#selmasemlan

“Make your own damn drinks!” Sanji snapped back without missing a beat. “This is ladies only service!”

Chopper sat cross-legged near Luna’s feet, several thick medical books spread out in front of him as he mumbled to himself, making notes with a tiny pencil. He occasionally looked up to smile at her before returning to his study.

Luna leaned back on her palms, content in the peaceful atmosphere, her eyes drifting over to the book in Robin’s hands. Curiosity sparked.

“What are you reading?” she asked, tilting her head.

Robin lifted the book slightly, showing her the cover. “It’s a historical analysis of the Void Century. The author proposes a theory about how the warships of that era functioned.”

Luna’s brows furrowed slightly as she stared at the ornate script on the cover. The symbols twisted and danced across the page like a code she couldn’t decipher. Still, she nodded politely.

“Oh… sounds interesting,” she said quietly.

Robin watched her for a moment. “Have you heard of the Void Century before?”

Luna repeated the phrase under her breath, the unfamiliarity of it awkward on her tongue. “Void… scentury?” She frowned. “Wait—was that wrong?”

Robin’s tone remained gentle. “Close. It’s ‘century.’” She turned the book so Luna could see the title again. “Can you read this?”

Luna blinked. She looked at the letters again, trying to force some familiarity into them — anything. But they remained shapeless, meaningless.

After a long pause, she shook her head. “No,” she whispered, dropping her gaze to her lap. Her hands clenched softly together.

Robin’s expression softened, but before she could respond, Nami had caught the silence. She sat up slightly and looked over.

“Robin, what did you say to her?” Nami asked, her voice protective and sharp.

Robin raised her hands slowly. “Nothing cruel. I simply asked her a question.”

“Well, maybe don’t make her feel bad,” Nami shot back, frowning.

“It’s okay,” Luna said suddenly, raising her voice slightly so both could hear her. She placed a hand on Nami’s arm, her eyes earnest. “Robin didn’t do anything wrong.”

Nami blinked in surprise. “Then what’s going on?”

Luna hesitated. Then, with a small voice and averted eyes, she confessed, “I… I can’t read.”

A stillness settled over the deck.

Chopper looked up from his books with wide eyes and immediately climbed into Luna’s lap, nuzzling into her like a tiny ball of support. “It’s okay, Luna!” he squeaked. “You’re still amazing!”

Luna’s arms instinctively came around him, but she still looked embarrassed, her cheeks pink.

“I never got the chance to learn,” she added, a little louder now. “Back then… it just wasn’t allowed. Or even an option.” Her voice trembled just slightly.

There was a long pause. Then—

The soft rustling of paper.

Nami stood, crossed over to her bag, and pulled out a blank stack of paper and a pen. She walked over and knelt beside Luna on the other side, opposite Robin.

“Then we’ll fix that,” Nami said simply.

Luna looked up at her in surprise, eyes wide.

“Reading’s important,” Nami continued, uncapping the pen. “And if you’re going to travel the world with us, you should get the chance to learn.”

Luna swallowed thickly, her lip trembling just a bit before she smiled — soft, grateful, stunned.

“I’m ready,” she whispered.

From the other side of the deck, Zoro, who had been lifting weights and mostly keeping to himself, paused and glanced over. He caught the sight of Chopper curled up in Luna’s lap, Nami patiently explaining the alphabet, Robin quietly observing with her arms folded, and Luna — smiling.

Zoro smiled faintly to himself. “Tch. Damn crew. Too good for this world,” he muttered, going back to his reps, but softer this time.

And up on the mast, even Luffy and Usopp had quieted, watching from above. Luffy grinned.

“Luna’s gonna learn to read!” he shouted triumphantly.

“That means more storytime!” Usopp added. “Maybe she’ll read my tales next!”

Everyone laughed — not in mockery, but with joy. The gentle, sun-warmed afternoon continued as the waves rocked the ship, and Luna, for the first time in her life, began learning what others took for granted.

Not just reading. But the feeling of being seen. Of being taught with patience. Of being loved.

The sun had begun its slow descent, casting golden hues across the deck of the Going Merry. The once bright chatter had mellowed into a gentle hum — waves lapping against the hull, distant laughter from Usopp and Luffy trying to fish with their bare hands, and the occasional breeze catching the sails above. The heat of the day had softened, replaced by a balmy, peaceful warmth that made even the wood of the ship feel comforting under bare feet.

