The Logia Brothers Chapter 45 (Patreon)

Hey friends and fans! Kairomaru is bringing you another chapter of The Logia Brothers! Time to meet Mont Blanc Cricket and the Saruyama Alliance! Will they be able to help the Straw Hats get to Sky Island? A certain someone might just try to stand in their way, once he finds out that Luffy wasn’t lying about his Bounty.

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So, without further delay, please enjoy.

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Chapter 45 – Saruyama Alliance

-Jaya ~ Mouth Bay-

A large ship floated on the waves with fourteen lines hanging down into the water. These strong cables connected to fourteen specialized divers that were crucial to the ship’s main function. The ship itself had what appeared to be a massive tree growing from the center of the main deck. The large main sail had a monkey-like Jolly Roger and the word ‘Morinohito’ on it. It also had two massive paddles on either side attached to a powered rowing engine, both of said paddles were also painted with the motif of monkey hands holding them.

“Big Boss, we’re a-ok and the divers are in position!” A crewman called out.

“Microphone is a-ok!” A different man called out.

Both men were wearing what looked to be a black diving suit. This seemed to be standard on the large ship as every crewman was wearing the same.

The ‘Big Boss’ was a large man who looked similar to an orangutan with long green hair. He wore a black button up shirt that was too small for his body and showed off his hairy torso, a green captain’s coat with his arms in the long sleeves, and a matching green captain's hat with his personal jolly roger on the front. He also wore a belt that had the kanji for ‘forest’ engraved upon the large golden buckle.

“All right! Activate the search sonar!” The much larger man grabbed hold of a microphone with one hand, his pinky raised as if he was holding a wine glass. “Woohooooooooooo!” His howling voice was sent through the mic and transmitted to an underwater speaker. The water rippled slightly right beside the large speaker but the soundwaves that passed through the water were the important part. The fourteen divers circled around underneath the large ship held their hands up to their ears to catch any feedback from the soundwaves.

“Hmm?” One of the divers perked up when a returning soundwave came back with a noticeable distortion. He quickly swam to the surface to report. “Utan Diver Number Twenty-Seven, reporting!” The diver raised his hand into the air as he yelled up to the deck. “Sonar reverberation confirmed! Large school of fish detected at 0900! Their swimming speed identifies them as saury!”

“All right! Grilled fish for dinner then!” The large ‘Big Boss’ called out to the crew at large. There were several cheers at the news.

“Utan Diver Number Four, reporting!” A second diver emerged from the sea in front of the bow of the large ship. “Sonar reverberation confirmed! A small sailing vessel has been detected!”

“What? A sailing vessel?! Confirm its exact location!” The ‘Big Boss’ ordered.

“Uh…it’s at…twelve o’ clock?” The diver turned to face the incoming Going Merry.

“You idiot!” The boss hollered, chucking a small empty barrel at his subordinate, the vessel bounced harmlessly off the diver’s head. “It’s right in front of our eyes!” With a grumble at his subordinate wasting time the boss shook his head before relaying more orders. “Cancel the search! Utan Divers return to the ship!” All fourteen divers were quick to resurface and then climb ladders up to specialized doors into the ship’s interior.

-Going Merry-

“Well, we found someone already, but I don’t know if this is the ‘outcast’ that we’re looking for.” Luffy stood at the bow of his ship looking up at the larger vessel.

“The big guy up there sort of reminds me of that Salvage Monkey.” Sanji mentioned from next to Luffy.

“Uh huh,” Chopper agreed with Sanji. “Those salvagers said they were from this island. They sailed in the general direction we’re heading now too.”

“I wouldn’t mind seeing them again. They were fun.” Luffy grinned at the idea.

“Hey! You there! This is no time for small talk!” The ‘Big Boss’ yelled down toward the Straw Hats. “Hmph. I wondered who it was. You gave me a scare there.” He spoke, sitting down on his large wooden chair, said chair looked to have been made from several upright logs and would’ve qualified as a sofa for an average-sized human.

