The men walked around the village, searching for a place to settle down for the day. After a long journey through the seas, Johnny and Yosaku's stomachs rumbled aggressively as they dragged their feet across the dirt and followed behind Zoro. Their trails left behind gusts of earth and rocks in their wake. As the sun blazed down on them, both trailed behind their source of income, dragging their feet, shoulders slumped forward. Their tongue sticking out from the sun's heat, sweat dripping from their brow. The atmosphere filled with the thoughts of a potential meal.

Sunken eyes with dark circles, Yosaku tried keeping up with his comrades in front of him. Though he had shorts on and a long jacket, sweat dripped from his brow to his chin; this sullied the red headband, exposing his bold head to the scorching sun. Blinded by the haze of the heat, everything that surrounded him seemed hazy. As a result, his eyelids kept fluttering closed from dizziness. "I'm starving," Yosaku mumbled, his words drowsy.

His partner Johnny could only groan in agreement. Though his shades shielded his eyes from the blazing sun, his body was like an oven. Johnny's short raven hair drowned in sweat, while his blue vest was laced on his waist didn't help subdue the heat he felt all over his body. The flare of the flame above seeped through his jet-coloured T-shirt, chestnut pants, and sword strapped to his waist. Like Yosaku, his ebony shoes left traces of his trail that soon dispersed into the earth.

Despite the rumble erupting from his stomach, the group leader Zoro focused on the road ahead. His eyes glared from underneath his bandana in search of an area that didn't have just bushes and trees while glazes of sweat emitted from his skin. His dress was simple, a white shirt, green pants and green boots; he also felt the sun's fury.

They travelled through the seas for a while, hunting down pirates to receive compensation for their next meal. That's how it has been for a time since they met. However, each of their goals differs from one another. Well, more like Zoro had a goal while the other two tagged along to get their next meal. One island at a time in search of the one who held the title of the greatest swordsman.

A title that Zoro yearned to obtain. A title that he dreamed of. A title that he thirsted after; he was ready to reach his ambition by any means necessary.

Yosaku and Johnny had ambitions that lay in protection. Just like the defenders of their village in their childhood, they wanted to raise their swords to safeguard the weak.

They kept going, strolling under the glare of the sun. Their stomachs roared like a hungry lions, ready to pounce on their meal. Their saliva was their only solace; their tongues savoured it to maintain the sanity of their lack of food. The air was fragranced with the earth's dirt that trampled beneath their feet.

Moments later, they strolled beneath a large and tall pole, its golden letters screaming Gastonia on a blue plaque at the top. As they continued on their journey, under the haze of the sun, a tall tower came within their sight, they passed it, and seconds later, their nose twitched. A pleasing aroma erected their spirits.

Despite the haze of the sun, the street bustled with numerous people either in shops or trying to barge on an excellent deal on products. Shouts of shop owners trying to get attention from potential customers. Children's laughter filled the air as they chased after one another, smiling from ear to ear through the crowded streets.

From a whiff of his nose, Yosaku's mind blanked out from the aroma of a seasoned dish. His head twisted toward the smell, opening his nostrils nice and wide to inhale the alluring aroma. His mind was plagued with various types of food. Beef dipped and drizzled with sauce, slurping noodles. Drool dripped from the corner of his lips while his eyes drooped, a slight blush appearing from the smell. That alone made his stomach roar like a lion. Unable to hold in his temptation, his feet accelerated towards the source.

"Yosaku!" Johnny yelled out, "Wait up!"

A sigh left Zoro's lips, "Let's just follow him." He continued, but Johnny yanked his friend by the back of his shirt.

"The other way." Johnny pointed out.

"I knew that!"

In pursuit of their friend, Johnny ensured that Zoro stayed close by, occasionally glancing at his behind him. Someway or somehow, the swordsman had a habit of wandering off.

Up ahead, they spotted Yosaku amid the crowd. Chowing down on what seemed to be meat skewers. When they complained about their empty stomachs, Johnny wondered what could happen to get Yosuku to focus on anything besides his hunger. What was even odder was that the bold-headed guy wasn't eating it, but his attention seemed elsewhere.

"So you got food for yourself-"

Immediately, the dark-haired swordsman's words fumbled with the scene before his eyes. Jaw-dropped like his partner in crime at the scene before.

Or should he say the young woman before his eyes?

Kinky ivory curls down her back while dancing in the wind with two curly hair strands near her ears. Crystal porcelain eyes brimming like seas kissed by the sunlight, along with long white lashes. The skin of brown of the earth, but as sweet as chocolate, complemented her other features. Both men gawked, watching the woman play with her dark blue long-sleeved to what seemed to be a dress with a slit stopping at her thighs. Though the dress hid her bottom half, it was clear her top showed her well-developed assets, shoulders exposed to the glim of the sun. A small blue crystal necklace dripped on her chest. They watched her bare feet draw little circles in the dirt to calm her nerves. Yosuku and Johnny's cheeks heated up, and their ears left to steam.

For some reason, both men's hunger ceased at sight, as if the woman's divine beauty filled their stomachs and blessed their eyes. They have been together for a while and never had their eyes graced by such an alluring woman.

"I have admired you for so long, Miss Rue!"

Yosaku's and Johnny's heads whipped toward the voice, wondering at the man's sudden appearance, "When did he get here?!" They both shouted, eyes bulging out.

