Chapter 13: Noland Cricket
"Stupid Orangutan," Usopp grumbled. He was working on the repairs after their encounter with Shoujou. Chopper was carrying some planks while Minori was observing the two. "Making me redo the repairs he destroyed."
"So it seems this ship is on its last legs," Zoro declared as he was working on the masts. "We need a new one."
"HOW DARE YOU EVEN CONSIDER THAT!?" Usopp comedically yelled. "YOU ARE AWARE OF THE ORIGINS OF THIS SHIP DO YOU?!"
"YEAH HOW DARE YOU!?" Chopper added.
"We all know the story Usopp," Luffy said calmly. "You don't have to be so defensive."
"Yeah, you said the Going Merry was part of your crew, and we'll handle it all with care," Natsu added.
"You don't have to do it alone," Hibiki nodded in agreement. "We'll make sure that it will be ready for Skypiea."
"You right guys," Usopp began crying, while Chopper was making faces to get Minori to react. "I'm sorry."
When Luffy, Hibiki, and Natsu hammered too hard, a chunk of the ship fell apart. "Oops,"
"DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Usopp screamed comical. "ARE YOU GUYS TRYING TO FIX IT OR DESTROY IT!?"
"We're trying to fix it," Luffy defended as he banged another piece of wood off the ship. "Oops, I did it again."
"LUFFY!" Usopp and Chopper cried in anger.
"The Going Merry won't last long if Natsu keeps "fixing" it," Happy said.
"I don't see you lending a hand, cat," Kuroko scolded.
Wendy came out of the infirmary after treating Shervan. Shirabe and Cynthia quickly went towards her. "Is he going to be okay?" Shirabe asked.
"Yeah, he just passed out due to magic loss," Wendy answered.
"Thank goodness you were able to stop him before he destroyed Shoujou's ship," Yuko said to Touma.
"I said he should let the brat send those morons flying," Gajeel grumbled. "That Orangutan is tone deaf as hell."
"Like you're the one to talk," Lucy deadpanned.
"So...was he really trying to kill them?" Shirabe asked, hesitating a bit.
"It's hard to explain," Touma answered, scratching his head. "While he did cast that magic on Shoujou's ship, he didn't sound like himself...As if someone took over his body."
'Someone took over?' Cynthia, Shirabe and Wendy all thought the same thing. They recalled the incident with the fight against Naru. 'Could that be the reason why…?'
You went a bit far don't you think?
Shut up~! That dumb ape was asking for it! His voice had enough frequency to bring those horrible images in our heads...I thought we were done with those nightmares.
However, the others are likely to raise suspicion now. There were only two people on the scene who saw you: the Honey girl and the Imagine Breaker Welder.
Yeah, that shit was crazy. Who would've thought the boy could cancel me out of his body! That's never happened before.
I have to agree. I advise not to switch whenever he's around. We are lucky that it was just small traces of blood coming out of his eyes and nose.
Whatever I'll try to held down my anger, but if that ape or anyone else does that again, I'll kill them.
Following a route that circled the island to the east, the Straw Hat pirates reached the island's northern shore.
"WHOA~!" Chopper, Usopp, Hibiki, Hime, Manatsu, Megumi, Natsu, Happy, and Luffy starred in awed by the huge colorful castle at the edge of a small cliff.
"So this is where Noland Cricket lives?" Iona asked in awed.
"It's so huge~!" Kirika stated.
"This is the biggest house I've ever seen," Usopp said. "He must be loaded with treasure!"
Zoro scoffed. "Look closer morons."
"It's impressive how you made it seem as if it were an illusion," Robin stated
"That's gotta be the ugliest house I've ever seen," Jackal commented.
"What are you talking about?" Hibiki asked. Luffy, Natsu, and Happy jumped off of the ship. Once they got a better look at the castle, their eyes popped out of their sockets in shock.
"THIS HOUSE IS A FAKE!?" The three boys yelled.
"WHAT!?" Usopp, Hime, Megumi, Manatsu, Chopper, Kirka and Hibiki yelled. Behind the giant board, the house was half the size of the plywood.
