PREVIOUSLY...

The Straw-Hat crew decide to enter a pirate race known as the Dead End Race. Pirates from all over join in the race while local ex-pirates place bets on them. The Straw-Hats discover the top three favorites: third are the giants Bobby and Pogo, second is Arlong's old rival Grampus Merman Willy, and the number favorite Gasparde, a mysterious man who's name seems to be troubling Jenka...

The crew went back to the ship later that night and rested up for the big race the next day. As the sun came up, everyone was making the ship ready as they prepare for the Dead End Race.

While everyone was working on the ship, Nami kept staring at the Eternal Pose. She sighed. "Are? It's still pointing at that mountain."

"Doushita, Nami?" Luffy asked, springing down off the mast and landing next to the navigator.

"The Eternal Pose is pointing over the mountain."

"So the starting point is over there?" Sanji asked, climbing down the mast's rope.

Nami shook her head. "No. The bookkeeper explicitly said that this town was the starting point. "

"I don't see any other ships." Zoro pointed out on the upper deck. "Did they leave without us?"

Jenka pointed at Nami with an angry expression. "If we've missed the race I won't forgive you!"

Nami glared back at her. "Urusai! This isn't my fault, baka!"

"What did you call me?!"

"We are indeed at the starting point." Robin assured them. "This island has several rivers that branch in from the sea, and they meet at the main stream in front of us."

Nami blinked. "In front if us? You mean... There?!"

"The other ships should be on standby at the other branches." Robin continued. "The starting point is at the top of that mountain."

"E-eh chotto matte yo! You mean we're going up the mountain?!"

"Sou. Just like you've experienced on Reverse Mountain, right?"

"Yes, but there was a huge current at the time..."

"There is one here too." Robin smiled. "Once every few years, a strong back current accompanied by a fierce gale arrives here. That's what we'll be using."

Sanji sneaked up next to her with hearts as eyes. "Ah~ you know everything, Robin-chan~!"

"I guess that's an understandable theory..." Nami agreed...

"So it's a mystery start!" Luffy said.

Usopp hit him in the chest. "Yeah right."

Jenka looked at Nami. "Na... are you sure about this? The ship was nearly wrecked the last time, remember?"

"Daijou~bu~!" Luffy grinned. "We'll make it somehow!"

Nami suddenly sensed something in the air and spun around to the others. "The gale's coming! Luffy, hurry and reinforce the yards! Usopp, take the helm! Chopper, watch the aft! Sanji-kun, Zoro, watch the shrouds on both sides of the mast!"

Everyone sprinted into action, following the skilled navigator's orders. As soon as everyone got into position, the water began to slowly pick up pace. Only moments later, but the speed dramatically change along with a sudden powerful gust of wind taking the Going Merry along for the ride. Everyone hung on for dear life as the powerful current dragged the ship towards the mountain, first going through a cave.

"N-not another tunnel!" Usopp exclaimed.

"YOSH~! IIGUSO~!!!" Luffy shouted as they approached a light at the end of the tunnel.

As they came out of the tunnel, the Straw-Hat pirates was carried up through villages where pirates, ex-pirates, and supporters cheered for them and against them as they traveled through.

Nami smiled. "Naru hodou. This is what they meant by 'parade start'."

"Oi oi oi oi~!" Usopp smiled. "You wouldn't have guessed, but it looks like a lot of people bet on us, ne?"

Luffy and Usopp threw the crowd a confident smile and held their fists into the air. "Yosh~! Leave it to us~!"

"You punks better not mess anything up!!" A few members of the crowd shouted at them angrily. "I've bet on the favorite! If you get in the way, I'll kill you!" Usopp and Luffy sweat dropped and fell over.

Nami leaned against the railing, staring at the crowd. "Well, that kind of attitude is to be expected."

Zoro walked down to the deck, resting his arm on his swords. "So who's this Gasparde guy?" He asked, looking at Jenka.

"Hm. Now this is rare." Jenka smiled at the swordsman. "Are you interested in him?"

"You mentioned his name the other night. Plus you were researching him until late last night, weren't you?" He asked her, already knowing the answer. "You as well." He glanced at Nami.

