The Thousand Sunny drifted toward the burning side of the island, there were parts of the sea that was on literal fire. Smoke curled into the air in thick black plumes, and the sky was tinted with orange and crimson from the fires. The crew gathered on deck, staring at the island in stunned silence.
"Is only half that island really on fire and half ice Jinbe?" Nami asked, shielding her eyes against the heat and smoke.
"It certainly is a wonder that the island has changed so much. It is my first time seeing the aftermath of Akoji and Akainu's fight though so I can only go by what I've heard." Jinbe remarked.
"It must be hundreds of degrees over there. We're not seriously planning to land there, are we?"
Luffy was already leaning so far over the Sunny's railing, a little more and he would fall in. His eyes sparkled with excitement. "This place looks awesome!" he said, grinning. "I bet there's all kinds of crazy stuff over there. Let's go! Sanji! Pirate lunch box!"
Hancock, standing just behind him, folded her arms and nodded, she was going along with her Luffy's need for adventure. "The island certainly looks interesting. We will be going along with Luffy."
Sanji appeared beside them in a puff of hearts. "Hancock-chwan~! If the heat gets to be too much, I'll be there to fan you with the cool breeze of my devotion!" He spun dramatically, producing a folding fan out of nowhere and flapping it toward her.
Sanji was knocked to the ground by Nami, "Cut it out, you're staying here. Get in the kitchen too."
Robin examined the island thoughtfully. "That fire," she murmured. "I would like to look at this island where two admirals fought to the fullest."
Zoro stretched his arms behind his head and gave a bored shrug. "Fire or not, maybe there's someone strong enough over there to give me a real fight. I'll go."
Usopp turned to him with a frown. "You'll get lost before you even get off the beach."
Zoro shot her a glare. "I won't get lost! If there's only one direction to go, then it's easy!"
Brook peered over the side of the ship, his afro. "Yohohoho! I don't think I shall go. Fire and bones don't mix well, and I'd rather not die again."
Chopper tugged at Luffy's vest. "Luffy, wait! If you're going, at least take some medical supplies. Who knows what kind of toxins or burns you might get!"
Luffy nodded enthusiastically, grabbing the satchel Chopper handed him, and slinging it over his shoulder with zero intention of using it.
Franky popped his head up from the lower deck hatch, tools in hand. "Yo! Don't even think about bringing the Sunny in close to that inferno—it's SUPER dangerous! You'll scorch the hull. Take the Mini Merry!"
He pressed a button, and the small ship rose from the storage dock on its lift, gleaming in the sunlight like a proud little warrior ready for duty. Luffy gasped, stars practically shooting from his eyes. "MINI MERRY!!"
Robin smiled softly at the sight. "Still holding up beautifully," she said, placing a gentle hand on its wooden rail once it docked alongside.
"Go, little sister!" Franky said, giving the Mini Merry a proud thumbs up. "Show 'em what you've got!"
Usopp, who had been cautiously inching away from the group, froze as he saw the others getting ready to leave. "Wait, wait, wait—hold on! Merry! Franky this is so.." tears welled up in Usopp's eyes and he hugged the ship.
"Shishi, Usopp don't worry. We'll keep her safe. She's a part of the crew." Luffy reassured Usopp giving him a pat on the shoulder. Hancock and Jinbe looked watched the crews reactions to the mini ship, not quite understanding but leaving it for now.
"We best get going then." Robin said and all the four Straw Hats got in the ship to leave for the island.
As the Mini Merry pulled away from the Sunny, carrying Luffy, Hancock, Robin, and Zoro toward the burning shoreline, the rest of the crew watched them go. The small boat bobbed in the fire-coated waves to its destination.
XXX
The Mini Merry bumped softly against a charred dock, the water around it steaming slightly from the residual heat radiating off the nearby rocks. Luffy leapt onto the scorched planks with a spring in his step, landing with a loud thud and looking around excitedly. "Smells like a barbecue!" he said, grinning as he inhaled deeply and took out his lunch box. "I'm starving."
Hancock descended gracefully besides him, "Luffy you shouldn't eat everything. Save some for later." She said sternly.
"But Hancock," Luffy pouted at his lover, but she was not moved on this. They had just left the ship.
"No. Now let's explore."
That seemed to make him forget all about not being able to finish his lunch box.
