After they narrowly escaped their brief detour in the Calm Belt, Brynlee finally got to warning the others about Reverse Mountain.
Zoro scoffed. "There's no such thing as a ship going up a mountain."
Brynlee's eyes glinted. "Care to bet on it?"
Zoro stiffened, abruptly remembering who he was talking to. Paling a bit, he turned around to squint at the approaching mountains, obviously trying to pinpoint the entrance to the canal. However, with the storm clouds quickly gathering above their heads, the wind picking up and the small veil of rain already beginning to fall, he wouldn't be able to see much. Amused, Brynlee left him to it and went to find Sanji and Usopp.
"We'll need you guys to man the rudder," she instructed. "Once we get close enough, the currents will be very strong and might drag us off course – you'll need to work together to keep us steady."
"Ah, ah, don't worry! The Great Sniper Usopp has guns of steel!" bragged Usopp, flexing his inexistant muscles. "We'll make it safe and sound!"
Sanji nodded, taking a drag of his cigarette – an unfortunate habit Brynlee hadn't been able to force out of him once he got a taste for it. "We'll be ready."
"And me? What about me?" excitedly asked Luffy, jumping down from his special seat.
Brynlee smiled, ruffling his hair. "I'll be in the crow's nest keeping an eye out – you will be my voice. You'll have to yell really loud for the others to hear your directions."
"Yeah! I can do that!"
"Good, then—"
"Everyone, gather around!" suddenly exclaimed Nami, stepping outside. "Look over there! This is our guiding light – the one signaling the entrance of the Grand Line!"
Nami was right. In the not so far off distance, atop a smaller cluster of rocks that could barely be called an island, stood a lonesome figure – a lighthouse.
"Wait, wait, wait, are we sure sailing right into the storm is a good idea?" protested Usopp.
Sanji slapped his back. "No risk, no reward. Brace yourself!"
"The Grand Line…" grinned Luffy, excited. "Yosh! Zoro, bring a barrel over here!"
"A barrel? What for?" he asked, puzzled, but doing as told.
"For a ceremony!" beamed Luffy. "To the beginning of our journey!"
Zoro placed the barrel down, and everyone gathered around. His grin only growing bigger, if possible, Luffy lifted his foot to rest his heel on top of the barrel. Brynlee's heart was pounding in her chest as the moment she'd dreamt of so many times before finally began to take shape in the most grandiose, beautiful way.
"To become the Pirate King!"
"To become the Greatest Swordsman in the world!"
"To- to become a brave warrior of the sea!"
"To find the All Blue!"
"To draw a map of the world!"
With a grin to match Luffy's, Brynlee lifted her foot as well. "To be free!"
Lightning streaked the storm-filled sky, thunder roared in echo to their oaths, and the sea came alive from deep under as, as one, they brought down their feet and destroyed the barrel. Adrenaline coursed through Brynlee's veins as she belatedly registered the words she'd uttered, the oath she'd sworn, the hope she'd admitted—
The dream she'd found.
It's really that simple, huh?
Behind, the sea unleashed all manners of rage. Ahead, the Red Line stood, immovable. But Brynlee knew her crew would be strong enough to overcome every obstacle that stood in their way.
Before the purists come for my head, I'm aware Sanji is originally the one who suggested the barrel thing. Why did I do otherwise? Because I genuinely don't care, and it simply felt more right for the Captain to call the shots on that one.
As for Brynlee's dream, it may seem pretty obvious honestly but, so far, she's pretty much done all she could to simply ensure her survival. With them finally moving forward into the Grand Line, the opportunity to not only survive, but actually live, finally feels a little more real for her, is all.
So there you go! See y'all next chapter!
PS. I was asked if there would be romance in this story, and the answer is NOPE! One of the things I like the most about One Piece is that there's hardly any romance, and none at all with the Straw Hat Pirates. So, my story will reflect that, with a focus on friendship, bonds, and chosen family. Though, just because Brynlee isn't interested doesn't mean there won't be a few fun interactions, eh, eh.