If you were to ask Tani from about half a year ago, what she thought she'd be doing right now. She'd probably say something like "Going to school" or "Watching a movie with mum". You know, the simple things in life.

NOT BEING HELD BY A GIANT ZOMBIE, POSSESSED BY THE SHADOW OF HER PIRATE CAPTAIN. WHO WAS JUMPING OUT A BUILDING!

Tani couldn't even see where they were headed. His grip around her was enough to stop her from being able to squirm her way out, but not enough to pulverise her bones.

Oars landed with a ground shaking thunk. Tank felt the hand she was in, lift up higher. Dulled out light came into view as the large fingers uncurled around her tiny body. She held back her tongue as her eyes connected with those shiny dead ones.

It was a whole valley and a half of uncanny. She could recognize the Luffy in this all too wrong body.

"Pretty," Oars said with a slow voice. Tani blinked, pointing to herself. "Tani pretty," Oars repeated.

What the hell is going on? This can't be the Luffy part speaking, he's never called her pretty before... Wait? No there was that one time. On the way to Cricket's house? No... Wait yes that was it. He unintentionally called her pretty. That was an accident though, Luffy has never intentionally called her pretty before.

"Silly Tani, face going funny." Oars spoke, breaking her from her thoughts. Right, she had a giant zombie on her hands. Deep down there's a Luffy in there, and she knows how to control that aspect of him. A wide grin bloomed on her face.

Oars looked very happy to see his little Tani grin so wide.

She stood on her feet, her hands on her hips, chest puffed up. An air of confidence in her presentation. This had to work.

"Hello there Oars!" she waved, keeping herself as joyful as possible. Fake it till you make it, the fear was ever present, but Oars couldn't tell. "I heard you were a strong pirate," she said.

"Oars is pirate! I'm gonna be the king of the pirates!" he shouted to the world. Tani wouldn't be surprised if the whole island could hear him. Tani gave a big nod.

"That's right! And as the future pirate king. You need to find a powerful crew," she explained. Oars gave her a confused look. Ok so nakama collecting wasn't a part of his retained memories... So why was she? Never mind, don't over think an opportunity like this.

She had Moria's trump card in the palm of her hand... Or she was in the trump cards palm... Either way! She had some form of sway over Oars.

"Can I be your nakama? Let's find the one piece together," Tani beamed. Oars gave a grin, Tani had to stop herself from staring at the stitching on cheeks and lips.

"Tani, nakama," he nodded. Ok, good good. Tani turned to point at the large pool of ocean, it was about four Oars sized steps away.

"The one piece in that way, towards the ocean." Tani stated. Was he still cautious of water? Did his devil fruit still affect him if he didn't actually have the rubber powers?

Oars didn't hesitate to wander towards the water. He had complete faith in Tani, how could he not? Tani is nice and makes him happy, not like the mean pear man.

"Can you swim? I can swim," Tani asked Oars. A genuine kindness in her voice as she tried to present herself as anything but a threat.

She's watched enough movies to know that trope. Person A tries to pretend they're a friend, only to betray Person B. It doesn't work and Person B kills or severely hurts Person A. Oars wasn't bad, the Luffy in him made sure of that.

"Swim?" Oars asked. Tani pointed at the water, before mimicking a freestyle stroke.

"Swimming. I'm really good at it, want me to show you?" Tani said with an air of excitement. Oars gave a big nod, Tani point down. "I need you to lower your hand, I'm too small to jump from this high." she requested. Oars understood the simple instruction. Lowering his hand until it was just low enough for Tani to dive from.

Oars didn't know where Tani went, she jumped in the blue stuff but it ate her up. Where was she? Where's his little Tani? How dare the ocean eat her up!

Tani resurfaced from her dive, she noticed the angry distress on Oars face as he scanned the water. She waved and called for his attention, that distressed expression melting away instantly at her presence.

"Watch me," she instructed. Turning away from him and free styling out into deeper waters. Keeping an eye on her surroundings, she needed to be sure that a quick escape was possible if things went sour.

Judging by his earlier reaction, Oars doesn't have object permanence. The longest she could hold her breath underwater was a minute or two? Roughly. She'd never counted... Oh wait! She pulled her bag over her shoulder and found that luck was on her side!

