Guia 1
Chapter 11: Whiskey Peak
Luffy
The Going Merry sailed steadily, her figurehead cutting through the sunlit waters with a quiet determination that mirrored her crew. Whiskey Peak loomed ahead, its jagged, cactus-shaped spires stabbing the sky like crooked teeth. From this distance, the island seemed as cheerful as Luffy remembered, streamers fluttering in the breeze, the faint sound of music drifting across the waves, and the telltale hum of celebration hanging in the air.
Luffy leaned casually against the ship's railing, his straw hat casting a playful shadow across his face. The wind tousled his hair, but his grin stayed in place, his gaze was fixed on the approaching island, and his excitement was palpable.
"Looks like they're throwing us a party again!" he said brightly, his voice carrying the same infectious cheer that had seen the crew through storms, battles, and everything in between.
Zoro, who was leaning against the mast with his arms crossed, shot a skeptical glance toward the island. "Yeah, just like last time," he said dryly, his sharp eyes narrowing. "And last time, it was a trap."
"It was fun, though!" Luffy laughed, as if being ambushed by bounty hunters was just another kind of adventure to add to the list.
Nami sighed audibly, the sound heavy with exasperation. She stood a little way off, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose as though that might stave off the inevitable headache that came with Luffy's brand of optimism. "Let's try not to let our guard down this time," she said, her voice firm. "I don't want a repeat of what happened the last time we came here."
Sanji, busy adjusting his tie and brushing dust off his suit, chimed in. "Which is why we planned how to deal with them. We just need to make sure the idiot over there", he gestured toward Luffy with his cigarette, "follows it."
"Hey, I can follow a plan!" Luffy protested, though his grin suggested otherwise.
Sanji gave him a flat look, exhaling a stream of smoke. "Sure you can, Captain. I'll believe it when I see it."
The Merry glided closer to the docks, and the hum of the island grew louder. Brightly colored banners swayed in the breeze, and figures bustled along the shoreline. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, just like it had been last time, but there was an edge of tension among the crew that hadn't been there before.
Luffy stayed by the railing, still smiling, but his eyes carried a hint of something thoughtful, a rare, quiet moment of introspection.
He thought back to a conversation they'd had days ago, one that had started as an innocent question and spiraled into a heated debate. It wasn't like their usual chats, which were filled with jokes and easy camaraderie. This had been different, a moment that brought their scattered thoughts into focus and made the weight of their journey feel just a little heavier.
Flashback
The Going Merry rocked gently on the waves, the midday sun casting rippling reflections across the water. On deck, the Straw Hats had gathered in a loose circle, their usual chatter subdued. A single name hung heavily in the air: Vivi.
Usopp broke the silence first, leaning against the railing as he fiddled with his slingshot. "So… Vivi's at Whiskey Peak, huh?" he said, his tone tentative. He glanced toward the horizon. "Are we… gonna bring her with us?"
The question made everyone pause.
Sanji straightened up immediately, his expression brightening. "Of course we are!" he declared, hearts practically floating from his eyes. "Vivi-chan is too kind and beautiful to be left behind with those brutes! She belongs here, with us!"
Zoro, leaning against the mast with his arms crossed, let out a low grunt. "That's stupid."
Sanji's head whipped around so fast it was a wonder it didn't detach. "What was that, moss head?! You wanna say that again?!"
Zoro didn't even flinch under Sanji's glare. "I said it's stupid. We're going to fight Crocodile no matter what. She doesn't need to be dragged into that just because we're showing up. She's not even deep into this yet."
"She's one of us!" Usopp said, his voice rising with indignation.
Zoro's gaze shifted to him, sharp but not hostile. "Not yet she isn't. Back in the past, she joined us because she had no choice. She was in the middle of a mess that we helped clean up. This time, she's not there yet."
Nami sighed, leaning on the railing with her arms crossed. "Zoro's not wrong," she admitted, though her voice was reluctant. "If she's still just gathering information, we could leave her out of it and deal with Crocodile ourselves. It might even be safer for her."
