Chapter 100: The Judicial Island
"Dammit," Nami exclaimed, glaring at the spot into the distance, along the route that the Sea Train had taken. "We missed Robin and her kidnappers, and the last sea train as well. How are we supposed to get to Robin now?" The team that had sailed the Merry to the train station, were now on the platform meeting with the train conductor, and friend of Mayor Iceberg, Granny Kokoro, whilst her eight year old granddaughter Chimney sat with Suki. "We'll figure something out," Sanji stated, fawning over her, to her annoyance and Zoro's disgust. Suki and Chimney were comparing each others pets; Pabu the South-bird and Gonbe the rabbit, and trying to come up with a subtle way to trap the other into admitting that the other was cuter. It was almost as if the two girls were sisters, they got on so well, and Nami and Granny Kokoro both that admired that friendship. "Granny", Nami spoke. "Where else does the sea train go to other than Water Seven? One of our friends was just kidnapped and take aboard the last!"
Sanji practically growled with frustration as the old woman chuckled, rubbing her chin in thought. "We will get her back," He muttered, "and we don't care who gets in our way." Granny Kokoro turned on her heels and walked back into the conductors cabin, "I'll be back, just need to grab a map" she hiccuped. "You better not be running out on us old woman!"Sanji snapped back. Receiving a slap across the face from Nami for talking smack and disrespectful talk to your seniors. Only five minutes later, Granny came came clutching four map scrolls and a sextuple compass bracelet. "Now hold on, you kids," She exclaimed, "There's a storm coming; annually it's called the Aqua Laguna, and this ones supposed to be the biggest yet. If you go out in those winds and waves, your ship'll be ripped apart". This time it was Chopper who burst out in defence of their plan, "We have the world's best navigator on our crew," the reindeer boasted. "We'll survive whatever this storm throws, don't you worry!" Still the old woman remained frowning, "its not that I don't trust your skills, but these waters are about as unpredictable as those of the New World, anything can happen. That's why I'm giving you these sea charts and maps, to use on your travels. They are also really useful navigating these difficult waters like these, moreover as navigator I want you to have this".
Kokoro handed over the small golden bracelet with six compass needles attached. "This is an Atmospheric Conversion Directory Guide, or ACDG, has six needles all which measure different things: air pressure, wind speed, tidal currents, longitude and latitude, it always points North and finally, it has an inbuilt magic detector".
At the mention of magic both Suki and Chopper turned white, remembering the last Wizard they had encountered. "Erm—why does it have that function?" Sanji asked, blowing out a cloud of cigarette smoke. "The ACDG, was built by wizards for wizards in the Continent of Solana, one of the three founding continents of the World Republic. And as a result these things are exceedingly rare outside of said Republic, the marines have been trying to get one for months but the wizard knights are very protective of their work and secrets". Before Nami could ask the obvious question, Granny grinned and then spoke again; "I only have this because of the late Great shipwright, and founder of Galley-La, Tom. He traveled to Ishgar and Solana before the Republic arose from the ashes of the Ishagran Civil War. This was when the old Magic Council ruled both continents and aligned itself to Mariejois; Alikatasia, the third continent, was independent at this point but after their invasion, and subsequent defeat, by Ishgar they joined together in founding the World Republic— and...well you know the rest".
"Nagagagaga!" Granny Kokoro laughed before taking a large swig from her flask of ale on her conductors desk. Hiccuping, she then looked at each straw hate pirate in turn, "where's you cap'n? I thought he'd be here", at her declaration Nami quickly broker out her transponder snail and dialled in luffy's call sign. "Luffy here", the captains voice came back several seconds later, "luffy where are you! We're waiting for you and Vivi at the station with Granny Kokoro". Rustling of paper was heard over the line, and Nami pushed aside her growing frustration, deciding on strangling him for their problems after they got Robin back. "Sorry Nami..." Vivi voice came over the line, "we are about five minutes from you now, we found something that is both intriguing and alarming. You'll all see it when we arrive". And then the call ended.
"If you really are insisting on going out there in that ungrateful storm then you'll be needing a sea train built by a legend, and luckily, I have one." Kokoro uttered, "mind you I'll be the one driving, as RocketMan has always been temperamental. Now follow me." The woman turned and trudged along the platform to a large long shed, from which rails could be seen. Confused and excited Nami, Sanji, Zoro, Suki and Chopper followed her inside the shed, and before them was an old rickety looking locomotive with a couple of People carriages behind it. "That's a train..." Suki stated defectively, "looks more like a skeleton or as if someone got lazy half way through building it".
"Well, it was a failed prototype for the main train; the Puffing Tom, but RocketMan is still fast and reliable", Granny replied smiling. "Iceberg had wanted to work on it, so the city would have more than one train too and from Enies Lobby".
The conversation was abruptly cut off by the sound of a large crash and a yelp, followed by a scream of embarrassment. "Get off me!" With nostrils flaring, Sanji bolted out of the shed and beelined straight for Vivi, sweeping her off her feet and inspecting her for signs of mistreatment. "What did the shitty captain do to you! I'll beat him up for you, my desert goddess" He swooned. "Nothing—we just landed with too much velocity and momentum..." Blood immediately shot from the chefs nose as he pictured various scenes in his minds eye, before being punched out cold by Nami. "Everyone get on the train!" Nami ordered. "We're getting Robin back!" Luffy grinned before being snagged by his girlfriend in an embrace. "Wait up Luffy. Granny said that the island where Robin was probably taken is the Judicial Island;
Enies Lobby". Looking straight into his eyes, Nami held onto him trying to prepare herself for the inevitable fight. "She also said that we are foolishly honest and straight shooters. Please luffy don't be reckless, I know we will undoubtedly be fighting Robins kidnappers but I want us to all make it back to the Merry, or the new ship when it's ready". Gently, luffy nuzzled her hair; something that he knew she liked, whispering into her ear "we go to save Robin, and I promise you Nami, I won't lose".
The sea train RocketMan was so much the model of disrepair it was almost unbelievable that Granny actually got it to start. Decoupling the second carriage but retaining the first carriage was seen as leaving behind the extra weight, meaning more speed and less time both rails towards their destination. Chimney and Suki both sat on sofas in the first carriage trying very hard to not let the rattling of windows and shaking of the walls get to them. "Come sit by me", Vivi stated seeing the girls pale faces, moments later both youngsters had practically flung themselves into the princesses arms, "there there, it's nothing or be afraid of".
Chopper and Zoro were both staring out of the window at the approaching giant gates, the emblem of the four cardinal points emblazoned them. "Such a stupid motif..." Zoro muttered, "four points. The world isn't united by one it's divided into two". Sanji was staying close to Vivi, fawning over her as well as calling out her "motherly" qualities with both young girls hugging her. "If I could..."he began, only to be struck by a coughing fit caused by whirl of sand flying in his face. "Don't be perverse! There are children present!" Vivi scolded, her face bright red and surreptitiously glancing over at Luffy and Nami, forlornly. "We are now approaching the Gates of Justice we'll be stopping very soon" Kokoro's voice called from the tannoy. And so, the straw hats began preparing themselves for the upcoming fight to liberate Robin and bring her home; including the masked individual currently handing on for dear life under the train; 'I may not have crewman-ship anymore but I won't let my friends fight alone'.