Gaining speed, Vogue Merry quickly descended the entire Reverse Mountain. Feeling the gusts of wind sweeping their faces, each of the pirates began to cry in excitement, while the hardest was now behind them.

However, a strange noise like that of a foghorn caught Zoro's attention.

" Hum? "

" A problem, Aniki ? " Asked Yosaku.

" We are almost down, Aniki. " Johnny assured him.

" Have you heard nothing ? "

" What ? All we can hear is the wind. "

" Nami-san! " Suddenly shouted Sanji, while he was at the top of the mast. " There is a mountain right in front of us."

" What ? " Wondered the redhead.

" A… A mountain ? " Gin wondered, not rushing to the front.

" Did you know ? " Raynare asked him.

" Of course not ! Apart from a small lighthouse, there was nothing else at the bottom of this mountain. "

However, seeing a silhouette, he cried out.

" Could it not be a mirage ? "

" Impossible ! " Retorted Nami.

" We don't care ! Let's go. " Shouted Luffy.

" No, let's slow down. " Usopp begged, while the appearance of this sudden mountain said nothing good to him.

Narrowing her eyes to see better in front of her, Lucy finally opened her mouth, before stepping back.

" Im… Impossible. "

Imitating her, Gin swallowed, while grumbling.

" Damn it Grand Line. "

Then, one by one, the other pirates could see the reason for their fears. A huge whale was right in front of them.

" A… A whale ? "

" What is this animal doing here? " Wanted to know Raynare.

" AHHHHHH ! If it attacks us, we're dead. " Johnny was frightened.

" WOOOOOWWWW ! " Cried Luffy. " I have never seen such a big whale. "

" Shut up! " Cried Nami. " We have to find a way to avoid it.

" There is a passage to the left of its body. " Zoro noticed. " You have to go there. "

" Impossible. " Usopp replied. " Earlier, the rudder broke. "

" What ? "

" Something has to be done. " Cried Sanji, running towards him. " Gin ! Come quickly ! "

However, his friend was completely paralyzed by the fear. Seeing the huge whale in front of him, he did not understand the reason for its sudden appearance.

" What ... What ...? First Mihawk… now that ? "

" GIN ! " Cried Sanji.

Eventually regaining his senses, the man shook his head, before finally following the blond, as he returned to the kitchen to help Usopp and Zoro. And soon, with Johnny and Yosaku, the six men crashed into each other while grabbing the rest of the helm to have the boat turned to port. Yet even the six of them could not cope with the force of the ocean.

" It's impossible ! We're going to crash in front of the whale. "

Hearing this, Nami cried out.

" Lucy ! Ask one of your spirits to help us! Any of them ! "

" What do they want them to do ? " Lucy asked her.

However, eventually having an idea, she took one of her keys, before invoking.

" Come to me, ARIES. "

Immediately, the sheep-like girl appeared before Lucy, while she seemed to be ashamed.

" I'm sorry, Lucy-san. "

" Aries! Quick ! You have to create a shield. "

Seeing then the enormous silhouette of the whale, Aries uttered a cry of fear, before creating an enormous mass of wool which was put between the animal and the Merry. Beginning to rush inside, the boat slowed down somewhat, without being able to stop in time to avoid destroying the boat.

" Brakes ! Brakes ! " Raynare roared.

" It's too late. " Then said Nami, dropping to her knees.

It was at this moment that a cannon shot was fired. Surprised, everyone felt the boat brake for good, while the Aries wool wall did the rest to stop it definitively.

" The canon ? "

" Luffy ? "

" YEAH !" Suddenly shouted the captain. " We stopped. "

Finally, the Merry stopped one meter from the whale, while the animal had not even reacted to the impact with the ball.

" We… are we saved ? " Nami wondered.

Falling to her knees, Lucy hastened to put her hand on her heart, to make sure it was still beating.

" Did I do well, Lucy-san? " Aries asked her.

