Multiverse Shenanigans: Raja's Journey

In Grove 41 of Sabaody Archipelago, Duval and his Rosy Life Riders anxiously patrolled the area around the Straw Hat Pirates' ship, the Mighty Merry. They had been tasked with guarding it until it could be properly coated for its journey to Fish-Man Island. Yet suddenly, from the shadows, a familiar figure emerged—Raja, the Vice-Captain of the Straw Hats.

In one swift move, Raja stored the Mighty Merry within his inventory, causing a shockwave of surprise and confusion among Duval and his gang. Their eyes widened in panic, wondering what they would tell the Straw Hats upon their return. Just then, a heavy thud drew their attention—a treasure chest had landed right in front of them, and attached was a note: "Thank you for taking care of Merry, Vice-Captain of Straw Hats."

Duval opened the chest to find it filled with gleaming gold bars. A wide grin spread across his face, his loyalty to the crew affirmed by the unexpected reward.

Meanwhile, over at Grove 1's Auction House, Saint Shalria, one of the infamous World Nobles, furiously berated the Marines for failing to capture the Straw Hat Pirates. Her vow for revenge sent a chilling wave of tension through the ranks. Yet, back at Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, the atmosphere was quite different. Camie and the others shared concerns about the Straw Hats' safety, though Shakky remained neutral, trusting in the resilience of Luffy and his Vice-captain.

Elsewhere, Luffy's own journey had taken an unexpected turn. Launched skyward by Kuma's power, he landed on an unfamiliar island after days in the air. Struggling to navigate, Luffy pulled out a Vivre Card to guide him, but his journey was no simple task. He scaled a mountain, defeated a wild boar, and, hungry and exhausted, foraged for mushrooms. To his dismay, the mushrooms turned out to have strange, life-sapping effects, and soon he found himself unconscious, covered in a peculiar fungus called "Body Mushrooms."

A group of women from the island, Marguerite, Sweet Pea, and Aphelandra, stumbled upon the unconscious Luffy and brought him back to their village. They worked quickly to remove the life-draining mushrooms, but in the process, one of them accidentally knocked Luffy out cold again.

The village, Amazon Lily, was home to the Kuja—a fierce tribe of female warriors. When they realized Luffy was a man, panic erupted, as the island held a strict ban on men. Luffy was immediately imprisoned, his unfamiliarity with their customs sparking both confusion and amusement. From his strange nickname for his "family jewels" to his discomfort in the feminine attire he was given, Luffy's every action baffled and bewildered the Kuja warriors.

As the village's curiosity turned to hostility, Luffy explained himself as best he could, but Kikyo and the other warriors were unmoved, preparing to eliminate him for breaking their sacred rule. Quick to adapt, Luffy used his Gomu Gomu no Balloon technique to escape, taking Marguerite along for a chaotic but effective getaway. Returning his Vivre Card to him, Marguerite began to explain Amazon Lily's isolation within the Calm Belt and the unique challenges it posed.

Marguerite shared that the island's empress, Boa Hancock, was not only respected by the Kuja but also held the feared title of a Warlord of the Sea. But Luffy had no plans to stay long—he attempted to build a raft to leave, though his efforts fell flat. Thankfully, Marguerite intervened, urging him to avoid drawing attention. But it was too late; Kikyo and the Kuja warriors had tracked him down, prepared for a confrontation.

Overhead, hidden among the clouds, Raja watched intently, his magic carpet allowing him to observe Luffy's every move. He carefully noted the merits of the women who had helped his captain, planning a suitable reward for each of them.

Meanwhile, far from Amazon Lily, Boa Hancock's return was delayed by an unexpected encounter. Vice Admiral Momonga confronted the Empress, informing her of the imminent execution of Portgas D. Ace and her required attendance as per her treaty with the World Government. But Hancock was dismissive, threatening Momonga's ship with her powers and using her Mero Mero no Mi abilities to turn his crew to stone.

Momonga's patience wore thin. He reminded Hancock that her title would be revoked if she refused to comply. This only spurred her defiance, though she knew her position could be at risk.

Upon her return to Amazon Lily, the Kuja warriors celebrated, but Hancock remained indifferent. When presented with a statue in her honor, she dismissed it, instead questioning why fewer warriors had come to greet her. The quick-thinking Enishida invented an excuse about a "dangerous monkey" on the island, attempting to keep Luffy's presence under wraps.

Nyon, the village's elderly advisor, urged Hancock to heed the World Government's summons, fearing repercussions that could threaten the safety of the island. But Hancock was unyielding, hurling Nyon out of a window in frustration.

Amazon Lily's castle was emptied as Hancock prepared for her bath, a daily ritual that remained private due to the cursed mark on her back. Known as the "Claw of the Celestial Dragon," the mark represented the trauma of her enslavement, a brand that she kept hidden from all but her closest allies.

Luffy, however, remained oblivious to the customs of Amazon Lily. Seeking a high vantage point to survey the island, he inadvertently stumbled upon the castle bathhouse, crashing into the room just as Hancock bathed. Shocked and angered, Hancock attempted to petrify him with her powers, but Luffy, mistaking her Mero Mero no Mi abilities for Foxy's Noro Noro Beam, remained unaffected.

