The Logia Brothers Chapter 17 (Patreon)

Hey friends and fans! Kairomaru is bringing you another chapter of The Logia Brothers! We meet our Island Whale Friend! Plus old Crocus and get what is needed to travel the Grand Line! Also a mysterious pair of people shows up!

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So without further delay, please enjoy.

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Chapter 17 – Laboon and Crocus

“Huh… Didn’t expect this…” Luffy blinked after the crews’ ride down the massive whale’s throat.

“Are we still alive?” Nami asked as she looked around.

“I don’t feel dead.” Zoro replied, “Maybe this is the afterlife?”

“We were just swallowed by that whale, right?” Sanji questioned the whole event now. This wasn’t surprising, considering the Going Merry was slowly drifting closer to an island. They also appeared to be outside again…somehow.

“Is this some kind of dream?” Usopp wondered as he looked around the tranquil area.

“Maybe?” Zoro scratched the back of his head. There was a house on the small island. It even had a fold-up chair set up on the grass out front.

“Then how do we wake up?” Nami looked at Usopp and Zoro flatly.

“It’s a Mystery Island!” Luffy declared, his excitement beginning to rise.

“I’m not so fond of the unknown after what just happened.” Usopp gulped.

“Something seems off with the clouds.” Sanji mentioned, looking at the sky.

“Hey, you’re right.” Usopp agreed. “The birds aren’t moving either.” The water in front of them was thrown high into the air. A giant squid emerged from the depths with its tentacles flailing.

“What the hell?!” The crew yelled in unison. Zoro, Nami, and Usopp drew their weapons while Sanji raised his right leg. Luffy was about to fry the squid when he ‘heard’ a strong ‘Voice’ from the island. Before the Straw Hats could attack, three harpoons were launched from the house. All three weapons found their mark and the squid was slain instantly.

“Now what?!”  Nami demanded at the sudden change of the situation. She was already getting sick of the Grand Line!

“Someone’s there!” Usopp noted as he trained his pistols on the front door.

With the sound of grunts the rope was yanked back towards the house. From within the building a tough looking old man stepped into the light. The top of his head was bald, but he had long white hair past his shoulders, growing from the back of his head. A matching white beard, seemingly split to point both left and right, was on his chin.  He was wearing a red shirt with green and yellow designs on it, blue shorts, glasses sat on his fairly large nose, while his left arm had a few bracelets on it. The strangest part of the old man was that he seemed to have flower petals growing out of his head, separating the bald top from the white hair beneath the petals.

“Who the hell?” Needless to say the entire crew was even more confused now.

The giant squid the old man had harpooned was still floating between the small island and their ship. The crew tensed as their eyes met the old man’s. The elder’s gaze almost felt like it was seeing straight through him, as if looking into their very souls. The old man started to walk to the right, not breaking eye contact with the Straw Hats. With every second that passed, the intensity of the old man seemed to grow. Then he simply sat down and opened a newspaper; the crew almost face-faulted at the action.

“What the hell, old man?” Sanji yelled at the sudden shift in mood. The old man tilted his head their way casually.

“Are you trying to pick a fight?” Usopp yelled at him, both pistols trained on the man. The old man's eyes snapped open furiously, and the Straw Hats all felt a wave of intensity pass through them. Except they all recognized this sensation! This old man knew Haki! He was directing his strength towards them as a burst of Armament! Luffy had shown them this trick before, too!

“Put those down, or someone will die.” The old man spoke after a few seconds of intense staring. His rougher voice was calm as he spoke to the crew.

“Oh and just who would that be?” Sanji questioned, he was already prepared to leap towards this old man if he turned out to be a threat.

“Me.” The old man stated, almost sending the crew face first into the deck from the deadpan delivery.

“Damn it, old man!” Sanji yelled at the old man casually reading his newspaper, “He’s almost as bad as Zeff.” The blonde cook ground out.

“Calm down Sanji.” Luffy chuckled at his annoyed Cook, “Hey old man! Do you know where we are? Who are you?”

The old man’s eyes snapped open again, another burst of Armament sent their way. After a moment the man spoke. “Isn't it polite to introduce yourselves first?”

“Oh…right, manners and stuff. I'm…” Luffy rubbed the back of his head as he started to introduce himself.

