A/N: This will contain a minor LuHan pairing, but it's just to set up Kenji's crush.
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On a beautiful summer island during their sun festival that is bustling with life and color, a beautiful woman and her daughter meandered through the crowds. Their presence seemed to captivate those around them, drawing many admiring glances. The island itself was full of beautiful, lush greenery and bright flowers. The festival air was filled with scents of exotic spices and the melodies of lively music, creating a joyous atmosphere.
"Mom, can we please head back now? Why do we need to shop ourselves? I mean you're an empress, I'm a princess, can't we get the other ladies to do this for us?" the young 12-year-old girl complained. "And why do all these men feel like they have the permission to stare at you? Don't they know who Dad is?"
Her mother, with a calm smile, replied, "We don't need to worry about them, Lucy. It's nice to get off the ship sometimes. Let's just enjoy this festival."
As they strolled through the lively festival, surrounded by cheerful music and vibrant stalls, the girl's attention suddenly shifted. Between the two buildings, she caught sight of a familiar ship's figurehead. Her eyes widened with recognition.
"Mom, look!" she said, tugging her mother's sleeve with excitement. She pointed towards the clearing where the well-known figurehead of the Thousand Sunny was visible.
''That's Dad's ship!" she exclaimed; her voice tinged with excitement.
Her mother stopped for a moment; her eyes fixed on the ship. The thought of seeing Luffy again sent her thoughts into a frenzy. Hancock, usually so composed and commanding, found herself feeling like a giddy teenager at the mere prospect of encountering him. There was something about Luffy that always managed to unravel the formidable empress, Boa Hancock.
As the Thousand Sunny approached the dock, the air was filled with a sense of excitement. Kenji, unable to contain his enthusiasm, was running around the deck, his laughter mingling with the sound of the waves.
"Kenji, stop running around, you're in the way!" Olivia shouted over her shoulder. She was busy assisting her father with the ship's mooring lines as they prepared to dock.
Kenji, undeterred by his sister's shouting, ran over to Robin, eyes sparkling. "Mama, look! It's like a big party down there!" he exclaimed as he pointed over to the festival.
Robin gently ruffled his hair and then planted a kiss on his head. "Once we are docked, we can see if your father and Olivia would like to go join the festivities, alright?"
With a beaming smile, Kenji bounded to the railing, his gaze eagerly soaking in the scene below.
Luffy made his way to the railing, joining Kenji as he looked out over the festival. "Hey, Uncle Luffy, can you put me on your shoulders and fly over that way?" Kenji asked, pointing over to the festival. He always loved the thrill of soaring through the air with Luffy.
At the docks, Hancock and Lucy arrived amidst the bustling crowd. Spotting Luffy onboard, Hancock called out, "Luffy!" Her voice carried over the noise of the port. Lucy, standing beside her mother, spotted Kenji on Luffy's shoulders. A pang of jealousy tugged at her heart, she wished she was that close to her father. She's maybe seen him a handful of times in her life.
Luffy jumped down from the ship, Kenji still perched on his shoulders, both laughing. "Again, Uncle Luffy!" Kenji cheered, his voice bubbling with excitement.
Olivia, hearing a voice she recognized, rushed to the ship's railing. Below, she spotted Hancock and Lucy, her face lighting up. "Lucy!" she called out, her hand waving frantically. It had been years since she had seen her friend, and she couldn't wait to catch up.
"Hancock! Lucy!" Luffy greeted them with his usual exuberance. He gently set Kenji down, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately.
Olivia, eager to reunite with her friend, hurried down the gangplank. "Lucy! It's been so long!" she exclaimed as she reached them, her smile wide and genuine.
Lucy's expression brightened at the sight of Olivia. "Olivia! I've missed you!" She said as Olivia pulled her into a hug. Her earlier feelings momentarily forgotten.
As Robin and Zoro joined the group, everyone's attention was suddenly drawn to Kenji, who stood there staring at Lucy with a look of awe. The young boy seemed absolutely captivated by her, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a shy fascination.