She had packed her scorkel. Thank you store clerk!

That tool, plus the distance she'd need to swim, would give her enough time to escape without being seen. But this is all for a worst case scenario.

Oars looked at the water with hesitation, his mind recalling that water is bad. Yet he saw Tani swimming in it and she's not bad, Tani's good.

Tani watched as Oars crouched down... Well... Goodbye cruel world, tell Luffy that he can have her beef jerky. She could see her life flash before her eyes as Oars jumped off the ground. Tani closed her eyes and held her breath.

She didn't even hear the splash before her entire body was hit with a wall of water. Her body sent spinning with the currents that formed around Oars' body. Tani could feel herself being flung upwards in the tidal wave. Her tiny body being spat out of the wave, she was shot through the air.

Unashamed of her scream of terror that she was certain could be heard all over the island. She let herself get consumed by the overwhelming emotions on her mind.

She just wanted her nakama back.

...

She was right about shouting thing. As a newly awoken Luffy turned towards the sound of the scream. He knew that voice anywhere, and the girl sure wasn't here right now.

The rest of the crew turned towards the sound. Usopp already shoving his goggles on, he adjusted them and gave a shriek. There was the giant zombie with Luffy's shadow, and barely visible on the top of his head was a soaked Tani. She was holding on for dear life while the zombie looked around at the ground. Was he searching for her? Usopp wanted to faint just thinking about it.

"What is it? Usopp you're losing colour." Sanji asked with concern. Usopp lifted his goggles and explained what he saw. Luffy's face grew darker with every word muttered by the sniper. Usopp hadn't even finished before Luffy was walking away to collect Tani from her captor.

Zoro grabbed Luffy by the arm before he got too far. A look of seriousness on his mature face.

"You need to focus on Moria-"

"Tani's in danger right now, she needs help-"

"We can do that captain," Robin, Chopper and Franky informed. "Tani will be in good hands, have faith in us." Robin continued. Luffy looked conflicted. He knew that Moria was his fight, but... But Tani was being tossed around like some rag doll. What if she died before Robin and Franky could reach her.

"Luffy," Zoro started again, his grip on Luffy only growing more firm. "You're the captain, so start acting like it!" Zoro scolded. Luffy glared at Zoro. "You're priority should be the whole crews safety. Focusing on just Tani, who can handle herself just fine. Is putting everyone else in danger." Zoro reprimanded. Luffy's expression softened.

Right... Zoro was right. He needs to take down Moria. He's the only one who can stop that shadow stealing leek. Yet in his gut, and other organs too. He wanted to save Tani. Zoro tugged Luffy back, his deep golden eyes glowing with something fearsome. Luffy dropped his gaze, his hands grabbing at his own hair.

"Robin, Chopper. Go collect Tani, be quick about it." Zoro took command. The pair nodded, rushing towards the location that Usopp pointed out to them. "Make sure you head straight to the courtyard after collecting her!" Zoro added, the pair disappeared into the woods.

"Usopp, swirly brow," Zoro clicked. The pair looked at him, Sanji more pissed than Usopp was. "Find Nami. Head to the courtyard when you're done." he instructed. The pair gave him a nod before running ahead.

Now he just needed to get Luffy to stop being dumb. Luffy looked hollow, his face fluctuating between too many emotions.

Zoro smacks him upside the head. Luffy blinked up at Zoro.

"Let's go," Zoro said with a tilt of the head. "I've got a battle of my own that I'd like to get to." the swordsman informed. Luffy huffed an affirmative, stretching out his legs, ready to kick Moria's stupid ass.

"Franky, you said Brook was fighting a legendary swordsman?" Zoro asked. The cyborg nodded. "Take me to him. I need to deal with him." Zoro said darkly. Franky waved Zoro over. The pair of them running off to find Ryuma.

Luffy followed beside them, his gaze unfocused as he stared at the spot Robin and Chopper had run off to.

They'd save Tani... He now's they will.

...

"Oars, I'm up here," Tani assured. The giant zombie was freaking out, smacking the water in search of her. She had landed on his thick mane of blonde hair.

He was ignoring her, too busy slapping at the water. What was going on? Why wasn't he responding?