" I don't know who you are, but if I listened to myself, I would give you all my gold to thank you. " Raynare assured her.

Then leaving the kitchen with the others, Zoro hurried to take large oars before ordering.

" Let's flee while it's time. "

Immediately, four oars dived into the water, while each strove to row as quickly as possible.

" What does this creature do in the middle of the road ? " Wanted to know Yosaku.

" We don't care, row. " Gin ordered him.

" Why doesn't she react to the cannon shot? " Wanted to know Usopp, seeing it stand still.

" I bet she didn't even feel it. " Sanji suggested.

However, everyone stopped when the animal began to roar. Resembling a real fog horn, the cry of the whale destroys the eardrums of most pirates, while Aries then disappeared.

" My ears … "

" Hush this monster. "

" Hey you ! " Suddenly shouted Luffy.

Suddenly staring at the whale's eye, which was at least ten times the diameter of the Merry, he began to cry.

" What takes you to stay planted in the middle of the passage ? Did you want to sink my ship, or what? "

At that moment, everyone remained frozen, seeing him extend his arm before striking the eye of the monster.

" Get out of the way, big whale. "

" BAKA! " Everyone shouted, seeing him attack the whale.

However, even after being hit, the whale remained completely still. Seeing this, Sanji began to whisper.

" Ream and leave discreetly !"

" AHHHHH! " Suddenly cried Usopp and Lucy.

Looking down, the whale was already staring at them.

" She saw us. " Horrified Johnny and Yosaku.

" Come back. " Luffy roars. " I'm going to beat you up. "

Raynare immediately strangled him for real, while Gin's tonfa crushed his head.

" Imbecile! I'm going to kill you. "

At that moment, the whale uttered another cry, and opened its mouth wide, under the horrified gaze of the whole crew.

" AHHHH ! She will eat us. " Cried Usopp, seeing huge amounts of water rushing into his mouth. " Row ! Row ! "

However, unable to fight against the creature, the Vogue Merry was completely sucked into its mouth. Then shaken, Luffy fell into the water, as did Gin and Raynare. And while the man clung to his captain, who managed to catch a tooth, the fallen angel spread her wings to fly towards the boat.

" LUCY! " She shouted, flying to her.

However, shaken in all directions, the boat disappeared in an instant at the bottom of the whale's throat, which then began to close its jaws.

" LUCY ! " Cried Raynare, trying to follow the Merry.

Nevertheless, grabbing one of her wings, Luffy managed to bring her back to Gin and him, before throwing them both out of the monster's mouth.

" We leave ! Quick. " He ordered, the instant where the mouth was completely closed.

A few seconds later, the breathless trio were above the whale's head, which seemed to have calmed down.

" Whew, that was right. " Gin noticed.

Not seeming to be happy at all, Raynare, teeth clenched, suddenly grabbed Luffy before giving him a powerful punch."

" Hey! " He cried, falling back. " It hurts ! "

" Fool. " Roar the fallen angel. " Did you see what just happened because of you ? Lucy ... the others ... they were all eaten up by your fault! If they die in the stomach of this thing, it will only be the fault of your stupidity, you moron. "

" Calm yourself. " Cried Gin. " If this whale has swallowed them whole, our friends are not ready to die! Far from there. "

" Huh ? "

" Cetaceans have one of the slowest digestive systems among mammals ! It takes at least several tens of hours for something to be completely dissolved in its stomach ! If they were able to stay on the boat, they are still alive. "

" Great ! And how do we help them ? We do like Pinocchio and set fire to the inside of its stomach ? "

" Who is Pinocchio? " Gin asked her.

" Forget about it . "

" Give my friends. " Suddenly roared Luffy, tapping the whale's head with his foot.

" LUFFY. " Raynare roared.

