When you hold a gun (Sanji fanfic feat Fem!Reader)
(Contains: Straw hat crew fanfic with focus on Sanji, Usopp and Nami interacting with reader, with special focus on relationship between Sanji and reader, Sanji and reader have a close non-romantic relationship and they will not ever date in this fic, Sanji adores women so much that this friendship with a Fem!Reader is super passionate, fun and dramatic interactions, reader is opposed to guns and then gives guns a chance, this fanfic contains guns and shooting with guns, characters are not wearing eye- or ear protection even though they should, I'm not an expert on gun safety so don't do in real life what these characters do in this fanfic, I don't encourage gun ownership, I haven't fact checked which groups in one piece use which type of guns so my depictions might not be accurate, also this fic contains Animal Death, Blood, Injury, Guns, not proof read yet but I will do it soon)
One afternoon Usopp was enthusiastically going through a pile of weapons on the deck. He seemed more excited than usual when he was doing this kind of activity.
You were leaning against a mast nearby. You watched Usopp fiddle with his weapons. You felt a little unsure about the guns, but you couldn't help but feel just as curious.
You remembered a conversation you'd had with Sanji one time in the past.
Usopp had prepared a new gun for the crew. It was a long bazooka that you could hold on your shoulder. The gun was filled with exploding bullets that could blast somebody's body to shreads if the bullets hit them.
Usopp had let the crew try the bazooka. Franky, Robin, Luffy and Chopper had gathered in excitement around the bazooka close to the railing. Usopp had thrown them scrap pieces of wood so that they could practice their aim towards the ocean.
"Don't you wanna try the bazooka, (Y/n)-chan?" Sanji had asked as he had sat on the grass next to you.
"Nah. I don't wanna use guns", you had said.
"Really?" Sanji had asked, sounding like he was fascinated by your refusal and was interested to hear more.
"Yeah. I think that nobody should have guns. It's way too easy to kill a person with a gun. The existence of guns means more death", you had said calmly.
Sanji had looked at you, stunned by how far ahead you had thought about how the world could be improved.
"I hadn't thought about that", Sanji had said. "You would make all the guns disappear if you could?"
"Yeah", you had answered.
"That's a very big thing to say", Sanji had said. "I'm amazed, (Y/n)-chan."
You had felt seen. You had smiled happily, knowing that Sanji was looking at you. You could imagine the cheerful smile on his face forming after he had seen that he had managed to make you happy.
You had sat together in sweet silence. Then Sanji had thought of something and said it out loud.
"I don't mean to disagree, but I think that guns might also balance how powerful people are compared to each other. An otherwise defenseless woman from a town is usually completely vulnerable against the attack of a violent criminal who has Devil-Fruit-powers, but if she has a gun and an opportunity she has a chance to kill the criminal as self-defense and save herself from a cruel fate", Sanji had said.
"I guess that's true. But that doesn't mean that guns don't cause unnecessary violence", you had answered.
"Agreed. Does that mean that people would fight with just their fists, swords and Devil-Fruit-powers in a world without guns?" Sanji had asked.
"Yeah. Devil-Fruit-powers would still be overpowered, but with fists and swords the fighting would become so intimate and scary that most of the people wouldn't want to take part in it", you had said.
Sanji had chuckled whole-heartedly and leaned back to lie on the deck. Not in a dismissive way. He had been absolutely delighted to have an interesting conversation with someone.
"Your idea is wonderful, (Y/n)-chan. I would support it wholeheartedly if I wasn't so worried about all the beautiful and vulnerable ladies of the world not being able to defend themselves."
"Okay, yeah... I guess it's not realistic that everyone would pick up hand-to-hand combat to handle those situations", you had said, accepting the flaws in your plan and leaning down on the deck next to Sanji.
"I like your idea of a better world, (Y/n)-chan", Sanji had said as the clouds had traveled above you both. "It's so practical and cool at the same time. And you thought about it all by yourself. I like the fact that you observe the world and when you see something nasty, you are not happy. Then you get critical and build solutions like a bold little ant that is building an ant hill. Sometimes you share those thoughts and they are so big and idealistic that it makes me excited and I just think 'wow, that's wild.'"
"Sanji-senpai thinks I'm cool", you had said in an excited voice. Your admiration for Sanji made you float with happiness for a second. "Why do you like the fact that I observe the world?"
Sanji had chuckled after hearing you show your admiration for him. He was excited to hear it. In the moment you had idolized him in a light-hearted yet genuine way, so he had responded in the same easy-going way without escalating the situation. He also hadn't expected you to focus on that part of his turn in conversation, but that was forgotten as soon as you called him senpai. He couldn't resist the nickname. It made him feel like a general in army when someone saluted him, only better.
