Arabasta

The Cloud Chaser hummed with power as it soared high above the calm waters of The Calm Belt, its Adam wood frame cutting through the winds like a blade. The path to the Calm Belt was dangerous, but we had an edge no other ship could boast: we could fly over it.

I stood at the bow, gripping my newly customized FN FNC automatic rifle. I rested my crossbow in the armory. He had served me well for so long, but now I had replaced him with something far more destructive. With trick bullets crafted from Duranium casings, this rifle could unleash everything from precision shots to explosive chaos.

Nojiko stood in the navigation room, her sharp eyes locked on the horizon. She quickly took to her role as navigator, reading the non-existent wind and shifting skies calmly.

"Calm Belt has a lot of large sea kings," she said, her voice cutting through the sound of the engines. "We need to ascend higher or risk getting destroyed by them."

"Engines to full power!" I shouted, turning to the crew. "Belle, watch the flanks! Sham, be ready for any Sea Kings!"

Bellemere soared alongside the ship in her hybrid Zoan form, her massive wings stabilizing our course. Sham darted between the rigging with her usual elegance; her movements looked almost effortless.

Carrot leaned over the railing as the ship climbed, her ears twitching excitedly. "This is insane! We're flying over the Calm Belt!"

Kaya stood near the map table, frowning. "It's incredible, but the Grand Line is on the other side. We need to be ready for anything."

Reiju adjusted her gloves and stood. "The Grand Line has unpredictable wind, but our destination is the Calm Belt. Let's focus on reaching our first destination intact."

The Cloud Chaser pushed higher, the air battering against Adam Wood's frame. Nojiko's hands tightened on the wheel as she navigated the Chaser. The rest of the crew held their positions, bracing against Sea Kings.

"Hold steady!" I called out, gripping the railing as the ship lurched upward.

Wyna stood at the bow with her unshaken, calm demeanor.

We reached a higher altitude, the serene waters below giving way to the vast expanse of the Grand Line on the horizon. The skies ahead were a patchwork of shifting weather patterns, but our destination wasn't there yet. We cruised through the calm belt until I saw the faint outline of Pirolyth Island—our destination—looming in the distance, its volcanic peaks spewing smoke.

"We made it," Nojiko said, her voice steady but with a hint of relief.

"For now," I said, glancing at the horizon.

As we neared Pirolyth Island, the air grew hotter and heavier, the scent of sulfur filling our lungs. The island's jagged peaks and rivers of molten lava painted a picture of danger and opportunity. According to one of the writings in my journal, I could find the rare Aquaferrum metal deep within the volcanic caves.

Nojiko guided the ship toward a stable landing point on the island's edge. "There was a wind here; it is strange to have a wind in a windless zone," she said. "Anyway, we'll need to proceed on foot to avoid damaging the ship."

Bellemere landed on the deck, shifting back into her human form as her wings folded behind her. "I'll scout ahead. This place is crawling with danger—I can feel it."

Carmen stretched, flames sparking from her fingertips. "I'll handle the heat. Just point me toward anything that needs to burn."

"No one's rushing ahead," I said firmly. "We stick together, and we're in and out as fast as possible. Our goal is the Aquaferrum deposits. Anything else is secondary."

The crew nodded, their resolve clear.

The terrain was as unforgiving as we'd expected. Rivers of lava cut through the rocky landscape, and we used Geppo to cross the river; those who couldn't were carried by those who could. Bellemere and Carmen fly with their devil fruit powers. The air shimmered with heat, and every step felt heavier as we moved deeper into the island.

Nojiko led the way, her plant-based Mori Mori no Mi abilities proving invaluable as she summoned vines and roots to stabilize the terrain. "Watch your step," she said, glancing back at us. "One wrong move, and you're toast—literally."

Carmen followed closely, her flames dancing in her shoulders and feet as she flew above us. "If anyone falls in, I'll make sure they're extra crispy."

"Not funny," Sham muttered, her claws glinting as she scanned the surroundings for threats.

