A Little Piece of Kripton (One Piece x Superman)

It was hard to believe that today marked their last day on Fishman Island. The realization hung in the air as the Straw Hat Pirates went about their final preparations, each member ensuring everything was ready before their departure to the New World.

The island was alive with activity as the crew spent their remaining time saying goodbyes, gathering supplies, and tying up loose ends. The Fishman residents, who had grown fond of their unusual guests, mingled with the crew, exchanging well wishes and tokens of gratitude.

"Have you loaded everything, Franky?" Royal asked, his tone calm but firm as he scanned the deck. He wanted to make sure nothing—especially anything belonging to Captain Luffy—was left behind. The captain had a notorious habit of forgetting important belongings, except, of course, his cherished straw hat.

Franky paused mid-check, his mechanical hand resting on a crate. "I think so," he replied thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. His sunglasses reflected the morning sun as he tried to recall if anything had been overlooked.

Chopper, standing nearby with a bag slung over his shoulder, perked up. "Don't worry! I've double-checked all the medical supplies and my tools. Everything's accounted for!" The reindeer's voice was cheerful, filled with his usual enthusiasm.

"Good to know," Royal said with a nod, his eyes sweeping over the neatly stacked crates and barrels. He stepped closer to inspect some of them himself, his meticulous nature refusing to let anything slip through the cracks.

Sanji emerged from the galley, wiping his hands on a towel. "The pantry's stocked with enough supplies for the journey ahead. Fresh ingredients, spices, and some special items I picked up here—everything's set."

"Great. As long as there's meat, we're good," Luffy chimed in, his voice booming from the upper deck. He sat cross-legged near the railing, chewing on a piece of fruit while eyeing the preparations below.

"Of course there's meat, you idiot," Sanji snapped, glaring up at him. "Just don't eat it all in one day!"

"Oi, what about the weapons? Are we stocked on cannonballs and all that?" Usopp asked, strolling over with a wrench in hand, his curious gaze darting between the crates.

"Locked and loaded!" Franky said with a grin, striking his signature pose. "This ship is ready for anything!"

Royal watched from a distance as Luffy exchanged his heartfelt farewell with Princess Shirahoshi. The gentle yet towering mermaid princess held the Straw Hat captain in her palms, lifting him effortlessly as if he were a cherished keepsake. Luffy waved enthusiastically, his grin as bright as ever, while Shirahoshi's large eyes shimmered with tears of gratitude and fondness.

Nearby, Robin stood gracefully, engaged in a calm and pleasant conversation with one of the royal princes. Her composed demeanor was a sharp contrast to the cheerful chaos around her. Royal couldn't hear what they were discussing, but judging by the occasional chuckles, it seemed like a lighthearted exchange.

Nami, however, was up to her usual antics. She wandered through the gathered crowd, her hands deftly maneuvering into the pockets of unsuspecting Fishman spectators. With her practiced ease, she "borrowed" wallets and coins from those too captivated by the Straw Hats' departure to notice her movements.

As Royal's gaze swept over the crowd, he spotted three familiar faces in the sea of onlookers: Arthur, Mera, and Luca. A faint smile crossed his face as he recognized the family who had shown him kindness during their stay. Slowly, he made his way toward them, weaving through the bustling throng of Fishman and merfolk who had come to bid farewell to the crew that had saved their island.

Arthur, the father, noticed Royal first and gave him a warm nod of acknowledgment. Mera, the mother, smiled shyly while holding young Luca's hand. The boy's eyes lit up as Royal approached, his small frame bouncing with excitement.

"Leaving so soon?" Arthur asked, his voice carrying a tone of genuine curiosity and respect.

Royal nodded, his expression softening. "Our journey continues, but I wanted to say goodbye properly. Your family's kindness won't be forgotten."

Mera blushed slightly at the compliment, while Luca tugged at Royal's sleeve. "Will you come back one day?" the boy asked, his wide eyes filled with innocent hope.

Arthur extended his hand toward Royal, a warm and genuine gesture of gratitude. "We never got the chance to thank you for saving my son," he said, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. 

Royal smiled faintly, clasping Arthur's hand in a firm handshake. "There's no need for thanks," he replied humbly. "I just did what anyone would do." He continued the conversation while stealing glances at Luca, who still appeared young and innocent. 

Arthur shook his head, a determined look in his eyes. "Not everyone would. You went out of your way to protect my family, and for that, we're forever grateful." 