"Kenji, buddy, you alright?" Zoro asked, waving a hand in front of his son's face, trying to snap him out of his daze.
Robin, observing the scene, leaned in and quietly said to Zoro, "He's got that same look you had when you would look at me before we started dating. Like father, like son, huh?" She chuckled softly, watching Kenji's reaction.
Kenji mustered the courage to approach Lucy, his cheeks slightly flushed. "Hi, I'm Roronoa Kenji," he said, his voice a quiet whisper.
Lucy looked down at him, her earlier feelings of jealousy shifting to curiosity and amusement. "I'm Lucy, Princess of Amazon Lily," she responded, stooping to be at eye level with him.
Olivia laughed at her brother's bashfulness. "Why is your face so red?" she teased before turning to Lucy, "He's not usually like this, usually he's running around and being annoying."
Kenji, attempting to appear tough, straightened up and puffed out his chest. "I'm not annoying! I'm tough and I swordfight with Daddy! I mean Dad!" he declared, trying to emulate his father's confidence.
Robin, watching her son's display, chuckled softly. "Definitely like father, like son," she commented to Zoro with a knowing smile.
Kenji kept trying to win Lucy's attention, however, she was already engaged in a conversation with Olivia. Not far from them, Hancock clung to Luffy who seemed unaffected by her affection.
"Lucy?" Kenji timidly called, glancing up at her and gently nudging Olivia to the side hoping he could have Lucy's full attention.
As Lucy's gaze met his, Kenji could feel his cheeks warming. "Would you… like to play some festival games with me?" he asked, his voice laced with nervousness.
Olivia quickly interjected, "Kenji, why don't you check if Mom and Dad want to take you? Lucy and I were just about to do something together."
"But I want to go with Lucy," Kenji persisted, his tone earnest, as he tried to persuade his sister to let him accompany them.
Olivia, not wanting to argue with him, grabbed his hand and walked towards their parents. "Mom can you and Dad take Kenji to the festival so Lucy and I can hang out, please?"
Robin looked at Kenji's hopeful face and then turned to Olivia. "Why not take Kenji with you too? As long as it's okay with Hancock and Luffy. It may be fun for you three," she suggested gently.
Hancock hesitated as she doesn't usually let Lucy too far out of her sight. "I'm not sure. It might be better that Lucy stays with us," she voiced her concern, only to be interrupted by Luffy's reassuring arm around her. "It's fine, Hancock. If Olivia's with her, they'll be fine. She's tough and so is Lucy," Luffy reassured with a smile.
Reluctantly, Hancock agreed. "Alright, but be careful," she cautioned.
Lucy confidently responded, "Mom, I'll be fine." She wrapped her arms around both Hancock and Luffy with a smile. "I missed you, Dad." she says quietly before pulling away.
Interrupting the moment with the family, Kenji, with a hand on his sword, proudly declared, "Don't worry, Lucy! I'll protect you!"
As the children headed off, Zoro remarked with amusement, "Already taking after me."
Robin, with a playful expression, couldn't resist teasing him. "Oh really? I recall a certain green-haired swordsman who used to be quite tongue-tied around me."
Zoro, caught off guard by the comment, felt his cheeks warm up. He coughed slightly, trying to regain his composure amidst Robin's laughter.
Finally gaining his composure, Zoro added, "Well, what I meant was, his taste in women seems familiar. Tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed, just like…" he let the sentence trail off as his gaze met Robin's making her smile.
Robin leaned into Zoro and kissed his cheek, "Don't forget, you were the one fretting about Olivia being too young to date. If 16 is too young, then our 8-year-old Kenji is too young to even 'have a type'."
Zoro could only smile at her logic, acknowledging the truth in her words with a nod.
The festival was a vibrant tapestry of colors and sounds, buzzing with excitement. Kenji, Lucy, and Olivia made their way through the crowd, Kenji's eyes wide with wonder and anticipation. He was determined to impress Lucy and had already spotted the perfect opportunity – a row of festival games.
"Check this out," Kenji said, pointing to a ring toss game. "I bet I can win you a prize."
Olivia laughed and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Lucy, I don't know why he's acting this way."
Lucy shrugged and gave a small amused smile, "I'm used to boys trying to win my attention," she said nonchalantly.
Kenji, upset that Lucy's attention isn't fully on him stepped up to her. "What prize do you want? I'm going to win you one, I promise!"
Lucy smiled a little, amused by this enthusiasm. "Alright, let's see if you can win me that snake plushie."
Kenji approached the game, focusing intently on the rings and the bottles they were meant to encircle. Olivia watched, a knowing smirk on her face, as Kenji threw the first ring. It spun in the air before landing perfectly around a bottle.
"First try!" Kenji exclaimed, turning to Lucy with a triumphant grin.
Lucy's smile grew a little more, "Nice job."
The game vendor handed Kenji the small snake, which he promptly offered to Lucy. "Here you go," he said, his cheeks now red.
Lucy accepted the gift with a smile. "Thank you, Kenji."
Their next stop was a shooting gallery. Kenji, feeling confident from his previous win, picked up the toy rifle. Olivia leaned in and whispered, "Remember what Dad says, make sure to focus."
Kenji focused intently as he aimed for the targets. His initial attempts missed, but he soon found his mark, hoping it impressed Lucy. As he continued to play, Lucy turned to Olivia, her voice quiet "Hey, Liv," she hesitated as she waited for Olivia to look at her encouraging her to continue. "Does… does my dad ever talk about me?"
The question caused Olivia to pause but she quickly tried to assure Lucy, "I overhear him talking to my dad about you all the time. You're definitely on his mind."
Lucy just nods somberly. "I sometimes feel like an afterthought, you know? You and Kenji are with him every day, but I… I just feel left out. To be honest I'm a little jealous of both of you getting to see him every day." She said as her voice faded into a quiet murmur.
Before Olivia could offer any comfort, Kenji bounded over, triumphantly presenting a plush bear he'd won, his face beaming with pride. "Look sister! I won this for you!" he exclaimed, his excitement palpable.
Olivia chuckled warmly, tousling Kenji's hair affectionately. "You're the best, Kenji."
As they continued through the festival, they came across a game that required knocking down a stack of cans with a ball. Kenji's throw was strong, but he missed the target. He tried a couple more times, each throw missing by just a bit.
Turning back to Lucy, Olivia sympathized, "I couldn't even imagine what that's like, not having my dad around all the time. I mean I know he wasn't around when I was really young, but now I can't picture life without him."
Lucy nodded, her face reflecting mixed emotions. "And then there's Mom. She's so overprotective especially when anyone from the World Government is around. I get it, she has her reasons, but it feels suffocating sometimes. I love her, but I wish she'd let me explore a bit more. Dad's the only one who brings out a different side of her."
Olivia wrapped an arm around Lucy, her voice gentle and understanding. "It's alright to feel that way, Lu. You're not a bad daughter for wanting a bit more freedom and missing your dad."
Kenji's shoulders drooped in disappointment as he couldn't knock down the cans. He turned to rejoin Olivia and Lucy when a rough shove sent him tumbling to the ground. "Outta the way, brat," a coarse voice grumbled as its owner continued without a backward glance.
Fury sparked in Kenji's young eyes as he scrambled to his feet, his small frame shaking with anger. He lunged towards the retreating figure, but his little arms fell short. Laughter erupted from the two boys, mocking his futile effort. "Looks like the runt has got some fight in him," the taller one sneered.
The duo then turned their attention to Olivia and Lucy with smirks. "How about you two join us instead of hanging out with this runt?" they asked boldly, unaware that both girls could take them down in one swift motion.
Olivia's protective instincts kicked in. "Lu, can you help Kenji? I've got this," she said firmly stepping forward with an assertive poise that mirrored her mother's grace and her father's intensity.
The boys paused, their amusement faltering as Olivia approached. "That 'runt' as you so disrespectfully called him is my brother, and you're about to regret touching him," Olivia stated coolly, her hand resting confidently on the hilt of her own sword.
