But fortunately, that seems to be enough for the admiral.
"I still don't understand why you let your Den Den have such free will. But I don't have time for this. The reason I'm calling is to remind you that there's the annual training for new vice-admirals in two weeks' time. And as I know you're on vacation, I wanted to remind you." Hearing this, Stella nearly facepalms. She's totally forgotten about the annual meeting that takes place every year at Marine Ford for the new vice-admirals. It's not that she likes doing it, but it's part of her contract. And anyway, it's always fun to put newbies in their place who've taken on the big head.
"No, I didn't forget, but it's nice of you to remind me. And as you said, I'm on vacation, so once the meeting's over, I'll get back to my business." She said in a neutral, slightly bored tone so that Sengoku wouldn't snap at her. Sengoku's face looks at her for a little while as if he's trying to think of something, but he finally lets out a sigh.
"I know you don't like having your hand forced. But like every year, it's imperative that you attend this meeting." She lets out a sigh, waving her free hand in annoyance.
"Yes, yes, I know. You tell me every year and just like every year I'm here. Don't worry, I'll be there. So, unless you have something else to tell me, I'm going back to my vacation." Sengoku clicks his tongue in a disrespectful tone, but over time he's learned that she'll never learn her lesson, nor make an effort when something irritates her.
"I have nothing more to say. You may go.-" Stella hangs up with a hasty gesture when Luffy starts yelling that his drawing is finished. Damn, that was close. With a sigh of relief, Stella stands up and quickly looks to see if anyone else has called her on the small transponder screen. Apparently, Marco had called her and Dragon back. Unfortunately for them, they'll have to wait. She put the Den Den away in their vivarium before leaving, putting her hat back on her head.
Several hundred kilometers away, Sengoku sees his Den Den suddenly go dead. He clicks his tongue again in irritation and hangs up his Den Den. He knows there's no point getting worked up about this woman's freewheeling behavior. As long as she keeps to herself, she won't be a problem.
He sighs as he looks at the list of new vice-admirals on his desk, some of them promising, but like every year, there are a few who think they're all-powerful because they've made it this far and already believe themselves capable of replacing one of the admirals in a few months' time.
A small, amused smile spreads across his lips as he thinks back on all the Agent Star meetings, this is both the worst and the best day of the year. The worst for the newbies, the best for the old-timers. He wonders what Stella has planned this year to put the loudmouths in their place.
A knock on the door draws him from his thoughts and he looks at the heavy wooden door in front of him.
"Come in!" A young marine enters his office, short of breath after running through the corridors. The Fleet Admiral recognizes him as one of the base's messengers. In his arms, a stack of papers and photos are hastily stowed away, nearly falling out of his arms.
"Fleet Admiral! I've been asked to bring this to you as quickly as possible!" He approaches quickly, but doesn't dare put the papers down until he receives permission from the man behind the large, dark wooden desk.
Sengoku frowns and makes room on his already cluttered desk for the marine to drop his load. Quickly, a score of sheets and photos fall onto his worktop, nearly falling to the floor because of the young boy's haste. He quickly grabs the sheets before looking up at the nervous, out-of-breath marine.
"Thanks for bringing it to me, but next time, make sure the sheets are put away properly and that you don't rush into my office like you've got Gold Roger on your ass. You're a messenger, your job is to pass on important information without it getting lost in the corridors. Is that clear?" He asks, giving the boy a hard look. The marine snaps to attention, alarmed, and nods briskly.
"It's perfectly clear, Fleet Admiral! I'll be more careful next time!" Senkogu nods and waves his hand to signify that he can leave.
"You'd better be, now you can go." The boy gives him a military salute before leaving, gently closing the door, not wanting to irritate the navy commander any further. But that doesn't stop the old man from hearing him running down the corridor. He lets out a sigh and finally turns his attention to the file that has just been brought to him.
He frowns as he reads the contents. At first glance, it's a simple report on the escape of several pirate crews from Logue Town. The crew of Buggy the Clown and that of a certain Straw Hat appear most prominently. Stating that these two crews are heading for Grand Line. He doesn't understand why this file was brought to him so quickly. He seriously has more important things to deal with than pirate crews entering in Grand Line.
Perplexed, he looks at the few photos that accompany the file. He sees a boy wearing a straw hat on the scaffold where Gol D. Roger was executed, a surprising event in itself, but it's his smile that catches the admiral's attention, who feels his insides turn at the sight of it. The second photo shows Buggy and a brown-haired woman flying through the air.
