Chapter 18:Amazon Lily(II) Impel Down Invasion

As Marigold and Sandersonia stepped in front of them, Marigold said, "Yes, leave it to us, big sis." And they both turned into snake form

Itachi, looking at them, muttered, "So this is their power..." Luffy, also looking around, said, "We're surrounded." Itachi glanced at her and thought, "She's like Medusa." Luffy, confused, asked, "Medusa?" Itachi said nothing.

Marigold smirked at them and said, "Perhaps I should swallow them whole." Sandersonia added, "Or squeeze them to death." Itachi, staring at them with his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, caught Marigold's attention. She looked at his eyes and said, "Big sis, his eyes are very unique and beautiful. Do you want them as a gift?" Hancock replied, "Every beautiful thing belongs to me."

Itachi narrowed his eyes and said, "You're not the first one who wanted my eyes. There was a man like you—a snake man named Orochimaru. He was after my eyes, and I made him pay for it. Now, it's your turn." Luffy, angry, added, "If you ever think about doing anything to my nakama, you will pay for it..."

He held up his hand, signaling time out. Marigold sneered, "What? Are you going to beg for your life?" Luffy replied, "It's nothing like that." Itachi understood and moved to the stone figures, carefully lifting Alpheandra, while Luffy carried Marguerite and Sweet Pea. Everyone was watching them.

Luffy gently placed them down and said, "Sorry you got turned into stone because of us. If Chopper were here, he could've examined you right away." Itachi added, "They will return to normal. Hancock knows how to reverse it."

Marigold taunted, "Are you sure you shouldn't be more concerned about yourselves?" Luffy snapped, "Shut up. I can do whatever I want." One of the women in the crowd said, "That man… Is he trying to save Marguerite and the others?" Luffy declared, "So now, let's kick your butts, shall we?" Everyone was shocked, then began to laugh.

Itachi drew his sword and said, "Yeah." Sandersonia warned, "If you haven't given up on your life yet, I'll warn you in advance not to fall into the pit between the stage and the ring. If I were you, I'd avoid it." Luffy looked down as she continued, "You can fall if you like, but the bottom is filled with blades, so... are you ready?"

Luffy nodded and said, "Yeah, ready." Itachi nodded as well, glaring at Marigold. He said, "You take the one with orange hair, and I'll go after the one with green." Luffy nodded, and Sandersonia announced, "Then let's begin."

Hancock declared, "Kill them, Sandersonia and Marigold!" Marigold swung her axe, beginning the fight. Luffy dodged her strikes skillfully. Meanwhile, Sandersonia was fighting with Itachi. Itachi, staying calm, made unpredictable moves with his sword, but she dodged them easily.

Itachi stepped back, his Sharingan focused on her. Sandersonia thought, "He's strong. His fighting style is unique and unpredictable. Most people might not notice, but his eyes show he's a veteran fighter." She smirked and said, "Do you know why I can see through your movements?" Itachi replied, "Haki...!" She smirked and said, "Yeah."

As Sandersonia used her tail to attack him, Itachi dodged it. "So, Haki can also help predict moves," Itachi remarked.

Sandersonia nodded while fighting, "Yeah."

Itachi looked into her eyes as she attacked with her fist. This time, she managed to land a hit, and she smirked, "You're smart, but that's all."

Then, her eyes widened as she saw Itachi standing there, unaffected, his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan glaring back at her. "How..." she began to think, "Is this an illusion?" As she looked at him again, he cast a Genjutsu. In the illusion, she saw her other half as a man, who began talking to her, "You cannot beat him. I will take over your body." Slowly, she started to transform into a man.

She screamed loudly, drawing everyone's attention. Marigold stopped her fight and rushed over to her sister. "What happened, Sister?" she asked, concerned.

Luffy, standing beside Itachi, confusedly asked, "Uh, what happened to her?"

Hancock shouted, "Sandersonia, what's wrong?"

Terrified, Sandersonia gasped, "H-he t-t-turned me... into a man!"

Everyone looked at her, bewildered. Marigold said, "What are you saying? You look completely normal!"

But Sandersonia insisted, still terrified, "No! I saw it with my own eyes! I was turning into a man!"

Itachi calmly looked at her as Marigold demanded, "What did you do to her?"

"The Ephemeral technique," Itachi replied.

Hancock, now curious and worried, asked, "What is that?"

Itachi explained, "It's a Genjutsu, or illusion technique, which can be initiated through physical contact. I showed her an illusion that a man was taking over her body, which exposed her insecurities."

Luffy, standing there with a puzzled look, said, "I don't get it, but that's cool!"

Marigold said, "Sandersonia, it's just an illusion." Sandersonia steadied her breathing and replied, "You stay here. I will fight them."

Sandersonia, still shaken, whispered to her sister, "No, Sister. This guy," pointing to Itachi, "is dangerous. Don't look into his eyes."

Marigold nodded, understanding the warning. "We'll fight together," she said.

Luffy cracked his fists and asked, "Are you ready, Itachi?"

Itachi nodded, "Yeah," and they both began to fight. Marigold spat poison at them, forcing Luffy and Itachi to dodge. She continued to spit poison relentlessly. Itachi threw a kunai at her, but she deflected it with her tail.

Meanwhile, Sandersonia grabbed Luffy with her tail and slammed him into the ground. Itachi noticed, thinking, He's made of rubber, so he's not hurt. He saw Sandersonia's tail coming for him, dodged it, and tried to cut it with his sword, but her tail moved swiftly out of the way.

Marigold kept spitting poison, and soon a poisonous gas filled the air. Itachi inhaled a little and felt his vision blur. He quickly used his Wind Release to disperse the gas. The gas cleared, but Luffy was thrown into a pit.

As Itachi was about to help, Marigold blocked his way. "One friend is gone; now it's your turn."

Itachi replied, "Do you think my captain will give up so easily?"

Just then, Luffy swung himself out of the pit, landing back on the battlefield.

Sandersonia grabbed Margaret's stone statue with her tail, threatening to break it. Luffy, enraged, was about to rush in, but Marigold caught him with her tail. "If you move, I'll throw her," she threatened Itachi, trying to avoid eye contact with him.