“My name is Crocus.” The old man cut Luffy off, “I'm the Lighthouse Keeper of the Twin Capes. I'm 71. My sign is Gemini.”

“He didn’t let me finish…” Luffy chuckled while the rest of them gained eye twitches.

“As for where you are? You’re barging into my private resort. Does it look like we're in a rat's belly?” Crocus questioned them with a raised eyebrow.

“So we really were eaten?” Usopp cringed as he looked around, “But this doesn't look like the inside of a whale's belly. Is everything painted on?”

“I don't want to be digested!” Nami exclaimed as she looked over the edge of the Merry into what was now clearly stomach acid.

Crocus's eyes snapped open furiously again. But this time his projected Armament was brushed aside by a much greater force. The old man felt the hairs on his neck and arms rise as the Conqueror’s Haki washed over him from the straw-hatted young man.

“That’s about enough of that.” Luffy stared directly into Crocus’ eyes.

“Haven't you ever heard of a running gag?” Crocus grumbled in disappointment.

“THAT WAS A GAG?!” The rest of the crew yelled at him.

Crocus motioned off to the side, “There's the exit, unless you’d rather go out the back end.” Turning to look the Straw Hats found that there was indeed a giant metal door on the side of the painted sky.

“Why is there a door on a whale?” Zoro couldn't help but ask.

“What the hell is even going on anymore?” Nami exhaled heavily. She was really getting tired of the constant shifts and surprises today.

“Did you do all of this?” Usopp questioned Crocus as he gestured from the door to the painted stomach. “It's painted and lighted, all on the inside of a whale's stomach! What the hell?!”

“Call it a doctor's playful mind. It's a hobby.” Crocus responded lackadaisically.

“What are you even doing in here?!” Nami yelled at him.

"Let's just get out of here." Sanji muttered as he pinched the bridge of his nose, “I need a smoke.”

Suddenly the ‘sea’ began to shake and roil sending waves up into the air.

“What now?!” Nami cried out as she struggled to keep her footing.

“Back at it already, Laboon?” Crocus sighed as he looked upwards.

“Hey look!” Usopp yelled, “That island is a ship, and it's made of metal! That must mean that wood will eventually dissolve in this stomach acid!”

“Who is Laboon? What's happening, old man?!” Zoro yelled at Crocus.

“Laboon is the name of this whale.” Crocus looked calm despite the rolling waves of stomach acid. The old man looked down as he sighed, “He's ramming his head into the Red Line, just like he's been doing for the last forty years!” The Straw Hats all looked shocked and confused at this revelation.

“Those scars!” Nami gasped in realization, “Its head was full of scars! Did they all come from ramming into the Red Line?!”

“Is he trying to kill this giant whale from the inside?!” Usopp questioned confused.

“The whale isn't our responsibility!” Zoro stated firmly, “We just need to get out!”

While they were speaking Crocus dived into the churning waves of acid and began to swim.

“What did he just do?!” Nami cried out in shock, “He jumped right in! He's going to get digested!”

Nami’s concerns proved to be unfounded as Crocus easily reached a ladder that led up to a large platform. The old man quickly scaled the ladder and started doing something on the platform. The most notable thing on the platform was a pair of large metal doors and whatever it was that Crocus was messing with.

-Behind the doors inside Laboon-

Two rather strange-looking individuals were standing with their backs to the metal doors.

“Alright!” The male of the pair called out, his tone slightly effeminate. He had red-orange hair and green clothes, and was wearing a golden crown on his head. Two stylized ‘9’s were drawn on his face, directly below his eyes. "Our infiltration has been successful, Miss Wednesday. Behind this door lies the stomach, and likely that old man. We must eliminate him! Everything is for this whale!”

“Yes, Mr. Nine!” The female was a beautiful, slim and curvy woman with blue hair in a ponytail. The blue locks fell down to her, rather nice, butt and her dark brown eyes were alight with intelligence. Her shirt was a spaghetti-strap with concentric circles on it. One large set on her stomach while two more were on each of her buxom breasts. The top was obviously meant to catch the eyes of others. She also had a beige coat with a furry collar over her shoulders. “This whale is a precious sweet honey for our town!” Both of them held rather large guns in one hand and, for some reason, had their pinkies extended.

