This is the 9th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
Legend of the Rainbow Mist!
Somewhere at sea
After the Straw Hats left the Goat Island and having the Marines takes Minchey to prison while try to gather information, they're being chased by the Marines. The Marines were pursuing and they fired the cannons at the Straw Hats, which they hit the sea instead of the ship. The Straw Hats uses the ores, rowing the ship while try to get away from the Marines which they're relentless.
"This is really getting old!" Usopp complains, rowing the ship. "If the Marines keep attacking us like this, and we keep running, I'm gonna drop dead from exhaustion!"
"Not if those cannonballs get us before that!" Nami shouts. "Now shut up and row!"
While the Marines continued firing the cannonballs at the ship, the Going Merry began to move side-to-side from the wave and the cannonballs hits the ocean. Usopp screams while Chopper was rolling around the deck in 'Guard Point'. Luffy was lying on the ground with his tongue sticking out which it annoys the young Dragoon and Sanji.
"Hey, Luffy! A little help would be nice!" Sanji called him.
"And it'll be helpful if you quit being lazy for one!" Ventus shouts, helping Sanji pulling the rope from the mast.
"Sorry, I've got no strength." Luffy groans. "Haven't eaten in hours!"
"HOW ABOUT A TASTE OF THE BACK OF MY HAND!?" Sanji yelled with white eyes and shark-like teeth, air slapping him.
"I'D RATHER BURN YOU INTO CRISP!?" Ventus yelled with white eyes and shark-like teeth.
Inside of the Marine ship, a Marine named Rapanui is making an origami peacefully while having his fellow men hunt down the Straw Hat Pirates.
Rapanui is an older man with messy blond hair, thick lips, and wears black sunglasses. He has fairly honed muscles and has bandages wrapped around his arms. He wears a black tank top under a Marine officer's coat and also wears a long gray pants and green boots.
He then heard a loud knock on the door as his fellow Marine spoke.
"Major Pasqua! Come quick! We need you on the bridge immediately! Major Pasqua!"
Rapanui then placed his finished origami on the desk as he then grabbed his Marine coat, walking towards the door in annoyance.
"Major Pasqua, didn't you hear me?!"
Heard enough, Rapanui opens the door, raises his arm toward the Marines as he flicks him in the forehead with his fingers, send him flying against the deck.
"Yes, unfortunately." Rapanui answered in annoyance. "I'm not deaf, I heard you the first time."
"Forgive me, I'm terribly sorry, Major Pasqua! But I came to inform you the fleet has just engaged the Straw Hat pirates, sir!"
It got Rapanui attention when the Marine told him about the pirates. At the deck of the ship, the Marines continued firing the cannonballs at the Going Merry while Rapanui rushes up to the deck.
"Took you long enough." A Marine named Isoka said with a glare. "An historic encounter and you almost missed it."
Isoka is a woman with a somewhat droopy face, with short purple hair with a Marine headband. She wears a standard Marine coat over a sea green turtleneck with stripes running down it. She also wears a blue pants.
"Just give me the binoculars." Rapanui remarked with a huff as Isoka extends the binoculars to him, grabs it and looks through it when he noticed the Going Merry. "No doubt about it, that's 'Straw Hat' Luffy's flag alright."
"That it is." Isoka agrees when Rapanui trembles.
"That idiot." Rapanui muttered when the Marine informed him.
"We've been firing warning shots, but they've shown no signs of stopping! I think the only thing that will stop them now is if you do 'it', Major!"
"'It', huh? I guess, if you insist." Rapanui said, passes the binoculars to Isoka and pulled a coin out of his pocket.
Then, Rapanui pulled the coat out as aims the coin at the Going Merry.
"Here it comes! The Major's special technique!"
"The one that sunk countless pirate ships! The Finger Bomb!"
Rapanui's hand starts to tremble, grunts while tried to aim at the Going Merry, but miscalculated his aim when he sneezes and accidentally destroyed the Marine ship. It got the Marines jaw dropped in shock, watching one of the Marine ships sunk.
"Major, you just sunk one of our own ships!?"
"Sorry." Rapanui apologized with a groan.
"What the heck?" Chopper exclaimed, confused.
"They're shooting at each other?" Zoro questions when he, Chopper, Usopp, and Ventus watches the ship sinks into the ocean.
"Either that, or probably a misfire?" Ventus guesses as Usopp places the foot against the wooden rail with a confident smirk.