Mera stepped forward, her gentle demeanor radiating warmth. "You know," she began, her tone soft but cheerful, "after the false prophecy about all of you, my sister—Madam Shyarly—decided to retire from fortune-telling." 

Royal raised an eyebrow in surprise. That was unexpected news. 

Mera continued, a small smile gracing her lips. "Thanks to you and your friends actions, she's decided to spend more time with us. She visits often now, and Luca gets to play with his aunt. It's brought our family closer." 

Hearing this filled Royal with an unfamiliar yet comforting warmth. The idea that his actions, however small they seemed at the time, had such a ripple effect on this family's happiness made him feel something he hadn't experienced in a long time—a sense of peace. 

"That's good to hear," Royal said earnestly, his gaze softening. "I hope your family continues to find joy together." 

Mera nodded, her eyes glistening with gratitude. Arthur clapped Royal on the shoulder. "You've made a difference here, Royal. Don't ever doubt that. I hope that the friendship between humans and fishmen, forged thanks to the Straw Hat Pirates, will make it easier for Luca to be accepted by the community here." 

As the conversation settled, Royal felt a subtle shift within himself. The gratitude of this family, their simple yet profound happiness, made him question his own long-held belief about staying detached from the problems of others. Helping people—truly helping them—had brought him a sense of fulfillment he couldn't ignore. 

"You're always welcome here," Arthur said earnestly. "May the seas be kind to you."

Royal nodded, standing once more. "And to you as well."

With a final nod to the family, Royal turned toward the Thousand Sunny. The warm glow of their thanks lingered in his chest, a quiet reminder that sometimes, lending a hand could heal more than just those he helped—it could heal a part of himself too.

Once everyone was aboard the Thousand Sunny, the excitement in the air was palpable. Franky stood by the helm, his hands confidently maneuvering the ship's controls. "Hold tight, everyone!" he bellowed, grinning widely as he swiftly unfurled the sails.

The golden lion figurehead glistened under the light filtering through the ocean as the ship began to move. The crew gathered on the deck, each occupied with their own tasks or simply taking in the final view of Fishman Island.

"Raise the sails, Franky!" Luffy's voice boomed, his enthusiasm infecting everyone around him.

"Aye, aye, Captain!" Franky roared back, adjusting the mechanisms with precision. The sails snapped to life, catching the underwater currents perfectly.

With a resounding whoosh, Sunny glided forward, leaving a trail of bubbles in its wake. The ship ascended toward the surface, encapsulated in its protective bubble. The glowing corals and bustling sea life around Fishman Island began to fade into the distance as the crew sailed away.

Luffy stood at the helm, his iconic straw hat tilted forward as he grinned from ear to ear. "Let's go! Onward to the next adventure!" he shouted, pumping a fist into the air.

Princess Shirahoshi, her towering figure gracefully gliding through the water, appeared beside the Thousand Sunny, her expression tinged with a mix of determination and sadness. The crew turned to see her waving, her voice carrying across the waves.

"Captain Luffy!" she called out, her tone urgent yet hopeful. "Promise me! One day, you'll take me to see the world outside!"

Luffy, leaning casually against the ship's railing with a piece of meat in his hand, grinned widely. "Why wait? Royal can take you right now!" he exclaimed, pointing at his crewmate with complete confidence.

Royal, who had been quietly observing the scene from a distance, blinked in surprise. He sighed, stepping forward with a calm yet firm expression. "Captain, I don't think that's a good idea right now," he said, addressing Luffy.

Shirahoshi tilted her head, her large, innocent eyes fixating on Royal. "Why not?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Royal hesitated for a moment, then spoke, his tone serious. "The outside world is still dangerous, Princess Shirahoshi. There are places like Sabaody Archipelago where merfolk like you are still at risk of being captured and enslaved. Until things change, it's not safe for someone as important as you to venture out."

His words hung heavily in the air, even causing Nami and Robin to pause their casual conversations. The reminder of the harsh realities of the world outside Fishman Island was sobering.

Luffy, however, remained unfazed. He turned to Shirahoshi with a big, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Shirahoshi! I'll get even stronger, and when the time is right, I'll come back and take you to see the world! That's a promise!"

The sincerity in his voice and the confidence in his words seemed to reach Shirahoshi's heart. She smiled, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I believe in you, Luffy," she said softly.

