The afternoon stretched endlessly across the Grand Line, its warm sun hanging low in the sky, casting long shadows over the Going Merry's deck. The ship sailed peacefully through the vast, endless expanse of blue, the water's surface rippling gently beneath its hull. For the first time in ages, the crew of the Straw Hat Pirates found themselves caught in a moment of stillness, a quiet reprieve after their harrowing escape from the marine blockade and the bitter farewell to Vivi. The tension of their recent battles seemed momentarily washed away by the serene waters.

Luffy, sprawled lazily in his special seat, looked as though he might melt into the ship itself. The wind swirled around him, carrying with it the tangy, briny scent of the sea, so fresh and pure that it almost tasted sweet on his tongue. His body relaxed, his eyelids half-lowered, savoring the coolness of the breeze on his skin, and for a fleeting moment, everything felt perfect. No chaos. No danger. Just the gentle rocking of the Merry as it glided across the water.

But peace is a fleeting luxury on the Grand Line, and Luffy, ever the realist, knew that the tranquility wouldn't last. His mind wandered back to the harrowing events of Alabasta. He hadn't been just defeated—he had been crushed. Twice. And those losses, each one more humbling than the last, still lingered in the deepest part of his being like a bitter aftertaste. Crocodile had been no joke. The thought of death, the crushing finality of it, had been right there—hovering dangerously close. The sting of it was still sharp, even now, and for the first time in a long while, Luffy had been confronted with his own mortality.

It wasn't that he feared dying; he'd always known it could come at any time. But when you face death and make peace with it, there's still an irrational fear that clings to you, something primal. It wasn't death he feared—it was what he would leave behind. It was the people he cared about, the friends he hadn't been able to protect.

Back in the East Blue, he'd charged forward like a bull, steamrolling over anyone who got in his way, barely thinking about the consequences. But the Grand Line was a different beast. Every island, every person, seemed to remind him that death wasn't a distant specter—it was a shadow that followed him at every turn. It was a constant reminder of how fragile life was, even for someone as strong as him.

The lessons he had learned in Alabasta—no matter how painful—were ones that would carve themselves into his soul. And there was one person to thank for that: the woman who had saved him.

Before Luffy could delve deeper into his thoughts, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching, firm and deliberate, breaking the stillness.

"Luffy."

It was Zoro. Luffy straightened, already bracing himself. This wasn't going to be a friendly chat. Zoro didn't approach him like this unless something serious was on his mind. Luffy knew what was coming. Zoro had always had that look when there was something he didn't approve of, that no-nonsense expression that told you he wasn't interested in any of Luffy's incessant whining or carefree grins.

Luffy sighed inwardly. He'd been expecting this conversation, but he hadn't been in a rush to face it. He plopped down from his special seat and faced Zoro.

Zoro stood in front of him, arms crossed, eyes narrowing "You know what I'm going to ask, right?"

Luffy scratched the back of his head, forcing a sheepish grin "Yeah…" His mind raced. Why hadn't he dealt with this sooner? Zoro's glare already felt like it was cutting right through him. The swordsman's disapproval was sharp, like a blade waiting to strike.

Zoro didn't waste time. His voice dripped with seriousness "Why did you let that woman join the crew?"

Luffy's heart skipped. He'd been dreading this moment, but now that it was here, the words hung heavy in the air, thick with tension. Zoro's voice was blunt, devoid of any warmth. The question was more than just a question—it was a challenge.

Luffy winced but forced himself to look Zoro in the eye "Are you against it?" His voice was quieter, more guarded, as if he was treading carefully

Zoro's eyes flickered, the intensity rising "That doesn't answer my question."

Luffy exhaled, his expression hardening. He pushed himself off the railing and stood tall "I'll answer yours, but you need to answer mine first"

Zoro did not hide his disapproval "I'm not the one who made the decision" He growled "I trust your judgment, Luffy. But you're not making this easy. I don't trust her, and I can't keep pretending to, especially without an explanation from you."

