Chapter 13: Kuma's Encounter

As Moria emerged from Oars' fallen body, his twisted grin only widened. "The New World… is a place where weaklings like you won't survive," he taunted, his voice echoing with dark amusement. The Straw Hats watched in horror as he began to absorb the shadows of his defeated zombies, including Oars, Cindry, Inuppe, Captain John, and the others.

Moria's body started to swell grotesquely, transforming into a monstrous, deformed version of himself, resembling a gigantic gecko. His newly gained power radiated from him, causing the ground to tremble beneath his feet.

"Shadow's Asgard!" Moria roared, the shadows coalescing into his massive form. The crew looked on, their faces a mix of shock and determination.

Zoro gritted his teeth, gripping his swords tightly. "Damn it… this guy just doesn't know when to quit!"

Sanji's eyes narrowed as he lit a cigarette, the flame flickering against the wind. "He's a stubborn one, alright. But we've faced worse."

Chopper, trembling slightly, looked to the horizon. "The sun… it's rising! We have to end this soon, or the Rolling Pirates will burn!"

As the Rolling Pirates scattered for cover, Itachi stepped forward, his Sharingan flaring as he prepared to join the fight. But before he could move, Luffy placed a hand on his shoulder, his eyes burning with resolve.

"I'll do it," Luffy said firmly, his voice steady despite the chaos around them.

Itachi hesitated, seeing the determination in Luffy's eyes. "But, Luffy…"

Luffy flashed a confident grin. "I'm gonna be the King of the Pirates! This is my fight."

Itachi looked at Luffy for a long moment, then nodded, stepping back with a small smile. The rest of the crew shared Luffy's confidence, their worries easing at their captain's unwavering resolve.

Usopp cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Kick his ass, Luffy!"

With a burst of energy, Luffy activated Gear 2, steam swirling around his body as he charged at Moria's massive form. The crew watched, their hearts pounding as their captain unleashed a flurry of attacks.

Luffy's fists struck Moria's grotesque stomach repeatedly, each punch causing Moria to grunt in pain as he struggled to maintain control over the hundreds of shadows inside him. Some shadows began to leak out, swirling around in the air before returning to their rightful owners.

Nami's eyes widened as she saw the shadows escaping. "He's losing control!"

Robin nodded, her eyes fixed on the battle. "Luffy's wearing him down. If we can just keep this up…"

Zoro with his grin said," That's great."

With Brook playing his intense music in the background, Itachi looked at him with a sweatdrop and said, "Your talent is impressive, but do you have to play here in such a tense situation?"

Brook, unfazed, let out a cheerful laugh, "Yohohoho! That's the fun of it!"

Itachi sighed, while Sanji, with a serious expression, added, "I have a feeling that bastard Moria is up to something."

And indeed, Moria wasn't done yet. In a desperate move, he used his powers to trap Luffy within a black box made of shadows, crushing it with a sinister grin. The Straw Hats gasped, fear gripping their hearts as they watched the box collapse around their captain.

Sanji, his anger evident, growled, "I knew it."

"Luffy!" Chopper cried out, his voice filled with panic.

Itachi watched with slight concern, but before he could act, Robin placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "He can handle it," she said calmly.

Despite Robin's reassurance, Nami couldn't contain her worry and shouted, "Luffy!"

For a moment, everything was still. Then, from the wreckage of the shadow box, Luffy emerged, his body bruised but his spirit unbroken. He clenched his fists, steam rising from his body as he combined Gear 2 and Gear 3.

Zoro's eyes lit up with recognition. "He's using both Gears at once…!"

Itachi watched Luffy's fight, smiled, and said, 'He will win!'"

Nami's eyes blazed with anger as she shouted, "You idiot! You're really worrying me like that!"

Franky's grin faltered for a moment before he exclaimed, "Whoa, that's Super!"

With a mighty roar, Luffy launched his enlarged body at Moria, the force of his attack so powerful that it caused Thriller Bark's massive mast to collapse. The impact struck Moria with the combined strength of both Gears, and the immense force caused him to spew out all the shadows he had absorbed.

The sun was now fully risen, and the Straw Hats began to burn under its harsh light. The Rolling Pirates screamed in panic as their bodies began to fade.

But at the last possible second, the shadows that Moria had stolen returned to their original owners. The crew's bodies solidified once more, the burning sensation vanishing as their shadows re-entered them.

