L.O.J.S.H 242

Author's note: sorry to have kept ya'll waiting so long for the chapter. The past month was hectic AF what with my final, the new fic, and all kinds of shit happening at the same time.

...

"Is the captain really okay?" Byron asked as he looked at Elly, who'd just finished speaking with Johnny, and informed everyone that their wayward captain finally reached Jaya and was on his way to meet them. 

It had been more than a month since they parted ways on the Thriller Park. They had already taken the talking skeleton, Brook, back to Crocus, thus fulfilling their captain's promise. 

Laffite had been in charge of the crew during this time, and although he managed to keep the ship afloat and out of sight while tending everyone's needs as Johhny wished, he lacked the charisma to keep everyone together as their captain did. 

No serious fights broke under his watch, even as the battle-crazed Domino kept picking fights with everyone 24/7. Most would oblige and spar lightly with her like Kozue and Byron, while Wilson took it upon himself to put her in her place whenever she challenged him. 

The problem lay with Law, as the broody, anti-social surgeon wasn't a fan of her constant pestering and didn't bother to hide his displeasure at her overeager nature, causing the two to butt heads at every chance they got. 

That wasn't all, as the only two people on the crew who had a real connection with the surgeon and had regular interactions with him were Bepo and Johhny, and the former wasn't apt at social interaction himself.

Johnny had always taken it upon himself to drag the Law by the ear and force him to interact with the other crew members and participate in their merrymaking. 

His absence had caused Law to retreat back into his shell and shut off everyone except for Bepo and Domino, who would constantly pester everyone for spars. 

However, his interaction with the latter usually only entailed hurling insults at each other, but it was still better than nothing. 

"I heard even admiral Aokiji was severely injured and had to be taken back to marine food for immediate treatment," he added with a concerned sigh, shaking his head. 

Byron was not the only one concerned for Johnny's wee being after hearing about his battle with the marine admiral as everyone shared the same sentiment, even Wilson. 

However, the four-armed primate hid it like a professional actor, and only the people who'd been on the crew for the longest were on to him, and they just let the prideful gorilla have it. 

"You're making a mountain out of an anthill, feather-brain," Wilson commented with a scoff as he leaned the Black Pearl's railing on the brow, Johnny's favorite spot. 

"Johnny said he's okay, so he's okay. Doubting him now is stupid, even for you," he added with a shrug, chuckling as he took a swing from the rum bottle he held, emptying it in a single gulp. 

Hearing those words, Laffite and Elly shared a look and smiled but said nothing, as they were the two people who caught on to the gorilla's petty act of aloofness. 

Bob likely also knew, but it was hard to figure out what went on in his brain. 

"It's a real shame, though. If I'd known the captain fighting an admiral, I wouldn't have let him go alone even if I had to swim after him..." Domino remarked with a sigh as she scratched her head with a regretful expression. 

"Man, the idea of fighting a marine admiral is enough to make the blood boil in my veins," she added with a pout as she forcefully took a big bite of the meat in her hands, as if that would vent her frustration. 

"Hah, a little twerp like you would only get in the way," Wilson ridiculed with a grin after hearing Domino's words as he clicked his tongue and opened another rum bottle. 

"What did you just say? Wanna go at it here and now, gorilla?" Domino exclaimed, scowling as she pulled her sleeves back while angrily stomping toward the four-armed primate. 

"Bring it. I'll snap you like the twig you are!" Wilson exclaimed with a grin as he stood up, emptied his bottle, and forcefully threw it to the side, shattering it to pieces. 

Noticing the commotion, Bob raised his head from his book to see what was going on, only to sigh and shake his in exasperation when he saw Domino and Wilson begin punching each other. 

"Those two will probably never change," Kozue remarked, smiling as she turned from the two fighting maniacs toward the cook. Her words managed to draw a chuckle from the cook before he resumed reading. 

"The captain is here!" Elly exclaimed after Domino and Wilson punched each other for a good minute, causing everyone to stop what they were doing and turn to her as she stood up with an excited expression while gazing at the horizon.

And sure enough, everyone could see Johnny's form as he slowly flew towards them. Though seemingly a bit tired, he looked uninjured other than that, much to everyone's relief. 

...

"Captain!" Elly exclaimed as she jumped at me, wrapping her arms around my torso and pinning me in place like a particularly overzealous octopus, holding on to its prey as I landed. 

"Hey," I said, smiling as I patted my land spotter's head while greeting the rest of my crewmates, who looked equally happy to see, and a little dissatisfied with my arbitrary decision and reckless actions other than Wilson, of course. 

He merely grinned at me and sat down to drink without saying anything. 

The trip back to Jaya had taken me no more than two weeks, even though I took a detour around the Florian Triangle since I could now fly without stopping, thanks to the almost infinite stamina the Oni devil fruit gave me. 

I still felt somewhat tired and in need of sleep because of the mental fatigue of staying up for two weeks straight, but it was nothing I couldn't handle for another day or two. 

"Are you alright, captain?" Laffite asked in a concerned tone as he approached me, noticing my somewhat tired appearance after the long, restless trip.

"I heard you fought an admiral and that he was severely injured," he added, giving me a once over, and a puzzled expression appeared on his face when he found no injuries on my body. 

"I did, and as you can see, I'm as fit as a fiddle. A bit tired, though," I replied with a nod as I flexed my biceps to emphasize my words. "I owe you guys an explanation, but it's a long story," I added as I sat down next to Wilson, snatching the rum bottle he was about to open from his hand. 

He grunted in annoyance but said nothing and only reached for another one, causing me to chuckle at the special treatment I was receiving. He would usually flip, and we'd end punching the crap out of each other before I could even open the bottle. 

'I guess even Wilson can get soft once in a while...' I mused as I looked around while drinking from the rum bottle, frowning as I found no trace of Law and Bepo. 

"Where's Mr. broody and Bepo?" I asked as I turned to Laffite, sighing in bliss after emptying the bottle, and the navigator sighed, causing me to raise an eyebrow. 

"They're on the lower deck. I'll tell the two you're back," Elly said, finally letting go of me as she ran towards the Black Pearl's lower decks to call the death surgeon and his apologetic sidekick.