One Piece: The warrior of Justice

Aboard the Pirate Ship________________________________

A few days had passed since the Dragon Pirates had set sail with their prisoners in tow. The captured pirates on the second ship were growing restless, unsure of their fate. Whispers of fear spread among them, their nerves fraying under the weight of the unknown. The fat captain, known as Grando, and his vice-captain, a skilled swordsman named Zain, were equally shaken, though they attempted to maintain some semblance of composure.

"What do you think they'll do to us?" one pirate whispered anxiously.

"I heard they might just throw us overboard," another replied, his voice trembling.

Zain, summoning his courage, addressed the crew. "Stay calm. We'll find out soon enough." But even he couldn't shake the pit in his stomach.

When Atharva finally stepped onto the deck of their ship, all eyes turned to him. His imposing presence silenced the murmurs, and the prisoners began sweating bullets. Zain, with a trembling voice, asked, "What… what will happen to us?"

Atharva's gaze swept over them, cold and calculating. "What should happen to a group of pirates who have terrorized innocent villages?" he began, his tone ominous. "I should just kill you all."

The pirates froze, their faces paling as tears streamed down some of their cheeks. Cries of "Please spare us!" and "We'll change, we promise!" filled the air.

Atharva raised a hand, silencing them. "But… I cannot." The pirates' relief was palpable, their sobs turning to sighs.

Grando, mustering his courage, stepped forward and asked, "Then… what will happen to us?"

Atharva's sharp eyes bore into him, silently questioning how such an unremarkable man could ever lead a crew. After a moment, he replied, "You'll be handed over to the Marines at the Frauce Kingdom."

The pirates exchanged looks of relief. Being handed over to the Marines was far better than the alternatives they had feared. Atharva, however, did not share their sentiment. He turned and left without another word, his expression unreadable.

Aboard the Dragon Pirates' Ship (slight R18) ________________________________________________________________

Back on his own ship, Atharva decided to take a moment to clear his mind. The weight of the upcoming rescue mission loomed heavily on his thoughts. He entered the bathroom and let the warm water cascade over him, the steady rhythm offering a brief reprieve. His mind, however, was far from at ease.

How can I ensure everyone's safety? The slaves… the crew… His thoughts raced as he leaned against the tiled wall.

Unbeknownst to him, Nami had quietly entered the bathroom. Her orange hair shimmered slightly in the warm light, and her figure was more developed than one would expect for her age, her curves undeniable. She approached him silently and wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek pressing against his damp back.

Atharva snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see Nami, her large brown eyes filled with affection. "Nami… what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice a mix of surprise and tenderness.

She smiled softly. "You've been worrying too much. Let me help you relax." Without waiting for a response, she grabbed a sponge and began washing his back. Atharva, though initially hesitant, let out a small laugh and relented.

The two shared a quiet intimacy, exchanging soft smiles and light kisses. It wasn't long before the sound of the bathroom door opening startled them both. They turned to see Nojiko standing in the doorway, her dark skin glowing under the light, her confident posture revealing her intent.

"What are you doing here?" Nami demanded, her cheeks flushed.

Nojiko shrugged, her lips curling into a playful smile. "I needed a bath, so here I am."

Nami's brow furrowed. "You couldn't wait?"

"You're here with him, so why can't I be?" Nojiko retorted, her tone teasing.

Atharva, caught in the middle, averted his gaze as Nojiko stepped forward, her boldness catching him off guard. "Like what you see?" she teased, noticing his stolen glances.

"You're beautiful," he admitted honestly, though his voice carried a hint of embarrassment.

Nami's pout deepened, but she ultimately let it go as Nojiko joined them. Despite the initial tension, the three shared a surprisingly lighthearted moment, helping each other wash and sharing playful banter. When they finally emerged, the bonds between them felt stronger, albeit more complicated.

Frauce Kingdom in Sight_________________________

As the ship approached the Frauce Kingdom, the silhouette of its bustling port came into view. Atharva stood at the helm, his mind momentarily at ease. Beside him, Nami and Nojiko exchanged glances, their rivalry giving way to a shared determination.

"We'll drop the pirates off here and gather supplies," Atharva announced. "And masks for Nojiko and Lillie. From here, the real journey begins."

The crew nodded in agreement, readying themselves for the challenges ahead. But in the back of his mind, Atharva couldn't shake the feeling that danger was waiting just beyond the horizon.

To be continued.