Chapter 14: A Mermaid.

At the holy land of Mary Geoise, the grand chambers were filled with an air of tension as Fleet Admiral Sengoku's stern voice reverberated through the room. "Bartholomew Kuma," he began, disappointment clear in his tone, "you were supposed to eliminate the Straw Hats. Why didn't you follow through as planned?"

Kuma stood before him, his massive frame casting a shadow across the chamber, yet his expression remained as unreadable as ever. Before he could offer a response, Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp interjected with his characteristic grin, cutting through the tension. "Sengoku, you know my grandson better than that. Luffy's slippery; he's always finding a way out, even from the tightest spots."

Sengoku's frown deepened, frustration evident in his eyes. But Garp continued, his grin fading as his tone grew serious. "But don't worry. Luffy isn't the type to go bragging about Gecko Moria's defeat. He's got other things on his mind."

Sengoku sighed, rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off a headache. "That boy is always causing us trouble…"

Turning his gaze to Garp, Sengoku's frustration boiled over. "You should have convinced that child to become a Marine! And now look at him—he's a pirate!"

Garp let out a hearty laugh, unaffected by Sengoku's anger. "I did try, but he's stubborn, just like me. It's hard to change a mind like that."

Sengoku shook his head, exasperation clear in his voice. "You're more of a headache than your grandchild, Garp."

Garp only laughed louder before turning to leave, waving off Sengoku's concerns. As the doors closed behind him, Sengoku turned his attention back to Kuma, his expression stern. "You better complete your work next time."

Kuma, his stoic demeanor never faltering, gave a nod of acknowledgment before silently exiting the chamber.

Left alone in the grand chamber, Sengoku sighed deeply, trying to find some solace in the quiet. He sat back down and began to sift through the documents on his desk, his eyes narrowing as a particular name caught his attention: Demon-Eyes Itachi Uchiha.

"We don't have any information about him..." Sengoku muttered to himself, rubbing his chin in thought. The name was unfamiliar, and that made it all the more unsettling. He flipped through the sparse records, finding nothing substantial. His mind raced with possibilities. "What devil fruit powers does he have…?"

The uncertainty gnawed at Sengoku. In a world where power was everything, not knowing was a dangerous thing. He resolved to dig deeper into this mystery—Itachi Uchiha, whoever he was, posed a potential threat, and Sengoku needed to be prepared.

With another sigh, Sengoku leaned back in his chair, his thoughts heavy with the implications of this unknown figure. The seas were growing more dangerous by the day, and the World Government could not afford to be caught off guard.

A few days after their harrowing escape from Thriller Bark, the Straw Hat crew sailed onward. Itachi, standing at the deck of the Thousand Sunny, took in the vastness of the ocean around him, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. The endless sky above brought him a sense of peace, a rare moment of serenity in a life that had known so much conflict. Feeling the calm around him, he decided to meditate, finding solace in the rhythm of the waves.

As the ship sailed, Nami diligently monitored the Log Pose, directing the crew on their path. The weather on the Grand Line, as unpredictable as ever, shifted quickly. One moment, the sky was clear, and the next, dark clouds began to gather ominously. Itachi, still meditating, felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he found Robin standing beside him.

"The weather's taking a turn," she said softly, her voice steady. "You should come inside."

Itachi glanced upward, noticing the storm brewing. "A moment ago, the weather was fine."

Robin gave him a knowing smile. "On the Grand Line, the weather is always unpredictable."

He nodded, appreciating her wisdom, and stood up just as Luffy's excited shout echoed across the deck, "Look! Food!"

Everyone turned to see a colossal Sea King emerging from the water, its massive form towering over the ship. Sanji, hearing Luffy's cry, rushed out of the kitchen and eyed the Sea King with a chef's appraisal. "This could last us a whole month!"

The Sea King, sensing danger, seemed to tremble under Sanji's intense gaze. Itachi, noticing the creature's fear, commented, "A month might not be enough. Someone could easily eat that in one go." His eyes flicked over to Luffy, who was already salivating at the sight.

Sanji sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "You're right… I'll have to hide some of it, then."

"Hey, that's not fair!" Luffy protested, puffing his cheeks.

Robin giggled softly at their antics, while Zoro, who had been napping nearby, sat up with a scowl. "Stop fooling around and just take it down already."

