The journey back to the ship was uneventful. The storm had lessened, but the biting cold remained, clinging to them like a final farewell from the island. Most of the crew—his crew now, a thought that still felt foreign—walked in relative silence, the weight of exhaustion and lingering adrenaline settling over them.
All except for Luffy.
He bounced ahead, completely unbothered by the trek, rattling off a stream of words that barely seemed to connect. One moment, he was talking about how cool the fight had been, the next, he was rambling about what kind of meat Sanji would cook, then something about wanting to see if the storm could blow him all the way to another island.
Varin had stopped listening after the first five minutes.
Then—
The island's frozen wasteland faded into the gentle rocking of the Going Merry, the cold replaced by the warmth of firelight and the scent of salt and wood. It was the first time in years Varin had set foot on something that wasn't snow and ice. He didn't know how he felt about that.
"SANJI! FOOD!" Luffy's voice cut through the air, shattering the peace as he practically threw himself onto the deck.
Sanji, who had been walking beside them the whole time, exhaled a slow stream of smoke, giving Luffy a flat look. "You just stepped on board, and that's the first thing out of your mouth?"
Luffy grinned like an idiot. "Yup!"
Sanji sighed, running a hand through his hair before flicking his cigarette. "Tch. You're lucky I was already planning to cook." His sharp gaze flickered to Varin, assessing him with practiced ease. "So, what's your deal? Any food preferences?"
Varin hesitated. Eating was… unnecessary for him. It had been for years. But he knew refusing would only bring more questions. His answer was short, simple.
"…Anything."
Sanji arched a brow but didn't press. "Fine. Take a seat. You're in for a treat."
With that, he disappeared into the kitchen, the scent of spices and burning wood following him.
Luffy plopped down beside Varin without hesitation, stretching his arms behind his head as he grinned. "You're gonna love it! Sanji's cooking is the best!"
Varin didn't respond immediately, his gaze drifting across the ship. The creaking wood, the distant laughter, the easy way they all fit together. It was… strange. Unfamiliar.
And yet, for the first time in a long while, he didn't mind.
—---
Varin sat still for a moment, staring down at his plate before something in him seemed to snap. The years of restraint, of instinct-driven survival, ignoring hunger entirely—none of that applied here. Not anymore.
Without another thought, he grabbed a chunk of meat with his bare hands and ripped into it with sharp teeth, tearing through it like a starving beast. The first bite was overwhelming—flavor, warmth, spice, all of it hitting his tongue at once. He barely had time to process it before he was already devouring another piece.
The crew froze.
Sanji, halfway through lighting another cigarette, arched a brow. "Well, shit."
Nami's fork hovered in the air as she stared, dumbfounded. "He's eating like—"
"Like Luffy," Usopp finished, looking genuinely disturbed. "That's not normal, right? There's only supposed to be one of him."
Zoro smirked, watching the chaotic display as Varin continued to inhale his food at an alarming rate. "I dunno. Seems fine to me."
Luffy, rather than being horrified, looked thrilled. His grin stretched wide, his excitement barely contained as he leaned forward. "That's the spirit!!" he cheered, slamming his fist on the table. "Eat everything!"
Varin didn't need to be told twice. His movements were quick and feral, his claws scraped against the plate as he grabbed another portion, shoveling food into his mouth without a second thought. The controlled, calculating fighter from before was nowhere to be seen; in his place was something hungry. Something making up for lost time.
Luffy, clearly delighted, also started eating faster, as if Varin's eating speed was a challenge. The table shook as both of them tore through their plates like wild animals, food disappearing at an alarming rate.
Sanji groaned, rubbing his temples. "I just cooked that—damn it, now I have to make more."
Nami, watching the disaster unfold, sighed and shook her head. "This is actually happening. There are two of them now."
Usopp swallowed hard, gripping his spoon like a lifeline. "I don't know if the world is ready for this."
Zoro just leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, watching the absolute carnage with a smirk. "He'll fit in just fine."
By the time the plates were empty, Varin finally slowed, exhaling a sharp breath. His fingers were still slick with grease, his mouth stained with sauce, and for the first time in years, his stomach felt full. A rare, unfamiliar sensation.
He blinked, glancing at Luffy, who was grinning at him with the same wild energy he always had. "Good, right?"
Varin exhaled through his nose, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "...It wasn't bad."
Luffy's grin stretched impossibly wide. "Sanji! More food!"
Sanji threw a dish towel at his head. "You can wait."
Varin leaned back slightly, looking at the faces around him—exasperated, amused, slightly horrified, but accepting. The warmth of the ship settled in around him, the easy laughter, the absurdity of it all.
He still didn't trust them. Not fully. But maybe, just maybe, he didn't mind staying.
"I can't remember the last time I ate," Varin admitted, his voice quieter than before. It wasn't said with any dramatic weight, just a simple fact, something he had never needed to think about.
Sanji, who had been grumbling about needing to cook more, suddenly paused. His sharp eyes flickered to Varin, assessing him in a way that wasn't just casual observation—it was the look of a man who understood what it meant to go without.
"…You mean actually can't remember?" the cook asked, his tone more serious now.
Varin frowned slightly, glancing down at his empty plate, then at his hands, still faintly stained with grease. "No," he admitted. "I know I have before. But I don't remember when."
A beat of silence passed between them.
Sanji exhaled slowly, tapping his cigarette against the table. "You feel hunger at all?"
Varin's claws lightly tapped the wood, his eyes distant. "Yes. It's just… not fatal to me."
The table was quiet for a moment, save for the occasional creak of the ship and the distant sound of waves against the hull.
Then—
"What the hell?!" Luffy practically shouted his expression somewhere between offended and horrified. "You mean you just don't eat?! Ever?! That's awful!"
The entire ship seemed to jolt with the sheer force of his reaction.
Usopp nearly choked on his drink. "That's the part you're focusing on?"
"Of course it is!!" Luffy threw his hands in the air, looking genuinely insulted on Varin's behalf. "Food is the best thing ever! And you just forgot to eat?!"
