AN:

We're back with another one! I hope everyone is having a good start to the new year! Not much to say about this chapter other than it's a little bit of a tease, lol. You'll get it when you read. As always I love hearing what you guys think about the chapters and any interesting ideas you have for the story so let me know what you think!

Chapter 46: The Mountain

"GET BACK TO THE SHIP, GUYS! IT'S TIME TO GO TO THE GRANDLINE!", Luffy screamed through his cupped hands. It seemed that his words reached their recipients because each one of his crew members immediately began to push their way through the crowd and in the direction of the central entrance.

The straw-hatted pirate captain wasted no time in launching himself off the platform, the many eyes in the people below watching him as he sailed through the air in pursuit of his friends. A small circle of open space formed when several of them realized he would be landing and his feet smacked into the wet concrete, eyes shifting through those surrounding him. Why the heck was everyone looking at him like that?… He shook his head and smiled. It didn't really matter. The Grandline awaited.

Just before the teen went to start pushing through the densely packed bodies, something strange happened and he immediately halted in place, two translucent green walls appearing on either side of him. His head wildly shifted between the two strange happenings and he had to hold in his laughter at all the yelling faces squished onto the opposite sides of the glass-like material… His eyes turned to stars. What the heck even were those things?…

"M- Mi- Mista Luffy i- it's… It's an honor.", Bartolomeo managed to stutter out. He was right there… He was actually right there in front of him… He could barely believe it… He quickly brushed away enough of his awe to point toward the central entrance, "A- As ya can see, I… I, uh… I cleared the way for ya.".

The stars vanished from Luffy's eyes and he turned to the person standing in the middle of the newly created pathway, unable to help himself when his gaze locked to the man's bright green hair… It looked kinda like that thing on the top of a rooster's head… And why the heck was he holding his arms like that? A laugh rose to the boy's lips and he shook the thoughts away, his feet beginning to carry him toward his little helper. In the blink of an eye, he was sprinting past him and his palm smacked into the man's back. "Thanks, Rooster Guy!", he exclaimed, hand coming up in a salute, "Those glass thingys are really cool!"

As soon as the teen's hand touched Barto's back a squeaky scream left his lips and he immediately fell to his knees... He... He... He touched him... His head dropped back and he looked up to the cloudy sky, tears of joy falling from the corners of his eyes. "... This... This... This is... THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!", the mob boss cried to the heavens.

Luffy's loud laughter echoed through the stormy air and he turned away from the funny guy who'd helped him out, sandals splashing through the many puddles on the ground. His gaze landed on the exit in his path and he pushed his legs to move even faster. However, just when he made to pass through to the city, he skid to a stop, a cloaked figure slamming into the ground in front of him.

"You... You flashy bastard.", came the pained voice from underneath the hood of the cloak. He lifted his hands to show them to the object of his ire, moaning when he made to extend his digits. "Look... Look you flashy bastard...", the hood of the cloak fell from the shoulders of the man wearing it, and his clown-like face was revealed, "LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID TO MY DAMN HANDS!".

The straw-hatted teen stared at the man strangely for a moment. Did he know him? He felt like he'd seen him somewhere before but for the life of him, he couldn't remember… His eyes found the large red nose taking up a majority of the pirate's face and they widened in recognition, "Big Nose! It's you!".

Red consumed Buggy's vision. How dare he… After everything he'd already put him through he still had the gall to call him something like that. The broken bones in his hands shifted when he unintentionally tensed them and he yelped, groaning in a mix of anger and pain. "You damn flashy bastard.", he growled, eyes coming up to meet the young boy's in front of him, "I'm gonna kill yo-".

Luffy winced when one of the weapons he'd launched into the air earlier smashed directly into the top of the clown's head, not a word leaving him as his body crashed straight into the ground. It looked like Smokey's sword thingy… A growl and the collective gasp of a large group made him pull his eyes away from the twitching pirate and to the glass-like wall on his left. What met his vision was… A group of circus freaks… There was a man riding a lion… One riding a unicycle… A guy juggling swords?… Why the hell was he even doing that?…

Before he could become too enraptured by the interesting group the pirate captain shook his head and his steps resumed. "Sorry we couldn't talk more, Big Nose, but I gotta go!", he shouted over the rising voices of the groaning man's crew. He turned away, ignoring the threats directed at him, and passed through the exit to the area, the light green walls on either side of him disappearing.