"Oars? Hey Oars. It's me, Tani," the girl called from atop his head. It took a second, but Oars seemed to register that there was someone on his head. Tani? That sounds familiar... That's a thing that makes him happy? Yes.

The giant zombie lifted his hand to tap at his head, Tani watched as the large digit came straight for her. Yeah no matter how small she is, that would completely crush her. She dived forward to avoid being crushed like a bug, but she over shot her leap and ended up launching herself off Oars' head.

Now when the human body (Specifically from Tani's world) hits the water from such a high location, at the speed with which she's falling... Yeah it's like slamming into a slab of concrete.

It was a quick reaction, one that Tani had very swiftly taught herself since being thrust into this world. Tani's hands dived for her pockets, she knew she shouldn't use them, but this is an emergency situation.

Flicking the yo-yo's towards Oars, the weapon managed to hook itself around one of the massive teeth, protruding from the zombies mouth. Tani felt herself swinging wildly, suspended in the air. She did everything in her power not to look down. Don't do it... Don't look-

Jesus Christ that's one hell of a fall.

Bless Usopp and his yo-yo upgrades, these strings would have snapped the second she latched on the tooth, if it was her old set.

Now... How the hell does she get out of this situation? The ground was too far away, and she can't climb up because this is a zombie with the shadow of Luffy, heading to the mouth is just suicidal.

"Get out of my head," Oars complained, his hands going up to his head to clasp at his scalp. Tani didn't have time to ponder on what was bothering the giant, because he was now rocking his head from side to side. Tani did not sign up for an impromptu swing ride! The blur of colours was disorienting, she had to close her eyes or risk the chance of her hurling.

"Get out! Oars doesn't want to listen to mean pear head." Oars groaned.

Well that explains that mystery. Moria was taking control, Oars was losing his freedom? Tani wasn't sure how it worked but it looked like Moria was taking a toll on the giants brain. Which meant Tani's influence was slipping.

"Where's... Nice? Huh?" Oars was slowly losing that Luffy essence. Tani needed to get out of here now! If this giant was left with the recklessness of Luffy, without the self restraint. Tani was once again, as good as dead.

Tani looked around, there has to be somewhere she can direct him. Somewhere close enough for her to escape, without him becoming aware that she was there.

A faint smell of flowers drifted past the girls nose, Tani turned to find an arm had bloomed on her back. The hand was quick to point a certain direction. Tani twisted her head around to find the distant forms of Robin and Chopper. The pair were perched on a wall that surrounded the main castle on the island.

That's where she needed to go... Let's see just how much influence she still had.

"Oi! Oars, I think there's a huge slab of meat at the top of the mast. Hurry up and grab it before the mean pear takes it!" she yelled at loud as she could.

"MEAT!" The giant shouted. Turning his head towards the mast, it was a bit further away from Robin and Chopper than she wanted, but that's better than being left dangling like a fish on the line.

Oars headed towards the mast as fast as he could, which wasn't very fast, so it gave Tani enough time to calculate where to jump off and how to make it to her nakama. The way Oars was heading, there was a part of the wall she could hop onto, however she could clearly see a massive gap in between her and her nakama.

Her goal was approaching, she had one shot at this.

1...2...3...

Now!

Tani yanked her strings, both sliding off without any trouble. Her body came tumbling down, but this time she was ready. Her legs braced for impact, arms tucked and ready to roll or brace. Her feet collided with the stone wall, her legs wobbled a bit but she didn't fall over. Now she needed to run.

Oars began his ascent to the top of the mast, his foot slamming into wall that Tani was standing on. The quakes were enough to make Tani fumble around, yet she didn't fall. The petals in the wind were enough to tell her that Robin was to thank for that.

Tani continued to run, the gap was approaching. Chopper has shifted to heavy point, his arms held open. Ready to catch her. Robin was beside him, her arms crossed over her chest with a concentrated look on her face.

Tani felt a tangle of limbs forming on her back, the younger girl trusted Robin with her life. The jump was approaching, alright. It's now or never.

Tani took the leap, her spring only lending her enough force to get half way across. She started to fall-

The limbs on her back flapped down hard, launching her upwards like a pair of wings would do to a bird. Tani gained enough air to make it across! Chopper grabbed her in a tight embrace. His large arms were warm and comforting, something she felt she really needed right now.

