One Piece: Randomizer!

Raphael: <>

System: []

******

"Amazing," Luffy said, his eyes sparkling with genuine awe as he admired Kaya's newly transformed form.

"What's going on here?" Kuina's voice cut through the quiet moment. She had been resting nearby but couldn't resist her growing curiosity. Approaching the scene with her usual calm demeanor, she raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Is this another one of those weird Devil Fruits? Like the one you gave Uta?" she asked, raising an eyebrow and received a nod in return.

Meanwhile, Kaya radiated pure joy. For the first time in years, her body felt alive—strong, vibrant, and untethered by the frailty that had defined her existence for so long. In fact, she felt as though she had been reborn tonight.

Overcome by the rush of freedom, Kaya spread her wings and launched into the sky. The cool night air rushed past her, carrying her higher and higher until the village became a speck below. Hovering at a dizzying height, she took in the vast ocean stretching endlessly beneath the moon's silver glow. But before she could fully savor the view, her attention was drawn to the beach below, where villagers, whose faces were etched with exhaustion and despair, worked to recover from the devastating fire.

Kaya's heart ached at the sight of their suffering, but she quickly remembered the knowledge that had come with her transformation. Steeling her resolve, she descended swiftly, stopping mid-air above the crowd.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Kaya extended her arms and spread her wings wide. "Heaven's Blanket," she whispered under her breath and in the next moment a massive, glowing purple magic circle spread across the entire beach.

The sudden light startled the villagers, who scrambled to their feet, glancing around in confusion until suddenly a small child pointed to the sky and shouted, "Mom! Look, an angel!"

All eyes turned upward, and collective gasps filled the air. Kaya hovered like a celestial figure, her wings illuminated against the night sky. Then, a warm, soothing sensation enveloped the villagers, their pain ebbing away as wounds began to close and burns faded into smooth, unblemished skin.

For a moment, hope sparked in their hearts. But just as quickly as the magic had come, the circle flickered and vanished. Kaya's strength gave out, her vision blurred, and her wings faltered. She plummeted from the sky, unconscious before she even registered the fall.

Just as she was about to crash, a ramp materialized beneath her, gently catching her and sliding her back to Luffy, who crouched beside her, his expression a mix of relief, frustration, and quiet admiration.

"That was reckless," Luffy muttered under his breath, shaking his head at Kaya's benevolent but foolish attempt to heal so many people on her own.

'Raphael, what was that move Kaya just used?' Luffy asked internally, and a stream of information immediately flowed into his mind.

******

Heaven's Blanket – A skill that allows the user to heal others within a large area at the cost of their own stamina. Additionally, the user absorbs 1/10th of the damage healed as backlash. 

*******

Luffy let out a long, weary sigh as the explanation settled in. "This idiot..." he muttered, rubbing his temple. He could only imagine the toll healing so many people at once had taken on Kaya, especially when she had just acquired her powers, had no experience managing such overwhelming energy, and lacked the stamina to sustain it.

"Kuina," Luffy called, turning to his crewmate standing nearby. "Keep an eye on her while I prepare for our departure." Kuina nodded, and Luffy walked away, leaving Kaya in her care.

******

The next morning, when Kaya stirred awake, her body felt unbearably heavy. Every muscle ached, as if she'd been wrung dry, and a splitting headache pounded mercilessly in her skull. She groaned softly, clutching her head as she tried to sit up.

"You're awake," he said flatly, crossing his arms. Without waiting for her to respond, he launched into a merciless lecture.

"What were you thinking, using your powers like that? You barely know how they work, let alone the toll they take on you!" His voice rose slightly, but his concern was unmistakable. "What if you'd fallen harder? Or worse, what if you'd...?" He stopped himself, taking a breath to steady his frustration.

Though his words stung, Kaya knew they came from a place of care. She nodded quietly, absorbing each point. Luffy's scolding lasted for what felt like an eternity—though it was probably only half an hour. Finally, his voice softened, and he relented.

"We're going back," he said simply, offering her a hand to help her up. Kaya hesitated before taking it, her body protesting every movement as she rose to her feet.

Together, they made their way to the ruins of the house where Luffy had found her the night before. As they approached, Kaya froze. The sight of the collapsed structure brought the memories of the previous night crashing back with brutal clarity. Her hands began to tremble, and tears welled in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

Before she could completely unravel, she felt a hand gently ruffle her hair.

"Hold yourself together," Luffy said softly, his voice grounding her. "It's okay to cry, but don't let it crush you. Merry gave his life so you could live. Honor his last wish—become the best version of yourself. And remember, we'll be here to help you every step of the way."

Luffy's words were simple but brought an undeniable warmth to Kaya's heart as tears streamed down her face as she nodded.

"You're right. It's time to move forward," she said softly. Kaya flexed her wings, then raised her palm toward the wreckage of the house. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "Merry, thank you. For everything—for protecting me, for being my family after my parents were gone. Thank you for staying by my side."

As her words hung in the air, golden flames erupted from her palm. The fire wasn't wild or destructive, instead, it burned with reverence, consuming the wreckage gently, like a final act of love.

