Hey guys, I want to apologise for this chapter taking so long. It shouldn't have, but I was having issues logging in to FF, and I couldn't get the chapter loaded no matter what I did. I only just recently got it to work, so here I obviously am. Sorry for the wait!
If Nami was in a less tense situation, she would have been over the moon at her quick mastery of the Shooter Skates.
After learning the basics from Raki and Genbo, it only took her five or so minutes to get accustomed to skating across the clouds like she was ice skating. Before long they were zooming across the rivers through Upper Yard, jumping from river to river as they went deeper in. Looking up, she saw that Giant Jack was still ahead of her, meaning they weren't close yet. She hoped it didn't take too much longer to get past it, otherwise they might not make to the city before dawn.
"You're a natural at this," Raki called over her shoulder, making Nami snap out of her thoughts. "Have you skated before?"
"No," Nami replied as they took a sharp turn right. "I guess my sea legs are just really good."
"I'll say," she replied. "If you can keep this up, we stand a much better chance of getting to your friends quickly." That was good. She'd been worried that they wouldn't get there before someone else did. Granted, this was not a battalion to fight, it was to get in and out safely.
"Just stay safe guys," she murmured under her breath," We're coming."
It had been a while since Merry had stopped moving, but no one had moved yet. Vivi remained perfectly still in between the crates as Merry moaned and groaned, the stress of their adventure getting to her. As if getting grabbed by the shrimp wasn't enough, the poor caravel had been dragged upwards at the final leg of their journey. The sounds she was making reminded her of bones snapping. It wasn't a pleasant comparison.
"I think we're okay for now," Johnny said after a while. "I don't hear anything, but I'll go check just to make sure."
"Yell if you need us," Yosaku said as his partner walked past him. Johnny nodded and ascended the stairs, putting on a brave face for them. Vivi held her breath as the door of the cabin opened, and Johnny took a few steps outside. Silence abounded, and Vivi did her best to control her imagination as she waited for him to say anything.
"You can come out," Johnny eventually said, "we're alone." The four remaining below took this advice to heart, getting out from behind their makeshift camp between supply crates and climbing the stairs. Vivi was last out, and when she got out her eyes widened.
Merry had been left grounded on top of what looked like a massive altar in the center of a lake of clouds. Beyond the clouds were trees so tall they looked like they went on forever, with vines as thick as her whole body hanging from them. When she looked down towards the clouds, her stomach turned when she saw fins sticking out of the water.
"Are those sharks?" Usopp asked for her. Mari jumped to look over the railing.
"Looks like sharks," she said solemnly. "With our luck, huge ones too."
"So what do we do now?" Vivi asked, "we can't get out of here."
"We only have two options," Yosaku said, "we either stay put, or try and get to that city Wyper mentioned. It's at the base of that giant beanstalk or whatever, so we know where to go." Vivi looked upwards, just barely able to see the massive stalk through the darkness.
"W-Well," Usopp said, "w-who's making that decision?"
Silence fell upon the five of them. Vivi cast a wary glance at all her crew mates, seeing that none of them looked too thrilled at the potential of being in charge. Usopp looked ready to wet himself, Mari looked annoyed, and both swordsmen were warily scanning their surroundings. Thankfully, or perhaps unfortunately, she knew what it felt like to be in a position of power.
"If I'm to be in charge," she said, "you have to listen to me, okay? We'll only get out of this if we work together."
"All ears, Big Sis," Johnny replied. Vivi took a deep breath and scanned their surroundings, looking for answers.
"Yosaku is right that we only have those two options," she said. "If we stay here, we have an excellent vantage point were anyone to come for us. We're elevated and surrounded by sharks. They help just as much as they hinder us in that scenario."
"And if we leave?" Mari asked.
"We're at the mercy of the forest," Vivi said. As if to prove her point, some creature howled from the trees, making Usopp jump. "I hate to be the one to say it, but, this group isn't built for offence. If we were to get caught out by something too big for us to handle, we'd die."
"Which will happen if we stay anyway," Mari said. All eyes turned to her as she continued, "I don't think the shrimp brought us to an altar to give us a present."
"Probably not," Vivi agreed grimly, "we're probably supposed to be a sacrifice once a priest wakes up." A horrible thought occurred to Vivi, but she pushed it down.
"Damned if we leave, damned if we don't," Johnny summed up.
