〈 1 Year Later 〉
Little feet went pitter-patter across the floor as the mini human waddled towards the kitchen, sporting a diaper that jiggled with each step.
Meanwhile, Zoro, the only other soul on board, was in dreamland on the deck, completely oblivious to the impending kitchen chaos. The rest of the crew had temporarily abandoned ship for a restock and logpost mission.
Suddenly, *CRASH!* The tranquility shattered with the sound of breaking glass, and Zoro bolted upright from his snoring symphony. Panic mode engaged as he stumbled into the kitchen, finding Asahi in the aftermath of a demolished jar of pickles.
"Uh-oh, Daddy," Asahi babbled
Scooping Asahi up in his arms, he attempted to make a graceful exit. However, in his haste, Zoro knocked over a bottle of cleaning spray. "Oh, shit!" Zoro cussed as the kitchen floor transformed into a slip-and-slide as Zoro desperately tried to regain his footing, clutching Asahi like a lifeline. Bubbles filled the air, and the distinct aroma of lemon-scented cleaner wafted through the room.
To make matters worse, the toddler looks up, intrigued. "Shit!"
Zoro's eyes widen in shock. "No, no, Asahi! We don't say that word. It's a... grown-up word."
Asahi grins, finding his new vocabulary amusing. "shit, hehee shit, shit!"
Zoro tries to suppress a laugh, failing miserably. "Alright, buddy. Let's find a better word. How about 'oops'?"
"Ooops!"
Zoro nods in approval. The toddler's tiny fists clutching at his dad's shirt. Zoro, now resembling a human mop, finally managed to escape the slippery battlefield, leaving behind a messy kitchen.
As the duo made their retreat, The swordsman carried his giggling toddler into the bathroom, the scent of lemon cleaner now mingling with the faint aroma of baby shampoo.
As bubbles floated in the air and rubber ducks bobbed in the water, Zoro began to relax, thinking that the worst was behind them. However, just as he was convincing himself that the mess could be cleaned up before the crew returned, a familiar voice boomed through the ship.
"Marimo!"
"Mini-mo!"
"Get in here right now!"
Zoro hastily grabbed a towel to wrap around Asahi. "Daddy!"
"Shh, we need to be very quiet now," he whispered to his toddler, who looked at him with wide, innocent eyes.
Time moved at a snail's pace as they waited. Finally, when Sanji's cleaning frenzy settled down, the duo cautiously emerged from their safe haven, ready to face Sanji's judgmental gaze.
Sanji, blending frustration with a touch of tenderness, swiftly grabbed Asahi from Zoro's arms. "Come here, my little troublemaker," he cooed, showering the toddler with kisses. Asahi giggled, seemingly unaffected by the kitchen chaos.
Zoro couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. "Hey, you can't pamper him every time he makes a mess. It's not good for him," he grumbled.
Sanji shot him a look of maternal indulgence and a hint of annoyance. "Don't blame YOUR mess on him."
Zoro crossed his arms. "He's the one that did it! He needs to learn that there are consequences for his actions. You can't just sweep everything under the rug and shower him with affection. He'll grow up thinking he can get away with anything."
Sanji gently bouncing Asahi in his arms. "Speaking of consequences, I have a task for you."
Zoro raised an eyebrow, wary of what was coming. "What task?"
Sanji pointed to a basket of apples on the counter. "I need those apples peeled and ready for a pie. That's your punishment for letting this mess happen."
Zoro grumbled under his breath as he took the apples. The blond cook made a graceful exit with Asahi in tow, and as they left, the little troublemaker stuck his tongue out at Zoro, adding a playful tease to the situation.
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At Chopper's infirmary, the air was filled with the comforting scent of medicinal herbs. Chopper greeted them with a cheerful "Hello!" and a wave of his hoof. Asahi, curious and wide-eyed, took in the surroundings.
"Let's get this checkup over with," Sanji said, balancing Asahi on his hip.
Zoro, trailing behind them, grumbled, "I don't need a checkup."
Sanji shot him a knowing look. "We're here for Asahi, not you. Though I wouldn't be surprised if you've got a few marimo-related ailments yourself."
Chopper chuckled as he approached with a stethoscope around his neck. "Don't worry, Zoro. I'll make sure everyone's in top shape." He then turned his attention to Asahi, who was inspecting the medical tools with fascination.
As Sanji and Chopper carried out the examination, Zoro found himself in the role of a reluctant spectator. Asahi, however, seemed to be enjoying the attention, giggling as Chopper went through the routine.
As Chopper wrapped up the checkup, he reached for a small syringe to administer a routine vaccination for Asahi. As he approached with the needle,
"Oi, Chopper, is that really necessary?" Zoro asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
Sanji, protective instincts kicking in, chimed in, "Can't we skip the needle part? He's just a kid."
Chopper, used to dealing with the quirks of his crewmates, sighed. "It's a standard vaccination to keep him healthy. Don't worry, it'll be quick."
Asahi, sensing the tension, looked up at his parents with wide eyes. "Daddy? Papa?"
Sanji and Zoro, now feeling a bit like overprotective parents, exchanged another glance. "Can't you make it painless or something?" Sanji suggested.
"It'll be over before he even realizes." Chopper said.
Sanji held Asahi a little tighter, and Zoro looked like he was ready to unsheathe his swords for a medical showdown. Chopper, unfazed, swiftly gave the injection.
Asahi, feeling the sting from the injection, let out a whimper that soon escalated into a full-fledged cry. Zoro awkwardly patted Asahi's back. "Come on, be a man. You're tougher than that needle."
Asahi's cries persisted, and Sanji, determined to turn the situation around, began to softly hum a lullaby. Zoro, feeling a bit out of his element, attempted to mimic Sanji's swaying in a well-intentioned but slightly clumsy fashion.
Gradually, Asahi's cries started to subside. As the trio swayed in the infirmary, the cries transformed into sniffles, and eventually, Asahi calmed down.
"There, there, little one," Sanji whispered, pressing a gentle kiss on Asahi's forehead. Zoro, still patting Asahi's back, added, "See? All better now."
Asahi, nestled between his two parents, sniffled but managed a small smile. Sanji and Zoro, visibly relieved. As they left the infirmary, Sanji muttered, "We made a pie! Join us, Chopper."