" Hey, we have no choice. " Retorted her captain. " If we want our friends to get out of there, she has to open its mouth. "

" Not sure that this is enough to save them. " Gin retorted, while trying to find a smart plan. " Damn it, with a normal whale, we could have killed and saved them but, given its size, it's mission impossible ! Even by combining our strength, we will hardly be able to hurt it. "

" And the worst part is that she could dive underwater. " Raynare noticed.

A second later, as if to make fun of her, the whale shook them again, while she let its body sink underwater.

" Is it a joke? "

" Go up! Go back up! " Luffy ordered, hitting it.

" Raynare, make us move from here. " Exclaimed Gin.

" But if we lose track of it, we can never save the others. "

" But if we stay there, we're screwed too. "

" Hey, look. " Suddenly advised Luffy, pointing to what looked like a metal hatch, which was embedded in the skin of the whale. " There is an entrance. "

" Is it a joke? " Wanted to know the duo. " What's wrong with this whale ? "

" We don't care. " Cried Luffy, running towards the hatch.

Seeing that the little land they had left was disappearing underwater, Raynare and Gin hurried to imitate him and came up to him when he opened the hatch. Entering his head, he cried out.

" There is a corridor. "

" This whale is a giant robot? " Gin wondered.

As the only answer, he got pushed inside, at the same time as Luffy, while Raynare hurried to close the hatch behind them, the instant the whole body of the whale found itself underwater. Then falling to the boys, she said.

" Just in time."

" Idiot ! " Roars Gin, with a bump on his forehead. " I fell on my head. "

" Girly ! "

Opening her eyes, a young girl looked around. Very quickly, she saw the cabin where she was, as well as the bed on which she was lying.

" That … ? " She wondered, straightening up.

Immediately, a violent headache made her wince. For some reason she didn't know, she had a very headache.

" I am in pain ! And ... and where am I ? "

Trying to put her thoughts in order, the child was suddenly surprised to feel a strange sensation in her head. No memories. She had no memories of her life. She didn't know where she was from where she came from how old she was ... all she could remember was that phrase that was repeated over and over in her head

"Menma, we found you. "

" Men… ma? " Surprised the child. " Is this my first name ? "

Suddenly, a violent shock was felt, causing her to fall from her bed. Finding himself on the floor, the child groaned, before hearing someone shout.

" Where are we there? "

" Did we really just get eaten by a whale ? "

" Maybe we are in hell. "

" Don't say that, Aniki ! "

" There is someone ? " Menma wondered, cautiously approaching the door before tiptoing up to try to see through the window. However, being poorly closed, the door suddenly opened, causing the girl to fall outside.

And hardly did she have time to get up when a saber was directed towards her.

" Who's there ? " Roared Zoro.

However, seeing the child in front of him, he seemed surprised to see her, before finally affirming.

" I forgot you completely. "

Seeing him put away his saber, Menma remained completely still, while he shouted.

" Hey ! Nami ! Lucy ! There's the kid who woke up."

Then, turning to Menma, he wanted to know.

" Who are you and where are you from? "

" I… I…! " Said the child, looking at Zoro's gaze.

Immediately, she felt a certain ounce of fear because of the man. In an instant, she had seemed to fear Zoro. It was for this reason that she remained silent.

" Hey, I asked you a question. " Cried the man, using a more categorical tone.

Arriving at this moment, Nami and Lucy heard sobs and quickly saw Menma cry in front of Zoro who seemed confused.

" Why are you crying ? Hey, I didn't do anything to you. "

" ZORO! " Suddenly roared Nami, hitting him on the head. "How dare you hit a child ? "

" I didn't even touch her. " Retorted the pirate.

" Hey ! Are you OK ? " Wanted to know Lucy, kneeling before Menma.

Trying to hold back her sobs when she saw her, Menma wanted to know.

