"This is a good bath…" Izuku mused to himself, finding most of his body buried under bubbles.
He had been a little surprised to find hot and cold running water inside the Moby Dick. But after days spent flying through the air and nights spent under the stars, it was a welcome surprise. The water was hot and soothing, easing his tired muscles and settling his racing mind.
Dinner had been good too. Herb chicken stew with rice and garlic bread. Yamato had shown her appreciation by downing four helpings with a grin on her face; and he could tell that Thatch and his team of cooks were glad of it. The food just felt so filling, and energizing too. Like nothing he'd ever eaten.
A month had passed since he and Yamato joined the Whitebeard Pirates. A month spent sailing the seas, delivering supplies and other cargoes from island to island. All the while Izuku had taken on one role after another, learning about the ship and how to manage it. And when he wasn't doing that, he was in the War Room, checking out the maps and noting as many locations as he could remember.
But for now, at least, all was well. He and Yamato had friends to rely on now. A family; and one that had accepted him without a moment's hesitation. Except that Izou fellow, maybe. He hadn't caused any trouble, but there was something off about him.
"Ring ring ring ring!" proclaimed the Transponder Snail in his trouser pocket. "Ring ring ring ring!"
"Oh!" Izuku reached for his folded trousers, and pulled out the snail. "Hello?"
"Hey Izuku!" replied the snail, his face suddenly beaming, its voice familiar.
"Oh, Uta! Hey! It's late. What's up?"
"Oh, did I catch you at a bad time?"
"Not really, just taking a bath."
The snail smiled warmly. Izuku felt a little bad, but he didn't want to mention the Whitebeard pirates just yet. Besides, it was only a half-lie; as they were just passing Montross Island.
"A bath huh… Well that's good. Just… wanted to talk to you is all," Uta replied, the snail blushing a little. "Gosh, it's been so long since I… talked to someone over snail I…"
She sniffed, and the snail looked ready to cry. Izuku's conscience grumbled even louder. The last month had been a whirlwind of traveling and learning; getting used to the idea of being a pirate. In all that time, he hadn't thought to call Uta.
"It's alright," he said, setting the snail down on a stand. "So what did you want to talk about?"
"Well… I waited to make sure you were, well, safe and sound. It's been a month or so, and I know you're on the run from some pirates and didn't wanna trouble you and it's late so…."
"You're fine. Things have been crazy for me and Yamato too but we're safe." Izuku grinned. The snail grinned back.
"So… how's the island you're on? What's it like?"
"Well… there's…" He looked out the open porthole to the sea; as the steam from the bath wafted through. In the distance he could see Montross Island; a place of great mountain ranges and mighty trees; supposedly inhabited by giant creatures. "Lots of these big snowy mountains all around us."
"Wow… big white capped mountains? That sounds beautiful!" Uta declared.
"It is. The people are nice too. We're at an inn at the moment. Just relaxing. \"
"Oh that's great! So ummm… did you… eat anything fancy today?" Uta asked, the snail tilting its head as Izuku chuckled. This may be twenty questions but… if it's for Uta.
"Well, we ate a great chicken stew at the Inn's diner. Yamato had fourths."
"Oh I bet!" Uta giggled. "What, did she guzzle straight from the bowl?" Izuku perked up.
"Eh, how did you-" And the snail giggled again, making him blush.
"I figured as much." The snail grinned from ear to ear, and the green-haired boy couldn't help but return it.
"Is it really that shocking she predicted that? Pretty sure a starving wolf has better table manners," the Third User quipped.
"Say Uta… you're a singer right." He glanced at the snail, which nodded. "If you want… I can give you songs I know from my homeland." Uta perked up.
"You can?"
"Yeah, Ummm, I'm not really the best singer or anything." The boy rubbed the back of his head. "But, I know some off the top of my head."
"I know a few too from my childhood," Yoichi added.
"I know a ton! Me and the boys used to belt them out when we hit the roads on our bikes!" Daigoro said with a big cheesy grin.