Luffy shouted, "Don't do it!" Marigold smirked and said, "Sister, do it!" As Sandersonia was about to smash the statue, Luffy, in his anger, unleashed his Conqueror's Haki. The powerful burst of energy was felt by everyone, causing some of the crowd to fall unconscious.

Hancock, surprised, muttered, "How does he have Conqueror's Haki like me?"

Itachi observed and said, "Luffy, I think we don't need to hold back now."

Luffy looked at him, his eyes dead serious, and nodded. He shifted into Gear 2, while Itachi infused his chakra into his sword. The two moved with blinding speed, leaving Marigold and Sandersonia shocked. Luffy used his Gum-Gum Bazooka to send Marigold flying down. Itachi, moving with incredible speed, caught Sandersonia off guard. Although she tried to predict his movements, he was too fast. She attempted to use her Medusa techniques, but Itachi dodged and cut her hair.

As Itachi backed off, Sandersonia avoided making eye contact with his Sharingan in fear. But Luffy grabbed her neck and slammed her to the ground. She gasped, realizing, He just distracted me! He knew Luffy would attack me.

Hancock, watching the fight, shouted, "What are you two playing around for? Don't tell me you've forgotten that man's transgression!"

Hearing this, Itachi thought, That man? Why do I feel like this is somehow connected to the nobles?

As the two were surrounded by Marigold and Sandersonia, Marigold lit herself on fire, transforming into Medusa-Hair Salamander. The audience cheered for the women. "They're surrounded! There's no escape now, no matter how nimble they are!" someone in the crowd shouted. "There's no better attack than this!" another person added.

Itachi looked at the incoming attack and prepared his Susanoo, summoning the ribcage armor. When Marigold and Sandersonia attacked, their assault was stopped by the Susanoo's protective shield. The crowd widened their eyes in astonishment as they saw a half-formed, muscular Susanoo emerge. It grabbed both Marigold and Sandersonia with its hands.

Luffy took advantage of the opening and attacked with his Gum-Gum Jet Gatling, landing powerful blows that shocked both of the sisters. Then, he quickly tied their tails together. With Itachi still holding them, Luffy smashed them together, causing Sandersonia to catch on fire. She screamed, "It's hot! It's hot! Help!"

Marigold shouted, "Wait, Sis! Don't pull me!"

Itachi deactivated his Susanoo and stood beside Luffy, who was smiling triumphantly. Sandersonia, about to fall off the edge, grabbed on at the last second to avoid plummeting into the pit. However, her clothes were burned, and a mysterious mark started to appear on her back.

Luffy noticed this and quickly moved behind her to cover the mark with his body. Hancock, seeing this, was shocked. "That man...!" she muttered.

Sandersonia shouted, "Damn you, man!"

Luffy responded calmly, "Don't move. Even if you guys want to kill us, we don't want to kill you."

In frustration, she shouted, "Mari, use this chance to kill him!"

Marigold, still shocked, replied, "I can't, Sis. He's protecting us right now!"

The crowd began to mutter amongst themselves, "Look, Sandersonia's clothing is burned, and her back is showing." Another voice added with worry, "Oh no, everyone who sees her back will turn to stone!"

Itachi said, "Ahh, that's why you use so much protection during your bath."

Marigold glared at him, "What?!"

Itachi looked at her seriously and said, "This is all connected to the nobles, isn't it?" Marigold widened her eyes in surprise, and Hancock did the same.

Luffy spoke to Sandersonia, "You guys said earlier you would rather die than show your back, right? So don't move."

Itachi, smiling, added, "This is an example for you. I know you might have suffered horrible events, but not all men are like that. Some are very kind." He glanced at Luffy.

Marigold looked at Luffy, and Hancock, overhearing Itachi, stared at them both with a mix of confusion and emotion.

Hancock then declared, "The combat is over! Everyone, leave the area at once before you're exposed to the Gorgon Eyes!"

Sandersonia, still holding on, asked Luffy, "I was fighting with you just a moment ago. Why are you protecting me?"

Luffy replied, "Our fight and the things you don't want seen are two separate things."

Hancock, covering her eyes, began to cry. Itachi noticed her tears and felt sympathy for her.

 As crowd get out luffy get of her back and back to itachi both sister on her kness and said "We're sorry that we lost and had to be saved by our enemy," Sandersonia said, looking downcast. Luffy then turned his attention to Hancock and asked, "So, are you next?"

Hancock pursed her lips, sighed, and replied, "No, I don't feel like it." She glanced at Margaret, who was still turned to stone, and added, "I hope she's not damaged."

Luffy continued, "Alright then, turn these people back from stone. They were just trying to protect us."

Hancock looked at him thoughtfully and said, "Yes, indeed I can revert them if I want. But… you said you wanted to go someplace by ship, right?"

Itachi, understanding her implication, replied on behalf of Luffy, "Yes, we are."

Hancock smiled slyly and said, "Oh, that's nice. But I can only grant one of your wishes. It's either I revert them or help you get off this island. Choose one wish and give up on the other." After saying that, she smirked, clearly trying to corner them into making a difficult decision.

Luffy, however, was smiling, his demeanor completely unfazed by her ultimatum. Itachi, noticing Luffy's reaction, couldn't help but smile too. Luffy then said, "That's great, thank you! That means you're going to help them, right?" He looked genuinely grateful. "Thank you very much, Hancock!"

Hancock and her sisters widened their eyes in shock at Luffy's selflessness. Itachi, after a long time, let out a small smirk and thought, "That's our captain."

Trying to regain her composure, Hancock calmed herself down and then descended closer to where Luffy and Itachi stood. She looked at Luffy's wide smile and Itachi's subtle one and, after a moment, reverted everyone who had been turned to stone back to normal.

After restoring them, Hancock turned back to Luffy and Itachi and said, "You two are summoned to the Kuja Castle."

Luffy, still full of energy, happily exclaimed, "Yeah, let's go"

Itachi nodded and went with them

As they arrived at the castle, Luffy cheerfully asked, "Hey, what do you want from us? Oh, is there a meal after the battle?"