“Ready, Miss Wednesday? We'll open the door with a 'Three, two, one baby!' Don't let down your guard!" Mr. Nine told her.

"Roger, Mr. Nine! I'm ready at any time!" She replied firmly.

Neither of them expected for both of the large metal doors to be opened suddenly!

“You two, again?!” Crocus roared at the stunned duo. The old man grabbed them both by their clothes and flung them off the platform.

"Oh no, Miss Wednesday, we're going to land in the acid sea!" Mr. Nine screamed in terror. The duo plunging towards the rolling waves of stomach acid.

“Who’re those guys?” Luffy questioned curiously.

“No idea.” Nami shook her head.

"Should we try and help those two weirdoes?" Zoro asked while pointing at the two idiots rapidly approaching the acid sea.

“I’ll grab one of them.” Luffy shrugged and zapped over to the falling duo. He reappeared in a bright spark and scooped the woman into his arms. Another bright spark and he disappeared again. The next thing Miss Wednesday knew she was being set on her feet on the deck of the caravel.

“What just happened?” The bluenette asked in confusion. She felt her hair standing on end and her clothes seemed to be full of static. How had she gotten over here?!

“Great job, Captain!” Sanji praised Luffy as his visible eye appeared heart-shaped as he looked at the lovely lady.

“Save me too!” Mr. Nine cried out as he flailed about in the acid sea.

“Tsk, save yourself.” Sanji turned away from the flailing man without a care.

“At least throw him a rope, Sanji!” Usopp yelled at the Cook while tossing a line to the orange-haired man. Mr. Nine grabbed the rope and Usopp put his improved strength to work as he hauled the man in.

They all heard the air-shaking sound of Laboon’s roaring furiously reverberate through the stomach. Most held their ears from the sound. It was enough to feel the vibrations in their bones! Then it all just seemingly stopped. The stomach calmed down, and the acid waves stopped roiling. In just a few moments, the entire acid sea was back to being calm and placid.

“Is it over?” Nami asked tentatively, “Maybe we can get out of here now while Laboon is calm?” The orangette Navigator was leaning into Luffy’s side with his right arm around her waist.

“Hopefully, but first, what do we do with these two?” Zoro looked over at the two agents, Miss Wednesday standing as she smoothed out her hair, while Mr. Nine lay on the deck soaked from his dunk in the stomach acid, “Who are you two anyway?”

“Mr. Nine…these are Pirates!” Miss Wednesday whispered to her partner while leaning away from Sanji, who was seemingly unable to take his heart-shaped eyes off of her. Mr. Nine scrambled to his feet before he leaned in to whisper back.

“Yes…I see that…Miss Wednesday! But maybe if we talk to them…they'll understand?” Mr. Nine was clearly quite shaken up from his encounter with Laboon’s stomach acid.

“You thugs are still skulking around here?" Crocus sounded very angry as he, somehow, leapt from the acid sea and up onto the Merry, “While I draw breath, you shall never harm Laboon!”

“I’m confused.” Luffy admitted and Nami couldn’t help but giggle at her Lover.

“Even if you say so, we can't leave!” Miss Wednesday retorted.

“Taking down this whale is our mission!” Mr. Nine shot back at Crocus. “We won't let you interfere with our whaling mission this time!”

“So are they bad guys?” Luffy tilted his head.

“Seems like they might be.” Zoro shrugged, his right hand moving towards his swords.

“What’re they planning to do without those big guns of theirs?” Usopp questioned and both agents flinched as they realized they’d dropped their weapons into the acid sea.

“Huh,” Luffy shrugged, “Usopp tie him up. Sanji set up some snacks for our other guest.”

“Yes Captain!” Sanji practically noodled his way into the kitchen. He knew he’d picked a good man to follow as Captain!

“Hey, what about-” Mr. Nine didn’t get to finish his sentence as he felt the barrel of Usopp’s pistol against the back of his head.

“Hands, now.” Usopp demanded and Mr. Nine broke into a flop sweat as he shakily put his hands behind his back to be tied. The orange-haired man was quickly tied up and then sat on the deck.

“Umm, thank you?” Miss Wednesday smiled shakily as the blonde man returned with snacks and tea. The green-haired man placed a table down while the apparent Captain brought chairs from what must be the dining area.

“Crocus, join us.” Luffy smiled at the old man, “I’ve got a lot of questions!”

In only a few short moments the Straw Hat crew, Miss Wednesday, and Crocus were all sitting down and partaking of Sanji’s snacks and tea. Miss Wednesday had commented on the delicious taste and Sanji had twirled around in joy.

“Laboon is an Island Whale.” Crocus explained as they all waited for the sedated Laboon to rise out of the ocean, “It's the largest whale species in the world, and it normally only lives in West Blue. These guys here-” he gestured towards the tied-up Mr. Nine and then Miss Wednesday, “Come from a nearby town. They've been trying for nearly a year to kill Laboon for his meat. Laboon would probably feed their greedy bellies for two or three years.” The old man glared at both agents, both of whom flinched back at the man’s harsh look, “But they won't succeed. As long as I draw breath, they won't hurt this whale!”

“But why does Laboon keep pounding his head on the Red Line? What is he trying to do?” Nami questioned confused on why the massive whale was hurting himself.

“Laboon came through Reverse Mountain with a certain friendly Pirate crew. He was really young back then. You could have fit him on a dinghy.” Crocus smiled as he reminisced, remembering how the Pirates would often ride Laboon while waving flagons of booze around and laughing, “They had been traveling together for a couple months by then. Laboon had gotten separated from the rest of his pod and had come to see those Pirates as his family. But the Grand Line was even scarier back then than it is now. Their ship had been damaged by Reverse Mountain, so they stayed here for almost a year while they repaired it. We became great friends during that time. When the Pirates left to continue on their trip, they left Laboon here with me, promising to come back for him after they made it through the Grand Line. Laboon understood and waited patiently for three years for them to come back as promised. Then he waited four, and then five.” He shook his head, “That was fifty years ago. He still thinks his friends are coming back.” The old man finished quietly, drawing a gasp from Nami and a few others. Miss Wednesday looked rather shocked and saddened at the story.

“This waterway is cool! Why did you build it inside a whale?” Usopp questioned as the island ship and the Merry sailed through the large gates in Laboon’s side.

“Laboon is too huge. I'm a doctor, but even I can’t treat him from outside!” Crocus replied to the Gunman.

“A Doctor?” Luffy grinned widely, “Do you want to join my cr-”

“No, you idiot. Who would look after Laboon?” Crocus cut the young Captain off with a snort, “Besides, I'm too old for that shit. That's a young man's adventure.”

“Hey, the sky!” Luffy ignored the harsh denial as he craned his neck to look up at the blue sky.

“So, what are we going to do with these idiots?" Zoro asked, pointing to the two agents. Mr. Nine was still tied up and sitting on the deck of the Merry.

“Eh, leave him tied up for now. She seems compliant enough, so he’s fine where he is. But I don't want them trying to hurt the whale again.” Luffy stared at both agents with a stone-cold gaze. Miss Wednesday gave a strained smile while Mr. Nine blanched and scooted back against the nearest wall. Nami noticed something that had fallen from the crown-wearing man’s pocket. It was some kind of glass bauble on a leather band. She picked it up and examined it curiously. It sort of looked like a compass needle suspended on a string inside the glass.

“You should just toss them overboard.” Crocus glared at both of them, getting sweat to bead on their foreheads, “But that’s not my call to make. These idiots have been trying for years to kill Laboon. But I'll never let them." The gangplank was lowered from Merry and they all disembarked. Luffy dragged Mr. Nine along while Miss Wednesday was being watched by Zoro.

“So, he's been waiting for fifty years? They've kept him waiting a long time.” Luffy commented as he relaxed and laid in the grass near Crocus’ Lighthouse. Nami lay next to him with an arm around her waist, while she looked over the strange item she had ‘liberated’ from Mr. Nine.

“This is the Grand Line.” Sanji snorted, as he took a drag from his cigarette, “Those guys said they'd be back in a couple years. It's been fifty. That's all the answer you need.” The Cook exhaled the smoke, “They're dead. He'll be waiting here for the rest of his life.”

“That’s too sad.” Usopp shook his head, looking at the large whale.

“I'm afraid that reality is even crueler than that. A long time ago, news reached me from a reliable source that those Pirates had failed. They escaped the Grand Line.” Crocus rubbed at his eyes sadly.

“What!” Nami exclaimed angrily, “And they just abandoned Laboon here?! How cruel could they be?!” Having actual nakama of her own for the first time in her life had definitely changed her. She was seething with rage for Laboon’s sake, “How could they just leave their nakama behind!” Nami exhaled as Luffy pulled her closer, a moment later she came to a startling realization, “Wait a minute! They would have had to cross the Calm Belt to escape the Grand Line!”

“That's right. That's the only reason their fate is uncertain.” Crocus confirmed with a nod, “But even if they're alive, they'll never come back here. The seasons, the climates, the ocean currents, even the air currents! Everything about this place is an unpredictable nightmare! This is an ocean that will break everyone trying to sail it! The weak of heart, those who would risk their lives on the Calm Belt rather than stay a moment longer, are all devoured by this sea!”

“So they fled, caring more about their lives than promises made.” Sanji shook his head.

“Then they did abandon Laboon!” Usopp roared, “And even after fifty years, he still believes in those bastards?! That's way too cruel!”

“Why don’t you tell him?” Nami questioned the old man, “He can understand, can't he? Why would you keep it from him?”

“Why do you think he roars and hits his head on the Red Line?” Crocus asked her with a morose tone, “I did tell him. I told him everything. But he won't listen. He's convinced this rock face is the only thing keeping him from his friends. He refuses to accept the truth.” He looked down, “But after all these decades…if he accepts it, he'll lose his reason for having waited for so long. He has no way home… and even if he did, he has no home to go back to. He'd never be able to find his pod, if they’d even accept him back after so long.” Crocus kept a stiff upper lip, but it was clear that he was holding back tears as he stared up at Laboon. The Island Whale was simply floating quietly with his head pointed straight up, “Look at those scars on his head. If he keeps ramming his head on the Red Line, he'll surely die. We've been together for fifty years. I can't abandon him, even if they broke their promise to me too.”

“Luffy?” Nami questioned her Lover as he removed his arm from her waist and stood up. The Captain walked towards the edge of the land and stared at the enormous form of Laboon. With a sudden look everyone at the Twin Capes felt their bodies tremble slightly. Laboon’s massive eye moved to look at Luffy after the blast of Conqueror’s Haki that slammed into his senses.

“Laboon!” Luffy roared out loudly. “I’m Monkey D. Luffy! I make you this promise here and now! We’ll return to this place once we sail around the Grand Line! If, by chance, we happen to find any of your old friends along the way, I WILL bring them back here to you! So until we come back here to see you again, never hurt yourself ever! You’re OUR nakama now! I NEVER break a promise to my nakama! We WILL see each other again!” The waves of Haki settled down a moment after Luffy stopped speaking.

“Bwooo.” Laboon’s massive eye started to tear up.

“This guy…” Crocus’ eyes were wide as he looked on at what Luffy had done.

Laboon, on the other hand, threw his head back and let out the happiest cry Crocus had heard from him in decades. The old Lighthouse Keeper couldn’t stop a few tears from escaping as Laboon chirped happily while Luffy laughed along with the Island Whale.

“Usopp! Get the big brush!” Luffy yelled to his Gunman.

“What? Why?” Usopp questioned, even as he headed for the Going Merry.

“We need to seal our promise, of course!” Luffy laughed and everyone at Twin Capes, barring Mr. Nine, smiled at the scene. Even Miss Wednesday’s eyes were bright and warm as she watched on.

-Later-

“So…big…” Usopp panted as he lay next to his largest paintbrush, more like a staff fashioned into a brush really. Painting such a massive surface took so much energy and time!

“Well, we’re out of paint now, but it looks awesome!” Luffy cheered as Laboon now sported the Straw Hat Jolly Roger on his he snout. The symbol of their promise also marked Laboon as their nakama! Laboon chirped happily as he flopped his large tail and sent up a spray of ocean water. “Don’t go scuffin’ up our promise, alright?” Luffy laughed and Laboon gave a chirp that sounded like agreement.

“How could I notfall in love with him?” Nami giggled to herself as she pulled out her map and compass. She needed to plot out their course so they could leave the Twin Capes soon.

Miss Wednesday and Mr. Nine were sitting off to the side of the group -Mr. Nine still tied up- the two were whispering to each other while looking at Luffy on occasion. Sanji was busy in the kitchen preparing his Elephant True Blue Fin while Usopp was gathering up the empty paint buckets to place back on the ship. Zoro was napping, leaned up against Merry’s mast.

Nami's sudden scream jarred everyone in hearing. Luffy was by her side in a flash of blue-white light. Sanji came out of the ship carrying a huge plate in each hand, one on his head, and even one balanced on his left leg. How he managed to get around like that was beyond anyone’s understanding.

“Nami-swan~! Whatever is the matter? If it is dinner you want, it's ready~.”

"The compass is broken!" Nami was panicking as the Straw Hats gathered around. She pointed at the compass; the navigation instrument was spinning more than Sanji when a woman complimented him. “It just keeps spinning!”

Miss Wednesday started laughing quite loudly. The crew turned to her with questioning looks. Nami, while not amused in the slightest, had to admit the other young woman played the part of ‘Queen Bitch’ very well; she had the laugh down and everything.

“You foolish Pirates! Did you come here intending to throw your lives away? Are you really a Navigator?” Miss Wednesday questioned Nami in a condescending tone. Nami felt her eyebrow twitch at having her navigation skills called into question.

“While she is being quite mouthy for a prisoner,” Crocus glared at the bluenette, which quickly made her shut up, “She has a point. Did you not do any research? That thing would be better served on the ocean floor here in the Grand Line. It's not broken, but it isn’t useful either.”

“Is it the magnetic field?” Nami gasped, grasping the situation quickly.

“Correct.” Crocus replied, “Every island on the Grand Line is rich in magnetic minerals. Every single island has its own unique magnetic field, so it's impossible for any regular compass to properly read the planet's natural field.”

“Hmm, that doesn’t sound good.” Luffy spoke up as he munched on the Elephant True Blue Fin that Sanji had set out.

“To make matters worse, none of the currents follow any regular patterns. Neither do any of the winds. As a Navigator, I'm sure you realize how dangerous that is. If you were to set sail without knowing any of this, you'd perish for sure. Without any direction, your journey would be doomed to fail.” Crocus shook his head while accepting a plate of the Blue Fin from Usopp.

“I didn't know.” Nami sighed as she looked at her wildly spinning compass, “So we're stuck here? How can we navigate if our tools don't work?”

“You need a Log Pose.” Crocus informed her after swallowing the Blue Fin he was eating.

“What's that?” Nami blinked at the old man.

“It's a special type of compass.” Crocus answered, “Without one, navigation of the Grand Line is impossible.”

“So, it's a weird compass?” Luffy asked after swallowing his current mouthful.

“Indeed,” Crocus nodded, “It’s usually worn on the wrist with a leather strap.

“You mean one of these things?” Nami held up the item she’d ‘appropriated’ from Mr. Nine earlier.

“Yes, that's a Log Pose.” Crocus confirmed.

“Hey, wait! That’s mine!” Mr. Nine yelled at Nami while Miss Wednesday noticeably stiffened.

“Pirate!” Nami pointed at herself with a teasing smirk, sticking her tongue out at the tied up agent. Both of their prisoners went a bit blue in the face. “So, this is a Log Pose huh? It has no markings.”

“It doesn't need any. As I said, every island on the Grand Line has its own unique magnetic field. Therefore, you must record each magnetic field on your journey, which will lead you to your next island. Each one connects to the next in the chain. The Log Pose is the only thing you can depend on in the Grand Line in terms of navigation. Reverse Mountain is the starting point, and you pick one of seven different paths here. But no matter which path you choose, all paths converge on a single island in the end. The island known as Raftel. In all of history, only one man has led a crew on that perilous journey and made it to the end. Gold Roger!” Crocus explained before taking another forkful of Blue Fin.

“That must be where One Piece is!” Usopp exclaimed.

“That’s the leading theory.” Crocus shrugged, “No other legend is as tempting as that one! But only one man has ever made it. No one else has reached that island.”

“Better make that two, old man.” Luffy grinned widely as the two stared each other down. A wide grin appeared on Crocus's face to match Luffy’s. The two agents looked completely shocked. “Anyway, once we’re done eating, let's set sail!”

Sanji and Usopp finally turned to the plates and their eyes bugged out, "YOU ATE EVEN THE BONES?!" Luffy simply blinked at both of them.

When Sanji had set the plates down, everyone had been given a plate of the huge fish. Nami’s was untouched, though the orangette was now starting to eat. Sanji and Usopp’s plates were half empty. Zoro, as the furthest from Luffy was able to enjoy his full plate in peace since Luffy couldn’t reach it. The plates given to Crocus and Miss Wednesday were untouched as well, except by the one’s they were intended for. Unfortunately for Usopp and Sanji the rest of the plates, the ones meant for people to have seconds from, had been picked clean, bones included, by their ravenous Captain.

"Luffy, you bastard! This tuna was supposed to be for Nami-swan to enjoy the most!" Sanji growled at his Captain. “The ONLY reason I’m not kicking you into the ocean right now is because you didn’t touch Nami’s plate!”

“None of you seemed interested, and I was hungry.” Luffy shrugged at his Cook.

“But why did you steal from our plates you glutton?!” Usopp demanded as he guarded his plate with his arm and ate the, very delicious, tuna while glaring at Luffy.

“You didn’t seem interested.” Luffy chuckled and Nami giggled beside him. She had nothing to fear from Luffy’s monstrous appetite. Her food would never be stolen by her Lover.

“Thank you, for the food.” Miss Wednesday spoke up from her spot on Luffy’s other side; she was enjoying the amazing fish with a smile. “It’s truly delicious.”

“Anything else you’d like, Miss?” Sanji was in ‘Love Mode’ again as he twirled around happily.

“Wait, why didn’t I get any?” Mr. Nine whined at Sanji. The blonde Cook stopped twirling and looked at Mr. Nine with a grimace.

“You can eat grass!” Sanji told the tied up man. Mr. Nine had crocodile tears running down his cheeks at the harsh denial.

“We'd better be careful with this. Our entire journey rests on this staying safe.” Nami stated as she strapped the Log Pose to her wrist.

Suddenly, everyone heard a strange clacking sound from above. Mr. Nine's jaw dropped, and he broke into a flop sweat. Miss Wednesday also stiffened up and looked up in fear.

“Oh no!” The crown-wearing man cried out in terror, “It's the Unluckies!” All of the people there looked up and saw what appeared to be a spotted otter riding a vulture wearing aviator goggles.

“It's an otter riding a vulture?” Nami sounded like she was questioning her own eyes.

“Hey, it is an otter riding a vulture.” Luffy chuckled at the sight.

“Okay, but why is an otter riding a vulture?” Zoro asked and then he blinked, “Is that a bomb?” The otter had a shell in its hand which it was whacking against a rock. That was what was causing the clacking sound they heard. A moment later and the fuse on the device lit up. It was then chucked directly at the two agents with the crew.

“Usopp…” Luffy only had to say the Gunman’s name. A second later and two shots rang out. Luffy held up his index and middle fingers in the ‘gun’ position and the thin, incredibly hot beam of lightning from his Goro Goro no Pistol vaporized the explosive before it could get anywhere near the group.

The two agents gaped at what they’d just witnessed. With no effort involved both the Unluckies had been killed by a single bullet each! The Captain also had a Devil Fruit too! Just as the dead Otter and Vulture hit the ocean with a splash, Miss Wednesday regained her ability to speak.

“Is everyone on this Pirate crew this scary?” Miss Wednesday was wide-eyed. Thankfully her muttering was only heard by her tied-up partner behind her.

“What do we do, Miss Wednesday? Should we ask?” Mr. Nine whispered to his partner. He knew she would understand what he was asking without having to explain. Miss Wednesday had the proverbial ‘lightbulb’ go off after thinking for a moment. She just barely managed to keep from grinning to herself.

“Excuse me, Mr. Captain?” Miss Wednesday turned to Luffy with a smile.

“You can just call me Luffy.” Luffy shrugged as he looked at her. “What's your name anyway?”

“I’m Miss Wednesday. This is Mr. Nine.” Miss Wednesday blinked at him. She expected him to have picked up on their names by now. He should have heard them a few times already.

“What’s your real name?” Luffy stared at her flatly.

“Oh!” The bluenette started, “We…we can’t say! I’m sorry! Our work requires us to be secretive! Our company’s motto is ‘Mystery’ that’s all we can say!”

“Okay… What is it?” Luffy waved off their oddities without concern.

“May we please get a ride back home on your ship?” Miss Wednesday asked, bowing her head, “With both our boat and our Log Pose gone, we can’t get back home. It’s not very far from here! It’s one of the first islands on the Grand Line. It’s called Cactus Island and our town is Whiskey Peak. We just want to go home! We promise to repay you for your trouble!”

“I wouldn't trust them.” Crocus spoke up, “They’ve been up to no good since they got here.”

“Plus, they tried to kill Laboon.” Nami remarked, and the two agents flinched at the reminder. Nami stared Miss Wednesday in the eyes, “Why should we help you?”

“It's fine.” Luffy chuckled and Nami turned to him in surprise. He was grinning lightly at Miss Wednesday, the young woman giving him a demure look. Nami was almost surprised that the other woman could pull off the act. Being able to swap between demure lady and Queen Bitch took practice. “We’ll take you to this Sake Summit place. It’s as good a route to start with as any other, right?” Miss Wednesday’s face brightened at Luffy’s agreement. She gave him a short bow and Nami almost smirked. The girl was clearly trying to draw Luffy’s eyes to her breasts. Unfortunately for the bluenette, Luffy was pretty much immune to the feminine wiles of strangers. He hadn’t responded to hers until they’d grown closer and started to bond.

“Care to explain? Also, the town is called Whiskey Peak." Nami leaned in and whispered to her Lover.

“Shishishi,” Luffy chuckled, “Just a feeling. This seems like fun.”

“Are you sure it’s not because she’s cute?” Nami teased him with a grin.

“Nah, it’s because she’s not being honest with us, or with herself.” Luffy wrapped his arm around her waist again. “So it’ll probably be a fun first island.”

“Observation?” Nami asked before kissing his neck.

“Yep, you’ll get there with practice.” Luffy grinned at his Lover.

“Alright then, time to set the Log Pose.” Nami smiled at him as she left his arms and went to set their route.

“Are you sure you want to take these two? Once you choose a route, you can't change it.” Crocus warned Luffy.

“It's fine!” Luffy grinned widely, “If we don't like this route, then we’ll just sail around again.”

“Alright, just make sure to set the Pose using the map.” Crocus couldn't help but break out into a grin of his own.

“It's all set!” Nami called out, “The Log Pose is pointing to Cactus Island!”

“Great!” Luffy cheered, “Let's set sail! Thank you for everything, Crocus!”

“Thank you for your help!” Nami waved as they all walked up the gangplank and boarded the Going Merry. Luffy quickly jumped up onto the figurehead and took his special seat. The ship's anchor was pulled up and the sails were unfurled, they took off at the first wind without trouble. Laboon chirped out his goodbyes and Luffy replied.

“We’ll be back, Laboon! Don’t damage our Jolly Roger!” Luffy waved to the mountain of a whale.

As the ship disappeared over the horizon, Crocus adopted a serious expression, “Could that crew of Pirates be the ones we’ve been waiting for? He has a weird aura to him, eh Roger?” The old man chuckled as he thought about how similar and yet different Luffy and his old Captain were.

-End Chapter-

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Luffy and crew have made new friends! Laboon has a new set of nakama to see when they make it back around the Grand Line! They’ve also been introduced to Mr. Nine and Miss Wednesday! Too bad the two don’t know that it’s rather hard to lie to an Observation User!

But hey, Whiskey Peak will be a fun time for the crew, right? Not like anybody is going to try and attack them. Certainly no one will come to the island on a mission to eliminate traitors! I mean, really, what’re the odds of someone from the Criminal Underworld showing up at one of the first islands of the Grand Line to hunt for a specific Devil Fruit?

Keep reading to find out!

Until I get your reviews, later!