Chapter 27 - Episode 52, 53, & (half) 61
After skipping episode 52's opening, they decided to watch the recap for the first time. In the recap, they could see Luffy and Zoro walking in the streets together until Luffy's hat was flown off by the wind, leading him to the execution platform. At some point, he decided to stand up on top of the platform for a great view as Buggy, his crew, Smoker, and Tashigi were heading there. Meanwhile, a storm was brewing upon them.
"Buggy's Revenge! The Man Who Smiles On The Execution Platform!"
"Man, I feel like we missed out on a bunch of stuff." Denki said.
"Don't care, it's filler." Katsuki quickly argued.
The citizens can't believe there's someone on the platform as Luffy admired the view up here, remembering what the old bar man have said about Gold Roger.
Soon, a policeman told him to get down from there because that's a special execution platform under the World Government's control.
"So, there are policemen here." Izuku noted that down.
"I have a feeling we won't seem them that often though." Ochako added.
Luffy was obviously not that intimidated by him or the threat of arrest, but the man was soon taken down by a swing of an iron club.
Finally, the mystery woman was face to face with Luffy. She's been looking for him, but it was clear the rubber boy doesn't recognize her.
"Okay, who the hell are you if Luffy doesn't know you?" Mina asked.
The townspeople around them thought the woman was absolutely beautiful.
When it was clear that Luffy doesn't recognize her, the woman clearly remembers him as the first man who hit her, which caused the crowd to look visually angry. Though the woman thought that punch felt good as a certain flashback came up.
The audience stared at her with eyes the size of dinner plates. "WHAT?!" Izuku and Mineta were the loudest out of the bunch.
"But you're like a fourth of her size! Hell, a fifth!" Mineta shouted as Kirishima wonders if she went through the same thing as Fat Gum. "How are you so skinny?!"
"I thought you're Alvida's sister!" Izuku exclaimed.
"Why would you think that?" Todoroki asked.
"You, of all people, aren't allow to say that."
"One more thing, keep your fetishes to yourself." Jiro added, shaking her head.
Of course, she must asked, "Who is the most beautiful woman in the sea?"
Everyone bowed, agreeing that it would be her.
"Yup, that's totally her." Ochako gaped.
"It must be a devil fruit that have done this to her." Aoyama theorized.
"How else can she be so skinny? I will not believe it if the show said that she worked out all that fat." Mineta said.
Alvida mentioned that she like strong men, and she wants to make Luffy her's.
"Nope! Nope!" Mina quickly disagreed as Mineta calls Luffy a 'lucky bastard.' "I want some romance in the show, but not from you."
"Hey, you kept begging for it in the first place." Katsuki can't help but to tease.
More policemen arrived on the scene. They attempted to arrest Alvida and demanded Luffy to get off the platform, but the police force were too swayed by her beauty to do so.
"Oh come on, do better, guys!" Hizashi complained, throwing his hands in the air.
Buggy arrived on the scene with a big BANG as a cannonball hit the fountain near the police, sending them flying. The debris went straight for Alvida, but somehow, it slipped off of her and crashed into a building.
"It... slipped off of her?" Izuku said, readying his notebook.
Buggy apologized to Alvida, though he've known that she would had been unharmed because of her skin. Even when Luffy heard Buggy call her name, he doesn't believe it since she doesn't look like her.
Alvida doesn't blame him because her Devil Fruit, the Sube Sube no Mi, had changed her appearance by giving her smooth skin that slide off any attack. Sadly, it didn't improve her beauty much. It just made her lose her freckles.
"...So, you somehow didn't notice that you lost 90 percent of your weight?" Mineta gaped.
"Wait, does that mean her fat just slide off of her when she ate it?" Denki asked.
"Ew! Ew! That's a gross thing to imagine!" Toru squirmed in her seat.
"But it does show what Devil Fruits are capable of." Izuku said, writing in his notebook.
Alvida claimed that she've joined forces with Buggy since they have the same goal: finding Luffy.
Flashily, Buggy and his crew threw off their cloaks, revealing themselves. Buggy have declared his revenge on Luffy, telling his tale that brought his crew to tears until he suddenly asked himself why he's telling him a story.
...Then it was revealed that Luffy doesn't remember him, going through names like Boogie and Behie until he came to the conclusion of Buffoon.
The class have a good laugh at Buggy's reaction, as Katsuki happily shouted, "Maybe you shouldn't had change the face paint!"
"Honestly, I like the old one better." Toshinori whispered to the other teachers.
Buggy yelled at him for messing around while the citizens recognized him and his crew. They would had ran away if his crew haven't held them up at gunpoint.
"Whoa, hey, you don't need to involve others into this." Mina held her hands up in defense.
Finally, Liffy remembers the clown as Buggy, but soon, he was shackled by Cabaji, pinned down to the execution platform.
To his several hundred billion servants around the world-
"Hey, that's Usopp's gag." Ochako complained.
-Buggy happily announced out Luffy's execution, telling him to be honored that he can die in the same place as the Pirate King.
"You say that, but we still have a thousand episodes to watch." Jiro dryly said.
Over them, thunder rumbled as Nami noticed the atmospheric pressure is dropping abnormally. She can tell a storm is coming. She told Usopp and Sanji to hurry back to the ship or else they'll be in trouble.
Zoro happened to find them, asking if they know where Luffy is. Not only that, but he could sense something terrible is about to happen.
"Well, thanks for the warning." Sero sarcastically said.
Dark clouds covered the skies as the citizens warned the others about Buggy and his crew, giving the others a clue.
Meanwhile, Smoker was given a report that Luffy, Buggy, and Alvida had taken over the square. Smoker was annoyed, and when asked what to do about it, he told the soldier to send Unit #1 to the sea, that Unit #2 has to secretly surround the square from the streets, and have the rest stand by within shooting range.
Aizawa nodded. "That is a good strategy."
Before the man left, Smoker told him to order Unit #1 to crush any pirate ships and to not let any pirates off the island.
"Well, that's not good for the Luffy Pirates!" Toru panicked.
"I hope that's not going to be their official name." Jiro sighed.
Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji heard that Luffy's going to be executed. Zoro and Sanji ran off to save Luffy, leaving Usopp with the giant fish. Nami has to drag him to the harbor.
From the buildings, Smoker and Tashigi could see the situation. Smoker thought Luffy looked pathetic, but he also thought Luffy was somehow different from the others. He've caught his attention before, but looking at him now, Smoker wondered if Luffy's just another pirate.