His eyebrows furrow and he takes a closer look at the brown-haired woman. He can't see her face behind her hat, and her blue clothes don't reveal many distinguishing features. But the sword on her belt makes him squint. The photo doesn't show the pattern clearly, but the light blue color reminds him of something.
Turning the photo over, he reads the short description and his eyes widen. "Buggy the Clown and an unknown brown-haired woman flying through the air above the square. Straw Hat Luffy shouted Stella's name in her direction and she reacted. This woman can fly, move extremely fast and shatter iron handcuffs like paper. Potentially dangerous even if she's not aggressive towards the navies who captured her. Keep a close eye on her."
Sengoku rests his head in his hand and lets out a grunt of irritation. There's not much to think about. This mysterious woman and Agent Star are one and the same, and her brown hair can't fool him. Now the question is, why was she there? Was it a test for the city's navies? A source of amusement that only she has the secret to? He knows she has a tendency to get bored quickly and do anything to kill her boredom, even play with others.
He looks at the photos again, feeling a headache coming on. A sigh passes his lips and he throws the photos among the leaves and locks the file in one of his drawers. This story must remain secret, a mere rumor and an isolated event. He knows there's no point in calling Agent Star back to ask for an explanation. She's probably irritated enough at having to cut her vacation short for this meeting, so he might as well not add fuel to the fire.
He'll just choke off the part that concerns her and ask questions later. Yes, that seems to be the best solution.
Satisfied, he takes a rice cracker and bites into it, savoring the delicate taste before having to dive back into the pile of files that swells on his desk every day.
He envies Agent Star, who's on vacation. She mustn't have a single headache these days.
Back at Cap des Jumeaux, a certain boy in a straw hat has just finished his drawing on the nose of a giant whale.
"Stella! Come and see my drawing! It's so cool!" Shouts the captain in the direction of the ship as he stands next to Laboon, who is screaming with delight at the new drawing on its nose.
"Shut up, Luffy! She's doing something important and she needs silence!" Nami shouts just as loudly, smacking him on the top of the head in an attempt to shut him up, but this only raises more questions for Rubberman.
"Huh?! What's she doing? I want to know!" He shouts even louder, running towards the Merry as the others try to hold him back in his tracks. But like a real monkey in the jungle, no one could stop him from running toward the ship and almost knocking over Stella, who was standing in the middle of the deck. "Stella!" The boy clung to the woman like a koala that wouldn't let go of its tree.
She looked at him with a small smile and a raised eyebrow, raising her arms to keep from getting stuck. It's a good thing this call didn't last long, otherwise she'd be in a very tricky situation. Especially as she's sure that if Sengoku were to ask Luffy what his name is, he'd have no trouble telling him. She'll have to be very careful when she calls someone. And if Luffy doesn't allow her to call as she wishes, then she'll have to go on Sutashi to be safe.
"What were you doing?" He asks with a big smile and twinkling eyes, his chin resting on the top of her chest. His childlike curiosity makes Stella laugh. She places one of her hands on his head, eliciting a chuckle of contentment from the hyperactive boy.
"I was on the phone with someone important who absolutely mustn't know I'm with you." The boy's head tilts adorably to the side in visible, cute questioning.
"Really? Why?"
"Let's just say it's someone who can make the whole navy come after you." Luffy blinks in incomprehension.
"Bah... It doesn't change any more than usual." She hums at this logical, unconscious response. But she just smiles.
"Believe me, it's better he doesn't know. Otherwise, I'm curious to see your drawing." A big smile immediately appears on the boy's face as he lets go of her and jumps without waiting towards Laboon.
"You'll see! He's so cool!" He says as he jumps off the Merry and runs towards the rest of the group, who are looking sternly at Luffy because the hyperactive boy has managed to escape them. Stella leaps over the railing and lands on the grass with a light step. In a few steps, she gets close enough to the whale to see the strange design now on its nose.
She recognizes the straw hat and the shape of a skull, although it's completely deformed on its side, as if it's been punched on the corner of the jaw.
"So? It's so cool, right!" Stella doesn't know what to say, she's sure a five-year-old could have drawn a better picture than this thing. But she has no intention of saying what she really thinks.