Varin stared at him, bewildered. "…I wouldn't say I forgot—"
"THAT'S EVEN WORSE!!!"
Nami rubbed her temples. "Luffy, please."
Sanji, however, had already stood up, rolling his sleeves. "No wonder you were eating like a damn animal. You need a real meal." He shot a glance at Luffy. "And you—stop yelling. You're giving me a headache."
Luffy crossed his arms with a dramatic hmph but didn't argue.
Varin watched as Sanji moved toward the kitchen, muttering something about starved idiots and unacceptable conditions. He didn't really know what to make of it.
But as the warmth of the ship surrounded him, the sound of waves outside, the distant chatter of a crew that—despite their absurdity—had accepted him without hesitation, he felt something settle in his chest.
Varin sat there for a moment, his expression unreadable as he observed the crew's antics. Luffy, who was already halfway through his second meal, flashed a bright grin at him. "See? I told you we'd get along!"
Varin didn't respond immediately, still processing the strange warmth that had settled around him. He hadn't asked for this — hadn't asked for any of it, really. The crew, Luffy especially, had just... decided. Without question, without hesitation.
"Why do I get the feeling this is normal for you lot?" Varin finally muttered, his gaze shifting between them all. "Your captain kidnapping someone, I mean."
Usopp snorted. "Kidnapping is a strong word."
Nami crossed her arms. "No, it's the right word."
Luffy, completely unfazed, grinned. "It's not kidnapping if you're part of the crew now!"
Varin exhaled sharply, something almost like amusement in his eyes. "That's… not how that works."
"Sure it is." Luffy beamed, shoving another piece of meat into his mouth. "I mean, Zoro joined after we fought a marine base. Sanji got dragged in after we wrecked a restaurant. Usopp was basically recruited while fighting a pirate armada."
"Don't forget the part where he burned his own ship," Usopp muttered, propping his chin on his fist.
Varin raised an eyebrow. "And Nami?"
Nami rolled her eyes. "I was the only one smart enough to try to leave first."
"But then she came back, so she counts!" Luffy said cheerfully.
Varin glanced between them, then shook his head, rubbing his temple. "So this is normal for you lot."
Sanji reappeared from the kitchen with another plate, setting it down in front of Varin. "Welcome to the crew," he said dryly. "You'll get used to it."
Varin eyed the new dish, then exhaled, his claws lightly tapping against the wood before he picked up the food and ate without hesitation.
Sanji leaned against the counter, arms crossed as he watched Varin devour the fresh plate of food. The way he ate—fast, efficient, almost primal—was something Sanji had only ever seen from Luffy, and even then, this was different. There was no reckless enthusiasm, no childish delight in the taste. Just hunger. Deep, unrelenting hunger.
The cook exhaled slowly, pulling a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it with a flick of his lighter. He took a slow drag, eyes narrowing as he considered the man before him. "So, how the hell did you survive without eating for so long?" he finally asked, his tone more curious than accusatory. "Most people would've been dead in a week."
Varin didn't immediately answer, continuing to chew through his meal like a man starved, his claws scraping faintly against the plate as he grabbed another piece of meat. When he finally swallowed, he glanced up at Sanji, his golden eyes unreadable.
"...It's not fatal to me," he said at last, his voice low and measured. "The hunger is still there. I can still feel it. But I don't waste away."
Sanji frowned. "So, what? Your body just ignores it?"
Varin tilted his head slightly, considering his words. "More like... it adapts. Slows down everything else. I don't get weaker, don't collapse. I just endure."
The air in the room shifted slightly, a subtle weight settling over them. Even Usopp, who had been picking at the remnants of his own meal, stopped to listen.
Sanji took another drag from his cigarette, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. "That normal for you, or does it have something to do with a Devil Fruit?"
At that, Varin's expression darkened slightly, though he masked it well. He picked at the edge of his plate with a claw, his movements slow, deliberate.
"...Something like that," he muttered, his voice carrying an edge of finality.
Sanji's gaze lingered on him for a long moment, but he didn't push. If there was one thing he knew, it was when someone wasn't ready to talk. Instead, he shrugged, tapping his cigarette against the ashtray. "Well, whatever the case, you're eating now. Just don't make a habit of starving yourself. If you're part of this crew, you eat when the rest of us eat. Got it?"
Varin paused mid-bite, glancing at him again. Something in his gaze flickered—maybe surprise, maybe something else. Then, slowly, he nodded.
"Got it."
Luffy, who had been listening with an alarming lack of subtlety, suddenly beamed. "Good! 'Cause on this ship, we eat lots!" He stretched an arm toward the table, snatching another plate for himself. "And now that you're here, you gotta keep up!"
Nami scoffed, but there was no real malice in it. "I don't think anyone can keep up with you."
Usopp nodded in agreement. "Yeah, no kidding. It's honestly unnatural."
Luffy just laughed, completely unfazed. "That just means you gotta try harder!"
Usopp, still watching Varin with a mix of curiosity and wariness, leaned forward slightly. "Alright, but that still doesn't explain how you can go without eating for so long. What's your Devil Fruit, anyway?"
At that, all eyes subtly shifted toward Varin. Even Nami, who had been sipping at a drink, tilted her head slightly in interest. It wasn't uncommon for Devil Fruits to have weird or unnatural effects, but one that allowed someone to ignore hunger without dying? That was something else.
Varin didn't answer right away. He took another bite, chewing slowly, his Silver eyes flicking between them all. The atmosphere had shifted—not hostile, but expectant. The longer he stayed silent, the more the weight of the question pressed on him.
After a brief pause, he exhaled and leaned back slightly. "Before I answer that," he said, voice low and measured, "do you know the different types of Zoan Fruits?"
Usopp blinked. "Uh… yeah? There's normal Zoans, Ancient Zoans, and Mythical Zoans, right?"
