The Straw Hat crew sailed through the shimmering waters of the Grand Line, their ship, the Going Merry, slicing through the gentle waves with purpose
As Luffy stepped onto the deck, his sandaled feet tapped against the polished wood near the bow, which resembled a sheep's head with makeshift horns and a collar. Above him, the iconic skull with his signature straw hat billowed in the wind, a symbol of their pirate crew. Delicious smells wafted from a small cabin containing the ship's kitchen nestled on the main deck, and above it, a grove of tangerines swayed in the gentle breeze.
On deck, the Straw Hat crew members were busy with in their various tasks. Zoro, three swords at his side, sharpened one with meticulous care. Nami, studying her maps and navigational instruments. Usopp, in a corner, fiddled with his latest invention, occasionally peering through his binoculars. Sanji, the cook, was humming a tune as he prepared a meal. Chopper, in his adorable reindeer form; scampered around, tending to the medical needs of the ship. Robin read a book in the shade, occasionally glancing up to observe the surroundings.
"Oi, Captain!" Usopp called, pointing to the horizon. "Look there!"
Luffy, squinting against the sunlight, shielded his eyes and looked ahead. The silhouette of a falling ship became bigger and clearer. "Whoa! What's that doing up there?" he exclaimed.
The crew, gathered on the deck, watched in astonishment. The falling ship, trapped in its rapid descent, seemed to be heading straight for them.
Nami's knuckles whitened as she clutched the ship's wheel, her wide eyes scanning the horizon for any chance of escape yelled, "Hold on tight, everyone! We must avoid a collision!"
Zoro's muscles rippled under his shirt as he drew one of his swords, his face a mask of grim determination, ready to slice through any obstacle in their path, said, "That thing's going to crash right into us if we don't move!"
Sanji's cigarette bobbed at the corner of his mouth as he yanked the sail, his eyes darting across the horizon with a mixture of focus and worry. In his larger reindeer form, Chopper's hooves clattered against the deck as he hurriedly secured loose items, his ears twitching with anxiety. Robin's calm eyes narrowed as she summoned a dozen giant hands from her limbs, each one expertly gripping the ship and nudging it just enough to dodge the falling vessel.
As the moments ticked by, the tension aboard the Going Merry was palpable. The impending crash seemed inevitable. Just as it seemed they'd be caught in the ship's descent, a colossal splash erupted nearby as the ship plunged into the ocean, narrowly missing the Going Merry.
With a collective sigh of relief, the crew exchanged glances. "That was a bit too thrilling," Nami remarked, wiping her brow.
Luffy, still staring at the spot where the ship had gone under, said, "I hope whoever was on that ship is okay. "
Chopper's ears twitched as he detected a distant, anguished plea, barely audible over the ocean's ceaseless murmur. 'Wait, did you all hear that?' he exclaimed, pointing urgently towards the water. The crew's heads snapped in the direction he indicated, eyes widening as they spotted a figure struggling amidst the churning sea. The urgency of the moment washed over them, replacing the adrenaline of battle with a singular focus on rescue.
Luffy squinted. "Is that... a person?"
Nami, raising her telescope, confirmed, "It looks like a girl, and she seems to be in trouble!"
As the crew watched, Chopper; used his heightened senses; to talk to the loftwing circling overhead. Through their brief exchange, he relayed, "There are two more people in the water. One of them is a devil fruit user!"
Usopp's eyes widened. "Three people? We need to act fast!"
Sanji, already kicking off his shoes, shouted, "I'll dive in and get them!"
With swift coordination, the Straw Hat crew sprang into action, their camaraderie evident. As Sanji dove into the water with agility, the others prepared ropes and lifebuoys, ready to assist in the rescue mission.
Sanji's legs pumped like pistons as he sliced through the swirling currents, his eyes locked on the two struggling figures ahead. Each stroke of his powerful kick brought him closer, the saltwater stinging his eyes and the roar of the ocean filling his ears. One was an unconscious red headed man while another with blond hair was trying to grab the heavy weight with bound hands.
"Keep him afloat!" Sanji gestured to Link, who positioned himself behind Groose. He recognized the symptoms of a devil fruit user in the ocean. With quick, controlled movements, he hold of him firmly. With a powerful kick, he propelled both up to the surface.
Above them, Luffy's rubbery arms stretched out, reaching for Zelda. The elasticity of his limbs allowed him to cover the distance quickly. Once he had a grip on her, he retracted his arms; and pulled her close. "Gum Gum Rocket!" he shouted with his usual enthusiasm.