The closer we got to the volcanic caves, the more oppressive the heat became. Kaya handed out cooling salves she had prepared, and Carrot's energetic movements began to slow as the heat took its toll.

"This place is insane," Carrot said, wiping sweat from her brow. "If we wanted to coat the ship, why didn't we do it with the dura-dura?"

"Duranium," I said. "Duranium and Aquaferrum have different properties; duranium is hard but rigid, not good for coating the hull, while Aquaferrum can absorb vibrations and is good for the Grand Line weather.."

Aerwyna, calm as ever, unsheathed one of her swords, Kagegiri Kitetsu. "Be ready for whatever's guarding this place."

When we finally reached the volcanic caves, the sight before us was awe-inspiring and terrifying. Glistening veins of silver lined the cavern's walls, the rare metal shimmering like liquid silver. But the heat was intense, and the ground beneath us trembled with the island's restless energy.

"There it is," I said, my voice filled with awe. "The Aquaferrum."

Bellemere cracked her knuckles. "Let's grab what we need and get out of here."

As the crew began mining the metal, I kept my rifle ready and my observation haki scanning for threats. This area was near the Grand Line, and it had a way of throwing surprises at us, and I wasn't about to let my guard down.

Sure enough, the ground shook violently, and a roar echoed through the cavern. A massive creature—part lava, part stone—emerged from the molten depths, its glowing eyes fixed on us.

"Of course," I muttered, raising my rifle. "It's never easy."

The crew sprang into action, their combined strength and abilities turning the chaotic scene into a symphony of fire, steel, and strategy. We trained for monsters like this.

***

The cavern grew quiet, save for the occasional crackle of cooling magma. The massive lava creature we had faced now lay in pieces, its molten form hardening into solid rock. Though covered in sweat and soot, the crew stood victorious, with victory streaks marking our faces.

The cavern's walls glimmered with veins of Aquaferrum, the rare metal that had brought us to this treacherous place. It shimmered like liquid starlight, catching every flicker of the lava's glow. This silvery vein was what we came for—what we'd risked everything to find.

"Is it dead?" Carrot asked, poking the solidified remains of the creature with a wooden stick she found along the way.

"If it's not, it's taking a very long nap," Bellemere said, her hybrid Zoan form still half-active as she folded her bat-like wings.

"Less talking, more mining," Nojiko said, summoning vines from her Mori Mori no Mi to help stabilize the rocky walls. "This place could collapse at any moment."

Carmen smirked, flicking a small flame off her fingers. "And whose fault would that be if it does?"

"Yours, probably," Sham quipped, rolling her eyes as she worked on chiseling out a chunk of the Aquaferrum.

"Focus!" I shouted, my hands steadying the portable mining equipment Wolf had outfitted us with. "We don't have much time and need as much of this stuff as we can carry."

The crew worked tirelessly, each of us contributing to the effort. Nojiko's plants held the cavern steady, preventing collapses, while Carrot and Aerwyna used brute strength to extract the metal. Kaya monitored everyone's condition, handing out water and cooling salves when the heat became unbearable.

Bellemere took to the skies within the cavern, using her wings to scout the upper sections for more deposits. Her keen eyes spotted rich veins high on the walls, and she directed Sham and Carmen to them.

As the Aquaferrum piled up, I couldn't help but marvel at its beauty and potential. "This metal is going to make the Cloud Chaser unstoppable," I said, wiping sweat from my brow. "Reinforced plating, enhanced weaponry, even better turbines—this is the key to surviving the Grand Line."

Reiju, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "Let's just hope we can finish before this island decides to erupt again."

After hours of grueling work, we finally hauled the last of the Aquaferrum onto the Cloud Chaser. The ship's reinforced cargo hold groaned under the weight, but thanks to Wolf's design, it held steady.

The journey back to the airship had been tense, and the ground trembled beneath our feet as if the island was angry at our intrusion. But we had made it.

"Everyone, take five," I said as we secured the cargo. "We've earned it."

Kaya handed out rations while Carrot flopped onto the deck, panting. "That was the hardest thing I've ever done."

