Chapter 10: Promises
The Strawhats
The deck of the Going Merry was alive with the electric buzz of disbelief, excitement, and a touch of panic as the Straw Hats gathered around the stack of bounty posters Luffy had stolen from the marines in Loguetown. The early morning sun painted the waters of the Twin Capes in golden hues, but all eyes were glued to the crisp, freshly printed sheets in their captain's hands.
Nami, who had been carefully flipping through the stack, froze when she reached her own poster. Her jaw dropped, her wide eyes darting from her image to the bold lettering beneath it. "Twenty-five million?! Me?"
She stared at the picture, her own confident smirk staring back at her, and the title printed beneath: Cat Burglar Nami. "This… this can't be right. I mean, I didn't even do much yet! Why do I already have a bounty? And why is it so high?"
Her mind raced, and she couldn't help but compare her bounty to that of Arlong. He had a bounty of twenty million, a number that had once seemed insurmountable. Now, here she was, surpassing it already. Her grip tightened on the poster as a pit formed in her stomach.
"How much have we already changed?" she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.
Meanwhile, Usopp had found his own poster, and the color drained from his face as he stared at the number 21,000,000 Berries. Beneath it, his newly minted epithet: King of Snipers.
"King of Snipers?!" Usopp screeched, his hands trembling as he held the poster like it might explode. "Why am I the King of Snipers?! I haven't done anything kingly! This name is just asking for trouble! How long before some crazy lunatic tries to 'test' me? Oh no, oh no…"
He began pacing the deck, muttering to himself, his mind spiraling into a thousand terrifying scenarios. "What if a hundred bounty hunters show up at once? What if they think I'm some kind of legendary assassin and challenge me to a duel?! I can't duel! I'm not even good at close combat!"
Sanji leaned casually against the ship's railing, holding his poster with a satisfied grin spreading across his face. The bold print read: Black Leg Sanji, 32,000,000 Berries.
"Well, well," he said smugly, adjusting his tie with exaggerated finesse. "A higher bounty than Luffy's first. About time they started recognizing talent when they saw it."
His self-satisfaction, however, soured slightly as his gaze drifted to Zoro. The swordsman stood nearby, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever, examining his own poster with practiced indifference.
"Tch. Stupid moss head somehow managed to outdo me by three million," Sanji muttered under his breath, the annoyance bubbling just beneath the surface.
"What was that, dartboard brow?" Zoro shot back, not even bothering to look up. His tone was sharp, like the edge of his blades.
"You heard me!" Sanji snapped, his head whipping around to glare daggers at Zoro.
Zoro, as unbothered as ever, held up his poster: Pirate Hunter Zoro, 35,000,000 Berries. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he tilted his head slightly. "Third biggest bounty in the East Blue," he said with deliberate casualness. "Yeah, it's a start."
The taunt hit its mark, and Sanji's eye twitched in barely restrained irritation. His hand clenched around his poster as he prepared to escalate their brewing argument.
But before their bickering could go any further, Luffy's loud, infectious laughter cut through the tension like a blade, instantly derailing the moment.
"Look, look!" Luffy shouted, thrusting his poster toward the two of them. "It's official! I'm a real pirate now!"
"You've been a real pirate for years," Usopp groaned, still pacing. "This isn't new, Luffy!"
But Luffy wasn't listening. Instead, he leapt onto the ship's figurehead, his poster flapping dramatically in the breeze. "This calls for a celebration!" he declared, punching the air with glee.
"Celebration?" Nami said, raising an eyebrow. "We're literally on the run from the marines. Shouldn't we be keeping a low profile?"
"Aw, come on, Nami!" Luffy whined, jumping back down. "We've got bounties now! Real ones! And look at these numbers!"
"Fine," Nami sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "But don't drag me into the cleanup."
"Bonfire!" Luffy shouted, already racing below deck to gather supplies.
It didn't take long for the Straw Hats to spring into action. Sanji headed to the galley, muttering something about "proper food for proper bounties" as he disappeared into the kitchen. Zoro fetched firewood, grumbling under his breath about Luffy's boundless energy but carrying the biggest load. Even Usopp, still gripped by anxiety, found himself setting up the fire pit.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the flames of their bonfire roared to life, crackling warmly against the cooling evening air. Plates of food began to pile up as Sanji worked his culinary magic, the aroma of sizzling meat and spices drawing everyone closer.
