The conversations with Tashigi's family ended in a deadlock; her grandmother agreed to let Tashigi, whose real name is Lia (something never mentioned in the anime), join the crew - yes, Lia was her name, but she didn't want to leave her home.
She couldn't leave her house despite all the insistence; both her garden and her countryside home were irreplaceable. Her husband built it the moment he married her; that house was her entire life. In rough times and sadness, she would never leave the last memories she had of her beloved husband.
Therefore, an agreement was reached: to transport her house and garden to the Gecko Islands. It sounds impossible, but it was the only peaceful solution. Interestingly, she agreed, accepting to go if they managed to take her house to another island with the garden included.
Now, getting a boat that could move an entire house was not a casual affair; it would need to be at least 50 meters long. How easy or feasible it would be to move the house was something unknown until now. Axel's small boat wouldn't move an entire house.
-So, the next crew member gave you such tough conditions to join the crew. And now, you need ideas to move an entire house, - Kuro said.
-That's right, - Axel replied.
-Is it worth it? Does this woman have the skills to carry out such an operation? - Kuro asked.
-She's worth it. In terms of potential, she's among the best in this sea, - Axel said.
-Very well. My possible solution is to steal a marine ship or a pirate ship large enough to perform this task. Or you could turn the house into a boat. The size and proportions aren't so extensive that it's not a crazy idea. The cost would be around five million berries, - Kuro suggested, sipping wine.
-Turning the house into a boat is an amazing idea. But we would need a backup boat. And we don't have five million for such transactions, - Axel said.
-Alright, our next move is to hunt some pirates on the island. I've seen three groups with a reward of two million berries and some other criminals, - Kuro said.
-Alright, lead the way. You should settle in; you can't be recognized. Those glasses are revealing. Better use the contact lens and hat we bought at the market, - Axel ordered Kuro impatiently. Everything would go downhill if it was known that this was the Kuro of the 100 plans.
And so, the task of hunting pirates began. The first were the Yohu Pirates, led by Captain Yohu, with a bounty of three million berries. The next were the Dog Pirates, with a reward of two million berries and one million berries, respectively. On the fourth day, they found the Cozde Pirates, with a reward of four million berries - enough to build the house into a boat and something more.
Three boat companies from Logue Town gathered enough to make the boat house float. Plastic wheels and floaters were installed for the journey, along with the boat structure. For mobility, this transaction cost eight million berries, exceeding the initial estimate of four million, but it was worth it for the beauty of the boat.
-Another pirate to hand over. I didn't expect you to have the guts to capture four pirates at the doors of my marine base, all with a reward of more than three million berries. It's good money you have, but this is the last I receive this month, - Smoker said.
-It's good for me. I came to help someone; this cash is used as change in case there are any inconveniences, - Axel said.
-What have you thought about joining the Marines? They need strong fighters, - Smoker suggested.
-I refuse. I have people waiting for me; I can't abandon them. The Marines would force me to follow orders and limit my travels to my hometown. I hope to help my friend's village, as well as the people I've met at sea, - Axel said.
-Very well, be careful, and don't get too clever. I'll be the first to arrive with any inconvenience that may occur, - warned Smoker, the future vice-admiral of the Marines.
I hope that never happens. Remember what I said. Musu and Busu are innocent and framed by Marines who didn't want to pay the reward, - Axel said.
Smoker remained silent, just as he did when he heard the dirty side of the Marines. His eyes were more hesitant than before, but the rebellion continued.
-Just turn them into Marines; I'm sure they'll cry and thank you. You'll have two loyal people. Captain, two sergeants would be good for the Marine branch, - Axel suggested.
As he left with the reward of 4.5 million berries, it's not so bad to have extra credit. In his pockets.
-Shut up and go, I'm not in the mood right now, - said Smoker, who dismissed Axel. Axel closed the door and left the room.
Axel was hesitant.
Yesterday, Ace's wanted poster arrived, according to sources. He ate the Logia-type Earth-Earth Devil Fruit, not mine. With a bounty of 30 million berries, he set sail from the East Blue and found himself in the Grand Line. This caused a feeling of helplessness, the ticket for protection against Tequila Wolf. It's an unfair environment, but every time I see the test of being part of the liberation of the Tequila Wolf country getting further away.
Kuro's investigation was quite extensive.
The black market in Loguetown has no idea about the revolutionary army; their steps are silent and give no answers. Kuro told Axel aloud that such a secret and isolated group was difficult to find due to the government's control against the revolution.
The task is simple: prepare the ship, and embark on a direct journey to the Gecko Islands.
-Well, Tashigi, it's time to leave the island, as promised. I built a ship that could carry your grandmother's house and garden, - said Axel.
-Is it so important... to build a ship, run all over the city chasing pirates, write navigation charts to sell in stores, and fish sea kings to gain favors? - questioned Lia.
-Lia, from the moment I crossed swords with you, my intention was reflected in this inspiration, this feeling that you are a magnificent person, wanting to invite you to my crew, anything to have you as a nakama. Being a swordsman on my ship is secondary. I know you will achieve great things, - Axel said again.
-I still don't understand, - said Lia, grumbling, thinking about all the things Axel did for her.
-Well, everything is ready at the port, - Axel said to Lia.
-How did your grandmother take it? - asked Axel.
-She took it better than me; she keeps saying that a man who does what he has to do for his woman is worthy of admiration, - Lia said with red ears, something Axel only saw because she turned her back before saying it.
