Chapter [249]

Going Merry

The Going Merry sailed calmly under the daylight, the blue sky reflecting off the tranquil sea surrounding it. Despite the external serenity, the deck was buzzing with activity, the Straw Hat crew engaged in their peculiar routines. However, for Miss Wednesday, still tied up beside Mr. 9, the scene felt like a chaotic and surreal spectacle. Her eyes scanned the group, trying to make sense of the absurd dynamics of this crew.

"Hey, Nami, take this," Riser said, handing a small object to the navigator. He wore a calm expression as he watched Nami's curiosity. "It's a Log Pose. It'll guide us to Whiskey Peak."

Nami carefully took the object, frowning as she examined it. "So, this is what makes navigation in the Grand Line possible? How does it work, exactly?"

Riser crossed his arms, leaning against the railing. "The Grand Line doesn't follow normal navigation rules. The Log Pose adjusts to the magnetic field of the islands and points to the next one, but you have to give it time to stabilize after each stop."

"That's amazing!" Luffy interrupted, playing around with Usopp. He ran across the deck with a carefree grin, dodging barrels and ropes. "Hey, Usopp, let's see who can splash more water off the ship!"

SPLASH!

Water flew into the air as Luffy threw a full bucket overboard, while Usopp stumbled trying to mimic him. "Luffy! That's not fair! You have stretchy arms!" Usopp complained, holding an empty bucket.

"Quiet, you two," Nami shouted, pointing at them with an annoyed expression. "We're trying to plan our next steps, and you're turning the ship into a playground!"

Meanwhile, Sanji approached Miss Wednesday with a gentle smile and a plate in hand. "Miss, I prepared something special for you. Even prisoners deserve to be well-treated, especially a lady like you."

Miss Wednesday raised an eyebrow, still tied up. "Are you pirates or hosts of some weird party? Nothing here makes sense."

"Hey, what about me?" Mr. 9 protested, glaring indignantly at Sanji. "I'm a prisoner too! Where's my food?"

WHACK!

Sanji landed a precise kick to Mr. 9's side, moving him a few inches away. "I only treat women well," Sanji said calmly, lighting a cigarette.

"Idiots," Zoro muttered while training with his swords a few meters away. His movements were firm and fluid, slicing the air with precision. "You're making too much noise for people who should be preparing for the Grand Line."

Miss Wednesday silently observed, still trying to grasp the dynamics of this group. "They don't seem like pirates… more like a bunch of aimless kids. But somehow, they work together. That's… strange."

By the railing, Alvida was lounging, basking in the sun. "You can keep making all this noise, but at least leave the breeze alone," she said lazily.

"Hey, Riser," Nami called while adjusting the Log Pose on her wrist. "How long does it take for the pointer to stabilize?"

"Depends on the island," Riser replied casually. "Some take hours; others can take days. The key is not to lose patience."

SHING! WHOOSH!

The sound of Zoro's blades cutting through the air echoed across the deck, blending with Luffy and Usopp's laughter and the creaking of the planks. Miss Wednesday closed her eyes for a moment, trying to block out the chaos around her. "These pirates are insane. But… maybe that's what makes them different."

Sanji turned back to Miss Wednesday, still holding the plate. "Why don't you try it? I promise it's the best you'll ever eat."

She hesitated but eventually took the plate, her eyes evaluating the cook for a moment. "This doesn't change anything," she said firmly.

"It doesn't have to," Sanji replied with a smile. "Just enjoy it."

---

The weather began to change rapidly. The warm breeze that had accompanied the Going Merry since leaving Laboon gave way to a biting chill. Snowflakes started to fall gently, covering the deck in a white mantle.

"Hey, what's happening?" Usopp asked, hugging his arms as he shivered. "It's snowing? This is… amazing and terrible at the same time!"

"It's not unusual in the Grand Line," Nami replied, her expression serious as she adjusted the Log Pose. "The weather changes here can be abrupt and unpredictable. We need to prepare."

WHOOOSH!

A strong gust of wind swept across the deck, scattering snow everywhere. Zoro, who had been training with his swords, was the first to react. "If this gets worse, we'll be in trouble," he said, sheathing his blades and grabbing a jacket from the storage.

"Everyone, change into warmer clothes!" Nami shouted, already pulling on a thick coat and wrapping herself up. "We can't stay exposed to this cold for too long."

Sanji, standing near Miss Wednesday, noticed her discomfort. "Miss, you must be freezing," he said, lighting a cigarette before grabbing an extra jacket. "Here, wear this. I don't want you getting sick."

