As more time went by, Jack and the crew of the Wicked Wench had been sailing across the North Blue for quite a long while.
The group continued to do what they had been doing for months—training, improving, and taking turns to defend the ship whenever an enemy appeared. It became a routine that benefited everyone, not just Jack.
Every member learned to fight and cooperate better, and it was especially helpful for Cricket, who had relied entirely on hard work and training to grow stronger.
For someone like him, practical experience in real combat was something he desperately needed.
The first time Cricket faced a real pirate crew, he was injured several times because of his inexperience and carelessness.
Even though he already possessed Observation Haki, his body could not yet keep up with what his mind sensed.
He could see the danger, but his reactions were still too slow. Yet, as the battles became more frequent and as his life was placed in danger again and again, Cricket slowly adapted.
He became faster, sharper, and more confident. His fighting style gradually evolved—he primarily relied on powerful kicks and a pair of tonfa that suited his close-range combat.
One day, as the sea stretched endlessly before them, Jack stood on the deck, looking out toward the horizon. "I think it's time we head for the last sea," he said calmly, his tone filled with quiet determination. "It's time we begin our journey toward the Grand Line."
Hearing this, Laffitte turned to him. As the crew's navigator and chief of staff, it was his job to ensure every major decision was properly considered. "Are you certain about that, Captain?" Laffitte asked. "We still don't have a doctor or a cook. You said those two roles were the most important ones to fill before we entered the Grand Line."
Jack nodded without hesitation. "I know, but I'm confident that we'll meet them along the way," he replied. "There are still many islands left to visit, and the Drum Kingdom is known as a place where doctors gather. Sooner or later, fate will lead us to the right people."
Laffitte folded his arms and thought for a moment before turning to the others. "What do the rest of you think? The Captain may have made up his mind, but it's still important that we all agree. Every decision he makes affects all of us."
"I agree with Jack," Aramaki said almost instantly. "This sea's getting boring. There's no challenge here, no strong marines, no worthy opponents. The only exciting part left is the casinos, and even those don't pay off anymore." He sighed, clearly frustrated by the lack of strong enemies to test his strength against.
"I agree too," B added, grinning. "It's too boring for me. I'd rather swim freely than be stuck circling this same sea." He said it with his usual sing-song rhythm, which immediately made the others groan.
His habit of rhyming was something the crew had learned to tolerate, though it still annoyed them from time to time.
"I'll follow the Captain's orders," Club said simply, while Issho gave a silent nod beside him. Both of them had always followed Jack's decisions without question.
Laffitte, meanwhile, still preferred to plan ahead and think through the consequences, but he never once doubted Jack's judgment.
"What about you, Cricket?" Laffitte asked after noticing that Cricket had been unusually quiet.
He could tell Cricket was lost in thought, likely because this was the sea where he had spent his entire life.
The North Blue held his past, his memories, and the legacy of his ancestor, Noland.
Yet, there was also something in Cricket's heart that longed to see the world beyond—to find out if the stories of Noland's adventures were true.
When his name was called, Cricket snapped out of his thoughts and gave a small smile. "Of course," he said firmly. "If Jack decides it, then I'll trust his judgment."
That answer brought a sense of satisfaction to everyone. The crew's unity had always been their greatest strength, and this moment only reinforced it.
"Then it's decided," Laffitte said, already beginning to draft their next course. "I'll start mapping a route. But let's hope we don't cross paths with certain people. I've heard that East Blue is home to one of the strongest men ever to sail the seas. For now, it would be best if we didn't attract his attention."
The crew nodded in agreement. With that, Laffitte turned back to the helm and began steering the Wicked Wench toward the nearest island to restock their supplies.
--------------
After a full week of preparation and steady sailing, the Wicked Wench once again arrived at the base of the Reverse Mountain.
The sight of the towering current brought back a mix of excitement and nostalgia to the crew, as they prepared for the next step of their long voyage.
The massive ship floated calmly on the foaming waters at the bottom, before beginning its slow yet powerful ascent up the raging stream.
Just like the last time, Aramaki took charge of reinforcing the ship's structure, ensuring that every plank and joint was tightly secured.
Over the time they had spent aboard the Wicked Wench, the crew had made numerous improvements to the ship's design. The once-simple vessel had now evolved into something far more advanced.
Its hull was thicker, its frame more stable, and it now carried over ten propellers that worked together to support its movement.
Most notably, two enormous sunflower-shaped propellers were mounted on the sides—designed by Aramaki himself—to provide additional lift and balance.
The mechanism resembled that of a flying machine, almost like how a helicopter hovers and controls its fall.
As the Wicked Wench climbed the Reverse Mountain, the roaring current surrounded them, and the water splashed endlessly against the sides of the ship.
The crew stood firm on the deck, holding onto the rails as they watched the swirling streams pushing them higher and higher.
During the climb, they couldn't help but recall all their experiences in the North Blue—the countless battles they had fought, the islands they had explored, and the people they had met along the way.
Each memory carried its own weight, and a faint sense of sadness washed over them as they realized they were finally leaving that part of their lives behind.
"Keep moving forward—that's our belief," Jack said as he turned toward his crew, his voice steady but filled with warmth. "And with us, we carry the memories of every place we've been and every fight we've survived. Those memories will serve as our lessons, guiding us to stay alive for what's to come."
It was meant to be an inspiring speech, but Jack quickly realized that he didn't need to say much at all.
His crew were not people who needed motivation—they were adventurers, just like him. Even if part of them felt sad to leave the North Blue, the excitement for what awaited ahead easily overshadowed that emotion.
"Don't worry, Captain," Aramaki said with a grin as he glanced back at Jack. "We're fine. We're just as eager as you are to move forward." The others nodded in agreement, their spirits visibly lifted, causing Jack to let out a small, satisfied smile.
A few more minutes passed as the ship neared the summit. The sound of rushing water grew louder, and then suddenly, the crew felt a brief moment of weightlessness.
The Wicked Wench had reached the peak. For a single heartbeat, the ship hovered against the pull of gravity—then began its sharp descent down the opposite side of the mountain.
The propellers immediately came alive, spinning counterclockwise at full speed. The air filled with the deep whirring sound of their blades cutting through the wind, slowing the ship's fall as it descended rapidly through the mist and spray.
After several tense seconds, the impact came—a solid but controlled thud—signaling that the Wicked Wench had safely landed on the calm waters below.
Aramaki moved quickly, ordering the roots and wooden coating that covered the ship for protection to retract back into their normal form.
As the last layer of wood peeled away, the crew finally caught sight of the new horizon stretching endlessly before them.
The sea gleamed with the light of a different sun, the air carried a fresher scent, and in that single moment, every crewmate felt the thrill of discovery surge through their veins.