A few days have passed since the Straw Hats escaped from Loguetown with the help of Dragon. Luffy could easily have defeated Smoker. It would have been bad had Smoker reported to the Government that the captain of the Straw Hat pirates could use something that they would have identified as Haki. That would have meant more trouble for these rookie pirates. The government would send much stronger opponents. Luffy would be able to protect them but they would need some time to learn and hone the skills they didn't have. They passed the light house that pointed them in the correct direction. Now all they have to do is make it up and over Reverse Mountain.
Inside the kitchen the Straw Hats were looking at a map of the East Blue.
"We have to go up Reverse Mountain to get to the Grand Line." Nami said
"Up… a…mountain…" Usopp said terrified
"That's just crazy." Sanji said
"I know, but there is no other way to get to the Grand Line."
"What about the Calm Belt?" Usopp asked
"We can't go through there."
"Why not?"
"There is no wind on the calm belt. We would be rowing this ship the whole way through. And that's where giant sea kings live." Luffy said
"Up Reverse Mountain it is." Usopp said getting excited for the journey. He was less scared of the mountain than he was of the sea kings.
"Why does hearing the name Calm Belt make me so angry?" Sanji said to no one in particular
"It's time we go back outside and ready the ship so we are prepared for whatever this mountain will throw at us." Nami said. "Usopp you stay here. We can't afford to go off course."
Once out of the kitchen Sanji made his way up to the crow's nest for lookout duty. Right away he could see something in the distance. He picked up the binoculars and in the distance he could see a fierce storm and they were heading right for it.
"Nami-san there is a storm up ahead." Sanji yelled from the crow's nest.
A little while later they were fully engulfed in the storm.
"The currents are getting stronger, we are going off course!" Nami said
"I can't move the rudder." Usopp said from the kitchen
"Sanji-kun go help him" Nami said getting annoyed
"Hai Nami-swan" Sanji said running to the helm in the kitchen. Sanji and Usopp tried to correct the course but weren't having any luck. They weren't able to move it.
"What's going on back there Sanji-kun?" Nami asked
"The current is too strong it won't budge!" Sanji yelled
"Stop before you snap the pole." Luffy said to his two crewmates. "We can't lose this it's our only means of steering the ship. Nami, we can't adjust our course." Luffy said
"Well that is going to be a problem if we are even a little bit off." Nami said as she pointed to the Red Line and the upcoming entrance to Reverse Mountain.
"The water is going up the mountain." Zoro said still surprised that it was possible.
"That is incredible." Nami said looking at the force of nature that can push all that water up a mountain.
"We can't see the top through all the clouds, how tall do you think the Red Line is?" Usopp asked
"It doesn't matter how tall it is if we hit the side of the mountain. If we crash we are going to die." Nami said
"Keep on sailing straight ahead. We are only slightly off course." Luffy said
Luffy ran towards the railing handed his hat to Nami and jumped over and said "Gomu Gomu no Fuusen" expanding himself. Luffy put himself between the boat and the gate, preventing them from crashing. The Merry made it past the first gate and continued up the mountain. "Luffy, grab on." Zoro said and Luffy stretched his arm and grabbed on to Zoro's hand and he landed semi-safely on the deck of the Going Merry.
Once safe Luffy walked over to Nami and she handed him his precious hat. 'I can't believe he gave me his hat to hold on to. He doesn't let anyone touch his hat.' Nami thought to herself. Nami shook her head side to side and walked up the stairs towards the kitchen. "Now we head for the peak." Nami said taking off her raincoat.
Once again the Straw hats were comfortably riding the current up Reverse Mountain.
"We are in the clouds!" Luffy said
"This is so awesome" Usopp said still shacking. He was terrified but it was still a miraculous site to behold.
"Look up there, it's the peak!" Nami said
A few moments later the Straw hats were launched into the air and soon after started their decent down the mountain to the Grand Line. As they were making their way down the mountain Zoro was the first to mention hearing a noise over the rapid flow of the water.
"I just heard a strange noise!" Zoro said 'Great, Laboon is all pissed off again.'
Finally out of the clouds the crew could see a giant object obstructing their path off the mountain.
"IT'S A WHALE!" Usopp yelled
"We are heading right for it." Sanji said
"There's an opening to the left! Hard to port!" Zoro said
Zoro, Usopp and Sanji went to try and turn the rudder but it still wasn't budging even with all three of them pushing.