Nami nodded. "Zoans let you transform into an animal. Ancient Zoans are rarer and usually turn people into prehistoric creatures. And Mythical Zoans…" She frowned slightly. "They're the rarest. They give abilities beyond just transforming."
Sanji tilted his head. "What, so you're saying yours is one of those?"
Varin's claws tapped slowly against the wood of the table, the flickering lantern casting sharp shadows across his face. The night air was cold, but his voice carried warmth—deep, steady, almost hypnotic in nature.
"There once was a trickster named Loki," he began, his tone somewhere between a history lesson and a warning. "A god who lived to deceive—cunning, clever, cruel when it suited him. But for all his tricks, he was still a father. And his children… weren't like others."
The crew glanced at each other, curiosity rising.
Nami raised an eyebrow. "A god and a father? That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen."
Varin gave a humorless smirk. "It was. For the rest of the gods."
He leaned back slightly, silver eyes catching the lantern light, giving them a glint that felt too sharp, too cold.
"Three children. The youngest, Hel—half-living, half-dead—was given the underworld. The dishonored dead, those who died in fear or disgrace, went to her."
Usopp swallowed. "Okay. That's creepy."
Varin nodded once. "The second was Jörmungandr. A serpent cast into the ocean, where he grew so vast he encircled the entire world and bit his own tail. It's said that when he lets go, the seas will rise, and the world will drown."
Luffy leaned forward, eyes wide. "That's awesome! Like a giant sea monster!"
Sanji exhaled slowly. "And the first one?"
Varin paused.
"The first," he said, voice quieter now, "was Fenrir. A wolf born not just with strength, but destiny. The gods feared him from the moment he opened his eyes. He grew too quickly. Grew too large. Stronger than any of them could imagine."
His eyes dropped to the table for a moment, then rose again.
"They tried to bind him. At first with normal chains. He broke them easily. Then they forged a binding from the impossible: the sound of a cat's footsteps, the beard of a woman, the breath of a fish, the roots of a mountain, the spittle of a bird."
Usopp stared. "What? That's not even—how do you even—?"
"It doesn't matter," Varin said. "What matters is, it worked. But only because Fenrir allowed it. He wasn't stupid. He knew they feared him. So he demanded one of the gods place their hand in his mouth as a sign of good faith. They agreed."
Nami's expression tightened. "And then betrayed him."
Varin nodded. "So he bit down. Tore the god's hand off. But it was done. He was chained."
Silence fell for a moment.
"And still they feared him. Because nothing holds forever. It was prophesied that when the end of days came—Ragnarök—Fenrir would break free. He would grow until his jaws stretched from the heavens to the earth, devouring all in his path. He would kill Odin, king of the gods. And only then would he die."
Luffy's voice broke the silence. "So… he fought to the very end?"
Varin's gaze lingered on him, unreadable. "Yes. He did."
Sanji leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowed. "Okay. I'll bite. That's one hell of a bedtime story, but why tell us?
Varin looked down at his hands—at the claws, the faint sheen of something colder than flesh—and then back at them.
"Because that's my Devil Fruit," he said plainly. "Mythical Zoan. Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Fenrir."
Silence settled like snowfall.
Usopp's mouth opened, then closed again. "Wait—like... the wolf?"
Varin gave a dry laugh. "Unfortunately, yes."
Nami frowned. "That's not just some Devil Fruit. That's a prophecy you're carrying."
Varin didn't respond. He didn't have to. The look in his eyes said enough.
Sanji flicked his cigarette, watching the ash fall for a moment befkre breaking the silence. "Ok but why tell us all this? Most people like to keep their abilities a secret."
Nami shook her head, crossing her arms. "Yeah not that I mind you being upfront, but you're being a little too open for someone we just met."
Varin gave a small huff of amusement, leaning back against the table. His eyes flicked between them, calculating, but not hesitant. "There's no point in hiding it."
Usopp raised an eyebrow. "What, you don't care that we know?"
Varin shrugged. "Why should I? You would've figured it out sooner or later." He flexed his claws, absentmindedly running them across the wood as he continued. "It makes more sense for you to know what I'm capable of rather than me keeping it hidden, if you know what I'm capable of you can work with or around it better."
Sanji tilted his head. "So, what—you don't have any secrets?"
That earned a smirk from Varin, sharp and amused. "I have plenty." His voice lowered slightly, almost conspiratorial. "But my abilities? That's just information. It doesn't change anything."
Luffy grinned wide. "I like that!" He pointed at Varin with the half-eaten bone of his latest meal. "It means we don't have to waste time figuring it out in a fight!"
Nami pinched the bridge of her nose. "That is not the takeaway here, Luffy."
Varin shook his head, but there was something almost easy about it, as if this conversation was more natural than it had any right to be. "Besides," he continued, "if I wanted to keep secrets, I wouldn't be here. And if I did want to hide my strength, I'd be doing a terrible job of it."
Usopp let out a dry laugh. "Yeah, I'll say."
Sanji exhaled another slow trail of smoke, watching Varin with a thoughtful look. "So, what exactly can you do? We know the myth, we know the name. But what about the fruit itself?"
Luffy leaned in, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Yeah! What kinda stuff can you actually do?"
Varin tilted his head, considering. Then, with an almost lazy movement, he raised one clawed hand. The air around it seemed to shift, a flicker of something unnatural twisting along his fingers. The change was subtle at first—his already sharp nails elongating slightly, his skin darkening at the fingertips, fur barely visible along the backs of his hands. But then his pupils stretched into thin, predatory slits, and the air grew heavy.
The crew tensed instinctively. Even Luffy, for all his usual enthusiasm, blinked in mild surprise.
Varin flexed his fingers, the movement smooth and precise, his claws gleaming under the dim light of the ship's lanterns. "The Inu Inu no Mi: Model Fenrir isn't just a Zoan," he said, his voice even, yet carrying an unmistakable weight. "It's special. A Mythical Zoan. And that means it offers more than just transformation."
The crew watched him carefully. Even Luffy, who usually treated Devil Fruits with the same carefree enthusiasm he did everything else, was listening.
