103 Chapter 103 - All aboard, the next destination is the Grand Line!
[Chapter Size: 4000 Words.]
Third Person POV
At the edges of the East Blue.
...
...
As Black Pearl continued its journey, cutting through the waters towards the Grand Line, the turmoil of the world showed no signs of abating. However, the spirits on board remained high after the recent conversation among the crew.
Luffy, wearing the expression of a grinning rogue, held up the new wanted posters he had acquired on the Tenryuubito's ship. He eagerly shared the discovery, displaying the papers to everyone on the crew as they followed their course.
"We didn't get the newspaper today, but look, our new wanted posters that Lami found on the Tenryuubito's ship!" exclaimed Luffy, smiling like a ruffian as he showed the papers.
The posters revealed the bounty values and featured striking images of each crew member:
- [Monkey D. Luffy: 200,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive.] (IMG: Luffy on the bow of the Black Pearl, torso bare to display tattoos, cloak billowing in the wind, one hand holding onto his hat on his head.)
- [Roronoa Zoro: 20,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive.] (IMG: Zoro standing, three swords at his waist, in Loguetown.)
- [Trafalgar D. Lami: 50,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive.] (IMG: Lami in front of the Marine base, Bepo by her side, a stack of captured pirates behind her.)
- [Yamato: 150,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive.] (IMG: Yamato striking a commodore with her weapon, sending him flying in Loguetown.)
- [Nami: 50,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive.] (IMG: She in front of a shop with her sister beside her, her hand glowing in a green hue, creating a hurricane to send Buggy's pirates flying into the sky.)
The impact of the bounties left the crew speechless.
"This..."
"200 million?! That's unbelievable!"
"This is so unexpected... Look at my bounty! 150 million! And I have my picture without a mask?!" Yamato spoke wide-eyed, realizing her father would now know where she is.
"Oh, no! So many millions? This is... dangerous!" Shirahoshi said in fear.
"Sharky!"
"20 million, really? This is an outrage. How does Luffy have 200 million?" Zoro complained at this moment, having the lowest bounty in the group.
"50 million! Looks like I'm becoming famous." Lami had a determined look.
"Look, I'm on the list too! 50 million!" Bepo commented, raising his front paws.
"You're in the photo, but the bounty is Lami's." Usopp grumbled comically to the animated bear.
"Woof!!" Chouchou was barking cheerfully.
"But this is so sudden, our group has 470 million on their heads already?!" Usopp shouted worriedly, still processing this amount. They took down some pirates with 20 million bounties, but now their captain was worth 10 times that.
"What? I have a wanted poster? This is terrible... 50 million..." Nami was terrified too.
"They're underestimating my value; I don't even have a bounty, and she has her own..." Reiju complained about being behind Lami.
"Not bad for newcomers..." Hugo commented.
"My little sister is worth 50 million... who would've thought." Nojiko said a bit concerned.
"Hey... we'll be hunted by elites with this, imagine our bounties if they find out the captain killed a Tenryuubito..." Hachi spoke in a corner.
"Zoro, looks like you have an advantage here." Kuina crossed her arms.
"And I need to update my bounty too; it seems they didn't recognize me with the new appearance..." Alvida murmured, as she should at least have a 5 million photo along with the posters, considering she's now part of the Straw Hat pirate crew.
"We have some hefty bounties, but we need to live up to these values, and we're already known for our exploits. We're ahead of everyone else who started sailing at this time. Now, we need to strengthen ourselves because our enemies are much more powerful than our current group, and soon we'll face some of them. We need to get stronger. Let's train!" Luffy, with visible determination in his expression, delivered a speech that resonated among the crew members at this moment after each had voiced their opinions.
The group nodded with seriousness, understanding the importance of strengthening themselves for the challenges that lay ahead. The training was rigorous, but everyone embraced the idea of growing and becoming stronger to face the new waters.
It was only the next day, in the middle of the morning, that the Black Pearl sighted the expected destination: the Reverse Mountain.
