For the first time, you had dinner with the top ranks of the crew.

They looked all like animals that had been starved for days.

«We're approaching a big fight, we have to be filled with energy.» Heat explained after intercepting your gaze.

Someone put a plate full of fish in front of you, but your nose curled.

«Thanks, I prefer not to eat much before a battle.» you muttered.

«Your loss.» the Mohican shrugged, before confiscating the dish.

You glanced at the top of the table, where Kid and Killer were eating and talking. They seemed to be used to this kind of situation.

«Speaking of battle...» you moved your eyes to Wire, in front of you «Have I earned enough trust points to use my rifle?»

He stopped chewing, eyeballing you.

«Are you going to give it back, afterwards?»

«Hum, I don't know. It depends on how many bullets I have left.»

«Not funny.»

«If I could choose, you know who's the first one I'd shoot down?»

«Girl, I strongly suggest you to stop talking.»

Heat, on the other hand, looked genuinely curious.

«Isn't it the boss?»

Wire glared at him and you shook your head.

«Nope. It's Killer. Definitely Killer.»

«I can hear you.» Killer called flatly from the other side of the long table.

«Good!» you blurted.

Kid snorted.

The Kid Pirates' ship was smaller and nimbler compared to Daifuku's, and somehow you managed to keep it at distance for the whole night.

The men took shifts to sleep.

You were relegated to the crow's nest, where a few lookouts followed one another. It was a simple measure to keep you from sneaking in the basement while the pirates were busy.

The dawn was cutting through the clouds when a big man called everyone on the deck.

You slid down the main mast and joined the crew, gathered around Kid and Killer.

It was a matter of minutes before the enemy fired the first bomb.

«All right assholes, let's go slaughter some suckers!» Kid shouted, pure excitement on his face. The crew cheered back.

«Hey girl.»

You turned to the Mohican, who threw your rifle at you.

«Take good aim, don't get confused, will ya?»

A crooked smile tugged at your lips before you could avoid it.

Your Observation tingled, so you shifted your position to look at the first two homie-bombs flying toward the Victoria Punk.

It was only natural for your rifle to slide in your hands and fire, startling the pirates nearby.

The bombs exploded mid-air, delivering zero damage.

«I won't.» you smiled to the Mohican.

Some of the men around cheered.

«I bet Daifuku hates you by now.» Killer observed.

«Then keep him away from me, okay? I'm going up.»

You reached the mast again, ready to climb it and hold the lookout post.

«[Y/n], wait.»

Heat plowed towards you.

«What?»

«If things go South, come near me, or Wire, or even Killer.»

Your eyebrows creased.

«What about Eustass?»

«Yeah... not the boss.»

«Whaddaya mean?» Kid barked, not too far away.

Heat acted like he didn't hear and pointed to a thin scar on his shoulder.

«From the captain, during a battle.»

Wire nodded and moved his cape to reveal a long cut on his thigh.

«Captain.»

Killer shrugged, lifting his arm and showing you an old wound on his elbow.

«Kid.»

«FINE, WE GOT IT!» Kid snapped.

A soft chuckle escaped your lips, much to your dismay.

«Yes, I got the message. Don't go anywhere near Kid while he's taken by his bloodthirsty frenzy.»

You started to quickly climb the mast.

Heat glanced over Wire, while the rest of them headed to the ship's stern.

«What?»

«She called him "Kid".»

The homie-bombs tried their best to change the trajectory and hit the ship, but, between you and Kid, none of them succeeded.

However, Daifuku came close enough to send his crew boarding, and the Kid Pirates did the same.

A lot of enemies fell under your fire before the huge genie came out to shield them from the bullets.

The battle exploded on both decks.

Kid and Killer boarded the enemy's ship first to engage Daifuku, and you lost sight of them pretty soon.

Heat, Wire, the Mohican and the other big shots of the crew were handling the situation pretty well, so you focused on protecting the weaker recruits and trying to identify the strongest among the Big Mom pirates.

Your haki tingled again when a tall man with long hair jumped on your deck.

Holy shit, that's Charlotte Raisin!

He was extremely fast.

With a few swift movements of his saber, he killed two pirates who attacked him. After that, he raised his eyes to the lookout post, and it was immediately clear he was looking for the sniper.

His observation haki had to be well developed too, because he dodged your first shot.

I see. So you'll be my pain in the ass in this battle.

Raisin wasted no time and used the skywalk to fly to your height.