"Mythical Zoans don't just let you become something," Varin continued. "They give you abilities tied to the legends themselves. The abilities of creatures that were more than just beasts." He tilted his hand slightly, watching his own claws extend just a fraction longer. "Like I said before—I don't need to eat. Not in the way you do."
Sanji leaned forward slightly, exhaling a slow stream of smoke. "Yeah, you mentioned that. But what does that have to do with Fenrir?"
Varin let out a low chuckle, the sound almost more animal than man. "Fenrir was bound in chains," he said, his voice measured. "Not just tied down, but trapped—starved, abandoned, left to wait for Ragnarok without food or water. And yet, it didn't matter. No hunger, no thirst could weaken him. He endured."
A silence settled over the crew.
Usopp shifted uncomfortably. "Wait… so you're saying your body just—what? Works without it?"
Varin nodded. "Something like that. The hunger never goes away, but it won't kill me. It won't slow me down." His eyes flickered, something unreadable in them. "It just… builds."
Nami frowned. "Builds?"
Varin's grin was sharp, humorless. "Let's just say it doesn't disappear. If I go long enough, it turns into something else." He flexed his fingers again, and for just a second, something wrong shimmered along the edge of his claws—something too sharp, too unnatural, like a shadow of the beast that lurked beneath his skin.
Sanji flicked his cigarette, watching him closely. "Something tells me that 'something else' isn't exactly pleasant."
Varin smirked. "Depends on who you ask."
Luffy grinned, utterly unfazed. "Sounds awesome! So what else can you do?"
Varin exhaled through his nose, a small, almost amused huff. "Honestly? I'm not even sure myself," he admitted, glancing down at his hands. He flexed his fingers again, the sharp claws glinting under the lantern's glow. "I can't transform fully yet."
Zoro, who had been listening silently, finally spoke up. "Yet?"
Varin gave a slow nod. "Yeah. Zoans don't just give you everything. It's not like flipping a switch. It takes time—learning, adapting. My body is still figuring it out." His claws extended slightly, an involuntary response as if reacting to his thoughts. "I can shift parts of myself easily enough. The strength, the speed, the senses—I have those. But a complete transformation?" He shook his head. "Not yet."
Usopp leaned forward slightly, curiosity overcoming caution. "So, what happens when you do figure it out? You turn into some massive, world-ending wolf?"
Varin smirked. "That's the idea, isn't it?"
Nami frowned, arms crossed. "And you have no idea when that might happen?"
Varin shrugged. "It's not like there's a guidebook. Or a 'So You've Eaten a Mythical Zoan' manual." He looked at them, tilting his head slightly. "But when it does happen… well, I guess I'll find out then."
Sanji took another slow drag of his cigarette, his sharp gaze never leaving Varin. "You make it sound like it's not a matter of if, but when."
Varin's grin was sharp. "Because it is." He rested an elbow on the table, eyes flickering with something unreadable. "Fenrir wasn't just a beast. He was a force of nature—inevitable." He exhaled, tapping a claw idly against the wood. "And I think that part of him is still waiting inside me."
Luffy practically vibrated with excitement. "That's so cool!"
Zoro huffed. "So long as you don't bite us when it happens."
Varin's grin widened just slightly. "No promises."
Zoro narrowed his eyes but didn't press further, instead taking a long sip from his drink. The conversation could be left at that—for now.
Usopp, however, wasn't quite as relaxed. "Okay, but, uh… let's say you do figure it out. You don't, I dunno, lose control or anything, right?"
Varin leaned back slightly, tilting his head as if considering the question. "That depends."
"Depends?" Usopp repeated, voice pitching higher.
Varin gave him an almost amused look. "It's not like I have a reference point, Usopp. But I do know that Zoans have a will of their own. There's a reason some people say their fruit chooses them." His fingers tapped rhythmically against the table. "Whether or not I stay in control when I fully awaken this power? That's something I'll have to find out for myself."
The mood at the table shifted. It wasn't outright tense, but there was an unspoken weight to the words. Even Luffy, who had been beaming this whole time, seemed to be considering them.
Then, Sanji let out a slow breath of smoke, shaking his head. "Well, if you do lose control, I'll be expecting you to pay me back for all this food before you go on a rampage."
Luffy immediately snapped back into his usual self, throwing his arms up. "If he does go on a rampage, that just means we gotta stop him! That's what crewmates do, right?"
Varin's gaze flickered toward him, sharp and assessing.
Zoro smirked, finally setting his drink down. "Not like it'd be the first time we've had to stop someone from going berserk."
"Speak for yourself!" Usopp muttered.
Nami sighed, rubbing her temples. "Great. Another one."
Sanji took one last drag before snuffing out his cigarette in an ashtray. "Long as you don't expect me to cook for you while you're trying to eat us, we're fine."
Varin looked at them, really looked at them. He had laid out what he was—his strengths, his uncertainties, his potential danger. And yet… they didn't look at him with fear. Even Usopp, for all his nervousness, wasn't scrambling for an escape plan.
Instead, they had already decided.
They had already accepted him.
Varin let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You people are ridiculous."
Luffy grinned, shoving another bite of meat into his mouth. "That's what makes us the best crew ever!"
—
The rest of the evening had been a whirlwind of chaos—something Varin assumed was normal for this crew.
Nami had nearly murdered Luffy at least three separate times, each incident involving some combination of reckless eating, dumb comments, or him stretching his arms in a way that knocked over her maps. Each time, she'd chased him across the deck, her fury barely restrained.
Zoro and Sanji, meanwhile, had fallen into their usual dynamic, which seemed to be a never-ending cycle of insults escalating into outright violence. Zoro had said something about "damn love-cooks being useless in a real fight," to which Sanji responded by kicking him across the deck. Naturally, this led to fists, steel, and a series of loud crashes as they broke whatever unfortunate barrels or crates had been in their path.