Lucy knelt beside Kenji, her eyes softening. "Are you okay, Kenji?" she asked him as she lifted his head to look at her.
He couldn't help but stare when she lifted his head. "I…" It was like he forgot how to speak.
"Did you hit your head? Are you alright?" Lucy asks as she quickly checks his head for any signs of injury. "Do I need to go find your parents?"
Kenji, determined to show his bravery, stood up without answering Lucy and positioned himself in front of the boys, his small hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His earlier fall had ignited a spark of protectiveness, a trait that easily mirrored his father.
From a little way off, Robin and Zoro happen to stumble upon the scene along with Hancock and Luffy.
Robin's arms had started to cross her chest, preparing to use her abilities, but Zoro's reassuring grip on her waist reminded her to trust in their daughter's strength. His other hand, however, rested nonchalantly on the hilt of his sword, a silent promise to intervene if he was needed.
Hancock, too, was on edge, her maternal instincts flaring. She had started to move her hands into her signature heart shape to petrify the boys who dared threaten her daughter but found herself caught in Luffy's embrace instead. "Easy, Hancock," Luffy murmured, his gaze steady on her. "Let's not turn anyone to stone. I trust Lucy and Olivia to handle it. They're strong."
Overwhelmed by Luffy's direct gaze and contact, Hancock was rendered momentarily speechless. Even after years of them being together and having a daughter, his effect on her had only deepened, each encounter leaving her as smitten as the first.
Back in the fray, the shorter of the two boys pushed Kenji back opening up a path for the taller boy to take a clumsy swing at Olivia, who easily sidestepped and used his momentum to send him sprawling with a well-placed trip.
Kenji, propelled by a mix of protective instinct and pride, positioned himself between Lucy and the boys. "Stay behind me, Lucy," he insisted, though she was more than capable of handling them herself. Lucy was slightly touched by his determination, and she stayed back as requested to allow Kenji his moment of valor.
The shorter boy, seeing his friend's failure, hesitated, his confidence waning. He squared up, ready to challenge Olivia, but Kenji was having none of it. With a fierce yell, he faked a charge, surprising the boy enough that he stumbled backward, tripping over his own feet.
Kenji beamed with pride, puffing out his chest, feeling every bit the hero, he aspired to be. He turned quickly to check on Lucy. "Are you okay?"
The taller of the two boys, not willing to lose, stood back up and grabbed Kenji by the back of his shirt, lifting him up. "You should learn your place, brat."
Kenji tried to free himself, but the boy just laughed at him. "Put me down and fight me like a man!" Kenji yelled, his voice cracking with annoyance.
"Haha, the little guy thinks he's a hero," the taller boy taunted, turning back with a mocking sneer. His companion joined in the laughter, both of them oblivious to the growing shadow looming over them.
Olivia and Lucy just stood still seeing the familiar figures begin to descend upon the scene.
Zoro and Luffy stood there without a word causing the boys' laughter to halt in their throats. They slowly set Kenji back on the ground and started to back away slowly and eventually leave the area. The boys had been outmatched and they knew it.
Kenji was excited at first thinking he was the reason the bullies ran only to turn and realize that it wasn't due to him, it was his father. He sighed and looked down defeated.
By this point, Robin and Hancock had joined their families. "The audacity of those boys, thinking—" Hancock started only to be cut off.
"Hancock," Luffy looked at her causing her to stop speaking as she pulled her daughter into an embrace. "They're gone and Lucy is fine, thanks to Kenji." Luffy said patting Kenji's back with a smile.
Kenji just nodded sadly, not wanting to accept the thanks because he knew it was his father and Luffy that scared the boys off, not him.
Robin knelt beside Kenji, noticing his demeanor, her voice full of concern. "What's wrong, baby?"
Kenji's eyes darted away as he shrugged. "It's nothing," he mumbled, his gaze fixed on the ground.
Robin offered her hand as an invitation to follow her so he could share his troubles. Hesitantly, Kenji took it, allowing her to guide him to a secluded area. She crouched to his level again, her expression filled with empathy. "You can tell me, sweetheart. What's got you so upset?"
