Chapter 11
I'm back with a new chapter. I know it's been awhile. Since the last time I updated, I have moved to a new country! It has been a hectic few months and I apologize for the delay.
Guys, I tried super freaking hard to find out how long it takes to get from Sabaody to Impel Down canonically. I watched the episode where Luffy talks to Elder Nyon about going to Sabaody vs. Impel Down, I watched the episodes where Luffy is on the Marine ship with Hancock to see if it ever comes up, and I tried good old-fashioned google (led me to all these fan theories about the One Piece timeline). Since they never actually went from Sabaody to Impel Down in canon, I decided to make an educated guess based on some maps of the Grand Line. I hope it will suffice.
Everybody used the quiet days in different ways. Normally, Sanji would spend most of the day in the kitchen, making recipes and notes and lists of things to buy, occasionally coming out on deck to lavish praises and treats upon Nami and Robin. Zoro would either train or sleep, or very rarely get roped into fishing with Usopp and Chopper and Luffy. Nami would be writing in the logbook, making a map, or sunbathing on deck (taking the obligatory breaks to forcefully quiet down a certain trio on board). Franky would be in the engine room, or in any other part of the ship, tinkering. Usopp might be refilling his ammunition stash, inventing something, or wreaking general havoc on board. Chopper could easily be found in the library researching new medicines or in the infirmary creating said medicines. He might also be on deck with Usopp and Luffy, adding to the chaos. Robin would be reading or sunbathing; perhaps even disappearing into unknown parts of the ship on occasion. That's what everyone would be doing, if things were normal.
Brook had yet to develop a pattern for activities onboard Sunny and found it difficult to imagine to the fun-loving crew he ran into back in the fog of the Florian Triangle before they had ever set foot on Thriller Bark. The change, for those able to make the comparison, was drastic. Sanji still spent most of the time in the kitchen, but very little of it was productive food research. Occasional loud clangs could be heard along with a few choice curse words. Nami spent more time writing in her personal journal and making maps, and any time spent on deck had her looking at the ships' railing and at the figurehead every few moments. Robin, at least outwardly, changed her habits the least. One noticeable difference, for those paying attention, was the decrease in number of books consumed. Franky spent more time on his inventions, frequently stopping halfway through and throwing them out only to begin again. He and Usopp spent much time together in the workshop, working on something they wouldn't talk about. Chopper researched more fervently than ever, mixing herbs into concoctions that littered the infirmary. In fact, the room was a complete disaster. Books were stacked and scattered on every surface and there were half-empty jars with various states on bubbling or gooey liquid. Zoro slept less than anyone had ever seen. He trained almost all day, stopping for meals and discussions with the on-board guests. He went to sleep after everyone else and was awake before even Sanji.
For their part, Hatchi, Camie, Pappug, and Rayleigh stayed mostly out of the way. Hatchi took to helping with chores with gusto. He was on a probationary status in Sanji's eyes and thus was adamant that he needed to do what he could to help the crew. Pappug would sometimes accompany Usopp and Franky in the workshop, and sometimes could be seen leaving with Chopper. Camie spent a good portion of time in the library, next to the aquarium. But you could often see her on deck, sitting in the grass, staring out at the ocean. Rayleigh did a little of everything. He quickly learned the layout of the ship, and just as quickly complimented Franky on a job well done. When Rayleigh found out that Tom had been Franky's teacher, the two had had a long conversation about the properties and intrinsic value of Adam Wood. They talked about the different layouts of the Sunny and Roger's ship, the Oro Jackson. When their conversation died down, it was Franky that spoke first.
"Luffy's going to be very excited when he figures out who you are. Anything to do with Roger makes him all ears."
Rayleigh smiled. "I think quite a few things I have to say will interest him greatly," he said cryptically.
Franky gave him a look. "You're an interesting guy."
"You think?" Rayleigh laughed again. "I think Luffy has managed to find a rather interesting crew. It's quite impressive, what you all have managed – even if the papers aren't entirely accurate. Declaring war on the World Government was a bold move."
"Luffy was just getting back a crewmate. He doesn't care about things like declaring war. He was just trying to show them that he wasn't messing around," Franky said.
"Well, either way. It's a bold move. And you all defeated Moria, you said? That makes two Warlords with Crocodile. The Marines are certainly going to hold tight to Luffy while they have him."
"And we'll take on that challenge. Luffy would do the same for any of us," Franky declared, clenching his fists as if ready to punch someone.
Rayleigh smiled again. "Then we'd best get to work on our plan. Impel Down is a fortress so we're going to need a few tricks up our sleeve."
An evil glint entered Franky's eyes. "What do you have in mind, old man?"
"The problem is the Sea Kings," said Nami, holding an open book. She, Robin, Chopper, Usopp, and Sanji sat in the library, searching the books for references to Impel Down.