"Good question. Maybe I like the fact that you have things you like and things you dislike. The things you dislike make you annoyed or disappointed. Then there are things that you like and they make you happy. I'm excited that being around me is one of the the things that makes you happy", Sanji had said.
"Wow", you had said. "I'm the same way. I guess it makes me feel special to know that you hate some things and like some things and I'm one of the things you like. You can be angry and sometimes I have to just make you look at me to make you happy."
"So it doesn't bother you too much?" Sanji had asked.
You pulled yourself back in the present moment. You had told Sanji a long time ago that you opposed guns. And here you were, getting curious about Usopp's weapon arsenal.
"No", you had said and left it at that. You had settled into the happy and peaceful athmosphere, clinging softly to the sound of Sanji's breathing. He was there with you.
Currently you didn't feel stressed or worried about the pile of guns on the deck. You felt relaxed, looking to do something fun during this afternoon. Maybe something fun could have something to do with guns. After all they were just objects. Objects that you would have to be very careful with, but they were still just objects.
Pushing away your embarrassment, you continued to watch Usopp.
You watched Usopp lift up an unusual weapon from the pile. Suddenly you realized that these were not weapons that Usopp had owned for a long time. These were brand new weapons.
"That looks kind of intimidating. What's that?" you asked Usopp in a subtle manner, approaching him with your hands in your pockets like a cool secret accomplice.
Usopp turned to look at you and grinned, holding a black gun in his hand.
"This is one of the guns that the Cipher Pol agents use. This one is an all-black pistol with 9 mm bullets. It is pretty intimidating, I agree", he said.
The gun reminded you of the time you were rescuing Robin from Enies Lobby. That had been the first time you had faced a group of men that wore black suits, black hats and carried pistols.
They were Cipher Pol agents. They were not enthusiastic or heroic like the marines. Cipher Pol agents were cold and quiet. They killed people who "knew too much" or "had angered the wrong people".
These efficient and calculated agents carried different guns than the marines. Pistols that were quick to shoot with. Marines used muskets.
There was something scary about a pistol that you could hide under your jacket. A gun that you could shoot with only one hand. The victim could be dead in a second and they might not even notice the agent pulling out the loaded gun.
"It is intimidating", you agreed in a thoughtful voice, leaning down to look closer at the gun. "It really is an all-black gun. It makes it even more scary."
"Couldn't agree more. I'd like to think that my slingshot is scary, but there is something about the guns that Cipher Pol agents use that just feels... too efficient. It feels cold-blooded", Usopp said, looking a bit tense.
"For real", you agreed.
"But I know a lot about guns, so I usually inspect and analyze the new guns I collect pretty easily. I'm analyzing these new guns and their ammunition so that I can make better weapons for myself", Usopp said, smiling excitedly as he looked at the pile of weapons in front of him.
"Do you have the guns and ammunitions separated?" you asked Usopp.
"Yeah. None of these guns are loaded", Usopp said, glancing at you. "We don't have to look at the all-black pistol anymore if it makes you nervous."
"No, it's cool. I feel intrigued", you told him. "I can't help but want to try it out myself."
"Try shooting? With this?" Usopp asked, wearing a shocked expression as he held up the all-black gun.
You lowered your voice, making it sound deeper but still subtle, as you urged Usopp to help you.
"I don't know anything about shooting... But if we go close to the railing of the ship..." you said, tilting your head towards the place you were talking about. "... and point the gun towards the ocean, it should be okay, right?"
Usopp looked at you, then at the black gun in his hand. A spark of excitement seemed to light up in his eyes. Then he looked into your eyes.
"I can trust you to be careful and follow my instructions, right?" he asked.
"Yes", you said, focusing on him.
Usopp stood up, grabbing everything he needed for the gun before he quickly walked to the railing with you.
Usopp showed you how to hold the pistol. He warned you not to put your finger in the hole were the trigger was before shooting the gun. You followed his instructions closely, feeling a sense of seriousness. You admitted to yourself that the thrill was delicious.
You were holding the gun. You didn't let your focus waver for a second. You were holding a dangerous weapon. You let your mind become calm, but at the same time you kept focusing on what Usopp was saying. As long as you didn't point the gun at anywhere else than towards the ocean, you were fine.
"Okay, now the gun is loaded", Usopp said after taking the gun away from you for a second and loading it for you. "I showed you how to aim. Do you remember what to do?"
"Yes", you said, looking through the front and rear sights of the gun towards the ocean.
"Remember this type of a gun is going to push back after you shoot. It's going to feel like a kick. Don't forget that it will kick you in the face if you hold it too close", Usopp warned.
You held the gun at an appropriate distance away from your face.
