Author's Note: I absolutely hate this chapter and everything about it. If you don't mind leaving a review, I could really use the feedback. Thank you all for your time, it means so much that anyone would read what I write.
Chapter Four: The Kids Aren't All Right
The afternoon sun cast playful shadows over the picnic table, where her drink rested, beads of condensation glistening around its edge. The bustling life of the Sabaody amusement park hummed in the background, a lively symphony of laughter and chatter against the backdrop of relentless heat.
"Why do you answer my calls?" Her voice, tinged with a vulnerability she rarely showed, broke the comfortable silence between them. She avoided his gaze, focusing instead on the patterns the light made on her drink.
He replied gruffly, yet his eyes, intense and curious, betrayed his tough exterior. "What kind of dumbass question is that?"
She let out a soft sigh, the weight of unspoken thoughts momentarily clouding her expression. "We got married on a drunk impulse, the day we met. Most people would've moved on, pretended it was just a wild dream." Her words hung in the air, a bridge between their shared past and uncertain present.
"I don't pretend," he said tersely, a hint of something deeper in his voice. A cock-sure smile tilted his chin. "You tried running once, remember? Didn't get you far."
A playful glint appeared in her eyes, momentarily pushing away the shadows of the past. "You're such a meathead."
"Stop being an ass and just say what you want to say." He leaned forward, his gaze never leaving hers.
A mischievous smile danced on her lips. "For all you know, I could be a murderer."
"We've killed people for a living." He leveled.
"I'm damaged."
Zoro regarded her intently, "You look fine to me."
Her facade faltered, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I mean emotionally."
"Feelings can't be damaged, idiot." He countered with a confidence that seemed to fill the space between them.
"Well, what if I come from a big scary pirate family that doesn't know I'm still alive and if they ever did, they'd kill everyone in their way and torture me until I was on the verge of death, wait for me to heal and do it all again?"
He stopped and looked at her for a long moment.
Aiya hadn't divulged much about her past, but Zoro hadn't either. It had always just worked for them. He knew she had a goal, something she would stop at nothing to obtain, just like himself, and he'd seen the limitless work she was willing to put in to reach it.
He thought a little harder about her question. A big pirate family.
Couldn't be bigger than Boroque Works and they'd taken them down in Alabasta. Maybe they were scarier, but he'd fought a literal zombie before and won. He wasn't sure there was anyone out there his crew couldn't defeat if given enough opportunity.
The young swordsman considered his wife. If she was scared, maybe it was something to think twice about. She may not have the brute strength he possessed, but he had seen her convince a man to walk himself into a Naval base to retrieve his own bounty.
Maybe he should be scared.
Maybe they had some crazy magical powers he didn't know about. A big, scary family of magical pirates. He was fairly sure he couldn't cut through magic and he for damn sure didn't want to deal with any of that crap.
"Are you a witch?" Zoro asked after a long-drawn-out silence. The woman had begun to think he had seen through her…kind of exactly not…hypothetical question.
She'd worried for nothing.
"What? No. I have completely normal devil fruit abilities like a proper lady."
"Then I don't care."
Her eyes kind of widened, but soon she was back to looking at her drink. Leaving them sitting in comfortable silence once more.
The carnival buzzed around them, a tapestry of life continuing its dance. Families laughed, couples dreamed aloud, and in their small bubble of the world, there was a quiet acceptance.
She looked up, her eyes meeting his with newfound clarity. "So, why do you answer my calls?"
He stood, offering his hand in a rare gesture of openness. "If I don't keep track of your erratic, drifter ass, who will?"
She playfully swatted his hand away, standing on her own. "I think a lot of people would die to keep track of my ass. Or maybe I should say people die for trying to… Nevermind. Come on, let's go find an empty room so you can say goodbye to my ass properly."
"This building has a similar style as the other one."
"But it's crumbling. Looks like it was hit by a huge explosion or something." Robin's retort was laced with curiosity, her eyes scanning the lab, now covered in a top-notch security system. A faint smile played on her lips as she watched Chopper, awkwardly in Franky's body, continue.