Luffy collapsed to the ground, exhausted but victorious. The Rolling Pirates and the Straw Hats erupted into cheers, their voices ringing out across the battlefield.

Absalom, woken by Dr. Hogback, watched in disbelief from a distance. "We need to get out of here… now!" he whispered, as the realization of their defeat sank in.

Around the world, the people whose shadows had been stolen celebrated, their joy echoing across the seas. Thriller Bark had fallen, and the Straw Hats had once again defied the odds.

Luffy was exhausted, his body drained from the intense use of both Gear 4th and Gear 5th. He collapsed to the ground, his chest rising and falling with labored breaths. Nami's concern turned to worry as she rushed to his side, calling out his name in a frantic tone. "Luffy! Luffy!"

As she shook his shoulder, Luffy's eyes flickered open, but he was still asleep, his expression peaceful. Nami's worried face softened into a gentle smile as she gazed at him. Itachi, too, couldn't help but smile at the sight of their captain's exhaustion.

Robin's eyes sparkled with amusement as she chuckled. "I think he might need some meat to recover." She teased, earning a chuckle from the others.

Usopp nodded in agreement. "That's our captain for you." Sanji and Zoro stood by, grinning from ear to ear.

Brook, who had been playing his music in the background, suddenly stopped and let out a hearty "Yohohoho! I'm no longer just a ghost!" He looked down at himself, his skeleton face lighting up with excitement. "Wait, I'm a skeleton!"

Franky burst out laughing at the sight, his mechanical body shaking with mirth. "That's super!" The rest of the crew erupted into laughter, and even Itachi's stoic expression cracked into a small smile.

The atmosphere was filled with joy and camaraderie as the crew members laughed and joked together, their captain's exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the face of their collective happiness.

As the celebration of their hard-fought victory over Moria begins, the joyous atmosphere is abruptly shattered when Bartholomew Kuma, another Warlord of the Sea, suddenly appears. The Rolling Pirates and the Straw Hats freeze in their tracks, the sudden arrival of such a powerful enemy sending chills down their spines.

Itachi's piercing gaze, his narrow eyes fixed on the group, seemed to bore into their souls as he spoke in a low, even tone, "What are you doing here?" His words dripped with an air of menace, sending a shiver down the spines of those who dared to confront him.

Behind him, Robin's eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and wariness, her gaze flicking between Itachi and the other three members of the Straw Hat Pirates and to Kuma standing tall. Sanji and Zoro stood tall, their bodies tense and ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. Their faces were set in determined masks, their eyes locked on Kuma with a fierce intensity.

Meanwhile, Chopper and Ussop cowered behind the group, their eyes wide with fear as they trembled in anticipation of the impending battle. Nami, however, her eyes flashing with fear as she grasped the hand of her captain, Luffy. Franky and Brook stood beside them, their faces set in grim determination, their eyes fixed on Kuma with a mixture of anger and fear.

Kuma's presence is imposing as he coldly announces, "I have been ordered by the World Government to revive Moria and eliminate everyone who witnessed his defeat."

Before anyone can react, Kuma unleashes a devastating air blast, shaped like a paw, that takes out several Rolling Pirates in an instant. The Straw Hats watch in horror as Kuma teleports again, this time appearing directly in front of them.

The crew is shocked, exclaiming in disbelief, "He teleported!"

Itachi, observing Kuma's swift movement, thinks to himself, He is strong, I can say that much. But I still have chakra left. If things go south, I will handle him.

All the crew in the defensive position

Kuma locks eyes with Zoro and then shifts his gaze to Itachi. "I will start with you two," he declares, his voice cold and unyielding.

Zoro doesn't hesitate, drawing his swords, and Itachi, with his Sharingan active, launches an all-out attack on Kuma. Itachi fires a powerful fireball at Kuma, while Zoro charges in with his swords. But to the crew's dismay, Kuma effortlessly dodges the fireball and deflects every strike from Zoro with his Devil Fruit ability, the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi.

"How is he doing that?!" Nami gasps, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Itachi, analyzing the situation, says, "It's something about his Devil Fruit power. It's like cat palms..." Robin, in her thoughts, silently prays, Be safe, you two.