"So it's just plywood," Kuroko said, a bit stunned. "You can't tell from so far away."
"Why would Noland Cricket live outside of the city?" Sango asked.
"I don't know all the details, but I believe it has something to do with a ton of gold hidden around Jaya," Robin said.
"No way? Actually gold!?" Misaka asked.
"Duh," Index smugly said. "Honestly short hair, it shouldn't be surprising that gold exists in an age of pirates."
"I don't want to hear that coming from someone who doesn't know how to use a cellphone!" Misaka exclaimed annoyingly.
"Alright Chopper Jackal! Start digging!" Nami ordered suddenly.
"How in the hell am I supposed to dig when I'm tied up?!" Jackal yelled, while Chopper turned into his walking point and began scraping dirt with his hooves. While everyone else begins to explore the vacant area, Touma, Accelerator, Cynthia and Wendy stay back on the ship.
"It must be hard to live alone in this place," Sanji said, scouting the area.
"Excuse me Mr. Cricket!" Megumi called out as she went inside the house.
"Hey! Don't just barge inside someone's house!" Usopp exclaimed.
"Hello!" Megumi inspects the inside. "I guess no one's here."
"Would you get out of there Megumi!" Usopp whispered loudly.
"Yeah, what if this guy is dangerous?" Hime added.
"But no one is home," Megumi said.
Minori noticed a picture book on a stump and picked it up, "A picture book?"
"Noland King of Liars," Tsuchimikado read over her shoulder. "It looks a bit old."
"It says here that it was created from the North Blue," Minori replied.
"North Blue you say? That's where I was born from," Sanji said.
"Really?" Usopp asked, a bit surprised. "I thought you were born in the East Blue."
"Enough Chopper! What are you doing?!" Nami yelled, causing the reindeer to gawk in comical shock.
"This chick is messed up," Jackal mumbled.
"So what does it say?" Levy asked. As the others gathered around, Minori began reading the book. Luffy and Natsu weren't really paying attention as they noticed something in the water.
Four hundred years ago, in a country in the north blue, there was a man known as Montblanc. His stories are always filled with exciting adventures that he lied about to the residents in the village.
One day, Noland went out to sea and returned to report to the king. "I saw a mountain of Gold across the seas!"
Wanting to see for himself, the King joined Noland along with a thousand of his finest soldiers to the island he was talking about.
During their travels they have endured massive storms, and fought bloodthirsty monsters. At the end of the journey only Noland, the King and one hundred soldiers survived. Once they got to the island though, they found nothing but a jungle. Furious, the king sentenced Noland to be executed for lying. His final words were:
"The island of Gold...has sunken into the ocean," This made the King shocked. No one believed him as he kept telling lies...
"...Until he died," Minori finished. She closed the book and sighed while glancing at Usopp. "Without being able to prove himself to the people."
"OI! Don't stare at me when saying that!" Usopp yelled.
"Whatever you say, Noland," Chris crackled.
"MY NAMES NOT NOLAN-"
"...! WAH!" Luffy and Natsu were both suddenly flung into the sea.
"Natsu!" Happy cried.
"Did Luffy and Natsu fall into the water?" Wannai asked. Before anyone could react, a figure jumped out of the water where the two boys were.
"Who the hell are you people?" The muscular middle aged man asked angrily. "You punks have a lot of guts to enter my territory! I suggest you leave or else!"
"Usopp! Go save Luffy and Natsu!" Sanji ordered. Usopp along with Awatsuki and Happy went to help the boys. Before Sanji could say anything else, he quickly ducked his head to avoid an oncoming round-house kick. The man then took out a small knife and thrust it at Sanji who barely avoid it, nicking a bit of his clothes.
"For an old man, he sure is good with combat," Asuka commented.
"Should we transform?" Iona asked.
Nami shook her head. "I'm sure Sanji can handle hi-"
BANG!
Everyone was startled as they found the man fired his gun at Sanji. Luckily for him, he leaned back just in time to avoid it.