Nami's gasp cut through the chaos as Luffy's arms shot out like rubber bands, his fingers wrapping around the floundering girl with practiced ease. Even though she had witnessed his rubber abilities countless times, it was astonishing to see them used for a dramatic rescue.
Chopper watched, transfixed, as Sanji plunged into the waves. Wincing at the impact of the sinking ship, he muttered, "I hope they're okay..." His medical instincts churned, mentally preparing for any injuries the rescuers might have suffered.
After Groose and Link were brought aboard, Zoro swiftly cut through the ropes binding Link, his sharp blade slicing effortlessly through the debris. As the swordsman sheathed his weapon, his gaze fell on the rest of the crew gathered on the deck.
Robin and Nami, though not directly involved in the initial rescue, played key roles in ensuring everyone's safety. Nami, used her navigational skills, to take stock of their position and make sure the Going Merry was securely anchored, minimizing any potential drift. She also coordinated with Robin to deploy additional flotation devices and ropes, to prepare for any unforeseen challenges.
Robin, with her vast knowledge and keen intellect, used her abilities to scout the area for any other potential threats or obstacles. Her quick thinking and strategic insight provided the crew with valuable information, and ensured the safety of all involved.
"Zelda, is she?" Link gasped.
Link's breaths were ragged as he hauled Groose onto the alien deck, every muscle in his body screaming in protest As Link clambered onto the unfamiliar deck, his muscles tensed, ready to fight or flee at a moment's notice. His eyes darted from one strange face to another, searching for any sign of hostility or deceit. When Chopper approached, Link's hand instinctively reached for his sword, his fingers curling around the hilt in a white-knuckled grip.
"Stay back," Link warned, his voice low and edged with suspicion. "Who are you? What do you want from us?"
Link blinked in surprise as a small, furry creature with antlers and a red top hat approached, a white x-mark prominent on its front. The creature, wearing red pants and clutching a medical bag, hurried forward with an air of urgency. 'I'm Tony Tony Chopper, the crew's doctor,' it said in a high-pitched, earnest voice.
"Let me take care of your friend there. The girl is fine. She's resting in the kitchen," the creature asked politely.
Relief washed over Link when he heard Zelda was resting. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly, though his heart still pounded with anxiety. Among these strangers, he couldn't shake the worry that danger might still lurk around the corner.
"Thank Hylia, she's safe," he whispered to himself, glancing at the doctor.
Link stepped back, reassured. "He'll be fine once we get the water out. He's a Devil Fruit user," Link explained. As Chopper tended to Groose, Link hovered nearby, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. His gaze never left his friend's pale face, and he flinched at every labored breath Groose took. His gaze shifted to the small creature with antlers. 'And you... what are you exactly?' He had never seen anything like Chopper before.
"'I'm a reindeer,' Chopper explained matter-of-factly, his antlers bobbing as he worked. Link's tension momentarily cracked as he processed this impossible sight, his mouth working silently as he tried to reconcile a talking reindeer with his understanding of the world.
Finally, he managed to stammer, 'A... a talking reindeer? With a blue nose?' He kneeled, eye-level with Chopper, studying him intently. 'Incredible,' he breathed, reaching out tentatively as if to touch Chopper's fur before catching himself and pulling back.
"Hey, how come you were tied up?" A young man bounded forward, his straw hat bouncing with each step. A crescent scar beneath his left eye crinkled as he grinned, radiating the kind of infectious energy that made Link wonder if he'd somehow bottled sunshine.
He wore a red vest and bright blue shorts, and practical sandals on his feet. Luffy scratched his head and looked at the bedraggled trio they had just fished out of the ocean. "Why were you guys falling out of the sky on a ship? And what's with those weird clothes?"
"I'm Link and it's complicated." He introduced himself cautiously.
'I'm Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates,' he said with a wide, infectious grin. 'And I'm going to be king of the pirates!' His enthusiasm radiated, making it hard to hold a smile back.
Next to Luffy, a young swordsman with three swords strapped to his side, tilted his head slightly, his green hair making him quite distinctive. "I'm Roronoa Zoro," he introduced himself gruffly, his gaze sharp but not unfriendly. "Swordsman of the crew. I see you've been in quite a fight." Link could feel the swordsman judging his own skill with a blade with a single glance, then smothering a challenge that would come later.
A lanky man with a long nose and a flamboyant manner stepped forward and struck a pose. "I'm Usopp, the sharpshooter." He sported a polka-dotted bandanna, brown overalls, and a consistently worn shoulder pack. Link could tell he was a liar and a troublemaker from a mile away, fighting his own grin at the thought of future pranks.
