Chapter 25:Fishman Island! (I)

As the Straw Hats gaze wide-eyed in amazement, Nami looks ahead, pointing at the massive bubble surrounding Fish-Man Island.

"It's inside a giant bubble!" she exclaims. "There are clouds... maybe there's air in there too!"

Chopper's eyes light up with realization. "That's Fish-Man Island! We're 10,000 meters deep now!"

Luffy grins with excitement, pumping his fist into the air. "Yeah! We made it!"

A little while later, aboard the ship, Franky narrows his eyes as something looms in the distance. "What... what are those?"

Itachi steps up, his eyes following Franky's gaze. His Sharingan spins slightly as he focuses. "Sea monsters…" he says, his voice low and cautious.

Zoro, with a smirk, grips his sword tightly, ready for a fight. But as the looming creatures come closer, Nami, Usopp, Brook, and Chopper's faces pale in terror.

"A-A group of sea monsters?!" Nami stammers.

"We're dead!!" Usopp, Brook, and Chopper scream in unison, their panic echoing across the ship.

"We came all this way just to die?!" Nami yells, clutching her head in fear.

But Luffy, with his typical excitement, beams at the massive creatures. "These sea monsters are so cool!"

Itachi's sharp eyes catch something unusual. "Luffy, look closely… Someone's riding them."

As the monstrous creatures draw nearer, one of the fish-men riding a kraken steps forward. "Why are you obeying such pathetic humans, Kraken?" he sneers. The massive kraken visibly trembles, clearly frightened by the fish-men, and immediately abandons the Straw Hats' ship, fleeing in terror.

Luffy, now visibly frustrated, shouts after the kraken. "Oi! Surume! What are you doing? We're almost there!"

Usopp, clinging to the mast in fear, yells, "Saying that won't help, Luffy!"

Chopper's eyes spin, and he grabs his head in a daze. "I feel like I'm gonna pass out…!"

Brook, with his usual dark humor, chimes in, "My eyes are rolling too... though I don't have any eyes! Yohohoho!"

Usopp, trembling, glances at the sea monsters surrounding them. "We're in the middle of a pack of sea monsters… this is bad!"

One of the fish-men, standing atop a large sea creature, looks down at them with a smirk. "You're the Straw Hats, aren't you?"

Luffy narrows his eyes, his carefree demeanor dropping. "Who are you, and how do you know us?"

The fish-man's grin widens. "You're the ones who foiled the plans of the Arlong Pirates, aren't you?"

Nami's eyes widen at the mention of Arlong.

The fish-man continues, his tone mocking. "That act was easy enough to understand... but then, two years ago, you even stood up for Hachi, a former officer of the Arlong Pirates... and knocked out one of the Celestial Dragons! Just like Fisher Tiger, the hero of Fish-Man Island, who we all respect."

Robin's eyes widen at the name. "Fisher... Tiger…"

Itachi, his expression as calm as ever, speaks softly to Robin. "So he's the one who rescued the slaves…"

The fish-man's eerie laughter fills the air. "Hamohamohamo... It's hard to decide what I should do with you... So tell me, are you enemies or not?"

He pauses, eyeing Itachi carefully. "Because one of my friends told me... there's someone in your crew who's highly dangerous." His gaze sharpens, focusing directly on Itachi.

Robin, concerned, steps forward. "Itachi, do you know any other fish-men?"

Itachi shakes his head, his voice even. "Other than Jinbe and Hachi... no."

The fish-man smirks. "Interesting... I'll give you an option. You can join us, the New Fish-Man Pirates... or refuse, and we'll sink you where you stand."

Luffy's expression shifts, his voice low and threatening. "What did you say…?"

Nami, her heart racing, turns to Franky. "Franky, fuel up the ship. We're going to need to get out of here fast."

Franky glances at her, confused. "What are you planning to do?"

Nami's face is serious, her eyes glancing between Luffy and the surrounding sea monsters. "You know Luffy and the others won't give in to them, but we're 10,000 meters deep. We can't fight them here... We need to run."

Franky's eyes widen in realization. "You want to use the Coup de Burst? But… we'll use up all the air we've got just to get to Fish-Man Island!"

Nami nods firmly. "There's no other way. Either we get to Fish-Man Island now... or we die here."

The tension in the air thickens as the crew braces themselves, ready for whatever decision their captain makes next.

Robin nodded gravely. "It seems that's the only way we can survive."

Itachi, standing tall and calm, glanced at the fish-men ahead of them before narrowing his eyes. His voice was steady but firm. "Don't worry about the air… I'll help with the blast."

Everyone turned to him in surprise.

"What do you mean?" Nami asked, confused but intrigued.

Itachi met her gaze, his expression unchanging. "We won't need to use the air. And even if we did, what if there's no air inside the next bubble?"

Nami blinked, then her eyes widened in realization. She understood. "You mean we can't rely on that air once we're inside…"

Itachi gave her a confident nod. "Don't worry. This time, I'll make it big enough to get us through."

Usopp quickly jumped into action. "Alright! I'll show you the way! Franky, steer the ship!"

Franky grinned. "Super! Count on me!" He looked over at Itachi, his face serious for a moment. "I'm counting on you, too."

Itachi's eyes flickered to Robin, offering her a small, reassuring smile. Robin returned his look with a quiet nod, trusting in him fully.

Meanwhile, the fish-man, drinking sake from his perch, observed the sudden activity on the Straw Hat ship. "It looks like they're getting busy… What are they up to?"

Another fish-man snickered dismissively. "Humans aren't so clever anyway. Whatever they do, it's useless." He turned back to Luffy. "So, will you work under us, Straw Hat?"

Luffy's response was immediate and full of cheeky defiance. "No way, stupid."

The fish-men's expressions darkened. "So you refuse…? That makes you enemies of the Fish-Men. Just sinful human beings!"

Luffy stuck out his tongue, pulling at his cheeks in mockery. "Bleah! Why should we work for you?"

Chopper, trembling behind Luffy, whimpered, "Please don't make them any angrier!"

The fish-men scowled, their patience running out. "It's a shame, then. We can't let you pass… Here you'll sink! Sea Lion, attack!"

With a deafening roar, the sea monsters charged toward the Thousand Sunny. But at the back of the ship, Itachi was already prepared. With Usopp by his side, Itachi formed a massive Rasengan, the powerful chakra swirling in his palm.

"We're ready!" Usopp shouted.

Franky, at the helm, yelled back, "Roger!"

Nami braced herself, gripping the ship's railing. "Do it, Itachi!"

Franky grinned. "Remember, the Sunny is a lion too!"

With a swift motion, Itachi unleashed the Rasengan, creating an enormous blast of energy that propelled the ship forward at an incredible speed. The Thousand Sunny rocketed through the sea, zooming past the attacking sea lion with ease.

The fish-men's eyes went wide in disbelief. "That ship… It's flying straight into the bubble!"

The power of the Rasengan was overwhelming, and the Straw Hats clung to the railing as the ship barreled toward Fish-Man Island's protective bubble.

"We're heading in!" Franky shouted triumphantly.

Sanji, lost in his own world, yelled, "Wait for me, my dear mermaids!" as they crossed the bubble.

But just as they entered, something went wrong. The powerful force of their entry caused their own protective bubble to burst.

Nami's eyes widened in horror. "The bubble! It's… gone!"

Robin's voice trembled with realization. "The force was too strong… The air is escaping, and we're losing control!"

"We're gonna fall!" Usopp cried, panic seizing him.

Itachi quickly leapt into action, his eyes glowing with determination. "Don't worry, we'll reach the second bubble!"

As the ship rapidly went through the second bubble, Itachi dove forward, his eyes darting to Robin. Without hesitation, he rushed to her, wrapping his arms around her protectively.

They plunged into the cold water, everyone scattering in the chaos.

Sanji, struggling against the pull of the sea, screamed in desperation. "There are four Devil Fruit users! This is bad!"

Itachi, holding Robin close, tried to swim upward, but an overwhelming force tugged them deeper into the abyss. Water filled his lungs as his strength waned, and his vision blurred. He was slowly losing breath, the suffocating pressure of the ocean dragging him down.

And then, with a final gasp, Itachi's world went dark as he lost consciousness, sinking into the depths with Robin still in his arms.

Itachi gasped for air, his eyes fluttering open as he found himself underwater, still holding Robin close. With a surge of energy, he swam upwards, carrying her toward the shore. The water parted slightly around him as he used his chakra to push through, reaching the land.

"Robin... Robin..." he called softly, his voice laced with worry. He gently shook her, hoping for a response.

After a moment, Robin stirred, her eyes slowly opening. She blinked, her vision focusing on Itachi's face, which was just inches from hers. "Ahh, finally..." he murmured with relief, his voice soft. "You're awake."

As Itachi was about to pull away, Robin reached up and touched his face, gently pulling him closer. His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't resist. The world around them seemed to blur as Robin's gaze locked onto his, a quiet tension hanging in the air. They were so close now, and Robin felt a sudden, irresistible urge to kiss him.

But just as she leaned in, they heard a voice.

"Ahh..." Nami groaned as she stumbled onto the land nearby, breaking the moment. Both Itachi and Robin flinched, turning toward her.

Nami, noticing the tension, smirked. "You guys can continue, don't mind me." She waved her hand dismissively, a teasing grin on her face.

Robin's eyes widened in embarrassment, her face turning a deep shade of red. Flustered, she quickly pushed Itachi away, scrambling to her feet. Itachi, who had a slight blush himself, let out a small sigh, running a hand through his wet hair. He glanced at Robin, who was now beet red, and a soft smile crept onto his face.

"I think I know my answer now," he thought to himself.

Robin stood up awkwardly, trying to regain her composure. Just then, Nami's attention shifted to a figure in the distance. "Hey, look! Franky's coming!" she called out.

Franky approached, looking a bit disoriented but relieved to see them. "Ah, there you guys are," he said, catching his breath. "But where are the others?"