You were expecting something similar, though you were used to handle those situations with your special boots on. Now it was different.

He was too fast for you to take aim, so you had to gain enough time to fire guided only by your haki.

In zero seconds he was in front of you.

You dodged the first swing by letting yourself fall and grabbing the cordage below.

Your rifle was quick in firing, but Raising covered for it with his saber.

He cursed when the steel cracked, due to the bullet being coated in haki.

«Since when do the Kid Pirates have such a skilled sniper?» he asked, landing on the mast while you entangled your legs around it not to fall.

«Well, surprise!» you shouted, trying to aim at him again.

But he was faster than you in attacking.

You managed to avoid the blade, but his kick hit your chest, making you cough out the air in your lungs. And lose the grip on the ropes.

It was a long fall from the post to the deck.

You had two instants and two choices: grabbing the mast (sacrificing a hand to slow down the fall), or taking aim and shooting.

You went for the second one.

His haki warned him, but too late.

However, he moved to the side, so the bullet got him below his collarbone.

Your arm jerked towards the mast, which was luckily close enough, and you clawed at it with all your desperate strength.

It was too late to avoid any damage, but enough to avoid death.

You hit the deck with your left arm first to alleviate the impact.

The pain surged through it and your chest, a creepy crack coming from your shoulder.

Probably broken.

You had landed in the middle of the battle, with pirates slaughtering each other, but it took you a few seconds to regain your breath.

You blinked several times, then looked around.

No sign of Raisin, he probably fell somewhere on the deck too.

You lifted yourself in a sitting position, testing your arm.

For some miracle it was not broken, although it hurt like a bitch along with your chest, and your shoulder was dislocated.

An enemy came at you yelling, probably thinking the rifle between your legs was abandoned.

Stray, like its name. Like me.

No sir.

His head splatted open when the bullet hit.

Screams were blasting all around you.

Quickly, you placed your left wrist between your legs and used your good hand to put your shoulder back in the socket.

«FUCK!» you barked to no one in particular, the pain pulsating through your limb.

The first attempt to stand failed, and you stumbled on a pool of blood.

Kneeling back on the deck, you faced a boy, opened from his sternum to his lower abdomen, bows scattered around. His frightened eyes were reflecting the clouds.

The memory of Jen flashed in your mind.

This is not the place, nor the time, [Y/n].

You stood, slowly this time. Your chest was hurting, it was hard to breathe.

A few easy shots killed some close enemies.

Three men of Kid's crew were fighting against a huge pirate who was throwing little bombs.

When one of them dodged, the bomb hit the railing near you.

The explosion sent you flying against a wall.

You groaned.

«I'm not doing super good, am I? Serves you right, [Y/n], for the next time you play cheeky, sniping around.»

Another blow aimed to you was avoided, and you shot the pirate between his eyes.

Once back to your feet, your hand automatically searched for a surface to lean on, landing on what felt like a doorknob.

You turned, massaging your chest.

A door.

No, not a simple door.

The door to the basement.

You quickly looked around.

No one was paying attention to you.

The only one you could spot was Heat, but he had his hands full with Bobbin and a white rabbit-knight at the moment.

Holding your breath, you slid inside.

Killer had underestimated the rapidity of that damn genie.

He took a direct punch while trying to go around it and was forced to parry with his Punishers. The blow was so strong he ended up against the taffrail.

«Killer!»

Dozens of little soldier homies jumped on Kid in order to prevent him from running by his mate's side.

They were small fries, and he cut them easily, but they kept coming, slowing him down.

«Keep Eustass busy while I finish this one.» Daifuku ordered, walking towards Killer.

The blond was already standing, but barely managed to avoid another hit.

Daifuku laughed.

All he had to do was rubbing his stomach, while the pirate struggled to avoid the heavy blows.

«Look at this, Eustass! Maybe you should lend a hand to your friend.»

«Now I'm really sick of you!» Kid growled.

Stretching his flesh arm, he summoned the metal around, creating a giant limb that easily crushed all the soldiers.

He then jerked towards the Charlotte.

Killer's Observation tingled.

«Kid, wait!»

An evil sneer spread to Daifuku's face.

«Gotcha.»

The moment Kid stepped in front of him, two of the wooden beams below him ceded.

«Whaddaf–»

He wouldn't have imagined those motherfuckers were going as far as damaging their own ship to trap him.

Kid fell with the broken wood.