That was when Luffy did something really stupid. He went down and fired a cannon at Laboon again. This miraculously slowed them down. The only causality was the figure head of the Going Merry. Nami, Sanji and Usopp were terrified. Zoro wasn't surprised that Luffy would do something so stupid again.
They managed to row around the whale and they were safe for the moment. But like clockwork Luffy did something stupid. He punched the whale in the eye.
"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?" Usopp yelled
"He broke my special seat." Luffy said pouting.
Laboon looked down at the pirates and began wailing and then opened his mouth and began swallowing a lot of sea water. The small Going Merry couldn't go against the flow of the water going into the whale's mouth. The Merry soon was swallowed by the giant whale. All five pirates eventually made it into the whale's stomach. They met a strange old man living on an island. Crocus introduced himself and soon jumped into the stomach acid and swam over to a ladder and began climbing.
"Guys, lets head for the doors." Luffy said
"You mean to get out of here?" Usopp asked
"Yeah, that and for another reason." They began rowing towards the large doors.
In front of the large door in the whales stomach Luffy stretched his arm and flew up to the platform higher up on the right. He opened up the two smaller doors and was met by Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9.
"Yo" Luffy said as he grabbed the two of them and dropped them into the sea of stomach acid below them. Luffy jumped down inflated himself and softly floated down to the Merry's deck.
"Luffy how did you know they were there?" Sanji said
"I can sense people around me by using Haki."
"What is Haki?"
"I will explain what it is later."
While this was going on Usopp tossed the rope ladder down for the two mysterious people to climb up. Crocus went and sedated Laboon, stopping him from ramming into the Red Line and covering his head with more scars. The two baroque works agents soon made their way over to the ladder, climbed up and sat against the railing.
"Miss Wednesday, these people are pirates do you think they can be reasoned with?"
"I'm not sure Mr. 9."
Sanji was staring lovingly at Miss Wednesday like he would any other woman. The other pirates weren't saying anything they were just staring at the strange people on their ship.
"What are you two doing here?" Nami asked breaking the silence among the crew.
They didn't respond.
"They are here to kill Laboon and take his meat for their village." Crocus said making his way back down the ladder and onto the Merry.
The straw hats were speechless
"The meat from Laboon would last them a long time." Crocus said
"Our mission is to kill this whale, we won't fail." They said as they picked up the cannons and pointed them at the painted ceiling of Laboon's stomach.
"That's funny." Luffy said
"What is?" Mr. 9 asked
"I won't let you hurt this whale." Luffy said as he grabbed their cannons and tossed them into the stomach acid.
"If you want to hurt this whale you are going to have to go swimming again."
They two Baroque works agents gave up, they didn't want to go back into the stomach acid. And for good measure Luffy knocked them out so they wouldn't do anything stupid.
"Thanks for that kid."
"Don't mention it, I just didn't want to see these idiots hurt the whale."
"So, why are you living inside a whale's stomach?" Nami asked
"The reason I am living in Laboon's stomach is so that I can treat him. He keeps ramming his head against the Red Line, I'm Laboons doctor I can't treat him effectively from outside so I do that from in here. Laboon is waiting for a certain group of pirates to return from over Reverse Mountain. I can tell you more but let's continue this outside."
With that they sailed Crocus over to his small island, dropped him off and they made their way through one giant door and into a canal. After a little sailing they made their way to another giant door. Crocus opened it and they made their way outside.
"Earlier you were saying he was waiting for pirates?"
"Yeah, he's waiting for the Rumbar Pirates to make their way here again. Laboon followed them from the West Blue fifty years ago."
"Fifty years" Usopp said shocked
"They promised that they would make it around the world and they would come back here to see their friend again."
"Do you think they will ever come back?" Usopp asked
"Idiot, this is the Grand Line. They're dead." Sanji said
"You don't know that." Usopp said
"No, I found out that they escaped the Grand Line sometime after they began their journey."
"You mean they went through the calm belt?" Nami asked shocked
"I'm not sure but that is the only other way into and out of the Grand Line, That way is more dangerous than Reverse Mountain."
"If you knew this, why haven't you told him?"
"I did tell him, but he refused to listen."
"He still believes that one day they'll come sailing down here."
"There is no point in waiting anymore." Sanji said
"More than anything else, he is afraid of losing his reason to wait. His home is in the West Blue. There's no way home for him now. All he wished for was to continue being nakama with the men he followed here."