Itachi sighed and commented, "Is there anything you think about other than food and becoming the King of the Pirates?"

Luffy laughed, "Hehehehe!"

Sandersonia then said, "I should be thanking both of you."

Luffy replied, "No, please! Thanks aren't something I can eat."

Itachi smiled and added, "You don't need to thank us."

Marigold, serious now, said, "If anyone had seen what was on your back, there's no way we could stay in this country."

Hancock then motioned them inside, saying, "Come inside, men."

Once they entered, Luffy looked around, disappointed to find only a semi-naked Hancock. "Your rudeness is astounding," she remarked, slightly irritated.

Itachi noticed her face trembling slightly. He gently said, "You don't have to do this." He looked into her eyes, filled with sympathy, but she was still shaking. She then turned her back to show them the mark once more.

"Do you recognize this?" she asked.

After a closer look, Luffy realized the mark on her back wasn't the same as the one Hatchan had on his forehead, which was more sun-shaped. "Ah, I was thinking of a different mark," Luffy said. "The one I saw was like a sun."

Itachi added, "This mark is similar. It's shaped more like a claw."

As they stood in the room, an elderly woman named Nyon suddenly appeared, interrupting the tense silence. "Hancock," she began firmly, "you should tell them what that symbol really means." Nyon's presence seemed to calm Hancock a bit, though she still looked hesitant. "And I know you both, Luffy and Itachi," Nyon continued, "about your actions on Sabaody? I read it in the newspaper that Ran gave me. Luffy struck one of the World Nobles."

Hancock's eyes widened at this, and she turned to Luffy with a mix of shock. "Is that true?" she asked.

Luffy nodded without hesitation. "Yeah, it's true. I did it. I don't regret hitting that World Noble, even if it's supposed to be taboo."

Itachi said those noble have teach some lesson as well nyon's said ther also written about you itachi she turn to nyon and she continue that when he woke up and he said he want to kill demon eyes itachi narrow eyes why me accordint to the news and he told that he saw the nightmares of you stabing him for 24 hours all wide there eyes itachi sign and said its just an illusion nyon said but he is very angry about it the noble family wants to kill you both itachi sign hancock look at him with a shock and itachi no need to be shock more demage is done by my captain

Hancock was taken aback, tears welling up in her eyes. "You… You both stood up to them?" she whispered, her voice trembling. For a moment, she looked like she might break down completely. Then, finding strength in Luffy's resolve, she began to speak. "When I was twelve, my sisters and I were kidnapped from a Kuja ship by slave traders. We were sold into slavery…"

The room fell silent as everyone listened intently. Hancock's voice wavered as she continued, "The World Nobles branded a mark on our backs called the 'Claw of the Celestial Dragon.' It was meant to show we were 'less than human.' For four years, we endured their cruelty, faced horrors you can't imagine…"

Itachi nodded with symphaty said I understand hancock said and you already knew that didn't you itachi nodded

Sandersonia, standing nearby, couldn't hold back her tears any longer and cried out, lost in her own memories of that terrible time. Hancock reached out and took her sister's hand for comfort as she continued, "One night, a Fish-Man named Fisher Tiger climbed the Red Line with his bare hands and raided Mary Geoise. He set fire to it, trying to free all the Fish-Men who were slaves. But he didn't just free Fish-Men… he freed everyone."

Luffy listened intently, his expression serious and filled with empathy.

"He hated humans," Hancock went on, "but he didn't discriminate against the slaves. He freed us too. We managed to escape, owing him a debt for our freedom that we can never repay." She paused, her voice heavy with emotion. "Tiger took the Fish-Men who had been slaves into his crew. He modified the mark into a sun to hide their past. That's how the Sun Pirates were born."

Luffy's eyes widened with understanding. "So… that mark… does it mean Hatchan was a slave, too?" he asked gently.

Marigold and Sandersonia both shook their heads. "Not necessarily," Marigold explained. "The mark was meant to hide former slaves, but it could also mean he was just part of the crew once."

Nyon nodded. "That's right. Fisher Tiger is long gone now, and his crew has split into different factions. Things are… complicated."

Hancock continued, her voice softer now. "We were given Devil Fruits during our captivity. That's where the story of the Gorgon eyes came from—to hide our shame, to keep people from asking questions. My selfish attitude… it's a shield. I don't want to be controlled again, not by anyone. I'll deceive an entire country if I have to, just to protect myself and my sisters."

Nyon, looking at Hancock with a mixture of pride and concern, added, "I was worried that your heart had turned to ice, but it seems it's still there, even if it's guarded." Hancock snapped at Nyon, her old defensiveness flaring up. "You don't understand—"

But Nyon cut her off gently. "It was me who found you and your sisters and guided you back here. I raised you as if you were my own children. Don't forget that, Hancock."

Itachi with a sad smile do anything to protect you sister….! Luffy look at itachi

There was a long pause as Hancock's words sank in. Finally, she turned to them, her expression softer. "Do you still scorn me, knowing all this?"

Luffy shook his head firmly. "Not anymore. Just the World Nobles."

Hancock, surprised by his sincerity, allowed a small smile to form on her lips. "Then I will grant you a boat to leave this island," she said looking at luffy with little pink cheeks, much to Luffy's joy.

"Thank you!" Luffy exclaimed, beaming. Itachi, standing beside him, gave a rare smile, relieved that their journey could continue.

Luffy looked at Hancock and asked, "You're not lying, right?"

Hancock smiled. "Don't worry, I wouldn't lie. We'll depart tomorrow morning."

Luffy grinned. "Sorry to be a pain."

Hancock waved him off. "Rest tonight to prepare for tomorrow."

Luffy stretched his arms, already dreaming of adventure. "I can't wait to get off this island! I really want to see everybody soon."

Itachi nodded, looking thoughtful. "Yeah, me too." As he gazed up, he drifted into his thoughts, wondering, How is everyone? But then he found himself specifically thinking, How is Robin doing right now?