“You seem pretty smart.” Luffy blinked taking in the man’s ape-like features. “What species are you?”

“Human, fool!” The other Captain shouted back irritated.

“Hey, you guys!” The crew of the larger ship yelled out. “Don’t go upsetting the Big Boss!”

“Never mind, never mind.” The man sighed with a wave of his hand. “You appear to be pirates.” He noted the Jolly Roger the other ship was flying. “Have you heard the news? Some Rookie took out Sir Crocodile of the Seven Warlords. And, due to my great abilities, I’m probably going to take his place. I can’t wait, I’m so anxious.” The orangutan-like man commented with a satisfied grin on his face.

“Oh, so you want to be one of the Seven Warlords, huh?” Luffy replied with a slight tilt of his head. “That’s not really my thing, but whatever.” He dismissed the idea as stupid.

“Hey, be more respectful when you talk to the Boss!” The other crew yelled at Luffy.

“Never mind, never mind…” The large man waved it off, calming his subordinates down again. “Goodness, talking to you is nerve-wracking.” His eyes sharpened as he sent an ominous gaze down on Luffy. “Now listen, if you pass through the tunnel of my anger, you will come to a sea of blood.”

“Whatever.” Luffy replied without a care, making almost everyone on the Going Merry facepalm. “We’re trying to go somewhere, so can you move?”

“You idiot! I’m saying the sea around here is my territory! I’m ‘Sonar King’ Shoujo! I have a Thirty-Six Million Beri Bounty on my head!” The now named Shoujo bellowed at Luffy. “If you want to pass through here then you have to pay the toll!” The other Captain was now on his feet, clearly angry as he grabbed the nearby microphone. “Havoc Sonar!” He brought the mic to his lips and howled into it. “Woohooooooooo!” The air visibly distorted as the soundwaves expanded. The wood of the large ship began to creak and crack, splintering from the resonating frequency that Shoujo was producing with just his own voice.

“Boss! You can’t do that on the ship!” Several of his subordinates reminded him even as they clapped their hands over their ears while the Captain’s voice tore up their ship.

“Loud!” Usopp already had his hands over his ears too.

“What the heck are they doing?” Zoro stared flatly at the orangutan-like man destroying his own ship.

“That’s pretty cool.” Luffy chuckled as he watched. “He can destroy a ship with just his voice.”

“But the soundwaves will travel and start destroying out ship!” Nami warned just as the planks of the Going Merry started to vibrate.

“Knock it off!” Luffy thundered, seeing his ship in danger. A blast of Conqueror’s Haki assailed the other ship for an instant and all sound came to an abrupt end.

“W-Wh-What?” Shoujo was trembling and all the hair on his body was standing on end. Most of his crew were just staring at Luffy in wide-eyed shock, not making a single sound.

“Luffy,” Vivi came to stand beside her lover. “Let me?” She looked into his eyes and Luffy only needed a second to figure out what she wanted.

“Shishishishi, sure thing, Vivi.” Luffy smiled brightly at her and let her step forward.

“Captain Shoujo?” Vivi spoke loud enough to be heard and the green-haired man seemed to shake himself before leaning over the railing of his ship to look down at her. “We were unaware that we had sailed into your territory and for that we apologize.” She gave a short bow, but didn’t break eye contact with the man. “Would you happen to know of a man by the name of ‘Salvage King’ Masira, by any chance?”

“Masira?” Shoujo blinked and eyed the Straw Hats closely. “How do you know my sworn brother’s name?”

“We met him while following our Log Pose.” Vivi informed him with a smile. “He allowed us to watch his salvaging operation. He was also the one that led us to Jaya in search of information about getting to Sky Island.”

“You don’t seem to be lying…” Shoujo rubbed his chin. “Masira would love to put on a show for others too.” He thought of how his sworn brother would probably brag about such a thing. “Someone bring me the Transponder Snail!” He shouted and one of his subordinates scrambled away to retrieve it. “One second, please, I need to make a call.”