Onto the open sea.

The lifeboats were aligned in front of the side hatch.

It was almost hard to believe you were there, with no one to stop you. The battle above was muffled, almost like it belonged to another world.

One week. It took one week.

A week that forever changed who you were.

But it was no time for such considerations.

Quickly, your trembling fingers started to unfold the ropes that secured the closest boat to the ship.

Once it was ready, you hang yourself to the lever for the hatch, using your whole weight to pull it down.

Slowly, the gate began to open. You kept it going until it was enough for the tender to get through it.

The sea was grey and mildly agitated.

You stopped.

I go now.

I go now.

I go now?

Your hand instinctively grabbed the rifle, looking for something familiar to hold on to.

Eustass Kid.

Why, why on earth his fucking devilish smile was all over your mind now?

I can't stay, I'm going mad.

You pushed the tender in the water.

Goodbye, Eustass "fucking" Kid.

To you, to your madness, and to your warmth.

You took a deep breath and moved your last step on that ship.

«HEAT!»

You froze.

It was Wire's voice, from the deck.

The kind of desperate voice you have when you're about to lose someone.

Your lost eyes followed the gentle rolling of the lifeboat, already in the waves.

What do I do?

«Heat, get up! Now!»

What do I do?

Heat could handle the two warriors before Raisin joined them.

The enemy pirate was injured, but still lethal, and the three of them were just too much for him alone.

Heat was hit many times before going down.

Wire was rushing towards him, shouting something, but he was far.

Raisin's sneer towered over him.

«A pity Eustass is not here to witness, but I'm sure he'll learn about it later.»

The Charlotte lifted the saber to deliver the final blow.

Heat closed his eyes.

«Master, watch out!»

Bobbin jumped in front of Raisin just in time to shield him from the bullet, and crashed on the wooden beams.

The pirate jumped aside along with the rabbit, sharpening his eyes.

«You again.»

«Yeah, me again, you shitty loser.» you yelled, forcing him back with a series of rapid blows.

«You're not going to hit us like this, girl!» he scoffed.

«But I'm not trying to.»

Finally, Wire was behind them, taking them both with his spear.

«...I'm just keeping you distracted.»

Raisin was pierced in his side, the rabbit knight in his waist.

However, they somehow managed to roll away in the middle of the confusion. A few soldier-homies immediately dragged them away.

You and Wire were too worried to chase them.

«Heat!» the pirate called, kneeling beside the comrade.

The bluette laid in a red pool, his eyes vaguely wandering around.

«He's losing too much blood.» you said, tearing your shirt apart to gain some tissue and stop the haemorrhage.

Some enemies tried to attack you, but Wire was taking no shit at the moment, and he quickly killed them all while you tended to Heat's major wounds.

«I stopped the flow, but we have to bring the doctor or–»

Another pirate jumped on you and Wire blocked him.

This time, though, the enemy was not exactly small fry. Thin, tall, yellow eyes and fierce feline-looking appearance.

Wire's arms shook against his strength.

«I'm dealing with him, you take care of Heat!»

«GUYS!»

The Mohican ran along the other side of the deck, chased by three armour-homies. When he was sure his voice could reach you, he stopped to face them, starting to dodge and deliver blows.

«Guys, this is bad!» he shouted «The captain fell in the sea! It's been a while now!»

For some reason, the blood in your veins drained.

«What's Killer doing?!» you yelled.

«He's facing Daifuku alone!»

«Fuck!» Wire hissed between his teeth, still trying to keep his opponent at distance.

You frantically looked around.

«Booka! Take care of Heat!»

«What's the matter, Massacre Soldier? You worried for your captain?»

Killer dodged another massive fist that caused serious damage to the ship.

«Do you think he drowned already?»

The blonde was trying his best to jump overboard, but Daifuku was just not allowing him.

Face to face against the enemy, he had no manoeuvre margin.

«Give it up already, he's dead.»

A sudden splash made them both turn to the water.

Daifuku's face immediately lost his cheeky expression, knowing that one of the Kid Pirates managed to dive in the sea.

Killer took advantage of his distraction to dash past the genie and slash him to the side.

Eustass Kid was furious.

Not because he was dying, but because of how he was dying.

He had never been afraid of death, it was a possible (probable?) consequence of chasing his dream to the very end of the sea. He accepted it the moment he set sails, and despised the ones who didn't.