"You're right, the enemies will keep their distance when they see it." She says with a little mocking smile that she hopes she's hidden enough. But even if the drawing is horrible, Laboon seems to like it a lot, at the same time she can't really see it because of its position on its anatomy. She feels sorry for Crocus, who will have this thing permanently under his nose.
"Shishishi! I should take up painting! I'm sure I'll be a hit!" The whole crew wrinkles their noses at the idea, but they don't want to hurt their childish captain's feelings.
"I'm sure when you're Pirate King, everyone will want one of your drawings." Affirms Stella, putting her hands on her hips and giving a big, encouraging smile to the young boy proud of his strange work.
"You're right! Once I'm Pirate King, I can be Painter King!" Luffy exclaims, holding the giant brush above his head like a giant sword. A giant sword that sprays white paint all over the lawn and the other crew members who weren't quick enough to get away from the white droplets.
"LUFFY! Watch out! You're getting paint everywhere! Look at this! I got some on my top!" Complains the navigator, who's gotten several drops on her little light-blue top. She throws a punch at Luffy, before heading off to the Merry with an annoyed and resentful step to get changed. There's no way a woman as beautiful and sensual as she is should have to stay with paint-stained clothes!
"I'm sorry. Shishishi!" Laughs the captain, rubbing the back of his head and putting the brush back in the paint bucket. Usopp starts howling at his totally stupid gesture, as he now has to remove the excess paint from the brush before washing it off. If he could avoid wasting material, it would help the sniper.
The paint storm has hit another person, Zoro. He pulls at the front of his white shirt, which has also received paint. Out of spite, he crosses his arms to grab the bottom of his shirt and pull it over his head. But as his shirt begins to slip out of his pants, a presence appears behind him and grabs his hands to prevent him from pulling up his shirt.
Surprised, he looks over his shoulder to see that it's Stella preventing him from taking off his shirt.
"What are you doing?" He yelps with surprise and irritation. He really doesn't like the proximity of this woman taller than him right behind him and the vulnerable position he's in now. Stella brings her lips close to his ear so that only he can hear what she has to say.
"Have you already forgotten what Sutashi did to you? Are you sure you want to take off your shirt in front of everyone?" Zoro's muscles and hands tense, remembering the rope that held him and the marks it left on him. His fingers tighten and he releases his grip on his shirt at the same time as Stella releases his hands. He gives her one last irritated look before striding off towards Merry. Damn! He swears one day he'll do her in!
The woman watches him go with an amused smile before looking at the last people still on the lawn. Luffy "helps" Usopp put the equipment away, while the sniper keeps asking him to let him do it. Because if things go on like this, the whole lawn will end up looking like snow.
The Cook has a freshly lit cigarette between his lips and looks at Stella and Zoro with a puzzled expression. He doesn't know what's going on. But the fact that Zoro obeys so quickly and easily, without flinching, hides something. And strangely enough, he wants to know. Maybe Stella can teach him how to train a cranky, disobliging seaweed.
Crocus also flashes an amused smile as he approaches his friend.
"I see you're starting to fit in well with them. However, have pity on their poor souls. They're still children, don't traumatize them too much." Stella giggles, hiding her happy lips behind her hand.
"Don't worry about that. Sutashi was the first to open the show. Besides, life would be pretty dull without a few jokes?" She added, raising an eyebrow full of innuendo. The old doctor shakes his head in disappointment. He pities his young pirates who don't know what's going to happen to them.
"Poor things." He says with amusement as the whole group heads for the ship, finally ready to leave. If we exclude the kitchen door to be repaired, the choice of path between the two Log Pose and... the installation of a new bed. Remembering this detail, Stella snaps her fingers and turns to Crocus.
"Don't you have an extra bed or hammock? I don't really feel like sleeping on the floor tonight." The man raises an eyebrow of questioning and judgment.
"Did you take me for a store? I'm not a last-chance store. So I have nothing to lend you. Anyway, Sutashi must be following you, so what's the problem? " She clicks her tongue and crosses her arms, disappointed that she didn't find what she wanted before wandering off towards the horizon.
"Yes, he's following me. But I thought I could live with them without having to use Sutashi. But it looks like I'll have to wait for the next island. With any luck, we'll reach it tonight." She says with a shrug, she'll deal with that problem in due course.
