The Going Merry gently rocked with the calm waves of the sea, a rare moment of peace for the Straw Hats. Everyone had settled into their usual routines: Luffy and Usopp were animatedly talking—or arguing, depending on who you asked—while Sanji busied himself in the kitchen, the faint aroma of something delicious wafting through the air. Nami sat in her usual spot, engrossed in a book, her brow furrowed in concentration. And, predictably, Zoro was sprawled out nearby, napping without a care in the world.

You leaned against the railing, gazing out at the endless expanse of blue. The sea was calm today, the sunlight dancing across the surface like glittering stars. It was one of those rare moments where you could actually let yourself relax, the weight of your adventures momentarily lifting off your shoulders.

A small smile tugged at your lips as you let the sound of the waves soothe you. This was why you loved the ocean—it was unpredictable, sure, but it also had moments like this, moments of quiet beauty that made everything else worth it.

The serenity didn’t last long.

“I told you it was MY idea!” Luffy’s voice rang out, loud and insistent.

“No way! You just went along with it after I said it first!” Usopp shot back, his voice equally as loud and indignant.

You sighed, rolling your eyes as their bickering grew louder. Something about who came up with the idea for their last prank—it didn’t matter, but they were determined to argue anyway.

Glancing over, you saw Zoro still fast asleep, completely unfazed by the noise. Of course, you thought. When is he not asleep?

Shaking your head, you turned back to the ocean, letting their voices fade into the background. The calmness of the sea was enough to drown out the chaos on the ship—for now, at least. Moments like these were fleeting, and you planned to enjoy it while it lasted.