Itachi swiftly closed the distance between them, attacking with his kunai. His strike landed, leaving a shallow cut, but as he attempted to cast a genjutsu, he noticed with surprise that it had no effect. "Why didn't it work?" Itachi thought, his mind racing.

Meanwhile, Zoro was still locked in combat, his swords clashing against the opponent. Itachi suddenly realized the truth and shouted, "Zoro, I think this isn't the real Kuma!"

Zoro immediately backed off, joining Itachi's side. "I get it now. It feels like I'm fighting a pile of metal scraps," he said, nodding in agreement.

Itachi narrowed his eyes, "But how can he still use Devil Fruit powers?"

"Doesn't matter," Zoro replied, his gaze steely. "The only thing that matters is that we destroy it."

Kuma, overhearing their conversation, responded, "Itachi Uchiha, the 'Demon Eyes.' You're quite intelligent… more of a threat than I anticipated. But looking at you, you're at your limits."

Itachi's eyes blazed with determination. "As long as I'm breathing, this fight isn't over."

Zoro grinned, matching Itachi's resolve. "That's right. Our limits are set by ourselves. We'll push past them to defeat you."

Hearing this, the rest of the crew felt their spirits rise, and they all shouted in unison, "That's right!"

Kuma, unfazed, said, "Very well," and the battle resumed. Itachi engaged in hand-to-hand combat with his kunai, while Zoro attacked with his swords. Kuma, recognizing their coordination, flicked his hand, sending a powerful shockwave. Itachi managed to dodge, but Zoro was struck and sent flying.

Kuma then aimed a palm strike at Itachi, releasing a small but powerful blast toward him. The crew watched in horror as the attack seemed to hit its mark.

"Itachi!" Robin shouted in alarm, with Chopper and Usopp echoing her cry.

But as the smoke cleared, Itachi was revealed to be standing beside Zoro, unharmed. Kuma, slightly surprised, asked, "You teleported?"

Itachi shook his head. "No, I substituted," he replied, glancing at a burning log nearby. Both he and Zoro smirked, impressed with their teamwork.

Kuma nodded, impressed. "You have good judgment," he admitted.

Robin, watching from a distance, sighed in relief, though her worry lingered. "I know he's strong, but it still worries me," she thought to herself.

But from aside Franky, Angry, charges at Kuma, underestimating the Warlord's abilities. "You will pay for this" he shouts, only to be taken out by a single, crushing blow from Kuma.

Sanji and Usopp are shocked, desperate to help Zoro and Itachi. They leap into the battle, but their attacks do nothing to faze Kuma. Itachi, seeing the danger, shouts, "Don't come, you guys!" He narrows his eyes, sensing the overwhelming power radiating from Kuma. It's clear that this is no ordinary fight.

"This isn't good," Itachi mutters to himself, stepping forward. "He's far too strong for conventional attacks."

Kuma, unimpressed by the Straw Hats' efforts, begins compressing the air around him into a paw-shaped balloon, creating a small but immensely powerful bomb. "I can let you live," Kuma says, his voice cold and devoid of emotion, "if you surrender Luffy to the World Government."

The crew's response is immediate and unified. "NEVER!" they shout in unison, defiance burning in their eyes.

Kuma merely sighs. "What a pity," he says, and launches the bomb.

The explosion tore through Thriller Bark, sending debris flying and reducing much of the ship to rubble. As the dust and smoke began to settle, the crew witnessed something extraordinary—Itachi standing within a half-formed Susanoo. The towering figure, with its red armor, sword, and shield, protected the crew from the blast, forming an impenetrable barrier around them.

Robin, opening her eyes, looked around in awe. The red Susanoo shimmered with power, and beside it stood Itachi, his expression serious but calm. Usopp, Chopper, Sanji, Nami, and the unconscious Franky and Brook were all safely inside the protective Susanoo.

Usopp, wide-eyed, exclaimed, "So this is what it feels like inside a Sasuno!"

Itachi, still focused on the battle, corrected him, "It's Susanoo."

Chopper's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Wow, that's so cool!"

Brook, though shaken, asked seriously, "Itachi, you have such power... What is your Devil Fruit ability?"

Itachi, his voice strained but steady, replied, "I'll explain later." His gaze shifted to Luffy, who was still unconscious nearby. "Nami, we have to protect our captain."

Nami nodded, her resolve firm despite the situation. "Right."

