As dawn's first light crept over the horizon, the Going Merry bobbed at the harbor, her crew tangled in a web of unease.
Nami's face was the gloomiest of all. She stared at the Eternal Pose she'd received from the race organizer, replaying her chat with Michelle. The starting point was right here in Hannibal—the town itself. But the needle pointed beyond the island, toward some distant shore.
If the goal lay across the island, why start from town? It made no sense; they couldn't even launch the ship. She'd double-checked with the organizer and Michelle—everything was correct. Utter bafflement.
"Hmm, this is weird. The needle's pointing over the mountain..."
"So the start's on the other side?"
"But Michelle said this is it."
Answering Sanji's question, Nami explained.
"This island's riddled with tributaries that merge into the main river every few years. And that main flow? It rushes down from that mountain... Wait, you don't think—"
"Climbing the mountain? Like Reverse Mountain!"
"Not quite. Reverse Mountain had massive currents. This? It's just a river at best. Scaling something that size with mere river water—"
"It's possible."
Their puzzled exchange cut short by a voice from the pier. The crew paused their preparations, heads turning.
Footsteps thudded on the dock, then a figure vaulted aboard with effortless grace. It was Shuraiya. Landing lightly on deck, pack slung over his shoulder, he locked eyes with Nami and dove into explanation.
"Normally? Impossible. But every few years, that's when it happens. A rare mechanism kicks in—massive tidal backlash and fierce winds. You ride 'em up the mountain. That's your start line. The others are waiting on their tributaries."
"So it's real... I get the logic, but actually doing it..."
"Hey, this sea's full of wonders. Best just roll with it."
Shuraiya's arrival barely raised eyebrows; they accepted it like old news. Sanji flashed a faint smile and returned to work.
Luffy, catching the gist but not quite grasping it, grinned brightly. "So, it's a mystery start, huh?"
"Nah, you don't get it at all, do you?"
Usopp's light tap on Luffy's head eased the tension, a flicker of relief washing over them. But Usopp, still gnawing at his worries, glanced at Nami.
"Climbing a mountain's bad enough the second time, but is this really okay? Last time, one slip and the Merry would've been toast. And now, no Kir—"
"Kir wasn't even on deck then."
"Yeah, but still!"
"It's fiiiine. We'll make it work."
Nami had aimed her reassurance at Usopp, but Luffy chimed in, laughing it off with his usual nonchalance. Business as usual.
Usopp heaved a massive sigh, words failing him. He could only nod in reluctant acceptance.
"It's always like this in the end..."
"Alright, you lugs! Hustle up! Race is starting soon!"
Luffy's bellow sparked a frenzy. Well-practiced, the crew flew through tasks—sails unfurled, anchor hauled—in a blink.
The Merry nudged forward to the river mouth spilling from the island into the sea. If Michelle and Shuraiya weren't lying, they'd ascend that river to the peak. Everyone gazed at the island's vast silhouette, doubts unspoken.
As the air thickened with anticipation, Vivi murmured, work finally wrapped.
"It's really happening... The pirates' race."
"A perilous voyage it shall be, milady."
Igaram stood grave beside her, his worry for her safety etched deep. He'd have forbidden her joining if he could, but on a pirate ship as guests? His voice stayed soft. All he could do was pray for calm waters, his face shadowed in torment.
Noticing their shift from last night's cheer, Silk broke in gently. "Scared, Vivi?"
"Huh? Oh... maybe. I don't even know."
"If it's worry, let it go. With everyone here, you'll be fine. Try enjoying it a bit more."
Vivi blinked at Silk's warm smile, surprise softening her features. Then a soft chuckle escaped, tension melting from her shoulders.
"You're right. I'll try to enjoy it."
"Yeah. You look cuter smiling anyway."
"Hmm, dangers abound, but so be it. Then it's my duty to guard you all the more, Princess Vivi."
