A heavy thud echoed across the grassy deck of the Thousand Sunny.
Dropping out of thin air, two massive, perfectly spherical shapes bounced slightly upon hitting the wood.
Returning from their twenty-four-hour feast on Amazon Lily, Luffy and Bonney looked like overinflated balloons. Their arms and legs stuck out stiffly from their round torsos.
Rolling onto his back, the captain let out a long, satisfied burp.
No one answered the sound. Silence greeted the two gluttons.
Struggling to sit upright, Bonney looked around the empty deck. The kitchen door remained shut. Glancing over the railing, she noticed the environment had changed completely. High stone walls surrounded the ship, enclosing them within a hidden, rocky inlet.
"The ship is docked," Bonney mumbled, her cheeks stuffed with leftover Kuja bread.
Wiggling his arms, Luffy tried to stand but rolled sideways instead. "Did we arrive?"
"Must be Wano," the pink-haired pirate guessed, finally managing to push herself onto her feet. "The others probably went ashore to find the rest of the crew."
Excitement instantly overtook the rubber captain. Kicking his legs wildly, he launched his spherical body over the ship's railing. Tumbling through the air, he crashed onto the rocky beach below, bouncing three times before hitting a large boulder. Bonney followed seconds later, landing with a heavy, ungraceful thud on the dirt.
Picking themselves up, the two pirates assessed their current state.
"Too heavy to fight," Luffy decided, patting his massive stomach.
"Time for cardio," Bonney agreed.
Without another word, the two gluttons sprinted down the shoreline. Running at top speed, their bodies burned through the massive caloric intake with terrifying, superhuman efficiency. Steam poured off their skin. Pounding against the rocks, their footsteps echoed rapidly across the inlet. Within five minutes of intense sprinting, the spheres vanished, their physiques snapping back to normal, combat-ready forms.
Breathing easily, Bonney lifted her wrist. Tapping a glowing Kimiyo bead tied to her bracelet, she opened a communication channel.
"Nami," Bonney called into the bead.
Static hummed briefly before the navigator's voice responded. "You two finally finished eating?"
"For now," Bonney answered, adjusting her suspenders. "We found the ship empty. Where did everyone go?"
"We are heading toward Oden Castle," Nami instructed through the bead. "It sits on top of a mountain in the Kuri region. Follow the coastline until you see a wasteland filled with factories. Keep moving west past the smoke, and look for the highest peak. The whole crew is gathering there."
Memorizing the directions quickly, Bonney nodded. "Got it. We will be there as soon as we can."
---
Walking down a dusty dirt path, Luffy kept his hands in his pockets. His eyes scanned the desolate environment.
A sharp scream broke the quiet air.
Darting around a rocky bend in the road, a small girl wearing a patched green kimono ran for her life. She clutched a woven bamboo hat to her chest. Panting heavily, tears streamed down her dirt-smudged face.
Right behind her, two large men carrying swords chased her down. They wore the rough clothing of Kaido's lower-ranking grunts.
"Get back here, brat!" the lead thug shouted, raising his blade. "You owe the factory your labor!"
Spotting the chase, Luffy did not hesitate.
Stretching his right arm backward, the rubber limb elongated twenty feet into the air. Snapping it forward like a whip, the fist bypassed the little girl entirely and struck the lead thug squarely in the jaw.
The impact lifted the man off his feet, sending him crashing into his partner. Both thugs tumbled into a ditch, knocked out by the single, casual strike.
Stopping in her tracks, the little girl stared at her pursuers. Turning around slowly, she looked at the boy in the red suit and the woman with pink hair.
Walking forward, Bonney crouched down to eye level. "Are you hurt?"
Shaking her head rapidly, the girl took a step back, still gripping her bamboo hat. "N-No. I am fine. Thank you for saving me."
"I'm Luffy," the captain grinned, pointing a thumb at his chest.
"Bonney," the woman added, standing back up. "What's your name?"
Bowing politely, the child offered a small, grateful smile. "I am Otama. You are very strong travelers. Please, allow me to repay your kindness! Come to my house. It is not far from here."
Following the girl, the two pirates walked a short distance off the main road.
Nestled among a sparse grove of dying bamboo, a tiny, dilapidated shack stood precariously. The roof sagged. The wooden walls lacked proper insulation. Entering the hut, the poverty became immediately apparent. A single cooking pot sat over a small fire pit, containing nothing but boiling water.
Gesturing for them to sit on the worn floor mats, Otama hurried to a small cupboard.
Pulling out a tiny, hidden sack of rice, she cooked a modest meal. Moments later, she placed a single bowl of steaming white rice and a small cup of pickles between the two pirates.
"Please, eat!" Otama offered.