When the flames died down, Kaya turned to Luffy and hugged him tightly, sobbing into his chest. Luffy wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her hair as he asked Raphael about the fire she had just used.

******

Mystical Fire - A skill that allows the user to either heal or harm their target, depending on their intention, at the cost of their own stamina. Additionally, the user absorbs 1/10th of the damage healed as backlash and heals themselves for 1/10th of the damage dealt to their opponent.

******

'Another great skill, but with the same drawback,' Luffy thought as he continued to comfort Kaya. When her sobs finally subsided, he leaned back slightly and looked at her with a soft smile.

"Feeling better now?" he asked gently.

Kaya nodded, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Thank you... and sorry about..." She gestured awkwardly to the damp spot on Luffy's shirt.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "It's fine," he said warmly, patting her head. "My shoulder's always here for my friends."

"Luffy, there's something else I need to check," Kaya said, her voice steadier now as she wiped away the last of her tears. She took a step back and gestured toward the rubble. "Could you clear this for me, please?"

Luffy gave her a curious look but nodded without question. He extended his arms, summoning two large crystalline hands that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. With ease, they began moving the charred debris aside, revealing a hidden door embedded in the ground.

"There it is," Kaya murmured, a note of relief in her voice. She approached the door cautiously, her fingers brushing against its surface before pulling it open to reveal a staircase spiraling downward. Then without hesitation, she began descending the steps, with Luffy following close behind.

At the bottom of the staircase, the dim light revealed a small underground dock. In the center, a medium-sized caravel was moored, pristine and intact.

Seeing the ship still there and, more importantly, in one piece, Kaya sighed in relief. "Luffy, this is the Going Merry, the ship designed by Merry and his last memory. That's why..." her voice faltered as she fidgeted with her fingers, her gaze dropping to the floor. "That's why I would love for this to be our sailing vessel. Of course, only if you don't mind, Captain."

"Of course, we can, Kaya," Luffy replied with a reassuring grin. "And you don't have to be so hesitant when talking to me. I'm not going to eat you or anything, you know."

Then, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he added, "Well... unless you want me to."

Kaya froze, her cheeks flushing an intense red as she processed his words. Her embarrassment quickly turned to exasperation. "Idiot!" she snapped, smacking his arm repeatedly.

Luffy burst into laughter, doubling over as Kaya's blows landed harmlessly on him. "Alright, alright, I'm sorry!" he managed between chuckles, his grin never fading.

After a moment, Luffy sobered, his tone turning more serious as he leapt onto the Merry's deck to inspect it. He glanced back at Kaya. "Go get Uta and send her here," he instructed. "And tell Kuina to track down Zoro and keep him in one place. We'll be setting sail soon."

A few hours later, the crew stood at the edge of Syrup Village, bidding farewell to the villagers who had gathered to see them off.

When it was time, Luffy called for the crew to board the Going Merry. The sails unfurled, catching the breeze, and the ship glided smoothly into open waters.

As the village faded into the horizon, Kaya stood at the stern, her heart swelling with a bittersweet mix of grief and hope. She turned to Luffy, who stood at the helm with his usual exuberant grin.

"Thank you," she said softly, her voice almost lost to the wind.

Luffy looked over his shoulder, flashing her a thumbs-up. "We're going to do great things, Kaya. Merry would be proud."

With a new crewmate, a new ship, and a renewed sense of purpose, the Straw Hats sailed onward, ready for their next adventure.

******

A week later aboard the Going Merry, Uta, Zoro, and Kuina were deeply engrossed in their Haki training, while Luffy worked with Kaya, guiding her through the basics of Haki and Total Concentration Breathing.

"That's enough for now. Take a break," Luffy said, standing up and handing Kaya a bottle of water. She was panting, still catching her breath from the intense session.

"Thank you," Kaya said gratefully, taking the water. She sipped the water, trying to steady her breathing as she sank onto a crate nearby

"So..." Luffy began, wiping the sweat from his brow before leaning casually against the railing. "How are you feeling so far? Regretting your choice to join us on this boat?" he asked with a playful chuckle.

Kaya looked up at him, her blue eyes sparkling with happiness. "No, not at all," she said, shaking her head with a warm smile. "I'm having a lot of fun, and everyone has been so kind and welcoming. Even if there isn't much to do aside from training and the occasional games, flying with my wings more than makes up for it. So no complaints at all."

"I'm glad to hear that," Luffy said with a nod, pleased by her response. "By the way, once we get to Loguetown, we'll stock up on some medical books and equipment. You'll need those to keep up your studies, right?"

Kaya's eyes widened, her exhaustion forgotten as excitement lit up her face. "Really?!" she exclaimed, leaning forward. "But... won't that be kind of expensive?"

"Of course," Luffy said casually, as though the cost were the least of his concerns. "You're part of the crew now, Kaya. It's our job to make sure you have everything you need to do your job. Don't sweat the price—just tell us what you need, and we'll handle the rest. After all," he added with a carefree shrug, "what's the point of chasing treasure if we can't use it to equip our crew with the best?"

Kaya stared at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Luffy," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I won't disappoint you."