On the lower deck, nestled between the shade of the mast and the railing, Luna sat cross-legged on the floor, a thin children’s book resting carefully in her lap. The cover was faded but vibrant, depicting a small animal with big eyes and an even bigger dream. The pages were thicker than most books — the kind meant for small hands and early readers.

Luna didn’t care. She traced her finger along the sentences, lips moving slowly as she murmured the words, sounding them out one by one.

“T-The… t-turtle w-went… to th-the…”

She paused, staring hard at the next word. It twisted before her eyes, the letters not quite clicking in the right order in her mind.

“...f-fuh… feh… fruh…”

On the bench just behind her, Zoro lay with his arms folded behind his head, one leg dangling lazily off the edge, his swords leaning within reach beside him. His eyes had been closed for a while, and his breathing was steady — calm enough that Luna thought he was napping.

She sighed and squinted at the word again.

“Fruh… forest?”

She frowned. That didn’t feel right. It started with “f,” sure… but the rest felt off. She bit her bottom lip, cheeks puffing out with frustration. The book trembled slightly in her hands, and she muttered under her breath, “Why can’t I just get this…”

“‘Farm.’”

Luna jumped, nearly dropping the book.

She turned her head, startled to see Zoro sitting upright now, eyes half-open, one brow raised as if this had always been his plan and she was the one catching up.

“Z-Zoro,” she stammered, pressing a hand to her chest, then quickly lowering it as she scrambled to steady the book again. “I—I didn’t mean to wake you up…”

“You didn’t,” Zoro said simply. He shifted off the bench, lowering himself to sit next to her on the floor, one arm resting over a bent knee. “You always make that face when you hit a word you don’t know.”

Luna blinked. “I do?”

He nodded. “Like you’re about to fight it with a frying pan.”

She huffed, a little embarrassed, a little amused. “Well… it is frustrating.”

Zoro glanced at the book. “Show me.”

Wordlessly, Luna tilted it toward him, finger pointing at the sentence she’d been stuck on.

He leaned in slightly, eyes scanning the page. “‘The turtle went to the farm.’ That’s the one, right?”

Luna nodded, watching him carefully.

Zoro pointed at the first letter. “This is ‘f.’ Makes a ‘fff’ sound. Like…” He blew air out through his lips. “Fist. Fight.”

She gave him a look. “Of course you would use those examples.”

He smirked, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest.

“Okay,” she said, focusing again. “F… a… r… m.” She tapped each letter. “Farm?”

“There you go.”

Luna’s eyes lit up. “Farm!”

Zoro leaned back on his palms, watching her from the corner of his eye.

“Say the whole sentence.”

Luna cleared her throat. “The turtle went to the farm.”

Zoro gave a nod. “Not bad.”

“Not bad?” she scoffed, grinning. “That was great!”

“Sure. For a beginner.”

Luna elbowed him gently. “You’re lucky I like you.”

Zoro shrugged. “You’re lucky I don’t mind helping.”

There was something oddly comforting about his presence. He didn’t coddle, didn’t flood her with praise. But he showed up, steady and reliable — and sometimes, that mattered more. Luna turned another page, a new set of words waiting to challenge her.

She stumbled over the next few sentences. And every time, before frustration could get the better of her, Zoro would lean in, point, and patiently guide her.

“Nope — that’s ‘river,’ not ‘raven.’ See the difference?”

“That one’s ‘bridge.’ The ‘b’ and ‘r’ together sound like—yeah, like that.”

Each word became a victory. Each sentence, a little easier. Zoro didn’t move much, didn’t make a fuss. But his quiet encouragement made Luna’s shoulders relax, her confidence grow.

They sat there until the sun kissed the horizon, orange and pink spilling over the sky.

And when Luna finally reached the last page, she looked up at Zoro, beaming. “I finished it.”

He looked back at her, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Told you. Not bad.”

Her smile widened. “Thank you.”

Zoro didn’t say anything right away. He just nudged her shoulder lightly with his own.

“Anytime.”

As the crew erupted in a flurry of confused questions and exclamations, Luna stood frozen behind Zoro, her fingers clutching the back of his shirt tightly. Her eyes were fixed on Robin, a mixture of fear and something else in her gaze.

Zoro glanced back at her, noticing her distress. He shifted slightly, putting himself more firmly between Luna and Robin, his stance protective. “Luna?” he murmured, his voice low so only she could hear. “What’s wrong?”

“She… something’s wrong,” Luna whispered, her voice barely audible. Her grip tightened on his shirt, as if she feared Robin might disappear if she looked away. “She’s in so much pain, Zoro. I can feel it. She’s hiding something, and it hurts.”

Zoro frowned, glancing back at Robin. She seemed completely at ease, her smile unbothered by the crew’s reaction. But Luna’s instincts were rarely wrong. He turned back to her, his voice a quiet reassurance. “I know. But if Luffy’s okay with it, we should trust him. Just… stay cautious.”

Luna nodded, but she didn’t loosen her hold on his shirt. “She’s like me, Zoro,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “She’s been through so much… I recognize that pain.”

Zoro paused, his gaze softening as he looked at her. He knew what Luna meant, how deeply she could sense the emotions of others, especially those who had suffered. He reached out, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “If anyone can help her, it’s you,” he said quietly. “Just take it slow, okay?”

Luna took a deep breath, her fingers loosening their grip slightly. “Okay,” she whispered back, though the worry in her eyes remained.

Meanwhile, the crew was still processing Robin’s sudden appearance. Luffy, to everyone’s surprise, broke into a wide grin. “Sure! Welcome aboard!”

“WHAT?!” Nami, Usopp, and Chopper yelled in unison, their shock turning to disbelief.

“Luffy!” Nami shouted, stomping her foot. “You can’t just—she was with Crocodile! We can’t trust her!”

Luffy shrugged, still grinning. “She helped us, didn’t she? And I like her. So, she’s in.”

Robin smiled, her eyes softening at Luffy’s casual acceptance. “Thank you, Captain.”

Nami threw her hands up in exasperation, but before she could continue arguing, Zoro spoke up. “Luffy’s right. If she wanted to hurt us, she had plenty of chances before. Just stay on guard.”

He glanced back at Luna, giving her a small, reassuring nod. She took another deep breath, then finally stepped out from behind him, though she stayed close, her eyes still fixed on Robin.

Robin’s gaze shifted to Luna, her smile gentle. “Hello there,” she said warmly. “I didn’t get to introduce myself before. I’m Nico Robin.”

Luna hesitated, then, encouraged by Zoro’s steady presence beside her, she managed a small smile. “I’m Luna,” she said softly. “It’s… nice to meet you.”

Robin’s smile widened slightly, and she inclined her head. “It’s nice to meet you too, Luna.”

The rest of the crew still looked uncertain, but Luffy’s easy acceptance and Zoro’s calm presence seemed to ease their worries, if only a little. Nami sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Fine, but if you try anything funny…”

Robin chuckled. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

As the tension on the ship slowly dissipated, Luna relaxed a bit more, though she still stayed close to Zoro. She could still feel the shadows of pain lingering around Robin, but maybe, just maybe, being part of this crew could help ease them. Just as it had for her.

Zoro glanced down at Luna, seeing the determined look in her eyes. He gave her a small, approving nod. Whatever lay ahead, they’d face it together, as a crew.

And with that, the Going Merry sailed on, now with one more crewmate aboard, and the promise of new adventures waiting on the horizon.

But then she felt it—a surge of something deeper, stronger. A fierce protectiveness rose within her, pushing aside the lingering fears and doubts. She thought of her friends, of the people she had come to care for, and the innocent lives at stake. She couldn’t let them down.

Taking a deep breath, Luna closed her eyes and reached out with her power. The earth beneath her feet seemed to respond, a gentle hum rising in the air. She could feel the plants, the hidden life beneath the desert sand, waiting to be called forth.

When she opened her eyes, there was a new determination in them.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, almost to herself.

Before the agents could react, the ground around them erupted in a cascade of greenery. Thick, sturdy vines shot up from the sand, twisting and winding around the agents with incredible speed. They yelped in shock, struggling to free themselves, but the plants were relentless, wrapping around their bodies until only their heads were visible above the dense tangle of leaves and stems.

“What the—?!” one of them shouted, his voice muffled as the vines tightened around him.

“Let us go!” another one demanded, thrashing futilely against his restraints.

But Luna stood firm, her hands outstretched, guiding the plants as they continued to grow, forming an impenetrable wall around the captured agents. The sheer strength of the vines was astounding, the agents completely immobilized and helpless.

The townspeople, who had been fleeing in terror, stopped to stare in awe at the sudden transformation. Luna’s power seemed to have come from nowhere, a burst of life and color amidst the destruction and chaos. Even the other members of the crew glanced over, momentarily stunned by the sight.

