Ch. 80- End Roll

One Piece © Oda

Blizzard and Monkey D. Aika © Me

Rokuji © Gakuto1991

Color Spread: The Straw Hats watching a starry sky with forest animals.

"What's our heading, Nami?"

"We should be getting out of here, soon...just a little bit farther."

Luffy sighed as he lied on Blizzard's side, allowing Chopper to check his injuries. The doctor administered a dose of painkillers, some antibiotics, and a blood coagulant to stop any more bleeding. Now, all he had to do was rest.

However, at the aft deck of the ship...Sanji stood, staring toward the sea that the Straw Hats were leaving behind...as well as the one who gave his life for theirs. Once they were certain that they had left the threat of Big Mom's fleet behind, Brook told Sanji the truth: that Pedro sacrificed himself to ensure that the crew escaped from Whole Cake Island safely. As the Sunny continued sailing, Sanji sighed as he thought back to when he met Pedro back on Zou, which was covered in Caesar's deadly gas. The Jaguar Mink begged the Curly Hats to save the kingdom's leaders, absolutely insisting that they must not be allowed to die.

Now, Sanji just felt one thing: guilt.

"...So Pedro's dead, huh?" he muttered. "I never thought this place would be where he'd die...and all because he came to help save me..."

Suddenly, Sanji felt a hand reach up and pat his crown, causing him to turn and see Carrot, who smiled up at him.

"Don't be sad, Sanji!" she said. "It's okay! Pedro chose to sacrifice himself of his own free will...so there's no need to feel bad, okay?"

"...Carrot..." Sanji whispered.

"You-teia and your friends saved the Mokomo Dukedom," Carrot continued, "so it's natural that Pedro returns the favor, right? If Pedro hadn't been here, everybody would've died...so...so please..." She then sniffled as she suddenly found herself in tears. "Just...just tell Pedro 'thank you'...okay?! This was for the best, anyway, right?!" She then broke down sobbing...causing Sanji to smile.

Even though she was just trying to keep up appearances, Sanji knew that Pedro's would be harder on Carrot than anyone else. After all, he was closest to her, having taught her everything that she knows. He was like her older brother, always looking out for her and trying to get her to strive to be better...and now...he was gone.

"...I know that, Carrot," Sanji said as he gently patted her head. "I know what kind of man Pedro was."

Without another word, Carrot threw her arms around Sanji and started wailing.

Soul pocus, soul pocus

The words of the soul

Onward we go,

By breeze and by brine

Minds heavy with thoughts

Of the bloody seas left behind~

"Oh, look!" Nami exclaimed as she looked up at the sky and saw flakes of cotton candy gently falling from the dark clouds. "Cotton candy flurries!"

"That means we're nearing the edge of Big Mom's territory!" Brook added while sticking his tongue out. "Mm...yum!"

Aika blinked as she held Nami's hand. Her usually bright tawny brown eyes had now grown dull from exhaustion. Her legs wobbled and buckled but she still forced herself to stand. She wanted to sleep so badly, but at the same time, she was afraid to, for she felt that if she fell asleep, she'd wake up, still in Big Mom's territory.

"...I'm tired...!" Aika whimpered in a broken voice, causing Nami to look down at her. "I'm...I'm so very tired...!"

Almost immediately, Nami pulled the poor child into her arms.

"It's okay, sweetie..." she whispered as she stroked Aika's charcoal locks. "We're all tired...you've been so strong through all this and we're so proud of you."

"...Can I sleep now?" Aika asked with tears in her eyes. "Please?"

"...Yes...you can," Nami answered, her eyes welling up with tears, too.

XXX

In the Seducing Woods on Whole Cake Island, all the Homies had heard the news about Big Mom returning to her senses and were celebrating in song.

Though sugar is hardly its intended focus

The enchanted flowers and trees

Sing the sweetest soul pocus~!

Greedy Mama's false plot

Was both devious and smart~!

At the ruined Whole Cake Chateau, Mont d'Or was shouting orders, demanding a report on the Straw Hats' current whereabouts.

Matching fairy tale prince and princess fair

In a sham that was meant to keep them apart

When nectar alluring has its own bold mind

Sweet sentiment can be so bad for the heart

XXX

At Cacao Island, Pudding stared tearfully at the roll of memory film she pulled out of Sanji's head, smiling fondly...yet sadly.

XXX

A death-defying flight ensues

Love lost in the confusion

Take your candy coming in

And leave by execution~

Out at sea near Cacao Island, the Sun Pirates were fighting to the best of their ability, trying to keep the fleet from chasing after Luffy and the others.

"Hold fast!" Jimbei called out while "holding" a current of water. "Once Luffy's crew leaves the territory, we're done here!"

The fun is finding out who winds

At the grand resolution~

XXX

On Cacao Island, Germa 66 was still fighting off Big Mom's forces as best they could. All the while, reports were coming that the fleet had lost sight of Luffy and the crew while fighting off the Sun Pirates. In the midst of all the chaos, though, Pudding remained in hiding, sitting against the wall in the alley as she sniffled with tears falling from the two eyes on her face. Even now...she remembered it so vividly.