"Sea Kings!?" cried Usopp and Chopper, clutching each other.
"Yes. They're supposed to be in the surrounding sea," Robin said.
"What about the Shark Submerge?" asked Sanji, passing out tea.
Nami sighed. "No good," she said, closing the book she held and grabbing another. "Marine ships have hulls line with Sea Prism stone, so it's not a problem for them to approach Impel Down. The Shark Submerge doesn't have that advantage. And that stuff is expensive and hard to find – we don't have enough time to search for some on an island somewhere."
"Why don't we just commandeer a Marine ship, then?" asked Chopper.
"Hmmm," Nami considered. "It's a possibility. But then we need to find a Marine ship that's alone. We'd have to take the ship before anyone on board could call for backup or alert someone."
"The closer we get to the prison, the more Marine ships there will be. And if they've captured both Ace and Luffy, they have to be expecting some kind of showdown. Ace is part of the Whitebeards and their captain is known for his loyalty to his crew. He's going to be showing up at some point to stage a rescue," Robin put in.
"Again, it'd be great if we could contact these people or something!" Usopp shouted. "If Shanks means that much to Luffy, he might be willing to help out and then we'd have two Yonkos. And Dragon could work with us. It'd be so much easier to have those big-names on our side."
"Forget about them," Sanji said. "This isn't their problem."
"Not their problem?!" Usopp asked incredulously. "But it's Luffy! He's –"
"Exactly. It's Luffy," Sanji interrupted. "And Luffy is our captain, not theirs. So he's our responsibility. Sure, it'd be great if they showed up and helped out, but we can't rely on them. How can we expect to be the crew of the King of the Pirates if we can't even save our captain from some shitty prison guards?"
Usopp swallowed audibly. Sanji's words had everyone sitting up straighter and silence once more stole over the group as they turned back to their books, searching for anything they could find.
"It's all underwater, right?" asked Camie. She, Pappug, Hatchi, and Brook were sitting on the deck of the Thousand Sunny. Zoro was near them, lifting weights.
"No, not all of it," Hatchi responded. "The entrance is above the water. Underneath, there are five levels of the prison. The deepest level is where all the worst criminals are held. I'm not sure where Luffy-san will be held, but with his 300 million bounty, it has to be on one of the lower levels."
"Well, that's good, right?" asked Camie. "The three of us," she gestured to herself, Pappug, and Hatchi, "should be able to get to the prison underwater with no problem."
"That's assuming they don't have anyone or anything guarding from underwater," Brook put in.
"Oh, yeah," Camie said, deflating.
"Don't worry, Camie. I'm sure Nami-san and the others will find something in those books about it," Pappug reassured her.
"Assuming we can go underwater, where would we be able to break in? " Hatchi pondered. "We might end up flooding the whole prison if we just break through the wall."
"Gah! This'd be so much easier if we had blueprints or something!" Pappug complained.
"It's a maximum security prison," said Zoro, still lifting weights. They all looked at him as he continued, "They won't just have blueprints lying around."
"I know that!" shouted Pappug. "I'm just saying it'd be a lot easier."
Zoro set down the weights and gathered his equipment. "It doesn't matter if it's easy. We won't fail, no matter what." He stalked off, carrying his equipment.
All four stared after him. "Geez," Pappug mumbled, "what's his problem? We're just brainstorming."
"Pappug-san," Brook said, "Zoro-san is in an unusual position right now. He has never thought of himself as vice-captain and that has never been his official title. Now he has been thrust into a position of command. He is most uncomfortable with the way things are and all of us blame ourselves for what happened to Luffy-san. He is very frustrated and does not want to be wasting any time. Please cut him some slack."
Pappug stared at the skeleton before nodding slowly. "You're right. It must be hard on you all."
"I haven't known Luffy-san very long," Brook started, "but in my heart I have already pledged my life to him as my captain. Ah! Although I have no heart and am already dead! Double skull joke!"
"He definitely makes an impression on you," Hatchi agreed, speaking of Luffy.
Camie looked at him oddly. "It's unlike you, Hatchi, to be so…" she trailed off.
"So what?" Hatchi asked.
"So… I don't know. Like this. Impressionable, maybe?" she said.
"Mmm. Mmm," Pappug nodded.
Hatchi looked taken aback. "What do you mean? Luffy-san is a good man. He deserves my respect and gratefulness."
"That!" Camie shouted, pointing at him. "That right there! That's unlike you. You just seem so… manly." Pappug nodded emphatically.
"What?! When have I ever not been manly?" Hatchi asked indignantly.
"I think it's a better question if you ask when you have ever been manly," murmured Pappug.
"What?!" Hatchi yelled.
"Yohohoho! What a funny bunch you are!" Brook laughed.
