The silver moon hung low over the shattered dock as the Thousand Sunny drifted to a stop against rotting timbers. A faint mist curled around the hull, carrying the scent of brine and moss. Luffy dusted off his hands, grinning wide.
"Welp, since that's over, let's head onto this spooky island!" he declared, voice bright despite the shadows.
Zoro frowned, hand resting on his sword's hilt. "Huh. This feels… odd."
Franky peered into the gloom, eyebrow cocked. "Super odd. Like we didn't steer here on purpose."
Luffy spun around. "What's odd?"
Robin tilted her head, pale curls brushing her shoulders. "We somehow drifted straight for this island—without noticing any current."
Sanji stomped a foot, nostrils flaring. "Probably that dream-crusher's fault."
Lucas crossed his arms, smirking. "You're still mad about that guy's Devil Fruit?"
Sanji's eyes blazed. "Heck yeah I'm still mad! I'll never forgive that—whatever you call someone who crushes dreams—for the rest of my life!"
Zoro snorted. "You and your dramatic fantasies."
Sanji shot back, thrusting a finger at Zoro's chest. "Right, mister 'I-get-lost-in-my-own-backyard!'"
Their voices rose, blades almost leaping free. Luffy waved them off with exasperation. "Come on, you two! Bento's already divided. If you stay on the Sunny, I'm eating your portions!"
Zoro stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare touch my share." He jogged after Robin, Luffy, Franky, and Lucas, Sanji close on his heels.
Moss-draped planks creaked underfoot as they passed through the rickety entranceway. Zoro muttered, "Convenient drift, trap at the dock… feels like someone's guiding us here."
Lucas shrugged. "Obvious strings are being pulled, but it's all sloppy work. I bet the guy behind this won't even be a tough opponent."
A distant bark rumbled through the fog. Leaves trembled. From the shadowed treeline emerged a massive three-headed hound, each maw snarling, fangs dripping.
"Is that supposed to be Cerberus?" Sanji said under his breath.
Robin's tone was oddly gentle. "It's… kind of cute."
Franky cracked his knuckles. "It looks like it wants to fight"
Zoro straightened. "Impertinent."
Lucas studied the beast. "One head isn't even canine. Fox, maybe?"
Luffy licked his lips. "Cool—wonder see how it tastes."
The three heads leaned forward, growling. Vapor drifted from their nostrils in the chill night air. Franky urged, "It really is picking a fight."
Lucas stretched his limbs. "I've been itching for—"
"Wait!" Luffy laughed, stepping forward. "Let me try something."
"Luffy, don't be foolish," Zoro warned. "Even if it's a dog—this thing's more like a boss-level guard."
Lucas grinned. "Nice video-game reference, but it looks more like a mini-boss. Fox head kinda kills the intimidation."
Luffy squared his shoulders. "Dogs are dogs. You guys just watch."
Lucas leaned toward Sanji. "Is this a trick he learned in that forest?"
Franky blinked. "Forest? When did that happen?"
Before anyone could answer, there was a cacophony of crunching wood and piercing yelps—"Bow! Wow! Koon!"
Luffy tumbled back, blood trickling from a gash on his forehead and a bite on his left hand. Still, he sat up, chuckling softly. "There, there, good boys." He murmured, stroking the fox head's mane. The creature shuddered, frozen by the strange calm in his voice.
The fox head whimpered, then suddenly let Luffy free—only to catch a lightning-fast left hook so powerful it cracked the rock wall next to it. The other two heads slammed on the wall mouths gaping wide from the pain, cracks forming. The hound collapsed in a heap, unconscious dust motes drifting around its massive form.
Luffy crouched beside it, voice low: "Down, boy… down."
Lucas shook his head. "Definitely forest skills."
Robin knelt, touching the fox head's wounds. " These wounds… it's a miracle it's alive. Severe trauma, but it's remarkable how it held together."
Sanji picked up the detached fox head, examining its seams. "I'm not sure this is even a natural creature."
Lucas crouched on the other side, inspecting the stitches. "Looks someone pieced it—crafted it to function."
Franky pointed. "What do you mean, 'crafted'?"
Luffy jumped to his feet, dusting himself off. "Doesn't matter. If something this wild was waiting here, I can't wait to see what else this place has."
Robin laughed softly. "You're more motivated than ever."
The hound stirred, this time submissively nudging Luffy's leg. Without hesitation, Luffy vaulted onto its broad back. Franky hopped up behind him. In a single motion, they tore out of the moat and hurdled into the dense forest beyond.
Towering trees formed an emerald cathedral around them, fireflies drifting like sparks. As they paused under a moonbeam, Sanji called out desperately, "Nami! Nami-swan! Where are you?!"
Luffy cocked his head, puzzled. "Huh?" The others turned—and froze.
Before them, a tree person sat on the ground holding a glass of booze and beside the person was a creature that looked like a unicorn stitched from random animal parts. The two sipped from chipped mugs, oblivious to their arrival.
Luffy's eyes gleamed. In an instant, he launched off the hound's back, pouncing to block their escape. Franky crashed in beside him, arms whirling like steel gears.
Lucas studied the pair from the flank. "Tree-man and… whatever unicorn horn that is—someone's Frankencreations again."
Luffy clasped the man's wrist firmly. "So—you wanna be pirates wi—"
"—No way!" Sanji and Zoro shouted in perfect unison.
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. "You guys sound just like that one episode where the Green Lanterns wouldn't let Guy into the League."
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