"Sanji!" Marie shouted and almost had a heart attack. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, he has a terrible aim-," Sanji replied, but couldn't get the chance to finish as the man continued firing. Sanji dodged every bullet he fired.. "HEY CUT THAT OUT!"
"Idiot, that's what you get for taking him seriously," Zoro said, unsheathing his sword.
"What the heck is going on here?" Cynthia called out on the ship. She along with Wendy, and a well rested Shervan came out of the sickbay, and joined Accelerator, Touma and Shirabe on the side, observing the battle.
"Lover boy is getting his ass kicked by an old man," Accelerator replied.
"Well, let's give him the element of surprise," Cynthia said as her fist enlightened.
"Can't believe I have to save this stupid cook's life," Gajeel sighed annoyed.
"W-Wait!" Yuko shouted, getting everyone's attention. "Something's not right with him!"
"What are you talking abo-Eh?" Gajeel's question was answered when the man suddenly collapsed on the ground. At the same time, Usopp and Happy were able to get Natsu and Luffy out with the help of Awatsuki's esper ability.
"What were you idiots doing?" Usopp asked in between deep breaths.
"W-we found something bubbling on the shore," Natsu replied weakly. "We thought it was a fish, so Luffy and I waited to catch it."
"T-Then a weird Chestnut appeared," Luffy continued, still panting heavily. "We were thinking of good things to eat with it until two hands grabbed both of us and tossed us in the ocean."
"Well I'm glad you two are alright," Awatsuki sighed.
In the small house, the others gathered around while Wendy and Chopper treated the man.
"So what happened to him?" Kirika asked.
"Is he really sick?" Index added.
Chopper nodded. "Yeah, he has Decompression Sickness."
"Decompress- what?" Manatsu repeated.
"Decompression Sickness," Chopper replied. "It's when you start having mood swings from diving into the water too long. The extra nitrogen goes through the blood vessels causing bubbles."
"Ah I get it...so it's a mystery sickness," Luffy replied. Natsu, Hibiki, Megumi, and Manatsu nodded in agreement.
"So this idiot just dived deep down and raised too quickly?" Jackal questioned.
"He must have been diving every day," Chopper remarked. "The bubbles must've got ahead of him causing him to pass out."
"Why would he do this though?" Gray asked. "Diving into the water like that when he's alone could almost kill him."
"George mentioned that he would often visit Noland from time to time," Shirabe stated.
"Hey, do those two look familiar?" Index asked, noticing a picture of the guy with two familiar looking people.
"You're right. I think we've seen them before," Sango said, also looking at the picture.
"HEY OLD TIMER ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?" Everyone turned to find Mashira and Shoujou 's heads between the small doors.
"AHH!" Usopp and Chopper screamed frightened.
"It's Shoujou and Masira!" Tsubasa declared, grabbing her crystal.
"So you guys want round two?" Natsu smirked, pumping his fist.
"What are you people doing here!?" Shoujou asked angrily.
"And what have you done to our friend!?" Mashira accused.
"We are trying to help him out," Luffy said sternly. "So you guys should either help or get out of our way."
"Don't antagonize them, Luffy!" Usopp barked, frightened. "Y-You think these two savages will listen to reason!? After what happened?!"
"If you guys wanna fight then I'll give yah one!" Hime said as she prepared to transform.
The two animal-like humans stare for a second before weeping comical tears. "Thank you very much for helping our friend!"
"They listened!?" Usopp, Chopper, and Hime slid down crashing into the wall.
"So you guys live here?" Luffy asked. He, Manatsu, Natsu, Kirika, Index, Megumi, and Hibiki were outside talking with Shoujou and Mashira.
"This is actually our boss's home, not to mention our hideout," Shoujou explained. "But we spent most of the time on our ship."
"Yeah we are more comfortable in the sea since this house is too short for us," Masira said.
"You two are too big for your own house?!" Natsu questioned as he and Luffy laughed.
"Those guys are sure looking cheerful," Usopp said as he, Zoro, Gajeel, Chris, and Asuka were leaning on the house.
