"Raiha Ryū: Raiken!"
(*Thunder Break Style: Thunder Fist!*)
Zino's fist surged with concentrated lightning as he lunged forward.
"Ice Glove!" Aokiji responded, his own fist shimmering with frost and Haki.
BOOM!!
The two fists collided with a thunderous crack, unleashing a shockwave that rippled across the battlefield. Aokiji held his ground, boots grinding into the dirt, while Zino was blasted backward like a cannonball—his body turning into a streak of lightning that shot across the field.
But just before crashing into the forest, the lightning curved unnaturally mid-air, ricocheting off invisible surfaces and snapping back toward the Admiral.
"Kōri Gōken!"
(Ice Strong Fist!)
Aokiji lunged with a powerful forward punch, aiming straight for the returning bolt. But before contact, the lightning halted—and Zino materialized at his flank with a spin.
"Raiha Ryū: Barai!"
(*Thunder Break Style: Sweep Kick!*)
His sweeping kick connected solidly with Aokiji's ribs, the first clean hit in their entire duel. Aokiji winced, but only for a moment.
"Hyōdan!"
(*Ice Sever!*)
In a flash, Aokiji brought his hand down in a brutal karate chop, slamming it into Zino's torso.
CRACK!
"Gah—!" Zino gasped, pain ripping through his chest as his body crashed hard into the earth, leaving a shallow crater beneath him. Dazed and breathless, he could feel the edges of consciousness slipping.
But instinct saved him. He flashed away in a blink of lightning just as another icy punch shattered the spot he'd been lying in a second before.
BOOM!!
Aokiji narrowed his eyes, irritation creeping into his voice. "Tch. You're fast—annoyingly fast." He looked around, fists still clenched, but saw no sign of his opponent.
He exhaled, calming his breath. "Still… if it's close range, I can keep up. Speed means nothing if I can predict it."
He raised a hand and gestured. "Try again."
Zino didn't hesitate. In the blink of an eye, he was already back—this time appearing on Aokiji's right flank.
"Raiha Ryū: Bakurai!"
(*Thunder Break Style: Exploding Thunder!*)
THOOOM!!
A punch crackling with explosive lightning struck forward at nearly point-blank range. The force of it sent trees swaying and air shaking. But right before impact—
Shhhhhk!
The lightning deflected. A translucent barrier—barely visible—stood between Aokiji and the attack, dispersing the electricity harmlessly to the side.
Zino's eyes widened. "Emission Armament Haki?"
His brief distraction cost him.
"Ice Glove!" Aokiji roared, already mid-punch.
BANG!!
The Admiral's Haki-infused fist collided with Zino's chest. The impact thundered louder than before, launching Zino like a missile into the sky. His body arced far out over the trees—then disappeared in a flash of static.
Aokiji exhaled sharply, then stared into the distance, scanning for signs of return. Seconds passed.
No flash. No sound. No Zino.
"…Ran away again, huh?" he muttered, clearly annoyed. "Persistent little guy."
Brushing frost and dust off his sleeves, Aokiji turned, his breath visible in the cold air.
"A troublesome...rookie."
Without another word, the Admiral walked away, his footsteps leaving faint ice trails behind.
Meanwhile, several kilometers away from the battleground, a lone figure drifted silently across the sea—unconscious, battered, and barely alive.
It was Zino.
That last punch from Aokiji had landed cleanly, shaking his body down to the bones. The sheer force of it had knocked him out cold almost instantly. But in the final flicker of consciousness—just before blacking out—Zino had acted on pure instinct.
He'd launched himself as far away as he could in his lightning form, hoping distance would buy him survival.
Now, his limp body floated on the water's surface, gentle sparks crackling across his skin every few seconds. A thin mist of static shimmered around him, enough to deter curious sea life. Several fish swam close out of instinct—only to dart away the moment they sensed the unstable energy leaking from the unconscious man.
The ocean current took him slowly, drifting aimlessly across the sea. Minutes passed. Then hours.
Eventually, Zino's body bumped against a sandy shore—a tiny, uninhabited islet no larger than a hut. It was barren, save for a single, weather-worn tree growing stubbornly in the center.
Time passed in silence.
Day faded into night, and the stars glittered above the lonely islet. The moon cast silver light over Zino's unmoving form.
When morning came, the first signs of life returned.
"Ugh…" a groan escaped his throat as his eyes slowly blinked open. The sun's brightness stung, and his entire body felt like it had been flattened by a sea train.
"Ghhk!" he coughed—sharp and wet—and blood spilled from his lips.
Shakily, Zino sat up and activated his internal diagnostic. His heart was bruised, lungs punctured, and a web of internal bleeding crisscrossed his torso. Worse, his chest bone was fractured.
"…Damn, that Admiral's fist really did a number on me," he muttered through clenched teeth.
Without hesitation, he activated his Medicine Element, channeling its energy through his core. A warm, soothing light surrounded his body as the internal healing began. Cell by cell, organ by organ, the worst of the damage was slowly being reversed.
Hours passed as he sat cross-legged on the sand, eyes closed, completely focused on the healing.
After two full hours, he finally exhaled and opened his eyes.
His internal injuries were mostly healed now. The pain in his heart and lungs had faded. Only his cracked bones remained—a dull, persistent throb in his chest.
"I'm not ready yet," Zino said to himself quietly. "Not strong enough to take down an Admiral… not even close."
He continued to pour healing energy into himself. Three more hours went by.
Eventually, the pain dulled to a manageable ache. He tapped lightly on his chest.
"Finally... stable," he sighed in relief. Then winced. "Though bones still need time."
Grumble!