"We don't know," Itachi replied, his expression returning to its usual calmness. "We got scattered during the fall."

Nami nodded, her worry briefly overshadowing her teasing tone. "We'll have to look for them. Everyone could be in trouble."

Before they could move, Nami smirked again, turning to Itachi and Robin with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But you two can continue where you left off, if you want."

Robin, still blushing furiously, avoided Itachi's gaze, while Itachi simply gave a small, knowing smile. His eyes softened as he glanced at Robin for a moment, and though she tried to remain composed, she couldn't hide the blush creeping back onto her face.

Luffy groggily opened his eyes, blinking as his surroundings came into focus. He found himself lying on a comfortable bed in an unfamiliar, brightly lit room. The salty scent of the ocean filled the air, and the sound of water gently splashing in the distance made him realize they were still underwater. As he sat up, he noticed Sanji, Chopper, and Usopp stirring beside him, waking up as well.

"Where are we?" Luffy muttered, rubbing his eyes.

"You're in Camie's house!" A cheerful voice called from the doorway. Luffy looked up to see a familiar mermaid with long, flowing green hair swim into the room. It was Camie, the kind-hearted mermaid they had met back on Sabaody Archipelago.

Sanji immediately leapt to his feet, his eyes sparkling. "C-C-Camie! My angel!" he cried, hearts practically bursting out of his eyes. He was on the verge of tears, overwhelmed by her beauty.

Camie giggled and waved. "I'm glad you're all okay. The strong sea currents separated your crew, but I found you guys floating and brought you here. The rest of the Straw Hats were taken somewhere else."

"Mermaids saved us?!" Usopp exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe. Chopper stood beside him, equally astonished.

"Yup!" Camie nodded. "You're lucky. Those currents can be dangerous, but the mermaids found you just in time." She gestured behind her as five identical mermaids swam into view, their colorful tails shimmering in the water.

"These are my friends, the Medaka Mermaid Quintuplets," Camie introduced them with a proud smile. "We all work together at the Mermaid Cafe."

Sanji's jaw dropped as he looked at the quintuplets. Tears of joy streamed down his face as he clasped his hands together. "My dreams… my life… this is heaven… I've found the All Blue!" he sobbed dramatically.

"Sanji, snap out of it!" Usopp shouted, shaking him by the shoulders, but Sanji was too far gone, completely lost in his mermaid fantasy.

Camie laughed at Sanji's reaction and motioned for the crew to follow her. "Come on, let's get you guys up to the top of the island! There's so much to see."

Outside, a large sea turtle awaited them, its back fitted with comfortable seats. The Straw Hats climbed aboard, and the turtle began its ascent toward the upper part of the island. As they rode, Camie continued explaining.

"Hatchan's still in the Fish-Man District, recovering from the wounds he got while protecting your ship, the Thousand Sunny. But don't worry, he's getting better!" she said cheerfully.

"Hachi's okay?" Luffy asked, his voice full of relief.

"Yeah, he'll be back on his feet soon. And Pappag lives in a big mansion up in Gyoverly Hills now. I visit him sometimes to bring him clams," Camie explained, her smile warm.

The turtle finally reached the top, and they entered Mermaid Cove, a beautiful, tranquil area surrounded by coral and teeming with sea life. Mermaids of all shapes and sizes swam gracefully through the water. The moment they arrived, Sanji broke down into tears once again, completely overcome.

"I've found it! The All Blue! This is paradise!" he cried, collapsing dramatically onto the turtle's back.

Chopper and Usopp glanced at each other, sweatdropping as they watched Sanji's emotional breakdown.

Camie swam ahead, introducing them to her mermaid friends, who greeted the Straw Hats with warm smiles. Sanji's heart soared higher with every greeting, and he was soon surrounded by mermaids offering him food, drinks, and attention, which only made his joy intensify.

As they chatted, a few of the mermaids noticed a large barrel floating nearby.

"Hey, what's this?" one of them asked, poking the barrel with curiosity.

"It looks like someone put something inside," another mermaid added. "Should we open it?"

Before they could proceed, the scene shifted to Noah, a massive ancient ship. Hammond, one of the subordinates of Hody Jones, stood before his boss, his face serious.

"Straw Hat Luffy has arrived," Hammond reported.

Hody Jones grinned wickedly, baring his sharp teeth. "Good. Bring him to me. And I'll make your work easier."

The man sitting in front of him leaned back in his chair, smirking. "I don't care about him," he said with a cold, dismissive tone. "But I am looking for one of his crewmates—Itachi Uchiha."

Hody's smirk deepened. "That will be easy."

The man's smirk remained, but his eyes darkened. "I wouldn't underestimate him if I were you. He's a formidable opponent. Even I found it difficult to deal with him… and we used to work together."

Hody raised an eyebrow. "Did he betray you?"

The man shook his head slowly. "No. He was the most trusted man I ever knew."

Hody narrowed his eyes. "So, what do you want from him?"

The man's gaze sharpened as his smirk widened. "Let's just say we have some unfinished business."

The gears of a larger conflict were already beginning to turn, as Luffy and his crew unknowingly drifted deeper into dangerous waters.

Luffy sat back on the soft coral bed, watching Sanji swim with the mermaids, his heart-shaped eyes glowing with happiness as he glided through the water, surrounded by the beautiful creatures of Fish-Man Island. The joy on Sanji's face was undeniable, and even Usopp and Chopper couldn't help but smile as they relaxed beside Luffy and Camie.

"Looks like Sanji's really enjoying himself," Usopp commented, adjusting his goggles as he watched their cook dance with mermaid after mermaid.

Chopper nodded in agreement, though his face turned a little serious. "Yeah, but I'm a little worried. I'm all out of blood packs, and you know Sanji's blood type is pretty rare," he mentioned, concern lacing his voice.

Luffy, sitting with his legs crossed, looked over to Camie with a grin. "Hey, Camie, do you know where Jinbe is? I really want to thank him again. he helped me when we had to save Ace," he said, his voice full of fondness and gratitude.

Camie blinked and offered a small, sympathetic smile. "Jinbe left the island with the Fish-Man Pirates a while ago. He gave up his title as Warlord of the Sea, and a lot has changed here since then."

Luffy's face dropped slightly, disappointment clear in his eyes. "So much has changed, huh?" he muttered, scratching the back of his head.

Before Camie could explain further, a sudden commotion drew their attention. The Medaka Mermaid Quintuplets rushed over in a flurry of movement, their expressions full of panic.

"A royal gondola is coming this way!" one of them squealed.

"It might be here to arrest you guys!" another mermaid added, her eyes wide with worry.

The Straw Hats immediately tensed, and Camie quickly gestured for them to hide. "You've gotta stay hidden! If they see you, it'll be bad news!" she whispered urgently, ushering Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, and even Sanji out of sight behind some coral.

Within moments, the royal gondola arrived, and three imposing figures stepped off. The three princes of the Neptune House of the Ryugu Kingdom—Fukaboshi, the tall shark merman; Ryuboshi, the lanky oarfish merman; and Manboshi, the large, cheerful moonfish merman—stood before the gathered mermaids.

Fukaboshi stepped forward, his voice calm but authoritative. "We've received reports that intruders entered Fish-Man Island illegally. Have you seen any strangers?"

The mermaids, including the quintuplets, shook their heads vigorously, doing their best to appear innocent. "Nope, no intruders here!" one of them chirped nervously.

As the princes questioned them, Hammond and his men could be seen in the distance, searching the area. The tension grew thicker with each passing second.

Suddenly, the mermaid holding Sanji tightened her grip just a little too much, triggering the cook's "perverted mode." A huge nosebleed erupted from Sanji, and before anyone could react, it sprayed into the air with the force of a geyser.

"Sanji!" Usopp and Chopper yelled in unison, trying to stop the flow, but it was too late. The princes, the mermaids, and even Hammond's lackeys all turned toward the commotion.

"You idiots gave us away!" camie screamed, smacking Usopp and Chopper on the head, but the damage was already done.

The Ammo Knights descended upon the group, weapons raised. "You're under arrest for illegal entry into Fish-Man Island!"

Chopper stepped forward, his voice frantic. "Wait! Please don't arrest us! Sanji needs medical attention! He's lost too much blood!"

"Yeah, he's gonna die if we don't get him help soon!" Usopp added, equally desperate.

Luffy, panicked, called out to the crowd. "Is there anyone here who can give him blood? Please! Sanji needs it!"

The mermaids, however, hesitated. Some looked away, while others fidgeted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. Their reluctance was palpable.

Hammond stepped forward with a sneer on his face. "It's against the rules to share blood with humans. Fish-men who break that rule will face judgment in the dark," he said, his voice filled with malice.

"What?! Why not?" Luffy demanded, his fists clenching in frustration.

Hammond's eyes gleamed with cruelty. "It's all because of Fisher Tiger. He died bleeding after a battle because no humans were willing to give him blood. Now, it's the rule. No blood for humans."

Luffy's anger flared, and before Hammond could say more, the Fish-Man tried to capture him with a net. With lightning speed, Luffy dodged the attack, launching himself at Hammond with a Jet Pistol.

The powerful blow sent Hammond flying, crashing into his men, who crumpled to the ground. But it wasn't over yet. The sea monster that Hammond had brought with him roared, lunging toward Luffy in an attempt to attack.

However, with a simple, focused look, Luffy unleashed his Haki. The beast froze in its tracks, its anger dissipating almost instantly. It swam back, docile, as if acknowledging Luffy's power. Usopp stood in stunned silence, his jaw hanging open in disbelief.

At that moment, a gondola approached, and Camie waved frantically from the boat. "Luffy! Quick, get on! There's a port in town where humans might be able to donate blood!"

Luffy and the others didn't waste any time. They hurried onto the gondola, leaving behind the stunned Ammo Knights and princes, who stood there, still processing what had happened.