Robin gave Tani a tired smile, the older woman's breathing was heavy and tired. Whatever she'd done for Tani must have drained her. Tani gave her a thankful smile, which Robin appreciated.

"We should start running now." Tani pointed out, Oars continued his climb. Debris came flying from all directions. Chopper scooped Robin up, Tani still had enough energy to run. The pair of them took off like a rocket.

...

Chopper opened a door within the castle. Apparently Zoro had commanded they head towards the courtyard, but there was something that Chopper needed to collect. Something about his "salt reserves" being dropped when catching Tani.

"I think we took the wrong turn at Albuquerque..." Tani commented. Pointing out that they weren't in a kitchen like Chopper had hoped. No this was the same space that Moria had been before he clipped Luffy's shadow off.

"Cindry my darling, you wound me," came a voice from within the hallway that lead to the freezer that Oars once laid. Chopper was instantly angered.

The clicking of heels ceased when the form of Hogback came into view. The inappropriate doctor from before, Tani couldn't look away, it was like a car crash. Beside him was the pretty zombie lady, her eyes completely dead, with a neutral expression.

"Doctor Chopper, what a pleasant surprise to see you here." the man addressed. "Your captain has already passed through here, just down that way." he said, pointing towards the freezer. Tani felt herself sigh with relief, he was still alive and breathing.

"I'm not here for Luffy." Chopper said with a growl. Tani hadn't seen him get so angry before. "If anything, I'm here to kick your ass now." Chopper threatened. Lowering Robin to the ground, the woman stood just fine on her feet. Still tired, but stable.

"Me? You want to fight me?" Hogback sounded surprised, but that grin didn't leave his face. "You two, apprehend them!" Hogback commanded.

Tani didn't even get a chance to blink before there was a blade held to her throat. Tani looked up to find the same zombie from before, the one she now knew had Zoro's shadow.

"Hey... I think I saw a pretty cool sword fighter over there, they're really powerful," Tani lied. Pointing towards the door behind them, but the zombie didn't move.

"That little trick won't work on them anymore. The memories of your friends are gone," Hogback laughed. Now the whole Oars thing made sense. "How does it feel? To have your friends betray you like this," Hogback mocked. Tani tilted her head to find a dog penguin? Zombie with its leg up.

They really put Sanji's shadow into a penguin... A creature with no leg! What a waste.

"These zombies only listen to my command-"

"I got Oars to listen to me for a while." Tani decided to gloat. A smug grin on her face, Robin snickered. Just like at Enies lobby, Tani sure loved to be a little brat. "But go off guess. Hog breath." she said, rolling her eyes at the gawking man.

"Cindry, finish them off!" Hogback fumbled. Pointing at the small group. Why he hadn't just commanded the zombie with two swords to finish them off. Tani didn't know... She probably flustered him too much.

The zombie girl slowly approached, a large stack of plates stacked in her arm.

"You're disgusting!" Chopper roared. "I used to hold you in high regard. But you're nothing but a disgrace to the medical field." Chopper spoke with such betrayal in his tone. Hogback turned his focus to the deer doctor.

"My research will go down in history as the greatest medical breakthrough to ever occur." Hogback proclaimed, "The answer to eternal life! Bringing humans back from the grave,".

"What your doing isn't bringing back humans! They aren't human." Chopper spat. "Their hearts and minds are dead, just the shell of who they used to be,".

"Don't you understand? They never ask questions, they never ignore your commands. They're the perfect beings," Hogback claimed. "I was a prodigy, people from all over the world would come to see me... And it was so boring! Annoying to have all these whiny people coming to me." he complained.

Chopper growled so loud, it was like he'd turned into a lion. Even Tani was starting to feel angry, what kind of moron becomes a doctor. Only to complain about helping people? Disgusting.

"You've gone silent, what are you gonna do? Preach about what it truly means to be a doctor? I've heard it all before-"

"You're not a doctor." Chopper answered through strained teeth. "Doctors use their skills to preserve and heal those who are alive." Chopper preached. "What you're doing is madness! Making a fool of life!" preach Chopper preach! Make that Hogback look like a total ass.

"What I'm doing is nothing short of a miracle," Hogback sneered, only for a devious grin to spread on his face. He stopped Cindry, the girl standing there like a Barbie doll. He then kicked her to the ground, "Cindry... Lick the floor," he commanded.

