Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

"Gogogo! Eat my Ramen Kung Fu!"

Wanze shouted, grinning as his giant noodle arm shot toward Sanji.

Sanji sidestepped effortlessly, raising an eyebrow. "Can you get any more ridiculous?"

He leapt at Wanze, ready to strike. "Escalope..."

"Ramen Beam!" Wanze fired noodles from his nose, hitting Sanji mid-air and sending him crashing to the ground.

"Gah!" Sanji groaned, shielding himself from the sticky attack.

"Gogogo! You're useless without your kicks!" Wanze mocked, sending more noodles flying from his arm. "Multiple Noodle attack!"

Sanji grabbed two knives, slicing through the noodles with precision. He then caught them in a plate with a smirk. "Your dinner's ready."

"My noodle arm!" Wanze gasped, watching his creation fall apart.

Sanji adjusted his tie. "Knives aren't meant for fighting, but for you? I'll make an exception."

Wanze panicked, hurling everything he could grab. "You'll never beat the top agent of CP7!"

Sanji closed the distance with ease, dismantling Wanze's attacks one by one. His final kick shattered the noodle armor entirely.

"This...is the technique of a top-class chef." Sanji said, towering over Wanze.

"I…I've been cut!! Aaaah!!" Wanze shrieked, stumbling back, only to pause as he frantically checked himself. "Wait…I wasn't cut!?"

Sanji's grin was razor-sharp. "Knives aren't meant for cutting people. You should know that, considering you call yourself a cook."

Fury clouded Wanze's expression. "You arrogant—! Knife throw!" He whipped a handful of knives toward Sanji.

Sanji's form blurred as he vanished from sight. "Kick L'oeil!" He reappeared in front of Wanze, driving a powerful kick into his face and sending him reeling.

"Cool it." Sanji growled. "And surrender."

Wanze spat blood, his eyes blazing with defiance. "As if! Why would you risk everything to save a woman like her!? You have no idea of her true nature!"

Sanji's body stiffened, his eyes narrowing. Then, without a word, he unleashed a relentless flurry of kicks, each strike driving Wanze deeper into the ground. Blood sprayed from the agent's mouth as Sanji's calm fury filled the air.

"Keep talking–" Sanji warned coldly, "And I'll rearrange your face beyond repair."

"Wait, wait!" Wanze raised a hand, his other clutching his head. "I think you've already shrunk it! Fine, fine, I'll talk! Everyone knows—she's a twisted devil!"

Wanze barely finished his sentence before Sanji's foot smashed into his side, sending him flying into the wall with a resounding crash.

Panting and battered, Wanze pushed himself upright, grabbing a nearby knife. "I…I won't let you pass! I'll take your life now! Haaaaah!" He charged recklessly, knife raised high.

Sanji sidestepped effortlessly. "Three-point Decoupage!" A single, devastating kick struck Wanze in the stomach, folding him in half as he hurtled through the train car.

His body crashed through walls and debris before slamming to a halt in the second car, right at the feet of four seated agents. Their cold, calculating gazes shifted toward Sanji, who stood silhouetted in the wreckage.

…

"Are we there yet!? At the Bashing Tom!?" Luffy shouted, perched atop the shark-shaped prow of the sea train.

"It's Puffing Tom! And get back inside, you'll get soaked!" Nami yelled, frustration clear in her voice.

"That's okay! We like it out here!" Luffy grinned, the sea spray catching in his hair.

"You don't have to join him in his stupidity, you know." Nami added, directing her exasperation at Ryomen, who stood next to Luffy.

"I'm just making sure there aren't any threats ahead." Ryomen replied evenly, his gaze scanning the horizon.

"Now that we've passed through Aqua Laguna, there won't be anything standing in our way. You can relax!" Nami tried to reassure him.

"Hm? Is that not a threat?" Luffy asked, his tone curious as he pointed ahead.

Two train cars sat unmoving on the tracks in front of them.

"What are those doing here!?" Nami's shout of surprise brought everyone to the windows.

"Wow! It's a sea train without an engine!" One of the Franky Family henchmen exclaimed.

"Did it get disconnected from the train?" Chopper asked, tilting his head.

"I don't know, but it's directly in our path. We'll have to get rid of it!" Zoro said grimly, already considering his next move.