Just then, Luffy's stomach growled loudly. Hancock turned back to them and said, "Why don't you both join tonight's banquet?"

Luffy's eyes lit up. "A banquet? Yeah! Will you come too?"

Hancock shook her head, looking a bit tired. "No, I'm going to bed."

Luffy grabbed Itachi's arm. "Let's go, Itachi!"

Itachi nodded and was about to follow when Hancock suddenly said, "Wait. Luffy, you go ahead. I want to talk to him."

Itachi narrowed his eyes slightly, curious about what she wanted. Luffy looked at him with a grin. "Don't take too long! The food might be gone!"

Itachi chuckled as he watched Luffy run off. Then he turned back to Hancock, his expression serious. "What do you want, Snake Princess?"

Hancock glanced around and then addressed the people in the room. "Everyone, leave us. Please wait outside."

The others looked shocked, hesitating. "Big Sister Hancock," one of them started.

"Trust me," Hancock insisted. "Please, wait outside."

Reluctantly, they all left, leaving Hancock and Itachi alone in the room. She started to speak, "I can see that Luffy isn't interested in… certain things, but you… you seem more mature." She removed her robe, revealing the mark on her back. "You didn't say anything about it. Do you scorn me? You might use this information to your advantage."

Itachi sighed. "So, you think using your body is the way to silence me?"

Hancock glared at him, her eyes fierce. "I will do anything to protect my sisters' identities."

Itachi walked closer to her, but instead of making any move, he simply picked up her robe and covered her with it. Hancock's eyes widened in surprise.

"You are the princess of this nation," Itachi said softly. "You shouldn't do such things. It doesn't suit you."

Hancock clutched her robe tightly, a few tears forming in her eyes. Itachi continued, "Sometimes, it's foolish to fear what we have yet to see or know. You don't have to like me."

Hancock quickly regained her composure, a sly smile forming on her lips. "Come on, just admit it. You don't know how to do it because you're a virgin, aren't you?"

Itachi stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide. "What?"

Hancock smirked. "I got you! You're a virgin, aren't you?"

Itachi sighed, his expression calm but slightly amused. "Do you think that's a way to insult me?"

Frustrated by his stoic demeanor, Hancock threw her hands up. "Just go! Get out, get some food, and rest."

Itachi gave a small nod and turned to leave. As he walked toward the banquet

On his way to the banquet, Itachi saw Alpheandra standing with Marguerite and Sweet Pea. When Alpheandra spotted him, she called out with a wide smile, "Itachi!"

Itachi walked toward her, and she asked, "Where are you going?"

"I'm on my way to the banquet," Itachi replied.

Alpheandra smiled. "We're heading there too. Let's go together."

Itachi nodded. "Thank you."

Marguerite and Sweet Pea looked at Alpheandra, who cheerfully said, "Let's go."

As they walked, Itachi said, "Thank you for standing up for us."

Marguerite responded, "You want to meet your friends, right?"

Itachi nodded with a small smile. Alpheandra noticed his smile and said, "You look good when you smile."

Itachi looked at her and smiled again. "Thank you. I could say the same."

Hearing this, Alpheandra's heart started beating faster. When they reached the banquet, they heard someone shout, "That's enough!"

Itachi stepped inside and saw a very full Luffy standing there with a pan and ladle, while a group of women stood in front of him, ready to fight. Itachi asked, "What is going on?" He noticed four women rushing towards Luffy with knives. Marguerite was about to shout, but Itachi stopped her and said, "Just wait."

Luffy then shouted, "Why are you all not singing?" At this, the women fell over while running. Itachi said, "See?"

Marguerite began to giggle, and Luffy, looking exasperated, said, "Look, you people! This is what a banquet should look like!" He started singing in the middle of the room and then spotted Itachi. Grabbing him, Luffy tried to pull Itachi into a dance.

Itachi stood there with a sweat drop, then quickly moved aside when he saw Alpheandra calling him over to eat. He went to her and began eating. After their meal, a few of the women began stretching Luffy's cheeks, while others crowded around him.

Marguerite noticed Itachi smiling and Alpheandra said, "I heard you're leaving tomorrow."

Itachi looked at her and nodded, "Yes, I will leave tomorrow."

Alpheandra made a sad face and asked, "Can't you stay a little longer?"

Itachi shook his head. "My friends might be in danger. We must leave."

With a sad expression, Alpheandra said, "Okay," then stood up and left. Itachi watched her go, and Sweet Pea commented, "She might have an interest in you."

Itachi replied, "She deserves someone better, not me." Then he changed the topic. "Where is Luffy...?"

Marguerite and Luffy sprinted across the rooftops, leaping from building to building. As they ran, Marguerite turned to Luffy with a grateful smile. "Thank you for protecting me and my friends in the arena, Luffy," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

Luffy grinned widely. "No problem! I'm just glad everyone's okay!"

After a few more jumps, they reached a secluded spot. "This way," Marguerite said, leading him to a small, hidden hideaway belonging to Elder Nyon. Once inside, Luffy immediately found a plate of food waiting for him and began eating with gusto.

Elder Nyon watched him, a mixture of amusement and concern on her face. "You really are something, aren't you?" she commented. Luffy, mouth full of food, simply nodded with a big smile.

As he ate, Nyon pulled out a newspaper. "This paper has been passed around here, all the way from the Kuja who received it from a Marine officer named Momonga. Information doesn't come easily in the Calm Belt, you know."

Luffy paused mid-bite, looking up with curiosity. "What's it say?"

Nyon sighed. "Well, for one, it says Hancock is a Warlord of the Sea."

Luffy's eyes widened. "What?! So that's why she's so strong! I'm lucky I didn't have to fight her back in the arena," he exclaimed, now realizing the gravity of the situation. He had learned from experience just how powerful Warlords of the Sea could be in battle.

"Yes, you were fortunate," Nyon continued. "But there's more. There's going to be a war against Whitebeard."

Luffy's face turned serious. "Whitebeard…?" He knew that name. One of the strongest pirates in the world.

Nyon nodded gravely. "And it says here… your brother, Ace, is going to be executed."

