One Piece: Born to Betray

Nami's thoughts snapped into focus as she finally caught a proper glimpse of their ship upon reaching the dock.

Her eyes widened in a mix of shock and awe.

Her navigator's gaze instantly catalogued every detail—the sleek design, the high-quality wood, the impeccably maintained rigging. This wasn't some slapped-together pirate tub; this was the maritime equivalent of a noble's yacht.

"This ship is way too fancy for you idiots," Nami blurted out, running her hand along the polished railing. She spun sharply on her heel to glare at Makoto. "Where the hell did you get this? Did you steal it?"

Makoto clutched his chest dramatically.

"That's rude to assume! Do I look like the type of person to steal?"

Nami, Taiga, and Zoro all deadpanned in perfect unison:

"Yes."

Makoto wiped an imaginary tear from the corner of his eye."Wow. Zero faith in me. If it isn't obvious enough for you guys—except you, Nami, since you're new—here's the deal: I'm from the Grand Line. Old noble family. Very rich, very dull. They've got ships just sitting around collecting dust. So…" He spread his hands, grinning. "I borrowed one."

Nami crossed her arms, unimpressed."So you did steal it."

Makoto held up a finger.

"Borrowed. For an indefinite amount of time. Totally different."

Zoro grabbed a dusty bottle of sake off a supply crate, popped the cork with his teeth, and took a swig. He pointed the bottle at Makoto, squinting one eye.

"So why'd you leave? If you were living the cushy life—money, status—what the hell are you doing slumming it here in the East Blue? Nobles are obsessed with keeping all that 'important.'"

Taiga tilted her head too, curious despite herself.

Makoto paused, the ever-present smirk flickering for just a heartbeat—then snapping back in place like a mask.

"Mm. The simple answer?" He tilted his head, crimson eyes catching the dying sunlight like spilled wine. "I got bored. Wanted something real."

He plucked the sake bottle from Zoro's hand and took a swig himself—no flinch, no burn.

"The long answer? Well…" He leaned in, voice dropping low with a conspiratorial rasp.

"Some things, you can't buy with all the buried gold in the world. Freedom. Danger. Fun. And..." He flicked his gaze at Luffy, who was busy trying to count the clouds with his fingers. "...a captain crazy enough to drag the whole sea upside down."

Nami watched him, arms crossed tight over her chest, eyes narrowing like a cat sniffing out a lie.

"You talk like you ran from something a lot bigger than just 'boredom'."

Makoto just winked, swirling the sake bottle lazily in his hand.

"Maybe I did. Or maybe I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. Who knows?"

Zoro snorted, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Cryptic idiot."

Taiga jabbed a finger into Makoto's chest hard enough that he rocked back a step.

"If this 'noble family' hunts us down because you 'borrowed' their floating palace—"

Makoto leaned forward so suddenly that her finger smushed against his collarbone. He grinned—sharp, unbothered, a flicker of something far older in his eyes than he ever let on.

"Then we'll throw a party. Don't worry. They wouldn't dare."

He spread his arms wide to the salty breeze, that familiar wild glint back in his eyes.

"Anyway! Enough family drama. Time for our next adventure."

Makoto spread his arms wide to the sea breeze, the taste of salt and danger sharp on his tongue.

"Anyway! Enough family gossip. For your first job, Nami—" He jabbed a thumb lazily over his shoulder at the endless blue. "Set a course for the Baratie."

He flashed a grin that promised nothing good.

"Let's see if we can sniff out a chef worth stealing."

Nami planted her fists on her hips, eyes narrowed like a cat about to pounce.

"Find a chef? Or kidnap one?"

Makoto tilted his head, blinking innocently.

"Same difference, isn't it?"

Taiga promptly whacked him in the ribs with the back of her hand.

"We are NOT kidnapping people!"

Makoto didn't even flinch. He just looked down at her with that lazy, crooked smile that made you want to punch him twice.

"Worked fine for you, didn't it?"

Veins pulsed at Taiga's temple. She jabbed a finger into his chest so hard it should've left a dent.

"You didn't kidnap me! I agreed to come with you—after you tricked me—twice!"

Makoto held up two fingers in a peace sign.

"See? Voluntary teamwork."

Behind them, Zoro popped the cork on another bottle of sake and leaned back against the railing.

"A cook's a good call. I'm sick of watching Luffy burn meat over a candle."

They turned to see Luffy, dead serious, trying to tie a bandana around a squawking seagull's head.

Zoro sighed and tipped the sake back.

"Idiots, the lot of you."

Nami rolled her eyes and unfurled a chart with a dramatic snap. She gave Makoto a look so cold it might've frozen the tide.

"And you—touch me 'accidentally' again and you'll be the next thing I 'borrow' overboard. Understand?"

Makoto threw his head back and barked a laugh, shameless and sharp. He leaned close enough that Nami had to fight the urge to slap him again.

"Aye aye, Navigator. Try not to fall for me before we get there."

Nami shoved his face away with the back of her hand.

"Ugh. I'd rather kiss a Sea King."

Taiga crossed her arms, muttering,

"Do Sea Kings eat sleazebags? Maybe I can bait him overboard."

Makoto just spread his arms wider, letting the wind catch his coat like wings.

"Come on then—next stop, the Baratie! Let's steal ourselves a cook before Luffy recruits that bird."

And with the sails snapping taut and the sun melting into the sea, their laughter rose and carried on the wind—

—toward trouble, treasure, and the next absurd miracle waiting just over the horizon.