While the Orcas waited expectantly near the island entrance, far from shore, the situation was becoming increasingly dire.
It began subtly—an unnatural shift in the air pressure, barely noticeable at first. Then, within minutes, the skies began to darken unnaturally fast. A thick wall of storm clouds rolled in from the horizon, swallowing the sunlight. The sea, once calm and reflective, grew restless, and an eerie silence fell over Water 7.
Suddenly, the water level around the city began to drop. Waves pulled away from the coast, drawing the sea back unnaturally far. Dozens of ships docked in the lower levels were left stranded in thick, wet mud as the seabed was exposed. People stopped what they were doing, watching in confusion and dread.
Time passed.
And then—it came.
On the distant horizon, the sea didn't merely rise. It loomed. A colossal, black wall of water surged upward, extending from the ocean floor to the sky. It was more than just a wave—it was a solid wall of churning, unstoppable force, stretching across the entire horizon in a terrifying arc. Behind it, bolts of lightning flashed within spiraling storm clouds, illuminating the monstrous wave with bursts of blinding white light.
A deafening roar followed—like the earth itself was splitting open. The ground trembled under its force. The returning surge swallowed the exposed seabed in moments. Rain began to pour in sheets, cold and relentless. Gale-force winds howled through the city, ripping tiles off rooftops and sending crates and debris tumbling through the streets.
Atop the relocated Silent Orca, Baral stood firmly planted on the deck, his chest-like body braced against the wind. His eyes locked on the massive wave approaching from the sea.
"This weather… it's getting really unusual," Baral muttered.
'Looks like it was a good decision to relocate,' the ship's voice echoed in his mind.
"Can they even make it to Robin in this mess?" Baral asked, skeptical.
'They will find a way,' Silent Orca replied calmly.
Just then, a blur shot through the sky above them. A figure soared through the heavy rain, using Geppo to hop through the air. A few seconds later, Sanji landed near the ship, soaked and slightly winded.
"Haah... I've been searching everywhere," Sanji said, catching his breath. "You actually relocated the ship up here."
Baral nodded. "Usopp warned about the incoming tides. Thought it best to take precautions."
Sanji looked around briefly, then turned back to Baral. "Where are Usopp and the others?"
"They went to the train station."
Sanji gave a firm nod. "So, are you going with us?"
"Someone needs to watch the ship," Baral asked. "Besides, the boss still isn't here."
Sanji paused. "Right... Zino. Damn, I almost forgot." He looked toward the dark sky. "He's fast. If he shows up, tell him what's happening. If he can catch up... we'll need every hand we can get."
Baral gave a mock salute. "Noted. Leave the ship to me."
"Appreciated." With a quick hop, Sanji vanished into the air again, bounding toward the station through the storm.
...
Aboard the Sea Train – Puffing Tom
The Puffing Tom cut across the sea with relentless speed, its iron wheels clattering smoothly along the tracks laid over the open water. Despite the chaos unfolding back in Water 7, the Sea Train remained unaffected—its path was set, its momentum unwavering.
Far back, atop the final passenger car, a lone figure crouched silently. Moris sat unmoving, the wind whipping around him as if trying to pry him loose—but the veiny tendrils coiling around his arms and legs anchored him in place. They pulsed faintly with a greenish hue, rooting him to the steel like vines on an old tree.
In his hand, he held a small seed, no larger than a fingernail. Slowly, he closed his fist around it. A faint glow radiated from between his fingers, and almost immediately, *thin organic tendrils began to unravel—veins stretching outward like sentient roots. They slithered along the roof, slipped over the sides, and carefully crept across the windows of the car below.
Moris's eyes remained closed, his brow furrowed in concentration.
With his parasitic vines now inside the compartments, he "saw" through them—sensing movement, temperature, and sound. His breath was steady as he scanned the interiors.
"…She's not here," he muttered after a moment, his voice barely audible above the wind.
He stood, the veins on his body retracting and shifting like living armor. With eerie silence, he crept forward to the next car, the tendrils carrying him like an octopus gliding underwater. His footsteps made no sound. Not a soul inside the train knew he was there.