"It'll do as long as it shelters us from the blizzard." Franky's stern words contrasted comically with his adorable reindeer form, making Robin shake her head slightly in amusement. "So, what's our next step?"
Suddenly, a flamboyant figure spun towards them. "Do my eyes deceive me? A beautiful new woman to warm my heart in this unforgiving tundra?" It was Cat Thief Nami's body, but before she could reach out toward the stunned intel broker, a still sheathed sword intercepted.
"No." Zoro growled protectively, his scowl intensifying.
"Sanji! If you get my body mangled because you can't control your own urges, I'm going to charge you!" The robot waved its arms wildly from under a sign showcasing the real Nami's face. "Who is she anyway?!"
"We met her earlier, Nami, remember? In the front hallway near that Surgeon guy! The kids called her mother... But, Zoro, do you know her?" Chopper, looking wary, inched closer.
"They call you what?"
"Mere! You're safe! And we found your husband!" a little voice chimed from behind the reindeer disguised as the cook. "He was super weird but now he's really nice!"
"We knew he'd rescue us!" another voice added, bubbling with excitement.
She gathered the children into a warm embrace, her smile genuine and affectionate. "Vous êtes tous mes petits anges, while Mr. Prince sounds great—"
Zoro cut in; his annoyance palpable, "Hey, kid. She isn't married to that pervert," He turned to look at her, "And don't call him Mr. Prince."
The children recoiled. "AH! He's even scarier than the man with the fuzzy hat!" one exclaimed.
"Mere, why do you know so many grumpy swordsmen?" another pondered aloud.
Aiya laughed softly and whispered to the children, "You haven't even met the grumpiest one." Her hand came to rest reassuringly on Zoro's chest. "Don't worry, petite enfants. He's not as fierce as he looks. Be nice, mon Amore."
Robin stepped forward, "Now that we're out of direct ear shot, I believe a proper introduction is in order," Her eyes narrowing slightly as they caught sight of a distinct tattoo on Aiya's chest. "A woman of the Silk Bridge," she asked, a hint of recognition in her voice.
"Silk bridge? What does that mean? Do you guys know each other, too, Robin?" The doctor asked. Then, noticing the same tattoo his eyes went wide. "Th-That's almost the same symbol on Zoro's sword! Does that mean…?!"
"Yes. I gave it to him on the night we got married. I am Takahashi Aiya." She bowed, turning on her mask to hide the fear in her heart. "The Silk Bridge of the Underworld is my professional epithet. It's so nice to finally meet the crew who watches over my dear husband." The red head gave a sheepish bow.
"I was under the impression The Silk Bridge was a vast network of skilled female underworld brokers and assassins. They've done a lot of work with the revolutionary army." Robin looked unsure,"I've seen photos of some of these women, but I've never seen your face before."
"Hey! Jinbe mentioned a Silk Barge lady that knew him and Ace. He said she pulled me from the battlefield." Luffy mentioned, looking closer at her. "I knew I'd seen that mark before!"
"Yes, I was lucky enough to meet Ace and Jinbe a long time ago. I'm sorry I didn't get there in time. My ride decided to make a… dramatic entrance." She took a deeper bow and held out her hand. A beautiful silk rose bloomed from her palm, and she held it out to the rookie Captain as she fell back into the safety of her charming façade. "But I'm truly glad Law was able to stabilize you."
The children, Luffy and Chopper looked at the flower with aw before giving her a round of applause. She chose not to acknowledge Robin's questioning glances.
"We need to talk," Zoro said, turning to his wife.
He navigated them away from the group, leading her around a corner of the collapsed lab, out of earshot.
"Have you been working for Law this whole time?"
"I'm not working for Law," She practically gagged.
"Aiya," he started, his tone a mix of frustration and concern.
"I feel a bit cornered here." Her voice was a blend of defiance and unease. Zoro's hand landed firmly against the metal wall beside her, enclosing the space. He leaned in, his gaze momentarily dropping to her lips, a shiver running through him. "See? You're proving my point," she whispered.
