Ace's words, "But you're also a massive target," lingered in the salt-tinged air of the Foosha Village square, a grim reminder amidst the debris of their victory. The unconscious pirates scattered around us were a testament to our newfound strength, Garp's brutal training paying off in spectacular fashion. But they were also a harbinger. News of "The Divine Calamity" being spotted in the East Blue, fighting alongside two ridiculously strong kids, would inevitably spread. The wolves would gather.
I sheathed the Kaenken, its heat already receding, the familiar weight settling against my back. The adrenaline was fading, leaving a dull ache in my muscles and a profound weariness. Eighty million beri. The Divine Calamity. The names felt less like a personal condemnation now and more like a declaration of war, a challenge thrown down by a world I was determined to defy.
Luffy, having apparently finished looting the pirate captain's pockets (finding only lint and a half-eaten fish biscuit, much to his disappointment), bounced back over to us, his earlier excitement undiminished. "Ne, Ace!" he chirped, completely oblivious to the weight of Ace's last statement. "Who won our bet? Who got the most guys?" He looked eagerly from Ace to me, then back to Ace, clearly expecting it to be a contest between the two of them.
Ace straightened up, a competitive glint entering his eyes, his earlier seriousness momentarily forgotten. "Hah! Obviously me! I was taking them down two at a time before you even got started, Luffy!"
"Nuh-uh!" Luffy protested. "I got the captain! The captain's worth at least ten regular guys!"
"That wasn't the bet, idiot! It was most number of guys!" Ace shot back.
Before their argument could escalate into a full-blown wrestling match, a small, slightly smug smile touched my lips. I leaned against a nearby lamppost, trying to affect an air of casual confidence despite the lingering exhaustion.
"Actually, Luffy... Ace..." I interjected, my voice deliberately light. They both stopped bickering and looked at me, surprised. "I think I got more than you two combined." I let out a small laugh, a genuine one this time, fueled by the thrill of the fight and the satisfaction of seeing those thugs go down. "Better luck next time, boys." I winked. "Looks like I'm eating Makino-neechan's biggest pie."
Ace stared at me, speechless for a moment, then sputtered, "Wha—?! No way! You were just... flowing around! And burning them a little!"
Luffy tilted his head. "Hmm... Akane did make a lot of them scream... And she did that cool whoosh thing!"
"Exactly!" I grinned, pushing myself off the lamppost. "Quality over quantity, perhaps? Or maybe just superior skill?" I started walking towards Makino's bar, the promise of food and a moment's peace a powerful lure. "Come on, let's go back. I'm starving."
Luffy, his competitive spirit apparently satisfied or perhaps just overwhelmed by the prospect of pie regardless of who won, cheered and ran after me. "Yeah! Pie! Makino's pie is the best!" He easily slung an arm over my shoulder, completely unconcerned by personal space, and grabbed my hand, pulling me along slightly faster. "Nice work, Akane! You're strong!" His simple, honest praise, delivered with that infectious grin, sent a strange warmth spreading through my chest, making my cheeks flush slightly.
Ace, trailing behind us, grumbling good-naturedly about "sneaky girls and their paper tricks," caught the blush. His eyes narrowed with teasing intent. "Oi, oi, Luffy! Save your flirting for later! Some of us are actually hungry!"
"Flirting?" Luffy repeated, looking utterly bewildered. "I'm not flirting! Akane's just... strong! And her hand is small!" He swung our clasped hands back and forth cheerfully.
My blush deepened. "Shut up, Ace!" I snapped, yanking my hand free from Luffy's (who just looked momentarily surprised before grinning again) and whirling around to face Ace. Without thinking, fueled by a mixture of embarrassment and the lingering adrenaline, I threw a punch – a Garp Ji-san inspired 'love tap', aimed right at his smug face. BONK!
"Oof!" Ace yelped, stumbling back, clutching his head where my fist had connected. It wasn't a full-power punch, nowhere near what Garp could deliver, but after months of Rokushiki training, even my 'love taps' had some sting.
Luffy, seeing Ace get hit, burst into laughter. "Shishishishi! Ace got punched by Akane!"