Car by car, Moris advanced, his living scouts slithering into window cracks and ventilation gaps to peek inside. Minutes passed as he patiently checked each compartment—until finally, he reached the front cars.
His hand moved slowly, and his vines slithered into the foremost passenger car.
There—he found her.
Nico Robin sat in silence, wrists bound in front of her, guarded by a contingent of CP9 agents. Her expression was unreadable, her eyes distant but calm. She was flanked by agents in black suits, the oppressive atmosphere inside the cabin weighing heavily.
Another figure stood nearby, bound and fuming—Franky, or rather, Cutty Flam.
"You're just gonna keep your mouth shut?" Blueno jabbed a thick finger into Franky's forehead, voice void of sympathy. "How long are you planning to keep that secret to yourself?"
"GRAHHH! Let me go, you bastard!" Franky thrashed against his bonds. "You wanna fight? I'll take you all on!"
Blueno didn't flinch. "Why would I waste time fighting someone so desperate?"
He prodded Franky again, pushing his patience.
"DAMN YOU!" Franky snarled, lunging with an open mouth. But he only bit air—Blueno had already stepped back.
"You're loud," Blueno sighed. "Let's continue this somewhere else."
With that, he slung Franky over his shoulder like a sack of metal parts and began walking out of the car, entering the next car.
Up above, Moris waited silently for an opportunity. Minutes ticked by.
One minute, two minutes, three...
Finally, after waiting for almost an hour, the opportunity came. Inside the car, a meek voice called out.
"Uh, Lucci," said Corgi, stepping forward nervously. "Would it be alright if I had a private word with Miss Nico Robin?"
Lucci turned his head slowly, his gaze sharp and cold. "And what would you want with her?"
"I-I just wanted to verify a few things," Corgi stammered. "Gather some intel for the higher-ups, that's all…"
For a moment, Lucci said nothing. Then, with a subtle nod, he turned to the others.
The other CP9 agents—Kaku and Kalifa—left the room without a word. Lucci was the last to follow them. As he passed Corgi, he leaned in and whispered coldly:
"Don't sniff around where you're not meant to. You won't like what you find."
Then, with a flick of his coat, Lucci entered the next compartment, the door sliding shut behind him—leaving Corgi alone with Robin... and Moris quietly watching from above.
...
Water Seven.
After frantic adjustments and final tuning, Rocket Man let out a deep metallic groan—its engine roaring to life. Steam hissed from its joints, and the conical shark-head smokebox at its front bellowed like a living beast.
"She's ready," Iceburg declared, stepping back and wiping sweat from his brow. "From here on, it's up to you whether you can catch up to the Puffing Tom... and save your crewmates."
Before anyone could respond, a loud voice called from behind.
"Wait up! Let us come too!"
The Orcas turned to see a large group charging toward them—*the Franky Family*. Covered in bruises, soot, and oil, they looked wild but determined.
"Our Aniki got taken!" Zambai shouted. "We're not just gonna sit around while he's dragged away! Let us join you!"
Zoro raised a brow. "You all want to board this train? There's barely enough room for our crew."
"Don't worry about that!" Zambai grinned, flashing a thumbs-up. "We've got our own ride ready!"
Without another word, the Franky Family dashed off toward the lower docks.
"What are they planning now?" Gin muttered.
"Who knows," Sanji replied with a puff of his cigarette. "Let them handle their part."
Meanwhile, Galdino looked toward the train's front. "So, who's steering this thing? Any of you know how to drive a sea train?"
"Oi! Don't just stand there!" a hoarse voice called out.
From the front cab, Kokoro waved a gloved hand. "If you want to save your friends, get your butts on board!"
Hibari blinked. "Wait—you know how to drive this thing?"
"I've known Rocket Man since she was built!" Kokoro grinned. "Now get on before I leave you behind!"
With no time to lose, the crew rushed into the single passenger car behind the engine. The interior was old and cramped, but there was just enough space for everyone to squeeze in.