Robin stepped off more carefully, her boots crunching on bits of blackened debris. "Fufu, now I did not expect to see the day," she said, eyes watching her captain control even if slightly.
Zoro hopped off next, resting a hand on one of his swords in case of danger, glancing around with narrowed eyes.
They moved forward together, passing what once must have been a checkpoint. A tall, twisted metal gate stood before them, warped and melted from exposure to intense heat. On the crumbling pillars beside it, two symbols were displayed, the Marine emblem and the World Government seal were unmistakable.
Robin paused, looking at the symbols with interest. "Well here are both insignias posted together. I do wonder what they used this island for before they let two admirals lose on it."
Luffy tilted his head. "Do you think it was a secret base?"
"Most likely," Robin replied, fingers brushing over the charred edges of the emblem. "But it's been obliterated so I doubt anything of relevance would remain."
Zoro stepped forward with little concern. "I guess then it doesn't matter if I do this." He drew one of his swords in a clean arc and, with a single, fluid strike, sliced through the melted gate with a hiss of steel and steam.
The doors clanged to the ground with a distorted echo.
They entered the city ruins. Burnt husks of buildings lined the streets, their skeletal frames bent and twisted. What used to be homes or laboratories were now half-melted structures, the walls dripping like wax.
Hancock looked around warily. "But the distress call we intercepted... it described cold."
Luffy scratched his head. "Maybe the guy was just stupid. Got confused or something."
Robin raised an eyebrow at him. "Or perhaps...somewhere on this island there is a cold area. I can assume based on the ever burning fire this side Akainu probably fought from." She looked to Luffy for clarification as the only one that has fought Akainu before.
Luffy whistled as he took a better look around, "Hmm, Akainu definitely did this."
"Then somewhere on this island is the part where Akoji fought from and that would be where our call came from." Robin hypothesized.
Zoro glanced around, "Doesn't look like much of anything survived."
"Except," Robin added, pointing ahead, "that."
They followed her gaze and moved deeper into the charred ruins, passing a shattered plaza. Then, looming up ahead between collapsed buildings, was the unmistakable shape of a massive skull—half-buried in rubble and partially melted, but still intact enough to see its jaw gaping wide.
It was unlike any creature they had ever seen. Long fangs, a distorted cranium, and deep cracks running along its surface. The skull rested atop what seemed like the remains of a massive creature of some sorts.
Luffy's mouth dropped open. "Whoa."
Suddenly, a low, guttural rumble echoed from above. The ground trembled and a shadow passed over the ruined square.
Zoro instinctively looked up, already reaching for his swords. "Something's coming."
The air split with a roar as a massive dragon descended through the smoky sky. Its scales shimmered red-hot in the firelight, wings unfurling with a bone-rattling gust. It landed on the edge of the square with a thunderous crash, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Molten dust spiraled up around it, giving the creature a hellish glow.
The crew froze for a breathless second, staring.
"A dragon?!" Luffy shouted, practically vibrating with excitement. "No way! This is so cool!!"
Even Hancock's eyes widened slightly. "It's quite the big lizard…"
Zoro took a step forward, his fingers tightening around his hilts. "Tch. Didn't expect today to get interesting."
The dragon let out another rumbling growl, steam rising from its nostrils. Then, to their shock, it spoke.
"You there... Are you allies of the Warlords of the Sea?"
Robin's brow furrowed. "It can talk?"
Luffy blinked. "Whoa! Talking dragon?! Even cooler!"
But before anyone could answer, the dragon roared and lunged, flames gathering in its mouth. Without hesitation, it attacked, sending a blast of searing heat toward them.
Zoro dashed forward, slicing through debris as he deflected the fire with a swift arc of his blade. "Guess we're fighting now."
"Go, Zoro!!" Luffy shouted from behind a half-melted wall. "Beat up the dragon!! But don't kill it too fast—I wanna ride it!!"
Zoro gritted his teeth. "I'm not holding back for your stupid fantasy!"
The dragon swiped a clawed foot at him, and Zoro rolled under it, slashing up at its belly. Sparks flew. It snarled and beat its wings, trying to lift off, but Zoro was already on top of it, slicing down.
Robin, observing from behind cover, narrowed her eyes. Something was off. "Wait... look—there. Along its lower back."
