Chapter 106: Shabondy archipelago
Dialogue "sample"
Thoughts 'sample'
Author notes -sample-
Disclaimer: One piece and all of its characters belong to Eiichiro Oda.
Chapter 106: Shabondy Archipelago
"This tea is amazing, Sanji!" Exclaimed Camie.
"We are finally back on route!" Said Luffy.
"Heading for Shabondy Archipelago." Said Camie with a smile.
"So, we need to go there in order to reach Fishman island?" Asked Usopp.
"Well, us fishmen and merfolk can just dive straight down there. But you humans would die just by the pressure alone." Explained Hacchi.
"Yeah…even our submarine could not go that far down." Said Franky.
"Alright, everyone. Pay attention" Pappag called as he got on top of the rails.
"Since you all seem to be very lacking in knowledge about this area of the Grand Line, allow me to illuminate you all!."
"First up, there are two ways to get through to the new world from here. But for outlaws like yourself, only one of those is viable."
"Why is that?" Asked Luffy.
"Why?, because the first way is to request a passage to the World Government! You can cross over the Red Line by going through the Holy Land, Mariejoa, which lies at the very summit." Said Pappag.
"Wait, how can they walk over the Red Line? what about the ship?" Asked Chopper.
"Well, you have to leave the ship behind. You can get a new one on the other side." Answered Pappag.
"Leave the ship behind?!" Shouted Franky in horror.
"It cost a fair bit of money, and the permit takes time. But is the safest route, so most people take that option." Explained Pappag.
"Leaving the ship behind would have never been an option for us. So, even if we weren't outlaws, we would still take the second route." Said Vivi.
"That's right!." Said Luffy.
"Well, the second route will allow you to take the ship with you. And it goes straight to Fishman Island."
"Yes!, that is the one we want!" Yelled Sanji with excitement.
"But is a very dangerous journey. Many people who have taken that route ended up getting eaten by some sea monsters or sea kings, ship included." Commented Camie casually.
"Ah…I don't think I want to go there anymore…" Said Chopper with a pale face.
"Me neither!" Added Usopp.
"But wait a minute Camie." Started Nami. "You said that sea monsters and sea kings ate the ship too? How is that possible? ships don go underwater."
"A the bottom of the Red Line there is a hole. It is located ten thousand meters right beneath Mariejoa. Going through that hole is the only way to reach Fishman Island. At least from this side." Said Pappag.
"Ten thousand meters?!. That is insane, even the submarine can't get close to that depth. How can this ship get there?" Asked Franky.
"That is the main reason that you need to visit the Shabondy Archipelago. You need to get a coating for your ship" Said Camie.
"A coating? what is that?" Asked Sanji
"You will see for yourself soon enough…we have arrived!" Exclaimed Pappag.
The crew turned to witness the Shabondy Archipelago.
"Whoa!" Said Luffy.
"It's so pretty!" Shouted Vivi.
"There is stuff floating around." Said Sanji.
"How lovely!" Said Nami.
"What the heck?!" Said Usopp.
"A true wonder." Said Robin.
Instead of one island, the place seems to be composed of many gigantic trees connected to each other. There were many buildings constructed at the base of the trees and bubble domes at the top of the trees.
"Welcome to the Shabondy Archipelago!" Yelled Camie.
"What are those bubbles?" Asked Sanji.
"Soap bubbles?" Asked Chopper.
"Those bubbles are floating endlessly around the island. What's up with that?" Wondered Usopp.
"And who is blowing them?" Asked Luffy.
"Those bubbles come from the island itself." Said Camie.
"That's not much of an answer!" Complained Usopp.
"How does it work?" Asked Luffy.
"I'm sorry to interrupt." Said Robin. "But, will the log pose be okay?"
"That right!" Shouted Nami in realization. "Now is pointing towards Fishman Island, but won't it change its course if we go to Shabondy?"
"You don't have to worry about that." Said Hacchi. "This place is just a huge growth of trees, it doesn't have a magnetic pull."
"That huge thing is not even an island?!" Exclaimed Sanji.
"Do you know a species of three called mangrove?" Asked Hacchi.
"The one which grows its roots in the ocean and they sink and emerge with the tides?" Answered Sanji.
"Well, these ones never sink under the water. The Shabondy Archipelago is a forest composed of the world's biggest mangroves. The Yakuriman Mangrove!" Said Hacchi.
"There are a total of 79 trees, and in every single one of them, people have built towns or other constructions. Those 79 islands are what is known as the Shabondy Archipelago. And is the place where outlaws come if they want to access the new world." Added Pappag.
"The closest grove is number 44 and is the civilian entrance." Explained Hacchi.
"So, let's take the ship a bit further in" Suggested Nami.
As they got closer, they could really appreciate the magnitude of those treed.
"They are truly huge!" Said Usopp.
"What's with the painted strips on them?" Wondered Vivi.
"They look like candy!" Exclaimed Luffy.
"Let's drop the anchor at the dock of mangrove 44. Don't forget the number guys!" Said Nami.
"I think she said that for you, Zoro." Teased Vivi.
"Tsk, like I would get lost in a tree," Said the swordsman.
"No one should forget the number." Said Pappag. "The islands are all linked together by bridges. As long as you don't forget the number of the grove, you will never get lost."
"Don't take it as a challenge, Moss head." Said Sanji.
"Shut up! you damn cook!" Shouted Zoro.
"Wow, a bubble just came out of the ground!" Said Luffy with fascination.
"How does that work?" Wondered Robin.
Luffy jumped on top of the bubble. "Wow!, you can even stand on it!"
"That's so cool!" Said Chopper.
"Captain, don't go flying around on that thing!. You will end up getting in trouble and…why do I bother anymore?…" Vivi sighed and a second later Luffy was jumping around on the bubbles until he disappeared in the distance.