"And the hottest," Sham muttered, wiping soot off her face.

"It's not over yet," Aerwyna said, her steady voice as always. "We still have to coat the ship."

Back on the Cloud Chaser, the real work began. Wolf had designed a unique coating process to integrate the Aquaferrum into the ship's structure, reinforcing the hull, masts, and engines.

The crew worked in shifts, carefully melting the Aquaferrum and layering it onto the ship's frame. The molten metal bonded seamlessly with the Adam Wood, creating a finish with otherworldly brilliance.

"This is incredible," Kaya said, running her hand over the newly coated hull. "It's so smooth, but you can feel its vibration."

"It practically absorbed vibration," I said. "This ship won't just survive the Grand Line—it'll dominate it."

The process took days, with everyone pitching in. Carmen used her flames to keep the metal at the perfect temperature while Nojiko's vines held pieces in place for precision work. Bellemere and Aerwyna handled the heavier lifting, and their strength proved invaluable.

When the coating was complete, we stood back to admire our work. The Cloud Chaser gleamed like a star, its reinforced frame radiating power and resilience. The Aquaferrum gave it an almost ethereal glow as if it was alive and ready to conquer the skies.

"This is it," I said with my pride-filled voice. "This ship will take us to the Grand Line and beyond."

The crew cheered, their voices echoing across the rocky surface. Each of them had contributed to this moment, and now we were ready for whatever the Grand Line had to throw at us.

***

As the Cloud Chaser floated steadily in The Grand Line, the crew gathered in the strategy room, a spacious area near the ship's center outfitted with maps, charts, and navigation tools. The Log Pose rested on the table, its needle unwaveringly pointing toward a vast desert kingdom.

The air was thick with anticipation. The desert kingdom wasn't just another stop—it was the beginning of our journey into the true chaos of the Grand Line.

I stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, my gaze sweeping over the crew. "Alright, everyone. Before we land, I need all of you to know what we're walking into. Our log pose pointed toward Arabasta. It is not just some random island. All of you have to contribute. What do you know about it? Any details could help."

I knew what we had in Arabasta, but it would be suspicious if I just spewed Arasbasta's facts to them out of the blue.

Kaya cleared her throat, her voice measured and calm. "Arabasta is a desert kingdom ruled by Queen Regent Nevertari Titi. It's been in turmoil for years because of a drought. This continuous drought divided the people—many blame the queen, and there's talk of rebellion."

Wait, a queen? Another butterfly effect? Hmm, that was a welcome surprise.

Reiju nodded, her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. "The drought isn't natural, though. Somebody created it. Whoever does that wants to manipulate the rebels and the royal family to destabilize the kingdom."

The room went silent, and all eyes turned to her.

"How do you know that?" Nojiko asked, her tone sharp.

Reiju smirked. "Let's just say I was very particular with chemical substances, and this air," she deliberately sniffed the air, "reeks of dance powder."

Sham sat straight. " I think I've met some guy from the Grand Line who tried to recruit me before. He said their base was somewhere in the desert kingdom. He was organized and ruthless and didn't leave loose ends."

I tapped the table, my mind racing. I tried to spin a tale about how I knew about Baroque Works: " They tried to recruit me as well. They called their organization Baroque Works. Rumor has it a warlord was behind them. A warlord named Sir Crocodile. They're the kind of enemy you don't take lightly."

"They're also the kind of enemy we don't need to fight," Sham interjected, her tone dry. "Why not steer clear and move on?"

"That's not an option," I said firmly. "Our Log Pose points here. And if Baroque Works is causing chaos, we're already part of it, whether we like it or not. Besides, we've been getting stronger recently, so let's test our ability with a warlord."

Carmen leaned back in her chair, her fingers drumming on the table. "Arabasta. What would be the taste of the spices from a hot desert kingdom."

"Great," Bellemere muttered, rolling her eyes. "We'll defeat a warlord for desert spices."

"Maybe you should learn to cook to understand that," Carmen said, smirking.

