Hello, here is the rewrite of "Stella Star's vacations", the writing style has changed to become much more pleasant to read. If you have read the first version, be aware that this version has nothing to do with what you have read. It can even be considered as another story. Only my character is the same.
This story will not include romance, although my character will enjoy the ambiguity of some situations. Also, this is an alternative universe, although I'm making sure that my character's presence and story is totally logical in the One Piece world. There may be some digression on the relationships between the main characters, even if their behaviors will remain close to reality.
Rated Mature for crude language, sexual innuendo and gore. A mix of comedy, adventure and drama. Find out how the Straw Hat Crew would have evolved with this sarcastic, sadistic woman in their midst.
On that note, happy reading and welcome to the adventure!
PS : A French version is available.
The world is vast and filled with mysteries. You can encounter extraordinary people as well as the most vile ones. Take a cruise and come across a Sea King or visit an island paradise said to house the gates of hell. The Grand Line is arguably the most mysterious and dangerous sea globally. For the residents of Blue Four, it is a legendary and deadly sea from which no one can escape. In East Blue, numerous notable figures were born. The most famous is Gol D. Roger, the man who successfully conquered this perilous sea and became the King of Pirates. But there is also the man who successfully halted this king at the height of his glory: Monker D. Garp, the Navy hero. There are also rumors that Emperor Red-Haired Shanks spent several months in East Blue.
Despite all these notable names, East Blue is considered the weakest of the seas. The pirates are feeble, the navy soldiers are no better, and Devil Fruits are merely legends told to scare children. And when you are a person who comes from the Grand Line, especially from the most dangerous and turbulent part of this deadly sea, boredom tends to set in quickly.
The sea lies calm and flat, a gentle breeze guiding a small boat as it drifts along with the wind and currents. From a distance, it may seem abandoned, but upon closer inspection, a person comes into view. Lying on the deck and gazing upwards is a woman with white hair spread across the dark wood, framing her slender face. Her lightly tanned skin enhances the mesmerizing ice-blue hue of her eyes, which, though staring blankly at the sky, hold a captivating appearance. She wears a long, weathered black leather coat, unadorned except for a twelve-pointed star embroidered in silver on her shoulders and back. The coat and a blue tank top reveal the subtle muscles underneath. Denim pants accentuate her long, slender, yet muscular legs, and heavy black studded boots catch the sunlight, casting glimmers on the wooden surface. A silver chain with a black katana attached hangs at her belt, shining in the sun.
Stella Star has little to complain about her striking appearance; her towering height of 6'4" serves as a deterrent to those with ill intentions. However, it's not always sufficient, and encounters with such individuals are, at best, a means of releasing pent-up frustration. Her life is far from tranquil. The unpredictable weather of the Grand Line and the constant battles make boredom a rarity. Invitations to events, calls for information, and various battles are part of her daily routine. Yet, she now finds herself on vacation in East Blue, following the advice of her friend Shanks, and surprisingly, she didn't anticipate being so bored!
Lost in her thoughts, or rather, with vacant eyes. Escaping from boredom, her mind drifts aimlessly, a silent lament that no one can hear. Boredom, perhaps the most formidable adversary she has ever faced. No matter how vigorously one fights against it, it always returns. Initially, it hovers at a distance, akin to a bothersome fly. However, the longer it lingers, the more pervasive it becomes, transforming into an obsession.
Initially, this journey from Shin Sekai was intended to be an extended vacation spanning several months. However, after just two weeks of tranquility and relaxation, an overflow of energy becomes apparent in her body. On the Grand Line, this energy is consistently utilized for navigation, depleting rapidly due to storms, tornadoes, and various weather-related disasters. Furthermore, there are encounters with Yonkos and occasional skirmishes with rookies who unwisely choose to provoke her, all contributing to keeping her in good shape. In contrast, East Blue offers little excitement. The sporadic storms are as menacing as waves in a bathtub, pirates and bandits are as formidable as ants, navy soldiers are as unintelligent as rocks, and the parties are sorely lacking in craziness.
In essence, Stella Star finds herself bored. She lounges on the deck of the small boat she rented in Logue Town, intending to explore the sea at a leisurely pace. However, her endeavors are hindered by the mundane nature of East Blue. Even the most noteworthy event in the past two weeks was a suicidal fish leaping into her boat.
This boredom prompts her to gaze at the unadorned blue sky, which seems to mock her with its lack of cloud formations and any potential patterns. Her soul returns to her body with a protracted, dying sigh.
Why did I listen to Shanks? Why am I still here? Why…
A headache begins to emerge, likely a result of hours under the scorching sun and potential dehydration. Beside her lies an orange cowboy hat, seemingly mocking her for the impending headache, insinuating it's her fault. Another sigh escapes her lips as the realization of her thirst dawns on her. Yes, she is probably dehydrated... A grunt crosses her dry throat.
Rolling over onto her stomach, she lands face down on the coarse wooden floor. Her knees waver, and she rises unsteadily to her feet. Despite her blurred vision, she crawls to the door and swings it open. The dark room brings her some freshness, but her empty mind prevents her from enjoying it.
The room's interior boasts a minimalist design, featuring a lone bed, a wardrobe, a table, a wooden chair, and a small kitchen with a fridge. She opens the fridge, retrieves a bottle of water, and drains it completely. On the table, three Den Den Mushi gaze at her with raised eyebrows. The smallest one boasts an emerald green hue with gold threads on its shell, the medium-sized one is entirely white, and the largest one exhibits a dark blue body with a yellow shell. Despite their differing sizes and colors, they share a common feature a long, graying beard. Their minds, however, remain sharp, particularly when it comes to mocking the woman before them. They observe as she sits against the refrigerator, staring vacantly at the ceiling. The room falls silent until the girl abruptly headbutts the refrigerator behind her in an attempt to rouse herself.