Nami watched them, her fingers still clutching her poster. Her mind raced as she thought of what this meant. Their bounties were all higher than Arlong's had been, far higher. They were changing the world around them faster than she'd anticipated. The weight of it pressed down on her, but then she looked up at her crewmates.
She smiled despite herself. Whatever challenges awaited them, she knew they'd face them together.
Crocus
Crocus wiped the sweat from his brow as he climbed out of Laboon's cavernous interior, muttering under his breath about the heat. The tropical sun beat down relentlessly on the lighthouse, making even the shadows feel sticky and oppressive. He stretched his aching back as he stepped onto solid ground, the sound of distant laughter drawing his attention.
At first, he dismissed it as a trick of the wind, but as he rounded the curve of the lighthouse, the source became clear. A small group of pirates, barely more than kids, was sprawled near the northern cape, shaking off the remnants of sleep. Empty bottles and scraps of food littered the area, evidence of a celebration that had clearly gotten out of hand. Crocus's lips tightened into a thin line as he took in the mess.
"Damn rookies," he muttered, rubbing his temple. "Have they no respect?"
He paused, taking a closer look. Recognition flickered in his memory. These weren't just any rookies, they were the Straw Hat Pirates, the faces from the bounty posters that had made the rounds recently. Even out here, news of their exploits had reached him. What had struck him at the time wasn't just their bounties, an absurd amount for pirates so green, but their origins. East Blue, the weakest of the seas, and yet here they were.
And now here they are, he thought, brow furrowing as he studied them more closely. Up close, they looked even younger than their posters had suggested. Too young to carry those kinds of bounties. Too young to be in the Grand Line.
Despite himself, Crocus lingered, curiosity replacing irritation. One of them, a straw-hatted boy with a grin so wide it seemed almost unnatural, noticed him first. The boy waved casually, as though it were perfectly normal to see an old man emerge from the mouth of a giant whale.
Crocus frowned. Not even a flinch. He was used to people gawking or at least asking questions. But these kids acted like they hadn't a care in the world. Carefree laughter punctuated their chatter, as though they weren't standing at the gateway to one of the most dangerous places on earth.
Finally, unable to hold his tongue, Crocus approached them. "Oi! What do you think you're doing, making a mess of my cape like this?" He gestured to the scattered remnants of their feast, his annoyance plain.
A blonde young man, Sanji, if he remembered correctly from the posters, looked up sheepishly. "Ah, sorry about that, old man. We'll clean it up."
But it was the straw-hatted boy who drew Crocus's attention again. The kid turned to him with that same unshakable grin, his posture relaxed yet commanding. "Thanks for letting us crash here!" Luffy said cheerfully, as if the matter was settled.
Crocus blinked, taken aback. "This isn't a hotel, kid. You're pirates in the Grand Line now. You can't go around acting like you're still back in the East Blue. This sea doesn't take kindly to carelessness."
Instead of bristling or snapping back, Luffy's grin widened, his confidence radiating like sunlight. "We'll be fine."
There was something about the way he said it, so simple, yet so certain, that stopped Crocus in his tracks. It wasn't arrogance, nor was it the empty bravado he'd seen from countless rookies who thought they could conquer the Grand Line with sheer willpower. No, this was different.
Crocus studied the boy more closely, his eyes narrowing. It was rare to see such raw conviction. For a moment, he felt a pang of familiarity, though he couldn't quite place it. Something about that smile tugged at a memory buried deep in the past.
"Fine, huh?" Crocus said slowly, crossing his arms. "You've got quite the nerve, saying that without knowing what you're up against."
Luffy tilted his head, as though considering the words. "We'll figure it out. We've got each other. That's enough."
The sheer simplicity of the answer stunned Crocus into silence. He glanced at the others, some cleaning up the mess, others stretching and yawning as if this were just another lazy morning. They didn't seem fazed by his presence either, though their captain's confidence seemed to steady them like an unshakable anchor.