"Take that! I've predicted those Marine bilgerats would eventually turn on each other right from the start!" Usopp states with a laugh which it's a lie.
"And when did you predict that?" Zoro and Ventus ask in a deadpan look on their faces.
"Who cares?! Their formation is collapsing!" Nami shouts. "We've gotta use this opportunity to escape!"
And with that, the Straw Hats uses their chance to escape as they sail away from the Marines. One of the Marine ships sailed towards the sunken ship, rescue their fellow men by deploying the life boats while both Rapanui and Isoka watches the Going Merry sail away and out of sight.
"The Going Merry is getting away!"
"Right." Rapanui replied with a nod.
"THERE'S NOTHING RIGHT ABOUT IT!?"
"Looks like the wheel of fortune is starting to turn." Isoka states with a smirk while the Marine rants.
"Everything is going exactly as the flow of history demands." Rapanui said with a smirk. "Attend to the wounded! As soon as all hands were on board, set sails for Ruluka as scheduled!"
Ruluka Island
After the Straw Hats were able to get away from the Marines, they continued to sail while sailing through the reefs. Robin and Usopp were looking through the binoculars and his goggles while Ventus use his Dragon Sight to see if the Marines are coming after them, which apparently, the Marines are busy trying to save their men and attend their wounds.
"We lose them?" Usopp inquires.
"It appears so." Robin replied, lowering her binoculars.
"We should be safe for the moment." Ventus said, turning his eyes back to normal. "But what we need is to find an island to restock some supplies, hopefully we can regroup before the Marines find us."
"No kidding." Usopp agrees. "But still, the Marines sure have been dogging us a lot lately."
"Well, when you have four people on board with big bounties on our heads, I can't blame them for going all out." Zoro states with a smirk, sits on the deck and leaned against the mast.
And Zoro is right since he, Luffy, Usopp, and Robin had the big bounties on their heads.
"Luffy." Nami called him, looked down at the sea and noticed the shallow reefs. "You should move. There's a chance we could hit one of these shallow reefs, and you can get thrown overboard."
Luffy can respond by leaned his head and groaned.
As soon as the Straw Hat pirates sailed through the reefs, they noticed an island that has a town along with the tall tower that's under construction. Chopper noticed it as he spoke.
"Look! It's a harbor!" Chopper states with a smile which it got Luffy's attention.
"Where is it?" Luffy asks when he sat up with a smile, turns to the sea.
"There! Right next to that lighthouse!" Chopper told him, points at the island.
"A harbor means a town! And a town means restaurants! And that means food! Ya-hoo!" Luffy cheered excitedly.
Soon as they docked the ship, Chopper noticed that the tower isn't a lighthouse.
"Oh, it's not a lighthouse at all, is it?" Chopper states.
"Really? It sure is tall, I wonder what it is?" Usopp said surprisingly, looking at the tower when Sanji disembarks while Zoro was still on the ship, sleeping as usual.
"Whatever it is, it's still under construction." Ventus points out, lands next to Usopp.
"Who cares?!" Luffy shouts. "Let's get some food!"
"All right, wipe the drool from your face." Nami told him in annoyance when Zoro sneezes from his sleep.
Just as they're about to head into to town, the guard noticed as he spoke.
"You there! Halt!"
It got their attention when they turned to the guard, who aimed at the pirates with a rifle.
"Here on Ruluka, there's a requirement for all visitors who moor their ships at the harbor or even along the rocks, you must first pay all of requisite harbor dues!"
"What are harbor dues?" Chopper asks curiously.
"It's a tax we have to pay for docking our ship." Usopp informed him.
"But he's right about those who dock the ship, but the people who works at the shore also pay the dues." Ventus adds.
"But if we're going to do some trading in this city, why do we have to pay a tax just to dock here?" Nami questions with a glare, walk a few steps while placing her hands on her hips.
"Because it's your duty! Now pay up or you'll regret it!"
"Yeah, I don't think so." Ventus said in annoyance, spews fire at the guard from his mouth as he screams while running with a fire on his ass.
"Ventus, do you really have to do that?" Usopp asks, worried.
"Something tells me he failed to realize that we're pirates, then again, the guard is doing something that only a pirate would do." Ventus said with a serious look on his face. "No doubt about it, we're in Ruluka Island."
"You've been there before?" Nami asks surprisingly.
Before Ventus could answer, Luffy ran ahead of them with a cheer.
"I think we should catch up to that idiot before he causes trouble." Sanji suggested with a sigh.