The Reverse Mountain rose majestically before the Black Pearl, an imposing wall of steep and tall rocks in a reddish hue, as if defying the very heavens. Its grandeur instilled a sense of reverence, an unmistakable landmark in the vastness of the ocean.
The red line, a notable feature crossing the base of the mountain, stood out like a unique scar on the world's fabric. It was as if a giant red hand had traced its path through the rock, leaving an indelible mark that cut through the countless layers of stone.
The Black Pearl sailed towards the mountain, the murmurs of the crew expressing a mix of excitement and respect in the face of the majesty of Reverse Mountain and the red line adorning it.
"Look at that!" exclaimed Luffy, pointing to the imposing rock formation ahead.
"Is this the Reverse Mountain? It looks so big and strange!" observed Usopp, marveling at the sight.
"It cuts through the entire world, separating all the seas? So giant..." murmured Nami, examining the colossal dimensions of the mountain that cut through the oceans.
"Is it true that the New World is on the other side?" questioned Yamato, seeking more knowledge about the peculiar geography of the Grand Line.
"Yes, but we can't go to that side because there's no way to the other side," explained Lami, adding information to the conversation.
"What a strange place..." commented Hugo, absorbing the uniqueness of the landscape.
"Look, there's a part of the way going in the opposite direction, that's incredible!" exclaimed Bepo.
At the entrance of the mountain, there was a massive current split into two directions, one ascending the mountain, pulling seawater, and the other descending, colliding with the water and creating particular water sprouts.
Luffy concluded at the moment: "Let's get ready! We're about to enter and climb the mountain!" Anticipation and excitement filled the air as the crew prepared for the next phase of their journey.
The Black Pearl advanced with determination, cutting through the turbulent waters surrounding the base of Reverse Mountain, with currents defying the laws of physics. The crew was on high alert as Nami shouted orders to handle the ship, as it was her job; the ship was at full speed towards the entrance of the current going up the location, while there was another current going down the mountain.
As the ship approached the base, the currents intensified, making the entire crew feel the change in the ship struggling to move forward. White foam formed ephemeral patterns in the water at the meeting point of the two currents on the side where the current descended from the place, revealing the constant clash between the turbulent sea and the imposing Reverse Mountain.
The ship quickly collided with the white foam, making its appearance like a blade triumphantly cutting its prey. The Black Pearl now advanced with the furious currents that scaled Reverse Mountain while gaining speed and ascending diagonally. The water, like enraged beasts, tried to pull the ship into its voracity towards the rocks, but Hachi, at the helm, guided with impressive skill. The deck was a symphony of frenetic activity as the crew strained to maneuver the ship with skill.
"This is amazing!" Luffy laughed on the bow of the ship, his cloak swaying above his head on Ifrit.
"Be careful, Hachi, don't let the ship hit the rocks on the side, Hugo and Zoro, take care of the sail, the ship may lose direction if the wind is against us, stay alert." Nami shouted orders as Hugo and Zoro grabbed the sail to handle it against the wind, as the ship gained speed and altitude ascending the current.
The crew members, soaked by the foam that surged against the ship, worked together to adjust the sails, turn the pulleys, and maneuver the oars. The roar of the currents competed with Nami's precise commands, who, with determined eyes, directed the Black Pearl through the chaotic waters. Yamato and Nami were also ready to use their powers if needed here.
As the ship ascended, everyone handling the vessel worked and focused on their assigned tasks while Nami gave quick and precise orders.
"Look, is that a ship descending?!" Usopp shouted from the top of the ship.
In the distance, a pirate ship passed by the group, cutting through the other side of the current opposite to where the Black Pearl was.
"It looks like pirates coming from some blue or the Grand Line to the East Blue," Luffy commented, observing the unknown pirate flag from afar; the ship was much smaller than the Black Pearl as they passed by the pirates on the opposite side.