Crocus exhaled, shaking his head. "You're either incredibly stupid or… well, let's see if you live long enough to prove me wrong."
Luffy only laughed, and somehow, it didn't feel dismissive. It felt genuine, like he understood more than he let on.
Turning back toward the lighthouse, Crocus glanced once more at the Straw Hat crew. They were young, reckless, and far too naive for their own good. But there was something about them, something that made even a seasoned old man like him pause.
For now, he decided, he'd let them be. Time had a way of sorting out the fools from the legends.
Still, as he returned to the lighthouse, he couldn't shake the feeling that this crew might just be different.
Something about that boy...
Zoro
Zoro leaned against the mast of the Going Merry, his arms crossed as he watched the old man pick his way across the cape. Crocus hadn't changed much outwardly, but Zoro's perception of him had. The old man's casual stance, the way his sharp eyes darted around like they missed nothing, it all radiated the quiet confidence of someone who'd seen hell and come back sharper for it.
It was the kind of presence Zoro now recognized instinctively. Crocus wasn't just a quirky old man with a whale. He was someone forged in the New World, tempered like steel. Zoro cursed under his breath. How had they missed this before?
Glancing toward Luffy, Zoro noticed his captain's grin was as wide as ever, but there was a glint in his eyes, a sign that even Luffy understood, in his own way, what they were dealing with. On the other side of the deck, Sanji had his gaze resting on Crocus with rare seriousness. For once, the cook wasn't acting like an idiot.
Then, as expected, the old man started complaining.
"You brats!" Crocus barked, gesturing wildly at the mess they'd left behind from their celebration. "What do you think this is, some kind of inn? Y"
Zoro couldn't help but smirk at the sheer energy Crocus was throwing into his lecture. That kind of fire in someone so old was almost impressive. Almost.
Nami stepped forward, her tone sweet yet commanding. "We're sorry, really. The boys will clean it up right now."
Zoro's smirk vanished. "The boys?" he echoed, glaring at her.
"Yeah, the boys," she said, already turning her attention back to Crocus with a winning smile.
Sanji, of course, was all too eager to agree. "Anything for you, Nami-swan!" he said, practically skipping to gather trash. Zoro rolled his eyes so hard he thought they might fall out of his head.
"Idiot," he muttered, but before he could argue further, Nami shot him a glare sharp enough to cut steel. With a sigh of resignation, Zoro started picking up scraps of trash, muttering curses under his breath.
While they worked, Nami seized the moment to ask about Laboon. "What's with the whale?" she asked, gesturing toward the massive creature looming near the cape. "Why is he so big, and why does he have so many scars?"
Zoro understood why Nami was asking. They couldn't just act like they already knew. It would raise questions they couldn't answer. Still, sitting through the tale again felt like torture. Crocus launched into the story of Laboon's scars, the Rumbar Pirates, and the whale's lonely vigil at Reverse Mountain.
Out of the corner of his eye, Zoro could see Luffy shifting restlessly. He wasn't exactly built for sitting still, and hearing the same story again probably wasn't helping. Then Crocus mentioned the Rumbar Pirates abandoning Laboon, and Zoro saw something snap in Luffy's expression.
Before anyone could react, Luffy was on his feet, launching himself toward Laboon with a stretch of his rubber arms.
"Oi, what the hell are you doing?" Crocus shouted, but Sanji waved him off.
"Relax," the cook said, leaning casually against the railing. "It's Luffy. He's not gonna hurt the whale."
Crocus didn't look so convinced. "You better be right," he grumbled, watching as Luffy latched onto Laboon's side.
Zoro folded his arms and waited. This wasn't the first time he'd seen Luffy pull something bizarre, and it wouldn't be the last. Still, even he had to admit the sight of their captain talking to a giant whale like it was an old friend was… something.
"What's he even saying?" Crocus muttered, glancing at the others.
Zoro shrugged. "Who knows?"
For a while, none of them could hear what Luffy was saying, though Laboon seemed to be listening intently. Then, finally, Luffy raised his voice enough for them to catch his words.
"We'll come back," Luffy declared, his tone firm. "And when we do, we'll bring him with us."
Laboon let out a low, rumbling sound, a deep note of agreement that echoed across the cape.