Usopp, standing next to Chopper, gulped nervously. "That thing's huge…"

Chopper, with wide eyes, looked at the Sea King's sharp teeth. "It's a monster…"

Luffy, full of confidence, grinned. "No problem! Gomu Gomu no… Bazooka!" He stretched his arms back and launched them forward, delivering a powerful blow to the Sea King's face. The creature was knocked out cold, crashing back into the water with a tremendous splash.

Franky quickly activated the Sunny's crane to haul the massive creature aboard. With Zoro's swift swordsmanship, the Sea King was soon cut into manageable pieces, and Sanji began the process of storing the meat in the ship's hold.

Later, as the crew enjoyed a moment of rest, Itachi and Robin sat together, watching their crewmates with fond smiles. Brook played a soothing melody on his violin, adding to the peaceful atmosphere. Zoro, however, had something on his mind. He approached Itachi, calling him over.

"Itachi, come here for a minute," Zoro said, his tone casual but firm.

Itachi stood and followed him, curious about what Zoro wanted. Robin, equally curious, watched them go, wondering what Zoro was up to.

Inside the cabin, Zoro rummaged through his collection of swords before pulling out one and handing it to Itachi. Itachi's eyes widened in surprise. "Why are you giving this to me?"

Zoro shrugged, his usual nonchalance masking any sentiment. "I have four swords now, but I only use three. You're a swordsman too, so I'm giving you the extra one."

Itachi hesitated. "But it's yours…"

Zoro sighed, a bit impatient. "Just consider it a gift. It's not an ordinary sword—this is Yubashiri, one of the 50 Skillful Grade swords."

Itachi took the sword, feeling the weight of the gesture. "I'm grateful."

Zoro nodded, turning to leave, but Itachi stopped him. "Do you know any good blacksmiths? I need to sharpen my kunai and shuriken."

Zoro paused, then nodded. "When we reach the next island, we'll find one. I need to get my swords polished too."

"Thank you, Zoro," Itachi said sincerely.

Zoro gave a brief nod and left the cabin. Itachi stayed behind for a moment, examining the sword. The craftsmanship was impeccable, and the blade was well-maintained, its edges still razor-sharp. He admired his reflection in the katana's polished surface, a rare smile crossing his lips. "It's been a long time since I've wielded a sword," he murmured to himself, fastening the weapon at his waist.

With a sense of anticipation, Itachi stepped back out onto the deck, the newly acquired sword resting at his waist. Robin, noticing the weapon, gave him a knowing smile. "So, Zoro gave you a sword, huh?"

Itachi nodded. "Yeah, he did. He said he already has four swords, and since I'm also a swordsman, he gave me one."

Robin's smile widened. "Isn't that great? Zoro doesn't share his swords easily. It's a sign of trust."

Itachi returned her smile with a nod. "Yes, it is great."

Brook, overhearing the conversation, let out his characteristic laugh. "Yohohohoho! That sword looks epic, Itachi-san!"

Itachi glanced down at the sword, appreciating its craftsmanship. "It is stunning," he agreed.

Their lighthearted conversation was suddenly interrupted by Nami's urgent voice. "Look! That's the Red Line!"

Everyone turned their attention forward, and there it was—an enormous wall of land that seemed to touch the sky itself, cutting through the ocean like a colossal barrier. The crew stared in awe at the massive obstacle.

Usopp's eyes widened in disbelief. "How are we supposed to cross that?"

Sanji, trying to keep his cool, glanced at Nami. "Aren't we going to Fish-Man Island?"

Nami nodded, but her voice held a note of concern. "Yes, we are. But to get there, we have to go under the Red Line."

Itachi looked ahead, studying the immense wall. "That's pretty high up," he remarked, his calm tone belying the challenge they faced.

Zoro, always ready for action, crossed his arms. "So, what should we do?"

The crew gathered around, all eyes on the Red Line that blocked their path. Brook, the ever-optimistic musician, adjusted his top hat. "This means we're close to the New World, right? And that means we're closer to Laboon…"

Robin calmly nodded. "But this also means we're near some of the most dangerous places in the world—Mary Geoise, Marine Headquarters…"

Nami frowned, glancing between the Red Line and the Log Pose. "The Log Pose is still pointing down, but we can't just go through this continent. It's too tall to climb, and who knows what's on the other side."

