One Piece: The Deadly

The Thousand Sunny was peacefully gliding through the calm ocean, the waves gently lapping against its hull. The Straw Hats were scattered across the deck, enjoying the rare tranquility. Zoro was napping in the crow's nest, Sanji was preparing lunch in the kitchen, and Nami and Robin were reading maps and books on the upper deck.

Kikidori, however, was being, well, Kikidori.

He was on the mast, trying to balance himself on one leg while holding his sword. "Look, everyone! I'm training for aerial combat!" he shouted proudly.

"Get down from there before you hurt yourself!" Nami yelled from below, not even looking up from her map.

"He's gonna fall," Usopp muttered, shaking his head as he tightened a screw on one of his inventions.

"Let him. It'll be a lesson," Zoro grumbled from the crow's nest, not even opening his eyes.

And then it happened.

Kikidori, trying to show off by doing a spin mid-balance, lost his footing. "WAAAAAHHH!" he screamed as he tumbled down from the mast.

*CRACK!*

The sound reverberated across the ship, causing everyone to freeze.

"What was that?!" Sanji asked, poking his head out of the kitchen.

Nami's eyes widened. "Please tell me that wasn't the Sunny!"

Franky dashed out of the engine room, his eyes blazing with concern. "The Sunny's made of Adam wood! That sound couldn't have been her… right?"

The crew gathered around the deck, their gazes darting between the mast and Kikidori, who lay sprawled on the deck, groaning.

"Was it the Sunny or Kikidori?" Robin asked calmly, her book still in hand.

"Let's hope it was the ship," Usopp whispered nervously.

But then Kikidori coughed, and a small spray of blood escaped his lips.

"It's Kikidori!" Chopper gasped, rushing forward.

"Idiot!" Zoro snapped, leaping down from the crow's nest. "What were you thinking?!"

Sanji lit a cigarette, shaking his head. "I guess the crack wasn't the Sunny after all…"

"Somehow, I'm disappointed," Franky muttered, sighing in relief but also slightly annoyed.

"Kikidori, you're such a dummy!" Nami yelled, glaring down at him.

Kikidori managed a weak smile. "I was… practicing…"

Ere'ana knelt beside him, her face pale with worry. "Kiki-san, you're bleeding!"

"Chopper, do something!" Robin urged, closing her book and crouching beside Ere'ana.

Chopper quickly assessed the situation, his tiny hooves moving with precision. "We need to get him to the medical room. Now!"

Ere'ana helped lift Kikidori, tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she supported his weight. "I've got you, Kiki-san. Don't worry."

The crew watched as Ere'ana and Chopper carefully brought Kikidori into the hospital room.

Luffy scratched his head. "He'll be okay, right?"

"He'll survive," Zoro grumbled, crossing his arms. "But maybe he'll think twice before climbing the mast like an idiot."

Inside the medical room, Chopper and Ere'ana worked tirelessly. Ere'ana handed Chopper tools and supplies as he stitched up the worst of Kikidori's wounds and checked for broken ribs.

"You're lucky it's not worse," Chopper said sternly. "You could've broken your spine!"

"Sorry, Tony," Kikidori mumbled, his voice weak.

Ere'ana dabbed at his forehead with a damp cloth, her voice soft but scolding. "You scared me, Kiki-san. Don't do that again, okay?"

Kikidori managed a small smile. "I'll try…"

As the sun set and the ship continued its journey, the crew gathered around the medical room, checking in on Kikidori one by one.

Robin smiled gently as she stood in the doorway. "You're like a cat, Kikidori. Always landing on your feet… except when you don't."

"More like a reckless monkey," Zoro muttered, earning a chuckle from Robin.

"Just rest," Chopper said, tucking Kikidori in. "You'll be back to annoying us in no time."

And as Kikidori drifted off to sleep, he thought to himself, *Maybe I should stay off the mast for a while… maybe.*

End of Chapter 37