Luffy's eyes went wide with shock, the food forgotten. "What?! Ace is… Ace is going to be executed?!"

Nyon nodded again. "Yes. He's being held in Impel Down, the great underwater prison. The execution is set to happen soon."

Luffy's heart raced. "I've got to save him!" he shouted, panicking. He quickly tried to think of a plan, but he knew time was running out.

Nyon leaned forward, her voice calm but urgent. "If you want to save Ace, you must act fast. The fastest way to get to Impel Down is by a Marine ship. And to do that, you'll need to convince Hancock to follow the World Government's orders and take you there."

Luffy clenched his fists, determination in his eyes. "I'll do it. I have to! I have to save Ace!"

Nyon nodded, understanding his resolve. "Then you'd better hurry, Luffy. There isn't much time."

Luffy stopped in his tracks and said, "Wait, I need to go get Itachi."

Before he could move, a calm voice replied, "Don't worry, I'm here."

Luffy turned around, surprised to see Itachi standing there. "How did you get here so fast?" Luffy asked, still shocked.

Itachi smiled slightly and explained, "When you disappeared, I created a shadow clone to find you."

"So, you must have heard everything," Luffy said, scratching his head.

Itachi nodded. "Yes, I heard. Let's go. My master is on his way."

Nyon, still processing everything, asked in confusion, "What kind of Devil Fruit powers does he have? First illusions, then wind, that red giant, and now a clone?"

Luffy grinned widely and replied, "That's not a Devil Fruit ability!"

Nyon was taken aback. "What?" she exclaimed.

Itachi interjected, "There's no time to explain right now. Let's go."

Luffy, his face growing serious again, nodded. "Yeah, let's go."

Together, they hurried to the Kuja Palace.

Luffy and Nyon made their way quickly to Kuja Castle, where they were greeted by Enishida at the entrance. "Luffy, Nyon, it's good you're here," she said urgently. "Hancock has suddenly fallen ill."

"What?" Luffy exclaimed, his eyes widening in concern. "Is she okay? What happened?"

Belladonna, one of the Kuja doctors, approached with a troubled expression. "We're not sure what's causing it. Her symptoms are unlike anything we've seen before."

Nyon, however, seemed to understand immediately. She nodded knowingly. "I've seen this before. I had the same sickness once. It's why I had to leave the island when I was Empress."

Luffy looked confused. "What kind of sickness is it?"

Hancock instructed, "You both should wait outside."

In a puff of smoke, Itachi disappeared, reappearing on the balcony. He gestured for Luffy to come out. Luffy nodded and joined him.

Nyon turned to the sisters and said, "This is serious."

The sisters, worried, asked, "What happened, Lady Nyon?"

She began to explain, "Itachi and Luffy want to meet with Hancock."

Moments later, to everyone's surprise, Hancock, who had been bedridden, suddenly willed herself to sit up at the mere mention of Luffy's name. "Luffy wants to see me?" she asked, determination filling her voice. "Where is he?"

Nyon, still shocked, replied, "He is on the balcony waiting for you."

As Hancock entered the balcony, she saw Itachi and Luffy standing there, waiting for her.

Luffy, concerned, asked, "How are you, Hancock? Are you alright?"

Hancock gave a small nod and replied, "Yes, I am fine."

Itachi nodded back and began, "We need your help."

Hancock crossed her arms and asked, "And why should I help you?"

Luffy said earnestly, "We really need it."

Hancock, feeling flustered but curious, asked shyly, "What can I do?"

Luffy, desperation in his voice, explained, "I need you to answer the call for the Seven Warlords of the Sea. My brother Ace is in danger. I need to go to Impel Down to help him. Please, help us."

Hancock's sisters, standing at the window looking at them, looked horrified. "Why would you ask that of her?" Sandersonia protested. "Do you have any idea what you're asking? Do Hancock stared at Luffy, her face flushed. "Do you know what you're asking?" she said, her voice trembling. "But if that's what you want..." She hesitated, her cheeks reddening even more. "I will do it."

Itachi glanced at her, wide-eyed, then looked at Luffy. He thought to himself, Oh boy, this is getting complicated.

From the window, everyone watching was stunned. Nyon, shaking her head, murmured, "I knew it. Hancock, you've fallen in love with Luffy."

Back on the balcony, Luffy beamed with joy. "Thank you so much!" he exclaimed, turning to Itachi. "Sorry about all this, Itachi..."

Itachi shook his head. "Don't apologize. You're my captain, and it's my duty to help you. Besides... I'm sure our friends are strong. They can wait for a while."

Luffy's grin widened. "Yeah, you're right!"

Hancock watched them both, feeling a strange warmth in her chest. These two men… they're something else. As she went back inside, Nyon approached her, a knowing look on her face.

"I know what your sickness is," Nyon said softly.

Hancock turned to her, puzzled. "What is it?"

Nyon smiled gently. "It's love sickness, Hancock."

The room fell silent with shock. "Love Sickness?" Sandersonia and Marigold exclaimed in unison. They had heard of it but never believed it would happen to their sister.

Nyon nodded, still smiling. "Yes, it's Love Sickness. It's a dangerous thing if not admitted. It killed the previous Empresses because they tried to suppress their feelings instead of accepting them. They died of broken hearts."

Hancock blushed deeply but stood firm. "If it means helping Luffy, I will go to any lengths," she declared.

All sister wide there eyes and nyon thought how lucky is monkey D luffy is

Preparations were swift. The Kuja pirate ship was readied in record time. Luffy, saying his goodbyes, turned to Marguerite and her friends. "Thank you all for everything. I promise I'll come back someday with my crew!" and Itachi also small waving at them

Marguerite smiled warmly. "We'll be waiting, Luffy."

Alpheandra called out to Itachi, her voice trembling with emotion. He turned to see her standing there, tears streaming down her face. Feeling a pang of guilt, Itachi watched as she approached him with a letter in hand.

"Please read this when you have some free time," she said softly, handing him the letter. "I don't expect any answer from you."

