The Abnormality

While Luffy and the others were resting at Twin Capes, Nami suddenly cried out that the compass had failed. Crocus explained that most islands on the Grand Line contained magnetic minerals, creating chaotic magnetic fields, so ordinary compasses could not be used to determine direction.

Nami hurriedly asked whether there was anything that could replace a compass. Crocus then told her about an item called a Log Pose, specifically used for navigation on the Grand Line. Then, to Nami's astonishment, Luffy pulled out a Log Pose, instantly solving the problem.

When Nami asked where he had gotten it, Luffy answered that the two people who had run away had left it behind. Only then did she nod in realization.

Now that they had a Log Pose, Crocus explained its principles and how to use it to Nami. He also said that it would eventually point toward Laugh Tale, the last island where the Pirate King had landed, making everyone realize just how important this little thing was.

"Luffy, how did you eat all the food?"

Sanji suddenly demanded angrily, but Luffy did not care in the slightest. Sanji sent him flying with a kick, and Nami happened to be in the direction Luffy was flying. Fortunately, sharp-eyed Zero noticed it and stepped forward, kicking Luffy somewhere else. That was the only reason Nami and the Log Pose escaped disaster.

Luffy: "Aren't you guys being a little too cruel?"

Ignoring Luffy, everyone saw Laboon suddenly carry two people to shore. They were the pair who had fled earlier—Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9.

Mr. 9 pleaded with everyone for help, asking to ride the Going Merry back to Whiskey Peak. Nami had wanted to refuse, but Luffy suddenly agreed, leaving her no choice but to drop it.

Not long after Nami adjusted the Log Pose, the Straw Hat Pirates left Twin Capes aboard the Going Merry amid Laboon's howls, setting out for Whiskey Peak!

Watching them leave, Crocus suddenly muttered to himself, "Could they be the pirates we've been waiting for all this time? What an incredible man... Right, Roger?"

After the Going Merry had sailed for some time, heavy snow suddenly began falling over the sea.

Standing on the deck, Zero felt rather moved. It had been warm just moments ago, yet it turned cold in the blink of an eye. The Grand Line's weather truly was absurdly unpredictable!

Fortunately, after his upgrades, his constitution had become far stronger than before, allowing him to ignore a temperature drop of this level. Luffy and the others were the same. They even built a snowman on deck and started a snowball fight, making Zero a little envious. He wanted to join them, but then seemed to remember something and walked over to Nami.

"Nami."

"What is it, Zero?"

Zero pointed at Nami's Log Pose. "You'd better keep an eye on the Log Pose. I'm worried this weather might affect the Going Merry's course."

Nami wanted to say that she had just checked it, but when she looked down, she saw that the needle had suddenly reversed direction!

"What is going on? I clearly checked it just now—"

Nami realized it too. At some point, the Going Merry had turned around and was actually heading back the way they had come!

She immediately arranged for everyone to correct the Going Merry's heading.

"Luffy and Usopp, stop playing around! The ship's going the wrong way, hurry and pull the sail-turning ropes... Sanji, put the starboard helm into the wind and turn the ship one hundred and eighty degrees to the left... And you two as well—"

Mr. 9 and Vivi were also called out of the cabin by Nami to help. As for Zoro, he had been sleeping on deck. Zero took one look at him and punched him on the head. Only then did he wake up groggily with a bump on his head. Seeing everyone busy at work, he joined in as well.

In a short span of time, they experienced blazing sun, thick fog, violent winds, raging waves, and all kinds of weather. They even encountered an iceberg in the middle of an otherwise empty sea. Although Zero shattered it in time with a blade of sword energy, it still left everyone shaken.

At long last, the rain passed and the sky cleared. The sea became calm, and they finally arrived at their destination—Whiskey Peak.

Luffy marveled at the island's terrain. There were actually so many enormous cacti on the island. But through his Observation Haki, Zero "saw" that the peaks were covered with cross-shaped gravestones, many of them carved with names. It felt rather eerie.

If the others knew what was up there, would they still want to land on the island?

The thought suddenly crossed Zero's mind, but seeing everyone's excited expressions, he felt it would be better not to tell them the truth.

At that moment, the pair flashed onto the railing and bid everyone farewell. After speaking, they jumped into the sea and swam away.

Everyone: "..."

The Straw Hat Pirates did not feel much about the pair's departure, since they had not spent very long together. They soon began discussing Whiskey Peak instead.

When Luffy said that they could simply sail away if the island proved dangerous, Nami immediately poured cold water on everyone. She said they might have to stay here for a while, because the Log Pose needed to store the island's magnetism. It could take one or two days at the shortest, or four or five days at the longest, before they could head to the next island. Everyone had no choice but to accept the fact.

As mist gradually spread before them, the Going Merry entered Whiskey Peak's inner sea.

Zero suddenly sensed something and looked around.

"Everyone, stay alert. I feel like someone is watching us, and there are quite a few of them."

After Zero's warning, they too noticed shadowy figures all over the island. Just as they were about to react, countless cheers suddenly rang out from the shore.

"Welcome to Whiskey Peak, honored pirates!"

"Welcome, heroes, to this place!"

"Welcome, welcome..."

"..."

Feeling the islanders' overwhelming enthusiasm, Luffy and the others could not help getting excited as well. Usopp even greeted them, as though they really were heroes returning in triumph, making Zero shake his head.

Come on. What place on the Grand Line treats unknown pirates as heroes? It's either a trap or a scheme. Everyone really is too young...

Just as Zero thought this, he suddenly raised his head and looked toward Zoro. Zoro was looking at him, his eyes serious. It seemed Zero was not the only one who sensed something wrong. Zoro appeared to have noticed the abnormality too!

The two nodded, their gazes briefly meeting before they turned to look elsewhere.

Everyone disembarked.

A middle-aged man with curled British-style hair stepped forward. He introduced himself as Igaram, the mayor of this town, welcomed everyone, and invited them to join the island's celebration.

Standing behind the others, Zero thought speechlessly, Isn't this just a banquet at Hongmen?