He let out a frustrated grunt. She swallowed hard. "Is he your brother or something?"
"Or something…" They stood, locked in a standoff, but the redhead eventually acquiesced, "He is the family I was talking but we're not blood related. We were on the same pirate crew as kids. He's also the reason Luffy and I escaped Marineford alive."
He had put that last bit together earlier when Luffy had introduced them, but the rest was new. "You returned with MiHawk, though," he said, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"Luffy and I left Marineford on the PolarTang, you would've known if you read the news once in a while." She rolled her eyes, "MiHawk came to pick me up after." She hesitated, her gaze lifting to meet his, vulnerability flashing in her eyes.
He gave her a moment to compose herself, but his eyes narrowed. "Why? Why would he come after you and why did he bring you to his island in the first place? Did you even know I was there?"
They were all genuine questions, things he deserved the know the answers to. That didn't mean Aiya's instinct wasn't fighting to resist, to push back against his probing, though. Unfortunately, she knew her era of blissful anonymity was ending. "MiHawk came after me because a member of our old crew was there... The Captain. He wanted to make sure I was okay and that we weren't followed. The old crew, even Law up until recently, thinks I'm dead."
"Why do they think that?"
"Because I was," she stated simply.
He rubbed his temple, a headache forming. "Is that a metaphor?"
"You know what a metaphor is?"
"Woman." While she knew he never would, he looked like he was going to start swinging.
"No, it isn't."
"And he didn't recognize you?"
She wrinkled her nose, knowing her answer wouldn't satisfy him. "I don't think so. I don't look like I did when I was in the crew."
"You don't think so? Who are these pirates anyway that have you and Hawk-Eye turning tail to run?" His voice was incredulous. Anyone that could have the two most cocky people he'd ever met on high alert sent warning bells off in his head the volume of a tornado warning.
She leaned closer, a sense of urgency in her eyes. "I've been trying to keep you and the straw hats out of this. There's a reason Law's crew isn't here."
"You're his crew and you're here."
"That's different."
"What's different about it? You're temporary? He doesn't mind if you die in the process as long as his men are safe?"
She didn't argue with him.
He stared at her and weighed pressing her further but let out a sigh instead, the gesture laden with frustration. "We should head back. Don't need that idiotic alligator man panicking over me 'corrupting' you or something."
"I wouldn't mind it." She coughed slightly, her cheeks coloring as she caught his self-satisfied smirk. "I mean, we should return to your crew, yes." Aiya eased herself away from the corner, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer than necessary.
Together, Zoro and Aiya returned to the main area of the lab, his confident stride leading the way while she followed, lost in thought. The unspoken tension between them had grown more expectant.
The booming voice of Brownbeard filled the room as he boastfully introduced himself to Luffy, then sharply rebuked the kids clinging to his coat and tail. "Go away, brats!"
Aiya bristled at his tone. "Hey, don't talk to them like that, you overgrown lizard," she chided sharply.
"You treat me so coldly!" Brownbeard exclaimed, his bluster undiminished even as he stood helplessly chained to the wall. "I shall protect you from these pirates, for Savior!"
Zoro, perching beside Luffy, shot a challenging look at the immobilized man. "That's going to be pretty hard chained to the wall." He then swiftly pulled Aiya into his lap, making himself comfortable against her as he closed his eye.
Robin, observing the scene with a hint of a grin, chimed in, "You've mentioned this 'Savior' before, Brownbeard. What exactly do you mean by that?"
"You guys are done for! With his Mistress in your clutches, Law will never stop!" Brownbeard retorted, eyeing Aiya with concern as she sat enveloped in Zoro's arms, appearing defenseless. "I hate pirates from your generation. Law is the only exception."
Luffy, his attention momentarily diverted from exploring the ruins, asked, "What do you mean by 'our generation'?"
