+~*~*~*~*~*~+

"It reminds we of when you painted the emblem on the flag," I cross my arms, tilting my head as I look at Laboon's head that now has Luffy's messy version of the Straw Hat Pirates jolly roger. "It's cute."

"Okay!" Luffy exclaims. "This is our contract! Don't go ramming into stuff and erasing it before we get back! You have to live so that we can fight again!"

Laboon lets out a small noise of agreement.

"Great!" Luffy widely smiles. "I am going to train harder than ever."

"I can't wait to see you again, Laboon," I smile.

Laboon lets out a happy noise before diving down into the ocean.

"You think he'll keep your promise?" I look up at Luffy with paint all over him.

"He needs something else to look forward to, so yeah, I think he'll keep my promise," Luffy nods. "That means we all have to work hard to get back here to him."

I giggle, "I look forward to it."

Nami's scream pierces the air from her spot nearby at the lighthouse table. She's been planning our voyage forward, but it seems like she's hit a block.

"What's all the racket?" Luffy furrows his eyebrows, looking over at Nami.

"Nami!" Sanji gushes, rushing up from the ship balancing large plates of food in anyway that he can. He's been on the ship making lunch for a while. "I have lunch if that is what is making you frustrated!"

"Perfect, I need some lunch," Usopp wipes sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand as he makes his way up. He has been repairing the Going Merry with the supplies given to him by Crocus.

Zoro must still be sleeping on the ship, which means he's about to miss out on all this great food.

"I can try to help if you want me too, Nami," I take a seat next to her as Sanji sets the food down on the table. "I mean, I can at least give encouragement."

"I don't think you can help with this," Nami groans. "Look! The compass is broken!" She shows the compass needle spinning wildly. "It won't stop spinning like this."

"Ah, seems you came to the Grand Line a bit unprepared," Crocus steps up, grabbing a plate. "Were you planning to throw your lives away? I don't think I've seen a group come through without knowing about how things worked over here."

"Food," Luffy chuckles, reaching for some fish as he sits down next to me.

"You can eat hay," Sanji grumbles, taking the seat next to Luffy.

I grab at some beautifully prepared fish, ready to head what Crocus is going to educate us on.

"What are you talking about?" Nami asks.

"I told you earlier, but there is nothing normal about these seas," Crocus grabs and fills a plate of food. "Your compass isn't broken, at least, not in a way you think it is."

"That what is going on? Are we in a magnetic field?"

"Exactly," he nods. "The many islands of the Grand Line are rich in minerals, so this region is filled with abnormal magnetic fields. To makes matters even worse, the sea and wind currents don't follow any clear pattern. As a mariner, you must know how difficult that is. If you had set sail before stopping her, you would have all surely perished. Without any way to tell which direction to go, your journey is hopeless."

"I had no idea," Nami runs her fingers through the back of her hair.

"There must be something we can do," I sigh.

"Can you handle this!?" Usopp yells at Nami from his seat next to her. "This is horrible!"

"Nami, you're still cute when you are clueless," Sanji's eyes sparkle as he gushes.

I roll my eyes.

"What's so bad?" Luffy looks at me.

"Shut up!" Nami screams at Usopp and Sanji.

Luffy shrugs, "This Bluefin trunk is really good."

"You need a log pose to sail the Grand Line," Crocus continues.

"A log pose?" Nami questions.

"Sounds fancy," I giggle.

"It is a special compass that records magnetic fields unlike a regular compass," Crocus answers.

"So it is a fancy compass," I smile.

"They have quite a unique shape."

"Like this?" Luffy holds up the object that he found from the two strange people earlier.

"Ah, yes, that is it," Crocus nods. "Just getting here is hard enough, without a log pose, navigation here would be impossible. You'd get lost in a second."

"I see," Nami stands up, probably to take the object from Luffy. "Before we move on, I just have to ask, where the hell did you get that!" She punches Luffy straight across the face, sending him to the ground.

"That strange couple from earlier," Luffy rubs his cheek where Nami nailed him. "They dropped it when they fled."