"Don't worry, Smoky. I'm sure Luffy will impress you... after he gets out of there." Hizashi attempted to reassure him.
"So, he did saw potential in Luffy." Iida nodded with interest.
One marine asked if they should stop the pirates right away. Smoker told them not to since it'll save them trouble since a pirate is about to kill another pirate. Once Luffy's head falls, they can surround the other pirates so they won't have time to think.
Seeing how anxious his students seem to be from Smoker's order, a man they're only recently admired, Aizawa felt like he have to say something. "It may be cruel, but it is a strategy that have been used before. You don't have to use it once you're in the field, but it is out there."
Izuku's hand tightened around his pencil, but soon, he let out a sigh.
He's right. Maybe it's not an often used strategy, but it's been used before, though it's not like Izuku is the professional here, nor are any other of the students. The only reason why they care so much is because how close they became with Luffy and his friends from watching over 50 episodes, and how they started to appreciate Smoker when they realized that he's good at what he does. The man is just doing his job, in fact, with his own passion. Not like the others marines where they're terrorizing the citizens or leaving them to suffer.
Would they feel the same if this tactic was used on any of the villains, like from the league? Of course, Izuku doesn't believe he would be heartless if that was brought up in the future, but at the same time... maybe depending on the situation... he could had.
The storm clouds rumbled and flashed as Buggy continued to announce Luffy's execution. now standing on the same platform as the rubber boy.
As his men happily partied, Luffy seemed to be glad to see his first execution... until he realized the execution was for him.
"How did you missed that?! Big Nose literally said that twice!" Katsuki complained.
"And the fact you are shackled to the platform itself?" Izuku added.
After the eyecatches, Nami and Usopp ran tot he ship as the navigator told him of the big storm, so they have to be lucky if the ship isn't washed out to the sea by the time they get there. She can already tell that the Navy have took action, so hearing the Going Merry might be in trouble, Usopp ran up ahead.
In front of the Going Merry, Mohji have arrived, planning to burn down the ship.
"...Why does he have rabbit ears now?" Toshinori asked.
"He's going to burn down the ship, and that's the first thing you ask?" Hizashi said.
"I was curious!"
Back to the execution platform, Luffy was blandly 'begging' Buggy to not kill him, as if he didn't care he might die here. Of course, Buggy got angry at him.
Now that they have quite an audience, Buggy asked the rubber boy if he has any last words.
"I'm the man who'll be King of the Pirates!"
"Yes!" Kirishima cheered him on.
"What else would he say?" Denki shrugged.
The crowd of citizens gaped at his words for daring to say that in this very town.
Buggy was prepared to kill the rubber boy until he heard Zoro and Sanji shout from the other side of the square.
"Yes! They can save him!" Toru cheered.
"How else would this end?" Katsuki shrugged.
The people ran away at the sight of Zoro, but even with a better pathway to the platform, Buggy is still able to cut Luffy's head off, raising his sword up high.
Zoro and Sanji ran towards the execution platform, taking down any pirates who stands in their way. Buggy took the chance to brag that not even Zoro can stop him now as the marines waited for their cue.
"Come on, guys! You can do it!" Ochako shouted as the others murmured worryingly.
"We know you won't let Luffy down!" Toru tried to encourage.
Just as Buggy swung his word down, Luffy called out to his crew to say one thing, "Sorry, but... I'm dead."
The audience let out gasps and gawks, seeing Luffy's smile even as the blade came down. They didn't know how the rubber boy was even saved here, but...
Just as Buggy's blade came down so close to Luffy's neck, lightning strike the execution platform with enough force to shake the stature and catch it on fire. Rain came in as the platform fell down.
The straw hat landed on the ground, allowing Luffy to grab it and put it on his head. He laughed, seeing that he's still alive.
A sigh of relief came out of the class, goosebumps popping onto their arms.
"Thank god, the sword acted like a lightning rod." Denki happily sighed, slumping into his seat.
"He's lucky that the lightning came around." Katsuki rubbed his arm, easing his cills.
"But did you see Luffy smiled in the face of death?" Tokoyami asked, clearly impressed.
Izuku nodded. "It was clear that the odds against him, and yet... he smiled." It was as if he accepted his death, just like Gold Roger.
Everyone stared in disbelief. As Luffy walked off to the two, Sanji asked Zoro if he believes in god, but Zoro told him to stop talking nonsense and let's get out of here already.
"Right, they're not out of the woods yet." Iida agreed.
Smoker ordered his men to corner the pirates. As the marines fight Buggy's crew, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji ran off, fighting off any soldier that comes in their way.
With Smoker, he kept questioning why did Luffy smiled up there. He knew he was going to die, so he must had accepted his death and smiled.
The image of Roger's execution flashed in his mind.
"Maybe Luffy's not just another pirate." Mina teased.
Though he was told to seize the pirates, Smoker instead asked the man if he've ever seen any pirate who smiled on the execution platform. The man was certain that anyone, even a big shot, would turn pale and die in despair, but Smoker pointed out that Luffy smiled... just like Gold Roger 22 years ago.
"Once again, he's not like every other pirate." Mina nodded with a big grin.
"And to think that Luffy is like the first Pirate King, at least in some way." Tokoyami said.
Smoker demanded to know Straw Hat's location, and the soldier said he's running towards the sea. Smoker asked what Unit #1 is doing since they should've blown up their ship by now, and the soldier admitted they're back for refitting because they couldn't light the powder due to the sudden rain, but a reserve unit is currently getting ready to attack the ship instead.
"Man, this storm is a bigger help than I thought." Sero grinned.
"Still, how long would that last?" Momo asked.
Tashigi pointed out that if they let them sail out now, they'll enter the Grand line.
Smoker could tell that the wind is blowing towards the west; a tailwind for their ship. He felt like heaven itself is trying to let Luffy live.
"To be fair, these are quite the coincidences." Izuku agreed.
"Unless Shanks' there with a devil fruit, I don't see anyone else who would want to help out Straw Hat." Katsuki said.
As Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji were seen running, Smoker declared himself as 'White Hunter Smoker,' and on his honor as a Navy Headquarters Captain, he won't let Lufffy leave this island.
As it rained on Loguetown, a cloaked man walked down the street, saying the storm of fate has arrived.
"To Be Continued."
"...Who the hell are you?!" Katsuki shouted, though not really angry, more bewildered than anything else.