After that, they ascended for a few more minutes at an accelerated speed, with the ship entering and passing through the mountain clouds.
"Be careful! The view is obstructed," Nojiko said, a bit worried about the ship immersed in a pile of clouds.
"Leave it to me; I can still sense with my Haki if we're in danger!" Yamato spoke.
This continued until the ship stabilize back to horizontal again and slowed down, passing through the clouds in front of them, now slowing down in an area where all waters converged on top of the mountain. The place seemed like a large lake of at least 50 kilometers here, with five entrances on all sides, all colossal gates marked with a Blue, and the largest entrance with the Grand Line sign in one corner.
"Is this where all waters meet?!" Kuina asked curiously, looking at the enormous space with gates on each corner.
"There are other ships here..." Reiju commented, looking at some commercial ships at a distance entering and leaving the seas.
"Well, it seems like this place is quite busy, much more than I had personally imagined..." Luffy murmured on the bow, looking at the more vibrant world of One Piece than they initially thought.
In the original work, Merry Go only went up and down the mountain, but here it's different. First, there's this space where almost all the waters in the world come together with paths and day and night routes on all sides of the mountain, except for the New World. They were surrounded by clouds on all sides due to the high altitude, but they could have a clear view of the entire lake. This place was much livelier than Luffy had seen in the anime. There was constant marine activity here, with pirate ships and commercial vessels coming in and out of the gates. It didn't take long to even see pirates raiding some ships here and there, and there were navy ships fighting with pirates in this space too, as it was a monitored and strategic area.
"I couldn't have thought it would be so straightforward, could I..." Luffy muttered internally and turned to his crew, most of them on the deck admiring the place, especially Shirahoshi and Yamato.
"Navy ships approaching, looks like they want to board us," Hugo said, and Luffy saw three navy boats approaching.
"They're the Straw Hats, with the captain now worth 200 million, let's fight for justice!" the captain of those ships shouted as they prepared to attack the Black Pearl with cannons.
"Usopp and Shirahoshi, can you handle them?" Luffy instructed, and both went to the shooting cabins.
*Bang!*
*BOOM!*
*Bang!*
*BOOM!*
*Bang!*
*BOOM!*
*Bang!*
*BOOM!*
It didn't take long to sink all the navy ships. Many ships saw this and started to flee, as the Black Pearl was intimidating, and it didn't help that everyone saw their cannons destroying all the navy ships in that area so quickly.
"Guys, we made it here, but our journey begins now. Hachi, turn the helm toward the biggest gate; we're entering the Grand Line from now on!" Luffy announced with his usual smile.
As the ship headed for the Grand Line gate, that gate was at least 100 meters tall, making even the enormous Black Pearl look small, as they passed through the opening in the Reverse Mountain, indicating the beginning of the descent.
The Black Pearl quickly felt the change as it began to tilt downward and descend with increasing speed on that side of the water current.
"Hahahaha! My stomach feels weird!" Shirahoshi shouted with the adrenaline rush as if she were on a roller coaster.
The main point of the Reverse Mountain was now behind them, and everyone felt the speed and clouds passing by the ship with the path that would lead them to the first half of the Grand Line.
"Hachi, lock the helm and come here. We're safe here; everyone, come to the deck. I want to talk to all of you; it's important," Luffy said and asked everyone to let the ship follow alone as it descended, with Luffy reducing the ship's speed using the Moa Moa no Mi with the speed multiplied by 0.
"What are you planning, Luffy?" Lami narrowed her eyes at her captain.
"We're heading for our new journey; I want to perform a ritual among all of us before that," Luffy said, taking a special sake barrel from the system.
"This sake cost 20 million, so we better enjoy it!" Luffy announced. It was good money, but he didn't care given the situation.
"Grab a cup each; let's celebrate with a toast and announce our goals!" Luffy wanted to do the same thing that happened in the anime but in a slightly different way.