Luffy met his stare, his eyes sporting a stubborn glare "That still doesn't answer my question."

Zoro's patience snapped "Fine" he spat. "I'm against it. Now, tell me, why the hell would you bring someone like her on board? The second-in-command of the organization that nearly killed us all, the same woman who helped destroy Vivi's home. Why the hell would you trust her?" His voice was low, but there was no mistaking the edge of anger that underscored every word.

Luffy's expression remained neutral, though his gaze hardened. He wasn't going to let Zoro control this conversation. Not this time.

Zoro's words hung in the air, heavy with accusation. For a long moment, Luffy remained silent, his mind racing. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice low but resolute.

"You wanna know why?" Luffy's words were calm, measured, but there was a certainty in them "She's not a bad person."

Zoro's glare deepened, and the sudden edge in his voice returned "Explain."

Luffy's fingers gently tugged at the brim of his straw hat. He tilted his head back, allowing a brief silence to stretch between them, then spoke again, his tone unyielding.

"Zoro, be honest with me. What has she done that makes her a bad person?"

Zoro clenched his jaw, his frustration mounting "You know the answer to that question, Luffy."

Luffy lowered his gaze, his hat shadowing his eyes "Do I?"

"Luffy, I don't have time for your riddles. She allied with Crocodile! helped him destroy—"

Luffy's eyes met his, cutting through Zoro's words "If she really wanted to help Crocodile, she wouldn't have saved my life twice"

Zoro froze, the words barely sinking in "What?" he bit out through his astonishment, his mind struggling to process the information.

Luffy turned away, his gaze drifting over the endless sea "She wouldn't have saved my life twice"

Zoro's confusion was replaced with disbelief. He stared at Luffy for a long moment before asking in a quieter, more serious tone "What do you mean?"

Luffy's voice was steady "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. When I fought Crocodile in the desert, I lost. Badly. I was sinking in quicksand. She pulled me out and handed me over to that falcon guy, the one who patched me up and helped me get to the capital"

Luffy's gaze turned sidelong to meet Zoro's, the weight of his words settling between them "When I was poisoned by Crocodile in the tomb, she gave me the antidote. If she was really loyal to Crocodile, why would she help me?"

Zoro stood motionless, his mind reeling as he processed Luffy's revelation. The sharp anger he had been holding onto ebbed away, replaced by reluctant understanding. He sighed deeply, his voice quieter now "I still don't like this and I still don't trust her, but... I get it. We do owe her"

Luffy gave a slight nod, his gaze drifting back to the horizon, the vast sea stretching endlessly before him "I'm not asking you to trust her" he said quietly, the wind catching his words and carrying them out into the open. He paused, a flicker of something serious passing through his usually carefree expression "I'm asking you to accept my decision."

Zoro's shoulders softened, the harsh edge to his stance fading, but the crease between his brows remained. He turned, his voice more measured now. "I just needed to know you weren't making another one of your stupid, impulsive calls. You're an idiot, but you're our captain. If you say she stays, then she stays."

Luffy's mouth curled into a pout "I'm not a kid, Zoro"

Zoro smirked, an amused gleam in his eyes as he began to walk away "Then tell me, what exactly did that witch do to you the first time you met her?"

Luffy's eye twitched, and his face flushed a shade darker, the memory of Nami's cunning tricks still stinging "Shut up" he muttered under his breath, his mind flashing back to how easily she had fooled him before handing him over to Buggy

Zoro chuckled good heartedly "I'm going to train. See you at dinner "

Luffy's stomach growled loudly at the mention of dinner, momentarily distracting him from the annoyance that still lingered "See ya, Zoro" he called, his voice lighter now, a touch of eagerness creeping in.

As Zoro's footsteps faded into the distance, the rhythmic sound of the sea returned, a steady and soothing backdrop to the silence between them. But the silence was deceptive as it failed to account for one person's heartbeat. Robin, ever the quiet observer, had been listening from the shadows. Her expression was calm, unreadable, her thoughts veiled as she quietly watched them both, hidden from sight.