In a matter of finding accurate information, Sakura chose to turn to books. A quiet library in the corner of the town square overshadowed by cafes and small businesses, she decided was the best place to start.
Sakura asked herself what kind of information she would need to know to blend in as if she belonged to this world. Then it occurred to her just to look at archived newspapers and base her research from there.
Most of the papers she went through had similar focuses. Pirates. Their whereabouts, wanted posters, activities, imprisonments, executions, and so on. The forces against them being the marines that would incarcerate and pursue them.
'The Great Pirate Era,' was a repeat term, following lines like, 'Gol. D Roger, King of the Pirates, The One Piece, the Grand Line,' but most news articles revolved around pirates, the World Government, Marines, and the Revolutionary army.
There was a lot of turmoil all over.
Sakura then turned to find more information on the geography of this world, she had seen a map from Nami, but perhaps her research would help her decide where she would go from here. The world was divided by its oceans, the North, South, East, and West Blue oceans, then there was the Grand Line.
Every side has its own countries and kingdoms, but nothing could be found about the Grand Line.
'Nami said they were going to the Grand Line,' Sakura went over to the librarian sitting peacefully at her desk.
"Excuse me, do you have any books about the Grand Line?"
The man seemed to wake up instantly, "Grand Line? What are you a pirate?"
Sakura shook her head, "No, I was just curious, I could've found any books about that sea,"
"Well, I'll tell you kid that place was almost the end of this town. After Gol Roger's execution, the world was pushed into the Pirate Era and people set sail for the Grand Line, pirates stopping here to raid and dash off to that place where most of them met their inevitable end for a treasure no one can even confirm exists. Chasing ghosts and then becoming them,"
Luffy had talked so brightly about how he was going to become King of the Pirates and sail the Grand Line with his crew. A crew that could barely be counted on one hand.
"Is it really that treacherous?"
"Indeed, I bet the devil himself rests in those seas. That is said to be the place where those damn devil fruits come from too,"
'Devil fruits,' That could be something else to look into.
"So you can't tell me what's on the Grand line?"
"That strip of sea is filled with islands and even countries, but it's not for ordinary folk. I tell you the Grand Line is full of everything unnatural in the world. The seas, weather, the creatures, everything is just against nature. I guarantee that. It's why so many who go into it never come back, no one has ever managed to sail around entirely, and not even the best pirates today have succeeded in doing what Gol Roger has. There are very few documents of that place, but I know almost every story. Fact or fiction all talk of unnatural things. Devil fruits are just proof if it's really where those things originate."
The librarian stood from his seat and began walking around his desk, digging through some draws, he showed her a book of illustrations of strange fruits. Different shapes, and names with patterns carved into most of them.
It made Sakura's heart drop.
"These damn fruits go for millions, but there's only ever one of each and you can only ever eat one and get some kind of unusual power though you're also cursed."
"Curse?" Sakura breathed.
"That's right, anyone who eats these will be cursed by the sea and forever lose their ability to swim,"
Just like she had.
Sakura flipped through the pages, looking at the illustrations and different names of the fruit, trying to find the one she feared to see.
'I can't believe I ate one of these,' They looked so similar to that fruit Kaguya was determined to devour. But what was she intending on doing?
As distorted images came into her mind, like looking through murky water and trying to recall a dream, all that remained were the feelings that the experience caused and Sakura tasted bile on her tongue with dread clawing at her throat.
What could she do right now about all of this? Trapped in another world with no clear way to escape, and none of her friends to turn to.
Like a weight was growing in her chest, preventing her lungs from rising, Sakura curled into herself but before she could become lost to her despair a loud voice took her attention.
"Hey Buggy the Clowns about to execute Straw-hat Luffy in the town's square!"
"What are you sure?"
"I heard the marines talking about it, come on let's check it out!"
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The change in the winds was too sudden, there was no forecast for the storm threatening to break loose. Perhaps it was a bad omen, for this was the first time in a long while that any pirate had caused such a ruckus on the island.
The town square had become like a circus, especially with Buggy the Clown and Alvida's crew running rampant against two members of Straw hat Luffy's crew. All in front of the stage that had become the beginning of the Great Pirate Era.
It stood high and tall, the platform holding a block for execution that had been preserved even after the king of the pirates passed on it. The stain of blood may have long washed away, yet the memory was eternal. It would always serve as a reminder of the chaos that ensued that day. Similar to this one here. As Luffy was held strong within the confines of the pillory, unable to move his neck out of the way as Buggy threatened to remove it with a swift swing of his sword.
Marine soldiers stood by, all along the buildings that made up the town's square.
"Attack the moment Strawhat Luffy's head falls,"
Smoker was taken aback at first when he saw the young child that had earned himself the largest bounty in the East Blue. Surpassing some of the more seasoned pirates existing.
He would not allow him to slip away from Loguetown. It would always be the place that put an end to every pirate, so long as he was here that was a promise.
It was strategic to let the pirates take each other out. Though Luffy only had two crew mates coming to his aid, one was the famous pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro. Strange to think that the man had become a pirate after earning a reputation for hunting them.
"Sir! Captain Smoker!" It was a recognizable voice, with the same terrified tone he carried when they fished him from the sea.
"What are you doing here? I'm busy with-
"I saw her sir!" The marine exclaimed, his eyes wide, the veins visible with worry. "I thought that it was my imagination but I'm certain of it, the girl the one I told you about, she's here!"
Seargent major Tashigi glanced around, adjusting her glasses to find her. "What? That girl is here are you sure?"
The story was near unbelievable, a girl who sank an entire fleet, but Smoker knew nothing was impossible in this world. "Where have you seen her?"
He could deal with that matter after-
"Down there!"
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"Luffy!" Sakura saw the boy with his head caught in a low pillory on the high platform. A man was standing over him, the most notable thing was the striking blue hair and clown makeup that matched the red nose. He was holding a sword above Luffy's head.
Zoro and Sanji were also present in the town square, but no Nami or Usopp. They were trying to force their way through a crowd of armed men. It was a rampage, as civilians started to clear the area when the battle intensified with the wind.
Sanji was the first to notice her presence, all the fighting against the enemy pirates. He had his hands in his pockets but was delivering a series of powerful kicks enough to send his enemies far into the air.
"Sakura-chan, what brings you here?"
Zoro slashed his sword at three individuals simultaneously. They seemed to be in no better shape than Sanji's opponents. "Why'd you come here?!"
"Hey, Sakura!" Luffy called, smiling at her from the platform.
"Another crew member?"
"Let's get her!"
Someone called from behind and tried to attack her, his sword held high above his head. So they were mistaking her for a member of the crew?
'Great,'
She didn't have to react though as Zoro stepped between them, using his swords to hold them back. He carried one in each hand and a third between his teeth.
Though his voice was muffled, she could hear his word. "Get out of here now, you're in the way!"
Sakura pulled her face, "I'm here to help you, morons,"
Buggy laughed that carried across the town square. "Witness the last moments of your captain!"
Zoro and Sanji immediately rushed for the platform but they were outnumbered. Sakura kept calm, gathering chakra in her fist with enough power to bring the whole platform down. Luffy explained to her about being a rubber man, which includes being able to absorb hard impacts, so a fall from that height should be fine.
Luffy looked out through the crowd, "Sanji, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sakura!" All eyes landed on Luffy as he flashed a bright smile, "Sorry….looks like I'm dead,"
The expression of Luffy sent a horrifying chill through Sakura, like ice in her veins. It was just a regular smile that he also had. Yet he was wearing it at the moment of what he thought would be his death.
'Now,' Sakura brought her fist to the ground, she didn't make contact as her vision became obscured by the lightning that came in at a great speed and a distance that was far too close. She heard the metal meeting the cobblestones and breaking apart with the smell of burned wood strong in the air.
A blanket of mist had covered the area, but Luffy emerged completely intact aside from a few burn marks on his clothing. Still grinning. "How lucky looks like I did survive,"
Sakura didn't find this lucky, she found it downright divine. The person who had tried to execute Luffy, Captain Buggy was laying around the scraps of the platform, with his body almost a crisp. He seemed to be alive though.
"Luffy!" Sakura ran over to him, checking over his body. Truly no injuries, he did smell of smoke though. Likely taking a direct hit from that lightning but she remembered that his body was made of rubber, and that was a great shield against voltage. So those properties protected him. "You're okay!"
"Hey Sakura, you're here too!" He adjusted his hat.
