Leaving behind Alabasta was a bit...depressing for most of the crew. They were sad to see Vivi go but happy to be back sailing the open sea again. At the very least they'd made themselves a friend for life, it seems. But after a few days of sailing, things seemed to be back to normal. They'd since shed the clothing they had gotten on Alabasta, returning to their regular clothing since they weren't dealing with the desert temperatures anymore. Everyone seemed to go back to their normal activies, as well. At the bow of the ship, Zoro and Run find themselves locked in combat with the majority of the crew staring on.
"Hahah! Go, Zoro! Go, Run!" Luffy laughs, watching them from his favorite seat.
"C'mon, any day now, Zoro," Run goads him. "I'm even using my right arm. Ya know I'm a lefty."
"Shut it, Red," retorts Zoro, smirking at the red head. Though both of them are straining, neither one is going to be the first to show it. "Just so you know, I've never lost before." Run actually chuckles a bit in response before returning his smirk in full force.
"Neither have I." The table creeks loudly under the two men as attempts to force the others arm down. Neither of them seems willing to give so much as an inch in this arm wrestling competition.
"Is this gonna be over some time today?" Usopp asks, rubbing his arm with a pained look on his face. It had started off simply enough with Chopper and Usopp having their own little arm wrestling game...and then Zoro and Run had gotten involved, and now it had become this.
"Don't go trying to use any of that Haki stuff, either," Zoro tells him. "No cheating."
"Dahahaha~! I'm gonna win not tear yer arm off!" laughs Run.
"Win?! That right?!"
"Oh, you bet!" The two strain against one another, arms trembling. She had noticed that the two had gotten along well before Alabasta and it seems now they've found a rival in each other that they hadn't had before. One willing to push the other as much as possible. It wasn't all odd considering both of them had someone that they planned to one day surpass to achieve their dream. If they were reach that point, then they would both need someone driving them to push themselves to be better and better.
"Hm? What's this?" Usopp asks, holding a hand out and turning his head skyward. "Rain? No...hail?" Everyone but Zoro and Run look up as well, curious about what's going on. "What's that?" It's a small object falling from the sky...or at least it looks small...wait, it's growing...it's a ship?! A huge galleon drops out of the sky and into the sea beside the Merry! Their ship bucks and rolls on the massive waves, being struck by falling debris from the ship as it does!
"Luffy, protect the ship!" Sanji yells. "It won't take much more!" Their Captain does his best while the crew it shaken this way and that, dodging incoming boards and...bones?!
"Aaah! Bones! It's bones!" It seems like an eternity before everything stops falling, and the sea finally settles enough to stop throwing them around. The crew gathers on the lower deck with their Captain, looking around at all the dirt and boards.
"Everyone alright?"
"Yeah, why the heck did a ship fall from the sky?!" Luffy shouts, looking around.
"The Grand Line is so scary!" complains Usopp. "Strange weather, ships falling from the sky...just what kinda place is this?!"
"Aaah! The Log Pose!" Nami screams, attracting their attention to the Navigator. "It's broken!" Everyone gathers around to have a look at what she's screaming about. "Look! The needle is pointing straight up!" While everyone is panicking Robin chuckles slightly and shakes her head.
"No, it's functioning perfectly," Robin tells them. "It's just locked onto a stronger magnetic field."
"Huh?"
"If it's pointing up, it's probably locked onto the sky island."
"Sky Island?!" exclaims the crew in amazement. Robin explains that it's not so much a floating island but a floating sea that's attracting the needle to it. More than likely, the galleon fell from that sea down to where they are. Naturally, Luffy immediately wants to go to this island and sea, and orders them to turn the rudder up, an idea which is put down by the others on the spot.
"Honestly, I don't know much about this island, and I've never even seen it," Robin continues.
"So, it really is broken then," Nami concludes.
"No, Miss Navigator. In fact, our concern shouldn't be the Log Pose, but how we get to these islands. Remember...no matter what strange weather, or strange things happen to the ship, we should never doubt the Log Pose. That is the ironclad rule of traveling on the Grand Line." Robin's brow furrows moments later as she scans the crew gathered around, finding two missing from the group. "Has anyone seen Run?" The rest of the crew look around now as well.
"Oi, where is that red head?" Sanji asks. "And Moss Head, too, for that matter." All heads turn towards the bow of the ship, and everyone slowly makes their way up the stairs to find the two still sitting at the table, hands locked and completely oblivious to what's going on. "Are you serious?"
