Between a Cook and an Agent

07

I slowly opened my eyes, sat up on the bed and lightly stretched my arms. 

"Ahh!! I needed that power nap! I wonder how much time has passed..." 

I'm pretty sure Luffy and them are with Iceburg and everyone else at Dock One by now so maybe I should make my way there too. 

I grabbed my belongings and headed out of the building. Once I went past the gate, I noticed everyone hanging around the lumbar, sitting or standing around and chatting. However, I only noticed Nami and Luffy with the Galley-La crew. 

"Oi! Luffy! Nami!" I shouted to my two friends. 

"Ah! (Y/N)!' Luffy waved at me with his goofy smile. "Just in time! They were about to tell us the assessment of the Going Merry!" 

"Oh perfect!" I picked up the pace and joined the group. Paulie, Kaku and Lucci were sitting down, all with serious expressions. I could immediately tell something was off and Luffy and Nami were not in the know yet. 

"(Y/N)-chan, I see these are the pirate crew you had travelled with the past year?" Iceburg asked. 

I nodded proudly. "Yes, Aren't they amazing Ice-bar?"

I see him standing there, petting Tyrannosaur with a look of doubt. Again, something seems off and I can't wrap my finger around it. "Well, thank you again for taking care of my Sister." He said, turning towards Luffy. 

"Hahaha, it's no problem. A deal is a deal with (Y/N). Although, I do wanted to ask you something important as well Ice-pops!" Luffy said towards Iceburg. 

"Ice-pops? Oh man! It's official. You're an old man Ice-bar!" I said, laughing towards Iceburg as I watched him glare at me with a tick mark on his head. 

"I'm not that old!" He childishly yelled at me. 

"Says that older brother whose in his late 30's!" I yelled back, sticking my tongue back at him. 

I knew everyone else was just sitting in the background watching the whole scenario in amusement and not daring to say anything. Our bickering was then interrupted with Luffy's question which really caught me off guard;

"We were thinking after we have the Merry fixed, that (Y/N) can join us officially as a Straw Hat pirate." 

My eyes widened as I looked at Nami and watched her gave an approving nod. "We all came to an agreement while travelling here (Y/N)-san." She said with a warm smile. 

Tears welled up in my eyes as I was overwhelmed with the news. I knew Sanji had proposed to me to say with the Straw Hats as well but I didn't know the entire crew wanted me to stay as well. It really truly made me feel a sense of belongingness. 

"Hmm. Very interesting. I guess that's up to my sister to decide then." Iceburg said, turning his attention towards me. "It's your decision (Y/N)-chan." 

I looked at him, shocked to hear such a calming response from him. I honestly thought he was not going to approve of it given the fact that I JUST came back from my adventure. I wonder what kind of conversations Luffy and Iceburg had while I was not around. I also took a quick glance at Lucci and he did not seem happy when he heard Luffy propose that idea. Or so it seemed like he was unhappy, I'm not sure. He always have that stoic expression. 

Kaku cleared his throat, "I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news...." He started speaking, "but about your ship...there is a major problem to it. I did the assessment as you requested." 

I looked at my square nosed friend. "Oh? You already checked out the Going Merry Kaku?" 

He nodded as he sat up straight and crossed his arms. "Yeah. Got back not too long ago."