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The Strongest Frost Loli (193)
🕑 Added 2025-02-11 17:00:12 +0000 UTCChapter 193 - The Knock Up Stream
The Straw Hats, accompanied by Masira, set off for Jaya’s eastern shores, skirting the northern edge of Mock Town. Along the way, they encountered the Shojo Pirates. A tense standoff ensued, until Usopp’s casual remark, “He looks like Masira,” caught Shojo’s attention.
Upon learning that Shojo and Masira were sworn brothers, and that Luffy was a friend of Masira’s, Shojo’s demeanor shifted from hostile to friendly.
“Why didn’t you say so earlier? Masira’s friend is my friend! No need for a toll.”
“Oh, thanks.”
“Don’t mention it! You going to see Masira?”
“No, we’re looking for someone named Mont Blanc Cricket.”
“The old man?”
Shojo explained that Cricket was the landlord of the house he and Masira were lodging in, adding the somewhat irrelevant detail that they slept on their ships because the house was too small.
With Shojo as their guide, the Straw Hats continued their journey, arriving at a peculiar structure perched precariously on the edge of a cliff. It was half a house, the missing section boarded up with plywood. Whether due to a lack of funds or materials, it was a curious sight.
“Here it is. Oi, old man!”
“A ‘dreamer,’ you say…?”
“Well, he’s certainly… ambitious.”
They docked their ship and watched as Shojo entered the half-house.
Nami turned to Teach. “Why does Mr. Cricket live in a place like this?”
“I don’t know the details, but… he claims there’s a massive treasure buried on Jaya.”
“Treasure!? There’s treasure here!?”
“Who knows? It’s a romantic notion, but how much undiscovered gold can there really be in this world?”
The Great Pirate Era had begun 20 years ago. Countless pirates had sailed the seas, exploring numerous islands. Undiscovered lands were rare, and Twilight, by its very nature, possessed detailed maps of almost the entire world.
Unexplored territories were few and far between. The romantic ideal of undiscovered riches was fading fast. Though, as long as there were places untouched by human hands, the dream would never truly die.
“My sister’s accomplished a lot, but the radio’s definitely made the world a smaller place. Most people now know that merfolk, fish-men, giants… they’re not that different from us. It’s opened their eyes to the wonders of the world, but it’s also shown them that there aren’t that many truly inexplicable mysteries left. These days, the only real unknowns are One Piece and whatever lies in the sky.”
“Huh… You have a sister?”
“That’s what you take away from that story!?”
“Zehahahaha! Aye, I do! And she’s one tough lady!”
Usopp scolded Sanji for focusing on women rather than the adventure, while Teach laughed. The Straw Hats, unfamiliar with Kanata, imagined a female version of Teach. A towering, boisterous, pirate amazon. Robin, guessing their thoughts, thought, If she heard that, she’d be furious.
“Doesn’t seem like he’s home… just wait here. He’s probably diving.”
“Diving? What’s he doing in the sea? Catching dinner?”
“No, he’s looking for gold.”
Shojo’s casual remark surprised the Straw Hats.
“So, there is gold here!?”
“Aye, there is. I’ll show you later.”
Shojo sat down, assuming Cricket would be a while. A picture book titled “Noland the Liar” lay on the tree stump that served as a table.
“Cool title!”
“Brings back memories. I read this countless times as a kid.”
“But… it says it’s published in the North Blue.”
“Aye, I’m from the North Blue.”
The Red Line, a massive continent of red earth, divided the world’s seas. Travelling from the North Blue to the East Blue, where the Straw Hats originated, required crossing the Red Line, a feat rarely accomplished during childhood. Robin, Pedro, and Teach found this curious, but they didn't press the issue. Shojo had changed the subject, as if reluctant to discuss his past.
“Never mind me. I’ve heard stories that Noland, the guy in this book, was a real person.”
“You know this story too!? Masira and I are huge fans! The island with the gold in this book… it’s Jaya!”