“Very well.” Vivi gave a short nod to the man. She turned her gaze on Luffy to see him smiling widely at her. It made her feel warm inside to be able to help her crew like this.

“This will only take a second.” Shoujo had just been handed the Transponder Snail and was quickly dialing in a number from memory.

“Puru puru puru puru…kerchak!” The Transponder Snail rang a few times before someone picked up.

“Shoujo? Is that you?” Masira’s voice came from the Transponder Snail.

“Masira! Did you make friends with some pirates and not tell me?!” Shoujo bellowed into the call. “I almost destroyed their ship! You’re supposed to tell me about crews that you know so that we don’t hassle them about being in our territory!”

“Shoujo!” Masira yelled over his loud sworn brother. “You need to get back here, the old man isn’t doing good, he’s sick or something.”

“WHAT?!” Shoujo’s voice nearly reverberated even without his microphone. “The old man is sick?!”

“Yeah, we don’t know what’s wrong with him either, just get back here.” Masira’s voice was clearly distressed and Shoujo was immediately worried.

“I’ll be right there!” Shoujo promised before hanging up. “Secure everything and start the paddles! We’re heading back to base!” HE hollered out to his crew.

“Yes, Big Boss!” The men were already frantically running around.

“Captain Shoujo!” Vivi had to shout to get the worried man’s attention.

“What?! Can’t you see we have an emergency?! We’re leaving!” Shoujo yelled back.

“We have a very skilled Doctor on our crew.” Vivi motioned to Chopper, the reindeer already had a serious look from hearing about a sick person. “If you’ll allow it, then we’ll follow you to your base to try and offer treatment to your friend.”

“A skilled Doctor?” Shoujo looked at Chopper unconvinced.

“I’ve been trained for years by a Master of the Medical Sciences!” Chopper spoke up for his credentials. “If I can examine your friend, I might be able to cure whatever he’s got!”

“Ready to depart, Boss!” One of Shoujo’s subordinates called out.

“Ah hell, sure! Follow us! We need a Doctor anyway!” Shoujo decided that it was better to take the chance for the old man. “Let’s go!” He pointed in the direction of their base and the two massive paddles on either side of his ship began to spin quickly, powering the ship forward at speed.

“Nami, we need to keep up.” Luffy looked over at their Navigator.

“Got it.” Nami took a second to feel out the wind and the current before she started belting out rigging changes. The Going Merry quickly caught the wind and shifted into the current that ran along the coast of Jaya. They never lost sight of Shoujo’s ship as they followed along.

-Saruyama Alliance Base-

“What’s with that house?!” Usopp’s eyes nearly bugged out in the crow’s nest. What appeared to be a massive mansion or small castle had appeared as the two ships sailed closer to the coast.

“Hey, wait a minute.” Nami checked the map that Robin had acquired against their current positioning. “This is the place marked on the map!”

“So, this is where the outcast guy lives?” Luffy blinked at the huge house they were sailing towards.

“Mont Blanc Cricket.” Robin reminded Luffy of the man’s name.

“This guy must be rich!” Mikita gaped at the size of the building.

“Take a closer look.” Zoro shook his head.

“A man of big dreams, huh?” Sanji took his cigarette out of his mouth with an unimpressed look. “Well, he certainly likes to put up an illusion.”

“Illusion?” Chopper looked at the chef curiously.

“It’s only plywood?!” Luffy exclaimed as they passed by the façade to reveal the truth.

“What?!” Usopp’s eyes bugged out at the large mansion being only a thin fake.

“That small half of a house is the only real structure.” Vivi noticed of the small brick house that the wooden fake was attached to.

“Hey, it’s Masira’s ship.” Nami pointed to the ship moored a little further away. The giant remains of the St. Briss had been dropped onto the dirt near the coast, but looked like no one was anywhere near them. That was probably because of all the people gathered around the small brick hut though.

“Hey, Doctor, hurry up!” Shoujo shouted as he jumped off his ship and landed on the ground. The orangutan-like man was running as fast as he could towards the hut, bowling over a few people not fast enough to move aside. Shoujo disappeared into the hut by the time that Chopper was running down the newly set gangplank with his backpack full of medical supplies.