Sanji and Zoro were debating for a moment if what just happened was truly pure luck because the fact that lightning would strike exactly before the blade was meant to cut into their captain's throat was a terrifying notion. Sanji even wondered if this was some kind of divine intervention.
"We've got other problems coming this way," Zoro said, his eyes sharp under the shadow his bandanna created.
Sakura felt that there were a lot of observers at the event but because of the civilians and pirates, it was difficult to discern the darker stares that were holding onto them. A pattern of rushed steps could be heard from a distance once things had grown quiet. Heavy-like boots, and coordinated rather than panicked.
And coming straight for them.
"Uh oh,"
There were people in the same white and blue vest and pants, some wearing hats with 'Marine' printed on the front. But Sakura was certain that they were looking for a fight.
"Ah crap!"
The armed soldiers swarmed like bees defending a hive, coming in to ambush the pirate and in the chaos, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Sakura chose to use the chaos as a blanket and swiftly rush through them all.
"Time to go!" Luffy said running ahead.
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With the storm rolling in fast, the urgency to escape only increased. If they didn't leave the harbor soon they would be forced to wait out the storm and their ship might not be given the chance if the marines found Going Merry.
They managed to slip out of the town's square, but marines were following swiftly behind them. Their guns blazing and bullets flying in their direction.
"Well doesn't look like I'll be sticking around here," Sakura said, looking back. She couldn't stay in this town now. Not when they associated her as part of the crew. Nami had warned her about something like this happening, but she just had to see what was happening in the town square.
"Your fault for coming back," Zoro said. "Now everyone thinks you're a pirate,"
Luffy laughed, "So Sakura's coming along with us after all!"
"Well it's that or she can stay here and get arrested,"
Sanji glared at Zoro, "Don't you dare mock Sakura-chan!"
"Shut up perverted cook!"
"Say that again Marimo!"
"Is this really the time!?" Sakura huffed. Considering she was only minutes away from the sea and had basically been backed into this decision there wasn't time to weigh other options. Even thinking about it now, Sakura had nothing set for herself in this world. No goal of anything.
Yes, she wanted to return to her world, but what chance did she have to find a solution if she remained on this island being pursued?
"You set foot on that ship, you're a pirate, no going back!" Zoro told her sternly.
Sakura just looked ahead. She knew that this wasn't ideal, becoming a wanted criminal right after appearing in a new world. Not exactly ninja-like behavior. But it was a choice she was willing to live with.
There wasn't much known about the Grand Line, however mysterious and unnatural sounded promising. And if she kept moving, perhaps she would be able to stumble across a method to return home. The secret of the Devil fruits was said to lay in the Grand Line, and that may have been what Kaguya had in her possession. That was the first clue she had to go on and it was in the Grand Line.
Luffy huffed, looking back at the marines that pursued them, "Shouldn't we just beat 'em up?"
Sanji immediately rejected the idea, "Nami said we should get to the ship as soon as possible, and this storm picking up hard. If we don't set sail soon, we might not be able to leave,"
The people that followed after weren't able to close the distance, fortunately, so long as they could get to the harbor without stopping-
"Roronoa Zoro!"
A voice harsh, but soft turned their heads from the back to ahead. In the downpour, a woman stood, sword clutched on her waist, her eyes glaring at them.
"Seargent Major Tashigi!" Some of the men behind called in relief at their superior.
"To think you were Roronoa Zoro the pirate! You were just toying with me all along!"
Sanji harshly scolded Zoro, "What the hell did you do that woman Zoro!?"
"You know her?"
"Sort of," Zoro pulled his face.
"Wow, didn't think you were that kind of guy," Sakura mocked.
"SHUT UP," Zoro drew his sword clashing blades with Tashigi, "Never thought you were a marine,"
Their meeting had been brief when he was going shopping for his sword and they had encountered. Neither had actually given their names, but Zoro was already thoroughly bothered by the women. Her short blue hair and dark eyes frightened him as if he had seen a ghost. Rather a mirror image of his childhood friend.
That's who she looked like. A girl that Zoro hadn't been able to defeat in his younger days as a swordsman in training.
"Go on ahead," Zoro told them. Luffy and Sakura ran passed, but Sanji had to be dragged away kicking while threatening Zoro not to harm a lady.