Sanji slammed his hand down on the table. "You're all heartless! Vivi isn't just some bystander! She's our friend! She fought with us before, risked her life to save Alabasta! Are you really saying we just leave her to fend for herself?"
"Right now, she's not fending for herself!" Zoro shot back. "She's undercover, gathering intel. If we pull her into this fight, we're just painting a bigger target on her back."
Usopp's voice shook slightly, but he didn't back down. "So what, we just abandon her? What kind of friends would we be if we left her behind while we dealt with Crocodile?"
"It's not about abandoning her," Zoro replied, his voice cool and steady. "It's about respecting where she is. If she hasn't asked for help, maybe it's because she doesn't need it yet."
The argument grew louder, with Sanji and Usopp arguing for Vivi's inclusion while Zoro stood firm in his logic. Even Nami, usually the mediator, seemed torn, her thoughtful silence speaking volumes.
Through it all, Luffy sat cross-legged near the mast, his straw hat tipped forward to shield his face. He watched them quietly, his expression unreadable.
Finally, Nami turned to him. "Luffy," she said, cutting through the noise. "What do you think?"
The crew fell silent, all eyes turning to their captain.
Luffy didn't move at first, the brim of his hat casting a shadow over his eyes. Then he tilted his head back, revealing a rare look of quiet thoughtfulness.
"Vivi's our friend," he said simply. His voice was calm but carried a weight that stilled the air. "If she asks for help, we'll help her. No question."
"That's not an answer!" Sanji exclaimed.
"It is," Luffy said, his gaze steady. "We know Vivi. If she's in trouble, she'll tell us. But if she's not asking for help, maybe it's because she thinks she's okay right now."
"She's not okay if she's stuck working for Crocodile," Usopp argued.
"Then we'll stop Crocodile," Luffy said, his grin returning. "That's why we're going to Alabasta, right? To take him down? If Vivi's in danger, we'll be there for her. But we shouldn't decide for her. She gets to make that call."
The crew exchanged glances, the logic and emotion in Luffy's words sinking in.
The simplicity of his answer left the crew in contemplative silence. One by one, the tension eased from their shoulders, their earlier arguments fading into the background.
Nami sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "That's so like you," she said softly.
"Yeah," Usopp muttered, though there was no heat in his voice anymore. "Still doesn't sit right with me…"
"Then we'll just have to wait and see," Luffy said, leaning back and tilting his hat forward again as if the matter was already settled.
The crew exchanged glances, some still skeptical, others already nodding in agreement. It wasn't the decision any of them had expected, but it was undeniably Luffy, straightforward, trusting, and grounded in his faith in his friends.
Above them, the sails of the Going Merry billowed in the wind, carrying them forward toward Whiskey Peak.
,
The streets of Whiskey Peak were a picture of unbridled celebration. Lanterns hung from every building, their golden light casting a warm glow across the cobblestone streets. Music poured from every corner, a symphony of fiddles, drums, and flutes blending seamlessly with the sound of laughter and clinking mugs. The aroma of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the faint tang of spilled ale and wine.
Long banquet tables stretched across the town square, heaped with dishes that seemed endless: roasted boar glazed with honey, steaming loaves of bread, and platters of exotic fruits that gleamed like jewels. Barrels of ale and wine were stationed everywhere, their contents poured generously into mugs that never seemed to empty.
To any outsider, it would have seemed the perfect welcome.
The Straw Hats stepped cautiously into the square, their expressions a mix of curiosity, suspicion, and, in Luffy's case, unrestrained excitement.
"Look at all the food!" Luffy exclaimed, his eyes wide with delight. Before anyone could stop him, he lunged forward, snatching a drumstick from a passing platter and devouring it in a single bite. "Meat! This is the best island ever!"
Sanji, already laden with plates of hors d'oeuvres handed to him by a group of giggling women, shot Luffy a sharp look. "Could you not make us look like complete barbarians, you uncouth captain?"