-That's good, - said Axel.
-I hope you don't regret it when I don't meet your expectations, - said Tashigi.
-I'll never regret it, -- Axel said seriously. -- You're ready to go, Grandma Shoki; we have everything prepared at the port. The weather is wonderful, and the route is mapped out. -
-Let's go, dear son-in-law, take me to my new rich home, - said Shoki, the cheerful grandma.
-I hope everything is okay, - said Tashigi.
The journey was joyful; the grandmother sang the Binks' Sake, a song she had forgotten, but in doing so, she remembered how inspiring the song was. Suddenly, only Axel sang at the top of his lungs as they sailed on the houseboat.
Being amazed by such a song is normal; Axel realized they were missing a musician in the crew.
A musician who can write songs and uplift people with their exceptional musical talents.
The magnificence of Binks' Sake.
…Principio,
...
yoohoo, yoohoo
yoohoo, yoohoo
yoohoo, yoohoo
yoohoo, yoohoo
binkusu no sake wo todoke ni yuku yo
umikaze kimakase namimakase
shio no mukou de yuuhi mo sawagu
sora nya wa wo kaku tori no uta
sayonara minato tsumugi no sato yo
don to icchou utao funade no uta
kinpa-ginpa mo shibuki ni kaete
oretaccha yuku zo umi no kagiri
binkusu no sake wo todoke ni yuku yo
warera kaizoku umi watteku
nami wo makura ni negura wa fune yo
ho ni hata ni ketateru wa dokuro
Arashi ga kita zo senri no sora ni
nami ga odoru yo doramu narase
okubyoukaze ni fukarerya saigo
ASU no Masashi ga nai ja nashi
...
It's quite a spectacle; even Lia sang the song along with Shoki and Axel, while Kuro remained in a corner, completely serious. The small group sang the song ten, no, twenty times repeatedly. Perhaps the most joyful and sad song ever sung since arriving in the world of One Piece.
The rounds lasted long enough not to exhaust Axel's immense energy until well into the night. Fortunately, the seagulls signaled the proximity of the island. Any self-respecting navigator knows that such a short journey is a sign of good luck. The sea is never as smooth as those who traverse it. But sometimes, journeys are calm, and one can only be grateful to Davy Jones.
When they carried the boat up the ramp into the village of Syrup and parked the grandmother's rolling house near the tavern under construction that the crew invested in, the system rang.
…
Ding
Link status.
You have recruited Lia Tashigi to your crew, and you have received a gold chest.
You have changed the timeline; you saved the Busu and Musu pirates, along with Grandma Tashigi, robbing a future vice-admiral from the Marines. You have received a gold chest.
You have gained 120 experience points.
...
I think it's in order. So far, I have a bronze chest, two gold chests, two metal chests, one bright steel chest, and three wooden chests, Axel thought.
...
He has turned the bronze chest into pieces; he has acquired 5 pieces. He has a total of 17 chest pieces; he has turned three wooden chests into pieces; he has acquired three chest pieces. He has a total of 20 chest pieces.
He has opened two gold chests.
You have obtained a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, coordinate-coordinate. Turns people into coordinate men. This Devil Fruit creates invisible points that the user can mark to travel along an axis visible to the person.
You have obtained the Tori-Tori Devil Fruit: Archaeopteryx Model. Ancient Zoan, bird model. The animal that competes with dinosaurs, is a very fast and strong animal with a tail that allows it to maneuver perfectly in the air.
He has opened the bright steel chest. You have obtained a resistance card.
…
-WOW! These are too many rewards. I have four Devil Fruits, and with just these four, it's more than enough. Only the best can say they are so lucky with the number of Devil Fruits, - Axel thought.
….
Final Crew, Level 2.
Lia Tashigi: Swordswoman
Physical: 170
Mind: 150
Abilities: Soul of Kendo* - People who live the way of the sword, their sword skills progress twice as fast at the cost of progressing two times slower in other tasks.
...
Hmm, my status is on the verge of evolving. I have the feeling that, in the thousands of unit positions, leveling up will have complexities I didn't have before.
Axel
Level 3
Experience Points: 280/400
Physical: 985
Mind: 847
Luck: 20
Advanced Archaeologist
Intermediate Low Navigation
Swordsman: Intermediate, 21%
Water Breathing
Forms 1. Surface Water Cut 2. Water Wheel 3. Dance of the Currents
Marine Style: Soru
Resistance to Poison
A 40-point strength card + 100-point resistance card.
..
-What do you think? - Axel said to Grandma Shoki.
-It's acceptable; I hope they let me sleep with so much construction. Go ahead, be a good boy. And fill my pantry, - Grandma said.
-Of course, Grandma. We'll buy food for a month. I'll take care of that, - Axel said.
-Well, young man, - rarararararar laughed Shoki.
-Good, you can make a list so you won't run out of necessities, - Axel said.
Grandma Shoki grabbed Axel's arm, who was about to leave, and pointed to Tashigi, who was talking to three little kids, friends of Axel and Usopp.
-I hope you take care of little Lia; she's a very sweet young girl. It would hurt me to see a change in her, - said Shoki.
-We will, Grandma, although the sea is very dangerous. I'll take care of her the best I can, - Axel said seriously.
-That's grand, very grand. I hope to live long enough to see the changes you bring to this era, young man, - Shoki said with a big smile.
....
put the song on youtube, if you haven't heard it, it's a work of art.
patreon.com/vin_modeus12