Rage-filled shouts consumed the air at Luffy's back as the crowd converged once again and he looked over his shoulder to find what he figured to be Big Nose's crew, considering the clown get up, rushing in his direction. He quickly turned back when he saw them brandish their weapons and made to escape but the crowd at the exit was too dense and he groaned. He didn't have time for another fight. The Grandline was practically calling to him!

The teen's eyes shifted through the area looking for any avenues of escape and just when it looked like he'd have to make time for another fight, his gaze found the dripping rooftops. His black orbs widened and he was almost immediately bending his knees, looking back at the approaching group to send them a cheeky smile. His legs extended and a joyful laugh left his lips while he sailed toward the nearest rooftop, eyes drinking in the sight of the angry pirates he'd left below. His eyes came back up and he caught the edge of the rooftop he'd been aiming for, flipping his body around to land on his feet.

Another laugh left Luffy's lips and he reveled in the feeling of the rain pounding against his skin for a moment before almost immediately starting off, his form looking like a shadow as he traversed the slick rooftops in the direction of the docks. His eyes darted through the now thinning crowds down below while he traveled and it wasn't long before he saw the unmistakeable group that was his crew.

A large grin plastered itself on the boy's face and he launched himself from the rooftops, excited laughter bubbling up from his chest as he dropped through the stormy sky. His feet slammed into the ground and he didn't miss a step when the girl he'd landed next to jumped almost a foot in the air, "Hey guys!".

"Luffy?!", Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji all questioned in bewilderment, their steps just barely staying steady after their captain's surprise entrance.

The pirate captain laughed at all the funny looks his friends were sending his way, "Miss me?". Before any of them answered, his eyes widened and he ducked, a fist rushing through the place his head had previously occupied. He slid under his navigator's outstretched arm and continued on his way like nothing had happened, looking over his shoulder to send Nami a wide smile, "I'll take that as a yes.".

When the orangette tried to get in her rebuttal, Luffy turned away and began sprinting ahead of the group, "Come on, guys! No time for lallygagging! The Grandline awaits!"

An exasperated sigh left Nami's lips and she turned to the running figures beside her as they all followed their captain. It was strange… It had been really quiet since they all met up… The only things that had been said were some small greetings and a few comments here and there, and she couldn't help but think something felt off… Especially with Sanji. He wasn't anywhere near as excited to see her as he usually was…

The girl shook her head, a yelp coming from the townsperson she just barely avoided clipping. She could worry about her crew mate later. Right now, Luffy was right. They needed to get to the ship. She looked up to the sky and sighed. She still couldn't feel the rain and she didn't like it. It made her feel like the storm was unnatural in some way… Whatever it was, she knew the sooner they left the better.

"Come on boys. Let's not let our stupid captain get too far ahead.", Nami shouted to the forms running beside her, "… After the trouble he's gotten in today, I'm afraid to let him out of my sight for even another moment.". The other three nodded their heads in agreement with her words and turned their gazes back down the street, the group speeding up to try to catch their captain.

Luffy skid to a halt when his feet met the wood of the docks and he brought his fingers up to his mouth. "Levi! It's time to go! Get your fishy butt over here!", he yelled out to the sea through his now cupped hands. He only had to wait a moment for a response, the water out in the distance beginning to ripple as his friend made his approach. He went to jump up to the deck of the Merry but stopped himself, smiling when his crew members' forms slid to a stop next to him.

"Come on guys!", the teen exclaimed excitedly turning back to their vessel, "Levi's on his way, and I wanna get going already!".

"Hold your horses there, youngins.", the man working the docks interjected before the boy could make a move. He stepped up to the group and looked expectantly at the girl he'd talked to when they'd arrived a couple of hours earlier. He was honestly surprised to see them again. He'd thought for sure they'd have been in Navy custody by then…

Zoro eyed the man when he stopped next to their navigator and decided she could handle it, turning back toward the Merry with a sigh. "I'm going to change.", he said, bending his knees to launch himself from the wood underneath his feet. He didn't think he could stand being wet for much longer.