Usopp, in a moment of sheer stupidity, had attempted to intervene. He had barely managed a single word before getting knocked out by a stray punch. He lay sprawled on the deck, groaning faintly, while Nami stood nearby, watching the carnage with an unimpressed expression.
By the time things had settled, exhaustion had caught up to them all. The crew eventually dispersed for the night.
Apparently, Nami had full claim over the captain's quarters—a fact that no one seemed willing to challenge—and the rest of them shared the barracks. It was a simple room, lined with hammocks swaying slightly with the ship's motion. Cramped, maybe, but functional.
Varin had never minded sleeping arrangements, but tonight, sleep refused to come.
With a quiet exhale, he slipped out of the barracks, moving through the dimly lit corridors until he stepped onto the deck. The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of salt and the ever-present hum of the ocean. The ship rocked gently with the tide, its rhythm steady and familiar.
He walked forward until he reached the railing, his clawed fingers tapping against the wood before gripping it lightly. The water below stretched endlessly, a dark abyss reflecting the glow of the moon.
Leaning over slightly, Varin caught sight of his reflection.
Silver eyes, cold and piercing, stared back at him. They gleamed under the moonlight, eerie and otherworldly against the dark water. His waist-length black hair was a wild mess, thick and spiked in all directions, unkempt and untamed, giving him an almost savage look. The strands swayed slightly in the night breeze, unruly as ever.
His height had always made him stand out, and it had already proven to be an issue aboard the ship. He had to duck every time he entered or exited a room, his head constantly at risk of colliding with door frames not built for someone of his stature. It was a minor annoyance, but one he was used to.
With a slow sigh, he stepped back from the railing and ran a hand through his hair, the sharp claws at the tips of his fingers grazing against his scalp. His movement caused the moonlight to fully illuminate his upper body—shirtless, as he usually preferred.
His body was carved with muscle, not bulky, but defined, his physique built for endurance and raw power. Beneath his skin, cords of strength lay coiled, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. His chest and arms bore the evidence of past battles, scars cutting across his flesh like a roadmap of violence. Some were thin, mere scratches compared to others that were thick, jagged, and deep, remnants of wounds that should have been fatal.
His forearms, particularly, were covered in claw marks—some self-inflicted, others from battles against creatures strong enough to level towns. A particularly gruesome scar slashed across his ribs, stretching from his left side toward the center of his torso. It had been one of his worst wounds, but even that had healed with time.
His lower half was dressed in thick fur pants, dark and rough as if they had been torn from some massive beast. They hung loose around his legs, but they were comfortable and practical. His boots were made of the same fur-lined material, sturdy enough to endure endless travel.
The reflection in the water shifted, distorting for just a moment.
For a fraction of a second, the image staring back wasn't entirely human. It was something more.
Something wolfish.
Varin's fingers curled slightly against the railing.
He still didn't know the full extent of what his fruit could do. He hadn't yet unlocked its Secrets. And when that day finally came…
Would he still be himself?
He exhaled slowly, watching his reflection shift and ripple with the movement of the waves. His silver eyes glowed faintly under the moonlight, staring back at him from the water's surface. Even in his human form, there was always something off—something distinctly not human about the way he looked. The untamed hair, the height that made doorways an annoyance, the scars littering his torso like remnants of forgotten battles. His fur-lined pants and boots only added to the wildness of his appearance, making him look more like a beast masquerading as a man than the other way around.
The soft creak of the ship's planks and the whisper of careful footsteps behind him told him he wasn't alone.
"Couldn't sleep either?"
Varin didn't turn. "Guess not."
Nami stepped up beside him, resting her arms on the railing, her orange hair catching the soft glow of the moon. "That makes two of us."
They stood in silence for a moment, listening to the distant crashing of waves. Then Nami glanced at him. "You always this quiet?"
Varin smirked slightly. "Only when I have nothing to say."
"Huh." She tilted her head, eyeing him curiously. "Doesn't seem like you're the type to brood. Sanji, sure. Zoro, definitely. But you? Feels… off."
Varin chuckled lowly, tapping his fingers against the railing. "I wouldn't call it brooding. More like thinking."
Nami raised an eyebrow. "Thinking about what?"
He considered her for a moment, then shrugged. "How I ended up here."
Nami leaned her hip against the railing, arms crossed. "Alright. I'll bite. How did you end up here?"
Varin exhaled through his nose, glancing at the ocean. "I wasn't born on that island. I was raised in a place where survival wasn't guaranteed, where you either got stronger or you didn't make it." He paused. "I made it."
Nami studied him. "That's vague."
He smirked. "That's intentional."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. Keep your mystery act." Then, after a beat, she asked, "Was it just you? Or did you have people?"
His smirk faded slightly. "I had people." He let out a short exhale. "For a while."
Nami didn't press. She recognized that tone, one she'd heard in herself before. Instead, she let the silence settle between them again, the kind that wasn't awkward but held weight in it.
Varin glanced at her. "What about you?"
She blinked. "What about me?"
"You don't seem like the type to follow a reckless captain without a damn good reason."
Nami hesitated, then looked out at the water. "I had my own goals. Still do. But…" She trailed off, then sighed. "Let's just say things changed."
Varin huffed a quiet chuckle. "You're being vague."
"That's intentional," she shot back, mimicking his earlier words with a smirk.
Nami smirked, but before she could turn away, he spoke again.
"Why trust me?" His eyes flickered in the moonlight as he studied her. "Luffy already gave his answer, but something tells me he doesn't think beyond the surface level like most creatures."
Nami scoffed. "That's putting it lightly." She leaned back against the railing again, arms crossing over her chest. "Luffy's… simple. But not in a bad way. He just knows when someone belongs. It's not about logic with him, it's about feeling. And somehow, he's always right."
Varin tilted his head slightly, considering that. "And you?"
She sighed, tapping her fingers against her arm. "I don't know." She glanced at him. "Maybe because you're not hiding anything."
Varin raised a brow. "Most people don't see it that way."
Nami shrugged. "Most people are idiots." Then, after a pause, she elaborated, "You don't try to lie, you don't dodge questions, you just answer them. Yeah, you're vague, but you're not lying. And honestly? That's rare."
Varin hummed thoughtfully. "No point in hiding it," he admitted. "Like I said earlier, I don't care if you all know what I can do. You would've figured it out eventually, and it just makes more sense for you to know my abilities rather than for me to keep them a secret."
Nami nodded slightly. "That's practical. I can respect that."
Varin smirked. "Didn't take you for someone who'd value practicality."
She gave him a pointed look. "I navigate an unpredictable ocean, deal with a captain who makes zero plans, and manage the finances of the most reckless crew alive. Trust me, I value practicality."
Varin let out a quiet laugh. "Fair enough."
They stood in silence for a moment, listening to the gentle lull of the ocean against the ship.
"It's not the worst thing in the world," Nami added, tilting her head as she studied him. "You could do worse than this crew."
Varin scoffed, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. "Could do better too."
She smirked. "Maybe. But you won't find another group like this."
He didn't argue. Instead, he let the conversation settle between them, the rhythmic lapping of the waves filling the silence.
After a moment, Nami's gaze flickered to the scars that marred his torso. Some were deep and jagged, old wounds that spoke of battles long past. Others were more recent, faded reminders of fights he hadn't walked away from unscathed.
"…You've been through a lot," she said finally, her voice quieter now.
Varin glanced down at himself as if just noticing the scars she was referring to. His expression remained unreadable. "It happens."
Nami hesitated, then sighed, rubbing a hand over her shoulder where her tattoo was. "You're really not gonna tell me anything about yourself, are you?"
Varin shrugged. "Not much to tell."
She gave him a skeptical look. "That's a lie."
A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Maybe."
Nami rolled her eyes but didn't push further. "Fine. Keep your secrets." She turned to leave but paused at the doorway. "Just remember, you don't have to keep everything to yourself. This crew… we're nosy, but we don't push unless it matters."
Varin watched her go, her words lingering in the air long after she had disappeared below deck.
He exhaled, looking back out at the endless expanse of ocean.
For now, he was here.
—
Varin remained on the deck long after Nami had left, his silver eyes fixed on the water, watching as the waves lapped against the hull of the ship. The sea stretched endlessly before him, dark and vast, the stars reflecting off its surface like scattered embers in a dying fire.
He rolled his shoulders, feeling the night air cool against his skin. His body ached—not from wounds, but from exhaustion that had settled into his bones long before he had stepped onto this ship. The kind of exhaustion that didn't come from hunger or sleepless nights but from years of being on guard, of fighting, surviving, and never truly resting.
The quiet of the ship was strange. Even with the distant sounds of someone snoring—likely Luffy—it was peaceful in a way he wasn't used to. He had spent so long living in places where silence meant danger, where a moment of stillness was just a prelude to the next battle. But here, the quiet wasn't threatening. It was… steady. Reliable. A ship carried its crew forward, through storms and calm waters alike.
Varin exhaled slowly, running a hand through his unkempt black hair before glancing back at the door leading below deck. He had expected more questions, more suspicion, but they had accepted him with a startling ease. Maybe Luffy was just too simple to overthink it. Maybe the others trusted their captain enough to follow his lead. Or maybe, just maybe, this crew was different.
With a sigh, he pushed off the railing and turned away from the sea. He made his way toward the stairs, ducking as he stepped inside to avoid hitting his head on the doorway. The ship wasn't built for someone his height, that much was obvious. He had already nearly taken out a hanging lantern earlier in the night.
The barracks were dimly lit, hammocks swaying gently with the motion of the ship. Luffy was sprawled out on his back, snoring loudly, one arm hanging off the side of his hammock. Sanji slept with an almost unnatural stillness, his arms crossed like he had simply sat down and fallen asleep mid-thought. Zoro, unsurprisingly, was leaning against the wall, sword within reach even in sleep. Usopp had curled up in his hammock, mumbling something about being a brave warrior in his dreams.
Varin stepped over a few stray belongings on the floor before settling into an empty corner, leaning against the wall rather than bothering with one of the hammocks. He preferred sleeping like this anyway—it kept him aware, ready.
His gaze flickered over the room one last time before he let his eyes close.
—
"WAKE UP, YOU LAZY IDIOTS!"
The sudden shout made Usopp flail wildly, his hammock flipping over and sending him crashing onto the floor with a pained yelp. Luffy bolted upright, looking around in confusion, while Zoro just groaned and pulled his bandana lower over his eyes. Sanji, still half-asleep, muttered something about breakfast before turning over as if ignoring the situation entirely.
Varin blinked against the morning light, cracking his neck as he adjusted to being awake. He had slept lightly, as always, never truly slipping into unconsciousness. It was a habit, one he doubted he would ever break.
Standing up, he stretched, his muscles flexing as he rolled his shoulders. The movement caused a few more of his scars to shift, some deep, others faded into his tanned skin. His silver eyes flickered to the doorway, where Nami stood with her arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently.
"You do realize some of us were actually trying to sleep, right?" Zoro grumbled, cracking an eye open.
Nami scoffed. "You can sleep when you're dead. We've got work to do."
Luffy, already over the initial confusion, grinned and hopped off his hammock. "Breakfast first, right?"
Sanji sighed, running a hand through his hair as he finally got up. "Tch. Fine, fine. I'll get started." He shot Nami a look. "You're lucky a lady's asking, or I'd make you wait."
Nami just rolled her eyes.
Varin stepped around the still-dazed Usopp, making his way toward the door. The air inside the barracks was heavy with sleep, but outside, the breeze was crisp and fresh. He ducked under the frame as he stepped onto the deck, inhaling deeply as he took in the open sea.
The horizon stretched endlessly before him, painted in shades of blue and gold. The ship rocked gently with the waves, the sound of gulls in the distance mixing with the creaking of the sails. For a brief moment, he simply stood there, watching.