"Basically," Vivi nodded. "Give all of that, though, I say we stay. Usopp will have a great vantage point here, whereas in the forest we would not."
"I agree with that," Usopp said, "I'd be no help in the dense brush."
"Not to mention all the hazards out there," Mari noted. "With our luck, one of these two idiots would fall in quicksand and die." Johnny and Yosaku both stared at her when she said this to them.
"I think you'd die in quicksand first, Little Sis," Yosaku said pointedly.
"I'm not that dumb," Mari replied.
"Yeah," Johnny said, "but you are that short."
Silence fell over the crew as the trio stared at one another. Vivi had to hold in a laugh at how adorable Mari's angry face was.
"Let's not waste time," she said, moving on from Mari's height. "Usopp, take up a vantage point on the cabin roof. It's safer than the Crow's Nest, and give's you a great view." Usopp nodded at this, shouldering his rifle. "Johnny, Yosaku, patrol from the deck. Usopp has great eyes, but he has none on the back of his head. I want eyes in every direction."
"You got it, Big Sis," Yosaku said, saluting to her, Johnny mimicked his motion, making her smile weakly.
"Mari," she said, turning to the painter, "are your paints ready?"
"Some are," she said, gesturing to the cabin, "but I need to mix some more of the difficult colours. Care to help me with that?"
"Sure thing," she said. "You three, holler if you see anything. And I do mean anything."
"Aye aye, Vivi," Usopp said, "Yosaku give me a boost to the cabin roof.
"On it," Yosaku agreed. As she walked back to the cabin, Vivi watched Yosaku bend down and put his hands together, pushing Usopp up as he stepped on his hands.
"Wow you're strong!" Usopp commented, "You did that so easily!"
"I guess Big Bro Zoro's training has worked a bit, huh?" He asked sheepishly, rubbing his head.
"That was nothing," Mari said as she paused in the door. "You should see him take a cannonball to the face."
"Yeah, but I had to protect you Little Sis," Yosaku told her. Vivi noted how Mari's cheeks flushed at this, giggling quietly as she followed the painter into the cabin.
"My recipes are fairly easy to follow," Mari said as they descended the stairs. "Just ask if you're not sure about the compound or whatever."
"Got it," Vivi said. "I've always wondered how your paint works. It isn't a Devil Fruit, is it?"
"It's not," Mari said, "it's a trade secret. Just follow my instruction." Gauging she wasn't going to get more out of the painter on this subject, Vivi's thoughts moved elsewhere.
"Can I tell you something, Mari?" She asked as the painter set down her kit. She looked up with questioning eyes.
"Sure," she said. Vivi took a deep breath as she sat down opposite her and the paint kit.
"I'm worried about sunrise," she said.
"Why?" Mari asked, "cause the priests or Enel will wake up?"
"Yes that," Vivi said, "but...We're really high in the sky right now."
"And?" Vivi shifted uncomfortably.
"Well, the sun sets and rises on the horizon," she explained slowly, "but we're well above the horizon, so..." She could see the realisation dawn on Mari's face.
"So the sun will rise faster up here," she said. "Dawn to Skypiea isn't dawn for the Blue Sea."
"Exactly," Vivi said. "I don't know if it'll happen or if the change is significant, but I also don't recall Wyper saying the exact time the sun will rise."
"I don't think he did," Mari said. Silence fell between the pair before Mari sighed. "I guess we better work fast then, huh?"
"I guess so," Vivi agreed. Mari handed her a recipe book, telling her to just start on the simple paints. Vivi flipped through the book, trying to gauge which paint would be helpful.
"Hey, Vivi?" Mari asked. Vivi looked up from the book to see the painter watching her again.
"Yes?" She asked. Mari squirmed where she sat, looking uncomfortable.
"Why did you tell me that and not the others?" She asked.
"Well that's easy," she said. "I don't need Usopp freaking out even more, and neither Johnny or Yosaku would help him remain calm."
"You trust me to remain calm?" She asked. Vivi smiled at her.
"I just flat out trust you, Mari," she said. Vivi smiled wider when she saw the blush hitting Mari's cheeks. She was so easy to tease. "Besides, I need a second in command while we're stuck here. And no offence to the guys, but I think you're the best fit for that."
"...You think?" Mari asked.
"I do," Vivi agreed. The painter did not say more, returning her eyes to her paints. Vivi just smirked as she returned her gaze to the book, focusing so she could read the exact amounts needed.