"Well, this is Luffy we're talking about, he always wind up himself into a lot of trouble." Ventus said. "We might as well head into town anyway."
"In any case, we should go." Nami suggested. "I need to buy some blank charts to draw maps on."
"Great~!" Sanji said happily, following Nami. "I'll go with you, Nami~!"
"I'll come too!" Chopper adds, following them and leaving Usopp, Ventus, and Robin behind.
"Hey, wait!" Usopp protests. "Don't forget me, Robin, and Ventus you guys!"
"Hey, you there!"
And just as they're about to catch up to them, Usopp, Robin, and Ventus looked up when they saw a scientist who happens to be Henzo, who's looking at the three at the cliff.
Henzo has an old droopy appearance with droop eyes, a large mustache that covers his mouth and grey bowl cut. His face is also rather wrinkly. He wears a button down shirt that has a red collar. The rest of it is lavender with lots of pink shapes decorating it. Over that he wears a long white coat with two pockets. He was wearing a helmet with goggles, a rader scanning backpack.
"I have a question I'd like to ask the three of you!" Henzo told them.
"I think he might be some kinda clown." Robin states.
"He looks more like some kind of swindling salesman to me." Usopp guessed.
"He's neither of those. He's probably an inventor." Ventus told him.
"I'M NEITHER ONE OF THOSE!?" Henzo yelled, lifting his goggles up. "Tell me, have either of you seen a Rainbow-Colored Mist?"
It got Robin interested when he mentions the Rainbow-Colored Mist and she read the volumes of those books.
"Say what?! Rainbow-Colored Mist?" Usopp exclaimed.
"Forget it, you know nothing." Henzo rudely comments, turned away.
"Well, that's true." Usopp agrees, but feeling insulted. "Wait a minute! You meant that as an insult, didn't ya?! YOU CRAZY OLD COOOOOOT!"
"We haven't, but perhaps you can tell us more." Robin said calmly, raise her arm next to Usopp which it got him and the young Dragoon confused, but it got Henzo's attention.
After Henzo led Usopp, Luffy, Ventus, and Robin to town, heads inside of the restaurant for the rubber Captain to eat along with his crew and the scientist.
"Gimme another, pops!" Luffy shouts after eating his food quickly.
"One more special, coming up!"
"Make that two." Henzo suggested when the chef places the plates on the table in between him and Luffy.
"Well, here you go. You do have money to pay for that, right?"
"Actually, my friend here is paying." Henzo told him, much to Usopp's dismay.
"NO I'M NOT!?" Usopp shouts with white eyes and shark-like teeth.
'For an old geezer, he's a cheapskate.' Ventus thought in annoyance, sweat dropped.
"If I'm going to tell you this secrets of the Rainbow Mist, of course you are, it's the least you can do." Henzo told him, turns to him for a second and then drinks his water.
"I'M NOT EVEN THE ONE WHO ASKED YOU! JERK!?" Usopp yelled when Henzo places the glass against the table.
"My names not jerk, it's Henzo." Henzo introduces himself. "I'm a genius, repeat, genius scientist and my field of research is the Rainbow Mist."
"Calling yourself a genius doesn't make you one." Usopp muttered with a deadpan look and a sweat drop. "A self-appointed jackass would be more accurate, old timer."
"Tell me, Mr. Henzo." Robin said.
"It's Professor Henzo, miss." Henzo corrects her, causing Usopp to slap him in the chest.
"'Professor Henzo', do you know this book?" Robin inquires when she shows the book to him, which it got his eyes widen in shock.
"Is that?!" Henzo exclaims, grabs the book and goes through the pages.
"I came across in Alabasta." Robin informed him.
"So, that's it. I thought Rainbow Mist sounded kinda familiar." Usopp states. "And it turns out, I was right. It's a title of the book Robin's been reading."
"I can't figure out who authored it with the book, but it was written well over 40 years ago." Robin said seriously. "According to the book, the Rainbow Mist could possibly the Garden of the Gods, or even El Dorado, the fabled City of Gold. What do you think, Professor?"
"The latter is nothing more than a legend." Henzo points out, turns to her while closes the book. "Many adventurers have fallen prey to its lure and the potential for finding untold riches inside it, countless people have sailed off in search of the Rainbow Mist. Never to be seen again, including some dear friends of mine."
Henzo even remembered of his friends being sailed on the pirate ship and disappeared into the Rainbow Mist, never to be seen again for over 40 years. Ventus remembered reading the volumes of the Rainbow Mist during his time in Burmecia when he was only 8 years old. He even went to that island one time at the Grand Line with Fratley and Freya.