The crew's navigator, a confident woman with tangerine hair and a penchant for wearing blue, nodded. "I'm Nami," she said with a smile. "I'm in charge of navigation and finances. It sounds like you've had a rough time, but you're safe here." She had a tattoo of an orange and pinwheel on her right shoulder.
A symphony of savory scents wafted through the air, their tendrils guiding the crew's gaze to a figure lounging against the ship's railing, a cigarette perched between his lips like a painter's brush. He held several plates of food that made Link's stomach growl. With his slightly curled blond hair and sharp suit, he exuded an air of refined confidence. 'Sanji,' he introduced himself with a slight bow. 'Chef of this fine crew.' His eyes met Zelda's, and he offered a charming wink.
Beside Sanji, a woman with raven hair and an air of mystery stepped forward, her glasses catching the soft light and momentarily obscuring her eyes. "I'm Nico Robin," she said in a calm, measured tone that conveyed both authority and warmth. "I handle archaeology and history for the crew."
Robin's eyes lingered on the Triforce emblem on Link's shield, her mind racing with possibilities. "An intriguing mark you wear," she remarked, her tone laced with genuine curiosity. "Could you share its origin?" She hoped to uncover the stories hidden within its design.
"'We believe that the Goddess Hylia left these virtues behind - Courage, Power, and Wisdom - when she ascended after creating the world," Link explained, his voice taking on a reverent tone. As he spoke, his hand unconsciously moved to touch the symbol on his shield. "Only when someone has all three in balance will their wishes be granted, or so the stories told." He trailed off, his eyes distant, as if lost in ancient memories.
A stunned silence gripped the crew as they took in the sight of Zelda and Groose's angelic wings. Nami's eyes widened, her hand reaching out involuntarily before stopping short. 'Are those... wings?' she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sanji's cigarette tumbled from his lips as he gazed at Zelda, her wings casting an ethereal glow that left him breathless. He took a step forward, then caught himself, as if afraid to break the spell.
Usopp, ever the storyteller, exclaimed, 'This is just like the legends! Are you celestial beings or something?' His voice rose with each word, hands gesticulating wildly as his imagination ran wild. He circled Zelda, examining her wings from every angle, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of awe and curiosity.
Zelda blushed. "Of course not, all of our people the Skypiens, have them. We're not some celestial beings, we're just people."
"Can you fly?" Luffy's eyes sparkled at the thought.
Zelda shook her head in amusement. "No, we can't, but Link can with some help." She pointed up in the air to the red loftwing.
An indignant squawk pierced the air as Crimson, a majestic red bird with a gleaming saddle, descended gracefully onto the railing. 'Crimson! You're okay!' Link cried, rushing to embrace his feathered companion. The crew stared in awe at the bird's vibrant plumage and regal bearing.
Link marveled at Chopper's ability to communicate with Crimson, a skill he had never encountered in his own world. The reindeer's antlers twitched as he listened, nodding occasionally as if in understanding Link's fingers tangled in Crimson's feathers, seeking comfort in the familiar texture as he grappled with the unfamiliar world around him. 'You can truly understand him?' he asked Chopper, his voice a mixture of awe and skepticism. 'What other secrets does this world hold?'
Chopper's whole body wiggled in delight. "He says of course I'm okay, you idiot!" he translated.
"'You should have seen Luffy, Link,' Zelda's wings quivered with barely contained excitement as she grabbed Link's arm, her eyes sparkling with wonder. 'He stretched out his arm all the way across the water to reach me and bring me aboard. He must have a devil fruit like Groose!' As she spoke, her hands mimicked the stretching motion, her eyes wide with wonder. She turned to Luffy, curiosity burning in her gaze. 'How did you come by such power?'"
"I ate the Gum-Gum fruit, I'm made of rubber," Luffy gladly demonstrated as he took hold of his cheek and stretched it out.
"Rubber, what in worlds is that?" Zelda asked, confused by the new word as saw Link's shocked face. They had heard tales of the strange powers granted by Devil Fruits, but to see the effects firsthand was a jarring experience.
Zelda stepped forward, her wings rustling softly. 'My name is Zelda,' she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil. 'And this is Groose.' 'Thank you for rescuing us.' She glanced at Groose, a look of concern crossing her features as she saw him stir. Zelda leaned against the railing, her eyes fixed on the endless expanse of water. Her wings drooped slightly, as if weighed down by the realization of how far they were from home. 'It's so vast,' she murmured, her voice tinged with awe and a hint of fear. She turned to Robin, seeking reassurance. 'Have you charted all of these waters? How do you find your way?'
