Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

In the underground water tunnel leading toward the Gates of Justice, the Straw Hats ran for their lives as floods of water closed in on them.

"Hey, who are those guys in the distance!?" Usopp shouted, eyes widening as he spotted three figures ahead.

"Isn't that…Kokoro, Chimney, and Gonbe!? How the hell did they get here!?" Ryomen yelled in disbelief.

The two, along with their rabbit, finally noticed the boys sprinting toward them.

"Hey! We slipped by while you were fighting!" Chimney waved with a grin.

"Took you some time—uh, what's that?" Kokoro chuckled before her eyes narrowed.

"RUN AWAY!!" The boys screamed in unison, sweat dripping down their faces.

"Whaaa!!" Chimney's voice cracked as she spotted the water barreling toward them.

"What did you idiots do!?" Kokoro snapped, scooping up Chimney and Gonbe before taking off at a surprising speed.

"Everybody makes mistakes once in a while!" Ryomen called back, his voice strained.

"NOT MISTAKES THAT KILL US!!" Usopp flailed his arms in panic.

"I'm sorry, alright!?" Ryomen shot back.

"Ahaha!! We're gonna die….!!" Chimney wailed.

They pushed their bodies to the limit, but their wounds slowed them down. One by one, the flood overtook them.

"Shit—ghh…" Zoro cursed before the water swallowed him whole.

"Zoro/Moss head!!" The others screamed, but there was no time to stop.

Usopp, Sanji, Gonbe, Chimney, and Kokoro—gone.

Ryomen's breath caught in his throat. His heartbeat pounded in his ears as the horror of what he had done sank in.

"Ryomen!" Luffy's voice rang out. Ryomen turned just in time to see him get caught by the tide.

"Luffy!" Ryomen lunged forward, grabbing his wrist—only for the force of the current to pull them both under.

Immediately his limbs felt weak, sluggish. The moment his body hit the water, it was like every ounce of his strength had been stripped away..

'This is…my fault…'

Darkness closed in, his lungs burned for air, and his grip on consciousness wavered.

Then—

"It seems I'll have to save you all. Nga ga ga!"

A voice, distorted by water.

Something grabbed him, then the current blurred past at an impossible speed.

…

"Hey, are you good?"

Ryomen's eyes cracked open after he felt something press against his lips. His body jolted, instinctively coughing up water.

"Ughh…" He groaned, blinking to erase the fogginess.

"Nice, everyone's awake now!" Franky's loud voice rang in his ears.

Ryomen turned, groggy and disoriented. "What…?"

He glanced around, spotting the others already awake nearby.

"Are you alright? You nearly drowned."

Robin's voice. He turned to see her watching him, concern in her eyes.

"Yeah…" He exhaled before putting a finger to his lips, his brows furrowing. "…What did you do?"

"What do you mean? I saved you!"

Ryomen's face paled. He turned his head ever so slowly, locking eyes with Franky.

"You…" His stomach churned.

Franky grinned. "What? You don't look grateful."

Ryomen's fingers twitched. "…Tell me you didn't—"

Robin couldn't help but laugh at his reaction.

"Stop fooling around!"

A bo staff whacked Franky over the head.

"Nami!?" Ryomen gawked as she appeared from behind him. "How are you here!?"

"Me, Chopper, and the others managed to steal a ship and then came to find you." She said, hands on her hips. Then her expression darkened. "More importantly—WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING DESTROYING THE UNDERWATER TUNNEL!?"

Ryomen flinched, averting his gaze. "…I don't know what happened with me." His voice was quieter, more subdued.

Nami let out a long sigh. "Well…at least everyone's fine."

Ryomen didn't respond immediately. His gaze drifted around the bridge they were on.

A little further away, the boys seemed to be ending a heated discussion with Kokoro. Sanji was already on his knees, despair written all over his face.

Beyond them, the endless sea stretched into the horizon. But in the distance, battleships approached—dozens of them, their dark silhouettes cutting through the water.

"The Buster Call…" Ryomen muttered before glancing toward Robin.

"How do you feel?" He asked, his tone softer.

Robin remained silent for a moment, clenching her fist. "I'm alright...this time, it can be different." She exclaimed, determination laced in her voice.

Ryomen smirked. "Damn right. No one's stopping us."

"Yeah, well, we better hurry." Franky crossed his arms. "The only reason they're not firing yet is 'cause they need Nico Robin. But soon, they'll switch to close combat."

"The others are setting up an escape ship for us!" Nami added. "We have to get to the meeting point!"

Ryomen exhaled sharply. "Then let's move."

…

"Heeey!!" In the distance, Paulie and his friends waved to the Straw Hats. "Hurry up, you guys!!"

Beside their ship, a smaller Marine vessel lay in wait, prepared for their escape.

"Big bro!! We came to save you!!" The Franky Family shouted, tears streaming down their faces.

"You idiots! Are you alright!?" Franky yelled back, just as emotional.

Meanwhile, the Water Seven residents helped Kokoro, Chimney, and Gonbe onto the deck of their ship.

"Phew! That was close!" Chimney huffed.

"Nga ga ga! 'Close' doesn't even begin to cover it!" Kokoro laughed.

"C'mon, big bro!" The henchmen beckoned to Franky.

"Straw Hats! You can come with us if you want!" Paulie called out. "If not, the other ship is ready for you! Then you can go wherever you wish!"

"Thanks! But we'll be fine!" Luffy grinned.

"Go on ahead! We'll meet back in Water Seven!" Nami instructed.

"Let's go already! The warships are closing in!" Usopp urged.

"Yeah, we should hurry." Franky nodded, casting a glance at the Straw Hats.

"Good luck, you guys!" He grinned.

"You too, Franky—" Ryomen started, but his words died in his throat. His eyes widened as a blur of movement cut through the air, faster than anyone could track.

Before they could react, a devastating force tore through the escape ship, splintering its hull into countless fragments. The explosion of wood and water sent shockwaves in all directions.

"Wha—WHAT THE HELL!?" Sanji threw his arms up as debris flew past him.

Everyone turned in shock.

Amidst the wreckage, a lone figure landed lightly—Toji Fushiguro.

His presence alone sent a wave of pressure over them, despite the air of indifference he carried. His piercing gaze swept over the group, his lips curving into an amused smirk.

"Why so eager to leave?" He began to spin a three section staff in his hands. "I told you we'd meet on the other side."

"The hell was that for!?" Franky shouted, fury burning in his eyes.

Toji tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening.

"Just a little housecleaning." He said casually.

"What do you want?" Ryomen demanded, his body tense, instincts screaming that a fight was inevitable.

"What I want…?" Toji repeated, before his grin sharpened. "You."

Ryomen stiffened.

"Now that I'm done with CP9, you're the only one left."

"Why are you after me?" Ryomen asked, though he already had a suspicion.

"Does it really matter?" Toji sighed as if bored.

"You bastard! We were gonna use that ship!!" Luffy yelled, pointing angrily at him.

Toji barely spared him a glance. "You can still leave. I've got no business with you." He gestured lazily toward the remaining ship.

"Like hell we're leaving!" Luffy scoffed.

"I never pass up a fight." Zoro smirked, unsheathing his swords.

"You destroyed our ride! No way I'm letting that slide!" Nami snapped, though she subtly stepped in front of Ryomen, as if shielding him.

"We've just been reunited—we're not splitting up again." Robin said, crossing her arms, ready to use her Devil Fruit.

"If Nami and Robin stay, then I'm all in!" Sanji declared, fire in his gaze.

"We won't let you do as you please!" Chopper growled, shifting into Heavy Point.

"Clearly I can't leave alone, so I might as well fight!" Usopp readied his Kabuto.

"Don't mind if I join in." Franky cracked his knuckles with a grin.

Ryomen stared at them, eyes wide. Even after all the reckless trouble he'd caused, they still stood beside him.

"So you're staying to fight, huh?" Toji murmured. Then his grin turned feral.

"Good."

With a flick of his wrist, he struck the hull of the remaining ship—the one carrying the Franky Family and shipwrights. The impact sent it drifting helplessly out to sea.

"BIG BROOOO!!" The Franky Family wailed as they were pushed farther away.

Paulie desperately launched ropes toward the dock, but before they could secure a grip–

SHRRK!

Toji's three-headed weapon, Playful Cloud, destroyed the ropes effortlessly.

"Shit!" Paulie cursed. "Straw Hats!! We'll try to turn around! Be on the lookout!"

"Don't be stupid! The warships are getting closer!" Franky shouted.

"You guys go on ahead!" Luffy called out, his expression serious as he stared down Toji.

"This ain't good…" Kokoro muttered, taking a swig from a bottle.

"Be careful!!" Chimney waved worriedly.

Toji chuckled. "Alright, I think I've kept you waiting long enough."

Ryomen narrowed his eyes, stepping forward.

"Be careful." He warned. "This guy's dangerous."

The moment Toji's smirk widened, the atmosphere shifted.

Then he moved.

Ryomen barely had time to react before a fist slammed into his gut.

The force sent him skidding backward, feet carving deep trenches into the ground. His breath hitched—the man in front of him wasn't just strong, he was on another level.

"Tch!" Zoro lunged in, swords flashing, aiming for Toji's exposed side.

CLANG!

Toji blocked with Playful Cloud, the three-pronged staff intercepting all three blades in one swift motion. Zoro's muscles strained—he had stopped his attack so casually!?

"Not bad." Toji mused. Then he twisted his wrist.

BOOM!

Zoro was launched backward, crashing against the ground with a grunt.

"Damn it—!" Sanji was already mid-air, leg arcing down in a powerful axe-kick.

Toji dodged at the last second, but Sanji twisted, adjusting mid-motion, and snapped his foot toward Toji's ribs.

The impact connected—but Toji barely budged. His abs tensed as if absorbing the force.

Sanji's eyes widened as Toji caught his ankle mid-strike.

"Nice kick." Toji grinned. Then he swung Sanji like a ragdoll, smashing him into the ground.

"Damn it!!" Nami gazed in concern at her crewmates, before quickly taking out her Clima Tact.