Usopp watched his crew mate travel through the air for a moment before looking to Nami as if asking permission to follow. He didn't mind being wet all that much but he definitely wouldn't mind putting on something dry. When the girl nodded in his direction, he sped off without another word, following the verdet up to the deck of the ship.

"Nami, I assume you're handling this?", Sanji asked when Usopp disappeared over the railing of the Merry, turning back to the orangette. His heart twinged when he caught her eyes and he immediately looked away, waiting for her answer while he looked at his feet. He just couldn't bring himself to hold her gaze… Not after what he'd done…

Nami eyed the blond for a moment and she just couldn't help but think that there was something different about him… And she wasn't sure she liked it… She shook her head, "Yeah, I'll meet you guys on the deck in a minute.

The chef nodded, turning away without another glance at the girl, and hopped from the dock, emotions beginning to swirl like the rain pouring down around him… He didn't say it often but… He needed a drink.

The navigator watched Sanji land on the deck like he hadn't just jumped twenty feet in the air and turned back to the man looking at her with an expectant eye, a smile that seemed a little too genuine rising to her lips. She took a step closer and got into his personal space, red almost immediately rising to his cheeks at their proximity. She had to resist the urge to smirk at the reaction. He was going to make this easy. She could just tell.

"Now, Mr. Dock Worker Man.", Nami purred, running her fingers up his chest, "With all those other boys gone, it's just me and you.". She watched his focus draw to where she wanted it to and daintily slipped her other hand around his back, lightly patting him down while she kept his attention elsewhere. Just when she thought she'd have to go lower than she'd like to keep him distracted, she felt the tell-tale signs of a wallet in his back pocket and her saucy grin widened.

"E- Excuse me, miss?", the dock worker stuttered, unable to focus on anything but her small hand playing with the buttons on his shirt, "I- I uh… I don't think this is a good idea. W- We're out in the open…".

The orangette grinned devilishly as she stepped into the man and removed his wallet at the same time, her arms wrapping around his middle. She looked up and winked at his cherry-red face, "Doesn't that just make it more exciting?". She made sure he got a good view of her cleavage pressing against him and couldn't help her satisfaction at seeing blood begin to drip from his nose.

The man stuttered up a storm but was unable to pull his eyes away and stayed completely still… He wasn't sure he could move a muscle if he tried… His wife was going to kill him… A gulp left his lips and just when he went to respond a loud voice interrupted the conversation between the two.

"HURRY UP, NAMI! JUST SHOW HIM YOUR BOOBS OR SOMETHING!", Luffy yelled down to the docks in exasperation, "IT'S TIME TO GO!".

The orange-haired girl scoffed at her captain's words but turned back to the man nonetheless, only to find his eyes whited out while he continued to stand straight up. She eyed him for a moment, waving her hand in front of his face, before shrugging and turning back toward the Merry. Guess the image of her naked was too much for him… She certainly wasn't upset about it. Her feet carried her to the rope ladder on the side of the ship and it only took a moment for her to climb up its side, the soles of her shoes slamming into the deck as she headed toward the front of the vessel.

"Finally!", Luffy exclaimed impatiently when he saw Nami pull herself over the railing. He faced the water below and his irritation was washed away by excitement once again, "Alright Levi! Let's get going!". He went to tell his friend where they were headed, but realized he didn't actually know where that was… "Uhhh… Nami?", he asked the girl as she stepped up behind him, "… Can you tell me where we're going?".

A small chuckle left Nami's lips and she pointed her hand out to sea, "Just tell Levi to take us that way.". She turned away and began heading toward the storeroom, "I'll be back with the map in a sec, I gotta grab it from my room.". She'd already pretty much memorized it but she wanted to at least have it on hand. She looked up to the sky and couldn't help but groan at the rain still falling heavily from the dark clouds above… Hopefully, she wasn't about to ruin one of her precious maps…

"You find what you were looking for in town?", Usopp questioned while he pulled off his suspenders, the item of clothing making a wet slap when it hit the wood. He looked over at his friend and couldn't stop himself from staring at all the muscles covering his body… Zoro was… Ripped… His eyes came back down to examine his own figure and he couldn't help but pout slightly… Maybe he should start lifting some weights…

The verdet slipped on a new pair of undergarments before answering, pointing to the bag he'd set by the door, "Yeah, I managed to pick up some new sharpening stones.". He picked up his dry pair of black pants and stepped into them, grabbing his white dress shirt and throwing it over his shoulders. He smirked at the long-nosed teen while he buttoned his shirt and slipped his swords through his belt, "You have fun shopping with the witch?".

