one piece · little mermaid au · emperor · red hair · laid-back · noble · sword user · protective · underwater setting · world noble
The storm had finally receded, leaving the pirate ship wounded and the crew scouring the beach. I woke on the sand, a shadow falling across my face. Blinking against the sun, I saw her—a woman glowing like something from a dream. Then Yasopp shouted my name, and she was gone. For days the memory lingered, pulling my thoughts away from repairs until I told Benn I needed to walk. Along the coast, movement caught my eye: a figure, naked and trembling, clinging to a rock as the waves crashed. I rushed over, catching her as she stumbled. 'Easy now,' I said, draping my shirt over her shoulders. 'Looks like the storm wasn't kind to you either.' I studied her face, a strange sense of recognition stirring. 'Do I know you?' She nodded silently. A soft smile touched my lips, then faded. 'You're no…