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"The rains coming down harder than before," Sakura winced as her hair whipped across her face. This would affect the waves without a doubt and they were going to have to set sail like this.
"There's someone up ahead," Luffy called.
There was, the figure crew as they closed in without any intention of stopping. There was a motorbike standing in the street, parked almost as if the barricade the path. A man with a powerful build, slicked-back white hair, and eyes dangerously narrowing in on the three. Between his lips, two cigars.
"So you've come Strawhat Luffy,"
"Who are you?" Luffy asked, unfazed.
"The names Smoker, I'm a captain of the marine headquarters,"
'Captain Smoker,' It couldn't be a coincidence, and Sakura wouldn't believe it to be. This person was legendary in Loguetown. Of course, it seemed their divine luck had run out and it was up to them to get themselves safely off this island.
'That woman also said that this guy ate a devil fruit,'
What kind of power would he have then?
"None of you will make it to the Grand Line,"
"Well figures we aren't getting out of here without a fight," Sanji stepped forward, holding his hands in his pockets.
Smoker's eyes fell on Sakura, which she found odd seeing as there was a sense of recognition and condemnation that made no sense since this was their first meeting.
On first impression, Smoker didn't see Luffy as anything close to a threat, let alone someone with a thirty million bounty that had defeated so many of the highly named pirates in the East Blue. Though he knew not to assume anything based on appearance. Then there was that girl next to him, the one who was said to have sunk a whole fleet of marine ships.
'It doesn't matter,'
"I won't allow any of you to set sail!" Holding out his arms, they watched as his limbs lose their solid form and turned to a white thick smoke that still held its position instead of falling to the wind.
"What the hell!?" Sakura got into a fighting pose immediately. The smoke expanded as they neared the three. It went through them at first, and Sakura had assumed it would act like regular mist, unaware of the exact elements of devil fruit holders. But was caught off guard when the smoke wrapped around her body holding solidarity that couldn't be considered natural.
'So this is a devil fruit power in action,' Sakura hissed as she and Luffy were lifted from the ground. She swung out of her arms with her power to expel the smoke, but it wrapped around her again as the marine captain seemed to catch on to her actions.
"Freak of nature!" Sanji sent a hard side-kick straight into Smoker's face, but the man turned to smoke.
"He can turn his whole body into this smoke?!" Sakura exclaimed. Watching as Sanji was flung into a wall of a building. He could also solidify the smoke at will. This was a very advantageous ability to have against people who relied on physical attacks like her.
And apparently Luffy as well.
"Gum gum pistol!"
He extended his arm, throwing a punch that went through Smoker's torso, which split into smoke. Smoker's body then appeared behind Luffy, taking form and pushing the straw hat captain to the ground, slapping his face to the concrete.
"Hey!" Sakura used her chakra to break free from the smoke. At least her strength was able to create enough force to do that. She jumped away as Smoker attempted to recapture her. He went for the blade on his back, still holding down Luffy.
"Let him go!" She readied a fighting stance. She wasn't sure how her punches were going to react to Smoker's body, however, if he was able to change his body to smoke at will, she would just have to find a way to attack him when he was still solid. One punch would be enough to knock him out.
"Hmph! Your luck's come to an end, all you pirates, your journey stops here!"
A looming shadow came over the marine captain, a strong hand holding him back from drawing his blade.
Sakura couldn't make out the figure in the cloak, honestly, she hadn't even realized his presence until a moment ago. The lightning that had covered her eyes like a sheet only for an instant seemed to have been enough. It was concerning that someone could appear right in front of her like that.
'I didn't sense him at all,'
Smoker had directed more than just his eyes on the man, but also his attention, which was now completely undivided. Leaving nothing to note for Sakura in front of him or Luffy still trapped under. He looked at the figure with recognition and shock.
"How nice, now the government can have your head,"
The man answered Smoker's malicious comment with a grin, "The world is waiting for our answer,"
The rain pelted Sakura like stones with the way the wind began to blow heavier than ever before. Strong enough to lift her off her feet and start carrying her through the streets, Sakura kept her eyes as wide as she could, Sanji and Luffy were following her trail, and the wind was somehow maneuvering them through the roads without losing its consistency.
'This is not a normal wind!'
"What the heck!?" Zoro appeared down the street, also lifted by the wind. It seemed that the debris that had been picked up as well was avoiding them.
