Once the friendly match wrapped up, everyone went back to their stations while the ship continued gliding over the calm seas.
Nami paused to check on her apprentice, making her way down to review the stations she had assigned earlier.
"How's it going, Momo?"
"Good... I don't want to say it's easy, because I know that as we go further, it'll get more dangerous... But for now, everything's fine."
"Tsu, how's the humidity?"
"It hasn't changed, Ribbit..."
"Excellent... We might have some more peaceful sailing ahead," the navigator said with a relieved tone, checking on the rest of the students before returning to the library, accompanied by Sanji who brought coffee for the ladies.
Thanks to Nami's notes, Tsuyu's sharp perception, and their companions' solid teamwork, the sea offered little resistance. They successfully avoided a cluster of whirlpools by detecting a shift in temperature, steering clear of a windstorm and staying on a course with warmer weather.
The pirates lounged comfortably, sipping drinks and snacking while the students took care of the more demanding tasks.
After about an hour of smooth sailing, Momo glanced at the Eternal Pose and realized that sticking to the safe route had significantly diverted them from their intended course.
"Shoji, turn the rudder seventy-five degrees to port."
"Got it!"
"We've got no tailwind!" Sato commented.
Iida and Momo looked up at the sails, which were barely fluttering.
"Hmm... that's odd. We'll have to change course."
"Adjust the rudder thirty-five more degrees! We'll veer off our path, but it'll give us the push we need!"
Jinbei watched the vice president's confidence grow. Not wanting to interfere or instruct her, he just cleared his throat and turned his gaze to the sea. However, it was Bakugo who picked up on the helmsman's odd demeanor. He stepped over to check the waters himself—and spotted the crosscurrent.
"HEY, BRAINY!" Bakugo called out irritated.
"We're fighting the current! With this wind, we're not going anywhere!"
"Ah..."
Momo was shaken by the situation. She approached the edge of the ship and confirmed that her classmate was right, quickly analyzing their options.
"I see two choices... Either we veer farther off course, or we backtrack a little to find a different route," she said, keeping her eyes fixed on the Eternal Pose."
"So what do we do?!"
"Don't pressure her, Bakugo."
"Thanks, Shoto-kun... Let's backtrack a little."
"We can't drift off any more..."
Hearing her decision, Jinbei turned to her a bit disappointed, but Momo didn't notice, as she was lost in thought.
"Shoji, port 70 degrees!"
"But we'll go back to where we came from!"
"Yes, but we can't move forward here."
"Understood..."
The ship shifted course, staying near the frigid waters they had originally steered clear of. They made minor adjustments to avoid the natural hazards typical of the area. With no better option available, Momo chose to follow the Eternal Pose's path—even if it meant skimming dangerously close to the icy sea.
"Are you sure, Yaoyorozu?" Iida asked.
"No... but I don't see any other option."
"Guys!" She called nervously, noticing that everyone was focused on her, even though she was still unsure of her decision.
Before she could speak, she realized that even the pirates were watching her, causing her lips to tremble, making it impossible to give her orders aloud.
"I'll handle it, Yaomomo..."
"Thank you, Iida-kun."
Momo carefully relayed the instructions to her classmate so he could speak on her behalf with confidence and more volume.
"LISTEN UP! WE'RE ENTERING COLDER WATERS. STAY ALERT FOR ANY CHANGES IN WEATHER OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES. REMAIN VIGILANT AND REPORT ANY STRANGE BEHAVIORS IMMEDIATELY."
"ROBO! Don't forget to say 'Robo' at the end!"
"STOP IMITATING ME, MR. FRANKY!"
"Roooobo! Robo!" Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp cheered, copying the cyborg's antenna-style hairstyle after he pressed his nose.
"I'll stop i-mi-ta-ting-robo."
The pirates laughed at the cyborg's antics, angering Tenya, who marched over to lecture them, while the others remained focused on the weather and the dark water beneath them, shadowed by thick clouds.
"Do you think a storm is coming?" Yaoyorozu asked as Tsuyu approached with uncertainty.
"Not sure, but I feel a change in humidity."
"Those look like cold clouds... maybe not."
"Should we ask Nami-chan?"
"She's still busy... and she said only to call her during an emergency."
The young heroes remained vigilant, observing their surroundings while their teachers kept a watchful eye on them. Jiro, Koda, Mineta, and Ojiro were stationed along the sides of the Sunny, but the dark ocean waters made it impossible to detect any signs of danger.
Without warning, the ship lurched violently almost tossing Koda who had been leaning over the railing into the sea. Ojiro managed to grab him just in time, preventing the fall.
"What was that?!" Ojiro asked, alarmed.
The pirates just grinned at each other.
"Cold waters attract big prey..." Usopp remarked with a shrug.
"Which in turn attracts big carnivores, like sharks and killer whales," the cyborg added, disassembling a tablet to examine its internal components.
"But that wasn't a shark or a whale! That hit was way too strong!" Jiro protested.
"You didn't let us finish," Usopp said, adjusting his special goggles to get a better view of the students.
"Sharks and whales are prey for..."
A mirror-like sheet of water rose up on both sides of the ship—and out came two enormous sea beasts, each six times the size of the Sunny.
"NO WAY!" the heroes shouted in unison as they saw a massive lion-beast and a polar bear-like creature baring enormous fangs, drooling at the sight of the crew like snacks on a platter.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Their collective scream made the Sunny itself leap, shaking in fear, which in turn woke up an even more terrifying creature—the crew's swordsman.
"SEA KINGS!"
"No," muttered the sleepy voice of the green-haired.
"Just sea beasts," the pirates on deck corrected casually, pointing their fingers like scolding teachers as both beasts snarled with their sharp teeth.
"And they're all yours," Zoro said with a yawn, looking for a new place to nap, and claiming Aizawa's sleeping bag.
"Oi, Zoro... that's my bag..."
"Was," he replied, covering himself with it to fend off the cold.
"YOU CAN'T EXPECT US TO FIGHT THOSE THINGS!" the students shouted with their teeth clenching in panic.
"WHY ARE YOU SO CALM?!"
"They're easy prey. You'll be fine," the captain said, swinging with Chopper in a hammock, competing to see who could jump farther.
"COULD YOU TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY?!"
"THOSE THINGS WILL SOAK UP ALL OUR ATTACKS!" Mic protested.
"Then run," Usopp shrugged.
