Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

Puffing Tom – First Car

In the dimly lit car, two familiar figures sat in strained silence.

"They really care about you, you know?" Franky, now awake, leaned back in his seat with a weary grin.

Robin stood across from him, her gaze fixed on the floor, her fists clenched tightly.

"I'm sure you know that already." He continued. "You wouldn't look like that otherwise."

Robin's lips quivered, barely holding back her tears. Her voice came out sharp and defensive. "It's none of your concern. I had to do this."

Franky sighed, shrugging. "Right, right. Whatever you say."

The silence returned, heavy and uncomfortable, broken only by the rattling of the train. Then Franky spoke again, his voice quieter this time.

"So, I have the blueprints for the weapon…and you, well, you've got the power to awaken it." He tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling.

Robin froze.

"Now that the government has both of us…" Franky continued. "Armageddon's just a matter of time."

"My master—Tom—sacrificed his life to keep these blueprints hidden. Escaping isn't enough for me. I need to get you back to those pirates." He turned his head toward her, his eyes filled with resolve.

Robin snapped her head up, glaring at him. "I can't! If I go back, I'll only put them in danger!"

Franky scoffed. "Danger? They're already in danger, lady! And it sure doesn't look like they care. They're risking their lives for you."

Robin faltered, confusion flickering in her expression. Before she could speak, Franky leaned forward, his voice filled with conviction.

"To be honest, you're the one in the most danger. The government says your very existence is a crime. But listen—no matter what kind of weapon you hold, that alone…is never a crime!"

Robin's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching as his words struck a chord.

"It's never a crime to just exist!" Franky's voice echoed in the car.

For the first time…Robin found herself speechless.

…

On the Rocketman.

Rain battered the Rocketman as it hurtled through the stormy seas.

"We need to turn back!" Luffy's voice boomed through the chaos, startling everyone.

"Huh? Why!?" Nami shouted over the roar of the wind. "We've come this far already!"

"Why the hell would we turn back now, Straw Hat!?" One of the Franky Family members demanded.

"The frog—he's on the tracks!" Luffy pointed ahead, where Yokozuna had planted himself, taking a defiant stance.

"Yokozuna!?" Chimney and Gonbe cried out in unison.

"Damn it, we don't have time for this!" Ryomen growled, raising his hand.

"No need for that." Kokoro interjected, stopping him with a hand on his arm.

Moments later, Yokozuna leaped onto the shark-shaped front of the Rocketman, glaring at them with determination.

"Is he gonna attack us!?" Sogeking peered nervously out the window.

"Gero!" The frog bellowed.

"He's asking if you're alright." Chopper translated, looking up at Kokoro.

"Is that so?" Kokoro chuckled, her voice warm.

"Gero! Gero!" Yokozuna nodded vigorously.

"I'm fine, but we've got something important to do!" Kokoro explained.

"Granny's talking to a frog!?" Luffy exclaimed, his jaw dropping.

"Is Granny actually a frog?" Chopper mumbled, tilting his head.

"Wouldn't be too surprising…" Ryomen muttered, nodding thoughtfully.

"Come to think of it, she does look more like a frog than a human." Zoro added dryly.

"You should keep your mouths shut, or she might beat you up." Nami warned with an exasperated sigh.

"Yokozuna, listen! Franky's been taken, just like Tom once was! We're chasing after him right now. Do you want to come with us?" Kokoro asked.

"Gerooo!!" Yokozuna croaked loudly, nodding his head.

"Ngagaga! Straw Hat, we've got ourselves another comrade!" Kokoro cackled.

"Granny, are you a frog monster!?" Luffy asked, eyes wide.

"Sure, whatever you want to call me!" Kokoro grinned.

"Alright, let's go! We're almost there!" Ryomen shouted, and the crew erupted in cheers as the Rocketman barreled forward at full speed.

…

The Puffing Tom screeched to a halt at Enies Lobby's dock. The towering gates of justice loomed in the distance, illuminated by the soft glow of the midday sun.

CP9 disembarked, flanked by marines. Robin and Franky followed, the latter bound tightly in chains.

"CP9 has arrived! Take the criminals away!" A marine barked.

"Let go, you jerks!" Franky snarled, lunging forward to bite the top of the marine's head.

"AAAAHH!" The marine howled, flailing in pain.

"What a troublemaker." Lucci muttered coldly, stepping off the train.

"Nowhere near the worst we've seen." Kaku added with a sigh.

Kalifa's lips curled into a frown. "Right, she's here."

The group marched forward, the marines standing at attention, watching them with admiration.

"CP9 sure is amazing." One marine whispered. "They solved the government's twenty-year problem just like that."

'Nico Robin…what a beauty.' They couldn't help but think as Robin followed close to the agents.

"Open the gates!" A voice ordered, and the massive gates creaked open, revealing the grandeur of Enies Lobby.

Franky's jaw dropped as they stepped through. "What the hell!? Is that a waterfall!?"

The gaping hole in the sea stretched before them, a swirling vortex of water surrounding the island.

"This place is insane!" Franky exclaimed, his voice echoing.

"Shut up." Lucci growled, his tone brooking no argument.

…

On the Rocketman.

"There's something ahead!" Ryomen called out, squinting at the horizon.

"More enemies?" Zoro tightened his grip on his sword.

"No…that's Sanji!" Luffy exclaimed, grinning widely.

"Huh? You're right!" Nami leaned forward, her eyes widening.

