The depths of the ocean, with its infinite blue, enveloped the Thousand Sunny in a silent embrace. The ship, covered in its protective resin bubble, glided through the marine currents, its sails fluttering under the flickering light of bioluminescent fish.
Inside, the Straw Hat crew, reunited after two years of separation, vibrated with overflowing energy. Laughter and voices echoed in the dining room, where an impromptu banquet was in full swing. The tables overflowed with colorful dishes – roasted meats, fresh fish, sweet cakes – prepared by Sanji, whose heart-shaped eyes betrayed his excitement at reuniting with his companions.
Luffy, slouched in his seat, a chicken drumstick in each hand, laughed heartily. "Hahaha! It's so great to be all together! We're going to become the kings of the New World!" His voice, full of childlike conviction, made Zoro smile as he sipped from a sake bottle, his sword Wado Ichimonji resting against his shoulder. "You haven't changed, Luffy," he grunted, a corner of his mouth lifted.
Nami, seated next to a stack of sea charts, sighed as she crossed her arms. "Luffy, focus a bit! We're heading towards Fish-Man Island, and it's not going to be a walk in the park. The currents are treacherous, and we have no idea what awaits us down there." She tapped a compass, her gaze scanning the depths through the portholes.
Usopp, busy carving a wooden figurine, looked up with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Yeah, and after what happened at Marineford, the world has become even crazier! Do you remember that guy, Gojo?" He paused dramatically, shivering. "He straight up executed Celestial Dragons in front of everyone! And he said he was going to wage war against the World Government!"
The name Gojo brought a momentary hush. Chopper, perched on a chair, widened his eyes, his fur bristling. "W-What?! That guy is terrifying! He must be super strong to pull off something like that!" He clutched his hat, trembling at the thought of such a monster.
Sanji, puffing on his cigarette, raised an eyebrow. "Strong or not, if he harms pretty ladies, he'll regret being born," he said, his tone half-serious, half-dreamy, imagining an army of mermaids at Fish-Man Island.
Franky, busy adjusting a gadget on his robotic arm, burst into laughter. "SU-PER! This Gojo has got style, gotta admit! Showing up like that, snapping his fingers, and bam! Celestial Dragons gone. Now that's an entrance that rocks!"
Brook, scratching a cheerful tune on his violin, tilted his skeletal skull. "Yohohoho! A man defying the heavens, it's fascinating! But tell me, does anyone know what he's up to? He mentioned the One Piece, didn't he?" His empty eye sockets seemed to sparkle with curiosity.
Luffy, mouth full, shrugged. "Well, he seems cool, this guy! If he wants the One Piece, he'll have to beat me!" He burst into laughter, scattering crumbs on the table, which made Nami yell. "Luffy! Stop making a mess!"
Amidst this merry chaos, Robin, seated in a corner with an open book, looked up, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. "Gojo... A fascinating man," she murmured, catching everyone's attention. She closed her book gently, her fingers brushing the cover. "After our separation at Sabaody, I spent several months on an island under his control."
A stunned silence fell over the room. Even Luffy stopped chewing, his round eyes fixed on Robin. "Huh?! You were with that guy?!" he exclaimed, knocking over his plate in his excitement.
Robin gave a small smile, amused by their reactions. "Not directly with him, but on his territory. An island in the New World, a... peculiar place." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "Gojo doesn't impose strict laws, unlike the other emperors. His territory is a refuge for those fleeing the World Government. The people there see him as a protector, even worship him as a god."
"Sukuna?!" Chopper nearly fell off his chair. "That monster with red eyes?! You survived that?!"
Robin chuckled softly. "Sukuna let me explore the ruins of the island without bothering me. He seemed... intrigued by my research. And Yuki even helped me access forbidden archives." Her gaze turned more serious. "I found inscriptions that could be related to the Void Century... and perhaps to Gojo's clan."
Nami, wide-eyed, leaned forward. "Wait, you're saying he protects people, but he still killed Celestial Dragons! And he controls Fish-Man Island, right? This smells like trouble all over!"
Zoro, finishing his sake bottle, grunted. "If he's really an emperor, he must be strong." He placed a hand on his sword, his gaze sharp.
Luffy, grabbing another drumstick, burst into laughter. "If he's cool, maybe we'll become friends! But if he wants the One Piece, I'll beat him!" His declaration, full of his usual confidence, made the crew laugh, easing the tension.
Sanji, lighting another cigarette, turned to Robin. "And you, Robin-chan, what do you think of this Gojo? Is he charming?" he asked, a charming smile on his lips.
Robin gave a mysterious smile. "Let's say he's... unpredictable. But he knows things that the Government fears. His declaration of war wasn't a mere bluff."
Franky, clapping his metal fist against his palm, exclaimed: "SU-PER! A guy who shakes up the world promises an amazing adventure!"
Brook, still playing, added: "Yohohoho! I hope he likes music! Maybe we could do a duet, him and me!"
Usopp, less enthusiastic, shuddered. "I say we should avoid that kind of monster! Did you see what he did at Marineford? He just... bam! And the Celestial Dragons were gone!"
Chopper nodded frantically. "Yeah, Usopp's right! He's too scary!"
Nami, exasperated, pounded her fist on the table. "Can you stop talking about this guy? We have enough problems as it is! We're heading to Fish-Man Island, and I just want us to arrive in one piece!"
Luffy, ignoring Nami's annoyance, jumped to his feet, a big smile on his face. "Whether it's Gojo or the Government, we're going to explore this island and have fun! And then, we'll find the One Piece!" He raised his glass, splashing juice everywhere, which made Nami yell once again.
Amidst laughter and arguments, the Sunny continued its descent, the shadows of marine creatures dancing around the resin bubble. Through the portholes, the first glimmers of Fish-Man Island appeared, a coral silhouette shimmering in the depths. A spark of excitement gleamed in Luffy's eyes.