"There are only two ways out of this..." Iida began to propose.
"Coupdoboost!" Kirishima and Sero shouted excitedly.
"Nope. That'd be cheating... Your cheap ship will not have our SUUUPEEER system."
"WAAAH, DEKU!" They turned to plead for help, only to see the green-haired resting like a mummy from all the bandages, weakly giving a thumbs-up.
"He needs to rest... and don't move the ship, or I'll mess up the injection," warned Chopper, aiming a thick needle at him that instantly made Izuku uneasy.
Everyone felt a bead of sweat run down their necks at the sight of the frigid patient.
"Why is no one worried about the two sea monsters?" They wondered, seeing the pirates busy with their own things, ignoring the looming threat around them.
"Baku..."
Before they could even finish saying his name, Katsuki launched himself toward the massive polar bear, concentrating a surge of glycerin in his palms and locking onto his target for a direct blast.
"DIE!"
The explosion struck the bear's head, knocking it out instantly and disfiguring half its face.
The ship rocked from the sudden movement of the giant lion emerging beside the unconscious marine beast, joining it in its suffering and letting out small roars of concern.
"Aww, they're friends~ ," Brook and Franky sang together.
"Maybe something more... Yohohoho~," The skeleton added in a high-pitched voice.
"AAW'NT'! THEY WANTED TO EAT US!"
"Zoro! Cut it into pieces!" Commanded the captain, ready to throw his hand and fish out the monster's carcass.
"What are you saying, Captain? We can't!" Koda complained, watching as the lion continued lamenting its companion's loss.
"What? This is when we catch 'em and eat 'em."
"WE CAN'T CARRY ALL OF THAT!" Iida, Shoji, and Sato argued, with sharp teeth.
"WE CAN... IF WE REMOVE THE MEAT, LEAVE THE BONES AND HEADS TO DISTRACT OTHER PREDATORS."
"What?!"
"Exactly... You've got experience sack of bones." The cook's words caused a nervous laugh from the hero, who just scratched the back of his neck.
The students looked confused at Yagi, who casually suggested butchering the marine beast, while they heard a brief, never-before-heard laugh near them coming from Aizawa.
"Aizawa-sensei laughed..." they thought, frozen in place as they witnessed something unique for a few seconds.
"Creepy Shouta! Don't laugh!" Nemuri nudged, who just let out a nasal chuckle at the unusual survival tactics that accidentally started the adventure.
Kirishima and Shoji held back the reluctant captain, not wanting to attract more problems.
"Luffy-san, we're in charge for the day... If you do that, we'll be in trouble with the Lion, and we don't want to kill the other one too."
"THEN WE EAT IT TOO... AAH, IT'S GONE!" the young Straw Hat yelled, watching the lion sink beneath the waves with the bear's carcass, leaving the two heroes slumped on the deck.
"Calm down, Luffy, we still have plenty of food, and without more detours, we'll travel for another day and a half," Sanji reassured his captain, then gave Momo a signal to continue the course.
The grateful girl nodded in acknowledgment.
"Alright, let's continue! Todoroki, Bakugo! Stay alert for another marine beast attack."
"Got it," Todoroki replied, while Bakugo pointed aggressively at himself.
"OBVIOUSLY! NONE OF YOU EXTRAS COULD HANDLE THEM."
"Arrogant as always," Usopp commented with a drop of sweat running down his hair.
"I think that cloud looks like a shark."
Jinbei's words prompted them to glance skyward, tilting their heads in confusion as they took in the featureless gray sky. It was Zoro who first caught the uneasy expression on the fish-man's face.
"Jinbei! Don't give them hints!" the swordsman scolded the helmsman, who just swallowed nervously.
"I know... But I think this is something that involves all of us."
Momo glanced up at the now overcast, cool sky, which looked much like it had earlier, seeing nothing unusual at first. However, the concern etched on the fish-man's face set off alarms in her mind. Without hesitation, she handed the three logbooks to herself, Iida, and Todoroki, hoping to speed up their search for answers.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Shoto asked.
"Anything that describes freezing temperatures, gray skies with altostratus or nimbostratus clouds."
After flipping through the sections on cloud identification and temperatures, they found the discouraging answer.
"We're heading into a storm," Shoto said seriously with his eyes wide in shock.
"Shoji! Turn a hundred degrees to starboard!" Momo shouted.
"We have the wind against us," Jinbei commented, alarming Momo, who realized they couldn't use the only exit.
"Sato! The paddles on channel 0!"
"There's an underwater current that won't let us take that route," Shoto explained, looking over the side.
"Can you freeze it?"
"That would only affect the surface; the bottom will still drag us, and the ice will block our path."
With everything against them, Yaoyorozu started hyperventilating, collapsing to her knees and pressing her head in desperation.
"Franky?" Iida called, taking charge.
"Ow, we'd just stay in the same place."
"Alright, everyone! There's only one route left, so get ready."
The Straw Hats felt the urge to assist in escaping the storm, but the navigator had made it clear—they were only to step in if it became an emergency.
"Jinbei-san, would you say this qualifies as a Nami-level emergency?" Brook asked unusually serious despite his usual whimsy.
"I'll go get Nami-swaan!"
Sanji dropped everything and headed directly to the library to report the situation to the two pirates.
Nami rushed out, noticing the absence of light that immediately caught her attention, seeing the overcast sky that made her take a step back and then turn to her distressed substitute.
The vacant look in Momo's eyes stirred a mix of emotions in the navigator. Nami hesitated, torn between stepping in—questioning the girl's leadership and reliability—or standing by her, offering guidance and the support of the crew to help her regain her confidence.
After observing the heroes, who appeared ready to follow orders to face the storm ahead, she came to a conclusion.
"MOMO!" she called to the girl still on the ground, approaching her gently and offering her hands to help her up.
"Uh... uh, yes?"
"You have our support! You can do it!"
The pirate, typically harsh with the boys but gentle with the girls, offered a confident smile—one that sparked a flicker of hope in Momo's heart.
"Guys! You'll follow Momo-chan's instructions!"
"AYE-AYE!"
"It's... It's too much responsibility!" she complained insecurely, seeing how the pirates looked at her with wide smiles and relaxed postures.
"Listen, Momo-chan... When we first set sail, we didn't know anything about these seas... It was the risk—the danger—that taught us. They warned us these waters were treacherous, but no one told us how to survive them. And yet, here we are!"