Usopp groaned into the air at the question, resisting the urge to lay down and sleep for the rest of his life, "That was the most miserable thing I've ever had to do.".

Zoro's loud laughter filled the small space as he stepped toward the ladder leading back to the deck, "Sounds about right.". He didn't wait for a reply and climbed his way back to the deck, opening the hatch when he reached the top. He stepped out into the rain and groaned at his clothes soaking up the falling water, eyes shifting across the Merry.

With Levi pulling them there wasn't much for him to do besides try and stay dry. The swordsman turned away from his captain and began walking toward the galley, a drink to warm his belly sounding like just the thing he needed. His feet pulled him in the direction of the stairs and he passed Nami rushing out of the storeroom on his way there. He went to throw a comment at her dashing figure but decided against it, ignoring the call she made to Luffy and continuing up the stairs.

As soon as Zoro pushed open the galley door he realized he wasn't alone and sighed internally, turning to close it behind him. "Cook.", he greeted carefully, the blond standing at the stove and staring intently at its burners while a half-drunk glass of wine sat beside him. His eyes caught the shelves on the opposite wall and he moved toward them, making to grab a bottle of sake from one of the diamond-shaped holes. He didn't know why, but it felt like he'd probably need a drink as well if he wanted to make it through the coming conversation…

"Mosshead.", Sanji eventually replied, sighing as he picked up his glass. He downed the rest of its contents in a single gulp before reaching into his wet jacket pocket and pulling out his box of cigarettes. And, to no one's surprise, it was soaking wet… He sighed and tossed the box in the garbage before walking over to one of the cabinets to grab a new pack from where he kept his backups.

Zoro set his swords beside him and sat down on the couch, popping the cork to his drink and taking a large swig. The bottle came back down and he set it to the side, staring at the wood at his feet. "… You good?", he asked cautiously, eyes never leaving the floor. He obviously knew the cook wasn't 'good' as he'd so eloquently put it, but he didn't know what else to say. He'd never actually tried to have a real conversation with him…

The blond took a long pull from his cigarette and held it for as long as he could, closing his eyes to try and calm the swirling emotions eating at him… He'd hit a woman… He'd really hit a woman… A part of him still couldn't fully believe it… Was he even still the same person he was before he walked into that building?… The thought sent a curdling through his stomach… And if he wasn't… Did he really belong on this ship anymore?…

The clearing of a throat brought Sanji out of his spiraling thoughts and he finally looked over to the moss ball, a loud exasperated sigh leaving his mouth… Why did it always have to be him?…

"Look, Cook.", Zoro said, grabbing his bottle to take another swig, "I can go if you want me to. Just say the word and I'm outta her-".

"I just don't know…", the blond interrupted, gaze dropping to the ground, "I don't feel like I know who I am anymore…". He felt so lost… It wasn't as if he didn't understand the necessity of his actions but more that he'd never let himself imagine a situation where they would be necessary in the first place. It was a childish innocence he'd carried with him for so long that he felt bare without it. Not only had he changed, but the world around him had also changed. The fact that there could be more women out there just like her wasn't lost on him, and that made things all the worse.

Zoro looked at the sulking cook strangely, "… What the hell are you even talking about, Cook?". The glare he received at his words made him shoot his hands up in surrender, "Look, that sounded bad, I know, but I'm serious.". He dropped his hands back to his sides and caught his crew mates narrowed eyes, "Just because you've changed doesn't mean you're not the same person.".

The verdet saw the blond's confusion at his words and groaned internally… Idiot… He was really going to make him explain it… "Let me ask you something, Cook.", he started, "Do you think growing is the same as changing?".

Sanji stared at the swordsman blankly. "What the hell are you even talking about?…", he eventually replied, looking at the other occupant of the room like he was speaking another language.

Zoro clenched his fist in irritation before taking a deep breath, "Just answer the question.".

The chef frowned and thought on the words for a moment before replying, taking another deep puff from his cigarette. "I don't know. I guess.", he answered, still not understanding what the swordsman was getting at.