Luffy, ever the one to charge ahead, grinned. "Then we find another way!"

Robin gazed thoughtfully at the small submarine, an idea forming in her mind. "How about we take a look at what's beneath the surface? We can explore the underwater area," she suggested.

Luffy's eyes lit up with excitement. "Okay! I'll join in!" he exclaimed, already eager for the adventure.

Robin turned to Itachi, who immediately understood her plan. With a slight nod, he agreed. Robin smiled, pleased with the support. "The three of us will dive deep and take a look," she confirmed.

Sanji, noticing the conversation, couldn't resist. "I'll come too!" he declared, hearts in his eyes. "I'll protect you, Robin-chan!"

Itachi, shaking his head slightly, replied calmly, "It's a small submarine. We don't need more people. We're just going to take a look and come back."

Sanji pouted slightly but was reassured when Robin said, "It's okay, Sanji. They're both strong, and we'll be fine."

Franky stepped up, giving a thumbs-up. "I'll help you detach the submarine," he offered. Luffy, barely able to contain his excitement, shouted, "Let's go!"

With Franky's help, they prepared the Shark Submerge, a small submarine attached to the Thousand Sunny. Luffy, Robin, and Itachi climbed aboard, ready to explore the depths.

As they began their descent, the light from the surface gradually faded, and the water grew darker. Itachi activated his Sharingan, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. Robin, calm and composed, kept an eye on the readings, while Luffy, true to form, could barely sit still, his excitement palpable.

The deeper they went, the more oppressive the pressure became. The weight of the ocean above pressed down on them, and the submarine creaked under the strain. At 5,000 meters, they reached the limit of the Shark Submerge, surrounded by nothing but cold, crushing darkness.

But then, out of the gloom, a monstrous form emerged. An enormous rabbit Sea King swam past them, its vast size dwarfing their tiny sub. Its eyes glowed menacingly in the darkness, and it let out a low, rumbling growl that reverberated through the water.

Luffy, always ready for a fight, clenched his fists and prepared to strike. "Let's take it down!" he said, his voice filled with determination.

Robin, however, placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We're at our limit here, Luffy. It's too dangerous to fight in these conditions. We should head back."

Luffy looked at Itachi, seeking his input. Itachi, who had been silently observing the Sea King, nodded in agreement. "Robin is right. We've gathered enough information. Let's not risk more than we need to."

Reluctantly, Luffy agreed. "Okay, let's head back."

The three of them began their ascent, leaving the dark depths behind. The tension eased as they moved closer to the surface, and soon enough, they were back aboard the Thousand Sunny, safe and sound.

Once back on deck, Luffy stretched his arms, shaking off the intensity of the dive. "That was awesome! But we still have to figure out how to get to Fish-Man Island!"

Robin, ever thoughtful, replied, "We'll need to keep exploring, but we'll find a way. We always do."

Itachi, with a small smile, added, "We'll get there, one step at a time."

As the crew regrouped on deck, all eyes turned to Luffy, Robin, and Itachi. Usopp, always the curious one, asked, "Did you find a way?"

Robin shook her head solemnly. "It's very dark down there. We couldn't see much."

Itachi added, "There are many monsters in those depths, and the wall might be even deeper than we thought."

The weight of their situation began to settle in. The Red Line wasn't just a physical barrier; it was a symbol of the challenges that lay ahead. Zoro glanced at Luffy, noticing his disappointed expression. "What should we do, Captain?" Zoro asked, his voice steady, though concern was evident.

For Luffy, this was yet another obstacle in his journey to become Pirate King. For Brook, it was a frustrating delay in his long quest to reunite with Laboon. But even with these challenges, there was resolve in their eyes. Luffy clenched his fists, his voice filled with determination. "We'll find a way. We've made it this far, and we're not stopping now!"

The crew echoed his sentiments, their spirits unbroken. A smile spread across Itachi's face as he said, "Then let's find another way."

Luffy's excitement returned. "Let's go!" he shouted, his energy contagious as the crew prepared to move forward.

Franky turned the ship, beginning to sail in search of an alternate route. But just as they were about to sail off, the Rabbit Sea King that they had encountered earlier chased them to the surface.

Usopp, eyes wide with fear, stammered, "That Sea King is huge! We're going to die!"

