"Nice! That's it! It's perfect!"
Brandishing a paintbrush as tall as himself, Luffy—splattered head to toe in paint—let out a triumphant shout.
He stood before Laboon's massive, scar-covered head.
After hours of work, a giant straw-hat-wearing skull now adorned the whale's enormous brow. Luffy had taken the lead, with Usopp lending a hand, but the result was, frankly, a bit rough around the edges. Compared to the mark on their flag, it was noticeably off—charmingly sloppy in a way that screamed Luffy's unique style.
Grinning with satisfaction, Luffy admired his handiwork. Setting the brush aside and planting his hands on his hips, he looked up at Laboon and declared, "This is our promise! We'll come back here, so you'd better stay healthy until then! Don't go banging your head and rubbing this mark off!"
The painted skull was a vow, and as Luffy flashed his trademark grin, Laboon let out a resonant cry in response. It could only mean yes. The whale's tearful eyes now sparkled with clarity.
More years of waiting lay ahead, but Brook's words had rekindled hope. Laboon had thought no one was left, so finding a reason to live again filled him with joy. His heart raced with anticipation to reunite.
Gone was the sorrow, replaced by a lively exuberance that even Luffy couldn't help but mirror with a gleeful laugh.
As Luffy and Usopp worked, time had slipped by, and dusk was approaching. In less than two hours, the sunset would paint the sky. If they aimed for the next island, they'd need to set sail soon. Spending the night here was an option, but Luffy clearly wasn't keen on waiting.
The crew buzzed with preparations for departure. Nami sat across from Crocus, absorbing his explanation about navigating the Grand Line.
"Logs are essential for sailing the Grand Line," Crocus said. "Lose track of them, and you're left without direction, relying on miracles to reach an island. Even compasses go haywire in these seas."
"Right," Nami replied. "My crew told me to prepare for this. You mean this, don't you?" She gestured to the Log Pose on her wrist.
"Exactly. While you're on an island, the Log Pose automatically records its magnetic field. When the needle locks, that's your signal it's set. But the time it takes varies by island, so stay sharp."
"How long could it take?" Nami asked.
"Some islands take years," Crocus replied. "If there are locals, ask around."
"Years just to set a log?" Nami groaned. "No way we're waiting that long—especially Luffy."
"There's a tool for impatient types like him," Crocus said, pointing to her Log Pose. "A Log Pose rewrites itself as you move from island to island, but an Eternal Pose points to one specific island forever. If a log takes years to set, use an Eternal Pose to move on. You can find them for sale in certain places."
"Got it," Nami said, nodding thoughtfully.
"Don't skimp on preparation," Crocus warned. "Choosing the right log is the key to surviving these seas."
Nami nodded again, etching his words into her mind. The Grand Line was a different beast from the four seas—she'd heard the rumors. Her honed navigation skills might not apply here, and she steeled herself for the challenge. Yet, facing this unknown sea, curiosity bubbled up over fear. Maybe she was starting to think like Luffy. She gave a wry smile.
"Your first voyage starts with choosing one of seven magnetic routes," Crocus continued. "The choice is yours."
"So we only get to choose at the start," Nami said. "But what about the final destination? Don't the routes lead to different places?"
"No," Crocus replied. "All paths converge on one island." He paused, his expression stern. "The kid said he wants to be Pirate King, right?"
"Yeah," Nami said. "Luffy's dead serious."
"Then his destination is set."
Arms crossed, Crocus's face grew grim as he spoke the name. "Raftel. The island no one's found, except the Pirate King himself. Every soul chasing that title aims for it."
"Raftel…" Nami echoed.
"Is that where the One Piece is?" Silk, sitting quietly beside Nami, piped up.
Crocus's eyes flicked downward for a moment before he answered. "Find out for yourselves. No one but Roger's made it there."
"Wonder if it's real," Silk mused. "The One Piece, I mean."
"Who knows?" Nami said with a smirk. "Even if it's a lie, Luffy'd hunt it down anyway."
Her gaze drifted to Luffy and Usopp, who were cleaning up their painting supplies. Zoro had been roped into helping, despite looking bored. This was the kind of talk a captain should hear, but Luffy was, as usual, in his own world.