"Enough is enough! I'm heading home! And if Shanks has anything to say, to hell with him! No, seriously! He's the one who should be listening to me, not the other way around!" With determination, Stella lands on her feet, her headache dissipating, and her boredom seemingly banished under the bed. "Take a vacation, he says! Have fun, he says! Well, I'll show him what I call fun, Yonko of doom!"
With a newfound purpose, Stella seizes the compass and map lying on the table. "You need to relax! I think you've been too tense lately!" She mimics in Shanks' voice. "Go to East Blue! It's a great sea for a vacation!"
Leaving the room, she glances at her compass. "You should go there now! It's the perfect season!" She picks up her hat from the floor, places it back on her head, and heads to the mast, steering her boat toward Logue Town. "You'll meet a lot of new people! You should interact more!" The wind catches the sails, propelling the boat forward. "Why not just say I'm unsociable while you're at it? Have you forgotten about all the people I encounter every day? Yonkos, nobles, navy, and revolutionaries?"
Recalling the conversation with Shanks and his insistence on meeting "normal" people, she continues her monologue, oblivious to an approaching ship. "Normal people are... normal, meaning boring! Just like this sea!" A shadow begins to envelop her boat. "But no, don't say that! They have their stories to tell too! I'm sure the most exciting thing that happened in their lives was climbing a tree!"
The unknown boat sails alongside hers, but Stella pays it no attention, as long as it refrains from attempting a game of bumper cars. "Do me that favor, please! Go to East Blue now! Why did he ask me that anyway?" A voice from the larger boat begins shouting, but Stella is so engrossed in her thoughts that she remains oblivious. "Besides, why East Blue? Why can't I spend my vacation somewhere else? Or with my godson? Seriously, Shanks, you're going to suffer-"
"EHOOOO! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!" The scream's volume is so intense that a gust of wind hits the sail, causing Stella to be thrown to the ground, caught by the sail's rope. She lies face down for a few seconds, a mixture of anger and irritation evident. Embarrassment is not part of her vocabulary. "Hey! Are you okay?! I'm sorry I made you fall! Shishishi!" A bored sigh escapes her lips as she turns to the person attempting to communicate with her.
Leaning over the caravel's railing, a young boy in a straw hat, red jacket, and jean shorts flashes her a big smile while rubbing his head with an embarrassed expression, at least apologetic for causing her fall. To his right stands a muscular man with green hair, wearing a barely concealing white shirt, his lips adorned with an amused smile. On the left, a slender man with shaggy black hair and a long nose gazes at her with curiosity. A woman with orange hair scolds the straw-hatted boy, urging him to be more careful. Lastly, a peculiar blond-haired individual with a face that undergoes so many expressions it's almost distorted completes the group.
With a grunt, Stella rises, brushing off the dust. She shoots a pointed look at the young boy and goes to tie the rope of the sail so as not to slow down her progress. The boy observes her efforts before speaking again.
"Isn't it a little dangerous for you to be sailing alone? You could get attacked, you know." Stella glances down the mast, noticing the black flag fluttering in the wind, and releases another sigh.
"If you're attempting humor, pirate, I suggest you leave... You don't stand a chance against me." Stella asserts, averting her gaze from the pirate ship to her compass to ensure she don't veer off course due to the encounter.
"Huh? Ah, yes, it's true that most people think we're going to attack them because we're pirates! Shishishi!" Stella's attention shifts from the compass to him, her eyebrow raised.
"If you're not here to loot me, why did you approach me?" The boy rubs his chin, visibly contemplating an answer, but the redhead interjects.
"We saw you crawling to get inside. So we thought you might need some help." Stella blinks, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh... Okay. Thanks, I guess..." She responds, somewhat intrigued by their unexpected helpfulness. However, a lingering suspicion suggests it might be a ruse. It wouldn't be the first or the last time.
"Shishishi! You're welcome! By the way, I'm Monkey D. Luffy! And you?" Stella frowns at the name, finding it oddly familiar. Monkey D. Luffy... Monkey D... That name is very familiar... Monkey D. ... Monkey D... The name clicks, and she snaps her fingers. Monkey D. Garp! Her triumphant expression immediately transforms into one of disgust.
"You wouldn't happen to have a connection to Garp, would you?" Stella asks harshly, locking eyes with Luffy, who seems unfazed and tilts his head to the side.
"You mean Jiji?" Stella's gaze returns to the pirate flag, and an amused smile graces her lips. Karma seems to be working its magic.
"Yes, I think so... Anyway, nice to meet you, Luffy. My name is Stella."
"Nice to meet you, Stella! Let me introduce you to my friends. The grumpy one, this is Zoro." Zoro grunts in response, casting a small mocking smile towards Stella, evidently amused by her earlier fall.
"The one with the long nose is Usopp!" The sniper steps forward proudly.
"Me! The great Captain Usopp! I've already defeated ten sea monsters on my own! But you have nothing to fear from me! I only fight against evil!" Luffy turns to him with shining eyes.
"Wow, too strong, Usopp!" Usopp rubs his nose, his face radiating pride.
"Yes, I know! But this is just one of my many battles!" Stella gazes intently at the storyteller with a neutral expression. The man starts to sweat under her penetrating stare of the woman who must be between 20 and 30 years old, so older.
"Don't listen to Usopp, he's a notorious liar." Stella's ice-blue eyes slide toward the redhead, and Usopp breathes a sigh of relief as her intense stare shifts away from him.
