Chapter 13: Itachi, Why Not Come With Me?
The moment the Thousand Sunny burst through the second barrier and plunged into Fishman Island's inner sea, a violent current seized the ship. The hull flipped, and every single Straw Hat—along with Itachi—was thrown into the churning water!
Nami's instincts screamed at her to breathe, but the moment her lips parted, seawater flooded her lungs. She thrashed helplessly in the vortex.
"NAMI-SWAN! ROBIN-SAN!"
Sanji kicked desperately, trying to use Moon Step, but the current was too violent—too chaotic. He couldn't find purchase in the raging water.
"This is bad—four Devil Fruit users!" Sanji's hand stretched toward Chopper, who was tumbling past, but the reindeer was already swept away.
"Almost—ALMOST—LET ME REACH!"
Zoro fought against the current, reaching for Luffy—but Luffy's eyes had already rolled back, his rubber body sinking like stone.
Nami, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Franky—even the non-Devil Fruit users—were helpless against the vortex's power.
Luffy, Chopper, Robin, and Brook sank, their bodies heavy with seawater's curse.
Is this... the end? Nami's consciousness faded. The roar of the current filled her ears, drowning out everything.
Then—a hand. Strong. Steady. Gripping hers.
That's...
She couldn't see who it was before darkness claimed her.
Itachi moved through the chaos like a shadow. His left hand grabbed Nami. His right hand grabbed hers, guiding it—forming hand signs through her limp fingers.
Water Release: Water Prison Technique!
A sphere of water formed around Nami—not the normal prison, but a modified version. Chakra shaped the outer shell, but within, Itachi had left air. A bubble of life in the crushing deep.
He repeated the technique for Robin, then gestured urgently to Franky, pointing at the two women before diving deeper.
Franky understood. He grabbed both water spheres and fought his way toward the surface.
Time passed—how much, none could say.
Nami's eyes fluttered open.
Where...
Did I sink to the bottom?
She sat up, confused to find herself breathing. A rocky beach stretched around her. No one else in sight.
Then—a disturbance in the water. A massive shape approaching fast.
Before Nami could scream, Franky burst from the sea, clutching a large water sphere containing Robin.
"SUPER!"
Nami blinked at the sphere. "Franky?! Robin?! What's with that water ball?"
Franky set Robin gently on the beach and removed his sunglasses. "Water sphere? Itachi made it with his ability. He put you in one too, remember?"
Nami's memory clicked into place. The hand. The sudden ability to breathe.
While they spoke, Itachi emerged from the sea, landing lightly on the beach. He shook his head grimly.
"The current below is too strong. I couldn't find them."
He moved to Robin, releasing her Water Prison with a gesture. "The situation was urgent. I prioritized the two ladies."
The technique—he'd learned it years ago from his first Akatsuki partner, Hoshigaki Kisame. The Sharingan's copying ability made mastering it simple, though he'd modified it for this situation: a Water Prison that trapped water outside, preserving air within.
Robin stirred as Nami revived her.
"Thank you, Itachi!" Nami rushed forward and embraced him.
Itachi found himself suddenly suffocated—not by water, but by Nami's enthusiastic gratitude pressing against him. He raised his hands quickly.
"You should thank Franky. I made the prisons and went after the others—Franky brought you both ashore."
"Ah, thanks Franky too!" Nami turned, but Franky had already climbed the surrounding rocks, scanning for their missing crewmates.
"Franky!" Itachi called. "Luffy and the others were swept deeper. I'm going back down."
He turned toward the water—but Nami's voice stopped him.
"Honestly, we just found each other and now we're separated again." She smiled, though worry touched her eyes. "But don't worry too much, Itachi. Those idiots have nine lives. They'll survive."
"Yeah!" Franky agreed from his vantage point. "I haven't spotted them yet, but Luffy's survival ability is terrifying. He'll be fine."
"If you say so." Itachi still gazed at the sea, concern evident.
"More importantly, I'm worried about the Sunny. I hope it wasn't swept too deep."
Itachi nodded, analyzing. "From what I observed outside, Fishman Island is a double-bubble structure. Seawater fills the lower half. The current that caught us likely runs from one end to the other. The Sunny might be at the bottom... or washed to the opposite side."
Franky's fist slapped his palm. "That makes sense! I saw a town in that direction. We could go there and ask around."
"Possible." Itachi turned to consult Nami—and found her and Robin standing topless on the beach, wringing out their soaked clothes.
Robin noticed his gaze and smiled warmly. "Thank you so much, Itachi."
Itachi's head snapped away. "It's nothing. No need to thank me."
"Are you shy, Itachi?" Robin's smile widened. "Don't worry—we don't think you're the lecherous type."
"Ah... ah." Itachi found himself momentarily speechless.
Is this modesty? Or do women in this world simply not care about such things?
"Are you two finished? If so, we should head toward that town."
"Coming!" Nami had quickly wrung out her top and was already dressed. Robin followed close behind.
The four crossed the rocky beach and soon reached the town.
Fish-men and mermaids moved through the streets in numbers—some with human bodies and fish heads, others with fish tails and human upper bodies. They shopped, conversed, and lived much like surface dwellers.
Itachi found himself thinking of Kisame. Could he have come from a place like this?
"It's definitely Fishman Island," Robin confirmed. "More prosperous than I expected."
Nami's eyes were already sparkling at the shops. High-rise buildings lined the streets—some crafted to resemble coral, others mimicking island structures. Glass display cases stood alongside modern construction materials, creating a unique fusion of undersea and surface architecture.
"Looking at all this... I really want to shop." Nami's voice carried dangerous intent.
Franky scanned the crowd. "Plenty of people here. Should be easy to get information."
"About the Sunny? Or Luffy and the others?" Nami asked.
"Both." Franky's expression grew thoughtful. "But there's something else."
He paused. "My teacher—the shipwright Tom—was a fish-man."
Nami and Robin turned to him.
"This is his hometown. He has family here. Since I've come this far, I need to visit them. Tell them about Mr. Tom."
He straightened. "Sorry—we just reunited and now I have to split off."
Robin nodded thoughtfully. "Speaking of which, I have something to investigate as well."
"You do?" Nami asked.
"Fishman Island has been the source of many legends since ancient times. There must be historical texts—Poneglyphs—here. I'd like to search for them."
"Poneglyphs..." Nami murmured. "Then we'll split up."
"Agreed." Franky nodded.
All three turned to Itachi.
"What about you, Itachi?"
Itachi pointed at himself. "Me?"
He offered a wry smile. "I'll manage. To be honest, I still don't fully understand where I am or how I got here."
This world, he thought, may not be my own at all.
Robin's gentle voice interrupted his thoughts. "Itachi, why not come with me?"
She smiled—that warm, knowing smile that seemed to see through to the core of things. "I'd like to hear more about your country. And about how you appeared here."
Itachi considered for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. For now."
Franky waved and disappeared into the crowd.
And Itachi found himself walking beside Robin, deeper into the mysterious island, toward answers neither of them could yet imagine.
(End of Chapter)
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