Despite this focus, she still heard Mari mumble a thank you.
It had to have been over an hour of walking so far, and Luffy was already ready to beat someone's ass. Granted, his crew being kidnapped and Wyper had not helped that attitude to simmer down.
The team of Wyper's men and his remaining crew trudged quietly through the forest, keeping their eyes out for anything that might have been dangerous. Wyper's crew mostly took charge of that, seeing as they knew the terrain. Wyper himself stayed far away from Luffy, which he appreciated. He still wanted to punch the guy. He'd have to settle that later though.
"Luffy," someone said. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Nojiko motioning for him. Slowing down, Luffy matched his stride to his Quartermaster's and turned to her.
"Yeah?" He asked. Nojiko watched him with a serious expression, one she usually wore right before she chastised him or the other men.
"I think you should go smooth things out with Wyper," she whispered, gesturing forward to their guide. Luffy looked over at him, annoyance bubbling up again.
"He started it," he complained.
"I know," she agreed, "and I wanted to hit him too. But the last thing we need right now is our leaders fighting against one another, instead of with one another. Do you understand?" Luffy frowned at her, crossing his arms.
"I'm not gonna apologise for trying to punch him or leave," he said.
"Then don't," she replied. "Do you remember what Vivi taught you?"
"Don't chew with your mouth open?" He asked, recalling one night earlier in the week when Vivi has chastised him for doing so. He'd stretched his lips closed after that.
"No, not that," Nojiko said as patiently as she could. "I mean when you spoke to Masira after attacking his men. Words are powerful if you use them right. Don't apologise for trying to hit him or leave, just say something else to smooth it over. Get it?" Luffy mulled this over in his mind, humming to himself. He recalled how he hadn't lifted a finger at the bar in Mock Town.
"Shanks did use to say violence doesn't always have to be the answer," he mused.
"Exactly," Nojiko said. "Use your words, get back on the same page as him. We'll need it." Sighing, but knowing the woman was right, Luffy nodded and sped up his stride, jumping over fallen logs and mud to catch Wyper. The Shandian had gone far ahead, presumably to keep distance between himself and Luffy.
"Yo, Wyper," Luffy said, starting as casually as he could. "Wait up." Wyper cast a wary eye over his shoulder, clearly tense from hearing his voice.
"What is it?" He asked curtly.
"Just wanted to talk," Luffy said, still searching his mind for the right thing to say. Why did Vivi have to be on the ship? The Straw Hat's needed their Voice. "About earlier."
"What about it?" Wyper asked, returning his eyes to the treeline. Luffy thought quietly for a moment, trying to know what Wyper would want to hear. He put himself in the warrior's shoes, thinking as hard as he could.
"I regret losing my cool back there," he said, trying not to celebrate his awesome word choice. "I know having to choose between my Crew and your mission wasn't a hard decision, especially since you don't know them well." Wyper eyed him quietly for a moment, and for a second Luffy worried he'd said the wrong thing. Thankfully, though, Wyper sighed and turned to him.
"I regret trying to make you choose," he said. His face made him look unhappy, but his words were sincere. "That's an easy decision for you to make. I'd have made the same one, were I you. Some random guys mission would not be as important as my people. It's just..." He paused, "well, it doesn't matter. I suppose I'm trying to apologise." Luffy tilted his head as he watched Wyper, thinking of his next words carefully.
"You really want to reclaim this land for your people, huh?" He asked.
"Of course," Wyper said, clenching this fists. "It's been a dream of mine ever since I was a child. And now, I might have the answer right before me. And I nearly lost it because I want it so badly."
"Your dream, huh?" Luffy asked. Wyper nodded, making Luffy sigh. "You should start with that next time."
"Huh?" Wyper asked, sounding confused.
"Let's put that fight behind us, Tattoo's," Luffy said, holding out his hand to Wyper. "Let's kick Enel out of this place and reclaim it." Wyper stared at his open hand for a moment, seemingly thinking, before raising his arm and clasping his hand with his own.
"Let's do that," he said with a smirk, "and then we can party in the city of gold, all night long. You can punch me for trying to make you abandon your crew then."
"Actually, start with that!" Luffy said. "The party, not the punch." Luffy nearly did a double take when Wyper cracked a smile.
"I'll do that," he said.
Before anyone could do or say anything else, a thunderous crack echoed through the forest around them, making everyone jump and look around warily.