Miss Wednesday looked at him with suspicion but eventually accepted the jacket. "Thank you," she murmured reluctantly, snuggling into the warm clothing.

"Hey, what about me?!" Mr. 9 protested, still tied up beside her. "I'm freezing too!"

Sanji completely ignored the comment, focusing instead on Miss Wednesday. "Are you comfortable now?"

"Yes, but don't think this changes anything," she replied, adjusting the jacket around herself.

Meanwhile, Alvida wrapped herself in a thick blanket, sitting back on the railing. "This cold is unbearable," she said, glancing at Riser. "And you? Aren't you going to change clothes?"

Riser stood by the railing, staring at the horizon. He seemed entirely unaffected by the drop in temperature. When Nami approached, concerned, he responded with a cryptic smile.

"I don't feel cold or heat," Riser said as his body began to emit a faint glow. Suddenly, soft flames enveloped his skin, melting the snow around him. "My body takes care of that on its own."

WHOOMPH!

The heat emanating from Riser immediately warmed the air around him. The snow on the deck near him began to melt, forming small puddles of water.

"Riser, you need to be more careful," Nami said, frowning at him. "The weather in the Grand Line is unpredictable, and you're not invincible."

"Don't worry, Nami," Riser replied calmly. "I'm fine. This is just a detail."

"Detail?" Alvida asked, raising an eyebrow as she watched him with a subtle smile. "You really are hot, Riser. Literally."

Luffy, who had been playing in the snow, finally noticed the warmth coming from Riser and ran over to him. "Riser! That's amazing! You can melt all the snow! Shishishishi!"

"This isn't a game, Luffy!" Nami yelled, hitting the straw hat with a fan that appeared out of nowhere. "If you're not more careful, you'll end up sick."

Usopp, now dressed in multiple layers of clothing, trembled as he held onto a blanket. "I'm too weak for this kind of weather. Let's get out of here already!"

Zoro, now wearing a thick jacket, crossed his arms and looked toward the horizon. "The cold is the least of our problems. This wind is getting stronger. If we don't adjust the sails, we'll drift off course."

Nami quickly took control of the situation, giving orders while adjusting the helm. "Luffy, Zoro, secure the sails! Usopp, help Sanji reinforce the barrels! Alvida, make sure the prisoners don't get loose!"

"Why me?" Alvida asked, rolling her eyes but complying nonetheless.

---

The wind began to calm, and the sun reappeared in the sky, slowly dissipating the snow. The crew sighed in relief as the warmth returned.

"That was intense," Usopp said, collapsing onto the deck with an exaggerated sigh. "I thought we were going to freeze!"

"Welcome to the Grand Line," Nami replied, adjusting the Log Pose while observing the pointer. "The next destination is Whiskey Peak. Get ready, because it won't get any easier from here."

"If this was just the beginning, I don't even want to imagine the rest," Usopp muttered as Luffy laughed in the background.

Riser, leaning against the prow of the Going Merry, gazed at the horizon with a faint smile on his lips. Nami's words and the recent chaos on the deck barely registered in his mind. He was focused on something far bigger.

Time to meet one of my favorite waifus, he thought, letting out a small sigh that went unnoticed by the others.

"Riser," Nami called, approaching the prow with the Log Pose on her wrist. "The pointer has stabilized. Whiskey Peak is our next destination, just as you said. But… what are we going to do with these two when we get there?"

Riser, without turning, responded calmly, "They're not our enemies, at least not right now. We don't need to keep them tied up as if they're dangerous. Let them go."

"Are you serious?" Zoro questioned, frowning as he adjusted his swords on his belt. "These two attacked Laboon and are still hiding something. Letting them go is asking for trouble."

"I agree with the swordsman," Alvida said, getting up from the railing with a bored expression. "They may be weak, but they're still unknowns. And honestly, tied up, at least they don't annoy me."

Miss Wednesday shot Riser a defiant look. "I didn't ask to be freed by you, but I won't refuse either. I just hope you know what you're doing."

Riser finally turned, walking toward the two prisoners with slow but firm steps. He looked directly at Miss Wednesday, then at Mr. 9. "I know exactly what I'm doing. If you want to cause problems, know that no one here will have patience for it. And trust me, you don't want to test mine."

A heavy silence fell over the deck as everyone watched Riser. Despite his calm demeanor, there was an intensity in his voice.

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