As the gondola moved through the waters of Fish-Man Island, Camie's expression grew more serious. "It's been a while since humans came down to Fish-Man Island. You guys are the first we've had in a long time."

Luffy's brow furrowed. "Why's that?"

"There are rumors," Camie said quietly, "about a big shadow moving around the kingdom… something that's been keeping humans from reaching the island."

Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper exchanged uneasy glances, realizing that their adventure on Fish-Man Island was far from over.

Back at Mermaid Cove, the mermaids gathered, bowing their heads in apology for hiding the Straw Hats. The air was thick with tension, but Fukaboshi, the eldest prince, raised a hand to calm everyone.

"There's no need to apologize," Fukaboshi said, his voice firm yet gentle. "We didn't come to arrest anyone. We're here with a message."

The Straw Hats, who had been ready to defend themselves, looked up in surprise. Usopp blinked in confusion. "A message?"

Fukaboshi nodded, glancing at his brothers before continuing. "This message is from Jinbe, before he left the island. He wanted you to know that Fish-Man Island remains your ally. He also asked us to look after you if you ever came here."

As the tension dissipated, the princes left, and the mermaids apologized once more for the misunderstanding before everyone parted ways.

In the port town of Coral Hill, Luffy's group found refuge at Madam Shyarly's Mermaid Cafe. The cafe, with its bright coral colors and gentle sea breezes, provided a quiet place for them to treat Sanji, who was still unconscious from blood loss.

Madam Shyarly, a shortfin mako shark mermaid, stood before them, her long black hair flowing down her back. "You can use one of the rooms in the back," she said calmly. "I'll keep watch out here."

Chopper immediately went to work, checking Sanji's pulse and breathing. The rest of the crew paced anxiously until, finally, Luffy and Usopp found two willing donors—Splash and Splatter, the okama pirate twins. After a quick blood transfusion, Sanji began to stir, his eyes fluttering open. Relief washed over the group.

"Sanji! You're awake!" Usopp exclaimed.

Sanji blinked, slowly coming to, but the moment he recognized his donors, his face drained of color. "Wha... What?! Okama blood?!"

Splash and Splatter giggled. "Yes, dear. We couldn't just let you die, could we?"

Sanji screamed in horror, clutching his head. "Noooo! I'm tainted!"

As Sanji's melodrama continued, Chopper took a moment to examine Luffy. He noticed a small cut on Luffy's arm and looked closer, frowning. "Luffy, when you fought those fish-men earlier, you were poisoned."

Luffy glanced down at his arm, now bandaged, and grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, that octopus guy nicked me, but it's no big deal. I feel fine."

"That's because your body's developed antibodies from your fight with Magellan in Impel Down," Luffy explained. "I am immune now."

Luffy grinned wider. "That octopus guy was tough, though. He blocked one of my attacks."

Back at Mermaid Cove, the octopus merman in question—Hyouzou—was seen dragging his unconscious shipmates back to their hideout. He mumbled to himself, his blue-ringed, poisonous arms hanging lazily by his side.

"Mermaids are too noisy," he muttered, hearing a distant scream. He remembered Luffy's punch and how he accidentally nicked the Straw Hat captain. "It'd be bad if that guy died," he mumbled, completely unaware of Luffy's immunity to poison.

At the cove, the mermaids gathered in a panic, realizing that the scream came from one of their friends, Ishilly. They crowded around a barrel that had been opened. Several mermaids were missing.

Back at the Mermaid Cafe, Camie introduced Luffy and Usopp to the owner, Madam Shyarly, who sat behind a large crystal ball. Luffy's curiosity immediately got the best of him.

"Hey, what's that for?" Luffy asked, pointing at the crystal ball.

Shyarly, her sharp eyes narrowing, said, "I used to be a fortune teller. I don't do that anymore. It's better to leave the future unknown."

Luffy, without missing a beat, blurted out, "Can mermaids poop?"

Shyarly's eyes flashed with anger. "How vulgar! Apologize right now!"

Luffy jumped, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry! Sorry!"

Before the conversation could derail any further, Camie remembered something important. "Oh! I need to go visit Pappag and bring him some clams."

Madam Shyarly nodded. "Pappag's in the cafe. You can find him up front."

Luffy and Usopp followed Camie to the front of the cafe, and, sure enough, they ran into Brook and Pappag, the little starfish fashionista. Pappag waved cheerfully, his small, stylish hat tipped at a jaunty angle.

"Ah, Luffy, Usopp! Welcome to Fish-Man Island! You're just in time—we were about to head to my place for a little celebration."

On the way to Pappag's mansion, Brook's attention was caught by a large wanted poster plastered on a nearby wall. "Vander Decken? Who's that?" Brook asked.

Pappag's face turned serious. "Vander Decken IX. He's a notorious bandit around here. He's got an unhealthy obsession with the Mermaid Princess."

Camie nodded. "He started sending her love letters, then packages, and now... marriage proposals."

Pappag shuddered. "He's even resorted to threats now. That's why the royal family's been trying to find him, but so far, no luck."

Brook's curiosity deepened. "I've heard there's a legend surrounding Vander Decken."

Pappag waved a hand dismissively. "The Vander Decken from the legend died on Fish-Man Island years ago. This guy is his descendant. Don't be fooled by the rumors."

As they continued toward Pappag's mansion, the group couldn't shake the ominous feeling surrounding the legend of Vander Decken and his connection to the Mermaid Princess. Something darker was brewing on Fish-Man Island, and it wasn't long before they would be caught in its wake.

Luffy looked around, taking in the vibrant, unique shapes and colors of the Fish-Man Island residents. His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he observed a fish-man walking by, holding the hand of a small mermaid child.

"Hey, is that normal?" Luffy asked, tilting his head.

Pappag, riding along with them, grinned. "Yup! You see, when a fish-man and a mermaid get together, their kids could be either one. That's why there's so much variety around here."

Luffy nodded, though his gaze quickly shifted to something else. "Oh! What's that?" he asked, pointing to a large factory in the distance, adorned with a peculiar pirate flag.

Pappag's cheerful expression dimmed slightly. "That's the candy factory. It belongs to one of the Four Emperors—Charlotte Linlin, or Big Mom, as people call her. She took over protecting Fish-Man Island after Whitebeard died."

Luffy's curiosity deepened. "So, she's a nice person, right? Protecting the island and all."

Pappag hesitated. "Well... Whitebeard never asked for anything in return. Big Mom, though, she demands candy. The island has to make sure she gets enough every month, or—" he paused, his eyes darkening. "Things might not go so well."

"Huh, interesting," Luffy mused, folding his arms behind his head. "I wonder if I'll meet her someday."

Pappag chuckled nervously, hoping that day would be far away.

The crew continued down the highway until they reached Gyoverly Hills, the wealthy part of Fish-Man Island. Pappag proudly gestured ahead as they arrived at his extravagant mansion, nestled in the coral hills.

However, elsewhere in Coral Hill, a different scene was unfolding. Madame Shyarly, the fortune-teller, burst out of her shop in a panic. Her eyes were wide with fear, and her crystal ball clutched tightly in her hands.

"No... no... it can't be!" she cried, running into the street.

People gathered around as she screamed, her voice echoing in the air. "A straw hat... a man wearing a straw hat will destroy Fish-Man Island!"

The townspeople murmured nervously, their eyes darting in every direction.

"Get him to leave!" Shyarly shouted, her face pale. "We can't let him stay here! Fish-Man Island will be doomed if he stays!"

A few hours earlier, deep within the Mermaid Cove, Ishilly and two other curious mermaids were inspecting an old barrel they had found. The wooden container looked out of place, and their imaginations immediately ran wild.

"Do you think it's treasure?" one of them asked, her eyes sparkling.

"Or maybe expensive alcohol!" Ishilly added excitedly as she worked to loosen the bolts, her fingers moving quickly. "Let's open it and find out!"

The other two giggled, nodding in agreement, their minds already dreaming of the riches they might find. However, the moment Ishilly loosened the last bolt, a sudden, ominous hissing sound emerged from the barrel.

Without warning, Caribou burst from the barrel, his twisted grin sending waves of terror through the three mermaids. His slimy form oozed out as he used his Numa Numa no Mi powers, transforming into a monstrous swampy figure.

The mermaids screamed, trying to flee in a panic. "Help! Somebody, please!" they cried, their tails whipping frantically through the water as they swam for their lives.

But Caribou was too fast. With a malicious cackle, he extended his swampy form, trapping the unfortunate mermaids within his artificial swamp. Their voices were silenced as they were swallowed up by the dark, murky mass.

"Hehehe... mermaids, huh? What luck!" Caribou snickered, his eyes gleaming with wicked delight. "Now that I'm here, I can capture as many of you as I want... sell you all into slavery... and make a fortune!" His eerie laughter echoed through the cove as he slinked away with his new captives.

Back in the present, the Ammo Knights—the soldiers of Fish-Man Island—stood in front of a group of trembling mermaids, questioning them about the recent disappearances. Their eyes were hard with suspicion.

"You're sure the Straw Hat Pirates were the last ones seen near the Mermaid Cove?" one of the knights asked, glancing at his comrades.

The mermaids nodded nervously. "Y-Yes, but they didn't seem like bad people..." one of them whispered.

The Ammo Knights exchanged puzzled looks. It didn't make sense. The Straw Hats had been so friendly since they arrived. Why would they kidnap mermaids?

Meanwhile, Fukaboshi, the eldest son of King Neptune, stood nearby, deep in thought. He had just spoken to Madam Shyarly, who had confirmed her terrifying prediction—Fish-Man Island would be destroyed by a man wearing a straw hat.

Fukaboshi's expression darkened as he contemplated what they should do next. "If the prophecy is true," he muttered to himself, "we'll have to deal with this before it's too late..."

Meanwhile, Luffy's group was riding on Megalo, the large shark that had accompanied them from earlier. King Neptune rode beside them on his whale, Hoe, leading the way as they left Gyoverly Hills behind.

