Chapter 42 Whisky Mountain Uproar: Princess's Identity Exposed"How have you guys even survived this long?!"
Finally, after a series of breathtakingly absurd maneuvers, the Going Merry was completely lost at the entrance to the Grand Line.
"Luffy!!"
The desperate roars of the crew echoed across the vast ocean.
"If you don't eat soon, I'll eat all the food in the storage."
"What?! That's a whole month's worth of rations, you bastards!"
"Pre-stocking, huh?! Life for life! Don't you know what high-efficiency energy conversion is?"
Everyone: "..."
"Get out of the way, let me cut him down..."
On the Grand Line.
A lone ram-headed sloop sailed on the boundless sea, looking utterly desolate.
Nami, wrapped in a thick coat, looked sullenly at the swirling snowflakes outside the window.
"What the hell is this snow? It just started falling like that! It was so hot just a moment ago!"
Outside the window, Luffy and Usopp were enthusiastically building a snowman.
"Yosh! All done! Let me show you my snow sculpting skills!"
Usopp pointed to a snowman modeled after Vivi, showing off proudly.
A muffled thud.
Vivi, fist raised, stood behind Usopp, her face flushed, yelling in frustration, "Put clothes on your snowman, you bastard! Who told you to build a naked one?!"
Suddenly, a large pile of snow fell from the sky, burying Usopp completely.
"Nami-san~ This snow scene looks amazing with you~"
Sanji's languid voice came from the roof.
"Hey! You perverted cook! Want to fight?"
Usopp poked his head out of the snowdrift, spitting out a mouthful of snow and shouting provocatively.
"Huh?" Sanji's infatuated face instantly turned disdainful. "If you want to die, I'll grant your wish."
"Ora Ora Ora!"
"Muda Muda Muda!"
The two instantly started wrestling, engaging in a fierce snowball fight on the ship.
Nami sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Why are these guys so energetic in this cold weather?"
Two days had passed since they left Twin Cape. Without Log Pose, the group had been wandering aimlessly along the route like headless flies.
Until a day ago, a strange duo—a cat and a vulture—appeared, finally solving their immediate problem.
That was the ominous duo, the Baroque Works assassin duo tasked with eliminating out-of-control members for Crocodile.
After throwing a bomb at Vivi, they were kicked off the ship by an enraged Sanji.
The Log Pose they carried were also looted, allowing everyone to finally set off again on the correct route to Whiskey Mountain.
However, the hardships and dangers on the Grand Line weren't just a matter of direction; the unpredictable weather also made life unbearable for everyone.
One moment it was the scorching heat of summer, like an oven, and the next it was a freezing winter.
In just a short while, the Going Merry was covered in a thick layer of snow.
Suddenly, a clap of thunder snapped Nami back to reality.
She glanced at the Log Pose in her hand and immediately let out a piercing scream.
"Ah!! The ship's going the wrong way! The magnetic field's all messed up! Turn the ship around right now! Pull the sail lock! Make it starboard! Usopp, get the triangular sail! Sanji, get to the helm! Zoro, you idiot, why can't you wake up even in this thick snow?!"
"Hey, Nami, look! There's a dolphin over there!"
Luffy pointed at a dark figure in the distance and shouted excitedly.
Nami snapped, "Shut up! Is this the time to watch dolphins?!"
Under Nami's frantic commands, the Going Merry navigated this chaotic weather zone without incident.
Zoro pushed the snow off his body, yawning as he awoke from hibernation, looking bewildered: "Is dinner ready?"
The sun was blazing, the deck was scorching hot. Zoro glanced at his companions sprawled on the floor, feigning death, his face filled with disbelief and disgust.
"Hey, hey, on such a beautiful sunny day, aren't you guys incredibly lazy?"
"You're all just lying there like corpses, not a single one of you is even turning over?"
Without even lifting an eyelid, everyone simultaneously gave him the middle finger.
"You're the only one on the whole ship who's been slacking off!"
Nami's forehead veins bulged, and her iron fist whistled through the air, precisely knocking three large, steaming red welts onto the seaweed's head.
"You bastard, how dare you talk to us like that? How did you manage to sleep so soundly until now?!"
"No matter how much we yell, you're like a dead pig. Get up and get to work!"
"Huh? You're teaching me how to do things?"
Zoro turned his head menacingly, about to lash out.
The next second, he clutched his newly sprouted "horns," his face contorted in pain.
Luffy, shaking his head with smug satisfaction, tsk tsk, why did you mess with that tigress?
Thump!
A muffled sound followed, and Luffy clutched his head, instantly crouching down next to Zoro, a large bump rising on his forehead.
"Don't play innocent there. Did you enjoy watching the whole show?"
Nami rubbed her throbbing temples, letting out a long sigh. "Thank goodness, we've finally made it through the first stage of the voyage."
"Huh?"
Everyone looked bewildered, completely missing Nami's point.
Following the direction Nami was pointing, a strangely shaped island, resembling a giant cactus, came into view on the horizon.
"Oh ho? We've finally arrived! The first stop on the Grand Line!"
Usopp, as excited as a monkey at its ancestral form, danced with joy.
