Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

As waves crashed, destroying the lower parts of Water Seven, the crew stared at Paulie, their stares unwavering.

"I can't lend you a ship." Paulie said, shaking his head.

"Then a sea train! Is one leaving?!" Luffy asked, urgency in his voice.

"The Puffing Tom is the only sea train in the world. It's already a miracle it exists." Paulie exclaimed.

"But there has to be something that can get us to Enies Lobby!" Ryomen insisted.

"Just quit while you're ahead! You've seen the waves!" Paulie shouted, echoed by the other shipwrights.

"On this ocean, even the biggest galleon would be shattered in one blow. We can't send you to your deaths!" He continued.

"Wait until morning…when the storm will pass."

"If we do that…will we be able to do what we set out for?!" Nami questioned, her tone sharp.

"Enies Lobby…isn't it the location of the Gates of Justice?"

"What's that?" Zoro asked, confused like the others.

"A death sentence." Ryomen replied grimly.

Nami nodded, her expression serious. "Beyond those gates, all that waits is either the Navy Headquarters or Impel Down, an underwater prison."

Ryomen's fists clenched. "She has a bounty on her head. By tomorrow, Robin may never be seen again!"

"Even so…you're pirates." Paulie responded calmly. "Do you truly want to pick a fight with the very heart of the World Government?"

The Straw Hats remained silent, the shipwrights chiming in to dissuade them further.

"If you're so against it, then we'll have to steal a ship!" Luffy declared, preparing for a fight. "We're setting sail now!"

The others stepped forward, mirroring his determination.

"If you truly wish to stop us, then you should know the consequences!" Ryomen's brows furrowed.

"Letting such injustice slide from the supposed protectors of the people—it's not something I can allow!" Sogeking exclaimed, Kabuto ready in hand.

"We're not afraid to hurt you…" Zoro drew his sword, his gaze cold.

"But if we could avoid it…" Chopper added, readying his antlers.

"Just let us choose our own deaths!" Nami declared, her Clima-Tact in hand.

The shipwrights looked on in shock.

"Wha—!"

"They're really gonna do it!"

"Just get out of our way!!" The Straw Hats shouted, ready to fight.

Paulie scoffed, gripping his ropes. "Then I'll take you on myself!"

"Hold it right there!" Kokoro suddenly shouted, silencing everyone.

"You kids…if you're so eager to rush to your ends, then come with me. I'll send you on a sea train." She took a long sip from her bottle.

…

Far out at sea, a train barreled toward Enies Lobby.

Inside, Sanji bulldozed his way through the sixth and seventh cars, World Government agents lying bloody and beaten in his wake.

As he entered the fifth car, a man rushed at him from behind, blade in hand.

Sanji sidestepped effortlessly and, without looking, kicked the attacker square in the chin, sending him flying through the roof.

"That should be all for now." Sanji muttered, brushing off his suit.

"Who the hell are you?!" A loud voice barked.

Sanji turned, spotting a strange man tied up in the corner.

"Hm? Who're you?" Sanji asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

"I'm the other side of Water Seven—the dismantler, Franky!" The man exclaimed.

Sanji's eyes narrowed. "So you're Franky, huh? You jerk!" He kicked Franky in the side. "How could you do that to our long nose?! How many pieces do you want to get sliced into?!"

"You bastard!" Franky shouted. "You better watch out when these ropes come off!"

They glared at each other in silence before Franky spoke again.

"Hey, brother, actually, this isn't the time for arguing. I'm begging you, untie these ropes!"

"As if I'd untie you! Stay tied up for life, you bottom feeder!" Sanji retorted.

"Why you—someone humbly asks for help, and you get all arrogant!"

As they bickered, neither knew that a figure from the next car started to be aware of their presence.

…

Back in Water Seven, the crew, minus Nami, stood before a brick warehouse tucked behind a garbage dump.

"This warehouse has been neglected for eight years." Kokoro said, gesturing at the doors. "The sea train itself hasn't been touched in twelve years. It might not even work, nga ga ga!"

"It better!" Luffy replied firmly.

Inside, a train with a shark-shaped prow loomed in the dim light.

"We call it Rocket-man. There's no way we could let passengers on this one—it's a runaway sea train." Kokoro explained, taking another sip from her bottle.

"It looks fast!" Luffy and Chopper's eyes turned into stars.

"That's good. We'll get there even faster." Ryomen nodded approvingly.

"If it works…" Zoro mumbled.

"If it doesn't, we'll make it work!" Sogeking crossed his arms with determination.

As they inspected the train, Iceberg stepped out from inside.

"Ice guy!" Luffy shouted in surprise.

Iceberg gave them a solemn nod. "I'm glad you're all okay. Did she bring you here?"

Kokoro chuckled. "Looks like you survived, eh, Iceberg? What are you doing here?"

"i'm sure we're thinking the same thing. I couldn't just leave these fools to their own devices."

"Nga ga ga!" Kokoro laughed loudly.

Iceberg gestured at the train. "Use it. I've fixed it up—it's ready to go."

"Wow, mister! You really got it all prepared for us?" Luffy asked excitedly.

"Thank you." Ryomen said sincerely.

"Save the rejoicing for after you've survived." Iceberg warned. "This train's steam engine is uncontrollable. I can't guarantee your lives."

"We'll be fine!" Luffy grinned.

"Alright, let's board!" Ryomen exclaimed. "Miss Kokoro, can you take it out when Nami arrives?"

"Nga ga, of course!" Kokoro replied, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Wow! Never thought I'd see the day granny gets courted!" Chimney gasped, while Gonbe covered his mouth in shock.