"Those two? Really?" Nami relaxes, snatching the log pose from Luffy.

"Did you really need to hit me?"

"Yes, just cause," she firmly nods, placing the log pose on her wrist.

"Just cause?"

She clears her throat, holding the log pose up to eye level. "So this is it. Where are the markings?"

"The islands of the Grand Line with their magnetic fields function to their own abnormal laws. You must stay on an island long enough to record the magnetic field that connects it to the next island, and then you can sail to that next island. As I said, normal navigation tools will not work on this ocean, so you have to use the log pose to display the magnetic fields. This mountain is the start point, and then you have to pick one of seven magnetic fields. No matter which island you go to, all the routes will eventually become one. The last island that all these routes converge at is Raftel. The very last island on the Grand Line. In all of history, only a single pirate crew has reached there for sure. The crew of the King of the Pirates himself. Raftel is legendary."

"Is that where it is?" Usopp blurts out. "The One Piece! It must be there."

"Perhaps," Crocus shrugs. "No other legends has tempted large groups of people like that one. Not a single soul has reached that island since."

"You mean," Luffy grins as he works on getting all the meat off the fish bone, "until we make it there!"

"That's right," I slap my hands down on the table. "You're looking at the crew that is going to make history."

Crocus chuckles, "You all are going to do something, that's for sure."

"Look at this Akari," Nami steps up to me, holding the log pose up for me to see. "It's a good thing that Luffy didn't just toss it away when he found it."

"I was curious to what it was when he picked it up," I nod. "To think that it is essential to our journey and those two weirdos earlier just dropped it!"

"Okay, we can head out now, I'm done eating," Luffy burps, patting his now full stomach.

"You ate the entire thing!" Sanji screams at him.

"He even ate the bones!" Usopp groans.

"We're gonna need to be extra careful with this since our entire journey through the Grand Line depends on it," Nami gently taps the log pose.

"It is a cute little tool," I say.

"You stretchy shithead!" Sanji's words are dripping with acid. "I made that for Nami and Akari. I wanted them to have the best of it!" His foot collides with Luffy's head, sending him flying right across the table and destroying the log pose.

My eyes widen, and I think that my heart stops for a moment as Nami's face goes from shock to absolutely terrifying.

Nami glares at Sanji as he tries to lovingly smile back at her. "Go soak your heads!" Her angry kick sends the two boy flying into the ocean below.

"Ah, wasn't that thing the most important part of our journey!?" Usopp screams.

"I'm going to knock some sense into those boys one day," I grumble, shaking my head.

"Crocus, what do we do now?" Nami pleads. "Our log pose-"

"Don't worry," Crocus waves us off. "You can have mine for all that you have done for Laboon."

"Anything to help a friend," I smile.

"Hey, those two strange people came back!" Luffy shouts as he steps off the ladder. "And they have a request," he walks over to take a seat on the table.

Mr. 9 and Ms. Wednesday step off the ladder next, followed quickly by Sanji that steps by them to join us all at the table.

"We need you to take us to Whisky Peak," Mr. 9 states.

"Whisky Peak?" I narrow my eyes at the two. "And what would that be?"

"That is our town."

"You lost your ship and now want us to take you home?" Nami steps closer to the pair. "Why should we even consider helping you, Mr. 9? You wanted to kill that whale, and we fought hard to save him."

"Who are you two anyways?" Usopp asks.

"I am a king!" Mr. 9 boasts.

"That's a lie," Nami pulls the man's cheek causing him to cry out.

"We can't tell you!" Ms. Wednesday and Mr. 9 speak in unison as the two bow to us. "We just want to go home! We promise to repay you in whatever way you want!"

"It isn't our fault that we have to be so secretive," Ms. Wednesday keeps her head down. "There's nothing we can do about our job. Our company's motto is mystery! We can't reveal anymore without getting in deep trouble. We are appealing to your kindness and compassion to get us home."

"Don't trust anything they say," Crocus crosses his arms. "They are up to no good."

