Chapitre 52: The Almost Unimaginable
The night was calm, the ocean reflecting the stars like a vast mirror. Kikidori and Ere'ana stood on the deck of the Sunny, both tasked with night duty.
Kikidori leaned casually on the railing, his sword propped against his shoulder. "So, uh, how come we're always on night duty? Is it 'cause we're the youngest?"
Ere'ana sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "No, it's because Luffy thinks we're the least likely to fall asleep. Which is ridiculous since you're always one yawn away from dozing off."
Kikidori grinned sheepishly. "Hey, I'm a Yonko now. Yonko don't need sleep!"
"Uh-huh. And Yonko don't trip over their own feet, right?"
"Low blow, Ere'ana. Low blow."
Unknown to them, the rest of the Straw Hats—minus Luffy, who was snoring in his cabin—were spying from the shadows, hidden behind barrels, crates, and the mast.
"I can't believe we're doing this," Nami whispered, crouching beside Robin.
"Shh," Sanji said, his eyes glued to the scene. "This is important reconnaissance!"
"Reconnaissance?" Zoro muttered, leaning against the mast. "More like wasting time."
"Quiet!" Usopp hissed. "They'll hear us!"
Back on the deck, Kikidori stretched his arms above his head, letting out a loud yawn. "Man, it's so boring out here. Nothing ever happens on night duty."
"Boring is good," Ere'ana replied. "It means we're safe."
"Safe is overrated. I want some action!"
Ere'ana rolled her eyes. "You always want action. And then you complain when you get hurt."
"Hey, that's not true! Name one time I complained!"
"You literally cried when Chopper put disinfectant on your cut 4 years ago."
"That was different! It stung!"
The eavesdropping crew tried to stifle their laughter, but Brook couldn't help letting out a "Yohoho!" which he quickly disguised as the sound of the wind.
Kikidori glanced over his shoulder, frowning. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Ere'ana asked, her voice skeptical.
"I dunno. Sounded like... laughing?"
"It's probably just Brook. You know how he is."
Kikidori shrugged and leaned back against the railing. "So, uh, Ere'ana, I've been meaning to ask you something."
"Oh?" She tilted her head, curious.
The spying Straw Hats leaned in, their interest piqued.
Kikidori hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Do you think... I'm a good Yonko?"
The question caught Ere'ana off guard. "What kind of question is that? Of course you are."
"Yeah, but... I mean, I'm kind of goofy and clumsy, and everyone always makes fun of me."
Ere'ana softened, her usual sarcasm replaced with genuine warmth. "Kikidori, being a Yonko isn't about being perfect. It's about being strong, brave, and protecting the people you care about. And you've done all of that."
Kikidori blinked, his cheeks turning slightly pink. "Wow, that was... really nice of you to say."
"Well, don't get used to it," she said, smirking.
The eavesdropping crew began to lose interest.
"Lame," Zoro muttered, turning to leave.
"I'm going back to bed," Nami whispered, standing up.
But just as they were about to leave, it happened.
Kikidori, in a moment of clumsy enthusiasm, tried to lean against the railing—and promptly lost his balance. "Whoa!"
Ere'ana reacted instinctively, grabbing his arm and pulling him back before he could tumble into the sea.
"You idiot!" she yelled, her voice a mix of frustration and relief.
"Thanks for saving me," Kikidori said sheepishly, his face inches from hers.
Ere'ana froze, realizing how close they were. Their faces were so near that even the moonlight seemed to hold its breath.
The spying crew collectively gasped.
"Are they...?" Usopp whispered, his eyes wide.
"No way," Sanji muttered, his cigarette dropping from his mouth.
Ere'ana quickly stepped back, her cheeks red. "Don't scare me like that, you moron!"
"Sorry, sorry!" Kikidori said, waving his hands defensively.
The tension broke, and the spying crew let out sighs of disappointment.
"False alarm," Franky whispered, shaking his head.
As the crew dispersed, Ere'ana and Kikidori resumed their watch, completely unaware of the audience they'd just had.
End of Chapter 53
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone