The Thousand Sunny hums with new life.
Deep within her belly, the engine room smells of grease, salt, and the sharp, sweet tang of cola. Copper pipes gleam under the swinging lantern's glow. The great pistons wait, patient and powerful, for the command to fire.
Usopp stands amidst a mountain of supplies, his long nose twitching at the familiar scent. He points a decisive finger toward a shadowed corner.
"Just put those right there. Perfect."
Masira and Shoujou nod in unison. The two massive figures—ape-man and orangutan-man—heave the final barrels of cola into place. The wood groans against the metal grating. Masira wipes a massive hand across his brow, his ape-like face splitting into a satisfied grin.
"That should be the last of it."
Usopp claps his hands together, the sound echoing off the iron walls. "That's great, you guys. We were able to finish ahead of schedule with your help."
Shoujou's wide ears twitch. He scratches his orange fur, his voice warm. "It was so great helping out a friend!"
Usopp waves a hand, gesturing toward the stairs. "Let's go check on Franky and Cricket."
They climb. The air changes as they ascend—from the stale heat of the engine room to the crisp, salt-laced breeze of the upper deck.
---
Franky stands at the base of the main mast.
His massive hands grip a heavy iron hammer. Sweat beads on his chrome-plated brow. With a grunt of effort, he brings the hammer down—CLANG—driving a thick bolt into the wood. The mast—freshly cut, sturdy as stone—stands tall against the gray sky.
Beside him, Mont Blanc Cricket hauls on a thick rope. The canvas sail rises, snapping and billowing as the wind catches it. Cricket ties the rope off with a practiced knot, stepping back to admire their work.
Franky steps back too, wiping his brow. He looks up at the sail, his sunglasses catching the pale illumination from above. A wide grin stretches across his face.
"Yow! That is a SUPER sail."
Cricket chuckles, a deep, rumbling sound. "We are only missing one thing now. Then the repairs will be complete."
Franky nods, his massive frame relaxing. "Yow. Yamato and Brook should be back soon, and we'll be all set."
The door from the lower decks bursts open.
Usopp marches out, chest puffed, announcing his arrival. "The cola barrels are all set!"
Franky whirls around, striking a pose, his thumbs pointing at his chest. "Yow! Good job, brother! Now we just need a destination, so we can get our captain back!"
---
The Galley is thick with the smell of sizzling meat and fresh tangerines.
Sanji stands at the stove, his hands moving in a blur. A pan flares with fire. The scent of garlic and butter fills the room. At the table, Robin sits, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, a delicate porcelain cup of tea resting in her hands. Chopper stands near a corner cot, carefully changing the bandages on a very specific patient: Kaburo Gusaki.
The defeated swordsman lies flat on the cot, wrapped in thick ropes, a leather gag strapped around his mouth. He is a captive. And right now, he is grunting in muffled annoyance as Chopper tightens a knot.
Zoro sits next to the cot, his back against the wall, his one eye watching. Shink. Shiink. Shink. He drags a whetstone slowly down the edge of Wado Ichimonji. The sound is rhythmic, sharp—a threat hanging in the air.
Jinbe sits across from Nami. His blue skin gleams under the cabin's glow. He draws a slow, contemplative puff from his pipe. His eyes, dark and serious, are fixed on a small piece of paper sliding across the mahogany table. Luffy's Vivre card.
Nami leans over her map, her brow furrowed. She holds a divider in one hand, a ruler in the other. She picks up a pencil, pressing the tip to the parchment. She draws a line, muttering under her breath. "No way... but why?"
Robin lowers her teacup. The porcelain clinks softly against the saucer. "What is it, navigator?"
Nami glances up, lanternlight kindling amber in her eyes. "These coordinates lead straight to Elegia."
Jinbe lowers his pipe. A flicker of surprise crosses his face. "Elegia? Are you sure?"
Chopper pauses, gauze in hand. He turns his head. "You mean... Uta's Island?"
Nami nods, chewing on the end of her pencil. "Yeah."
Zoro stops sharpening his blade. He looks up, his one eye narrowing. "Why go there? That island is deserted."
Jinbe blows out a plume of gray smoke. He leans forward, studying the map. "Are you sure that is accurate?"
A tray slams down, "of course she is sure. She is the navigator!"
Sanji whips out from behind the counter, moving with impossible speed. He sets a bowl of perfectly peeled tangerines in front of Nami. He beams, hearts practically floating in his visible eye. "Here you are, Nami, my sweet."
Nami doesn't look up. She doesn't acknowledge the fruit.
Sanji's face falls for a fraction of a second before he whips his glare toward Jinbe. The fish-man is oblivious, still staring at the map.
Jinbe strokes his chin. "Could there be any other locations close by that would also—"
Nami cuts him off with a sharp shake of her head. She looks up, her gaze meeting Jinbe's. "There are no other islands on the way. The coordinates land on Elegia."
Zoro sheathes his sword with a decisive click. "Well, if that is where the coordinates land, then we have our destination."
Jinbe nods, a low grunt of agreement vibrating in his chest. "True enough."
Robin places her cup down. Her voice is quiet, analytical. "Maybe our captive might be able to offer some insight."
Every head in the room turns toward the corner cot.
Chopper fastens the final bandage. Kaburo grunts.
Chopper puffs out his chest. He reaches out, pulling the leather gag down. He attempts to sound intimidating, pointing a hoofed finger at the bound swordsman. "What's at Elegia?"
Kaburo's voice is a rasping whisper, dry as old parchment. "The cup is dry; I have spilled out every drop of what I knew."
He tilts his head slightly. His gaze shifts past Chopper, locking onto Robin as he feels the intensity of her glare. "Staring down the sun won't alter the season. My roots have been tangled with yours since the first leaf fell. A map was redrawn in the dark, and I hold the old script."
Zoro snaps. He leans forward, his hand resting on the hilt of Enma. "Oh, shut up already! Chopper, just gag him again so he'll stop talking!"
Chopper scrambles, pushing the gag back into place. The muffled grunts resume.
Jinbe slides the map across the table from Nami. "This is the course, then?"
Nami nods, her finger tracing the line she drew. "Yes. That is the most direct route to Elegia."