“We should go too, it’s polite to offer our support.” Vivi informed Luffy with a concern in her tone. She didn’t like seeing others sick, it brought up the memories of her father’s illness before Chopper had been able to diagnose and treat him.

“We’ll see if we can get inside since Chopper is helping this old man.” Luffy agreed as the Straw Hats headed down the gangplank to follow after Chopper. The reindeer was ushered inside after a single shout by Shoujo.

“Let me see him.” Chopper requested of Masira and Shoujo while opening his pack.

“Make some room!” Masira waved a few men out of the small hut.

“Old man…what’s wrong?” Shoujo worried over the older man lying unconscious in the bed.

“Hmm,” Chopper took out a stethoscope and listened to the man’s heartbeat for a few moments. The reindeer doctor slowly went over the man, checking pulse, temperature, breathing, and then checking the man’s body for any signs or visible symptoms. “He doesn’t seem to be suffering from infection…” Chopper noticed before looking between Masira and Shoujo. “What does he normally do during the day?”

“Well, he dives into the ocean.” Masira rubbed the back of his head.

“Boss is trying to find something that was said to have sunk into the sea.” Shoujo informed the small doctor.

“That could explain it.” Chopper turned his attention back to his patient and checked a few more things. “I need cold towels, and open all of the windows!” Chopper instructed sending both Masira and Shoujo into a frenzy of movement as they opened windows while ordering their crews to soak towels in cold water.

“What’s wrong with him?” Luffy asked as the Straw Hats made it inside the hut a minute later.

“He has Caisson Disease,” Chopper looked up for a moment after placing another cold towel onto the man’s body. “It’s also known as Decompression Sickness, and the layman term for it is ‘The Bends’. It happens in divers, but it’s not usually chronic.”

“Is the old man going to be alright?” Masira and Shoujo both leaned forward.

“When a diver comes up out of deep water too quickly, the decompression causes air bubbles to form in the blood and tissues.” Chopper explained as he got the man comfortable on the bed. There was a noticeable improvement in his breathing already from what Chopper was doing. “Those bubbles expand and cause problems in the vascular system, muscles, and joints.”

“Can you help him?” Vivi asked, clearly concerned for the man.

“He’s probably been diving deep every day without giving his body time to decompress and recover.” Chopper sighed as he sat back to let what he’d already done help. “It’s very dangerous to keep doing that, it’s probably why he collapsed. If he’d kept pushing himself much more then it could’ve been fatal.” The doctor looked at Shoujo and Masira. “You need to let him recover for several days, absolutely no diving of any kind. He stays on dry land and rests, got it?” He bulked up into his Heavy Point to look the two men in the eyes with a hard stare. Kureha’s demeanor once more shining through in her pupil.

“Absolutely.” Masira nodded with a firm look.

“Not a toe into the ocean until he’s fully recovered.” Shoujo crossed his arms with a sharp nod.

“Good.” Chopper shrank back down into his Hybrid Form with a smile.

“So, you guys live here too?” Luffy looked between the two ape-like men.

“Well, the Boss’s house is the base of the Saruyama Alliance, but we mostly sleep on our own ships.” Masira explained as the group, aside from Chopper, Vivi, and a few of the Saruyama subordinates, left the hut to talk outside.

“The house is a bit too small for us, you see?” Shoujo laughed, comparing their sizes to the half of a house.

“Yeah, you guys are just too big.” Luffy chuckled at the size difference. “But to a Giant, you’d still be tiny.” He recalled just how massive Dorry and Broggy were after all.

“They’re getting along really well.” Usopp mentioned as he and Zoro leaned back against the hut.

“They all have monkey brains.” Zoro shrugged with a smirk.

“What’re all of those guys doing?” Luffy pointed over to the remains of the St. Briss near the shore.