Each member took a cup of sake, even Shirahoshi, who never drank, as it was a unique and special occasion. As the ship smoothly cut through the clouds in that attitude, descending the mountain, Luffy wanted a memorable moment.
"Let me start as the captain of this crew. I, Monkey D. Luffy, will be the man who becomes the emperor of all seas. I am willing to fight against the world for this and protect all of you, who are now my own people, my new family!" Luffy raised his cup and smiled. Many looked at him with recognition and touched by his words. The next person to do this was Yamato as the vice-captain.
"Haha. So, I'm next. I, Yamato, have as my goal to explore more of this world and free Wano from my old man, Kaido, one of the Yonkous. I want to become strong to do this with my own hands!" Yamato no longer needed to hide it; her wanted poster was already in all regions of the world, and her father should be sending someone to look for her.
"Kaido!" Usopp shouted, along with many who didn't know the real identity of the man Yamato constantly referred to as an old bastard.
"Hmm... I guess it's me then..." Shirahoshi held her sake, and Megalo by her side, as the next in line, spoke timidly but with a lot of excitement in her tone. This mermaid had started to change and mature, gaining a much braver personality than initially when Luffy summoned her on that beach in Shelltown.
"I, Shirahoshi, want to become strong and brave. I want to protect my island and bring my people to the surface, following my mother's dream! I want to have more adventures with Luffy-Sama, Yamato-Sama, Zoro-Sama, Lami-Sama, Bepo-Sama, Chouchou-Sama, Usopp-Sama, Nami-Sama, Reiju-Sama, Hugo-Sama, Noijo-Sama, Hachi-Sama, Kuina-Sama, and Alvida-Sama." Shirahoshi had a confident and infectious tone in the end, with tears of happiness raising her cup.
"Nee... Princess!!! NEEEEEEE!" Hachi started crying with this too, while many had looks and smiles with these words.
"Sharky Sharky Sharky Sharky Sharky!" Megalo seemed to give a speech with tears too, but Shirahoshi was the only one who understood his shark language.
"Megalo said he's very happy to meet everyone and has never experienced so many things in the last month!" Shirahoshi said, smiling while still having tears in her eyes.
"Zoro, you've already drunk the sake! Fill it again and make your speech; it's your turn!" Usopp shouted with shark teeth to the green-haired swordsman.
"Ah, that's right. Let me fill it; the sake is really good, by the way, really worth the 20 million, Captain. Well, I'm going to become the greatest swordsman in the world, and I intend to defeat all my enemies and work hard for it!" Zoro raised his cup as he poured more sake.
"Now it's me; my goal is not as simple or as honorable as the others. I'm seeking revenge and intend to kill Donquixote Doflamingo with my own hands and move on! But I'm happy to join this crew, and as a medic, I intend not to let anyone die on this ship, no matter the danger!" Lami spoke with determination. Some were surprised and scared by her first statement, but they were satisfied with the second part of her comment.
"It's me!" exclaimed the polar bear with enthusiasm. "Hmmm... I want to become the strongest among my kind, the minks, and prove that even a bear can be a great warrior. Let's protect our friends and move forward together!" Bepo raised his cup with determination.
Chouchou barked like an excited little dog. "Woof! Woof Woof Woof!" He jumped forward, showing his excitement in front of his sake on the floor.
"Chouchou wants lots of bones and adventures! Let's be the bravest crew on the seas!" Luffy translated the dog's enthusiasm.
"Looks like it's me!" shouted the sharpshooter with confidence, exposing a big smile. "I, the great Usopp, will become the best sniper of the seas, a brave sea warrior, surpassing even my father, and tell the most incredible stories about our journey. Get ready to be amazed by my exploits!"
Nami raised her cup; the navigator had a mix of surprise and concern. "Oh, now I have a bounty, and that's unexpected... 50 million. But well, my goal remains the same. Let's draw the most complete map, and I want to explore the entire world and reach all the legendary islands! I will put my name in history as the greatest navigator who ever lived!"