"We can't be rash, Zoro-kun! What if Sanji-kun is aboard!?" Sogeking's cautious words gave everyone pause.

"Bro might be there too!" The Square Sisters added, nodding in agreement.

"I'll go check!" Luffy volunteered, extending his arms toward the cars.

"I'm coming with you." Ryomen said, grabbing onto Luffy's back.

"Alright then! Gomu Gomu no…Rocket!"

With a powerful burst, the two launched themselves toward the cars, crashing through a window and landing inside.

"There we go!" Luffy said cheerfully, adjusting his hat as he stood. His grin faded as he took in the room.

"Huh? Who are you guys?"

Dozens of agents and marines stared at them, weapons raised, their faces a mixture of shock and fear.

"They…they're the Straw Hats!!" A marine shouted.

"I suggest you all stay put." Ryomen said coldly, his sharp eyes tracking the tightening grips on their swords and guns.

"Sanji, are you here!?" Luffy called out, completely ignoring the tense atmosphere. "Usopp!?"

The silence hung for a moment before the marines charged.

"Dismantle!"

A series of slashes erupted from Ryomen, shattering weapons and incapacitating the marines in a flurry of precision.

"Aaaaahh!" They cried as they collapsed to the floor.

"Tried to warn you." Ryomen said, his tone casual as he surveyed the downed foes.

"Sanji and Usopp aren't here…" Luffy muttered in disappointment.

"They must be further ahead." Ryomen exclaimed. "For now, we need to get rid of these cars."

"Right!" Luffy nodded before pausing. "Wait, if we destroy the cars, won't we fall into the sea?"

Ryomen blinked, momentarily stunned. "You're…right."

'He's starting to seem smarter and smarter… Why am I feeling so proud?' Ryomen thought, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye.

As the Rocketman approached the cars, Luffy signaled Zoro to take action. The swordsman quickly stepped forward, his hands resting on the hilts of his swords.

"Two-Sword Style…Castle Gate!"

With a swift, precise motion, Zoro's swords cleaved through the train cars, splitting them cleanly in half. The Rocketman surged through the gap, leaving the wreckage behind.

"Eeehh!?" Everyone stared in disbelief at Zoro's display of power.

"Nice job, Zoro!" Ryomen said, giving him a thumbs-up as he and Luffy jumped back onto the train.

"It was too easy." Zoro said, though his expression darkened as he stared ahead. "But there's someone stronger waiting up ahead."

Ryomen followed Zoro's gaze and spotted a figure running along the tracks. A Sea King floated ominously nearby, its massive form casting a shadow over red-tinted water.

…

Further along, a skeletal figure sprinted down the tracks, his breaths ragged.

"Haa…haa…How could I have fallen for their trick!? I've shamed myself!" Captain T-Bone berated himself, his tears mixing with the sea.

"I must catch up to the sea train! If the criminal we're escorting escapes…more innocent lives will be at stake!" His resolve burned in his chest as he pushed forward.

"This is my purpose! I will protect the innocent, even if it costs me my arms and legs!"

The rumble of wheels reached his ears, and he turned to see the Rocketman approaching.

…

Back on the Rocketman, everyone curiously looked at the unknown figure.

"Wah! It's the Ship Butcher!" One of the henchmen cried out in fear.

"The Ship Butcher?" Luffy tilted his head.

"He's a Marine Captain! What's he doing here!?"

"Tsk, more obstacles." Ryomen muttered, his eyes narrowing at the sight of T-Bone.

"He's actually running on water…" Nami said, disbelief in her voice.

"Yeah, he looks strong!" Chopper added nervously.

"Nothing we can't handle." Sogeking said confidently, though his arms were crossed tightly.

Ryomen stepped closer to the edge, his gaze fixed on T-Bone. "I'll say this once. Get out of our way, or you'll die."

"This is the road to justice! I shall cut you down in its name!" T-Bone declared, drawing his sword.

"Cut me down? How funny." Ryomen replied, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Chokkaku Hichō…" T-Bone's voice rang out as he assumed his stance, his blade gleaming.

"I hope you're ready. Cursed…" Ryomen said coldly before launching himself forward.

"Bon Odori!/Armament!!"

The clash was immediate, their attacks colliding with such force that a shockwave rippled across the sea. The pressure sent water surging upward, momentarily drenching the Rocketman. When the impact settled, Ryomen stood firm against the chaos.