"Did you know that Megalo is my daughter's pet?" Neptune said, looking fondly at the shark. "She was so worried when he went missing earlier... cried for hours. You have my deepest gratitude for bringing him back."

Luffy beamed. "No problem! It was fun!"

Neptune smiled warmly. "As a token of my thanks, I wish to treat you all to a banquet at my palace. The finest food in all of Fish-Man Island awaits you!"

Nami's eyes gleamed at the thought of a grand feast, while Usopp and Chopper cheered in excitement.

Neptune continued, "My soldiers are already searching for the rest of your crew. We found your swordsman, Zoro—he's already at the palace... drinking."

Nami nodded. "That sounds about right. Franky said he wanted to visit a relative of Tom's, Itachi and Robin went to look up something historical."

As they traveled, Nami turned to Neptune. "By the way, what's the deal with the light down here? We're so far under the sea, but it's almost as bright as daylight."

Neptune nodded, pleased by her curiosity. "Ah, that light comes from the Sunlight Tree Eve. Its roots reach all the way to Fish-Man Island, allowing both light and air to flow down here. It's the only place in the ocean where that happens, which is why our ancestors built the island beneath it."

"Fascinating," Nami murmured, already imagining the astronomical value of such a resource.

As the group reached Ryugu Palace, its grand coral towers gleamed under the light of the Sunlight Tree Eve. They stepped inside, where Neptune was immediately met by his ministers.

"Your Majesty, what were you thinking, leaving the palace so suddenly?" one of the ministers scolded, bowing respectfully. "And we have an urgent message from Prince Fukaboshi."

Neptune nodded seriously, but before they could continue the discussion, Camie and Pappag both looked around in confusion.

"Uh... where's Luffy?" Camie asked, her eyes scanning the palace halls.

The Straw Hats blinked, realizing that their captain had, once again, wandered off on his own.

Luffy, led by the irresistible scent of food, eagerly wandered through the corridors of Ryugu Palace. His nose twitched as he followed the delicious aroma, his mind singularly focused on reaching the banquet hall. Eventually, he spotted a door ahead, just as a guard stepped out, completely unaware of Luffy slipping inside behind him.

The room was pitch black, but Luffy could make out the outlines of the food on the far side of the room. His eyes gleamed as he sprinted toward it. However, as he crossed the room, something about the floor felt... odd. Parts of it seemed firm, but in the middle, he found a particularly bouncy area, springy under his feet.

"Wow! Pudding floors!" Luffy exclaimed to himself, bouncing up and down gleefully. His hunger momentarily forgotten, he enjoyed the sensation, completely unaware of the awkwardness of his situation.

Suddenly, a voice shouted, startling Luffy out of his trance. "Who's there?!"

The lights flickered on, revealing a scene that made Luffy stop bouncing immediately. The "floor" he had been jumping on was not pudding—it was, in fact, the enormous body of a mermaid. Her wide eyes stared at him in shock, her long pink hair flowing behind her. The "bouncy" part he had mistaken for pudding was none other than her chest.

The mermaid looked terrified, trying to put on a brave face as she processed what was happening. "A-An assassin?" she whispered, her voice trembling. Her large blue eyes filled with tears, and she started to shake.

Luffy blinked, confused. "Assassin? Me?"

The mermaid's bravery quickly crumbled, and before Luffy could explain himself, she let out a loud wail. "FATHER! BROTHERS!" she cried, her voice echoing throughout the palace.

Luffy winced, holding his hands up in surrender. "W-Wait, don't cry! I'm not an assassin! I just wanted some food!"

Meanwhile, deep beneath the ocean's surface, Vander Decken IX steered his ship, the Flying Dutchman, through the murky depths. The fish-man, a Japanese bullhead shark with sinister, bulging eyes and a cruel grin, sat at the helm. His mood, however, was anything but cheerful.

"Wadatsumi!" he barked, turning to his towering crew member. "Any word from the princess yet?"

Wadatsumi, a giant blowfish fish-man, looked down nervously. "N-No, Captain. Princess Shirahoshi hasn't responded... for the last ten years."

Vander Decken's face twisted in rage. "Ten years... and not a single reply! She dares ignore me?" He grabbed a nearby axe, adorned with a rose at its center, and hurled it with all his might into the ocean, sending it on a direct path toward the princess.

"If she won't marry me, then she'll die! Let that be her choice!" Decken hissed through gritted teeth. His obsession with the princess knew no bounds, and he would do whatever it took to make her his, or ensure no one else ever could.

Back at Ryugu Palace, Princess Shirahoshi continued to cry uncontrollably, her massive form shaking the entire room. Luffy tried, unsuccessfully, to calm her down.

"Hey, stop crying! You're gonna flood the whole place!" Luffy said, waving his hands frantically, unsure of how to handle the situation. "I'm not a bad guy, really!"

But Shirahoshi was too overwhelmed to hear him, her sobs growing louder with each passing second.

Suddenly, something caught Luffy's attention—a whistling sound, faint but sharp, growing louder as it approached. He looked up just in time to see an axe flying directly toward Shirahoshi's head.

Reacting on instinct, Luffy jumped into action, his body stretching as he launched himself forward. "Gomu Gomu no... Pistol!" he shouted, his arm rocketing toward the axe. He knocked it away just in time, the weapon crashing harmlessly into the wall.

Panting, Luffy landed back on the ground, looking at the enormous mermaid. "You okay?" he asked, glancing at the spot where the axe had nearly struck.

Shirahoshi, still sniffling, looked at him in surprise. "You... You saved me?"

Before Luffy could respond, the door burst open, and the palace guards, along with the Minister of the Right, stormed into the room. "Princess Shirahoshi! We heard you crying! What happened?"

Panicking, Shirahoshi quickly grabbed Luffy and hid him behind her back. "N-Nothing! I just... had a bad dream, that's all!" she stammered, her eyes darting nervously between the guards and the wall where the axe had hit.

The guards exchanged glances but didn't press the issue. "Very well, Princess. But we must warn you, we have troubling news."

Shirahoshi blinked, still hiding Luffy. "Troubling news?"

The Minister of the Right nodded gravely. "There are suspicions toward the Straw Hat Pirates regarding the recent mermaid disappearances. Additionally, Madame Shyarly has predicted that the one known as Luffy will bring destruction to Fish-Man Island."

Behind Shirahoshi, Luffy scratched his head, confused by the situation. "Me? Destroy Fish-Man Island?" he muttered to himself, completely oblivious to the chaos surrounding him.

Shirahoshi, however, looked down at Luffy with conflicted eyes. He had saved her life, yet the prophecy loomed large in her mind. Could the man who protected her really be the one to doom her entire home?

As the Minister of the Right relayed the situation to Princess Shirahoshi, he mistakenly stated that they had captured Zoro and were in the process of apprehending Nami, Usopp, and Brook. He and the guards left the room shortly after, still intent on finding Luffy, completely unaware that he was hiding behind the massive figure of the princess.

Once the coast was clear, Shirahoshi turned to Luffy, her large eyes filled with regret. "I... I'm so sorry for shouting earlier," she stammered, her voice shaky. "I didn't know you were the one who saved Megalo. I'm grateful for that." She bowed her head slightly, her pink hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders.

Luffy, his mouth full of food he had found in the room, simply nodded. "It's no big deal," he mumbled between bites, not really paying attention to her apology.

Shirahoshi, watching him eat with wide eyes, couldn't help but smile at the small yet spirited human in front of her. She had never met anyone like Luffy, especially someone so small who could devour so much food so quickly. Curiosity got the better of her, and she gently poked Luffy's cheek, which was stuffed full like a chipmunk's.

"How can someone so little eat so much?" she wondered aloud, her finger still pressing against his squishy cheek.

Luffy immediately yelled, his voice muffled by the food. "Hey! Stop poking me!" he barked, flailing his arms to push her hand away. His outburst startled the princess, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"No one's ever yelled at me before," she whimpered, her voice trembling. Her massive frame began to shake as her emotions overwhelmed her. Tears streamed down her face, and she looked like she was about to start crying again.

Luffy, unimpressed, sighed. "Man, you're such a crybaby. I don't like it when people cry all the time," he said bluntly, crossing his arms.

This only made Shirahoshi sob even harder. "I-I'm sorry!" she wailed, burying her face in her hands, her tears flowing like waterfalls.

Luffy scratched his head, realizing he might have been a bit too harsh. After finishing the last of the food, he turned to her and, in his usual carefree manner, said, "Hey, wanna go for a walk outside? You can't stay cooped up in here forever, right? I'll protect you if anything gets thrown at you."

Shirahoshi, wiping her tears, looked at Luffy in surprise. No one had ever offered to take her outside before. She had been trapped inside the Hard-Shell Tower for ten long years because of Vander Decken's relentless pursuit. His Mato-Mato curse allowed him to target her from anywhere, and anything he threw would always reach her. Because of this, she had lived in constant fear of going outside.

"I... I would love to, but it's not safe for me," she said hesitantly. "Decken... he'll find me. His curse... it lets him throw anything at me from anywhere. That's why I've been locked away here for so long."

Luffy grinned, completely unfazed by the danger. "That doesn't matter. I'll just punch anything that comes your way," he said confidently, his eyes sparkling with determination.

Meanwhile, in another part of Ryugu Palace, Usopp, Nami, and Brook were seen standing over a group of subdued Neptune Guards. Usopp crossed his arms in frustration, looking at Camie, who was pleading with them to stop fighting.

"They attacked us first, Camie!" Usopp argued. "We didn't want to fight, but if they're coming at us out of the blue, we have no choice but to defend ourselves!"

Nami nodded, her staff ready at her side. "It's not like we're the ones causing trouble. They're acting on some weird prophecy."

Brook added with a nervous laugh, "Yohohoho! And you know us pirates—we can't just sit back when someone's attacking us."