Shojo excitedly explained that Jaya was the setting for the children’s story. Noland had claimed the island had sunk due to geological activity, and Cricket, believing him, spent his days diving in search of the lost city of gold.
As they spoke, a figure emerged from the sea.
“Old man!”
“…Who are you?”
It was Mont Blanc Cricket who had a hair shaped like a chestnut. He stared at Shojo, confused by his friendly interaction with the unknown pirates.
***
“I see…”
Once inside Cricket’s half-house, the Straw Hats explained their situation. Cricket, suffering a bout of decompression sickness, briefly lost consciousness, but Chopper’s quick thinking prevented any lasting damage.
They told him about their Log Pose pointing at the sky, their encounter with Masira, their search for information in Jaya, and their desire to reach a Sky Island. Shojo and Masira had gone fishing for Pacific saury.
“A Sky Island… so there are still people who believe those fairy tales.”
“We’re not here to debate its existence. We know they’re real. The question is how to get there.”
Teach explained the Knock Up Stream method he had learned from Izo. Cricket’s cigarette dangled from his lips as he stroked his chin thoughtfully. While he hadn’t attempted it himself, the theory was sound.
“So, you’ve come to me… which means you want to know when and where the Knock Up Stream will coincide with the ‘night’ phenomenon.”
“Glad you caught on.”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“What!?”
Usopp was startled by Cricket’s abrupt answer. He had deduced it based on Masira’s encounter with the ‘night’ and the Knock Up Stream’s five-day cycle. The ‘night’ phenomenon was caused by a massive cumulonimbus cloud that formed south of Jaya. If they wanted to ride the Knock Up Stream, that was their only option. Moreover, their Log Pose would reset within a day.
“I’ve been on this island for ten years. I’m certain of my calculations.”
“Ten years… what have you been doing here all this time?”
“Searching for gold.”
Cricket was a descendant of Mont Blanc Noland. Back in his homeland, he had been ridiculed and ostracized simply for his lineage. He had left, become a pirate, and eventually reached Jaya. He had been diving ever since, searching for the city of gold Noland had claimed had sunk beneath the waves. It wasn't about clearing his ancestor's name or seeking revenge. Having reached the island that had ruined Noland’s life, Cricket felt compelled to find closure. It was his destiny.
“Noland’s journal mentions a Sky Island several times. Let’s see… here it is.”
“This is his actual journal!? Incredible…!”
Her hands trembling, Nami carefully turned the pages of the precious document.
--June 21st, Sea Circle Calendar 1120, Clear Skies. Departed from the lively town of Villa.
--Following the Log Pose, we should be heading east-northeast from the harbor.
--Acquired a curious item from a merchant ship today. A ‘Waver,’ a single-person vessel resembling a ski. It generates its own wind, allowing it to travel even on calm days. Apparently, it requires some skill to operate, as I haven’t been able to master it. It’s become quite the amusement for the crew.
“No way, I want one!”
“Just keep reading!”
“They’re for sale. Twilight handles them. A bit pricey, though.”
“They sell them!?”
Nami, surprised by Teach’s comment, continued reading.
--The Waver's propulsion system is apparently unique to Sky Islands. I hear there are many such peculiar items up there.
--Speaking of Sky Islands, a fellow explorer once showed me a live Sky Fish. A truly bizarre creature.
--While it’s uncharted territory for our ship, I, as a navigator, yearn to explore the sky’s sea one day.
Noland’s journal confirmed the existence of the sky’s sea, sending the Straw Hats into a frenzy of excitement. They were practically bouncing with anticipation.
“Wow… it’s real…”
“Zehahahaha! Aye, it is! I understand your disbelief! But Sky Islands exist! Legends, fairy tales… they’re real! So, One Piece must be real too! It has to exist!”
Teach, in high spirits, stood up and announced his departure.
“I’m heading back to Mock Town.”
“Oh, already?”
“Aye. My role here is done. You’re better off asking those other lads. You’re leaving tomorrow morning, right? I’ll come see you off!”