“That’s the next stage of salvaging.” Masira grinned at the work his men were doing. “We’re going through the old ship to try and find any valuables. Sometimes the ships we bring up have really old things on them that we can sell for a lot of money. That funds our continued ventures and stuff.”

“Oh, that makes sense.” Luffy nodded after a second to take in the explanation. “So, what happens with the rest of the old wood?”

“Sink it back into the sea or let it sit out and dry for a long time, then cut it down into firewood.” Masira shrugged nonchalantly. “Whatever we need it for really.”

“Luffy!” Chopper called out from the door to the hut. “He’s waking up!”

“Old man!” Masira and Shoujo were practically sprinting towards the hut already.

“Great.” Luffy chuckled as he walked over to the half of a house and entered.

“Hey,” The old man greeted Luffy when the younger man entered. “Sorry you had to help me out without even knowing me. I’m Mont Blanc Cricket.” Cricket introduced himself before exhaling smoke from the cigarette he was smoking. Cricket was a muscular, middle aged man with blond hair. He had what looked like a large chestnut on his head, but Luffy assumed it was hair. He was wearing dark-purple pants with a white stripe running along each leg, and a rope around his waist. At the moment the older man was still shirtless, but didn’t seem to care. On his left arm, he had a tattoo of a chestnut with the word ‘Maroon’ written across it.

“I hope you’re feeling better, old man.” Luffy greeted Cricket with his usual smile. “We have something we want to ask you.”

“What’s that?” Cricket raised an eyebrow at the pirate.

“We want to know how to get to Sky Island.” Luffy beamed at the other man with sparkles in his eyes.

“A sky island?” Cricket shot a side glance at Luffy. “Har har har har har! You actually believe that story?” He laughed loudly. Nami twitched slightly, her hands clenching into fists until Vivi took her right hand and gave her a calming smile.

“Are you saying that it doesn’t exist?” Luffy looked put out.

“Heh,” Cricket grinned at the younger man. “Well, there was one man that said it existed. But he went down in history as a liar and his descendants have been the objects of ridicule ever since.”

“Eh?” Luffy turned to look at Usopp.

“It’s not me!” Usopp barked at his Captain with sharp teeth.

“The story is called ‘Noland the Liar’ and it’s an ancient tale.” Cricket explained to the group.

“Noland the Liar? The storybook?” Sanji questioned, walking in with some special drinks for Nami and Vivi. “I read that as a child back in the West Blue.”

“West Blue?” Nami blinked at the chef as she accepted her drink. “I thought you were from the East Blue like the rest of us?”

“I was raised in the East Blue, but I was born in the North Blue and…nah, it’s not important.” Sanji waved off as he handed Vivi her drink. The chef was blatantly ignoring Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper looking at the drinks with envy. “I thought your name sounded familiar, old timer. Are you actually a descendant of Noland?”

“He’s my great-great-great-great-great-ah it doesn’t actually matter.” Cricket exhaled smoke as he shook his head. “I’ve probably only got a few drops of that man’s blood in me anyway.”

“They did always say that the story was based on a real person.” Sanji nodded, lighting up his own cigarette and now blatantly ignoring Nami and Vivi sharing their drinks with Luffy. He wasn’t jealous, damn it! ‘Shitty Captain…’ He hid the crocodile tears rolling down his face by turning away.

“The Mont Blanc Family was driven off and forced to live in shame.” Cricket informed the group of pirates. Both Masira and Shoujo weeping beside his bed at the unfairness of it all. “Even to this day we’re still ridiculed. But nobody in the family ever held it against him.”

“Why not?” Nami looked confused that none of the man’s family had held a grudge.

“Because we know that Noland was no liar.” Cricket stated with utter surety. He continued to tell the crew of Noland’s branding as a liar. How his family had been mocked and forced to live apart from others in the North Blue for the last four-hundred years. “I was ashamed of my family.” Cricket admitted with a slow exhale. “So, I left home and became a pirate.”

“You’re a pirate too?” Luffy perked up at the information.