Chopper, equally scared, hid behind Usopp, while Nami, trying to keep the situation calm, reassured them, "Don't worry about it."

Robin smiled and added, "Yeah, it's nothing we can't handle."

Itachi, ready with his sword, prepared to strike, but before he could act, he heard Luffy shout, "Gomu Gomu no Rifle!" Luffy's fist rocketed forward, landing squarely on the Sea King's stomach with immense force.

The Sea King let out a pained groan as the impact caused it to spit out something—or rather, someone. To the crew's shock, a small mermaid and a starfish tumbled out onto the deck.

Everyone stared in surprise, except for Robin, Itachi, and Zoro. The moment Sanji saw the mermaid, he became so overwhelmed with excitement that he fainted, hearts in his eyes. The mermaid, now worried, began to shake him, asking, "Are you okay?"

Sanji, regaining consciousness in a daze, replied, "Yeah~ Yeah! I'm okay…"

As the mermaid turned to face the rest of the crew, she suddenly shouted, "Ahhh! I'm shocked! There are so many humans here!"

Luffy, slightly taken aback, stood still for a moment. Chopper stepped forward and said, "We're surprised too!"

Nami, recovering from her own shock, asked the mermaid, "What's your name?"

"My name is Camie, and this is Pappag," she introduced, pointing to the starfish.

Pappag, ever the independent one, huffed, "You don't need to introduce me to them, Camie."

Camie giggled and said, "It's fine. Thank you for saving me! I thought I was going to be digested! How about I repay you with some Takoyaki?"

Luffy's stomach growled loudly at the mention of food. "Takoyaki sounds good!" he said eagerly.

Camie smiled brightly. "I know, right?"

Sanji, still recovering from his excitement, muttered dreamily, "My dream has come true. I've seen the most beautiful mermaid. Ah, she's so cute…"

Usopp, always the one to poke fun, commented, "But you've already seen Kokoro."

Sanji's expression darkened, and he fell to his knees dramatically. "You didn't have to bring that up! I was trying to forget about it!"

Itachi looked at Camie and her starfish companion curiously. "Who is Kokoro?" he asked.

Franky, laughing, explained, "Ah, you wouldn't know her. She's an old lady we met before you joined us."

Itachi nodded in understanding. Meanwhile, Luffy, his imagination running wild, envisioned Kokoro as a mermaid and shuddered. "That's kinda gross," he muttered.

Nami, overhearing him, gave him a swift punch on the head. "You all are so rude!"

Robin, watching the interaction with amusement, commented, "Camie is kind of a cute little lady, isn't she?"

Itachi nodded in agreement. "Yes, she is," he said. Robin, standing beside him, leaned in slightly and whispered, "What about me?"

Itachi heard her but decided to act ignorant, pretending not to notice. "Did you say something?" he asked, his tone neutral.

Robin straightened up quickly, her face slightly flushed. "No, no, nothing," she replied, trying to play it off. Itachi smiled, then turned his attention back to Camie.

"You are beautiful," Itachi said to Camie as he stepped forward. Robin, hearing this, blushed hard and thought, He heard me...

As Itachi approached Camie, he asked, "But how did you end up inside that Sea King?"

Camie stared at him for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, causing Itachi to sweat nervously. "Camie? I asked you something," he prompted.

Camie snapped out of it, startled. "Ahhh... Yes! I was going to save someone. His name is Hatchan."

Nami's eyes widened in shock. "What did you say his name was?"

Camie looked at her and repeated, "Hatchan. He was kidnapped by the Macro Pirates, and we were heading to rescue him."

She turned to Luffy, pleading, "Can you help me, please?"

Luffy glanced at Nami, who wore an angry expression, and then at Itachi. Sensing the tension, Itachi asked, "By the look of it, you guys know him?"

Camie's excitement grew. "You guys know him? Are you friends?"

Zoro, who had been listening from the background, stepped forward with a scowl. "We are not friends, you hear me?" he growled, causing Camie to jump back in fear.

Itachi observed Zoro's expression and said calmly, "So, he's done something wrong, I assume?"

Nami nodded, her voice tinged with anger. "He's a Fishman who worked under Arlong…"

The crew fell silent, the weight of Nami's words hanging in the air. Luffy placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "If you don't want to help, we won't," he offered gently.