The verdet took a few more large gulps from his bottle of sake. "If growing's the same as changing, then you aren't the only one who's different from who they used to be.", he said, looking over to his swords before turning back to the blond, "I'm different than I was but I'm still the same me that I've always been.".

Zoro went to take another swig of his drink but realized it was empty, grunting in annoyance. He'd had enough of this sappy shit. "Just because you hit some psychotic woman doesn't mean you're not still the same perverted cook who agreed to join this crew back then.", he said, standing from the couch and gathering his swords to slide back into his belt, "It just means you're different. Still the same, but different.". He stopped in front of the door and looked over his shoulder, "Whether that difference provides you with growth or regression is up to you.".

Sanji watched the swordsman turn away in shock, quickly coming back to his senses before he could open the door, "… Pretty introspective for a swordsman."… It was honestly all he could think to say... He was just shocked… The words he'd shared had… Actually helped…

The verdet scoffed and pulled on the handle in his hand, the sound of the rain now pouring through the opening. "Not really. I just know a guy who's really into meditation…", he countered, stepping back into the swirling storm outside… He looked down at his already soaking clothes and groaned in annoyance. Damn it…

"Thanks… Zoro.", the chef said to the swordsman's back. He was insanely glad he hadn't had to face him when he said the words… But it needed to be said. For the first time since they'd met, he felt glad that they were on the same crew. Not that ANYONE would ever hear him say that out loud…

Zoro waved a hand over his shoulder. "Yeah, yeah.", he said, shutting the door and ending the conversation. It would probably be good to let the cook stew for a while. A humorous grunt rose from his throat and he made his way down the steps… Cook… Stew… Funny.

Smoker gripped his Den Den Mushi with so much strength the snail's eyes began to bulge. He'd just finished a rather scathing call with Navy HQ and he had his orders. Catch Straw Hat Luffy.

The marine had woken to absolute chaos erupting around him and the broken bones in his face hadn't made things any better upon his awakening. It'd taken longer than he would have liked to get the situation under control and now that he'd been told of the events that'd taken place after he'd been knocked out, he couldn't help but be angry with himself… It hadn't occurred to him that Straw Hat had turned to piracy. He'd only ever known him to be a bounty hunter and assumed that's what he was when he arrived on the island.

Smoker shook his head as he stalked through the area surrounding the blackened execution platform, barking orders left and right. He knew better now. The damn brat was a pirate. And a strong one too… He probed his brutalized face and winced at the pain that shot through his skull. He still had no idea how the kid had even hit him… It was something he was planning on asking him when he captured him.

The marine's only inkling was the fact that the townspeople seemed to think he had a devil fruit and it felt like a likely assumption. However, something about it just didn't seem right. He knew the kid could swim… Was there a devil fruit out there that left the user's ability to swim intact?...

A head of black hair caught the man's eye and he growled, stalking in the woman's direction. He stepped up behind her as she ordered others to do certain tasks and waited for her to notice him, almost immediately losing his patience when it took far too long to turn. He grit his teeth and almost bit the ends of his cigars off in his irritation... Where the hell had she been?

Tashigi whipped around at the clearing of a throat coming from behind her and she felt shivers roll down her spine at the stare she was receiving from her commanding officer. She gulped, a nervous smile rising to her lips, "Uh... H- Hey there Captain Smoker...". She was definitely in for it now…

"Guys! I see it!", Luffy yelled joyfully, grasping the soaked reins he held in anticipation. The Grandline was right there!

"We're looking for a small opening in the face of the mountain, Luffy!", Nami yelled while she tried to keep her balance on the wildly rocking ship.

The pirate captain squinted his eyes and let his gaze shift across the face of the mountain. It took him a moment with the rainy haze affecting his vision but he eventually found it. "Over there, Levi!", he directed, the Merry lurching in response to his command.

"So how exactly does this work?", Usopp questioned from his place wrapped around the railing. What? The boat was rocking A LOT! "Do we sail through it or something?", he questioned curiously. He didn't see any other way of making it to the Grandline…

"Apparently we're supposed to sail… Up it.", Nami answered eyeing the smeared map in her hands. She was sad to lose the original but she had a couple copies of it stored in her room. What could she say? She liked drawing maps.