Yet the pirate had always pictured his demise as an epic moment, maybe against some invincible opponent.

Not like this.
Not sinking into the depths of the sea for nobody to remember.

It was a matter of moments now, then his lungs would be filled with salt and water.

Well, no regrets, anyway. He lived his life the way he wanted.

He was sorry to leave his crew like this, to leave Killer, but he knew his friend would save the others, somehow.

And [Y/n].

He was sure Killer would release her after the battle.
Good.

Kid closed his eyes, not to see the distant sunlight dying.

What an unexpected thing, to meet a woman like that right before having to leave.

As a last reflex, his flesh hand stretched to the surface.

And a sudden warmth grabbed it.

Kid's eyes snapped open.

There you were, hair floating around in a whirl of silver bubbles, cheeks puffed from the air, wrinkled eyebrows and burning gaze.

It took a few seconds for him to realize.

No more oxygen though.

A brief flow of bubbles escaped his mouth in a painful cough before he pressed his mechanical hand over it.

There was no way a fly like you could pull him back to the surface, not even in a million years.

The effort of dragging him up was already distorting your features, and you were both sinking further.

Kid was heavy like a freaking giant.

Damn him and damn his metallic creepy arm! Can't he lose it already?!

Plus, it was clear he had run out of air long ago.

You gritted your teeth, pushing your muscle to their limits, desperately trying to gain some feet towards the surface. In vain.

A harsh tug snatched away from your grip on his forearm.

You rapidly turned to him.

His gaze was so angry he would have punched you back on the ship if he could.

This stubborn idiot!

But a light shade of blue was spreading on his pale skin and his eyes were losing focus.

Crap.

With two strokes of your legs you got close to him.

He was barely able to distinguish your outline as you grabbed the edges of his vest and pressed your lips on his, forcing his mouth open and blowing some oxygen into his throat.

A surge of life spread through his veins, and the first thing he did with it was push you away.

I would yell in your ears so many insults right now if  only my air wasn't so damn precious!

You made sure to plaster those feelings on your face as you grabbed his arm back with force.

He grimaced but didn't shrug you off.

Okay, [Y/n], what now? Ideas? Desperation?

You threw his arm over your shoulder, trying to take advantage of the lever, and felt yourself sinking further into the deep blue.

Your chest started to hurt from the lack of oxygen and recent hit.

Desperation it is, then.

You began to desperately kick the water.

Kid was so impossibly heavy.

I'm not going to die here.

WE are not going to die here.

I gave up on the One Piece.

He never did. He never will.

Biting down your lip and shutting your eyes, you tore your muscles apart.

Your legs were crumbling.

No air.

FOR.

FUCK'S.

SAKE!

And, suddenly, it worked.

Your kick pushed you up.

You glanced down at your legs in confusion.

They were completely black.

Armament haki.

I FREAKING AWAKENED MY ARMAMENT HAKI!!

You were never able to use it, just to coat your bullets in it.

With that new power unlocked, it was easy to pull you both to the surface, just in time.

As your head emerged, you coughed and took some hoarse breaths while Kid did the same.

When the minimum oxygen was back in your lungs, you focused on keeping his face above the water.

He was still incredibly heavy to hold.

«Breathe, you giant idiot!» you rasped.

«You... fool.» he wheezed, swallowing big sips of air.

The ships were close, the sounds of the battle still infuriating from both decks.

You looked around, checking for something to hold on to, and you saw it.

The tender you pushed in the water a while before.

With a strained groan, you dragged Kid and swam to the little boat. He grabbed its side.

That was enough for the pirate.

With one hand he lifted and dropped you on board, then he climbed himself, rolling inside and falling onto his back, still catching his breath. You were in the same position.

For one minute, the only sounds were a few seagulls in the distance and your greedy panting.

Eventually, Kid sat on the waving tender.

«I gotta go back to my men.»

You raised your eyes and looked at him for an instant, then nodded.

«You can go.» he said.

Your eyes widened.

«Wait, Eust–»

But he had already locked on some metal on the enemy ship and used the magnetic attraction to swiftly get back on the deck.

Killer managed to deliver some solid blows to Daifuku, but now he was losing the battle. Moreover, anxiety was devouring him.

So much time had passed since Kid fell in the sea.

So when his captain landed on the Charlotte dude, hitting him with an extra heavy punch, the blond felt his chest exploding in relief.

«Kid!»

«Hey.» the soaked redhead grumbled.