"And I know a few classics myself," Hikage added.
"I..might have a few suggestions." The Third mumbled to everyone's surprise, while the Second smirked.
"That's… amazing! And don't worry Izuku, even if you sing like nails on a chalkboard," Uta grinned. "I think I'll get a good idea of what the song and lyrics are meant to convey! Oh! I should get a pencil and paper." He heard a noise like someone searching through a drawer.
"Is Gordon awake?" he asked.
"He's asleep," she whispered, smiling. "Okay, go on. Sing a song!"
Izuku looked at the door. The other side of the bathing compartment was other bathrooms with their own baths, and Yamato did mention she would be in one too, so he can check on her just in case. He picked the room that had a bath in it, but there were other compartments that had showers too, as she had glowingly raved prior.
"Okay, just one for now," Izuku yawned. "It's a little late too. Flew a lot to get here so…"
"I'm ready!" Uta was smiling wide, eyes full of joy as Izuku thought.
Then he remembered. A song all children in Japan had sung at least once.
"This is called… 'Please Give me Wings'." Izuku closed his eyes. "It's been ages since I've sung it"
He took a breath, and sang; lightly and softly.
Uta was transfixed, quiet and smiling all throughout.
He made a ew coughs here and there and misplaced breaths, but sang regardless. Uta stayed quiet, the snail beaming. As the song ended, he let out a breath.
"I bet you can sing that better than I can," Izuku mused.
"Songs are always about technique, but it's not just about that," Uta said. "It's also about what comes from the heart. And I can tell that song… means a lot to you too. I'll remember it and practice." She grinned from ear to ear. "Thank you so much for this talk."
"Of course, thanks Uta." He smiled, sighing. "It was good talking to you."
"Same here. Hope I can talk to Yamato too soon!"
"You will. I pro-"
"Uta!" The door hinges flew open, Izuku squawked, and Yamato hurried inside, everything bouncing under her thin bathrobe, and knelt down beside the bath.
Big…
"And now this is apparently happening." En quipped.
"Heya!" Her hair was still wet, and the bathrobe was pulled tight around her. Izuku gulped, his face heating up.
"O-Oh hey Yamato!" Uta perked up. "You uhhhh, just heard that?"
"Yeah! I heard Izuku singing! He's in the bath too!"
"Wait, Izuku is still in the bath? Then…" Uta's snail blushed. "Oh my…" Smoke began to leak out of Izuku's neck.
"Heh, cheer up Izuku. Most guys would kill to be in your position right now." Banjo smirked again, looking quite proud at the young user.
"It's okay!" he squeaked. "I'm covered in bubbles and Yamato's in her bathrobe! The inn has very thin walls, unfortunately!"
He glared at Yamato, who mouthed an 'oh' as she understood.
"Yeah, it's fine!" she added, grinning ear to eye. "Besides, he helped me bathe loads of times while we were island hopping!"
"She really doesn't have a filter does she?" En asked almost matter of factly.
"I've been saying that since day one." The Third User smirked, feeling a small degree of satisfaction.
"Wha-wha-wha-whaaaaa?!" shrieked Uta, the snail bright red and shaking.
"It's not what you think!" babbled Izuku. "She has a Devil Fruit Power! And I was behind a rock the whole time! I didn't see a thing!"
"It's true! Though I don't know what it is yet." Yamato giggled.
"Oh!" The snail was suddenly normal again. "That makes sense. I haven't had a bath at all since I got my Devil Fruit. Just sponge bathing." She sighed. "Lucky you, Yamato. Very…lucky…"
"Uta!" Yamato took the snail from Izuku. "We've been learning how to be on a ship!"
"Learning how to be on a ship?" Uta sounded confused. But the subject was changed, at least.
"Yes. How to run a ship, maintain it, pilot it, all that stuff." Izuku used his Black Whip to lift the Snail from Yamato's hand and put it on the counter. "I've been talking with sailors in taverns about it."