Brownbeard launched into an explanation. "Don't you know anything? Eleven rookies with bounties over 100 million, plus Blackbeard... People call you 'The Worst Generation!' Born at the turn of the era, you hold the key to the future of this war-torn world."
At the solemnity of his words, the children gravitated towards Aiya and Zoro, seeking solace. The red head responded with a gentle touch, comforting the nearest children, while the older ones organized the younger ones into their laps. Some of the kids gave her husband cautious glances before settling at his feet, and he, surprisingly, welcomed them with a silent, protective presence.
The other Straw Hats, drawn by the gravity of the conversation, gathered around Luffy, keen to catch up on the details of the world they had missed.
Brownbeard rattled off the names of renowned members of their generation, each name laced with a mix of respect and resentment.
Aiya watched Luffy closely, noticing the subtle shift in his demeanor at the mention of his brother's execution, her heart aching for him.
"Basil Hawkins was the one who shattered my pirate group. I lost both of my legs and ended my career as a pirate thanks to him. My crew was annihilated. I fled for my life and arrived here… On Punk Hazard. Do you know what this place is? This place… This island…used to be lush green treasure house of life."
"Really?" Luffy asked.
"It's nothing like that now." Zoro muttered, unbelieving. Why should he believe anything this idiot had to say? Anyone who would call Aiya Law's mistress had to be out of his gourd. He closed his eye and focused on his meditation as his irritation continued to mount.
"And it housed a laboratory of Dr. Vegapunk, a government scientist. They were experimenting with and developing weapons and chemicals here. Instead of jail, they brought some prisoners and used them like they were guinea pigs. But four years ago, Vegapunk's chemical weapon test went wrong. And the two laboratories exploded! We are standing in all that remains."
Usopp broke the room's stunned silence, "I see. So, there was a huge explosion. That's why this place is a mess."
"The explosion belched intense heat and toxic substances and killed each and every living thing on the island. But in that critical situation the Government left guinea-pig prisoners and escaped from the island then shut it down completely. The prisoners stayed in the Third laboratory, the only building that remained intact, and sheltered themselves from prison gas that was all over the island. Even those who survived were paralyzed, mainly in their lower body, because of the nerve gas, and lost hope in their future."
His eyes shown tears, "But… a year later, our merciful Master came to the island! He purified the gas all over the island with his special ability and gave those prisoners who couldn't walk mechanical means to move and took them on as his lackeys."
The chorus of Master from the Straw Hats churned the raging fire in her heart. She held her tongue.
"I found myself here a year after the disaster, two years ago," Brownbeard continued, his voice tinged with the weight of memory. "Toxic remnants still lingered in the air, making each breath a struggle. I was on the brink of despair, believing my end was near, when I saw them – the prisoners, legless like me, and the Master. His compassion was a beacon of hope in our darkest hour. Vegapunk had been the devil who robbed my comrades of their mobility, but the Master? He was our benevolent savior."
Tears of gratitude continued to stream down the retired pirate's face as he recounted, "And then, mere months ago, a second miracle occurred. Trafalgar Law, newly titled as a Shichibukai, arrived with his stunning Mistress Aiya. With his extraordinary powers, they bestowed upon us gifts– legs crafted from living animals and clothing formed from her very blood. We who had resigned ourselves to a life of immobility and frigid temperatures were moved to tears by their kindness."
Her surroundings faded into a distant hum, the voices around her dissolving into a muffled drone as her vision blurred. A memory, sharp and unbidden, pierced through her, leaving her breathless.
"Die then." A young man with haunting yellow eyes said down to the young girl before him. Her face didn't change from its blank state.
"Could that be worse than living?"
"Don't you want to find out what lies beyond his cage, little bird?"
"He'll find me."
"I can take you where his cutting strings can't reach you. Somewhere even the world government has no jurisdiction."
She looked up at him then. The first sparks of life twinkling behind her pale blue eyes.
"Aiya." His voice barely cut through the fog of her thoughts.
"Yes. I'm sorry," she replied, her focus still scattered as the swordsman tried to regain her attention.