Camie, worried about the escalating situation, bit her lip. She knew the Straw Hats weren't the villains here, but the misunderstanding was spiraling out of control.

At the same time, in the throne room, the Minister of the Left was pleading with King Neptune. "Your Majesty, please use your power! We must capture the pirates before they cause further harm to the kingdom!"

Neptune, however, was reluctant. "I don't want to take action against them just because of a prophecy," he said slowly, his brows furrowed in thought. "Madame Shyarly's predictions have been right before, but I don't want to make a decision without proof."

But the Minister of the Left pressed on. "Your Majesty, the Straw Hats are involved in the disappearances of the mermaids! We must act now before it's too late!"

Neptune sighed deeply, conflicted by the situation. Finally, with great reluctance, he nodded. "Very well. Prepare to capture them... but be careful."

He left the throne and made his way toward the conflict, ready to use his power. However, just as he was about to engage, Zoro appeared, his sword gleaming in his hand. He had broken out of his prison after hearing all the commotion.

"Oi, oi, sounds like a party going on, and no one invited me?" Zoro smirked, stepping between Neptune and the Straw Hats. His presence instantly shifted the atmosphere.

Neptune stopped, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the swordsman's strength. The situation had just gotten even more tense.

Back in the Noah District, Vander Decken arrived at the meeting point, where Hody Jones, the leader of the New Fish-Man Pirates, awaited him. The tension between the two pirates hung in the water as they stared each other down.

After a brief pause, Vander Decken extended his hand, slipping on a glove to prevent his Devil Fruit ability from targeting Hody. His sinister smile widened. "Shall we work together to bring down the Ryugu Kingdom?"

Sitting beside him, the mysterious figure smirked silently, finding the situation amusing.

Hody's grin grew even darker, his sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. "It's time to make the Ryugu Kingdom fall. Together, we'll change Fish-Man Island forever."

The two shook hands, sealing their dark alliance, determined to overthrow the kingdom that had ruled Fish-Man Island for centuries. However, the figure beside them remained quiet, watching their interaction with a calculating gaze. He finally spoke, his voice cold and dripping with disdain.

"That won't be easy."

Hody and Decken both turned to face him, their expressions curious and slightly irritated by his intrusion.

"For that," the man continued, "you'll have to take out the Straw Hat crew first—especially one man." His eyes narrowed with a knowing smirk. "Itachi Uchiha."

Decken snickered. "The man who sliced off Wadatsumi's arm? He's powerful, but not invincible."

The stranger's smirk only widened, a dark amusement flickering in his eyes. "Itachi Uchiha is far more capable than you realize. Even with your combined strength, neither of you is a match for him."

Hody's grin faltered slightly, his brow furrowing in frustration. "Even with my power-enhancing pills?" he challenged, his tone laced with disbelief.

The man let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying their discomfort. "Even with your pills," he replied, his voice calm but laced with superiority. Hody's eyes widened, momentarily stunned by the man's confidence. Decken, too, looked uneasy, the usual arrogance in his expression giving way to caution.

The mysterious man leaned back, savoring their reactions before continuing. "I offer you a proposition. How about we work together? With my help, we can eliminate the Straw Hats—especially Itachi. What do you say?"

Decken crossed his arms, eyeing the stranger warily. "And why should we trust you? We don't even know who you are."

Hody nodded in agreement, still skeptical. "Yeah, why should we believe you're any different?"

The man smirked again, this time with a glint of menace in his eyes. Slowly, he reached up and pulled back his hood, revealing his shark-like face. Hody and Decken's eyes widened in shock.

"A fish-man…" Hody muttered, barely concealing his surprise.

The man grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. "Call me Kisame," he said, his voice dripping with dark confidence. "And together, we'll bring Itachi and the Straw Hats to their knees."

The weight of Kisame's words hung heavy in the air, the tension thick as Hody and Decken exchanged a glance. Both of them realized that this man—this new player—was far more dangerous than they had anticipated.

As the chaos in the Ryugu Palace escalated, Usopp, Nami, Zoro, and Brook found themselves caught in a tense standoff after successfully defeating and chaining up King Neptune, his ministers, and the Ammo Knights. Usopp, still visibly frustrated, scolded Zoro for going overboard.

"We were supposed to intimidate them a little and then run off when we had the chance," Usopp grumbled, pacing back and forth. "But nooo, you had to go and chain up the king and his soldiers!"

Zoro, ever nonchalant, leaned against his sword. "I didn't hear you complaining when I stopped the king from attacking us. Besides, they're fine."

Nami, however, was already busy interrogating one of the tied-up ministers, asking for the location of the palace treasury. "If we're here, we might as well get something valuable out of it," she said, causing Usopp to facepalm in exasperation.

"Seriously? You're thinking about treasure now?" Usopp muttered. His annoyance only grew when Brook suggested serenading the captives with a song, strumming an imaginary guitar while humming to himself.

In the midst of all this, Neptune—lying chained up on the floor—sighed in resignation. "I'm no longer the fighter I once was. My back gave out years ago... I'm too old for this now," he admitted. Despite his current predicament, there was a strange air of calmness about the king, even with his palace under siege.

The group then began to wonder about Luffy's whereabouts. Zoro, practical as always, suggested that they grab the Thousand Sunny and flee the island. But Usopp pointed out the glaring issue. "We can't! The coating bubble broke when we crashed into the island. We're stuck here for now," he explained.

Nami then mentioned that her Log Pose was malfunctioning, going haywire and unable to lock onto anything. One of the ministers smirked at her predicament. "That's because we're underwater, and the currents here are unlike anything you've seen on the surface."

Nami raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "Care to explain that?"

"I'll tell you everything you need to know... if you untie me," the minister bargained, his smirk widening.

Just then, the palace doorbell rang, signaling the return of the Ryugu princes. Zoro calmly answered the Den Den Mushi, stating that they had hostages and were willing to negotiate. In exchange for the hostages' freedom, Zoro demanded that the Straw Hats be allowed to leave peacefully after their ship was re-coated. Fukaboshi, the eldest prince, agreed to the demands and also passed along a message left by Jinbe: "Do not fight Hody" and "I'll be waiting in the Sea Forest."

Meanwhile, back in Coral Hill, the news of the Straw Hats' supposed rebellion had spread quickly among the residents. The Ammo Knights were in the process of trying to arrest Sanji and Chopper, but the two pirates weren't about to be taken without a fight. Chopper unleashed his new Kung Fu Point, skillfully knocking out several of the knights, while Sanji deftly avoided their attempts to handcuff him.

"You started it, Chopper," Sanji said, dodging another strike while admiring Chopper's improved fighting style. "Your new Kung Fu Point is pretty impressive."

Chopper, slightly embarrassed by the praise, huffed, "They were going to handcuff me! What did you expect me to do?"

Sanji then asked the guards about the Mermaid Princess. When they confirmed that she was at the palace, Sanji's face immediately shifted from serious to dreamy. "The Mermaid Princess... If she's as beautiful as I've heard, I must see her!" he declared, his eyes gleaming with passion.

Chopper groaned, already dreading the outcome. "If she's really that beautiful, you'll probably die instantly from the shock, Sanji!"

Back at Hard-Shell Tower, Luffy, who had already finished eating, offered Shirahoshi the chance to go outside for the first time in years. The timid princess hesitated, but eventually mentioned wanting to visit the Sea Forest. However, her fear of Vander Decken and his persistent attacks caused her to break down again when Luffy called her a "weakling."

Luffy, ever blunt, shrugged off her tears. "If you're too scared, fine. I'll just go by myself," he said.

Before Shirahoshi could respond, another bombardment rocked the tower. Luffy immediately knew it was Vander Decken again, targeting the princess with his Mato-Mato curse. Outside in the palace hall, King Neptune heard the sounds of the attack and ordered the Straw Hats to check on his daughter.

"If anything happens to my daughter while I'm stuck like this, I'll chase you to the ends of the ocean!" Neptune threatened, his voice filled with concern and desperation.

Brook, ever the gentleman, immediately dashed toward the Hard-Shell Tower with the Minister of the Right in tow. Upon reaching the tower, they found that human pirates—pawns of Hody Jones—had infiltrated the area and were being thrown into the tower by Vander Decken. The Minister of the Right suspected that it was the start of a surprise attack on the palace.

Before Brook could act, Megalo, the giant shark, suddenly burst out of the tower with Shirahoshi hiding inside his mouth, and Luffy riding on top. Megalo dashed off at high speed, heading straight for the Sea Forest as Shirahoshi clung to him for dear life.

"Wait! Princess Shirahoshi!" Brook and the Minister of the Right shouted after them, but Megalo was already far out of earshot.

The minister hurried into the tower to check on the princess, but when he arrived, she was nowhere to be found. In a panic, the minister declared, "This is a national crisis! The princess is missing!"

Meanwhile, one of the pirates from Hody's crew cornered Brook and demanded to know where the switch was that connected the palace to Fish-Man Island. The pirates were clearly desperate, fearing Hody's wrath if they failed their mission. However, Brook stood his ground, ready to defend the palace and his crew. Beside Hody, Kisame looked at Brook, smirked, and said, "Are you a Straw Hat crew mate, am I right?" Brook looked at him and nodded. Kisame then smirked and said, "So tell me, where is Itachi Uchiha?"

Back in Coral Hill, Chopper continued to chastise Sanji for his reckless behavior, while Sanji shrugged it off, determined to reach the Mermaid Princess. Despite the chaos erupting on Fish-Man Island, the Straw Hats remained steadfast in their mission, even as the threats against them continued to mount.

As Chopper danced around happily, his joy was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a woman screaming nearby. The cry echoed through Coral Hill, drawing his and Sanji's attention. "Someone's bleeding! They need a doctor!" the woman shouted, panic lacing her voice.

Chopper's instincts kicked in immediately. "That sounds bad! Let's go, Sanji!" he urged, sprinting in the direction of the scream, with Sanji following close behind.