"Oh, so that's why you're researching the mist." Usopp said, raising his eyebrow when the chef places the plate of pasta on the table.
"Hey, friend."
It got their attention when they turned to him. Ventus didn't bother to look at the chef, using his ears to listen to get the information.
"I wouldn't take whatever that guy says with a grain of salt if I were you."
"Yeah? Why is that?" Usopp asks when the civilians turned to him.
"Because he's one of Mayor Wetton's dogs, that's why."
'Wetton? He's use to be a pirate back at his day, but became a mayor and have kids of his own. Last time I check, pirates aren't even allowed to become a politician or a mayor, it's against the law. And if word got out, then the Marines will either questioned him or arrest him. Guess this island hasn't changed during my first visit.' Ventus mentally thought, remembered of his time in Ruluka Island.
"A dog?" Luffy repeats in confusion.
"Yeah! He receives all of his research funding from the Mayor and lives an easy life! He's nothing but a sham of a scientist!"
'It's no wonder Professor Henzo is being hated by those people because of Wetton. And with that look on his face, it's more like he's forced to do research.' Ventus mentally states.
Then, the sound of drums was heard when the guards are marching towards the restaurant which it got their attention, panicked.
"Oh no! It's the Tax Collection Squad!?"
The civilians then quickly drink their beverages and ate their food before the Tax Collection Squad arrives, but it's too late, the Tax Collection Squad and a man named Flip arrived at the restaurant.
Flip is an old man in his 50s. He has red hair and mustache, and has thick eyebrows.
"Well, well, good citizens, hello there." Flip greets with a sinister smirk. "I certainly hope that you were having an enjoyable meal today."
Ventus couldn't help but scowl at Flip, who walked inside when he noticed one of the civilians didn't get to finish his beverage.
"Knocking back a nice cold one, are you? Of course, you do realize if you drink liquor, you have to pay the liquor drinking tax, right?" Flip informed him when two of the Tax Collectors surrounds him, grabbing his arms.
"Hey, wait a minute! Please! If you take what's left of my wallet, I won't have anything to support my family with!"
"Who cares?!" Flip snarled when one of the Tax Collectors grabbed his wallet, but Ventus won't take it anymore as he quietly stood up from his seat. "It's a citizens duty to pay any taxes that are required. And those who neglect this civic duty have no right to live in our humble little village."
"And someone is you and your old man, Flip." Ventus said when he uses his tail to grab Flip's wrist, pulled him and grabbed his collar with his dragon talon as he lifts him in the air. "Paying taxes for something that's silly like this? It's more like an extortion than tax collecting! And what gives you the right to talk to them like that!"
"I can say and collect whatever I want! You should remember who you're talking to, boy!" Flip snarled, but he made a big mistake.
"The only one I'm talking is son of bastard pirate, Wetton, who only had in his heart is greed! He never cared about the civilians or the island, he cares about money and leaving them high and dry!" Ventus growled angrily when his eyes changed into a dragon. "That's not how a mayor behaves!"
The civilians, except Usopp, Luffy, and Robin, were stunned of the young Dragoons action, even Henzo was shocked of his appearance. The Tax Collecting Squad were completely shocked that the young Dragoon has Flip.
"Well don't just stand there, kill him!" Flip ordered.
"One move and he'll walk away with a broken bone!" Ventus warned them with a dragonic tone, making the Tax Collectors stop as he then turns to Flip. "You got two choices: Either return the wallet to the civilian, or I'll break your wrist into two! What's it gonna be?!"
Flip can tell that the young Dragoon isn't playing around when he gave him a decision. Ventus extends his claw as Flip lets go of the wallet while he grabs it.
"Pleasure doing business with you." Ventus said as he uncoiled his tail, then throws Flip right towards the Tax Collector. "NOW GET OUT OF OUR SIGHT!?"
Flip and the Tax Collectors did that as they flee and out of the restaurant. Ventus then turns his claws into hands while having his tail vanished, walking towards the civilian as he tosses the wallet to him.
"You and your family need it more than they do." Ventus said with a small smile. "It's not worth paying for something trivial."
"Thanks, you have no I idea how much my family needs."
The civilians can tell that the young Dragoon was the only one who stood up against Flip and the Tax Collectors, and given the wallet back out of kindness.
"Who is this jerkface?" Usopp inquires.
