The Going Merry finally drifted beyond the storm's reach.
Though the rain still poured heavily, the sturdy ship pressed steadily forward, slicing through the churning sea.
"It's the guiding light," Nami said, gazing into the mist. In the distance, a bright beacon pierced through the fog. "The entrance to the Grand Line lies at the end of that light."
Everyone turned toward the lighthouse, excitement gleaming in their eyes. For the Straw Hat crew, this was the threshold of legend.
"Then let's hold a ceremony before entering the Grand Line," Sanji said, rolling a wooden barrel to the center of the deck.
One by one, the crew gathered around it.
"I'm here to find the All Blue," Sanji declared first, resting one foot atop the barrel.
"I'm gonna be the Pirate King!" Luffy said next, grinning broadly. Normally, a ship's captain would go first, but in this crew, order never mattered much.
"I'll become the world's greatest swordsman," Zoro said simply, his tone steady and resolute.
"I'm here to strengthen my body," said Bloodthirster — the crimson, mist-like spirit that often accompanied Kaoru. Taking a female form, she stepped up and placed a spectral foot upon the barrel.
At first, Nami had been terrified of the eerie blood spirit, but after spending more time together — and even studying nautical maps side by side — she had grown used to her presence.
"I'm here to chart the entire world," Nami declared, stepping forward next.
"I want to see all the world's wonders," Kaoru Tsubasa said, placing his foot on the barrel as well — and, with a soft click, the tip of his lightning-forged blade rested beside it.
"I'm gonna become a brave warrior of the sea!" Usopp added last, trembling slightly but smiling wide.
"Then let's go!" Luffy shouted, and all of them stomped their feet against the barrel.
"To the Grand Line!" they chorused together, their voices rising over the crashing waves.
Not long after, the rain began to fade.
"Nami, haven't we reached the Grand Line yet?" Luffy whined from his favorite seat.
"It's only been two days since we left Loguetown," Nami said flatly. "How do you expect to get there so soon?"
"The weather's so nice now," Sanji said, lighting a cigarette and glancing up at the clear sky. "That storm feels like a dream."
While Usopp scanned the horizon through his telescope, Kaoru was training on deck. His voice echoed with each rep.
He had already finished ten thousand squats and ten thousand sit-ups. Only three thousand push-ups remained before he could unlock the First Gate of the Eight Gates.
"Hey! I see a big flock of birds off the starboard side!" Usopp shouted suddenly.
"Birds?" Luffy perked up instantly, his interest piqued.
"Yeah — and there's something huge in the water under them," Usopp said, switching to his sniper goggles for a better view. "Can't tell what it is."
"A big fish, maybe?" Luffy guessed eagerly, remembering the Sea King that had taken Shanks' arm.
"Seabirds do hover above big fish," Sanji said knowingly. As a sea cook, he'd seen that kind of thing countless times.
Then he smirked. "Luffy, catch it! Let's make it lunch."
It was a terrible idea — especially considering Luffy was a Devil Fruit user — but the captain didn't hesitate.
"Got it!" Luffy shouted. "Gum-Gum Harpoon!"
His rubber arm shot forward like a cannon, soaring toward the flock.
"This guy really is convenient," Sanji chuckled as Luffy's arm stretched across the waves.
A moment later, Luffy grinned. "Got something! It's pretty big!"
"Wait— how are you planning to put it down?" Sanji yelled, realizing the problem too late.
Luffy yanked his arm back hard, sending the catch — and his own limb — whipping violently across the deck. Sanji leapt aside, narrowly dodging. Zoro, unfortunately, wasn't so lucky. The swordsman, half-asleep moments earlier, was launched straight into the ocean.
"Sorry!" Luffy shouted sheepishly, not even looking.
"You big idiot!" Sanji snapped. "So much for convenience!"
"I'll kill him one day," Zoro growled as Usopp fished him out, drenched and fuming.
"This isn't even a fish," Sanji muttered, staring at what Luffy had caught — a small, unconscious girl. "It's a child."
"She's just a little girl…" Nami said, surprised. "How could someone so young be out here alone?"
"Maybe she had no choice," Bloodthirster murmured, her crimson form flickering thoughtfully.
"Hey, she looks kinda like a fishman," Luffy said innocently, tilting his head. "Where are her fins?"
Usopp groaned. "She's not a fishman, idiot."
Kaoru approached, his training complete for the moment. Only a thousand push-ups remained. "Take her inside," he said gently, crouching down beside the unconscious girl. "She needs rest."
He recognized her instantly. Abis… This must be the Millennium Dragon arc.
Sanji carefully carried the girl inside and laid her on a bunk.
"Sanji, I'm hungry," Luffy whined as soon as he stepped into the room.
Sanji sighed. "Of course you are."
"I'm hungry too," Zoro said.