Assuming it was a local appetizer, Luffy grabbed the bowl and inhaled the rice in one massive gulp. Snatching the pickles, Bonney tossed them into her mouth, chewing happily.
"Delicious!" Luffy cheered, slamming the empty bowl down.
The wooden door of the shack slammed open.
A tall man wearing a red tengu mask and large wooden sandals burst into the room. Carrying a staff, he glared fiercely at the two pirates sitting on his floor.
"What are you doing?!" the masked man roared, pointing a shaking finger at the empty bowl.
Startled, Bonney raised an eyebrow. "We just ate a snack. Who are you?"
"I am Tenguyama Hitetsu! Otama's master!" The man stepped forward, his voice trembling with anger and sorrow. "You fools! Do you have any idea what you just ate?! That was her only food!"
Luffy blinked, looking down at the empty wooden bowl.
Pacing the small room, Hitetsu explained the heartbreaking reality of Wano. He described the poisoned rivers, the barren farms, and the absolute tyranny of Orochi and Kaido.
"Otama works every day weaving those bamboo hats just to buy a single cup of rice," Hitetsu shouted, gesturing toward the young girl. "She goes hungry for days. She starves herself just to survive in this wasteland. And why? Because she refuses to leave this village!"
Looking away, Otama stared at the floorboards.
"She is waiting for a pirate," Hitetsu continued, his voice softening slightly. "A man named Portgas D. Ace. He visited this village years ago. He had promised to return and take her out to the sea. She waits here, starving, holding onto that single promise!"
Before Luffy could process the name, a violent cough interrupted the room.
Clutching her stomach, Otama collapsed onto the floor mats. Her face turned a sickly shade of pale green. Sweat beaded on her forehead.
Rushing to her side, Hitetsu checked her pulse in a panic. "She drank from the river again! The factory runoff is highly toxic! She drank it to silence her hunger!"
Frowning deeply, Bonney dropped to her knees beside the girl.
"You idiot kid," Bonney scolded gently, brushing the hair out of Otama's face. "Why did you offer us your food if it was all you had left?"
Reaching into her pocket, Bonney pulled out a small glass vial filled with a glowing green liquid. Chopper had brewed several batches of potent, magic-infused healing potions using ingredients Ben provided and given them to everyone except Luffy and Zoro because they would just lose it.
Popping the cork, she carefully lifted Otama's head and poured the liquid down the girl's throat.
The magic worked instantly.
The pale green tint faded from Otama's skin. Warm color returned to her cheeks. The violent cramping in her stomach ceased, and her breathing steadied. Opening her eyes, the little girl looked around in confusion, the pain entirely gone.
Sighing in relief, Hitetsu slumped back on his sandals.
Standing up, Bonney reached into a different pocket. Pulling out her spatial pouch she plunged her entire arm inside.
"We thought you were just serving a local Wano delicacy," Bonney explained, pulling out a massive, roasted Sea King ham. "We brought our own food."
Hitetsu's jaw dropped behind his mask.
Reaching back into the pouch, Bonney pulled out a large pot of stew, three loaves of Kuja bread, a basket of fresh fruit, and a giant roasted bird. Placing the feast on the worn floor mats, she transformed the poverty-stricken shack into a royal banquet hall in seconds.
Staring at the mountain of food, Otama's eyes widened perfectly round. Thick drool escaped her mouth.
"Eat it," Luffy grinned, pushing the roasted bird toward her.
Tears burst from Otama's eyes. Grabbing a massive drumstick, she tore into the meat. She cried as she chewed, overwhelmed by the rich, untainted flavors. Joining in, Luffy and Bonney grabbed their own portions, turning the situation into a loud, joyous feast.
Wiping her mouth with her sleeve, Otama looked at the captain.
"Luffy-aniki," Otama started, swallowing a bite of bread. "Hitetsu-shisho said you are pirates. Do you... do you know Ace-aniki?"
Pausing his chewing, Luffy nodded casually. "Oh. He's my brother."
Dropping her drumstick, Otama gasped. "Really?!"
"Yeah, really," Luffy confirmed, swallowing his meat.
Looking down at her lap, a deep sadness washed over the little girl's face. Her shoulders slumped. "Then... why hasn't he come back to Wano yet? Did he forget about me?"
"No," Luffy answered immediately, his voice completely serious. "Ace never forgets a promise. Right now, he is just really busy. He has a lot of important things to do in the New World. That is why he can't come right now."
Reaching across the feast, Luffy patted the girl's head.
"But don't worry," the captain smiled brightly. "I am going to beat Kaido by the time I leave this island. You won't have to drink poison water anymore."
Nodding slowly, Otama tried to smile, but the lingering sadness remained. She missed her friend.
Watching her disappointment, Luffy crossed his legs. Lifting his wrist, he tapped the glowing Kimiyo bead tied to a simple string and called his brother.