As they exhaled in quiet relief, the wait ended. A subtle shift—the sea around the Merry rippled.
Nami spotted it first, her expression sharpening. Not from eyeing the water, but the sudden bite in the breeze against her skin. She whipped toward the stern, voice a sharp whisper.
"It's coming!"
A harbinger. Undeniable. The tales were true.
"Everyone to stations! Wind's inbound!"
"Whoa, race time?"
"Lads, follow Nami-san's lead! Slack off and we're sunk!"
The crew missed the faint cue, reactions lagging—until Sanji's quick grasp ignited chaos. Feet pounded, bodies scrambled to sailing posts.
The instant all froze in place, it hit.
That omen: a violent air shudder. Wind roaring from astern, hurtling seaward to mountain.
No natural gale, yet it erupted without warning.
"It's here...!"
"Whoaaa—!"
"Don't get tossed, you idiots! Oh, and ladies—lean on me anytime."
And so the wind howled.
It heeled the Merry perilously, sails billowing to propel her. Right on cue, the tide reversed, currents conspiring to guide them.
They plunged into the climbing river, pierced a natural tunnel, and burst into town.
Countless eyes devoured the spectacle—the race's dawn.
A parade of mythic scale. Roars of fervor chased the ascending ships, hearts pounding with the once-in-years gamble. Jeers outnumbered the stars.
Not just the town—the whole island fixated on the race. Eardrums thrummed with near-screams, sending shivers through the crew.
Overwhelming force.
The sky split with cries, impossible not to feel the pull.
The Straw Hats, anticipation blooming in their chests, began to grin.
"Su-sugoi... We're getting major spotlight, huh?"
"Shishishi, this is getting fun!"
Even timid Usopp trembled with battle thrill; Luffy laughed pure joy.
Riding the surge toward the peak, their path brimmed with curiosity and hope.
Paths diverged—multiple rivers snaking summit-ward. They'd claim one to the start.
They weren't alone, of course.
Across town, another ship gleamed.
Sanji clocked it. Amid varied hulls, one pirate craft stood out: hulking, sails scarred with a Navy mark slashed by an X. Ex-Navy, plain as day. But odd—black smoke belched from its stacks.
Steamship, he guessed.
Sanji whistled low, impressed. "Huh, a steamer. Rare find."
"Steamer?"
"Steam engine-powered. Boiler burning coal inside, probably."
"Sails and fire? Weird ship. Mystery ship!"
"Eh, works for me."
Answering Luffy's barrage, all eyes fixed on her.
Nami spotted it sharpest—the mark. She knew.
"That's Gasperde's. The Salamander."
"A steamer turned pirate? Figures."
"Was Navy once. He betrayed 'em for the life."
"Looks like bad news. I'd rather steer clear."
Usopp grumbled; Nami's wry smile mirrored it. Peaceful finish? Ideal. But with Luffy and crew? Trouble brewed inevitable. A shared, silent dread.
Other ships drew gasps too—each a character unto itself.
The route widened, tributaries converging to one grand flow.
What started solitary now brimmed with vessels, hulls abreast.
Luffy's eyes sparkled, darting ship to ship.
"Nami, that one?"
"'Noose' Bigaro. 14.9 million bounty. Tough in a fair fight."
"Whoa, what a freaky figurehead!"
"That's Willy's crew—Arlong's rivals. Nightmares on water."
"So many pirates... I'm pumped!"
Nami narrated as ships neared, excitement cresting. Luffy's fists clenched, shoulders quaking with barely contained glee—his grin a blaze of raw adventure scent. This pirates-only race set his blood aflame.
As the slope steepened, the mightiest ship loomed.
Usopp yelped first, rear-chasing behemoth stealing his breath.
"Wh-what the hell!? Huge! More like the crew's the monster!"
Two titans wielded the colossus like a dinghy. Bodies defying nature—crushing other ships underfoot seemed effortless.
Nami's "Ah" rang with recognition, intel paying off.
