Nami hasn't been doing much of anything. Well, really, could you blame her? There wasn't much she could do. But regret was setting in on her decision to stay. She found herself waiting anxiously at the dock every day, waiting for a newspaper that she knew only arrived on Sundays. Yet, here she was, on a Friday. Waiting. And all she could think about were her crew mates and Sabo, off to save Luffy like how he would have saved her.

Yet she didn't lift a finger.

Why? Nami couldn't understand it herself, and maybe that's because she didn't want to know. 'It's not like I'm not going to save him,' She thought to herself, 'Just not now. When the time is right. When Dragon says to attack.'

'If… It's not too late.'

The brave warrior of the sea was approaching the gates. He's completely prepared the ship, his assumed death bed, and trap. He's never been a fan of the Thousand Sunny. Not that he hated the boat- it was, frankly, a masterpiece- but the Going Merry was always his ship in his heart. And the Sunny was just a reminder of what he lost. Usopp gripped the railing, shakily touching at the now burnt out cigarette. He wasn't a strong monster like Sanji was, or particularly smart or talented like everyone else… but… He sucked in a deep breath, deciding to end the thought.

As the shadow of the large walls of Impel Down covered the boat, lacing it in a chill despite the warm sun reaching just beyond it, he rushed down stairs and prepared a Coup De Burst. Being so close to the wall, he knew that the Sunny's force would break through the thick stone. And, hopefully, the Sunny itself won't break.

He turned on the walkie-talkie that was his only communication with the two submarines underneath him. "I'm ready." He said, amidst the static.

"We believe in you, bro." Franky said, "I'll give the single to the others… in 3… 2…."

The boat lurched forward, skidding across the water like a smooth pebble would across a lake. Usopp grabbed onto the nearest thing- a pipe- as the boat crashed into the wall. The boat made a horrible, broken noise. Like it was wailing.

"I'm sorry, Sunny." Usopp whispered, patting the ground underneath him. And for- just a split second- he thought that he got a peaceful hum in response. But that's impossible.

"Usopp! You got through!" The walkie-talkie buzzed.

This meant one thing. Usopp stood up and ran into position. His position being a closet, of course. He donned on Zoro's outfit, even drawing a scar on his eyelid using a marker. He walked onto the deck, seeing a plethora of Marine Ships headed his direction, and an army already on his front lawn. He gulped. But he must act his part.

"My name is Roronoa Zoro! I am a brave warrior of the sea!" He shouted, "And-" He stopped himself from stuttering. "I will kill you all!" He lifted his head up proud. "With my army of 10,000 men!" He pulled back on his slingshot, ready to fire ahead.

Their guns and swords pointed at him. But he remained 'confident'. They were already in his trap.

Zoro's eye has started twitching suddenly. And he didn't know why. It was like an unknown annoyance was jabbing at him. He was on a large, Revolutionary Army's boat. They were heading for Laughtale. He eyed the ocean ahead of them, spotting a boat. It didn't have the structure of a Navy's boat, it was most definitely a pirate's, but who's? Was it a friend? Foe?

Did they already get the Poneglyph before he did?

The answer was soon revealed, as he saw the Jolly Roger hanging high.

'The Red-Haired pirates…'

Luffy never talked about his childhood- no one did- but he remembered the one thing he did share. The emperor, Red-Haired Shanks, was his mentor. The one that gave him his strawhat. Zoro touched the hat that was on his head now.

"Raise a white flag!" He shouted, and the crew got to work.

Franky piloted the submarine, narrowly avoiding rubble along the way. "Bro, are you sure about this? There's sea kings all over the place." They've been lucky so far, not running into any of the monsters.

"I'm sure." Jinbe answered. He picked up the bag of explosives. He was going to hook them up to the bottom of Impel Down. And while it won't be enough to destroy the walls of the building, it will shake its foundation. "I've dealed with many creatures underwater in the past."

"If you say so. We'll wait for you."

"Don't. The longer you're in the water, the more opportunity you give them to find us." Jinbe mused. "I will be fine."

"But-"

"Your mission is to save Luffy." He put the strap of the bag over his shoulder. "Mine is to make it easier for you. Besides.. this piece of junk-"

"Hey."

"This… new submarine won't be able to withstand the water pressure for too long." Jinbe corrected himself.

"He's right. Let him go." Sanji said, the first time he has spoken in a while. Franky felt bad for the guy. He's never seen Sanji look so… nervous. What made it worse was that Franky could tell he was trying to remain cool and collected.

"I am, I am. Go ahead bro." The door opened, yet none of the water leaked inside.

"It's been a pleasure." Jinbe said before he dove into the dark depths. The door quickly shut after him.

Usopp has never been this lucky in his entire life. It was like the lies he always told, about his brave exploits against countless soldiers. The booby traps he set up were triggered and various Marines ended up being caught in nets, or shot at by darts. The canons that hit the Thousand Sunny didn't gravely wound her just yet, because of the wood Franky had used. He used everything in his itinerary. The blow up, '5-ton hammer', the dials, etcetera.

But, eventually, this luck had to run out.

So when a bullet finally pierced his side, and when the Marines finally ambushed him by the railing… he knew… it was over. He put the burnt out cigarette in his mouth and he stared at the sun, which hung high in the sky. Much like his hands, which he held above his head.

"'Roronoa Zoro'…" He said that name sarcastically. He must have realized Usopp's bluff, "You are under arrest." A sword was pointed at his throat. Usopp gulped. "Men. Check the rest of the ship." A large group of Marines marched away, to what Usopp knew was more traps and tricks. It almost could make him smile. Almost.

Usopp had subtly reached his hand into his curly puff of hair and took out a single pop green that had been curled inside his bandana. He spat out the cigarette, making the Marine look down for just a moment. With no other hesitation, he flicked the pellet at the man's head.

The pop green exploded into various different colors, but it was overtaken by a crimson splatter, ensuring to Usopp that the Marine was surely dead. The shock wave pushed through Usopp's body as he was blown over the railing, and into the cold water below. And, for just a moment, he thought he saw his mother's face. And then he didn't. Her visage was replaced by a large sea king in the distance… slowly getting closer… and closer…

Darkness engulfed his vision.

A/N: another chapter? so soon? wowie!