The atmosphere on Isla de Muerta was suffocating. Torches flickered against the damp walls as the cursed crew of the Black Pearl surrounded the sacred altar, where the Aztec gold gleamed with a wicked glow. The echo of metal boots rang out among the rocks.
"Bring the three of them forward," Barbosa ordered dryly, his gaze sharp and impatient.
Erina, Elizabet, and Usagi were led to the center of the altar. Their clothes were torn from the journey, but their expressions remained defiant.
"We only need a sample," muttered one of the pirates, licking his lips.
Barbosa drew his ceremonial dagger and without hesitation, took Erina's hand and made a clean cut across her palm. He repeated the process with Elizabet and Usagi. Their blood dripped onto one of the medallions, which was carefully placed atop the stone altar.
The cavern fell silent.
"Do you feel anything?" one of the pirates asked, staring at his skeletal hands.
"Nothing…" said another, patting his chest where no heartbeat stirred.
With a growl, Barbosa pulled out his pistol and, without warning, shot one of his own men. The body fell—then seconds later, stood up again.
"The curse still holds…" muttered the wounded pirate.
Tension built instantly.
"They tricked us!"
"Let's kill the witches!"
The pirates surged forward, weapons raised.
"ENOUGH!" Barbosa roared, pointing his sword forward. "No one touches them!"
The group stopped, though their eyes burned with fury.
Barbosa approached the girls slowly, scrutinizing them.
"Where did you get this medallion?" he asked, raising it with disdain.
"We found it on a beach," Usagi replied, forcing calm.
"It was lying among shipwreck debris," Erina added.
"No one gave it to us," muttered Elizabet, avoiding eye contact.
Barbosa's frown deepened. He didn't need more than that. He knew when someone was lying.
"You…" he said, pointing at Elizabet. "You're hiding something."
She looked at him, defiant but nervous.
"Lock them all up! Two guards at the door. No one in, no one out."
"And her?" asked a pirate, motioning to Elizabet.
"She comes with me. Maybe in a more private setting she'll feel like talking."
Scene Change — Deck of the Black Pearl
The sky was blanketed in dark clouds. The Black Pearl floated motionless before the island, its sails creaking in the wind. Barbosa stood on the deck with Elizabet, staring at the cursed medallion with frustration.
"Your blood didn't break the curse. What are you hiding?" he barked.
"I swear I don't know. I don't understand why it didn't work," she replied, holding his gaze.
Barbosa watched her in silence, about to question her further—when a strange sound cut through the air.
"What the hell is that?!" shouted a pirate.
From the sky descended a blazing figure—a man wreathed in living fire. Endeavour landed hard, flames surging from his shoulders. Behind him dropped Shiryu, his dragon armor gleaming, and a fierce red-haired girl with a flaming sword: Stella Vermillion.
Finally, Will climbed aboard, sword drawn and eyes full of resolve.
"Attack!" yelled a pirate. The battle erupted.
Endeavour's flames scorched the undead, forcing them to retreat. Shiryu struck like a force of nature, sword flashing. Stella danced through the horde, each slash leaving a trail of fire.
Will darted through the chaos, heading straight for Elizabet.
"Are you alright?" he asked, slashing her restraints.
"Will…! How—?"
"No time," he said, grabbing her hand. "Let's go."
As they ran toward the bow, Barbosa shouted in fury.
"Stop them! They can't take the girl!"
In the madness, no one noticed that, deep within the jungle on the island, the Doctor, Kaminari, and Komatsu had slipped in unseen.
"Now or never," the Doctor whispered.
"With that chaos on the ship, they won't even notice we're here," Kaminari added.
"Just don't die," Komatsu muttered, gripping his knife.
The three infiltrators moved deeper into the island, toward the heart of the curse.