"Sugei..." Chopper stared over the railing in awe. "We're really climbing the mountain."

"Hm?" From the mast, Sanji noticed the other pirates ships trailing up the mountain from different rivers. "I can see the other ships over there." All of a sudden, the people turned their attention to another ship, a very large ship trailing up one of the rivers next to the Going Merry. The ship looked to be like an old naval ship with the Marine's logo "x"ed out in red paint. "Whoa... that's a big one. A steam powered ship, never seen that before."

Nami's eyes widened. "It's him!"

"That's the top favorite, Gasparde's ship The Salamander." Jenka mentioned, eye narrowing.

"What's with the mark on the sails?" Usopp asked. "It's the mark of the Marines, but it's been crossed out."

"Sou, that guy's a former marine general." Jenka explained. "He became a pirate after seizing control of the ship he was assigned to. Right now, the bounty on his head is $95,000,000 berries."

Usopp's eyes bulged. "$95,000,000 berries?! That guy's a real big shot!"

Nami nodded. "Pretty much. We have to watch out for an ability he has. Apparently, he's eaten one of the Devil's Fruits. He's been dubbed 'General', but there aren't any pleasant rumors about him."

"Pleasant rumors? Well... he is a pirate, so I guess there wouldn't be–"

"He's a monster."

Zoro looked at Jenka after her last comment. "Did you mention that Gasparde guy's name earlier?"

"You know Gasparde?" Robin asked.

Jenka nodded, folding her arms. "He's a twisted ex-marine general who's a power hungry savage."

"How do you know him?" Nami asked.

"I;ve encountered him once when I was little."

"WHAT?!"

"He was still a navy general then and he tried pursuing our pirate crew."

Chopper took a step forward. "Then what happened?"

She sighed. "We managed to get away, but I remember his Devil's Fruit was very troublesome. I don't know what it is exactly... it was so long ago, but I remember he was ruthless and fought unfair. He's really the only one we have to watch out for. He plays dirty."

"So what if he does?" Luffy interrupted annoyingly, turning his shoulder the other way.

Jenka blinked. "Luffy?"

"I hate him."

She sighed. "That makes two of us..."

"Gasparde being an ex-marine is one reason to hate him, but I have a feeling thee's another reason too, ne Jenka?" Nami asked.

She nodded. "Mostly it's because he's blinded by power, but it really pissed me off when I heard he became a pirate. It's shameful for a marine to become a pirate, let alone a dirty one at that."

"Sou ka..."

Some of the rivers interconnected, bringing more ships up against each other. One large ship rode next to the Going Merry, with a strange man laughing on board.

"Yahahahaha!! What a shabby little ship!" The Captain said. "You really think you can make it over the Grand Fall in that?"

"That's Vigaro. The hanged man." Jenka explained. Just then, an even bigger ship - nearly 3 times the size of Vigaro's - pulled up on the other side of the Going Merry with a large spinning drill on the front of it. "Eh?! It's Willy's ship!!" Then next to them an even bigger ship. "The Giant's ship!!"

"You seem to know a lot about who's who here, Miss Kobaiyo." Robin mentioned.

She nodded with a confident smile. "Of course. Growing up into piracy forces one to learn about the other pirates that exist in this world. Especially the strong ones with high bounties."

"AAAAAAAH!!" Chopper screamed. "We're inclining rapidly!!"

The ship began to tilt almost vertically as the ships drew closer to the summit. Nami smiled nervously. "Daijoubu. It's no problem."

They all held onto anything to keep them from falling back. When they finally reached the summit, the ship seemed to be traveling in slow motion as the beautiful sunrise shone in front of them, lighting up the Earth. Luffy screamed joyfully into the air while everyone stared in fear at the perfectly vertical drop on the other side. The Going Merry fell straight down, forcing the crew to grab onto something quick before falling over.

"Hold on!" Jenka extended her arms in front of her and controlled the ship and water beneath them. A purple glow surrounded the ship with her telekinesis as she brought the ship back into the water gently, then straightening out a bit as it completely fell back onto the rapid water.

"Sankyu~!" Luffy thanked Jenka for the save.

Nami's face was blue from fear. "T-THAT WAS THE GRAND FALL?!"