"What about you, weren't you betrayed by those pirates? It's not really your problem anymore." Sanji asked
"Look at those scars, if he kept ramming into the Red Line he would die. It may be a strange relationship but it has been fifty years. I am not going to sit back and watch him die."
Luffy got up and began running at Laboon. "Gomu Gomu no Gigant Pistol" Luffy said as he punched Laboon with a giant fist. They each exchanged a few blows before Luffy halted the fight.
"It's a draw." Luffy said standing up. "I'm pretty strong aren't I? You wanna beat me, don't you? Our battle isn't over. So we're going to have to fight again someday. Your nakama may be dead, but from now on I'm your rival! We'll fight again to decide who is stronger. We are going to sail around the world and one day we will come back here and we can finish our fight."
Laboon was happy to hear that he would have a reason to wait here and began crying a little. Luffy only cracked a smile. A while later Luffy had painted an ok version of the Straw Hats jolly roger on Laboon's head. It wasn't as nice as the one painted on the sail but it was a little better than the first one he painted.
"This is our promise, so until I get back don't go ramming your head against the Red Line."
Quickly changing the subject Luffy yelled "Sanji, MESHI."
"Hai, hai." Sanji said waving Luffy off and going to prepare the Elephant Tuna he won in the contest. A little while later they were going to sit down and eat.
"Crocus, why don't you join us for lunch?" Luffy said
Crocus just nodded and sat down at the table with the Straw hats. Luffy didn't devour the whole tuna like he did last time they were here.
"Where did those two strange people go?" Nami asked
"They won't be going too far without their log pose" Luffy said holding up the small glass compass. "I figure they must have dropped this while they were on board a little while ago."
"I'm sorry to ask Crocus, but do you have a log pose we can use. I am going to mess with them a little bit. I'll probably give this back to them." Luffy said
"What is a log pose Luffy and how do you know about it?" Nami asked
"I think I heard Shanks mention it a few times while he was drinking at the bar."
"How do you know Shanks?" Crocus asked surprised
"He spent the better part of a year using the island I grew up on as his base in the East Blue."
"I thought that Straw hat looked familiar, how did you end up with it?"
"Shanks gave it to me to hold on to when I was seven."
"How do you know Shanks?" Luffy asked
"Everyone has to pass through Reverse Mountain, it's impossible not to recognize the infamous Akagami Shanks."
"If they were alive and you could tell them something what would you say?" Luffy said changing the topic.
"That's a strange question Luffy." Nami said. But Zoro having regained his memories didn't think it was that strange. They knew that there was a sole surviving member of the Rumbar pirates out there on the sea.
"If I could say anything to them, huh, I would want to know what really happened to them. Why would they abandon Laboon, they were friends. It's not like it's possible but I would want to see even just one of them to catch up and find out how life has treated him."
Luffy only smiled at that answer. He thought of Brook. They never did make it around the world to see Laboon again. He promised himself that regardless of what happens this time he will make sure Brook makes it back here to see Laboon.
"What brought that up?" Crocus asked
"Oh, I was just curious. That's all." Luffy said smiling.
They had finished lunch and the two baroque works agents made their way back up the cliff where the straw hats had just had lunch. Crocus went into the light house and got them his spare log pose so they could use it on their trip.
"Oh, you two are back!" Luffy said faking his surprise.
"What do you want?" Zoro said
"Which one of you is the captain of this ship?" Vivi asked
"I am." Luffy said sitting on the table
"We were wondering if you could take us to Whiskey Peak."
"Why would we do that?" Zoro asked
"Please, our boat was destroyed and we don't have our log pose anymore. We are begging."
Everyone looked to Luffy for his answer.
"Sounds like as good a place as any to start our journey."
"You mean it?"
"Yeah, let's go to Whiskey Peak."
"Thank you." They said. They were both happy but reluctant to travel with them considering how easy it was to convince the captain to do something.
Crocus came back and handed them his log pose to use.
"Thank you Crocus" Nami said
"Take good care of it. It's fragile and your only life line. Without you would sail randomly through the Grand Line."
"I will take good care of it. I won't let these idiots even touch it." Nami said looking to the other members of her crew.
"Normal compasses don't work on the Grand Line. This pose stores the magnetic signature of the next island in the chain of islands you are following. Once you pick an island you have to follow the path all the way to the end."