She did as instructed. Licking the floor like a dog. Chopper had, had enough. He punched the Sanji dog-penguin, sending it flying across the room. Chopper then ran towards the zombie girl, begging her to stop.

At this point, Tani was tuning out the conversation. Her mind already thinking of ways to get out of this situation. If only she had access to her bag. Chopper had mentioned that the zombies were weak to salt, shoving it into their mouths was a sure fire way to get the shadows rejected.

She still had that packet of chips in her bag for Usopp... Sorry Usopp.

Tani elbowed Robin softly. The woman turned away from Hog breath's sob story about Cindry and his undying love for her beauty. Tani crossed her arms over her chest, using her fingers to point at the zombie behind them.

Robin didn't have much energy, Tani had to take that into account. All she needed was for Robin to do one clutch, for Tani's plan to come into action.

Robin caught the signals and happily obliged. Hogback was too busy talking himself up, the zombie probably wouldn't fight back without a command... Probably.

"Now," Tani whispered. Robin lifted her arms quickly, three bloomed around the Zoro zombie. She clutched down. Snapping the zombie backwards, his swords dropping from his hands. Tani whipped her bag over her shoulder and ripped it open.

The zombie was struggling under Robins hold, the woman began to sweat under the strain. Just a second longer Robin.

Tani whipped out the bag of chips, popping it open, just her luck to have picked salt and vinegar as the flavour.

The zombie looked at her with bug eyes, terrified of the salt that coated the potato chips. Tani's eyes glimmered with power, oh how the turn tables have turned.

She moved to shove the handful of chips she had into his mouth. Only to get a kicked, really hard in the side by the Sanji zombie. Right... He kicks women now.

Tani had dropped the bag by Robins feet. Thankfully she still had a grip around the crunched chips. Either way, she's shoving these chips into someone's mouth, and it's not her own.

*Smash*

Tani turned away from the dog-penguin, to find the aftermath of Chopper having a stack of plates smashed over his head. The top of his head was bleeding, yet he kept holding her down. Begging for her to think for herself.

"108 pound cannon!" the Zoro zombie called out, sending a slice towards both Tani and the Sanji zombie. Tani managed to jump out of the way, nothing was cut off. Not even in that dramatic slow motion hair cutting thing, they do in cartoons or movies way.

Robin tried to summon some hands for a clutch, but Zoro's zombie broke away from them. What he didn't anticipate was the attack he received from Sanji's zombie.

"How dare you attack me bastard!" the dog-penguin snarled in a tone that was so Sanji, she was surprised the blonde wasn't actually there.

"Huh? Idiot Penguin, you shouldn't have gotten in the way," zombie-Zoro huffed back. Zombie-Sanji wasn't taking that very well. Tani stepped back and watched as the allied duo bickered like their shadowless counterparts.

"What are you two do-uumph-" Hogback started, only for Robin to cover his mouth. Tani was laughing as the zombie pair ignored them to keep fighting. What luck!

"What're you gonna do Hog wash? Command us to stop? Why don't you ask us to jump off a bridge?" Tani teased. Robin grinned, releasing Hogback's mouth as he spat.

"You two should do that! Jump off a cliff right now!" he commanded with a flustered breath. His embarrassment was very obvious.

And it only got worse when he realized what he'd just done.

The zombie duo instantly dropped what they were doing, turned for the large windows on the other side of the room and charged for it. Racing to do as commanded, smashing through the glass in search of a cliff to jump off.

Tani was rolling on the floor laughing so hard she could cry. She didn't even mean for that to work! She was just being a brat and teasing the guy. Robin was a genius to release his mouth.

"What A-haha-" Tani wailed. "What an idiot!" she slapped the ground with her fist. Hogback was not having it!

"Cindry! Attack that brat!" he pointed at Tani with all his might.

Cindry didn't move, standing straight with her arms plastered to her side. Her eyes spilling with tears while her face didn't shift from that emotionless slate.

"I-I can't move," she said with no emotion.

"Listen to your master!" Hogback demanded. Growing more and more frustrated.

"I can't... Move," she repeats. The tears flowing faster, Chopper gave a soft smile.