“I didn’t set out to be one.” Cricket waved off Luffy’s excitement. “I just wanted to escape Noland’s curse.” He chuckled a bit before looking out the window. “Then, ten years ago, I landed on Jaya of all islands. I decided that it must’ve been fate that led me here. I decided to settle this four-hundred year old curse myself. A fight between me and Noland.” He took a drag of his cigarette before exhaling and continuing his tale. “It doesn’t matter whether I find the City of Gold he spoke of in the story. I’m not looking for the gold or to clear his name. This is my battle with the man that ruined my life.”

“But then why are those two here?” Luffy pointed his thumb at Shoujo and Masira.

“I bet there’s a moving tale about men that risk their lives in the ocean depths behind it!” Usopp declared and Chopper’s eyes began to sparkle at the idea.

“Oh no, we’re just fans of the story.” Masira and Shoujo waved off Usopp’s idea.

“Fans?!” Usopp face-faulted hard.

“Aww…” Chopper looked bummed at the truth.

“About five or six years ago, these two heard about me and came over uninvited.” Cricket grinned at the sworn brothers. “They believed that Noland’s golden city was real. Then they made themselves my unofficial subordinates.” Both Shoujo and Masira rubbed the back of their heads sheepishly with large smiles. “They stumbled into my life…and honestly, they saved me.” He shot a grin at the two, both ape-like men nearly crying in joy at how their friend thought of them. “I would’ve destroyed myself long before this without these two idiots around.”

“Boss!” Masira and Shoujo had tears pouring down their faces as they tried to hug Cricket. The blond man chopped both of them on the head, leaving them with large lumps for their trouble.

“But do you know how to get to Sky Island?” Luffy was clearly already tired of this story and Usopp smacked him upside the head for his rudeness.

“Heh heh…such an impatient guy.” Cricket chuckled as he reached over to a bookshelf and pulled an incredibly worn book from it. “I just told you that the one that spoke of the Sky Island was Noland the Liar. If you believe his tales, then you’ll become a laughingstock like the rest of our family.”

“Does that mean he went to Sky Island too?!” Luffy questioned as Cricket flipped through the book.

“Well, he didn’t say he actually went.” Cricket flipped a few more pages.

“Wait…is that the Logbook of Noland himself?!” Nami gaped at what would have to be a four-hundred year old Logbook.

“That’s right.” Cricket handed the book over to the Navigator. “Read that passage.”

Nami took the ancient Logbook carefully and looked at the slightly faded writing before beginning to read out loud. “The Age of Kaien 1120, June 21. Clear skies. Sailed from the lively town of Vira. We’ll follow the Log Pose and sail straight east-northeast.” She flipped to the next page. “Got hold of an unusual item from a merchant ship today. It’s a one man boat called a ‘Waver’ which one rides like a ski. This strange vessel can sail even on windless days by creating its own wind, but there’s a knack for it that I’ve not yet been able to master. The crew is enjoying it now.” Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper were all staring wide-eyed at the book and practically glowing with excitement. Vivi couldn’t help but giggle at the sight. “How cool! I want one!” Nami declared of the ‘Waver’ the Logbook spoke of.

“Keep reading, keep reading!” Chopper, Usopp, and Luffy urged Nami with eager eyes.

“The power to run this vessel is only found on sky islands. I have heard there are many things with special properties up there.” Nami continued to read the Logbook as the three got more and more excited. “Speaking of sky islands, a fellow explorer once showed me a living sky fish, which was amazing to behold.” Sanji perked up slightly at the mention of the sky fish. “It is a land that our ships have never visited. But as a sailor, I someday wish to visit this sea in the sky. Signed, Mont Blanc Noland.” Nami finished with a huge smile of her own. “A sea in the sky!”

“That’s just what Robin said!” Luffy cheered along with Usopp and Chopper.

“People didn’t doubt the existence of sky islands back then!” Usopp exclaimed with a laugh.