"Well those guys do have a lot in common," Gajeel replied.
"Considering the fact that Luffy found three other monkeys who understand him," Zoro said.
"You know I'm kinda surprised how you guys were able to kick Masira off your ship," Shoujou complemented. "Seeing how you guys are small fries."
"Yeah, it wasn't too hard," Natsu replied. "Anyone can kick this monkey's ass!"
"What's that?" Shoujou questioned, while Masira was puzzled.
"Hey, guys!" Wendy called out. "He's starting to wake up!"
"He's awake?" Hibiki said.
PUNT!
"AIIII!" Hibiki, Manatsu, Megumi and Happy sweatdropped as Shoujou sent Masira comedically flying off the island.
"What do you know, I can kick his ass," Shoujou said surprised.
Luffy and the others entered to find the guy standing up. "Hey Chestnut guy, I want to ask you a question."
"He has a name you know," Misaka scoffed. "He's Montblanc Cricket."
"Sorry for attacking you," The guy, known as Montblance Cricket said after puffing some smoke. "I thought you were another bunch of bandits coming to steal my gold."
"Gold!?" Nami asked, her eyes turned to dollar signs.
"Calm down Nami," Lucy sweatdropped.
"So what do you guys want to ask me?" Cricket asked.
"We heard you knew how to get to Sky Island," Natsu explained. "Could you tell us how to get there?"
"You're serious?" Cricket questioned, after which he laughed. "You actually believe in that folktale?"
It took Hibiki, Usopp, Lucy, Touma, and Asuka to hold down the raging Nami. "LET HIM LIVE NAMI! LET HIM LIVE!" Usopp pleaded.
"So is there really no such thing as Skypiea?" Megumi asked
"Nobody knows if Sky island or Skypiea really exist," Cricket answered. "But there was one man who knew about it and he's considered a liar."
As he said that, Luffy, Happy, Kirika and Megumi slowly turned to Usopp with gaping mouths. "WHAT ARE YOU GUYS LOOKING AT!?"
"There's an old folk-tale book about that liar. He's known as Noland the King of Liars," Cricket explained, causing the four to turn to Usopp again.
"STOP LOOKING AT ME, YOU GUYS! MY NAME IS NOT NOLAND!?" Usopp yelled
"Now that I think about it, are you related to Noland?" Levy questioned.
Cricket nodded. "He's my great-great great grandfather. Our families were exiled out of the North Blue. Hated by everyone who's heard of us, but none of my family hated Noland for it, because to what the story has told," Cricket picked up the picture book. "Noland was actually an honest man."
"He was?" Minori asked, surprised…
...Honestly it's hard to tell by her poker face. "That's not what it says in the book."
Cricket took the book. "As the story goes Noland's last words: "The island of Gold...has sunken into the ocean. Despite grinning like an idiot that day, he was shedding tears of hate."
"After hearing it, the story does seem one sided," Shirabe stated. "The king in the story sounds like a jerk who cares more about the gold than his own people. Out of anger, the king sent Noland to execute when he didn't get what he wanted."
"You're right," Cricket said. "Noland's imagination wasn't fake. He believed there was a city of gold, thinking that the earthquake might cause the city to sink into the ocean. Yet, no one still believed him."
"I get it," Usopp said. "So you want to prove that your grandfather is telling the tr-,"
BANG!
When Cricket intentionally missed Usopp with a shot to his head, everyone was alarmed, especially Usopp who was gawking in fear.
"Hey!" Misaka yelled, holding back her attempt to shock him. "What was that for?"
"I don't care about my grandfather's adventure, or if he was a liar or not!" Cricket angrily yelled. "Because of his stupid beliefs, and being a decedent of that bastard! I had to deal with myself getting ridiculed by strangers!"
As all of them were silent, a few of them understood what he meant. Having to be treated differently due to being a monster, or a certain power.
"Anyway," Cricket continued calming down a bit. "In the past hundred years, many of my descendents have sought out the city of gold. I, on the other hand, wanted to be away from my family, which is why I became a pirate."