Zoro straightened, his eyes narrowing. He understood now. Luffy wasn't just making another one of his wild promises. He was talking about Brook, about keeping the promise Laboon had been waiting for all these years.
Crocus, on the other hand, looked thoroughly baffled. "What are you talking about?" the old man demanded. "Bring who back? "
None of them answered. What could they say? That they knew the Rumbar Pirates' fate, that they'd met Brook in the future? Explaining all of that wasn't just impossible, it was dangerous.
Instead, they let Luffy handle it in his own way. Their captain gave Laboon a reassuring pat before stretching back to the deck, landing with his usual grin. "Don't worry about it," he said to Crocus, his tone light. "You'll see when we come back."
Crocus looked like he wanted to argue, his brow furrowed in mild exasperation, but ultimately, he let it go with a resigned shake of his head. "You're a strange bunch," he muttered, his voice laced with a mix of amusement and bewilderment.
Zoro couldn't help but silently agree. Though Crocus had no way of knowing just how strange they really were.
Crocus
Crocus leaned against the sturdy railing of his lighthouse, arms folded, watching the Straw Hat crew with a mix of amusement and begrudging respect. He'd been skeptical, more than skeptical, when that boy had launched himself at Laboon. At first, he was certain the whale would swat the kid into the horizon like a fly. But to his shock, the boy had done the opposite of harm. He'd befriended Laboon in a way Crocus hadn't seen since the whale's days with the Rumbar Pirates.
And then came the drawing.
Crocus rubbed his temple as his eyes flicked back to the crude Jolly Roger now emblazoned on Laboon's forehead. It was… something. The skull's lopsided grin and stick-figure limbs were a testament to the boy's utter lack of artistic ability.
He couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "Of all the promises to leave on Laboon's face…"
Still, there was something oddly endearing about it. Laboon certainly seemed happy, the giant whale letting out a low, rumbling sound that vibrated through the water as he waved his massive tail. The promise meant something to Laboon, and, in truth, to Crocus as well.
His gaze returned to the crew, who were now scrambling to clean the mess they'd left behind from their earlier celebration. At least they were making good on that, though it had taken some stern words to get them moving. The redhead, Nami, as he'd learned, was directing the operation with precision, while the rest grumbled and dragged their feet. Except for the blonde cook, who was cleaning with suspicious enthusiasm whenever she glanced his way.
Once the mess was cleared, Crocus softened. "I'll admit," he said, his gruff voice carrying over the water, "you lot surprised me. Most rookies waltz into the Grand Line thinking they're invincible. You've got more going for you than I thought. Still reckless, though."
The boy with the straw hat grinned at him, his eyes sparkling with that same unshakable confidence. "Reckless is fun!"
Crocus snorted. "We'll see how fun it is when the Grand Line decides to chew you up and spit you out."
Despite his words, he found himself offering assistance. He pointed out some key navigation tips, explaining the dangers of the island paths ahead and the quirks of the Log Pose.
To his surprise, the redhead waved him off after a point. "Thanks, but I already bought a Log Pose back in Loguetown," she said, producing the item with a practiced flourish.
Crocus raised an eyebrow. "You're more prepared than you look," he admitted.
She gave a wry smile. "Someone has to be, with this lot."
The crew eventually readied their ship, the Going Merry's sails catching the breeze as they prepared to depart. Luffy, of course, lingered the longest, waving enthusiastically at Laboon as if they'd known each other for years.
"Take care of yourself, Laboon!" Luffy called, his grin as wide as ever.
Laboon let out another rumbling bellow, the water around him churning as he waved his tail in response.
As the ship sailed into the distance, the crew shouting their goodbyes, Crocus leaned back against the lighthouse railing once more. He watched them go, their voices fading into the vastness of the Grand Line.
And then it hit him.
The straw hat.
Crocus chuckled softly to himself, a sound carried away by the salty breeze. That hat, it was unmistakable. He'd seen it before, first on the head of a man who had forever changed the course of history, and later on a red-haired boy with dreams just as big.
Now, it sat atop this spirited kid who seemed to embody the best of both its previous owners. There was Roger's indomitable will and Shanks's infectious charm, wrapped into one unpredictable force of nature.