As she waved goodbye once more, Luffy turned back to the crew with his usual grin, but Royal noticed the quiet determination in his captain's eyes. It was a rare moment of introspection for Luffy, who seemed fully aware of the challenges ahead.

Royal couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. At least he's not entirely reckless, he thought. Luffy might have grand dreams, but he's not blind to the dangers of the world.

The crew resumed their positions as the ship sailed farther from Fishman Island. Shirahoshi's towering figure grew smaller in the distance, but her promise with Luffy lingered in everyone's minds. It was a moment that reminded them all of the strength they would need to navigate the treacherous seas ahead.

Royal stood at the stern, watching Fishman Island disappear below the waves. A mixture of emotions washed over him—gratitude for the experiences he had gained there and anticipation for what lay ahead. He adjusted his cloak and turned to face the crew, his new friends, ready to embark on whatever adventures awaited them.

"It's hard to believe, isn't it? Our journey to Fishman Island is already over," Nami said, her gaze fixed on the shrinking bubble that surrounded the underwater kingdom. The once-grand sight was now no larger than their ship, slowly fading into the distance. 

On the deck, Sanji was kneeling dramatically, tears streaming down his face as he mourned the beautiful women he'd left behind. "Why must fate be so cruel?! Such heavenly beauties, and I won't get to see them again!" 

Nearby, Zoro leaned casually against the railing, glancing at their captain, who stood unusually still. Luffy was staring ahead with a wide, almost childlike grin on his face. His silence piqued Zoro's curiosity. 

"What's up, Luffy? Why are you standing there grinning like an idiot?" Zoro asked, though his tone was more curious than critical. 

Luffy turned his head slightly, his eyes gleaming with excitement and nostalgia. "I'm just happy," he said. "When we reach the surface, we'll be sailing the same seas as Shanks again." 

The mention of Shanks caused a ripple of intrigue among the crew. Nami and Usopp exchanged knowing glances, the others exchanged knowing looks, fully understanding the bond between Luffy and Shanks, well except Royal of of course!

Royal, standing quietly near the mast, took note of the name. He had overheard fragments of conversations about Shanks before, but he didn't fully understand the connection between the Yonko and their captain. What he did know was that the straw hat Luffy wore so proudly had once belonged to the legendary pirate. 

Curiosity getting the better of him, Royal spoke up, his tone even but inquisitive. "Who is Shanks to you Captain?" 

Luffy's grin widened as he turned to Royal, the light in his eyes intensifying. "Shanks is the one who gave me this hat," he said, touching the brim of his straw hat with reverence. "He's the reason I wanted to become a pirate. He told me about the freedom of the sea and what it means to chase your dreams." 

Luffy's words carried a weight that Royal hadn't expected. It wasn't often that the usually carefree captain spoke with such sincerity. 

"He's also one of the Yonko, right?" Royal asked, tilting his head slightly. 

Luffy nodded eagerly. "Yeah! But more than that, he's my hero. When I was a kid, he saved me from a sea king and told me I could become strong enough to face the Grand Line. I owe him everything." 

Royal couldn't help but feel a deep sense of curiosity about Luffy's hero, Shanks. The way Luffy spoke about him, with such admiration and gratitude, made it clear that Shanks held a special place in the captain's heart. To Luffy, Shanks wasn't just a powerful Yonko, but the person who had inspired him to chase his dreams and become the pirate he was today.

As Royal stood on the deck, watching the vast ocean ahead, he found himself wondering about this red-haired pirate. What was he really like? Was he as great as Luffy made him out to be? It wasn't every day that someone like Luffy—a man full of energy, boundless optimism, and raw determination—spoke with such reverence.

The idea of one day meeting Shanks intrigued Royal. He wasn't sure when or how their paths might cross, but it seemed inevitable that they would. After all, Luffy was destined to make a name for himself in the Grand Line, and with Shanks being one of the most influential pirates in the world, their encounter was bound to happen.

"Maybe one day," Royal muttered to himself, "I'll meet him and see what all the fuss is about."

For now, though, his journey with the Straw Hat Pirates was far from over. The world was vast, full of mysteries and adventures waiting to unfold. But the thought of meeting the man who had shaped Luffy's destiny added a new layer of intrigue to the journey ahead. One day, he'd find out for himself if Shanks truly lived up to the legend Luffy had painted.