He let out a small sigh, his admission quiet. "I wanted to be brave… to protect Lucy, like Dad protects you," he confessed, his pride wounded. "But I couldn't, and Dad had to protect her and Olivia."
Robin tenderly cupped his face, lifting it to meet her gaze. "Kenji, bravery isn't just about showing your fighting skills. It's also about standing up for others, just like you did. You're strong, just like your father, I promise."
Kenji's eyes flickered with unshed tears, a battle between boyish pride and the sting of perceived failure. Sensing his struggle, Robin reached out to embrace him, but he took a step back, his attention caught by Lucy's presence nearby. He didn't want her to think he was a crybaby.
Zoro, witnessing the exchange, approached them. "Hey buddy, why don't you go check on Olivia and Lucy, I think they want to do a few more things at the festival with you," he suggested gently.
As Kenji walked away, Zoro wrapped an arm around Robin as he spoke, "You alright?"
Robin's frustration was evident, her maternal instincts wrestling with the bittersweet reality of their son's growing independence. "It's just… he's never pulled away from me before when I've tried to comfort him," she confessed, her voice laced with vulnerability.
"He's an 8-year-old boy who has discovered his first crush. He's just trying to impress her, but that doesn't mean you're losing him. I can see that's exactly what you're thinking" Zoro stated, guiding her gaze to look at him. "He is still your 'baby boy' and I guarantee that he will be running back into your arms for comfort as soon as we're back on the ship. Right now, he just wants to be seen as strong. I mean that's what we've taught him to be, right?"
Robin sighed, the fight leaving her as she leaned into Zoro's chest. "I just hope he knows he doesn't always have to put on a front to be strong, not with us."
Zoro wrapped both arms around her, his chin resting atop her head. "He knows, Robin. And when he needs us, we'll be here, just like we always are."
Robin nodded relaxing into Zoro's embrace. A few minutes later, Olivia called over, "Can Lucy, Kenji and I go back to enjoying the festival?"
Slowly leaving the embrace of her husband, Robin walked over to her kids. "Would you mind if we come along?" She asks gesturing to Zoro, Hancock, and Luffy.
"That sounds like fun." Lucy says as she moves to stand between both her parents holding their hands, happy that she gets to spend time with both.
Kenji ran up to Robin and held her hand, mirroring Lucy's actions. "Mommy, can we go get ice cream?"
Robin nodded and as they started walking, she looked back to Lucy and then down at Kenji. "Are you going to treat Lucy and Olivia to ice cream too?
His eyes lit up at the idea, "I'm going to get Lucy the biggest ice cream cone they have!" he shouted as he pulled his mother behind him, eager to surprise Lucy.
Moments later, with two enormous ice cream cones in hand, Kenji approached Lucy with a mix of nerves and hopefulness. "I got this for you, Lucy," he said, his voice almost a whisper as he offered her a cone with a hopeful smile.
Lucy's smile was all the thanks Kenji needed as she accepted the treat. "Thanks, Kenji," she said, giving him a gentle hug that left him momentarily speechless and almost entranced.
Olivia chuckled at her brother's stunned silence, catching her parents' amused exchange. Robin glanced at Zoro with a playful smile, "Seems like I was wrong earlier, the men of the Roronoa family both become adorably flustered with a bit of affection," she said referencing their earlier conversation. Zoro's cheeks flared pink, a sight that only Robin's teasing could induce.
Soon the group all had their own treats as they continued to enjoy the festival. Kenji, now sitting on his mom's lap, glanced over at Lucy who was talking non-stop to her father. The excitement to see him was evident.
Kenji, now a bit tired, but content, leaned against Robin. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.
Lucy, noticing the tired Kenji, made her way over and kneeled in front of him so she could match his height. "Thank you again for my ice cream, Kenji, it was very good." She said as she reached out and hugged him.
Kenji's face turned red once again as he returned Lucy's hug. "Y…You're welcome, Lucy. I'm glad you liked it. Maybe I can buy you another one?" he offered eagerly, his eyes shining with hope.