However, as powerful as Susanoo was, Itachi was struggling. He could feel the toll on his body and mind, thinking to himself, I've used so much chakra… His vision blurred slightly, and he glanced at Zoro, who, despite everything, was still standing, his swords at the ready.

Zoro met Itachi's gaze and immediately understood. Itachi was nearing his limit, the strain of maintaining the Susanoo evident in his eyes. Zoro thought to himself, He's at his limit. I don't think he can stand for much longer.

But Zoro simply tightened his grip on his swords, silently communicating to Itachi that he was ready to carry the burden if needed. The bond between them, forged through battle, was clear. They would protect their crew and their captain, no matter the cost.

Despite his exhaustion, Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan continued to spin, its intense focus a testament to his unwavering determination. As Robin held him tightly, she whispered, "Zoro...", her voice laced with worry and concern. Meanwhile, Zoro, despite his severe injuries, managed to launch a surprise attack on Kuma, his sword slicing into the cyborg's shoulder and revealing the metallic Pacifista modifications underneath. However, the attack only enraged Kuma, who effortlessly overpowered Zoro, leaving him on the brink of death.

As Itachi beheld the scene, his eyes bleeding from the strain, he unleashed his Amaterasu, unleashing a torrent of black flames that engulfed Kuma. But Kuma dodged the attack with ease, countering with a powerful punch aimed at Susanoo. The impact was tremendous, yet Susanoo remained intact, albeit at the cost of Itachi's visibly declining vitality.

Confronted with the prospect of imminent defeat, Zoro gritted his teeth in a desperate bid to spare Luffy's life. "Take my life instead of Luffy's," he begged, his voice strained with pain and unwavering determination.

The entire crew watched in horror as Ussop exclaimed, "Zoro...!", while Robin's eyes widened in shock. "What are you saying, Zoro?" she asked, her voice trembling with concern.

Just as she was about to move to intervene, Itachi swiftly stopped her. "No," he said firmly, his voice laced with a sense of duty. "I will do anything to protect my captain," he declared, his eyes burning with an unyielding resolve.

Robin protested, trying to free her hand from Itachi's grasp. "Let me go!" she demanded, her voice filled with anguish. But Itachi was resolute, applying a neck-chop to render her unconscious.

As he stood up, holding Robin's limp form, he addressed Chopper: "Chooper, protect her." Chopper nodded hastily and asked, "What are you going to do?"

Itachi moves toward him, protesting, "I will do it take mine"

Sanji, barely able to stand, staggers over and interrupts. "No, take mine instead!" he insists, willing to sacrifice himself for his captain.

But Zoro knocks Sanji out cold and pushes Itachi away, determined to sacrifice himself. Kuma, intrigued by Zoro's loyalty and resolve, agrees to his request. Using his Devil Fruit powers, Kuma projects all of Luffy's accumulated pain and fatigue onto Zoro, a transfer that nearly kills the swordsman.

Itachi, witnessing Zoro's act of sacrifice, widened his eyes in shock. "Zoro...!" He stood up, determination flashing in his eyes as he prepared to unleash one final Amaterasu. With every ounce of strength he had left, he channeled the black flames, aiming them at the fake Kuma. The flames consumed the prototype entirely, reducing it to ashes in an instant, leaving nothing behind.

The real Kuma, watching from a distance, silently left Thriller Bark. He paused briefly, looking back at the devastation and murmured to himself, "Dragon has raised a good son with a fine crew." With that, he teleported away, leaving the island behind.

Itachi, his body nearly at its limit, deactivated his Sharingan and moved to Zoro's side. The sight of Zoro, covered in blood yet still standing, left him speechless. He knelt beside Zoro, saying nothing. The silence between them spoke volumes, as Zoro understood Itachi's unspoken words. He stood still, enduring the pain, while Itachi's eyes bled from the strain of overusing his Mangekyo Sharingan.

When some of the crew members finally regained consciousness, they were bewildered to find Luffy completely healed. His usual exuberance returned, much to their confusion.

Nami, relieved but puzzled, asked, "Luffy, you're okay?"

Luffy, grinning widely, began to dance around. "Yeah, I'm fine! I feel so light, like nothing happened at all!"

Chopper, who was with Robin and Franky, noticed something off. Robin suddenly stood up, her eyes darting around in alarm. "Where are Itachi and Zoro?" she demanded.