Then Nami noticed something—Kiri was missing. Luffy's carefree attitude was no surprise, but Kiri, the level-headed vice-captain, was usually attentive in moments like this. Yet he was nowhere in sight.
As if on cue, Sanji approached with cups of tea. "Drinks for the ladies," he said. "Don't overwork yourselves."
"Hey, Sanji," Nami said. "Where's Kiri? He's gone."
"He was rummaging around on the ship earlier," Sanji replied. "Now he's over on Arlong's ship."
"Arlong's?"
Sure enough, Kiri stood on the deck of Arlong's ship, speaking with him. Their voices didn't carry, but the exchange looked serious.
Kiri stood before Arlong, who sat in a chair, holding a stack of wanted posters. His expression was calm but focused, a faint smile on his lips.
"A hundred posters," Kiri said. "A list of a hundred wanted pirates in the Grand Line."
"And what do you want me to do with these?" Arlong asked, his tone sharp.
"I'm changing the terms of your release," Kiri replied. "Beat Luffy in a one-on-one duel, or take down these hundred pirates and claim their flags. Do that, and you're free. How's that sound?"
Arlong's brow twitched as he considered it. Kuroobi took the stack, flipping through a few posters. The bounties varied—some worth a few million Berries, others tens of millions, and a few even exceeding a hundred million. A quick count confirmed about a hundred posters. The deal was clear: defeat these pirates, claim their flags, and prove your strength to earn freedom.
Arlong stared at Kiri, unmoving. Only when Kuroobi spoke did he finally respond. "A hundred, alright. All wanted men, different ranks."
"Take them down, and you're free," Kiri said.
"No attacking civilians," Kiri added. "If you stir up trouble and ruin your reputation, we'll step in and shut you down. Luring them out with a strategic attack is fine, though."
"Hmph," Arlong scoffed. "No need for that."
He took the posters from Kuroobi, glancing at them briefly. His eyes glared, but there was no outright hostility. "I'll take these guys down first. Then you're next."
"Surprisingly cooperative," Kiri said, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't expect you to agree so easily."
"I'm not following you," Arlong snapped. "I just want to crush someone—anyone."
"Fair enough," Kiri said with a shrug.
Arlong skimmed the posters, realizing this was an opportunity. He knew he couldn't beat Luffy yet. To grow stronger, taking on a hundred pirates might be just the training he needed. Hunting pirates was far better than protecting humans. A quiet resolve sparked within him.
Kiri, seeing this, felt relieved. Arlong didn't seem likely to betray them. But the conversation wasn't over. "We'll split up for now," Kiri said. "Move separately and share information. Different paths might yield different gains."
"Fine by me," Arlong said. "I wasn't planning to tail you forever."
"But when we call, you answer," Kiri added. "We're still the main ship."
Arlong snorted, turning away, but didn't object—a grudging agreement. Kiri gave a wry smile.
"Just to be clear," Kiri continued, "you're under the Straw Hats' custody. No attacking civilians. Pirates and Marines are fair game, though."
"So I can attack you lot, then," Arlong said with a smirk.
"I'll stay on guard," Kiri replied. "The Grand Line's not as forgiving as East Blue, and you Fishmen from Fishman Island know that better than anyone. Keep in touch, Hachi. You're on communication duty."
"Got it!" Hachi said cheerfully. "Leave it to me!"
Kiri nodded, reassured. Hachi was the most reliable of Arlong's crew, perfect for handling Den Den Mushi calls. Unlike Arlong and some others, who seemed uninterested in talking, Hachi could be trusted. The voyage was shaping up better than planned.
"Thanks," Kiri said. "Even just sharing info is a huge help. This sea's full of mysteries."
He gazed at the ocean, his smile tinged with a faint sadness. He'd returned to a sea he thought he'd never see again. Now, he'd live here, forging a new path.
Suddenly, Kiri spotted two figures in the water. No island was in sight, yet they were swimming—fast, heading toward the cape. Their ship might have wrecked, but their speed suggested remarkable stamina. Still, they appeared to be struggling.