“Nor did they around two-hundred years ago.” Robin smiled slightly as she entered the hut with the Logbook of the St. Briss in-hand. “I finally finished reading through the Log of the St. Briss.” The Archeologist informed the group. “It confirms Noland’s words from his Log. There’s an entire society and culture up there. This Log mentions a White Sea and sky fish, as well as peculiar devices powered by special objects.”

“It’s real!” Luffy cheered loudly while he, Usopp, and Chopper danced around excitedly.

“However…” Robin let a grin cross her lips when Usopp, Chopper, and Luffy froze in place. “It also reveals that the crew of the St. Briss were attacked, accused of crimes, and then sentenced to something called ‘Cloud Drifting’ as punishment. It may be the case that those that live among the sky islands do not always get along with us that live down here.”

“Well…that’s unsettling.” Vivi mentioned of the fate that had befallen the St. Briss and its crew. There could always be clashes between cultures…but the princess couldn’t imagine just how bad it could get between what were practically different worlds.

“Well, we’ll just try not to cause trouble then.” Luffy stated simply.

The deadpan stare he got from almost all of his nakama was telling.

“Let’s hope things go well then, Captain.” Robin had an amused look in her eyes.

“Can you not encourage him?!” Usopp pointed at Robin with his teeth suddenly sharp.

“Sanji! Help me with cooking! Shoujo’s crew just hauled in nets filled with fish!” Mikita poked her head into the hut.

“Of course, Mikita-chwan!” Sanji was out of his chair and twirling out the door in an instant.

“Food!” Luffy’s stomach growling was the last thing anyone heard before he chased after the two cooks.

“Some things never change.” Nami giggled.

“It’s cute though.” Vivi laughed along with her lover as they followed after Luffy at a more sedate pace.

“Hey, doc, can I get up for a walk?” Cricket asked Chopper before the reindeer could leave.

“Oh, yes, gentle exercise should help a little,” Chopper bulked up into his Heavy Point. “But don’t you dare exert yourself, understand?!” He got right in Cricket’s face to prove how serious he was.

“Sure thing.” Cricket chuckled at the intimidation tactic.

“Good.” Chopper nodded, before shrinking back down to his Hybrid Form and following after the others.

“Boss, are you okay?” Masira asked his friend in concern.

“I’m fine.” Cricket sighed as he stood up and stretched a bit. “Tell me…do you two like these people?”

“Well yeah.” Masira nodded since it was obvious.

“Why do you ask?” Shoujo tilted his head curiously.

“These pirates are determined to get to Sky Island.” Cricket rolled his shoulder a couple of times.

“But there’s only one way to go there.” Shoujo stood up from where he was sitting.

“They could be killed instantly, Boss.” Masira cautioned as he looked at Cricket.

“That’s why I’m asking.” Cricket tossed his used cigarette butt into the ashtray on the table. “It’ll be up to us to help them get there.”

Both ape-like men stretched and cracked her knuckles to prepare for some hard work.

-Mock Town-

“The place kinda emptied out, huh?” A familiar man with missing teeth and long black hair mentioned of the quieter than usual pirate town.

“I’m not too surprised…apparently the Rookie that killed Crocodile showed up here.” The grappling champion laughed.

“Really?” The larger man had a wide grin on his face. “What’s his Bounty?”

“I believe…we’d have to find a poster…at a tavern.” The sickly doctor on the equally sick horse replied.

“Well that works out fine.” The obvious leader chuckled as he tossed away his empty bottle. “I just ran out. Zehahahaha!”

-End Chapter-

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Meeting Mont Blanc Cricket and finding some convincing evidence of the existence of sky islands! The adventure to the sky is a go!

Robin confirms that the St. Briss did indeed make it up to the White Sea and encountered the ones that live up there.

Luffy’s excitement is almost through the roof!

But, even with somethings going more smoothly, other things fall into place as well. A certain someone has figured out that the Rookie that killed a Warlord is on Jaya. Hopefully the necessary work that Cricket and the Saruyama Alliance need to do can be completed first.

What’s next for our favorite pirate crew?

Keep reading to find out!

Until I get your reviews, later!