"That's fine If we don't like it we can just sail around the world and try again." Luffy said
"That is optimistic of you."
"It might be but we are going to make it to the end of the Grand Line." Luffy said "Let's get ready to leave."
"Just who are you?" Vivi asked
"I'm the man who is going to be the King of the Pirates."
Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday just laughed a little at the ridiculous goal of the young pirate. An hour or so later the pirates and their "guests" were ready to leave.
"Thank you for the log pose Crocus. We will take good care of it." They lowered the sails and began sailing off. Crocus waved goodbye and Laboon said goodbye in his own way.
"Do you think they are the ones we have been waiting for Roger? That boy who wears your old straw hat reminds me of you."
A little while later the pirates were once again finally sailing on the Grand Line. Luffy was relaxing on the deck and he was watching their guests while the other four straw hats were in the kitchen talking.
Not wanting to screw around Zoro got right to the point. "I remember everything." Zoro said.
"What are you talking about?" Usopp asked
"I know everything that happens to us and now I understand the note that was in the bag Usopp showed us earlier."
"Would you tell us what it means?" Nami asked
"I don't think it's my place to tell you what happens. I will wait for you to regain your memories."
"What I will tell you is that in the future we all had our memories of events and knowledge of our skills transferred to objects that were important to us. It may very well have duplicated our personalities a little bit as well. But there is no doubting it those items were from our future.
"You know that makes sense as weird as it sounds." Sanji said. "Things have felt weird ever since that knife appeared in front of me. I just had no idea why it was happening." Sanji said
"Yeah, we found something that allowed us to transfer our memories to objects that were significant to us. But it's weird. I know all of the thing that will happen to us. I think I might know why I know of all the things that are going to happen to us."
"Well are you going to make us ask you stupid Marimo."
"You know, now that I remember everything that makes me want to hurt you even more."
"I hate to interrupt but Zoro what do you think unlocked your memories?" Usopp asked kind of scared of Zoro.
"Right, I was going to tell you. It was when I was in the sword shop that it happened. I was talking with Tashigi when she talked about my sword. She said its name Wado Ichimonji. And just like that I remembered everything. I don't know why it happened. I am not sure if what worked for me is what will work for you guys. However there is one thing I know we couldn't resist."
"What is that?" Nami asked rather curious.
"We wouldn't be able to resist watching our old adventures play themselves out."
"Are you saying that we are watching this from the future?" Sanji asked
Nami was kind of freaked out and embarrassed at this but at the same time she thought it was rather exciting. Her friends in the future had likely seen her kiss Luffy. Now that she knows they are watching maybe she will give them a show.
"Zoro" Nami said
"What else do you remember about the future versions of us?"
"What are you getting at?"
"I was just curious if you knew anything past your memories being transferred to your sword?"
"Nope, nothing else."
"Then how do you know that we are watching all of this from the future?"
"Well, I wouldn't turn up the idea of watching my past again, but from a different view."
"You mean Luffy's?"
"Yeah, that's right. I know all about what I experienced. This is really a very rare opportunity to see how our captain operates."
"Since our friends from the future are watching why not get their help. We know that they have a way to send us things so why not get an upper hand?" Nami said
"I did get all the supplies I guess the future me told me to get so I can build the garden for the Pop Greens" Usopp said "I don't see why we don't get all the weapons available to us. I mean we already have all of this information locked away inside our heads."
"I think we should get you guys your memories back first." Zoro said standing up and walking out the door and going over to talk to Luffy.
"Luffy could you knock these two out for a little while?" Zoro said quietly to Luffy
"Sure, not sure why you would want me to do that." Luffy used his haoshoku haki and knocked out Mr. 9 and Vivi.
"We know you guys are watching." Zoro said to no one in particular
Back to the future Straw Hats watching through the portal
"So they figured out that we are watching them." Sanji said
"Who can we send stuff to?" Usopp asked
"The only other two we can send items to are Nami and Chopper."
"Maybe Franky can send Usopp a how to on repairing ships." Sanji added
"It's not a bad idea but it is a difficult trade to learn." Franky said
"Yeah, I mean you have been teaching me but I still have a lot to learn."
"You know you your repairs only have to last until you get to Water Seven."
