Sail back

And thus, they started their journey. Both of their ships sailed close to each other for days, but then, as they sailed for some time, Ken received a call. A call that surprised Ken to the fullest.

"Yo, Master Ken, how have you been?" spoke a loud and deep voice on the other side of the Den Den Mushi. This was a long-distance Den Den Mushi, and Ken hadn't been receiving or calling from here for a very long time.

Now, hearing the voice again made him feel a bit nostalgic.

"Zeff-san, how have you been? Is this a cry for help call?" Ken asked. Yes, it was the Iron Legged Zeff, the mentor of Sanji and also the one whom Ken asked to hide until they could get rid of Sanji's father and his emotionless children.

"Kid, don't get cocky on me now. When I was your age, I used to raise terror in the seas. Just because you fought in the war doesn't make you some kind of great pirate."

"Hahahah... I know... I know..." Ken apologized.

"Your apology doesn't have any feelings, kid." Zeff complained. Of course, Sanji didn't know of the call, and Ken was alone when the call came.

"Hahahah... Sorry." Ken replied.

"The reason I called you is not that some old psychos are coming after me. There have been some weird cases in East Blue, and from what I have heard, it might be related to your seas," Zeff said.

"Eh! East Blue? What happened?" Ken asked as he was confused.

"There have been riots in some of the islands. Two islands where people lived were decimated," Zeff said. This made the calm Ken sit up straight. His first thought was that the Government had used the Mother Flame. He felt anger rising in his veins as Zeff passed on the information.

"What killed them?" Ken asked.

"I don't know much, kid, and honestly, from what I heard, I could hardly believe it. But those who came out alive said that a few huge landmasses appeared above them, and from those islands, ferocious and weird animals came down like rain. These animals then proceeded to kill and wreak havoc on the two islands. Honestly speaking, I don't believe them, but there were many unexplainable things in the Grand Line, so I hope you know something about this," Zeff spoke in one breath, and Ken could feel the concern in his voice as he said that.

Ken had various question marks popping above his head as Zeff said that. His brain wasn't able to understand what Zeff meant by floating landmasses and huge animals. He was already thinking that the Government, for some reason, used the Mother Flame, as the people around the world were slowly standing up against the governments, especially the ones who weren't under their rule.

But this way of warfare wasn't something the Government should use. At first, Ken thought it might be a repeat of God Valley, but it didn't make sense with the animals. Did they employ animals for some fun? Ken was confused as he came out of the ship to discuss what was going on.

Ken relayed what he had heard, and upon hearing the news, everyone was a bit shaken up.

When Luffy heard that some thing had happened to East Blue, he was ready to pack and just and so did the others who were from East Blue. The other Straw Hats were onboard with it. 

Of course, the Heart Pirates weren't very happy and refused to tag along. 

"You can go ahead to Wano along with the Minks. We will reach there soon." Ken said. Law wanted to curse but being with Straw Hats he could see that these people had some screw loose so it was better to be away for sometime and make a base there. He wasn't yet delusional to think that he and his crew were more powerful than the Straw Hats so he could only play the cards he had at the moment. 

The ship slowly floated up and flew away to the horizon. To East Blue via the Twin Capes. Brook was emotional as he felt he would be seeing Laboon again, after so many years. The return journey was bittersweet as they would have to go through the Fishman Island once again before coming out in the other side. 

The journey would be a long one. But Ken wasn't thinking straight. He felt like he had missed something and couldn't put a finger on what was it. Ken's silence actually made everyone a bit perplexed. 

They had relied on Ken so much that they didn't even realize how deep they were and this limbo. The journey was faster as they sailed and soon reach the Fishman Island. They didn't need the coating this time as Jinbe was there and being the God of Seas, he created a huge bubble around thus protecting the ship from the water pressure. Before he was very new to the powers but now he could do it with ease. 

After reaching the Fishman Island, they back peddled back to Sabody. It took them a few days to reach the Twin Capes, and it was there where Brook got to meet Laboon again. Laboon didn't take a second to recognize Brook and they both hugged each other. 

Well hugging would be the wrong word here and Laboon kind of torpedoed Brook, but Brook was more powerful this time so it didn't hurt him at all. This was of course done in the name of fun and banter so it didn't hurt anyone. 

"You have raised quite the hue and cry on the seas." Crocus said as he was really surprised when he got to know that Brook was alive and though he didn't see the live view of what went down in Marineford, he did get the news. Knowing what happened and how far the Straw Hats went gave him a huge smile. 

"But we haven't conquered them at all. Our home is in danger." Ken replied as everyone else sat beside Crocus. Chopper was very much interested to talk with Crocus. 

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