23 To The Grand Line!!

[South Blue, Minami Island]

The silhouette of Minami Island's coast emerged on the horizon. Most South Blue ships, especially those of pirates, made a pit stop here to gather supplies for their journey into the Grand Line. Minami Town's strategic location near Reverse Mountain, just beyond the view of the Red Line, made it an ideal resupply point.

Kai gazed at the island calmly before speaking, "Time to bid farewell to the South Blue and venture into the Grand Line."

At those words, Kid's face lit up. His aspiration since before they embarked on their pirate voyage was to conquer the Grand Line and locate the legendary One Piece. His ambition rivaled that of his brother "Finally, I can't wait for us to leave our mark in the pirate world. South Blue was just the beginning, the real challenge lay up ahead!"

The Victoria Punk sailed steadily towards the island. Upon reaching the shore, the crew expertly moored the ship at the port before setting out to explore. The harbor was dotted with a few other pirate and merchant vessels.

An inconspicuous Marine Base was also nestled on the island, prompting pirates to adopt a low profile, replenish their stocks, and swiftly depart without causing a stir – at least, that's always the intention.

The Marine Commodore stationed there had a reputation for not permitting pirates to slip through his fingers. If a comparison were to be drawn, it resembled East Blue's Logue Town.

"We should probably keep it low while we are here" Killer suggested. In the past two years he gained a lot of experience steering the Victoria Punk in all kinds of situations, bad weather, sea battles and even storms and whirlpools and he officially became the helmsmen of the crew.

Heat had similarly developed into a skilled navigator under the tutelage of the crew's initial navigator. After dedicating two years to refining his skills, he had become the trusted navigator of the ship.

"No need to hide around like rats, these marine trash are not strong enough to face us anyway" Kid responded.

"While I agree with Kid, it's still better to just stay low for now. We don't know who might be lurking around this place" Kai advised.

Stepping onto Minami Town's port, the crew ventured into the bustling town. The streets pulsed with vitality, teeming with merchants, eateries, street vendors, and even weapon shops.

Kid, his fascination for arms unabated, gravitated toward an Arms Shop. He acquired a new flintlock pistol, matching Kai's, adorned in black and gold. A sturdier dagger also joined his collection, replacing his worn one.

Bonney scoured the town for food shops, seeking out pizza as usual.

Kai and Killer wandered, open to any intriguing finds.

"Speaking of which, you mentioned needing something important before we enter the Grand Line," Killer brought up while walking alongside Kai.

"I forgot to fill Heat in... we require a special compass called a Log Pose for Grand Line navigation," Kai explained, eyes scanning street vendors and merchandise for any sign of the crucial tool.

"Of course, a regular compass wouldn't suffice. It's fortunate we're aware now," Killer responded. Suddenly, Kai halted, fixated on a vendor's collection. Among various items lay a compass.

It consists of a glass orb, with a directional needle inside suspended by a thin piece of wire. It was mounted on bracelet.

"That's it, a Log Pose," Kai confirmed, reaching for it and examining it closely. It seemed genuine and intact. He turned to the vendor and inquired about the price.

"50,000 Berries, but I'll cut a deal for you, my dear customer – 45,000," the vendor offered eagerly. Kai wasn't entirely certain of the going rate for Log Poses, but he suspected their importance would command a considerable price.

Ultimately, this was of little consequence since the crew had amassed millions of berries during their three years of piracy. Kai made the purchase and stowed the Log Pose in his pocket.

"Let's roll," the two of them chimed, ambling through town before eventually crossing paths with Kid at the town center.

"Hey, check this out, bro!" Kid's enthusiasm was palpable as he brandished his new flintlock pistol. "New addition to the arsenal. Now we match."

"You really love weapons, aren't you?" Kai said in amusement.

"You damn right!" Kid proceeded to show Killer his new dagger after that. While the three were busy chatting, they didn't notice a few figures lurking around the town center.

"The 'Red Demon' Eustass Kai, Eustass 'Captain' Kid and the 'Massacre Soldier' Killer" identified a Marine Officer at the side of his superior, Commodore Tasagi.

"So, the infamous Eustass Brothers are here" Tasagi mused, his gaze narrowing. He has a robust and imposing figure, bald-headed with a rugged beard. A long-sheathed Katana is hanging from his belt.

Tasagi had previously commanded the 133rd Branch in South Blue before his recent transfer to Minami Town. Since then, he had garnered a reputation for trapping pirates attempting to flee the town.

"What should we do Tasagi-san? They are currently the number one pirate crew in South Blue, capturing them may not be an easy task" questioned the officer, standing alongside Tasagi.

"Isn't it obvious? We're going after them. These ones, especially, can't be allowed into the Grand Line. The Marines' reputation would be in tatters," declared Tasagi, summoning every available Marine to seal off escape routes from the town center.

It only took them mere minutes before they arrived.

"Kid, Killer, we've got company" Kai alerted them, spotting suspicious movements near the center "Marines…"

"As I expected, we won't leave this place without a fight" Killer said, tensing his Punishers.

"Huh? These dogs really have the audacity to come here and attack us, maybe we should teach them a lesson" Kid declared, a wicked grin stretching on his face. His magnetic energy crackled around his arm.

A sea of Marines quickly closed in, rifles and cannons aimed their way. At the forefront stood Commodore Tasagi, issuing commands.

