Sunlight filtered through the shattered windows of Thriller Bark's main hall, casting fractured patterns on the debris-strewn floor. Luffy, Franky, Robin, and Lucas—fresh from their triumph over Moria—stood amid the dust and crumbling pillars. Victory still hummed in their veins when a deafening crash echoed behind them.
From the haze staggered Zoro: tormented armor dented, blood streaking his cheek, eyes glazed with pain. He slid to one knee, breath rattling. Moments later, Usopp, Nami, and Chopper charged in, panic in their eyes.
"Guys, we're in trouble—another Warlord showed up!" Usopp gasped.
Franky's metal heart rattled. "Another warlord? Here?"
Lucas let out a dry groan. "Well… ain't that just great."
The dust cleared to reveal Bartholomew Kuma, hulking and silent as a monolith. His paw-like palms rested at his sides, and the floor trembled beneath his footsteps.
"Where's Sanji?" Luffy cried.
Zoro spat blood. "Last I saw, that paw-palmed bastard knocked him out cold."
Kuma's cold gaze swept over the assembled Straw Hats. He spoke in a voice like rolling thunder:
"My orders are clear: completely wipe out the Straw Hat Pirates."
Before anyone could react, Lucas slipped behind Zoro and delivered a swift karate chop to the back of his neck. Zoro slumped forward. Luffy and Franky both shouted in protest.
"Why'd you do that?!" Franky yelled.
Lucas shrugged, picking up the dazed swordsman. "He's in bad shape. It'll be a pain for whoever patches him up." He lobbed Zoro at Franky, who caught him awkwardly.
Kuma smirked. "The Ghost Pirate Luffy has become quite an eyesore to the Government."
Lucas scowled, tuning out the backhanded compliment. "Aw, come on—your flattery won't work on me, big jerk."
Luffy and Franky exchanged grins as Zoro slipped from consciousness. Lucas stepped forward, eyes fixed on Kuma. His voice softened, measured yet edged with steel.
"I know you're just doing your job. But you must know… the Straw Hats don't break so easily."
Kuma remained silent, gaze impassive.
Lucas leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper that cut the air like a blade. What he said made Kuma's jaw twitch. In an instant, Lucas straightened and grinned.
"Checkmate."
He traced a finger in the air, conjuring a swirling blue portal under Kuma's feet. With a single blink, the Warlord fell through the glowing vortex. The portal winked closed with a soft poof.
The Straw Hats stared in stunned silence. Luffy blinked. "You—weren't expecting an epic fight, were ya?" Lucas chuckled. "Hey, sometimes the anticlimax is its own spectacle."
A band of bedraggled figures emerged from the shadows—former residents of Thriller Bark whose shadows had been stolen. They carried Sanji and Brooke, both unconscious but alive.
Franky rushed forward. "Who are those guys?"
One tear-streaked woman knelt. "We… we're the ones you freed from the shadow curse. We owe you our lives." She placed Sanji's limp form gently on the stone floor. "Thank you."
Lucas offered a nod. "You must be the people stranded here."
They nodded, relief and gratitude in their eyes.
Chopper darted forward, medic bag in hoof. He set to work on Zoro and Sanji, feverishly tending wounds. Ice packs on bruises, bandages around splintered armor. The others formed a protective circle as Chopper's needle whirred and the bandages tightened.
With the shadow crisis resolved, the Straw Hats regrouped on the Thousand Sunny's deck. The sea breeze teased their hair as the sun climbed higher. Luffy jumped to attention. "Alright, crew—treasure hunt time!"
Nami grinned mischievously at Lucas. "Let's go explore the rest of Thriller Bark. I want every last morsel of treasure."
Lucas's eyes glittered at the sight of Oz's shattered corpse and the frozen giants. "I'm… interested in the undead here. I wonder what kind of life—or unlife—they'd make."
They slipped back onto the ship via portal, then Lucas and Nami plunged into the bowels of Thriller Bark. They darted through the cold corridors, ransacking treasure vaults, and collecting sparkling jewels and golden plates. Lucas sealed coin piles in glowing mana bubbles; Nami piled up crates of rare spices and lanterns. The kitchen next to the portal groaned as he sent food crates floating into position, neatly sorting themselves atop counters and shelves.
By evening, they emerged triumphant. Lucas carried a massive bubble of treasure shimmering under the deck lights; Nami steered a second bubble bulging with barrels of exotic food. The rest of the crew gathered in awe.
"Whoa!" Luffy whistled. "That's enough treasure for a hundred islands!"
Usopp hopped forward, eyes gleaming. "Hey! If you take that armband, Nami will—"
Nami waved the jeweled piece. "It's fine. No gems? I don't mind." She slipped it onto her arm, pleased.
Usopp's jaw dropped. "Whaaat—no gem?!"
In the background, one of the freed civilians approached. "Thank you… but we aren't taking any." He gestured to his empty hands. "You've given us our lives back."
Luffy's face split into a grin. "Okay then—feast time!"
The masts glowed under lantern light as the Straw Hats prepared a banquet reminiscent of Water 7's best days. Sanji orchestrated a symphony of sizzling pans; Franky set up tables with mechanical precision; Robin arranged plates with grace; Lucas quietly manifested goblets and napkins from pure mana.
As the final platter rested on the table—a mountain of grilled fish, meats, and fruits—Brook's cheerful voice drifted across the deck. He raised his violin bow like a conductor. "Yohohoho—raise your cups, for tonight, we sail not just as pirates, but as friends! Binks' Sake!"
A single tear glinted on Franky's cheek as he lifted a mug. Usopp, full of wonder, joined in, sloshing sake. Luffy's boisterous laugh rang out as he belted the chorus. Chopper's antlers bobbed in time, Nami's eyes shone with joy, and Lucas offered a rare, contented smile as the ship slid through gentle waves beneath a starlit sky.
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