One Piece: My Crew Members Are Legendary 3D Heroines

After their intense entanglement, Ethan Chen and 2B drifted into a midday nap, curled up together in satisfied exhaustion. When they awoke, the ship had already docked.

Stretching as he stepped out of the cabin, Ethan approached the standby auxiliary bot. "Why did we dock? Did something happen?"

"This coastline features a natural deep-water harbor," the bot replied. "I recommend anchoring for the night to avoid potential land sickness from prolonged time at sea."

"Good point," Ethan nodded. "We've been on board for several days. I felt a bit off-balance the last time we stepped ashore. Let's camp on land for the night."

He retrieved their camping gear and lowered the gangplank, preparing to spend the evening on solid ground.

Mona welcomed the idea. As a first-time sailor, she'd been quietly suffering from mild seasickness, especially while reading below deck. The motion made her dizzy.

By the time they pitched their tents, scattered anti-insect powder, and got a campfire going, dusk had already fallen.

A pot hung above the flames, bubbling with rich meat stew. Alongside it, they prepared a simple meal of fresh salad and crusty bread. That would be dinner for the night.

"Don't lean so close," Ethan teased, nudging Mona away from the fire. "You're about to drool into the pot."

"I am not!" Mona huffed. Her cheeks were flushed though whether from embarrassment or the firelight, even she couldn't tell.

"Restraining desires is part of an astrologer's discipline," she declared with mock pride. "I would never drool over food."

"If you say so," Ethan replied dryly. "Maybe wipe the corner of your mouth first?"

Mona reflexively reached up, only to realize she'd been tricked. She balled her fist and playfully swatted his arm. "You're so childish."

…

The stew turned out delicious, and under Ethan's doting hand, Mona ended up downing two whole bowls, too full to even touch the bread.

After dinner, Mona volunteered to handle the dishes. With her Hydro Vision, she could manipulate water freely and didn't even need to wet her hands.

Watching her work, Ethan's eyes drifted to the glowing gem affixed to her hip. "Mona, that gem on your waist your power comes from that, right?"

"Mm-hmm. It's called a Vision," she explained. "It's like an external magical organ that channels elemental energy. Through it, I can access and control water."

"Amazing stuff," Ethan mused. "But if I were you, I'd keep it hidden. Maybe stash it in a pocket or inside your clothes. No need to draw attention."

"You're worried someone might steal it?"

"No," Ethan said, shaking his head. "In this world, the only known way to wield elemental powers is by eating a Devil Fruit. And once someone eats one, they become unable to swim and grow weak when exposed to seawater."

"But you can use water without having eaten a Devil Fruit," he continued. "And you're not afraid of the sea. If anyone notices that, it could spell trouble."

"I see..." Mona nodded thoughtfully. "But what exactly is a Devil Fruit?"

"They're said to be cursed fruits that grant abilities based on abstract concepts," Ethan said, gesturing toward the flames. "Like this fire if I ate the Mera Mera no Mi, I could control fire and even become fire itself."

"Whoa, really?" Mona's eyes widened. "Eat a fruit and you become fire? That's incredible!"

"Like what Hina does," 2B chimed in. "Remember when she conjured those iron bars from her hands and restrained you?"

"Right. That's from the Kiro Kiro no Mi. It lets her generate iron restraints and weapons," Ethan added.

"Turning abstract powers into reality... that's extraordinary." Mona's expression was filled with awe. "But I imagine these fruits are rare?"

"Extremely. Even a common one could sell for a hundred million Berries."

Mona gasped. "That much?! So if you found one, would you sell it or eat it?"

"Depends on what it does. If it's a good fit, I'll eat it. If not, I'll cash in."

"What counts as a good fit?"

"Something mythical like transforming into a dragon," Ethan said, his tone light but sincere.

He had a preference for Zoan-type Devil Fruits of the Mythical variety. They granted not only immense vitality and physical power but also elemental control. Like the Azure Dragon's flames or the ice of the Great God Daikokuten.

"Turning into a dragon… how powerful would that be?"

"There's a rumor that one of the Four Emperors, Kaido, ate a fruit that lets him become a dragon."

"Four Emperors?"

"They're like the kings of the sea…"

Their conversation continued like that, casual and free-flowing, as the fire crackled and the stars wheeled above them. Time slipped by unnoticed.

Eventually, they returned to the ship to wash up and rest.

As usual, Ethan and 2B shared a tent, while Mona had her own. The auxiliary bot kept watch for the night.

After bathing, Mona didn't go to sleep right away. Instead, she sat under the glow of an oil lamp, pretending to read a navigation manual. But her eyes drifted repeatedly toward Ethan and 2B's tent.

She couldn't help but recall that strange, breathy sound she'd heard around noon. Were they… doing that again?

She tried to shake the thought, but curiosity lingered.

Just as she was about to set the book aside, she heard footsteps approaching and stopping right outside her tent.

Then the zipper began to slide open.

Startled, Mona grabbed the tent flap. "What are you doing?!"

"I wanted to check if you were tucked in properly," came Ethan's voice. "A captain should care about his crew's health."

Mona fumed. "I'm not even lying down yet!"

"Oh? Then I'll wait until you're asleep and come back later."

"Don't even think about it!" she snapped, zipping the flap shut and casting a sealing charm across it.

But once she was alone again, her heart wavered. Did I go too far? Will he misunderstand?

After a moment's hesitation, she quietly dispelled the charm and peeked outside.

Only to find Ethan standing a few meters away, watching her.

She jumped and tried to pull the flap shut, but he was quicker. In one swift motion, he yanked the zipper down and slipped inside.

Flustered, Mona instinctively raised her foot and pressed it against his face. "Get out!"

"I just want to chat. I promise I won't try anything."

Rather than retreat, Ethan leaned into her foot, rubbing his cheek against it with a teasing smile.

It was, admittedly, a very soft and dainty foot. Petite, smooth, and almost doll-like, with round little toes that looked almost too cute to be real.