"Don't worry! You've got us!" Franky said enthusiastically, making his signature pose, forming a star with his arms.
"Uh... yeah..." she expressed, still unsure.
"Yaoyorozu."
"Aizawa-sensei..."
Her teacher placed both hands on her shoulders and lowered himself to her height to speak more clearly.
"You've shown that when you believe in yourself, you can rise above any challenge... Don't second-guess your abilities." The stern teacher's words brought tears to her eyes, and she fought to keep her voice steady.
"I won't."
"That's my student." He said with a gentle proud gesture, a rare attitude from the teacher, before walking away with his partners.
"Someone's gotten fond of their students," Mic teased.
"Shut it..."
The journey started off calmly, making it seem as if the fish-man and the navigator were overreacting—but it wasn't long before the waves began to rise, gradually shaking the ship and making the crew nauseous.
"Shoji! Keep the helm steady!" Iida commanded.
"Got it!"
"Kirishima, Bakugo! Hold down the sail ropes and use the wind in our advantage to get out quickly!" Yaoyorozu ordered.
"No, Momo... Don't focus on steering in a specific direction. Focus on how to ride the waves—we're about to go deeper in," Nami suggested, pointing to the stormy horizon.
The sails were fully extended, pushed by strong winds that sent the ship diving quickly toward the base of the waves, threatening to let the crest crash down on them and capsize the vessel. That's when the vice president realized her mistake—she needed to ride the waves using the wind and water's movement, not try to flee from them.
Once she understood how to proceed, the Sunny began to rise. She turned to her left and saw a wall of intersecting waves—five times the size of the ship—amplifying the wave they were riding and trapping them in a path that now posed a serious threat.
Momo began hyperventilating until two hands gripped her shoulders. She looked up to see the confident navigator in front of her.
"The Sunny can handle waters like these—and worse."
"OW! Don't doubt our amazing ship!"
"SUUUUPER!" shouted Kirishima, Sero, Denki, and Mina, pressing their forearms together in a ridiculous pose that made the perverted cyborg tear up with pride.
"WAAAAAH! YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!"
"STOP SCREWING AROUND!" Aizawa and Bakugo yelled with veins bulging from their foreheads.
The sails were completely out of sync, and the helm was spinning out of control. Jinbei's eyes widened at the crew's terrible teamwork—he was just about to take over when he was tackled by his captain, who still had faith in the inexperienced team.
"Leave them, Jinbei..." Luffy said, wrapping his arms around the helmsman with a serious expression, but the sweat on his forehead revealed he was just as nervous.
"But Ruffy-kun!"
"They need to learn how to work as a team—and how the ship functions," Zoro added, backing up his captain.
"They also need to understand that if they mess this up... we die with them!" Usopp shouted hysterically.
"They won't mess it up," Luffy declared.
"I hope you're right..." Chopper said from Zoro's shoulders.
With every passing second, the ship shook harder than before as the waves grew more and more violent.
Bakugo's veins were practically exploding like fireworks, a reflection of how frenzied he was with the apprentice navigator.
"DAMMIT! CAN YOU GIVE A USEFUL ORDER FOR ONCE?! OR JUST HAND THE WHEEL OVER TO THAT VIOLENT WITCH ALREADY!" he yelled, pushing Momo closer to panic—only to get smacked on the head with Nami's staff.
"Stop bothering her, Bakago!"
"Tch..."
By now, Katsuki had accepted the navigator's violent reprimands. Despite her aggression, she had earned his respect through her experience.
"Did she just... tame Bakugo?!" his classmates stood frozen, stunned by the lack of reaction from the explosive teen.
"All this time... I just had to use violence?" Aizawa thought bitterly.
"Could you stop pressuring Momo?! She's doing the best she can!" Toru yelled at him, just as something wet and foul-smelling splattered onto his shoulder.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" he shouted in disgust, nearly retching from the smell. Looking up, he saw the white-haired hanging weakly from the mast, clearly seasick.
"SERIOUSLY?!" His body tensed in rage, hands trembling as if he was about to blow his own shoulder off to get rid of the disgusting vomit.
"It's yellow... that's not good," Chopper observed as the mess slid down Bakugo's arm.
"Can you test its consistency?"
The reindeer's comment made Bakugo gag. He immediately dropped the rope and ran to the ship's edge to throw up, noticing that the rocking of the waves tilted the ship so far he could almost touch the water with outstretched hands.
"HEY, NAVIGATOR!" he shouted, snapping everyone out of their focus on the wave's crest—they hadn't noticed their dangerous proximity to sea level.
"We're about to capsize! We need to ride one of the waves or we'll get slammed sideways by the cross currents!" Nami yelled, running to the figurehead to get a better view of the Sunny's position.
Her brown eyes took in the full picture: a terrifying storm, rain everywhere, visibility lost beyond the crossing waves, a raging sea, towering swells, and clouds starting to form cyclones in the distance.
Everyone stared in fear at her expression—she had always remained calm no matter the conditions, but not this time.
"COUP DE BURST! COUP DE BURST! COUP DE BURST!" the heroes shouted, fists raised in desperation—everyone except Yaoyorozu, who was still frozen in crisis.
"NO! We already agreed that would be cheating!"
"BUT WE'RE GONNA DIE IF WE DON'T USE IT!"
"THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GET OUT OF THIS!"
Yaoyorozu shook her head, trying to gather herself and take command of the ship entrusted to her and her team. She looked around, assessing the surroundings to find a way out.
But she couldn't figure it out, so she focused her attention on Nami and Jinbei, who were watching her intently, gripping the railings as the ship brushed against the wave valley due to the violent movement. She realized everyone was scattered around the ship, clinging to vertical structures to avoid being thrown overboard, as the Sunny was being pulled into the center of a colossal wave.
"Todoroki-kun! Freeze the wave!"
"No!" Nami warned.
"If he freezes it, we'll slip out of control and the cross waves will crush us! We need to reach the crest!"
"Take us to the top, Yamomozu!" ordered the captain, clinging to the Sunny figurehead with his legs so he could cheer them on with both arms free.
"You almost get her name right," Zoro noted.
"THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR THAT!"
"We'll capsize before we get there!" Mineta cried out in terror.
"There has to be a way to stay on the wave..." Her eyes widened as she realized the ship still had a long way to go before reaching the crest.