"Oh, also, we broke the log pose that you probably came back to get," Nami sheepishly smiles, holding up the broken log pose. "Do you still want us to take you?"

"What!?" Mr. 9 stammers as the two sit up. "How did you break it! That was mine!"

"We got down on our hands and knees to beg, and you are stuck here with us!" Ms. Wednesday screams.

"Wait!" Nami nervously giggles. "We have one that Crocus gave us. "We aren't stuck here."

"We appeal to your kindness and compassion," Mr. 9 whimpers as the bow once more.

"It's fine," Luffy speaks up. "You two can join us."

"You heard the captain," I giggle. "Show Nami a map so she can plan our course towards Whisky Peak!"

+~*~*~*~*~*~+

"Back to the open sea," I smile, looking out at the ocean that we are soon going to be sailing out to. "Are first island already known to us. Are you excited to cross another task off our list?" I look at Luffy who is lean against the railing with me.

"What list?" He grins down at me. "Do you have a list in your head of things you want to accomplish?"

"Maybe," I puff my cheeks out as they begin to heat up.

"That's cute, dumpling," he places his arm around my shoulders to pull me closer. "I don't have a list like that, but I am excited to get back on our journey."

"Are you sure you want to take those two with you?" Crocus calls up to Luffy as Nami climbs aboard. "You've chosen your course now, so you can't change it."

"If we don't like it, we can just sail it again," Luffy chuckles.

"So you will," he smiles.

"Goodbye, Flower-man," Luffy nods.

"Thanks again for the log pose!" Nami waves.

"Good luck to all of you," Crocus nods.

In the next few minutes, we let the sails down, and then we are heading off towards a new island. The first island on the Grand Line for us. A new adventure is starting, and I know that it isn't going to be easy.

Laboon bursts out of the water with a happy cry as we leave him for now.

"Goodbye Laboon!" I shout. "We'll be back before you know it!"

Another happy cry from Laboon as he watches us go.

Not much time passes before we lose sight of Laboon, and then the weather takes a hard turn as snow begins to fall. Nami is quick to drag me into our room, so we can change into clothes that will actually keep us warm. Both of us in cute long plaid winter coats that match our hair, warm boots, and fluffy earmuffs. When we get back on deck, Luffy and Usopp look to be making snowmen, while Sanji is ordered to shovel snow off the deck.

"Take a look at this!" Luffy exclaims, motioning at his snowman that has a barrel on its head. "It is the man who fell from the sky, Mr. Snowman!"

Usopp chuckles, "That is too boring! Feast your eyes on my masterpiece of The Snow Queen!" He presents his snow sculpture of a girl that is clearly Kaya.

"That's wonderful, Usopp!" I call out.

"Thanks Akari!" He grins, waving at me.

"Snowman punch!" Luffy launches one of his snowman's arms right at Usopp's snow sculpture, taking the head right off.

"What are you doing to my art!?" Usopp slams his foot into Mr. Snowman.

I chuckle, "What goofs."

"How can they not wear more clothes in cold like this?" Nami says as she shivers uncontrollably. "How are you not affect at all?"

"Warm blooded?" I shrug, sheepishly grinning.

"Oh Nami!" Sanji lovingly calls out. "How long do you want me to shovel the deck, my love?"

"Until it stops snowing, Sanji," Nami grabs my arm and pulls me into the kitchen to warm up.

"Hey, does this ship have a heater?" Mr. 9 asks. Him and Ms. Wednesday are doing their best to stay warm by sitting at the table and holding a blanket close.

"I'm cold," Ms. Wednesday snaps.

"Shut your traps!" Nami screams. "You are not guest! Now get up, head out there, and start shoveling!"

A crack of thunder makes me jump and rush to look out a window. "That was thunder! This weather is crazy," I look back at Nami.

"Warm and sunny a minute ago, and then it changed to this," she shakes her head. "Crocus did say that the weather out here would defy all logic."

"Did you underestimate the Grand Line?" Mr. 9 sasses.