" Who ... Who are you? "

" We don't hurt you. " Assured her Lucy. " We are not bad people. "

" If ! " Menma retorted, pointing to Zoro. " He is mean. "

" Huh ? " Said Zoro, giving her a dark look that will frighten the child even more. " I remind you that it was I who saved your life, you dirty ungrateful ! "

Then seeing Menma frightened by Zoro, Nami hit him again, before ordering him to stop scaring her with his disbeliever's head.

" I don't have the head of a disbeliever. " Roared the man.

Preferring to ignore him, Nami smiled broadly at Menma, before asking her.

" What's your name ? "

" I ... I think my name is ... Menma. "

" You think ? " Lucy wondered.

"I… I don't remember anything. " Admitted the child, looking down.

" A memory loss ? " Nami wondered. " After the shock she had to undergo, that would not surprise me. "

" Tss. " Suddenly said Zoro. "And then after ? I warn you, no way I'm playing the babysitter for this kid ! It's a pirate ship here, not a nursery. "

" Zoro ! "

" I am not joking. "Replied the man. "We have just entered the Grand Line, do you think that this is the place to recover a child with amnesia ? Me, I don't believe. "

Staring at Menma, he continued.

" We don't know where she came from, or even if she really lost her memory ! In any case, it is better for each of us to get out of this whale's stomach and then leave her in the hands of someone who could take care of her. "

" AAAAAAHHHH ! " Suddenly Usopp shouted, while a huge squid had emerged from the water, just in front of the Merry. " A monster ! There is a monster in this monster's stomach. "

" Zoro-aniki ! Help ! " Beg Johnny and Yosaku.

Seeing the animal raise one of its tentacles to strike the ship, Sanji began to growl, before pretending to run towards the creature.

" I warn you that if you do the least damage on this boat, that you will be our dinner. "

However, to his surprise, he saw three harpoons crossing the body of the invertebrate, killing it instantly.

" What ? "

Falling back, the squid suddenly found itself towing towards a small house, being on a small island, in what should be the stomach of the whale.

" What is this joke ? " Wanted to know the cook.

" Hey, what's going on ? " Wanted to know Zoro, running to him.

" Apparently, we are not alone here. " Sanji simply explained to him, while staring at the little house in front of him.

" A pirate ship ? " A man suddenly wondered, then came out of the little house.

" Pull ! " Suddenly Usopp ordered, understanding that there was someone. " Shoot and destroy this island with cannon balls. "

" I am a little afraid of reprisals. " Confessed Johnny.

" The same. " Adds Yosaku.

Arriving then, Nami and Lucy, as well as Menma, arrived in time to see the silhouette of an old man coming out of his house, to start staring at the boat, with a severe look.

" An old man ? " Sanji wondered.

" He is scary. " Exclaimed Menma, hiding behind Lucy.

" The question to ask is: friend or enemy? " Zoro noticed, having a hand on his sabers.

In response, the man continued to stare at the crew, while starting to walk. Immediately, discomfort won over the crew, while the man seemed to release an aura of power all around him, using this simple look.

" Who… who is this person ? " Wanted to know Lucy, being very uncomfortable.

However, to everyone's surprise, the old man grabbed a newspaper, before sitting quietly on a lounge chair.

" Hey, what are you doing, old snock ? " Roared Sanji.

" This guy is too freaked out. " Affirmed Usopp. " Guys beat him while I cover you. "

" Don't run away. " Roared Nami, seeing him leave towards the back of the boat.

" I don't advise you to attack me. " Then advised the old man, in a categorical tone. " Because if not, someone will die. "

" W… What ? " Johnny wondered, stepping back. " He ... Is he serious there ? "

" Who will die ? " Wanted to know Yosaku.

" Me. " Said the old man, with a serious tone.

" You don't care about us ? " Roared the two swordsmen.

" Guys, calm down. " Zoro advised them, while walking past them. " Sorry for the inconvenience, old man ! Nevertheless, we want some informations if this can be possible. "

" Informations ? "

" Yes ! We would like to know where we are! As well as knowing who you are. "

" Young man, when you know politeness, the least of things and introduce yourself before asking for someone's name. "

Surprised by his remark, Zoro simply continued to smile at him while approving.