"Okay, don't shoot yet. There is going to be a loud sound from the gun so let me just shout Nami a warning. I think she is up in the tangerine garden reading", Usopp said.
You nodded, lowering the gun but still keeping it pointed towards the ocean.
"Hey Nami! Just a warning, there is going to be a loud sound in a second!" Usopp shouted.
"Okay!" Nami shouted back.
Suddenly you heard a seagull scream.
"Hey!! Leave my croissant alone!!" Nami yelled. "Argh! Usopp, there is a seagull in here! It stole my croissant! Can you do something?!"
"Hold on (Y/n). I'm gonna take care of this", Usopp told you in a normal voice before he started shouting again. "Sure, Nami! I can see the seagull! Give me a second!"
You heard the sound of Usopp pulling back the string of his slingshot.
"Let's see how you like water balloons, you thief!" Usopp yelled and released the string.
You heard a splash of water and a sound of seagull screaming in surprise.
"Ha! Take that!" Nami cheered.
"Bullseye!" Usopp celebrated.
You waited for Usopp to focus on you again. You were eager to shoot, but there was no way you would shoot before Usopp gave you permission. You could hear the seagull flying around the ship and screaming every so often. It was disturbing, but you took it as a challenge to keep your cool.
Soon Nami and Usopp calmed down. Usopp turned his attention back to you.
"Okay, are you ready?" Usopp asked.
"Yes", you said, lifting your gun and keeping it pointed towards the horizon.
"Alright, now you can shoot three times towards the ocean. There is three bullets in the gun. Shoot at your own pace, there is no hurry", Usopp said.
You breathed in and out. After aiming for a moment, you were ready. Feeling thrilled, you put your finger on the trigger.
You weren't sure how the other crew members would react after you would shoot the gun. They would probably scold you for scaring them with the sound. It was time to find out.
You pulled on the trigger.
The sound of the gunshot was LOUD. You blinked quickly. You felt like you been blasted by the sound like somebody had just screamed into your ear, except that the gunshot was more loud than that. The sound of the had cut harshly through the sound of the waves and everybody on the ship had probably heard it. You stood in silence, feeling like you just declared war on something.
"Oh wow..." you heard Usopp say. It sounded like he was in a shocked daze.
"Yeah..." you said, feeling just as shocked as Usopp.
You had definitely felt the kick of the gun. It had been a mean kick, but you had prepared yourself for worse. And the gun hadn't kicked you in the face, you thought, feeling a sense of accomplishment that felt a little soothing. You grasped your fingers around the gun, holding it better.
The gunshot had been louder than normal. It was different to shoot on a quiet ship compared to shooting on a chaotic battlefield, but none of the Usopp's old guns had made a sound that was that loud. Remembering this, you felt that the black gun was even more intimidating than before.
You were starting to feel thrilled again. Still, you needed to confirm with Usopp that this was safe.
"Can I shoot again?" you asked Usopp.
"Oh- yeah, sure, go ahead-", Usopp said. He seemed to be in control and aware of the situation despite his shock, so you prepared to shoot again with his permission.
"What the heck was that sound!?"
You heard Sanji's voice.
Sanji climbed on the deck in the back of the ship, alerted by a loud sound that resembled a gunshot. It could have been an enemy attacking a ship or something else dangerous, so Sanji felt worried and ready to fight.
When he arrived in the place where he had heard the gunshot, he saw what was actually going on. Usopp and (Y/n) were standing together near the railing and Sanji saw a glimpse of a weapon. Sanji's first instinct was to think that Usopp was probably shooting something for fun and (Y/n) was watching.
"Hey Usopp, was that you-", Sanji asked, but his words died in his throat as he saw that (Y/n) was the one pointing the gun over the railing.
Sanji's eyes widened. (Y/n) was holding a pistol. It wasn't a gun meant for hunting. It was an actual weapon meant for fighting.
And not just any weapon. It was the black weapon of the Cipher Pol agents. The coldest gun Sanji had ever seen.
(Y/n) didn't look at him. She was staring forward, holding the gun in her hands, pointing it fiercely over the railing.
Sanji remembered their conversation from before. The images of current (Y/n) and past (Y/n) clashed in front of his eyes.
Sanji felt shocked.
He realized that (Y/n) had heard him arrive to the scene.
But she didn't spare him a look.
She was focused on aiming the gun. Hungry. Cold. Calculated.
Taking what she wanted.
Sanji's heart roared like a passionate wounded beast, crushed beautifully under the understanding that (Y/n) was standing proudly, holding her desires in her fist.
Doing so she momentarily ignored Sanji out of embarrassment of her conversation in the past with him.
The fact that (Y/n) was embarrassed made Sanji's heart sing opera dramatically. His friend, his sweet (Y/n), was embarrassed? Sanji hadn't felt so passionate as he was feeling now for a long time.