"Enough," I said, cutting off the banter. "Focus."

Reiju stepped forward, her expression serious. "If we're going to Arabasta, you must understand what you're dealing with. And if Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords, is the leader of Baroque Works. He's been operating in the shadows for years because my family didn't know that; it took a lot of subtlety to hide from my family's information network."

Kaya frowned. "Why would a Warlord destabilize a kingdom? What's in it for him?"

"It's not about money, I think," I said. "I supposed Croc was after something specific. I don't know the details, but whatever it is, it's worth destroying an entire country for."

The weight of my words settled over the room like a heavy blanket.

"So what do we do?" Nojiko asked, her voice calm but firm.

"We stay under the radar," I said. "Gather information, discover what's happening, and decide our next move. Arabasta Isn't just a pit stop—it's a test. And I don't plan on failing."

As the Cloud Chaser neared Nanohana, the heat became oppressive. The desert stretched endlessly below us, golden dunes rippling under the harsh sunlight. Smoke rose from the distance—signs of unrest or perhaps another skirmish in the ongoing rebellion.

"We're close," Nojiko said from the helm. "The port city should be just ahead."

I nodded, turning to the crew. "Remember, we're here to observe first. No heroics, no drawing attention. Arabasta is a volatile place, and we're walking into a warzone."

"That's never stopped us before," Carrot chirped, earning a few chuckles from the crew.

"Just stick to the plan," I said, smirking.

The Cloud Chaser descended, its engines quieting as we approached a secluded canyon outside the city. We landed smoothly, hiding the ship among the rocks to avoid detection.

Nanohana: The Port City

The city of Nanohana was alive. Merchants, travelers, and soldiers crowded the streets. Suspicious-looking people moved discreetly among the populace, their presence a subtle but constant reminder of the kingdom's turmoil.

"Stick together," I said as we entered the city. "We don't want to attract attention."

"We were one guy with a lot of admittedly good-looking women; we attracted attention, Captain," said Sham.

The girls laughed at her jab; I could only sigh.

I split the crew into pairs, each group gathering information or supplies.

Kaya and Sham headed to the market, blending in with the locals as they listened for rumors.

Carmen and Nojiko moved toward the docks, scouting for anything unusual.

Bellemere and Aerwyna watched from a vantage point, ready to intervene if things went wrong.

I stayed with Reiju, and we sought information on Baroque Works' operations in the city.

It didn't take long for trouble to find us. There was a commotion as Reiju and I entered a dimly lit tavern. At a corner table sat three figures locked in a heated argument: a black-haired teenager with an old straw hat, a fully tattooed teenager with freckles on his cheeks, and a thirty-something white-haired man with many cigars in his mouth.

The sight stopped me in my tracks. They had to be Luffy, Ace, and Smoker.

"That's…" I muttered, my heart racing.

"Interesting company," Reiju said, her tone unreadable.

Smoker's voice cut through the room, cold and commanding. "You're both criminals. I don't care if you're brothers—you're coming with me."

Luffy grinned, his carefree attitude unfazed by the Marine's threats. "You're too slow, Smoke Guy. Ace and I are already gone!"

Ace smirked, his hands crackling with fire. "You're welcome to try, but I wouldn't recommend it."

Before Smoker could respond, Ace attacked, and the three clashed in a whirlwind of smoke, fire, and rubber.

Reiju pulled me back into the shadows as the tavern erupted into chaos.

"We should leave," she said, her voice calm despite the chaos.

"Wait, I wanted to see them fight," I said, racing to make a plausible reason to stay. "This might be our best chance to learn more about Baroque Works. Those three might know what happened here."

"Fine," Reiju said, her tone sharp. "But if this goes south, I've warned you."

I grinned, gripping my rifle. "Don't worry. I've got this."

The battle raged as I watched, my mind calculating my next move. Luffy and Smoker were here, so Crocodile should still be in Rain Dinners. Should I go there and directly attack them? First, I needed to watch them fight. Also, was Ace having his Mera Mera no Mi?