"Mayor Wetton's son, Flip. A total bastard who always extorts tax money from us for the slightest things."
"But if it wasn't for this young man, we wouldn't have anything left."
The civilians looked at Ventus with smiles on their faces, but Luffy, Usopp, and Robin knew that the young Dragoon was doing what's right. Ventus turned to Henzo as he spoke.
"Tell me, why are they extortion money for something trivial?" Ventus asks. "Why is that?"
"They collect money for my research of the Rainbow Mist." Henzo told him, then turns to the tower. "And also, they're collecting money for constructing a Rainbow Tower. It cost many to make that, but my research is slow and inconclusive because there's no telling when the Rainbow Mist is going to appear. I never ask for the support, but with Mayor Wetton's power, I didn't have much of a choice. Even if my research is slow, the taxes kept increasing and the more people will be left with nothing."
Ventus was right about the situation, Henzo was forced to work with Wetton for his research.
After they finished their lunch, Ventus, Usopp, Robin, and Luffy left the restaurant when the young Dragoon gave his crew an explanation of Wetton.
"What? Are you saying that Mayor Wetton is a pirate?!" Usopp exclaims in shock.
"Believe it or not, he used to be a pirate back in his day." Ventus told him. "After that, he left his life as a pirate and became a mayor for over 40 years ago. It's no surprise that Wetton is still ruthless and greedy along with his son."
"Geez, no wonder that old man and his son extorted money from the people." Usopp muttered. "But still, a pirate as a mayor? That's really worse."
"Actually, Usopp, a pirate isn't allowed to be a mayor. It's against the law and if word got out, then the Marines will have him arrested." Robin points out.
"She's right, but for some reason, Wetton must've threatened the civilians in order to keep it quiet while he rules this island." Ventus adds with an agreement. "That and he also made some outrageous law for taxes for the tower while threaten Henzo to research of the Rainbow Mist."
Luffy, Usopp, Ventus, and Robin looked at the tower while Henzo also looks at it, overhearing their conversation.
"To make matters worse, the civilians are thinking badly of Henzo since he's in a bind for 50 years." Ventus continues.
"I see." Robin said. "That explains why the people are suffering money extortion."
"But still, we should go look for the others and leave." Usopp suggested.
"It's for Luffy to decide, he's the Captain." Ventus points out. "But...we already know what's on his mind."
While on the other side of town, Nami was shopping mostly clothes. Chopper was carrying most of the clothes on his back while Sanji was carrying some shopping bags.
"You're still shopping?" Chopper asks with a pant.
"Well, of course, Chopper." Nami replied with a smile. "I still need some blank charts. If we run out of them while we're at sea, we'll be in big trouble."
"I can understand those, but what about all those other girly stuff you bought as well?" Chopper asks again.
"Nami~! I'd follow you into the depths of Hell itself, just to watch you shop for new gorgeous outfits~!" Sanji said with a goofy grin and goo-goo eyes.
Then, one of the guards found Nami, Chopper, and Sanji wandering around the town.
"There they are, Lake! The one I've told you about!"
Sanji, Nami, and Chopper were a bit confused, wondering who is Lake and why was he searching for them. Then, they saw a man named Lake approaching with a mechanical suit on him.
Lake is a young man with red hair, black eyebrows. He has very thick and long sideburns, pointed at the ends and curved towards his face.
"You're the insolent folks who didn't pay your taxes at the harbor, huh?" Lake said with a smirk which it got them tensed up. "Allow me to introduce myself, I'm the grandson of Mayor Wetton, Lake. Also, I'm the officer who sees an unpaid taxes here. So, pay up or else."
"I'm not sure what's going on here, but you're messing up the lady shopping trip. Back off, pal or you're gonna get hurt." Sanji warned him seriously.
"There's no need for that. I'll take care of this riff-raff." The voice of the Reaper said as he approached.
The Reaper is a white-skinned young man with short black hair and red eyes. He wore black chapeau with dark gray sash around the hat, black feathers on the left side, black mask that covers half of his face, black tattered cloak over his shoulder, black corselet armor with a black leather jerkin underneath, black sleeves with black vambraces, black pants with black poleyn armor, and black boots. He carries a scythe on his back.
The Reaper pulls out his scythe, readied his fighting stance as Lake charges after him with a shout.
"Harpe" The Reaper fires the dark orbs at Lake, making him stumble back a bit while losing his balance.
"Infernal Slice" The Reaper then charges after Lake, slicing off the mechanical arms along with the cables attached to his armor, making the guards shocked.
"Honestly, I thought you'd be much of a fight, but I was wrong. This fight turns out to be disappointed." The Reaper said with a sigh, turns to Lake, who looked at him with fright. "Take your men and leave, the last thing I want is turning this town into a bloodbath."
Lake responded by ordering his men to retreat as he then flees, out of sight.
"I apologize for interference, I hope it doesn't cause you to lose your belongings." The Reaper apologies.
"Uh, it's not like our belongings are lost, it's more like you ended the fight in less than seconds." Nami states. "But thanks for the help."
"Yeah, just glad that you're on our side." Sanji adds. "Anyway, could you tell us who you are?"
"Shouldn't you introduce yourselves first before asking?" The Reaper suggested. "The reason is because...it's common curtsy."
That got Nami, Chopper, and Sanji face first down to the ground, but knows that he made a valid point.
"Okay, good point." Sanji said as he regain his composure. "I'm Sanji. This is Nami and Chopper."
"I'm Caius. And I'm the Reaper from Ul'dah." Caius introduces himself. "It's the name of the desert kingdom of Aldenard."
"Aldenard?" Nami repeats.
"Yes, it's from the southern region of the Altivalios." Caius informed her.
"Wait, did you say Altivalios?" Sanji asks surprisingly, earned a nod from him. "Are you here to kill Ventus?"
"Nothing of the sort. I was sent to find Ventus Starwind, and remain by his side to fight against the Garlean Empire." Caius told him. "Also, she asks of me to help him and the Straw Hat pirates on their journey."
Nami, Chopper, and Sanji felt relieved that the Reaper came to help them on their journey, but it got them wondering why would the kingdom of Aldenard sent him to find the Straw Hat pirates. Caius decided to give the three an explanation while try to help Nami buy some blank charts.
While on the streets, Ventus, Robin, Usopp, and Luffy were following Henzo through the streets.
"I'm telling you, they've got one outrageous...well, actually, two outrageous men here. But the Mayor let his goons to take money for every little thing you do and calls it tac collecting." Usopp told the rubber captain. "Tax collecting my hairy butt! It's more like extortion if you ask me!"
"That's because it is extortion, Usopp." Ventus told him in annoyance. "And in case you forget, Wetton is a pirate, remember?"
"I'm sorry." Henzo apologized which it got their attention. "All of you."
"You didn't have much of a choice, you're being forced by his cruelty." Ventus told him. "It's not your fault."
"But why? Why was he apologizing for?" Luffy asks in confusion, much to Usopp and Ventus' annoyance.
"Didn't you listen to anything to those guys in the restaurant said, Luffy?!" Usopp questions, turns to him with an annoyed glare.
"Uh-uh, did you?" Luffy asks, turns to him.
"Of course, I did! They said pops here is in league with those rip-off artists! And what's worse, everyone's tax money is being squandered on his funky ass research!" Usopp shouts, but groans.
"Forget it, Usopp, it's no use trying to reason with the clueless captain here." Ventus told him with a sigh. "I mean, this is Luffy we're talking about. He didn't understand the situation because of his stupidity."
"Hey!" Luffy remarked, resenting that insult when they heard the bell ringing and saw the civilians running towards the dock.
"Hey! What's going on?"
"A galleon with a horned figurehead just stripped into the harbor!"
"A galleon?" Usopp repeats curiously.
"It couldn't be!?" Henzo exclaims in shock, rush towards the docks.
"That's the spirit, pops. Let's go check it out." Luffy suggests with a grin as he follows him while Usopp tries to stop him which it's too late.
At the docks, the civilians were at the docks when Luffy, Usopp, Robin, Ventus, and Henzo pushes them away, noticing a large ship at sea that was a large red ship with blue lining, with purple sails bearing a Jolly Roger. The figurehead of the ship resembles a large red bull.
"Oh, wow! It's huge!" Luffy states with amazed look.
"It's the same size as Krieg's ship." Ventus comments, crossed his arms. "But it's intact."
"Yes, but it appears to be an older ship." Robin agrees seriously.
"It's the Tarielishin." Henzo muttered.
"A what?" Usopp asks, confused with his raised eyebrow. "How do you...Hey, wait, pops! Hold up!"
Henzo ignores his shout, rush towards the shore as he rides on the small raft called H-1 by pushing the petals. Ventus decided to follow him as he leaps up in midair, sprouts his wings and takes flight.
