Chapter 22: West Blue

(Roberts: POV)

Staring out of ahead of me I eyed Reverse Mountain.

Our ticket to West Blue and eventually the Grand Line.

As the wind picked up and the rain started to get harsher I made sure the rope tied around my waist was absolutely secure.

Once I was sure it was I then made sure the other end was securely tied around the Black Pearl main mast.

Since the waters the Black Pearl are about to enter are not going to be kind, and this is the measure the crew and I decided to take to make sure no one flies off the ship and goes overboard.

After I made sure the end of the rope around the main mast was firmly in place I checked the ropes of my crewmates as well. Confirming they were all secure exactly like my own.

Once I did this I turned to face the others. "Rope check!" I shouted over the winds and rains.

"Secure." Law spoke.

"Secure." Alfia answered.

"Secure." Bepo said.

"Secure." Weisz called out.

"I'm secure captain." Our newest crewmember Reiju spoke.

Hearing them all confirm the end of the ropes tied around their waists were secure I nodded my head.

"Alright. Since we are all secure there's no need to wait any longer. To West Blue!" I shouted.

Since we really need to get out of North Blue sooner rathe than later.

It's already been two days since the incident where Reiju joined us and I have no idea what Judge is up to in regards to the matter. He could be searching for her or he might not be depending on what that little shit Yonji told him.

Either way I'll feel a whole lot better once me and my crew are an entire sea away from that maniac and his son who make the Manson family look like angels.

"Yeah!" Everyone shouted at my words.

After they did so Bepo steered the Black Pearl onto a path with the upward stream of the Reverse Mountain entrance.

A few minutes after he did so the Black Pearl was picked up by the upward stream and before any of us knew it we were racing up Reverse Mountain. A few minutes later we reached the top and shot above the clouds.

"Now Law!" I shouted once we were.

[Room]

Law said.

He then created a huge [Room] around the Black Pearl and then used [Tact] to move it in the direction of the upward stream of the West Blue portion of Reverse Mountain.

A strained expression on his face as he did so.

Since maintaining a [Room] this large and using [Tact] to move such a sizable object is still a big strain on Law. But I know with time and training he will eventually overcome it and then a task like the one he's performing right now will be easy for him.

A few beads of sweat rolled down Laws' face as he continued moving the Black Pearl using [Tact]. But eventually he managed to maneuver the ship over the West Blue portion of Reverse Mountain.

Once he did so he canceled his [Room]

Sending the Black Pearl into a direct free fall.

Holding onto the left railing I screamed at the top my lungs as the Black Pearl fell through the sky toward the sea below.

A stupid grin on my face as it did.

In no time at all we were below the clouds.

The instance we were I shouted at the top of my lungs once again.

"Now, open the parachutes!"

The moment after I did so Weisz and Reiju pulled cords they were holding in their hands and the second after they did so several giant parachutes opened above the Black Pearl. Slowing our descent. Since I knew if we kept traveling at the speed we were our ship would likely be destroyed when it hit the water.

That's why the others and I devised this method a while ago when I told them we were going to be using Reverse Mountain to explore the other Blue Seas.

Since we definitely didn't want to die.

Though the winds raged and the rain poured down the Black Pearl managed to land in the sea of West Blue.

Once she did so the crew and I quickly detached the parachutes and then unfurled the sails. Allowing them to catch wind and take the ship away from Reverse Mountain.

A few moments passed before we were clear of it, but once we were everyone breathed easier.

"So with that we are now officially in West Blue!" I shouted.

"That we are." Law spoke. Sitting on his ass since he is still recovering from using his devil fruit powers. "So captain, is there any specific agenda we will cover while in this sea?"

"Yes." I replied. "It will be to find a woman and recruit her to our crew. Her name is Nico Robin."

"Eh, Nico Robin. As in the only survivor from Ohara, that Nico Robin?" Reiju asked.

I nodded my head. "Yes, her."

"Hey captain, not that I'm against adding another beautiful lady to our crew, but why are we searching for this Nico Robin woman in the first place?" Weisz asked me.

"Because, she is an integral part that will be needed for our quest in obtaining the One Piece. But more than that I truly want to give her a place to belong, given that ever since she was a young girl her life has been nothing but hell due to the actions of the World Government." I explained to the others.

Which is not a lie. I do want Robin on my crew since I will need her skills to obtain the One Piece. But more than that I truly want to give her a place to belong.

Especially since she was among the the ranks of my top five waifu from my previous life. I really can't wait her to meet her in person.

"Hey Roberts, just how do you know all these things?" Alfia asked me. "I'm curious."

Ah, I expected this question to come up eventually.

