LOG NO. 4
GRAND LINE
The Grand Line is a colossal sea route that encircles the 'Earth' of the One Piece world—or, as some call it, the 'Blue Planet'. It follows an invisible axis stretching from northwest to southeast in Paradise, and from southwest to northeast in the New World.
It runs perpendicular to the Red Line, a massive landmass that also spans the globe. The two points where the Grand Line intersects with the Red Line form the starting boundaries of Paradise and the New World.
This intersection divides the rest of the Blue Sea into four distinct oceans: the North Blue, East Blue, West Blue, and South Blue. The Grand Line's significance lies in the fact that it is the only viable path to circumnavigate the globe.
Often dubbed the most dangerous place in the world, it is commonly referred to as the Pirates' Graveyard by those hailing from the Four Blues, owing to the overwhelming presence of the Three Great Powers.
Despite its fearsome reputation, many ordinary people manage to live peaceful, idyllic lives on individual islands within the Grand Line, having adapted to the unique conditions of their homelands. This makes it clear that the danger lies not in the islands themselves, but in the journey between them. Travel along the Line guarantees an encounter with wildly unpredictable climates and perilous wildlife.
That said, some islands are so inherently hazardous that they remain uninhabited—or their residents live in constant vigilance.
Because of the Grand Line's treacherous seas and erratic weather patterns, island cultures vary drastically—even between geographically proximate territories. Some islands appear frozen in time, like Little Garden, where dinosaurs still roam. Others stand on the cutting edge of technology, like the soon-to-be-established Egghead, which seems to exist decades ahead of the rest of the world.
There are also islands so remote or fantastical that many doubt their existence altogether, and only a select few have ever set foot on them—like Skypiea or the still-unconfirmed Laugh Tale.
HALVES
The Grand Line is split into two halves by the Red Line. The first, stretching from Reverse Mountain to the directly opposite point of the Red Line, is known as Paradise. The second, beginning beyond the second Red Line crossing and extending back to the base of Reverse Mountain, is called the New World.
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Robert paused mid-sentence in his logbook, the scratching of his pen coming to a sudden halt as he heard a stir of commotion outside his quarters. Then came a knock on the door.
"Bob, you awake?!" called the voice of Silvers Rayleigh.
"Yeah, coming," Robert replied.
He stood from his bed, closed the logbook, and tucked it beneath his pillow. Stretching to shake off some stiffness—despite not truly needing to—he moved with the reflexive motions of old habits. He rolled his right shoulder, then opened the door and stepped out onto the main deck.
He was immediately met with a wave of voices and arms as the crew surrounded him, patting his shoulders and back, saying things like "Welcome to the pirate world!" and other phrases drowned in excitement.
Blinking in confusion, Robert turned his gaze to Rayleigh, who stood behind the crowd alongside Roger and Gaban—both grinning from ear to ear.
"What? Did something happen?" he asked, puzzled.
Roger only laughed in response, offering no explanation.
Then Millet Pine stepped forward. A very short man with light hair, a bushy beard, and a horned helmet—its right horn snapped clean off. Dressed in mismatched dark and light trousers with a wide belt, Pine looked every bit the archetypal Viking. More importantly, he was the crew's one and only torturer.
"Here, my boy. We got this just ten minutes ago," Pine said, handing Robert a wanted poster.
Robert took the poster, and to his surprise, found his own face staring back at him.
WANTED
"Bob of the Roger Pirates"
Dead or Alive
Reward: 600,000,000 berries
Warning: A highly skilled swordsman. Extremely fast. Approach at your own risk.
Robert blinked as he read through the bounty notice. The Marines had somehow even managed to snap a picture of him during his encounter with Garp.
"Wahahahaha—" Roger's booming laughter jolted Robert from his thoughts as he looked toward his captain.
"—You're a wanted man now, Bobby. Welcome to the club."
The crew erupted in cheer, slapping him on the back in celebration of his first bounty. A party was declared on the spot.