The pout at his once again soaked clothes disappeared from Zoro's face and was replaced with bewilderment as he stood up to get a closer look at the mountain, "How the hell is that supposed to work?".

"Don't ask me.", the orangette replied stepping up beside the swordsman to get a look of her own, "I'm just reading what the map says.".

"Damn.", Zoro mused from over Luffy's shoulder, the magnitude of the mountain making itself known the closer they got.

"It's so cool!", the straw-hatted pirate captain exclaimed, stars in his eyes. He went to tell Levi to hurry up but stopped himself, a large smile coming to his face. "Levi! Stop for a second!", he yelled down to the water. He ignored the bewildered exclamations of his crew members and jumped down from his place when the rope in his hands slackened, "Wait there for a sec, buddy!".

"Luffy, what the hell are you doing?", Nami questioned in confusion while she, Zoro, and Usopp watched him sprint down the steps. They all watched him wrench open the door to the storeroom and walk back out with… A barrel?…

"Everyone gather around!", Luffy yelled as loud as he could, setting the barrel down in the middle of the deck.

Zoro looked at the other two and they all shrugged, Usopp groaning when he slipped from the railing. He held back his laughter and led the way down to the deck, all three curious as to what their captain was up to.

The door to the galley opened and Sanji stepped out with something like a smile on his lips. He took a deep breath, closing the door behind him, and walked down the steps, catching Zoro's eye along the way. He nodded in his direction and received one in return as he stepped into the group and completed the circle, a barrel in the center of their little group… What was that doing there?

"Alright, guys! To celebrate our entrance to the Grandline, I think we should have a little send-off party!", Luffy laughed brightly, his grin growing at seeing his crew begin to realize why the barrel was there. His foot shot into the air and he slammed it down on top of the barrel, its top rattling loudly, "I'm going to the Grandline to become the King of the Pirates!".

The first to catch on was Zoro, his boot slamming into place next to his captains. A grin matching the one of the boy next to him rose to his lips, "I'm going to become the Greatest Swordsman in the World!".

The next was the crew's navigator, eyes gleaming at the thought of chasing her dream. Her heel slammed into place next to the other two and she matched their grins, "I'm going to draw a map of the entire world!".

Usopp took a deep breath and pushed the fear he had for his future to the back of his mind. It was time to be brave. His foot slammed next to Nami's and he shouted his dream to the heavens, "I'm going to become a brave warrior of the sea!".

Sanji couldn't help but smile at his friends. Even with everything that'd happened. Even though he had changed… His dream would never change. His black boot slammed into the top and completed the circle, his smile now matching those of his friends, "I'm going to find the All Blue!".

"Let's go turn this world upside down together!", Luffy yelled with all the passion in his body.

The Straw Hat Pirates lifted their legs as one and brought them down as one, the wood of the barrel shattering under their combined weight. Shouts of laughter and joy filled the deck of the Merry before it was interrupted by the captain rushing back to his place at the front of the Merry.

"Alright, Levi!", the teen exclaimed, grasping the reins once again, "Let's get going! It's time to ride up a mountain!". The rope in his hands pulled taught, gaze shifting to their destination, and he found it to be much closer than he expected. He could see it clearly now, a large crack in the mountain… It looked… Small… He looked down to the figurehead of the Merry and set one of his hands on the wood, his palm warming slightly.

A loud rumble came from underneath the rocky waves and Luffy looked down to the water in exasperation, "What do you mean you can't take us any farther?!". Another rumble hit his ears and he paused. "… Yeah, I guess that makes sense.", he eventually sighed. The rope in his hands slackened and he pulled it in before calling to his navigator, "Nami! Levi is gonna swim up behind us so you have to lead us in!".

The words hit the orangette's ears and she immediately went into navigation mode, "Zoro you're on the whip staff, Sanji you make sure the sails don't tear, Usopp you're in the crow's nest! I need you to help guide us in from up top!". She turned back to the front deck and met her captain's eyes, scoffing before turning away, "Luffy, just don't do anything stupid.".

The boys all saluted their navigator and set about their given tasks as they were directed, the Merry beginning to drift ever closer to the large crack in the wall.

