Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

Road to Enies Lobby

The Rocket-man charged forward on the endless sea, Franky Family's house right behind it. Two King Bulls pulled it alongside, their harnessed ropes securing massive spears to the sea train's car.

"Thanks for the lift!" The Franky Family henchmen shouted cheerfully.

"Don't push your luck!" Zoro barked back, leaning out of the car's window with a scowl.

Inside, Kokoro's voice crackled over the megaphone.

"Emergency contact from the engineer's cab! We're about to hit the tracks! Once we do, our speed will increase dramatically. Hang on tight—your injuries will only be minor if you're lucky!"

"So we're getting injured no matter what?" Nami muttered, her voice dripping with exasperation.

The train shifted, aligning itself with the submerged tracks.

"A little more to the right! Just a bit more!" Chimney shouted from her perch atop the train, her voice barely audible against the rushing wind.

"Meow meow!" Gonbe added enthusiastically.

Kokoro leaned out of the cab, catching sight of her granddaughter. "Chimney! Gonbe! What're you doing here!? You were with Iceburg! Did you sneak onboard!?"

"Yeah, we did!" Chimney giggled.

"Hurry inside before you get blown away!" Kokoro snapped, waving them in. The two clambered into the train, Chopper blinking curiously at them as he shoveled coal into the furnace.

Without warning, the Rocketman lurched forward as its wheels hit the tracks, the sudden surge of speed throwing everyone off balance.

"Whaaaa!!" The passengers held on for dear life.

"We're inside! How are we still getting blown away!?" Nami screamed, clutching tightly onto Ryomen's arm.

"Why didn't anyone warn us!?" Sogeking cried, clinging desperately to Zoro.

"We did!" Zoro and Ryomen roared in unison, both standing unfazed amidst the chaos.

Outside, the Franky Family henchmen struggled to remain upright, their grips slipping as the wind howled around them.

"We can't stay out here much longer!" One of them yelled, his voice nearly drowned out by the roar of the train.
…

Inside the car, everyone collapsed to the floor, finally able to catch their breath.

"Man…that was some serious acceleration." Luffy said with a grin.

"Nga ga ga! That wasn't acceleration—that was the runaway train!" Kokoro replied, laughing.

"That doesn't explain much." Ryomen muttered under his breath.

"I think I threw my back out!" One of the shipwrights groaned, rubbing his spine.

"Yeah, that almost sent me flying." Another chimed in, shaking his head.

Suddenly, Zoro's eyes narrowed as he turned toward the others. "There's someone strange in this car."

"Huh? Who do you mean?" The shipwrights asked nervously.

"He means you!" Paulie snapped, pointing accusingly at them.

"Them and you!" Zoro angrily said.

"Why're you here?" Ryomen asked, his tone curious.

"They tried to kill Iceberg. Since I can't stop you, I'm here to assist!" Paulie declared.

"Ga ha ha! Paulie, we figured if we followed you, we'd find the culprits!" One of the larger shipwrights laughed. "So we hid in the coal tender together!"