Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Porche, and Franky stood before the massive wooden doors of the mansion.
Luffy stepped forward and grabbed the handles. "It's locked from…" he began, then casually snapped the handle off. "It's open now," he added.
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "That's not how doors work," he remarked.
They pushed inside and entered the grand foyer. The room was vast, with the grand chandelier.
"Hey! Is anyone here?" Luffy called out.
Suddenly, a voice echoed from the wall. "You've got a lot of guts entering without knowing the master's name," said a grotesque pig-like creature from the wall. "I am Buhichuck," he added.
Luffy blinked. "There's a pig growing out of the wall," he remarked.
At that moment, the paintings lined the walls and began to move. The figures stepped out from their frames. They were twisted and stitched.
"Let's welcome our guests," they said in eerie unison.
"Are they all zombies?" Sanji asked. Porche looked shocked.
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "This place keeps getting cooler," Luffy said.
Sanji didn't wait. He launched a kick at one of the zombie paintings. "Where are you hiding Nami-san?" he demanded as the zombie flew back into its frame.
Franky grabbed two zombies by the arms and smashed them together. He smiled.
Zoro drew his blades. "Two-Sword Style: Slice," Zoro said as he dashed forward and cut down the charging undead. They all dropped to the ground.
Luffy laughed as he dodged the attacks of a shaggy creature. "This island is fun," he said.
"You nimble pest," the Rug Bear growled as he swung wildly.
Luffy ducked and countered. "Gum-Gum no Bazooka," he shouted as his fists stretched back and slammed into the Rug Bear's face. The Rug Bear was sent flying back and crashed into the wall.
"All done," Luffy said as he dusted off his hands.
Porche watched in awe. "They're… really strong," he said.
She turned to Buhichuck. "Where are our friends?" she asked.
Buhichuck snorted. "Those three? They're sleeping in a room nearby. Safe and sound," he said.
"I don't believe you," Porche said as she narrowed her eyes.
"But it's true. Go see for yourself. The passage is just past those statues," Buhichuck responded.
Franky glanced around. "Wait a second… the curly-browed cook is gone," he said.
Luffy touched his hat. "He was just here," he remarked.
The zombies began to laugh.
"They must've done something," Zoro muttered.
"He'll be fine," Luffy said casually as he picked his nose.
"We should go help Nami and the others," Porche urged.
Buhichuck chuckled. "Just because you're a little strong," he said. However he was being ignored.
"Yeah, we should," Franky agreed.
"This mansion's creepy," Porche added. "And huge. We could get lost," she remarked.
"You're right," Zoro said. "Let's take this pig as our guide," he added.
"Wait hold on," Buhichuck protested.
From the shadows, another zombie stepped forward. "Go ahead. Take him. You'll see how terrifying our real boss is Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea," he said.
"You should leave now," another zombie warned. "Or your friends will disappear one by one," he warned.
Luffy stepped forward. "Enough babbling. If anything happens to my crew, tell that idiot Moria. I'll knock his face off this ship," he said.
The zombies froze.
"Anyway," Luffy added as he picked his nose. "We'll leave Sanji alone. He won't die," he added. Luffy looked around. "Let us go," he said.
Meanwhile, inside the shadowy church, Absalom stood before the grand doors. He raised his arms. "Go and catch them all," he barked. "No one can match the might of the Zombie General," he added.
Just then, Captain John stumbled in, clutching a half-empty bottle.
"Hey, stop wasting time," Absalom snapped. "You're supposed to be a legendary terror. Right now, you are not living up to your reputation," he added.
Captain John waved lazily. "Alright, alright, I'm going…" he said.
Absalom sighed. "He never changes," he said as he looked at all his zombies` general going.
A voice rasped from behind. "Absalom…"
He turned and froze.
He saw a zombie woman stitched together from warthog remains. Her pink skin stretched over her. Her tusks protruded from her skeletal mouth, and a scar connected her nostrils. She wore red lipstick and a tattered wedding dress.