Nami smiled, touched by his consideration. "Then what's the difference between us and him?" she asked, her tone softening.

Hearing this, the crew's mood lifted, and they all smiled. Sanji, ever the romantic, gushed with heart-shaped eyes, "My darling Nami, your attitude is so sweet! Nami darling is so kind!"

Itachi looked at Nami, a small smile playing on his lips. "I don't know what happened, but I can tell you're very kind."

Nami smiled back, feeling reassured. Luffy, his determination renewed, declared, "So let's go save him!"

"Yeah, let's go!" Franky chimed in as the crew began to prepare for their next move.

As they sailed towards the base where Hatchan was being held, Zoro approached Nami, concern in his voice. "Are you sure about this?"

Nami nodded firmly. "Yeah, it's fine."

Itachi watched the exchange, remaining silent but thinking, There's definitely more to this story…

As the Thousand Sunny drew closer to the base, Duval and his men quickly spotted the ship. One of Duval's crew members rushed over, informing him with a sense of urgency, "Boss, he's aboard that ship!"

Meanwhile, Hatchan was having a tough time trying to bribe Macro with takoyaki. "Come on, Macro, just let me go! I'll give you all the takoyaki you want!" But Macro wasn't budging, and Hatchan's desperation grew.

As the Sunny finally reached the base, Camie's worry for her friend only intensified. "I hope Hatchan's okay," she murmured, her voice tinged with anxiety. The Straw Hats, on the other hand, couldn't shake the eerie feeling of the place. Everything was too quiet, almost unsettling.

Itachi said, "I feel something is wrong with this island."

"This isn't an island," Nami noted, glancing around. "It's a village... in the middle of the sea?"

Camie and Pappag started calling out for Hatchan, their voices echoing across the strange village. When Hatchan spotted the Straw Hat's Jolly Roger, his eyes widened in panic. "Oh no, this is bad!" he thought, quickly covering himself in ink, hoping to disguise himself and protect his friends from the danger looming.

The Straw Hats, sensing the trap, moved cautiously, their steps measured. But Camie and Pappag, unaware of the imminent danger, started to freak out as Franky yelled at them, "Can't you see this is an obvious trap?!"

Itachi said, "Do you want to put your friend in danger?"

Camie and Pappag calm down, desperate to find Hatchan. Soon enough, they spotted him, locked in a cage, his face filled with fear. "It's a trap! You have to get out of here!" Hatchan shouted, his voice trembling.

The tension was thick as the Straw Hats faced off against the Flying Fish Riders. Hatchan, now free from his cage thanks to Zoro, turned to Camie and Pappag. "You two need to get out of here. It's about to get dangerous."

The Macro Pirates fumed, their eyes fixed on Camie. Luffy, grinning, cracked his knuckles. "I'm ready for all of you!" Camie and Pappag cheered him on, their faith in the Straw Hats unwavering.

Zoro, Sanji, and Chopper prepared themselves for the battle as dozens of Flying Fish Riders emerged all around the Thousand Sunny. Luffy, however, was distracted, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he saw the flying fish. "Whoa, I wanna ride one of those!" Without thinking, he jumped, grabbing hold of one of the fish by holding on to the rider.

Meanwhile, the Flying Fish Riders began bombarding the ship with explosives. Sanji leaped into action, his kicks deflecting the bombs before they could do any damage. "Oi, Luffy! Focus, you idiot!"

Luffy, now piloting one of the fish, didn't hear him. The attack leader of the Flying Fish Riders gave an order, and suddenly, all the fish, including the one Luffy was on, dove underwater. Luffy, rendered helpless, flailed as he was dragged below.

"Luffy!" Chopper and Brook shouted, trying to dive in after him, only to realize they couldn't swim well enough to reach him. Nami and Franky, frustrated, before leaped into action.itachi dive in and rescue three of them and nami said frustrated "Do we always have to clean up after you?" Nami muttered as Itachi came up with luffy chopper and brook. All cough out water and gave a seepish smile and said thank you itachi itachi said focus on the fight everyone .

The Macro Pirates, seeing an opportunity, tried to capture Camie, only to find that Zoro had already freed Hatchan. "Not on my watch," Zoro said coolly as he cut through the cage. Hatchan, now free, quickly took down the pirates with a series of powerful uppercuts, sending them flying.