"Deku's power could help break the crest and let us pass through, but..." She looked toward Chopper, who was carrying the still-bandaged green-haired like a mummy.
"At this rate, the wave will break before we can get over it. With the Sunny's weight like this, it'll flip us before the wave even crashes."
"If we can just be dragged up to the crest, we can make it... but to do that, we have to stay on the wave..."
"What are you saying, Momo?!" asked Iida.
"...Counterweight..."
"Yaomomo?!" her teammates called.
"COUNTERWEIGHT!"
"Everyone hold onto the right railing! We can't let the weight drag us—stay on the wave until it pulls us to the top!"
"Good idea, Momo-chan! Everyone to the right!" Nami backed her up. At this point, and due to the wind, riding the wave all the way was nearly impossible. The only way out was up—to the crest—then later, try again from a safer route.
"With the Coup de Burst, we could escape easily if her plan fails, but what matters is that they learn how to face these situations for when we're not here..." Nami thought as she looked at her crewmates.
"I'm sorry, guys. I promise I'll take command if necessary... The Sunny has survived worse storms."
"Don't worry, Nami! This is nothing compared to entering the New World!"
"AYE-AYE!"
"WHY ARE YOU ALL SO EXCITED?!"
"Shishishi, TO THE CREST!"
"TO THE CREST!" the crewmates chanted, pointing toward the top.
"TO THE CREST!" the heroes joined in.
The pirates' enthusiasm infected the worried kids, who followed the order and managed to cling to the railings, now hanging at a perfect 90-degree angle to the water's surface. This allowed the Sunny to ride the upper current toward the crest. However, the ship was slowly tilting more to the wrong side.
"It's not working..." Momo thought, worried—until she was distracted by a sudden shout that didn't sound afraid but excited.
The passengers turned their attention to the Vessel, who wore a massive grin as she strolled along the horizontal mast, reveling in the storm and shouting joyfully in the face of danger.
"WHY IS THAT CRAZY OLD FART SO HAPPY?!"
"What did you expect from someone who wanted to guide us to our deaths?!" Denki shouted, with bulging eyes.
"Can't you appreciate the beauty in chaos?!" she joyfully shouted arms outstretched, as the rain beat against her body.
"Stop being ridiculous and come help!" Nami rasped, scolding her.
"Even the most terrifying moments can be beautiful and unforgettable," Yue said calmly as she walked along the mast, looking at everyone hanging from the rails.
"What's she doing?" Nerumi asked, baffled by her odd behavior.
"She's monologuing!" Mic answered, irritated.
The woman paused, feeling the ship's movement beneath her feet and noticing how everyone was positioned. She tilted her head, confused.
"I don't get it... Why are you trying to flip us over?"
Nami's anger faded as she understood the comment. From her position, she couldn't feel the same ship moving as the woman standing could. Nami pulled herself over the rail and sat on the right side of the ship, immediately followed by her crewmates.
"Luffy!"
Nami didn't need to say another word—her body language said it all.
"Shishishi, aye-aye," Luffy replied with a wide grin, missing her guidance.
The rubber boy grabbed the wooden railing and stretched himself to the closest point to the keel.
"What are they doing?" Momo asked, confused mimicking the pirates and pulling herself toward the large number marking the Docking gate.
"Good idea, Momo. Just poorly executed," Nami noted, pointing at her captain who was creating counterweight near the keel to try and tilt the ship more than 90 degrees relative to the water.
Momo immediately understood from the example—if they just kept hanging there, the weight would shift to the wrong side and flip the ship upside-down. They had to create counterweight where the Docking gate was.
"Everyone! Head toward the keel!"
"But how do we hold on?!"
"DARK SHADOW!"
Tokoyami's shadow emerged from hiding and broke the bindings, releasing the ropes that had previously acted as ladders, connecting the railing to the mast.
With the net-like ropes now on their side, it was easier for everyone to hang on and create a counterweight as they moved toward the keel. The most significant weights were Dark Shadow, Momo's creations sprouting from her back, and a massive limb summoned by Robin. They finally achieved their goal, and the ship began to tilt to the right, staying on the wave that carried them toward the crest—now on the verge of breaking.
"IT'S WORKING!"
"It's not enough! We did it too late!"
"We're not gonna make it..." Muttered Mineta, Ojiro, and Koda in despair.
"MOMO, REMEMBER YOU HAVE THE STRAW HATS AT YOUR DISPOSAL!"
"Right! Uh... Zoro-san! Can you cut the wave?" she asked uncertainly, accidentally offending the swordsman.
"Took you long enough," Zoro complained, releasing his grip on the ropes and standing steadily on the Sunny's side.
He drew his sword and, with a single slash, split the wave's crest in two. The top of the wave crashed down violently some distance away, hitting the start of the swell.
"ZOROOOOO SENPAAAAAI~" the students and Mic shouted like fanboys of the stoic swordsman, now cheering as he cleared the obstacle and allowed the Sunny to continue toward the next crest, prompting everyone to breathe a sigh of relief—until they saw the next wave, which was three times bigger and about to break.
"No way... they come in sets!"
Upon seeing the new threat, Brook's soul left his body—and was immediately followed by several heroes and Usopp, causing the captain to burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA! Oi, Zoro, look!"
"Oh... just like Brook," the swordsman replied with a smug grin.
"Stop being so calm and take this seriously!" Sanji snapped, annoyed at the pair's carefree attitude while the massive wave loomed closer.
"Zoro! Jinbei! All Might! Captain?" Momo was unsure who to call on, naming the strongest in the crew who she thought might be useful.
A lightning flash from the storm lit up the wild waters, revealing a dangerous creature swimming below. A massive lion-shaped figure was approaching the Sunny.
"What's going on?" asked Tsuyu, seeing some of her classmates go pale with fear.
"It's back!"
"Who's back?"
"The sea beast!"
"Right now?!"
"LUFFY WAS RIGHT! WE SHOULD'VE EATEN IT!" Sero screamed, pointing frantically at the shadow.
"Shit!"
"What do we do?!" Iida asked his teammate, who quickly turned to the navigator.
"NAMI, I CAN'T! YOU TAKE THE LEAD!"
"Are you sure?!" The disappointed navigator still had her faith in the nervous student.
A loud metallic clang rang out as the heavy chain rattled—everyone turned to see the right anchor dropping uncontrollably.