"Oh, right." Uta paused for a moment. "Are you gonna join a pirate crew?"
Izuku froze, and so did Yamato. There was no way she could have known what was going on, or where they were. But hearing from her like that was just plain spooky.
"Better than that!" Yamato declared confidently. "We're gonna get our own ship! And a crew! And when we do, we'll come and get you and Gordon." Izuku smiled resolutely, and nodded.
"Oh wow!" Uta sounded genuinely impressed. "A ship, all your own." She grinned. "What kind of ship?"
That brought them up short. Izuku realized that he hadn't paid much thought to it.
"I'd like a big one!" Yamato cut in, mercifully not mentioning the Moby Dick. "But…a big one means more crew."
"A big one sounds nice," Uta mused. "A great ship, cresting mighty waves, pennons billowing from the masts. And Izuku at the wheel."
Izuku had to admit he liked the idea. To steer a ship like the Moby Dick, to command it, to own it. He had never imagined such a thing back in his own world.
"In your leather pants, and your silky pirate shirt," sighed Uta. "With your gorgeous abs all on display. And your arm around my waist."
"Uh…Uta…" Izuku was starting to get nervous. Now that was a swerve. "Where are you going with this?"
"Oh good lord she is thirsty" Daigoro mentioned.
"Sounds like one of those old romance novels," mused Hikage.
"Isolated for years, first human she sees in all that time is a boy around the same age as her. Of course she's gonna latch onto little Izuku here." En said. "Good going lil bro~"
Both Vestiges chuckled at the idea, only to shut up at Nana glaring at them.
"I was just imagining us together, on the deck of your ship, sailing over a bright blue sea," Uta went on. She let out a deep sigh, smiling deeply. "So romantic."
Izuku gaped. Was Uta actually flirting with him?
…
A gIrL wAs FlIrTiNg WiTh HiM!?
"I-Isee…" Izuku uttered, and the girl blinked, then blushed.
"Oh, I'd better go," Uta said suddenly, before looking back to her. "Izuku…it was nice talking to you again."
"I-I-I-It nice talking to you," replied Izuku, calming down a little.
"Call us anytime you like," Yamato cut in.
"Thank you Izuku, Yamato. I can't wait to see your ship!"
"You'll see it soon," Izuku said. "Take care, Uta." The snail smiled, and the call ended with a click.
"Jeez…" Izuku sighed, slumping in the bath. "What was that all about?"
"She wants you to steer a ship, a big one, while wearing leather pants, gorgeous abs, and a pirate shirt," Yamato replied, sounding nonplussed. "That doesn't sound very practical to me."
"Again, no filter whatsoever," En muttered.
"Is that our nice way of calling her a dumbass?" the Third again quipped.
"We'll just… cross that bridge when we get there." Izuku sighed. "Still got a long way to go before we can-"
"Uh, excuse me…"
Both froze. Izuku looked up, and saw Marco in a bathrobe standing in the doorway, looking distinctly awkward.
"I really don't mean to barge in," he said cautiously. "But…I couldn't help overhearing your conversation just now."
Izuku's blood ran cold, despite the heat of the bathwater. He hadn't mentioned Uta to anyone on the ship. It had never occurred to him that this might be an issue.
"What are you doing here?" Izuku muttered.
"I was going to take a little late night shower, until I heard you and Yamato talking." Marco explained.
"Uh…well, you see…"
"I heard you mention big ones or something," Marco went on. "And leather pants…and gorgeous abs." He tilted his head, eyebrow raised.
"Yes!" declared Yamato, beaming. "We're getting a big one as soon as we can! With Izuku in leather pants!"
No mention of Uta or of another voice. Bullet dodged.
"Izuku, is that really the issue here?" Hikage, ever the beacon of wisdom, pointed out the glaring thing Izuku had neglected.
"Yamato!" Izuku's voice went so high it was practically inaudible. "Marco! It's…it's not what you think! Honest!"
Marco blinked, and then he smirked as his eyes seem to gleam in mischief.