He wasn't used to this, waking up with others, with a crew, knowing there were people moving around him, all part of the same journey. It was a strange feeling. Not unwelcome, but strange.
"Enjoying the view?"
Varin turned his head slightly as Zoro stepped up beside him, arms crossed. The swordsman yawned before glancing at him, eyes still half-lidded from sleep. "You're up early. Thought you'd be the last one out of bed."
Varin huffed a short laugh. "Not really the type to sleep in."
"Figured," Zoro muttered. He leaned against the railing, looking out at the sea. "So, what's your deal? You're sticking around, but you don't seem like the type to just… follow orders."
Varin considered that for a moment before shrugging. "Not really. But I also don't have much reason to leave."
Zoro hummed in response as if accepting the answer for now. Neither of them spoke after that, both content to simply watch the waves as the ship sailed forward.
The salty breeze rolled over the deck as Varin stood by the railing, watching the ocean stretch endlessly before them. The early morning light shimmered against the water's surface, reflecting back his own silver-eyed stare. His wild, waist-length black hair caught the wind, shifting in untamed waves as he exhaled slowly. The scars tracing his bare chest and arms were illuminated in the morning glow, a testament to countless battles and hardships that had shaped him into the man he was now.
This ship. This crew. It was different from anywhere he'd been before. He wasn't used to this—people welcoming him without suspicion, without an agenda. Yet, here he was, standing among them, included in their world as though he had always belonged.
"So," Nami spoke up beside him, her sharp gaze locking onto him with curiosity. "Are you actually planning to be part of this crew, or are you just sticking around until it gets boring?"
Varin let out a soft chuckle, glancing at her before looking back at the waves. "Doubt things will ever get boring with you lot." He rolled his shoulders before crossing his arms. "Not much point in leaving now, is there?"
Luffy, who had been stretching lazily nearby, immediately perked up, his face breaking into an excited grin. "So that means you're staying?"
Varin met his gaze, seeing nothing but pure, unshakable excitement in the young captain's expression. He scoffed softly before nodding. "Yeah. I guess I am."
Luffy let out an excited whoop, pumping his fists in the air. "Awesome! That means we've got another strong guy on board!"
Zoro smirked. "We'll see just how strong he is."
Nami sighed, rubbing her temples. "Just don't destroy the ship testing that, okay?"
Luffy immediately turned to Varin with an eager expression. "Ooooh, wanna spar later?"
Varin gave him a bemused look before shaking his head. "One thing at a time, Captain. Let's eat first."
As if on cue, Sanji's voice rang out from below. "Breakfast is ready, you idiots!"
Luffy, predictably, bolted toward the door, nearly tackling Usopp in his excitement, while the others followed at a more reasonable pace. Varin lingered for a moment, glancing down at the water one last time. The face staring back at him was the same as it had always been, scarred, sharp, and untamed, but for the first time in a long while, he didn't feel like a lone beast wandering without direction.
He had made his choice. This was his crew now. His place was here.
Turning from the railing, he stepped toward the doorway, ducking slightly as he entered. The scent of food drifted through the ship, the sound of Luffy's excited chatter mixing with Sanji's irritated yelling. It was chaotic. It was loud.
And for the first time in his life—Varin didn't mind it.
As Varin stepped into the dining area, the scent of fresh food filled the air—eggs, bread, and something meaty sizzling on the pan. Luffy was already halfway through a plate, stuffing his face with reckless abandon while Usopp attempted to eat in peace beside him. Sanji stood at the stove, flipping another pan with a practiced flick of his wrist.
Varin took a seat at the table, reaching for a plate as Zoro leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "So, you're actually sticking around," the swordsman remarked, watching him with mild interest.
Varin smirked slightly. "Guess I am." He took a bite of food, savoring the taste before looking up. "So, where exactly are we headed?"
Nami, who had been sipping her morning coffee with an air of patience, glanced at him. "Loguetown," she answered simply.
Varin raised a brow. "Loguetown?"
"It's the last stop before the Grand Line," she continued, setting her mug down. "And also the place where Gold Roger was executed."
Varin nodded slowly, taking that in. He had heard of Loguetown before—everyone had. The city where the Pirate King had drawn his last breath, the place where so many ambitious fools had come seeking their own fate. It was a fitting place for a crew like this to pass through.
"What's the plan when we get there?" he asked.
"Supplies, mainly," Nami said. "Weapons, food, gear—everything we need before we cross over."
Sanji set another plate down on the table, shooting a look at Luffy, who was already reaching for more. "And I need to stock up on ingredients. We won't survive on whatever garbage we find floating around out there."
Luffy grinned. "I'm gonna see the execution platform!"
Usopp paled. "Why would you want to see that?"
"Because it's cool!" Luffy beamed. "That's where Gold Roger stood, right before he kicked off the Great Pirate Era!"
Zoro smirked. "Might be a good place to test our luck, too. Plenty of bounty hunters hang around there."
Varin listened quietly, his silver eyes flickering with thought. Loguetown. He had no particular attachment to the place, but it was significant. A turning point for many.
He exhaled, glancing at his plate. "Well, at least it sounds interesting."
Nami rolled her eyes. "That's one way to put it."
Luffy laughed, stuffing another bite of food into his mouth. "Whatever happens, it'll be fun!"
Varin wasn't sure about fun, but something in his gut told him that Loguetown wouldn't be just another stop. The winds of change were always blowing, and in a place like that, fate tended to have a way of making itself known.
"Won't it be crawling with Marines?" he asked, glancing at Nami. "I imagine we aren't the only idiots who want to take after Roger."
Nami sighed, crossing her arms. "Yeah, it will be. Every pirate worth their salt stops by Loguetown at some point, and the Marines know it. There's a captain stationed there, and from what I've heard, he's not the type to just let people walk in and out."
Varin raised a brow. "You don't know anything else about him?"
She shook her head. "Only that Loguetown hasn't exactly been friendly to pirates lately. They say he doesn't let anyone slip through."