"WHO'S THE IDIOT THAT DROPPED THE ANCHOR?!" the furious navigator shouted.
"Won't that help with the counterweight?" Uraraka asked confused.
"No! It's going to throw off the ship's balance and flip us!"
Yue jumped down to where the chain was falling, crouching with a smirk as she watched the anchor keep descending, and then turned mockingly toward Nami's apprentice.
"Nice route, vice president," she said sarcastically, resting her chin in her hand.
"SHE'S TRYING TO KILL US FOR WAKING HER UP!" the boys screamed in unison.
"No matter what happens... don't let go." Even though her face seemed to be enjoying the dangerous experience, her voice was soothing.
"Don't listen to her!" Mineta warned like a loudspeaker, unintentionally offending Mic, who was usually the one making announcements like that.
"What are you planning?" Nemuri demanded suspiciously.
The girl slid open the side of her skirt, revealing a thigh holster with a dagger strapped to it. She used it to cut her palm and ran the fresh wound across her face, down her neck, and onto her opposite arm.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" screamed the panicked reindeer and the long-nosed, as the white-haired smirked with her eyes, grabbing the chain, and let herself be pulled into the water.
"CRAZY BITCH IS INSANE!" Bakugo snapped furiously.
Two red glows shimmered inside the wave, revealing the position of the enormous sea beast circling them, as if hunting for a specific target among the "appetizers" in front of it.
Luffy remained calm, sensing that the creature wouldn't attack just yet. A quick glimpse into the future widened his eyes. He turned toward his crew and the guests, all seemingly ready to strike.
"Oi! Don't interfere!"
"But it's going to eat her!" Sero cried hysterically.
"THOSE ARE THE CAPTAIN'S ORDERS." Yagi reprimanded his student and anyone else who dared to object.
The beast's red eyes, previously locked on the one who killed its partner, had now focused on a new target—drawn by the hypnotic scent of blood—and redirected its path toward the Sunny's anchor.
"Zoro/kun! It's going after Bakanee/Yue! Stop it!" Yelled Nami and Momo at the same time.
Zoro carefully watched the giant creature. He sheathed his sword and gripped the ropes tightly. Glancing at the group, as he grabbed Luffy by the collar.
"Hold on tight and don't let go." The vice-captain commanded, and his crewmates immediately understood what was coming even though the heroes had no clue what was about to happen.
Franky wrapped his arms protectively around Robin, shielding her with his body. Jinbei caught Brook; Shoji noticed how everyone was focusing on the Devil Fruit users and created extra arms to grip the ropes and guard Chopper.
Dark Shadow's massive limbs wrapped around the group like a cloak, shielding them in preparation for whatever was coming.
"What's happening?" Asked Momo, noticing how everyone was securing the fruit users—especially her mentor, now in the cook's arms while still gripping the ropes.
"We're going to go inside the wave," said Jinbei, confusing the students even further.
"Huh? How?!"
The metallic sound of the chain echoed, repeating over and over as it tensed.
The fully-extended chain was suddenly yanked, dragging the Sunny's bow into the wave—submerging it entirely within the massive swell—yet still keeping its forward momentum, pulled by the sea beast that had no trouble swimming through the current.
Toshinori and several young heroes couldn't hold onto the ropes any longer, but were caught within Tokoyami's dark shroud and secured with Mineta's sticky spheres so they remained clinging to the ship's side.
A silent scream tore from the captain's throat as a sudden burst of current ripped the treasure from around his neck, dragging it away into the dark waters for all to see.
Just then, a figure emerged from Dark Shadow's grasp, letting himself be swept up by the current, barely managing to catch the straw hat and hook onto the outer lamp on the Sunny's stern.
Everyone's lungs released the air they were holding, the desperate need for oxygen triggered a chain reaction of gasps. Their weakened bodies began to lose grip, but Mineta's spheres kept them from drifting away.
Light began to shimmer... they were surfacing— water vanished from around them. Through blurred vision, they saw they were now suspended by the giant sea beast, still within the storm.
The Sunny was no longer touching the water—not even close to it—left at the mercy of the monster now swinging them through the air like a keychain, as the ship's anchor clenched between its jaws.
The constant swaying made everyone dizzy, but the navigators took advantage of the height to look ahead more clearly—spotting the exit of the storm: a huge gap of sunlight, not far off.
"That way!" Momo shouted desperately.
"Zoro-kun, cut the chain!" Iida ordered.
"OI, OI, OI!" Luffy, Zoro, and Franky protested. "NO DAMAGING THE SUNNY!"
Zoro heard the instruction and, with a single slash, cut through the sea beast's fangs, freeing the anchor and letting the ship drop into the stormy sea.
The water stirred from the ship's impact, but the lack of movement and the descent allowed everyone to get a clear view of the approaching giant waves, just before they hit the water—where the predator still awaited.
High-pitched screeches echoed, followed by a brilliant light.
"NAMI!" Kaminari called glowing as he prepared to unleash a powerful electric attack, asking for the pirate's support, who immediately caught on to his idea.
The navigator nodded with a smile and, after spinning her weather staff, created an electric bubble that floated and grazed the sea lion's chest.
"Heh... Bye-bye, kitty."
"Two million volts shock!"
The beast's body appeared to go translucent as electricity surged through it, revealing its exoskeleton in full clarity and roasting it from the inside, a result intensified by the water's conductive effect.
"Well thought out, Denki!" Nami cheered, winking at the boy who now wandered around with his thumbs up, wearing a goofy expression that Jiro couldn't help but mock.
"Weeh weeh."
"Did his brain get fried?" asked the navigator, embarrassed by the sight before her.
"Yes."
"Pfffft! Hahaha, he looks like such an idiot!" Laughed Luffy, Franky, and Usopp, teasing the dazed boy who had to be guided so he wouldn't fall overboard.
With the Sunny back on the surface, everyone changed positions on deck, gasping for the air they had lacked while underwater and during all the chaos.
"Raise the anchor!" ordered Iida.
"THERE IS THE EXIT! IF WE CATCH ONE OF THE WAVES, IT CAN CARRY US OUT!" shouted Creatie.
"Wait, Momo. We're missing one crew member," warned Ochako as she looked around.
"No! She's here!" Denki said, almost recovered, pointing to the anchor returning to its place, with the girl hanging on to it with a blanck expression.