Even though Alfia and I have known each other since childhood and she places a great amount of trust in me I knew eventually she would ask me how I know the things I know.

So it's a good thing I prepared for this eventuality long ago.

"To tell you all the truth I learned this information and much more from a man I met a long time ago. Back on my home island in the North Blue Spades Town." I said.

"What, just what are you saying Roberts?" Alfia asked me.

"It's true Alfia. And sorry I didn't tell you any of this before but the man swore me to secrecy back then. Plus we were so wrapped up in our training and preparation to set out to sea I didn't want to overwhelm you." I explained.

"Idiot, that's why we're in a relationship in the first place so we can lean on each other! Even if it was before we became a couple you still could've leaned on me and trusted me!" Alfia shouted at me.

"I know. And I'm sorry." I replied. "Truly."

"Whatever, just get on with what you were saying." Alfia harshly spat out.

"Right, so as I was saying this man that I met years ago taught me many things about this world. Truths that he learned while traveling and journeying." I spoke.

"Why did he share them with you?" Law asked me.

I shrugged my shoulders in response. "No clue. Really, I have no idea. All I do know is that I am grateful for the knowledge he shared with me. Since it will help me achieve my dreams."

"This man sounds amazing, what was his name captain?" Weisz asked me.

"His name was Oda." I said. "And he was a great man."

"Was? Does that mean something happened to him?" Reiju asked me.

"I'm not sure. One day he just disappeared without a trace. He didn't even leave a note or anything. He simply just vanished." I said. "But I do hope we meet again one day. In this life or the next. That's how I know about Nico Robin The real truth, not the bullshit the world was force-fed and believes without question."

After spinning a story that I think would even impress the Dao of Bullshit I proceeded to tell the others how the World Government destroyed Ohara, and how Nico Robin was framed for it at just eight years old.

Though I did leave out most of the important details.

But that was by necessity. Given that if I added those details the others would ask me how I know them and I can't ever reveal that.

Once I finished speaking I saw everyone get looks of shock and disgust on their faces. But Law in particular showed a lot of anger.

Understandable given how his and Robin's past are so similar. Both their homes destroyed by the World Government.

Standing to his feet Law looked directly into my eyes. "Captain, whatever we need to do to help Nico Robin let's do so."

"Yeah." Weisz agreed.

"Captain, let's save her." Bepo spoke.

Reiju simply nodded her head and didn't say anything.

While Alfia did the same.

Seeing this I smiled. "Thanks guys. You really are the best crew anyone could ask for." I told them. "Now, to celebrate making it to West Blue intact and with everyone alive and with all their limbs let's party!" I shouted.

We then had a short party.

Everyone smiling and laughing as we did so.

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The following morning I found myself in the Black Pearl kitchen, preparing breakfast.

Since until we recruit a permanent cook to the crew we all decided to take turns cooking.

Except for Bepo, that loveable bear can't cook worth shit.

But then again he is still young so I think he'll get there eventually.

Though if he doesn't we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Just as I finished preparing breakfast Alfia walked in and took her seat.

"Morning." I said to her.

"Morning." She replied.

I then served her meal and didn't try to flirt or tease at all. Because ever since my revelation yesterday she's been giving me the cold shoulder.

Though I completely understand why. That's why I'm giving her some space.

Space is one of the most important aspects in a healthy relationship after all.

"Thanks." Alfia said after I served her her food.

"No problem." I replied.

I then set food out for the others who all filed in one-by-one and started eating. Me joining them eventually.

Once everyone was done I started to wash the dishes, and Alfia decided to help me.

As I washed and she dried we did so in a comfortable silence.

Which was broken by Alfia once all the dishes were clean.

"Roberts, please rely on me." Alfia said. She then pulled me into a gentle hug. "You know you can trust me, right?"

Which I returned.

"I do. And I do rely on you. Please never doubt that." I told her.

The two of us staying in our hug for over a minute, just feeling each others body heat. But eventually we broke apart. Then we shared a quick kiss.

Afterwards we headed out to the deck.

Then as soon as we did so Weisz shouted.

"We've got trouble incoming!"

Alfia and I turned in his direction the moment he said this. As did Reiju who is currently steering the ship.

"What kind of trouble?" I asked.

"I see a marine ship heading in our direction." Weisz spoke. Taking down the binoculars from his eyes. He then turned to face me. "What's the move captain?"

The moment Weisz asked me this I put a feral grin on my face. "Go get Law and Bepo, because we're about to head into battle." I spoke. "We're going to face those marines head on and take them for all there worth."

It's time for us to show the marines exactly who the Thanatos pirates are.