"Miss Navigator." Robin called. "This isn't a time to be overwhelmed!"

They turned their attention to the ships. They were attacking each other; whether it be coming aboard the ships, crashing into them, blowing them away, the pirates began attacking each other without mercy.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING?!" Usopp shouted.

Zoro smiled. "The race has started."

"From this point on, anything goes." Robin added.

Jenka threw her fists anxiously into the air. "Let's get this party started then~!"

Luffy laughed. "They're sure going at it. They're enjoying themselves~!"

Nami shouted orders again, preparing the crew for all angle attacks from enemy ships. Sure enough as soon as everyone was at their stations, on coming ships began to slowly surround the Going Merry. But as expected of the Straw-Hat pirates, they defended perfectly. More and more ships kept sinking and crashing into the shore and they weren't even out of the gale yet. But the more they traveled down the river, the more ships kept piling up on shore, especially when there was a turn up ahead.

"Chopper! Turn the helm!" Nami shouted.

"I'm trying, but it won't move!"

"At this rate we'll crash!!

"We're steering off course!" Usopp added.

Zoro stood there calmly, not feeling threatened at all. "If I kicked the ship from below, would it help cushion it?"

"YOU CAN'T DO THAT!!" Jenka shouted at him. Suddenly something clicked. "Ah! A cushion!" She turned to her captain and smiled slyly. "Luffy~."

Knowing already what she was asking, Luffy jumped over board, inflating himself into his Gum Gum Balloon. He landed on one of the crashed ships with the Going Merry crashing into his other side with safety. Luffy began to roll over, rolling the ship with him and launching it over and out of danger. Usopp grabbed Luffy's hand as he extended it out to catch the flying Going Merry.

Chopper screamed. "WHAT DO WE DO NOW?!" He asked, noticing they were flying over land.

Jenka extended her arms once more. "I'm on it–ACK!!" Usopp knocked her off to the side, causing her to lose her concentration. "KISAMA!! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"

He was sweating nervously. "G-G-Gomen! I lost my balance from the movement!"

Robin giggled. "Allow me to help instead." She crossed her arms. "Gran Fleur!"

Millions of her arms and hands extended out from one side of the ship, forming one giant hand to grab a hold of a building, slinging the ship back onto the water. They finally reached open water, releasing the remaining ships into the ocean.

"Man, it's almost unreal how often stuff like this happens." Sanji commented. "I'm surprised we've lasted this long."

"Thanks Robin!" Nami remembered to thank her.

She nodded. "Let's enjoy the rest of the ride."

"I'm really pumped~!" Luffy laughed. "We'll trail the lot. This is only the beginning~! This is exactly why it's great to be a pirate~! Yosha~!! Let's go guys!!"

Everyone threw their fists into the air. "UN!!"

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Several hours had past by, making it nearly noon. The Going Merry seemed to be the only ship in sight since the others went their own way; either to avoid battles or a faster route.

Jenka leaned against the railing, staring out at the empty ocean. "This is so boring... I thought this race would be more exciting. Seems all the action was only in the beginning."

"The other ships are out of sight." Chopper pointed out.

"I bet they're all taking a course they think is best." Jenka replied.

"Maybe I should use this chance to make some food." Sanji suggested.

Luffy cheered. "BANZAI~!!"

"Go check the damage of the ship, Zoro." Nami ordered.

"By myself?!" He complained. "Damn bitch, ordering me around..." He sighed and walked around the ship, checking for holes and cracks or any other kinds of damage to the ship. He walked into the storage room and scratched his head while searching for damages. "Any loose planks or cracks? ...Looks like the place is intact." Something suddenly caught his attention. He glanced behind him at the bathroom and opened it. "If you planned on stowing away, you're on the wrong boat." He said, talking straight to the bathtub. "This is a pirate ship."

He waited for a moment for a reaction until seconds later, a boy popped up from inside the tub, screaming and shooting at Zoro. He dodged at incredible speed, grabbing the kid by his jaw and nailing him against the wall and a bit of his blade showing. "A kid?!" As soon as he realized it was a child, the boy had already passed out from the hit to his head.