"Also, you've hardly laid a hand on the steering," Ms. Wednesday glares. "Do you think that is wise?"

"What are you talking about?" I turn around. "Could we be moving far off course?"

"I just checked our course," Nami scoffs. "But I'll look again," she holds her arm up to look at the log pose. "Augh!" She exclaims.

"What?" I rush over to her. "What's wrong?"

"What happened Nami!?" The boys shout.

"This is impossible," she breathes out, rushing to burst out of the door. "Turn the ship around! A full one-hundred and eighty degrees! Do it now!"

"Wait, why are we turning around?" I step out with Nami.

"Did you forget something?" Luffy asks, a large snowball in his hands.

"No! Somehow the ship got all turned around! We are going back the way we came right now! I didn't look at the log pose for a few minutes, and the sea was so calm, so I didn't think it would be that big of a deal!"

"This is an easy fix then," I try to comfort Nami.

"Seems like the sea is having its way with us," Mr. 9 taunts.

"Are you sure that you're a navigator?" Ms. Wednesday scoffs. "On the Grand Line, you can't trust a single thing. Not the wind, not the sky, not the waves. Not even the clouds. Everything is out to get you here. Everything is perilous. The only thing that you can trust is your log pose. Got that?"

"Stop acting like know-it-alls and start helping!" Nami kicks the two out the door.

"No longer need the winter stuff," I chuckle as I shed all my winter items, tossing them into the kitchen.

"Thankfully," Nami groans, tossing her winter clothing off. Then she rushes back out to give out directions. "We are going to take the wind from the starboard yard brace! Turn the ship one-hundred and eighty degrees to port! Usopp, watch astern! Sanji, take the whipstaff!"

"Leave it to me Nami!" Sanji lovingly shouts.

"Somethings wrong Nami," I feel the air change as the wind whips my hair into a different direction.

"Wait!" Nami looks at Usopp as he is making his way to his position.

"The wind changed!" I blurt out.

"No way," she looks at me with wide eyes.

"The first wind of spring has arrived," Mr. 9 and Ms. Wednesday happily sigh.

"Why!?"

"Zoro, wake up!" I call down to the swordsman. "We need your help!"

"Hey, I just saw some dolphins over there," Luffy smiles as he holds his hand above his eyes to block the sun. "Look!"

"Shut up!" Nami screams.

"Ah, the waves are getting bigger!" I grip the railing where we are standing tight.

"Iceberg at ten o'clock!" Usopp shouts.

"There's fog Nami!" Sanji calls out.

"What kind of mess up ocean is this?" Nami's eyes glaze over in horror.

"We scrapped the iceberg!" I watch as the ship can't dodge quick enough.

"We're taking on water below!" Luffy shouts.

"You have to stop the leak Usopp!" Nami yells as the boy rushes off with planks and a hammer. "The clouds are moving too fast!"

"Should we lower the sails!?" I look at Nami.

"No, the wind is too strong!"

"Eat and keep your strength up!" Sanji yells at the boys as he passes out rice wrapped in seaweed.

"Right!" Usopp and Luffy start stuffing their mouths.

"Don't eat all of it Luffy!" I shout at him.

"The sail's going to rip!" Nami cries.

"There's another leak in the bilge!" Luffy calls out.

"Damn it!" Usopp groans, rushing to plug another hole.

"Nami, what does the log pose say?" I lean into her, trying to read the device.

"We're on course again!" She cheers.

Then, like the storm we ran into didn't even begin, we are once more in calm waters. No snow, no rain, nothing to push us off course. Complete calm. Everyone falls down where they stand, totally worn out from what just happened.

Zoro groans, slowly waking up from the nap that he has been taking for a long time. He slowly stands up, not really taking in the state we are all in. A yawn even leaves his mouth. "Ah, one of the most peaceful naps that I have ever taken. Wait, what's going on with all of you? Shouldn't you all be up and working? Sure, it's a beautiful day, but we better be heading in the right direction."

"Zoro, I'm gonna slap you," I groan, pushing