Camie and Pappag rushed to Hatchan's side, relief flooding their faces. "Hatchan!" Camie cried, throwing her arms around him.

Hatchan hugged her back, but before he could respond, a Flying Fish Rider swooped down, aiming for them. Zoro was there in an instant, cutting down the rider before he could reach them. "Stay alert," he said, glancing at Hatchan. "It's not over yet."

Hatchan nodded, a bit sheepishly. "Thanks, Zoro. I… I'm sorry about everything that happened in the past."

Zoro didn't reply, but his eyes softened slightly. "Just keep your guard up."

Usopp, meanwhile, was manning one of the ship's cannons, shooting down the flying fish with precision. "Gotcha!" he shouted as another fish went down. "How's that, Chopper?"

Chopper, watching from the deck, cheered. "Amazing, Usopp!"

But the battle wasn't over. More Flying Fish Riders filled the sky, their numbers overwhelming. Brook, feeling the weight of being a new member of the crew, felt ashamed. "I haven't been able to help at all…"

Itachi heard him and said, "Go ahead, brook, go ahead." He smiled and said, "Okay."

He then unsheathed his sword, Soul Solid, and with a deep breath, jumped high into the air. "Yohoho! Let's see if music can soothe these beasts!" Brook began playing his violin, unleashing a powerful musical sound wave that echoed through the air. The melody was enchanting, and soon, not only the riders but also Chopper and Luffy were fast asleep.

Brook, using the opportunity, moved swiftly through the air, his sword flashing as he took down the sleeping riders. He even ran across the water, his light steps barely leaving a ripple.

As Luffy held onto a now-sleeping fish and rider, he lost control and plummeted right into a nearby room. "Whoa!" Luffy's crash echoed through the base, drawing everyone's attention.

Inside the room, Luffy saw something that shocked him to his core. He stumbled back, his eyes wide. "W-what is this face?!"

Meanwhile, back on the ship, Itachi noticed something off about Zoro. "Zoro, your wounds from the battle with Kuma haven't healed yet, have they?"

Zoro, gritting his teeth, shook his head. "I'm fine. I can still fight."

Hatchan, standing nearby, also noticed the strain on Zoro. "You guys should keep your guard up," he warned, looking at Zoro and Itachi with concern.

Camie and Pappag, however, praised Hatchan. "You're so strong, Hatchan!" they cheered.

Feeling embarrassed, Hatchan turned away, lowering his guard. But as he did, another Flying Fish Rider charged at him. Zoro and Brook were quick to intercept, taking the rider down before he could reach Hatchan.

Zoro, always the calm one, smirked and responded, "Don't worry, Hatchan. We've got this covered." Itachi nodded in agreement, his sword already at the ready. "Indeed! But it's always good to stay vigilant!"

Despite Hatchan's warnings, he let his guard down for a moment, and a Flying Fish Rider took the opportunity to charge at him. Just as the rider was about to strike, Zoro and Itachi leaped into action, cutting down the attacker in a seamless combination.

"Thanks, guys," Hatchan said, catching his breath.

Meanwhile, as the Flying Fish Riders swarmed the Thousand Sunny, Nami unleashed her Clima-Tact, summoning a flurry of weather-based attacks. Lightning crackled through the air, while Robin used her Hana Hana no Mi to clutch and incapacitate several riders with ease.And brook helping them using his sword to slice them.

"Nami! Robin! Brook! Keep it up!" Luffy cheered from the deck, always impressed by his crew's strength.

Down below, Chopper had transformed into his Arm Point form, his muscles bulging with power. He delivered a powerful punch to a fish, leaving a diamond-shaped imprint on its skin with his new technique, Kokutei Diamond. "That should teach them!" Chopper exclaimed.

Franky, nearby, was locked in battle with another rider, who realized too late that bullets were useless against the cyborg. "Strong Hammer!" Franky shouted as he sent the rider flying off his fish with a powerful punch.

Camie and Pappag, watching the fight from the sidelines, were in awe of the Straw Hat crew's prowess. "They're amazing!" Pappag said, eyes wide.

Usopp, always thinking strategically, called out to Franky, "We need to dock the ship! These riders have the advantage out here in open water!"

Franky nodded, but there was a problem. "We can't! They're not giving us enough time to steer the ship!" he shouted back.

