Chapter 2: Journey Starts.

The Roger pirates had all left the island within the first week barring Buggy and Rayleigh who as agreed would travel with Mirai. Buggy would most likely stay with Mirai until the execution. Rayleigh would either not show up or go on his own. While the ship was being built, Mirai, Rayleigh and Buggy had been busy. Mirai had begun recruiting a nameless crew to run the ships operations, business management for the cover story to be true. A couple of them could cook and would take turns until they found a real chef. It was during one of his runs into town for a den den mushi, that Mirai literally ran over Tom. Tom had come to inform him his ship was ready and introduce him to his shipwright, Kumo. Shaking hands with Kumo, the voice spoke in the back of Mirai's mind. He has the cloud cloud fruit. An interesting ability Luffy thinks back. It will be helpful. Maybe hiding the ship when needed?

After purchasing the needed den den's Tom & Kumo provided Mirai, Buggy and Rayleigh a tour of the massive ship. The Whispering Waves, was completed by Tom and Kumo in just under 3 months. At Rogers insistence, parts from the Oro Jackson were incorporated into the new ship. Better use for it than the Marines getting their hands on it he had pointed out as he was leaving. The ship itself was a massive galleon, 65 meters in length, the tallest point 16.40 meters high. It was azure in color matching the waves it was named after. It had built it to the specs, that Roger, Voice and Mirai had planned out for subterfuge. It was classed as a merchant ship but was an undercover war/spy ship. It had been decided that Mirai would run as a trade merchant, while setting up and maintaining a spy and information network from his ship or island.

A week later Mirai was poked and prodded into a bar by Rayleigh. Drinking and listening to the patrons around them, Mirai picked up an interesting conversation from some sailors and blinked in disbelief.

"We were near the Florian Triangle fishing when the fog rolled in and we heard singing. It was like nothing I had ever heard before. It should have been at a rock concert not some creepy fog filled dead zone." Spoke on of the sailors.

Luffy immediately got up and took a seat at their table. "Tell me more, what were the words you heard?"

"Today is the day, kick the clock that was stopped…" "And crying soul wrenching wails." Pointed out another sailor.

"Hmmm, I wonder. Thank you for your time gentleman." Luffy got up leaving a beli on the table and returned to the bar where Rayleigh was sitting. Rayleigh tilted his head in askance, Luffy waved him off. "just something to think on, information is information."

A few days later the crew and ship were ready to sail, they were just waiting on the captain to return from paying Tom and picking up Kumo. Luffy stood on the deck, "Gentleman set sail, navigate towards the Florian Triangle."

"Eehh" squeaked the crew.

"Mah Mah just do it" echoed Rayleigh. "And you," pointing at Luffy, "information is information, Really?"

Luffy shrugged, "It may be one of my past nakama. I lost track of him." Not really lying but not telling the whole truth either. Rayleigh just eyed him and sighed, "Whatever, let's get going."

Just after dawn, the day began darkening and fog rolled in, the watch called down asking if Kumo was doing it. A negative reply, and the watch bellowed for the captain. "Sir, I think we are here." "Let me know when you hear singing, and head in its direction." Luffy proceeded to the mess for breakfast, it wasn't great food, but it was edible. Upon finishing and returning to deck Luffy could pick up the beginning strains of a familiar song.

"Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuk yo…"

Luffy's bellowed, "Soul King!" echoed through the fog eerily. A return "Luffy san" was echoed back through the dark, along with the sound of paddles hitting the water. Soon a row boat appeared within the captain's eyesight. Seated within was a skeleton. Rayleigh, who had come to stand beside Mirai when he yelled, looked at Mirai and rolled his eyes, grumbled under his breath "as bad as my captain, just a possible missing crewmate...no big deal. How the fuck do you misplace a talking skeleton. I'm too old for this shit, I think I'll retire, maybe on Sabaody."

"Brook, you're here, you're here." Cried Luffy as he hugged the skeleton tightly ignoring Rayleigh's muttering.

"Luffy san, hug me any tighter and my eyes may pop out. I don't have eye though. Skeleton Joke. Yohohohoho"

"Never change Brook, let's go. Crew prepare to head to Sabaody. We have a delivery to make. I will be in my quarters."

"Aye Captain"

Brook followed Luffy through the maze of the ship to the captain's quarters located on the back deck. "Have a seat Brook. Do you know what has happened?"

"Aye Luffy san. You have come back to fix the world."

"How..?"

