𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 ᵒⁿᵉ ᵖⁱᵉᶜᵉ

𝟶𝟼𝟸: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚖𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝙾𝚏 𝚃𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚎.

🏴‍☠️ ONE WORLD 🌊
The start of trouble..

• • •

A DENSE MIST LINGERD at the edge of the sea as the Thousand Sunny drew closer to the towering silhouette of the island. It was unlike anything they'd seen—split into layers, almost like two separate worlds stacked atop one another. The upper half disappeared into thick, milky-white clouds that pulsed faintly with light, while the lower sector, known as the Fabiriophase, glimmered with chrome spires, spiraling towers, and hovering railways weaving through the cityscape like silver threads.

Lilith stood on the deck with the rest of the crew, her white coat flaring slightly in the sea breeze. Her voice was sharp, confident, but tinged with a kind of academic obsession. "The machine currently only functions inside the range of the island's electromagnetic envelope," she began, gesturing upward to the hazy ceiling of clouds. "Those formations—what we call Island Clouds—aren't natural. They're engineered atmospheric regulators."

Robin tilted her head, intrigued. "Regulators? As in... they're controlling the climate?"

Lilith nodded. "Exactly. Temperature, pressure, even magnetic flow. It's all necessary to contain the prototype's energy output. Above those clouds is the restricted zone—completely off-limits. That's where the main stabilizer core is located."

"So what's down there?" Nami asked, narrowing her eyes as she looked toward the glowing city below. "That's the residential sector, right?"

"It's called the Fabiriophase," Lilith replied. "Population: about 40,000. Most are engineers, researchers, and test subjects... some knowingly, others not. The entire lower half of the island is an experimental society. Controlled infrastructure. Controlled weather. Controlled economy."

"Controlled fashion?" Sanji asked, adjusting the collar of his wrinkled shirt. "Because I'm not stepping into a futuristic city looking like I just rolled out of the ocean."

Franky clapped him on the back. "Don't sweat it. I saw a boutique district on the landing pad. Real super stuff. I'll help you find a leather trench coat that can shoot lasers."

"I'll settle for a good pair of slacks," Sanji muttered.

Lilith's tone hardened slightly. "I should warn you, though—Fabiriophase is still a government-registered island. That means surveillance. Patrol drones. Scanners on every corner. You're pirates. Whether or not you cause trouble, the island will treat you as dangerous."

Usopp pulled his hood up immediately. "Awesome. Paranoid is exactly how I like to travel."

"Then you'll love this place," Lilith said dryly.

Zoro leaned back against the ship's railing, arms crossed and eyes half-closed. "You all go. I'm not setting foot off this ship."

Brook, seated neatly beside a tray of steaming teacups, raised his skull slightly. "I shall stay as well. Someone must mind the Sunny, after all. And frankly, my joints are aching."