Luffy, unbothered, grabbed another drumstick. "But it's so good!" he said through a mouthful of food.
Sanji turned back to the women, his tone shifting to one of velvety charm. "Ladies," he began, bowing slightly, "please allow me to repay your kindness by crafting a dish worthy of your beauty!"
The women giggled again, their cheeks flushing as they handed him more plates.
"Hopeless," Nami muttered, brushing past him with a sigh. Her sharp gaze scanned the square, taking in the scene with a keen eye. The laughter rang a little too loud, the smiles seemed a little too wide, and the effort to appear welcoming was almost too perfect.
"They're trying too hard," she muttered under her breath.
Behind her, Usopp had already drawn a small crowd. The townsfolk listened in rapt attention as he regaled them with one of his signature tales, his voice rising and falling with dramatic flair.
"And then, with nothing but my trusty slingshot, I took down the fifty-foot sea monster in one shot!" he declared, striking a triumphant pose.
The crowd gasped in unison, their applause drowning out Zoro's unimpressed snort. The swordsman was seated at the edge of the square, a barrel of sake by his side and his swords resting against the table.
"They're laying it on thick," Zoro muttered to Nami as she approached, his voice low enough to keep the conversation between them.
"Obviously," she replied, her tone dry. "But as long as we play along, we can gather information without tipping them off."
Zoro smirked, raising his mug in a mock toast. "Cheers to playing along, then."
"Just don't drink too much," Nami warned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I don't want you passing out before things get interesting."
Zoro leaned back in his chair, taking another swig from his mug. "Relax. I've got this."
As the hours passed, the party reached a fever pitch. The people of Whiskey Peak spared no effort in entertaining their guests, their smiles never faltering even as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Zoro was deep into his fifth, or maybe sixth, barrel of sake, yet his composure remained steady, his sharp eyes still scanning the crowd despite his relaxed posture.
Nami, seated at a gambling table, was methodically sweeping her opponents clean. The pile of coins, jewels, and trinkets beside her grew steadily as she won hand after hand, her deceptively sweet smile disarming even the most seasoned gamblers.
"Better luck next time," she said with a shrug, pocketing her winnings with practiced ease.
Nearby, Usopp was holding court, his audience hanging on his every word as he launched into yet another outrageous tale. "And then the entire fleet of pirate ships surrounded us!" he said, his arms spread wide. "But did I panic? No! With my expert aim, I took them all down in one shot!"
The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers almost drowning out Sanji's voice as he fawned over a group of women nearby.
"Ah, my dear angels," Sanji said, his hand pressed over his heart. "You've graced me with your presence and made this humble cook the happiest man alive!"
And then there was Luffy, surrounded by piles of empty plates as he devoured dish after dish with the enthusiasm of a man who had never eaten before. His laughter echoed across the square, his mood infectiously light despite the faint tension that lingered among his crewmates.
Despite the lively atmosphere, the Straw Hats remained on high alert. They had learned from their first visit to Whiskey Peak, and though they played along with the celebrations, they were acutely aware of the hidden intentions behind the overly welcoming smiles.
As the night wore on, one by one, the crew began to "collapse from exhaustion." Luffy let out a comical yawn before slumping over a pile of empty plates. Sanji staggered to a nearby chair, dramatically declaring that he could no longer stand under the weight of such beauty. Usopp flopped onto the ground with a groan, his arms spread wide as though his own stories had worn him out.
Nami let out a delicate sigh, reclining in her chair as though finally succumbing to fatigue. Even Zoro leaned back in his chair, his head tilting forward as his sake barrel rolled to the side.
,
Miss Monday
Miss Monday leaned against a worn pillar near the edge of the square, her muscular arms crossed tightly over her chest. The music and laughter from the festivities washed over her like the tide, but her sharp eyes remained fixed on the group of pirates who had strolled so casually into their trap.