"Huh? Whoa, that thing is so awesome!?" Luffy exclaims, amazed as Henzo was out of the shore and into the sea as the raft inflates, floating towards the ship. "It's incredible! It's cool! It's like I think I've gotta have one of those things!"
"The minute I saw it, I knew you'd say that." Usopp said in annoyance.
Henzo noticed Ventus was flying above him which it got him shocked.
"You ate one of the Devil Fruits, didn't you?!" Henzo exclaims.
"No, I was born that way. I'm not just any human, I'm half-dragon." Ventus points out.
Henzo then nods with an understanding while not to question any further when he and Ventus head towards the galleon.
While at town, Caius finished his explanation which Sanji, Nami, and Chopper were shocked.
"Your kingdom send you to find us in order to help fight against the Garlean Empire, and to find Altivalios?" Nami asks, earned a nod from him. "Wow, that's a lot to take in."
"My kingdom knew that the Garlean Empire is planning a world conquest, and we wouldn't stand a chance against them. So, we decided not to interfere until the time was right to use a coup d'état." Caius said. "Like the Garlean Empire, Aldenard had no alliance to the World Government. We only live in the desert for as long as I can remember, but apparently, the Garlean Empire are trying to form an alliance with my homeland."
"And how that went?" Sanji inquires.
"We refuse, but Ardyn didn't take it very well and they sent an army towards us. Of course, we were able to fend them off and won, mostly because his army didn't survive the desert for long and died of dehydration and starvation. I took part of the war, and even fought them." Caius explains. "We won only once because the Garlean Empire knew they couldn't win this battle. So, they decide not to attack my kingdom and left us in peace."
"That's not like the Garlean Empire, we all know that they won't give up that easily." Nami points out.
"No they don't, I didn't believe them, but I knew that the Garlean Empire has other plans. Like Ishgard and Dravania." Caius told her. "Of course, one of their units carelessly spread word to his unit around the desert, and I end them while warned the Queen about what has transpired."
Chopper, Nami, and Sanji were shocked that the Garlean Empire made a mistake on spreading information. Though, Ul'dah now knew of the Garlean Empire's information and they send him to find Ventus and the Straw Hat pirates.
"So, why are here?" Sanji inquires. "No, really, why are you here?"
"I was here because of the former pirate named Wetton and his relatives were causing trouble here." Caius answered. "Also, it'll be best if I explain this to you since you three have the right to know."
And with that, Caius began explaining while Sanji, Nami, and Chopper listens carefully of his explanation.
While at the galleon, Henzo went inside of the ship as he began to search for his old friends.
"Rapanui! Isoka!" Henzo called their names, searching for them in every section of the ship. "Rongo! Pukau! Akibi! Are you here?! Are any of you here?!"
Unfortunately, Henzo wasn't able to find them since he's been searching everywhere on the ship. Ventus investigates on the deck, noticing the marks on the ship which he can tell that these marks were battle scars, meaning that there's been a heated fight along with the rail that breaks. Henzo places his hand on the mast with tears on his eye.
"Hey pops!" Luffy called him, earned their attention when he winds up his fist. "Gum-Gum: Rocket"
Luffy stretches his arm when he grabs the wooden rail, launches himself right towards the top of the wooden rail.
"What the hell?!" Henzo exclaims with shock, causing Ventus to sigh.
"Hello, can I have your way cool little boat?" Luffy asks with a grin.
"You must've eaten a Devil Fruit, didn't you?" Henzo questions with his eyes widen.
"Sure did." Luffy answered simply, pulls his cheek to make his point by stretching. "It was a Gum-Gum Fruit, and it made me a rubber man."
Henzo grabbed his equipment as he and the Straw Hats went inside of the galleon, but Usopp was close to Luffy in scared look.
"My machine is called the H-1, and I'm sorry, but I can't let you have it." Henzo refuses.
"Aw come on, please! I'll give it a good haul!" Luffy pleads.
"You'll more likely wreck it and think it's a toy." Ventus points out, bonks him in the head. "And when he says 'no', he means it. So, don't ask him again."
And then, Henzo and the Straw Hats began to look at the section of the ship. Robin noticed the dishes in the sink filled with soapy, Usopp saw the stove is still on along with the pot is boiling with brew, Ventus looked at the mess hall that has fresh food, and Luffy looked at the captain's room.
"It appears that there were people here just a little while ago." Robin states seriously.