"What the hell was that?" Zoro asked, swords drawn. Luffy looked over to Wyper to see he was nervous.
"Not now," the Shandian hissed. "Why is she awake?"
"Why is who awake?" He asked. Wyper grit his teeth as another tree was snapped somewhere in the distance, followed by a deep hissing.
"Nola, the giant snake," he replied. "I hoped she would be asleep, but I guess we aren't that lucky."
"So what do we do?" Sanji asked, "kill it?"
"Good luck with that," Kamakiri said, scanning the treeline. "Nola is a tough old snake. It'd take the Sun God himself to kill her."
"Kamakiri's right," Wyper agreed. "We have to stay as far away from her as possible. If she see's us, it's worse case scenario. How close is she, Braham?" Luffy turned to see the warrior with a hat over his eyes had knelt and placed a hand on the ground, focusing on it. As he did so, another horrific sound echoed through the forest. To Luffy, it sounded like someone was rubbing a massive piece of sandpaper across the ground.
"Close," Braham said, "and getting closer. The tremors in the dirt are coming from the West."
"Then we head North-East," Wyper said, "and hope she changes course. Let's go everyone, pick up the pace!" As Luffy ran, another tree crashed down somewhere behind them.
"Man that snake sure is angry," he said. "Hey, Chopper, do you think you could talk to it?"
"I mean, maybe?" Chopper replied. He was in his regular reindeer form, galloping alongside Robin and Nojiko. "But if Wyper's right and she's gone mad, I don't know if she'd listen."
"I'm not willing to take that bet!" Nojiko shouted. "If he fails, we get swallowed hole!"
"Your four-legged friend probably wouldn't even get a chance to talk!" Warashi said. "Nola isn't known for waiting until her meal stops bargaining with her!"
As the group ran from Nola, Luffy couldn't help but wonder if the crew that was stuck on Merry were okay.
Keeping watch for over an hour was tiring. Doing so for close to two was even worse. Going on three now, Yosaku was ready to collapse.
He had been keeping an eye on the treeline surrounding the altar for so long his eyes were beginning to glaze over. He could feel a yawn coming up every few seconds, and he had to fight it off and stay alert. This operation happening at night meant he wasn't getting any sleep, and that was awful considering how hard he was worked during the day. It was just that morning, after all, that he'd mopped Merry up and down in preparation for their journey into the sky.
"I'm falling asleep, Johnny," He commented lazily, leaning on the railing. "I'm so tired."
"I know how you feel," Johnny agreed from the opposite side of the ship. "I just want to close my eyes, but I can't."
"Exactly. What if someone comes while we're asleep?" He asked.
"I'd hope Usopp would see him," Johnny replied. Yosaku cast a glance over at the cabin roof, where Usopp was still laying, scanning the river with his rifle scope.
"Maybe the girls can keep watch," He said.
"No," Johnny replied, "let them sleep. They're the brains of this operation, they need their rest. We just swing our swords at anything that looks like an enemy." That was true. Yosaku was not one for thinking up great plans. Vivi and Mari had that covered.
"Hey, Johnny..." He started. "...Do you think we can actually defend the Merry?"
"What do you mean?" Johnny asked.
"Well," Yosaku started, "Wyper said those priest guys are powerful. Really powerful. I don't mean to sound rude but...No one here is particularly strong. We're the strongest, and that isn't saying much." Johnny said nothing for a moment before sighing.
"We don't have a choice," he said. Yosaku looked over his shoulder at his partner to see he was flipping his blade around in his hand. "We swore an oath to protect people. That's what we wanted, right? I don't care if I'm weaker than some Priest, I won't let them harm the others without him taking me out first." Yosaku watched him as he twirled his sword, smiling.
"I was thinking the same thing," he said, "just wanted to make sure we had no illusions about our chances if someone does show u-"
"GUYS!" Usopp shouted, startling both swordsmen and nearly sending Yosaku face first onto the deck. "Unidentified flying object inbound! There's someone on it! And I-I don't think it's Gan Fall!" Yosaku looked up where Usopp was looking, and saw the figure he'd described. There was indeed something flying right for them, with a man riding it.
"We just had to open our mouths, huh?"Johnny asked from his side. Yosaku laughed as he reached over his shoulder and drew Jishin from it's hilt.
"Let's hope they're sleepy too," he replied.