But then, turning back to Luffy, who was still laughing, the anger in my punch dissipated. He just looked so… innocent, so genuinely happy. My arm moved again, almost on its own, but this time, the punch that landed on his shoulder was feather-light, barely a tap. Pat.
Luffy just blinked, then grinned even wider. "That didn't hurt at all, Akane!"
Ace, rubbing his head, scowled at me, then at Luffy, then back at me, a slow, wicked grin spreading across his face. "Hooooh? Now isn't that interesting?" he drawled, his voice laced with pure, unadulterated teasing. "It hurts me, Akane, but Luffy gets a little love pat?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Ehhh? Seems like you like Luffy that much, huh? Punching him with just a light touch?" He poked my arm. "Seems like someone has a favorite friend!"
"Shut up!" I yelled, my face burning again. "Or I'll punch you again! Harder this time!" I raised my fist threateningly, but the effect was somewhat ruined by the heat in my cheeks.
Ace just laughed, clearly undeterred. "Ooh, scary! The Divine Calamity is gonna punch me! I'm terrified!" He dodged my half-hearted swing easily, his earlier exhaustion forgotten in the thrill of teasing me mercilessly. He continued his verbal assault all the way back to the bar, recounting my light punch to Luffy versus the solid one he received, embellishing details, much to Luffy's confusion and my growing mortification.
We stumbled back into Partys Bar, the scent of freshly baked pie a welcome assault on our senses. Makino greeted us at the door, her face pale but her eyes shining with a mixture of relief and awe. She'd clearly seen the whole fight from the window. Villagers were already starting to emerge, whispering excitedly, tying up the unconscious pirates with ropes supplied from the fishing boats.
"Welcome back, you three!" Makino said, her voice a little shaky but warm. She ushered us towards a table. "My goodness… I… I don't know what to say. You were incredible!" She quickly set down three steaming mugs of juice and then, a moment later, emerged from the kitchen carrying a magnificent pie, its golden crust glistening, steam rising from its vents.
"Here you go," she said, placing it in the center of the table. "On the house. For… for saving us."
"PIE!" Luffy cheered, already reaching for it.
"Ah, ah, ah!" I interjected, playfully swatting his hand away. My mouth watered at the sight of the pie. "Makino-neechan, your pie is the best!" I declared, then shot a smug, teasing look at Ace. "And I get the extra biggest slice, since I clearly beat you two in the bet!"
Ace scoffed. "In your dreams, Calamity Girl! I definitely took down more!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
Makino just smiled, watching our bickering with fond exasperation, her earlier fear replaced by the familiar chaos of the boys and their new, fiery companion. She cut the pie, giving us all generous slices, though mine, I noted with satisfaction, was indeed a fraction larger.
The pie was heavenly. Sweet, tart fruit encased in a flaky, buttery crust. We ate in contented silence for a few moments, the simple pleasure of good food and good company a balm after the fight and the emotional turmoil. Luffy, naturally, inhaled his slice in record time and was already eyeing Ace's.
As I savored my last bite, feeling warm and almost… peaceful, I noticed Luffy looking a bit sleepy again, his head starting to nod. He'd used a lot of energy. Without thinking, I picked up a small, leftover piece of crust from my plate and held it out towards him.
"Here, Luffy," I said softly. "You look like you could use a bit more."
He blinked, then grinned, opening his mouth wide like a baby bird. I gently placed the piece of crust on his tongue. He munched on it happily, his eyes crinkling.
Across the table, Ace, who had been watching this entire exchange with an unreadable expression, suddenly burst out laughing, nearly choking on his own pie. He pointed a trembling finger at me, then at Luffy, then back at me, his eyes wide with mock disbelief.
"BWAHAHAHA! Are you SERIOUS?!" Ace howled, slapping the table. "You're FEEDING him now?! Like he's a pet?!" He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial, teasing whisper that was still loud enough for the whole bar to hear.
"Makino-neechan! Everyone! Look! The fearsome 'Divine Calamity', the eighty-million-beri terror of the seas... is hand-feeding my idiot brother!" He wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "I knew it! She's completely, utterly, head-over-heels—"