One Piece: The Deadly

The bustling streets of Elbaf's main village were alive with the sound of chatter and laughter. Giants and humans alike mingled, though the humans were often dwarfed by the towering figures of the island's native warriors. The Straw Hat crew walked together toward a grand restaurant, its entrance flanked by enormous wooden carvings of axes and shields.

"This place looks promising," Sanji said, his eyes gleaming. "A feast fit for a king!"

"Or a pirate crew!" Luffy added, bouncing with excitement.

As they approached the entrance, a stern giant guard stepped forward, his gaze scanning the group. "To enter, you must state your full name. We allow no unnamed shadows in our halls."

The crew exchanged confused looks.

"Is this a cultural thing?" Nami whispered to Robin.

"Likely," Robin replied. "Elbaf's warrior traditions value identity and honor. Names are important here."

One by one, the crew began introducing themselves.

"Monkey D. Luffy!" Luffy declared loudly, grinning ear to ear.

The guard nodded and let him through.

"Roronoa Zoro."

"Nami."

"Sanji."

"Tony Tony Chopper."

"Franky!"

"Brook."

"Nico Robin."

"Jinbei."

"Ere'ana Bara."

Each name was met with a nod of approval, and the Straw Hats were allowed to enter. Kikidori shifted uncomfortably at the back of the group, his palms sweating.

Finally, it was his turn.

"Diamond D. Kikidori," he said hesitantly, his voice quieter than usual.

The atmosphere shifted. The lively chatter of the village seemed to fade into silence as the giants and residents turned to look at him. Their eyes burned with judgment, suspicion, and disdain.

Kikidori froze, his heart pounding. "W-What's going on?"

The guard narrowed his eyes. "Diamond D. Kikidori… The child of those pirates."

"Pirates?" Luffy echoed, tilting his head.

The villagers began whispering among themselves.

"His parents were criminals!"

"They brought shame to Elbaf."

"And they left their cursed bloodline behind!"

Kikidori took a step back, his chest tightening. "Wait, what? My parents were pirates?"

Robin's eyes darkened as she put the pieces together. "That would explain why they sent you away when you were young."

One of the giants, a burly warrior clad in iron armor, stepped forward, pointing an accusing finger at Kikidori. "Your parents were traitors to Elbaf, and now their spawn dares to walk among us?"

"Hold on!" Zoro growled, stepping in front of Kikidori. "He's not his parents."

"That doesn't matter!" another giant shouted. "The sins of the father—"

"Don't apply to their children!" Robin cut in sharply, her tone icy.

But the giants weren't listening. More warriors began advancing toward Kikidori, their expressions grim.

Kikidori's breathing quickened. He felt the weight of their glares, the judgment crushing him like an avalanche. He couldn't move, couldn't think—

Until his instincts screamed at him to run.

And run he did.

"Kikidori!" Ere'ana shouted, reaching for him, but he was already gone, sprinting through the streets of Elbaf.

"KID!" Luffy yelled, but Kikidori didn't stop.

He ran past the towering buildings, past the curious onlookers, and through the forested outskirts of the village. His legs burned, and his chest heaved, but he didn't care. All he wanted was to get away.

By the time he reached the Sunny, his mind was a whirlwind of confusion and anger. He collapsed onto the deck, gripping his sword tightly.

"My parents… were pirates?" he whispered to himself.

The next two days were a blur. Kikidori refused to leave the ship, locking himself in his room. He didn't eat, didn't sleep, and barely spoke. Ere'ana tried knocking on his door, but he wouldn't answer.

Meanwhile, the Straw Hats spent the time navigating the tense situation in the village. The giants, though reluctant, eventually agreed to let them leave peacefully, provided they took Kikidori with them.

When the crew finally returned to the Sunny, they found Kikidori sitting in the crow's nest, staring out at the horizon.

"We're leaving, Kikidori," Zoro called up to him.

Kikidori didn't respond, but as the Sunny set sail, he climbed down and joined the crew on deck. He avoided everyone's gaze, his usual playful energy replaced with a heavy silence.

Robin approached him cautiously. "You don't have to carry the weight of your parents' actions," she said gently.

Kikidori looked up at her, his eyes tired but determined. "I don't care what they did. I'm not them. I'm me."

Robin smiled softly, ruffling his hair. "That's the spirit."

As the Sunny drifted away from Elbaf, Kikidori couldn't help but glance back at the island. He didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain—he was done running from his past.

End of Chapter 39