As she leaned on her left leg, Rue traced patterns with the soles of her right foot. The soil brushed her toes while she created deeper holes and forms. Her blue specks glanced around the crowd.

"Please," a young man, detect in white with a marine hat on his head, flowers in hand. He approached the silver-haired woman, gesturing roses towards head bowed, "Go out with me!"

His other subordinates cheered at their superior's courage to confess to the dazzling beauty. They let out whistles and words of encouragement to their leader. This time for sure, she will accept his grand confession.

Rue reached out for the flowers in hesitance. Pulling in and out her hands from grabbing them until finally, she wrapped her fingers around the bottom of the bouquet of rosy roses. The small brush of their fingertips sent a heating sensation to his face, a slight blush gracing his cheeks. Her gaze remained on them momentarily before landing them back on the marine, almost sending his heart to cease beating.

Both swordsman's gazes intensified at the scene unfolding.

Rue's lips tugged into a polite smile, though it seemed so to her.

To the crowd, men or women, heaven opened forgot to claim an angel.

"Thank you for the flowers, but I can't accept your token of love." Both Yosaku and Johhny's hearts raced rapidly at the gentle tone in her voice. However, it was apologetic yet soft and sweet; whether watching or listening to this enchanting woman, not a bone in their body felt exhausted as they had previously.

The marine captain and his subordinate's hearts cracked, eyes turning white from the rejection.

"W-why?" The captain mumbled out, falling into a short depression, hands clutching onto the dirt for support.

Rue's smile remained on her features, "I think you know why, Captain Alex."

Yosaku and Johnny watched in awe as Rue received a confession of love from the marine captain. Their hearts raced as they observed the exchange, marvelling at Rue's grace and beauty. But their attention was soon diverted by a small child who jumped onto Rue, embracing her joyfully. Her words left the crowd smiling, but Johnny and Yosuku's jaws dropped to the floor, eyes white and bulging.

"Mommy!" The little girl exclaimed.

"She's married!" The swordsmen shouted in utter despair at the beautiful woman before another man already took their eyes.

Their little dramatic display replaced in seconds into admired gazes as Rue took the small child in her arms and gave her a soft and loving smile. The small child wrapped her little arms around her neck, securing herself in her mother's embrace.

"I have a child," Rue answered, gracing the captain with a smile.

Snickers rang throughout the crowd as they watched the captain on into a more profound depression. It was apparent that this woman had a child since her arrival a few days ago. Rue would often walk around the child in town. Still, that didn't stop a few men chasing after the woman's affection.

"Oh!" The child yelled out with a beaming smile, "Hi, Rex!"

"Aisha, it's Captain Alex, "Rue corrected her daughter.

"That's what I said."

A small laugh left Rue's lips as Aisha pouted, confident in her answer.

The marine captain, Alex, body trembled at the sight. The moment his gaze landed on her, it was love at first sight. He tried everything and every method in the book to capture this woman's heart. He offered jewelry, but instead of thanks and her falling at her feet, she returned the gift and rejected his invitation for a date. Next, he intended to seduce her with money by sending her a bag, allowing her to spend as much as she wanted. However, he received another rejection, and again, she returned his gift, not one penny spent on the tasks he gave her.

Concluding, she wasn't a materialistic type; he went for a simple method, such as flowers and a simple declaration of love. He thought the beauty would accept his sincere feelings.

Yet, still, it wasn't enough.

The captain gritted his teeth; he quickly got up from his knees.

"You will accept my feelings one day!" He shouted, pointing a finger toward Rue, who kept a smile on her face, teeth sharp and eyes white in anger. The captain left in a huff, his subordinates following him in haste.

Johnny and Yosaku sweat-dropped at the man's quick recovery. Their gaze lingered on the woman who strolled passed them; the men whiffed a salty sea smell still that pleased their noses. Their shoulders slumped, gazes in dazes as they watched the woman leave with her child, who babbled on to her mother. Their eyes lingered until the beauty was no longer in sight.

They both sighed, leaning on one another. After their long journey on a small boat as bounty hunters, they weren't sure if they would ever find land. However, despite the casualties, they were grateful they stumbled on this island.

As a bonus, they got to see a goddess.

"Eh, Zoro, she was a beauty, right?" Johnny addressed their leader. Finally, out of a daze, his eyes bulged out from his shades, looking at where his green-haired friend once stood. His friend and meal ticket were now nowhere in sight.

Johnny's eyes widened beneath his sunglasses. "Gah! We forgot Zoro!" He yelled out, slapping a hand on his forehead in annoyance.

"Well, if you were watching him, he wouldn't have wandered off," Yosaku said, shaking his head at his friend's negligence.

"Oh, Shut up!" Johnny shouted at him, turning on his heel, "Let's just go look for him." Beneath his shades, he glared at his friend, "And where's my share?! You got food without me?!"

꧁

𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏! 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤s 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞! 𝐈 𝐤e𝐩𝐭 t𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝! 𝐋𝐨𝐥! I have been reading a lot of One Piece fanfiction and I have been getting into it, so I wanted to write my own because why not! At first, I wanted it to be a Y/N or Reader type of story, since it was popular, but with how the story is going to be written I thought it would be best to create an OC instead. Plus, I am not to keen on writing a Xreader story or even want to attempt writing one! Well anywho, h𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐!

PS. I will try to post more for this story too, but I am working on my other fanfiction Blazing Empress( Naruto AU), which I hope you all give read too! Again, thanks for reading until next time!