Eventually, everyone made their way to the Merry and climbed in. Nami quickly emerges from the room wearing a small blue and white striped top. Zoro is also there in a light blue long-sleeved shirt that's a little small and immediately catches the eye of a certain cook.
"Hey, moss-head! May I ask who gave you permission to take that shirt?!" Growls the blond as he steps towards the swordsman, who looks at him with a neutral, slightly irritated face.
"Shut up! I don't have another shirt right now. So you're not going to throw a fit because I took one of yours? "The cook looks at him with wide eyes before his face turns increasingly red with anger. He arrives in front of Zoro, who looks at him coldly and puts his hands on the collar to start unbuttoning HIS shirt. There's no way this swordsman is going to use it! This brute will just destroy it. So he has to do everything he can to get it back without damaging it.
Seeing the cook's hands on him and starting to unbutton the shirt that hides the rope marks on his body. Zoro grasps both hands in a firm grip. Sanji immediately looks up from his task to stare angrily at the Marimo.
"Get your hands off me, Cook! You're not going to make a fuss over some vulgar shirt!" growls the swordsman, trying to get Cook to let go without the shirt buttons popping off. Sanji's face grows increasingly angry at Zoro's statement and his attempt to prevent the cook from retrieving his belongings.
"A vulgar shirt?! Do you have any idea what it cost me, you fucking swordsman? There's no way I'm letting you have it! You'll ruin or destroy it with your brute force!" He spits as he struggles to grab a new button and pull it off. As childish as it sounds, you don't take someone else's stuff without asking! But for this caveman, it's something unthinkable.
On the Merry, the others watch them fight each other in a very strange way. Because this fight isn't about sword and foot. This is because Sanji doesn't want a shoe print on his stolen shirt, and Zoro doesn't want to pop the buttons because the shirt is obviously too small for him. Thus, the slightest movement could crack the seams.
Stella looks on with amusement as she knows exactly what's at stake in this fight. She could let it go, except that Zoro is going to lose one way or another. For she notices that he struggles to keep Sanji from undressing him, but also from making any grand gestures.
" FUCK! Let go of me! Shitty-Cook!"
"Give me back my shirt and you'll have peace, shitty Marimo!" The two fighters continue to fight over the blue shirt, which is beginning to crack dangerously.
" Fingerling. I need you for 2 minutes. Come and help me." The two men turn to Stella, who looks at them unimpressed, arms crossed. Zoro's eyes crinkle with suspicion, he can feel the shell casing coming.
"Can't you see I'm busy?!" He grumbles, trying once again to pull Sanji away. Stella clicks her tongue in irritation and gives him a stern look.
"That wasn't a question. Now stop playing and come here for two minutes. It won't take long." And without asking his opinion, she grabs Zoro by the collar and drags him towards the girls' room. Sanji reflexively lets go as the woman approaches, and now watches wide-eyed as the green-haired swordsman disappears into the girls' room. Into the girls' room! With one of the crew's girls! And all alone! ARGGG!
While the cook freaks out on deck, under the questioning gaze of the others. Stella releases Zoro's shirt and locks the door. Hearing the click of the lock, the swordsman's shoulders tense, liking less and less what's about to happen.
"Take off your shirt." Says Stella in a neutral voice as she grabs one of the suitcases from under the bed and places it on the bed before opening it, revealing numerous items of clothing.
The man looks at her with wide eyes, not daring to move a muscle. He blinks several times until the request reaches his brain.
"What? No way!" Stella turns to him, raising an unimpressed eyebrow, and throws a white shirt in his face, which he catches by surprise. He looks at the white fabric in his hand with confusion.
"I'm not asking you to do a striptease. I just saw that you weren't comfortable in that too-small shirt. So I'm going to lend you one until the marks disappear." She said as she sat down on the bed, arms crossed and leaning against the wall. A small, amused smile on her lips.
Zoro blinks and unfolds the shirt in front of him. He has to admit that it looks much bigger than the cook's, perhaps even a size too big for him. On the other hand, he doesn't understand why Stella has men's shirts in her suitcase.
"Thanks... But why do you have these in your suitcase?" He asks as he starts to undo the blue shirt, trying not to damage it, because otherwise the Cook will mess with him again. He sees Stella looking at him neutrally, as if to say he's stupid.
She hums into her beard before grabbing something from the suitcase and waving it in front of the swordsman's eyes. In her hand is a white pill box with a blue line. Seeing the strange medicine, Zoro's memories come flooding back. He shows a face of disgust as he completely removes the blue shirt and puts on the white one, which fits him much better.