“I’m sorry,” Luna repeated, her voice soft but steady. She looked at the trapped agents, her eyes full of regret. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t let you hurt anyone else.”

One of the agents, his face twisted with rage, spat at her. “You think this is gonna stop us? You’re just a freak—”

His words were cut off as Luna turned away, her focus shifting to the collapsing buildings around them. With a graceful motion, she raised her hands again, and the vines responded, stretching out across the battlefield. They wove together in a complex, net-like structure, catching falling debris and rocks, preventing them from crushing the fleeing civilians.

Luna’s movements were fluid, almost like a dance, as she directed the plants to where they were needed most. They formed barriers around those trapped in the crossfire, gently pulling people away from danger and guiding them to safety. The entire town seemed to pulse with life, the plants moving with a purpose, protecting and sheltering those in need.

The people, who had moments ago been cowering in fear, now looked on with expressions of wonder and gratitude. A mother clutched her child to her chest, tears streaming down her face as a wall of vines shielded them from a falling beam. An elderly man, who had been too weak to run, found himself gently lifted and carried to safety by the ever-moving tendrils.

“Thank you,” he whispered as he passed Luna, his voice choked with emotion. “Thank you so much.”

Luna nodded, her heart swelling with relief and a deep, fierce joy. This—this was what she wanted to do. To protect, to help. To use her powers for something good.

But the strain of maintaining such an elaborate structure was beginning to take its toll. She could feel the energy draining from her, the heat and lack of water making it harder to concentrate. Her vision blurred for a moment, and she stumbled, nearly falling.

A strong hand caught her arm, steadying her. She looked up to see Zoro standing beside her, his expression serious but tinged with concern.

“You’re pushing yourself too hard,” he said, his voice low and steady. “Take it easy.”

Luna shook her head, glancing at the people still fleeing, at the crew still fighting. “I have to help them, Zoro. I have to protect them.”

“You’ve done more than enough,” he replied, his tone firm. “Now let us handle the rest.”

She hesitated, then nodded slowly, allowing him to support her as she eased back on her powers. The vines, still strong and solid, held their positions, but stopped growing, their movements slowing as Luna released her control over them.

Zoro kept a protective arm around her as they stood together, watching the battlefield. The agents trapped in the vines continued to struggle, their anger and frustration palpable, but they were completely immobilized, unable to break free.

“Is she really doing all that?” Luffy’s voice cut through the noise, his eyes wide as he looked at the captured agents, the protective barriers of plants, the people safe and unharmed.

Sanji, who had been watching Luna with a mixture of awe and concern, nodded, his usual flirtatious demeanor replaced by something more serious. “She’s incredible, isn’t she?”

Vivi, standing nearby, her eyes shining with admiration, added, “She’s saved so many lives today. I don’t know what we would have done without her.”

Luna, hearing their words, felt a wave of warmth and gratitude wash over her. She glanced up at Zoro, who was still supporting her, his presence solid and reassuring.

“You did good, Luna,” he said softly, his usual gruffness softened by a rare, gentle smile. “Real good.”

She smiled back, feeling a little stronger, a little more confident. “Thank you, Zoro.”

Nami rolled her eyes fondly at the display of bravado around her. “And I’m the navigator. I make sure we don’t get lost at sea and find all the best treasure,” she added with a smirk, causing Usopp to nod enthusiastically.

Chopper was practically bouncing on his hooves with excitement. “Everyone is so cool! I want to learn everything about you guys!”

As he turned around, his gaze landed on Luna, who had been standing quietly to the side, her hands clasped in front of her. His excitement faltered slightly as he noticed her shy demeanor.

“What about you, Luna? What can you do?” Chopper asked, his voice gentler now, his curiosity genuine and kind.

Luna hesitated, glancing down at her hands. Memories of her past, of being told to hide her powers, to never let anyone see what she could do, flashed through her mind. She bit her lip, unsure if she should say anything at all.

Seeing her hesitation, Luffy stepped forward, his grin as wide as ever. “Luna’s got the best powers!” he declared proudly, his voice full of admiration. “She can make plants grow and heal stuff! It’s like magic!”

Chopper’s eyes widened even more. “Really? You can do that?”

