Boom!
The stone beneath Luffy's feet shattered under Lucas's punch.
'So, channeling chakra really does grant superhuman strength', Lucas thought, flexing his fist before smirking at Luffy. 'This fight is as good as won.'
But just as Luffy's body reeled from the impact, a flash of steel cut through the air...
"What...?!"
An octopus fish-man materialized in front of Lucas, six blades gleaming.
"You little brat! You dared lie to me?!" Hatchan snarled.
Lucas barely had time to react before agony erupted through his body, six swords piercing him at once. The pain was unlike anything he'd ever felt. His vision blurred, his limbs went numb, and the world seemed to tilt beneath him.
Nearby, Genzo lunged forward to help, but Hatchan was faster, yanking Lucas's limp body upward.
Above the pool, Luffy crashed onto the ground just as Sanji, Zoro, and Nami burst into the park.
"Luffy!" Nami cried, relief flooding her voice.
"Straw Hat!" Arlong's roar was pure fury.
Ignoring the fish-man, Luffy turned to Zoro. "You've done enough. Leave him to me."
Zoro gave a curt nod. "Yeah. Don't lose."
Nami rushed to Lucas's side as the pool's surface erupted in a churn of crimson bubbles. The water frothed violently, staining red.
Zoro's grip tightened on the Kusanagi sword. Something felt wrong.
"Hahaha! Boss Arlong, I'm back!"
Hatchan exploded from the water, Lucas's bloodied form slung over his shoulder.
"Lucas!" The crew shouted in unison.
"You bastard!" Luffy's fists trembled with rage.
Arlong grinned. "Hatchan, good work. This little rat thought she could trick us, looks like she paid the price."
"Tch! Led me on a wild chase, but I caught her sneaking around the water. Pathetic." With a cruel laugh, Hatchan tossed Lucas onto the ground like discarded trash.
Lucas didn't move. Blood pooled beneath him, his breathing shallow.
"You're dead." Zoro's voice was ice.
Hatchan sneered, twirling his six swords. "Human swordsmen can't beat me. I'm the master of the Six Sword Style!"
"You killed my comrade." Zoro's aura darkened, his muscles coiling like a beast ready to strike. "Now you'll join him."
In a blur, Zoro closed the distance. A single devastating slash sent Hatchan flying.
"Impossible!" Hatchan gasped, scrambling up. "How...?!"
Nami tore off Lucas's diving suit, revealing six brutal stab wounds. "We need a doctor, now!"
A village woman pushed through the crowd, kneeling beside Lucas. After a tense examination, she exhaled. "No vital organs hit. He's unconscious from blood loss and pain, but he'll live."
Relief flickered in Nami's eyes, until the doctor frowned. "Though… is this really a girl?"
Nami's eye twitched. "Just bandage him!"
"This ends now, fish-man." Sanji exhaled smoke, glaring at Kuroobi.
The fish-man smirked, flexing his fists. "You'll see true power, Thousand Brick Fist of the Fish-Man Karate!"
Sanji didn't wait. "Brisket Shot!"
His kick hammered Kuroobi's chest, cutting off his technique mid-charge.
"Elbow Strike!"
"Belly Blow!"
"Shin Shot!"
Each kick landed with brutal precision, leaving Kuroobi dazed.
"Mutton…" Sanji spun, flames licking his leg.
"SHOOT!"
The final kick blasted Kuroobi through a wall. Dust settled. Silence.
Sanji lit a fresh cigarette. "Done."
Zoro watched Sanji finish his fight and turned back to Hatchan.
"Your turn."
Hatchan bared his teeth. "Humans can't beat the Six Sword Style!"
"Secret Technique: Six-Sword Whirlwind!"
Zoro didn't flinch. "Three-Sword Style: Tornado!"
Steel clashed. Blood sprayed.
Hatchan collapsed, eyes wide. "H...How…?"
Zoro sheathed his swords and walked away without a word, joining Nami and Sanji beside Lucas.
"Will he make it?" Sanji asked quietly.
Nami nodded. "He's tough. He'll pull through."
Both men exhaled.
Zoro glanced at Luffy, now facing Arlong.
"Now it's your show, Captain."
.....