Having safely departed Loguetown, Luffy and his crew sailed through a raging storm, guided by the island's lighthouse towards Reverse Mountain, a peak of the Red Line. Unfazed by the downpour, Luffy sat perched on the Going Merry's figurehead. Behind him, Zoro and Nami checked their course.
"Whoa! What a storm!"
"We're entering the Grand Line in this storm?"
"Yep. Just like Jinbe said."
According to Jinbe, the Grand Line lay beyond Reverse Mountain, accessible through a canal that ran through the mountain itself. With their course confirmed, they returned to the cabin, where, joined by Usopp and Sanji, they discussed their next steps.
"There should be a cape once we enter the Grand Line. We'll gather information there."
"Will there be people there?"
"I… think so. I haven't actually been there myself, so I can't be sure."
"That's true. Well, we'll figure it out when we get there."
Nami gave Zoro a look of exasperation at his optimistic outlook.
"Why do we even have to enter through the entrance? Can't we just sail south and enter from anywhere?"
"Of course not. There's a reason for the entrance."
"That's right! It feels better to enter through the entrance!"
"That's not the reason!"
Nami rapped Luffy on the head for his nonsensical interjection, and was about to explain when Usopp, glancing out the window, exclaimed, "Hey, it's sunny."
"Huh? That's impossible. We're supposed to be riding this storm to Reverse Mountain…"
Nami rushed out of the cabin, her face paling as she realized not only had the storm vanished, but there wasn't even a breeze. Zoro, ever the optimist, suggested they might have sailed south and entered the Grand Line that way, but his words were immediately proven wrong.
The ship lurched violently.
Thinking it was an earthquake, the crew grabbed onto the railing, staring in disbelief at the sight before them. Massive sea kings, their heads rising above the surface of the water.
"…"
"They're huge…!!"
"This is the Calm Belt… as you can see, it's a nest of sea kings… large ones."
Nami's words, delivered while clinging precariously to the mast, left the rest of the crew speechless. They seemed to be unnoticed for now, perched precariously on the nose of one of the sea kings, but there was no guarantee how long that would last.
The four men gripped their oars, ready to row with all their might the moment the sea kings submerged, hoping to escape the Calm Belt. They waited, their concentration at its peak, when – one of the sea kings sneezed, sending their ship flying through the air.
"Whaaat?!"
Fortunately, they were propelled in the direction of the storm, though the suddenness of it all left the crew scrambling to hold on for dear life. Usopp was nearly thrown overboard, but Luffy managed to catch him. The Going Merry splashed down amidst the raging storm, sending a massive wave of water crashing over the deck. The five crew members, drenched and exhausted, lay sprawled on the deck, grateful to be alive.
"Now do you understand why we have to enter the Grand Line through the entrance?"
"…Yeah… I understand…"
Even Zoro, usually the most resilient of the crew, looked shaken.
"We'll ride this storm to Reverse Mountain. Do I need to explain how?"
"It's a mystery mountain, right?"
"Yes. I suppose I don't."
Explaining how the converging currents from the four seas propelled the water upwards through the canal would likely be met with blank stares, so Nami decided to forgo the explanation. She did, however, emphasize that even if they rode the current up the canal, being shipwrecked would mean certain death. As the navigator, she was responsible for the lives of everyone on board. Not explaining the risks would be a dereliction of duty.
Sanji and Usopp stood ready at the helm, while Nami watched the currents, and Luffy and Zoro kept an eye out for obstacles. Propelled by the powerful currents and driven by the storm's winds, they hurtled towards the canal.
"We're off course! A little to the right! Right!!"
"Right?! Hard to starboard!!!"
"Heave-ho!!!"
Sanji and Usopp strained against the helm – and with a loud crack, it snapped.
"Whaaat?!"
Luffy's eyes bulged in surprise. Nami's face turned pale. Zoro stared at the two men, who had collapsed onto the deck, the broken helm still clutched in their hands. For a moment, everyone froze – then Luffy sprang into action. He tossed his straw hat to Zoro, leaped over the railing, and positioned himself between the ship and an oncoming obstacle.
"Gum-Gum… Balloon!"
Inhaling deeply, Luffy inflated his body, acting as a cushion between the ship and the obstacle. The Going Merry bounced off the obstacle, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision, and continued its ascent up the canal.
"Luffy!!"
Zoro reached out, and Luffy grabbed his hand, pulling himself back on board. Relieved that the ship was safe, he stood up, dusting himself off. They had successfully entered Reverse Mountain. The current carried them over the peak and down the other side.
Luffy climbed onto the figurehead, his eyes shining with excitement as he gazed at the vast expanse of ocean before them.
"This is the greatest sea in the world…!!"
The descent complete, they emerged into the Grand Line, a seemingly endless expanse of ocean. The greatest sea in the world. Though it looked no different from the seas they had sailed before, Luffy could sense a difference in the air, a subtle shift in the atmosphere.