"I have to go after the stupid samurai with the Curly Brow jackass."
"Oh, okay. Good luck."
"Is that all you have to say?"
"I'm glad it isn't me?"
He let out a scoff, his tone laced with frustration and concern. "What the hell is wrong with you? Did they experiment on you, too?"
His words, though harsh, lacked their usual sting, resonating instead with a familiar, almost comforting bluntness. In that moment, her defenses crumbled, if only momentarily.
"Caesar the Clown is no one's savior," she murmured, more to herself than to him.
She watched as Zoro hurried out, joining the skeleton and the love cook, her mind a whirlwind of decisions. Law had instructed her to guide the pirates to their friends, but did he expect her return afterward?
Asshole. She thought, a mix of irritation coloring her internal monologue.
"You're such an idiot! Why do I have to look for the damn Samurai, too?!" Zoro bellowed, his voice barely audible over the howling wind. His legs plowed through the deep snow, each step a battle against the relentless blizzard. His mind was clouded, not just by the storm, but by concern for Aiya. Her usual unshakeable confidence seemed to have vanished, along with the spark that usually danced in her eyes. Something wasn't right, and it gnawed at him – the mystery of her enigmatic family, her sudden change in demeanor, it all weighed heavily on his shoulders.
Sanji, battling his own frustrations, pushed forward, his new body straining against the elements. "Do you think I wanted this?! I don't want to be stuck with an ass who can't even appreciate what he has!" His words were sharp, driven by a mix of anger and disappointment. The thought of being paired with Zoro of all people in such a crucial moment was almost too much to bear.
"If anything happens to Aiya while we're out here chasing some elusive samurai, I swear I'll hold you responsible!" Zoro's voice cracked with emotion, a rare occurrence for the usually composed swordsman. The day's events had started to take their toll, boiling over into raw frustration and worry.
"Oh, so now you care. Weren't you the one who was all too ready to leave her alone earlier?!" Sanji shot back, his voice tinged with bitterness and a hint of jealousy he wouldn't dare acknowledge.
"I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand the difference between genuinely caring for a woman and just ogling her like she's some kind of trophy!" Zoro retorted, his patience wearing thin.
"Take that back! I love women!" Sanji's counter was weakened by the exertion, his legs burning from the unfamiliar strain.
"That's the problem!" Zoro growled, his throat tight with rising anger. "You're not supposed to love women, you're supposed to just love her."
"And what? You're going to lecture me on love now?! Don't tell me you actually love her!" Sanji's disbelief was palpable in the frosty air.
Zoro, normally the epitome of self-control and discipline, felt his carefully maintained composure slipping away. Adrift in a sea of confusion and anxiety, he struggled to regain his footing. The truth slipped out before he could stop it. "Of course, I love her, you idiot! She's my wife!"
Sanji skidded to a halt, his eyes wide in shock at Zoro's uncharacteristic admission. The moment hung between them, charged with unspoken words and raw emotion.
Their tense standoff was abruptly interrupted by a voice they had almost forgotten. "Uhm, guys?" came the tentative interjection from their forgotten musician, reminding them of the situation at hand.
"The heart of vice admiral Smoker? What a nice gift, Law." The undulating smoke of Caesar's body flickered over the leather couch. The mad scientist's smile grew wide with a revolting sort of euphoria. "Since they lost their warship, they will come to steal our ship here to make a report. Of course, that's already been taken care of."
"What about Straw Hat's group?" Law tried to ask without much regard.
"Don't worry about them, either. We will get rid of them soon and take back those kids." Caesar's expression morphed again from a sickly sort of victory to outright pleased with himself. "I mean, I know those brats will have an urge to come back here even if we don't do anything." Law's stomach lurched. "But since Monet told me to be careful with the Straw Hats, I sent The Yeti Cool Brothers!"
He tried to hold back his growing apprehension, "My woman. She went after the children."