Amidst the chaos, Luffy suddenly came running towards the group, eyes wide with excitement. "Guys! There's a giant iron-masked man on a giant cow heading this way!" he yelled, just as they all heard a massive bellow from the distance.

"That's Motobaro, Duval's beloved bison," Hatchan muttered, recognizing the sound.

As Motobaro and the iron-masked man, Duval, came into view, Duval roared, "I don't need my base anymore! My only wish is to kill the Straw Hats!" His voice was full of hatred as he revealed that his target was none other than Sanji.

"Wait, what? Me?" Sanji blinked in confusion as the Straw Hat crew on the ship tried to remember who this guy was. "Do I know you?" Sanji asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Yeah, we know him," Luffy said to Zoro. "You guys are going to freak when you see this."

With a swift motion, Luffy ripped off Duval's mask, revealing his face. The whole crew gasped in shock. Duval's face was an exact replica of the one on Sanji's wanted poster!

"My life has been a nightmare ever since your stupid face got plastered on that poster!" Duval shouted, filled with resentment. "Marines, bounty hunters, everyone's been after me because of you!"

Sanji's eyes narrowed, "So, it's not even my fault. It's that damn poster!" With a burst of anger, he leaped off the Sunny, swam to the dock, and delivered a powerful kick to Duval's face. "I don't care! Change your appearance or something!"

The two began to argue back and forth, Duval accusing Sanji of ruining his life, while Sanji pointed out the absurdity of it all.

Meanwhile, back on the ship, the rest of the crew watched in amazement. "I can't believe this," Usopp said, shaking his head. Franky was having one of his emotional moments, while Brook laughed so hard that Sanji threatened to "kick his ass later."

As the bickering continued, Duval ordered his men to trap Sanji in a steel fishing net, dragging him into the sea. Luffy tried to jump in after him, but Hatchan stopped him. "I'm faster underwater! Let me handle this!"

Duval sneered, "Flying Fish are the fastest creatures underwater! You'll never catch us!"

But before Hatchan could dive in, Camie leaped into the sea. Pappag, standing on the edge, yelled, "Duval, you're wrong! Flying Fish may be fast, but nothing is faster underwater than a mermaid! Camie will catch him!"

Luffy watched in amazement as Camie swam like a rocket toward Sanji.

While everyone's attention was on Camie, the Flying Fish Riders made their move, carrying a massive anchor from a huge ship. They intended to drop it on the Thousand Sunny. Usopp noticed and shouted, "Franky! We need to get out of here! Can we use the Coup De Burst?"

Franky shook his head. "Not enough time! But don't worry. Sunny has a secret weapon for situations like this!" He rushed to the bow of the ship, yelling, "Believe in Sunny, everyone!"

The anchor began to descend, but suddenly, Sunny's figurehead started spinning like a propeller. Franky activated the emergency evasion secret weapon: Chicken Voyage. The Thousand Sunny reversed at high speed, narrowly avoiding the anchor.

As the chaos unfolded, Itachi, who had been observing the battle with calm precision, finally made his move. With a flick of his wrist, he activated his Sharingan, analyzing the battlefield with incredible speed. In an instant, he was gone, a blur of motion that left the Flying Fish Riders stunned.

Appearing on the deck, he focused his attention on the biggest group of Riders. "You're in my way," he said, his voice cold and calm. In a swift, calculated motion, he weaved signs with his hands, and suddenly, the Riders found themselves trapped in a powerful genjutsu. Their vision blurred, and they started to see horrifying illusions—creatures from the depths of their worst nightmares.

One by one, they began to panic, their formation collapsing as they tried to escape the torment in their minds. With the Riders in disarray, Zoro, Brook, and the others found it much easier to dispatch them.

"Itachi, you're amazing!" Chopper cheered, witnessing the effectiveness of the genjutsu.

Itachi nodded but remained focused. "We must finish this quickly."

Duval, still engaged with Sanji, noticed the Riders' chaos. "What's happening to my men?!" he shouted.

Sanji smirked, "Looks like you're not the only one with a vendetta today." With that, he delivered a powerful spin kick that sent Duval crashing into Motobaro.

As Camie successfully rescued Sanji, and the crew regrouped, the Straw Hats managed to fend off the last of the Flying Fish Riders. Duval, battered and beaten, finally gave up the fight.

