In To Worlds

"At this speed, I might die!" I screamed, my voice swallowed by the rushing wind as I plummeted through the endless blue sky. My arms flailed uselessly, and my heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst. This is it. I'm done for. Game over, I thought bitterly, cursing the voice that had thrown me into this mess.

But then, a spark of hope flickered in the chaos. Wait... my wishes! I had wished for arcanepotence—limitless magical power born from imagination itself. How could I forget something so crucial at a moment like this?

I closed my eyes and focused. Float. Just float. Think light, think weightless, think... stopping. A strange warmth spread through me, and the rushing wind softened. My rapid descent slowed, the sensation of falling ebbing away until I hovered gently in midair.

"Oh my god, I actually did it!" I gasped, adrenaline still buzzing in my veins. A grin spread across my face as I cautiously took a step forward. My foot met invisible ground. Then another step. I was walking—no, running—on air!

"This is insane! This is awesome!" I laughed, my voice echoing through the sky as I twirled and jumped, testing the limits of this incredible power. For the first time, I felt truly free, unbound by the laws of nature.

Once the initial euphoria subsided, I took a deep breath and glanced around. The world stretched endlessly in every direction—brilliant blue skies, soft clouds floating lazily, and... wait, what was that?

I squinted, my gaze locking onto a bird with a blue hat clutching a newspaper in its talons. "Wait, WHAT?!" I blinked, sure I was imagining things. Without thinking, I soared toward it. "That bird! I know this bird!" I shouted, pointing excitedly.

The poor creature, understandably alarmed at being chased by a flying human, squawked in terror and fainted, dropping the newspaper mid-flight.

"Oh no, no, no!" I yelped, darting forward to catch it before it plummeted. Cradling the unconscious bird in my hands, I inspected it closely. My heart skipped a beat. "This is... a news coo!"

The realization hit me like a tidal wave. "No way," I whispered, my eyes widening. "Am I in... One Piece?"

The words barely left my lips before I broke into a full-on squeal, hugging the poor bird in my excitement. "Oh my god, the world of my dreams! I can't believe it!" Images of Sanji's mouthwatering dishes filled my mind, and I could practically smell the fragrant spices wafting from his kitchen. "I have to find him—I have to eat his food!" I drooled at the thought, my stomach growling in anticipation.

The bird woke up with a startled squawk and shot off like a rocket. "Oops," I said sheepishly, watching it disappear into the distance. "Can't blame it for running away. I'd be freaked out too."

Still, I knew I couldn't risk attracting attention like that again. A quick thought turned me invisible, my form shimmering out of sight. "That's better. I'd rather not have people freak out over a random girl flying through the sky."

As I floated onward, scanning for land, something caught my eye—a structure in the distance. It wasn't just any structure—it was a ship. My heart leapt.

"Wait... is that...?" I squinted, trying to make out the details. The curved exterior, the distinctive architecture—it all clicked. "The Baratie?!"

My excitement soared to new heights. The floating restaurant where Luffy recruited Sanji! Memories of watching the iconic scene flooded back, and I couldn't stop myself from squealing again.

The salty breeze of the open sea carried tantalizing aromas of grilled seafood, earthy spices, and the comforting warmth of freshly baked bread. Erin hovered invisibly above the Baratie, her chest tight with the thrill of witnessing the legendary floating restaurant for the first time. Her hazel eyes sparkled with wonder, and a grin spread across her face as the masterpiece of maritime craftsmanship came into view.

The ship was a marvel, its wide, tiered decks shaped like a fish's gaping mouth, the "tail fins" gracefully slicing through gentle ocean waves. Sunlight gleamed on its polished wood and brightly colored paint, giving the entire structure a whimsical yet imposing charm. Erin's gaze darted to the open-air sections where chefs in crisp white uniforms moved with practiced precision, delivering steaming platters of food to eager diners. Laughter and chatter spilled across the deck, blending harmoniously with the rhythmic lapping of water against the hull.

She drifted closer, her excitement bubbling over as she drank in every detail. "This place is even more beautiful than I imagined," she whispered, her voice carried away by the breeze. She felt like she was stepping into a dream.

Then her gaze caught on something moored nearby—a small boat. Its simplicity was its charm, the carved sheep figurehead unmistakable. Erin's heart skipped a beat. The Going Merry. Her mind raced, piecing it together. If that's here...

Her pulse quickened. Luffy and the crew are here!

Her invisibility faltered as she landed lightly on the far edge of the Baratie, just behind a stack of barrels. The gentle breeze tugged at her flowing black dress, and she smoothed it out with trembling hands, trying to steady her racing thoughts. Her dark brown hair tumbled around her shoulders in soft waves, catching glimmers of sunlight. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage, and stepped out from her hiding spot.