He had nothing more to offer them. He would see Robin off, but that was the extent of his involvement. He bid the Straw Hats farewell and, whistling cheerfully, walked back towards Mock Town along the coastline.
***
Later that night, Teach gathered his crew at the tavern. He announced his intention to leave briefly in the early morning. Five men, all as large as Teach himself, were present.
Jesus Burgess.
Van Augur.
Doc Q.
Laffitte.
“Where are you going, Captain?”
“To see my little sister off. She’s going to a Sky Island.”
“A Sky Island! That’s quite the adventure!”
“Hohoho, your ‘little sister,’ you say? The one from Twilight?”
“Aye. You coming?”
“We met here for a reason… no harm in seeing them off together.”
“Aye, not a bad idea… cough”
He had gathered these men from various locations during his vacation. As a member of Twilight, Teach could have easily recruited subordinates, but he wanted a crew he had chosen personally. While fate played a role in their survival, he believed a captain should choose his own nakama, those he could trust his back to.
He had considered returning when the Beasts Pirates and Big Mom Pirates had mobilized, but he had decided to remain hidden, a card to be played later. If Kanata needed every available hand, she would call in reserves from all over, disrupting the economy. Since that hadn't happened, Teach assumed she had the situation under control.
“I don’t know the exact time, but if we leave early, we should be…”
As Teach discussed their plans, a commotion erupted outside. Assuming it was just another drunken brawl, he ignored it, until a series of loud bangs, culminating in a particularly powerful explosion that shook the ground slightly, silenced the tavern. He used his Observation Haki to scan the area, recognizing a familiar presence, and stepped outside.
Several buildings had holes blasted through them. He followed the trail of destruction, arriving at a tavern where the straw-hatted man he had met earlier emerged.
“Hey, old man!”
“What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be preparing for your Sky Island trip?”
“Yeah, but… those diamond guys got their gold stolen, so they came back to get it.”
“…Sympathy?”
“They’re my friends.”
“Zehahahaha!”
Teach roared with laughter, startling Luffy.
“You’re risking your chance to reach a Sky Island… for your friends? You’re a strange one!”
“Shut up! We can still make it!”
“My mistake. You’re going back to those other guys, right? Know the way?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
Luffy had apparently run along the coast, and intended to return the same way. Teach watched him go, then caught two wanted posters that had been carried by the wind.
“‘Straw Hat’ Luffy, 100 million berries. And ‘Pirate Hunter’ Zoro, 60 million… I knew that Haki wasn’t worth a mere 30 million. They’re quite the pair.”
While countless unreported incidents occurred at sea, a sudden bounty increase of this magnitude likely meant they were involved in the recent Alabasta incident, in some capacity.
While grinning, Teach returned to his crew and set off for Cricket’s house.
***
Early the next morning, Teach and his crew arrived at Cricket’s half-house. They were already prepared for departure.
“Yo! Ready to go!?”
“Teach! You actually came!”
“Of course I did! Who do you take me for!?”
“Well, you have a habit of… forgetting your promises.”
Robin’s words left Teach speechless. They still had some time before departure, but Teach noticed Luffy was missing. He had seen him just hours ago. Apparently, Teach had arrived first.
“Should’ve brought him with us.”
“I know! Is he trying to miss his chance to reach a Sky Island!?”
The Going Merry, reinforced by Masira and Shojo, now sported a… chicken-like figurehead. A questionable design choice, to say the least.
“Is… that your ship…?”
“What’s wrong with it? It’s a good ship!”
“Well, it’s more like a…”
It looked like a few logs tied together with ropes. While it technically had a sail, it lacked a rudder, requiring manual steering with oars. It was essentially a raft.
Sanji, reluctant to criticize after their assistance, struggled to find the right words. He eventually gave up, took a drag from his cigarette, and remained silent.
As they waited, Luffy returned, out of breath.
“I did it!”
“There you are!”