Zoro smirked. "Sounds like a fun challenge."
Sanji scoffed, blowing out a puff of smoke. "Yeah, real fun—getting chased by Marines right when we need to restock."
Usopp groaned. "Great. We haven't even gotten to the Grand Line yet, and we're already walking straight into danger. This is a terrible idea."
Luffy, who had been listening with his usual grin, simply laughed. "It'll be fine! We'll get what we need, see the execution platform, and be on our way before anything bad happens."
Varin shot him an incredulous look. "You actually think things will go that smoothly?"
Luffy's grin widened. "Nope! But that's what makes it fun!"
Varin chuckled, shaking his head. "You're either fearless or just plain stupid."
"Both," Zoro, Nami, Sanji, and Usopp said in unison.
Despite himself, Varin found that he wasn't all that concerned. He had been through worse, and for the first time in a long while, he wasn't facing it alone. Whatever awaited them in Loguetown, he'd be there to meet it head-on.
Varin leaned back, his gaze shifting to the window and the waves rolling by. "Do any of you have bounties yet?" he asked, curiosity lacing his tone.
At his question, Nami let out a heavy sigh, rubbing her temples like she had a headache. "Unfortunately… yeah." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a freshly printed wanted poster, holding it up for Varin to see.
The paper was crisp, the ink fresh, and right at the center was a grinning image of Luffy.
MONKEY D. LUFFY – 30,000,000 BERRIES
Varin raised a brow, glancing between the poster and the obliviously cheerful captain who was still stuffing his face with breakfast. "Yesterday, huh?" he muttered, taking the poster from Nami and looking it over. "That's a lot for a first bounty."
Nami groaned, slumping against the railing. "Tell me about it. Do you have any idea how much harder this is going to make things for us?"
Sanji took a casual drag from his cigarette. "I dunno, Nami-swan. I think it just means our captain's the real deal."
Zoro smirked, arms crossed. "Not bad. If nothing else, it means people will start taking us seriously."
Usopp, on the other hand, was visibly sweating. "Or it means every Marine and bounty hunter in the East Blue is gonna be after us!"
Varin examined the poster again, his silver eyes narrowing slightly. "So, what exactly did he do to get thirty million on his head overnight?"
Nami pinched the bridge of her nose. "Oh, just took down Arlong and his entire crew. You know, one of the most dangerous pirate crews in the East Blue? No big deal."
Varin let out a low whistle, looking back at Luffy, who was completely unbothered by the conversation. "And he's just sitting there like it's nothing."
Luffy grinned, swallowing a mouthful of food. "Because it is nothing! We beat the bad guy, saved the day, and now we're moving forward! That's what pirates do, right?"
Varin stared at him for a long moment before shaking his head. "You really are something else."
Luffy just laughed, completely unfazed.
Varin handed the poster back to Nami, his mind turning. A thirty-million bounty was no joke. The Marines would be after them now, and Loguetown—already a risk—had just become even more dangerous.
Luffy tilted his head, still grinning up at him. Like they weren't just talking about him having the largest bounty in the east blue "Hey, Varin, why are you so tall?"
Varin exhaled sharply, not quite a sigh, but close. He folded his arms, the movement making his already massive frame seem even larger. "Born this way," he said simply. "Not much of a mystery."
Sanji scoffed, blowing out a stream of smoke. "You sure? You're built like a damn mountain."
Zoro nodded slightly. "Yeah. Even for a big guy, you're huge."
Varin rolled his shoulders, feeling the satisfying crack of stiff joints. "My family wasn't exactly small, but I guess I got more than my fair share of height." His silver eyes flicked toward Luffy, who still looked absolutely delighted. "That a problem?"
Luffy shook his head rapidly. "Nope! Just never met anyone that tall before!"
Usopp, still recovering from his earlier panic, peeked out from behind Nami and hesitated. "…Wait. So are you, like, part giant?"
Varin gave him a flat look. "Do I look like a giant to you?"
Sanji smirked, lighting another cigarette. "You do wear fur pants like some wild man. Kind of fits."
Varin's lip twitched. "I'd say I dress more practically than you. Mr suit and tie"
Zoro let out a short laugh, and Nami covered a smirk with the back of her hand. Usopp finally relaxed, seeing the tension slip into something… almost normal.
Luffy, still beaming, stepped forward and pointed up at him. "Well, I think being that tall is awesome!" He nodded, like that settled it. "You're like a big, scary monster—but a cool one!"
Varin let out a slow breath, silver eyes narrowing slightly. "Monster, huh?"
The group collectively stiffened. The air around him felt heavier for just a moment.
Then he smirked.
"I've been called worse."
Varin shrugged, his massive frame shifting slightly. "Besides, this is nothing. We're heading to the Grand Line, right? Plenty of people are bigger than me."
Usopp paled. "Bigger than you?" He took a step back as if the idea alone was a threat. "You're already built like a damn fortress! What kind of monsters live there?!"
Sanji exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Giants, sea kings, maybe even weirder stuff." He glanced at Varin. "Though I guess if we've got you around, we won't look completely out of place."
Zoro smirked. "Yeah, but you better not slow us down."
Varin scoffed. "Slow you down? You should be hoping you can keep up." His tone was casual, but there was a definite challenge in his words.
Luffy, still looking entirely unfazed, threw his hands behind his head. "Well, I think it's great! Bigger crew members mean bigger fights, right?" He grinned. "We're gonna need all the strength we can get in the Grand Line!"
Nami rolled her eyes, arms crossed. "Strength won't mean much if we don't even make it there in one piece. You guys are acting like it's some kind of playground—it's called Pirate Graveyard for a reason."
Varin chuckled, low and deep. "That's what makes it interesting."
Nami groaned. "Great. Another one."
Luffy laughed loudly. "See? He gets it!"
Varin simply smirked, arms still crossed as he watched them bicker. For all their quirks, there was something oddly natural about this crew. Maybe, just maybe, the Grand Line would be worth the journey after all.