Her boots clicked softly against the wooden deck as she took in the vibrant scene before her. The restaurant bustled with life. Guests of all shapes and sizes filled the tables, their colorful outfits and boisterous energy adding to the kaleidoscope of activity. Waiters navigated the chaos with practiced agility, trays laden with food and drink. The smell of butter and spices wafted through the air, making her mouth water.

A booming voice cut through the noise. "Oi! What's the hold-up? Table three is still waiting for their drinks!"

Erin's head snapped toward the source. There he was—Sanji. His golden hair swept effortlessly across one eye, the other gleaming with sharp intelligence. His tailored suit hugged his frame perfectly, and he carried a tray of drinks with the grace of a dancer. A cigarette hung lazily from his lips, adding a devil-may-care touch to his polished demeanor.

Her breath caught. He's even more charming in person.

But her admiration was interrupted by a sudden, deafening crash. Plates shattered against the deck, and a chorus of gasps erupted from the diners. Erin instinctively turned toward the commotion, a knowing smile already forming on her lips.

"Luffy," she muttered under her breath.

Sure enough, the straw-hatted captain stood amidst the wreckage, sheepishly scratching the back of his head. His grin was as wide and unapologetic as ever, even as an enraged chef loomed over him with a frying pan in hand.

"You're going to pay for that, you gluttonous brat!" the chef bellowed, brandishing his weapon like a sword.

"I'm sorry! I was just too hungry!" Luffy wailed, his voice carrying across the deck.

Erin couldn't help it—she laughed. The sound was light and musical, drawing the attention of nearby patrons. Her mirth mingled with the chaotic atmosphere, momentarily distracting even the furious chef.

Sanji's eyes caught hers, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. His sharp blue gaze swept over her with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. Then, with his signature charm, he strode toward her, a smirk curling at the corners of his lips.

"And who might this vision of beauty be?" he asked, his voice smooth and velvety as he extended a hand toward her.

Erin's cheeks flushed a soft pink, but she quickly composed herself. "Just a traveler passing through," she replied, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.

Sanji's smirk deepened. "Well, miss traveler, welcome to the Baratie. Let me know if there's anything I can do to make your visit... memorable."

Behind him, a chef groaned. "Sanji, focus! We've got a packed house!"

Reluctantly, Sanji turned away, though not before shooting Erin a final wink. She chuckled, her earlier nerves fading into a warm glow of amusement.

Suddenly, a voice called out, startling her.

"Hey! You look new around here!"

Erin turned to see Luffy bounding toward her, his signature grin plastered across his face. 

"Are you joining our crew?" Luffy asked eagerly, his enthusiasm catching her off guard.

"W-What? No, I'm just—" Erin started, but before she could finish, Luffy grabbed her hands and spun her around.

"You look strong! You've got that... aura or something. Join us!" he declared, his voice filled with the certainty only he could manage.

Erin blinked, stunned by the sudden turn of events.

But her moment of confusion was short-lived. A sharp, commanding voice sliced through the noise like a blade.

"Honestly, Luffy, can't you keep yourself out of trouble for five minutes?"

Erin turned toward the voice and found herself face-to-face with Nami. The navigator's orange hair gleamed in the sunlight, her piercing gaze locked onto the chaotic captain. She walked with purpose, her hands on her hips, exuding an aura of both authority and exasperation.

Her sharp eyes flicked to Erin, and her brow furrowed slightly. "And who's this?" Nami asked, her tone cool and skeptical.

Erin opened her mouth, but before she could answer, Luffy bounded over with his characteristic enthusiasm. "She's joining our crew!" he declared, as if the decision were already final.

"What? No, I'm not!" Erin blurted out, flustered by the sudden attention.

Nami raised a single, unimpressed eyebrow. "You don't just decide that, Luffy. Besides, she doesn't even look like she knows where she is." Her gaze raked over Erin, scrutinizing every detail with unnerving precision.

Erin forced a nervous smile. "I'm... just a traveler passing through," she said, her voice soft but steady.

"Right. And travelers just happen to drop out of nowhere onto floating restaurants," Nami shot back, her tone dripping with dry humor.

Before the conversation could escalate further, Sanji appeared, a charming smirk tugging at his lips. "Ladies, ladies," he interjected smoothly, stepping between them. "There's no need for hostility. Miss Traveler here is our guest, and it's my duty to make sure she feels welcome."

Nami rolled her eyes, muttering something about Sanji's predictability, and turned on her heel. "Just don't let her get us into trouble," she called over her shoulder as she walked back toward her seat.

Erin exhaled a shaky breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her gaze shifted back to Luffy, who was now grinning at her like they were old friends. She couldn't help but smile back.

This was definitely going to be an adventure.