--------------------------------------------------

"You're such a cruel man." Nami said to Zoro. "You can't even go easy on a kid!"

"I didn't have a choice! He had a gun! How the hell was I suppose to know?!"

"Zoro's so cruel~" Usopp and Luffy said in a girlish manner.

"Tee mee wa...!"

The boy slowly opened his eyes and found Chopper sitting next to him making medicine. The boy was young, looked about 10 or so with an oversized boiler hat with straps on his head and brown baggy overalls. The overalls had tacky patches all over the pant legs and he wore a rolled up long sleeve blue shirt underneath. He wore gloves and his pants were rolled up a bit to reveal his stubby little shoes.

The reindeer noticed him waking up and smiled. "The kid's awake!"

The boy jumped back suddenly against the wall, screaming at Chopper. "THE DEER TALKED!!"

"I'M A REINDEER!!"

"THAT'S EVEN WEIRDER!!"

"SHUT THE HELL UP, ASSHOLE!!"

"Stop fighting you two." Nami said calmly. "He's actually a superb doctor." She noticed the kid searching frantically through his trousers and pulled out a pistol from her lap. "Looking for this? You know, if you brought something like this onto a pirate ship, nobody would be to blame if you ended up dead yourself. What are you after? Who sent you here?" The boy didn't respond and only looked at the floor.

Chopper smiled nervously. "W-well... the kid's still in bad shape. Let's just ask later. And besides--"

"To kill you." The boy muttered. "To kill you all and make some money!!"

"Money, huh?" Nami repeated. "Well if you want to be straight about it. But there are hoards of other pirates. Why did you choose this ship?"

"Isn't it obvious" Usopp asked, smiling. "We're the infamous Straw-Hat pirates."

"Who cares!" The kid snapped at him. "This ship just looked weaker than all the others!" Luffy chuckled. "Don't laugh! I'm serious!"

Jenka sighed. "Looks can be deceiving, kid."

"Pirates should be used to being marked by death." Luffy explained to him with a smile and his arms folded across his chest. "If you aren't ready to put your life on the line, you aren't ready to fight me."

The boy's eyes widened with a nervous look on his face. Jenka used her mind and grabbed the gun from the table and tossed it into the boys hands. She smiled as she stood next to Luffy at the doorway. "Show us how serious you are. Or is it just a bluff?"

The boy gripped the gun. "D-don't mock me! BASTARD!!" He aimed and fired the gun at Luffy, only to sling the bullet back and shoot into the wall next to the kid. The kid fell to his knees and shook in fear and shock. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"

"You almost hit the kid!" Usopp yelled at him.

The boy shook. "T-the... Devil's Fruit..."

"That's right. Haven't you ever heard of them?" Nami asked.

"I-I've never seen them off our ship..."

"They're very mysterious fruits. The downside is that you become a Hammer and can't swim. But in return, you obtain a greater ability than any human. Among us, Robin, Chopper, and Jenka over there have the abilities too."

The boy stared at her for a moment before sighing. "Kill me." The boy sat crisscross on the floor. "Go ahead and just kill me! Kuso... just do it!"

"Impressive resolve is what I'd say." Nami commented. "Except aren't you treating your life a little too lightly?"

"I don't need to be lectured by a pirate! Why should I care? There's no reason to keep living without any hope. I'd be better off not existing at all!"

Nami stood up silently, stepping over Zoro on the bench. "Zoro, I'm borrowing your sword."

Zoro let her go, closing his eyes. "Don't step over people."

"Quit that self pity crap..." She growled. She unsheathed one of Zoro's swords and pointed it angrily at the boy. "If that's really how you feel, then I'll give you want you want!"

"D-don't do it Nami!" Chopper got in front of her.

"Stay out of this! This is what pisses me off the most! No reason to keep living?! If you're alive, you can't talk about dying!!"

"Aren't you a little upset that Nami took your sword?" Jenka asked Zoro, who found him entertained by the spectacle.

He grinned. "Not if she's going to do something interesting, I'm not."

She sighed. "You're hopeless..."