T-Bone, however, faltered. Blood trailed from a fresh wound as he tumbled into the sea below, his body disappearing into the waves.

Ryomen leapt back onto the Rocketman, his eyes lingering on the waters where T-Bone had sunk.

"You left those cars to chase after the sea train…" He murmured to himself, his tone a mix of begrudging respect and disdain. "Admirable, maybe, but we can't afford to be stopped."

Without another glance, Ryomen turned away from the sea, the cries of the marines in the distance barely registering. "Justice may be your burden." He said quietly, his voice carrying a weight of conviction, "but we have something far greater on the line."

"Wow! We beat the Ship Butcher!" A henchman exclaimed in shock and disbelief.

"You didn't do anything though…" Ryomen sighed, shaking his head. "Anyway, who unlatched those cars?"

"It had to be Sanji!" Nami said confidently.

"Then we're close!" Luffy grinned happily.

"Finally…our last confrontation." Sogeking muttered, his fist clenched.

"Okay, Rocketman! Let's go! Our enemy is near!!" Luffy then cheered, his excitement infectious.

…

Further down the tracks, on the roof of car three of the Puffing Tom, Nero glared at Franky.

"Soru!" In an instant, Nero appeared beside the cyborg, aiming a precise kick.

Franky countered with a wide swing. "Strong Hammer!"

The agent evaded with Kami-e, backflipping to create distance.

"Rankyaku!" An air blade tore toward Franky, who planted his feet and stood firm as the attack reached him.

The cyborg then inhaled a large amount of air. "Franky Fire!" Flames then erupted from the cyborg's mouth, forcing Nero to use Geppo and leap into the air.

'My attack didn't even scratch him…' Nero thought, his expression darkening as he descended back toward the cyborg.

'What's up with this guy's powers…?' Franky clenched his fists, bracing for another assault.

"Just what…are you!?" They shouted in unison as Nero's descending kick slammed into Franky's face, even as Franky's metallic punch buried itself into Nero's chest.

The impact hurled both of them backward, skidding to opposite ends of the roof.

"Me!? What are you!?" They barked at each other simultaneously, expressions twisting in mutual offense.

The agent vanished again with Soru, appearing directly in front of Franky. He aimed a spinning kick at the cyborg's head, but Franky caught his leg mid-strike with one massive hand.

"Gotcha!" Franky smirked.

"What-!?" Nero's eyes widened as Franky swung him like a ragdoll, slamming him into the roof.

Franky followed up with a hard punch to Nero's midsection, sending him skidding across the roof. The CP9 agent coughed, clutching his stomach as he tried to stand.

"Still wanna keep going?" Franky taunted, flexing his arms. "Because I've got plenty more where that came from!"

Nero glared, struggling to his feet. "You...think you've won?" He staggered forward, preparing to use Soru again.

Franky wasn't having it. "Oh, I know I've won!"

The cyborg charged forward, his massive fist rearing back. Nero attempted to dodge with Kami-e, but Franky was too fast.

"Ultimate Hammer!!"

Franky's rocket-powered fist slammed into Nero's chest with devastating force, sending the agent through the roof of the car, tumbling into the train car below.

Franky glanced around the train car, assessing the situation before casually kicking Nero's limp body away. Unknowingly, he sent the unconscious fighter sliding across the floor until it landed near Wanze.

"Sheesh, man…where did you come from?" Franky turned back around, only to find Sanji standing there, curiosity written across his face.

"Super! Did you finish off the ramen freak?" Franky asked, his tone upbeat despite the tension in the air.

"Yeah, just now." Sanji nodded, casually adjusting his tie and lighting a cigarette.

"It's gotten noisy all of a sudden." Kalifa remarked, her eyes coldly observing the two of them.

"So all the escorts were wiped out?" Blueno murmured, his stoic demeanor unshaken by the events.

"Not that we expected much to begin with." Lucci said, his tone laced with disdain as he crossed his arms.

"These are the guys who took Robin away, and destroyed the Merry?" Sanji asked, his voice calm, though his eyes burned with restrained fury as he studied the CP9 agents.

"Watch yourself. They've got some weird martial arts techniques." Franky warned, cracking his knuckles for emphasis.

"No need to worry about me…I'll take them down in no time." Sanji responded, his eyes focused on the CP9.