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When the wind stopped, Sakura straightened her posture to land on her feet. Somehow they had been taken to the harbor, the waves roaring before them. Sanji, Usopp, Luffy, and Zoro were still picking themselves up.
"Can someone tell me what just happened?" Luffy groaned.
Sakura could see the waves turning violet and the Going Merry being aggressively pushed further into the distance. Spotting Nami's orange hair, she knew that it was going to be difficult for her to get the ship back. Not in this weather and with the make of the Merry. One person could not steer efficiently.
"Bigger problems, the ships being swept out to sea with only one crew member,"
Nami looked over at the harbor, seeing her crew mates, "Luffy!"
"Nami!"
"We gotta go!" exclaimed Sanji.
While, Sanji, Zoro, Sakura, and Usopp turned right to try and grab a rowboat, Luffy went in the other direction. Though they tried calling him over, he refused to come. Grabbing onto the railing of the stairs, he stretched his arms far to the other side and pulled.
"What is he doing?"
Sanji, Usopp, and Zoro grimaced and turned back around with their feet hitting the ground heavily. They also told Sakura to join in their dash, when she turned back Luffy was coming at her full speed and knocked into her body. They then caught up to the other three, and soon everyone was airborne, launching straight out to the ocean in the direction of the Going Merry.
Now Sakura knew how it felt to be catapulted. Everyone hit the sail and landed on the ship, a bit distorted but otherwise intact.
"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Sakura groaned, shoving Sanji to the side to scold Luffy.
"He does that a lot," said Usopp.
Nami rushed over, with a big smile on her face. "You're all here! Sakura are you coming with us?"
"Yeah, it's not like I can stay on that island," She was already associated with the pirates now just as Zoro warned her. "So looks like I'm becoming a pirate,"
Her teachers would have a heart attack if she ever said that sentence in front of them. She hoped that this wouldn't be for nothing though. The Grand Line was said to be the place of the devil fruit's origins. It was the only connection between their two worlds, this lead was small but it was the closest thing she had to one.
'Besides, staying on that island wouldn't do me any good,' If she was going to look for answers to escaping this world, then staying in one place wasn't the solution. As far out as this may be, choices had become more than limited.
'And at least I won't be alone,'
Luffy collapsed his hands, "Alright, we got a doctor!"
"Medic,"
"There's a difference?" chided Zoro.
"Sanji whip up a big meal to celebrate! Make sure there's lots of meat!"
"And booze,"
Sanji clapped his hands, "Coming right up,"
Sakura stuttered, as the cook headed for the kitchen, "We're in the middle of a raging storm can you relax for a moment!?"
"Don't forget the booze!" Zoro called again.
Sakura muttered to Nami, "Is this normal?"
"Normal's a rare term on this ship. Welcome aboard,"
Somehow that sounded more like an apology than a welcome.
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The ship felt like it was ready to tip over with the way the waves pushed and pulled it along and the wind carried it along the surface. The raging storm didn't give a lot of leeway for celebration for the new crew mate and Sakura didn't mind in the slightest. The idea of a stomach full of alcohol and food wasn't appealing with the current and waves. Luffy had actually stomped his feet like an angry rabbit about this.
However, the weather wasn't improving and they needed to be in full possession of their faculties now that they were approaching a crucial part of their journey. The signal for that came in the sign of a lighthouse that was meant to guide sailors and let them know that they were closing in on the most dangerous sea of the world.
"That's the entrance to the Grand Line," Nami told them.
Though the storm continued to rage, everyone remained on the deck overlooking the sea.
"Okay then! Shall we hold a launching ceremony for setting sail on the great sea?" said Sanji.
He put his foot on a water barrel, "To find the All Blue!"
"To be King of the Pirates," Luffy put his foot on. Followed by Zoro.
"In order to become a master swordsman,"
"In order to draw a world map!"
"In order to become a brave warrior of the sea!"
Sakura watched them all with their feet set on the barrel and eyes turned to her curious and patient. She realized that they wanted her to partake in the ritual as well as if validating that she was indeed now a part of their crew.
She put her foot on the barrel and spoke her goal, before bringing it down with the rest of the crew, crushing it under their feet. Just as they would for all obstacles that stood in their way to their goals.
'To get back what was taken,'