"Cindry, if you're still in there. You can fight back. Don't listen to Hogback," Chopper called to her. A shine sparkled through her dead eyes, but quickly vanished as the tears dried up.

"My duty is to... To follow my ma-masters orders." Cindry struggled to say. She moved quick as a flash, aiming a kick for Tani's head. Chopper grabbed the limb and tossed her away,  Cindry recovered just fine, landing on her heeled shoes. Her sights set on the girl she was ordered to destroy.

"Tani! Run, we'll hold her off-"

"Hog butt is on the run," Tani called out, already running straight for him. She lost her pipe when Oars happened. So it was time to use something else.

Who needs weapons when you can be the weapon!

Tani leapt onto Hogback, arms looping around his thick neck, while her legs curled around his torso. At least this guy wasn't made of electricity. Hogback squirmed under her tight hold, Tani just squeezed harder.

Cindry kept making attempts at Tani, but Chopper and Robin didn't let her advance. Chopper continued to beg for Cindry to think for herself, but the zombie was relentless.

The ground beneath them started to shake violently. Hogback falling forwards and slamming into the ground, Tani managed to unravel her arms before he broke a bone with his blocky build.

Hogback takes this opportunity to push Tani off him, her back slamming into the tiled ground. The mad scientist made a run for it. Not wanting to get caught in the destruction that Oars would cause.

Chopper was quick to tackle Hogback down. The man was a whimpering mess, calling Chopper a monster.

"I can be a monster if I want to be, because my crew love and accept me." Chopper smirked. "Unlike you, who needs to force zombies to even listen to you." he mocked.

Tani got up off the ground, rubbing her sore back when she heard it.

A bell sound coming from down the freezer hall, she hadn't noticed it until now.

Which ever one of her nakama was down there, they were in a lot of danger. Oars was approaching, and they probably had no idea.

Tani got up off the ground and bolted for the hall way door, running past a frozen Cindry. The tears returning, with the edition of a smile.

Tani turned her head back up to find the Robin had suspended Chopper and Hogback into the air. The reindeer getting ready to suplex the hack job doctor. Tani turned back to the hallway, she had nakama to save-

*Smash*

Tani finds herself suspended in the air, dust and rocks filling her vision. Oh and an all to familiar giant zombies face.

She was going to die.

She spotted Chopper and Robin safe and sound on the other side. Tani's little body went flying through the massive hole that Oars had made.

She let out a scream, of course she would. Might as well if she's about to get crushed by a giant.

Or so she thought, her body collided with someone she didn't expect to see so close by-

"USOPP!" Tani cheered, spotting the long nosed sniper. Who was recovering from the human sized projectile. He blinked a couple times before it registered that Tani was indeed in his arms.

"OH MY GOD TANI! ITS YOU! YOU'RE ALIVE!" He cheered back, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "Where's Robin and Chopper? Did they find you?" he asked without a breath. Tani went to answer, only for them to remember that they were in an unstable building.

"I'll answer all your questions, after this and break," Tani said with a wink. Usopp dropped Tani back to her feet, grabbed her hand and started running.

"STRAW HAT PIRATES! IM GONNA KICK YOUR ASS!" Oars declared. More of the building breaking with every move the giant made.

"That's the beast we're gonna a have to fight?" Usopp stated nervously. Jumping over some fallen debris, Tani followed his lead.

"Yep!" she answered simply. "Can't wait to get crushed into oblivion, it's gonna be great," she said sarcastically.

"Hey, only I'm allowed to be negative," Usopp teased, in light of the situation. Tani barked a laugh.

"Well, let's find the others, and get this show on the road."

...

Chopper jumped on Tani, sobbing into her arms as he thanked every living god that she was alive still. Robin was more passive in her expression of relief at the sight of Tani, as well as Usopp.

They'd gathered in some garden looking spot, Usopp said it belonged to the pink haired ghost girl (her name was Perona). Who he gloated about defeating, Tani gave him a clap of approval because Usopp deserves that ego boost.

"So what's the plan? Should we still head to the courtyard?" Tani asked. Pointing at the spot that Oars was standing in, shouting for the straw hats to stop being cowards and face him. That Luffy influence giving everyone an involuntary shiver.

"We're still missing most of the crew." Robin mentioned. "I'm not sure where they've all headed." she shrugged.

