What if the Straw Hat pirates went back in time.

"I can't wait to see Sanji again," Luffy groaned, sprawling out on the deck of the Going Merry, arms and legs splayed as if he'd been defeated by hunger itself. "I've been craving his food. Everything we eat tastes like cardboard!" He flopped dramatically, his straw hat slipping over his face to complete the picture of exaggerated misery.

Nami glanced up from her navigation charts, a smirk playing on her lips. "Maybe if you actually helped catch some fish, we'd have better meals instead of whatever leftovers you've been inhaling."

Luffy bolted upright, his hat tumbling onto the deck. "Fish?!" His face lit up. "Let's catch a big one!"

Nearby, Zoro leaned lazily against the mast, one eye closed, arms crossed as he napped—or at least pretended to. "Luffy," he muttered without bothering to open his eye, "you'd probably scare the fish away with how loud you are."

Usopp, perched on a barrel, slingshot in hand, struck a dramatic pose, pointing to the horizon. "Don't worry, Luffy! Leave it to the great Usopp!" He puffed out his chest. "I'll catch a fish so massive it'll make the Sea Kings look like ants!"

"That's not how fishing works," Nami deadpanned, rolling her eyes as she returned to her charts.

But Luffy was already on his feet, brimming with excitement. "Usopp! Let's make it a contest! Whoever catches the biggest fish gets the first plate when Sanji cooks!"

"You're on!" Usopp exclaimed, grabbing a makeshift fishing rod he'd hastily put together earlier from some spare parts and, judging by the haphazard construction, sheer hope.

The two scrambled to the edge of the ship, dangling their lines over the water with the enthusiasm of children at a festival. Luffy leaned forward, staring intently into the waves as if willing a fish to appear through sheer determination. Usopp, meanwhile, regaled anyone within earshot—whether they wanted to listen or not—with a tall tale.

"Did I ever tell you about the time I wrestled a Sea King with my bare hands?" Usopp began, puffing up with pride.

"Yeah, right," Zoro muttered, still leaning against the mast, not even bothering to open his eye.

"Hey! It's true!" Usopp shot back, nearly dropping his rod in his indignation.

Suddenly, Luffy's line jerked violently. "I got something!" he shouted, gripping the rod with all his strength as it bent under the weight of whatever was on the other end.

"Me too!" Usopp yelped as his line started to tug. "It's huge!" He braced himself, feet sliding against the deck as he fought to keep control.

The water erupted in a spray of foam as two enormous fish leapt out simultaneously. Luffy's was a massive, bright red fish with a toothy grin, its scales glinting in the sunlight. Usopp's, on the other hand, was a long, slimy eel-like creature that squirmed and twisted in the air.

"Don't let it go, Usopp!" Luffy shouted, his laughter bubbling over as he pulled with all his might.

"I'm trying!" Usopp yelled back, teeth clenched as he braced himself against the railing, his knees wobbling under the strain.

With one final heave, Luffy yanked his fish out of the water. It sailed through the air in a perfect arc before landing—smack—in Zoro's lap, drenching him in seawater.

"What the hell, Luffy?!" Zoro roared, leaping to his feet as water dripped from his hair and soaked his clothes. His glare could have cut steel, but Luffy was already doubled over with laughter, clutching his stomach as tears streamed down his face.

Meanwhile, Usopp's eel thrashed wildly, snapping the line with a loud twang! before plunging back into the ocean with a splash.

"Noooo! My victory!" Usopp wailed, collapsing dramatically onto the deck, arms spread wide as if mourning a great loss.