"Is this the legendary Whiskey Peak?"
"Look, there are so many people gathered on the shore, it looks like they're having a welcoming ceremony."
"Strange, has our Navy undercover identity been exposed?"
"It can't be, this is a perfectly legitimate civilian ship, we don't even have a seagull flag flying."
The group leaned on the railing, looking at the overly enthusiastic townspeople waving colorful banners on both sides of the riverbank, their minds filled with questions.
"Welcome to the Grand Line!"
"Whiskey Peak welcomes you all!"
"Pirates! Welcome to our humble abode!"
"Long live the heroes of the sea!"
The deafening cheers made Zoro and his companions almost feel like they had stumbled into some kind of grand celebration.
"Looks like the Navy's skin is still the most effective. If they were flying a pirate flag, they'd probably be blasted out of the water by now."
"Is this what it feels like to be revered by thousands? I love it! Kaya, can you see? I'm a capable sea warrior now!"
"But why did I vaguely hear them chanting 'Long live the pirates?'"
"You're hard of hearing, you must have misheard. They're clearly chanting 'Heroes of the Sea.' These days, who else but the Navy can be called a hero?"
"That's true."
"Wow, look over there! So many cute girls!"
Amid cheers and fluttering ribbons, the group excitedly stepped onto the port, walking on a red carpet.
"Bang bang bang—"
A melodious yet slightly jarring saxophone note rang out. Icarus, sporting his comical curly hair, greeted Luffy and the others with a broad smile.
"I'm the mayor of Whiskey Peak. You've come from afar, so why aren't you even flying a pirate flag on your ship?"
Usopp stepped forward, head held high, and shook Icarum's hand as if inspecting a task.
"Ah, I am Usopp! A captain from the Marine Headquarters. Nice to meet you!"
Icarum's smile froze instantly, staring blankly at Usopp: "You...aren't pirates?"
Usopp waved his hand dismissively, righteously asserting: "What a joke! Look at our righteous spirit! Do we look like those lowlifes? We are the real elite Marines! See that guy? Rear Admiral Monkey D. Luffy!"
Instantly, everyone's eyes were fixed on Luffy.
They realized with a start that the straw-hatted boy before them was a spitting image of the Marine Supernova featured on the newspaper headlines a couple of days ago.
The once bustling and joyous town instantly fell silent, as if muted.
The enthusiasm on the residents' faces vanished in an instant, replaced by undisguised disgust and loathing.
"What?! Why did the atmosphere suddenly change like this?"
Usopp stared blankly at the residents' expressions, which shifted faster than flipping through a book.
Zoro, his hand on his sword hilt, slowly stepped forward, a mocking smile playing on his lips, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a blade.
"That's simple, because these guys aren't exactly law-abiding citizens."
Usopp paused, "What do you mean?"
"These guys are all bounty hunters who make a living by hunting pirates for rewards!"
Zoro, unusually energetic, explained sharply, "I knew those two looked familiar. Turns out they're from that organization called Baroque Works. They even tried to recruit me. Looks like you guys are pretty influential in this circle."
At this moment, Luffy strode forward with an air of arrogance, grinning at Icarum.
"What? Whiskey Peak doesn't welcome Marines?"
"I've heard this place is famous for its fine wine and music. Now it seems you only welcome wanted criminals, not law enforcers? That doesn't make sense, does it?"
Icarum broke out in a cold sweat, his face utterly embarrassed.
Everyone had an unspoken understanding: the plan was to get these fat sheep drunk, then slaughter them for money.
What's the meaning of your act, coming up here like you're going to check the water meter and try to rip me off?
Just then, Vivi stepped out of the Going Merry's shadow: "Icaram!"
Icaram's pupils constricted. What was Princess Vivi doing on this ship?
The old fox reacted quickly, his tone instantly changing 180 degrees: "Oh dear, misunderstanding! It's an honor to have you, esteemed Marines! Please take your seats, let us show you proper hospitality!"
"Wow~ So handsome!"
"Brother, you're amazing!"
"Stop staring at me like that~"
Inside the tavern, brightly lit and bustling, three hostesses surrounded Usopp with adoring eyes, listening to his unfounded boasts.
The bounty hunters nearby, though inwardly cursing, had to force smiles and cast admiring glances.
"Come on! Everyone, don't be shy, the mayor's on the table tonight, drink!"
Luffy placed one foot on the table, raised his glass high, and exuded an air of heroic grandeur.
"Oh!!"
While the crowd cheered verbally, their hearts were bleeding.
That was the last of Whisky Peak's reserves! Originally intended to trap powerful pirates, it had all ended up in the bellies of these Marines.
The crucial point was that these guys were Marines; killing them wouldn't bring any bounty, and if they died here, they'd be held accountable by Marine Headquarters—a complete loss.
The only hope now was that this Straw Hat kid couldn't hold his liquor and would quickly pass out drunk.
However, for Luffy, who possessed the divine skill of "Life Return," getting him drunk was simply a pipe dream.
Barrels of fine wine were poured into his stomach, instantly digested into pure energy.