Ryomen shot them a deadpan stare, ignoring Zoro's muffled laughter.

Before the awkwardness could grow, Nami arrived, two conductors carrying a large sack behind her.

"Wow, amazing! There's actually another sea train!" She marveled.

"Where were you? You said we don't have time! And what's this stuff?" Luffy asked.

"Food and drinks." Nami replied, opening the sack.

"I'm very sorry for yelling at you!" Luffy apologized, diving into the food.

"Just what I needed." Zoro said with a smirk, grabbing a few bottles for himself.

"Don't mind if I do…" Ryomen mumbled, helping himself to the food as he replenished his strength.

Meanwhile, Sogeking quietly approached Iceberg, who watched him curiously.

"Hm? You're with the Straw Hats, right? Why are you wearing that mask?" Iceberg asked, recalling their earlier encounters.

"You must be thinking of Usopp. I'm Sogeking, from Sniper Island!" Sogeking replied confidently.

The two stood in silence for a moment before Sogeking sighed, his posture slumping slightly.

"I…I wanted to know…is there any chance they were lying?" He asked, his head lowered.

"You're talking about the ship, aren't you?" Iceberg replied, his tone softening. He took a deep breath and shook his head. "No. I don't think they were lying. They have never given a false report before…I'm sorry."

Sogeking clenched his fist, his voice trembling. "No…it's alright. The Merry…she's gone already."

Another moment of silence passed between them before Sogeking spoke again.

"I'm the one who should say sorry." He said quietly.

"For what?" Iceberg raised an eyebrow.

"I…said some things about you and the shipwrights when I found out the Merry couldn't go on. So, I felt I needed to apologize."

Iceberg chuckled, a faint smile crossing his face. "It's alright. I understand how you feel. The ship wasn't just a vessel to you—it was a symbol. A symbol of the memories you made, the friends you sailed with, and the people who created it."

Sogeking's eyes widened in surprise.

"At least, that's how I see it." Iceberg continued. "Everyone values their ship differently. But for you, I can tell it was much more than wood and sails." He lightly patted Sogeking's shoulder, pushing him gently toward the train. "Now, go. You've got more important things to do than sit here grieving."

Sogeking nodded, his eyes glimmering with renewed resolve. "Yeah…I have to help them get our friend back."

…

As the Straw Hats finished boarding the Rocket-man, the warehouse gates suddenly burst open with a loud crash.

"The Franky Family!" Nami exclaimed, recognizing the figures streaming in.

"What are they doing here?" Chopper asked, stepping closer to the group.

"Looking for a fight, most likely." Zoro said, unsheathing his sword slightly.

"No, I don't think they'd dare." Ryomen replied, narrowing his eyes as he studied the approaching figures.

The Franky Family's desperation was palpable as they rushed toward the train.

"Straw Hats!" They shouted.

"What's with them now?" Luffy asked, his mouth full of food.

"Please take us with you!" One of the henchmen begged. "The Galley-La guys told us you're heading to Enies Lobby! Our bro was abducted by the World Government, but we have no way of getting there!"

Ryomen's eyes lingered on the women with square hair, his mind piecing things together. 'So I was right…Franky has what the CP9 are looking for.'

"You do realize you're dealing with the World Government, right?" Kokoro warned them.

"Like we care who we're dealing with!" Another henchman shouted.

"We're taking back our bro!"

"We'll gladly give up our lives for him!"

The Straw Hats looked on, their expressions mixed with surprise and disbelief.

"You've got some nerve, after all the trouble you caused us!" Nami shouted back, clearly unimpressed.

"We're swallowing our pride to ask you!" The Franky Family retorted. "We just want to save our bro!"

"Get on!" Luffy suddenly ordered, his tone resolute.

The Franky Family froze in shock, their eyes wide.

"Luffy!" Nami protested, glaring at him.

"C'mon, it'll be fine." Luffy reassured her with a grin.

"If they try anything, we'll take them down." Ryomen added calmly, his confidence steadying her.

The Franky Family dropped to their knees, bowing deeply. "Thank you so much! We can't thank you enough!"

"But we don't have to ride the train! We'll follow in our own King Bulls!" They added, quickly departing to prepare their transport.

'So even they could be put in such a state…' Sogeking stared at the henchmen.

"Well then, shall we go?" Kokoro asked, stepping aboard the train.

Rocket-man exhaled a cloud of smoke, its engine roaring to life.

Iceberg, Chimney, and Gonbe stood back, watching as the crew prepared for departure.

"Mr. Iceberg!" Ryomen's voice rang out, halting the older man in his tracks.

Iceburg turned, raising an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Back at the apartment we rented…there's a tank with a blue lotus in it! Could you take care of it while we're gone?" Ryomen's tone was earnest, almost pleading.

"A blue lotus?" Iceberg repeated, a flicker of confusion crossing his face.

"Please!" Ryomen insisted. "It's very important to me!"

Iceberg frowned slightly, clearly puzzled by the odd request. But as the train let out another loud whistle and began to inch forward, he sighed. "Alright." He said at last. "You all saved me, it's the least I can do."

Ryomen's face lit up with relief. "Thank you!" He called out with a broad grin, his voice carrying over the sound of the train's churning wheels.

"Alright, pirates, don't get rattled!" Kokoro suddenly announced. "Runaway sea train Rocket-man…departing Water Seven for Enies Lobby!"

"All right! We're off!" Luffy cheered, throwing his arms in the air as the train surged forward, cutting through the stormy waves.

Ryomen smiled at Luffy's enthusiasm, but his thoughts soon turned grim. He knew that whatever awaited them at Enies Lobby would change their lives forever.