You stared at the board in disbelief, your mouth hanging open. How did you lose again? The pieces lay scattered, a silent testament to your defeat. Kusuriuri's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he took in your flustered expression.

"But... I... when did you...? How?!" Your exclamation as you scrutinize the Shogi board.

Each piece seems to mock you from their positions, a silent testament to Kusuriuri's tactical brilliance. He leans forward, his arms crossed against the table, and his long dark nails tapping lightly on the wooden surface. The lamp light casts shadows across his stupidly handsome features, highlighting the smug smile playing on his painted lips.

"You're so easy to read," Kusuriuri chuckles, his eyes sparkling with delight. "Your moves are predictable that I'm beginning to think you enjoy the taste of defeat," he teased.

Your eyes narrow, and you can't help but feel a mix of annoyance and embarrassment as he says that.

"I didn't expect my lovely Kiku to be such a masochist."

You felt your cheeks warm up, not just from embarrassment, but also from the frustration of losing yet again.

"I am NOT a masochist," you growled, pushing away from the board, your hands curling into fists. "I just want to beat you at something!"

"Is that so?" He leaned back, his eyes never leaving yours. "Then what do you say we play another game?" His voice had dropped to a low, seductive purr, his gaze intense.

The room felt hotter suddenly, and you realized that the tension wasn't just from the game. The air grew thick with something else entirely. However, you refused to be distracted from your quest to win.

You shook your head stubbornly. "No, I demand a rematch!"

Kusuriuri's smile faltered, his eyes narrowing with what could only be described as dissatisfaction. "*Sighs*... If you insist," he said.

He reached out and began resetting the pieces, his movements swift and precise. You watched him for a moment, his fingers gliding over the smooth wooden figures, before your own hand reached out to stop him.

"And don't you dare go easy on me. I-I will beat you," you said firmly, your voice a little shaky.

Kusuriuri scoffs. Those amber eyes, eyeline with purple and red, slowly glanced up at you, glittering with humor. "As if I ever would," he says, his tone playful.

Despite your self-confidence, you were practically melting on the spot as Kusuriuri's gaze held yours. You felt your resolve wavering, but you steeled yourself and focused on the task at hand.

Releasing his hand, you watched him intently as he finishes setting up the Shogi board.

"Well, my Kiku. Shall we begin round 2?"

Your heart races as Kusuriuri's words cut through the thickened air. You nod, taking a deep breath to compose yourself. You sit up straight, placing your hands on the Shogi pieces, ready to play. This time, you swear you won't let him win so easily.

As always, the game was intense with you and Kusuriuri's pieces moving swiftly across the board. You tried to expect his every move, but his strategic brilliance remained unmatched. The sound of the pieces clacking together echoed through the room as you both became lost in the silent dance of war. Sweat beaded on your forehead as you studied the board, your mind racing to outwit him.

Kusuriuri's smirk never wavered as he observed your every play, his eyes flickering with amusement. His fingers hovered over the pieces, stroking them lightly as if caressing your skin. The tension between you grew palpable, a potent mix of competition and the unspoken desires simmering beneath the surface.

The game progressed, each move calculated and swift. The clatter of the pieces grew louder with your agitation, but Kusuriuri remained unflappable. His gaze was a gentle caress, his eyes never leaving yours for more than a brief second to survey the board. He knew exactly how to push your buttons, both on and off the battlefield of the Shogi board.

The moment he placed his knight piece near your king, you felt the noose tightening around your throat. The room grew smaller; the pressure mounting with each of his calculated moves. Your eyes darted around the board, searching for an escape, a glimmer of hope to turn the tide in your favor. But no matter where you looked, you saw only the inevitable.

Your defeat was swift and decisive, the king falling prey to his strategic mastery once more. With a dramatic flourish, Kusuriuri announced checkmate, his voice a velvety whisper that sent shivers down your spine. You couldn't help but face-plant on the table in despair, the cool wood a stark contrast to the heat of your embarrassment.

"Why Gods... why is this happening?" You mumble into the wooden tabletop, feeling the heat of your embarrassment spreading through your cheeks.

The room seems to spin around you as the weight of your failure sinks in.

You heard Kusuriuri move as he rounds the table and towards you. You're pulled into his embrace before you know it, his warm hands gently lifting your face from the table. A childish whine escapes your lips, and you feel his chuckle resonate through his chest.

"My poor Kiku," Kusuriuri's voice was a soothing balm to your bruised ego as he holds you in his arms, the smell of incense, cherry blossoms, and ink surrounding you.

You automatically leaned into his embrace, the warmth of his body a comfort against your frustration. His touch was gentle, his fingers brushing the strands of hair out of your face with care. You could feel his heart beating steadily against your cheek, a rhythm that seemed to sync with your own erratic pulse.

"I hate you," you whimpered. Though you didn't actually mean it. You just felt so utterly defeated.

"Hm, I don't think I've ever heard that one before," Kusuriuri said, his tone thick with sarcasm while his thumb stroking your cheek gently.

"But if it's any consolation, I admire your tenacity," he whispered into your ear, sending a shiver down your spine. His breath was warm and smelled faintly of mint, a scent that was uniquely his. His arms tightened around you, and you couldn't help but melt a little into his embrace.