"One hundred and sixty-three million berries for these kids?" she muttered to herself, the skepticism in her voice evident. She shifted her weight, the pillar creaking slightly under her bulk, as she continued to watch them. Most rookie pirates walked into Whiskey Peak with swagger and arrogance, spouting off grandiose dreams of conquering the Grand Line.
But these Straw Hats? They were… different.
Her gaze fell on the boy with the straw hat first. Their captain, Monkey D. Luffy, was already halfway through a towering plate of meat. He devoured each bite with such unrestrained enthusiasm that it was almost cartoonish, his mouth too full to do much more than laugh.
Miss Monday frowned. "Captain of this crew?" she muttered. "He looks more like the mascot."
Her eyes shifted to the swordsman next, the infamous Pirate Hunter Zoro. He sat off to the side, a barrel of sake at his elbow and a steady stream of mugs in his hand. The green-haired man drank like someone trying to drown an entire tavern, his movements slow and deliberate. His swords rested against the table, close enough to reach for in an instant.
Then there was the navigator, Nami. Miss Monday watched as the orange-haired woman drained a mug of ale with practiced ease before casually reaching for another. Her relaxed demeanor was a stark contrast to the keen glint in her eyes as she scanned the crowd.
"They're kids," Miss Monday murmured, her lips curling in disdain. "They don't even look like they've been out of diapers long."
But as the party continued, the nagging thought in the back of her mind grew stronger. The Straw Hats weren't acting like the loud, brash rookies she'd seen stumble into Whiskey Peak before. They were casual, confident, and, for lack of a better word, comfortable.
Even the sniper, Usopp, had drawn a crowd. He was in the middle of an animated story, his gestures grand and his voice filled with drama.
"And then," he proclaimed, throwing his arms wide, "with nothing but my trusty slingshot, I took down the fifty-foot sea monster in one shot!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, completely enthralled.
Miss Monday rolled her eyes. "Clown."
Her gaze shifted again, this time to the blonde cook, Sanji. He was surrounded by a gaggle of giggling women, their faces flushed as he flitted between them like a lovestruck butterfly.
"My dear angels," Sanji declared, his hand pressed dramatically to his chest. "Your smiles light up the night sky more brightly than the stars themselves!"
Despite their seemingly carefree behavior, Miss Monday couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this crew than met the eye.
As the hours passed, the Straw Hats began to fall victim to exhaustion, or so it seemed. One by one, they slumped over, their movements exaggerated and theatrical.
The swordsman leaned back against his barrel, his head dipping forward as his hand slid lazily toward his sword. The navigator reclined in her chair, her eyes half-closed and her posture relaxed. The sniper flopped onto the ground in an overdone heap, his arms sprawled out as though he had fought a battle instead of telling stories.
Even the blonde cook seemed to succumb, slumping into his chair with a wistful sigh.
The straw-hatted captain? He was the first to go. Luffy lay flat on his back, a tower of empty plates stacked beside him. His straw hat tilted to one side as his snores echoed faintly across the square.
Miss Monday's lips curled into a slow smile. She pushed herself off the pillar, her knuckles cracking loudly in the quiet of the now-empty square.
"Gotcha," she muttered.
Miss Monday stood tall in the square, her gaze sweeping over the seemingly unconscious Straw Hats. With a satisfied smirk, she turned toward the well-dressed figure beside her.
"Well, that's that," she said, cracking her knuckles. "Looks like we won't need any of the higher-ups to get involved after all." She jerked her thumb toward the slumbering crew. "Mr. 0 said to deal with them, and I can see why. Easy money."
Mr. 8 adjusted his glasses, his demeanor calm but calculating as he surveyed the scene. "Let's make it quick," he replied. "We'll tie them up and send word to Baroque Works. The sooner they're out of our hands, the better."
Miss Monday rolled up her sleeves, stepping closer to the pirates. "Fine by me. Let's get this over with."
Just as she reached for the first of the crew, Sanji, whose head lolled dramatically to one side, a nasally voice cut through the stillness, stopping her in her tracks.