With the anchor back in place, Kaminari reached out a hand to help her up—but she refused it. Instead, she dropped down to the Sunny's yellow claw, mesmerized by the shifting waters below. Then, without warning, a long strip of cloth lashed around her shoulder and yanked her back up onto the deck.
"Could you stop being so impulsive?!" Eraserhead was furious at the reckless, unauthorized stunt she had just pulled.
"YOU EXPOSED ALL OF US TO DANGER!" Mic reprimanded, shouting so loudly he showered her with spit.
"DIDN'T YOU SEE HOW DANGEROUS THAT WAS?!" the worried hero scolded her, shaking her by the shoulders. "WHAT WERE YOU DOING OUT THERE?!"
"Bait," she replied playfully, wiggling her cut fingers and palm, still bleeding from having climbed the Red Line.
"Predators go wild for blood and—" Her words stopped as she was hit on the forehead by a staff that had stretched from the grassy area.
"Why'd you do that?!" she whined, rubbing her forehead.
"Communication! Don't expect us to understand what you're trying to do!" the navigator snapped irritably.
"HEY, RUBBER IDIOT!" Bakugo yelled aggressively at the captain, who looked devastated.
Luffy turned toward him, eyes full of tears, just as Bakugo marched up, one hand in his pocket and the other slamming the straw hat onto the raven-haired boy's head.
"Take better care of your stuff!"
"MY HAT!"
Through tears, Luffy grabbed both sides of his hat, pulling it over his ears before a smile formed on his face. Bakugo turned away, pretending not to care.
"Thanks, Bakugo!"
"Tch."
"He said his name right," his classmates thought, surprised by the captain's response.
"What are you all waiting for? This isn't over yet!" Jinbei called out, pointing to the empty positions on deck, confusing the heroes who thought the pirates would take over now.
"You had a good idea, but it could have been avoided!" Nami said.
"THEN COME AND DO IT!" Mic complained on behalf of everyone, to which only the younger ones responded—with clenched fists and desperate nods.
"No! You need to learn."
"NAMI-SAN, TAKE THE HELM!" requested Iida, marching toward her.
"NO!" shouted Momo, who had realized what they needed to do to get out—and exactly where to go.
She organized her thoughts and surveyed the area before turning to Iida, her gaze resolute.
"DON'T FIGHT THE CURRENTS! LET'S USE THEM TO OUR ADVANTAGE!"
"Another giant wave!" warned Tsuyu from the crow's nest.
Nami and Jinbei watched closely, curious about the girl's next move. Momo took a deep breath, ignored the Eternal Pose's route, closed her eyes, and felt the cold wind blowing from the northwest.
"It doesn't matter where we end up... We need to reach the clearing for our safety. Focusing on the destination brought us here, but to escape, we need..."
The wind grew stronger and the current pulled the Sunny toward another giant wave.
"WE'LL RIDE THE WAVE!"
"WHAT?!"
"Well thought out, Momo-chan."
Momo turned to see Nami and Jinbei smiling at her decision.
"YES! WE'LL RIDE THE WAVE!" she repeated with growing confidence.
"Sero, Kaminari, Deku... You had some surfing experience back at Mermaid Bay. Think you can handle this?"
"Don't forget... Become one with the ship."
"Master Jinbei?"
"If you keep seeing it as just an object and not handling it like it's a part of your body, you won't ride the wave properly."
"He's right," commented Deku.
"Deku-kun, how are you holding up?"
"It's weird... My chest feels numb, but it doesn't hurt to breathe."
"Mink medicine works fast. This new formula takes a bit longer but is less painful. You'll be all good as new in a few hours," said the doctor proudly, scratching his little blue nose.
"That's... incredible..." several heroes said, amazed by the miraculous medicine.
"Hey, why didn't I get that medicine? I still feel the stitches!" Mic complained.
"Ah... The Minks didn't like you."
"HEY! THAT'S MEAN!"
"So… what do we do now?" Sero and Kaminari asked in unison.
"We have to handle the sails independently to maintain balance with the keel."
"Aye!"
Cellophane flung several tape lines toward the yards for extra leverage, distributing the strips to the stronger members of the crew.
Meanwhile, Kaminari focused on the movement of the wave—he had learned best from the fish-men how to surf and travel along them.
Through communication between the three of them and impeccable teamwork from their companions following their directions, they began to understand how the sails worked in relation to the wind.
Froppy stayed at the highest point of the ship, absorbed in her task, feeling the silent, non-verbal communication of nature itself—sensing her surroundings, letting the air and the ship's weight become one with her.
"Angle the forward sails to the left, and the rear one to the right."
At last, the young heroes managed to tame the wave, which was starting to break in the distance, forming a tube rapidly heading their way.
As nervous eyes darted around the deck and before anyone could utter a complaint, Deku took the initiative. He released one of the ropes and rushed to the bow, trying to observe the movement of the sails from another angle, comparing it to the current rising toward the crest. He remembered how fishmen used their dorsal fins to maneuver through waves—he shifted the picture in his mind: the fin submerged and the body on the surface.
His eyes widened as he sprinted to the stern, positioning himself behind the sails, glancing anxiously at the massive tube wave approaching.
Momo noticed something—the breaking wave created a strong gust that they could use to ride the wave all the way to their destination.
"Wait, Midoriya!" she commanded, seeing him preparing his fingers to unleash an air blast.
"If your technique isn't perfectly calculated, you could damage the sails or worse—launch us somewhere we can't control!"
He felt the wind approaching and, trusting his classmate, lowered his hands and grabbed onto the ship instead.
The gust hit the sails, expanding them completely and causing the Sunny to surge forward at high speed. The students struggled to keep the sails steady in the powerful, unruly gust.
The wave they rode sealed around them, revealing a glowing exit ahead. Lightning still flashed over the emerald waters, reflecting off the ship and its passengers, transforming the terrifying experience into something breathtaking—like they were traveling inside a kaleidoscope.
The pirates, who had let the students handle the hard work, wandered around in awe at the scenery, their bodies were soaked by the mist spraying from the tube's exit—until, moments later, the Sunny burst through into the sunlight.
The skies cleared, revealing the crystalline sea once more... They finally escaped the storm.
Everyone collapsed onto the deck, overwhelmed by emotion and effort, gasping for breath. Some were thankful to be alive; others cried in relief.