"Thanks for confirming it; I couldn't believe it was your captain." The redhead giggles, covering her mouth with one hand, looking mischievously at Usopp.
"It seems your lies aren't fooling anyone, Usopp!" The man starts crying comically into Zoro's arms, claiming she is mean. The redhead dismissively waves away the theatrics before leaning against the railing.
"I'm Nami; I'm the one in charge of navigation. And Luffy is the captain, if you were wondering." Stella nods in acknowledgment. The only one left is the blond man, who continues to gaze at Stella with heartfelt eyes while uttering words that make no sense. Sensing the wary look on the white-haired woman's face, Nami answers her silent question.
"And this is Sanji. Don't worry, he's like that with pretty girls. But you learn to deal with it over time."
"Oh, Nami dear! You're overreacting! But what do you expect me to do when faced with such beauty! But don't be jealous, Nami-chwan! You're as beautiful as her!" Zoro looks at him with a pointed look before replying in a gruff voice.
"You really look pitiful, Cook." Sanji's expression swiftly shifts from ecstasy to irritation.
"What did the moss head say?!" Zoro gives a small smile.
"You heard me just fine, Curly!" Sanji blushes in anger and lunges at the swordsman, who draws his white sword to counter the cook's kicks. Luffy and Usopp encourage the fight, but it is quickly stopped by Nami, who sends them to eat the deck.
Stella didn't know what to make of this motley crew. But it seems that they never get bored... Hmm... She may have found a solution to avoid being bored to death on this sea. She can postpone Shanks' punishment for a few days.
Everyone returns against the railing, Zoro and Sanji both sporting bumps on the tops of their heads.
"Oh, done. Where are you going? We're headed to Logue Town to enter the Grand Line!" The faint smile that had appeared on Stella's lips fades. Her plan B is sinking.
"Grand Line? Why do you want to go there? It's the sea of all perils." Luffy flashes a big smile.
"We're going there to find the One Piece! And I'll become the next King of the Pirates!" Stella looks at the young boy, who can't even be twenty years old. She lets out a sigh.
"Listen, kid. It's good to have dreams, but do you honestly think you have the level to survive it?" Luffy looks at her intently before slowly pulling his hat off his head and examining it.
"I made a promise. I promised to become the strongest and become the next King of the Pirates. And if I die trying to achieve that goal, then I will die without regret." The straw hat spins on Luffy's head, and the boy gives a big smile. "I'm sure there are some super strong people on Grand Line! I'll fight them all if they get in my way!" Stella's face is hidden by the shadow of her hat, only a small amused smile visible. She lifts her head slightly, allowing her ice-blue eyes, shaded by her hat, to show.
"Even me?" She asks with an enigmatic voice.
"Huh? Why would I fight you?" Stella's smile widens even more.
"Because I might just stop you from achieving your goal, Luffy.~" The air begins to tremble, and tension escalates dramatically. Zoro is on guard; he senses pressure emanating from this woman, his heart pounding in his chest, and instinct telling him to submit. His hand grips the handle of Wanô, ready to draw it at any moment to defend himself. Usopp and Nami gaze at Stella with wide eyes; their hearts constrict in a vice, feeling suffocated. Their legs shake, and they lean on the railing to avoid falling. Sanji takes a deep puff of nicotine from his cigarette to try to calm his body, screaming at him to run away. He can't leave and let the others face this danger, especially since he needs to watch over Nami. Luffy locks eyes with the girl responsible for this pressure that increases every second.
Nami and Usopp finally collapse to the ground, their bodies shaking. Sanji drops to his knees beside Nami, asking her if everything is okay. Stella's smile turns predatory, and the pressure intensifies once again. Zoro grits his teeth; he feels his own legs trembling but refuses to show any weakness. He stands tall, awaiting Luffy's order to attack. The captain simply gazes at the woman, preventing the pressure from having any influence on him.
Stella is impressed by Luffy's determined look. After a few more seconds, the pressure caused by her Conqueror's Haki completely disappears. Nami and Usopp, as if coming back to life, take deep breaths to calm their hearts and dispel the fear clinging to their skin. Sanji and Zoro, although breathing easier, keep a watchful eye on Stella, prepared to act to protect their nakamas. Luffy continues to look at her blankly until he breaks into a smile.
"So, are we worthy of going to Grand Line?" He asks. Stella tips her hat and gives a playful little smile.
"I think so, but it's not enough to survive on Grand Line. Do you know anything about Devil Fruits?" Luffy flashes a wide smile and stretches both cheeks.
"Of course, I know them! I ate the Gum Gum fruit! I'm an elastic man!" The smile disappears from Stella's face again, and her eyebrows furrow.
"The Gum Gum fruit?" Luffy smiles wider.
"Yes! I ate it when I was a kid! I remember Shanks yelling at me that day, Shishishi!" The blood freezes in Stella's veins before it begins to boil with rage.
"Shanks?! Wait! You're the child he saved by sacrificing his arm! And giving up his straw hat?!" Luffy becomes sheepish as he remembers what happened and puts his hand behind his neck.
"He saved my life from a sea monster, and when he left my island, he gave me his hat with the promise that I would give it back to him when I became powerful enough to beat him." Stella pinches the bridge of her nose. This story, she knows by heart. When she saw Shanks again without his left arm and without his hat, she was furious, as much at Shanks as at the person who had done this to him. But when he said it was to save a little boy, she calmed down. But that didn't stop her from yelling at Shanks for being so careless and for being tricked by a simple sea monster.