"Leave the binding to me," the voice said, smug and dripping with self-importance.
Miss Monday froze, her brow furrowing as she turned toward the source. Emerging from the shadows at the edge of the square were two figures, one lanky and theatrical, the other smaller and silent.
Mr. 3 stepped forward with a flourish, his posture upright and his ever-present smirk firmly in place. Behind him trailed Miss Golden Week, her expression as unreadable as always as she clutched her palette and brush.
"Mr. 3," Mr. 8 said, his tone polite but edged with surprise. "I wasn't aware you were here."
"There's no need to concern yourself," Mr. 3 replied, waving a dismissive hand. His voice carried a practiced air of superiority as he surveyed the scene. "This is a prime opportunity to demonstrate the brilliance of my Wax-Wax powers. Consider your work finished."
Miss Monday's jaw tightened, her fists clenching at her sides. She didn't like Mr. 3's tone, or how he had apparently swooped in and was about to take the credit. But she knew better than to argue with someone of his rank.
"Fine," she muttered, stepping back. "Do whatever you want."
Mr. 3's smirk widened as he approached the Straw Hats, the air around him thick with his arrogance. He knelt beside Sanji first, his fingers beginning to secrete wax. The glossy white substance dripped steadily, pooling in his palm as he reached for the cook's hands.
But before the wax could solidify, Sanji moved.
In one swift motion, his leg shot upward, the heel of his shoe connecting squarely with Mr. 3's jaw. The wax man was sent flying backward, landing with a crash that sent dust and debris flying.
"Wha, ?!" Miss Monday's voice rang out, her eyes wide as she stared at Sanji, who was now fully upright, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp.
Across the square, the rest of the Straw Hats stirred. Nami sat up gracefully, brushing an imaginary speck of dust off her shoulder. Usopp rolled to his feet, his slingshot already in hand. Zoro cracked his neck, his swords gleaming as he drew them with practiced ease.
And Luffy stood at the forefront, his wide grin unyielding and his straw hat casting a shadow over his determined eyes.
"You thought we'd fall for that trick?" Luffy asked cheerfully, his voice carrying an edge that made the hairs on the back of Miss Monday's neck stand on end.
Before she could respond, chaos erupted.
,
The Strawhats
The square was unrecognizable. The festive warmth that had radiated just hours before was replaced by a wasteland of overturned tables, shattered plates, and the sharp tang of spilled wine hanging heavy in the air. The lanterns that once bathed the scene in golden light now flickered unevenly, their flames casting eerie, jagged shadows across the destruction.
Luffy stood at the center of it all, the eye of the storm. His feet were planted firmly, his straw hat tilted low to obscure his eyes. The ever-present grin that usually defined his face was nowhere to be seen. In its place was a calm, unnerving stillness.
For a moment, the air seemed to hold its breath, a fragile silence stretching taut. And then it happened.
A ripple of pressure burst forth from Luffy, invisible yet undeniable. The wave of force radiated outward, rolling through the square like a thunderclap, heavy and unrelenting. The walls seemed to groan under its weight, and the very air trembled with a charge that sent shivers racing down the spine of anyone still conscious.
One by one, the revelers crumpled like marionettes whose strings had been cruelly cut. Plates clattered to the ground, chairs screeched against the stone as they tipped, and barrels wobbled before collapsing. Bodies hit the floor in an unceremonious cascade, their eyes rolling back as unconsciousness claimed them.
The oppressive force subsided, leaving behind a silence that was almost deafening. What had moments ago been a raucous party was now a battlefield of fallen foes.
In the stillness, only four figures remained standing.
Mr. 3 staggered slightly, his glasses askew and his wax-covered hands trembling. He glanced around wildly, his face pale. "What… what just happened?" he stammered, his usually smooth voice cracking under the weight of his fear.
Miss Golden Week clutched her paintbrush tightly, the normally serene mask she wore faltering as her eyes darted around in confusion.