When they arrived, they were greeted by a grim sight. Hatchan, the octopus fish-man, lay on the ground, bleeding profusely with arrows sticking out of his body. His tentacles twitched weakly as he struggled to speak, his face contorted in pain.

"Hatchan!" Chopper cried out, quickly rushing to his side. Hatchan, barely able to move, groaned as he looked up at them.

"Chopper… Sanji… You have to leave... now," Hatchan managed to say between labored breaths. "The New Fish-Man Pirates... they're coming. They've allied with Vander Decken... You're all in danger!"

Sanji's face hardened at the mention of the New Fish-Man Pirates. "Those bastards… they did this to you?"

Chopper immediately got to work, pulling out his medical supplies. "Don't move, Hatchan! I'll patch you up!" He inspected the wounds, realizing that the arrows had pierced deep, and Hatchan had lost a lot of blood. But Chopper, as the crew's doctor, knew he had to work quickly and efficiently.

As Chopper worked, Hatchan's mind drifted back to what had happened just hours earlier...

A few hours ago...

In the midst of a tense meeting, Hody Jones and Vander Decken IX stood before their followers. Decken was preparing to demonstrate the terrifying powers of his Mato Mato no Mi ability, which allowed him to lock onto any target and have anything he threw automatically home in on them, no matter where they were.

Before Decken could pick a volunteer for his demonstration, Hatchan burst into the room, his voice filled with anger and disbelief. "Hody! Decken! What are you planning? This is madness!" Hatchan's voice echoed through the room, catching everyone's attention.

Hatchan confronted them, questioning why Hyouzou, the deadly assassin, and Decken had aligned themselves with Hody. He brought up Arlong, reminding them that when Arlong had tried to form his own crew, neither Hyouzou nor Decken had answered his call.

Hyouzou lazily smirked and shrugged, explaining that Arlong had been too cheap to afford him at the time. "I only care about the money. The cause of my employers means nothing to me," he said dismissively.

Decken, with a gleam of contempt in his eye, responded coldly. "Arlong tried to make me his underling. I don't take orders from anyone, and I certainly don't marry into weakness."

Hody, meanwhile, expressed his discontent with Hatchan's intervention. "I respected Arlong, but he was too primitive in his methods. We—The New Fish-Man Pirates—are prepared this time. We won't fail like he did."

As the discussion turned to Luffy, Hatchan's voice grew desperate. "Luffy saved my life! He's my friend! You can't involve him in this madness!"

Hody's eyes narrowed in disappointment. "You've grown weak, Hatchan. You've lost sight of our cause," he sneered. "You've lost your place in the new era."

At that moment, Vander Decken stepped forward and placed his hand on Hatchan. "You disappoint us, Hatchan. I think it's time to demonstrate my power… on you." Decken's voice was filled with sadistic glee.

Hatchan's eyes widened in fear as Decken touched him, locking onto him as his target. Decken then threw a knife high into the air. It soared overhead before abruptly changing direction, homing in on Hatchan's back and stabbing him.

"Agh!" Hatchan cried out in pain, staggering forward as the knife pierced him.

Decken explained the cruel reality of his power. "Once I've touched someone, anything I throw will always find its way to them… no matter how far they run."

Hatchan knew what was coming next. As Decken grabbed a handful of arrows, Hatchan pleaded with Hody, "Stop him! Call him off, Hody!"

Hody's cold gaze remained fixed on Hatchan, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're too weak, Hatchan. You've betrayed our cause. Do as you wish, Decken," he ordered, not sparing a glance at the octopus fish-man.

Kisame, leaning casually against the wall, watched the exchange with a smirk. He found the entire scene amusing. His sharp eyes flickered with interest as he turned to Hatchan. "You were with the Straw Hats, weren't you? You must know Itachi Uchiha."

Hatchan's expression tightened. He nodded, his voice low but firm. "I know him… Itachi is a kind person."

Kisame's smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "Kind? That's rich," he said, before breaking into a cruel, mocking laugh. "A man who slaughtered his entire clan… kind? How amusing…" His laughter echoed in the room, cold and menacing.

Hatchan's gaze hardened, but Kisame wasn't finished. He turned to Hody, the grin never leaving his face. "Do whatever you want," he said nonchalantly, as if the life or death of Hatchan meant nothing.

With a nod from Hody, Vander Decken lifted his hand, and without hesitation, he launched the arrows toward Hatchan. Panic surged through Hatchan as he realized what was happening. His instincts kicked in, and he bolted, diving into the ocean in a desperate attempt to escape the deadly projectiles. But it was a futile effort.

As he swam, arrows followed him relentlessly, slicing through the water with terrifying precision. One by one, they struck his body, piercing his flesh. His blood clouded the water, trailing behind him as he pushed himself to keep going. Pain coursed through him, but the weight of betrayal hurt even more. The island he called home, the people he once believed in, had turned on him.

Kisame watched it all unfold, his sharp-toothed grin unchanging. To him, this was just another show of dominance, another display of cruelty that he reveled in. "Kind," he repeated to himself, almost as if mocking the idea once more. "There's no room for kindness in this world."

Hody's face remained emotionless as he watched Hatchan's desperate struggle. To him, this was the price of weakness.

Back in the present...

Hatchan winced in pain as Chopper finished bandaging his wounds. "Thank you… but you have to get out of here. Hody... Decken... they're coming for Fish-Man Island."

Chopper shook his head. "We're not leaving you like this! You need help."

Sanji, clenching his fists in frustration, gazed out at the horizon. "Damn it… if they're planning an attack, we have to warn the others. We can't let them hurt anyone else."

Hatchan weakly grabbed Sanji's arm. "Please… protect the island... protect the princess... Don't let Hody win."

Sanji's eyes darkened with resolve. "We won't let them lay a hand on the princess. You can count on that."

Chopper glanced at Sanji, his voice filled with concern. "We need to get Hatchan to a safe place. He's in no condition to fight, and the island's going to be a battlefield soon."

Sanji nodded. "I'll take care of him. You go find Luffy and the others, Chopper. We're going to need everyone if Hody's coming."

Just as Chopper was about to leave, Hatchan suddenly spoke up. "Wait… there's one more thing." Chopper froze in his tracks, and Sanji turned to look at Hatchan.

"There's someone else…" Hatchan said, his voice weak. "I don't know who he is, but he's after Itachi…"

Both Chopper and Sanji's eyes widened. "Why?" Sanji asked urgently.

"I don't know," Hatchan replied, his voice strained. "But he asked me about Itachi... He knows something about his past…"

Sanji's expression turned serious. "What did he say?"

Hatchan took a deep breath before continuing. "He said Itachi… killed people. His clan… his parents…"

Sanji's eyes widened in shock as he pieced it together. He's from Itachi's world… Chopper, equally concerned, exchanged a glance with Sanji, who nodded.

"This just became urgent," Sanji said, his voice low but resolute. "Chopper, find Luffy and Itachi. We need to be ready."

Chopper gave a determined nod and dashed off to locate the rest of the crew, knowing the gravity of the situation.

Meanwhile, Sanji stayed by Hatchan's side, silently vowing to keep his promise. The battle for Fish-Man Island was on the horizon, and the Straw Hats would need to be prepared for whatever danger was coming their way—especially with someone hunting Itachi.

Vander Decken IX continued his explanation, grinning sinisterly as he revealed the details of his Mato Mato ability. "I can only lock onto two targets at a time," he said, raising his right hand. "This hand is reserved for Shirahoshi. I touched her long ago, and she's been my target ever since."

He glanced at the human pirates, who were his unwilling pawns. Hody Jones stood beside him, commanding the group with cold authority. "As for the rest of you," Hody sneered, "Decken will throw you into the Hard-Shell Tower. You'll serve as my diversion."

The captive pirates, already trembling in fear, objected loudly. "No way! We're not doing that! You can't just throw us in there!" one of them yelled.

But Hody's cruel eyes darkened, and his voice dropped menacingly. "Refuse, and you'll end up in the ocean... drowning like the worthless humans you are." His threat was met with silence, as the pirates realized their only option was compliance.

Back in the present...

Inside the palace, chaos was spreading. The pirates thrown into the Hard-Shell Tower by Decken's power were frantically searching for the switch that would open the connection between the palace and Fish-Man Island. Unaware of the true scope of their situation, they rummaged through the area, desperate to complete their mission before Hody or Decken found out they had failed.

Meanwhile, Brook and the Minister of the Right were rushing back to the palace hall, both panicked and out of breath. When they arrived, Brook blurted out the terrible news to the others. "The princess is gone! Shirahoshi has disappeared from the tower!"

Neptune, already chained up and wounded, was visibly stunned. His eyes widened in shock as the full weight of the situation hit him. "Shirahoshi… my daughter… what has happened?" he murmured.

Usopp, pacing nervously, started to panic. "Oh no, what are we going to do? This is bad! This is really bad!" His mind raced, trying to come up with a plan, but anxiety clouded his thoughts.

Zoro, as usual, remained calm. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he leaned casually against the wall. "What's the big deal? We'll just cut them down when they show up," he said with a shrug, as if the impending battle was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

But while the Straw Hats tried to formulate a plan, time was ticking, and the threat was growing.

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

Luffy, riding on Megalo's back alongside Shirahoshi, continued toward the Sea Forest. Shirahoshi, though visibly nervous, was brimming with excitement. This was the first time she had been outside in ten years. The breeze of the ocean and the open space overwhelmed her senses, and she looked around in awe.

Luffy, oblivious to the significance of the moment for her, asked, "Is there anything fun at the Sea Forest?"

Shirahoshi, her voice soft but full of longing, responded, "There is… a grave. It's my mother's grave… Queen Otohime. I've wanted to visit it ever since it was built, but I've been trapped in the Hard-Shell Tower."

As they neared their destination, the mood grew more somber.

At the Sea Forest...