Usopp, with a heavy heart and tears brimming in his eyes, replied, "Zoro... Zoro took all of Luffy's pain. And Itachi... he burned that machine to ashes."

The crew's eyes widened in shock, the weight of the situation sinking in. Robin's hand trembled as she clutched her neck, pain evident in her eyes. "Why did he do it alone?" she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

Chopper, looking solemn, explained, "Itachi... he knocked you out, Robin. He didn't want you to get involved. He did it to protect you."

Robin's shoulders shook as she held back tears.

Sanji, regaining his senses, frantically searches for Zoro, and eventually finds him standing alone amidst the ruins. Zoro is alive, but his blood is splattered across the ground in a wide radius. Itachi is sitting beside him, covering his eyes as he tries to regain his composure. The sight leaves Sanji speechless.

Sanji rushes over, concern etched on his face. "Zoro, Itachi! What happened? Are you alright?"

Zoro, barely able to stand, looks at Sanji with a calm, stoic expression. "Nothing... happened," he mutters before collapsing.

The rest of the crew gathers around, shock and horror evident on their faces. Usopp's eyes widen in disbelief. "Nothing? Zoro, you are covered in blood?!"

Nami, on the verge of tears, can't believe what she's seeing. "Zoro, you're covered in blood... You nearly died for us."

Chopper, his medical instincts kicking in, rushes to Zoro's side. "Zoro, you need treatment immediately! You can't just brush this off!"

Robin's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and concern, her lips parting to speak, but Itachi's words cut her off. "What's done is done, now we can't do anything," he said, his tone firm and resolute.

Luffy, watching the scene unfold, spoke up with a voice tinged with apology. "I'm sorry, guys," he said, his eyes filled with a hint of sadness.

Itachi's expression softened, and he smiled wryly. "Don't worry about it, Luffy," he said, his voice gentle. "You're our captain, and it's our duty to protect you." He stood up, holding Robin's limp form, and gazed at the crew.

"Let's go back to our ship," he said, his tone commanding. "Chopper will help you, Zoro." Chopper nodded hastily, his eyes fixed on Zoro's battered form. The crew members nodded

The morning sun cast a warm glow over Thriller Bark as the Straw Hat Pirates gathered in the courtyard for a much-needed celebration. The air was filled with laughter, the clinking of mugs, and the smell of Sanji's cooking. Everyone was in high spirits, except for two figures missing from the lively scene—Zoro and Itachi.

As the crew enjoyed the feast, Brook found a piano tucked away in a corner. His bony fingers glided over the keys, playing a tune that stirred something deep within them all. It was "Binks' Sake," a song that every pirate worth their salt knew by heart. Luffy and Robin exchanged glances, the familiar melody pulling them back to memories of the sea.

As Zoro lay in bed, covered in bandages from head to toe, Itachi stood beside him, his expression serious. "Why did you decide to take on Luffy's pain like that?" Itachi asked quietly, his eyes studying Zoro.

Zoro, his voice calm but resolute, replied, "I don't think there was any other way." He glanced at Itachi, a hint of exhaustion in his gaze. "I have something to give you, but not now."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Zoro just smirked slightly and said, "You'll understand when the time comes." With that, Zoro nodded and closed his eyes, finally allowing himself to rest.

Itachi watched him for a moment longer before turning and leaving the room. As he walked through the corridors of Thriller Bark, the sound of a piano playing a familiar tune reached his ears. Drawn by the melody, he made his way to the courtyard, where Brook was playing "Binks' Sake," the song of the pirates of old.

He approached Robin, who was sitting alone, her face a mixture of anger and sadness. When she saw Itachi, she turned away, her anger evident. "Do whatever you want," she muttered when he asked if he could sit beside her.

Itachi sighed as he sat down next to her. The music filled the silence between them until Itachi finally spoke. "Are you angry?"

Robin's expression turned fierce, a tick mark of irritation appearing on her forehead. "Of course I am! What do you...?"

Before she could finish, Itachi interrupted, his voice soft and sincere. "I'm sorry."

Robin's anger wavered, replaced by a sad, questioning look. "Why did you do it? Why did you stop me?"