Miss Monday, ever the stalwart, stood rigid, her muscles coiled and ready, though the flicker of unease in her eyes betrayed her caution.
And finally, Mr. 8 adjusted his powdered wig with an unsteady hand, his movements slow as he reached instinctively for his weapon.
At the center of it all, Luffy slowly lifted his head. His eyes gleamed with an intensity that sent a jolt through the remaining agents. The weight of his Conqueror's Haki still lingered, pressing down on them like the memory of an unrelenting tide.
"You shouldn't have messed with my crew," Luffy said simply, his voice soft but carrying a weight that left no room for argument.
The agents barely had time to process his words before the chaos began anew.
Sanji moved first. With the grace of a dancer and the power of a coiled spring, he launched forward, his leg snapping out like a whip. The kick connected squarely with Mr. 3's chest, the impact reverberating through the air with a sickening thud.
The wax man was sent flying, his lanky frame crashing through a nearby wall in an explosion of debris and dust. He disappeared from sight, leaving only a gaping hole where he had once stood.
"Bon voyage," Sanji muttered, straightening his tie with a smirk before stepping back into the fray.
Miss Monday barely had time to register Mr. 3's exit before Zoro was upon her. His swords gleamed in the uneven light, each movement precise and fluid. The whistle of steel slicing through the air was her only warning before the flat of one blade connected with her side. The impact sent her sprawling, her strength no match for the swordsman's relentless precision.
Meanwhile, perched atop an overturned table, Usopp took aim at Mr. 8. His fingers pulled back the band of his slingshot with practiced ease, his gaze narrowing as he locked onto his target.
The twang of the slingshot's release was almost musical, the projectile slicing through the air with unerring accuracy. It struck Mr. 8 square in the forehead, the impact sending him staggering backward before he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
"And that's why they call me the King of Snipers!" Usopp declared, his voice triumphant. The slight tremor in his tone, however, betrayed the nerves coursing through him.
Miss Golden Week stood frozen for a moment, her paintbrush clutched tightly in her trembling hand. Her wide eyes flicked around the room, calculating her chances.
Without a word, she bolted.
Her footsteps were swift and light, her small frame weaving through the wreckage with the agility of someone well-versed in fleeing danger. She sprinted toward the gaping hole in the wall that Sanji had so generously created, her palette tucked tightly under her arm as she disappeared into the night.
"She's running!" Nami shouted, her voice sharp as she took off after the fleeing agent. Her feet pounded against the stone floor, her orange hair whipping behind her as she darted toward the exit.
The rest of the crew moved to follow, their movements fluid and synchronized, but they came to an abrupt halt at the sight before them.
Outside, bathed in the pale glow of the moon, a flash of steel cut through the darkness.
Miss Golden Week staggered, her palette slipping from her grasp as a spray of paint splattered across the ground. She clutched her side with a sharp gasp, her brush falling from her fingers as she dropped to her knees.
A figure stepped forward, emerging from the shadows and into the moonlight.
The crew froze in unison, their gazes locking onto the figure standing amidst the chaos.
It was a woman, slender and poised, her form wrapped in familiar robes. A curved blade rested in her hand, its edge gleaming faintly in the moonlight. Her blue hair framed her face, catching the light in soft waves, and her eyes burned with a resolve so fierce it sent a ripple of recognition through each of the Straw Hats.
"You all told me last time we met," the woman began, her voice steady yet warm, tinged with a quiet strength, "that no matter how far apart we were, when we met again, you'd still call me your Nakama."
Nami's breath hitched, her hand flying to her mouth as her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Vivi?"
The woman smiled softly, lowering her blade. Her posture eased. "I've been waiting for this moment."
Author's notes: Vivi's back! Yay! Seriously though, I have my reasons and logic for bringing her back, and I'm excited to explore the changes her return will bring.
Anyway, it's a shorter chapter today, but I hope you all enjoyed it. Reviews and feedback are always welcome. See you next week!