Luffy remained energetic, chicken leg in one hand, wine glass in the other, eating hotpot and singing, without even blushing.
Outside, the night was deep. Icarus anxiously asked Vivi, "Princess, what's going on? How did you end up with the Marines?"
Vivi excitedly grabbed Icarus's arm, "Icarus! Luffy is a Marine Supernova! And he's already found out the truth about the internal strife in the kingdom! He specially escorted me back to resolve the crisis!"
"What?"
Icarus was thunderstruck. He and the princess had spent so long at Baroque Works, barely managing to get close to the truth, and this suddenly appearing Marine knew everything?
"Are you sure he's not just spouting nonsense?"
Icarus remained highly vigilant.
"Absolutely not! He revealed Crocodile's entire plan, down to the smallest detail!"
"That villain Crocodile doesn't care about money or the throne. He wants to plunge Alabasta into chaos and destruction, then search the ruins for the legendary Ancient Weapon—Pluton!"
"What?! That's… the Pluton battleship?!"
Icarim lowered his voice, his beard trembling with shock. "That world-destroying weapon is hidden in our country?"
Vivi nodded gravely. "This is a top secret guarded by the Nefertari family for generations. The Poneglyphs recording Pluton's location are in the royal tomb!"
"If he hadn't revealed such a secret, I wouldn't have believed him either."
"Besides, I witnessed it firsthand on the ship; their strength is ridiculously powerful!"
Vivi's eyes gleamed with hope: "Before we came, he already arranged for Mr. 9 to gather all the staff, planning to wipe out the Baroque forces here tonight!"
Icarum was overjoyed: "God bless Alabasta! We need to get ready quickly. By the way, when will the staff arrive?"
Vivi did some quick calculations: "If there's no traffic... it should be tonight, right?"
Icarum and Vivi exchanged a glance, and the air suddenly fell silent.
"Tonight!!!"
The two yelled and rushed into the banquet hall.
They found Luffy already fast asleep on the sofa, snot bubbles rising and falling from his nose.
Nami, her eyes still blurry with drunkenness, held up her glass and looked disdainfully at the collapsed Zoro: "Tch, Zoro, you're such a wimp! You're already down? I won't give up until I get my hands on these guys' secret stash of money!"
Sanji, meanwhile, was completely smitten, his face full of infatuation as he embraced two girls, surrounded by a dozen men urging him to drink.
"This place is heaven…" Sanji murmured peacefully, his head resting on the girl's lap.
Icarum, looking at the group of unsuspecting drunkards, was exasperated. "Princess, are you sure this is what you mean by 'powerful'?"
Just then, C.C. floated by, a slice of pizza in her mouth, and calmly asked, "Any more? I'm still hungry."
Icarum breathed a sigh of relief; at least one of them was sober.
Only Vivi looked utterly hopeless. C.C. truly had no fighting ability!
Just then, a muscular woman dressed in a nun's habit, more developed than a man's, walked over, her brow furrowed.
"Mayor, why are you serving these Marines such good food and drink? Our town's food supplies are almost gone."
Icarum and Vivi exchanged an awkward glance. They couldn't very well admit they were undercover agents, could they?
Seeing Luffy sleeping like a log, Icarum coughed twice to cover his embarrassment: "Um, could you gather everyone in the plaza first?"
The nun—also known as Miss Monday—though full of suspicion, chose to carry out the order.
Soon, the plaza was packed with hundreds of bounty hunters, all Icarum's henchmen.
"Gentlemen!"
Icarum stood on the platform, his expression as solemn as if he were reading a will, "Tonight, I will announce a secret that concerns your lives!"
He exchanged a glance with Vivi, who nodded firmly.
The two decided to lay their cards on the table, using their identities to subdue this group of profit-driven individuals.
After all, their target was pirates, and their income came from government bounties.
As the captain of the guard and princess of a member state, these people wouldn't dare to act recklessly unless they wanted to be wanted by the World Government and have their livelihood cut off.
Everyone stared blankly at Icarus, completely clueless about the old man's intentions.
"Oh, so lively, everyone's admiring the moon?"
Suddenly, a lazy voice came from above.
Everyone looked up in surprise, only to see Luffy sitting on the highest rooftop, swinging his legs.
Next to him sat Zoro, clutching three swords and looking disgruntled.
"Tch, I woke you up thinking something big had happened, turns out it's just to watch this bunch of weaklings have a meeting?"
Zoro yawned, his face full of impatience.
"Of course something big has happened!"
A sinister voice suddenly echoed from the dark end of the street in the distance.
"That is—the day has come for you bunch of idiots!"
Everyone turned sharply, only to see a dark-skinned man with an afro and sunglasses emerge from the shadows, a blonde woman carrying a parasol perched on his shoulder.
Icarum's face turned deathly pale: "MR.5! MISS. Valentine?!"
"I never expected that our dear MISS. Wednesday would actually be the princess of Alabasta, daring to infiltrate the company to gather evidence against the boss. Quite bold, isn't she?"
MR.5 casually picked his nose, flicking out a dark, gooey object. "If it weren't for that idiot MR.9's report, we would have been completely kept in the dark."