Around the Sabaody Archipelago, the sea is filled with the massive roots of the mangrove trees that support the islands.
Among these intricately entangled roots, a variety of fish swim, some even larger than the ship itself.
Enel almost got into another fight with Kaku because of something Kaku said.
"You should stay calm while we're underwater," Kaku warned as Enel was about to make a move. "Rayleigh told me when he was coating the ship that the bubble around us is similar to the bubbles used for those bubble cars on Sabaody, though it's much tougher. It can withstand high pressure underwater and can even extend slightly without breaking. But if too much force is applied—for instance, if a large sea beast bites us or we hit a rock or trench—the bubble will burst."
Kaku paused, then continued, "So we need to be careful with the large creatures and obstacles in the sea until we reach Fish-Man Island. If the bubble breaks, the captain might have a way to get us out of danger, but for us… we'd be finished."
"Hmph, what's there to be afraid of?" Enel said arrogantly. "If we run into any obstacles, I'll just smash them away."
Kaku shook his head with a smile. "Easier said than done. This isn't land. The sea is full of unpredictable factors, and your power is special. Have you thought about what would happen if you used lightning underwater?"
"Uh… well, then I just won't use lightning." Enel pulled out his golden staff, grinning. "I still have my staff. If anything tries to block us, I'll just smash it."
Kaku laughed. "Fair enough." He then looked over at Takumi, who was still gazing up at the light fading from the surface, and walked over to stand beside him. "Captain, this is your first time descending into the sea like this, right?"
Takumi nodded lightly. "Yeah."
After a moment, he pinched himself, feeling nothing. He looked at Kaku and said, "Pinch me."
"Eh?" Kaku's smile froze, and he looked at Takumi in surprise. "Captain, are you alright?"
Takumi frowned slightly. "I'm fine…"
"Why are you asking me to pinch you then?" Kaku asked awkwardly. "I mean no disrespect, but usually you don't even let Enel or me get too close to you."
Takumi remained silent.
"Ahem." Kaku hesitated, then asked, "If you promise not to hit me, I'll do it…"
"Alright," Takumi agreed.
Kaku, encouraged, raised his hand but paused just before touching Takumi's face. "Captain, should I pinch your face or your arm?"
"Whatever," Takumi replied.
"Alright then, here I go." Kaku gingerly pinched Takumi's face, barely applying any pressure.
Takumi frowned. "Did you not eat?"
Understanding Takumi's intent, Kaku smiled wryly and pinched harder.
Watching them, Enel was utterly confused.
Takumi finally felt a slight sting and said, "Okay, that's enough."
Kaku quickly released his grip and stepped back.
Feeling pain meant this wasn't a dream. Takumi said nothing more.
But Enel, who had been holding back, finally burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Anyone seeing this would think you blushed—but only on one side! You let Longnose pinch you, so why not let me pinch the other side to even it out?"
Takumi gave a cold smile. "You can try."
Enel, undeterred, stepped forward and raised his hand, but Takumi placed his hand on the hilt of the Lake Toya sword.
Seeing this, Enel backed off, muttering, "Fine, I won't touch you. Seriously, you're so biased. You treat Longnose way better than you treat me."
Takumi smirked. "You think I treat you badly? Then give me back the staff."
Enel immediately shrank the staff and hooked it over his ear, grinning as he backed away. "The staff's already bonded to me. Even if you take it, I can summon it back with just a thought."
"Oh, then I'll just kill you," Takumi said calmly. "Once you're dead, the staff will be unclaimed."
"Uh?" Enel blinked, then waved his hand dismissively. "You wouldn't kill me. Who'd steer the ship if I'm gone?"
"I'd just recruit another Logia user," Takumi replied indifferently.
Kaku added, "Did you think I made those lightning-absorbing devices for nothing? With the energy stored now, this ship could fly for another three to five years without you."
Enel: "…"
"Damn it!" Enel shouted, "You two are ganging up on me!"
Kaku waved his hand. "I'm just a humble shipwright. I wouldn't dare bully a god like you."
"Alright, I give up," Enel sighed. "I swear, you two… Fine, I'll forgive you just this once since I'm such a nice guy."
Takumi: "…"
Kaku burst out laughing. "Haha, should the captain and I thank you for your generosity then?"
"Hmph!" Enel snorted. "Stop trying to mess with me. What's the point?"
"Oh, there's definitely a point," Kaku chuckled. "Seeing you frustrated makes me happy."
"You!" Enel started, but just then, a massive sea beast, larger than the ship itself, emerged silently from the darkness ahead. As it approached, it opened its gaping maw, ready to swallow the ship whole.
Reacting instantly, Enel summoned his staff, extending it through the bubble coating in a matter of seconds. The staff pierced through the sea beast like a skewer, from head to tail.
"Keep the staff's diameter as it is," Kaku reminded. "If you expand it too much, the bubble will burst, and we're done for."
"I know!" Enel snapped, retracting the staff. The sea beast, eyes rolled back, floated belly-up towards the surface.
"Tch, what trash," Enel muttered. "Big but useless."
The ship continued its descent, encountering several more sea beasts along the way, all of which Enel dispatched with his staff.
As they reached a greater depth, the ship suddenly jolted from a powerful underwater current.
A massive waterfall-like stream appeared in front of them, flowing straight downwards.
"Uh? What's that?" Enel stared in disbelief at the strange "waterfall."
Just then, a huge tentacle emerged from the cascade, reaching for the ship.
Enel tried to strike it with his staff, but the tentacle was surprisingly agile, dodging several of his attacks. As it closed in on the ship, Kaku pulled out a device that could generate a small bubble and said, "We don't know what this thing is, but if we can't hit it from here, we'll go out and fight it!"
"What? Go out there?" Enel looked at Kaku like he was crazy. "We're Devil Fruit users. If we touch seawater, we're finished."
Kaku grinned. "As long as we don't touch the water, we'll be fine. We can use the bubbles. If you're scared, just stay on the ship. I'll handle it."
With that, Kaku grabbed his cursed short sword and glanced at Takumi, who nodded in approval. Kaku then used the device to create a bubble, much like the ones used for bubble cars on Sabaody. He easily slipped inside, tied a rope around his waist, and handed the other end to Enel. "Though it's unlikely, if anything happens, pull me back, alright?"
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