CHOO-CHOO!!
The train's whistle screamed across Water Seven as Rocket Man jerked forward, beginning its departure. With a metallic creak, it pulled free of its makeshift dock and rolled onto one of the water canals.
The engine picked up speed as it glided through the canal, creating a wave behind it.
"This thing's fast!" Kaya said, holding onto a rail as the train rocked slightly.
"She's just warming up," Kokoro shouted from the front. "Hold tight!"
Ahead, the canal abruptly ended—opening out into the sea.
Rocket Man didn't stop.
With a thundering blast of steam, it shot off the canal's edge—launching into the air.
"WAAAHHH!!" multiple voices screamed as the train soared for a brief moment.
Then—
SPLASH!!
Just before the Rocket Man hit the water, two massive King Bulls pulling a transport wagon surged up from a side canal. The cart behind them was crammed with the Franky Family, all clinging to their makeshift vehicle.
"FIRE THE LATCH!" Zambai roared.
With a clang, a heavy hook shot forward, clamping tightly onto the back of Rocket Man's passenger car. The King Bulls strained against the pull, their muscles bulging as they adjusted to the sudden weight shift.
BOOOOM!!
Both the Rocket Man and the Franky Family's cart slammed into the ocean in unison. A massive splash erupted from the impact, creating a wall of seawater that sprayed out in every direction. But the Rocket Man didn't falter—it surged ahead with unstoppable momentum, dragging the hooked transport cart behind it.
"NOW THIS IS A RESCUE MISSION!!"
Zambai screamed at the top of his lungs, wind whipping violently against his face. The other Franky Family members let out wild cheers, gripping the sides of the cart with both hands, their eyes wide with excitement.
Inside the main passenger car, the Orcas braced themselves against the sudden acceleration. The jolt had caught some off-guard, but no one was thrown off. They gritted their teeth and held steady as the train hurtled toward the sea rails.
At the front of the Rocket Man, Kokoro kept a firm grip on the levers, guiding the train toward the submerged tracks. As soon as the wheels hit the rails, a powerful magnetic force pulled the train forward, locking it in place and slingshotting it ahead with renewed velocity.
"VROOOOOM!!"
The Rocket Man roared down the track, faster than anything they'd ever ridden.
"Wha—!?" Hibari yelped, catching himself on a handrail.
"Hold tight!" Galdino called, anchoring himself to a pole.
Everyone in the passenger car and even the Franky Family in the towed cart struggled against the surge, but eventually the train stabilized. It was still gaining speed, cutting across the sea with terrifying force, but the sudden jerks had passed.
Moments later, the door to the conductor's cabin swung open and Kokoro stepped out into the passenger area.
"Hey, wait a minute," Zoro muttered, raising an eyebrow. "If you're here, who's steering the train?"
Kokoro chuckled, giving him a toothy grin. "Once it's on the rails, there's no need to steer anymore. These tracks guide the train all the way through the sea. Nothing for me to do now but sit back and enjoy the ride."
"Incredible…" Stev's eyes gleamed. "So this whole system... just runs itself once it locks onto the rails?"
"That's right," Kokoro nodded proudly. "But don't get too comfortable—it's not always a smooth ride."
Stev looked thoughtful, scratching his chin. "I've been fascinated ever since I saw the Puffing Tom. If I could just get a look at the internal structure… maybe even recreate something like this back home…"
Kokoro shook her head. "The original blueprints? Lost long ago. But Iceburg might still have a copy lying around. He helped design these with Tom, after all."
"I'll ask him once this mission is over," Stev said with determination. "This technology's too good to stay forgotten."
Meanwhile, Gin kept his gaze locked on the distant horizon through the window. "How long until we catch up to them?" he asked.
"That depends on how much of a head start they had," Kokoro replied.
The rhythmic clattering of wheels against rails echoed through the car as the Rocket Man continued its relentless charge across the sea. Spray splashed up around them as they cut through waves, but the train remained undeterred.
As the passengers continue chatting, the Rocket Man thundered onward.