After explaining the whale's sorry tale and the crew who used to look after him like family then abandoned him here, the Going Merry is now on the water, outside of Laboon.
Luffy started to fight against the whale while everyone watched in shock.
"What does he think he's doing??" Usopp questioned.
"I think I get it now. He's helping in his way" you replied, stopping the crew from interfering.
Just when Laboon is ready to run Luffy down, the rubber boy's words cut through past the whale's bellows.
"It's a draw!!"
Luffy made a promise to Laboon that after he and his friends travel the Grand Line, they'll come back here and find him which broke the whale into tears. You couldn't help but smile at him. Laboon bellows to the skies but this time it's a more joyful one.
_____________________________________________________________
It was a rushed paint job but it was worth it.
"Not bad" Luffy grinned widely at his work. "Consider this a symbol of my promise to come to do battle with you"
Laboon chirped in acknowledgment. Though in your ears, it came out in a deep, billowy voice.
"Good whale!!" Luffy praised, still boasting his wide grin.
On deck, Usopp goes around patching up some minor damages. In doing so, he spotted the coils of rope that held the two would-be whalers. "Hey!! Where are they?!"
"Where are who?" Nami inquired. "Oh, you mean those two weirdos (First Name) fished out of Laboon's gastric acid?? I guess they escaped"
The Straw Hats are currently preparing to leave the Twin Capes when a shriek is heard through the air.
"Do you mind? Keep it down!!" Luffy complained to the navigator after her shriek scared off Laboon.
Sanji came in after that with food along his arms, head, and even one of his legs. "Is there a problem, my dearest Nami??~ If it's the food you're worried about, say no more!!~"
Usopp followed behind. "Did someone say food?"
"You idiots!! The compass is broken!!" Nami snapped. "The needle just spins; It won't stop!!"
"Oh yeah. You're right!!" Sanji leaned in closer to Nami's compass to see that her exclamation was true.
Usopp leaned in close as well. "I don't know about you but I'm getting dizzy"
"Woah, this is cool" Luffy joined the group, sharing in their awe and curiosity.
You chuckled and put a hand on the poor navigator's shoulder. "It's not broken, Namikan. Remember when I said logic and common sense are thrown out of the window the moment we crossed these waters of the Grand Line?? For those who travel here, a Log Pose is a must for navigating these waters. Normal compasses are useless here so to help you guys, I will give you my Log Pose. It's custom made"
You took out a handmade Log Pose in the form of a silver pocket compass from your right/left pocket and gave it to Nami.
"Wow . . .Oh, but I can't take it. It's yours. You needed it for navigation, right??" Nami waved her hands to kindly refuse your offer. You grabbed her hand and placed it on her palm.
"This is just a prototype so don't worry about it. I have another one right here with me" you replied as you showed her the other Log Pose which is the same one but better.
You sweatdropped at Nami staring at your prototype Log Pose and decided to break the silence. "If you don't like it, I could just take it back if you w-"
"I WILL PROTECT THIS WITH MY LIFE!!" Nami shouted as a blushing mess as she kept the compass close.
It surprised you. "Uhm, sure but there is no need for you to shout, Namikan"
"Yeah, sorry. I found this on the deck where those two whale-hunting weirdos left behind so there is no need for you to give it to me" Nami took out the Log Pose that is meant for the wrist.
"Then use that one first. It's always good to have a backup in case it breaks" you explained and Crocus nodded in agreement.
The next thing happened was Luffy was sent flying and shattered the Log Pose that Nami found on her wrist. The navigator's eyes turned foggy and she was too much in shock to utter a coherent word as the glass trickled to the ground.
"Ow. . . What's with everyone hitting me??" Luffy wondered, oblivious to the reasoning behind his harsh treatment.
"You never think about anyone but yourself" Sanji growled, approaching the rubber boy.
With the cook's attention on Luffy, he didn't realize just how much trouble he'd gotten himself into as Nami got ahold of herself and approached the blond. Her bangs shadowed her eyes.
You raise a brow and watch in amusement. She kicked both the captain and cook into the ocean with strength no one knew she possessed.
"Guess I'll go save these two idiots," you said and dived down to the ocean to save these dumbasses.