Big Mom, her mother, always called her "pretty little doll" that she could use for her own ends. Pudding hated being called such a thing, but she did not wish to be punished for going against her mother's wishes, just as many others had done, so she reluctantly went along with the act. She had truly come to believe that no one would ever love a "three-eyed freak" like her...even as Sanji began to accept her as his bride, she still thought that he would be disgusted at the sight of her third eye.

But then, when he showed no signs of fear or repulsion, she was stunned beyond all reason. She couldn't believe that someone had actually complimented her third eye. Even after the fact, she still continued to deny that anyone would ever love her, in spite of her unique feature. It was just as Sanji had said: she fooled many people into believing she was a monster...including herself.

He was truly a kind man...and kindness was something she had been denied of for so long, it almost felt foreign to her.

As she looked at the film of memory...it was soon revealed that the last thing she asked from Sanji...was a goodbye kiss.

Knowing that he'd never remember that...Pudding soon broke down, sobbing, all three eyes welling over with tears.

Now that she finally knew what real love was...she'd probably never find something like that, again.

"A report coming in! It seems there are still some Territory Sea Slugs on the edge of the territory! They're alerting us of a passage! The Straw Hats...THEY'VE JUST LEFT TOTTO LAND!"

"BACK TO THE SHIPS, GERMA 66!" Ichiji yelled. "OUR MISSION IS COMPLETE!"

On that, the Vinsmokes soon turned to run back to the flagship.

"Germa's retreating!" shouted one of the Big Mom Pirates. "After them!"

XXX

Inside the Mirror World, Katakuri lies on the ground, seeming unconscious...but then, Brulee approached him, holding a first aid kit. She stared down at her older brother...before she smiled gently and pulled Luffy's fedora away, revealing his deformed mouth. That's when Katakuri woke up and looked at her.

"...Brulee...?" he asked.

"...I'll admit, Brother Katakuri," said Brulee, "I didn't really want to see you lose...lying on your back like this." She then began to search through the kit and pulled out some gauze. "So tell me something...why did you switch to your back? Didn't fall down, facefirst, originally?"

"...Yes..." Katakuri replied. "I wonder why..."

Brulee said nothing as she began to wipe the blood off of her brother's forehead.

"...Brulee," Katakuri said. "I...I have something to confess...when it comes to my personal life...it was actually nothing but a lie...that I never lie on my back."

"Wiwiwiwi!" Brulee laughed, heartily. "Oh, my dearest Brother Katakuri...I knew that all along."

Katakuri's face turned all shades of red upon hearing that.

"I was watching you through the mirror, you know," Brulee told him. "Just as Sister Pudding was to play the part of the perfect little doll...you played the part of the perfect unassailable man...for our sake, didn't you?"

Katakuri sighed as he looked away.

He remembered a long time ago, back when he was a child of at least 12 years when he was so carefree and ate donuts as much as he wanted, even sharing them with Oven and Daifuku. Yes, people would mock him for his deformed mouth, but he only beat them up in kind.

That all changed, one day...it was when Brulee was attacked when she was just a little girl. The ones who mocked Katakuri had attacked her out of revenge...leaving the poor girl with the scar on her face that she has today. Despite this, Brulee told her brother that he was perfect just as he was...but Katakuri could not accept this. He soon put a scarf around his mouth and attacked anyone who dared to harm his siblings again. Ever since that day, he resolved that he would never show weakness around anyone, ever again.

That was how Katakuri became the so-called "perfect, invincible man"...until Luffy defeated him.

"...Brulee," Katakuri said. "Tell me...did Straw Hat...?"

"Make it out of the territory?" Brulee asked in slight annoyance.

"...Can you see the future, too?" Katakuri inquired.

"You know that I can't," Brulee countered. "He left the territory earlier. I heard the report...say what you will, Brother Katakuri, but I won't forgive that brat! Not after how he pummeled you like this!"

Despite that...Katakuri couldn't help but crack a grin while Brulee sighed and shook her head.

"I knew it..." she said...but nonetheless, she and Katakuri soon chuckled softly, together.

XXX

"Look!" Brownie shouted as he pointed to the horizon. "Here comes Mama!"

"Finally!" exclaimed Joconde while mounted on her tall horse.

Soul pocus, soul pocus~

Such self-centered words

When tempted by the scent

Of that sweet cake slice

The first step is to ask about

The nature of its price~

For this is not the good kind of surprise

The Vinsmokes and the Sun Pirates, all of them bloodied and bruised from battle, all looked up as they saw Big Mom beginning to appear while the Big Mom Pirates cheered at their captain's arrival. Reiju sighed before she glanced over at Rokuji, who stared up at her with his sunglasses broken. Nonetheless, they smiled at each other before the Labrador limped toward Reiju, who hugged him tightly...quietly saying their final goodbyes.