Oh how sweet! Oh how tragic! Not to mention that (Y/n) was ignoring him in such a cold manner, pointing the gun in such a calculated fierceness. Sanji could feel his own feelings cool down out of embarrassment of being ignored and at the same time his heart beat louder out of passion.
All of this Sanji felt in two seconds after he realized (Y/n) was holding the gun.
"What in the hell was that sound?! It was so loud!!" Nami yelled from the upper level.
Just after Nami yelled, there was a piercing scream.
The seagull.
The seagull from before flapped its wings in fury and flew straight towards Usopp from the sea. It had circled the ship for awhile and now it was ready to get revenge.
The bird was mad with anger, but Usopp, Sanji and Nami had barely any time to notice it before-
*KRACK!*
Sanji was looking at (Y/n) the whole time. His eyes widened when he saw (Y/n)'s finger move to touch the trigger and then pull it. There was a flash of white in the corner of Sanji's vision, a bird screaming angrily-
And then the bird was knocked back, stopping as if it had been shot.
And it had. By the gun that (Y/n) was holding. A small flurry of feathers burst out and scattered in the air, Sanji could see a splash of red appear on the birds' body and then the small animal fell down, down, down to the sea.
The sound of the gunshot had been harsh and loud, splitting the air. Now it left behind an empty space.
Shocked silence.
Then (Y/n) looked at Sanji.
She was smiling with wide and shocked eyes, intense surprise on her face.
Sanji was too shocked to smile. But the way his friend smiled, oh he would he thinking about that in his bed later, counting the radiant moments of his life.
"You hit the bird", Usopp said, looking flabbergasted. "You hit the bird!"
(Y/n) turned to look at him, still with her eyes wide as two full moons and smiling in disbelief.
She seemed to catch herself and breathed deeply, calming herself down.
"I did", she whispered, looking overjoyed but staying calmly still and taking care that her gun was still pointing towards the ocean.
"You actually hit a bird! How did you do that?" Usopp gushed in excitement, gesturing wildly. His reaction seemed to finally make Nami and Sanji wake up from their shock.
"You are a master shooter (Y/n)-chan!! You are brilliant! Absolutely unmatched!" Sanji cheered loudly, looking disheveled with joy. He was smiling from ear to ear and lifted his arms up in celebration.
"That was glorious, (Y/n)!" Nami shouted from the upper level.
"Oh wow, thank you..." (Y/n) said, smiling wholeheartedly while Sanji and Nami were still cheering. She seemed to be getting slightly drained by all the thrilling action. "That was crazy. The poor bird is dead now I guess. I didn't expect that this would happen at all. Holy shit."
"Don't worry about it too much. I'm grateful you did that. The bird was trying to attack me after all", Usopp said.
"That was the best shot I have seen in a long time!" Nami exclaimed, grinning.
"(Y/n)-chan definitely knows how to handle guns", Sanji said, smiling knowingly. "She is both careful and skillful with them."
"Have you seen her shoot before?" Nami asked in confusion.
"Never", Sanji answered, still smiling.
You looked at Sanji in mix of being grateful and in disbelief. The clash of past Sanji and current Sanji left you feeling stunned.
But right now you had something more urgent to do.
"There is one more bullet left", you said, trying to calm every part of your body down in case you would be shooting again soon.
You were feeling more emotionally affected than you would have liked and nervous about enduring the shock that would follow the last bullet, but it made you stubborn to just get this thing over with. "Do you mind if I shoot it or is it too much? Those last two were pretty intense so I don't blame you if you want me to stop here."
The athmosphere was still a bit nervous after the last two gunshots. Usopp, Nami and Sanji seemed to think about their answers seriously for a second. In the end they all said that yes, they were okay and they wanted you to shoot the last bullet.
"You might want to cover your ears. Based on the last two, I think you are a lot more comfortable that way", you said.
"Would you like me to cover your ears, (Y/n)-chan?" Sanji asked.
"That would be great, thanks!" you said gratefully, already soothed by Sanji's presence. "But then who will cover your ears?"
"I'm fine, (Y/n)-chan. I can handle it", Sanji said, smiling warmly before he pressed his hands on your ears.
You accepted his answer, feeling too tired to think of another solution.
"Can I shoot?" you asked Usopp.
"Yes", Usopp said, covering his own ears.
You took a deep breath and lifted the gun on your eye level, pointing it towards the horizon.
You aimed the gun and moved your finger to the trigger.
You were aware of Sanji's hands that were pressed on your ears. They felt warm and secure against your head.
You cherished the feeling, closing your eyes for a moment.
You opened them back up. Aimed again.
You made the decision to shoot and pulled the trigger.
