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Eric's pearl earrings trembled as he balanced precariously on the floating debris, his slit-like eyes scanning the churning waves. The storm had subsided, leaving behind a deceptive calm; the water's surface mirrored the bruised purple of twilight, broken only by the occasional glint of Eric's claw-like nails.
"Damn it… he can actually fight underwater," the mercenary muttered, his fingers twitching. For a Devil Fruit user, this was hell; every splash against his makeshift raft felt like a taunt.
Beneath the surface, Lucas grinned as he watched his prey through the shimmering water. The Sea King's Blessing made the ocean feel like an extension of his body, currents whispering secrets against his skin.
"Hey Eric!" His voice carried unnaturally through the liquid medium, warped and echoing. "Must be rough being an ability user right now!"
Eric's head snapped toward the sound, his hooked purple hair bristling like an angry sea urchin. "Come out and fight properly, you coward!"
Lucas hands formed a quick seal. "Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
His arm transformed into a spectral white serpent that shot through the water with chakra-enhanced speed.
Thunk!
Eric gasped as fangs sank into his shoulder. "What the...?!" He reached back to tear the snake away, only for cold steel to erupt from his chest.
The mercenary looked down in shock at the Kusanagi blade protruding from his sternum. Behind him, a water clone of Lucas dissipated into mist. "How…?" Blood bubbled at his lips, pearlescent in the fading light.
The real Lucas surfaced nearby, shaking seawater from his hair like a dog. "You're still too weak," he said, though his racing heartbeat betrayed his calm tone. 'This is actually working!'
Eric's nails flashed, a desperate wind slash flew toward Lucas throat.
Poof!
Another clone dissolved into cloud.
Before Eric could process this, the sword twisted viciously in his chest. Lucas true form materialized behind him, whispering: "Ninja rule, never trust what you see."
With a brutal yank, Lucas withdrew the blade and grabbed Eric's collar. "Time for a swim."
The moment they submerged, Eric's body went limp, the sea's curse sapping his strength. Bubbles streamed from his mouth as Lucas dragged him deeper, the sunlight fading to an emerald gloom. The pressure mounted with every foot descended, the water growing colder, darker.
'This is it', Lucas thought, watching the mercenary's struggles weaken. 'No coming back from this depth.'
Strange fish circled like vultures. A monstrous anglerfish with teeth longer than Lucas' arm drifted past, its bioluminescent lure flickering like a dying star. 'Definitely not staying to meet its friends.'
Eric's glasses floated away, his slit pupils dilating in primal terror. His clawed hands scrabbled uselessly at Lucas' grip, but the ninja held firm.
"You should've stayed on land," Lucas murmured, though the words were lost to the crushing silence of the deep.
After what felt like an eternity, Lucas released his grip. Eric's body spiraled downward, his hooked hair waving like seaweed until the abyss swallowed him whole.
Breaking the surface, Lucas gasped for air. The battle had taken more out of him than he'd expected, his chakra reserves were dangerously low, and saltwater stung the cuts on his shoulder.
"Lucas!" Nami's voice carried across the waves. A rope splashed down beside him.
Usopp whooped as Lucas climbed aboard, the sniper's knees knocking together despite his bravado. "That's my vice-captain! Took out a Devil Fruit user single-handed!"
Nami helped Lucas over the railing, her fingers lingering on his wrist to check his pulse. "Is he…?"
"Gone," Lucas panted, collapsing onto the deck. "Deep enough that not even fishmen could survive."
Apis peeked from behind the mast, her eyes wide. The dragon egg in her arms pulsed faintly, as if sensing her distress. "You… you killed him?"
Lucas met her gaze evenly. "It was him or us." The words tasted bitter, but true.
A comfortable silence settled over the crew, until Usopp ruined it by puffing out his chest. "Of course! My right-hand man doesn't lose to..."
Nami and Lucas groaned in unison, tossing a nearby bucket at the sniper. It clanged over his head with perfect comedic timing.
"Ow! Rude!" Usopp rubbed his skull, but his grin returned instantly. "But did you see that finishing move? Spectacular! Worthy of the great Captain Usopp's..."
"Shut up," Nami and Lucas chorused, though Lucas lips twitched upward.
On the Marine flagship, Commodore Nelson Royal's jowls quivered as his last soldier crashed through the cabin door. The stench of roasted meat and sweat hung thick in the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood.
"Admiral! They've—gack—defeated everyone!" The major collapsed, revealing Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji in the doorway.
Nelson's piggish eyes darted between his half-eaten roast boar and the intruders. Grease dripped from his triple chin onto his ruined uniform. "E-Eric?"
"Gone," Zoro said, cleaning Wado Ichimonji with a rag torn from a Marine's coat.
Sanji lit a cigarette with shaking hands, his suit torn at the sleeve. "Your mercenary's sleeping with the fish."
Luffy's stomach growled like a sea king. His arm stretched across the room, and snatched the meat from Nelson's greasy fingers.
"HEY!" The admiral's face purpled. "Do you know who I...?"
"Gum-Gum…" Luffy's fist reeled back.
"PISTOL!"
The punch launched Nelson through three bulkheads before embedding him in the ship's figurehead, a grotesque carving that now bore an uncanny resemblance to the commodore's bloated face.
Zoro sheathed his swords. "Tch. That's the best you could do?"
Luffy rubbed his nose. "He was really sticky."
Sanji exhaled a smoke ring, watching the remaining Marine ships flee through the porthole. "We're done here."
***
As the sun broke through the storm clouds, painting the Going Merry in gold, the Straw Hats gathered on the deck. The dragon egg in Apis' arms glowed faintly, its warmth seeping into her palms.
Lucas leaned against the mast, watching her stroke the figurehead. 'We did it'. The thought warmed him more than the sunlight.
Then Luffy's voice cut through the peace: "MEAT! SANJI, I NEED MEAT!"
Zoro groaned, already heading for the liquor cabinet. "Here we go again…"
Nami sighed but smiled as she unfurled a fresh map. "Next stop Warship Island ?"
Usopp draped an arm around Lucas' shoulders. "Hey, after that fight, you owe me a dramatic retelling! Maybe I'll add a sea monster or two..."
"No sea monsters," Lucas deadpanned, but his chest felt lighter than it had in days.
And just like that, their strange family settled back into its chaotic rhythm, ready for whatever adventure the Grand Line threw at them next.
...
T/N: Thanks for the support from: Lam Sha, Black Widow, Hamza Masfar, Lord Of the Mysteries, Andrew, Jiri Stehule, trey hill, Agustin Monti, Tightless, Impulsionimulsion.