Itachi gave her a small, comforting smile. "Thank you," he replied, taking the letter. He waved at her and said, "Goodbye."

She waved back, her voice tinged with sadness, "Goodbye, Itachi. Come back sometime, okay?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I will…"

With that, Luffy and Hancock headed out to meet Momonga. As they prepared to leave, Hancock declared, "I'll take Luffy. He can ride on my back."

Itachi nodded. "I'll find another way," he said, noticing the Marine ship approaching. Itachi jumped down, preparing his move.

Hancock's eyes widened in panic. "You fool! Luffy's your crew member! He'll drown in the water!"

Luffy quickly reassured her, "Don't worry! Itachi doesn't have any Devil Fruit powers."

Hancock, still wide-eyed, asked, "What? Then what are those eyes?"

"That's just a family trait," Luffy said seriously. "You don't need to know more than that."

Hancock looked at him skeptically but decided to let it go. She glanced back towards Itachi and saw him standing sideways against the ship's hull as if defying gravity. She nodded in admiration, impressed by his skill.

"I must say, he's quite reliable," Hancock admitted.

Luffy grinned broadly. "I know, right? Shishishi!"

As they neared the Marine ship, Itachi noticed all the Marines turned to stone. He saw this as an opportunity and moved stealthily, positioning himself for the next phase. Suddenly, a loud sneeze from Luffy broke the silence, causing Itachi to think, That idiot!

But then he watched in surprise as Hancock expertly handled the situation, using her charm to distract the Marines. Itachi, remaining hidden, admired her cunning. As Hancock restored the Marines to their normal state, she glanced up to see Itachi perched at the top of the ship. They exchanged a silent nod of understanding.

Hancock went inside the cabin while Itachi lay down on the top deck, gazing up at the star-filled sky. He let out a deep breath, preparing himself for the journey ahead, with the stars twinkling brightly above, guiding his thoughts.

Itachi lay on the top deck, staring up at the vast night sky. The stars sparkled above him, but his thoughts were far away, lost in memories. He thought about his younger brother, Sasuke.

"How is my brother doing?" Itachi wondered, his heart heavy with concern. "I hope you're living peacefully, Sasuke." The image of Sasuke as a child flashed in his mind—the bright, eager eyes and the determination that always shone within them.

But then, darker memories surfaced. The massacre of his clan, the screams, and the bloodshed. His heart ached as he recalled the faces of his family, their lives cut short by his own hand. The burden of his actions weighed heavily on him, and a deep sadness washed over his mind.

"I did it all for you, Sasuke," he thought, the guilt and pain still as fresh as the day it happened. "I hope you can forgive me someday."

As the waves gently rocked the ship and the stars continued to shine above, Itachi closed his eyes, letting the cool night air soothe him. But even in the peaceful quiet of the night, his mind couldn't escape the sorrow of his past.

Itachi was deep in thought, staring at the stars, when he heard Hancock's voice pierce through the silence. "I want more food! Do you hear me?" she demanded. A Marine quickly replied, "I'll get you more food, Lady Hancock!" Hancock continued, "I eat a lot of food. Is there a problem?" She then turned slightly and gestured for Itachi to get inside.

Itachi, noticing the distraction, took his chance. He swiftly descended from the rooftop, landing silently in front of Hancock. Just as they were about to enter, Vice-Admiral Momonga intercepted them. "Wait, Boa Hancock," he called out. Hancock paused, and in that moment, Itachi used his genjutsu to summon a flock of crows that swarmed around Momonga, creating a brief moment of chaos.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Itachi moved swiftly inside the room. Once Momonga had regained his composure, he looked around confusedly, seeing nothing unusual. He shrugged and turned back, allowing Hancock and Itachi to proceed without further interruption.

Inside, Hancock sighed with relief, but she couldn't help but notice Itachi's unusual powers. "Now crows as well?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Itachi nodded. "Yes."

Hancock pressed further, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What exactly are your powers?"

Itachi replied with his usual calm demeanor, "Let's just say it's my clan's power."

"Clan?" Hancock repeated, clearly puzzled. "What's your clan?"

"The Uchiha Clan," Itachi answered simply.

Hancock's face twisted in confusion. "Uchiha? I've never heard of them."

Before Itachi could explain, Luffy cut in, his voice booming with his usual enthusiasm. "Leave it be, Hancock! I need food!" His stomach growled loudly, emphasizing his point.

Hancock blushed slightly, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Okay, Luffy," she replied, getting up to fetch him more food. She sat beside him, watching him eat with a fond expression.

Itachi watched them with a sweatdrop, unsure of what to make of Hancock's behavior. Hancock then turned to Itachi and asked, "Tell me about your crew, other than this... virgin."

Itachi sighed, while Luffy, still eating, began to list off his crewmates. "Ahh, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Franky, Brook, Itachi, Nami, Robin—"

At the mention of Nami and Robin, Hancock's face darkened slightly as she imagined Luffy with the two women, possibly walking together or holding hands. Itachi, noticing her expression, sighed again. "Your thoughts are weird," he remarked quietly.

Hancock glared at him but quickly turned her attention back to Luffy, who was happily munching away. Itachi stepped aside, his mind drifting back to thoughts of Robin. He knew there was something there—a feeling he couldn't quite understand but couldn't ignore.

Hancock suddenly stood up and, with a blush, scribbled something on the wall with a piece of chalk. She drew a heart and wrote "Luffy + Hancock" inside it, murmuring, "My honey..." Itachi watched with a mix of amusement and annoyance.

"I was fine outside," he muttered under his breath. "I'd rather watch the stars than this foolishness."

Hancock, overhearing him, shot him an irritated look. "You virgin man! You don't know anything about love, so you shouldn't talk!"

Itachi sighed. "Right," he said, turning away. This seemed to frustrate Hancock even more. She clenched her fists, feeling the urge to kick him, but Itachi swiftly dodged, sensing her intention.

She glared at him, her frustration boiling over. "Why are you always so cold toward me? You smile when you talk to Luffy, but with me, it's like talking to a wall!"

Itachi, feeling his cheeks being pinched by Hancock in her frustration, replied calmly, "I'm not Luffy."