Itachi's gaze softened as he looked at her. "I didn't want you to get involved. I know you were trying to protect Luffy, but... I don't want to see you in Zoro's place." His voice carried a weight of concern that made Robin's anger dissipate.

Robin's shoulders relaxed as she remembered the neck-chop that had knocked her out. "But that neck-chop really hurt, you know."

Itachi bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry," he repeated, his apology genuine.

Before the conversation could continue, Sanji arrived, carrying a plate of food. "Here, Itachi. Eat up."

Itachi nodded in thanks and began eating. Robin watched him for a moment before asking, "How is Zoro?"

"He's okay," Itachi replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Still in pain, but I have a lot of respect for him. What he did... it's no small thing."

Robin nodded in agreement. "I know." She hesitated, itachi then continue, "And for you as well."

Robin looked at her, surprised. "For me?"

Itachi nodded nodded. "Someone like you, with such a dark past... I know it's not easy to find peace within yourself."

Robin held back some tears, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Time... sometimes changes people."

Itachi turned to look at her, his expression pensive. He then gazed up at the sky, his voice carrying the weight of his experiences. "Time doesn't change anything; it just teaches you to live with the pain."

Robin's eyes widened at his words, a deep understanding and sadness reflected in her gaze as she looked at Itachi. There was a silence between them, filled with unspoken thoughts and shared burdens before she could respond, a loud voice interrupted them.

"You idiot!" Nami's voice rang out as she smacked Luffy on the head for eating all the food. Luffy, in his usual carefree manner, laughed it off, but Itachi's plate was also empty now, thanks to Luffy's antics.

Robin couldn't help but giggle at the scene, and Itachi smiled too. "Sanji, can I have some extra food?" he asked, glancing at his empty plate.

"Sure thing," Sanji replied, though his cheerful demeanor quickly turned into irritation when he saw how close Robin was sitting to Itachi. "Hey, you bastard! Stay away from my Robin-chan!"

Itachi sweatdropped at Sanji's outburst, while Usopp and some of the Rolling Pirates joined in on the fun, enjoying the music and the lively atmosphere.

Usopp, ever the storyteller, began boasting, "My crew's got the best fighters in the Seven Seas! I've got 8,000 seasoned killers ready to take on any rival pirate!"

Some of the Rolling Pirates gasped in awe. "Wow, so cool!" they exclaimed.

Itachi sighed at Usopp's exaggerations, but he couldn't help but smile at the camaraderie around him. Meanwhile, Luffy turned to Brook with a wide grin. "So, Brook, will you join our crew?"

Nami, looking surprised, remarked, "That came out of nowhere, Luffy."

Luffy just laughed. "I just realized it! Shishishi!"

Brook, touched by the invitation, sealed the Tone Dial back inside his skull and pulled out his wanted poster. "Humming Brook, with a bounty of 33,000,000 berries, at your service! I pledge my life to you, Captain Luffy!"

The crew erupted in cheers, welcoming Brook as one of their own. After a while, Luffy, still smiling, asked, "You said you were friends with Laboon, right?"

Brook nodded, his voice thick with emotion as he began to recount the story. "Laboon followed us all the way to the Grand Line... But we knew it was too dangerous for him, so we tried to leave him behind... but he wouldn't go. We left him at Twin Capes, promising to return..."

Brook's voice faltered as the painful memories resurfaced. "But... we never did. Our captain, Yorki, fell ill, and so did many of our crew. We tried to escape through the Calm Belt, but..." His voice broke. "They didn't make it."

In a moment of silent reverence, Brook pulled out a Tone Dial from his skull. "This... this contains the last song we ever played together. The song we performed just before the end."

He pressed the Dial, and the hauntingly beautiful melody filled the air. The Straw Hats and the Rolling Pirates listened, their hearts heavy with the weight of Brook's sorrow. As the song played, Brook's mind drifted back to those final moments—the Rumbar Pirates dwindling from a band, to a quartet, a trio, a duet, and finally, just him. The memory of Laboon kept him going until the very end.

When the music faded, Brook wiped away his tears and straightened his spine. "I still have the pride of a pirate," he declared, his voice resolute. "I'll meet Laboon again from the front, as I promised."

Luffy assured us that we will meet him, and I promise you that," Brook said, smiling. "Thank you, Luffy," Brook added, his smile growing wider.

The rest of the crew members, including Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Nami, and Franky, all smiled at Luffy's words.