In the tranquil surroundings of the Sea Forest, Jinbe sat silently in front of the grave of Queen Otohime. His face was calm, but his eyes reflected the deep sadness and responsibility he felt. He looked at the stone monument before him, memories flooding his mind.

"It's been ten years," he whispered to himself. "Ten years since you were taken from us... but no one has forgotten your ideals, your dreams for peace."

Jinbe sighed deeply as he thought about the royal family. "The princes have grown strong… but the princess, Shirahoshi, is still confined to that tower. I wonder what she would have become had you lived, Otohime."

The grave of Queen Otohime stood as a silent reminder of the sacrifices made for the hope of peace between humans and fish-men. Though assassinated, her legacy lived on in the hearts of her family and her people.

Jinbe could only hope that this visit would bring some form of closure for Shirahoshi and that the island could be protected from the looming darkness that Hody and Decken were threatening to unleash.

Flashback: Deep in the Forest

Itachi and Robin walked side by side, the dense forest around them creating a serene but slightly awkward silence. Robin, still flustered from their near-intimate moment earlier, struggled to find her voice. "Ah, I-I-Itachi..." she stammered, glancing at him through the corner of her eye. Her cheeks were a deep shade of red, her mind replaying how close their lips had been before she impulsively pulled him closer.

Itachi, noticing her blush, gave a soft smile, his usually stoic expression softened by the moment. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice calm and composed, though there was a subtle warmth to his tone.

Robin flinched slightly at his question, her heart racing. "I-I-I'm fine," she stammered, struggling to steady herself, her mind still lingering on their earlier encounter. She couldn't shake the thought of how close they had been, and the blush on her face only deepened.

Itachi, too, had a slight blush on his cheeks, though he quickly composed himself. "Where are we heading?" he asked, trying to shift the conversation.

Robin, snapping out of her thoughts, cleared her throat and responded, "To find history..." Her voice was more steady this time, though her heart was still fluttering.

Itachi nodded, smiling slightly. "History, huh? Lead the way."

As they ventured deeper into the forest, Robin's eyes lit up when they stumbled upon something remarkable: a Poneglyph. She approached it eagerly, her fingers tracing the ancient inscriptions. This one seemed different from the others she had encountered. The words carved into the stone were more personal, almost like an apology.

"This is strange..." Robin muttered, leaning in closer to read. "It seems to be an apology letter... from someone named Joy Boy."

Itachi, standing behind her, looked at the Poneglyph curiously. "An apology? What does it say exactly?" he asked, his tone filled with intrigue.

Robin furrowed her brow as she continued to read. "It's an apology to someone named Joy Boy… but there's something else. It also mentions an apology to someone with three eyes—two purple and one red eye in the center of their forehead." She turned toward Itachi. "Does that mean anything to you?"

Itachi's expression shifted immediately, his eyes widening as the words hit him. "No way..." he whispered, his mind racing.

Robin looked at him, confused. "Do you... know something about this?"

Itachi hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Two purple eyes and one red eye at the forehead... that sounds like the Otsutsuki clan." His voice was grave, and there was a strange sense of familiarity in the air.

"Otsutsuki?" Robin asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Who are they?"

He paused, taking a deep breath as memories flooded back. "The Otsutsuki were powerful beings... They are not from this world. One of them, Hagoromo Otsutsuki, is the one who gave me a second chance after I was resurrected through Edo Tensei. He... sent me to this world."

Robin's eyes widened in disbelief. "You met him?"

Itachi nodded, his gaze distant. "Yes, after I was freed from the Edo Tensei, I met him in another realm. He gave me an opportunity to reincarnate and live again, but he said something to me before we parted."

Robin leaned in closer, captivated by his words. "What did he say?"

Flashback: Hagoromo's Final Words

In a vast, ethereal realm, Itachi stood face-to-face with Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths. The sage's calm demeanor radiated wisdom, his eyes filled with the weight of countless ages. He looked down at Itachi, his presence both serene and powerful.

"Itachi," Hagoromo began, his voice gentle but laced with purpose. "You have been given another chance, but there is something you must do in the world you are about to enter. You have to find someone... someone I can no longer meet."

Itachi's eyes narrowed, absorbing every word. "Someone?" he echoed, feeling the gravity of the sage's request.

Hagoromo nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "It might be difficult, but I believe he will reveal himself in due time. Stay vigilant. You will know when the moment comes."

Itachi, ever composed, nodded respectfully. "Understood, Hagoromo-sama. I will find him."

As Hagoromo's form began to fade, his voice softened but carried another layer of importance. "There is one more thing, Itachi..." he said, his smile deepening as if recalling a fond memory. "There is a particular person in the world you're going to. She arrived before you, and her presence will be significant in your life. She might search for you, or perhaps she is waiting."

Itachi's eyes widened at this revelation. "Someone important to me?" he whispered, his mind racing, but Hagoromo's smile gave no more answers.

"This is all I can tell you," the sage said as his figure dissipated into the light. "Be patient, Itachi... the threads of fate will lead you to her."

And just like that, Hagoromo vanished, leaving Itachi standing alone, his heart filled with questions, yet trusting that all would be revealed in time. Soon after, the transition back to his physical form began. His purpose had been set.

End Flashback

Itachi glanced at Robin, a slight smile crossing his lips as he recounted Hagoromo's cryptic words. "That's what happened," he said softly, his deep voice resonating in the quiet forest.

Robin furrowed her brow, her fingers brushing against the Poneglyph's ancient inscriptions as she pondered aloud, "He might have known Joy Boy…" She looked up, her curiosity mingling with the uncertainty of it all.

Itachi nodded, his eyes briefly scanning the mysterious text. "I think so too," he agreed, though his mind was still preoccupied with Hagoromo's mention of someone waiting for him. The weight of those words lingered, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.

Robin, however, wasn't done. She turned to him, her gaze sharp but laced with concern. "Who is this 'she' that's waiting for you?" Her voice held a tinge of frustration, perhaps even jealousy, as if the notion of someone else being important to Itachi unsettled her.

Itachi, his expression calm but thoughtful, replied, "I don't know..." His voice trailed off as he glanced at Robin again, noticing the slight tension in her posture. She was clearly bothered by the idea, though she tried to hide it behind her usual composed facade.

Robin's frustrated look only deepened as she turned away, trying to focus back on her research. It was clear she didn't like the idea of someone else holding a place of significance in Itachi's heart. Itachi noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor, and instead of ignoring it, he decided to act.

He took a step closer and gently reached for her hand, his touch warm and deliberate. Robin froze, surprised by the sudden contact. Her eyes widened slightly as she felt the gentle yet firm grip of his fingers interlacing with hers.

"Don't worry about it," Itachi said, his voice low and soothing, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand. "There's no need to let it ruin your mood, Robin."

Robin turned to look at him, her frustration melting away as her heart began to beat faster. His calm, reassuring presence was overwhelming, and for a moment, the mysteries of the world faded in comparison to the quiet connection between them.

Itachi, usually so reserved and detached, found himself drawn to Robin in a way he hadn't anticipated. The more time he spent with her, the more he realized just how much she meant to him. She wasn't just another ally, another comrade in this strange new world—she was someone special. Her intelligence, her strength, and the way she carried her burdens with quiet grace—it all resonated with him deeply.

As he looked into her eyes, he understood. He had fallen for her, and it wasn't just a passing feeling. This connection, this growing affection, was real.

Robin, sensing the shift in his gaze, felt her heart skip a beat. She had always admired Itachi's stoic strength and quiet wisdom, but now, standing so close, their hands intertwined, she saw a different side of him—one that wasn't defined by his past or his burdens but by the possibility of something more.

"Itachi…" she whispered, her voice barely audible, as if she were afraid to break the fragile moment between them.

Itachi's grip on her hand tightened slightly, a silent acknowledgment of the bond they were forming. "Robin," he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers, "I think I've found my answer."

A faint blush colored Robin's cheeks as the weight of his words sunk in. She didn't need to ask what he meant—she knew. The unspoken understanding between them had finally come to the surface, no longer hidden in the shadows of uncertainty.

For the first time in a long while, Itachi allowed himself to smile—a small, genuine smile that spoke of more than words ever could.

The forest around them was quiet, with only the faint rustling of leaves and the distant call of birds filling the silence. Itachi stood next to Robin, his usually stoic face betraying just the slightest flicker of emotion. He glanced at her, her silhouette framed by the fading sunlight, her fingers still resting lightly on the ancient Poneglyph she had been examining.

His heart was racing, a sensation unfamiliar to him—unnerving, even. For years, he had kept his emotions buried deep, convinced that feelings like these were a luxury he could not afford. But something about Robin—her quiet strength, her intelligence, her ability to understand without prying—had worn down the walls he had built around himself.

He inhaled deeply, gathering his thoughts, before finally speaking.

"Robin," Itachi began, his voice low but steady, "there's something I've been wanting to tell you."

Robin turned to him, her sharp eyes softening as she sensed the shift in his tone. She remained silent, giving him the space to continue.

"I've spent most of my life in darkness," he said, his gaze falling to the ground for a moment. "I've made choices—terrible choices—that I thought were necessary to protect the people I cared about. But those choices… they isolated me. I became someone who only knew how to endure suffering, how to carry burdens that no one else could understand."

Robin watched him closely, her heart tightening. She knew that pain. She had lived it too—fleeing from one island to another, always alone, always running. She understood the weight of guilt, of choices made in the shadows for the sake of a future that seemed distant and unreachable.

"I thought that was my fate," Itachi continued, his voice quieter now, as if the words were too heavy to speak aloud. "To live and die alone, in the darkness of my own making."

He paused, his eyes lifting to meet hers, and for the first time, Robin saw the vulnerability in his gaze—an openness that he rarely allowed anyone to see.

"But then I met you," Itachi said, his voice soft but filled with a quiet intensity. "And for the first time in years, I felt… something different. You and I, we share the same kind of pain. The same kind of loneliness. But you—" He hesitated, his breath catching slightly. "You're not trapped by it. You keep moving forward, even when the past tries to drag you down."