Luffy's grin softened, and he gave her a pat on the head. "I know you won't," he said simply.

Knowing that Luffy believed in her so deeply, she silently resolved to become the best medic the world had ever seen.

"By the way, do you mind if I ask you something?" Kaya asked as she tried to steer the conversation in a different direction.

"Sure go ahead," Luffy said, as he grabbed an apple from a nearby crate and took a bite out of it.

"I wanted to ask you this for a while but why were you visiting the Syrup Village?" Kaya asked, tilting her head.

Luffy leaned back against the railing, chewing lazily before swallowing. "We were there to visit the son of a friend," he said casually. But then his expression shifted, a flicker of curiosity appearing in his eyes. "Speaking of which, do you know anyone named Usopp?"

Hearing the name, Uta, who had been engrossed in her training, paused and walked over to Luffy, curiosity lighting up her face.

"Usopp..." Kaya repeated, her brow furrowing as she searched her memory. "Ah! The skinny boy with the long nose!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with recognition. "I remember him. About three years ago, there was a big commotion in the village involving that boy. Merry had mentioned it to me. After whatever happened, that boy left the village, and no one has heard from him since."

"I see..." Luffy muttered, his gaze distant as he processed the information. He couldn't help but think of the Usopp he knew from the manga.

'So he started his journey on his own,' Luffy mused internally. 'I wonder what kind of Usopp we'll meet on the sea. Will he still be that coward dreaming of becoming a brave warrior, or has he transformed into a hardened sniper who's faced the harsh realities of the ocean without the support of companions like in the original timeline?'

"That's a shame," Uta chimed in, crossing her arms as she frowned. "It would've been nice to have Yasopp's son on our crew. Imagine what he's capable of if he inherited even half of his father's talent." She shook her head before glancing back at Luffy. "Anyway," she began, changing the subject, "where are we headed next?"

******

Meanwhile, back at Syrup Village, a Marine vessel was docked at the shore while the Marines were helping to rebuild the town, of course not by their own volition but because their captain, Rear Admiral Koby, had instructed them to do so.

The temporary head of the village approached Koby, bowing his head respectfully. "Sir, thank you for helping us. It would have taken us weeks if not months to rebuild everything without your assistance."

Koby offered a modest smile, waving his hand dismissively. "It's nothing, sir. This is the least we can do. It's our responsibility as Marines to fix the damage caused by someone like Kuro escaping our grasp in the first place."

His expression darkened as his gaze shifted toward the decaying bodies of Kuro and his accomplices lying under tarps nearby. His jaw tightened as he let out a heavy sigh. "Mistakes like this..." His voice grew firm, tinged with frustration. "They're idiotic and pathetic. They disgrace the name of the Marines!"

Just then, another Marine vessel docked on the shore of Syrup Village, and Rear Admiral Kujaku jumped out of the ship and approached Koby with a grave expression on her face. "Koby, your hunch was right. We found traces of the Black Cat Pirates' former base being on that island, as well as a lot of bodies buried inside the ground. We found a few that were closer to the surface, but I am sure there must be hundreds, like the villagers told us."

"I see..." Koby said, his brow furrowed in thought. "It seems Luffy has once again done our job for us... and quite thoroughly at that."

"I think it's high time now. We need to inform headquarters about this and issue a bounty on him," Kujaku said with a stern expression on her face. 

"And what exactly would we charge him with?" Koby asked, a dry chuckle escaping his lips. "Killing pirates? Cleaning up the scum we failed to deal with?" He shrugged. "At most, he's acting as a pirate hunter—and we don't put bounties on pirate hunters."

Kujaku glared at Koby with such intensity that it could have burned through steel. "Are you fucking serious?" she hissed. "If these villagers' stories are even halfway true, this man is dangerous. Ruthless enough to kill and bury hundreds of people in a single night. Someone like that shouldn't be roaming free. If word gets out that you're turning a blind eye to this, Admiral Akainu will burn you alive."

"I'm not shielding anyone," Koby said calmly, though his tone carried weight. "I just don't think making an enemy of Mr. Garp's grandson is the smartest choice. If Luffy is even half as monstrous as his grandfather, we should be working to bring him to our side, not pushing him away. Besides, Mr. Garp has done so much for us—it's only fair to try and guide his grandson toward the right side of the law."

Kujaku crossed her arms, her skepticism clear. "And how exactly do you plan to succeed where Garp himself failed?"

Koby rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, offering a lopsided smile. "I haven't quite figured that part out yet," he admitted.

Kujaku's eye twitched in irritation. "This is your grand plan? 'Figure it out when we catch him'? Do you even hear yourself?"

"At the very least," Koby said, his voice taking on a more serious edge, "I could approach him as Koby, Garp's student, not as some faceless Marine officer. That might open a door."

"And if it doesn't?" Kujaku pressed, her voice like steel.

Koby's demeanor shifted. His fist transformed into shining steel, and a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes. "If he refuses to listen... then we'll drag him back to base. And I'll make sure he understands what true justice looks like—whether he likes it or not."

Kujaku studied him for a long moment before letting out a resigned sigh. "You'd better be right about this, Koby. For all our sakes."

To be continued...