Shanks not only got yelled at for this but also for letting Uta go. It may have been Uta's choice to stay on this music island to become a great songstress, but he and his crew adamantly refused to reveal which island she was on so she wouldn't visit her. Saying that it might break her concentration! But what are we not supposed to hear!
She fought against Shanks to make him confess Uta's position. That day, the two Conqueror Haki clashed violently. But no matter how much pressure she exerted, no one would confess. It was probably the most violent dispute she had with him. However, realizing that she would not get an answer and that his crew would rather die than disclose the information, she decided to go look for Uta herself. But despite her efforts, she never managed to find her. Shanks attempted several times to talk to her and calm her down, but she refused to communicate with him for a long time.
Until Shanks found her and challenged her to a duel. Swords and words were exchanged, each being hard and sharp, piercing through defenses, flesh, and hearts. Shanks ultimately won, tackling her to the ground and promising to protect his daughter if she was in danger. Stella still holds a grudge, but in the face of the man's tearful and remorseful expression, she partially forgave him. Things are pretty much back to normal. The subject of Uta remains a touchy topic between her and Shanks' crew, so it is dodged as a tacit agreement.
Since then, she has been cautious on her way to every island, always on the lookout for information about a young girl with red and white hair who aspires to become the greatest songstress in the world.
Stella shakes her head, swallowing her memories. Luffy is not responsible for what happened, but now she begins to understand why Shanks pushed her so hard to go to East Blue without waiting.
"Can I ask you a question, Luffy?" He tilts his head in a questioning manner.
"Yes, of course." Stella rubs her temples and closes her eyes.
"How long have you been at sea?"
"Since two weeks! The day I turned seventeen!" The rubbing of her temples stops, and she lets out a deep sigh.
"I see..." Without a word, she turns away from the pirates and enters the cabin. The Straw Hat Pirates watch her disappear as she closes the door behind her. They look at each other before shrugging their shoulders.
Inside, Stella drops heavily into her chair and plugs the white snail into the large Den Den Mushi, then dials the number of Shanks' crew. The Den Den rings several times before someone picks up.
"Purururu, gacha! Yes, it's the Red Head Pirates. Who is it?" Benn's voice answers with a hint of irritation as he looks at the pile of paper on his desk that doesn't seem to be getting any smaller since this morning. Stella takes a deep breath to calm her heart and her voice.
"Hi Benn, it's Stella. Is Shanks around? I need to talk to him," she says, trying to maintain her usual voice. Benn doesn't answer right away and stares at the sheet in front of him, trying to determine if there is any danger or not.
" ... You're angry, aren't you?" He asks cautiously.
"Noooo, what makes you say that?" No matter how hard she tried to hide it, she couldn't eliminate the irritated tone from her voice. Benn sighs.
"What has he done now? Isn't East Blue a good location for a vacation?" Stella puts her feet up on the table and balances on the back legs of her chair.
"Yes and no. Yes, East Blue is not a good location for a vacation. And no, that's not why I want to talk to him." Her head tilts back as she stares at the wall behind her.
"Okay, I'll go get him, but please don't yell. He's hungover," said Benn wearily as he joined his captain.
"He's always hungover, no matter what time it is. Besides, I'm sure after my call, he'll party again. At least Whitebeard stays sharp, even after a heavy bender." She couldn't help but add with a small mocking smile. Benn chuckled slightly.
"Yeah, the old man is pretty tough." She began to hear other voices across the Den Den, and in particular, that of her victim.
"Benn! You left behind that boring bureaucratic stuff! I understand you! Come have fun with us!" Shanks exclaims, an eternal mug of beer in hand. All around him are his crew still recovering from last night. Benn shakes his head as he hands the Den Den to his captain.
"Sorry Captain, but the reason I'm here is because you have a call."
"Huh, from whom?" Shanks asks with a raised eyebrow as he half lies on the deck, taking a sip from his tankard.
"From Stella." He spits out his sip of beer and coughs loudly as he straightens up. He stares at the Den Den with wide eyes, while it looks at him with an irritated smile that Stella is currently wearing, still balancing on her chair. No one speaks, for fear of incurring the wrath of the woman on the phone.
" ... "
" ... "
"Benn darling, can you pass me Shanks-kun, please. ~" She says in a soft, singing voice despite her toothy smile.
The sound of her voice wakes everyone up. They all get up hurriedly, abandoning Shanks without any regret. A soft voice + politeness = danger.
"Uh huh... Yeah, sure." Whispers Benn. He puts the Den Den in front of Shanks and leaves in turn, after all, he has papers to finish. Shanks looks at the snail, which continues to stare at him as if daring him to take it in his hand. He swallows profusely and stretches his hand toward the animal which risks giving him headaches. Slowly, he brings it to his mouth and begins to speak in a slightly shaky voice.
"Hey... Stella! How are you doing? Are you having a good vacation?" Stella stops staring at the wall behind her and straightens up in her chair, looking at Shanks' face on the Den Den.
"Not really, there's not much to do in East Blue. I'm planning to go back today." She said with a neutral face, while inwardly she felt like exploding. Shanks stares at the snail, not knowing what to think.
"Why do you want to cut your vacation short? Stay a little longer, I'm sure you'll come across something interesting." Stella smiled and said in an innocent voice.
"Or rather someone? As luck would have it... A young boy with a straw hat?" Shanks' face immediately lights up.
"Oh! You found Luffy! Is he here? How does he look? Is he always so adorable? Does he still want to be the King of the Pirates? I hope he didn't become a navy because of his grandfather. And how is his crew? And..." A vein appears on Stella's forehead, confirming what she feared.