"I didn't say anything." Says he as Stella sneers at Marimo's face and puts the box back in the suitcase.
A few seconds later, Zoro has closed the shirt properly. He makes a few sweeping gestures to check that it doesn't hinder his movements and is pleasantly surprised that it doesn't hinder him at all.
Stella gets up and walks over to him to grab his collar and put it back properly. Zoro doesn't dare move as her slender fingers trace his neck to smooth the shirt's V-neck. Satisfied with her work. Stella takes a step back and looks appreciatively at Zoro in his new shirt. Uncomfortable under this gaze, the Marimo frowns.
"What?" Stella's smile widened and became more playful, and she grabbed Sanji's shirt and folded it properly.
"You should wear shirts more often. You could be a hit at parties." The man grunts as he crosses his arms, bringing out his muscles, which the shirt hugs perfectly.
"I thought you weren't interested in me. Should I be worried if you start hitting on me now?" He asks warily. Stella had started toward the door, blue shirt in hand, and stops when she hears the swordsman. An idea has just germinated in her mind. An idea that probably wouldn't please Marimo, but that would amuse Stella. Reducing her machiavellian smile, she turns to Zoro with a charming smile and soft, shining eyes. Enough to unsettle the man, who tenses further.
"Well, I must admit you don't leave me so indifferent now. Roronoa Zoro. ~" She purrs before opening the door and leaving the room, rolling her hips. Leaving a swordsman with big round eyes alone in the room.
Stella closes the door, with difficulty repressing a burst of laughter. She manages to keep the noise down and calm her amusement. The next few days are going to be fun.
On deck, the others seem restless. There's a lot of chatter between them, especially the navigator who yells at the captain. Not to change. On the other hand, there are other people on deck who are not wanted.
Indeed, the two poachers are on their knees in front of the crew, begging the pirates. Stella leans against the wall and watches the scene with a closed face, not forgetting to take Seima out so that her hair turns blonde and her eyes green.
"Can I ask what's going on here?" She asks in a neutral, detached voice, raising an eyebrow. Everyone turns to her. Luffy rushes toward her to go hide behind her and try to escape the redhead's wrath.
"Stella! Save me! " He says, pushing Stella forward to be between her and the wall, out of sight of the navigator who is approaching dangerously close to them.
"Come back here at once! Damn captain! Helping these poachers is out of the question!" Stella frowns as she glances behind her to see the elastic man looking at her with teary eyes, begging her to help him. She rolls her eyes and grabs the pirate by the back of his shirt and holds it up in front of Nami, who smiles at the offering.
"Even though I have a strong opinion on the situation, this is a decision for you to make between yourselves. You told me to just observe, so that's what I'm going to do. " Said the blonde as she placed the package in front of the navigator with a big smile, while Luffy looked at her with big, betrayed eyes.
Nami grabbed the collar of the red top to prevent the young pirate from running away and to be able to put pressure on him.
"Listen to me, Luffy! These guys are part of a criminal organization of pirate hunters! Going into their lair is out of the question! They'll kill us! It's far too dangerous!"
"But we can't leave them here either. They might attack Laboon again. So sending them back where they came from is the best solution. And anyway, we're strong enough to beat the pirate hunters! Captain's order: we're going to their island!" He bites his tongue as Nami punches him in the face. But they no longer have a say, the captain's orders are absolute.
"Seriously, why am I on this crew?" Grumbles the redhead, rubbing her hair angrily and turning to the two returnees angrily.
"You two!" They flinched at the navigator's angry tone. "We're taking you to your island, but you'd better tell your little friends not to come messing with us! Otherwise, we'll tell them to raze your island to the ground!" She says, indicating Stella in a threatening tone, who raises an eyebrow at this statement. I'm a pressure tactic now?
The two agents turn even paler as they see the blonde looking at them coldly. Clearly, they now have to survive on this ship until they get home. So first: avoid attracting the attention of this woman, second: avoid attracting the attention of the other crew members, third: survive the crossing. In a word: stay alive!
Stella steps towards them with a superior smile. Gloups!
"So if I understand correctly, we're going to act as a taxicab? Why do you ask? Do you have a problem getting home on your own?" She asks with a toothy grin and a frightening face. The poor lost souls are crying their eyes out, wondering if swimming away would be safer for them than staying here.