"Oh, that's too bad. You may have to find another then. The brothers' tenacity is hardly controllable, even by me. They know to bring so many back alive for experiments, but she may end up collateral damage if she ends up in their path."
Shit.
The laughter of the children filled the room, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within Aiya. She watched them play; her gaze fixed on the large, fuzzy creature frolicking amidst their joy. Time seemed to slow as she observed the second hand on her watch ticking relentlessly, a cruel reminder of the impending moment when Caesar's poison would ordinarily be administered. But today, there would be no candy, no poison. The realization tightened her stomach, threatening to overwhelm her with nausea. Could she truly place her trust in the Straw Hats?
One of the children, eyes wide with innocent hope, looked up at her. "Do you think I'll get better? Can I see my mom and dad again?"
Franky, speaking with Nami's voice from his borrowed body, reassured the child with a warmth that belied his mechanical form. "Don't worry. I'll get you back to your family, no matter what it takes."
Aiya's heart ached as she watched them, their belief in a brighter future so tangible. She knew she had to act, yet hesitation clawed at her, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. Her goal had always been to save these children, but now, as the reality of their situation sank in, doubt crept in.
Usopp's voice broke through her internal conflict. "Now, let's talk about what we're gonna do next. Where do we go from here?"
Nami-Franky, still adjusting to her new form, focused her attention on Aiya. "First of all, we need to get back to normal! I don't want to be stuck in this pervert's body any longer!" She paused, pointing an accusatory robotic finger at Aiya. "You, Aiya, was it? Your captain needs to fix this. And since you're Zoro's wife, that means you're responsible for half his debt. That's 150,000 bellis, which I'm willing to waive in exchange for returning us to our own bodies."
"If you want that self-important ass to do anything, he has to think it's his own idea. He likes to feel smart." She focused on removing a rose-colored pouch from her jacket pocket. "Here. Never let it be said that I don't pay my debts." She tossed the bundle, "And I guess I'll cover my hunky idiot, too."
"What is this?" Nami-Franky grabbed the small pouch from the air with ease, but giant fingers struggled to untie the delicate knot. When she finally ripped the pouch apart, a stack of bills fell to the ground like feathers. "This is… 500,000 bellis?!"
"That's all I have on me right now." A small shrug pulled Aiya's shoulders, "Nowhere to shop. Consider the extra a formal apology and compensation for my so-called Captain's grotesque and inhumane tendencies, now and in the future."
"Wow! Zoro sure knows how to pick 'em! A woman after my own heart! I'm sure we can get him to change us back. He has such a nice companion; he must have a great compassion for other people." The belli signs in the cyborgs eyes almost pulled a chuckle from the intel broker.
"Don't count on it." The body of the blond prince, as the kids referred to him, mixed diligently to uncover the children's hidden disease. "Dr. Chopper? We need to talk." She pulled documents and test tubes out of her bag. I apologize for the delay, but I had to make sure I could trust you."
Chopper's eyes narrowed as he sifted through the samples and medical research Aiya handed to him. "What is this? Samples? Medical work?" His voice was tinged with urgency and confusion.
Aiya, her face tense with worry, glanced at her watch. "We have less than three minutes before the kids—" she began, but her warning was cut short.
"Synd! Synd, what's wrong?" a large girl screamed, thrashing about, clutching her head in agony. The onset was abrupt, the moment Aiya dreaded.
"I don't know, the big one just started freaking out," Franky shouted, his robotic voice echoing in the chaos.
Luffy dashed towards the commotion, his concern etched on his face. "Hey, Chopper, he's struggling to breathe, can you help him?"
Chopper, piecing the situation together, turned to Aiya. "It's happening earlier than expected," he muttered. "Dr. Chopper, please, use my notes and lab work to continue where Law and I left off."
"Mocha! Dolan, too?" Usopp cried out, his voice cracking with fear as more children began to show symptoms.
"The big ones are dropping like flies," Franky observed grimly.
Chopper, his brows furrowed in concentration, was about to respond when Aiya interjected, "It's NHC10. They all have a mild addiction."