"I can go all night if I have to, Zoro," Run tells him, grinning.
"Think I can't, Red?" Zoro retorts...
- - -
"Aah, what is with the hitting?" Run asks, rubbing the knot on his head. Zoro stands by silently, doing much the same thing. In the end, they'd called it a draw...but only because Nami had interfered. "We didn't even start it." Everyone is gathered around on the lower deck of the Merry, watching as Robin slowly pieces together the skull out of one of the coffins they'd fished from the galleon. With no response forth-coming he finally lowers his hand and crouches down beside Robin to watch what she's doing. "Think you can learn anything from it?"
"I don't know," Robin tells him. "I guess I'll find out."
"You've got some awfully strange tastes," Nami complains, standing further away from the coffin. Zoro looks around the deck for a moment, and he notices that Luffy and Usopp are nowhere to be found.
"Anyone see where Luffy and Usopp went?" Zoro questions them. Chopper points towards the galleon, and Zoro watches as the two go leaping around in the wreckage, disappearing into one of the parts that hasn't sank yet.
"Exploring, they say," Chopper says.
"What are those two doing?"
"Finished," Robin announces, placing a complete skull on the deck. There is a rather distinct hole in the back of the skull, and it's fairly obvious that it isn't supposed to be there. "These holes are man made. It looks to be craterization. Right, Doctor?"
"Yes," Chopper confirms. "In the past, they would drill holes in the skull to constrain a tumor. But it's a very old medical technique. One not used anymore."
"Right. I'd say it's been at least two-hundred years since this person died. He was in his mid-thirties, and probably fell sick and died while traveling the Grand Line. The reason his teeth are in such good shape compared to the rest of his bones, is because they've been treated with tar. It's a custom practiced primarily in the South Blue."
"You can find all that out from just looking at some bones?" Nami asks in amazement.
"The dead may not talk, but they may still hold information."
"So, that ship may actually be a treasure trove of information and records," Run concludes, turning his attention to the fallen galleon. "Whoa! What in the hell?!" Off in the distance, they can see Luffy flailing about in the sea while Usopp pulls him back towards the ship. After fishing their Captain out of the drink and waiting a moment for him to get his strength back he grins from ear to ear and suddenly thrusts a map out towards them.
"Look, look!" Luffy exclaims. "I found a map of the sky island! Skypiea!" While Luffy, Usopp and Chopper are over this moon with this find, and begin celebrating, Nami reminds them that although they've found a map, and the place MAY exist, that doesn't mean they can get there. "You're the Navigator, can't you figure it out?" This spawns an argument between the two that culminates in Luffy being struck in the head by the Navigator.
"Anyway," Nami says, turning to them. "If that galleon could get up there to map it, then that means this ship can get up there! So obviously, what we need is to do is salvage that ship and find some answers!" Hearing this, Usopp quickly whipped up some make shift diving suits.
"Uhh...why am I going, exactly?" Run asks, his suit being adjusted by Usopp.
"Because someone has to keep an eye on these three."
"Aah, that's a fair point. But I still don't see why--"
"C'mon, Run!" Luffy suddenly shouts, grabbing Run by an arm. "Let's go!" Without waiting for Run to reply, Luffy quickly drags him to the railing and leaps over. They sink surprisingly fast into the depths of the sea, and through the gloom of the darkness they rapidly begin to make out the shape of huge sea monsters. Other than Chopper asking if things were alright, and if he could hear them, there was nothing said between them. When they finally reached the wreck at the bottom of the sea, they were slightly in awe of it's large size. Even so, it only lasted for a moment before they begin searching through the wreck.
"I don't think that we're gonna find anything useful down here," Run relays to the crew, strolling across the sea floor. "This place is...well, it's kind of a dump."
"Keep looking," Nami orders him. "Don't come back empty handed."
"That may not be up to me." The red head leaps up now, carefully floating back down to land on the deck of the ship just in time to watch Sanji kick open a door to the cabin and move inside. Zoro and Luffy land beside the red head and the trio follow him inside. There's little more than the remains of what was at one time a member of the crew, and tucked back in the corner of the room was a large chest, which they promptly break into. Unfortunately, it was all for naught as it was completely empty. "Looks like this place is a bust. At least we tried, Luffy."
