The turbulent seas were blanketed in heavy snow as the Going Merry sailed through a storm of drifting white flakes.
"What the hell! It was just raining a moment ago—why is it snowing now!?"
"This weather is insane… the Grand Line really is unpredictable."
"Uncle Crocus was right after all. Good thing Laina bought us four-season clothes back in Loguetown."
On Merry's deck, Nami had wrapped a scarf tightly around her neck, with earmuffs pulled over her head. Even in a down jacket, she still shivered miserably.
"Women are impossible to understand…"
Laina muttered, staring at her bare, pale thighs. "Seriously, Nami—if you're so cold, why don't you wear thicker pants?"
"None of your business, hmph~" Nami stuck out her tongue playfully.
It had been a few days since they'd left Loguetown and entered the Grand Line, where they met Laboon and Uncle Crocus just as expected.
From Crocus, they'd learned the basics of the Grand Line.
Because of its chaotic magnetic fields, ordinary compasses were useless here. Luckily, Laina had prepared ten Log Poses in advance.
But the real problem was how the unstable fields made the currents, winds, and weather utterly unpredictable.
Even Nami, normally a genius navigator, had been caught off guard at first, which left Laina with plenty of extra work.
His undead were constantly busy—steering, adjusting sails during storms, bailing water in the rain, shoveling snow during blizzards.
Nami even made him burn skeleton bones to keep warm. Truly heartless.
"Nami, how long until we reach the next island?" Laina asked.
After thinking a moment, she replied:
"We're about to enter the magnetic field range of the next island. Once inside, currents and winds will stabilize a bit. If everything goes smoothly, we should arrive before sunset today."
"Cactus Island… the first stop on the Grand Line." Laina's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
It had been two and a half years since he crossed over, and finally, he'd built up enough strength to enter the Grand Line.
He owed a great deal to Luffy and Zoro. Without their "templates," taking on Kuro or Arlong would've been nearly impossible for him and his early undead.
As long as he survived the beginning stages, his power could snowball endlessly.
Now, with his two Chainsaw Demon undead, an upgraded Adamantium Werewolf (merged with Sanji's template), and his Bone Chain Sword crafted from Arlong's template, Laina was confident he could hold his own in the first half of the Grand Line.
Once he acquired templates from the two giant chiefs of Elbaf on Little Garden, there'd be almost no one in Paradise who could truly threaten him.
Giants' monstrous physical stats were overwhelming—and in his hands, they'd be even stronger than their originals.
"Shishishi! Look at my snowman, Laboon!"
"Not bad, Luffy—but too crude. Behold, my Snow Queen!"
"Wahaha! Amazing, Usopp!" Luffy clapped with childlike joy.
Even Laina had to admire Usopp's craftsmanship. A delicate crown atop its head, elegant robes—it looked lifelike. Strangely familiar, though…
"Tsk tsk tsk… is that Kaya?" Laina teased, remembering a certain figure. "Missing your sweetheart already, Usopp?"
"W-w-what are you talking about!?"
Blushing, Usopp stumbled back a few steps. "I'm going to become a brave warrior of the sea! How could I be shackled by romance!?"
"I think Kaya's great—pretty and kind. If you don't want those shackles, I'll gladly take them."
"Over my dead body!!"
"Hahaha, relax, just teasing you." Laina turned to Sanji with a grin. "So, Chef, what's for lunch today?"
"Hmm~ that Elephant Tuna's on its last legs. Time to cook it." Sanji puffed out smoke thoughtfully. "But how should I prepare it? Any requests?"
Luffy: "Grilled fish!"
Usopp: "Fish head soup!"
Laina: "Sashimi!"
Zoro: "Whatever."
"Then it's settled—fish head for soup, belly for sashimi, the rest grilled. And the best part—the nose—of course goes to the loveliest Miss Nami!" Hearts replaced Sanji's eyes as he turned into a lovestruck fool.
"Tch. Perverted cook."
"What'd you say, moss-head!?"
Watching the two bicker, Laina chuckled. Sanji had barely been on board for a few days, and already he and Zoro were at each other's throats.
Soon, Sanji disappeared into the kitchen, Luffy and Usopp went fishing, while Laina and Zoro headed to the stern to lift weights.
"You're improving fast, Laina," Zoro admitted, impressed. "Not even two weeks, and you've upped your load again."
"Mostly thanks to the Devil Fruit's boost. Training comes easier," Laina explained.
When he'd first crossed over, he was just an ordinary weakling. Now his body was far beyond average human limits.
Without the Zoan fruit's help, reaching this level would've taken years.
"At this rate, you'll surpass me in less than a year," Zoro muttered, gripping his own barbell tightly as he watched Laina crank out push-ups with 1,200 kilograms on his back.
"No way. You're not the only one improving. I've got a long way before catching up to you." Laina glanced at Zoro's 2,100-kilogram weights and unconsciously pushed himself harder.
The two silently competed until Sanji called them for lunch.
After eating, Laina climbed the lookout tower, barbell in tow, and kept watch.
By late afternoon, as the sun kissed the horizon, he finally spotted an island.
From afar, he could make out clustered houses, with massive cactus-shaped mountains rising behind them.
"Everyone! Land ho! There's a town!" he shouted down, lighting a cigarette as the Merry drifted closer.
The crew lit up with excitement—after days at sea, finally, a lively island awaited.
This was Whiskey Peak, the first island of the Grand Line. A river split the land in two, and the Merry followed its waters inland toward the port.
"Pirates!"
"Quick, tell everyone—the pirates are here!"
Dock workers rushed into town. Soon, the port swarmed with villagers.
But instead of fear, their faces shone with cheer.
"Brave warriors of the sea!"
"Welcome to Whiskey Peak!"
The boisterous greetings made everyone stare in confusion. Only Luffy and Usopp beamed.
"Hello, everybody!"
"Sniff… they called me a brave warrior…" Usopp's eyes welled with pride.
Compared to them, Nami and the others reacted more normally.
"Did I hear that right? They're… welcoming pirates?"
"Heh. Strange little town." Zoro smirked, eyeing the crowd.
Soon, they disembarked. Laina dropped anchor, secured the Merry, then leapt down.
A tall man with a massive curly afro strode out, his voice booming like an opera singer warming up.
"Ahhh a-oh-ohhh!"
Then he smiled warmly.
"I am Igaram, mayor of this town. Welcome, travelers, to the Town of Welcome—Whiskey Peak!"
Luffy rushed forward to greet him, and in no time, the crew was mingling merrily with the townsfolk.