"According to them, their ship was destroyed and we have their Log Pose." Declares Nami in a dejected voice as she lets Luffy fall to the ground after giving him an impressive collection of bumps. The blonde woman hums as she crosses her arms and lets out an exasperated sigh.
"I see. Anyway, you're the one who's going to take care of it. So do what you like." She moves towards Sanji, passing the two intruders on the floor without giving them a glance, and hands the light blue shirt to the cook. "Here, Sanji. Here's your shirt in one piece. The fry won't touch your stuff now." The cook blinks as he sees his shirt folded in the woman's hand. He reaches out to retrieve it, but his face is puzzled.
"Thank you, Stella-chan. But how do you..." He hesitates to ask his question and finally shakes his head, no longer wanting to know the answer. "No, nothing. Thank you, my bird of paradise. I hope that seaweed didn't give you any trouble. And that it didn't do anything to you."
"Shut up, Shitty-cook. Of the two of us, she's the one to watch out for." Responds a familiar deep voice. The blond turns to insult the caveman, but his eyes widen when he sees Zoro wearing a long-sleeved shirt that fits him perfectly. Where did he get that shirt?
The swordsman notices the cook's lack of response and flashes a mocking smile.
"What's the matter, Ero-Cook? Are you surprised I can look like a waiter too? Although to me, that would be more like a CEO than a small-time waiter." Piqued by the swordsman's remark. Sanji doesn't hesitate for a second to pounce on the irritating man and give him a well-felt kick.
"You can talk, Marimo! You look more like a bum than a CEO. Have you ever seen a businessman with green hair?!" Zoro's face frowned and he drew his swords to close the blond's beak.
Nami, already heated up by her captain's decision, explodes in anger and unscrupulously knocks out the two rivals, who sprawl on the ground before the wide-eyed, frightened eyes of the two intruders. They're all monsters! They cry, hugging each other. They've struggled to escape the attacks of these two fighters, and now this redhead sends them to the mat so easily. The only one they haven't seen fight is the long-nosed guy fixing the kitchen door.
"This is no time to argue! We've got to get out of here and get rid of these illegals as quickly as possible." She begins, giving Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday a hard look. "I don't want any more fights or damage to the Merry! Once Usopp is finished, we can finally leave." She finishes by looking down into her hand at the Log Pose that originally belonged to the two agents.
Sanji stands up and apologizes to his Nami-chwan, while Zoro grunts another barely comprehensible insult as he goes to sit down against the mast to start a nap. Although his body is still too on guard to really relax, now that there are two intruders on the ship and Stella seems to have an idea in the back of her head.
The two agents will hide in a corner of the ship, trying to get out of sight of the blonde woman and the green-haired swordsman. Their survival depends on it!
The blonde sighed at this unexpected situation and leaned against the wooden wall. She feels as if Roger is right in front of her, always rushing into the fray without even thinking about the consequences. Even if it's a dangerous way to live, at least they never had a moment's rest and never got bored. A small smile spreads across her lips as she remembers the first time she met this man. Always chasing after her for stories and adventures every time she crossed their path. Always smiling, even when things were going badly. Always encouraging others to move forward.
But that didn't mean he was a saint either. Stella's smile fades a little as she remembers the first time she saw Roger kill someone in cold blood, with such a cold look in his eyes. She discussed it with the other crew members when she first noticed the change on one of her visits. Rayleigh told her not to worry, that it was just temporary anger. But when they saw the blood spurting so savagely and the crazed grin on their captain's face, they realized that her warnings were true and that the evil ran much deeper than that.
Afterwards, there was a big discussion with the captain and the whole crew. He was asked why he looked different. He denied it for a long time, until he finally broke down. He screamed, he yelled, he cried. He was sick, an illness even Stella didn't know about. He felt frustrated and abandoned, he who had lived free. Now he felt imprisoned in a temporal cage where every second locked him in a little more. No matter how much he struggled and screamed, no one could help him.
Faced with his helplessness. Stella proposes one last journey. One that would make his name so famous that he would be remembered for generations after his death. The crew accept and throw themselves heart and soul into this last adventure for their captain, who has made their lives so luminous.
Her emerald-green eyes gaze up at the blue sky above her with a touch of sadness. Will Luffy really take his place? And if he does, will the name Gol D. Roger's name disappear too? And was it really worth it at the time? After all, that crazy bastard didn't like what she did and punished her in the worst possible way...