Hancock followed her gaze, frowning. "...Those are legs?"
Indeed, just behind the dragon's shoulder blade, a pair of human legs—the lower half of a kimono with feet kicking—were sticking out awkwardly, as if fused to the creature's back.
"Luffy," Robin called, "There's a person stuck to it."
"Wha—?" Luffy whipped around and squinted. "No way... THAT'S AWESOME!"
Hancock blinked. "That's your takeaway?"
"Zoro!" Luffy shouted. "Be careful of the legs! There's a guy stuck to the dragon! Don't slice him!"
Zoro, mid-leap, shot back a glare. "Yeah, thanks for the late warning!"
The dragon roared and turned, fire flashing again in its throat—but Zoro landed on its snout with a cold expression.
"Sorry, big guy," he muttered. "No room for more fun today."
In a blur, his blades danced in a cross pattern, and with a clean cut, he delivered a finishing blow that sent the dragon's head crashing into the scorched earth.
It lay still, breath hissing out in a final, smoky exhale. The body slumped, dust rising around it.
Silence fell.
Luffy jogged over, eyes shining. "Zoro, that was awesome! You beheaded a dragon!"
Zoro sheathed his swords with a grunt. "Felt... softer than it looked."
Robin moved closer to inspect the legs more carefully. "The man is still attached. Alive, perhaps?"
Luffy leaned down, poking at the legs. "Hey. You okay, dragon guy?"
As they stood around the twitching pair of legs, the silence was broken by a sharp, exasperated voice:
"Dragon! What are you talking about."
Zoro instinctively reached for his swords.
Robin raised an eyebrow. "How curious…"
Hancock's eyes narrowed. "It wasn't the dragon after all."
Luffy, on the other hand, broke into a grin and crouched beside the legs with childlike wonder. "Whoa! These legs can talk! Where is the rest of the body?"
Robin took a step closer, her arms folded. "It's not some random curse by the look of it."
Zoro side-eyed the legs. "Weird things keep happening on this island..."
"HELLO?! Can anyone stop chatting and help me already?" The legs bounced impatiently. "I've been like this for hours!"
Luffy laughed. "This is hilarious. Are you alive? Like, just the legs part?"
"Yes, I'm alive!" the legs snapped. "And I'd really appreciate not being treated like a circus act!"
Robin chuckled softly. "You'll have to forgive our captain. He tends to get excited around anything remotely absurd."
"Oi," Zoro said, frowning. "How the hell are you still walking around with no top half?"
"Magic? Luck? Sheer frustration?" the legs replied. "I don't know how it works. All I know is some lunatic with a sword and a weird polar bear hat sliced me in half!"
Hancock's eyes focused sharply. "Polar bear hat?"
Robin's eyes narrowed in recognition. "That sounds an awful lot like... Trafalgar Law."
"Of course it does. Who was that again?" Zoro asked after pretending to know the guy.
"Yeah!" the legs said, hopping angrily. "That's the guy! Trafalgar Law! One minute I'm charging at him, the next—bam! Legs!"
Luffy chuckled. "Sounds like Law hasn't changed."
Hancock's expression was unreadable, but her voice carried weight. "Law's power... It's the Ope Ope no Mi. He can do this sort of thing casually. Don't underestimate him just because he saved you once Luffy."
Robin walked a slow circle around the legs, clearly analyzing the legs. "This would go well with Halloween."
"Great, wonderful, now I am a display for strangers," the legs groaned. "Can someone please help me find the rest of me? Preferably before I melt?"
Luffy clapped his hands. "Alright! Let's go find your top half!"
"Really, you will help me. I did not even ask," the legs muttered. "You guys are so great!"
Robin offered a small, knowing smile. "It is never boring."
"If Law is nearby, he's not here by accident." Hancock said, though not truly worried about the other Warlord. She was above mere warlords now.
The legs suddenly started hopping in place again, kicking up ash and dust.
"GAHHH! It's cold! And wet!"
Zoro crossed his arms. "Tch. What are you talking about we are in the middle of a fire?"
Robin, tilted her head in thought. "Cold and wet…" she murmured. Her eyes slowly closed, her expression serene as she reached inward, piecing together what she had observed since arriving on the island.
Luffy stared at her, head tilted. "Robin? You okay?"
Moments passed in silence. Then, Robin opened her eyes again.
