The pirates' anguished cries were drowned in the tumultuous roar of the tempestuous current, an unyielding maelstrom that immediately dragged the three individuals beneath its unforgiving depths.
Amidst the violent torrent, the captain grappled with the relentless forces of the maelstrom, his breath stolen by the merciless onslaught of water. Desperation drove him to gasp for air, only to swallow the relentless deluge, making it twice as difficult to stay conscious as the water kept draining his energy and life.
With his strength waning, Luffy was forced to relinquish the woman he had valiantly clung to, her limp form swallowed by the tumultuous waters, carried away in a separate direction. Weakened and disoriented, he continued to fight against the forces of the chaotic depths, striving to reach the Oracle despite his dwindling energy.
Jinbei, used his strength to capture both the captain and the woman, however, the chaotic swirl of the whirlpool disoriented him, making it impossible to discern up from down. Helplessly, he followed the unrelenting flow of the water, hoping it would lead them to safety.
If this was the entrance, the exit must be on the other side. Jinbei ceased his futile struggle against the current, allowing it to propel them forward at a breakneck pace.
The navigator watched in horror as her captain's Vibre Card was rapidly being consumed by flames, releasing a frantic scream that jolted her crewmates to the perilous situation. The Straw Hat Pirates focused menacingly on the tranquil investigator, who remained fascinated looking the three bodies disappear amid the abyss.
Dr. Terkchak got rapidly surrounded by a hostile crew, the sniper readied his weapon, as the cyborg detached his hand preparing the ammunition that the young heroine had previously given him; while Nami looked disconsolate trying to be appeased by the cook, whose blind faith in his captain prevented him from even thinking that this would be the end... Robin on the other hand, focused her attention on the ancient Poneglyph, delving into its mysterious text.
The Mink experienced an abrupt shift as the swordsman, seized him by his blazer and hoisted him off the ground. Zoro's intense gaze met the calm, green eyes of the panther, his stern expression made his warning clear.
"OI, YOU DAMN CAT, WHY ARE YOU SO CALM?!" Zoro voiced his agitation, demanding an explanation for the feline's calm demeanor. However, Terk remained inexplicably composed, bewildering the swordsman.
"They're safe, calm down... Watch..." He tried to appease the swordsman with his claws pointing at his navigator's fingers.
Just as the Vibre Card neared complete incineration, the flames underwent a transformation, shifting to a deep purple hue, as the paper was restored to its original size.
Nami's anxiety and confusion mounted. "What's happening?" she uttered confused.
"Does it restore itself like this?" The reindeer, who kept his hybrid form, took a closely look at the paper in the orange-haired hands, asked intrigued.
"No." The archeologist stated. "Vibre Cards heal with small scabs until they are restored again... This is different." Robin explained as she saw how the Vibre Card finished returning to its original form and then turned her attention to the intimidated panther.
Still engrossed in the dimly lit inscription on the Poneglyph-like wall, Robin spoke softly of the revelation she had uncovered. "We need to die in order to live..." As soon as she articulated her interpretation, the panther congratulated her with a proud smile, indicating that she understood the reference, thus revealing why they weren't worried about the situation at all.
"THE SACRIFICE SHE ONCE MENTIONED…"
"It is to offer yourself as a tribute... It means that you have to willingly offer your life as a tribute to gain entry." Terk explained.
Robin cautiously approached the shattered edge, her eyes fixed on the center of the maelstrom and her body tensed with nervousness and sweat forming on her skin.
"Careful Robin, that could collapse at any moment," Franky expressed worriedly.
The doctor approached the archaeologist until he stopped next to her, lowering his body and digging his claws into the platform so as not to be swept away by the stormy wind as he continued to watch Styx.
"You had to let her go on her own..." He said in a serious tone, referring to the creature living within the body that tried to throw itself to Styx. "They shouldn't have gone in... I don't think they will manage to get out." The investigator expressed worriedly.
After seeing Luffy's Vibre Card fully recovered, Zoro turned to the archaeologist, who stood at the edge of the platform. "Someone else had already made it in, hadn't they?"
"Many voyagers through the ages." Terk answered, turning his attention to the swordsman. "Accessing the realm is the simple part... Before dying, the same lives that the underworld accumulates will restore the tributes' lives, providing those who venture there a second lease on life." The panther's ears twitched, and his gaze became challenging. "Returning, however, is a riddle far more intricate... For if the other side houses vitality-restoring energies, the return claims it back.
"Oi-oi... Are you implying that we can go in, but we can't get out?" The sniper inquired hysterically.
"That's precisely the crux of it," Terk acknowledged.
"Enough for me." Zoro said resolutely adjusting his katanas to his Haramaki.
"YOUNG ZORO... YOU'RE NOT THINKING ON?..."
"It's won't be the first time I've been out of hell." Zoro remarked, a sinister grin playing on his lips. He then crouched his body at the platform's edge and, without hesitation, leaped headlong into the swirling vortex following his captain.
"Zoro, you reckless idiot!" The Straw Hats cried in unison as their comrade plunged into the abyss without a second thought, shunning explanations and calculated strategies.
"MARIMOOO!"
"Seriously I never know what goes through his head" Nami grumbled falling on her knees.
Toshinori couldn't help but be awed by the seconds-in-command, as he made a daring and risk-fraught decision, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to his captain. Yagi didn't know if it was heroic or just stupid... But that's how heroes begin... By an adrenaline-driven impulse backed by ignorance. The line between heroism and recklessness was often blurred, and this impulsive act bore echoes of his own early escapades as a budding hero. But he now stood as more of a liability than a contributor to their cause.
Zoro's action only reminded him of his first exploits... But now he felt himself nothing more than a hindrance. Overwhelmed by helplessness, he reached into his pocket, grasping the reindeer's medicine, and turned to face the bewildered pirates he had led into this precarious scenario. He was determined to prevent them from imperiling themselves further in this adventure, which he had instigated.
"STRAW HATS" Toshinori addressed the crew with his characteristic proud posture before humbling himself with a deep bow. "THIS SITUATION IS ENTIRELY MY FAULT, AND I ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WELL-BEING OF YOUR COMRADES. I PLEDGE TO BRING THEM BACK TO SAFETY, NO MATTER THE COST!"
"What on earth are you talking about, you bag of bones? Don't start victimizing yourself... We decided to come here... It wasn´t your choice at all." -Sanji said irritated by the hero's attitude.
"Luffy's Vibre Card has fully restored... That means that they are safe... Or am I mistaken, Terk-san?"
"Your assessment is correct, Miss Nami."
Nami couldn't conceal her fear, her trembling frame betraying her anxiety. Meanwhile, Robin, drenched in cold sweat after deciphering the cryptic writings, gradually regained her composure. She noted the panther's serene demeanor and pointed out her suspicion to the Mink.
"Terk san... You mentioned the possibility of her being a 'Kizuna'..." She commented to the panther who merely smiled, as his curiosity piqued.
"If the woman you have with you truly is a "Kizuna," it might be her sole means of returning back to the surface."
"THEN THERE IS A WAY BACK!" Franky cheered hands up
"Doctor Terk, please reconsider your information-sharing policy and guide us on what we can do! It's for our nakamas!" Chopper pleaded kindly.
Terk, however, remained cautious. "I can't provide further information, as it's largely speculative... We only know that they were a native from the underworld itself… If you encountered her outside of her homeland, it suggests that she might possess the knowledge you need." Explained the feline causing Robin to let out a sigh, now a little calmer she turned to her nakamas.
"Guys... We'll be fine." Robin reassured her crew, crossing her arms to activate her Devil Fruit powers, sprouting two wings made of hands, from her back.
"Wait, Robin-san, what are you planning?" Brook inquired alarmed at her attitude.
"Let's go get our captain." Robin declared, taking a leap of faith out of the Edge, into the maelstrom.
All Might, on the other hand, ingested one of the special Rumble Balls the doctor had prepared. His new attire constricted to accentuate his toned physique, and his height surged significantly. Even his hairstyle underwent a remarkable transformation. Once again, the adorable reindeer was amazed by the hero's metamorphosis.
All Might managed to catch the young archaeologist before she moved away from the platform, gently lowering her back onto the unstable stone floor.
"MISS ROBIN, IT'S NOT WISE FOR YOU TO UNDERTAKE SUCH A RECKLESS ACT, ESPECIALLY AS A DEVIL FRUIT USER," he admonished her with a calm demeanor. "DOCTOR CHOPPER AND MR. BROOK, YOU'LL ALSO BE AT A DISADVANTAGE IN THE WATER. LET ME TAKE YOU," the towering man offered, extending his assistance to the two Devil Fruit users.
"Thank you, All Might!" Chopper and Brook expressed their gratitude.
"No, no, no, wait up you old perv!" Sanji retorted protectively. "I won't let you go near my dear Robin chwan."
"LISTEN YOUNG SANJI..." His tone carried a tinge of frustration. "IT'S NOT MY INTENTION TO DISRISPECT HER, SO PLEASE DON'T SEEK TROUBLE WHERE THERE'S NONE. I NEED YOU TO LOOK AFTER MISS NAMI; AND MR. FRANKY TAKE CARE OF YOUNG USOPP."
"BUT IF MY HELP MAKES YOU SO UNCOMFORTABLE, I CAN TAKE YOUNG USOPP INSTEAD,"The hero's words conflicted the cook who only clicked his tongue.
"No... You're right. Let each one decides who they want to go with."
Chopper and Brook chose to remain by the hero's side as he prepared to make the jump.
"Come on Usopp, come with us!" Invited the little reindeer.
"No, I'm not ready." complained the young man with wobbly legs.
Nami trembled with nervousness, clutching her Sorcery Clima Tact close to her mouth, being calmed by the gentle touch of the cook who placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and gently slide it over her tangerine tattoo, as he drew her closer, providing a sense of safety and comfort.
"Nami-san, I don't want to put you in danger, but we're all in this together. I promise nothing will happen to you," Sanji assured her with a soft-spoken, reassuring tone, making her felt safe as he was the fastest of the crew.
"Will you promise me too, Sanji-kun?" asked Usopp in tears.
"I'M TALKING TO NAMI!" Sanji growled with sharp teeth.
"I PROMISE YOU, YOUNG USOPP," said the hero with his impeccable smile that denoted and infected his confidence.
"ROBIN, I'LL SUUUUUUUUUUPER MAKE SURE YOU'LL BE SAFE AND SOUND WITH EVERYONE ELSE."
"What a gentleman" She accepted his invitation with her characteristic smile.
The three groups positioned themselves on the edge of the destroyed platform, ready to regroup with the rest.
"Hey, muscleman, you're not going to wreck our bodies with your strength, are you?"
"WAAAAAAH, USOPP, DON'T SAY SUCH SCARY THINGS BEFORE HE JUMP!" The reindeer's hat flew up in the air in shock at the long nose's remark.
"AHAHAHAHA! DON'T WORRY, I HAVE OVER FOURTHY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE PROTECTING PEOPLE."
"That would be comforting... but we literally go to our deaths!" Franky added.
"I feel like my heart is racing, even though I don't have a heart! YOHOHOHOHO!"
"YOU IDIOT, THIS IS NO TIME FOR JOKES!" Sanji snapped.
Sanji and Franky lifted the pirates as if they were princesses, while All Might carried the three boys like sacks of potatoes, which, although was not the most delicate way to carry them, he knew it was the most practical without damaging or losing them in the current.
Sanji and Franky lifted the pirates as if they were princesses, while All Might carried the three boys like sacks of potatoes, which, although it was not the most delicate way to carry them, he knew he had better control without damaging them or losing them in the current.
With no forewarning, the three groups plunged into the abyss, vanishing from sight and leaving the mesmerized feline onlooker pondering their departure.
Terk watched with fervent admiration, realizing that he was witnessing the departure of the famous Straw Hat Pirates, official protectors of their territory and races during the great pirate era.
"They are as insane as the legends told." He thought, swinging his feet on the ridge as he watched them all enter the land of no return.
Sundancer here:
Sorry for the short chapter u.u,
I didn't get enough time this week, I wanted to join two chapters into one.
Kizuna:
A profound and unbreakable bond or connection, characterized by intense emotions, which endure regardless of whether they are positive or negative. It signifies a profound sense of attachment and unity.