From behind them, Luffy laughed, "Shishishi! At first, he didn't smile at all, but after meeting Robin, he started to smile more."

Itachi, feeling a slight blush, said defensively, "It's... not like that."

Hancock, sensing an opportunity, smirked. "Oh, so you're loyal to Robin, huh? Not even a little bit interested in me?"

Itachi sighed deeply, feeling cornered. "It's... it's nothing like that," he mumbled.

Hancock then leaned in close to Luffy and whispered something in his ear. Luffy nodded and replied softly, "Okay, but you have my promise—I won't say anything to him."

Itachi, meanwhile, had taken a seat on the sofa, his mind far from the conversation. He reached for a plate of food, only to have Hancock stop him with a stern look. "That's for Luffy," she said. She then handed him two small pieces of meat, adding, "That's all you get."

Itachi sighed, feeling slightly annoyed but choosing to keep his composure. "Thank you for your generosity, Snake Princess," he replied sarcastically.

After around four days of sailing, they finally reached Impel Down, the most formidable prison in the world. Itachi gazed out of the window, observing the massive structure, while Luffy, perched above, stared down with equal curiosity. "So this is the greatest prison," Luffy mused, his tone filled with both awe and determination.

From outside, a Marine called out, "Hancock, we have arrived!"

Hancock replied, "We'll be right there."

Itachi began to strategize, contemplating the best way to infiltrate the prison. "How about I disguise myself as a Marine to get inside?" he suggested.

Hancock shook her head. "That's not going to work. Inside, there are different guards, each with specific knowledge of who's supposed to be there."

Itachi pondered for a moment. "Is there another entrance?"

Hancock nodded, "There are two gates, both heavily guarded."

"Then I'll go in from the top," Itachi decided.

Hancock looked concerned. "That's too risky. There's a high chance you could get caught."

"I have to take that risk," Itachi said firmly.

Luffy chimed in, "You get inside and find a different way. I'll go with Hancock." He glanced at Itachi, a serious expression on his face. "Don't get caught."

Itachi smiled and nodded. "I'll make sure of it."

As Hancock stepped outside, all the Marines immediately gathered at the edge of the ship to catch a glimpse of her. Taking advantage of the distraction, Itachi quietly slipped out of his hiding spot and into the water. He swam toward a blind spot along the prison wall, quickly scaling the fort to its top.

From his vantage point, he saw a person approaching in a jailer's uniform. Itachi swiftly used his Genjutsu to immobilize the guard and gather information from his mind. Afterward, he knocked him out and hid him inside a nearby box.

"So, Ace is on Level 6," Itachi murmured to himself after gleaning the information. Determined, he made his way down, aiming to reach the lower levels.

Itachi moved through the prison like a shadow, his disguise as a guard helping him blend in seamlessly. On the first level, he observed various prisoners, some of whom shot him angry glares. He walked with a calm demeanor, making his way to the second level when someone called out to him, "Hey, jailer!"

He turned to see a group of pirates behind the bars. One of them spoke up, "There's someone roaming around here who isn't supposed to be!"

Itachi, maintaining his cover, replied, "That's why I'm here." He then moved on, nodding to them as if everything was under control.

As he continued, he saw a strange blue bird-like creature wielding axes, charging through the corridors. Confused by the sight, Itachi thought, What is going on here?

As he ran toward the commotion, he spotted Luffy and another person running from the creature. Itachi sighed in exasperation and sprinted forward, intercepting the creature. He quickly formed hand signs and unleashed a Fireball Jutsu at the blue creature, knocking it out instantly.

More guards appeared, but Luffy used his Gum-Gum powers to stretch his arms and fight them off. The other person, whose arms could detach and attack independently, joined the fray. Itachi, recognizing the ability, thought, That must be Buggy.

Luffy turned to face the disguised Itachi, initially on guard. "Hey, where's Ace?"

Buggy also looked warily at Itachi, still cautious.

Itachi sighed and lifted the brim of his cap slightly, revealing his eyes. "Luffy, it's me, Itachi."

Luffy squinted, then broke into a wide grin. "Ah, Itachi! You made it inside!"

Buggy looked between Luffy and Itachi, still confused. "Who is he?"

Luffy replied with enthusiasm, "He's Itachi, my crewmate!"

Itachi looked at Luffy and Buggy, his Sharingan glowing red as he activated it. "I've got the information we need. Ace is on Level 6, and I know the way. Let's move."

Buggy's eyes widened in shock. "Whaaat?! Ace is here?" he shouted.

Itachi glared at him. "Be quiet."

Buggy glared back, but he followed alongside Luffy, who was still grinning. "How did someone like him end up in your crew?" Buggy muttered to Luffy.

Luffy laughed. "Shishishi, I don't know!"

Ignoring their banter, Itachi continued walking forward. As they moved deeper into Impel Down, they encountered other creatures. Itachi paused and whispered, "Wait a minute."

He approached a group of jailers and said, "I'm taking these two to Level 2." The jailers nodded and returned to their duties, not suspecting anything.

"Let's go," Itachi said, turning back to Luffy and Buggy. As they moved forward, Luffy asked, "What are those creatures?"

Itachi replied, "They're called Blugori. They're fierce fighters from the sea, known as blue gorillas."

Luffy nodded, while Buggy, still impressed by Itachi's knowledge, followed closely. As they reached the end of Level 1, Itachi stopped them. "Straight ahead, there's a hole. We have to jump down to get to Level 2."

Buggy, already aware of this, said, "I know that already," and started moving forward.

"Let's go," Luffy said, following Buggy. Itachi nodded, and they all moved towards the hole. "Act like prisoners for a while," Itachi instructed. Luffy and Buggy nodded, and Itachi, acting like a jailer, dragged them to the hole. "No one suspected us," Itachi said quietly.

Luffy began to laugh. "Shishishishi!"

Buggy looked down the hole. "This is the way out, but nobody wants to escape from here. Do you know why, Straw Hat?"

Luffy grinned. "Well, this is good for us. We can jump down!"