Everyone just stared at Nami, not getting in the way since it was her business. Luffy and Usopp drank some tea while they watched with Robin hovering over them with a smile. Sanji ignored the situation and brought food to the table, informing the crew lunch was ready. Zoro was leaning over the table with a long smirk across his face at the sight on Nami getting angry and expecting a fight. Jenka just sighed and did her best to ignore the situation. Chopper grew big and held onto Nami as she swung the sword angrily in his grasp.

"I DON'T CARE IF HE'S A LITTLE KID!! I'LL TAKE YOUR STUPID IDEAS AND CUT THEM IN HALF!!

--------------------------------------------------

It was several more hours later on the ship, and as expected of the Grand Line, the weather was constantly changing. It had been snowing softly for a while now and the boy say outside in a corner of the ship until Sanji came out and wrapped a blanket around him.

"Chopper's worried about you. He doesn't want you to catch a cold." The boy ignored him, not moving an inch since Sanji came. He cook sighed. "You know, 8 years ago Nami-san's mother was killed in front of her by pirates who then enslaved her until we came along. Chopper had a hard past as well, and Jenka-chan, and so did all the others. You need to stay alive. But if you make it through, you'll be able to see tomorrow." Sanji smiled softly, blowing a puff of smoke into the air. He got up and began to walk away. "You probably wouldn't understand yet."

--------------------------------------------------

The day was nearly gone and the sun was setting, though it was hard to tell through the dark rain clouds slowly hovering over the sky. Just then out of no where, a large ship came up close behind the Going Merry. The ship was Vigaro.

He laughed. "Yahahahaha!! I'm surprised you brats have made it this far!"

As he continued talking, the crew ignored him. "Nanda?" Zoro raised his eyebrow. "He's damn obnoxious."

"It's him! That guy from the beginning of the race!" Usopp pointed out.

"I think his name was Vigaro." Chopper commented.

"Eh? I thought we were in last place." Robin replied.

"So they're last?" Jenka asked.

"NANDA TOU?!?!" Vigaro asked, noticing he was being completely ignored. "I'm going to crush you!!"

Just then, Usopp fired a bullet at one of the men, nailing him in the face. He shook at first, not realizing what he had just done, then basking in his glory at the fact that he hit someone. Vigaro and his men took that as an invitation of battle, and began to prepare for battle.

Usopp gave the men a thumbs up. "Yosh! Go get 'em, guys!"

Luffy was getting ready to swing onto their ship when Zoro walked in front of him. "Matte, Luffy. The two of us can handle it." He said, referring to the cook.

"Just sit out once in a while." Sanji suggested to his captain.

"You sure you guys don't need any help?" Jenka asked, hoping they'd let her fight.

Zoro turned to face her. "We'll be fine with just the two of us. We have no need for your help."

Her brow twitched angrily at his comment. "Can anyone say, 'big ego'?"

Zoro and Sanji both jumped aboard and landed on each side of the bow's head, which consisted of two dragon heads. The men stared up at them, not knowing what to expect.

"Nothing personal," Zoro began. "But if you're looking for a fight, we'll give you one."

"I've got dinner to cook." Sanji added.

In unison, they both spoke. "One minute's enough."

With that said, Zoro tied his bandana on his head and unsheathed all three of his swords. He used his Oni giri on the attacking men, sending them fly across and off the ship on one swing. Sanji on the other hand tapped his shoes a couple times before spinning off on his hands, kicking the men back. The ships jerked suddenly, stopping everyone in their tracks.

"What was that?" Nami asked.

The ships shook again, only this time it didn't stop. Vigaro's ship began to rise out of the water, revealing sea monsters known as "Sea Kings" underneath them. The ship fell off the nose of one of the gigantic sea kings and was about to snap at the ship when Luffy had an idea.

"Zoro! Sanji! Grab on!" He shouted, extending his hand inside of the sea king's nose.

"WHERE ARE YOU AIMING?!" They shouted at him, wondering why he completely missed them.

Luffy plucked a nose hair from the sea king, causing it to sneeze. The power of the sneeze shot both ships across the ocean at great speed, tearing up Vigaro's ship.

"They sank..." Chopper said.

"Oi! What about Zoro and Sanji?!" Jenka exclaimed.

Luffy gaped. "O-OH YEAH!! OI!!"