Robin's eyes widened, surprised by the depth of his confession. She had always sensed that Itachi carried a heavy burden, much like her own, but hearing him speak it aloud… it felt like the beginning of something she hadn't dared to hope for.

"You've changed me, Robin," Itachi admitted, his voice shaking just a little. "In ways I didn't think were possible. When I look at you, I don't just see someone who's been through darkness—I see someone who's come out the other side. And you've made me realize that maybe… maybe I can, too."

Robin's heart pounded in her chest as his words sunk in. She had always thought of herself as someone destined to be alone, someone who had long since given up on the idea of finding a connection that went deeper than mere camaraderie. But standing here, with Itachi, everything felt different. It felt possible.

"I've kept my distance from everyone," Itachi continued, his hand unconsciously clenching at his side. "Because I was afraid—afraid of hurting them, afraid of losing them. But with you… I don't want to keep my distance anymore."

He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers, the air between them charged with emotion.

"I don't know how to do this," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've never let myself care about someone like this before. But Robin… I can't keep pretending I don't feel this. I can't keep pretending that you don't mean something to me."

Robin felt a lump in her throat, her heart aching with the raw honesty of his words. She had seen so many masks in her life—worn so many of her own—but here, now, with Itachi, there were no masks. Just two people, standing in their shared darkness, reaching for each other.

"I love you, Robin," Itachi said, his voice finally breaking. "I don't know how to say it any other way. But I love you. And I'm terrified of it. Because I don't deserve you. Not after everything I've done."

Robin took a step toward him, her own heart on the verge of breaking. "Itachi…" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You don't have to be perfect. None of us are. We're all just trying to survive our pasts. But that doesn't mean we can't have something… something real."

She reached out, her hand gently resting on his cheek, her thumb brushing against the scarred skin there. "I've spent my whole life running," she said softly, her eyes searching his. "Running from people, from pain… from myself. But with you, I feel like I can stop running. I don't have to be alone anymore."

Itachi closed his eyes, leaning into her touch, the weight of her words settling deep in his soul. For the first time in years, he felt the possibility of something beyond duty, beyond sacrifice. He felt the possibility of love.

"I love you too," Robin whispered, her voice trembling but full of certainty. "And whatever comes next… we'll face it together."

Itachi opened his eyes, a single tear slipping down his cheek. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her in a way that felt both protective and vulnerable, as if letting go of all the walls he had built over the years.

In that embrace, they found solace. Not in the absence of darkness, but in the shared understanding of it. Two broken souls, finding each other in the midst of their pain, and realizing that maybe, just maybe, they could heal together.

Robin gazed into Itachi's eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. She saw the depth of his pain, the years of isolation and sacrifice reflected in those onyx eyes. But beneath it, there was something else—something soft, something tender that called out to her. It was a feeling she hadn't allowed herself to believe in for so long: hope.

Slowly, without breaking eye contact, Robin took a deep breath, her emotions swirling within her like a storm. She could feel the warmth of his hand still holding hers, grounding her in the moment, yet there was a tension in the air—a quiet anticipation, a pull that neither of them could ignore.

Her hand, still gently resting against his cheek, trembled ever so slightly as she leaned in, closer and closer, her breath mingling with his. Itachi's eyes widened slightly, his heart racing in a way it hadn't in years, but he didn't pull away. He couldn't. There was something magnetic between them, something that neither of them could resist any longer.

Robin hesitated for only a fraction of a second before closing the distance. Her lips met his in a soft, tentative kiss, as if testing the waters of this new connection between them. The moment their lips touched, time seemed to freeze. It was a kiss born not out of passion but out of something far deeper—an understanding, a shared sorrow, and the quiet hope of healing.

Itachi, who had always been so controlled, so distant, felt a wave of emotions crash over him. He closed his eyes and let himself sink into the moment, his hand gently moving to the small of her back, pulling her closer. Robin responded, her body pressing against his as she deepened the kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair. It was as if all the walls they had built, all the defenses they had clung to for so long, were crumbling in this one fragile, beautiful moment.

For a long time, there was nothing but the quiet rustle of the trees around them and the soft sound of their breathing as they kissed. The world outside—the mysteries, the pain, the burdens they carried—faded away. There was only this moment. Them. Together.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested against each other, both breathing heavily, neither one ready to let go just yet. Itachi's hand remained on her waist, his thumb tracing small, gentle circles on her skin, grounding him in the reality of what had just happened.

For a while, there was silence. Not the heavy, uncomfortable kind, but a peaceful quiet, where no words were needed. They both stood there, lost in each other's presence, processing what they had just shared.

Robin's eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting Itachi's once more. Her heart still raced, but there was a new warmth spreading through her chest—a sense of belonging she hadn't felt in so long.

Itachi, still catching his breath, gently cupped her face in his hand, his thumb brushing against her cheek with a tenderness that surprised even him. "Robin," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion, "I've spent so long in the dark… but you… you're the light I didn't know I needed."

Robin smiled, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "We've both been in the dark for too long, Itachi. But maybe… maybe we don't have to be anymore."

Itachi nodded, his forehead still resting against hers. "Together," he murmured, his voice barely audible, "we can find our way out."

They stayed like that for a while longer, holding each other in the quiet of the forest, neither needing to say anything more. There was an unspoken understanding between them now, a bond forged not just from shared pain but from the hope that, together, they could build something new—something worth fighting for.

And in that silence, beneath the canopy of trees, they both found something they thought they had lost long ago: peace.

From the shadows of the forest, a pair of wide eyes peeked through the dense foliage. Luffy, crouched low with Shirahoshi beside him, had stumbled upon the quiet scene between Itachi and Robin. His usual curious expression was replaced with wide-eyed surprise. Shirahoshi, towering next to him, blushed deeply as she watched the intimate moment unfold before her.

Luffy, tilting his head with a frown, asked innocently, "What are they doing?" His voice cut through the silence of the moment like a crackling flame, entirely oblivious to the gravity of what he had just interrupted.

Itachi, sensing their presence even before Luffy spoke, couldn't help but let a small, knowing smile play across his lips. Without even turning to face the two spies, he spoke in his usual calm tone. "Luffy, you can come out now."

Luffy flinched, clearly startled that he'd been caught so easily. Shirahoshi, still blushing a bright pink, glanced nervously at Luffy before they both stepped out from their hiding place. Luffy scratched the back of his head awkwardly, while Shirahoshi shyly looked away, unsure of what to say.

Itachi turned to face them, his hand still resting on Robin's arm. His Sharingan glimmered slightly, but his expression was kind. "A mermaid…" he said softly, taking in Shirahoshi's massive, elegant form. There was no malice or shock in his voice—just quiet admiration for the princess standing before him.

Robin, standing beside Itachi, also observed Shirahoshi with quiet awe. "She's very beautiful," she commented, her eyes reflecting an appreciation for the mermaid's grace and stature. Robin's voice held a rare softness, recognizing the innocence and purity in Shirahoshi that reminded her of lost things—things she thought were beyond her reach.

Itachi nodded in agreement, his gaze lingering briefly on Robin before returning to Luffy and Shirahoshi.

"What are you doing here?" Luffy asked, his tone casual but filled with curiosity, as if he hadn't just barged in on a deeply personal moment. His grin was wide and genuine, completely unaware of the subtle tension in the air.

Itachi looked at Robin, who gently grasped his arm, a small smile playing on her lips. "We were just… hanging out," he said, the words slow and deliberate, as though he was savoring the simplicity of it all. It wasn't often that he found himself in moments like this—moments where the burdens of their pasts didn't weigh so heavily. And with Robin by his side, it felt… lighter.

Robin smiled at him in return, her fingers squeezing his arm in a gesture that spoke volumes. There was something quiet and profound in the way they looked at each other—something that didn't need words.

Shirahoshi, still standing by Luffy's side, blushed even more, her gaze shifting between the two as her heart raced. She'd never seen anything like this before—a connection so genuine, so raw. It made her feel… hopeful. "We were on our way to visit my mother's grave," she said softly, her voice shy but respectful.

Itachi turned his attention to her, his expression softening as he nodded in understanding. "Your mother…" he echoed, sensing the depth of her pain, the loss she had carried for so long. He knew that pain all too well.

Luffy, ever the optimist, grinned and said, "How about you come with us? We're all going to the Sea Forest anyway!" He gave Shirahoshi a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, they're my crewmates! This is Itachi, and that's Robin."

Itachi bowed slightly, a gesture of respect for Shirahoshi, and Robin nodded in acknowledgment.

Shirahoshi hesitated, then smiled warmly, feeling comforted by Luffy's enthusiasm and the kind presence of Itachi and Robin. "It's nice to meet you both," she said softly, her eyes reflecting gratitude and a bit of awe for the two powerful figures standing before her.

"Nice to meet you too, Princess," Itachi said with a gentle bow, while Robin simply gave a serene nod.

With that, the small group began their journey together toward the Sea Forest, the weight of the past still lingering in their hearts, but softened by the presence of new bonds. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable; it was the kind of silence shared between those who understood pain, who understood loss, and who—perhaps, for the first time—understood that healing was possible.

As they walked, Itachi and Robin walked side by side, their closeness unspoken but palpable. Shirahoshi kept stealing shy glances at them, still blushing, and Luffy, oblivious as ever, led the way with his usual excitement, determined to see everything through to the end. The journey to the grave of Queen Otohime felt lighter, despite the solemn destination, because they were no longer walking alone.

When they finally reached the Sea Forest, standing before the grave, there was a quiet reverence among them. Itachi looked at Shirahoshi and nodded respectfully, while Robin's hand found his again, a silent promise that they would face whatever lay ahead—together.

And for the first time in years, surrounded by their new friends, it felt like the darkness of their pasts wasn't as overwhelming as it once had been. There was still a long road ahead, but now, they didn't have to walk it alone.