When we boarded the ship, the captain was already waiting for us. Rex was almost an exact replica of his image on the posters. He was tall, about two meters tall, with powerful muscles that showed through a simple T-shirt. There was still a cape made of animal skin on his shoulders, giving him a menacing appearance. The only difference from was his face. Instead of the expected brutal brutality, his face was shrewd and calm.
When he saw me among the group, he didn't show it, making no comment on my presence. At that moment, Will ran up to him, restrainedly but quickly reporting something. While they were talking, I decided to help the crew with the transfer of cargo from the boats on board. This lesson did not last long — the captain called out to me, and his voice sounded like an order that brooked no objections. I dropped the bag and followed him.
We entered a spacious but not luxurious cabin. Most of it was occupied by a massive wooden table littered with maps, a compass, newspaper scraps and a couple more interesting details. There was a bookcase with books and inkwells against the wall, and a simple but neatly made bed on the side. I noticed a revolver in the center of the table, and a little further away, a log posse glinting in the lamplight.
The captain took his place at the table. Will, who was following us, silently closed the door and stayed there with his hands on his waist, as if preparing to intervene at any moment. His gaze never left me for a second.
"So, Kuro, is that right?" Rex asked, waiting for my confirmation with a nod. — Why did you come to us?
I smiled at the fact that the question and our positions resembled an interview, of course, if you exclude the evil pirate behind me, who was ready to start shooting at the slightest danger.
Despite the comical question, I have already thought out the answer options in advance. The simplest option, to tell the truth, was ruled out, since I would be able to explain where I got the information from along their route. An option like this, craving for sea romance and adventure, would be extremely unsatisfactory. As for the most obvious option, wealth, although it had a great chance of working, it had the disadvantage of constant distrust of me on the part of the team. If a large sum of money appears on board, or a high reward becomes available for any of them, I will become a dangerous unstable factor for them. Therefore, I have prepared in advance, in my opinion, the best option.
Making a slightly awkward grimace, I began to tell my legend.
— As you know, the devil fruit is a rare thing, and you can't just find it. But I didn't find it, I stole it. Until recently, I was a thief—skilled and experienced. He worked from home, not out of need, but out of a love of challenge. I stole a little bit to avoid being found out, but one day everything changed.
I paused, noticing Rex frowning slightly.
"I broke into the governor's house last night. There I found a small chest covered with dust. I opened it and saw a fruit. I immediately realized that it was diabolical. I decided to steal it, but I left the trunk — judging by the dust, they won't notice the loss right away. I wanted to sell the fruit through my contacts, but realized that none of them would be able to buy it back. That's when I ate it.
Frowning slightly, Rex began to think. Naturally, I knew that this plan also had risks. But they seemed to me the most justified, I knew that he did not have time to check the legend, since he had to sail before his ship was noticed. I also understood that he would not be able to hand me over to the governor through mediocre people to collect the award. If he brings me in dead, he won't be able to prove my "theft", and it will be a hassle to turn me in alive, since he doesn't know my combat power, and besides, he won't be able to take my reward, since even if he delivers me alive through intermediaries, I can burn him in return.
While he was thinking about this question, I looked around the cabin, it is noteworthy that the cabin resembled an ordinary office, of course, if you exclude the bed that lay on the side. On his desk was a map with markings, a compass, a stack of newspaper scraps, a revolver, and even a village log. The newspaper fragments were divided among themselves. One of them talked about Buggy, the rise of Captain Morgan, the white hunter Smoker, and the growing fleet of pirate Craig. The other stack contained information about the Shichibukai, the movements of the Yonko, new Supernovae, the exploits of the Marinfordians, and any other popular personalities on the Grand Line. Apparently, Rex tries to think through his actions very consciously and carefully.
While I was brazenly looking at an article about the new Sergio Fang, Rex spoke sharply:
- I will accept you into the team and appoint you as a second assistant. You will be relieved of hard work, but I will not give you real power. Considering the size of the ship, you'll sleep in the cabin with the sailors. Your main and main task will be to participate in all the battles, you will not have the right to hide or run away. If I notice such behavior, I will be judged by all the pirate laws. We will dissuade payment after the first outing, if you show yourself well, you will have a high share.
- There is a captain. I replied, and then, on his orders, I went to the deck with Will.
Even though I got on a pirate ship, I was surprised by the current event again. I wouldn't say I was lucky, but Rex's intonation made me feel like I was back in some kind of well-structured military team, with a clear hierarchy and a sober approach. Although in this situation it can only be a facade, with a small exception to understand which side to approach me from.
As soon as we went on deck. Will immediately announced the captain's response to me. The pirates reacted sluggishly, continuing to do their job.