Seeing Hancock's mark, Luffy's thoughts went to Hatchan's own markings, but Nyon quickly explained the grim reality. The mark symbolized a past of suffering under the World Nobles, a memory that Hancock and her sisters had endured since their time as slaves.

Enraged by Luffy's unintended intrusion, Hancock ordered his capture. In a twist of fate, Luffy was thrown into the Kuja's arena, where he faced execution. Marguerite, Sweet Pea, and Aphelandra bravely tried to intervene, attempting to take responsibility for Luffy's actions, but Hancock turned them to stone, punishing them for their involvement.

With no choice but to defend himself, Luffy faced off against Bacura, a ferocious black panther, and easily defeated the beast with a single, powerful punch. Hancock's sisters, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold, transformed into snake-like forms, launching a coordinated attack on Luffy. Using Gomu Gomu no Gatling, Luffy countered their assault, surprising the sisters with his agility and resilience.

As Luffy fought, his Haoshoku Haki unexpectedly Released, stunning the Kuja audience and even Hancock herself. Seizing the opportunity, Luffy activated Gear 2, deftly evading the sisters' attacks and retaliating with a series of powerful blows.

The battle escalated, with Luffy ultimately managing to tie the sisters' tails together, nearly causing Sandersonia to fall into a spiked pit. Instead of taking advantage of their vulnerability, Luffy protected Sandersonia, shielding her from the crowd's gaze.

Moved by Luffy's actions, Hancock ended the battle, ordering the arena to be cleared.

At the night after the party Luffy was kidnapped by Raja, Luffy started to cry and explain how Crew were defeated and killed by bear, but raja assure him everybody is safe showed the bracelet he provided and explains the marks as our crew and are safe.

Raja explained to Luffy with little Hypnosis that he cannot be appear outside it will cause another conflict and give him a potion told him how to use it which confuse Luffy but he accepted it and put it in his pocket.

In the aftermath, Sandersonia and Marigold expressed remorse for their defeat, while Luffy remained unfazed, requesting that Hancock restore Marguerite, Sweet Pea, and Aphelandra. Hancock offered him a choice: she could either free the statues or provide him with a boat. True to his nature, Luffy chose to save his new friends.

Later, in the Empress Hall, Hancock bared the "Claw of the Celestial Dragon" to Luffy, explaining the horrors she and her sisters had endured. Nyon recounted how Fisher Tiger, a heroic Fish-Man, had freed the Boa sisters from enslavement and created the Sun Pirates, giving hope to those who had been branded and oppressed.

Moved by their story, Luffy scorned the World Nobles, sharing their hatred for the system that caused such suffering.

As Hancock spoke, Luffy suddenly remembered a potion that Raja had given him, claiming it had special healing properties. Without thinking, Luffy poured some onto his hand and rubbed it onto Hancock's back, much to her and her sisters' alarm. Hancock's initial outrage quickly gave way to astonishment as Marigold and Sandersonia noticed that the mark had vanished from her back.

In disbelief, Hancock checked a mirror and saw her unmarred skin for the first time in years. She demanded to know the source of this "miracle medicine," and Luffy called out to Raja.

From the shadows, Raja materialized, holding a small case containing additional bottles of the potion. "A simple stain remover," he said with a mischievous smile, enjoying the shock on the sisters' faces.

Hancock, overwhelmed, could only offer her gratitude to Luffy, who responded with his usual composure.

With the Kuja warriors now indebted to Luffy and Raja, Luffy faced an urgent decision. Nyon informed him of the impending execution of his brother, Portgas D. Ace, at Impel Down. Driven by his loyalty to Ace, Luffy resolved to reach Impel Down as quickly as possible, despite the risks.

Knowing that a Marine ship would provide the fastest route, Luffy turned to Hancock, asking for her cooperation. Though reluctant, Hancock agreed, her budding affection for Luffy overcoming her hatred for the World Government.

Nyon revealed that Hancock's illness was Love Sickness—a condition deadly to past empresses. But as Hancock chose to act on her feelings, it became clear she might finally be able to escape the fate of her predecessors.

A Farewell and a Gift

As Hancock prepared to accompany Luffy, Raja reappeared with a final gift for Marguerite, Sweet Pea, and Aphelandra—three Devil Fruits. Marguerite received the Sana Sana no Mi (Serpent Serpent Fruit, Model: Basilisk), Aphelandra the Sura Sura no Mi (Cave Lion), and Sweet Pea the Bari Bari no Mi (Belly Belly Fruit).

The three warriors expressed their gratitude, promising to use their new powers wisely. Raja he smiled at them and told Luffy to follow Hancock plan to enter the Impel Down he will find another way to meet him there and vanished. Luffy and Hancock boarded the Marine ship bound for Impel Down, with Luffy hiding under Hancock's cloak to avoid detection. As they sailed away, Luffy's thoughts turned to Ace, his resolve unbreakable.