Once you all resurfaced, you pulled them out of the water. "Thanks . . .(First Name)" Luffy said, physically dying because of the seawater. "You're always so so kind, (First Name)-koi~!!" Sanji swooned as you got back to see Crocus giving Nami his Log Pose.
Soon Laboon lifted the two weirdos as Sanji went over to help the female and ignored her male partner.
"Hey, we need a favor," The male said hesitantly.
Sanji paused and glared at him.
__________________________________________________________________
"Whiskey Peak?? That's a funny name" Luffy commented as the odd man and woman now known as Mr 9 and Ms. Wednesday are on their knees before the group of Straw Hats.
"So what is it??" Usopp questioned.
"That's where we live . . .um, sir" Mr 9 clarified.
"What happened to your ship??" Nami asked.
"It was destroyed" Ms. Wednesday explained.
"Asking us for a ride is pushing it, Mr 9" Nami smirked slyly. "Especially after you tried to kill the whale"
"So what are you guys??" Usopp asked.
"I am a king!!" Mr 9 replied.
"A king?? You don't look the part nor give off the vibe of royalty. Plus even your crown isn't even gold" You said bluntly.
"(First Name)'s right. You're a liar" Nami added.
"We can't say!!" Ms. Wednesday remarked, bowing her head.
"She's right. You have to believe us. Our only motive is to get back home!! We'd tell you everything if we could. It's just that . . ."
"Mystery is our company's motto" Ms. Wednesday finished it for him.
"We believe in your strong character and we'll definitely return the favor!!" Mr 9 pleaded.
"Don't believe them. They're dishonest people to the core; They can't be trusted" Crocus cut in, glaring at the odd duo.
The navigator held up the broken Log Pose still on her wrist. "Listen, we don't have a Log Pose because we broke it and we don't have another one. So you still wanna ride with us??"
"WHAT?! YOU BROKE IT?! THAT WAS MINE, YOU KNOW!!" Mr 9 snapped.
"YOU'RE STUCK HERE TOO?! HOW DARE YOU ACT STUCK UP BECAUSE WE ARE HUMBLE!!" Ms Wednesday cried in rage.
"Oh wait, I forgot. Our dear (First Name) has a Log Pose of her own and Crocus loaned us him as a backup so . . ."
Then their attitude turned 180. "Oh, we believe in your strong character . . ."
"It's fine. You can ride with us" Luffy declared in his usual carefree manner.
Everyone except you whipped around in surprise at the young captain's proclamation. "You said your home is Whiskey Peak. Let's go there"
"WHY?! These two are obviously some pretty shady characters!! Why should we take them anywhere?!" Usopp argued.
"It's fine. Don't sweat the small stuff. We'll be alright" Luffy assured.
"Choose your route carefully" Crocus advised. "Once you head out from here, you'll be committed to that course"
"That's okay. If we don't like it, then we can try a different route next time" Luffy grinned at the old lighthouse keeper.
Crocus couldn't help but return the young one's grin, albeit smaller. "I see"
"Okay, it's time to get going" The rubber boy smirked as he stood and stretched his rubbery limbs. "Now that I and Laboon have an understanding, I can leave with a clean conscience"
"Just who on earth do you think you are anyway??" Ms Wednesday asked quite harshly.
"What's that?? Me??" Luffy turned to face the duo. "Oh, I'm the man who'll be the King of Pirates"
Crocus grinned widely.
Ms Wednesday and Mr 9 gazed at each other confused but then chuckled behind their hands.
The sun has now begun to set over the ocean horizon.
"Should be good to go" Crocus informed. "The Log Pose has had plenty of time to store the route. The needle should be pointing in the same direction as the map"
Nami nodded in confirmation, now holding your prototype Log Pose with great care. She tried to give it back to you but you kept on being insistent that she could have it so in the end she used your Log Pose while she kept Crocus's for backup.
After instructing her on how to work and read the Log Pose, she sets it with ease with the new course in mind. "It is pointing directly to Whiskey Peak"
"See you, Pops!!" Luffy waved.
"See you next time, Crocus!!" You beamed at the old man and whale.
"I'm off, Laboon. Be ready to fight when I get back" Luffy grinned widely up at the Island Whale who let out a happy moan and gurgle through his massive maw. "Next stop: Whiskey Peak!! Ready gang?? Let's set sail!!"
The Straw Hats cheered as their first step into the Grand Line has finally begun.