A melancholy sigh passes her lips and she bows her head to return to the present.
The crew prepares to lift the ink. Usopp has completed his preparations and is now at the top of the mast with Sanji, ready to unfurl the sails on the orders of the navigator, who takes one last look at the Log Pose. Zoro is leaning against the mast, eyes closed, but Stella notices that he's not really asleep. The two intruders are sitting on the floor in a corner of the ship, trying to make themselves forgotten, and Luffy is against the Merry's railing, chatting with Crocus who is on the lawn. Laboon is beside the ship, still smiling, so happy with the drawing and the new promise.
"I hope you know what you're doing, kid. You didn't get off to the easiest start. To say the least." Says Crocus, addressing Luffy, who gives him a big smile and laughs.
"Shishishi! I know, but if I want to be the Pirate King, I mustn't back down from my adversaries, however numerous and dangerous they may be!" Replies the captain with a beaming face, bringing back memories for the former doctor. He lets out a small laugh, smiling.
"I see nothing will change your mind."
"Nop!"
Stella steps forward and leans against the railing, smiling at her old friend.
"It was a pleasure to see you again, Crocus. Take good care of Laboon until he comes back for his revenge." She said, ruffling the boy's black hair, and he gave her a big smile. He's enjoying these little gestures of attention more and more, which he didn't have as a child. Crocus nods, crossing his arms with an amused smile.
"You can count on me. And you'll see to it that he keeps his promise to the end. "Stella gives him a big smile while making a V with her fingers.
"You can count on me! "
After exchanging a few words and saying goodbye to Laboon. Nami gives the go-ahead to cast off. In a single movement, Sanji and Usopp untie the ropes of the sail, which unfurls and begins to swell towards the horizon, pushed by the wind blowing down Red Line. Luffy lifts the ink and the ship begins to sail away. All the crew (except Zoro) are at the stern of the ship, gesturing towards the two new friends they've made.
"Bye old man! Bye Laboon! See you soon!" Shouts Luffy, gesturing wildly.
"Goodbye young pirate! You'd better keep your promises!" Shouts Crocus with a touch of authority. "Otherwise, I'll come looking for you to kill you myself!" He threatens, causing the young man to burst out laughing.
"Goodbye Crocus! See you soon Laboon! Don't forget to eat well and avoid unnecessary injuries! Okay?!" Said Stella, gesturing wildly with both hands.
"Ha ha ha ha! I'm the one who should be saying that! A hothead like you who's never afraid of danger!" Crocus smiles as Laboon squeals happily, waving its fins. This creates waves that carry the Merry away towards the horizon.
Soon, the headlights are no longer visible and only Red Line is still visible in the distance. Getting smaller and smaller.
Stella remains leaning against the railing at the rear of the Merry with a small smile, until Red Line disappears for good on the horizon. She lets out a little sigh with a wistful smile before unhooking herself from her little piece of wood and heading for the deck, where the rest of the crew are busying themselves now that the Merry is out to sea, pushed by the wind.
Usopp climbs into the crow's nest to warn the others of a potential danger now that they're really on Grand Line. Nami looks frantically between the sky and the Log Pose to make sure they're not veering off course or a storm is bearing down on them.
Zoro is still against the mast, but his eyebrows are a little more furrowed, probably because the cook is talking to Miss Wednesday and doing his usual charming, gentlemanly thing.
"My lady! You don't have to be afraid of us. I swear no one means you any harm!" He coos, making hearts fly. His words might have pleased the girl, even reassured her, if a blond woman hadn't walked up to them and glared intensely.
"I remind you that these are agents of an organization that won't hesitate to kill us. So don't get too attached to them." Stella warned, stopping next to Sanji and looking at the poachers sitting on the ground with a smile full of innuendo. If you move, you're dead.
The two victims turn pale before his smiling face, which reflects nothing positive for them. The green eyes turn to the blue-haired girl, analyzing her from every angle. Miss Wednesday feels like she's being observed with an X-ray, and she doesn't like the eyebrow that rises at the end of the inspection.
" Stand up." The girl widened her eyes at the command and instinctively clutched her legs and arms around her like a shield.
"What the... What?"