"Aww, but I wanted to find--" Before Luffy can finish, however, numerous spikes pierce the walls surrounding them and air begins to fill the room. "What the?! What's happening?! Air?!" The room is rapidly filled with air, so much so that Luffy gets the idea that it's alright for them to remove their suits. So, when their Captain does so do the rest of them, setting them down in close proximity just in case. "Look, look! We don't need the suits anymore!"
"It's amazing they pumped in this much air," says Zoro.
"Which means someone else has got their sights set on this wreck," Run adds.
"Something has got to be wrong," Sanji tells them. "I've been trying to contact Nami and Robin but no one is answering." One of the walls to their room is suddenly blown up, and a man who looks like a large monkey comes spilling in, yelling at the top of his lungs.
"Who the hell are you?!" demands the monkey. "You got some nerve invading my turf."
"Oh...it's a monkey," Luffy observes, pointing at him.
"What? Am I that monkeyful?"
"Monkeyful?" echos Run, staring at the man. "Aah, yeah. You're very monkeyful. Say, you wouldn't mind tellin' us your name, would you?"
"Well, what can I say? You have a very good eye, red hair! I'm Masira! Who are you four?"
"We're pirates!" chirps Luffy, grinning from ear to ear. "We came here to the Grand Line from the East Blue!"
"I see! So you guys came here from the East Blue, huh?"
"That's right!" While Luffy and the monkey are talking, the other take take a look around the ship...and in doing so find some things they'll believe will be of use. Run shucks off his shirt quickly, stuffs some things in it and ties it off before heading back for Luffy. When they return Luffy and the monkey are sitting exactly where they left them...and Run notices that Zoro and Sanji have found some sacks to use somewhere. Ignoring it for a moment he approaches their Captain.
"I hate to interrupt, fellas," begins Run, offering Masira a friendly smile. "But I think it's time we got out of your way, Masira."
"Aww, do we really have to?"
"Masira has work to do, Luffy. Besides, we've found what we were looking for."
"Well...I guess it's time we went then, monkey! See ya!"
"Wait a moment," says Masira, looking at the full sacks. "Are you guys...salvaging this stuff in my turf...?!"
- - -
First the monkey appeared, then ship was eaten, and now it's dark in the middle of the day?! Just what is going on in this place?!
"Luffy!! Zoro!! Sanji!! Run!! What is going on?!" exclaims Usopp, holding his head. "What is going on with this weird place?!" As if his prayers were answered, Luffy is suddenly thrown out of the water and up onto the deck beside him. Nami immediately rushes over and begins slapping him, trying to wake him up. "Aah! Luffy!" Following immediately after him is Zoro, Sanji and Run, all three of whom jump up and land on the deck soaked in water and breathing heavy.
"Jeez, what was wrong with that monkey?!" Zoro complains.
"I don't even wanna think about it," Sanji adds.
"Dahahaha~! I kinda liked him!" Run tells them, dropping his shirt to the deck with a grin.
"I'm so glad you guys are safe!" Usopp gushes. "Let's get away from that turtle now!"
"Turtle? I didn't see a turtle. But there was a monkey named Masira." They explain what happened to Usopp, who doesn't appear to them to quite grasp what they've just gone through to get what they had to down there. "He was actually a pretty nice guy."
"Yeah, he's a salvager. But I'm amazed you got away from that turtles mouth."
"Turtle? What turtle?" All three follow his line of sight to the absolutely giant turtle floating behind them.
"Look at the size of that thing!" all three men bellow in response. However, what's beyond that is what attracts their attention. Three gigantic winged men, all of whom make the turtle look like nothing more than a grain of sand by comparison. "Let's get outta here!"
"Hold it right there!" bellows an angry voice, as Masira comes leaping out of the water and lands on the railing. "You punks! Don't think that you can steal from me and get away with it!" Ignoring him completely, the whole crew goes for their paddles, and begins rowing as fast as they can in the opposite direction of the giant men and turtle. They don't stop until they're not even on the horizon anymore, and the day light as returned. When they finally stop everyone on the crew is exhausted, leaning against the railing of the Merry or sprawled across the deck.
"Aaah, I what those things were?" Run wonders, leaning against the railing.
"The Grand Line is a series of mysteries," Robin tells him. "I doubt we'll ever solve all of them." Almost getting crushed by the galleon, getting attacked by salvagers, the giant turtle and the even bigger winged men...the day started off so calmly.
