The Going Merry cut through the Grand Line’s restless waters, her sails full with a wind that smelled of salt and distant sand.
The afternoon sun hung high and lazy, baking the deckboards warm underfoot.
Nami
sprawled against the mast, map spread across her lapWe’re three days out from Alabasta. If this log pose keeps steady.
Luffy
grinning from his perch on the figureheadMeat for dinner?
Nami
When isn’t it?
Usopp was fiddling with a slingshot at the rail. Vivi sat cross-legged near the galley door, her eyes fixed on the horizon like she could already see her kingdom.
And Sanji—Sanji was leaning against the galley doorway, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
He hadn’t said a word in hours. Just watched the sea, ash curling off his cigarette, the usual easy smirk nowhere to be found.
Zoro
propped against the mast, one eye cracked openCurly brow’s been quiet all day. Not that I’m complaining.
Sanji
flicking ash, voice flatShut it, mosshead. Some of us are thinking.
Usopp
muttering to NamiThinking about what? He’s been like this since Little Garden.
Nami
frowning, glancing at SanjiYeah. I noticed.
<Narrator>: The air hung heavy. The only sounds were the creak of wood, the flap of canvas, and the distant cry of seabirds.
Sanji took a long drag, then dropped the butt and ground it out with his shoe.