"Giants. Not rare in the Grand Line, apparently."
"No way... That's normal there?"
"Nishishi, giants! Awesome!"
The summit neared, pirate fleets converging.
Cross it, and the race ignited.
Luffy shuddered, fists tight. "Here we go! Everyone—charge!"
Cheers echoed back. Ahead, ships swarmed, but the Merry crested at last. Momentum surrendered to the flow, hurtling over the ridge.
Then—chaos unforeseen.
Reverse Mountain veterans, they'd braced for a downhill rush. Wrong. Summit ships vanished into thin air ahead.
Bewilderment creased faces; then their bodies knew.
The channel ended. The Merry launched skyward.
Waterway severed at the peak.
Climbing surge cascaded as waterfall, pounding the far town's channels.
Grand Fall—Pirate Island's signature. Tides scale the mount, plunge as falls. A phenomenon every few years, mechanics a mystery. No pirate cared to probe; they just seized it for Dead End's parade launch. Tradition ran deep; every islander knew.
But these Grand Line-hardened souls? Different breed. Eyes bulged in shock, screams raw, panic raw. No grip on rails—just flailing as zero-G hit, deck erupting.
"No road...?!"
"Liar...?!"
"Grip the ship, all hands!"
"We're fallingggg!!?"
Chasing others, the Merry plummeted.
Gale winds buoyed upward. Cling or fly—the impact a eternity of doomsday despair.
Seconds, really. Felt eternal.
She splashed into the base river.
Terror's afterglow left them slumped, dazed. But Luffy, utterly thrilled, whooped.
"Yahoo! It's on! Pirate race time!"
His cry echoed as cannon thunder rolled.
Forward fleets unleashed broadsides, targeting rivals. Direct hits boomed, wreckage splashing into channels.
Barrages unrelenting, roars chaining endlessly.
No rules in Dead End. First to goal wins.
Attacks? Standard sabotage. Many crews struck at splashdown.
Cannons blazed everywhere; some rammed hulls, boarding mid-descent in frantic melee.
The Straw Hats snapped alert, eyes widening at the frenzy.
"Whoa, they're at it. Lively bunch~"
"I mean, right outta the gate? We ain't even cleared the island!"
"Eh, fits the no-rules vibe."
"Not the time to chill!"
No room for daze.
Nami, pale moments ago, steadied—issuing crisp orders. No Kir this time; she had to hold firm.
"Sanji-kun, Silk—check astern! Usopp, Igaram—cannons ready! Zoro, I'll plot course; you helm! Vivi, watch flanks for hostiles! Luffy—get off the Merry's head now!"
Commands snapped; crew mobilized. But Luffy perched on the prow, swaying to the distant clash. Peril hung thick, yet he oozed ease.
Nami's yell flew; only he turned, grinning.
"Man, this is a blast already. Nami—full speed ahead! We're taking first!"
"Then help! Path's twisting up ahead!"
"Aye!"
Luffy dropped to deck at last, pitching in. The Merry thrummed alive, dodging fire with urgent weaves.
That's when Shuraiya spoke.
Silent till now, he eyed Nami gravely, tension coiling his words. Race underway stirred old warnings.
"You lot—don't sleep on Gasperde. Keep eyes on him always."
"Huh? Outta nowhere?"
"He ain't winning clean. Got tricks buried deep."
His tone grave, laced with knowing—unyielding conviction.
Nami froze a beat. But survival trumped; secure the ship first.
"Love to, but ocean exit's priority. Can't start without a whole hull. If it's that bad, pitch in."
"Tch, fine."
"Hold the yard! No collisions—got it?!"
Orders flew anew; crew surged. Around them, ships sank unchecked—who next? Unknowable.
In the din, they dashed with wild glee, whoops piercing the roar.
Channels narrowed; proximity bred fury, battles escalating.
To endure, the Straw Hats gunned the Merry forward, carving through the storm.
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