"Those things scared even me," Masira says, attracting their attention. Several long moments of silence follow before Luffy, Sanji and Zoro leap into action, booting Masira off the ship and sending him flying into the distance. After a small rest they set sail once again, this time sailing with a heading or destination other than the place called 'Skypiea'. While they're sailing, Nami has them dump the contents of the sacks and Run's shirt out onto the deck. She picks through it, a look of irritation on her face the whole time before finally huffing and standing.
"None of this stuff is even remotely useful!" complains Nami. "You just brought back a bunch of junk! What was the point of you guys even going down there?"
"There was nothing down there," Zoro tells her.
"It seemed pretty clear that the ship had already been ransacked," Sanji adds. "Or maybe there was a mutinay and they killed each other."
"There wasn't a single bit of loot to be found," Run says, picking his shirt up off the deck.
"I didn't send you down there for loot, I send you down for information. What happened to their ship could easily happen to ours if we're unprepared! We needed a log book, or some kind of information! Not rusty swords, armor and plates!" Nami goes stomping up the stairs away from them, only to be stopped by Robin who holds something out to her. "What's this?"
"An Eternal Pose," Robin tells her. "I took it from the monkey's crew, just in case we needed it."
"Aah, Robin! You're the only one I can count on!" She looks at the Eternal Pose for a moment. "Jaya?"
"Are we going there?" Luffy questions her.
"That's YOUR decision, idiot!"
"Alright! Jaya, full rudder...!"
- - -
"It's so nice and warm," sighs Chopper. "I really like spring islands!" The red head chuckles in response, reclining further back into his deck chair. "It's really nice, right, Robin?" Chopper turns his head slightly to look at Robin, who's lap he currently occupies.
"I agree, doctor," Robin says, smiling at him. It's been smooth sailing to Jaya, and after everything that has happened, it's definitely welcome. Usopp is busy keeping a look out in the crows nest, Luffy is occupying his favorite seat, and Nami and Zoro are milling about on the lower deck of the Merry while Sanji busies himself in the kitchen. "Although, I must admit I enjoy fall islands a bit more." Very suddenly a seagull strikes the deck of the Merry, and two more follow shortly after.
"Aaah! They...They were shot!" Chopper quickly leaps out of Robin's lap and rushes over to the birds.
"Shot? Are you sure?" Usopp asks. "I didn't hear any gunshots."
"Look! Here's the bullet! Considering their direction, they were shot from the direction the ship is facing!" Run stands and stares past the bow of the Merry towards the horizon. If there's another ship out there he certainly can't see it...but Chopper has pulled a bullet out of the birds. So that would mean...the person who shot them must be an extremely talented marksman.
"Are you saying they were shot from an island we can't see, yet?" Nami questions him. "That's impossible, Chopper."
"But I was watching them the whole time!"
"That would take amazing skill," Usopp assures him, staring down at them from the crows nest. "I mean, what kind of eyesight, talent and skills do you think that this sniper has? They were probably shot somewhere else and managed to hang on until now." Run reaches down and pats Chopper on the head. As far as he's concerned, if Chopper says they were shot then they were shot...and so they go sailing on...
- - -
"Wow!" chirps Luffy. "What a neat looking town!"
"It almost looks like a resort!" adds Usopp. After sailing for several hours, they've found themselves at the town of Jaya. While they hadn't exactly had any idea of what to expect from Jaya but it most definitely wasn't...THIS. With tall buildings, bright colors and flowers it does indeed resemble a resort town. "I almost can't wait!"
"It really makes we feel like sticking around," Nami says.
"Well, I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet," Run tells them all, motioning to a number of ships anchored in port. "I'd say that those are pirate ships."
"A-Ah, come on!" Nami says, slapping Run on his bicep. "How can pirate ships just drop anchor in a port like that?"
"SOMEONE HELP! HE'S GONNA KILL ME!!" screams a man from the dock.
"Aah, that's not good," Run mutters, scratching the stubble on his jaw. "Well, just make sure not to wander off on your own and..." His words trail off as he looks around, quickly finding Nami and Usopp both standing directly behind him, peeking around either side. "What the? Don't use me a meat shield!" When they've reached the dock and moored the ship, Luffy and Zoro immediately go jumping over board and walk into town with Nami chasing after them seconds later. "There they go."
"It seems so," Robin says, approaching the railing of the Merry. "I've got some shopping to do. Care to join me?"