Nami stepped up beside Luffy and looked down to the water as they approached their destination, eyes widening. She hadn't even thought about the currents… "EVERYBODY BRACE!", she shouted just before the Merry lurched forward and began to violently rock in the rumbling ocean currents leading to the entrance of the mountain.

Nami caught Luffy eyeing the surging sea currents and her hand almost immediately snapped out to grip the collar on his vest, "Don't even think about it.".

Before the boy could reply, the ship hit a sharp incline and he almost immediately realized what was happening, eyes turning to stars. He rushed to his place at the front of the ship and let the wind blow by his face as they began to sail up the mountain.

"OH MY GOD! WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING UP!", Usopp screamed from his place in the crow's nest, "WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!"

"LUFFY! MAKE SURE WE DON'T HIT THE WALLS!", Nami screamed over the wind while she tried to find her footing, "IF WE HIT ON EITHER SIDE, THE SHIP IS DONE FOR!".

The words brought Luffy out of his trance just in time to see the Merry drifting toward the left cliff face and he was on the main deck in the blink of an eye. Thinking quickly, he hardened his hand and when the sheer cliff face was within reach, pushed against it.

The sound of metal grinding against stone consumed the air with a loud screech but the teen didn't let up, the hardened appendage leaving a long gouging line in the rock. He struggled against his unyielding opponent but not because he couldn't push the Merry away. Hwas pretty sure he could if he tried, but he didn't want to push too hard and send it into the other side.

"Anything I can do, Nami?", Sanji asked, rushing to the girl's side. With his internal crisis mostly resolved for the time being, he couldn't help himself when he eyed her chest through her soaking shirt, blood beginning to leak from his nose… Regardless of whatever he went through in life... The beauty of women would be something he cherished until his dying day.

The orangette smirked at where the blond's eyeline was aimed but let him stare. She liked him more this way, "Keep an eye on the other side and make sure we don't drift too close.".

"Holy shit this is cool…", Zoro mused to himself as he slowly made his way out of the galley. His attention was pulled away from the approaching clouds when he saw his captain struggling against the rock face. "Need some help with that?", he questioned curiously. It looked like he had it handled but it never hurt to ask.

Luffy sent the verdette a smile and flashed him a thumbs up with one of his hardened hands, "Nope! I got it!". With a small shove, the Merry drifted back into the center of the stream and he clapped his metallic hands together, a ringing out bursting through the air that was replaced by wind only moments after.

The swordsman grinned when his eyes caught the black appendages and they rose to meet the other boy's, "Just in time, I'd say.". He'd almost forgotten about seeing him use the power back in Lougetown… And watching him survive a lightning strike… He shook his head and went to continue the conversation but his vision was suddenly consumed by white vapor. "What the hell!", he shouted in bewilderment. Before he had the chance to even understand what was happening the vapor obscuring his vision disappeared and was replaced by bright white light.

"Wow.", Luffy said breathlessly, Nami and Sanji staring wide-eyed beside him.

"The view's even better from up here!", Usopp shouted down below, drinking in the unbelievable sight of the top of the clouds. He was brought out of his gazing when the peak of the mountain suddenly came into view. His eyes widened to the size of saucers and he immediately turned back down to his friends below, "Uh… Guys… I would recommend hanging onto somethin-"

A collective scream rolled through the deck of the Merry as the vessel shot into the sky like it'd been launched off a ramp, a large roaring sea monster following not long after. With a massive splash, it landed back in the water and the Straw Hat Pirates continued to hold on as they sped down the ramp that led to their final destination.

Luffy stood from his place against the railing and rushed up to the front of the ship, already loving every moment of the adventure that had only just begun. The winds screamed past his face as he pulled himself up onto his place and wrapped his legs around the figurehead, eyes taking in the sight of what should have been the entrance to the Grandline.

"Uhhh… Nami?", Usopp yelled down to the deck, "Is there supposed to be a second mountain?".

The words sent confusion shooting through the orangette and she rushed to the front deck. "What the hell?", she mumbled to herself, pulling out the barely legible map from her soaked shirt. There was nothing on it about a second mountain… She looked back up and regardless of what the map said, there was definitely something there, "That's not supposed to be the-". A deep, almost fog-horn-sounding, noise rumbled through the air and she had to hold their ears from its pure volume. What the hell was that?…

"GUYS!… THAT'S NOT A MOUNTAIN!", Usopp screamed from the crow's nest, his voice sounding like that of a scared child, "… IT'S A WHALE!".

