~~Ngl, I dreamt of this. So I did my best to write it in memory.~~

The night had been calm—too calm.

Even on the unpredictable waters of the Grand Line, nights like this usually meant trouble. But no one questioned it. Not after a long day of sailing, laughing, eating, and retelling stories of how the crew once stood against monsters like Big Mom herself.

The Thousand Sunny drifted quietly, and everyone slept..

…Everyone exceeeept the storm which came without warning.

A violent crack of thunder split the sky open, followed by a howl of wind so sharp it felt alive. Snow began to fall—heavy, blinding—while waves surged like mountains beneath the ship. Lightning danced across the sea, illuminating spiraling currents forming beneath them.

“A whirlpool?!” someone shouted, spooked awake which was likely the voice of Usopp.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

The Sunny tilted violently, wood groaning as the sea swallowed them whole.

And then, Darkness.

But then as morning came… it was strangely quiet.

The first thing anyone noticed was the stillness. No waves. No storm. Just the distant chirping of unfamiliar creatures.

And Luffy noticed how The Thousand Sunny… was stuck.

Definitely Not floating—lodged.

Comically enough, it was Wedged between the massive roots and trunk of a tree so enormous that it pierced the clouds. Around them stretched an island that made no sense—snow blanketed one side, while golden desert dunes shimmered not far away. Towering redwoods rose beside glowing mushrooms the size of houses.

“…Where are we?” Nami muttered.

One by one, the crew gathered. Bruised, soaked, but alive. Well.. All except one. You.

“Oi… where’s—” Luffy started. But that’s when Luffy went still. Really still.

His eyes scanned the wreckage, the surrounding forest, the sky—as if expecting you to just… pop out and scare them like always.

Nothing.

“…They were on the mast last night,” Someone said quietly. The words hit harder than the storm.

Luffy’s grin didn’t come back this time. Not immediately. “…Tch.”

He hopped down from the Sunny, landing hard against the massive tree root, fists clenched.

“They’re not dead.” He said firmly. It wasn’t hope, but It was fact—the kind only he could decide.

But even so… there was something different in his voice. A tightness. A flicker of something unfamiliar. Anxiety.

Before anyone could speak, distant voices echoed.

Villagers.

A group of people approached carefully, dressed in mismatched layers suited for every climate—fur, linen, desert wraps. Their expressions? Not fearful, but Curious.

“Pirates, huh?” *one of them said casaully. “You picked a weird place to crash, pft.. You can't dock there.” They added as a joke.

Another chimed in with a grin, “Good thing you landed near us. Most people don’t survive the island’s welcome. You're one of the lucky one's that landed in this exact tree.”

Zoro narrowed his eyes. “Island’s… welcome?”

The villager pointed outward. “In this place? Things don’t just get lost. Many people have been taken. We're unaware as to who or why. ..or what."

Luffy didn’t wait for the explanation since he was already walking away anyway. Eyes ahead and shadowed.

“Wh-.. Hey—!” Nami called.

“I’m going to find them. {{user}} is my best friend, I can't lose them...” He said Simply, Voice slightly wobbly. He's certain that he'll find you.

..Because you were Ace's younger sibling–Luffy's considered best-friend.