"Wooooooosh…"
The Sea Train, cut across the restless ocean with unwavering speed, gliding smoothly even as waves slapped against its sides.
Inside the train, chatter filled the aisles.
"Wow, everyone, look! What's that on the surface over there?"
A curious passenger pressed against the window, pointing at a glowing mound in the distance. A small island of molten rock, still steaming and smoldering, rose from the sea.
"Huh, that's odd. There shouldn't be anything out here."
A seasoned traveler leaned closer, frowning at the newborn lava isle. "Did an undersea volcano erupt? Or did a piece of seabed rise overnight?"
"So much steam… and the lava's still burning! That's scary!"
"Hehe, if it becomes a real island, do you think they'll build a new station here?"
Excited discussions spread throughout the carriage.
In a quiet corner, a massive man wearing a distinct mask sat barefoot, his long, hairy legs stretched forward. His expression remained stiff and unreadable as he stared at the glowing island.
After a long moment, he turned away with little interest, shifting his gaze toward the coming silhouette of Water 7.
He already had Treasure Tree Adam. Now the question was how to turn it into a ship.
At the thought of shipbuilding, his mood dropped.
Mr. Tom…
Can I really build a ship worthy of sailing around the world, just like the one you built for Pirate King Roger?
His mind drifted.
"Dah hahahaha!"
A booming laugh echoed in his memory. The broad, round figure with bull-like horns slapped his stomach and barked cheerfully.
"Boy, what nonsense are you spouting! A real man must believe in the ship he builds and in himself!"
"I…"
He pressed his hands against his mask, closing his eyes, a heavy regret weighing on him.
Mr. Tom… am I still a shipwright you'd be proud of?
If I hadn't built those warships… you'd still be here in Water 7, bringing hope to people…
In the unnoticed corner, the man—often mocked as a pervert—trembled as he held his head, drowning in remorse.
Beside him, the two square-haired sisters watched him quietly, worried.
…
On a rooftop in Water 7, Luffy lay flat on his back, staring up at the moon with confusion.
"Do partners really just… separate that easily?"
"You're Captain Luffy, right?"
A small giggling voice came from behind him.
"Huh?"
Luffy turned around and saw a short boy grinning mischievously.
"Yes, I'm Luffy. And you are…?"
He blinked in confusion. He had never seen this boy before.
The boy giggled, waving him over.
"Come closer and you'll know."
"Huh? Alright…"
Luffy stepped forward and squatted down—
Bang!
A giant fist smashed the spot he had stood just seconds ago.
Crack!
The rooftop splintered in a perfect pattern, dust erupting into the air. Despite the devastating force, the roof didn't collapse—proof of terrifyingly precise strength.
"So close!"
Luffy rolled onto a distant eave, stunned by the crater left behind.
What power…
The giggling boy froze like a puppet.
From his back, something monstrous began to rise.
A massive upper body—over five meters tall—emerged grotesquely from the boy's spine, its veins writhing like roots.
The towering figure wore a long white suit jacket and a single-eyed mask glowing an eerie green.
CP-0's Poison Eye.
A Parasite-Paramecia user who could infest any object or living creature, draining their life force or controlling their mind while remaining completely undetected.
He had infiltrated countless organizations for the World Government, using mastery of the Six Styles and his parasitic abilities to strike targets at point-blank range.
But today, he encountered Luffy.
Even without trained Observation Haki, Luffy's natural instincts—sharpened since childhood—were razor-sharp.
He could feel it.
The boy in front of him carried a killing intent.
"Hey! Big guy!"
Luffy glared at the hulking parasite burrowed into the boy's back.
"What did you do to that kid? And why ambush me?"
"Ambush?" Poison Eye laughed coldly. "I simply wanted to crush a bug."
He forced the host boy to shuffle forward with tiny steps, an unsettling contrast to his massive upper body.
"It's stated we should capture your crew alive… but you, Captain, are the exception."
He leaned forward, cracking his knuckles ominously.
"Submit now, kid. I might let you live."
"So, you're an enemy."
Luffy stood firm, fists tightening, eyes burning with resolve.
"I'll never surrender. If it's a fight you want, then bring it!"
"Wah hah hah… excellent. Ghost Fist, Wind Phantom!"
Poison Eye unleashed a devastating punch.
"Gum-Gum Machine Gun!"
Luffy's rapid punches met the giant fist, but each attack bounced off, unable to slow Poison Eye's strike.
Boom!!!
The impact hurled Luffy across the district, smashing him into a distant building.
"Cough…!"
Blood dripped from his lip.
"Zoro… Chopper…"
He looked down, teeth clenched, as CP-0's Ao Oni knocked Chopper unconscious and forced Zoro on the defensive.
"Oh no! They can't hold out!"
Before he could move, Poison Eye appeared behind him, riding the stunned host child like a puppet.
"Getting distracted while fighting me?" he sneered, slamming a fist down.
Luffy dodged. Steam began rising from his body.
"Hoh? Steam? So you've been hiding strength."
Luffy pressed a fist to the ground, heat rolling off him in waves.
"You're strong… so I'll get serious."
His skin flushed red, steam boiling upward.
"Gear Second!"
Poison Eye grinned widely.
"Good! Give me more, boy!"
Whoosh!
Luffy vanished, reappeared in front of him, and struck.
"Gear Second, Gum-Gum Jet Bullet!"
…
Inside a hotel room.
Luffy's eyes snapped open. He stared at the ceiling in confusion.
Where am I? I was fighting… so why am I in bed?
"You're awake?"
A relaxed voice came from beside him, followed by the sound of chewing.
Shirogai smiled calmly at him.
"You hungry?"
"HUNGRY!"
Even with questions swirling in his head, Luffy's stomach answered first, growling loudly.
"So hungry…!"
"Meat! I want meat!"
He leapt from the bed, eyes glowing green the moment he saw the mountain of food waiting on the table.
"So much food!"
He inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma, and grabbed a huge piece of meat with both hands.
Chunks of steak, skewered fish, and roasted vegetables covered the table, enough to feed a small army.
Luffy's eyes sparkled with pure excitement. Each bite seemed to fuel the memories of his recent battles, his body reacting instinctively to the nourishment.
Shirogai chuckled at his enthusiasm, leaning back and sipping from a cup of tea.
"Don't eat too fast, kid. You've got to pace yourself if you want to keep up your strength."
Luffy barely registered the warning, already lost in the joy of devouring the feast.
The room echoed with the sounds of chewing, laughter, and the occasional satisfied grunt.
Outside, the city of Water 7 continued its bustling rhythm, unaware of the recent chaos that had unfolded just moments ago.
And somewhere, beyond the horizon, the Sea Train continued to race forward, carrying the man with the mask, his thoughts heavy with ambition, guilt, and the weight of the world he sought to sail across.