Robert sighed, helpless but amused. The Roger Pirates never needed much of an excuse to celebrate. Still, he couldn't help but smile—and joined them in their joy.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Grand Line…
A titanic pirate vessel, crowned with a whale-shaped figurehead bearing a grinning expression, sliced silently through the turbulent waters of the New World. Upon its sail flew the emblem of a grinning skull with a square jaw and a crescent-shaped white mustache. Behind the skull, two bones were crossed in a plus shape.
A colossal man with flowing golden hair stood at the very front of the ship, one hand gripping a massive naginata. This was none other than Edward 'Whitebeard' Newgate—former Rocks Pirate, now the proud captain of his newly forged crew: the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Pops... Pops... big news."
A voice rang out from behind. Whitebeard turned and smiled at the sight of Marco—his first mate... or rather, his first son. A tall and lean youth with blonde hair styled in a way that made his head resemble a pineapple.
Two more figures followed behind him: Jozu and Vista, both taller and bulkier than Marco, though the three of them were the same age.
"Hmm… Marco, Jozu, Vista. What is it, my sons?" Whitebeard asked in his deep, resonant voice.
Marco stepped forward and handed him a wanted poster. Raising a brow, Whitebeard took the paper and scanned it.
A moment later, laughter thundered from his chest.
"Gurarararara… That idiot Roger has found another monster for his crew."
His grin widened as he turned toward the horizon.
"Marco, set the course. We're going to find Roger—and see with our own eyes just how good this new guy really is."
With that command, Marco, Jozu, and Vista turned on their heels, issuing orders for the ship to make haste.
Back at the village of RA...
A week had passed since Robert left with the Roger Pirates, and life had grown quieter for Kuma, Rose, and Shamrock. Even though they had all agreed that Robert deserved this well-earned break, his absence still cast a subtle gloom over their routines.
But after two days of moping, Shamrock stood up and declared that he wouldn't waste time sulking. He would train, grow, and learn—so that when Robert returned next month, he'd be ready to surprise him.
Inspired, Kuma nodded and returned to his own regimen.
Three years ago, shortly after RA's founding, Robert had gathered Kuma, Ginny, Ivankov, and Rose to discuss the Devil Fruits he had taken from God Valley. He left the choice to them—whether to eat one or not.
Kuma had been uncertain. But driven by his fierce desire to protect those he loved, he eventually took the leap and consumed a blue, fish-scale-shaped fruit.
Only afterward did Robert reveal the truth: it was the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Azure Dragon. A legendary Devil Fruit said to embody the essence of spring and the wood element—symbols of renewal, growth, and life itself. The Azure Dragon, Robert explained, was considered a guardian of life in myth.
The revelation had thrilled Kuma. The fruit's powers aligned perfectly with his ideals.
Ginny, too, made her choice. After hearing Robert's explanation, she ate the Paw-Paw Fruit, intrigued by its versatility and power.
Rose declined. She didn't see herself as a fighter and had no need for a Devil Fruit. Ivankov also refused—but not without mystery. He said he had his sights set on a particular Devil Fruit that would suit his future plans. When pressed, he merely winked and said, "It's a surprise."
Back to the present...
Just as Kuma was preparing to resume his training, Ivankov came sprinting toward him, beaming.
"Oi, Kuma! Look! It's Bob—he got his first bounty!"
The words echoed through the village, drawing a crowd around Ivankov and Kuma. Rose, Ginny, and Shamrock pushed to the front, with villagers forming a wide circle around them.
"Whoa... 600 million! That's a huge first bounty Big Bro got!" Shamrock exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with admiration.
The others nodded in agreement, and Rose smiled warmly.
"Looks like he's finally living his life."
Kuma stared at the wanted poster and nodded, a quiet smile playing on his lips.
"That means we can't afford to lag behind. We've got to train harder—so we can stand beside Bob."
At his words, Shamrock, Ginny, and Ivankov exchanged determined glances. The fire in their eyes needed no explanation.
They had already made their choice—
To become strong enough that, one day, Robert wouldn't have to carry the burden alone.
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