"Don't make me say it again. Stand up." Stella orders in a voice that leaves nothing to discussion as she squints her eyes, slightly menacing. The girl hesitates for a few seconds but finally stands up hastily when Stella is about to take a step towards her to force her to stand.
Once on her feet, she looked fearfully at Stella, who again looked at her from every angle, moving from left to right to get a better look at her. Nervousness crawls over her skin, she doesn't know what this blonde woman is looking for.
After a few more seconds of inspection. Stella holds out her finger in the direction of the stairs on the other side of the deck.
"Walk to the stairs and back." Miss Wednesday looks at her again, trying to guess why she's asking this, but in the face of the cold, demanding stare, she finally complies reluctantly, feeling so much like a freak. Her back shivers as she feels the green eyes watching her intently. Damn! She wants to tell him what she thinks, but if she does, she's afraid of what might happen.
Sanji watches Stella give orders to this beautiful lady without any scruples. But as Stella is also a woman, he doesn't dare retort, as her serious face clearly shows that she's concentrating on something. The swordsman has been listening for some time from his position against the mast, and he watches the blue-haired girl walk past him, then turn back with an unsure step. What's this white-haired freak up to?
The girl returns to her starting point, but it doesn't seem to have been enough as Stella asks her to do it twice. Nervousness gives way to annoyance the third time, especially when the woman asks her to curtsy, which she does automatically. Who the hell does she think she is? But perhaps she would have liked Stella to ask her to walk again. For Stella stands in front of her, arms crossed and face neutral.
"May I ask what you're doing here, princess? " The girl's eyes widen in horror, but she tries to pull herself together quickly.
"'Wh... wh... What?" She says, swallowing. Green eyes crinkle, and without asking her opinion, Stella grabs her arm to force her to follow her toward the girls' room. The false king leapt to his feet to try and help his colleague. But in front of the irritated green eyes, he stops dead in his tracks.
"You don't move. Don't worry, I won't do anything to your friend." She looks at the girl, who is trying to free herself. "And you follow me. I think we both need to talk." And without asking her opinion, she drags the poor lost girl into the room, pushing her inside.
Miss Wednesday stumbles a little on her feet and almost falls on the bed in front of the door, but manages to get up in time. Behind her, she hears the door close and the lock click into place. So she's alone with this terrifying blonde woman who's now leaning against the door, arms crossed. Blocking any attempt at escape.
"What's up? You've got nothing to say to me. Princess?" Her body twitches as she hears the woman's authoritative, annoyed tone. She braces her arms against her chest in a vain attempt to reassure herself under his penetrating green eyes.
"I... I don't... I don't know what you're talking about..." Stella rolls her eyes in annoyance and lets out an annoyed sigh.
"Not to me, young lady. Try as you might to act like a fighter, you were raised in a palace to take over your kingdom. That kind of thing is hard to pull off. As much in the way you behave as in the way you act." Her gaze turns scrutinizing. "So, what are you doing here? Did you run away? Teenage crisis maybe? Unless you were disinherited and exiled. In which case, I'm sorry for the interrogation."
The girl bows her head and looks at the floor. Her fists are clenched along her body, her arms tremble with anger and she bites down hard on her lower lip. She raises her head, and Stella sees a determined, irritated look.
"You know nothing about me!" She hisses between her teeth, all fear momentarily gone as anger takes over. "You don't know what I do, or what's going on! So shut the hell up! You and your attempt at morale!" Stella looked at her flatly, raising an eyebrow before sketching a small smile.
"Ho ~. The princess shows her teeth. In that case, explain to me what's going on in your country that explains your presence in this organization. Unless you're interested in the idea of Big Boss." The girl's eyes widen and her jaw drops in astonishment.
"The Big Boss... ? Do... Do you know who he is?" She asks in a trembling voice, in shock. Stella's smile turns more sarcastic.
"Of course I know who it is. But you'll forgive me if I don't tell you anything about him. After all, even you who are part of his organization don't know who he is." Miss Wednesday can't believe it, her mind is totally befuddled. She can't figure out who this person is who seems to know everything. How did she know she was a princess? Or who is the boss of Baroque Works? What if she's working with him? If so, she's in real trouble!
"Are... Are you working for him?!" She asks worriedly as she starts to back away, but her face grows paler and paler as she sees a big, carnivorous, cruel smile appear, showing slightly pointed, animal teeth, with green eyes that glow in the gloom like those of a predator.
Oh no, it can't be!