Realizing that I was unlikely to be able to perform on the ship if the crew and I had a bad relationship, I asked Will if I could help the others. He said that I was relieved of my job, not punished from it, so I have every right to help them if I want to.
After these words, I immediately rushed to help the others on the ship.
Routine after routine, day after day, 4 days flew by in the blink of an eye. Although I couldn't be called a friend of the ship, I was able to establish a relationship with the crew. Every evening, after a hearty dinner, I showed them performances and various magic tricks.
Our journey went relatively smoothly, and without any meetings. Until a huge chain of mountains appeared in front of our eyes
"Holy macaroni, what is this?" - said one of the sailors who was next to me.
- Red line. - the helmsman beat me to it. - The land line that crosses the Grand Line. And that mountain over there, Reverse Mountain.
"Over there." - he pointed with his finger to the top of the mountain, from this angle it seemed that a huge river flows from there directly into the sea. "We're on our way."
"How do we get a ship up there?" The same sailor asked with obvious shock.
"And only the captain knows that." - As soon as he said these words, Rex came out of the captain's cabin.
He was looking straight up the mountain. Although his face was unreadable, I could still detect a trace of doubt in his eyes.
"Keep heading straight for Reverse Mount!" "Stop it!" he shouted.
- There is a captain! As if not doubting the captain's actions, the helmsman directly turned into the mountain.
"But we're going to die!"! One of the sailors shouted.
Before Will could run over the sailor, the helmsman laughed out loud.
- Reverse Mountain is also known as the pirate cemetery. but! It is also the only place where you can get to the Grand Line. You really don't want to take the risk after all the preparation we've been doing? Realizing that he had not reassured the pirate, he continued. - We definitely have nothing to be afraid of! Although we are crossing it for the first time, Lady Fortune is facing us today. So if not now, then when?!
Although these words did not dispel the sailor's fear, they raised the overall morale of the crew. All that remained for the poor guy was to support the words spoken to him.
The closer we got to the mountain, the more noticeable the anomaly was. There was no usual noise or foam from falling water into the sea. Rather, on the contrary, one could see that their intersection was going smoothly. And when we got very close, we could see that the water was rising.
Our ship, obeying the current, began to rise up. The side creaked, as if protesting against the laws of nature, but held on. The crew froze, staring at the unusual stream that was carrying us higher and higher. No one dared to exhale too loudly as the water steadily pulled the vessel towards the top.
I was looking around at that moment. It was very interesting for me to see not so much the mountains, but some traces of life on this ringed continent. Unfortunately, those same mountains obstructed the view. Undeterred, I started looking back. Unfortunately, there was nothing to see from here except the endless sea
There seemed to be silence at the very top of Reverse Mountain. The murmur of the water turned into a distant whisper, but this brief respite only increased the anxiety.
— Hold on tight, let's go down! Lower the sails! Attach the cargo! The captain rumbled.
As soon as he took the helm, the ship plummeted down. His nose crashed into the stream, and everything around was filled with the roar of water, the roar of blows and screams. I was thrown against the mast, and I barely managed to grab onto the roughened rope.
The sails flapped, but the tensioned fastenings miraculously held. One of the sailors tried to pull himself up to the nearest rope, but the ship rocked and he fell, sliding along the deck until he was stopped by a pile of crates. Another was swept overboard; the scream ended as abruptly as it had begun.
The water seemed to come alive, tossing us first one way, then the other. The ship jerked to the right, and the tree screamed as it hit the rock. Spray flew over the deck, mixing with the blood of the helmsman, who, hitting the steering wheel, almost fell over the railing.
— Hold on! Someone shouted, which was drowned out by the next crash.
Another blow and the ship flew off to the left, bringing the stern into the rock. A huge piece of wood broke off and flew down like a leaf, but no one was looking at it: each of us was fighting for our own place under the fierce sky.
The speed was insane. The current seemed to be trying to swallow us up, leaving no time for respite. The mast creaked threateningly, and the captain, gritting his teeth, pressed the steering wheel all the way down to keep the course.
And then he appeared, a giant whale. A huge body, black as night, blocked the way. His massive head hit the Red Line, shaking everything around. The ship bounced again like a toy, but the captain continued to hold the rudder.
"We're going to crash!" A shout broke through the general uproar.
And at that moment, the whale struck again. His movement created a wave that lifted our ship. The water threw us into the air, and for a few moments everything seemed to freeze. We were flying.
The landing was hard. A splash of water rose above the masts, flooding everything around, but the ship held on. Piles of crates rolled across the deck, smashing through the door to the hold. Clinging to the mast, I watched as someone clung to the remains of the rope on the edge of the deck, trying not to fall.
Feeling his body tremble with fatigue and adrenaline, he looked up. The huge whale, ignoring us, accelerated again for the next strike.
— The Grand Line... I exhaled, realizing that we had finally reached our goal.