"If you'll all quiet down, we have one last thing to talk about before bringing this meeting to a close.", Vice Admiral Momonga said to the marines gathered in the room, "The rookies.". He waited for the chatter in the space to die down before the projector he stood next to began to buzz with life, showing a blank screen, "If you'll look at the documents in front of you, you'll find all the relevant information we have on these pirates. This part of the meeting is to reveal their bounties and show you their posters.".

The light from the projector flickered and a bounty poster of a man who looked more like a mob boss appeared on the screen.

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'CAPONE "GANG" BEGE'

'CAPTAIN OF THE FIRE TANK PIRATES'

'฿ 22. 000. 000 ฿'

"The first of our rookies is this man. Capone 'Gang' Bege.", Momonga provided, pointing to the text below his image, "And his initial bounty is twenty-two million berries.". He let the marines examine the photo for a moment longer before flipping to the next one. This one showed a picture of a pink-haired girl with bright red lipstick and she looked to be violently gnawing on a large piece of meat.

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'THE GLUTTON JEWELRY BONNY'

'CAPTAIN OF THE BONNEY PIRATES'

'฿ 25. 000. 000 ฿'

"This is Jewelry Bonney and her bounty will be twenty-five million.", the Vice Admiral said, already flicking to the next photo and pointing at a dark-skinned man with white wings sprouting from his back, "Mad Monk Urouge. His bounty will start at thirty-five million.".

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'MAD MONK UROUGE'

'CAPTAIN OF THE FALLEN MONK PIRATES'

'฿ 35. 000. 000 ฿'

The man pointed to the next picture that flicked on the screen, "The next person on our list is a pirate by the name of Scratchmen Apoo.". The photo was of a man with absurdly long arms and a smile that looked like his teeth were replaced with keys from a keyboard.

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

' "ROAR OF THE SEA" SCRATCHMEN APOO'

'CAPTAIN OF THE ON AIR PIRATES'

'฿ 37. 000. 000 ฿'

"His bounty will start at thirty-seven million berries.", Momonga said, quickly flicking to the next picture… He honestly hated talking about these damn upstarts… He shook his head and pointed to the photo on the screen, this one showing a scowling man wearing a hat covered in polka dots, " This is Trafalgar D. Law, a.k.a the Surgeon of Death, and his bounty is starting at forty million.".

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'TRAFALGAR D. WATER LAW: THE SURGEON OF DEATH'

'CAPTAIN OF THE HEART PIRATES'

'฿ 40. 000. 000 ฿'

The Vice Admiral scowled at the next picture when it showed a man with a large X on his chest. "A former marine." He said thinly, "X Drake, and his bounty is starting at forty-six million berries.".

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

' "RED FLAG" X DRAKE'

'CAPTAIN OF THE DRAKE PIRATES'

'฿ 46. 000. 000 ฿'

Momonga clicked to the next photo and it showed a long blond-haired man with strange triangular markings taking the place of his eyebrows.

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'BASIL HAWKINS: THE MAGICIAN'

'CAPTAIN OF THE HAWKINS PIRATES'

'฿ 48. 000. 000 ฿'

"This man's name is Basil Hawkins and he will be starting at a bounty of forty-eight million.", the man said, sighing in relief when he realized he only had two more to go. He hastily clicked to the next picture and a red-haired man wearing a pair of goggles on his forehead appeared on the screen, "This is Eustass 'Captain' Kid and he'll be worth fifty-five million berries.".

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'EUSTASS "CAPTAIN" KID'

'CAPTAIN OF THE KID PIRATES'

'฿ 55. 000. 000 ฿'

"And that brings me to the last of this generation's rookies.", Momonga clicked to the last photo in his little slide show and the picture that appeared was of a smiling straw-hatted boy holding his blackened fist outstretched in front of him, "Let me introduce you to the leader of our little band of upstarts… 'Straw Hat' Monkey D. Luffy: The Black Fist.".

End Note:

Hate to leave you wondering about Luffy's bounty but I hope to have the next chapter out soon! Also, I'm kind of curious what you all think about the initial bounties so feel free to let me know if you find yourself wanting to. Anyway, see you guys in the next one!