Will you suffer her trick

Or hand over your treats?

Sweets can be so very bad for the soul

Soul pocus, our Mama so material

Will it be years off your life?

Or your life itself~?

Soon...Big Mom had finally arrived...and she only one question to ask.

"Life...or...DEATH?!"

Soul pocus, the song of our queen~

XXX

Later that morning...the Straw Hats had finally left Big Mom's territory and were sailing on the smooth, calm waters. With the help of a powerful shield, the Straw Hats had escaped the territory of the greedy Empress of the Sea.

At that moment, Nami came outside and closed the door behind her.

"Well, Luffy," she said, "Aika finally fell asleep."

"Good," Luffy replied. "She earned that rest..."

"...The poor kid," Blizzard replied. "She saw so many things that a little girl like her should never see...I'd be surprised if she still remained the same after all that's happened."

"How long do you think she'll be sleeping for?" Sanji asked.

"Who knows?" Nami shrugged. "After what happened at this place, she could be out all day."

GLURRRRRRGLE! The Straw Hats turned upon hearing Luffy's stomach roaring, causing him to chuckle sheepishly as he put his hand over his bandaged abdomen. Sanji glanced down at the deck for a moment...but then he smiled.

"...Hey," he said. "How about...I make us all some food? What do you say?"

A pause...but then Luffy grinned.

"I say-" he started.

"LET'S EAT!" Chopper and Brook both shouted with drooling mouths, causing Sanji to laugh.

"Sure! Comin' right up!" he said as he walked to the kitchen. "I'll make us all one big banquet!"

"YEAH!" the others cheered.

XXX

Concurrently, at a certain seafaring restaurant in the East Blue...

"Boss! These chumps ain't worth our time! Let's just kick 'em out, already!"

"Why would you give these ingrates food?! They're pirates, after all!"

"Just be quiet! I'll take care of this, got it?"

At one of the tables, it is revealed to be the pirate Crescent Moon Galley and his crew.

"Come on!" Galley shouted. "Hurry up and make with the grub, already!"

"SHUT IT!" Patty yelled, having grown a full head of slicked-back black hair.

"Why we ought to...!" Carne growled, now sporting a goatee.

"I said that's enough!" Zeff shouted as he headed to the kitchen. "I'll handle this!"

XXX

"Food for us! Food for us!" Luffy, Brook, Chopper, and Carrot chanted.

"All right, all right!" Sanji called as he chopped up some vegetables and tossed some rice in a pan. "People get hungry every hour of the day, am I right?"

"Yeah, you said it!" Luffy agreed.

"I think that only applies to you, Luffy," Nami quipped.

XXX

"Even scumbags have to eat every now and then," said Zeff as he put some fried rice on a plate and put it out to be served. "You hungry? I'll feed you. We can talk after that!"

XXX

"Okay, guys, it's ready!" Sanji called out as he came carrying stacks of food. "You hungry? I'll feed you! We can talk after that!"

"YEAH!" Luffy, Chopper, Brook, and Carrot cheered as they all went to eat the delicious food. Nami chuckled as she picked up a plate of fried rice and ate it, happily.

"Mmm! Great as always, Sanji!" she praised. "I'm glad to see you haven't lost your touch!"

"Aika's cooking was good," Chopper began, "but we still missed your cooking, Sanji!"

"Indubitably!" Brook concurred. "My stomach is so happy to have all this yummy food, again! Although I have no stomach. Yohohoho!"

Blizzard hurriedly scarfed down some braised beef meatballs that were basted in soup stock while Carrot had a vegetable wrap with- what else- extra carrots. As the Straw Hats ate their fill, Luffy hobbled over to Sanji and put a hand on his shoulder, causing him to look at his captain, who gave him a broad, toothy grin.

"Welcome home, Sanji."

Sanji only smiled at him.

"It's good to be back...Captain."

XXX

While everyone ate, Aika lied in her bed, asleep...or so it seemed. Slowly, she opened her eyes and uncurled her fist, revealing her Lucky Cherry Blossom, which Luffy had given back to her. As she stared at it...she thought back to when she saw her older half-brother's bloody wound. Chopper had told Luffy that it was a miracle that he hadn't lost any more blood at that moment.

Despite finally escaping from Big Mom's territory...Aika's worries seemed far from over.

"...Big Brother..."

TO BE CONTINUED IN REVERIE...

...It's finally over...I've finally finished the Whole Cake Island. It was a long, hard struggle...tears were shed but I forced myself past them...and now...it's finally over.

Again, I want to say thank you to all those reading for all the support you've been giving. I know I haven't been consistent with it, but sometimes, life can be busy.

Now that this is over, I'm going to be taking a well-deserved break for a little. And then, I'm gonna see how much progress I'll make in The Fire Within before I start the Reverie Arc, and after that comes Trek. I just hope you guys will continue to support me until then.

That said, review, please!