Chapter 53: Finally The Grand Line

(Roberts: POV)

Leaning against the railing on the left side of the Black Pearl I stared out at the ocean waves.

My mind thinking back to the conversation I just had with Hatchan a short while ago.

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[Mini Flashback]

Standing on the deck of the Black Pearl I leaned against the railing on the left side of the ship.

Hatchan standing next to me, looking at me with a weary and curious expression on his face.

He decided to remain aboard the Black Pearl while his remaining crewmates helped mine transfer any treasure and valuables from their ship over to ours, and clean up the dead bodies of Arlong and the other fish-men my crew and I killed.

Seeing that Hatchan was not going to stop staring at me anytime soon I turned to face him head on and resolve the situation myself.

"So, is there a reason you are staring at me so intently?" I asked Hatchan. "Because if I didn't know any better I'd say you have a thing for me. Well if you do sorry to say but I am straight than an arrow and already have a beautiful girlfriend who I love very much."

"What?!" Hatchan shouted in utter shock.

"Hey, I'm not one to judge. People are allowed to love who they love. I'm sure you'll find a man who you want to spend the rest of your life with some day, no matter their species." I spoke.

"No! It's...it's not like that. I like woman!" Hatchan shouted. "Women with big breasts!" He proclaimed.

'Ah, I see Hatchan is a man of culture as well.' I thought. Well a fish-man of culture, but the point still stands.

"Sure, sure, whatever you say." I mused. Grinning as I did so.

"It's the truth!" Hatchan shouted once more.

"Ok, yeah sure." I retorted. I then put a serious expression on my face. "But all jokes aside you look like you want to ask me something so go ahead and ask it."

At my words and seeing I was now completely serious Hatchan got serious as well. "It's...well it's about what you said earlier. About the Sun Pirates. You know about them?"

"I do." I replied.

"How?" Hatchan asked me.

"I have my ways." I cryptically replied. "Let's just leave it at that."

"Ok." Hatchan replied. Since he probably knows I won't say anymore than that in when it comes to my knowledge. "So, exactly how much do you know about the Sun Pirates?"

"Not much." I said. Which of course is a complete lie, but I can't very well tell Hatchan that. "Though I know enough. I know a lot of the Sun Pirates were or are former slaves, including the former captain Fisher-Tiger. I also know that despite being a crew made up entirely of fish-men and former slaves the Sun Pirates didn't terrorize humans even though a lot of them had every reason to do so. From the information I have your former crew only attacked humans who attacked them, like the marines. They didn't actively seek blood-shed. That's why I called Arlong a disgrace earlier. Since as a former member of the Sun Pirates his actions were disgracing all they stood for."

"Yes, they were." Hatchan said. His head lowered in shame as he did so.

Seeing this I nodded. "Good, so long as you understand and don't repeat the same mistakes as your now deceased crewmates made there is hope for you yet." I spoke.

Knowing full well how he turns out in the future thanks to my foreknowledge.

But again I am not going to say anything about.

Hatchan looked at me after I finished speaking. A surprised expression on his face. "You, you really think there is hope for me?"

"I do." I said. "I know we only just met but I can tell unlike Arlong and the others my crew and I killed you don't have any racist thoughts. You are simply a guy who got swept along with your friends and made a mistake. It happens to everyone. But what sets some people apart from others is whether they can learn from their mistakes or not, and from the way you are acting right now it already looks like you are learning from the error of your ways. That's good. Keep it up and work to become a better person. And maybe one day we can call each other friends."

Hatchan didn't reply to my words and simply stared at me. He did so for several seconds before a cramped smile appeared on his face. "Friends. Yes, I would like that very much." He said.

"Me too." I said. "By the way I never got your name. Mine is Soren D. Roberts. And you are?" I spoke. Despite already knowing the answer to my own question.

"Hatchan." Hatchan replied.

"Well, nice to meet you then Hatchan." I said.

The two of us then shook hands.

Taking the first step in forming our friendship in my opinion.

[Mini Flashback: End]

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Before we departed with Hatchan and his remaining crewmates he told me he was heading back to his homeland.

Fish-Man Island.

Where he even hinted he would rejoin the Sun Pirates.

Good for him.

I hope he makes it, and I truly can't wait to see him again. Since I really do what to become friends with him.

Plus being friends with Hatchan will allow me to become ally with the Sun Pirates and by extension Jinbe.

One my top five favorite characters in all of one Piece.

The other four are as follows.

The Nika-Man Luffy.

God Usopp.

Law, who is currently a member of my crew.

Finally Brook.

But those are just my favorite male characters from One Piece. I also have another list which include my top waifu and women I would sleep with if given the chance.

First is Nico Robin. Who I am going to bed anytime now.

Coming in second is Boa Hancock.

Third is Monet. Despite her being a sadist who is loyal to Doflamingo I wouldn't mind tapping that harpy ass if I had the opportunity to do so.

Fourth is Yamato.

Then coming it at number five is Charlotte Smoothie. I wouldn't mind being crushed to death if it was by her lovely and super thicc thighs.

As I continued thinking I suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap around me and some soft round mounds being pushed into my back. I knew immediately it was Alfia.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked.

"The fish-men we just met, some hot women I want to bed, and about the fact we're about the enter the Grand Line." I replied.

"I see. So nothing too important." Alifa spoke.

"Yep. Nothing too important." I replied.

The two of us fell into a comfortable silence after that. Just standing there holding each other.

Until eventually we broke apart as Reverse Mountain came into our line of sight.

Once it did so the entire crew assembled on deck and we secured our safety ropes to our waists and then secured the Black Pearl.

As soon as it was done I moved to stand at the front of the ship.

Having placed a captain's coat on my shoulders that I bought in Loguetown.

After all, no one can be a true pirate captain in the world of One Piece without a badass captain's coat.

As my coat fluttered in the wind I turned to face my crew. A smile on my face. "Alright gang, here we are. The entrance that will take us to the place where we will have the greatest adventures of our entire lives. Danger, exploration, treasure, and so much more is all waiting for us. So I simply have one question. Are you all ready?"

"Yes!" My entire crew shouted in excitement.

Even Robin.

"Alright then. Let's go!" I shouted. I then turned back around and pointed to the entrance to Reverse Mountain with my right hand. "Full speed ahead!"

The moment after I gave the order the Black Pearl started sailing full speed ahead and entered Reverse Mountain.

Then just like before we road up to the very top and our ship was thrown above the clouds.

But instead of Law using his powers to change our direction this time around we simply went with the flow.

Our ship descended and hit the current directly in front of us. As the Black Pearl raced down the descending stream at a rapid pace I smiled like an idiot.

I kept smiling until the Black Pearl reached the bottom of the current and shot out into the sea.

But not just any sea.

The Grand Line.

My crew and I are finally here.

Now our journey to the top truly begins.