The Trap

The Thousand Sunny sailed steadily toward the next island, its crew unaware that their every movement was being watched. The sea was calm, the sky clear, but there was an eerie stillness in the air. Nami had sensed it too—a faint, nagging feeling that they weren't alone, despite no visible signs of pursuit.

"We should be on high alert," Nami warned as she studied her Log Pose. "We're getting close to a key point on the route to Raftel. There's no way the Marines or anyone else wouldn't be trying to intercept us by now."

Luffy stood at the front of the ship, his usual carefree expression tempered by a sense of determination. "If they come for us, we'll fight them head-on," he said with confidence, clenching his fists. "We're getting to Raftel no matter what!"

Sabo, leaning against the railing, kept his eyes on the horizon, his instincts telling him something was off. "Blackbeard's not the type to stay quiet after a defeat like that," he said quietly to Ace, who stood beside him.

Ace nodded, his gaze intense. "He's going to try something soon. We just don't know what."

As the Sunny approached the island, Zoro and Sanji also sensed something strange. Zoro's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, and he glanced around, his eyes narrowing. "I don't like this... feels like we're walking into a trap."

Sanji, lighting a cigarette, blew out a puff of smoke. "You're not wrong, Marimo. But whatever it is, we'll deal with it. Like always."

Just as the crew began to relax for a moment, a massive explosion rocked the sea, sending shockwaves through the water. The Thousand Sunny shook violently, and everyone was thrown off balance.

"What the hell was that?!" Usopp yelled, grabbing onto the nearest railing to keep from falling overboard.

Suddenly, dark tendrils of energy shot out from beneath the water, wrapping themselves around the Sunny and locking it in place. The familiar swirling darkness of the Yami Yami no Mi filled the air, and the crew's hearts sank as they realized who it was.

"Blackbeard!" Luffy growled, his fists clenching in fury.

From the shadows of the island's cliffs, Blackbeard's ship, the Saber of Xebec, emerged, with Blackbeard standing proudly at the helm, his twisted grin wider than ever. "Zehahaha! Looks like I caught you right where I wanted you, Straw Hat!"

Luffy's eyes flared with anger. "You again! I thought we finished this fight already!"

Blackbeard's dark laughter echoed across the battlefield. "You really think I'd let you escape so easily, Luffy? I've been waiting for this moment. And this time, I'm prepared!"

Without warning, Blackbeard raised his hand, and the swirling darkness of his Yami Yami no Mi intensified. The Sunny was pulled violently toward the shore, crashing into the rocky cliffs. The ship's sturdy frame creaked under the strain, and the crew scrambled to regain control.

Before anyone could react, Shiryu, Jesus Burgess, and several other members of the Blackbeard Pirates appeared, launching an all-out assault. In an instant, the Straw Hats were separated, each facing off against a member of Blackbeard's elite crew.

Zoro's swords clashed with Shiryu's invisible blade, sparks flying as they locked in deadly combat. "You won't get away this time!" Zoro growled, his eyes blazing with fury as he pushed against Shiryu's invisible strikes.

Sanji found himself up against Jesus Burgess once again. Burgess's massive frame towered over Sanji, but the Straw Hat chef was quick on his feet, his flaming kicks keeping Burgess at bay. "You're slower than last time, muscle head!" Sanji taunted as he dodged a powerful punch.

Meanwhile, Blackbeard himself set his sights on Luffy, Ace, and Sabo, his dark grin never fading. "I've learned a few things since our last fight, Straw Hat. You're not just some ordinary pirate anymore... that Devil Fruit of yours, it's tied to something much bigger."

Luffy's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Blackbeard's voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "The Gomu Gomu no Mi isn't just a Paramecia. It's something far more dangerous... something the World Government has been trying to keep hidden for centuries. And you, Luffy, are at the center of it all."

Luffy's heart raced, but he didn't let Blackbeard's words shake him. "I don't care what you say! We're getting to Raftel, and I'll be King of the Pirates!"

Blackbeard's grin widened. "Oh, you'll get to Raftel, Straw Hat. But not before I take what's rightfully mine. Your fruit holds the key to power beyond imagination, and I'm going to take it from you!"

With a roar, Luffy activated Gear 4, his body expanding as he prepared to take on Blackbeard head-on. But before he could launch his attack, the ground beneath him shook violently, and the dark tendrils of the Yami Yami no Mi surged up, wrapping around him and pulling him into the earth.

"Luffy!" Ace and Sabo shouted in unison as they rushed to his aid, but Blackbeard's crew was already in position to block them.

Van Augur, the deadly sniper of the Blackbeard Pirates, took aim at Sabo, his eyes cold and calculating. "Your Revolutionary tricks won't save you this time, Sabo," Augur said as he fired a series of precise shots.

Sabo dodged each shot with quick reflexes, but Augur's accuracy was unmatched. "I'm not letting you take my brother!" Sabo shouted as he lunged toward Augur, his Dragon Claw glowing with haki.

At the same time, Ace was locked in a fierce battle with Laffitte, who moved with an eerie grace, his wings spreading as he dodged Ace's flaming punches. "You're not getting to Luffy, Ace," Laffitte said, his voice smooth and mocking. "Your flames won't reach him in time."

Ace's eyes burned with fury. "I'm not letting anyone touch my brother!" His flames intensified, creating a massive firestorm that threatened to engulf Laffitte.

But as the Straw Hats and their allies struggled against Blackbeard's forces, they realized that this wasn't just a simple fight. Blackbeard had planned this ambush perfectly. He had separated them, taken control of the battlefield, and exploited their weaknesses. For the first time, the Straw Hats found themselves truly on the defensive.

From his position of power, Blackbeard watched the chaos unfold with a dark satisfaction. "This is it, Straw Hat! You'll never make it to Raftel!"

Luffy, trapped in the tendrils of Blackbeard's darkness, gritted his teeth as he struggled to break free. But the more he fought, the tighter the darkness held him. Blackbeard's voice echoed in his ears, full of malice and twisted ambition.

"The Gomu Gomu no Mi is the key to everything. Once I have it, I'll control the seas, the world, and even the secrets of the Void Century. You're just a stepping stone, Luffy!"

As the battle raged on, the Straw Hats realized that they were running out of time. Blackbeard had laid a trap, and they had walked right into it. Now, they would have to fight with everything they had to escape and prevent Blackbeard from claiming the one thing that could tip the balance of power in his favor—Luffy's Devil Fruit.