"STOP! YES, I FOUND LUFFY, and yes, he is an adorable pirate. HOWEVER, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE ME BELIEVE THAT IT'S PURE CHANCE THAT I'M AT EAST BLUE WHEN HE STARTS HIS ADVENTURE!" She shouts into her Den Den Mushi, which is slightly dizzy from the volume. He comes to his senses and looks at her coldly, momentarily distorting Shanks' face. She gives him an apologetic grimace before resuming. "I don't know what your purpose is, but you better explain yourself!" Shanks has his hands over his ears, trying to stop the shrill whistling.
"Ow, ow, ow, my head! Calm down, I know you're upset, but please don't yell. I'll tell you everything!" Stella balances herself back in her chair.
"Go ahead, I'm listening. I'm curious as to why you lied to me to get me here." She finishes in a slightly threatening tone.
"Well... You know... I wanted you to meet Luffy to keep an eye on him and potentially train him." Said Shanks hesitantly, biting his lips. Stella stops swaying, still.
"You're asking me, Stella Star, to join a rookie's crew? What do you want to do? Kill them before they even start? Because even if the navy won't do anything against me, your little protégé will not." She says in an incredulous voice while pinching the bridge of her nose. The Yonko begins to worry.
"I'm not asking you to join his crew. Just to keep an eye on him and advise him from time to time. You can disguise yourself and stay in the shadows so you won't be seen with them." Shanks suggests. Stella's annoyed expression makes it clear that it's a no.
"You know that even though only the top brass in the Navy know who I am, all it takes is for a Marine to describe me or take my picture, and poof! You can say hello to the warships on this crew's ass! What the hell! I'm not a babysitter!" Shanks groaned slightly on the other end of the line.
"Please Stellaaaa! I'll make it up to you, I promise! But I worry too much about him, I'll sleep better if I know you're with him..." Shanks moans in a childish voice. Stella rolls her eyes, she's heard that tone too much already. "Besides, you told me you wanted to take a vacation? Traveling with newbies who are discovering Grand Line with bright eyes and a thirst for adventure, isn't that exciting? I'm sure you'll have fun with them! Come on, say yes, say yes, say yes, say yes... !" Shanks begs her, taking on a higher and higher voice. Stella falls back on the four legs of her chair and glares at the Den Den.
"Stop! I get it! Give me five minutes to think about it." She rubs her temples as she thinks calmly.
Pros; My vacations continue, and they will be less boring. Moreover Luffy is a D. which announces big changes for the future. And with me as his teacher, he will progress faster.
Cons; If the Navy or some of my clients find out that I'm with them, they're dead. My nature could be revealed and my immunity to the World Government could be compromised. This means no more peace and quiet. I will no longer be considered a civilian, and there will be a price on my head. But given my power, it will be enough to hide me for a while. Until things calm down.
She lets out a long sigh and ruffles her hair in frustration. A growl escapes her lips, and Shanks smiles upon hearing it.
"So, what did you decide?" Shanks asks in an excited voice. Asshole, you already know what my answer is.
"Okay, I agree to go with them." She finally lets out in a breath, banging her head against the back of her chair.
"YATTA! THANK YOU STELLA, YOU ARE AWESOME!" She cannot stop herself from rolling her eyes at his behavior. And to think that he is one of the four emperors…
"It's okay, calm down. But there are conditions." Shanks' joy deflates like a balloon.
"Huh?! Conditions? What conditions?" Says Shanks in a worried voice. Stella wears a beautiful, amused smile.
"Yes, you heard me right; I have conditions. First of all, as you know, I will not fight. That means I will not interfere with their fight or their choice, even if they die. I will only remain a spectator." Shanks grunts slightly, he doesn't like that idea. "Besides, I'm only going with them as far as Sabaody, after that, they'll be on their own." She takes off her hat and looks at it with amusement.
"Hmmmm... Are you sure about the first part? Don't you want to change it a little? Like intervening in a near-death situation? No one will know it's you if you're in disguise." He says, hoping to change her mind. The hat is placed back on her head.
"No," she says in a firm voice. "Because if they know they have a lifeline, they'll never make any progress, and when I leave, they'll get killed at the Shin Sekai." Shanks lets out a sigh and rubs his hair, ruffling it further.
"Yes, I know you're right... But I don't want Luffy and his crew to die foolishly in Heaven." His voice is worried, which is rare enough to note. A real hen dad, good thing he's not here, or he'd still be clutching behind Luffy to protect him. Stella thought to herself, shaking her head in amusement.
"Don't worry, I'll train them. They'll know how to defend themselves, at least once I assess their abilities." Shanks lets out a reassured sigh, his hand over his heart.
"Thank you, Stella, thank you so much! I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm counting on you to take care of them." He said with relief.
"Yes, yes, I will take care of them." Said Stella as she stared at the ceiling, but a frown and a thought redirected her gaze to the Den Den. "Tell me... What do I do with Sutachi? Do I send him to Sabaody or do I take him with me?" Shanks was silent for a few seconds, pondering the question.
"Well... He's very recognizable, so your cover could be compromised, but on the other hand, he can follow you anywhere underwater. So it's up to you on that one." She lets out a bored sigh, this doesn't help her at all.
"You're not helping me, you know that?" Shanks starts laughing, which irritates the woman on the phone even more. "Stop laughing like a child. I'm pointing out that I'm doing this for you. But if you won't try to give a clear and intelligent answer, I guess I'll have to write my name in big letters on the hull of Luffy's boat. I'm sure the Navy will find that very interesting." The man who had been laughing two seconds ago fell silent and pale, worry returning to gnaw at him.