A cough and a groan came from the redheaded boy as he finally woke up. Lying flat on his back, Groose's gaze was immediately drawn upward. The pirate flag, vibrant against the blue sky, fluttered menacingly above him, casting occasional shadows across his face. Rage simmered in Groose's gut at the sight of the flapping Jolly Roger. Pirates. Images of past attacks on his people flashed through his mind. Before he knew it, crimson tendrils erupted in defense. In one swift movement, Groose inhaled deeply, then sprang to his feet. As he did so, a whirlwind of strands of hair shot out from his head, each one moving towards the crew with surprising speed and precision.
Nami's eyes bulged as the crimson tendrils erupted towards her. "What the-?!" She leaped back, colliding into Usopp, who yelped in panic.
Chopper shrieked, diving behind Robin's legs as the strands rocketed past. "His hair...it's moving? How?!" he squeaked in astonishment.
Amused glee danced in Luffy's eyes even as he narrowly dodged each lashing lock. "This guy's crazy!" he laughed. The man with the straw hat leaned back, narrowly avoiding the tendrils. His eyes widened momentarily, a smirk forming on his lips as he gave Groose a nod of approval.
The swordsman took a casual sip of rum and cut off part of his hair off, causing Groose scream in rage, "Don't cut my hair!"
Usopp cowered behind the mast. "Hey, you're no match for the mighty warrior Usopp!" he called, shaking and hurling several lead balls that were caught in the long, whip-like strands.
Zelda's protests cut through his fury. Groose hesitated, flickers of memory breaking through - these people had saved her. But the long-held mistrust tightened his fists. With a ferocious growl, the blond-haired man somersaulted backward, his feet locking firmly into Groose's chest and sending him reeling.
"Stop Groose, they helped us!" Zelda finally shouted, her bow out but not drawn. Link dropped into a defensive crouch; his shield held steady. The sharp edge of the shield hovered dangerously close to Groose's throat, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The sea prism stone glittered with the implied threat. With Link's shield hovering at his throat, uncertainty rooted Groose in place. Hot shame washed over him. But his suspicion of the pirate crew watching him intently still festered. Tension hung thick as fog. Groose's tendrils of hair retracted slowly as he wrestled with his emotions. The sight of the Straw Hats' genuine surprise and lack of malice slowly eased his tension. He remembered the times pirates had ravaged his village, but these people seemed different. Could they truly be trusted?
The conflict broke when Luffy erupted in loud, boisterous laughter. "Man, that was awesome! All three of you could join my crew!"
Link's jaw dropped in disbelief as he watched Groose slowly shorten his hair back to its normal length. Groose rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry about that. My people have an unpleasant history with pirates, as you can see. I have the hair-hair fruit."
As Luffy enthusiastically described their adventures, Groose found his guard lowering. His shoulders relaxed incrementally, and his hair, which had been writhing like angry snakes, began to settle. He caught himself leaning in, drawn by Luffy's infectious energy.
Suddenly, the ship creaked loudly, startling Groose. In a flash, his hair formed a protective cocoon around him. Realizing it was just the ship, he slowly unwound the strands, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
'Sorry,' he mumbled, avoiding eye contact. 'Old habits.'"
Link eyed the exuberant pirate captain warily. Pirates had raided Groose's village, leaving scorched earth in their wake. But Luffy's wide grin showed no hint of malice. Still, the doubt remained. He gripped his blade tighter, his muscles tense despite his fatigue
Nami circled around Zelda, looking thoughtfully at her arrow quiver and wings. The intricate gold work was unlike anything she'd seen before...it must be worth a fortune! She shook her head in wonder. Where did they come from?
Link met Zelda's eyes; surprise was mirrored in her expression. They had lost everything, with a clear way forward. But pirates...? Hesitation clouded Link's face. After a tense pause, he turned to Luffy. Link's thoughts turned to Ganfar and the unfinished task of taking on the tyrant Eneru, his goal was not having adventures.
"You fight pretty good!" Luffy exclaimed, looking at Groose rubbing his chest. "Plus, that hair power is awesome! C'mon, it'll be fun!" His smile never wavered; hand still outstretched.
Zelda studied the motley crew as they watched expectantly. She noted their easy camaraderie, how they had risked themselves for complete strangers. Could we really belong here? Zelda wondered. Slowly, she stepped forward, the decision balanced on the edge of a knife.