Kiri's expression shifted, and he shouted to Hachi, "People are drowning! Save those two!"
"Nyu! On it!" Hachi dove into the sea, swimming faster than any human. He reached the pair in moments, pulling them from the water and onto land.
Kiri leapt from the ship to check on them, with the crew following. Hachi released the two—a man and a woman, both in eccentric outfits. The man wore a gaudy suit and a crown, while the woman sported a spiral-patterned dress and blue hair tied in a ponytail. They collapsed, gasping for air, trying to steady their breathing.
Kiri's eyes widened in shock upon seeing them, though only Zoro, ever observant, noticed his reaction.
"Cough, cough… Sorry," the man wheezed. "Our ship broke down."
"You're pirates, right?" the woman said. "We were heading back to town."
"Could you give us a lift?" the man added.
"Whoa, hold on," Usopp muttered. "You haven't even introduced yourselves."
The pair exchanged a glance before speaking. "Can't give our real names," the man said. "Call me Mr. 9."
"And I'm Miss Wednesday," the woman added.
"Suspicious," Usopp said, crossing his arms.
"Yeah," Nami agreed. "You won't share your names, and you swam here after your ship broke? Sounds like a tall tale."
The two flinched, clearly rattled by the scrutiny. Their nervousness only deepened the crew's suspicions. They were sweating bullets, as if aware their story didn't hold up.
Nami's eyes narrowed, and she leaned in. "You're way too suspicious. Are you trying to scam us and steal our treasure?"
"N-no way!" Mr. 9 stammered. "We'd never do that!"
"Yeah!" Miss Wednesday added. "Our ship broke, and—"
"Then why'd it break?" Nami pressed. "What's the reason?"
"Uh, well…" Mr. 9 faltered.
"We hit a reef…" Miss Wednesday mumbled.
"There are no reefs around here," Nami said. "The currents make that clear. So where'd you swim from? You didn't swim miles, did you?"
The pair froze, unable to respond. Mr. 9 went rigid, and Miss Wednesday paled. Nami's smug grin grew—she'd caught them. Her sharp questioning had likely protected the crew from a trap, something Luffy wouldn't have managed.
The atmosphere grew tense. The pair's obvious discomfort suggested they weren't just stranded sailors. Nami glanced at the sea, noting its calm surface—no debris, no sign of a wreck. Maybe Laboon could search for evidence, but she doubted they'd find anything.
"Where exactly did your ship break?" Nami demanded. "No planks, no wreckage. If it broke far off, there's no way you swam here. Unless you knew pirates would pass this cape, hid your ship, and swam here pretending to be in distress."
The pair flinched again, their guilt almost palpable. "It's common knowledge that pirates use Reverse Mountain to enter the Grand Line," Nami continued. "With some research, you could find a spot to hide a ship and stage an ambush."
"So you're saying," she concluded, "you're some kind of crooks trying to trick us. Am I wrong?"
Their faces drained of color, and they began to tremble. Nami's smile was icy, her eyes unyielding. Usopp, arms crossed, looked exasperated. Silk seemed uneasy but braced for action, and even Sanji, despite Miss Wednesday's beauty, offered no defense. Luffy just stared, his thoughts unreadable.
Only Zoro and Kiri broke the pattern. Zoro's face darkened, his lips tight, while Kiri, surprisingly, spoke up. "Ease up, Nami. They're scared enough."
"Why?" Nami snapped. "I'm not wrong. They're after my treasure."
"Maybe," Kiri said. "But if we know their goal, we can handle it. Let's hear them out."
"I'm not risking an ambush," Nami said.
"If they're crooks, we'll just take their stuff," Kiri countered. "We're pirates—let's make a profit."
"Fine, I'll hear them out," Nami said.
"Talk about a quick turnaround!" Usopp yelped, stunned by Nami's sudden shift. Kiri's words had flipped her perspective, and now all she saw was Berries.
With Nami's interrogation over, Luffy stepped forward, staring at the pair with an oddly calm expression. "So, what do you want from us?"
"Just a ride to town," Mr. 9 said quickly. "That's all!"
"We swear we're not planning a trap!" Miss Wednesday added. "We just need to get back!"