"Roger… Shanks…" Crocus murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Looks like your legacy's in good hands."
He turned back toward the lighthouse, his steps light despite the years weighing on his frame. There was something about those kids, something that made him feel, against all odds, that their future in the Grand Line might not be so bleak after all.
Alabasta – Crocodile
The grandiose halls of Rainbase's casino were quiet this morning, the usual clatter of dice and the rhythmic shuffling of cards absent. Deep within the gilded walls of his headquarters, Crocodile lounged in his private office, a cigar clenched between his teeth. The room was dimly lit, with faint streaks of sunlight creeping through the blinds, cutting sharp lines across the luxurious desk in front of him.
His fingers tapped against the polished wood rhythmically, the only sound filling the space besides the soft hiss of cigar smoke curling into the air. Spread across the desk was a collection of reports, maps, and bounty posters. Normally, such trivialities wouldn't demand his attention, but lately, Crocodile's luck had taken a sharp and infuriating turn for the worse.
It started small. A shipment of supplies meant for the rebel forces had been intercepted by the royal army, a setback he had initially dismissed as a fluke. The guards who uncovered the shipment hadn't been able to trace it back to him, but the loss of the supplies had stung. In a land starved of rain, resources were worth more than gold, and every crate of weapons or provisions was a critical part of his carefully laid plans.
Then the deal with the South Blue prince had crumbled. Crocodile scowled at the memory, his fingers digging into the desk's edge. That transaction would've brought in hundreds of millions of berries, funds that could have advanced his agenda significantly. But the ship carrying the merchandise had sunk, taking both the goods and his expected profits to the ocean floor.
His fury had been unmatched when he received the news. Menacing the shipbuilder had done nothing to soothe his temper, nor had interrogating his officers for signs of incompetence. The truth remained: the deal was dead, and the setbacks were piling up.
Now, as he sat surrounded by the latest intelligence from his agents, Crocodile's patience was running dangerously thin. His sharp eyes skimmed over the documents, his cigar crackling faintly as he took another drag. A thought had begun to gnaw at the back of his mind, a suspicion that these weren't just unlucky coincidences.
Someone was interfering.
"Doflamingo," Crocodile muttered, the name leaving his mouth like a curse. The flamboyant warlord had always been an insufferable presence in the underworld, his connections and flair for chaos making him a constant thorn in the side of anyone with ambitions of their own. If anyone was capable of throwing wrenches into Crocodile's plans for no reason other than amusement, it was Doflamingo.
But no evidence pointed to Doflamingo, or anyone else, for that matter. Crocodile prided himself on control, on weaving plots so tight that even fate had little room to intervene. And yet, his carefully laid plans seemed to unravel, thread by thread, as if by an invisible hand.
His gaze drifted to the papers strewn across his desk, the latest report from his informants in Loguetown catching his attention. It detailed the departure of a rookie crew for the Grand Line, a crew that normally wouldn't have warranted his notice.
Until he saw the bounties.
Crocodile leaned forward, the cigar in his hand forgotten as his sharp eyes scanned the details. Straw Hat Luffy, 50 million. Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro, 35 million. The others weren't far behind. Combined, the crew's total bounty was an impressive 163 million berries.
His lips curled into a humorless smile. "East Blue, the weakest sea… and they're worth this much already?"
It wasn't just the numbers that intrigued him. The names, the faces, they carried an air of unpredictability. Normally, he wouldn't concern himself with rookies reaching the Grand Line. Most would burn out, swallowed by the sea or crushed by stronger adversaries. But this crew…
Crocodile's fingers drummed against the desk, his mind calculating.
Money was money. And in the wake of his recent losses, a 163-million-berry haul could patch more than a few holes in his plans. Perhaps he could send a team to Whiskey Peak, where Baroque Works agents kept watch over new arrivals to the Grand Line. They could assess these Straw Hats, test their mettle, and if nothing else, claim their heads for the bounty.
"Simple work," he mused aloud, his tone dry. "Even the lower agents should be able to handle it."