"No! It's okay! I was only joking! Anything but that!" Panic overtook poor Yonko. A few men from his crew return to the deck to see if the conversation is over, but seeing their captain's panicked face, they turn back. It's still not their problem.
Stella relishes the man's panicked tone; it's rare to hear it, which makes it even more delectable. "If you don't want this to happen, then get to work on it." The Yonko lets out a groan. He knows that Stella is totally capable of carrying out his threat; it won't be the first time.
"Okay, okay, okay. How about you ask Sutashi directly? After all, he's the one who will make the most effort." Stella thought about this proposal. It's true that if Sutashi follows her during the whole trip, it could avoid many problems. In case of a navy attack, she could ride on him and disappear during the battle. But on the other side, Sutashi will have to stay constantly underwater to not be spotted, which is a pretty big effort. She lets out a sigh and turns her gaze to the Den Den who is looking at her waiting for an answer.
"I'm going to ask him if he's okay with staying underwater, otherwise, he'll go straight to Sabaody. Can you send someone to Sabaody to pick him up while Ray takes over? With him, you never know if he's there or gone for several months."
"Yes, of course! And I still have the pass so Sutachi knows that the men I send are friends, so it's not a problem. Call me tomorrow and tell me Sutashi's answer." She feels a weight being lifted from her shoulders.
"Thank you, you are a lifesaver! But expect another request depending on how it goes." She adds, sending an inquisitive look to Shanks.
"Yeah, no problem! I'll leave you to it; I have a party to prepare to celebrate!" He exclaims, jumping to his feet.
"See you soon, you drunkard!" She answers before hanging up. She must now speak with Luffy and convince him to let her accompany them.
The Den Den Mushi returns to its vivarium, and she goes out on deck. The pirate ship is still there, floating next to her little boat. Visibly, that little pressure shot didn't scare them away. Leaping into the air, she quietly lands on the railing. The deck is in turmoil; Nami, Usopp, and Zoro try to reason with Luffy to leave now before something goes wrong. Sanji is nowhere to be seen on the bridge, so he doesn't participate in the debate.
"Luffy! You've seen how dangerous she is! Didn't you feel that pressure in your body?! I felt like I was locked in a box!" Said Nami, shaking the poor captain. Stella watches the scene as she sits on the railing with her legs crossed and her chin in her hand. The conversation looks interesting.
"She's right, Luffy! Listen to us for once! She's going to kill us when she comes back!" Usopp shouts as he cries on the floor. The watcher rolls her eyes as if this is something totally stupid. Shifting her gaze back to the small group, she notices Zoro watching her. He is tensed, his hand on the hilt of his katana, his head slightly bowed, ready to pounce.
"We have a visitor." He says in a deep voice. Instantly, all eyes turn to her. Now that she has everyone's attention, she waves her hand with a big smile.
"Hi, I'm back. I hope you weren't saying anything bad about me. I'm going to feel hurt." The navigator and the liar swallow profusely while shaking like a leaf and hiding behind Zoro who hasn't moved. Luffy's face lights up, and he leaps towards her, landing a meter away from the visitor.
"Hi, Stella! What were you doing? We heard you yelling." She smiles more and sets her feet on the deck before standing up. She looks a head taller than the young boy, but he shows absolutely no fear.
"I was making a phone call to a friend. And let's just say he made a very specific request of me to you." Luffy tilts his head to the side, giving him an incredibly cute look. The others tense up even more at his words. A particular request about Luffy?!
"About me? What is it?" She bends down to be on the same level as him and looks into his eyes. Luffy's black eyes meet Stella's icy blue ones. The proximity between the two is barely the width of a hand.
"I've been asked to watch over you and train you. You and your friends." She says in a suave voice. Luffy blinks, not bothered by the proximity or the strange tone the girl took.
"Oh really? That's cool then!" Stella looks at the big smile on Luffy's face in amazement, usually people start to sputter or run away. But the boy is not swayed by her charms at all, yet 17 is the age when you start to get interested in such things. She looks at him while straightening up and finishes by shrugging her shoulders. Finally, it is not so bad.
The others are still looking at them with wide eyes, you can see traces of red on Nami and Usopp's cheeks. Stella notices the white knuckles on the swordsman's hand still holding the hilt of his katana, teeth clenched.
"You should loosen your grip a bit, otherwise the blood won't be able to circulate in your fingers and you'll lose strength on it. " Zoro flinches as he realizes what he's doing and gently releases his grip to let the blood flow again. She smiles a little and refocuses her gaze on Luffy. "Can I ask you something Luffy?"
"Yes of course!" He quickly replies with his eternal good humor.
"Can I accompany you to the Grand Line?"
"Yes, of course!" The others have their jaws wide open and their eyes exorbitant. Stella wears a big smile and without asking, she ruffles the boy's hair under his straw hat.
"Thanks, Luffy! I promise we'll have a great time!" She finishes by making a V with her fingers.
"Wait! What?! Luffy ! You can't decide on your own on a whim!" Yells Nami, she would have wanted to shake her captain if the tall girl wasn't so close to him. "We don't even know who she is! Nor where she's from! She could be an enemy or an assassin! Besides, who would have asked her to watch you and train us?! Can you tell me?!" Luffy laughed as he held his hat.
"Don't talk nonsense, Nami. We already know who she is! Her name is Stella!" Nami cries even more. Why does her captain have to be such an idiot? And things don't get any better for her when Sanji comes out of the kitchen with two blue cocktails on a tray. Seeing Stella on the deck, he turns into a heart tornado as he approaches their guest.
"Oh, sweet Stella-chan, you're back! I made a cocktail the same color as your sweet eyes." He says with a trail of hearts in his wake. He presents the blue drinks and she takes a drink with a sweet smile.
