"Time Bomb: A Monk's War Against Inevitable Fate"

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BOOM! BOOM!

It didn't take long before a deafening explosion shook the air.

A terrifying blast erupted within the rainbow mist, lighting up the sky in chaotic bursts of color.

Whoosh... Splash... Roar...

The waves surged violently, crashing against the hull of the ship.

The fierce sea wind howled, making it hard to keep one's eyes open. The Going Merry, weighed down with gold and treasure, rocked dangerously on the turbulent sea.

A powerful shockwave pushed the ship—a swift schooner with a triangular rear mast—out of the rainbow mist with force.

"Labani, Abiki, Iso, Longo, Bukao..."

Dr. Henzo stared at the fading rainbow mist, his expression a mix of sorrow and hesitation. He muttered the names of his friends, his heart torn.

They had all refused to leave. They had chosen to stay behind, risking everything to see if they could return to the past with Shaka.

Would they really succeed? Could they truly go back and change fate?

"Shaka… can you really go back and change everything?"

At the stern of the ship, Robin pressed her lips together, her gaze fixed on the vanishing rainbow mist. A deep sadness filled her heart, accompanied by an unexplainable sense of loss.

For the first time in years, she had met someone who genuinely cared for her. Though their acquaintance had been brief, the warmth of his large hand and the kindness in his eyes made her feel safe—something she had long forgotten.

But now, it felt like a fleeting dream.

In the end, was she still alone?

BOOM! BOOM!

BANG! BANG!

Suddenly, the roar of cannon fire filled the air, followed by the sharp whistling of projectiles cutting through the sky.

A series of jet-black cannonballs rained down, exploding upon impact with the water, sending massive plumes into the air. The Going Merry trembled violently.

"The Navy?!"

The Straw Hat crew's eyes widened in shock.

Looking out toward the open sea, they saw at least seven or eight Navy warships forming a blockade, closing in fast. The first barrage had only been a warning shot.

The second and third waves would be far deadlier.

"Straw Hat crew, you have nowhere left to run! Surrender now, or be buried at sea!"

On the lead warship, a high-ranking Navy officer stood with a loudspeaker in hand. He wore a long white Justice cloak, his slicked-back hair and chiseled face giving him a stern and commanding presence.

"This is bad! We need to get out of here now!" Nami shouted, her expression grim.

"But Dr. Henzo is still on board!" Chopper pointed out urgently.

Only then did everyone realize that Henzo was still with them.

"Don't worry about me! Just toss me a life ring—I'll say you kidnapped me or something." Henzo offered, not wanting to burden them.

With so many warships closing in, the Straw Hats were in serious danger. Henzo couldn't be selfish enough to drag them down.

"No way! Those cannonballs don't discriminate!" Sanji leaped into the air, kicking away two incoming shells without even looking back.

"Gomu Gomu no… Balloon!"

Luffy ran to the right side of the Merry, inhaled deeply, and puffed himself up like a massive balloon.

Two cannonballs struck his rubbery body and were immediately sent flying back in the direction they came from.

Grinning widely, he spread his arms. "Alright! Let's circle around the island, drop off Henzo safely, and then escape! Hehehe!"

"Sounds like a plan!"

"Zoro! Full rudder to the right!"

"On it!"

Through teamwork and quick thinking, the Straw Hats managed to slip away from Ruluka Island, evading the relentless Navy pursuit.

They sailed on, following the Log Pose toward their next adventure.

"Whew… finally safe."

Usopp collapsed on the deck, clutching his chest, his heart still racing.

"Hehehe, such a shame we couldn't take all the treasure from Apps-Consaide."

Nami hugged a pile of gold, grinning ear to ear. But as a true treasure-loving cat burglar, she still mourned the wealth they had to leave behind.

"Come on, Nami. Be grateful we got anything at all. We weren't about to fight that guy for it." Usopp sighed, shaking his head.

If it weren't for Robin's connection to that ridiculously powerful man, they wouldn't have made it out alive, let alone taken any treasure.

"Yeah, that guy was terrifying."

Chopper shuddered, recalling the moment they entered the rainbow mist.

At first, they had been scared half to death, thinking they were doomed. Fortunately, the man had just been toying with them.

"Still, Shaka was unbelievably strong…"

Zoro, lifting a heavy dumbbell during his training, couldn't shake the feeling of unease. "If we had fought him, we probably wouldn't have made it out."

As a warrior with unwavering resolve, he feared nothing. Yet that encounter had left him with an unfamiliar sense of dread—an overwhelming power that made victory feel impossible.

Even Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, hadn't given him that level of fear.

The realization struck him hard.

The Grand Line was nothing like the peaceful East Blue. He had to become stronger—fast.

"Huh? Robin, what are you drawing?"

Satisfied with her treasure stash, Nami noticed Robin sitting quietly, sketching something on a canvas.

Curious, she walked over and found a breathtaking image of a tall, handsome figure riding a giant panda, exuding an air of majesty and strength.

It was none other than Shaka.

"Tsk tsk, gotta admit, that guy's really handsome."

Nami nudged Robin playfully, grinning.

The guy looked like a fairytale prince—right up her alley. If he had pushed harder, she might have actually considered staying with him.

"But if he really travels fifty years into the past, won't we see him again as an old man?" Sanji muttered, clearly jealous. "No—worse, he'd be a toothless grandpa by then!"

"Not necessarily…"

Robin smiled softly.

The sadness from earlier had faded, replaced by something else.

As she gazed at her sketch, she couldn't shake the feeling that they'd meet again.

Time travel was too uncertain, too improbable. The odds were against Shaka succeeding.

If he failed, would he come looking for her?

And if he did… would she say yes this time?

"....."