Chapter 18

*BOOM*

The ship fell on the river, and we started to speed down towards the Grand Line.

*WOOSH*

We are finally on the Grand Line.

I looked at my crew and smiled.

"This is where our journey truly begins. But this is also a place where death could be right around the corner. So this is your last chance to bail out."

"Hahaha. Don't underestimate me. I knew what I was getting into from the beginning. There is no way that I would chicken out!" said Deuce

Sabo and Ace nodded.

I looked at Laffitte.

"I won't be going anywhere."

"That's good to hear. Now let's start our journey!"

"YEAH!" x4

"Can you guys shut up!" screamed an old man

'That Gol D. Rogers doctor, Crocus.'

"Who are you?" asked Sabo

"I'm Crocus, the overseer of the Twin Capes Lighthouse. I guide ships to the Grand Line."

Suddenly the sea started turning violent when something jumped out of the water. It was an enormous whale.

*BOOM*

It fell into the water, almost making our ship turn over.

"Damn, why is there such a big whale here?" asked Deuce

"His name is Laboon. I take care of him."

"Why do you take care of such a big whale? Shouldn't it be able to take care of itself?" asked Deuce

"I can't tell you more."

"Ey Crocus, do you mind if we park at your lighthouse for a little bit? I want to have a good sleep before I go into the Grand Line."

He looked at me for a little bit.

"Sure, but tomorrow you will leave."

"Thank you so much."

We docked our ship at the lighthouse.

"Why are we staying here?" asked Laffitte

"Didn't you hear me just now?"

He smirked.

"Oh yeah, I forgot."

'This guy is way too smart.'

Suddenly a bird with newspapers landed on our ship. Laffitte took a newspaper and paid the bird. I didn't think much of it till I saw a surprised look on his face.

"What is it, Laffitte?"

He smiled.

"I didn't know that I joined a big shot."

He gave me four bounty posters.

'This is Deuce's bounty.'

"Ey Deuce, congratulations. You have a bounty of 67 million. Dead or alive."

He smirked at the rest.

"Hahaha, did you hear that. I have a bounty."

"Sabo, a bounty of 110 million. Alive."

He was also about to celebrate until he heard the Alive part.

"Tsk."

"Ace, a bounty of 170 million. Dead or alive."

"Hahaha. What now, Deuce? My bounty is almost triple yours. Hahaha!"

Deuce wanted nothing more than to disappear in the shadows.

"And lastly, me. I have a bounty of 350 million."

"WHAT!" x3

(AN: If you think about it logically, they kinda make sense. Ace, logia devil fruit and strong in hand to hand combat. Sabo, strong in hand to hand combat and with his pipe. He is also the son of a noble. Deuce, strong in hand to hand combat.

And do I really need to talk about Ken? Secret martial arts of the World Government, Haki, and trained by the marine hero Garp. The others bounties also increased because they are on Ken's crew. There also comes in the fact of defeating Smoker and Arlong. Plus all the other marines and escaping from Garp.)

"Hahaha, I expected nothing less from my amazing self."

Deuce just wants to end himself right now.

"Hey Deuce, look at the upside. Your bounty is still higher than Laffitte's."

He glared at me.

"Alright, calm down. How about you go and explore the lighthouse. I'm sure you can see some cool things."

"Do I look like a little kid to you!"

"You do now."

"Tsk."

He jumped off the ship and walked into the lighthouse. Crocus was also inside of the lighthouse.

*YAWN*

"I'm going to sleep."

I walked into my room and passed out onto my bed.

[Next day]

I woke up and walked out of my cabin. I looked at the sun and saw that it is already 2 pm.

"Good morning, captain." said Laffitte

"Good morning. Did Deuce return yet?"

"He hasn't shown up since yesterday."

"I see. And where are the other two?"

"They went training."

"Tell them to come back. I will go to Deuce."

He nodded.

I jumped off the ship and onto land. I walked towards the lighthouse, and I heard screaming.

"Please teach me!"

"No!"

"Please!"

"No!"

"Please!"

"NO!!!"

'So he found out.'

I walked inside.

"Why are you two screaming."

When Deuce saw me, he immediately sprinted to me and held onto my leg.

"Captain, please help me!"

"Sigh. What is it?"

"That guy was a doctor on Gol D. Rogers ship."

I had a surprised look on my face.

"Really?"

"Yes, look at those pictures. That is definitely Gol D. Roger."

"So, why are you bothering him?"

"I, of course, want him to teach me."

"Not happening!" screamed Crocus.

Deuce looked at me with puppy eyes.

"Please, captain!"

"Sigh. Fine, I'll try my best."

He hugged me.

"You're the best!"

*BAM*

I punched him off of me.

I looked at Crocus.

"Ain't happening."

"10.000.000."

"Huh?"

"If you teach this idiot for one month, I'll give you 10 million berries."

"For a month? But didn't you want to go today?"

"The stronger we are, the better. I'm not in a hurry, anyway."

He started thinking.

"I want 10 million and something extra."

"What do you want?"

"Let me tell you the story behind Laboon and why his head looks like that."

He started telling me about Laboon and Brook's crew.

"So, I want you to find any information you can about that crew and give it to me."

"Sure, I can do that."

I held out my hand.

"Do we have a deal then?"

He shook my hand.

"Good."

I looked at Deuce.

"Just because he is teaching you, it doesn't mean that you can skip out on practice. Your training will start at 6 pm."

"Yes, sir!"

"Good, well I'll leave you guys to it."

I left the lighthouse and jumped back onto the ship.

"Where is Deuce?" asked Sabo

"We have a change in plans. We will stay here and train for one month."

"Why?" asked Ace

"Apparently, Crocus was the doctor on Gol D. Roger's crew."

The three of them had shocked looks on their faces.

"And as you guys know, Deuce is a doctor. So he begged me to convince Crocus to teach him. And since that succeeded, we'll be staying here for one month."

"Why is Deuce getting special treatment?" asked Sabo

"If you want something, you just have to ask. As long as it's possible, of course."

I looked at Laffitte.

"I will also start training you."

He gave me a polite bow.

"Thank you, sir."

"Now, do 20.000 pushups."

"Huh?"

He almost fell down.

I glared at him.

"Now!"

"Yes, sir!"

He started doing pushups, and it looked hilarious.

"You two know what to do."

They nodded and jumped off the ship.

I looked at Laffitte.

'Damn this guy; he is doing everything perfectly. I know what will throw him off.'

I stood on top of him, and he stopped.

"Why did you stop! Keep going!"

He immediately kept going, but I could see that he was getting more sloppy.

"What are you doing! These can't even be called pushups."

"Tsk."

"Huh! What was that?"

"N… nothing, sir."

I stood on his head.

"Start doing pushups, and don't you dare be disrespectful to me."

"YES, SIR!"