His stomach voiced its own protest, reminding him that he hadn't eaten in a day.
"Right. Recovery means nothing on an empty stomach."
Zino reached into his storage and pulled out some preserved meat. He stretched out a palm and released a controlled arc of lightning, roasting the meat on the spot.
Within seconds, sizzling heat filled the air. The smell of cooked meat drifted softly under the island breeze.
Zino tore into it without ceremony, eating hungrily while keeping an eye on the ocean.
Each bite restored some of his energy. Bit by bit, he was pulling himself together.
"Next time, I'll be ready," he murmured between bites, eyes narrowing toward the horizon. "I won't lose the same way again."
Zino looked up, muttering, "How long have I been out? Maybe my crew is worried about me by now."
Deciding to go after his crew, he shot away into the distance with a crackle of lightning.
...
Elsewhere on the open sea, a ship was quietly sailing over calm waters. The mood onboard, however, was anything but peaceful.
"It's already been three days..." Kaya murmured, her hands tightly clenched on the railing. Worry weighed heavily in her voice. "Do you think Zino managed to escape?"
The question hung in the air like a cloud.
No one responded at first. The crew stood in silence, their thoughts mirroring the same concern. No one wanted to say what they feared most.
Finally, Alvida spoke, breaking the stillness. "Let's just trust him. If it's Zino we're talking about… he'll find a way." Her voice was firm, trying to mask her own unease.
"Anyway," she added, "how much longer until we reach Water Seven?"
Nami shook her head slightly. "We're heading in the right direction, but we don't know exactly how far. We don't have a proper map for this stretch of ocean… just guidance from Log Pose and what little info I've gathered."
The group fell silent again, the sea breeze filling the quiet.
Suddenly, Kruz twitched and turned his head. "Hey… you guys hear that?"
"Hear what?" Sanji asked, glancing over.
"That sound… there's something out there." Kruz tilted his head, trying to listen.
chug! chug! chug! chug!
"I hear it now too," said Usopp, his eyes narrowing toward the horizon.
chug! chug! chug! chug!
Everyone quieted down, ears tuned.
"What are those sounds?" Stev asked, standing up straighter.
"It's getting louder…" Zoro muttered. "And closer."
"Look!" Nojiko suddenly shouted, pointing out toward the sea.
All eyes turned. In the distance, something was moving—something fast.
chug! chug! chug! chug!
"What in the world is that?" Binko leaned forward, squinting.
"Hey, hey, hey! That thing's headed straight for us!" Galdino warned.
"Move the ship, now!" someone shouted.
They all rushed into action, steering the Silent Orca away just in time.
Choooo-chooo!
With a sharp whistle, a massive vehicle sped past them on the water—a sea train. It roared by with a powerful rhythm, cutting across the ocean faster than any sailing ship they'd ever seen.
As it passed, they caught fleeting glimpses of the people onboard. Some were dozing by the windows, others scribbling notes, and a few looked out, staring curiously at the pirate ship they passed. Car after car zoomed by until the entire train became a blur in the distance.
Within seconds, it was nothing more than a dot on the horizon, the rhythmic chugging sound fading behind it.
Everyone stood speechless.
"What kind of ship was that…?" Usopp muttered, voice full of awe.
"I've never seen anything like it," Sanji said.
"It's like a train... but for the ocean," Robin added thoughtfully.
Chloris, who had been watching the sea carefully, suddenly pointed down. "Hey—look here. There's something under the water."
Everyone leaned over the railing. Just beneath the surface, they could see it: rails—a metal path stretching out across the sea like a highway.
"So… that thing uses these tracks to move?" Nami said, eyes wide with realization.
"If that train came from somewhere nearby…" Nojiko said slowly, "then maybe… Water Seven isn't far?"
The crew exchanged hopeful glances.
"If there's a train," Nami said with growing confidence, "then there has to be a station. And if there's a station… there's definitely an island nearby."
Zoro chimed in. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's head there already."
Renewed energy surged through the crew. They immediately adjusted their sails and began following the tracks that stretched over the sea.
Driven by fresh purpose, they pushed the Silent Orca to its full speed, hugging the side of the railway line. Time passed as the sea flowed by, and finally—just as the sun began its slow descent—they saw it.
On the horizon, an island unlike any they had seen before came into view.
The moment it was fully in sight, everyone onboard stared in awe.
"It's like a fountain…" Marianne murmured, her eyes wide. "Did they… build an island to look like one?"
A series of cascading waterways flowed downward from a massive elevated structure. Water spilled from artificial cliffs, running through intricate aqueducts and carved paths, surrounding towering buildings made of marble, glass, and coral-stone.
"It's incredible," Mikita said. "Like some kind of floating wonderland."
"And it's busy," Sanji added, narrowing his gaze at the city. He could see people moving around everywhere—but not on roads.
The others soon noticed it too. Instead of carriages or carts, the locals were traveling in small boats along winding canals, steered by strange aquatic mounts—long-bodied sea creatures that looked like a cross between a seahorse and a dragon.
"Is this… Water Seven?" Alvida asked, her voice trailing off, even though the answer was obvious.
"It has to be," Nami said. "No other island fits the description."
"Well then," Hibari said, "let's anchor and head inland. If we just listen to the locals, we'll learn everything we need."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Rather than dock at the main bustling port, they carefully guided their ship toward a quieter edge of the island. The towering structures looked more distant from this side, but it gave them some privacy and a better view of the flowing canals.
Once secured, they began disembarking, one by one. The moment their feet hit solid ground, the vibrancy of the island seemed to wrap around them—sounds of rushing water, and shouts of merchants in the distance.