"Alright! Let's go to the first island!!!"
"Wait, Luffy! We're stopping at Twin Capes first to gather information!"
"Aw, do we have to?"
Luffy, his adventurous spirit itching to explore, whined at Nami's interruption. Nami stood firm. "Yes, we do!" she insisted. They had some information from Jinbe, and they had a Log Pose, but it was still prudent to gather local intelligence when entering unfamiliar territory. Sanji and Usopp sided with Nami, and Luffy, though pouting, reluctantly agreed to head towards the lighthouse.
Despite the broken helm, they managed to navigate the ship to the cape and anchor it.
"Looks like someone lives here. There's laundry hanging out to dry."
"Hey, isn't that a pirate flag on top of the lighthouse?"
"You're right. What kind of flag is that…? It's Twilight's flag!"
Sanji spotted the flag, and Usopp confirmed the markings. A skull half-submerged in water, with three spears behind it. A familiar flag. They exchanged uneasy glances.
"So, this is Twilight territory?!"
"Well, according to Jinbe, they're a pretty big deal outside the East Blue. It's possible this is their territory."
"We'll just ask for information. If things go south, we'll run."
"Our first instinct is to run…"
Knowing how troublesome it would be to antagonize Twilight, their thoughts naturally gravitated towards escape rather than confrontation. Zoro sighed, then noticed a figure emerging from the building at the base of the lighthouse.
The man's unusual hairstyle initially made Zoro think it was a moving flower, but realizing it was an old man, he relaxed his grip on his sword.
"Hey, excuse me."
"Who are you? Pirates?"
"Yeah. We'd like to ask you about the Grand Line."
"You should introduce yourselves first. Especially if you have questions."
"…Right. I'm –"
"I'm Crocus. I'm the lighthouse keeper at Twin Capes. Seventy-one years old, Gemini, blood type AB."
"Can I cut him?"
Zoro's hand instinctively went back to his sword. Luffy chuckled at his impatience. They sat down at a table outside, and Sanji brought tea from the ship.
"So, what do you want to know?"
"We know the basics. That the Grand Line's unpredictable, that we need to use a Log Pose… but we don't know how to 'store Log Poses.'"
"It's simple. You stay on an island for a few days. The time varies depending on the island, but usually a few days is enough."
"So we don't have to do anything special?"
"The Log Pose stores the island's magnetic field automatically. Though, for the first island, you can choose any of the seven routes."
Crocus returned to the lighthouse, emerging with a chart in hand. The chart depicted seven islands, each representing a different route, and choosing one would determine their subsequent course. But regardless of which route they chose, they would all eventually lead to the same island.
"Laugh Tale – the final island of the Grand Line. The only ones confirmed to have reached it were Roger and his crew."
"So, that's where it is! The One Piece!"
"Perhaps… That's the most popular theory. No one has been able to prove it."
"We'll find out when we get there."
Luffy grinned. Nami, seemingly satisfied with the information, reviewed her notes, checking for anything she might have missed. Sanji, knowing they wouldn't be leaving immediately, began preparing a meal. Usopp, noticing the flag on the lighthouse, asked a question.
"Old man, about that flag… does that mean you're part of Twilight?"
"I was their ship's doctor for a few years, but I've never sailed on her ship."
"So, they're claiming the entrance to the Grand Line as their territory?"
Claiming this cape wouldn't earn them any money. The only one who benefited from it was Crocus. There were no signs of any personnel or ships stationed here, so it was likely just a nominal claim.
"I'm just using their name."
"You're just using their name?!"
Usopp nearly fell out of his chair in surprise. He knew, from the Arlong incident, that Twilight was a powerful organization. He couldn't believe Crocus was using their name without permission. Crocus, seemingly unconcerned, declared,
"I know the Witch. She knows I'm using her name."
It was tacitly approved. Claiming this barren cape held no real value, but it did offer Crocus a degree of protection. And for Kanata, Crocus was one of the few people who knew the details about Laugh Tale and whose location was known. It was necessary to keep unwanted attention away from him. Besides, he was a friend. Lending him her name in exchange for his safety was a small price to pay.
Luffy and his crew didn't seem to grasp the significance, but anyone from outside the East Blue knew to avoid antagonizing Twilight. They were a convenient organization to utilize, but a dangerous enemy to make. Any sensible pirate would steer clear of them.
"Twilight ships visit here occasionally."
"Patrols? Well, it makes sense, since this is their territory –"
"They come to see the whale, not me."
"You're less important than a whale?!"
That was, admittedly, a rather sad state of affairs. Intrigued by the whale that Twilight crews apparently visited, Luffy scanned the ocean, searching for it. The surface of the water bulged, and a massive whale emerged, a scar visible on its head. It turned towards the Red Line and let out a mournful cry.
"Whoa! It's huge! What kind of whale is that?!"
"It's an Island Whale. Its name is Laboon. They're native to the West Blue, but this one's here for a reason."