«Who pulled you out?»

Daifuku was back on his feet.

«Let's talk about it later, shall we?» Kid said, his maniac smile taking over his face.

«Sure.»

On the other ship, the Kid Pirates had formed a compact line, shielding the wounded ones from the enemies, and the Big Mom pirates were doing the same.

«Men, get ready!» Wired shouted.

«Blow them away!» Raisin snarled.

The two sides were about to clash again, but a rain of bullets poured on the Big Mom pirates, forcing them into a quick retreat.

Everyone turned to the taffrail where you hanged, soaked and frustrated, the rifle still in your hands.

«You know how fucking difficult it is for a normal person to climb back up?!» you barked «You do one nice thing, ONE NICE THING, and they let you down like that!»

Your furious eyes met Wire's, who blinked at you.

«What are you waiting for, a good luck kiss?! Finish this up already!»

He quickly shook his head.

«MEN, LET'S CRUSH THEM!»

All the Kid Pirates yelled.

«I wouldn't have minded a good luck kiss.» the Mohican smirked while charging.

They really crushed them, finally.

Most of the enemies were killed, but some of them (including the major ones) managed to jump outboard and escape.

You took down a lot of men yourself, receiving just some minor cuts.

In the confusion, you spotted the doctor tending to Heat's wounds.

«We're done here.» Wire stated, wiping some blood away from his spear. He hinted at Daifuku's ship «Now let's–»

Killer crash-landed in the middle of the deck, rolling for a few feet, staining the floor with his blood.

«Killer-san!»

The pirates gathered around him, and you with them.

His left thigh was slashed open.

Someone called the doctor.

«Let me go!» Killed snapped, pushing his comrades away «Kid threw me here. He's still weak because of the saltwater, I have to go back!»

But as soon as he tried to stand, he crumbled.

«You can't go!» Wire nervously rambled, pushing his shoulder down.

You and other men ran to the stern of the Victoria Punk, where you could see what was happening on the other ship.

On the devastated deck, Kid was on his knees under the crushing pressure the genie was applying to his metal-covered arms.

«Give up, Eustass "Captain" Kid.» Daifuku sneered, moving closer «Get crushed like the little mosquito you are.»

Kid snarled, but the wooden beams below him started to crack under the weight.

«I can't wait to bring your head to Mama, she'll be so please–»

«EUSTASS FUCKING KID!»

Daifuku stopped, turning to the other ship.

Kid moved his eyes with a hiss.

You were sticking out from the stern, the Mohican holding you back, a furious expression on your face.

«WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?! I WAS NOT TAKEN PRISONER BY A PIRATE WHO'S DYING AGAINST THAT ASSHOLE!»

Even from that distance, the Charlotte could spot the rifle hanging from your shoulder.

A small smirk entered his features.

«Is that the sniper that caused so much trouble? She's feisty.»

The redhead growled, his locks falling to shadow his eyes.

«...I guess I'll keep her for myself after I'm done with you.»

«YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S BECOMING KING OF THE PIRATES! SO GET. UP.»

Daifuku was about to hit again when the air around suddenly got colder.

At that moment he noticed all the weapons that were flying around, more and more, all the ones available.

«What the hell...?»

«What did you just say?» Kid lowly asked.

The genie groaned when the strength matching to his fist started to increase.

Daifuku grumbled, trying to push the redhead down.

«Like hell.»

The weapons swirled to Kid's side, settling on his arms, making them massive.

His amber eyes were blazing with hell's flames.

«LIKE HELL YOU'RE GONNA TOUCH HER OR ANY OF MY MEN!»

Daifuku jumped back.

Too late.

«DIE, YOU CHARLOTTE SCUM!»

Kid crushed him.

He crushed him so hard Big Mom's ship split in half.

The pirates around you exploded in overjoyed screams.

A wave of relief washed over your chest, the last grain of strength suddenly abandoning you.

You flopped on the railing.

«Thank god...»

«Hey girl, are you okay?»

Your vision was blurred and your throat hoarse.

«I...»

There was a light stinging on the back of your knee.

With clumsy movements you slid on the deck, reaching for your pants and rolling them up.

Crap.

A jagged purple stain was spreading around a minor cut you received earlier.

Poison.

How could I be so stupid?

«Oi, girl!»

You collapsed on the floor, eyelids incredibly heavy, your lungs burning.

The last thing you heard was someone frantically calling for the doctor.