Wow, it only took three months before I got around to reading this update. Mind you, I’ve had 40 other updated stories to read, but I still feel a bit ashamed it took me so long.

Anywho, I ADORE your depiction of Zoro in regards to Hoku and they’re my number one pairing! I do like the Ace/Hoku pairing a lot too but Zoro/Hoku is da shit.

I’m thinking ahead to the crew’s meeting with Ace, and specifically Zoro’s reaction to Ace and Hoku’s interactions etc. / I think that’s what I’m looking forward to most now after the first meeting with Robin (and THAT was awesome too)

I also look forward to the eventual reunion with Law, and what turn it will take in this story, but it’s oh so far off (both in the story and IRL since there isn’t all too much story-progress made in a single chapter, usually (disregarding all the flashbacks), and the wait-time for a new update is a few months).

Either way, I look eagerly await the next chapter!

I just realized that if you take a look at all the chapter titles in order, it kinda forms a sequence.

I hope you don't mind [cause] you stopped by to say hello to me. And you smiled at me and said, who's got you singing again? I promised I wouldn't run but, but you called 'bout a thousand times. Where'd you go to sleep last night? I've been rolling around this town, we['re at] it almost every night. Come on, come on, I'll continue to reap. I've traveled far from where, not caring if anyone laughs at me. Doing it right-

And that's it so far.

[Also, in the previous review about Kid and Hoku, I just realized I spelled Hoku as shook because of auto correct. I was on my IPhone.]

I love this fanfic so much! I’m not even a big fan of one piece but this is like the 5th time I’ve binge read this. I can’t wait for the next chapter! Stay safe in this pandemic :)!

Listen, okay, Imma be real - this is lit. You put so much love and care into capturing every character perfectly - it truly feels like I'm reading something real, like I can see the scenes in my head playing out. Your use of, I don't know what it's called exactly, repetition? in your descriptions is something so enticing for some reason to me. I'm no expert on things like that, but they just flow so well to me, and I love that! I'm a writer as well (not nearly on your level though), and reading something like this gives me hope that I can still improve! I aspire to be on this level, able to convey the feelings of characters without resorting to practically crackposting in the descriptive writing (i.e. "But do she really feel like dat? Hard 2 say lmao" type stuff)!

Hoku, especially, is so rich in character and identity that she feels like a completely canon character. The way you took the time to set everything up with so much thought to the details, from her backstory as a person in the "real world" to her life on her island and the solo adventures she took... just, wow. I've made a few One Piece OCs in my time (and written some pretty cringe fanfiction somewhere on this site), but I've still got a long time to go before I reach that level of detail. I enjoy Hoku so much, particularly because I also struggle with suicidal thoughts.

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, or maybe you just haven't focused on this aspect of her because it would bog down the story, but I've noticed she hasn't actually had many negative/depressive/suicidal thoughts (aside from her planning her attempts, lol) in quite some time now. This might not be what you intended, but it makes me think that maybe she's no longer truly seeking death in the same way she had been originally - that maybe now, it just feels natural to her to do this. I'm hopeful for that, honestly, or that eventually something like that might occur - nothing would make me happier than for her to no longer be in that place of mind. Of course, I still love her now, and I doubt that will change, but she feels like a real person to me, so I naturally want her to have good mental health.

Please keep up with the good work!

This wholesome interaction between Kid and shook reminds me of Fuyu and Hotshot.

I wonder what Hoku would think about Kanjuro’s drawings will she like/appreciate his drawings? Or maybe want to pit her own creations against his? Lol it’ll be a riot to see a battle between animal drawings. Hoku’s would be the death of her haha. Imagine having to fight with your creations while dealing with your enemy’s

Oh no, been trying to make this last but I’m now caught up to the latest chapter...conflicted between excitedly wanting to know what happens next and dreading having to wait for the next awesome update after this chapter

Well, not when said vandalizing Pokian caught his eye for an entirely different reasonto date with

Holy shit you're amazing at writing. Berry that removes the blood being poisonous only to pokians, of course! Retelling the story in such an engaing way while adding your own flavour.
Hoku is absolutely amazing

Thank you for this master piece!

I love how you handled the laboon situation

Hoku darling, please pay more attention to the doctor. You’re driving me crazy with how nonchalant you are with his doctor’s advice about how to take care of your body. I feel like you’re gonna suffer from some deadly cold or something when you guys reach drum island and meet Chopper.

It’ll be one hell of a story to tell the kids.

Hoku: Oh how I met your father? Doofus broke my lucky and I made him kiss the ocean for it
Kidd: Bitch!
Hoku: Kanapapiki!
Kidd: Kana-wtfh does that mean?! *goes crazy because Hoku has never explained to him what that means*
Hoku:

It’ll be one hell of a story to tell the kids. Oh how I met your father? Brat pissed me off and I made him kiss the sea

I love your story I hope you continue it because it is has been doing brilliantly so far and I personally ship shanks and Hoku

‘Have to knock me out cold or kidnap me’ Hehe Hoku, that’s such a pretty flag you’re putting up. Guess what, you hit jackpot, twice even!

I loooooooove this entire chapter, drowning in Aho happiness (I LOVE Aho! It’s a mash of both their names and it translates as idiot in Japanese which is sooooo them!) I look forward to reading Ace’s pov when he wakes up and realises Hoku’s gone, and what he’ll do when he sees her next (in Alabasta, right?) Wonder how jealous he’ll be when he realises she joined the straw hats

I’m gonna have fun here and guess who the man is (even though I’m gonna start the next chapter in a few minutes)... aokiji/kuzan... hmmm or one of the revolutionaries, maybe even the big man Dragon himself. Shouldn’t be Buggy since Hoku doesn’t feel like she knew him personally before Loguetown... Garp? Since he’s often in the area to visit Luffy. Shouldn’t be Zoro since he didn’t recognise her when they first met (though being directionally challenged as he is, there’s a high chance of him stumbling across the island while sailing around as a pirate hunter lol) ehhhhhh ok I give up, I’m jumping to next chapter now. Fantastic job as always marsh!

Ace chumming with Teach, wrong, just...wrong. My eyes are burning with flames just listening to how blasé Teach is with his words can’t help screaming ‘crocodile! Crocodile tears!’ when he said to tell Hoku sorry