"Thank you so much, Sanji. You are lovely." His eyes turn to hearts and he begins to twirl faster as he walks over to Nami to hand her the second cocktail. The navigator sends the cook a pointed look before taking the glass and sipping her drink. Seeing that she drinks the cocktail easily, Stella tastes it in turn. Her eyebrows rise at the sweet taste perfectly balanced with the alcohol in it. "It is delicious! What did you put in it?" The cook turns to her with a big smile, his eyes shining.
"Thank you, Stella-chan! Your compliment goes straight to my heart! 3 It's a combination of rum, pineapple juice and blue curacao! I hope it's to your liking! 3 " Stella takes another sip, tasting the drink more slowly rolling the liquid on her tongue and finally frowns. Seeing her, Sanji starts to panic. "What's the matter? Is there something you don't like? " She shakes her head and quickly reassures him.
"No, it's all good, but I was wondering if you've ever tried using coconut cream in addition?" The cook blinks and begins to think intensely. Then his face lights up and he looks at her with bright eyes.
" In truth... This is a very good idea. The coconut cream will soften the power of the rum and the acidity of the pineapple. How did you think of that?" The hearts had disappeared momentarily, Sanji was no longer in knight servant mode but in cook mode. Since leaving Baratie, he hadn't really had a chance to talk about cooking with anyone.
"I cook a few times and I've eaten a lot of different dishes all over this planet. That gives me some knowledge in that area." Sanji's eyes become even brighter.
"Really... You've traveled the world? So, have you ever heard of All Blue?" He asks hastily without even thinking about it. Stella's smile freezes slightly. All Blue doesn't exist, at least not in the way we think. Seeing Stella's frozen face, Sanji's smile fades. "Stella-chan?" She quickly comes to her senses.
"Yes! Yes, I've heard of it before. It's a legendary sea that gathers all kinds of fish." The cook's smile quickly returns.
"Exactly! I want to find it and open my own restaurant there! Do you think it exists?" He says excitedly like a little kid. The woman deflects her gaze to Luffy who looks at Sanji with a big smile.
"Luffy." Hearing his name, he turns his gaze to Stella. "You want to become the Pirate King, right?" He smiles even more intensely.
"Yes, I'm going to find the One Piece and become the next Pirate King!" She nods and looks again at Sanji, whose smile had weakened a bit when Stella didn't answer his question right away.
"If Luffy becomes Pirate King, then you will find All Blue without a doubt." A rush of gratitude and hope flooded the cook. Knowing that someone else believes in his dream is incredibly invigorating. It's like All Blue becomes more real.
"Thank you Stella..." The thank you comes from the heart, far from the usual compliments and sweet words he gives to every girl he meets. Everyone, except Luffy, looks at him with wide eyes.
"Sanji said a girl's name without cooing..." Begins Usopp.
"Yet I don't feel a storm coming..." Continues Nami.
"Did you get sick Cook? You look dumber than usual." Finishes Zoro, who takes a rabid kick to the head.
"I didn't ring you Marimo!" The two men fight showing their teeth. Stella takes the opportunity to observe their way of fighting. Visibly, the Cook is adept at kicking and Zoro is a swordsman. But on closer inspection, she notices that Zoro seems unbalanced with only one katana in hand, like someone playing a musical score with a delay. Nami gives a defeated sigh, it seems that this kind of fight is common. As for the previous fight, it is Nami who stops them and separates them.
"That's enough, both of you ! This is not the time! We have a bigger problem on our hands!" The redhead turns to Stella with a glare. "We know your name, but we don't know where you're from or who you are! I won't trust you until you answer my questions!" She finishes, waving her finger in the direction of the taller girl, as if scolding a child.
Stella only looks at her, but it's enough to block the words in Nami's throat as she continues to look into her eyes. The sweat running down her face makes it clear that she is fighting not to look away from the icy blue eyes. Stella smiles softly, reveling in her discomfort.
"As you wish... Since I'll have to stay with you until Sabaody. I might as well introduce myself." She finishes her cocktail in one gulp and puts the glass back on the tray that Sanji is still holding. She approaches the redhead with a feline step, who widens her eyes with each step she makes in her direction. But the navigator refuses to move back, even when she has to raise her head to continue to look at Stella in the eyes. 15 cm, that makes a big difference.
As if to humiliate her by comparing her to a child, Stella leans forward to be at the same level as her. Nami clenches her jaw and fists, glaring at the girl in front of her.
"I am Stella Star, one of the world's greatest explorers. And Grand Line is my playground. You who have not yet set foot in this sea are just fingerlings, while I am a Sea King. You are right to be afraid of me, but fortunately for you, I am not allowed to touch you..." Stella moved closer and closer to the navigator, to the point where she could see every shade of brown in her irises. Just as Nami can see how clear Stella's eyes are, with shades of blue that seem to move in her irises.
Nami is uncomfortable, but strangely she finds Stella's eyes fascinating, with all those shades of blue dancing around her pupil like a sunny sea. Noticing that the navigator's gaze has changed from hostility to curiosity, Stella smiles softly.
"Do you by any chance... Do you find my eyes beautiful?" Nami hears the question but pays no attention to her answer, too absorbed in her contemplation.
"Yes..." She blinks, realizing her answer and backs away from Stella violently, blushing. "Uh... I... No... That's not what I meant!" The woman giggles in amusement as she straightens up. She's messed with this girl enough for one day.
"You don't have to be ashamed. I know I have a particular eye color. Usually people avoid looking at them, for fear of not being able to look away." Nami looks at her, squinting and putting enough distance between them, positioning herself behind Zoro.