"Is he the one controlling the storm?" Izuku asked. "If he is, then why is he helping Luffy?"
Todoroki stared hard on the screen, where the tattooed man was. Maybe I have to rethink my Shanks's love child theory... or maybe he's Luffy's uncle.
Onto the next episode, they skipped the opening and recap as usual. With that, they were met with, "The Legend Has Started! Head For the Grand Line."
"Oh my god, finally." Katsuki smiled as the others celebrated on the Straw Hats' soon to be success.
The mysterious man walked down the stormy streets as he thought a pirate is fine by him.
"Seriously, who are you?" Denki asked.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji ran down the streets to the Going Merry as Buggy's crew and Alvida attacked the marines. When one soldier tried to grab her, he slipped. Alvida claimed that there is no man alive who can touch her smooth skin.
"I swear the marines must be secretly masochistic." Hizashi whispered to the other two teachers, seeing how the marines have heart eyes even as they're hit by the smooth skinned woman.
"If that's the case, then why haven't her clothing slipped off." Izuku asked, which caused Denki and Mineta to droll at the idea. "She could make her skin selectively smooth, but she would had to notice him to do so."
Buggy picked himself up from the rubble, though he also did claim he was a field filled with flowers for a few seconds. He planned to go after Luffy, confident that Mohji and Richie have burned down Straw Hat's ship by now.
Buggy turned himself into a car with the help of some wheel axles, using the bomb engine to blow the marines away. As some of his crew members created a ramp, Alvida kicked off her sandals and jumped, sliding down the ramp to travel along side Buggy.
As a couple of students laughed at the sight of Buggy, Izuku nodded, "Such creative ways to escape."
The two would had escape if Smoker haven't captured them and their crew in his smoke. "White Out!"
Smoker doesn't have time for small fries as some of the citizens said that's the power of the Moku Moku no Mi.
The marines were able to capture the crew, shooting nets at them.
"So, that's his fruit's name." Izuku murmured.
Worry came over the class, seeing how effective Smoker have captured Buggy's crew. How could Luffy and the others get away from him?
Alvida thought the steel net was annoying, especially when fired from a weird pistol. Buggy claimed it's a "Cage Shot," which was developed by the Navy to deal with Devil Fruit powers.
"So, they do have a method." Izuku said, writing in his notebook. "Now, is it actually steel? Is it a different material?"
Usopp and Nami ran as fast as they could, but by the time they reach the ship, they were met with a hungry Richie and Mohji failing to burn down the ship.
Much to Usopp's horror, Mohji siced Richie on them, but luckily, the egg he accidentally slipped through his launch distracted Richie. This allow the two to run to the Going Merry until they were stopped by the marines.
As for Smoker, he was able to use his smoke to fuel his motorcycle.
As Izuku continued to murmur about vehicles fueled by quirks, Toru cried out, "Oh, storm man, is there anyway you can save our friends?"
"Do you really think the storm came from him?" Ojiro asked.
"I mean, maybe."
Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro continued to run, having no idea where the boat could be as they're being chased by the marines. They don't have time to fight them, but Sanji was able to droll over Tashigi.
Tashigi was angry that Zoro didn't show his true identity as Roronoa or as a pirate, saying he've lied.
"I mean, you never asked for his name or his job." Sato said.
As Sanji got angry at Zoro, the swordsman pointed out that she've never asked, so he didn't lie.
Still, she plans on to collect his sword, so Zoro challenged her.
The two clashed blades, which caused Sanji to get angry at him again for attack a lady.
"I'm pretty sure there are bigger issues than that." Jiro called out.
Tashigi shouted at the two to not interfere. This is a battle between her and Zoro, so Sanji and Luffy went on ahead.
The marines watched as Zoro and Tashigi held their ground. Zoro pulled out Yubeashiri, setting off the fight until he pinned her to a pillar, flinging her sword in the air.
Before Mina could open her mouth, Katsuki practically growled, "Don't you fucking dare."
Zoro won't let her have his sword. He was about to leave when Tashigi demanded on why he didn't finish her off. Is it because she's a woman?
"Ah geez, she even had that from Kuina." Sero said. "Are you secretly her twin sister or her clone?"
Before Todoroki could open his mouth, Izuku quickly interrupted, "No."
All her familiar words about the genders sent Zoro to admit that he doesn't like her 'very being,' that she looks like a close friend who died long ago, along with what she's saying.
"Huh, never thought he would actually say that." Aizawa said.
"I mean, it would be pretty freaky if you met someone who looked like your dead friend and acted like them." Denki shrugged.
Tashigi argued that he's acting childish since she has no clue who this childhood friend.
Sanji and Luffy's path were soon blocked by Smoker, who reminded him that he has to defeat him first so he could enter the Grand Line. Luffy told Sanji to go ahead.
"Alright. Rubber or smoker?" Sero asked.
After the eyecatches, Usopp and Nami were able to jump onto the Going Merry as they were shot at.
"Goddamn it." Sero bowed his head.
A cannonball hit the sea, causing the ship to be rocked.
The two have to sail without them or else the ship will be sunk. As they sailed away, Usopp asked about the others. Nami hoped that they could pick up the others somehow, but they were glad to see Sanji running their way.
Usopp and Nami warned him about the marines, and the cook tried to kick away as much as he could, but it was practically endless. Usopp asked Nami to get closer so he could cover Sanji's back, but they can't head back to land because of the strong current, so Usopp jumped into the sea. Even from the stormy ocean, he was able to snipe down as many men as he could.
"Nice one." Aoyama congratulated him.
"Still, how long can they last?" Momo worried.
"I hope they don't get separated." Toru prayed.
Water overflowed as Luffy was confident enough to beat Smoker and go to the Grand Line. Sick of the idle talk, the marine captain turned his hands into smoke, entrapping the rubber boy within them. Luffy struggled, realizing that he can't grab onto the plume.
"Oh no, this is what I was worried about." Ochako said as the class grew anxious, seeing that Luffy's attacks aren't able to hit him at all.
Smoker pinned Luffy to the ground, disappointed that he has such a high bounty. He must have ran out of the devil's luck. Smoker grabbed his weapon, but someone held him back.
That someone was the mysterious cloaked man, who is apparently wanted by the government. He claimed the world is waiting for their answer.
"What does that mean?! What does that have anything to do with Luffy?" Denki exclaimed, desperate for an answer.