"Anyway!" said Camie over Hatchi's defenses. "Zoro-san is right, after all. We need to make plans that work without blueprints. The others are probably coming up with ideas as well."
"I'm not the only one showing a new side," Hatchi said quietly. "Camie, you've never even met Luffy-san and you have more spunk than I've ever seen in you."
"What?" Camie said, blushing. "I just feel motivated, that's all! Everyone here is so determined and sure that we'll succeed. I'm just caught up in it!"
Hatchi responded, "Well –"
"Oi, everyone!" Franky's loud voice came from near the foremast.
The group on the deck turned their heads to see Franky and Rayleigh reaching the top of the ladder leading to the soldier dock system.
"Oh, Franky-san, Rayleigh-san," Brook said. "Is there a problem?"
"No," Franky responded. "Where is everyone?"
"I believe Zoro is in the crow's nest and everyone else is in the library," Brook informed him.
Franky turned to the aft of the ship and shouted "Oi! Everyone! Come to the deck!" He turned his head upwards and shouted "Zoro-bro!"
Within minutes, all twelve passengers sat or stood on the grassy deck.
"Alright, Franky. We're all here. What is it?" Usopp asked. Franky sat on the circular bench surrounding the foremast. His grin was readily visible to those in front of him. Rayleigh stood to his side, expressionless.
"We have an idea about how to get there unnoticed," Franky announced.
The crew all exclaimed with hopeful voices.
"I must impress upon you all that it isn't foolproof and it can certainly use some tinkering, but it's a start," Rayleigh added.
"Tell us!" Chopper shouted, his eyes welling up in anticipation. A few of the other crew members nodded in agreement.
Franky's smirk got bigger and he let out short triumphant laugh. "Rayleigh was telling me how people get to Fishman Island." Here he paused.
"So?" Nami asked. "We can worry about that after all this is over."
"So… Fishman Island is 10,000 meters under the sea," Franky continued.
Camie, Hatchi, and Pappug gasped. "Of course…" Camie murmured.
The crew looked at them in exasperation. "Care to share with the class?" Sanji said to Franky.
Franky's smile was its biggest yet. "So, to get to Fishman Island, you have to coat your ship in this certain substance that allows a massive air bubble to form around your ship, letting no water in or air to escape."
"What?!" Usopp and Chopper shouted. Most of the other crew members reacted with immediate understanding and eagerness.
Zoro narrowed his eyes. "So?" The crew turned to him, disbelieving.
"So, marimo, that means we can do the same thing to get to this underwater prison," Sanji responded snarkily.
After the obligatory griping about Sanji's nickname for him, Zoro still seemed confused as he looked around at all the suddenly eager faces on deck and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, whatever. If you guys have figured it out, that's great."
"Idiot!" Nami smacked him. "You need to understand this if it works. " She turned back to Rayleigh. "How exactly does this… coating work?"
"Usually ships hire someone at Sabaody to do the coating for them. The substance they use is the same as the one that makes the floating bubbles on Sabaody," Rayleigh explained.
"Great, so we have to go back to Sabaody," Usopp muttered darkly.
"We can't go back now," Sanji said. "We'd lose too much time."
"Relax, you don't need to go back," Rayleigh cut in quickly. "I'm a ship-coater by trade now. I can handle the coating easily."
"That's great!" Chopper yelled.
"Do you not require the substance from the island?" Robin asked.
"Taken care of," Rayleigh lifted a decent-sized bag he had brought on deck with him. It was the one that he had grabbed before leaving Shakky's Bar.
The crew stared at him and the bag. "So you've planned this all along?" Robin questioned.
Rayleigh nodded before speaking. "I knew it would be your best shot at reaching the prison unnoticed. The coating process takes three days. But there are other obstacles that need to be overcome. So while I'm coating the ship, I expect you all will come up with several ideas. By the time I have finished, we will almost be there. We also must determine when your captain is actually sent to the prison. From what Franky told me, it seems likely that he is still in Marine Headquarters recovering from his fight with Gecko Moria. If we break into the prison prior to his arrival, it would all be for nothing."
"Wait a minute!" shouted Usopp. The others looked at him. "Why are we waiting? Why can't we just intercept the ship taking Luffy to the prison? Why don't we just rescue him before he even gets there?"
"Because," Franky began. "Impel Down is one of the three Government Islands connected by the Gates of Justice. It's the same as Enies Lobby. They will be coming from the third island – Marineford – so they would take the current exclusive to Marine ships."
"Besides," Nami added. "Ace is in Impel Down, too. Luffy would never leave his brother in prison. He'd just break in himself so we might as well do it for him." Usopp grudgingly accepted these answers. With a sense of boosted morale, Rayleigh began laying out his tools as the others renewed their planning.