The morning sun warmed the deck of the Going Merry. Peter was performing his new training routine - a combination of push-ups and balance exercises on the narrow ship railings. Sweat dripped from his temples as he maintained a one-handed push-up position.
"One hundred!" he murmured before standing up perfectly. Zoro, who was sitting cross-legged while sharpening his sword, nodded in approval. "Good progress. But don't forget, strength without technique is useless."
Peter nodded while catching his breath. "I know. That's why..." He suddenly disappeared and reappeared atop the main mast, balanced perfectly on its tip. "...I'm practicing balance too."
Luffy, who was fishing, looked surprised then laughed loudly. "Cool! Do it again, Peter!"
Usopp clicked his tongue in amazement. "Even after seeing it hundreds of times, it's still amazing!"
Peter jumped down and landed perfectly on the deck. "Teleportation requires precision and concentration. If I miscalculate, I could end up in a dangerous place."
....
During lunch, with simple dishes prepared alternately by Usopp, Nami and Peter.
Peter suddenly proposed an idea. "I've heard about a legendary restaurant in East Blue - Baratie. Apparently the chefs there are the best, and they're former pirates who've been to the Grand Line. How about we go there to look for a cook?"
Luffy, busy swallowing food, immediately became interested. "The best chefs? That means the food must be delicious!"
"But the problem is," Peter continued, "I don't know its exact location. I only know it's a floating restaurant that moves around near the entrance to the Grand Line."
Zoro sneered. "So we have to look for a needle in a haystack?"
Peter shrugged; he didn't know the exact location of Sanji's restaurant either. However, somehow, he had to get this ship there and recruit Sanji.
After discussing, they decided to look for the nearest island to ask.
.....
Two days later, a small island with a fishing village appeared on the horizon.
As they docked at the simple wooden pier, an old fisherman greeted them.
"Baratie? You're looking for that floating restaurant?" he asked while cleaning his nets.
"Yes! Do you know where they are now?" Luffy asked enthusiastically.
The old fisherman scratched his chin. "They move every three months following the best fish migrations. Last month, I heard they were about two days' journey southwest."
Suddenly, another fisherman who overheard their conversation interrupted.
"But be careful when passing through those waters. There's a strange current half a day from here - it's so strong it can drag ships into its center. They say ships that get sucked in remain trapped forever."
He lowered his voice, his face wrinkled with worry. "If you see dark clouds gathering and lightning striking, better not continue. Many ships that dared to try have disappeared without a trace!"
Hearing this, Luffy's eyes immediately sparkled. "Dangerous currents? Sounds exciting! I want to see!"
Nami immediately protested. "Don't be stupid, Luffy! It's dangerous!"
Usopp suddenly leaned dramatically against the mast, hand on his forehead.
"Oh... I suddenly feel sick! I've contracted the rare 'Dangerous Current Fever'! The doctor said this disease could kill me if I approach abnormal sea currents!"
He trembled while holding his stomach. "The symptoms have started... my heart's beating irregularly... cold sweat... and... and my ears are ringing!"
Luffy just laughed louder. "Wow, what a strange disease, Usopp! But it's okay, Peter can teleport us if it's dangerous!"
Usopp immediately fell flat on his back on the deck. "No! Teleportation would only worsen my symptoms! I could vomit throughout the entire journey!"
Peter found Usopp's antics amusing, having often seen them on screen, and smiled. "With my ability, we can explore the whirlpool safely. If it's too dangerous, I can get the Going Merry out with teleportation."
Usopp trembled with fear. "Don't! I heard that whirlpool is guarded by sea monsters!"
Zoro shrugged. "Better face monsters than eat your cooking again, Usopp."
After a brief debate, they finally agreed to check out the whirlpool - especially since Luffy couldn't be persuaded to change his mind.
...
The next day, as they sailed toward the location the fishermen had mentioned, the sky suddenly darkened quickly. The wind began to blow fiercely, and the waves grew larger at an alarming rate.
The Going Merry tossed like a toy among the increasingly wild waves.
"I think we're approaching the current!" shouted Nami from the helm, her hands tightly gripping the uncontrollable steering wheel.
Luffy stood at the bow with enthusiasm, laughing against the strong wind while holding onto the mast. "Now this is an adventure!"
Peter prepared beside him, his eyes alertly scanning the surroundings. "Be ready for anything!"
The strong current kept pulling the Going Merry, faster and faster, while the waves around them gradually felt larger. For several minutes that felt long, the ship continued drifting uncontrollably.
Dozens of minutes passed as the current's strength began to weaken, but the storm only worsened. Large waves and strong winds battered the Going Merry incessantly.
In the eye of the storm, a large rocky island with steep cliffs towering high became visible. There were no gentle beaches around it, only vertical stone walls continuously battered by unending waves.
"Look at that!" shouted Luffy, "That island looks like an amazing fortress!" Luffy remained cheerful and actually became more excited.
Their ship tossed about several hundred meters from the rocky cliffs as the current's strength diminished.
Though they wouldn't crash into the rocky wall for now, there was no way to escape this dangerous area.
What was more worrying was the condition of the chaotic crashing waves around them, exacerbated by the raging storm.
The Going Merry was thrown uncontrollably from one wave to another, the ship's wood creaking and emitting alarming sounds.
Usopp screamed in fear while hugging the mast. "I don't want to die here! This is all Luffy's fault and his crazy idea!"
Nami, her face pale, ran and tightly hugged Peter's arm. Her ample breasts pressed firmly against Peter's arm until they seemed to sink into it. "Peter, please! Do something!"
However, Peter didn't have time to enjoy it. His eyes quickly scanned the towering rocky cliffs, looking for a possible landing spot. Finally, he spotted a relatively flat small plateau at the cliff top.
"Everyone, hold on tight!" Peter shouted over the roar of the storm. "I'm moving us up there!"
With full concentration, Peter exerted his teleportation ability. In an instant, the ship and everything in it disappeared, reappearing on the high ground of the mysterious rocky island.