Itachi, who was listening to the story, couldn't help but smile at the scene.

Two days passed, and the mood on the ship shifted from somber to determined. Usopp and Franky had erected a grave in the cemetery for Brook's fallen crew, a symbol of their respect for the pirate musician's past. Zoro, finally awake, joined Brook at the grave. Itachi observed them from a distance, his gaze thoughtful as they buried Yubashiri alongside the fallen Rumbar Pirates.

Zoro turned to Brook, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "So, you're our new musician, huh? We'll take good care of you."

Brook bowed deeply. "I'm honored to be part of such a fine crew."

As Itachi entered the room, he commented, "It's good that our crew is growing." Zoro looked up from where he was sitting and smirked, "Ah, Itachi, come and join us." Itachi smiled and took a seat next to him.

Brook, curious about Itachi's abilities, asked, "So, tell me, what are your Devil Fruit powers?"

Itachi shook his head and replied, "It's not Devil Fruit power. It's a power passed down in our clan."

Brook's eyes widened in surprise. "I've never heard of that before."

"It's a long story," Itachi said, his voice calm. "I'll explain it later."

Brook nodded, understanding that there were some things that needed time to be shared.

Later, as the crew got ready to set sail, Luffy, bursting with excitement, shouted, "Let's go to Fish-Man Island!"

Everyone was thrilled, preparing the ship for the journey ahead. As they sailed on, Itachi stood at the deck, gazing out at the sea. He noticed Luffy sitting at the edge of the deck, a bright light catching his attention from Luffy's back pocket.

"Luffy, what's that thing in your pocket?" Itachi asked, curious.

Luffy looked at his pocket and suddenly remembered the piece of paper Ace had given him back in Arabasta. His eyes widened as he saw that it was getting smaller and burning.

The crew gathered around, concern etched on their faces. Robin, with a serious tone, asked, "That's Ace's Vivre Card, isn't it?"

Luffy nodded, a frown forming on his usually cheerful face. Robin explained, "This means Ace's life is in danger."

The crew members looked at each other in shock. Zoro was the first to speak up, "Shall we go protect him?"

Luffy, though visibly concerned, shook his head. "No, Ace can handle himself. The next time we meet, we'll be rival pirates."

Itachi, watching Luffy's resolve, couldn't help but be reminded of Sasuke. He looked upward, lost in thought, wondering what his brother was doing at that moment.

Robin noticed his distraction and quietly moved closer. She whispered softly, "How are your eyes?"

Itachi glanced at her, offering a small smile. "They're fine, as usual."

Robin returned the smile, a silent understanding passing between them as they sailed toward their next adventure.

Meanwhile, aboard a different ship, a pirate with yellow hair and a relaxed demeanor walked into the cabin, holding a wanted poster. "Oyaji, take a look at this new member, yoi. His name is Itachi Uchiha, Demon-Eyes," he said, handing the poster over.

The man he addressed, sitting in a large chair, turned his attention to the poster. His eyes gleamed with curiosity as he examined it. The image depicted Itachi with his Susano'o, an aura of power radiating from the figure. The man laughed heartily, his deep voice echoing through the cabin. "Gurararara! That's interesting for a newcomer to have a bounty of 100 million right from the start, Marco."

Marco nodded, confirming, "Yes, Oyaji."

The man, none other than Whitebeard himself, smirked with a knowing look. "I can tell the new generation of pirates is very different. This Itachi Uchiha… he'll grow much stronger."

In another part of the world, a figure sprinted through the hallways of a grand ship, finally bursting into a room where a man with red hair lay dozing. "Shanks, look at these posters!" the newcomer exclaimed.

Shanks, slightly stirring from his rest, moved the straw hat from his face and opened one eye. "Who is it?" he asked, his voice lazy but curious.

The excited crewmate handed over the posters, and Shanks took them, scanning through with a growing smile. "Straw Hat Luffy," he muttered, his grin widening. "Luffy…"

As he continued to look through the posters, one caught his attention more than the others. "Itachi Uchiha, Demon-Eyes, 100 million berries," he read aloud, his smile softening into one of quiet approval. "He's doing well."

Shanks leaned back, placing the posters on a nearby table, the pride in his eyes unmistakable as he thought about the up-and-coming generation of pirates, each carving their own path in the vast seas.

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