"Sanji and I were looking for Nami, when Perona attacked us. I was the only one who could withstand her negative hollows." Usopp recounted. Tani was shocked.

"Did the pervert catch her?" Tani asked with a scowl. Usopp nodded, before realising what she said.

"Wait, how did you know that invisible creep was after her?" Usopp asked. Tani pointed to Oars.

"I was in the room when Oars woke up. Only I wasn't on the ground, I was in the roof or something." she explained. "Then Oars saw me and kidnapped me like I was that blonde from King Kong." she shrugged.

"Oars kidnapped you!?" Chopper and Usopp exclaimed. Tani nodded.

"Yeah! It was weird. I waved at Luffy shadow too. It was like he recognised me before being shoved into the zombie," Tani continued. Robin gave a soft laugh.

"Even Luffy's shadow has strong feelings for our beloved tracker." she commented. Tani felt her cheeks heat up, no! Luffy's not even here, don't get flustered idiot!

"Can you two just confess already?" Usopp teased. "Even his shadow is crushing on you," he snickered. Chopper joined in. Tani stomped her foot down with flustered-frustration... Flus-tration?

"Luffy is affectionate with everyone, he would have done that with anyone of you guys." she countered. The three other present all looked at each other with wide eyes, before turning back to Tani and laughing. "What?! Why are you guys laughing at me?!" she stomped her foot repeatedly.

"Tani, you clearly don't know the captain very well." Robin smirked.

"Yeah, Luffy was going nuts! Usopp spotted you with Oars and Luffy was ready to bolt over and save you." Chopper added.

"Zoro had to stop him from doing something so stupid. He even called Luffy out on his special treatment of you," Usopp put into the mix.

Tani stopped throwing her tantrum. Taking the time to absorb that information... Luffy panicked? Monkey D. Luffy, future king of the pirates, notorious for doing what he wants when he wants, a man who knows no fear...

He panicked at the thought of her being in danger?

Luffy is always scolding her for having little faith in her crew mates, telling her to always believe in their abilities to come out on the bright side.

He panicked for her?

There must be other factors? Surely!

He-her natural weakness? No, he'd always treated her the same as everyone else. He didn't see her as weaker.

Maybe i-it's her fear of heights? That doesn't seem like something serious enough for him to panic over.

Why was he upset with her being in such a situation? Other than the obvious "she's in danger and that thing is more powerful than the whole crew combined".

"Tani? You're doing the muttering thing again," Usopp teased, poking her in the head. Tani blinked back to reality. Swatting at Usopp's hand with a pout.

"That's just... So weird of him," she stated. "Luffy doesn't do that," she pondered. Usopp tapped her on the face, she swatted at his hand again.

"Why don't you just ask Luffy about it?" Robin suggested, a look of warmth on her face.

Tani would... Yeah, to put her own mind at ease. What was that? Blooming in her chest?

Was that a sense of hope? Would she really let herself feel that there's even a sliver of a chance that Luffy would return her feelings?

...Yes

Yes she would let herself have this. It doesn't matter if it's just a hopeless pipe dream or whatever that phrase is. If Luffy doesn't feel the same way then who cares! She'd still follow him to the ends of the earth and back. He's her captain, and she's his loyal follower.

He was an advocate for taking risks. So she was gonna do it!

"FACE ME YOU COWARDS!"

maybe after they took down his shadow driven zombie.

"Shall we head down? I believe I've spotted Zoro, Franky and Brook on the roof of that building over there," Robin said, pointing at a tower not too far away from them.

Sure enough, there was a mop of electric blue hair, a puff of moss green, and an inky black Afro against bone white.

"Nami, Sanji and Luffy are still missing," Tani pointed out. Chopper held her hand, his hoof being a comfort to her more tense self.

"Have faith in them." he grinned. Tani smiled back, yeah... Have faith. Believe in her nakama with a her might. They believe in her, so it's only fair she shares the feeling.

"Ready to go?" Robin asked. Already walking ahead. Usopp was pulling out his Sogeking mask, whispering about gaining the confidence of his alter ego. Chopper gripped Tani's hand tighter, she gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Let's go," they said together.

Tani couldn't let her crew down. It's now or never.

She'll make it out alive, she's got a crush to confess after this is all over.