"Unfortunately, I've grown bored with this game," Kusuriuri murmured, his breath tickling the shell of your ear. "How about we play a different game?"

Was he serious right now?! After what felt like an eternity of playing and losing, he'd still wanted to play another game with you?

You're not sure your pride can take another beating, but his gentle touch and the hint of something more in his voice were hard to resist. "What game?" you ask, your voice muffled by the fabric of his kimono.

"One without competition," Kusuriuri replied, his voice dropping to a seductive murmur. His eyes searched yours, the corners of his lips curling into a knowing smile. "A game of... strategy, where the outcome is already assured."

"What?" You questioned meekly, your curiosity piqued despite your embarrassment.

You felt his fingers trace the line of your jaw, tilting your face up to meet his gaze. The look in his eyes was unmistakable, the heat there unbearable.

"A game of love, my Kiku," Kusuriuri whispered, his eyes smoldering. His thumb brushed against your bottom lip, and you felt your pulse quicken.

The tension in the air shifted from competitive to something more intimate, something that had nothing to do with board games and strategies.

You blinked, your cheeks still flushed from the sting of defeat. "Love?" you echoed, your voice small and unsure.

"Mm," Kusuriuri hummed, his eyes never leaving yours. His thumb traced the curve of your bottom lip again, a silent invitation that sent a thrill through your body. "Where the only prize is the pleasure we share."

Your face immediately heats up as if you just eaten a chili pepper. Love and pleasure?... He can't possibly mean....

Sadly, you didn't get the chance to finish that thought because you quickly squealed upon his lips against your neck. Sharp canines lightly nipped your skin, and you couldn't help but gasp as a jolt of pleasure shot through you.

Pulling back, Kusuriuri's eyes gleamed with excitement at your reaction.

"And as the victor of our little game, I demand my prize.♡"

(and.. you can stop the brook voice now... or not, idk, anyway moving on) The King - Monkey D. Luffy

This one was pretty easy, Captain → King.

Though theres also just the fact that he created the strawhats, without him they wouldn’t be a crew, they wouldn’t be infamous or feared or really anything.

Also, and probably the most important in context of Shogi, they wouldn’t win without him. (or well, they probably still would win some of the fights but thats not the point here)

Rook - Sanji Bishop - Roronoa Zoro

Here's a bit of a harder one, or well maybe not? I knew Sanji and Zoro should be Oogoma (I have literally no idea how to use that word. I just googled it cus i had a feeling like “I can’t possibly be the first person to want a word for the bishop and rook.” Anyway~)

The tricky part was who would be who. Or more like the age old, whose strongest (which i think is generally considered to be Zoro?) 

I chose to go a bit different and think of their movement rather than strength so:

Zoro swings, and slashes and Sanji do more straight (or you know..) kick movements.

That all concludes to my rook - Sanji and bishop - Zoro Obviously, there's also a lot of changes depending on different games and some times a bishop can be more useful or powerful than a rook so i think its pretty even.

And lastly, i chose promotion names as well.

Dragon becomes Mr. Prince and Horse becomes Pirate Hunter/King of Hell (im myself at Punk Hazard so i havent gotten to the whole “King of Hell” yet, but i had to add it cus i read it in a fic recently and it just sounds way cooler than Pirate Hunter. plus i can get to add my sprinkle of zosan by giving them both royal titles)

Gold general - Nami Silver general - Robin

Here I felt a bit of the same issue, with who should be who, though not the same way, cus differently than bishop and rook silver and gold doesnt feel as different.

I thought about it and i came to some different conclusions that lead me to figure it out:

Nami joined the crew earlier. Moving diagonally backwards as a move gives of a bit of the same unbothered sneaky vibe Robin has. Nami is already perfect, no promotion needed [Robin smiles her amused and very knowing smile (you know what i mean) and nods in agreement. Sipping at her tea obviously] Robin is just silver, you know. and Nami gold. its just… that simple sometimes. same as before, it just fits. like so very well, its just the vibes.

Promoted silver is drum roll Devil Child. I guess thats a reason to, cus Devil Child is a good name and it would be lost if Robin couldn’t get promoted.

aaandd lastly, when everyone is at their best, its because they do like Nami (says)

Knight - Brook

I have a very short explanation for this. You know how the knight can jump over the other pieces, yeah, now they're dead, and a soul. They levitate. thats it.

Promoted Knight is Soul King

Lance - Franky

Also pretty straight forward (did you see what i did there?.... lance pun… cus you know… lances..)

Its Franky's Radical Beam. Or Coup de Burst if you will.

Promoted lance - Cutty Flam (a bit boring so maybe… super robot? idk with this one)

Pawn - Usopp

He's everywhere, making his tricks, and setting up traps. Also hes seen as this non important sometimes even useless piece but hes actually really important and essential for the game.

Promoted Pawn - Sniper King/God Usopp (like with Zoro, im at Punk Hazard, and i dont even like God Usopp more than Sniper King but i feel like it need an honorable mention cus its still a cool name)

and now your probably thinking wheres Chopper, wheres Jinbe.

And to that I have this to say:

YOUR chopper. you heard right (or read or whatever.)

Cus like Chopper takes these pieces, patch them up so they're as good as new and ready to continue fighting.