"Is this possible Luffy san? I am neither alive nor dead, I still have my soul, I moved through time with you. I have my memories up until my death by Blackbeard."

He is outside the influence much like you were in the core room. Neither living or dead as he said because of the nature of his fruit. You knew this would happen. Yes. Stated the Voicesmugly.

"Sokka, I understand Brook. Would you like to continue to travel with me until you can join my younger self? We could arrange for you to meet at the cape with Laboon."

"Luffy-san, I would gladly sail with your younger self again. It is bone chilling to sail with you again." Stated Brook.

"Brook, please refer to me as Mirai, my name is now Mirai D. Luffy. No need to get the two Luffy's confused in the future if we are in the same place. We are heading to drop Rayleigh at Sabaody, and maybe picking up some more crew, and merchandise for the route."

"Ah, Mirai san then, why are you not rubber anymore? You grew and the scar under your eye is missing. Do not think I didn't notice how you hugged me."

Scratching his head Mirai explained what happened when he became Pirate King and how he was returned to the past, the plan currently in motion and what could happen in the future.

Dropping Rayleigh at Sabaody itself was uneventful. The contact with the Marines however was unexpected. Mirai and a distorted Brook were shopping for new cloths, when they were approached by Monkey D. Garp. They joined Garp to eat while he explained that the Marines needed a trade and troop runner that could bring injured troops back to Marineford. Do it. The contract was upfront and standard to what Roger had taught Luffy. "Throw in a sea stone bottom on my ships, the ability to deny a request within reason, and I transport nothing but supplies and injured troops. Now how did you hear my name?"

"Roger pointed me to your name, he explained he had dragged you out of the water of a ship wreck near Water 7 after the Aqua Laguna recently. Dropped you at Water 7 and you commissioned a merchant ship. Not many are willing to go that route with pirates running around."

"Hmm I suppose if Rogers word is good enough for you, then Roger speaking to you about me means He trusts you. Abide by my requests and the Marines have themselves an accord."

Contracts were signed, copies & den den mushi numbers exchanged. Garp left after, having to take the work back to Marineford and Sengoku. The sea stone bottom was scheduled to be added to the Whispering Waves the following day by a Marine coater according to Garp when he called Mirai's line later in the day. Regardless, Mirai and Brook proceeded to shop and look around. The next day while the coating was being completed, they stumbled onto the auction house, it looked different and did not have Jokers' symbol on it yet. Luffy pulled Brook inside and sat down after the voice nudged him toward the door. They watched, seething inside as people, mink, fishmen were sold to the highest bidder.

The next lot that came out the Voice seemed to straighten up and poked Mirai out of his internal rage. This one. Buy this one. Do what, you want me to buy someone. Buy, set free. Shit seriously. Buy this one. Buy, set free. I got it, I got it.

"This last slave has an unknown devil fruit power. No one has seen or spoken of it. He is a navigator by job, one of the best according to his pirate crew upon capture. Bidding will start at 50 thousand beli."

Bidding began until it was down to two celestial dragons fighting until only one was left bidding 200,000 beli.

"500,000 beli." Stated Mirai. Next to him Brook was giving him a betrayed look. Mirai shook his head slightly at him to not interrupt. "and his key."

"Any other takers? Sold to the gentleman in the strawhat. Come to the back to collect your slave sir. That is all for the evening. Good night folks and I hope you have an enjoyable evening."

Mirai and the other owners trekked to the back of the auction house, while the other owners claimed with new slaves, Mirai was distorting reality around them and gathering the keys and slaves. Holding a finger to his lips, Mirai motioned to Brook to knock out he slaver. "Ah Mirai san I understand, you needed a reason to come back here." "yes Brook. Now everyone form a line and do not leave." Brook and Mirai tried all the keys until every collar had been removed. Only have to knock out the slaver a couple more times. "now you are free to leave however you wish, understand you may be caught and returned. You can also join me and my merchant crew, we will not keep you onboard if you find a place you wish to stay. What will you do?"

Many chose to take off on their own, with only two staying behind with Mirai. "Names? Joining or traveling?"

"Nausicaa and traveling." Stated the lone female.

"Kakusu, joining Sir." Stated the slave that Mirai san had bought.

"Good the ship should be coated, and we will get underway. We have a delivery to make in Alabasta. With the coating we can swing through the calm belts and hit my base along the way. You may like it there Nausicaa." Mirai explained as he led them through the mangroves back to the Whispering Waves.