Reiju positioned herself next to with a smile. "I may not have a bounty that fully reflects what I am capable of, but my goal is clear. I want to feed this crew and ensure everyone reaches their destination with full stomachs. I will keep everyone healthy and well-fed. Also, I want to find the famous AllBlue of legends and deal with my old family!"
Even Lami gave a look of recognition to Reiju, as both sought their own revenge.
Hugo raised his cup. "I, Hugo, want to become capable. I am not an honorable man and seek revenge for those who harmed me. This crew has already proven to me that it can stand against the greatest powers in the world, and I will get stronger to protect everyone here and fight against any threat that comes our way. Let's cross these seas together and reach our goals!"
Nami's older sister spoke affectionately. "My sister is worth 50 million... well, my goal is to support Nami on her journey. I want to see the world and how far we can reach. Well, I want to be with Luffy too..." She said the last part looking at the captain with a loving tone in her eyes.
Hachi seemed excited, despite joining the crew with a threat from Luffy; the fish-man seemed to accept his fate and befriend these people and animals. "Nee... I've always wanted to open a famous restaurant on the seas and provide happy moments for everyone with Takoyaki. But I still want to see the world before that and intend to get strong now with my new friends!" Many nodded in acknowledgment.
The young swordswoman spoke with determination at this moment. "I, Kuina, want to become the most skilled swordswoman and prove that women can be as strong as men. Let's train together and reach the top of this world, and I intend to be better than Zoro!" Zoro smiled at his friend, raising his cup.
Luffy, wielding his cup, was surrounded by the others, who, excitedly, listened to every word attentively. Alvida, next to Luffy, laughed as she expressed her own goals. "I will prove to the world that I am incredibly strong and beautiful at the same time. And, of course, remain by my husband's side to support him always!" Her laughter echoed as she toasted with the group.
"HAHAHAHAHAAHA! Now that everyone has announced their goals, let's head to the Grand Line! Get ready because we're going to shake the foundations of this world like no other group that has ever appeared in history, be it Roger, Xebec, Kaido, Whitebeard, Shanks, Bigmon, the Marines, World Government, even Joyboy and the great forces of the lost century. We'll surpass them all. We are the Straw Hat Pirate crew, after all!!!" Luffy exclaimed, taking the initiative to clink the extended cups of everyone. The sound echoed on the deck as each member followed, contagiously influenced by the captain's fervent words, and drank their sake to conclude the ritual.
The world would tremble like never before with this pirate crew, various objectives converging, but one supporting the other within the Black Pearl.
With the cups clinked in a harmonious celebration and the drinks going into their stomachs, the Straw Hat Crew raised their eyes and beheld the magnificent spectacle unfolding before them.
[Play One Piece Soundtrack - To The Grand Line.]
"Look, the clouds are clearing, we can see a part of the Grand Line from here!" Luffy pointed forward. As the last sip of sake went down, the ethereal mist of euphoria lingering over the Black Pearl's deck began to dissipate, turning the moment into something truly magical.
Ahead, the last clouds were dispersing like curtains, revealing the grandeur of the Grand Line. A breathtaking sight unfolded before them. The horizon was dominated by a vast and tumultuous ocean, its waters sparkling like precious jewels in the sunlight. Small dots, representing the islands, floated like mirages, each promising mysteries and unique challenges.
The salty breeze danced across the deck, carrying with it the promise of new adventures in these waters. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Luffy, with a broad smile and determination in his eyes, absorbed the grandeur of the sight before him. His crewmates, each with their unique aspirations, shared the same look of excitement and courage. It was a moment that transcended words, a silent communion of souls sailing into the unknown.
The ship's mast cut through the horizon, pointing toward the vastness that awaited them. A sense of unity and purpose permeated the air as the Black Pearl boldly advanced toward the Grand Line. The crew, enveloped in the magic of the moment, knew that this journey marked the beginning of an epic saga, where their destinies would intertwine with the secrets and wonders of one of the world's most challenging seas.
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