"NHC10?!" Chopper exclaimed, his eyes widening in realization.
A labored voice from one of the children broke through the rising panic. "Maybe that's what I need. When I eat it, I feel... happy. So, if I have some candy, I may feel better!"
"No, children, we can't have the candy anymore," Aiya said firmly, though her voice trembled with emotion.
Usopp, overwhelmed and unsure, tried to console the children. "It's alright, stay with us," he said softly.
Franky's voice rang out again, "Hey, Chopper! The smaller ones are starting to break down, too."
Aiya watched Chopper, counting his steps as he moved between the children. "So, this 'Master,' what's he doing to these kids?!" he demanded, with an accusatory tone.
Brownbeard, with staunch loyalty, retorted defensively, "What are you implying? He would never harm these children! The Master is merciful. He brought them here to find a cure for their disease. He's a scientist of love!" His scoff echoed in the tense room, drawing sharp glances. "Just look at what you've done to them! They've been taken from the laboratory. They would be fine now if they'd gotten their daily treatment," He charged, anger lacing his words.
The young Doctor's glare was piercing as he faced Aiya. "What do you know about what was done to these children?" he asked, his voice a slow, dangerous growl.
Aiya remained silent; the weight of the accusation heavy upon her.
Chopper turned back to the crew. "It's just like she said. It's NHC10. I detected it in their sweat samples. This is a stimulant!"
"They've been drugged?" Nami gasped, her voice filled with disbelief and horror.
Chopper frantically sifted through the research papers, his voice rising with every word. "They aren't sick; they're suffering from NHC10 withdrawals. It's a potent stimulant, sparingly used by select doctors due to its addictive nature," he explained, his hands trembling as he held the documents. "These children have been given small doses daily, creating a dependency. It's monstrous! To do this to children!" His gaze turned accusingly towards Brownbeard. "Your so-called 'Master' is behind this, isn't he? If he's such a savior, why drug them? What's his endgame?!"
Brownbeard bristled at the accusation, his voice a mix of defiance and loyalty. "Watch what you say! He's a scientist of love, not a monster!"
Luffy's voice cut through the tension, tinged with desperation. "Chopper! The kids are collapsing left and right!"
Synd, his face contorted with withdrawal agony, reached out to Luffy. "Candy!" he pleaded, his voice barely a whisper.
Luffy's expression was torn between compassion and resolve. "I can't, Synd. I trust Chopper's judgment. We can't give in to the addiction."
The room was charged with raw emotion, the crew's frustration and helplessness converging into a silent storm. Anguished cries and questions filled the air, the children's pain mirrored in the crew's faces.
"Why is this happening?!" One of the children wailed, their voice breaking.
"Mere, what's wrong with us?" two small girls clung to Aiya's skirt, their eyes brimming with fear.
A child, driven by an unnatural strength, hurled Luffy against the wall. "Where's this strength coming from?" Robin asked, her voice laced with shock.
Synd, his small frame belying his newfound power, hefted a large piece of debris, his eyes wild.
Franky braced himself, exclaiming, "Damn, that kid's strong!"
Usopp added, "Well, he's practically a giant now!"
"No, he's not!" a larger child corrected. "We were all normal sized before coming to this island."
A female child chimed in, her voice urgent, "We thought it was our disease making us grow, but there's no disease like that!"
Chopper, his face a mask of horror and realization, pieced the puzzle together. "This isn't natural. They've been used as test subjects!"
Aiya, feeling the weight of the situation, stood frozen as the children's condition worsened. She was suddenly seized by strong hands, the world spinning as she was tossed into a snowbank.
Chopper continued his tirade, his voice filled with righteous fury. "What kind of monster would do this to innocent children?!"
The room descended into chaos as the children's condition worsened. Luffy's alarmed voice cut through the cacophony, "Now the other kids are losing it, too!"
Aiya, her face shrouded by a curtain of hair, slowly rose to her feet. With a determined look, she moved to the center of the turmoil. "Children! It's time to calm down!" she commanded, her voice steady amidst the panic.