"Of course." The two leap the railing of the Merry down to the dock and begin walking into the town proper. "This seems like my kinda place!" Numerous bars and restaurants line the streets of the city, accompanied by raucous laughter and conversation echoing out from within. "So, what are you shopping for?"
"Clothing. I can't keep borrowing Nami's outfits, now can I?"
"You can always borrow mine." Robin giggles in response.
"While I appreciate the offer, I'm afraid I'll have to decline." Loud and obnoxious laughter reaches their ears and both stop, turning to confront it. A very large man in a mask stands on top of a near-by building, arms raised over his head. "It seems like someone is enjoying themselves."
"I can see that. Must be celebrating a big haul."
"Wiihahaha~!" laughs the man. "I'm the Fighting Champion!"
"Hm. I choose not to acknowledge that." The two turn away from the man, and Run follows after Robin into a women's apparel store. Run follows behind her through the store, his arms growing fuller and fuller as she picks item after item. "You know...I suddenly feel as if I'm sorely lacking in clothing."
"Then we'll just have to find you something, won't we?" Robin tells him, looking at a purple jacket before holding it out in offer. "What do you think?"
"It's lovely to be sure but I doubt it comes in my size."
"Run." With a chuckle he takes the jacket from her and follows her to the changing room, handing off the clothing. While she's trying on the clothing she's selected, the red head mills about the store. Several long minutes pass before she rejoins him, dressed in a purple outfit complete with cowboy hat. "Well?"
"Purple really is your color."
"I think so, too." Robin crosses her arms as she scans the store. "I think I may pick out a few more things. Why don't you see if you can find some information about Sky Island. I'll finish up here."
"You sure?" She smiles and steps close, craning her neck up to kiss him on his cheek.
"I'll be fine. I can take care of a few pirates if I have to." The red head nods in understanding and then heads out of the store. He briefly scans the street for a moment before turning and walking further into the town. If he's after information, then he just needs to find a place where the liquor flows. He wanders down the street for several long minutes before eventually stopping in front of a bar.
"Hmmm...'Pub and Pies', huh?" A grin appears on his face as he pats his stomach. "I guess I could use a bite to eat." Run strides forward, and pushes open the swinging doors. Shattered glass, broken windows and a nearly demolished bar top are some of the first things he notices, along with a beaten down Luffy and Zoro with Nami kneeling beside them. She has her back to the entrance along with nearly the entire bar.
"Hey, woman," calls a tall man with a large knife. "You won't be able to move forward into the new era if you're with him. How about I buy you? What'll it cost to have you come with me?"
"Aah, a regular charmer, this guy." Nami immediately turns to look, followed quickly by the rest of the bar.
"Run!" Nami calls, releasing a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Would you beat these guys up already! Luffy and Zoro won't fight back!" The red head calmly walks in their direction, a smile appearing on his face.
"Dahahaha~! Makin' friends, Luffy?" No one makes a move to stop him as he crosses the bar, stopping and squatting down beside them. "Whoa! They really put the two of you through the wringer, huh? Well? What's the word, Luffy? Fight or flight...because I know what I want to do." There's a crisp 'snap!' as what few remaining shards of glass still sticking in the near by window crack.
"We're not fighting them," Luffy tells him. A round of laughter echos through the bar now much to Nami's irritation.
"Their gang really is nothing but a bunch of dumbasses!" cries one of the patrons.
"Get out," calls a blond man. "Take those three and beat it while you still have your lives, small fry!" Nami immediately stands, grasping Zoro and Luffy by the backs of their shirts as she starts dragging them towards the door. The laughter stops, however, when the red head stands and stretches his arms. "Oi...didn't you--"
"You go on ahead, Nami," Run tells her, still facing the shattered window and the blood on the wall. "I think I'm gonna have a drink first." Hearing the doors swing open and then closed before Run finally releases a shaky breath. "Aah, I thought that maybe I would try to talk to you lot...make you see reason." The red head turns to face the bar now to a round of mocking laughter. "But I can tell that you're not the type to be swayed by words." He slowly crosses the bar towards the man with the large blade. "So, instead I thought..." Run moves in an instant, appearing before the man with the knife and planting his foot in his gut. The man sails back and smashes through the bar top to lie motionless amongst the splintered wood. All laughter in the room ceases immediately "...well, I would just do that. Should've left my friends alone. It would have been better for your health..."