◎𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫◎

Chapter 67: Straw

Italic and underline means that you're talking in your mind

Italic and Bold means sound effects

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Otama giggled as you started to mess around with her, while Ace and Luffy gobbled up most of the food. Of course, they're both still generous enough to give the two of you your share. Ace apparently brought a bunch of food somehow, but it would soon disappear due to the two black holes inhaling them all.

You munched on a few pieces of meat and cut the big pieces for Otama, and occasionally cut a few fruit to give her as well. Otama's eyes glimmered, loving the amount of care your giving her.

Feeling a familiar presence, you turned your head towards the person. Moss hair?

"Oh hey! It's Zoro!" Luffy shouted. Before Ace could grab Luffy, Luffy jumped off of Komachiyo and dived into Zoro for a big hug. You laughed at Zoro's misery when Luffy was basically suffocating him.

Zoro took a huge breath of air and then smiled, "Is everyone with you?"

"Yeah! I lost them... but- I guess they're ok!" Luffy brightly laughed it off.

"They're on the island, so they should be fine overall. However, there is someone on their way here- probably will arrive in around... 5 minutes? I say we get this over with." You interrupted, feeling the presences of many people, including some of the beasts that they ride on.

The two of them nodded, while Otama gripped your hand. Ace patted her head, reassuring her that you all would be fine.

"We'll easily get this over with! You'll see how awesome we are Otama!" Ace boasted, showing off how strong he was.

Otama's eyes sparkled, since she was a child, she believed it. Her innocence was still there, but it's sad to see a child having to live in this type of situation.

You placed Otama back on Komachiyo's back and with a soft tone you said, "Otama, stay here. We don't want you getting caught in the fight."

She nodded, being a very obedient child, while you patted her head and jumped back to the ground. Hihimaru was given his sword back, so he was tasked to protect Otama. That is, if any of the enemies even can get near.

"Zoro! We're heading towards the town to look for everyone, you should come with us!" Luffy shouts, not noticing the woman with a blue kimono behind the rocks. She backed away, trying to stay away from the unusual group.

The sound of running broke all of your thoughts, as all of your heads turned towards the enemy.

The enemy was Basil Hawkins, who was now working for Kaido. Because of their unfortunate situation from before, Kaido landed in their meeting spot and he was forced to join the crew.

"Straw Hat!" Hawkins grit his teeth, "I was on my way to Kuri Beach, but you're the one who caused the trouble there, aren't you?"

He continued, "Two of my subordinates and one baboon went missing..." his eyes trailed up to Hihimaru who was holding his sword in the back, "The possibility that you guys have something to do with it... is 98 percent. But... that doesn't matter."

Him and his men started to march forward to the four of you, him not noticing who you or Ace were yet due to your backs facing towards him. He kind of expected that the two of you were part of the Straw Hat crew, and assumed already.

"Guys! This is the warning Kin'emon gave us. "Don't make a scene!"" Zoro warned.

You all grinned, "Well, I guess I'll just have to... apologize to him later!" Luffy replied.