Suddenly, a harsh, powerful wind blown through the town, sending everyone and everything flying, strong enough to destroy the cannons. Just as it came, it disappeared, leading Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji to meet each other near the sea.
"That doesn't answer my question."
"But thank you for bringing them back together." Toru thanked the mystery man as Izuku murmured on about the man's power.
Nami called out to the four. They have to hurry up or else the ship will be swept away.
"Gumo Gumo no..." Luffy ran towards the stairs, then launched himself while grabbing onto the railings. The three have a bad feeling about this as Luffy slingshotted them all the way to the boat. "...Rocket!"
The four were all in a pile as Nami was glad that they're here.
"Okay, now the gang's all back together!" Mina cheered.
"Nice quick thinking." Iida complimented Luffy.
As Smoker stared out at sea, he questioned about the sudden gust and the one who appeared and disappeared on the same day that Gold Roger was executed 22 years ago.
"I'm the who'll be King of the Pirates!" Luffy's words came to him unbidden.
Suddenly, the mysterious cloaked man, Dragon, appeared on the rooftops, telling him to go if he wants to. When asked why he helped out Luffy, Dragon answered with his own question: "What reason would there be to interfere with a man's departure?"
"Seriously, what is your deal, mystery man?" Denki asked, not out of anger but curiosity.
Smoker has decided to set sail after Straw Hat, to enter the Grand Line.
One of the soldiers reminded him that this is in his jurisdiction. He doesn't know what the higher-ups would say, but Smoker won't take orders from them.
"Oh my, trying to be a rebel?" Mina teased.
Tashigi plans on coming too for she wants to capture Zoro without fail.
Buggy's ship squeezed through the others as the captain was glad that the flashy gust saved them. When Alvida asked where they're going now, Buggy pointed to the nostalgic Grand Line to settle with Luffy.
"Oh man, Luffy's going to have plenty of opponents after him." Kirishima said, somewhat worried.
"Nostalgic? Buggy have been there before?" Izuku murmured. But the Grand Line is always presented as a deathtrap for pirates. How did Buggy managed to get out in the first place?
Back with the Straw Hats, Nami pointed out a lighthouse of the island, which is a 'guiding light.' Beyond that light would lead them to the entrance to the Grand Line.
Usopp thought that there's no reason to enter during a storm, but the others were confident to keep going on.
"Come on, we're so close!" Toru begged, squirming in her seat.
Sanji suggested on holding a launching ceremony for setting sail on the great ocean, which everyone agreed on.
One by one, they lifted a foot on a barrel, saying their dream out loud.
"In order to find the All Blue!"
"In order to be King of the Pirates!"
"In order to become a master swordsman!"
"In order to draw a world map!"
"I-In order... to become a brave warrior of the sea!"
"We're going... to the Grand Line!"
"To Be Continued."
"That was so good!" Kirishima grinned as the students agreed, chatting among themselves until Aizawa spoke.
"Okay, we're going to skip a bigger set of filler. Some does have canon material-" Aizawa had to glare down Katsuki before he could complain. "But the principal does suggest that we watch episode 61 since it's easier to skip to the canon, and it's a much better experience than watching the recap. His words, not mine. It won't count in the 20 episodes today."
"Deku, you got to show us that app." Ochako whispered to Izuko, which he immediately nodded.
After skipping the first half of the episode 61 ("Oh my god, the filler arc was going to be about dragons?!"), they were greeted with the crew sailing towards some storm clouds as Nami predicted that they should be seeing the Red Line anytime now.
"Curse you, show, for mixing canon with filler!" Denki over dramatically shook his fist to the ceiling.
"And that Bakugo is such a big baby about it." Jiro added as a whisper.
Luffy was so glad that they're so close to the Grand Line, repeatedly smacking Sanji's back until the cook kicked him in the face.
As Luffy apparently did the same thing to Zoro offscreen, Nami wondered if the Grand Line is actually in the same way as the map depicts.
"What, we're already having trouble here?" Sato worried.
As Usopp is having problems with the rudder, Nami went over the rumors she've heard about the entrance, and the map is proof of it. The entrance to the Grand Line is a mountain, which has canals leading to it, meaning they have to go up it.
"Wait, can water go uphill naturally?" Denki asked.
"I mean, the Nile River can go from south to north, so it's possible," Momo said. "Though I'm not sure if there's a mountain like the one in the anime."
Zoro asked if they could even trust the map since it was from Buggy. Since Usopp is having trouble with the rudder, Nami ordered Sanji to help him. Sanji happily did so, but he also couldn't move it.
When Usopp mentioned how strong the current is, Nami realized that the Reverse Mountain have the currents from the four oceans flow up the mountain. When the currents go up the canals, they collide at the top and then flow into the Grand Line. Reverse Mountain is a 'winter island,' so any currents that collide into the Red Line will plummet from the surface into the depths. If they screw up and miss the entrance to the canal, the Going Merry will run smack into the Red Line's rock face and get wreaked.
To Luffy, it's just a mystery mountain.
"What curious geography." Todorokoi commented on.
"Yeah, and there happened to be no current from the end of the Grand Line." Denki narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"Do you have a theory?" Aoyama wondered.
"Not really, it's just an observation."
Since they're on this current, Nami suggested that as long as they don't mess with the rudder, they should be able to go straight to the summit of Reverse Mountain. Zoro've never heard of ships going over mountains, but Sanji claimed that half of everyone who heads to the Grand Line dies before entering it.
"How... comforting..." Hizashi sarcastically said.
It started to rain as they put up the sail. From the sails, Luffy could see the mystery mountain, which looked rather large as they gotten closer, so big that they can't see the top because of the clouds.
Suddenly, they were sucked in by the powerful currents. It was hard to see the entrance, but Nami could see it's the crack in the cliff.
Zoro can't believe it. The ocean is actually flowing up the mountain.
"Hm... I'm not sure it's possible for water to flow up that steep of a hill." Momo said.
"Anime logic." Denki quickly concluded.
Sanji and Usopp attempted to steer the ship to the entrance, but they pushed the helm so hard that it broke.
"Oh, of course that happened!" Jiro exclaimed in disbelief, as the others sharply suck in some air nervously.
Before the ship could crash into the canal, Luffy ballooned himself between the two, cushioning the impact. Zoro called out to him, and Luffy stretched his hand into Zoro's until he smacked right into the floorboards.
Most of the students let out a sigh of relief until Izuku had to point out one thing, "That's just the first step. They still need to avoid into the wall on top."