"You were a pirate?" Chopper asked.
"Yeah, that wasn't my true goal. I just wanted to escape Noland's curse, but I ended up gathering a crewmate," Cricket admitted. "I was then seen as a leader, not a laughing stock. After 10 years, I came to this island by faith or something. Many of my family have died looking for it, so I thought maybe this was faith I was brought here. Sadly, my crewmates left me. I don't care whether Noland's theory was true or false. What I'm doing is believing in my destiny. This is a battle between me and my Grandfather. Before I die, I want to settle this."
Hime, Wannai, Usopp, and Erza were touched by Cricket story that they were tearing up a bit. "That was a wonderful story." Usopp cried trying to hide his tears.
"You humans are pathetic with your tears," Jackal grumbled.
BANG~! BANG~! BANG~!
Everyone cringed as a tearful Erza silenced the demon, leaving him with three lumps on his head.
"Um…" Shervan stepped in. "I heard from George that you and them were friends. How did you meet them?"
"And the monkey's?" Luffy asked.
"Yes, they must be another emotional story," Hime replied tearfully. "Your life like one big picture book,"
"Actually they were just fans of the legend," Cricket bluntly stated.
"JUST FANS!?" Hime and Usopp asked comical shock.
"How did they find you?" Lucy asked.
"George, Koneko, and Ray met ten years ago. Those two knuckleheads followed a few months later," Cricket explained. "They thought gold existed and wished to assist me in finding it."
As soon as he said that, they heard the two monkeys comically fighting outside.
"Noisy bunch," Accelerator grumbled.
"I started searching about 4-6 years ago, when George and his crewmates, along with those two apes," Cricket said. "They entered my life without permission and resigned them as crewmates without even asking. Even though the only insane person is George, they're better crewmates than I can imagine."
"That's a really touching story," Usopp cried.
"Y-Yeah true comrades always stick together," Hime added.
"Boring," Natsu yawned.
"Are you done without your life story?" Luffy asked, also not interested.
"SHUT YOUR MOUTHS YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT!" Usopp dope slapped Luffy.
Hime did the same to Natsu. "YEAH IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE STORY THEN DON'T LISTEN TO IT!"
Natsu shoved Hime out of the way, while Luffy comically threw Usopp to a wall. "Look, all I really want to know is how to get to Sky Island!"
"Geeze, straight to the point with this guy," Kuroko mumbled.
Cricket chuckled. "You two are an impatient bunch, but the only person who saw sky island was Noland."
"Was there any record of him going to Sky Island?" Iona asked.
"The book doesn't say," Cricket answered while skinning through a book.
"Wait, did that Captain's log belong to Noland?" Nami asked.
"Yeah," Cricket tossed her the book. "Read the bottom of the page."
"This book is 400 years old," Nami said as she began reading.
"Year of the sea 1120 June 21st clear weather. I set sail from the lively Jolly Villa. We went northeast straight out of the dock, with the wind in our back. In the afternoon I met a merchant ship and brought a unique object. It was a small board-like object, he said it was called a Sky Waver,"
"A Sky Waver?" Megumi said. Soon Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, Hime, Megumi, Natsu, Happy, Index, Last Order, Manatsu, and Kirika crowd around Nami listening quietly.
"It is a small mysterious boat that will move even when there's no wind; in fact, it seems to generate its own wind and sail at remarkable speed even on a still day. There seems to be a secret method to master this equipment since I failed at it many times. It was a popular toy among the crew. No way I want one of those!"
"KEEP GOING! DON'T STOP READING!" The eleven of them shouted, looking excited.
"Okay okay!" Nami snapped back as she continued reading. " The source of the Sky Waver's energy we were told only exists in Sky Island. Which brings me to another interesting thing. An adventure once showed me a strange and unique species. A living Sky Fish."
"S-Sky Fish?" Happy began to drool.
"The Island remains the only unexplored domain," Nami continued. "It's impossible to go up there with our ship, but as a Sailor, I wish I could go to the Sea in the Sky someday: Montblanc Noland."