"Me too!" Usopp chimed in.
"Same here," Kaoru added with a faint smile.
"It's my pleasure to cook for you, Miss Nami," Sanji said gallantly when she asked for her share too.
Soon, the aroma of food filled the ship. The scent wafted through the rooms — and woke Abis.
The girl sat up suddenly, bumping right into Usopp, who was leaning over to check on her. "Oww!" she cried out.
"You're awake," Nami said, ignoring Usopp's whining. "You look better than I expected."
Luffy turned around immediately. "You must be hungry! Sanji's making soup for you!"
Sanji soon arrived with a steaming bowl, smiling kindly. "Here — eat up."
Abis blinked, looking around at the unfamiliar faces and the cozy cabin. Relief spread across her face. "I'm… I'm safe!"
"Did you run into trouble out there?" Nami asked gently. "What's your name?"
"You should introduce yourself first," Abis replied, wary. After being hunted by the Navy, she had learned not to trust strangers easily.
"Haha, fair enough," Nami said with a laugh. "I'm Nami. That's Sanji in the kitchen. The scary one with the belly band is Zoro. The one over there is Usopp. The guy doing push-ups nonstop is Kaoru Tsubasa. And that's our captain—"
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy!" Luffy announced proudly before she could finish. "Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Abis froze. Her eyes widened. "Pirates!?"
Her jaw dropped so wide it looked like she could swallow a melon whole.
"We're heading for the Grand Line!" Luffy said cheerfully, completely oblivious to her terror.
"She's not moving…" Usopp muttered.
"She probably fainted when she heard we're pirates," Kaoru said dryly between push-ups. "Can't really blame her. Most pirates are criminals — burning, looting, and killing."
"Yeah, we're pirates!" Luffy said again, grinning as if that made things better.
Everyone sighed. "You really don't get it, do you…" Zoro muttered.
"So, what do we do with her?" he asked finally.
"Dunno," Luffy said, stretching. "We'll figure it out tomorrow."
With that, they sat down for dinner, while Sanji quietly placed Abis's untouched food back in the fridge.
"9996… 9997… 9998… 9999…"
Kaoru's voice echoed through the cabin as he finished his final push-ups.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. You've met the conditions for unlocking the First Gate of the Eight Gates Formation — The Gate of Opening."
Kaoru grinned faintly as the system's voice echoed in his mind.
"Finally." He glanced at the next requirement.
Condition to unlock the Second Gate – The Gate of Healing:
Defeat a master of taijutsu in virtual space.
Kaoru blinked. "Wait, seriously? I thought it'd be more push-ups."
Before he could complain further, his vision blurred — and in an instant, he was standing in a vast, empty field.
A man in green spandex stood before him, with thick eyebrows and a bowl-cut hairstyle.
"Is that… Rock Lee!?" Kaoru blurted out, shocked.
Lee placed one hand behind his back and extended the other forward. "Show me your resolve!"
Kaoru noticed instantly that all his powers — except for his physical strength — were sealed. Clearly, the system wanted a pure taijutsu battle.
"Eight Gates Formation: Gate of Opening — Open!" Kaoru roared, coating his hands and legs with Armament Haki.
"Eight Gates Formation: Gate of Healing — Open!" Rock Lee countered, releasing a green aura of power.
Kaoru lunged first. "Iron Fist — Bone Crusher!"
Lee caught the punch effortlessly. Kaoru's eyes widened. "What!?"
Lee's counter came like lightning — a sharp kick that sent Kaoru flying backward. "His strength… it's not like in the original story," Kaoru thought grimly. "He's much stronger!"
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Lee's kick connected again, sending Kaoru spinning into the air.
Then, to Kaoru's disbelief, Lee began wrapping his arms in bandages.
"No way— Lotus Blossom!? That's supposed to need the Third Gate!"
But Lee didn't stop. He struck Kaoru hard, slamming him into the ground.
"Guh—!" Kaoru coughed up blood as the world shattered around him. The virtual space collapsed.
He jolted awake on the deck of the Going Merry, blood at the corner of his lips.
"Hey! Kaoru!" Sanji shouted, rushing over. "What happened to you!?"
Kaoru wiped the blood away weakly. "System… why is this injury real?"
[Ding! All injuries sustained in virtual combat are reflected in the host's body unless fatal. Death resets progress.]
Kaoru groaned. "That's ridiculous! I'm supposed to be immortal!"
[Ding! The Immortal Body only prevents death. It does not negate pain or injury.]
"You've gotta be kidding me…" Kaoru muttered, and promptly fainted.
Sanji knelt beside him, eyes wide. "What the hell could hurt him this badly?"
The rest of the crew rushed over, shocked. They carried Kaoru below deck and tended to his wounds as best they could.
The Going Merry sailed on — into clear skies and toward the mysterious waters of the Grand Line.