Luffy and Itachi were the first to jump. As they fell, Luffy exclaimed, "Wow, it's deep! I wonder what's down there."

Itachi, still calm, replied, "Down there is hell."

Luffy glanced at him, still falling. They eventually landed, and Itachi looked around. "We go this way, but there's a big bird waiting for us."

Luffy smirked. "We'll handle it." As they walked forward, Itachi noticed a Den Den Mushi used for surveillance.

"They might already know I'm not a jailer," Itachi said to Luffy.

Luffy laughed. "Because you're not! Shishishi!"

Itachi sighed and they moved forward, soon encountering the jailer, Mantis. Itachi stepped forward, ready to fight, but Mantis attacked quickly. Itachi dodged and returned to Luffy's side. "That's what I was talking about," he said.

Luffy nodded, watching Mantis skillfully wield his bladed hands. Luffy began to clap, amused by the display, which distracted Mantis. As a result, Mantis's bladed hands got stuck in the ground. Itachi sweatdropped, clearly exasperated.

"They sure have some interesting characters here," Luffy said, still smiling.

"Yes, and we should leave him there and keep moving," Itachi agreed. They left Mantis stuck in the ground and continued onward. After a while, they heard a growl and saw a giant bird standing in their path.

Luffy immediately used his Gear Third technique, inflating his arm to massive proportions, and delivered a powerful punch, knocking the bird out cold.

Itachi watched as Luffy returned to his small size after the attack. "We're heading toward Level 3. Let's go."

As they walked forward, Itachi said, "There's one more creature ahead—a lion that's been here for a long time. After that, there are stairs leading down to Level 3."

Luffy nodded, following closely behind. As they moved toward the stairs, they heard a noise. Turning around, they saw Buggy and Mr. 3 running toward them. Itachi glanced at Mr. 3, noticing the number three on his head. "Who is he?" Itachi asked, eyeing Mr. 3's strange hairstyle. "And what's with his hair? It looks like a three."

Luffy's eyes widened in recognition. "That's Mr. 3! I fought him before in Alabasta!"

Itachi nodded. "We don't have time to waste."

Luffy agreed, and they continued toward the stairs. Suddenly, Buggy shouted from behind, "Hey, Straw Hats!"

Itachi sighed. "Follow us."

Luffy stretched his arm back and grabbed Buggy and Mr. 3, carrying them as they began to run. Buggy yelled, "Hey, drop me! Hey!"

As they reached the stairs, they saw a massive lion blocking their path. Itachi looked at the creature, while Buggy's eyes widened in fear. Luffy exclaimed, "That's a big-ass lion!"

Itachi activated his Sharingan and cast a genjutsu, putting the lion to sleep. "Let's go," he said, and they quickly moved past the lion, heading down the stairs to Level 3.

Meanwhile, back at the Navy base, all the Admirals were gathered in a meeting room. An officer rushed in, saluting as he delivered his report. "Admiral Sengoku, we have intruders in Impel Down!"

Sengoku looked up sharply. "Who are they?"

The officer replied, "Sir, it's Monkey D. Luffy and Demon Eyes Itachi Uchiha."

Hearing this, Garp burst into laughter, still munching on cookies. Sengoku's face turned red with anger. "First, he defies the World Government. Then, he strikes a Celestial Dragon, and now he's invading Impel Down! How is he your grandson, Garp?"

Garp continued to laugh, crumbs falling from his mouth as he said, "That's my grandson for you!"

Sengoku, fuming, turned to Garp, his frustration evident. "Why can't you control him, Garp?"

But Garp just laughed even louder which make Snagoku more angry

Back at Impel Down, as they reached Level 3, the temperature noticeably increased. Itachi looked around and said, "This is Level 3, the Starvation Hell."

Luffy nodded, understanding the harshness of the environment. Buggy, however, was angry again. "I'm stuck with you damn Straw Hats!" he complained as they touched down on the scorching ground.

Itachi pointed ahead. "If we keep going in this direction, we'll reach the entrance to the 4th level."

Luffy nodded, ready to continue. As they walked, Luffy remarked, "I'm hungry and thirsty."

Itachi replied, "Bear it for a while longer."

Buggy, who was sweating profusely along with Mr. 3, added, "This land is covered with sand, and it's unbearable."

Itachi, observing their surroundings closely, suddenly said, "Someone is following us. Stay on guard."

He swiftly threw a kunai towards the figure trailing them, hitting their hand. The person dropped a Den Den Mushi. Luffy, now drenched in sweat, exclaimed, "Wow, Itachi, you're so cool!"

Buggy, overhearing some of the guards on the Den Den Mushi, reported, "They're setting traps at the end of the gate."

Itachi nodded. "Let's keep moving."

As they proceeded cautiously, Itachi suddenly stopped in his tracks. Luffy, not paying attention, bumped into him. "What happened?" Luffy asked.

Itachi's expression was serious. "We're surrounded."

Luffy, Buggy, and Mr. 3 widened their eyes as they saw all the Blugori surrounding them, with soldiers wielding axes emerging from hidden spots.

"We have to deal with them," Itachi said, activating his Sharingan and drawing his sword. Luffy cracked his knuckles, ready for a fight.

Buggy screamed, "Ahh! So many of them!"

Mr. 3, looking exhausted, muttered, "This is going to be a lot of work."

As the enemies rushed towards them, Luffy was the first to charge. "Gum Gum Gatling!" he shouted, knocking out a bunch of the Blugori with a flurry of punches. Itachi skillfully used his sword, taking down many soldiers with swift, precise strikes. Buggy, utilizing his Devil Fruit powers, disassembled himself to take out a group of attackers. Mr. 3 used his wax powers to immobilize several soldiers, turning them into wax figures.

After a while, the group was drenched in sweat, panting heavily from the heat and exertion. Itachi, feeling the oppressive heat, said, "We have to move now."

They all nodded in agreement and continued on their way. As they moved deeper into Level 3, they heard someone singing. Luffy and Mr. 3 recognized the voice and quickly moved toward a cage. Their eyes widened in surprise as they saw who was inside…