As Sanji and Usopp celebrate their victory, the Going Merry head straight to the summit. Luffy went up front as there was a shadowed figure hidden in the back.
"Goddamn it! He's from the fucking filler, isn't he?!" Katsuki complained.
Just as the crew were enjoying the sensation, the 'Sicko Fruit' guy-
"Skip it." Katsuki quickly demanded, and like that, they skipped over that part, only seeing it through the speed up.
"Happy now?" Jiro rolled her eyes.
"I mean, I do appreciate Redhead killing Sicko Fruit."
As they reached up to the summit, beyond the clouds, they jumped in the air, the ice from the splash shattered into sparkles around them. They suddenly dropped back down, riding down the mountain's currents.
To do what Mihawk say...
To find the All Blue there...
To draw my perfect sea charts...
To prove I'm a brave warrior of the sea...
The audience can't resist the smiles on their faces, seeing how far they've come and yet it was only the beginning for them.
Above the clouds, Luffy could see it, the greatest sea in the world: The Grand Line!
Within that sea lies the great treasure, the One Piece.
"To Be Continued."
"You know, that was fun, even if a certain someone keeps on complaining." Mina whispered to her friends, hoping it doesn't reach Bakugo's ears
Chapter 28 - Episode 62 & 63
After skipping episode 62's opening and recap, they were greeted with, "The First Line of Defense? The Giant Whale Laboon Appears."
"A giant whale?" Toru said as Koda perked up with interest.
"And they've just entered." Hizashi can't help but to let out a laugh.
The Going Merry entered the layer of clouds as the crew felt a great thrill, but Zoro seemed to sense something, looking around. There was a loud honk, but Nami passed it off as the wind, believing there must be a lot of unusual landforms.
"It's never the wind!" Sero exclaimed, shaking his head. "Don't use horror movie logic."
The noise came again as a dark ball appeared in the distance. Usopp tried to use his goggles to see better as Sanji called out that he sees a mountain up ahead. Even when Nami worried, Luffy didn't really care.
"I mean, if you don't want to crash into it..." Todoroki said.
"It's the whale, isn't it?" Katsuki sighed.
"Do you understand what it's saying?" Toru asked Koda.
Koda shook his head. Since this is an anime before quirks, there's no way for these whale sounds to actually voice what the whale is saying.
Nami said that after passing the Twin Capes, it should be nothing but ocean.
Once they exited the cloud layer, they screamed in horror, realizing they're heading towards a giant whale.
"That is a giant whale!" Denki shouted in surprise.
"...And he's so scarred up." Koda softly said, feeling bad for the animal.
The whale wailed as the Straw Hats didn't know what to do. Luffy suggested that they fight it, but of course they can't do it. Nami have hopes that he doesn't notice them, and Zoro reminded them they need to do something before they run into it. He ordered that they get through on the left, but the rudder is broken. Zoro ran to help them, just as Luffy got an idea.
"They've just entered the Grand Line! Give them a break!" Toru shouted to the cosmos.
Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji tried to pull on what's left of the rudder as hard as they could, but the ship would't budge. Nami stared at the giant whale, wondering if this is it.
BOOM!
The ship's front cannon shot at the whale. The impact of the blast shot the ship back slight as Nami tried to regain her footing. It was revealed that was Luffy's idea.
There was a sigh of relief washed throughout the room, through Koda did let out a surprised squeak at the impact on Laboon. Jiro patted him on the back in comfort, telling him that the whale seems to be okay.
"That is pretty clever." Izuku commented on.
The Going Merry slowed down much more considerably, but once it bump into the whale, it ended up breaking the Merry's figurehead off with a loud CRACK. It was sent flying over a traumatized Nami, and once it landed, Luffy let out a scream of horror for his special seat.
The whale barely even reacted to what happened, giving them the chance to row out of here until it let out a great howl that seemed to send shockwaves. Still, they tried to paddle despite the noise.
Momo let out a sigh of relief. "All they need to do is row and they'll be-"
Luffy came up onto the deck as Nami looked at him in confusion. The rubber boy yelled at the whale for breaking his special seat, then he punched right in the eye.
"YOU MORON!" The Straw Hats and the audience yelled out at the same time.
"Dumbass, you're going to get yourself killed!" Jiro exclaimed, trying to comfort a crying Koda.
There seems to be a pause for them until the whale's massive eye suddenly looked down at them.
Luffy tried to pick another fight with the whale, Zoro and Usopp kicked him down before he could.
"Goddamn it, don't pick a fight with a giant whale that's a billion times your size!" Sero shouted.
The whale angrily groaned, opening its massive mouth to reveal his large teeth. The rushing water pulled into his mouth was like a strong current, pulling their ship in.
"Shit!" Kirishima cursed as the others became anxious in the Straw Hats' fate now.
Luffy managed to stumble right off of the ship, and before he hit the water, he stretched his arm's to the whale's teeth, then launched himself to the whale's head. As he climbed up, his crew was sucked on until the whale unceremoniously closed his mouth.
The students and teachers blinked.
"...Okay, what now?" Mina asked.
Luffy took a breather on top of the whale's head, but soon, he got angry, punching the creature's blubber, demanding that he spit his friends out.
As the whale started to dive into the water, Luffy resorted to stomping, shouting how he and his friends are suppose to go an adventures together... until he noticed a hatch attached to the whale.
"...Wait, is it actually a submarine?" Denki asked as Koda felt slightly better at the idea of it not being real.
"Why the hell would a submarine need a mouth?" Katsuki rolled his eyes.
"Aesthetics?"
"They're really committed to the whale bit?" Mina suggested.
Katsuki facepalmed.
Though the Going Merry was swallowed by the whale, the crew were in front of an island, surrounded by sky, much to their confusion.
...
"...W-What?" Toshinori vocalized everyone's confusion.
Zoro thought they were in a dream while Nami wondered what're the island and house doing there.
Soon, a giant squid popped up from the water.
"Oh, come on, give them a break!" Jiro complained as Mineta murmured something about some 'tentacle action.'
Usopp and Nami ran as Zoro and Sanji prepared to fight, but before the battle could begin, three harpoons came out of the house and stabbed the giant squid, killing it.
Students let out startled yells as Koda felt bad for the creature.
Sanji and Zoro hoped it was a person who did this as Usopp and Nami were afraid for their lives until they wondered what happened with Luffy.
Now, with Luffy, it's another story. He appeared to be in some passageway, wondering why all of this is in a whale.