"Lola…" Absalom muttered, eyes wide.
"Go and fight," he ordered as he tried to regain control.
"Then marry me," Lola squealed as she charged past him and slammed the church doors shut behind her. She giggled manically.
"Lola, what are you doing?" Absalom shouted.
"Marry me!" she repeated. Her eyes sparked.
"Stop it. I'm human and I need a human bride," Absalom protested as he backed away. "You're dead, and rotting," he added.
Lola grabbed his hand and smeared red ink across his palm. She raised a marriage certificate. He was ready to slam his hand onto it.
"Hey, that's a terrifying method," Absalom yelled as he yanked his arm back.
"I can't resist you," Lola cooed as she stepped closer.
"Enough," Absalom barked. "I've already found my bride. A woman from the pirate crew that landed here. She's perfect for a handsome man like me," he said.
He held up a bounty poster. Nami's face stared back.
Lola's eyes narrowed. "Her?" she growled. Then she turned. "I'm going after her," he added as she slammed through the church doors. The wedding dress flapping behind her.
Elsewhere on the massive ship Thriller Bark, two small, squirrel-like creatures waddled through a misty corridor, struggling to carry a coffin between them.
"We need to deliver this to the Master," one grunted.
"Master…" the other echoed.
Suddenly, they tripped. The coffin flew through the air and crashed to the ground. It burst opened.
From inside, Chopper, Nami, and Usopp slowly sat up. They were groggy and disoriented.
"Where… am I?" Chopper murmured.
The two creatures gasped. "Quick! Hit him before he wakes up," one said. They both went flying towards him. They had weapons in their hands.
Chopper shifted into Heavy Point immediately. He delivered a swift punch that sent both creatures flying into the wall.
"Usopp, Nami, Hang in there!" Chopper called out.
Usopp groaned. He sat up. "That samurai…..did he strike us with the back of his blade?" he questioned as he examined the bandage on his side.
Nami nodded and looked around. "It must've been raining," Nami said as she stepped forward. "The ground's still damp," she added.
"Where are we?" Usopp asked.
"I don't know," Chopper responded.
"We must have come from there," Nami responded as he looked up. "There is the Mansion, that bridge connects that building with the mansion," she said.
"What is that building?" Usopp asked.
"I think that must be where the zombies come from," Nami responded.
Just then, three strange animals approached.
"What are those?" Usopp asked.
A penguin with startled eyes and a red bow tie stepped forward. "Hello," he said.
Next came a taller penguin with a stitched mouth and a top hat with a green scarf. "We are the duo—no, wait," he said.
A droopy-eyed dog in a red-and-white striped hat and blue bow tie joined them. "A trio. I'm the new guy. Inuppe." His voice was soft, melancholic, like a performer who'd forgotten his last act.
"We don't care about introductions," Usopp snapped.
Inuppe gestured behind them. "Then meet our comrades, the Wild Zombies," he said.
The three of them turned and saw a a horde of stitched-up animal zombies. They were snarling and laughing.
"Welcome to Perona-sama's Wild Garden," they all shouted.
"Capture them," one zombie roared.
"Not again," Usopp said as he got ready.
A massive hippo zombie charged forward. He swung a jagged blade toward Nami.
Inuppe leapt in front of her and kicked the hippo zombie away. "Don't," he shouted. He saw the zombie crashed on the ground.
"What are you doing? That's an ally!" one of the zombies yelled.
Inuppe stood firm. "I don't know who this lady is or where she came from… but even if it goes against my Master`s orders, even if I die. I will never hurt a woman," he said.
The trio stared at him, stunned.
Nami's thoughts flickered. She thought of Ben. Then she shook her head. No… Ben's too much of a pervert, she thought. Her mind settled on someone else.
"Sanji…" she whispered. "That dog talks like Sanji," Nami said.
At that moment, they heard the sound of footsteps. "Lola wait," Absalom shouted as he run behind her.