"WAJAJAJA, NOT BAD AT ALL!" Jinbei clapped with a proud grin, flashing his massive fangs.
"They did it!"
Nami, Chopper, and Usopp ran to hug the vice president, who remained kneeling in a blank trance, frozen as she stared back at the storm they'd just escaped. From this distance, she could now see not only monstrous waves, but horizontal water serpents crashing into each other.
"You did it, Momo-chan," Nami said sweetly, snapping her out of her shock.
"We… we did it."
"Yes, we did! Hehe!" Chopper added, hugging her too—then promptly checked her blood pressure, which was, of course, way too damn high.
"Would've been easier just to cut the wave," Zoro muttered under his breath.
"YOU'RE INSANE!" someone shouted back.
"It worked last time," Tokoyami noted, leaving everyone speechless with dumbfounded expressions.
"…"
"You're not wrong… but Zoro's still insane," Denki snorted, earning a growl from the swordsman.
The passengers had calmed now that they'd left the storm behind, but they still hadn't fully grasped what they'd accomplished.
Even though their hearts beat more steadily now, their minds remained tangled in the storm. Most of them were still lost in thought.
The white-haired who had kept her distance from the group walked forward with slow steps, paying no mind to the others. Her eyes still glowed with awe as she watched the storm fade. Her voice rised softly to herself, tinged with sadness and longing, as if she wanted to return to it.
"Nature's power isn't meant to be defied—it's meant to be understood. One must learn to move with its rhythm, not against it. Only when fear is cast aside can a soul begin to grasp the essence of true freedom..."
Those who heard her turned their gaze to the fading storm. The landscape was terrifying, yet majestic and mysterious—stirring conflicting feelings.
Books hadn't prepared them to face something this unpredictable. Knowledge and improvisation were the only way through. To survive, they had to become part of the chaos… and at last, they understood the fascination. Frightening, different, beautiful in its own way.
The young heroes had unknowingly made their way toward the stern, left in awe by the chaotic sea and the feat they had accomplished—largely on their own.
Their once blank expressions lit up again, and huge smiles bloomed on faces brimming with pride.
"YAA-TA!" they shouted in unison, jumping with excitement as tears of joy streamed down their cheeks.
"PLUS ULTRA!"
"IT'S GONNA TAKE MORE THAN THAT TO KILL US, STUPID LOST WORLD!"
"HELL YEAH!" shouted others in agreement, unleashing all the fear they had held back.
"WELL SAID, BAKAGO!" his friends cheered, causing a vein to pop on the ashen blond's forehead.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME, YOU DAMN EXTRAS?!"
The celebration raged on—cheers, high-fives, hugs. The young heroes reveled in their success, while the pirates watched with wide, approving smiles.
"They did good… at least at the end," Zoro acknowledged to the worried teacher who hadn't been able to help, mostly because Robin's arms kept holding him back.
"I still don't get why you wouldn't let me help," Aizawa grumbled, shooting a cold glance.
"You weren't sure how to help… You would've only added to their anxiety," Nami confessed.
"More nervous," Robin added, casually combing through his hair.
"Hey—what are you doing?" Eraserhead grumbled, pulling away from the pirate, who just gave him a playful smile.
"Fufufu… It's getting in the way."
"You should tie it back. That mess just blocks your view. For beginners like you, comfort in clothes and hairstyle is key for travel," Nami explained matter-of-factly.
"You've taught them well, Shouta-kun," Nemuri said gently, tying up her own long hair and smiling kindly at her flustered colleague.
"They've learned on their own."
"YOU HEARD HIM! SHOUTA'S A TERRIBLE TEACHER!" Mic hollered, drawing laughter from the pirates and the attention of the students.
The fear of the stormy sea had faded, replaced by a newfound confidence in themselves and in each other. They now felt ready to face whatever might come their way.
The storm was now just a blot in the distance, and the energetic students began to disperse, dragging the white-haired along, still mesmerized by the sea.
"C'mon, let's gooo—move iiit," Toru tugged her arm.
"That was terrifying… I couldn't even react," Koda said, still trembling.
"I thought we were going to die," Sero admitted, voice cracking.
"I'm too much of a virgin to die," Mineta whined, disturbing the group.
"I haven't even had my first kiss…" he added tearfully—and rather than judging him, several others swallowed hard, clearly thinking the same.
"There's so many firsts we'd have missed if we hadn't made it…" Ojiro said somberly.
"We're way too young for this kinda experience!" Toru protested, still pulling on Yue, who stared wistfully out at the sea.
"If you let fear dictate everything, you'll never truly live," Yue responded calmly, sensing the fear in their voices.
"If your mind is always consumed by the fear of death, you'll miss the endless possibilities unfolding around you—and you'll never uncover the strength that lies dormant within," she added, offering a radiant smile in hopes of lifting their spirits.
"Choosing to ignore the fear of death doesn't make you brave—it makes you reckless... Fear is a biological response to preserve life. Dismissing it so casually isn't wisdom; Don't go spreading your self-destructive ideology!" Iida scolded, flailing his arms like a giant square.
"Then, give up being a hero," she shot back teasingly, walking along the railing before leaping to the netted ropes.
"Don't argue with her, Iida… She's out of her mind," one of Shoji's tentacles advised.
"Nami shouldn't have left this to us… It was too much," Sero whined, still shaken by the ordeal.
"Future heroes!" The white-haired called from where she now hung upside-down near the crow's nest, giving her the clearest view of the vast sea and the gray blotch behind them.
"Stop bothering them, Bakanee," Franky called, noticing the confused looks on the kids' faces.
"Don't mind her… Long story short; her brain's probably busted while we were gone." Usopp whispered to the students, covering his mouth as he leaned in discreetly.
"It's time you truly grasped this… Much like the trials you faced in the untamed seas of the Lost world—neither the weather nor fate will always be on your side! You must learn to harness the forces around you, even when the world seems to be against you. Embrace the chaos, let it fuel your growth, and become one with it. If you fail to adapt, the world will swallow you whole, and your journey will be lost before it even begins."
"WHAT THE HELL IS SHE TALKING ABOUT?!" Bakugo shouted angrily.
"WE'RE NOT TRYING TO FIGHT THE ENTIRE WORLD!" Iida joined in.
"Just the villains!"
"Kish-ajajajaja." Her frail body couldn't keep up with her incessant laughter; she lost her grip on the ropes, crashing face-first onto the deck.