"So, wait, is the whale actually a giant submarine?" Ocahko asked, absolutely flabbergasted about all of this.
Back to the rest of the crew, they saw an old man with a flower headpiece exit out of the house. After the eyecatches, the old man pulled in the ropes, appearing in the light. They don't know if the man is here to just fish or save them. They stared at him as the man stared back intensely... until the old man sat down in his lounge chair, and Sanji yelled at him to say something.
The students snickered at the comedic bit.
"Geez, calm down, Sanji." Jiro chuckled, shaking her head.
All the way in the back, Usopp threatened that they will fight him. At this, the old man's eyes glared, staring them down as there were dramatic angle shots.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
The old man told them to not, or else someone will die.
Usopp and Nami were terrified as Sanji asked who's going to die... and the old man said it was himself.
The snickering turned more into chuckles at that.
"W-What is this?" Hizashi laughed.
Zoro told him to calm down, but Sanji thought the old man was mocking them. The swordsman asked for where they are and who he is.
Once again, the man intimately glared at them as there were more dramatic angle shots (actually, they might be the same ones).
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
The old man told him that he should introduce himself before asking questions. Zoro agreed, trying to be civil, but when he attempted to, the old man, Crocus, did the introducing instead, telling them his name, his occupation, his age, his star sigh, his blood type-
"Can I cut him!?"
That chuckling had turned into laughter throughout the room.
"How long it this going to last?" Izuku asked, though he isn't complaining.
Crocus thought it was rude of them for barging in on his private resort, asking if it looks like they're in the belly of a rat.
"Wait, it's actually a whale?" Momo said in confusion as the laughter died down.
"But what about the sky?!" Mineta added onto that confusion.
Nami didn't want to be digested, which caused Crocus stared them down with dramatic angle shots once again.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
"Would you cut that out?!"
"Haven't you guys heard of the 'repeating gag'?"
"That was a gag?!"
The laughter came back.
"Wait, I thought that was a bad thing." Hizashi said.
"But there's the rule of three." Aizawa reminded him with a bit of a smirk.
Crocus pointed over to the exit, which looks like a floating door. Nami questioned why there even is an exit in a whale's belly, or that the door is in the sky.
"I mean, it's either the door or the other way." Sero said as the others tried to comprehend a door in the sky.
"Don't be gross!" Jiro shouted at him, hitting his arm.
Usopp told her to look carefully, seeing how everything is painted inside the whale's stomach. Crocus simply calls it a 'doctor's playful mind.'
"He must have a whole lot of time to just paint a whale's stomach." Iida said.
"And a lot of confidence since that means they're floating in stomach acid." Shoji added.
"But how is it so well lit?" Momo questioned.
The crew plans to get out of here, but the waters suddenly started to rock violently. Crocus noticed 'it' started as Nami could see his island is actually a ship made of iron, reminding them that the Going Merry will melt in the gastric acid.
Usopp demanded for an answer, and Crocus told them that the whale, Laboon, has started to bash his head against the Red Line.
Students, especially Koda, let out shouts of surprise, seeing Laboon do this.
"W-Why is he doing that?" Koda became teary eyed from seeing the whale abuse himself.
Nami remembered Laboon's terrible scars and his howling, realizing he's suffering. She and Usopp thought the old man was trying to kill the whale from the inside.
Zoro told them that they should get out before they're digested as Sanji believed they have nothing to say about his whale hunting nor have the obligation to save the whale.
"T-That's terrible!" Toru shouted as Koda continued to cry, too upset that Laboon could die in such a horrible way and they didn't want to do anything about it. Jiro pat his back in comfort.
"They're not heroes." Aizawa reminded them; a fact that know well enough.
"Still, that's really awful, letting Laboon die like that." Momo muttered.
Somewhere in Laboon's body, two people, a woman with long, blue hair in a ponytail, and a man with 9s on his cheeks, held up their bazookas as the Straw Hats had problems nearing the door.
Suddenly, the old man swam into the gastric acid.
"What are you doing, old man?" Katsuki can't help but to ask.
Luffy screamed, bouncing around the passageway until he found himself in some water channel. When the 'building' started to tilt up, the rubber boy fell down.
The man-woman duo, Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9, were discussing their plans to eliminate the old man as they need the whale for their town.
"Whoa, wait, are we dealing with spies now? Because I don't think 'Wednesday' or '9' are normal family names." Denki said.
"And what are they going to do with Laboon?" Koda quietly asked, even more worried for the whale's safety.
Usopp saw Crocus come out if the water and climb up the metal ladder, but Zoro is more focused on how they open the doors.
Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday were planning on opening the doors until they saw Luffy running towards them, unable to stop. Luffy ran out the door, pushing himself and the two right off the platform and into the gastric acid.
"Well, thank god it's not that acidy." Toru let out a sigh of relief.
Nami saw Crocus disappeared into the door, but Zoro want to focus on Luffy first.
With Crocus, there was an intense look on his face, telling the whale to stop, as Laboon continued to smash his head into the Red Line. With a giant needle, Crocus gave the creature a 'little' sedative, reminding himself to make more. He reminds the whale that even if he hits the Red Line until he dies, it won't break.
Koda only calmed down a bit since Laboon won't hurt himself for now, but he can't help wondering on why Laboon need to go to the other side of the wall.
The crew were glad the whale calmed down, but they have to deal with the two, demanding who they are. Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9 could see they are pirates. At first, they thought of simply talking to them will work, but Crocus appeared, telling the two that he won't let them lay a finger on Laboon as long as he's alive.
The Straw Hats were confuse as Mr. 9 revealed that they want to take down the whale, aiming their guns at the walls. Cannonballs came out, but before they hit the wall, Crocus jumped, taking the hit.
"Old man!" "Crocus!"
"H-He protected Laboon." Koda softly said.
From this selfless action, the Straw Hats understood he was trying to protect the whale the whole time.
The two told them that it's pointless to resist, they'll turn the whale into food for their town.
"Is fishing not enough?!" Ochako shouted at the two as Koda let out a frightened squawk.
Luffy bonked their heads together... because he just felt like hitting them.
"Thank you, Luffy." Koda let out a sigh of relief.
Later, when Crocus is back on his island, he thanked Luffy, but asked why he did it. Luffy simply claimed that he just doesn't like the duo.
As Usopp tried to pull Luffy down the tree, Nami asked who these people are, and what Crocus doing inside the whale. Crocus said the two were some thugs of a nearby town after whale meat. If they killed the whale, they would had fed the townspeople for at least 2-3 years.