After Nami finishes reading, she turns to the others. "Do you guys know what this means?!"
"SKY ISLAND REALLY EXIST!" Luffy cheered.
"SKY FISH!" Happy chimed.
"Oh, boss, you're up?" Masira announced as Cricket walked out of the house. "How are you feeling?"
"Better than my old age," Cricket replied. "Now quit fighting and let me ask you something? Do you like those pirates?"
"Why do you ask?" Shoujou asked.
"Because they want to get to sky island," Cricket explained.
"What? But there's only one way to get them up there!" Shoujou said.
"Yeah and they'll die if they go up there on their own," Masira added.
"Well that's why we're helping them out," Cricket replied with a grin. The three watch the group inside cheering.
"Alright everyone listens up," Cricket said, as everyone minus Sanji were inside cooking with Masira and Shoujou. "The following information might be rumors that aren't true, so it's up to you to believe it or not."
"We believe you," Luffy, Manatsu, Megumi, Natsu, and Happy nodded in agreement.
"Wait till he finishes explaining," Usopp dope slapped Luffy.
"Well, to begin with, there's some strange phenomenon that happens at sea. The sky begins to darken due to the clouds," Cricket explained. "When it suddenly became dark due to the Columbus clouds."
"Columbus clouds?" Lucy questioned. "But they can't make it dark."
"You're not that smart, Crickle," Natsu added. "When there's a bunch of clouds it's just called an eclipse."
"Yeah, the clouds that cover the sky are just cloudy," Gray corrected.
"Yeah cloudy," Happy agreed.
"Be quiet and listen!" Erza ordered with a menacing glare.
"A-Aye!" The four answered frightened.
"As I was saying, the empire columns are known as cloud dense," Cricket continued. "There's no air current condensation within it and it appears blocking out the sun."
"Wait, so you're saying that a petrified cloud that doesn't produce water will block out the sun?" Kuroko questioned. "That's ridiculous!"
"I get it now," Luffy said, fisting his palm. "So there are mystery clouds!"
"Yeah, I guess that's a simple way of putting it," Cricket agreed.
"You're so smart Luffy," Megumi, Hibiki, and Chopper said in awe.
"Moron…" Chris and Gajeel mumbled.
"So as long as you come across that phenomenon, you should be able to find Sky Island," Cricket stated.
Luffy stood up grinning. "I get it! Let's go guys to the top of the clouds!"
"Uh, Luffy…" Sango started.
"Zoro, wake up!" The Straw hat yelled.
"Morning already?" Zoro announced drowsily.
"Alright, guys! Let's go full speed to the clouds," Usopp ordered, causing Natsu, Kirka, Happy, Manatsu, Megumi, Hibiki, and Cynthia to chant.
"HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO TELL YOU! WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET THERE!?" Nami angrily yelled with shark teeth.
Break
"You guys do realize that you're risking your own lives doing this," Cricket replied. Nami was able to quiet the eight down leaving them bruised and beaten up.
"We're already half dead," Natsu, Luffy, Usopp, Happy, Hibiki, Megumi, Kirika, and Cynthia groaned.
"Let me ask you guys something," Cricket said after smoking a bit. "Have you guys ever heard of a Knock Up Stream?"
"I heard of it," Shervan announced quietly. "It's a powerful pressurized water stream that shoots upward to the sky from an underwater cave."
"Yeah I think Bellamy mentioned something like that," Happy added.
"Well, you need to ride the stream to get to Sky Island," Cricket replied.
"So all we have to do is sail it upward?" Kuroko asked. "That sounds too good to be true."
"You're right," Cricket said, agreeing with her. "You need timing to get up there. It only happens for a minute. Then the current changes every five months."
"F-Five months?" Happy repeated feeling like his dream was shattered.
"Even though we enter the Columbus Clouds if Sky island isn't there, then we will crash down just like that Gallon," Wannai said frightened.