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The crew laughed at the men's misfortune after rescuing them from the torn ship. Everyone sat at the table inside of the ship while the boy sat on one corner as Sanji cooked.

"Good thing you're alive, Zoro~!" Luffy commented.

"Takkun...! Couldn't you have gotten us out sooner?!"

"Damn right!" Sanji added.

"No sweat~!" Was all Luffy could say.

The boy just sat in the corner, staring at the others, not noticing Luffy kneeling in front of him. They began to talk about why Luffy was so reckless and that it was all due to his past and how he'll follow his dream or die trying.

After dinner, the crew noticed a lot of floating wood in the ocean and went out to investigate. But in front of them was nothing but a ship graveyard, and a fresh one at that.

"What's going on...?" Nami asked. Sirens suddenly went off and lights flickered on in front of them, revealing an island with a large fortress on it. Nami's eyes widened. "It's a marine stronghold!!"

"Nami-san, what does this mean?" Sanji asked.

"But there's no mistake..." She replied, observing the Eternal Pose. "The needle is pointing straight ahead."

"Ne..." Robin spoke up. "Suppose that Eternal Pose if a fake."

Nami gasped and pulled out a pen from her pocket and pulled the screws loose on the Eternal Pose's name tag. Sure enough, underneath was the word "Navarone" instead of Partia.

Sanji's eye twitched. "Kuso! I knew there was something fishy going on!"

"It was Gasparde." Jenka said low and angrily as she clenched the side of the railing.

"Jenka?" Usopp said.

"He's the only one who'd do something like this." Luffy agreed with her.

Nami walked over to Luffy. "What? You don't know that."

"I'm sure of it."

"Chotto..."

"I think he's right."

Everyone turned around to see the boy walking up the steps towards the crew. He continued. "While we were sailing, I saw a large stockpile of Eternal Poses in the cargo hold. That's probably one of them."

"Pirates stabbing pirates in the back, eh?" Zoro growled. "Real great 'general' he turned out to be..."

"That shitty bastard." Sanji growled afterward.

"You're affiliated with that asshole?" Jenka asked. The boy only nodded.

"What do we do now?" Usopp asked. "Go after him?"

"We can't do that without the real Eternal Pose." Nami pointed out.

"That's right! It's too late! It's all too late!" The boy shouted. His body shook with his head hanging low. "Now grandpa is gonna..."

"Your grandpa?" Nami asked softly.

"N-not my real one... but he saved my life. He's sick... and those pirates say he's not their nakama and won't give him any medicine. That's why I..."

"You came onto our ship so you could buy medicine..." Nami finished for him, understanding his feelings finally.

"You're an idiot."

The boy looked at Luffy, who's back was turned to him. "Eh?"

"That old man didn't save your life so you'd go around doing stuff like this."

He bit his lower lip, trying not to cry. "Wa... wakatta yo!"

"If you get it, then live. If your resolve is really that strong, go rescue him from that ship. If you're not going to do anything about it, you've got no right talking about risking your life.

The boy began to shed angry tears. "Someone like you... doesn't have to tell me that!"

"Well that's good then." Luffy turned around and flashed him a confident smile. "Cause I'm about to go kick his ass. Coming?"

The boy held up his fists. "Un! I'm coming!"

Nami shrugged. "I guess that's that. We can't just give up on $30,000,000 berries. Though we'll have to get the real Eternal Pose."

"Ano..." Usopp smiled nervously. "It sort of sounds like you're planning to take on Gasparde... Ah! They're firing at us!"

The marines shot their cannons at the Going Merry, though they were still a bit far away. Luffy inflated himself to deflect the oncoming cannon balls!

After finishing the shot, the ship turned around with Luffy still smiling. "Yosh~! Iiguso~!!"

"Matte Luffy." Jenka stopped him. "How are we suppose to find Gasparde?"

"With Chopper's nose."

"Gotcha!" Chopper agreed.

"Oh, I get it." Sanji caught on.

Usopp sweat dropped. "That can't possibly work..."

"Don't worry!" Nami replied. "Leave it to the navigator~!"

"Are things always this lively?" The boy asked.

"Ah." Zoro replied. "Almost every day."