"Alright, then," Luffy said simply.
Usopp's jaw dropped, as did the pair's. "Luffy!" Usopp shouted. "Think about this! They're obviously up to something! I'm with Nami—this is too risky!"
"Risky, huh?" Luffy said. "You think so too, Usopp?"
"Of course!" Usopp said. "Who asks for a ride right after meeting—"
"Risky sounds fun!" Luffy grinned.
Usopp's eyes nearly popped out. The idea of danger only made Luffy more excited. "You're seriously going through with this?!" Usopp cried. "I thought I knew you, but this is crazy! A captain's supposed to keep the crew safe, avoid risks—"
"Risky, huh?" Luffy said, his grin widening. "Smells like adventure!"
"Please, Captain, listen!" Usopp begged.
Luffy laughed and walked off, already eager for what lay ahead. Usopp, desperate, kept pleading, but it was clear the crew would take Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday along.
Sanji was thrilled at the prospect of traveling with a "beautiful lady," Nami's eyes gleamed at the thought of potential riches, and Silk gave a troubled smile, unsure what to make of it.
"Doesn't matter if it's ghosts or snakes," Sanji said. "Welcome aboard, Miss Wednesday."
"Hey, how much do you two have saved up?" Nami asked. "Is this town of yours rich?"
"Nami, that's a bit…" Silk started, uneasy.
The pair looked bewildered, caught between friendly greetings and veiled threats. They stayed silent, likely aware that saying the wrong thing could backfire.
Luffy, who'd started to walk away, suddenly turned back, ignoring Usopp's ongoing protests. He'd forgotten something crucial. "Oh, right. Where's this town you live in?"
"Listen to my plan, Luffy!" Usopp wailed.
"It's Whiskey Peak," Mr. 9 said with a sly grin. "The town of hospitality."
Luffy's face lit up. "Hospitality? Sounds awesome!"
"Hospitality?" Usopp muttered. "That's… not what I expected. Maybe it's not dangerous?"
"Dangerous? No way," Miss Wednesday said. "Whiskey Peak's known for music and booze. Pirates stop by all the time."
"Huh," Usopp said, still wary. "Sounds safe, but…"
Luffy, practically bouncing with excitement, began chatting with them about Whiskey Peak and their upcoming route.
From a distance, Kiri watched, his usual smile gone, replaced by a blank, unreadable expression—a rare sight that left an impression. Zoro, noticing, stepped beside him, avoiding his gaze. "You know those two, don't you?"
"Why do you say that?" Kiri asked.
"Your face changed the second you saw them," Zoro said. "You didn't even hear their names. Recognizing them that fast means you knew them before."
Kiri's expression stayed neutral. Zoro's sharp gaze carried a familiar intensity. "You've been in the Grand Line a while, haven't you?" Zoro pressed. "You must know something."
"And you seem to know something too," Kiri shot back.
"Maybe," Zoro said. "So, what's the deal?"
"Who knows?" Kiri said, shrugging.
"What're you hiding?" Zoro's tone was sharp, his face unusually serious.
Kiri offered a faint smile. "You'll find out when we get to Whiskey Peak."
"Huh?"
"I thought I'd never come back to the Grand Line," Kiri said. "But once I decided to return, I knew this would happen. Some things can't be ignored."
"That thing you wouldn't talk about?" Zoro asked.
"My presence complicates things," Kiri said. "If you want to cut me loose, now's the time."
His smile was fleeting, almost fragile. He glanced at Zoro, who kept his eyes forward, his voice tinged with irritation. "Don't be stupid. Stop saying dumb crap."
"Alright," Kiri said with a small nod, offering no further reaction.
"Then we'll see what happens," Kiri added. "The time to talk will come soon enough."
"Fine," Zoro said, exhaling heavily. He dropped the subject but stayed put, arms crossed, staring into the distance as if mulling something over.
They'd only just entered the Grand Line, yet Kiri's demeanor had shifted. The memory of lost comrades stirred unease, and his secretive behavior hinted at deeper truths. To Zoro, who'd sensed something off before, this only confirmed his instincts. Whatever lay ahead, it wasn't the carefree East Blue anymore.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
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