Yet something about the crew gnawed at him, an itch he couldn't quite scratch. Their names weren't entirely unfamiliar. They had tried recruiting Roronoa before, though evidently he had changed business. And Straw Hat Luffy…
Crocodile's gaze lingered on the picture of the grinning boy. Something about that smile irritated him.
He reached for his cigar again, taking a slow drag as his thoughts coalesced. Rookies like these were wild cards, too brash, too headstrong, but sometimes, too dangerous. If they proved a threat, it would be better to snuff them out early.
"Whiskey Peak," he muttered, the words a quiet command to himself. He'd send agents there, let them clean up the mess before it had a chance to spiral.
Omake
Usopp
The kitchen of the Going Merry was alive with the tantalizing smell of Sanji's culinary genius. Usopp's stomach rumbled in protest as he crept in, hoping to snag a snack before the next big meal. It had been a long journey already, and the thought of food was the perfect distraction.
He barely noticed Luffy sitting at the table, munching on what looked like the last of the afternoon's leftovers. The captain's face lit up the moment Usopp stepped inside, his trademark grin spreading ear to ear.
"Usopp!" Luffy called out, waving a fork dramatically. "I've been waiting to talk to you!"
Usopp paused mid-step, instantly suspicious. "Uh… about what?"
Luffy leaned in, lowering his voice as if he were about to divulge a life-altering secret. His face had that rare expression of exaggerated seriousness he sometimes wore when explaining why meat was the best food ever or why he needed to punch something immediately.
"I know your secret," Luffy said, his tone heavy with mock gravity.
"What secret?" Usopp asked, blinking. His mind raced. Had Luffy found out about the stash of snacks Usopp had hidden in the crow's nest? Or the time he'd accidentally broken the port railing and blamed the sea wind?
"You don't have to play dumb with me," Luffy continued, his voice now a dramatic whisper. He leaned even closer, his nose nearly touching Usopp's. "I know you're Sogeking."
Usopp froze. He stared at Luffy, unsure if he'd heard correctly. "What?"
Luffy sat back, crossing his arms and nodding sagely, as if he'd just delivered an undeniable truth. "It all makes sense now. Your bounty poster, 'King of Snipers Usopp.' That's Sogeking's title!"
"Wait, what?" Usopp's voice cracked as he struggled to process the mental gymnastics.
"At first, I couldn't believe it," Luffy said, rubbing his chin like a detective unraveling a mystery. "But the evidence is too strong. The name. The sniping. The incredible mask that hides your identity so well. It's obviously you!"
Usopp's eye twitched. "Luffy… that's… no. That's not even, "
But Luffy wasn't listening. His enthusiasm had reached full throttle, and there was no stopping him now.
"Don't worry," Luffy said, clapping a hand on Usopp's shoulder with surprising solemnity. "Your secret's safe with me. I won't tell anyone."
Usopp gawked at him. "Luffy, I, "
"I mean, I get it," Luffy interrupted, giving Usopp a conspiratorial grin. "Sometimes, being a hero means you've got to keep your real identity hidden. Makes total sense."
"I'm not, "
Luffy's grin widened. "And you're super cool about it, pretending to be just Usopp most of the time. But I know. I see through the mask now."
There was a moment of silence as Usopp tried, tried desperately, to summon the right words to counter this absolute nonsense. But what could he say?
"Anyway, don't worry," Luffy said, standing up and dusting crumbs off his shorts. "I'll never tell Chopper. He'd probably get too excited and spill the beans."
With that, Luffy patted Usopp on the head like a child who'd just confessed to stealing a cookie and sauntered out of the kitchen, humming a tune about meat.
As the door swung shut, Usopp stood there, dumbfounded. He pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath, "Why am I even surprised at this point? He's an idiot. A lovable idiot, but still an idiot."
Author's Notes:Hey everyone! I hope you're all having an amazing start to 2025. With this chapter, we officially dive into a new arc of the story! While there's not a lot of action in this one, we finally get to see the Straw Hats' reactions to their updated, changed bounties, and the realization that maybe not all the consequences of these changes are positive.
It's definitely a shorter chapter this time. As much as I love Laboon, his story has already been told, so I didn't feel the need to retread too much ground here.
I hope you all enjoy it! As always, reviews and feedback are more than welcome. Looking forward to seeing you next week!