Usopp face faulted and turned to Luffy. "M-Maybe we should forget about Sky Island Luffy. It would take all the luck we have to get up there."
"Don't worry, we'll get up there," Luffy said with an excited grin.
Usopp wept. "H-How can you say that? I mean look at the Going Merry, It wouldn't last that long if it crashes into the ocean."
"He's right," Cricket said, agreeing with Usopp. "No matter if it's new or old, that worthless junk won't make it up there."
"SAY WHAT!?" Usopp growled at him.
"Speed, weight, and force will be enough to be broken by the current," Cricket explained.
"He's right, you know," Tsuchimikado agreed. "The Going Merry isn't airworthy for traveling upward."
Usopp shook his head, in satisfaction. "See. It's hopeless, it can't be done!"
"Fun wrecker," Last Order pouted.
"Downer," Index frowned.
"Dream crusher," Happy sadly replied.
"Pinocchio desu," Kirika added.
"But," Cricket continued as he turned to Masira and Shoujou in the house. "These two will make some modifications to your ship in order to get up there."
"Don't worry!" They both cheered. "You can count on us!"
"Thanks for the help!" Luffy, Natsu, Happy, and Manatsu yelled back.
"Yeah, thanks," Usopp, Nami, Lucy, and Hime said sadly.
"Luffy, have you realized that we can't stay here at most one day?" Nami reminded. "The Log Pose has a day until it resets to the next island."
"Yeah, that's right!" Hime added. "There's no way we can make it in time! Having the Columbus Cloud and the Knock up Str-."
"It will be tomorrow noon," Cricket interrupted. "So you have today to find it."
"T-TOMORROW!?" Usopp yelled in comical shock.
"You mean we can get there in time!?" Hime added.
"I'm afraid so," Cricket answered. Hime and Usopp didn't look convinced by his explanation.
"Y-You're lying!" Hime shouted, startling some of them. "We only met you about 24 hours and you're suddenly still nice to us?"
"Yeah isn't that a bit suspicious?! Helping us like that!?" Usopp added.
"Usopp!/Hime!" Luffy and Megumi began but were stopped by Misaka who put her hand on both of their shoulders. She and some of the others understand what the two were saying.
"You're saying that we can reach Skypiea tomorrow at noon?! You're even going to remodel the ship!? FOR NOTHING!? You are an ancestor of the famous Noland the Liar!" Usopp accused.
"Yeah, so what are you hiding!?" Hime demanded.
…
…
…
"FOOD READY!" Shoujou announced. He, along with Masira, Sanji, came outside.
"YEAH COME GET IT TILL ITS COLD~!" Masira joined in.
"You two are way too noisy...Ladies, I've prepared some delicio-" Sanji stopped as he and the two brothers noticed a silent atmosphere. "Did we miss something?"
When Cricket walked towards them, Hime took out her device while Usopp put his fist. "You want to fight?!"
Cricket wasn't phased by their outburst. "Masira told me that at midday, the Columbus clouds appear in the south the next day and based on the five months, I'm guessing the Knock-Up Stream is at the same time." He walked behind Usopp and Hime who were speechless and surprised. "Now I'm not 100% sure if these two phenomenon's will happen, but you never know."
As he walked back to his house, he chuckled. "I'm lucky to run into you fearless buffoons'. You guys are true pirates. Now come inside friends, and let's have some lunch."
Hearing this made some of them smile. Luffy giggled, and Jackal just growled by the happy atmosphere, Usopp and Hime went down on their knees in shock.
"Let's eat!" Luffy announced. He was about to dash inside the house, but Happy who flew tugged his shirt. "Hey what gives?"
"I'm not gonna let you eat my fish again!" Happy said, determined as he pulled him back.
"Ladies, I made a special delicacy for you!" Sanji announced.
"Geez, you're an annoying piece of crap," Gajeel growled.
"What'd you call me?" Sanji glared at Gajeel.
Erza glared at the two. "Don't even think about it."
"Come on sissy! Let's go before the apes eat everything!" Kuroko said, tugging onto Misaka's arms. Everyone was starting to head back inside, but Chris stayed behind near Usopp and Hime.
