Wait—hey!! You can't just ride off without a proper goodbye! Hey—Straw Hats, wait! It's me—HANDSOME… ah!! No, that's not right!!! It's Duval.
Duval's voice boomed across the waves as he sat astride Motobaro, the great bison's hooves sending salt spray flying off the Sunny's hull. His gang of Flying Fish Riders fanned out behind him, spears glinting in the late morning sun.
Luffy's eyes widened. "That's him!"
Sanji cracked a grin, flicking seawater from his footwork. "I changed his bone structure so he can't complain about looks anymore."
Duval raised a hand, winking with dramatic flourish. "Young master Black Leg!! I can't thank you enough. After you kicked my face clean off, I woke up to a whole new mug—so handsome, all the ladies flock to me!" He beamed, chest puffed out in delight.
Franky blinked. "He's… thrilled at being beaten up."
"I'd return to my laid-back thug life," Duval continued, oblivious, "but my conscience demands I repay you. If you ever need anything—"
Sanji cut in, eyebrows quirked. "You're talking to me? Even I don't know what I need."
Duval's wink faltered. "Ah… well. If you're satisfied, then good. And if I had one wish… may we never meet again!"
"Are you even listening?" Sanji sighed, folding his arms.
Duval paused, staring at Nami through the haze of his own reflection. "I didn't say anything?"
"It flew right over your head," Sanji muttered as Duval adjusted his helmet. Nami dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin, a bemused smile twitching.
Camie and Pappagg bounded forward. "Before you head to Fish-Man Island, you must pass through the Sabaody Archipelago," Pappagg chirped, starfish petal-hands fluttering. "There are only two routes to the New World: through Mariejoa—if the World Government grants permission—or via Fish-Man Island."
With a nod, the Sunny's sails caught the breeze. Brook played a quick flourish on his violin as Duval tossed them his transponder-snail number and vanished beyond the horizon.
---
The Thousand Sunny slipped into Sabaody's maze of towering oyster shells and rainbow-hued coral. Bubble columns drifted skyward, each one large enough to cradle a small boat.
"Woah—look at those bubbles!" Luffy whooped, pointing.
Nami guided the ship into a gentle dock. Luffy scrambled out and leapt onto a cluster of bubbles. They gleamed in the midday sun like glass lanterns—until one popped under his weight.
Pssst!
He plummeted in a spray of foam, landing with a SPLAT on the cobblestones. Nami shook her head, exhaling in amusement.
Hachi rushed over, brushing debris from Luffy's hair. "These are the coaters—machines that encase ships in giant bubbles so we can cross the Red Line safely." He patted the nearest nozzle. "Once the Sunny's coated, she'll float through the air like a dream."
"Cool!" Usopp chirped.
Luffy sat up, grin plastered beneath foam. "One more thing—"
Hachi's voice turned serious. "Beware the World Nobles. In these towns, Celestial Dragons roam freely. If they do something… terrible, you must act as though you saw nothing."
Silence fell. Even the gulls paused.
---
That afternoon, Luffy's crew split: Sanji, Usopp, and Franky stayed aboard; Zoro went off to spar; the rest followed Hachi toward the coater.
They stopped at a Bon Chari shop—glowing orbs tethered to bicycle frames. A salesman demonstrated: slide the chariot into a bubble, twist the handle, and WHOOSH! You ride the bubble like a hover-bike.
"Rent's only 500 beri a day—or 1,000 to own," he boasted.
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "I want one—no, two!"
Chopper hopped up. "Me too!"
Lucas smiled, hand on chin. "We could buy—"
Hachi shook his head. "Rent for now. These bubbles pop outside the archipelago."
Lucas's grin widened. "No problem—I can stabilize them with magic."
Luffy and Chopper high-fived. "Then we're buying!"
Lucas winked, thumb raised behind Hachi's back.
---
Their convoy of bubble-bikes wove through narrow streets lined with grand mansions and gilded statues of Celestial Dragons. Suddenly, a panicked scream cut the chatter.
A man bolted from a courtyard, collar clamped to his neck. As he ran, the metal band glowed red—then BOOM! The collar exploded in a violent bloom of shrapnel, sending him skidding to a halt in a crater of overturned crates.
"Wha—?!" Luffy froze, eyes wide with horror.
Hachi knelt beside the man, checking his pulse. "Those collars—if slaves break free, they explode." His voice shook. "It's how the World Government controls them."
Chopper's eyes welled. "That's… too cruel."
Lucas's face went stone-cold. He clenched his fists, knuckles white. "Just because they wear fancy clothes doesn't make it any less monstrous." His tone carried a chill that froze the air around them.
A motorcade of carriages swept into view. Two Celestial Dragons reclined on velvet cushions, ivory masks glinting. Guards drew swords that rang like death knells.
Hachi grabbed Lucas and Luffy. "Please—no sudden moves!"
Lucas exhaled, iron in his voice. "I… lost my temper." He snapped his fingers.
POOF!
A swirl of smoke burst between them and the Carriage Guards. Steel sabers slashed, sparks flew, but the smoke billowed thick. When it cleared, the man lay unharmed—gone from the ruins, vanished as though the explosion never happened.
Camie's voice trembled behind him. "Lucas—was that you?"
He turned, hooded eyes softening. "Yes. I teleported him somewhere safe—far from here. If he'd returned home, the Marines would have hunted his family. I… hope he'll find peace."
Luffy clapped Lucas on the shoulder. "Good job, buddy."
The bubbles hummed beneath them, carrying their laughter into the golden dusk as the Thousand Sunny soared ever onward—coated like a crystal ship above the world below.