Groose's eyes darted frantically from face to face, his muscles coiled tight as a spring. His hair tendrils twitched and curled, mirroring his inner turmoil. With each friendly smile from the pirates, his stance softened slightly, only to tense again as memories of past raids flashed through his mind.
'You okay there, big guy?' Usopp asked, taking a tentative step forward.
Groose flinched, a strand of hair lashing out instinctively. It stopped short of Usopp's nose, trembling in the air between them. 'I... I'm fine,' Groose muttered, forcibly retracting the tendril. His hand moved to his chest, absently rubbing the spot where Sanji had kicked him. The pain grounded him, a reminder of both the crew's strength and their restraint.
When Zelda stepped forward, Groose felt torn. Their people were still fighting against Eneru. Could they forge something new among these unbridled strangers? A clean slate - terrifying, yet almost intoxicating in its possibilities.
"Thank you for rescuing us. I'm afraid that Groose and I have something that we need to do back home. Link?" Zelda asked hesitantly. It would be dangerous to return, especially for him.
"There is a man that I must defeat, return us to the sky and then we will go our separate ways." Link replied sharply. Despite the attraction of joining the crew, he knew he had unfinished business to take care of before he even thought about the offer.
"The sky? Is that why the logpose was pointing straight up before the ship crashed?" Nami asked, surprised that the compass was still accurate.
Zelda nodded, her fingers unconsciously tracing the grip of her bow. "Yes, we come from a land above the clouds. But circumstances... complications forced us to the surface." Her gaze clouded momentarily with memories of the assault on their homeland.
Groose chimed in, "We were chased out of our home. And there's a guy up there, Eneru, who's making life hell for our people. We can't just watch."
Luffy scratched his head, his eyes narrowing slightly, trying to grasp the gravity of their situation. "So, you guys have your own set of problems, huh?"
Sanji, leaned against the mast, a cigarette hanging lazily from his mouth. "Sounds like you've got a score to settle. We've had our fair share of run-ins with tyrants. Perhaps we can help each other out."
Zoro, always the pragmatic swordsman, sheathed his blades. "If we're heading skyward, then our goals are aligned. But don't think we're doing this out of charity."
Usopp, excited at the prospect of another grand adventure, chimed in, "A trip to the sky? Imagine the stories I'll tell!"
Chopper, still clutching his medical bag, chimed in, "If there are people suffering, we have to help!"
Robin, with a thoughtful expression, said, "Every land has its history and its secrets. Yours is no different. We may find answers there."
Nami adjusted her orange bandana, a look of determination settling on her face. "All right then, it's settled. We'll help you deal with this Eneru, and in return, you'll help us get to the sky."
Luffy grinned, his former cheerfulness returned, "Sounds like a plan! Let's set sail for the sky!"
Zelda Groose and Link glanced at each other in surprise. They had expected hostility, not friendship, from a group of pirates. The crew helped them without hesitation, even after their misunderstanding.
"'Hey, hair-guy!' Luffy called out, bouncing on his toes with excitement. 'Can you make your hair do cool stuff? Like, can you make it into a giant fist? Or a cannon?'
Groose blinked, taken aback by Luffy's enthusiasm. 'Uh, I guess? I've never really tried that before.'
'Oh, oh!' Chopper chimed in, his eyes sparkling. 'Can you use it to reach high places? Like picking fruit from tall trees?'
A small smile tugged at the corner of Groose's mouth. 'Yeah, I can do that.'
Zoro, who had been watching silently, stepped forward. 'But can you fight with it?' he asked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Groose's eyes narrowed, a competitive glint appearing. 'Want to find out?'
As the two squared off, Link and Zelda exchanged glances.
'Should we stop them?' Zelda whispered.
Link shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. 'No, I think... I think this might be good for him.'
Nami rolled her eyes. 'Boys,' she muttered, before turning to Zelda. 'So, tell me more about this sky island of yours. Any treasure up there?'
As Zelda began to describe Skypiea, she noticed Link's attention divided between her words and the impromptu sparring match. His hand kept drifting to his own weapon, clearly itching to join in.
'You know,' Robin said, appearing beside them, 'there's plenty of space on deck for more than one match.'
Link's eyes lit up, and Zelda couldn't help but laugh. 'Go on,' she said, giving him a gentle push. 'Show them what knights of Skyloft can do.'
As Link jogged over to join the fray, Sanji approached with a tray of drinks. 'Ladies,' he said with a flourish, 'perhaps you'd like to watch the testosterone-fest in comfort?'
Zelda accepted a drink with a grateful smile, realizing that for the first time since their fall, she felt truly at ease.