One Piece: The Deadly

It was a typical day aboard the Thousand Sunny, with Luffy causing his usual chaos. This time, he had decided to swing from the ship's mast using a rope. "Wheeeeee!" Luffy shouted, laughing as he swung back and forth.

"Luffy, you're going to hurt someone!" Nami yelled, shaking her fist.

But it was too late. As Luffy swung wildly, the rope's trajectory changed, and he accidentally slammed into Kikidori, sending the boy flying off the deck.

"AAAAHHHH!" Kikidori screamed as he was launched into the air like a cannonball.

"Kikidori!" Chopper yelled, running to the railing.

The crew watched as Kikidori disappeared into the distance, landing on an island far away, just barely visible on the horizon.

"Should we turn around?" Robin asked, her calm tone betraying her concern.

"No need!" Luffy said, grinning. "He'll find us eventually. He's tough!"

"Luffy, he's thirteen!" Nami shouted, glaring at the captain.

"He'll be fine!" Luffy insisted, already distracted by the next shiny object in his line of sight.

The crew exchanged worried glances, but with Luffy's mind made up, the Sunny continued on its course.

---

Meanwhile, Kikidori sat on the sandy shore of the island, rubbing his sore backside. "What the hell just happened?" he muttered, looking around. The island was small, with dense jungle covering most of it and no sign of civilization.

He sighed, brushing the sand off his clothes. "Well, guess I better start figuring out how to get back."

Kikidori spent the rest of the day exploring the island, looking for food and water. He couldn't shake the sinking feeling that the Sunny wasn't coming back for him.

As night fell, he sat by a small fire he managed to start, staring up at the stars. "They'll come back for me... right?" he whispered to himself, trying to ignore the loneliness creeping in.

---

Back on the Sunny, the crew settled into their quarters for the night. Ere'ana couldn't sleep. She sat by her window, looking out at the vast ocean.

"I hope you're okay, Kiki-san," she whispered. She clenched her fists, feeling a pang of guilt for not protesting harder when the crew decided not to turn back. She closed her eyes, her heart aching. "I love you, Kiki-san," she said softly, her voice carried away by the ocean breeze.

---

Seven long weeks passed. Kikidori scavenged, survived, and built a small raft to escape the island. His days were grueling, filled with loneliness and determination. But finally, after weeks of sailing and searching, he spotted the Thousand Sunny in the distance.

"I found them!" Kikidori shouted, tears streaming down his face as he paddled furiously toward the ship.

The crew was shocked to see him when he finally climbed aboard, collapsing onto the deck, covered in sand and exhaustion.

"Kikidori!" Ere'ana cried, running toward him. Without thinking, she threw her arms around him, pressing a kiss to his sandy lips.

Kikidori froze, his face turning as red as a tomato. "E-Ere'ana...!"

Ere'ana pulled back, her cheeks just as red. "I-I'm sorry! I was just so happy you're back!"

Kikidori stammered, unsure what to say. "Uh... I... uh... thanks?"

The crew stood around, some smiling, others teasing.

"Guess the kid's growing up," Zoro muttered with a smirk.

"Yohohoho! Young love! How sweet!" Brook laughed.

"Let the boy breathe!" Sanji yelled, trying to pry Ere'ana away.

Luffy grinned, clapping Kikidori on the back. "See? Told you you'd find us!"

Kikidori groaned, still blushing furiously. "Yeah... thanks for the help, Captain."

As the crew celebrated his return, Kikidori couldn't help but smile. Despite everything, he was finally home.

*mEnd of Chapter 25