"It's over," Luffy declared, standing tall with his crew, a victorious grin on his face.

Itachi stepped forward, his expression as stoic as ever. "We should leave before they regroup."

Franky nodded, steering the Thousand Sunny away from the battlefield. "Good idea. Let's get out of here."

As they sailed away, Sanji gave Duval one last glare. "Get a new face, Duval. And don't ever let me see you again."

With the battle behind them, the crew settled back on the ship, each reflecting on the intense fight. Itachi, standing quietly by the railing, glanced at the crew and felt a small sense of satisfaction and smile.

As the dust settled after the battle, Robin approached Itachi with a smile. "You were great out there, Itachi," she said warmly.

Itachi turned to her, his usual calm demeanor softening as he replied, "You did great too, Robin. You use your powers very well."

Robin blushed slightly at the compliment. "Oh my, thank you," she said, her smile growing. Itachi's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his mind drifting back to their time in Water 7. The memory made him pensive.

"Ah, Robin..." Itachi began, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Robin noticed the shift in his tone and looked at him questioningly. "Yes, Itachi?"

"What exactly are Poneglyphs?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he focused on her. He had been mulling over this question since Water 7, where he had overheard the CP9 agents use the term to blackmail Robin.

Robin's smile faded slightly as she explained, "The Poneglyphs are large, mysterious, indestructible stones inscribed with historical knowledge written in an ancient script. They are scattered across the world, hidden on various islands. But why do you ask about them all of a sudden?"

Itachi's expression became serious. "At Water 7, the CP9 agents blackmailed you, mentioning the Poneglyphs and the blueprint for a weapon called Pluton."

Robin nodded, a sad smile playing on her lips. "I understand what you're trying to say. In this world, I'm the only person who knows how to read them."

Itachi's eyes narrowed further as he pieced things together. "So that's why the place called Ohara was destroyed in a Buster Call..." His voice trailed off as he looked at Robin's sad smile, realizing the weight of her burden. "They killed everyone who knew how to read them, and you managed to survive."

Robin nodded again, the sadness in her smile deepening. Itachi looked up at the sky, lost in thought for a moment. Then, turning back to Robin, he made an unexpected request.

"Can you teach me?"

Robin's eyes widened in shock, and she turned to face him fully. "But why do you want to learn, Itachi?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise.

Itachi met her gaze with his intense, unwavering eyes. "I like to learn... and I want to share some of your burden. If I can learn to read them, then you won't be the only target anymore."

Tears welled up in Robin's eyes, but they were accompanied by a smile that was both grateful and touched. "I... I will. I will teach you, Itachi."

Itachi gave her a small smile, and Robin, overcome with emotion, gave him a back hug. "Thank you," she whispered.

The Crew's Reaction

From a distance, Nami, Zoro, Usopp, and Chopper watched the scene unfold with smiles on their faces. Nami was the first to speak, her voice laced with approval. "That's good. Robin now has someone to lean on."

"Yeah," Usopp agreed, nodding. "It's nice to see."

Zoro didn't say anything, but the small smile on his face spoke volumes.

Nearby, Camie, Hatchan, and Pappag were also watching, their eyes wide with curiosity. Pappag, always the one to speak his mind, loudly wondered, "Are they, like, a couple or something?"

Robin, hearing this, quickly broke the hug, turning towards the sea to hide her blushing face. Her thoughts raced as she tried to compose herself. Itachi, also hearing Pappag's loud question, turned away as well, his usual stoic expression masking any embarrassment he might have felt.

Nami, Usopp, and Chopper couldn't help but laugh at the scene. Nami, ever the tease, smirked and said, "Yeah, they are, aren't they, Usopp?"

"Totally!" Usopp agreed with a grin.

"Yes!" Chopper added enthusiastically.

Robin, her cheeks still tinged with pink, turned back to them and said with a smile, "It's nothing like that, Nami."

Just then, Sanji burst out of the door, his face red with fury. "Itachi, you bastard! Putting my darling Robin under some kind of illusion!" he yelled, only to be promptly whacked on the head by Nami.

Meanwhile, Brook was playing a tune that perfectly matched the situation, adding a lighthearted atmosphere to the moment. Luffy, as usual, was oblivious to the tension and simply pointed ahead. "Look, there's an island up ahead!"