"I will get her," Lola shouted.
"What is going on there?" Usopp remarked. "A wild boar?" he asked.
Lola spotted Nami. She leapt toward and crashed in front of Nami.
"What was that?" Nami said as she shielded her eyes from the dust.
"I finally found you," Lola said as she towered in front of her. Burglar Cat," she added as she looked down.
"Me? Wait a minute, I have not stolen anything," Nami responded as she took a step back.
Lola held a large axe. "I wont let you have Ab-sama," Lola said.
Inuppe jumped forward. He swung his leg and kicked the wooden handle. The force of the kick broke the handle. "Dont lay a hand on this lady," Inuppe said.
"Dont get in my way," Lola said as she swung her fist and punched Inuppe. Inuppe got punched in the stomach. He went flying through the air and crashed into a wall.
"Why did it not attack?" Usopp said.
"I will never lay a finger on a woman," Inuppe stated.
Chopper and Usopp clapped. "To figure out that thing was a woman, you sure are something," Usopp said as he clapped.
"Usopp, Chopper," Nami shouted as she was taken from her feet.
"Nami is flying," Chopper said.
"No, I am being kidnapped," she said.
"Kidnapped," Chopper said.
"Wait so he is real," Usopp added as he ran towards Nami and the invisible man.
Nami then struggled. "Let me go," she shouted as she punched the thing. "You are the same person who was in the bathroom," she added.
"Yes, I was, my name is Absalom, I was evaluating you and you will be suitable to be my bride," Absalom said. He thought he had not seen everything. Absalom revealed himself.
"He became visible," Chopper said.
"So it is true," Usopp added.
Nami's eyes flared with fury. "You like spying on naked women? I don't take care of my body so perverts like you can ogle it," she said. She whipped out her Clima-Tact. She charged it with electricity. "Thunder Charge," she said as a bolt of lightning crackled through the air and struck Absalom square in the chest. He flew backward and hit the ground. There was smoke rising from his body.
Nami was thrown back by the recoil. She rolled across the ground and got up. "I only want Ben to see it…" she muttered, then paused. "No… not him either," she said.
Chopper and Usopp rushed to her side.
"Are you okay?" Chopper asked, eyes wide.
"I'm fine," Nami said as she brushed herself off.
On the ground, Absalom twitched. He was dazed and smoldering. That feeling, he thought, was this love. It felt like lightning had struck his heart and spine.
Suddenly, Lola charged in wielding dual swords. "You! I'll kill you," she shouted. "Absalom will be my groom," she added.
Chopper and Usopp jumped onto her back. They tried to slow her down however she barely flinched.
Nami stumbled and fell to the ground. Lola raised her swords.
"Begone," Lola roared.
"Wait. I'm actually a man," Nami blurted. The blades stopped inches from her face.
Lola blinked. "What?" she asked.
Chopper gasped. "Huh?" he questioned.
"Hey, hey," Usopp stammered as he looked at Chopper.
"Is that true?" Lola asked. She narrowed her eyes.
"Yes," Nami said quickly. "And honestly, you and that beast-man are perfect for each other. I just wanted to support your love," she added.
Lola's eyes shimmered. "Really?" she questioned.
"Absolutely," Nami said as she smiled sweetly. "I think you two could be the best couple in the world," she added.
Lola sniffled. "You're so kind… no one's ever said that to me," Lola said.
"Of course," Nami said. "Anyway, I dropped something in the treasure room and I can't find my way back. Could you show me, bestie?" she asked.
"I will!" Lola declared as she charged off with renewed purpose.
"Wow, Nami…" Chopper said, impressed. "I did not know you were a man," he said.
"They're going to catch us," Usopp muttered nervously as he looked down the path.
Just then, they spotted Kumashi, the giant teddy bear zombie, waddling nearby.
Nami noticed the zipper on his back and grinned. "Let's hide in there for now," she said. They all nodded.