" I am sorry ! My name is Roro… "

" My name is Crocus. " Announced the man. " I am the keeper of the Cap des Jumeaux lighthouse! I'm 71! I have blood group AB! My zodiac sign is Gemini. "

" I'm going to kill him . " Roared Zoro, taking out one of his sabers.

" The Cape of Twins ? " Repeated Lucy, looking around. " Is this the place ? Are we still on the Grand Line ? "

" Don't pretend not to understand. " Crocus advised her, reading his newspaper. " Just like me, you know perfectly well that you have been swallowed by Laboon. "

" Laboon? "

" The whale. "

" What ? " Horrified Yosaku. " We are in the stomach of this monster ! But then … ? "

Looking around again to see only a luminous place resembling a maritime area, he wanted to know.

" Is it normal that its stomach to be like this ? "

" There is more important. " Nami replied. " If we stay here, we will get digested ! We have to get out of here. "

" Calm. " Suddenly advised Crocus, pointing a direction. " There is an exit there. "

" Huh ? " Surprised the crew, seeing a huge metal door. "A door ? "

Unable to understand what was going on, Menma suddenly pulled Lucy's sleeve to ask her.

" Where are we ? "

" I have a hard time understanding myself. " Admitted the blonde. " But don't worry, we're going to leave here soon! "

" Me, I find it too weird. " Usopp retorted.

" Me too. " Confessed Sanji. " If we can leave this place, what is this old man doing here ? And how is it that there is a door in the stomach of this whale ? And then … "

Looking better at the "sky" around them, he noticed.

" Who had fun painting the stomach of this whale? "

" To paint ? " Nami wondered, looking up.

" Now that you say it… " Began Johnny, staring at a bird in the sky. " It is true that the clouds or the birds don't move! It's just paint. "

" Let's say that I have always had an artistic streak. " Assured Crocus.

" But you are very ill, you. " Usopp noticed.

" We'll let it go. " Zoro advised him. " Let's get out of here and find Luffy and the others. "

However, at that moment, the boat was rocked again.

" What is still happening? " Wanted to know Nami.

" The whale begins to move. " Understood Yosaku. " If it goes to the bottom of the ocean, we can never leave here. "

" She starts again. " Crocus noticed, putting down his newspaper.

Then turning to him, Nami was surprised, seeing the island start to rock like a small boat.

" But it's not an island ! It is a redecorated boat ! The shell is even made of scrap metal. "

" In the stomach of this whale, the wood would be digested in a few hours. " Understood Lucy.

" This water is stomach acid? "Usopp wondered. " If one of us falls in there, we will be dissolved. "

Struggling to keep her balance, Menma suddenly felt himself falling against the pad and eventually went overboard.

" AHHHHHH. " She shouted.

Nevertheless, grabbing it in time, Zoro grabbed her arm, before bringing her back on board.

" Mister ...? "

" Hey, old man. " Shouted Zoro. " What the hell is this whale doing ? What is she doing here at the entrance to Grand Line ? "

" Laboon starts hitting its head again against Red Line. " Crocus explained to him.

" What ? " Sanji was surprised. " But why is it doing this ? "

" Now that I think about it, this whale had huge scars on its head and uttered huge cries. "

"What is she doing ? " Wanted to know Yosaku. " Is she trying to kill herself or what ? "

" No, she is suffering. " Retorted Nami.

" No time to feel sorry for yourself. " Affirmed Zoro. " Hurry up and move the ship to the door. "

" Aniki, the waves are much too powerful for us to navigate. " Johnny retorted.

" In this case, we will row. "

At that moment, Crocus jumped into the water, under the astonished gaze of the crew.

" But what makes this old snock? " Sanji wondered.

" He will be digested. " Horrified Lucy.

" Leave him and row ! "