Usopp fired a Flame Star, but Toji ducked effortlessly, the projectile whizzing over his shoulder. Robin tried to entangle him with her Cien Fleur, but before her arms could fully form Toji flicked his weapon.

Her extra limbs shattered like glass under the sheer impact.

"Huh?" Robin's eyes widened. 'He destroyed them!?'

Chopper roared, shifting into Arm Point, muscles bulging as he threw a punch.

Toji sidestepped, but Chopper anticipated it—his fist curved mid-motion, homing in on Toji's face.

But Toji leaned just enough for the fist to graze past his cheek. In that instant, he lashed out with his elbow.

Chopper was sent flying, rolling across the bridge.

"Shit…!" Franky gritted his teeth. He reared back, arms shifting into cannons.

"Strong Right!!"

His mechanical fist rocketed toward Toji, but the man simply caught it with one hand.

Franky's jaw dropped.

"The hell—!?"

Toji pulled with insane strength, yanking Franky off his feet before slamming a knee into his chest. The shipwright wheezed, spit flying from his mouth as he crumpled.

"Damn it!" Ryomen gritted his teeth. He clenched his fists, cursed energy flaring around him.

Toji's gaze snapped toward him. "There it is."

Then he vanished.

'BEHIND ME!?'

Ryomen spun, but a knee crashed into his ribs.

"Gah—!" Ryomen spat blood as he flew across, slamming into the ground with a sickening crack.

Toji landed smoothly, rolling his shoulders. "Tougher than I expected. But you're still just a brat."

Luffy's fist clenched.

"…You bastard."

He disappeared.

Toji's eyes flicked up just in time to see Luffy above him, stretching his leg back.

"GOMU GOMU NO…STORM!!"

Luffy unleashed a flurry of rapid-fire punches and kicks, each strike blurring into the next. The sheer speed was overwhelming—Toji was forced on the defensive, twisting and weaving between the blows.

For the first time, he was pushed back.

Luffy's assault was relentless, a hurricane of attacks raining down with earth-shattering force.

Toji's smirk widened.

Then he swung Playful Cloud.

The sheer force of the impact shattered the ground beneath them. Luffy was blasted backward.

But instead of staying down, he bounced back instantly.

His arms cocked back.

His eyes burned.

"Second Gear."

Steam exploded from his body.

Toji exhaled softly, eyes glinting with intrigue.

"Gomu Gomu no…Jet Gatling!!"

Luffy blurred, fists launching in rapid succession. The sheer speed made it seem as though a storm of blows rained down on Toji.

Yet, he sidestepped each strike with ease. Then—

He vanished.

Luffy barely registered the movement before Playful Cloud came crashing down.

WHAM!

A sickening crunch echoed as Luffy coughed up blood from the impact, his body buckling under the force. But he gritted his teeth, refusing to fall.

His eyes darted to Nami, standing nearby with her Clima-Tact poised.

"Gomu Gomu no…Net!!"

Luffy lunged, arms and legs stretching, wrapping tightly around Toji's frame like a binding net.

"Hm?" Toji arched a brow—then noticed Nami's Clima-Tact glowing.

"Thunderbolt Tempo!!"

A massive storm cloud above them crackled, releasing a cascade of lightning bolts.

Electricity surged, illuminating the battlefield in a flash of blinding white. Thunder roared as the explosive force rattled the bridge.

For a moment, hope flickered in their eyes.

Then—

Through the dissipating smoke, a voice cut through.

"Is this really everything you've got?"

Toji stood amidst the scorched ground, completely unscathed.

Before Luffy could react, Toji swung.

Luffy's body slammed into the floor with enough force to crack it. He let out a strangled gasp, eyes rolling back from the impact.

Toji exhaled, setting his sights on Nami.

Her breath hitched.

"He can't hurt me, he can't hurt me…" She whispered, trying to convince herself.

But as soon as Toji moved, she felt it—his presence rushing toward her like a hurricane.

Her body froze.

Despite her Observation Haki, despite knowing exactly where he was coming from, there was no way she could dodge.

Desperately, she raised her Clima-Tact in front of her like a shield, squeezing her eyes shut.

The attack never came.

Instead—

The air shook.

"BLACK FLASH!!"

Black and red sparks exploded between them as a fist collided with Toji's ribs, nearly hurling him into the sea.

Toji's eyes widened, a flash of genuine surprise flickering across his face.

Nami's own eyes snapped open.

Before her stood Ryomen.

"You okay?" He asked without looking back, his voice steady.

Nami let out a shaky breath. "Y-Yeah… Thanks." Her legs nearly gave out rrom the shock.

Ryomen took a step forward. "You guys stay back."

Toji pushed himself upright, rolling his shoulders. His fingers brushed his lips, feeling a thin streak of blood.

A grin stretched across his face.

"If I hadn't used Armament Haki…that might've actually hurt."

His gaze flicked to Ryomen, studying him.

Despite the wounds marring his body, despite the fatigue clawing at him—

Right now, standing there, eyes cold and unwavering…

Ryomen looked stronger than ever before.