A few seconds passed. The bead glowed brighter, projecting a crisp, three-dimensional hologram into the center of the small shack.
The hologram displayed chaos.
Flames roared in the background of the projection. The sound of clashing steel, explosions, and shouting pirates flooded the quiet room. In the center of the hologram, Portgas D. Ace stood on a burning shoreline, his torso coated in swirling fire.
Throwing a massive punch made of pure flame, Ace incinerated an incoming cannonball before looking down at his own glowing wrist bead.
"Luffy!" Ace shouted over the sounds of battle, wiping sweat from his forehead. "I am a bit busy right now! Can you call back some other time?!"
Tilting his head, Luffy chewed another piece of meat. "Are you fighting someone, Ace?"
"Blackbeard's fleet!" the Fire Fist yelled, dodging a massive slash from a rival pirate. "They are trying to take over one of Pops' old islands! We are holding the line!"
Sitting frozen on the floor mat, Otama stared at the hologram. Seeing the face of the man she had waited years for, a massive smile broke across her face.
"There is someone here who wants to talk to you," Luffy announced, shifting his wrist so the bead's projection field captured the little girl.
On the other side of the connection, Ace stabilized his footing after kicking a pirate away. Glancing back at the communication feed, he froze.
The fiery intensity vanished from his eyes. A wide smile replaced the combat scowl.
"Tama," Ace breathed softly, ignoring the battle raging around him.
"Big brother Ace!" Otama cheered, tears welling in her eyes again.
Quickly turning his head, the Fire Fist yelled across the battlefield. "Marco! Take my spot! I have to take this call!"
A flash of blue flames streaked past the background of the hologram as the Phoenix took the frontline.
Jogging away from the immediate crossfire, Ace found a relatively quiet spot behind a ruined stone wall. Sitting down on a rock, he focused on the projection.
"What are you doing in Wano, Luffy?" Ace asked, laughing in disbelief.
"We are taking down Kaido," Luffy answered simply, as if discussing the weather.
Barking a loud laugh, Ace shook his head. "Of course you are. Leave some for me, will you?"
Shifting his attention, the Fire Fist looked directly at the young girl sitting on the floor mats. His smile softened, carrying a heavy weight of guilt.
"How are you doing, Tama?" Ace asked gently.
"I am okay, Aniki!" Otama beamed, wiping her eyes. "I am practicing my weaving! And I am waiting for you!"
Dropping his gaze, Ace let out a long, heavy sigh. The flames on his shoulders dimmed slightly.
"This big brother was not able to keep his word," Ace confessed, his voice laced with genuine sorrow. "Forgive me, Tama. I wanted to come back as soon as possible. I really did. But one thing led to another. A war started. Then another war."
Looking back up, he offered a sad smile. "There are a lot of people depending on me right now. If I leave my position, the people I care about will be attacked by bad men. I can't leave them unprotected. I'm sorry, Tama."
Nodding slowly, Otama swallowed her disappointment. She understood duty. "It is okay, Ace aniki. I understand. You have to protect your family."
"Don't worry, Ace," Luffy interjected, grabbing another piece of Kuja bread. "I will take care of Kaido. I will make sure your word is kept. This country will be free before we leave."
A fierce pride flashed in Ace's eyes. He knew his little brother did not make empty promises. "Thanks, Luffy. I owe you one."
For the next ten minutes, the war in the New World and the tyranny of Wano faded into the background.
Ace and Otama simply talked. The Fire Fist asked about her hat-weaving skills, praising her hard work. He told her stories about his recent adventures, exaggerating his fights with sea monsters to make her laugh. Otama beamed, asking a hundred questions about the outside world, hanging onto his every word.
Standing in the corner of the small shack, Tenguyama Hitetsu watched the interaction in stunned silence.
The masked man stared at the glowing hologram. He looked at the legendary Fire Fist Ace, casually chatting with his young apprentice in the middle of a warzone. He looked at the boy in the red shirt, the brother of the legend, eating food on his floor while promising to overthrow an Emperor.
The impossible suddenly felt real. The long, dark night of Wano finally showed a glimmer of dawn.
Ending the call with a final promise to visit when the seas calmed down, Ace's hologram flickered and vanished.
The quiet atmosphere returned to the shack.
Picking up a massive piece of Sea King meat, Bonney ignored the emotional weight of the reunion. She hadn't stopped eating for a single second during the entire conversation.
"Eat up, kid," Bonney ordered with a full mouth, pushing a bowl of stew toward the girl.
Grabbing her spoon, Otama dug into the stew with a renewed, vibrant energy. The sadness was gone. Her hero had not forgotten her, and his brother was here to save her home. For the first time in years, the little girl ate until she was full.