"Sanji-kun is safe!" Sogeking cried out, relieved.

"Oh, thank goodness! I was so worried!" Chopper sniffled, tears streaming down his face.

As the Rocketman drew closer, they could see Sanji standing atop one of the unlatched cars, waving to them.

"Guys!" He called out, his smile radiant despite the storm.

"Sanji!" The crew shouted back, their voices filled with joy.

"Hurry up and get on!" Ryomen called, motioning for him to jump aboard.

…

"That's the whole story. Robin has some horrific past that CP9 is using to blackmail her." Sanji said, letting out a puff of smoke, his voice heavy.

"I didn't tell you this as an excuse for my failure…I just wanted to point out that Robin may not willingly leave with us once we get to her."

"I don't care! I won't forgive them!" Luffy shouted, his fists clenched in anger.

"Yeah!!" Chopper joined him, raising his tiny arms in defiance.

"Whether she likes it or not, we're taking her back." Ryomen added, his arms crossed, his tone resolute.

"That's right! Robin, that stupid—!" Luffy began but was cut short when Nami smacked him hard on the back of his head.

"Shut up!" Nami snapped, glaring at him.

"Well, it's true! We tried to rescue her, but she refused to go!" Luffy shot back, rubbing his head.

"That's because she's worried about our safety, idiot!" Nami countered, her frustration evident.

"She should be worried about her own safety!" Luffy huffed.

"Robin prioritizes the crew over herself, just like any of us would." Ryomen intervened sternly, his voice cutting through the argument. "So let's stop talking and save our crewmate—because that's what she truly wants!"

Luffy paused, then nodded, his eyes narrowing with determination. "We're gonna save her anyway, so all this talk is pointless."

"Exactly." Zoro leaned against the wall, arms folded. "Let's focus on what's ahead."

"Let's get there faster! I don't care who they are—I'll send them all flying! I have a new attack I want to try too!" Luffy exclaimed, his grin returning.

Nami glanced at her crewmates, her expression softening. "You all…" She sighed, lowering her gaze. "I just hope everything will be alright."

"It will. I promise." Ryomen said, stepping closer and placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. His calm, confident smile eased her worry.

Nami blinked in surprise but smiled back, feeling a small spark of reassurance.

"Hey, Sanji, did you manage to find Usopp in the end?" Luffy asked suddenly, turning toward the chef.

Sanji hesitated, taking a drag from his cigarette before exhaling slowly. He glanced at Sogeking, then answered, "No. He wasn't there."

"What? Dammit, where is he?!" Luffy's fists clenched tightly.

"Luffy, I'm sure he…he's—" Ryomen began, trying to reassure him, but Sogeking raised a hand to stop him.

"It's alright, Ryomen-kun." Sogeking's voice darkened as he stepped forward. "I think it's time I told you all the truth."

"Huh? The truth?" Chopper tilted his head, his expression confused.

"What are you talking about?" Luffy demanded, his brows furrowing.

"The truth is…Usopp…" Sogeking hesitated, his hand trembling as he glanced around the room. His eyes lingered on Ryomen, whose hopeful expression struck a chord in him. Gathering his courage, he slowly removed his mask.

"…is right here."

Gasps filled the room.

"You…Usopp?!" Luffy's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Sogeking…and Usopp…" Chopper's head spun, and he swayed on his feet as though the revelation was too much to handle.

"I know this is a shock." Usopp said, his voice trembling. "I wanted to help you guys, but after everything I said and did…I just couldn't face you. I didn't know if I could ever make it right."

Luffy stood frozen for a moment, his expression unreadable. Slowly, he began walking toward Usopp. The tension in the air was palpable as the others watched nervously.

"I understand if you—" Usopp's voice cracked, but before he could finish, Luffy grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug, lifting him off the ground.

"I'm glad you're okay! I was so worried!" Luffy's voice was thick with emotion as tears streamed down his face.

Usopp bit his lip, his own tears falling freely as he hugged Luffy back. "I'm…I'm so sorry! I didn't mean anything I said! You're all my family. I don't ever want to leave you again!"

Luffy smiled through his tears. "Good, 'cause I wasn't gonna let you anyway!"

"So…is everything okay now?" Nami asked cautiously, her voice soft.

"It has to be, right?" Chopper asked, his eyes brimming with hope.

"Hmph. That's for Luffy to decide." Zoro said, though a small smirk tugged at his lips. "At least long nose had the guts to apologize."

"Don't leave us hanging, Captain! Say it already!" Ryomen shouted, his voice full of encouragement.

"Yeah, we still have more to deal with." Sanji added, lighting another cigarette, though he couldn't hide his own relief.

Luffy grinned wide, his usual energy returning. "Usopp, join my crew!"

Usopp's tears fell harder, but this time, he was smiling. "Alright!"

The room erupted into cheers as the Straw Hats came together for a group hug, even Zoro begrudgingly joining after Ryomen dragged him in.

"This is so…"

"Beautiful!!" The shipwrights and the Franky family cried as they watched the reunion unfold.

"Ngagaga! Don't mean to ruin the moment, but Enies Lobby is within sight!" Kokoro's voice broke through, drawing everyone's attention.

The Straw Hats turned to the window. There it was, looming in the distance.

"We're finally here!" Luffy said, his voice brimming with excitement.

"Things are finally getting back on track." Ryomen said, his fists clenching. "Now only Robin remains!"

"Let's go…to Enies Lobby!" The two declared, their voices echoing through the train.