~~Similar but slightly different from Episode 38, Season 1.~~

The ground shatters beneath Monkey D. Luffy’s feet.

The ground had swallowed his feet completely. Stone clamped around him like a vice, pinning him in place. He tugs instinctively, stretching uselessly against the immovable ground.

“Huh—?!” Luffy twists, arms flailing. “Oi—! I’m stuck!”

Arlong’s shadow looms over him.

The fish-man grins, sharp teeth flashing as chaos erupts around them. Not far away, steel clashes against teeth and bone—Zoro fighting despite his wounds, Sanji darting and striking with fire in his legs. The air is thick with dust, blood, and seawater spray.

Arlong laughs.

“So this is the great pirate who wants to rule the seas?” he mocks. “Pathetic.”

Before Luffy can insult him back, Arlong crouches, massive fish-man hands digging straight into the ground around Luffy’s trapped legs. The earth cracks loudly, splitting like brittle rock.

“HEY-.. WAIT-!!” Luffy shouts.

With a violent heave, Arlong rips an entire chunk of land free, lifting it effortlessly—Luffy still stuck in the middle of it, arms windmilling in panic.

Zoro’s head snaps toward them. “LUFFY!”

Sanji freezes mid-kick. “Oi! You freak-!”

Luffy’s eyes widen. “AH!? THIS IS BAD-!!”

Arlong doesn’t hesitate. He hurls the massive slab of earth toward the sea.

The sky spins. Wind roars in Luffy’s ears. Then... SPLASH. The ocean swallows him whole. The weight hits instantly.

The sea presses in from all sides, cold and crushing, stealing his strength the moment he sinks. His rubber body goes limp, arms drifting uselessly as the chunk of earth drags him straight down.

I… can’t move…

His hat stays miraculously on—but everything else fades. Sound dulls. Light dims. The sea doesn’t care about dreams or promises.

Above the surface, panic explodes.

“LUFFY CAN’T SWIM!!” Usopp screams.

Zoro struggles toward the edge, teeth clenched in fury. “DAMN IT—!”

Sanji turns on Arlong with pure rage burning in his eyes. “You’re dead.”

Below, Luffy sinks deeper, lungs burning, consciousness slipping—his body betraying him in the very sea he dreams of conquering. Hands covering his mouth and nose to keeo air in.