"Huh, how come there's light down here?" Usopp squinted, shielding his eyes.
"It's too bright! My eyes can't handle it!" Brook cried dramatically, then added with a laugh, "Not that I even have eyes. Yohohoho!"
Sanji stepped forward, cigarette glowing faintly in the shimmering water. His voice was hushed, almost reverent. "So that's it… finally, after so many years, my dream has come true." His eyes turned into hearts as mermaid silhouettes swam in the distance.
"I thought your dream was to find the All Blue," Lucas teased from the background.
"I'm worried about him," Chopper whispered, ears twitching. "If he keeps bleeding like this, he might lose too much blood."
Sanji, nose already dripping crimson, raised a thumb. "Even if I die, I'll have no regrets."
Zoro snorted. "If ogling at mermaids is enough to kill you, then you don't deserve to sail with us."
"What'd you say?!" Sanji snapped, spinning from lovestruck to furious in an instant, bickering with Zoro as sparks practically flew between them.
Five massive sea monsters surged up from the depths, their shadows blotting out the light. The Sunny rocked violently as jaws and fins surrounded them.
"Aaaaaargh! It's all over—we were so close!" Nami, Usopp, Brook, and Chopper cried in panic.
A fishman rode forward on a towering sea giraffe, his tattoo glinting in the glow. "You must be the Straw Hat Pirates," he said, voice cold. "We've heard of your exploits—especially how you murdered Celestial Dragons." He smirked. "Name's Hammond. Swear allegiance to the New Fishman Pirates… or be sunk right here."
Nami's eyes narrowed at the tattoo, memories of Arlong flashing like knives. Unease swept through her as she whispered to Franky, "Refuel the ship. Get ready for a Coup de Burst."
Hammond's voice sharpened. "Think carefully. Decline, and we'll sink you."
"What?" Luffy tilted his head, grin widening. "Are you sure about that?"
Franky muttered to Nami, "We're not in a good position. Best to break away."
Nami nodded. "As soon as we can."
Franky's hands moved fast, prepping the Sunny's systems. "Alright then—full power Coup de Burst."
Luffy stepped forward, smile blazing. "Forget it! There's no way we'll serve you."
Hammond sneered. "Bold choice, Straw Hat." He raised his hand. "Then you're our enemy from now on!"
The sea lion Hammond rode lunged, jaws opening wide to crush the Sunny.
Wide shot: The beast's shadow engulfed the ship.
Close-up: Its teeth gleamed, water pressure exploding outward.
Nami shouted, "Now, Franky!!"
BOOOOM! The Sunny blasted forward, bubble coating shrinking rapidly.
Hammond's eyes widened. "Whaaat?!"
Franky gritted his teeth. "Hold tight!!" The Sunny collided with the massive bubble surrounding Fishman Island.
POP! The Sunny's coating burst.
Usopp screamed. "Ahhh!! That giant bubble stripped our coating!!"
Robin's voice was calm but urgent. "No good… there's a second water layer ahead!"
Lucas clenched his fists. "Hang on—I'll bind us together!" He conjured glowing mana ropes, tying the crew.
But the current was too strong. The Sunny spun violently, crew dragged apart. The ropes snapped, bubbles scattering.
The Straw Hats screamed as they were torn from the Sunny, swept in different directions, falling deeper into the abyss.