"Genius? What a coincidence, the Straw Hat Pirates have plenty of geniuses too."
Shirogai spoke with confidence, not humility, but he wasn't exaggerating. Even without his extraordinary abilities, the crew was filled with talent.
Luffy was a natural-born combat prodigy. One day he would defeat Emperors and rise to their level himself.
Zoro was a genius of unyielding will and life-or-death comprehension. Those who lived between blade and blood found power in that thin line, and Zoro walked it willingly. Every brush with death pushed him closer to becoming the world's greatest swordsman.
Sanji was an unparalleled cooking prodigy and a martial artist whose kicking techniques were admired across the seas. Many praised his fighting, forgetting that his culinary talent was just as devastating.
Usopp, behind the humor and flailing antics, possessed marksmanship bordering on absurd genius. Before he even touched Observation Haki, his accuracy with a simple slingshot rivaled true snipers.
Nami and Chopper were also rare talents in their own fields, unmatched on the seas.
"CP-9's strength is extraordinary. There is no chance your current crew can defeat them."
Aokiji's tone held the calm confidence of someone who had personally passed Spandam and traveled through Enies Lobby on his way here. To ensure there were no surprises, he had even entrusted Spandam with a golden Den Den Mushi, a measure usually reserved for absolute emergencies.
"Let's bet then. What do you want to stake on it?"
Aokiji lowered his head and casually rummaged through the pockets of his Marine coat. He pulled out a small stack of bills and a handful of coins.
"I don't have much on me… 1,360 Berries in total. Good enough?"
"Betting money is boring."
Shirogai leaned forward, interlocking his fingers beneath his chin with a faint fox-like smile.
"Let's bet a future request. If I win, you owe me one. If you win, I owe you one."
Aokiji froze.
"No thanks. I won't agree to something that could go against my will."
He didn't believe he would lose, but he wasn't foolish. Shirogai never did anything without purpose. Aokiji respected that cunning, even admired it at times, but he wouldn't walk blindly into a promise.
"Relax," Shirogai said calmly.
"There are conditions. I won't ask anything impossible of you, and nothing that goes against your will."
"…Alright then."
Aokiji accepted without further hesitation. The two clasped hands, sealing the wager.
"Speaking of Robin…"
Shirogai rose to his feet and stared into the thinning white mist drifting across the sea.
"Aokiji, where have you hidden the survivor of Ohara…?"
Aokiji paused, eyebrow twitching before his face settled back into a blank expression.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Is that so? Then forget I said anything."
Shirogai turned and smiled at him, pointing toward the sea.
"Since it's a bet, we should be observers now, nothing more. Where did you leave your bicycle? Mind giving me a ride?"
"This way. It's parked at the dock."
Aokiji jumped down from the frozen wave and strolled toward the lower streets of Water 7.
… …
"We can't wait any longer! We're going now!"
Inside the Rocket Man—the first Sea Train ever built, abandoned because its brakes didn't work—crowds of fighters filled every space. The train rattled as Luffy finished devouring the food Nami had brought him.
"Aren't we waiting for Shirogai and Sanji anymore?"
Chopper asked anxiously.
"Nope! We're leaving!"
Luffy swallowed the last bite and spoke with full determination.
"Monster Granny said if we delay any longer, Aqua Laguna will hit. If that happens, we're stuck here!"
He clenched his fists.
"I know Shirogai and Sanji will catch up with us!"
"Those two troublesome idiots," Nami muttered, sighing.
She turned to Mayor Iceberg, who had just finished inspecting the Rocket Man.
"Mayor Iceberg, please have your workers keep searching for Shirogai and Sanji. If you find them, tell them that if they can't catch up, they should wait here for us!"
Mayor Iceberg nodded.
"Leave it to me. If I meet Shirogai, I'll pass your message to him."
"Hahaha! Then let's move out! Monster Granny!" Luffy shouted.
He leaped onto the front of the Rocket Man, facing the monstrous waves rising near the docks.
"Crew! Let's go! We're getting Robin back, and we're going to crush those villains!"
The Rocket Man roared, puffing out a thick plume of smoke before launching off the track and crashing into the surging sea.
"Speaking of which… we have some unwanted passengers," Zoro muttered inside the train, staring at three familiar faces.
"What are you three doing here?!"
"Who?" Barry looked around.
"Who?" Lulu echoed.
"Who?" Dalston repeated.
"You three!!! Stop looking around!"
Zoro snapped, ears twitching in irritation.
"Me? Isn't it natural for me to go?"
Barry's expression hardened. Transparent threads vibrated around him, sensed only through Zoro's Observation Haki.
"Lucci and Kaku betrayed us. After years of pretending, using our trust, using our respect… it was all a lie. I'm not letting them get away with it."
"What a strange ability," Zoro muttered, watching the faint vibrations in the air.
"That's right! Rope Man is totally right!"
Luffy shouted, slamming his fist on the seat.
"That pigeon-raising leopard guy is a real jerk! I'm gonna beat him myself!"
"What?"
Barry's brows shot up, furious.
"The one who beats up Lucci is me!"
"No! The one who beats up Leopard-Guy is me!"
They locked eyes, both raising their fists.
"Want to fight?!"
"Bring it!"
"Idiots," Zoro sighed, closing his eyes.
"You two idiots…"
Nami's temper snapped. She slammed both fists down on their skulls with terrifying force.
Bang!
Bang!
Silence filled the front car. No one dared breathe as Nami glared murderously.
"And all of you!!!"
She turned to the Franky Family crouched in the corner.
"You still owe us ship repair money! Don't cause ANY trouble on this train!"
"Yes, Big Sister!" they cried.
… …
"Ding-a-ling!"
The Rocket Man barreled forward, dragging the Franky Family's Emperor Bulu boat behind it, charging head-on toward the enormous approaching waves.
"Creak… creak… creak…"
A lone bicycle followed the tracks behind them, gliding over a reddish-white ice trail.
Shirogai sat casually on the ice platform behind the bike. He eyed the rattling frame with an unreadable expression.
"How long has it been since you maintained this thing?"
"The sound wasn't this loud before…"
Aokiji muttered, sounding slightly embarrassed.
"It probably got like this after the waves hit it."
---