Luna looked up at him, still hesitant, but Luffy’s unwavering support gave her a little courage. She nodded shyly. “I… I can control plants,” she said softly. “I can help them grow and heal things. It’s not really a big deal…”

“Not a big deal?” Luffy scoffed, his eyes shining. “It’s amazing! You can make things bloom and grow, even when everything else is dying!” He gestured excitedly to the orange trees Nami treasured so much. “Show him, Luna! Show Chopper what you can do!”

Luna glanced around nervously, feeling all eyes on her. But when she looked at Luffy, his expression was so encouraging, so full of pride, that she found herself nodding. She took a deep breath and turned to the small grove of orange trees.

Slowly, she raised her hands, her fingers glowing faintly with a soft, green light. The crew watched in awe as the leaves of the trees seemed to shimmer with life, new buds appearing along the branches. Flowers began to bloom, delicate and vibrant, and the air filled with a gentle, sweet fragrance.

Chopper gasped, his mouth hanging open. “Wow… You’re really doing that! It’s so beautiful!”

Sanji, leaning casually against the railing, smiled warmly. “You look like an angel, Luna,” he said, his voice gentle. “Making the world a little brighter, one flower at a time.”

Luna’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink at the compliment. She wasn’t used to such praise, and the attention made her a little uncomfortable. As more flowers bloomed, even Vivi, who had joined the crew temporarily, was watching with wide eyes, clearly impressed.

“This is incredible, Luna,” Vivi said softly, her voice filled with genuine admiration. “Your power is truly beautiful.”

The praise from Vivi, a princess she had been so starstruck by earlier, made Luna’s heart flutter with nervousness. She looked down, her hands trembling slightly, unsure of what to do with all the attention.

Noticing her discomfort, Zoro, who had been observing quietly from a few steps away, stepped closer. He stood beside her, his presence steady and reassuring, like an unmovable wall she could lean on if she needed to. He didn’t say anything, but his closeness was comforting, a silent promise that she wasn’t alone.

Luna glanced up at him, her eyes grateful, and he gave her a small, soft smile. It was a rare expression for Zoro, but one that told her he understood and was there for her.

Taking a deep breath, Luna decided to do one more thing. She focused on a single flower, willing it to grow and bloom in her hand. A delicate, vibrant blossom appeared, its petals a soft shade of blue, almost like the sky. She turned to Chopper, who was still watching her with awe, and carefully placed the flower behind his ear.

“There,” she said softly, a gentle smile on her lips. “A flower for our new doctor.”

Chopper’s eyes grew impossibly wide, his cheeks turning a bright shade of red. “F-For me? Really?” His voice wavered, filled with disbelief and joy. He stared at the flower, then at Luna, and then back at the flower, as if he couldn’t believe it was real.

Luna nodded, her smile growing a little more confident. “Really. It suits you.”

For a moment, Chopper just stood there, his little body trembling with excitement. Then, unable to contain himself, he jumped forward and wrapped his small arms around Luna in a tight hug. “Thank you, Luna! This is the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me!”

Luna blinked in surprise, but then, feeling the warmth of his genuine gratitude and happiness, she slowly wrapped her arms around him too, hugging him back gently. A soft smile spread across her face, and the nervousness seemed to melt away.

The rest of the crew watched, smiles breaking out all around. Usopp was grinning from ear to ear, and Nami looked like she might burst from how cute the scene was. Even Zoro, standing close by, felt a warmth in his chest as he watched Luna’s shy, happy expression.

Sanji wiped a fake tear from his eye. “Such a heartwarming scene! Truly, the camaraderie of our crew is unmatched!”

Luffy, as oblivious as ever to the deeper emotions of the moment, threw his arms into the air and laughed. “See, Chopper? I told you Luna’s powers are awesome!”

Chopper, still hugging Luna tightly, nodded enthusiastically. “They really are! Luna, you’re amazing!”

Luna’s cheeks flushed a little again, but this time, the smile on her face was bright and genuine. She glanced up at Zoro, who was watching her with that same soft, almost proud look. He nodded slightly, his eyes saying what words couldn’t.

It’s okay. You’re doing great.

Feeling more at ease, Luna gave Chopper a little squeeze before letting go. “Thank you, Chopper,” she said softly. “I’m really glad you’re here with us.”

Chopper beamed up at her, his smile so big it seemed to light up his whole face. “Me too, Luna! Me too!”

As the crew laughed and joked around them, Luna felt a warmth in her heart, a sense of belonging that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Surrounded by her friends, with Zoro’s steady presence by her side and Chopper’s joyful laughter in her ears, she felt, for the first time, like she was truly part of a family.