Zoro chuckled as Robin was gently holding Kenji back to keep him from dashing off for more ice cream. "That's enough for tonight, buddy," he said, ruffling his son's hair affectionately. As they continued to enjoy the rest of the festival, the sky began to darken, signaling the approach of evening.
As night fell, the festival transformed. The once sunlit sky now served as a canvas for breathtaking fireworks display. The group, drawn by the allure of the dazzling lights, gathered, their faces upturned in awe. The children's faces were illuminated by the colorful lights, reflecting the joy and wonder in their eyes as the night sky erupted in a symphony of color and light.
Zoro, with his usual stoic demeanor, couldn't help but show a hint of a smile as he watched his family enjoying the fireworks, especially Kenji's wide-eyed wonder. Robin, standing beside him, leaned her head gently against his shoulder, sharing in the collective joy. "I love our family," she whispered to Zoro, which made him nod in agreement, his arm instinctively wrapping around her to keep her close.
Lucy glanced up at her parents. Hancock's eyes were fixated on Luffy, her expression softening. Luffy, in turn, seemed equally captivated by the fireworks, his laughter mingling with the cheers of the crowd. He occasionally threw an arm around Hancock, pulling her closer, a rare public display of affection that didn't go unnoticed by Lucy.
As the fireworks show reached its crescendo, the island erupted in applause and cheers. The group decided to walk through the festival one last time before heading back to their respective ships.
During their walk, they stumbled upon a local musician strumming a guitar, his song echoing the festival's lively spirit. "Hancock, we should dance like everyone else!" Luffy said as he grabbed Hancock's hand, pulling her into an impromptu dance. She protested at first, but soon her laughter joined the melody.
Kenji, inspired by Luffy's actions, shyly asked Lucy if she wanted to dance. A bit awkward at first, he eventually found his rhythm. Zoro, Robin, and Olivia watched the cute scene in amusement given the awkward height difference between Lucy and Kenji.
"He really is crushing hard." Olivia said, looking up at her parents who are sharing a quiet, affectionate moment. "Do you two need to be alone?" She teased, feeling slightly out of place due to their silent exchange.
Getting pulled out of their moment, Robin turned to Olivia and smiled as she pulled her into a gentle hug. "Did you feel left out?" Robin said jokingly, causing Olivia to smile as she accepted the hug from her mother.
As the evening faded into night, the Straw Hats regrouped on their ship. Lucy, feeling a tinge of sadness about leaving the next day, made a request to her father. "Dad, can I please sail with you for a bit? I could help out, and when we're done maybe you can return to Amazon Lily?"
Elsewhere on the ship, Robin sat with an exhausted Kenji snuggled up on her lap. She looked down at him as she spoke, "Did you enjoy your day, Kenji?"
His small nod was accompanied by snuggling closer to his mother, his eyelids heavy with sleep. Robin smiled warmly, rubbing his back soothingly. "It's okay if you want to go to sleep, my love. Do you want me to take you to your room?"
Kenji wrapped his arms around Robin, "Can I stay with you, Mama?" he mumbled.
"Always," Robin replied, planting a gentle kiss on his head. "I love you, Kenji."
As Kenji started to give in to sleep, Robin, cradling her little boy, approached Zoro at the ship's railing. He smirked at the sigh. "You'd hold our kids forever if you could. No matter how big they get," he teased gently.
Robin's smile was one of agreement and love, a testament to the unbreakable bond of their family.
"Today was quite a day, wasn't it?" Robin murmured; her voice still full of affection.
Zoro nodded, his eyes reflecting the stars above as Robin gently stroked Kenji's hair. "I don't know what I would do without any of you." She whispered more to herself than to Zoro.
Zoro wrapped an arm around her, a silent vow of his unwavering support and partnership.
As the moon cast its silver glow, the family stood united, their hearts as vast as the ocean they sailed upon, ready to embrace whatever adventures the future would bring.
~~~
A/N: I've had this one shot written for a while and debated posting it because I know not everyone is a fan of the LuHan pairing, but I still hope everyone enjoyed this chapter.