"Apparently it's exactly what he thinks." En joked trying to lighten the mood, only for Izuku to grit his teeth, and sink into the bath.
"I don't want to pry or anything," Marco said gently, his tone playful. "But this is a very big step for you to be taking. I think we need to have a little talk first, my guy."
"Oh?" Yamato looked surprised. "Can you advise us about big ones? Or small ones?"
"Kill me" the Third groaned.
"Bro, you're already dead," Daigoro replied.
"I CAN STILL HOPE!"
"What's all the ruckus?" Jozu and Vista suddenly appeared, leaning around the door as Marco looked up with a playful grin. Both paused a moment, taking in the scene. Both had towels around their waists, showing off their musculature and chest hair.
"Oh bring the whole crew in here why don't you!?" the Second User groaned.
"C-Commanders!?" Izuku squeaked. Great, now who else was going to join in!?
"We just wanted a late night shower and…" Jozu mused, and Izuku was sucking in his lips while Yamato tilted her head as she was close to him. In a bathrobe. With legs and cleavage showing.
Huge…
"Well whaddya know!" declared Vista grinning with a twirl of his mustache. "Young passionate love! Feeling nostalgic Marco?" He turned towards the blonde who shrugged.
"A little."
"Is this really the best place for things of this nature?" Jozu asked, frown still present but eyebrow raised. "The walls here are kinda thin ya know." Marco's face bunched up, as if holding back the biggest laugh. "We know why too." He added, looking deadpan at Marco as his lips began to pucker.
"Love? Things of this nature?" Yamato looked even more confused. "We were talking about…"
"CAN I JUST FINISH MY BATH IN PEACE!?"
"Zehahaha how's it going everybody! There a party in here?" Teach said as he was wearing a towel walking out behind of Jozu and Vista.
But-
"Holy Dammit Christmas he's in a Speedo." The Second uttered.
Izuku heard something snap.
"GeT oUt!" And he conjured a big mass of Black Whip like a tidal wave as it pushed the men out of the room, and it retreated in and slammed the door, and even turned the lock. All using Black Whip to do it too. He slumped against the tub as he looked to the wall with a face of stone.
Yamato blinked, sucking her lips in as Izuku's eyes turned to her, hard.
"I… I'll head back to my cabin… Night Izuku."
"Night." Izuku grumbled, and slumped into the tub. Turning on the water as Yamato shuffled out of the room. He took a deep breath and sighed looking to the ceiling.
"Night Midoriya!" Marco cheered through the walls, and he can hear laughing on the other side, and chatting going about.
He sank deeper in the water. And water bubbles blew out as he exhaled through his nose.
Well. The ship was not boring at the least. All that's missing to add to the wackiness was someone who was just a corpse walking around. Like a zombie or a skeleton. Or some demon racoon dog.
"Did we jinx oursel-BWAHAAAAAAAARGH!" Daigoro's cry was strangled as Nana was stomping on his nuts, the Third holding his arms and the Second choking him, and En sending haymaker-goal scoring wind up kicks to his ribs, and Izuku closed his eyes as the Fifth User of One for All's tortured strangled crying
faded away.
And he let out a little laugh.
Yeah, definitely not boring. That's for sure.
So yeah, big thanks to Juubi-K for polishing this up. I helped polish and add on, and a big thanks to WildJoker000 and IKnowNothing for their edits and polish. Juubi's gonna handle the next two as well. They'll be shorties of course.
So yeah, this was the big comedic bonding chapter. And a nice little convo with Uta! Followed by shenanigans. While the Whitebeards aren't as zany as the Straw Hats I figured given their family dynamic they could have some levity of this nature.
But yeah this is one that made IKN's soul contort and leave his body to gaze upon Eternity. me and Juubi had fun writing this. I imagined it was hard for him. But rest assured, we won't get this kind of comedy again for this arc. Not for a looooong time.
See you all in the next one. And one month as passed too, so we are in August. 2 months done. 22 more to go until Luffy sets sail.