"But we checked the entire ship and didn't find anyone on board." Usopp adds.
"There were people inside of the ship, but from what I see, this ship is still intact. Except for the battle scars here and there." Ventus points out. "This ship was drifted 50 years ago and vanished along with his friends."
"He's right, there were people aboard once." Henzo agrees.
"Wait, 50 years ago?!" Usopp exclaims shockingly.
"This ships in pretty condition to be that old." Robin states.
"That it is." Henzo agrees. "Just as it was when I was last on board."
"Hold on! What the hell are you talking about?" Usopp questions.
Before Henzo could answer, they heard a loud noise that was coming from the radar scanner which it got their attention.
"Hey, what's that?" Luffy asks.
"Oh my!" Henzo exclaims in shock. "The radar is reacting, but I've never got the reading this strong! Outside, quick!"
And with that, they rush out of the cabin, running towards the backside of the ship when they saw a Rainbow Mist which it got Luffy grinned with excitement.
"That's the Rainbow Mist." Robin states.
"Dammit! The H-1 is too small to take into the open sea! What do I do?" Henzo cursed himself, but noticed the Going Merry. "That could work!"
Henzo quickly went to the Going Merry as he unfurls the sail, heading towards the Rainbow Mist.
"Hope you don't mind!" Henzo shouts.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Luffy and Usopp yelled with their jaws dropped as they land on the Going Merry along with Ventus and Robin.
"Don't go stealing out ship, pops!" Luffy berates him.
"Yeah, if you wanna go so bad, you should take that galleon!" Usopp suggested.
"Trust me, I would, but the Tarielishin's helm is still broken. It was destroyed long ago by Wetton." Henzo explains.
"This is getting weirder by the minute." Usopp states in confusion. "How do you what happened to that ship, pops?"
"Because 50 years ago, I was on board the Tarielishin and I saw everything." Henzo told him.
While at the shore, Caius, Sanji, Nami, and Chopper ran out of town, running towards the Going Merry which they notice that the ship isn't here.
"Hey!" Sanji exclaims.
"The Going Merry! It's gone!" Chopper adds.
"But Zoro was on board, what happened?!" Nami demands.
"Those guys from earlier must've taken it and Zoro." Chopper states.
"Oh, this is just great." Nami said in annoyance.
"That good-for-nothing mosshead probably slept through it all." Sanji adds, annoyed of Zoro.
"I doubt that, look there." Caius suggested, points at the Rainbow Mist. "It would appear that the old man must've found the galleon and the Rainbow Mist. And they're heading straight towards it."
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Nami, Sanji, and Chopper yelled in shock.
Rainbow Mist
While the rest of the Straw Hats sail towards the mist, except Zoro who's still asleep, Usopp spoke with a scared tone.
"Guys...are we really going in there?" Usopp asks. "Isn't that the place where countless people have sailed off into, never to be seen again?!"
"Indeed." Henzo replied. "But I've spent decades trying to locate the Rainbow Mist! I'll be damned if I turn back now!"
"Also, if his friends are inside, then we have to help him find them." Ventus adds, readied his lance. "We'll never know what's inside of the Rainbow Mist."
"Are you scared?" Robin inquires with a smile, turns to Usopp.
"Don't be silly, I'm not scared!" Usopp remarked, which he's lying and sweating bullets. "I'm he who travels all over the Grand Line with no fear! I'm the great Captain Usopp!"
'We're not buying it, idiot.' Ventus mentally thought with annoyance, sweat dropped.
"Woo-hoo! Alright, Rainbow Mist, here we come!" Luffy shouts excitedly.
And with that, they sailed inside of the Rainbow Mist. Inside of the mist is a gateway to another dimension when they saw many white sparks, but once they're inside, they noticed the wreck of the ships where all of the previous sailors traveled in the Rainbow Mist, never to be returned, and it's now a graveyard.
"What is this place?" Robin asks shockingly.
"There are ships from different timelines." Ventus states.
"Have you ever heard of Ape's Concert?" Henzo inquires.
"The Ape's Concert?! That's impossible!" Robin exclaims.
"What is that?" Usopp asks, frightened.
"It's a legendary graveyard of ships that once you enter, you can never get out." Ventus explains seriously. "And it would explain why countless people sailed inside of the mist and never got out."
"IT'S WHAT?!" Usopp and Luffy shouts.
Luffy however, is excited of the Rainbow Mist and the Ape's Concert, so excited he wanted to adventure there.
That's it for the 9th chapter.