NOVEL NEXT Chapter 128: Party
You all are welcomed to my Discord Channel!
discord.gg/8qYFSnHHAs
--xLOVEx--
Robin quietly dispelled the eye and ear she had sprouted in Coby and Nami's room. Her slick fingers wiped clean, but a small smirk played on her lips. Although she hadn't intended to spy, her curiosity got the better of her, and she was glad she had. 'Sorry, Nami,' she thought to herself, a light chuckle escaping her lips. 'But I think I like Coby too.'
Satisfied with her little discovery, Robin stood up and made her way toward the lively party that was still raging in the garden. The sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and Luffy's overexcited voice echoed through the air. Franky's crew had brought plenty of booze, and the Straw Hats were enjoying every second of it. The sweet smell of grilled meat filled the air, courtesy of Sanji, who was manning the grill.
Coby and Nami reappeared not long after, casually walking back into the garden. Nami's cheeks were slightly flushed, but she played it cool, acting as if nothing had happened. Coby was more relaxed than ever, his shirt slightly undone, but he wasn't trying to hide it either.
Luffy, sitting in the middle of the garden with meat piled high in front of him, immediately spotted them. "Coby! Nami! Robin! Come and eat!" he shouted, his mouth half full of meat. "I saved some meat for you guys!"
Coby couldn't help but chuckle. For Luffy to save meat for someone meant he really, really loved that person. He grabbed a piece of grilled meat from the plate and took a big bite. The rich, smoky flavor hit him, and he nodded in appreciation at Sanji's cooking.
As he ate, Coby glanced around the garden. Franky and Iceburg were missing—probably already hard at work on the new ship. They weren't ones to waste time, especially after Franky's emotional speech about the Treasure Tree Adam.
Usopp was watching from afar, hiding behind a wall. He had been lurking there for a while, unsure of how to approach the crew after everything that had happened. His feelings were a mess, torn between guilt and shame for leaving the crew. He thought he hidden well enough, but he wasn't the stealthiest at the best of times. Chopper had snuck over earlier and left food and drink next to him while he wasn't looking. Usopp noticed the plate and drink and gave a small smile, picking up the food with a nod of appreciation.
Back in the garden, Robin casually sat down next to Coby, her eyes scanning the crowd but quickly focusing on him. She leaned in slightly, a playful smirk on her lips as she spoke. "Is that a new perfume?"
Coby chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement as he stretched his arms behind his head. "Nah, it's natural. Though, if we're being honest, I can smell something natural on you too," he teased, glancing her way.
Robin's cheeks flushed slightly, and she instinctively checked herself, running her fingers over her clothes to see if there were any telltale signs of her recent activities. There were none. Realizing Coby was teasing her, she shot him a playful glare, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Very funny," she replied, but Coby's laugh only deepened.
Nami, who was sitting just across from them, narrowed her eyes at Robin. The subtle tension between the two women flared up again, and Nami leaned in just a little closer to Coby, her message clear: Back off.
It was a warning—one Robin picked up on instantly. The silent tension between the two women was for all to see, but Robin kept her expression cool and composed, her small smirk never fading.
Before things could escalate, Luffy's loud voice broke the moment. "Oi! More meat! Sanji, where's the food?" He was already stacking plates in front of him, stuffing his face like he hadn't eaten in days.
Sanji, standing by the grill with his cigarette dangling from his lips, rolled his eyes. "It's coming, you damn glutton. Hold your horses." The party in the garden continued as the sun started to set, casting a warm glow over everyone.
The day ended with a party. Drinks flowed, and meat grilled as the crew celebrated in the garden, their spirits finally lifted after the emotional farewell to the Going Merry.
Two days passed in relative peace, the crew hanging around Water 7 while Franky worked tirelessly on their new ship. On the third day, Sanji returned from the market with a bit of news that sent a ripple through the crew.
"I saw Usopp in the market today," Sanji said, his face serious as he joined the crew in the garden. Everyone immediately perked up at his words.
Luffy's face lit up. "Usopp?! Where? Is he coming back?"
Chopper's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Usopp! We've gotta go get him!"
Nami smiled slightly, "So he's still in town?"
Sanji nodded. "Yeah, he was by himself, looking pretty down. But…" His gaze shifted to Coby and Zoro, who sat a little apart from the group. "He was practicing his speech to return to crew."
Although the crew's initial excitement about Usopp being nearby was palpable, it was quickly cut short by Zoro's sharp voice. Coby, lounging next to him, didn't need to step in, knowing Zoro had this covered. He let Zoro speak, not wanting to steal his thunder, especially since it was Coby who fought Usopp this time, unlike in the anime where it had been Luffy. It wasn't the time for Coby to voice his thoughts. That would only come across as petty.
"I won't let anyone go and fetch Usopp," Zoro declared, his eyes hard as he looked at the crew. His voice left no room for argument. "No matter what, you shouldn't bow down to him. I will not allow his return until he gets on his knees and apologizes. That's the only way he comes back to this crew."
Nami opened her mouth to protest, her eyebrows knitting in frustration, and Chopper looked like he was about to cry. But before they could voice their objections, Coby raised his hand, stopping them both. "Listen to him," Coby said simply. His stance with Zoro was clear. Nami bit her lip, unsure, but she stayed quiet. Chopper, though visibly upset, backed down as well.
Luffy, who had been quiet during the whole exchange, glanced at Coby. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Luffy understood that Coby was taking a firm stance alongside Zoro. Even Luffy's carefree attitude had limits when his vice-captain and swordsman were this serious.
Zoro continued, addressing the entire crew now. "Whatever you think about the root of the argument between Luffy, Coby, and Usopp, or who was right... Usopp chose to fight. He lost that fight, and then he walked away. He left us," Zoro said, his voice unwavering. "Even if you think Luffy and Coby were wrong, Usopp still made that choice."
The crew was silent, the weight of Zoro's words sinking in. They knew the truth of it, even if it hurt.
Zoro's eyes hardened as he shifted his gaze directly onto Luffy. "Listen, you lot," Zoro growled, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Even though our captain is a big idiot," he added, a small smirk playing on his lips, "he is still our captain. It's better to not have someone on this crew who can't respect him. A crew whose captain loses his respect is destined to crumble."
Zoro then got all the more serious, his voice lowering as he directed his next words solely at Luffy. "I don't care that you're usually joking, fooling around, and goofing off, but if you humiliate yourself... if you let Usopp come back without apologizing and still try to call yourself my captain, then I'll be the one to leave this crew."
Luffy's eyes widened at the statement. The rest of the crew looked shocked, unsure how to react. The thought of Zoro leaving wasn't something any of them wanted to entertain.
Zoro glanced around at the crew. "We aren't kids playing pirates. There are still a couple of days before the ship is ready, and until then, if Usopp's first words are a sincere apology, then take him back if you want. But if not, I've made my choice."
The crew was stunned into silence. Nami's hands clenched at her sides, but she didn't argue. She knew better than anyone how serious Zoro was about respect, and the look on his face told her there was no changing his mind. Chopper, eyes watery, looked up at Luffy, waiting for some kind of response.
Luffy let out a long sigh, his straw hat tipped low over his eyes. He didn't look at anyone as he spoke. "Zoro's right." His voice was quiet, but there was no doubt in his tone.
The crew didn't argue after that. Even Nami, though she looked like she wanted to fight it, knew there was no changing Luffy's mind once he agreed with Zoro. She sighed and leaned back in her chair, arms crossed.
Coby nodded slightly, acknowledging the resolution. The air around them was thick with tension, but the point had been made. Usopp wasn't just going to walk back into the crew like nothing had happened. Not this time.
Sanji, who had been silent throughout the conversation, took a long drag from his cigarette before blowing out a cloud of smoke. "Well, guess we'll just have to wait and see what that idiot does," he muttered.
Zoro crossed his arms and leaned back, his eyes drifting shut as if the conversation was over. "Yeah, and until then, we don't go looking for him. If he wants to come back, he knows what he has to do."
--
Read up to 100 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/pinkisjustice
Tell me what you think!