"Well, he is a big whale." Denki shrugged.
"But that doesn't make it right to eat him!" Toru shouted at him with Koda quickly nodding along.
Crocus claimed that Laboon is an island whale, the world's largest whale that only live in the West Blue. There is a reason why he keeps hitting the Red Line and howling towards Reverse Mountain, and that's because Laboon is a whale with a human heart, and he's been devotedly waiting for a certain pirate group for 50 long years.
"To Be Continued."
"50 years?" Izuku gaped.
"Noooooo! It's going to be another sad animal story!" Toru cried as Koda paled a bit.
After skipping episode 63's opening and recap, they were met with, "A Promised Between Men! Luffy and the Whale Vow to Meet Again."
"Yes!" Kirishima cheered, happy to hear there will be a happy ending to this.
Crocus decided to tell them Laboon's story.
50 years ago, Crocus was on his duty as a lighthouse keeper as usual when one day, some pirates came down Reverse Mountain and entered the Grand Line. With them was a small whale and that was Laboon.
The girls awed and cooed, seeing little Laboon chirp.
Crocus explained that the pirates had been traveling with Laboon, but they planned on leaving him in the West Blue since the Grand Line is extremely dangerous. Still, the whale followed them.
Island Whales usually travel together as a group, but Crocus suspected that Laboon felt like he was a member of that pirate crew.
Since their ship had broken down, they stayed at the cape for several months, so Crocus and the pirates became good friends. Because of that, on the day of their departure, their captain asked him to take care of Laboon for 2-3 years. He was confident that they'll go around the world and come back here, asking Laboon to wait for them since the Grand Line is dangerous.
Laboon tried to follow them, but at the captain's call, he was reminded of their promise.
The Straw Hats can't believe that Laboon have been waiting for 50 years just for that crew. Nami asked if that's why he continue to hit himself on the Red Line, which Crocus said yes to.
"No! Why did he have to get a sad backstory too!?" Mina cried, adding on to the used tissue collection on the floor.
The Straw Hats sailed through the canal in Laboon's body, which Zoro is surprised that Laboon is still alive. Sanji wondered if it's also past of his 'playful mind,' but Crocus corrected him that it's a 'doctor's playful mind' since he is a doctor and he ran a clinic on the cape a long time ago. While it was only a few years, he was also a ship's doctor.
Luffy asked if Crocus could be their ship's doctor, but Crocus told them that he doesn't have the energy to do reckless things anymore.
"...like swimming through stomach acid and taking two giant bullets?" Denki pointed out.
"Still, I doubt he could do that everyday," Izuku said. "Especially if they're going through more dangerous adventures in the future."
Sanji and Nami realized why he's in the whale, to give him treatments from the inside since it's impossible to do so from the outside with Laboon's size.
Koda gave the old man a quiet thank you, happy that he isn't a whale hunter.
Crocus opened the door for them, allowing them to see the real sky. Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9 woke up, just as Usopp said that those pirates are sure making Laboon wait for them. Sanji reminded him that this is the Grand Line and those pirates are pretty much dead. No matter how long Laboon waits, they're never going to come back. Nami agreed since the Grand Line would had been even more chaotic and terrible than it is now. Usopp tried to be more optimistic since they don't know for sure, touched by Laboon's story. Crocus wished for the same, but he knows that reality is cruel.
Everyone bowed their heads, recognizing what he said is true.
As much as Koda wish that Laboon's crew is alive, maybe still stuck somewhere on the Grand Line, he doubts that even one member is alive after 50 years in the dangerous sea.
Crocus was able to confirm that those pirates ran away from the Grand Line, but Usopp can't believe it. From Nami, she said that would mean they had to go through the Calm Belt alive. Even if they're alive, they're probably never come back here because of so many things. As Crocus said, "Common sense is useless in the Grand Line."
"B-But that's awful!" Toru cried.
"But it might be true, despite how dark and hopeless it sounds." Tokoyami looked at the floor, frowning.
Nami asked why he haven't told Laboon, but Crocus did in the past. Laboon refused to believe it, and since then, Laboon had been howling at Reverse Mountain and started slamming his body against the Red Line. He probably thought that his friends'll come back from the other side of the wall anytime now.
"Oh Laboon..." Momo sniffled, creating another box of tissues.
Crocus knows that if Laboon had accepted his words. then that means there's no point in waiting and that's what he's afraid of. Laboon's from the West Blue, and there's no way of going back there now. Those pirates are his only buddies and hope.
While Sanji knows that Laboon is a poor whale, he asked if Crocus was betrayed in a way. He believes the doctor have done enough for Laboon already, but Crocus could see from the whale's scars that if he continues to hit his head, he'll die. He can't stand by and watch him die now.
"How are they going to save Laboon?" Ochako asked.
"Is that even possible?" Iida sighed.
Suddenly, Luffy ran, carrying the mast up Laboon's head.
"...What are you doing?" Izuku asked as confusion hit the audience.
"Gumo Gumo no..." Luffy stabbed the mast right into Laboon's bleeding wound. "...Ikebana!"
"Sweet Jesus!" "Luffy!" "Straw Hat!" "Are you trying to kill him?!" "He has suffered enough!" "Don't put him out of his misery!"
Of course, Koda horribly cried at this, absolutely confused on why Luffy would do this to the whale.
The crew realized that was the main mast of their ship.
Laboon roared out, shaking the ocean around them. The whale jumped in the air and crashed into the cape, scrapping the mast off. Crocus worried that Luffy could had gotten killed, but Nami tried to reassure him that he can't be crushed to death.
Laboon and Luffy fought each other, much to the others' confusion, but before Laboon crashed into him once again, Luffy called it a draw.
"Huh?" Several students called out.
Laboon stopped as Luffy placed his hat back on his head. He said he is strong and that Laboon wants to defeat him. Their fight isn't over, so they have to fight again. While Laboon's friends are dead, Luffy declared himself as his rival forever, and they have to fight again in order to decide who is stronger. Luffy promised that after going around the Grand Line, they'll come back to see him again.
Laboon teared up, letting out a much more pleasant howl.
"Luffy, thank you." Koda smiled, happy that he've given him hope.
"Though we do not appreciate you almost stabbing his brain!" Toru quickly added.
After the eyecatches, it was revealed that Luffy have painted his jolly roger on Laboon's head, in his usual messy style, as a symbol of their promise, so Laboon can't remove it by hitting his head.