"Are you two coming or are you just gonna stand there swallowing flies?" Chris asked.
"Chris, can I ask you something?" Usopp asked without turning to her. "Am I a coward?"
"Nah, you're not just a coward, but an idiot as well," Chris declared bluntly. "And that goes for you too shortstack."
"GHECK!" Hime cringed as she felt the word "Idiot" and "Coward" stabbed her and Usopp in the back.
"What Chris is trying to say is, we understand how you two feel about getting up to Sky Island," Marie said smiling. "Now let's go inside before Luffy starts eating all the food."
Hime and Usopp looked at each other for a minute. Then suddenly dashed at Cricket embracing him. "WE'RE SORRY!"
Cricket was taken back from the two. "Hey get off of me idiots! You got snot on my leg!"
The situation either made everyone laugh or made them roll their eyes. However, it was cut short when a black oval-shaped portal appeared in front of them. It startled everyone minus Cricket, Shervan, Cynthia, Wendy, Shirabe, Erza, Robin, Tsuchimikado, and Touma.
"SHERVAN!" Some of them flinched at this, Shervan literally shook in fear from the voice.
"Not her again," Cynthia groaned.
As soon as Koneko leaped out of the portal, everyone was shocked not only by her appearance, but also by what she was wearing. She was wearing a micro swimsuit that Kuroko wore, only it had a white net around her upper body. Almost all of them blush minus Accelerator, Robin, Cricket, and Tsuchamikado who whistled, impressed.
"Koneko used Sweet Kiss: Super Effective!" Koneko lunged at the young boy, with her lips puckered and arms out like she was going to hug him.
Shervan blushes fiercely. His eyes were shut tight as he turned into wind using his devil fruit. Koneko phase through Shervan and tackled the second person behind him, causing the two to fall to the ground.
"Target lock: commence make out session," Koneko moaned as she continued to kiss the person, which happened to be Touma.
"..." Almost everyone was speechless by what was going on. Index, Misaka, and Manatsu were the most surprised, while some like Luffy, Natsu, and Gajeel, were either puzzled or didn't care.
"When he's not beating up demons, he uses his right hand to get a girl to kiss him?" Jackal questioned. He wasn't sure what just happened.
"That Kamiya for yah," Tsuchimikado growled. "He always gets the girls to like him."
"This is so fucken hilarious though~!" Accelerator mocked, while laughing at the situation.
"T-Touma, I'm so sorry I didn't you were behind m-me!" Shervan apologized.
By opening her eyes, Koneko allowed her lips to be released from Touma's. Her gaze, still fixed on Touma, seemed confused, while Touma's expression seemed nervous.
'I'm going to die,' Touma comically weeps as he prepares himself to get pummeled.
Koneko simply shrugged and pressed her lips onto his, causing Touma's eyes to widen in shock.
"GET OFF OF HIM!" Misaka and Index comically yelled. Touma attempted to push her off, but found her grip to be strong and constricting. Manatsu quickly rushed towards them trying to pull her off as well.
"What the heck is going on here?" Zoro wondered with a sweatdrop.
"I have no clue," Gray answered, also clueless.
"Damn bastard," Sanji and Tsuchimikado said, having the urge to beat up Touma.
"Touma~!" Index growled, baring her fang, while Misaka cracked her knuckles. The two were preparing to deliver punishment on both of them but stop when a small portal form above Koneko.
BOP~!
A fist appeared and slammed down hard on Koneko 's head, instantly knocking her. This gave Manatsu a chance to shoved her off of Touma and help him up.
"Honestly, what am I going to do with that girl?" Everyone turned their attention to the portal as George along with Ray emerged out of it.
"Hey Everyone!" Ray greeted with a cheerful grin on his face.
Wanting to break the awkward silence, Shervan walks up to them. "Um, everyone. These are my friends Ray, George, and Koneko," He pointed to the KO'd twin tailed on the ground.
Next Chapter: Natsu vs George