“Hurry, we’re running out of time… wait, what’s that in your hand?”
“Look! Hercules!”
“What were you doing!?”
It was clear he had been on a completely unrelated errand. As Luffy scrambled aboard, he returned the gold piece to Cricket.
“…Get on the ship, idiot! Don’t you want to go to a Sky Island?”
“Yeah! Thanks for the ship!”
“Thank those two.”
“Thanks, guys! Here’s Hercules!”
“You’re the best! You’re amazing!”
They were running out of time. As Luffy boarded, they unfurled the sails.
Cricket, looking up at them, shouted,
“The Golden Land, One Piece… no one’s ever proved they don’t exist! People laugh, call it a foolish dream, but who cares! That’s what… romance… is all about!”
Inspired by the words of the man who chased his dreams, the Straw Hats set course for the south. They had roughly three hours to reach the Knock Up Stream. A tense journey, perhaps, but Luffy, declaring that worrying wouldn’t change anything, convinced Masira and Shojo to relax and enjoy the ride.
“Hey, your bounties have been updated!”
“Really? How much!?”
“Straw Hat’s at 100 million, and Pirate Hunter’s at 60 million!”
“It’s true! Luffy’s wanted poster! And Zoro’s too!”
“Hey, where’s mine?”
“There isn’t one.”
“Look again! There has to be one!”
Nami, ignoring Sanji’s attempts to shake Usopp, muttered, “Their bounties increased because of the Alabasta incident.”
Even with Pedro and Zepo aboard, having a captain with a bounty exceeding 100 million berries was a significant development.
Teach, overhearing Nami, grinned. ‘So, it’s true.’ He smiled, impressed by Luffy’s hidden potential.
“There should be some Twilight members stationed on the Sky Island. I haven’t been there recently, but Robin might know some of them.”
“That’s possible.”
While it wasn’t a base for high-ranking officers, Sky Islands held sensitive information. Some veteran members might be stationed there.
Robin offered to send a message, but Teach, claiming he would deliver it personally, declined.
They reached the vicinity of the Knock Up Stream. The cumulonimbus cloud, arriving earlier than anticipated, prompted Shojo to use his sonar to pinpoint the whirlpool’s location. They adjusted their course as the sea grew increasingly choppy. They emerged into calmer waters, where a massive whirlpool, large enough to swallow a Sea King, churned.
“Whoa… that’s huge…”
“Hohoho, this requires some courage, indeed.”
“It is… fate.”
Even Teachs’ crew, soaked by the spray, stared in awe at the whirlpool as the Straw Hats sailed towards its center. Timing was crucial. Too early, and they’d be swallowed by the whirlpool. Too late, and they’d miss the explosion.
The whirlpool subsided. All that remained was to wait. Teach called out to Luffy.
“Straw Hat!”
“What is it, old man!?”
“Enjoy your trip to the Sky Island!”
“Yeah! Thanks for everything!”
They shouted to be heard over the wind and waves. Then, it happened.
A cavity beneath the seabed, filled with seawater heated by geothermal activity, generated steam. The pressure built, and the accumulated energy erupted through the opening, blasting everything upwards. The Knock Up Stream.
A direct hit would obliterate a ship. A massive column of water rose from the sea, stretching towards the sky. The force of the eruption nearly capsized their ship.
“Zehahahahahaha!”
“You seem unusually cheerful, Captain.”
“Aye. Reminds me of an old friend.”
He had been an exceptionally curious man, willing to risk his life for his friends. Afraid of the unknown, he had been fascinated by everything, his only flaw being his somewhat fragile constitution.
“He died on a Sky Island… perhaps this is fate.”
“So, what now?”
“…Time to head home. To Hachinosu.”
“Going back already?”
“We could. But since we’re here… let’s bring my sister a souvenir.”
There were at least three Devil Fruit users currently on Jaya. Smiling, Teach grabbed an oar, intending to return to Mock Town and acquire a Devil Fruit as a gift.