"Oh, that's a clever idea." Ochako said, impressed.
While repairing the ship, Usopp noticed Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9 are gone while Nami wondered who they are in the first place.
In the sea, it was revealed the duo are in the water. Mr. 9 asked what they are going to do now, and Miss Wednesday said that they should go back and report to the boss since their estimated mission completion time has long passed. If they didn't, they'll make them out to be traitors. Since they don't have their weapons anymore, they'll have to go back to their office and start over.
"I have a feeling the crew will have to face their organization in the future." Todoroki said.
Mr. 9 reached into his coat, but he's missing something.
On the Going Merry, Luffy noticed something that was like a combination of a watch, compass, and an orb, as Miss Wednesday yelled at her partner for losing the log pose, something they can't go to their town without.
"Log pose?" Izuku repeated in confusion, noting the design.
In the sky, Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday were terrified of the Unluckies, Mr. 13 and Miss Friday, who are an otter-vulture duo.
"What the-"
"I thought we've already established that One Piece is a strange world and I doubt that's the strangest thing we'll see."
Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday attempted to explain, but the Unluckies have sent a bomb after them.
On the cape, Nami stretched out her body, finally drawing up the plans for the Grand Line journey. She placed down her compass, which kept spinning.
"Is there something about the Grand Line's magnetic field that caused the compass to do that?" Izuku asked, then his eyes widen. "Wait, is that what the log pose is for?"
While Sanji cooks, Usopp angrily repairs the mast, yelling at Zoro, who was sleeping, to help him out.
Nami let out a terrified scream. Luffy told her to quiet down while Sanji came to her side with the sliced up fish.
The navigator thought the compass is broken, seeing how it isn't pointing to any direction. Crocus noticed that they came here without no knowledge.
As he said before, common sense is useless in this sea. The compass is not broken, but rather, the islands in the Grand Line contains lots of magnetic minerals. Furthermore, the currents and winds don't have constancy, a scary thing for a navigator.
"So, that's the reason." Izuku nodded while some of the other students looked confuse, especially about magnetic minerals.
While Luffy eats the food, Nami and Usopp are panicking about their adventuring. Crocus explained that they need a log pose to travel around the Grand Line. The log pose is a special compass that record magnetism and it has an unusual shape, which Luffy raised up the log pose he've found.
Nami punched him in the face, asking why he has one.
"Oh geez, Nami, the guy just found it." Mineta raised his hands in defense as if she would punch him any second now.
Luffy simply explained that the two 'weirdoes' dropped it on the ship. He asked why she hit him, and Nami said to just go with the flow.
Nami grabbed the log pose, seeing there's no dial face. Crocus explained that by recording the magnetism of two islands pulling against each other, they can find the route to the next island. It's the only thing you can depend on. You need to pick one out of seven magnetisms produced by Reverse Mountain, but no matter which island, those magnetisms will eventually pull against each other and link themselves to one route. The name of the island at the end of the route is... Raftel, and the only one in history who confirmed the island is the King of the Pirates. A theory is that maybe One Piece is there, but no one has been able to reach there.
"If that's the case, then I'm guessing it must be absolutely difficult if no one else has found the island by now." Mina said.
When Luffy claimed that they'll know the One Piece is there once they get there, there was a certain look in Crocus's eyes.
The rubber man let out a sigh from eating all the food already, including the bones.
"What was that?" Katsuki said, raising any eyebrow towards Crocus.
"He've been there for 50 years. Maybe Luffy reminds him of someone." Kirishima suggested, sounding a bit hopeful.
Nami said that they have to take care of the log pose. Just in time for Sanji to kick Luffy for eating all the food, causing the sudden force to break the log pose.
There were facepalms everywhere.
"Goddamn it, we only had that thing for a few minutes!" Katsuki complained.
"The most unluckiest and yet the luckiest crew ever." Aoyama sighed, shaking his head.
Nami kicked them to the ocean as a punishment as Usopp panicked over their most important tool. Luckily for them, Crocus can give them his as a thank you.
"What did I tell you?" Aoyama mused.
Laboon was able to bring Luffy, Sanji, Mr. 9, and Miss Wednesday in. The two groups noticed each other as Sanji helped the blue haired woman to her feet.
Mr. 9 asked for a favor, and one jump cut later, the crew were told that Whiskey Peak is the place the two live, and the two were hoping the crew would bring them there since their ship is busted.
"I don't know. Sounds like it could be a big trap." Denki said.
"And you tried to kill Laboon!" Ochako quickly argued.
Nami thought they were asking for too much since they tried to kill Laboon. Usopp asked what those two are. Mr. 9 claimed he's a king, but Nami could tell that's a lie.
They can't tell who they are, but they really want to go back to the town. They don't want to be secretive, but the motto of their company is 'mystery,' so they can't tell them anything.
Even at a mention of a favor, Crocus told them to not trust the duo.
"That's pretty obvious." Todoroki said.
"But I guess those two are really desperate for a ride that they might not do anything." Ojiro could only hope.
Nami mentioned they broke their log pose, which caused the two to get angry at them until the navigator also mentioned that they also have one Crocus gave them. At this, Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9 continued to beg, but then Luffy causally said that they can ride with them.
Usopp asked if they should even trouble themselves to take these shady people. Luffy told him to not worry about the small things, but Crocus remind them they can only choose the route here, the starting point. Luffy told them to set sail, but Miss Wednesday asked for his name.
"Me? I'm... the man who'll be King of the Pirates."
Crocus continued to smile as miss Wednesday and Mr. 9 tried to hide their laughter, thinking he's just a stupid pirate.
"But it'll become true!" Kirishima quickly argued.
"Yeah, yeah, we know." Mina snickered.
As the sun sets, Crocus told Nami that the log must've been stored, asking if it is pointing at the same direction as the map. Nami could see it's pointing at Whisky Peak.
They have their thanks and goodbyes as the crew sailed off to their destination.
Watching them off, Crocus wondered if they're the pirates that they've been waiting for all this time, seeing how Luffy can have such an uncanny air about him. He asked Roger what he thinks.
"To Be Continued."
"...What?" Izuku pretty much spoke out their surprise.
"Oh my god, he knew Roger!?" Kirishima excitedly exclaimed. "That's who he must be reminded of!"
"But what does it mean? That they're the pirates they've been waiting for?" Iida asked, stoking his chin.
"A mysterious destiny?" Denki could only guess.