Nami, now in Franky's body, eyed Aiya warily. "What are you planning to do?"
"I'm going to swaddle them," Aiya replied, focusing on the task at hand. Her hands moved gracefully, sending thick strands of red silk flying towards the nearest child. The silk enveloped the child gently yet firmly, providing a soothing restraint.
"Mere, no! It's not bedtime! I want candy!" a child protested weakly, but Aiya continued her work, her expression one of resolute calm.
She glanced around, her voice rising above the noise, "I need help here! We can put our differences aside later; these children need us now!"
Prompted by her urgency, the crew sprang into action. Soon, each child was securely swaddled, their restless movements giving way to peaceful slumber.
Usopp, his eyes wide with amazement, exclaimed, "Incredible! They're all asleep!"
Aiya's heart pounded in her ears, drowning out the fading cries. She steadied herself, fighting the dizziness that threatened to overtake her from the exertion. Turning to face the crew, she tried to convey her remorse through her gaze, hoping they would see the guilt that gnawed at her. "I've been monitoring the situation closely. We were close to intervening when you arrived."
Before she could continue, Chopper's hand struck her face with a force that left her reeling. The slap echoed through the room, followed by a chorus of protests and shushes from the crew.
Chopper's voice trembled with rage. "How could you let this happen? They trusted you!"
Robin interposed herself between them, her expression serious and unyielding. "Let her explain, Chopper. How did you not see this coming, Aiya? You deal in information, after all."
Aiya's voice was shaky but firm. "I didn't know the full extent. Caesar kept his plans close. And Law... we had an agreement to stay out of each other's way. I managed to reach the children, but it was no easy feat."
Chopper's face hardened. "You prioritized your goals over these children's safety!"
"That's not true," Aiya countered, her voice rising in defense. "If that were the case, I wouldn't be here now. I stayed to ensure no real harm came to them—"
Robin's slender hand cut her off with another slap, the sound sharp in the tense room. "You call this 'no real harm'? They've been manipulated, exploited and experimented on!"
"Why the delay in taking down Caesar?" Robin demanded, her eyes boring into Aiya with a mixture of skepticism and disgust.
Aiya's frustration boiled over. "Do you even understand the situation? Caesar is just a pawn. There's a much bigger picture here!"
The crew's confusion was palpable. "What are you saying?" Luffy asked, his voice laced with suspicion and curiosity.
Aiya took a deep breath, steadying herself. "There's more at stake than just this island. Children across the world are suffering because of these experiments. We can't just barge in; we need a plan to end this nightmare once and for all."
Aiya could spit, "Do you guys walk around with your heads up your own asses or do you take turns?" The outburst surprised her, but a fire returned to her core.
"What the hell do you mean by that!?"
Luffy's expression softened slightly. "Okay. We'll listen. Tell us everything."
"Caesar isn't the mastermind. This isn't the only facility, and these aren't the only children that need to be saved!" Aiya's voice trembled with emotion, her eyes, hidden beneath the shadow of her bangs, brimming with tears. She continued, her words laced with vehemence, "There are children out there, far younger than these, being sold into slavery, trained as assassins, or worse." She spat the words with a bitterness that resonated through the room, her gaze finally lifting to lock onto the captain of the Straw Hats.
"You've seen the dark underbelly of Sabaody, the blatant injustice. You didn't hesitate to challenge an entire system to save your friend." Aiya's pause was heavy, laden with expectation, but Luffy's eyes remained downcast, his expression unreadable. "I'm not just fighting for these children here." She rose to her full height, her posture firm and resolute. "My mission is larger. I am going to dismantle this entire corrupt network, and I can't achieve that with reckless destruction."
Luffy, silent until now, slowly raised his head, his eyes finally meeting hers. "Okay," he said simply, his voice carrying a weight of understanding.
Aiya blinked in surprise. "Okay, what?"
"I believe you," Luffy stated, his voice steady and sure. "We'll help you reach your goal."