"Well... Her brain is even more damaged now." Usopp said, with sweat run down his forehead.
"If your idea of being a hero is solely about fighting villains, then you're just contributing to the problem," her tone shifted from excitement to seriousness as she walked away, letting her hair fall to obscure her face. "Wake me when we get to Japan."
"Wait!" The reindeer called out with his medical kit. "Your hand's still bleeding—let me patch it up… And you need to eat something! What you vomited on Bakugo was bile, which means your stomach's completely empty.
"HAHAHA DID YOU GET VOMITED ON?!"
"SHUT UP, DAMN GRAPE!"
"If you didn't eat before we left and didn't eat during the party... That means..."
"SHE HAVEN'T EATEN IN FIVE DAYS..." Yagi remarked, recalling the unconscious days, and the times she suddenly got distracted before eating or something interrupted her. "Now that I think about it... I've never seen her eat..."
"Sanji, it's time to eat! Make something!"
"Aye, Captain."
At Luffy's order, everyone started setting the table catching the elusive passenger, grabbing her by the feet and making her trip.
"Shishishi, don't leave, Sanji's food is the best, spe..." —The captain's cheerful tone stopped when he saw the girl's expression.
"Oi..." He crouched down to her level. "Are you okay?"
Yue ignored the question and, once freed, moved away, covering her face and heading once more toward the ropes, followed by Chopper carrying bandages in his hooves.
"Wait!"
"Leave her, Chopper." He said, watching her climb up to the mast, modifying her "nest" into a kind of hammock.
"WHAT HAPPENED?" Yagi asked intrigued, as the captain adjusted his hat, casting a shadow over his face after seeing the woman's terrified look.
"She's scared."
"But we didn't do anything to her." Shoto said, confused.
"What's she afraid of? The storm is over." Usopp shrugged.
"Oh, come on! She was enjoying it!" Mineta grunted with bulging eyes.
"I don't think she's afraid of us." Robin theorized, bringing two fingers to her chin.
"What are you trying to imply?" Nemuri asked.
"She seemed happy! She was having fun!" Ochako exclaimed with gestures and jumps.
"Precisely."
Hearing the archaeologist's speculations, Mina's body tensed, stopping her from moving as tremors took over her, fearing her skin might turn to acid again, possibly harming both her friends and the ship.
The image of Todoroki's arm being disintegrated couldn't leave her mind... Since the incident, the lively girl, who had been the only one trying to understand the outsider; distanced, avoiding interaction out of fear that the phenomenon might happen again.
"Calm down, Mina, you're fine." Kirishima lightly grabbed his friend's shoulders to get her to react.
"Stop! Don't touch me!" The pink girl demanded, still scared, stepping away from him.
"Nothing's going to happen."
"Captain?" Ashido turned to the serious-looking boy.
"If something were to happen, we'd know." His characteristic smile reassured the others.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Everyone's "voices" increased when it happened..." Jinbei clarified to put the concern to rest.
"And for now, everyone's still just as weak." —Zoro said bluntly.
"HEY! DON'T OFFEND US!" The students cried out, hurt.
"BAD ZORO!" The heroines chorused.
Sanji took the opportunity to approach the group and whisper something to them, managing to change their complaints.
"BAD MARIMO!" They groaned in unison, giving thumbs down.
"TCH!"
"AAAH BAD IDEA!" They screamed in fear ats hey saw the green-haired unsheath his katanas, scattering to avoid being attacked. However, the swordsman went straight for the instigator of the insults.
"Let's not jump to conclusions... Terk made it clear the situation is far more complex, with multiple variables at play," Robin concluded, reaffirming her role as both the voice of reason and one of the crew's most knowledgeable minds.
"I SHOULD TALK TO HER..." Yagi said, looking up while the students scattered, fearing that after the duel between the two pirates, Zoro would continue with them.
"Just let her be, All Might." Present Mic said.
IF SHE'S TRULY THIS LOST, SHE NEEDS TO LET IT OUT—KEEPING IT BOTTLED UP WILL ONLY PUSH HER FURTHER INTO ISOLATION"
"SHE'LL JUST CAUSE PROBLEMS! LET HER ISOLATE HERSELF!"
A series of hands shot up from the rear mast, grabbing the blonde's shoulders, making him step sideways in surprise, spitting some blood.
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO GET MY ATTENTION LIKE THAT." He said, scared, pressing his chest.
"Fufufu, my apologies."
"Robin, don't encourage him. she needs her space," Nemuri insisted, but the archaeologist had already used her ability to hoist the blonde up to the perch near the hammock, where he began speaking in a calming voice.
"She just wants to sleep... Let her rest." The heroine exhaled, disappointed.
"She hasn't eaten, and we're unsure if she's properly hydrated. Unlike when she was unconscious, she's now exerting herself without rest. If she continues like this, she may not last. As the ship's doctor, I can't let that happen."
"As a cook, I can't let anyone go hungry."
"For now, we'll see if Yagi-san can convince her to join us." Brook said.
"Sanji-san, can I help?" Todoroki approached, accompanied by Bakugo.
"YOU'LL JUST WASTE HIS TIME! YOUR COOKING SKILLS ARE A DISGRACE!"
"Monsieur Sanji... Can I assist too?" Aoyama asked, gesturing his hands in front of him and strangely making literal stars appear around him.
"I'd appreciate the help."
The blonde had gotten used to the company and assistance in the kitchen, always changing his partners, except for the explosive one, who had become a regular helper.
Nami walked away from her nakamas in search of Yaoyorozu.
"Momo-chan, we'll take it from here. Go relax."
"Thanks, Nami... I knew it would be tough, but I didn't realize how much..." She said, relieved, developing deep respect for the navigator.
"You did well."
"Thanks, but we both know that's not true."
"Listen… I know you're filled with doubt, but the truth is—it was your leadership that guided us through the storm."
"Y... you're right." She said flattered, nervously dancing her shoulders.
"Alright, everyone! We need to find calm waters so we can rest."
"AYE!"
"Jinbei, take the helm! Franky, Usopp, inspect the ship for damage! Zoro, keep an eye on our course! Chopper, tend to anyone who's hurt!"
"Sanji! I'm hungry! Brook, play something!"
"Yes, Captain!"
"What kind of order is that?" The students complained at the captain's only command, who kept laughing, running around, looking for objects to make noise.