"Pirates! Lay down your weapons and surrender yourselves!" Tasagi bellowed. Kai, Kid, and Killer were unflinching.

Kai simply responded by swiftly pulling out his pistole and shooting a marine directly between his eyes, effectively ending his life on the spot "Come and get them!"

"Damn pirates…FIRE!!" Tasagi ordered, prompting a barrage of projectiles toward the trio.

With a confident grin, Kid held out his open-palmed hand in front of the cannon balls and bullets approaching them and repelled them back in the direction they came from.

"Repel!"

*BOOOM*-*BOOOOM* The cannonballs found their mark, a few Marines meeting their end in the ensuing explosions.

<Soru>

FWOOOSH!! On the other hand, Kai used Soru to dodge before he closed the distance and then activated the Flame Dial attached to his wrist, releasing a strong blast of fire that burned several marines to death.

"Tsk…these guys are troublesome, I guess I have to take care of you myself!" Tasagi drew his katana, lunging from behind at Kai in an attempt to catch him off guard.

ZWHOOOSH!! Unfortunately for him, Killer appeared between them, and using his spinning blades he blocked Tasagi's katana before he kicked him back.

"Killer…" Tasagi narrowed his eyes.

"Don't think you can take down the captain just like that" Killer declared.

"Thanks…" With a grin Kai vanished in the thin air using Soru.

SWOOOSH!!

"He disappeared?!—" Tasagi's eyes widened as Kai vanished in a blink before reappearing, seizing him by the face and slamming him down.

The attack rippled through the air, shattering the ground into vertical cracks.

Kid harnessed his magnetic power, collecting weapons and metal debris, crafting a colossal makeshift arm. He leapt, crashing it onto Tasagi.

BAAAM!! The assault dealt substantial damage. Yet, despite bloodied and battered, Tasagi rose.

"South Blue's highest bounties weren't earned easily. I must go all out," he said, pointing his Katana.

"You're pretty durable I'll give you that, but…"

SWOOOSH!! Kai cracked his neck and shoulder muscles and let out a loud battle cry before he charged toward Tasagi at blinding speed using Soru, swinging his hammer horizontally with two hands and then struck him with devastating force in the face. His weapon left a trail of lightning behind it.

*Lightning*-*Thunder*

"Mjölnir Thunderclap!!"

*Lightning*-*Thunder*-*BAAAM* The attack smashed Tasagi's face and sent him flying dozens of meters back before he crashed into a building unconscious.

The remaining marines and even the civilians who were observing the fight from a distance looked at the scene in horror.

"H-He defeated Commodore Tasagi…"

"I can't believe it…"

"Retreat! Retreat!" Upon witnessing that the marines quickly dropped their weapons and retreated back. But unfortunately for them Kid wasn't someone who forgive that easily, and he made sure to chase after them and kill them.

"That was quite the show, Kai" Killer noted while approaching him.

"Hehe, if I get defeated here by a mere marine Commodore then I stand no chance in the Grand Line" Kai responded.

Later, reunited with Bonney and Donovan, they relaxed in a bar till Heat, Wire, and the crew resupplied the ship.

"We should get out of here before reinforcement arrive" Kai said, and they proceeded to leave the bar and made their way back to the port.

"Everything is ready?!" Kai asked Heat and Wire who loaded the last the supply crate into the ship.

"All set!" Wire said and everyone boarded the ship and left the island.

The Victoria Punk next destination is Reverse Mountain.

A few hours later,

An incredibly tall, red mountain appeared on the horizon, it stretched high up in sky and way beyond the clouds. It was the Reverse Mountain, and it was a sight to behold.

"Wow! That's the Red Line, so big!" Bonney remarked, looking at it in awe. Kai also had the same reaction, after all he never saw something like this before in both his lives.

"So that's the entrance to the Grand Line…*Grin*…Let's quickly sail towards it!" Kid exclaimed, and Killer steered the ship careful towards Reverse Mountain.

When they got close, they were able to witness the unique river flowing up the mountain. It was a breathtaking view and something otherworldly.

"Alright take us up there!"

"Is there really no other way around?" Killer asked.

"Nope, just the Calm Belt, packed with massive sea kings and no currents. So, it's the sole route for us pirates to enter the Grand Line," Kai stated, casting a playful grin before turning to his companion. "Scared of steering the ship up there? If you can't handle it, I could take the wheel."

"Only pussies would chose the easy way! Killer we're going up!!" Kid shouted with enthusiasm, pointing toward the mountaintop.

"Who the hell are you calling a pussy?!" Killer retorted, swiftly guiding the ship toward the flowing river.

And then suddenly the ship started going upwards along with the river. The water currents were hostile, and the storms were strong, but Killer was sailing just at the right angle to not crash into the mountain walls.

"Brace yourselves!!" Everyone grabbed onto something to stay on board, and after a few intense minutes, they reached the mountaintop where the rivers from the four blues converged.

But the journey wasn't over; they were pushed by the current toward the fifth river, plunging the ship downward into the water.

*CRASH*-*BAAAM* The impact sent everyone to the ship's floor, yet they emerged unscathed, the ship surviving the ordeal.

"A-AGH…That was a hell of a ride" Bonney remarked.

"Phew!" Killer sighed in relief when they made it safely.

"We're finally here…" Kid exclaimed while stretching his arms and looking ahead with excitement.

"…We are in the Grand Line!!"