Chapter 36

The crew of the Green Dragon started sailing away from the base. Navy ships were making their way towards the base. William was organizing the crew to navigate the currents of Reverse Mountain. The ship started riding up the mountain.

The ship came close to the top of the mountain. Concentrating, he waited patiently for the right moment. When the ship was about to reach the top of the mountain, he lifted his arm.

"Starboard 45." He ordered.

"You got it!" The stranger behind the wheel shouted before following the navigator's instructions.

The ship reached the top and the ship turned towards the current that would take the crew to the Grandline. Entering the current and the ship started to quickly descend down the mountain.

"Hold on tight!" Leah shouted hugging the mast laughing loud enough to be heard over rushing current.

The crew followed her advice and grabbed something that was connected to the ship. Truffle held onto Atlanta as she held onto the side railing. The ship continued moving quickly until they hit the bottom. A giant wave was pushed forward.

"Whoa! That was awesome!" Leah shouted in excitement before falling to the ground laughing so hard her side to hurt.

"We could have died!" William shouted incredulously.

"Oh, come on Will." Annie said smirking close to laughter.

"That was awesome!" Andy said laughing.

"Give yourself some credit William." Gail told him. "I think captain has complete faith in you."

"Seriously." Atlanta said.

Feeling something rub her uncovered abbs, she looked down to see Truffle with a look of amazement as she continued to rub Atlanta's six pack. Atlanta's cheek reddened realizing that Truffle was holding her and fondling her abs. Gulping slightly, she tapped the chief's shoulder. Truffle looked up to notice what she was doing before moving back quickly, her face turns red as a tomato.

"I… I'm sorry, it was not appropriate." She said nervously waving her hands in front of her.

Atlanta gave her a small comforting smile towards her crewmate. "It's okay."

Scared to say anything else, the chief nodded before turning towards William to give him a thumbs up. She then turned and ran to the door and entered below the deck. Todo and Hon entered the deck with confused looks on their faces.

"Um what was wrong with Truffle?" Hon asked before noticing a shirtless Atlanta. "I see."

"Navigator that was incredible navigating!" Todo shouted.

"Thank you." William said unsure of what to say to the eccentric musician.

"Yes, you have masterfully evaded the dangers of the currents that are known to tear a ship apart." The stranger told him.

"Thanks." William said bashfully at the praise he was getting. "Good job taking the wheel…"

The crew on deck also started to notice the strange. Before the crew could react, he knelt to the floor and bowed. This confused the crew.

"I apologize for intruding on your ship." He began speaking. "I was recently a prisoner back at the base and was scheduled to be transferred to Impel Down."

"What's your name?" Leah asked.

"Jackie Li."

"What are you going to do now?"

"I wanted revenge against Arnold for murdering my crew." He answered. "Now, I wish to serve on your crew as gratitude for saving someone as pathetic as me."

"Okay, welcome to the crew." Leah said bending down and offering him her hand.

Li looked up at the offered hand before taking it. Leah pulled it helping him stand. The crew cheered welcoming Li. Smiling Leah felt satisfied, she made it to the Grandline and got another crew member. It was a good day.

Leah turned to her crew ready to give out orders but was interrupted by a large grumble. Turning towards the noise to find a giant black whale with scars on his head as well as a misshapen jolly roger with a straw hat painted on the nose.

"Whoa." Leah said softly almost speechless.

Back at the ruins of Reverse Mountain Base, Captain Very Good was inspecting the base. Finding the body of Vice- Admiral Arnold. He sighed in frustration. He looked up at the mountain and he didn't see the pirate ship, so he turned to his underlings who are attending to the marines stationed at the base.

"Someone get me a transponder snail." He ordered.

"Yes sir." A soldier said, running towards his ship.

Rubbing his afro he waited anxiously for his snail to make a report to HQ. He then rubbed his chin, scratching his tattoo impatiently.

Eventually his subordinate runs towards him with a transponder snail. "Thank you soldier." He said taking the handset.

The snail started ringing. He waited for someone to answer wanting this day to be over. 'This is Akainu.' The voice on the other end greeted.

'Of all the admirals.' He thought in despair.

"This is Captain Very Good here at Reverse Mountain Base." He said. "I am here to report that the base is destroyed and Vice Admiral Arnold has been killed."

"Any clue as to who did it?" He asked.

"The rookie Leah and her crew."

"Are they in custody?"

Good started sweet nervously. "No sir they were gone by the time we arrived sir."

'I expect a report by the end of the day captain.' Akainu ordered before the snail disconnected.

Sighing, Good put the handset back before looking at the base in ruins. Sighing, he was trying to fight the feeling the world was changing and not in the marine's way. The marines better catch the red-haired woman or else another power will rise.

To be continued…

I got another chapter done. Finally. I hope you all are enjoying the story. Thanks for reading.