"There's a large lake near the center of this island," she said, brushing a few ashes from her shoulder. "There seems to be no other large body of water around."
"So you think the rest of the body's there?" Zoro asked.
She nodded. "It's the most likely location. The other side of the island is completely frozen. As I thought, most likely the work of Akoji."
"Awesome," Luffy grinned. "Let's go find the rest!"
Before anyone could move, Hancock's eyes snapped upward. Her posture stiffened for a heartbeat—then she shot into the air with explosive force, leaping higher than any of them expected.
"Hancock?" Robin said, blinking.
"Oi—what's she doing?" Zoro reached for his swords.
A second later, a blur dropped from the sky, followed by a loud crash as something slammed violently into the ground near them, sending up a burst of ash and earth.
Everyone turned to the crater that was just made.
Sprawled in the crater was a woman—unconscious or barely conscious—with large feathered wings where her arms should've been, and long, tangled green hair spilling across the ground.
Hancock landed gracefully beside her, back arched with poise, eyes still burning.
Luffy walked over with casual curiosity, crouching down beside the winged figure. "Whoa. She's got wings! I haven't seen them as arms before!"
Robin knelt just behind him, her gaze flicking between the stranger and Hancock. "How did you know she was watching us?"
Hancock didn't even glance at the woman. Her gaze was locked possessively on Luffy as she answered, her voice cold and commanding.
"She had eyes on my Luffy. I could feel it. My love radar has no limits, no other women shall have my Luffy." Her gaze finally shifted, sharp as a blade. "And I don't tolerate threats near him."
Robin, lips curled in the faintest of smiles, looked down at the winged woman. "She may have some answers. This island... it's strange. According to Jinbe the island was abandoned years ago and now dragons, body parts separated but still alive… and now a spy with wings?"
Luffy scratched his head. "Then it's time for interrogation."
Zoro stood next to him and both of them chuckled darkly looking at the stranger.
The woman stirred faintly, letting out a weak groan at that moment to see the scary scene of Luffy and Zoro looking at her as one about to be taken apart. She fainted.
Robin's sighed, "She won't stay unconscious long."
Hancock stepped forward, arms folded. "Good. We have questions for her."
XXX
Back at the Thousand Sunny, the mood was far more relaxed—at least, for the moment.
Usopp was lounging near the mast with a drink in hand, until a thought suddenly jolted him upright. "Wait a second…"
Brook, tuning his violin nearby, paused mid-stroke. "Yohoho? Something wrong, Usopp-san?"
Usopp jumped to his feet and waved his arms. "The guy! The guy on the den den mushi—he said it was cold where the samurai cut him, right?!"
Chopper, sitting nearby with a snack, blinked. "Yeah… he did!"
Nami, who was charting a map on the upper deck, glanced toward the far end of the island, where thick, heavy clouds loomed. Her brow furrowed. "Those clouds… they're cold fronts. Generally seen in areas with cold temperatures. That means that we are on the wrong side of the island."
Before anyone could respond, Chopper's nose twitched. He froze.
"Wait… something's off," Chopper said, standing up abruptly. "There's something weird in the air… like gas. It's faint, but—it's spreading."
"What?!" Usopp jumped behind a barrel. "Poison gas?! Deadly fog?! Sleep spores?! I knew it was too quiet!"
Franky was already on the move. "I got this!"
He slammed his fist into his chest with a metallic clank, then twisted a valve on his arm. "SUPER AIR SUCTION MODE: VACUO-FRANKY!!"
A series of gears and vents along his chest opened up with a hiss, and a deep whooooomph echoed out as he began vacuuming the air around the deck. Leaves, dust, and several of Usopp's snack wrappers were yanked into the whirlwind.
"WHOA WHOA WHOA!" Usopp screamed, holding onto the rail for dear life. "NOT ME FRANKY!"
Franky suddenly stopped, cheeks puffed like a balloon.
"Uhh… Franky?" Chopper tilted his head. "You okay?"
With a dramatic thumbs-up, Franky turned to the sky and let out a BURP, releasing a mist of expelled air that sparkled under the sun.
"Suuuuupeeer cleared out!" Franky grinned, giving a peace sign. "Ain't no weird fumes messing with my crew!"
Usopp and Chopper looked at each other, eyes wide with awe.
"Franky…" Chopper said slowly, "can you get any cooler?"
Usopp wiped away a single tear. "I want to be just like you when I grow up."
Brook stepped in, nodding sagely. "Yes, quite an impressive feat! Although if I'd breathed it in, it wouldn't have affected me at all since I have no lungs! Yohohoho!"
Nami sighed, rolling her eyes fondly. "You boys done playing superhero?"
Franky winked. "Always room for one more encore, Nami-swan."
She smirked. "Good. Because we need to find out where that gas came from."
"Did you guys hear that?" Chopper whispered, ears twitching.
Usopp was already diving behind a barrel again. "Yep! Definitely heard that! Ambush! I knew it! And I thought it would be safer on the ship."
From the deck, Brook peered over the railing. "Hmm? There appear to be several people climbing aboard… dressed in green?"
Suddenly, a series of figures in hazmat suits leapt onto the deck with silence. Their filtered voices crackled through helmet speakers.
"They should all be unconscious by now. Toxin levels were calibrated to knock out giants—there's no way they're awake."
"Yeah, once we bag them, the boss will—"
One of them looked up—and froze.
The Straw Hats were all standing in a loose circle, very much awake, alert… and staring straight at them.
"…Oh crap."
"Wait—THEY'RE AWAKE?!"
"WHO MESSED UP THE DOSE?!"
Usopp popped out from cover, holding his slingshot. "Well we're not the ones who should be worried anymore!"
Sanji cracked his neck and lit a cigarette. "What a rude entrance…"
In a flash of chaos, the Straw Hats sprang into action.
Franky bulldozed two with a right hand punch, launching them over the railing with a "Strong Right!"
Chopper transformed mid-air into Heavy Point and flattened another.
Brook politely disarmed one with a swift jab from his cane-sword and a polite, "Excuse me, but may I borrow your helmet? Yohohoho!"
Within moments, the deck was quiet again, a pile of groaning, barely-conscious invaders left crumpled in a corner.
Nami dusted off her hands. "Well, that was annoying."
"So they're connected to the weird fog?" Usopp asked, peering at a hazmat helmet curiously.
"They must be," Jinbe said, frowning deeply. "And now that we've caught some, we can get answers."
"Good." Sanji stepped forward, eyes sharp. "Let's start with—"
RRRIIIIINNNGGGG.
Everyone froze as the den den mushi sitting on one of their hostages crackled to life, its shell opening and eyes blinking slowly.
"…Should we answer that?" Usopp asked, backing away from it like it might explode.
Nami frowned. "It could be dangerous. It could be a trap."
"It's probably their boss," Jinbe said grimly, eyeing the defeated intruders. "The timing is too precise."
Sanji exhaled a cloud of smoke and walked up to the receiver, rolling his shoulders.
"I'll take it," he said coolly.
Jinbe looked at him, concerned. "Are you sure that's wise?"
Sanji smirked. "Please. I've sweet-talked Warlords over the line. I've got this."
He picked up the receiver and pressed it to his ear.
Sanji leaned casually against the railing of the Thousand Sunny, the den den mushi receiver pressed to his ear. The snail's face had shifted into a new form—sharp, angular features, crazed eyes, and an unmistakably arrogant sneer. A voice crackled through:
"This is Caesar." The voice was nasal, slick with superiority. "Is it done?"
Sanji's brow twitched, but he kept his voice even. "Yeah. It's done. No problems."
"Good! Good!" Caesar's voice was positively giddy. "Then bring them to the base immediately. We'll begin preparations as soon as you arrive. I have waited long enough." There was a click as Caesar abruptly hung up.
The snail slumped back into its neutral form.
For a few seconds, there was silence.
"…Caesar?" Jinbe repeated slowly, his expression darkening. "Did he say his name was Caesar?"
Usopp scratched his head. "That guy sounded… weird. Like the type who stirs cauldrons and laughs alone."
Jinbe turned to the crew, serious and calm. "I've heard of him. Caesar Clown. Former government scientist turned rogue. He was working on chemical weapons and outlawed biological experiments. He's dangerous—and completely unhinged."
"Great. A mad scientist." Sanji remarked.
"Precisely," Jinbe nodded. "He disappeared a few years back when Vegapunk moved on to other things. Many thought he was dead... but clearly, he's been busy."
Sanji clicked his tongue in disgust. "So he's been experimenting again. Then the question is what he is doing here."
Nami frowned. "We're in the middle of his twisted science project then."
Brook leaned in to the conversation. "He would then have a lab set up somewhere on this island."
"Most likely," Jinbe said. "He wanted us captured—not killed. That means he needs test subjects."
Sanji took a long drag on his cigarette, exhaling smoke with sharp irritation. "So, he thinks we're already bagged and on the way to his lab."
Usopp looked pale. "What happens when he finds out we're not?"
"Nothing good," Sanji muttered.
Chopper frowned. "Then we have to warn Luffy and the others."
"Agreed," Jinbe said. "We need to regroup before Caesar realizes something went wrong."
Sanji stepped away from the rail and headed toward the den den mushi again, already adjusting the dial. "Let's check in with Luffy. If Caesar's got experiments running, Luffy's probably already in the middle of it."
"Think he's okay?" Usopp asked nervously.
Nami gave a faint smirk. "It's Luffy. He's probably fighting a dragon and making friends with it at the same time."
Sanji nodded. "Still… the sooner we sync up, the better."
He pressed the receiver.
Click-click. The line rang as the snail blinked.
Everyone leaned in.
"Come on, Luffy," Sanji muttered. "Pick up already."
The Den Den Mushi on the Thousand Sunny's deck buzzed softly before blinking open, its face slowly morphing into the calm, familiar features of Robin.
"Sanji," she said smoothly, "is everything alright on your end?"
Before Sanji could respond, a sharp yelp cut through the background of the line, followed by a haughty, scolding voice.
"You dare threaten my beloved Luffy-sama? Know your place!"
The crew could clearly hear Boa Hancock, her voice laced with fury and pride.
Usopp leaned in nervously. "Uhh… Did she just yell at someone?"
Franky scratched his head. "Sounds like things are getting lively over there. What happened?"
Robin's tone remained calm, "We had a spy. A woman with green hair and wings for arms. She was observing us from the air. Hancock intercepted her before she could escape."
"A spy?" Nami asked.
"Yes," Robin confirmed. "We believe she's connected to whatever experiments are happening here. This island is more dangerous than we first thought. We've also encountered a living pair of severed legs—still conscious. Likely the work of Trafalgar Law."
"Legs?" Usopp blinked. "You mean… just the legs?"
"Alive and walking," Robin said matter-of-factly.
Chopper squeaked. "How is that even possible?!"
Jinbe folded his arms. "If Law is involved, then it's not impossible. He's capable of manipulating human anatomy without killing the subject."
Sanji gave a grim nod, then responded, "Things aren't quiet over here either. A group in hazmat suits tried to gas us in our sleep. Thought we'd be unconscious by now. We handled them, but it confirms they're expecting us to be taken in alive."
"They mentioned someone named Caesar," Franky added.
"This entire island is probably his playground," Sanji finished. "Which begs the question—what's our move?"
There was a brief pause before Luffy's voice burst through the receiver, loud and enthusiastic:
"We string the trap! It would be so much more fun that way. Things are getting good!"
Robin added calmly, "We'll meet you on the frozen side of the island. It was where the original message was from; we are hoping to find the other body parts there. We'll meet you that side."
Sanji smirked. "Got it. Just don't get yourself frozen solid before we arrive."
The call ended with a soft click, and the den den mushi went limp.
Usopp stared at the horizon, his face pale. "The cold side? You mean the place where giant ice cliffs and death-fogs probably are? That cold side?!"
Chopper patted his arm. "It's okay, Usopp. You'll only mostly freeze."
Brook chuckled lightly. "Yohoho, at least I have no skin to get frostbite!"
Franky grinned and flexed. "We've got our heading then!"
Nami nodded, her eyes narrowing as she pulled her coat tighter. "Jinbe, I have a favor to ask."
"Of course," he said.
"Can you scout ahead toward what might be Caesar's base? Just stay out of sight. We don't want to tip our hand too early."
Jinbe gave a small nod. "A stealth approach suits me fine. I'll follow the current along the coast and recon the area."
Sanji lit a cigarette and stepped toward the helm. "We'll move in behind you. If we're careful, we can hit them before they know we're coming."
Brook raised his cane-sword. "It seems the concert is just beginning."