The swordsman watches the interaction very carefully, recording what she does and says. He detaches himself from Nami and approaches Stella. The woman watches him approach without moving from her position, her face shows that she is calm and relaxed. A small amused smile even dances on her lips as Zoro approaches her.
"You compare us to fingerlings. But how can you say that when you've never seen us fight?" Stella calmly blinks and puts her hand on her black katana. Seeing the movement, Zoro immediately takes a fighting stance, hand on guard. But seeing Stella's triumphant smile, he realizes that this was just a test.
"I don't need to see you fight to know you're weak." Zoro growls in response, his grip on his katana tightening. Stella raises an eyebrow and her smile turns amused. "Ho... Have I offended you? Maybe you want to try fighting me? Like a little warm up? .lings." Anger pulses through Zoro's veins, and he lunges, drawing Wadô. But the blade leaves his hands before he can even make the first move.
Zoro stares at his empty hands, a sneer behind him makes him slowly turn his head towards Stella who is now behind him with Wadô in her hand. Stella still has the same amused expression as she spins Wadō in an arc in her hand.
"Is that really all you know how to do? You really are a fingerling after all." The mocking tone wakes Zoro from his stupor, and he looks at Wadô in his opponent's hand. His heart is pounding in his chest, he is worried about his sword.
Seeing Zoro's panicked look at the sword in her hand, she stops spinning it and examines it more carefully. The blade is of good quality, well cared for, and the hilt is completely white. Recognizing the name of the blade, she lets out a whistle.
"Fuu! You have Wadô Ichimonji; it's a good sword." Zoro tensed up as he heard Stella. She could choose to keep it, and he could do nothing to get it back. But contrary to what he thought, Stella approaches him and hands him his precious katana. He stretches his arm and feels the weight of Wadō in his hand again. His heart calms down immediately, and he puts the blade back in its sheath, reassured. Stella looks at him with soft eyes. "It is obvious that you care about this blade and that you take care of it. Keep it up, you'll go far." Zoro looks up, surprised by the woman's gentle tone. Until now, her tone has been mocking, suave, or neutral, but now it's as if she's sincere and respectful.
The others look at Stella with even rounder eyes. Zoro was disarmed in only 1 second! How is that possible? They didn't see her move! It was as if she had teleported! The stupor on the ship could have remained for a long time if Luffy hadn't jumped on Stella after shaking with excitement.
"This is so awesome! You are awesome!" He jumps on the spot in front of Stella, like a child in front of his Christmas presents. "How did you make this? Is it a devil fruit? Or a mysterious power?!" Stella looks at him with a sweet smile and without thinking ruffles his hair once more.
"I don't have a devil fruit power. I used Soru, I'll teach you that in the next few days." Luffy shakes even more with excitement with a smile that makes half his face.
"I can't wait! Tell me how we do it!" Stella rolls her eyes and jumps in the air to avoid Luffy, who jumped at her. Luffy falls flat on the ground with a thud. He looks up to see Stella above him, remaining in the air as if on an invisible platform two meters above the ground, crossing her arms with a malicious smile. Luffy's eyes shine even brighter, becoming real suns. The others' jaws hit the ground with a thud. They watch Stella float through the air without any trouble or difficulty.
"How... How is this possible?" Asks Nami in a weak voice. Her head hurts from trying to figure out how she could do this. Usopp fell on his butt when he saw that Stella didn't fall back on the ground. Sanji looks at her with heart-shaped eyes as he jumps around her, complimenting her every time. Zoro looks at her with big eyes, his grip tightens, and excitement starts to appear, as does an excited smile. This person is strong! And she is going to train him! His dream is about to accelerate. Mihawk doesn't know what's going to happen to him!
Stella watches the different expressions in front of her little demonstration. She quietly walks down to the deck, blocking her giggle in her throat.
"These are only techniques for moving around, I haven't shown you the techniques for attacking and defending yourself yet." She slowly draws her katana. The tension increases suddenly, and Zoro draws in his turn Wadō to place himself in front of her, a carnivorous smile on his lips. Stella raises an eyebrow, letting her arm fall back against her hip. The tip of the katana rubs against the Merry's wooden deck. "May I ask what you're playing at, fingerling?" Despite the nickname, Zoro's smile does not falter. He holds his katana in front of him, blade facing Stella.
"I'd like to confront your sword techniques. To see if they are as powerful as you claim." Stella looks at him with a neutral, bored face. She lets out a sigh and turns her back to him.
"You'll die if I do that, let me demonstrate quietly." Zoro slides across the wood of the deck to stand in front of her. Stella's eye twitches in annoyance. "I'm not kidding." But Zoro doesn't move, staying on his feet, ready to pounce. Once again, Stella turns to face the sea, not Zoro. But the swordsman does not care. He finds himself once again facing her. Zoro tries to provoke her.
"Go for it! Unless it's all show! What's the matter? Are you scared-" Zoro sees a black blade of air pass right by him. Stella has her sword raised to the sky and looks at him with a neutral face. Slowly, Zoro turns his head to see a deep scion in the sea. The two blocks of water close with a crash, causing the boat to pitch. Surprisingly, the Merry doesn't have a single scratch on it. The swordsman swallows and turns to Stella who has put her sword in its sheath. Seeing Zoro's gaze on her, she gives him a superior smile.
"So? Is it just for show?" Zoro's hands are shaking, he doesn't know yet if it's from excitement, apprehension or fear.
"No... It's not."
Thanks for reading the first chapter!
For those of you who have read the first version, I'd love to know which version you prefer!
Leave a little comment, it's always nice!
Kisses!