"We have gotten off track." Nami said
"What should we send them?" Usopp asked
"Chopper, what do you think you would want to have once you have your memories unlocked?" Nami asked "I would want some of my research and ingredients to make new rumble balls. Maybe not the research because once I remember everything I will have no problem modifying my transformation points. What about you Nami?"
"I have a few sorcery clima tacts now, I am sure I can spare one plus a few spare parts. I would also need to send her a dozen or so weather balls."
"Do you think we would be helping them too much by just giving them things that have taken years to perfect and master?" Zoro asked in between making out with Robin
"I think once they know all that we do it would be unfair not to give them some support." Usopp said
"I agree, while you got stronger over your two years apart you gained a lot more than just strength. With young Zoro having unlocked all of your memories he has the knowledge to do all of the things you have learned he just doesn't have the strength to actually cut a giant galleon in half for example." The ghost said "You all developed in different ways. By giving all of your memories to yourselves you are helping them but some of you actually need specific weapons to be the most effective in battle."
"That's true, we all fight differently. Not giving some of our crew the tools to be effective in battle is only hindering our growth." Robin said
"I have to agree with Robin-chan." Sanji said. "Not having access to weapons doesn't hinder me, Luffy or Robin-chan. It does hinder Usopp and Nami-san. They use weapons but rely on their wit to take out enemies."
"So, giving them our weapons isn't a bad idea." Nami said
"No, it will help them considerably. So now that that is settled you and Chopper go get the stuff you would want to send to yourselves in the past." The ghost said
Nami and Chopper went to the Thousand Sunny to get all of the supplies to make up the care packages to themselves. After around an hour and a half or so the two made it back.
"All set." Nami and Chopper said in unison.
"You know something is bothering me, why did the marimo get his memories when he talked to Tashigi?" Sanji asked
"I guess that since Tashigi knew something about the item that was precious to Zoro it unlocked the latent memories." The ghost said
"Well we are screwed then." Sanji said "Marimo doesn't know about the items that are precious to us."
"That's where you would be wrong dartboard brow." Zoro said "When I am sleeping I am always aware of everything that is going on."
"No, no you're not listening." Nami said agitated "Once you are asleep it is so hard to wake you up. You've slept through severe storms before."
"Ok then, quiz me."
"Let me check Zoro's temperature, he must have a fever." Chopper said scrambling to find a thermometer.
"I'm fine, but thanks Chopper."
"Alright, what is important to Robin-chan?" Sanji asked
"Oh, this could cause trouble Sanji-kun." Nami said
"Her mother's journal." Zoro said nonchalantly
"Well Robin-san" Brook asked
"He's right."
"Before you ask for anyone else in particular, Nami's sister gave her the gold braclet on her wrist. Usopp's old man gave him his first slingshot. Zeff gave you the knife you use all the time. Dr. Hiriluk gave Chopper his pink hat. Franky has his favorite sunglasses and Brook has violin he has had for a long time."
They all just stood there very shocked, their jaws had just about hit the floor.
"Very impressive." Robin said kissing Zoro on the lips yet again.
"I may sleep a lot but I am always on alert and I am always paying attention."
"I don't know what to say to that. Should we be flattered or creeped out?" Sanji asked
"I am amazed to say the least." Franky said
"So that aside I think they will be ok especially if another of them unlocks our memories." Nami said "So now that is taken care of can you send these back to our past selves?"
"I will send Nami's bag to the Merry. Chopper do you want yours sent to Drum Island?"
"Send it to the Merry with Nami's." Chopper said "It won't be long before I join the crew again so it will be fine there."
The ghost nodded and opened up a portal to the Going Merry. Both bags were placed in storage with all of their other food and equipment.
Response to Reviews
medicaldolphin8: I will, and am working on more.
Demon-Slasher: I plan on changing some stuff. Right now I am not exactly sure what that might be. Let's leave it at, they won't exactly be OHKO's.
XxAkatsukiFanxX: I hope you enjoyed this and enjoy the next chapter.
Chrisfragger: I thought it would be fun to write. More to come. Maybe soonish.
kentucky fan: Thanks, and I will.
FreshNerd: That may be so but, I can write whatever I want.
Tsukino Aisuru: Hopefully I can stick to updating every weekend.
midnightscar17: Just wait and see, I hope everyone will enjoy what's coming soonish.
Illium Caderyn: I thought it would be an interesting comparison.
gamelover41592: Thank you, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter.