I must have drifted off to sleep while Shanks carried me back, a gesture that seemed all too typical considering the calm, silent atmosphere. When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself alone in Shanks' room, the gentle sway of the vessel barely enough to register. It struck me as odd, especially since I had my own quarters to retreat to.
Confusion swirled within me as I tried to process the situation. My feelings for Shanks were complex; I didn't harbor romantic love for him. Instead, he occupied a special place in my heart, filled with a warmth akin to familial love, a bond that felt both comforting and safe. It seemed likely that he understood my sentiments, too. The idea of loving someone romantically felt foreign to me, an elusive concept that I struggled to grasp.
Taking a deep breath, I resolved to ponder this later. If there was one thing I excelled at, it was postponing confrontations with my own emotions. For now, I would let the waves of uncertainty wash over me, a familiar tide that I had learned to navigate.
As I made my way to the deck, the salty breeze whipped through my hair, and I took a moment to absorb the scene before me. The ship was docked at the bustling Foosha Village, the vibrant marketplace lively with villagers going about their day. Up ahead, I spotted young Luffy perched confidently on the figurehead of the Red Force, his dark eyes gleaming with determination. He clutched a small dagger tightly in his hands, though the weapon seemed oversized in his small grip. Luffy's gaze was fixed intently on Shanks and the rest of the crew, who stood on the dock, their expressions a mix of amusement and exasperation. The sunlight glinted off the water, casting a shimmering halo around the moment, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of the future hanging in the air. Wait.
"Now you have to take me seriously! This is how tough I am!!!" Luffy declared boldly, his voice ringing out with youthful defiance as he brandished a glinting dagger, the metal catching the sunlight.
"DAHAHAHA! Just do it already!" Shanks bellowed from the bustling port below, his laughter echoing off the wooden docks, urging Luffy on with a mix of amusement and disbelief.
With a sudden, reckless determination, Luffy pressed the sharp tip of the dagger against the skin beneath his right eye.
"HUUUUHHH!!!!" A chorus of horrified gasps erupted from everyone on the dock, their faces morphing into expressions of shock and outrage. "IDIOT!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!!"
"OOOOOWWWWWWW!" Luffy howled in pain, clutching his face as the dagger clattered to the ground. I sprang into action, racing over to snatch the weapon away before it could cause any more harm.
A wave of frustration washed over me, and I fought the urge to smack my forehead in disbelief. The sense of déjà vu that enveloped me felt almost unbearable, as if I was trapped in a loop of chaos that had already played out before my very eyes.
I grasped the back of Luffy's shirt scruff, a deep sigh spreading across my face as I lifted him effortlessly into the air. With a gentle yet swift glide, I floated us down to where the rest of the crew gathered, their lively chatter filling the air. As I reached them, I casually tossed Luffy into Hongo's arms, our ship's doctor, who caught him with an amused expression, as he patched Luffy's self-inflicted stab wound up.
My gaze shifted to Shanks, who stood nearby, his signature cheerful smile illuminating his face. The laughter that bubbled from him felt contagious, as if the chaotic events of the day before had been erased from existence. But as I scanned the area for Uta, a sense of confusion washed over me when I realized she was nowhere to be found.
"Uta?" I asked, raising my voice slightly to cut through the playful banter around us.
"She's staying in Elegia for a couple of weeks until we set sail for the Grand Line again," Shanks explained, his tone light but reassuring.
"Oh." A mixture of relief and perplexity washed over me. At first, I felt a pang of concern, thinking Uta had been abandoned on Elegia. But it seemed she was merely taking a break, which seemed odd. Shanks wasn't the type to neglect her—as much as he maintained a carefree exterior, he always looked out for her. I glanced around, searching for familiar faces, and then it hit me: where was Gab? The ever-shy member of our crew was notably absent, likely left behind as a chaperone. I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought; Gab would be keeping a watchful eye on Uta while she was off doing who knows what in Elegia.
I was no longer consumed by worry. While my memory may have become a tangled web of confusion, one certainty remained clear in my mind. There was only one existing copy of that cursed music sheet, and I had meticulously obliterated it. With that destructive act, the chances of anything even remotely similar resurfacing were virtually nonexistent.
With a newfound sense of relief, I shuffled back into the warm, bustling tavern alongside the rest of the crew. Luffy's audacious stunt was deserving of a "grand" celebration, after all. The air was thick with laughter and the cheerful clink of mugs, creating a lively atmosphere that pulsed with energy. In the center of it all, people eagerly jostled for a giant hunk of meat, their competitive spirits clear as they reached for the succulent slices. I managed to find a seat across from Beckman, who lounged back with an air of nonchalance, a cigar resting between his lips and a frothy tankard of mead cradled in his hands. The warm, sweet scent of the drink mingled with the aroma of roasted meat in the room, heightening my already growing hunger. Not wanting to wait for the chaos to settle, I signaled to Makino, who promptly brought me a plate piled high with food, its enticing smell promising a satisfying meal.
"You feeling better?" Beckman asked, a casual elegance in his posture as he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, and a hint of concern flickering in his eyes. I nodded, a small smile breaking across my face as I sat cross-legged in my chair, comfortably nestled in the soft blanket from Shanks' bed. Using my unusual Devil Fruit ability, I directed a spoon towards my mouth, as if I possessed telekinetic powers, enjoying the amusing spectacle of feeding myself without lifting a finger. The blanket's warmth enveloped me, adding to the sense of coziness that contrasted with the boisterous parting members of the crew around us.
"That's good to know," Beckman said with a slight smirk. "Shanks can really be a handful at times. If you ever feel like you need a breather from his antics, give him a good punch. Trust me, it's the unspoken signal for him to tone it down a notch." He sighed, shaking his head as he recalled some of the more chaotic moments with Shanks. I couldn't help but chuckle at the mental images that flooded my mind.
"But honestly," Beckman continued, his tone growing more serious, "it takes real guts to stand your ground against the Captain. We all know how much you respect Shanks—just as much, if not more, than the rest of us do. So if you have thoughts or opinions, don't hesitate to voice them. Even though Shanks can be quite demanding and high-maintenance, we all still choose to follow him. Your insights matter, and we must maintain a balance in our crew dynamics."
Beckman's comments filled me with a comforting warmth that spread through my chest. I understood that he was reflecting on the entire incident that had unfolded before Elegia; it had tested us all. In a crew of diverse personalities and perspectives, Beckman stood out as a beacon of clarity and reason. His ability to approach chaos with a steady hand and a sharp mind was a rare gift, and I often found myself grateful for his presence. If anyone could navigate the complexities of our situation with both wisdom and calm, it was undoubtedly Beckman.
"Thanks," I whispered, discreetly using a napkin to wipe my face. I couldn't help but release a loud burp, the sound echoing slightly in the lively atmosphere around us. Both of us paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, the sound mingling with the chatter of the bar.
I tilted my head towards Beckman, signaling that I was going to join Lucky and a few others who were gathered nearby, their antics illustrating the classic drunken revelry. As I made my way over, I couldn't resist stealing a glance at Shanks and Luffy. They were engrossed in one of their playful conversations, with Shanks leaning back in his chair, a teasing grin plastered on his face. I shook my head, amusement flickering through me as I could tell he was once again poking fun at Luffy, who was animatedly responding, his expression a mix of confusion and determination. This was just another evening filled with their unique brand of camaraderie, and I found myself smiling at the familiar scene.