Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

The Rocket-man

As waves crashed, destroying the lower parts of Water Seven, the crew stared at Paulie, their stares unwavering.

"I can't lend you a ship." Paulie said, shaking his head.

"Then a sea train! Is one leaving?!" Luffy asked, urgency in his voice.

"The Puffing Tom is the only sea train in the world. It's already a miracle it exists." Paulie exclaimed.

"But there has to be something that can get us to Enies Lobby!" Ryomen insisted.

"Just quit while you're ahead! You've seen the waves!" Paulie shouted, echoed by the other shipwrights.

"On this ocean, even the biggest galleon would be shattered in one blow. We can't send you to your deaths!" He continued.

"Wait until morning…when the storm will pass."

"If we do that…will we be able to do what we set out for?!" Nami questioned, her tone sharp.

"Enies Lobby…isn't it the location of the Gates of Justice?"

"What's that?" Zoro asked, confused like the others.

"A death sentence." Ryomen replied grimly.

Nami nodded, her expression serious. "Beyond those gates, all that waits is either the Navy Headquarters or Impel Down, an underwater prison."

Ryomen's fists clenched. "She has a bounty on her head. By tomorrow, Robin may never be seen again!"

"Even so…you're pirates." Paulie responded calmly. "Do you truly want to pick a fight with the very heart of the World Government?"

The Straw Hats remained silent, the shipwrights chiming in to dissuade them further.

"If you're so against it, then we'll have to steal a ship!" Luffy declared, preparing for a fight. "We're setting sail now!"

The others stepped forward, mirroring his determination.

"If you truly wish to stop us, then you should know the consequences!" Ryomen's brows furrowed.

"Letting such injustice slide from the supposed protectors of the people—it's not something I can allow!" Sogeking exclaimed, Kabuto ready in hand.

"We're not afraid to hurt you…" Zoro drew his sword, his gaze cold.

"But if we could avoid it…" Chopper added, readying his antlers.

“Just let us choose our own deaths!” Nami declared, her Clima-Tact in hand.

The shipwrights looked on in shock.

"Wha—!"

"They're really gonna do it!"

"Just get out of our way!!" The Straw Hats shouted, ready to fight.

Paulie scoffed, gripping his ropes. "Then I'll take you on myself!"

"Hold it right there!" Kokoro suddenly shouted, silencing everyone.

"You kids…if you're so eager to rush to your ends, then come with me. I'll send you on a sea train." She took a long sip from her bottle.
…

Far out at sea, a train barreled toward Enies Lobby.

Inside, Sanji bulldozed his way through the sixth and seventh cars, World Government agents lying bloody and beaten in his wake.

As he entered the fifth car, a man rushed at him from behind, blade in hand.

Sanji sidestepped effortlessly and, without looking, kicked the attacker square in the chin, sending him flying through the roof.