A Splash of Trouble

The cloud parted into soft whorls under the rhythmic flap of the Karasumaru's wings. The crow-shaped dial-ship crested over the dense forest canopy, wind rushing past the crew. Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Y/N, and Grimm rode the momentum with urgency etched in their features. Satori had been a formidable opponent, but the real danger still loomed. Their friends were somewhere deeper within Upper Yard—unaccounted for and possibly worse.

"There!" Y/N called, pointing toward a clearing shrouded in mist.

Luffy's eyes lit up. "The ship!"

The Going Merry rested just beyond a dense brush, tilted slightly on a cloudbank with one mast broken but standing tall like a beacon. Relief flooded the group.

They disembarked in a tumble of limbs and noise. "Oi! Nami! Zoro! Robin! Chopper!" Usopp hollered, cupping his hands.

From within the trees came a rustle—and then Zoro appeared, swords drawn, eyes alert. He blinked in disbelief before sheathing his blades. "Took you long enough."

Sanji waved lazily. "Nice to see you too, mosshead."

"Luffy!" Chopper came sprinting from behind a tree stump, leaping into his captain's arms. "You're okay!"

Luffy laughed, spinning him around. "We're all okay!"

Robin emerged next, calm and composed, though her shirt was torn and streaked with dirt. "We had a few unexpected guests," she said with a smile. "But nothing we couldn't handle."

Nami followed, face lighting up when she saw the group. "You're all safe!" Her eyes fell on Y/N. "You too?"

Y/N nodded with a soft smile. "Wouldn't miss this reunion."

The group collapsed into a collective sigh. Grimm leapt down from Y/N's shoulder, stretching luxuriously before winding between Nami's legs. "This little guy's still full of secrets," Robin said, observing Grimm's shifting size.

They moved quickly to a makeshift clearing where the others had begun setting up a temporary camp. Logs were stacked in a circle, a modest fire pit dug and ringed with stones. Dusk rolled in gently, casting a warm orange glow across the leaves above.

Once seated, Luffy leaned back, sighing dramatically. "Man, that guy with the balls was crazy."

"Yeah, well, the 'Ordeal of Balls' should've been called the 'Ordeal of Explosions and Getting Punched in the Face,'" Usopp grumbled, rubbing his shoulder.

"Can't believe you picked that one," Sanji muttered. "Out of swamp, iron, and string, you went with balls?"

"It sounded fun," Luffy replied earnestly.

A round of laughter rolled through the camp, easing the tension.

Sanji handed out plates of cooked sky-fish and cloud vegetables. "Eat while it's hot. I risked life and lung against exploding balloons for this moment."

Y/N sat beside Grimm, who had returned to a smaller size and now snoozed in her lap. She took a bite, then paused, sensing eyes on her.

Luffy was staring.

"So..." he began between mouthfuls. "What kind of powers do you have anyway, Y/N?"

"I'm half sea witch, half siren—pretty normal, right?" Y/N said with a shrug.

Usopp leaned forward eagerly. "You're a sea witch and a siren? What's that even mean? Can you summon storms? Control sea beasts?"

Sanji, who had been stirring a pot at the fire, spun around so fast it was almost comical. "Wait—siren?" He clasped his hands together dramatically. "So not only are you beautiful, but you sing too? My heart isn't ready for this."