Long ago, a group of friendly pirates, on their way to the Grand Line, had left Laboon in Crocus's care. Island Whales normally traveled in pods, but for Laboon, the pirates were its pod. They had left Laboon behind, knowing the journey would be too dangerous, but Laboon, unwilling to be separated from its "pod," had followed them from the West Blue all the way to the Grand Line.
Their ship had been damaged, forcing them to stay for several months, during which time Crocus had become good friends with them. And on the day of their departure, they had made a promise. "We'll be back. Please take care of Laboon for a few years."
"Wow… that's a nice story. So, the whale's still waiting for them?"
"Yes… Though, that was fifty years ago."
"Fifty years?!"
The four of them stared at Crocus in disbelief. Pirates who promised to return in a few years hadn't returned for fifty years. The outcome was obvious.
"They're taking their time, aren't they?"
"Idiot, they're not coming back. They're dead… They couldn't keep their promise."
"Why would you say such a heartless thing?! They might come back!"
Zoro's blunt assessment, directed at the naive Luffy, was met with an indignant outburst from Usopp. But Crocus's words revealed an even harsher truth. "They ran away," he said.
"I have reliable information confirming it."
"Ran away…? But to leave the Grand Line, they would have to cross the Calm Belt!"
"Indeed. Thus, their fate is unknown… Even if they're alive, they won't be coming back."
The Grand Line, with its unpredictable elements, could easily break the weak-willed. Crocus had tried to tell Laboon the truth, but Laboon refused to listen. If it accepted that they weren't coming back, it would have no reason to live. It had even resorted to self-harm, repeatedly ramming its head against the Red Line. Laboon still waited, hoping they would emerge from beyond the wall.
"Fortunately, some of Twilight's crew are friends with Laboon. They visit occasionally, so it's calmed down considerably."
"So, that's what happened…"
Zoro, Usopp, and Nami were moved by the story. Luffy, however, had wandered off while they were talking, drawn towards Laboon. Laboon, having stopped its mournful cries, had approached the cape, and noticed Luffy standing on the cliff.
"Hey, whale!"
"Boo?"
Luffy pointed at Laboon.
"Your friends are dead! But I'm going to sail around the world and come back here! So, wait for me!"
"…Boo?"
"You've been hurting yourself waiting for your friends! But they're dead! So, I'll make a promise with you!"
Laboon blinked, seemingly confused by Luffy's sudden declaration. Undeterred, Luffy held out his pinky finger. "It's a promise!"
Luffy himself had made a promise to meet Shanks again. Perhaps he couldn't bear the thought of that promise being broken. It might have been presumptuous, but Luffy couldn't just leave Laboon alone. Laboon nodded, lowering its head towards Luffy.
"Alright, it's a promise! I'm going to sail around the world and come back here! We'll have a feast then!!!"
"Boo!!"
Crocus watched them, a smile playing on his lips. Laboon's old friends might not return, but it had found a new reason to wait, and that, he thought, was a good thing.
Their discussion concluded, they ate the meal Sanji had prepared, and began discussing their next destination.
"Crocus, are any of the routes safer than the others?"
"I haven't sailed all of them. I can't say for sure which is the safest."
"I see…"
Nami, comparing the seven charts, pondered which route would be the least dangerous. They would all eventually reach the same destination, but she preferred to avoid unnecessary risks. But even if the first leg of a particular route was safe, there was no guarantee the subsequent legs would be. It was ultimately a matter of luck.
Luffy, having devoured his portion of Elephant Tuna, bones and all, peered over Nami's shoulder.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm trying to decide on our route. As the navigator, I have to choose the safest one."
"Hmm. Let's take this one."
"Huh?"
Luffy picked up one of the seven charts. Nami, flustered, tried to stop him.
"Wait, Luffy! I'm still comparing them!"
"But the chart only shows the first island, right? Instead of safe, let's choose the one that looks the most interesting!"
Nami scowled, remembering Luffy's tendency to ignore her advice when it came to adventure. A captain's order was a captain's order. She sighed, taking another bite of her Elephant Tuna, and, with Crocus's guidance, began setting the Log Pose for their next destination. After confirming the direction, she informed Luffy that they were ready to depart.
"Alright, let's set sail."
They boarded the Going Merry and bid farewell to Crocus.
"Be careful. The first voyage is always the hardest."
"We will!"
Nami, encouraged by Crocus's words, set the sails. The Going Merry glided away from the cape, beginning its journey towards the next island. Their first voyage in the Grand Line. Luffy, his excitement bubbling over, turned to Crocus, waving goodbye.
"See ya, flower old man! And you too, whale!"
"Good luck."
"Boo!!!"
Crocus watched them depart and smiled.
"He has a strange aura about him. Are they… the pirates we've been waiting for? What do you think, Roger?"
He held the chart Luffy had chosen – marked "Lunes" – and muttered this to himself.