In the World of One Piece: I Can Copy Any Talent

To become the Pirate King, one had to reach the end of the Grand Line: Laugh Tale. But that meant crossing the Red Line twice...

A strange, absurd thought suddenly popped into Noil's head.

Could the Red Line have been built by someone?

And could its purpose be to protect the secret of Laugh Tale, the final island?

Noil shook his head hard. The entrance to Reverse Mountain had already come into view, and he laughed at himself.

"I'm overthinking it. If someone built it for protection, why put an opening here at Reverse Mountain, complete with a way up?"

In the desert kingdom of Alabasta...

As one of the great powers of the Grand Line, Alabasta had been having a rough few months.

It was a desert nation to begin with, and not a drop of rain had fallen in months.

Strangely, though, rain had been falling frequently in Alubarna, the royal capital.

Many citizens had their doubts, but they trusted their king and thought no further of it.

Besides Alubarna, one other place had escaped the drought.

Rainbase was getting rain too, and recently, a powerful figure had taken up residence there.

One of the Shichibukai: Crocodile.

Since Crocodile's arrival, pirate attacks had dwindled to almost nothing. He had also established his base there: Rain Dinners, the largest casino in the country.

Neither the people nor the royal family knew that every strange thing happening in the kingdom had been engineered by this "national hero."

His true identity was Mr. 0, leader of the criminal organization Baroque Works, which sought to stir up civil unrest.

Crocodile sat in a dim room, a cigar between his lips, staring darkly at the tank before him.

It was called a fish tank, but it was enormous—and housed his pet crocodiles.

In the deathly stillness, Crocodile spoke in a low voice. "How is that matter progressing?"

A mature voice, edged with unmistakable distance, answered from the shadows.

"Baroque Works members disguised themselves as a transport crew. The Dance Powder they were carrying has been discovered by a man named Koza. Now it's only a matter of time."

As she spoke, a woman in a white cowboy hat and leather coat stepped out of the shadows.

Her skin was a healthy wheat-brown, her eyes a blend of blue and green. She had a deep gaze and striking, delicate features.

She was a poised beauty, yet even her smile could not shake the sense of distance around her.

Crocodile grinned and chuckled under his breath. "Well done."

"My plan is about to begin. Alabasta and that thing will both be mine."

Crocodile grew thoughtful. "But for that, I need more subordinates..."

"Have you found that top bounty hunter from East Blue?"

The woman shook her head lightly. "We've lost track of him. But according to our intelligence, he should be entering the Grand Line soon."

Crocodile nodded. "Perfect. Bring him to Whiskey Peak and talk to him."

"Understood." The woman followed with a question. "What if he refuses to join us?"

"Hah!"

Crocodile gave a low, confident laugh. "Send Mr. 5."

"Does some kid from the backwater East Blue think a little strength will buy him freedom on the seas?"

A flicker of disgust crossed the woman's otherwise impassive eyes. She nodded and turned to leave.

Crocodile's voice followed her.

"Nico Robin, don't forget what we're after, and don't try any tricks."

"You know my status as a Shichibukai is the only thing keeping you safe for now. Don't even think of running."

"Besides, where could you possibly go?"

Robin gave no reaction to his words. But once she had left the room, a trace of loneliness appeared on her face, then vanished just as quickly.

Meanwhile, Noil...

Under a torrential downpour, Noil's and Ace's ships reached the upward current at Reverse Mountain.

Reverse Mountain had five current channels. Four Knock Up Streams from the four seas climbed the mountain, and a single channel rushed down into the Grand Line.

The two ships entered the current. Defying nature, its powerful waters flowed upward.

If Newton came here, even his ashes would end up scattered across the sea...

The ships lurched all the way up the towering mountain. At the summit, they plunged down the other side at breakneck speed!

Noil's ship and the Spade Pirates' ship burst through the clouds, fell through the air, and hit the sea.

At last, the shaking stopped. Ace popped up and shouted excitedly, "That was a rush!"

Soaked to the skin, Noil hauled himself up by the railing. "That beats any roller coaster."

Noil took out a dry towel, rubbed his head, and looked around with curiosity.

This was Twin Cape. So why wasn't Laboon, the giant whale, here?

He shook his head and thought no more of it. Laboon couldn't spend all day at the surface, after all.

Both crews tidied up their ships. It was time to part ways.

Noil moved some supplies from his ship to Ace's and told him, "The Grand Line is nothing like where we've been. You'd better find a navigator soon."

Ace nodded and grinned. "Take care of yourself too. See you out on the sea!"

Seven magnetic routes began at Twin Cape, the starting point of the Grand Line. They had decided to go their separate ways here.

"Our routes are different, but they'll meet again at the Sabaody Archipelago. How about a race to see who gets there first?"

Smiling, Noil held out his fist and challenged Ace.

Ace punched his fist against Noil's. "You're on! Whoever loses buys the other a meal next time!"

"Deal!"

With a fist bump, they sealed their wager. Ace returned to his ship, smiling as he waved goodbye to Noil.

Noil waved both arms and shouted, "See you!"

As Ace's ship slowly sailed away, silence settled over Noil's ship once more.

He found he wasn't used to it.

Noil sighed and laughed at himself. "How pathetic. They annoyed me when they were here, but they've barely left and I already miss them."

He wasn't someone who liked joining a crowd, but he liked having lively company nearby. It made things feel warm.

After moping for a good while, Noil finally pulled himself out of his gloom.

I really need a companion to sail with. This is too boring.

Noil gathered himself, raised the sail, and set off again, following his Log Pose.

His intended first stop was Whiskey Peak, a place full of Crocodile's informants.

Perhaps he could find an Eternal Pose to Alabasta there.

But only after setting sail did Noil realize he had no idea where Whiskey Peak was...

As Noil scratched his head, unsure what to do, help from Crocodile finally arrived.

A ship slowly approached across the sea. Its lookout spotted Noil's ship and yelled, "Found him! The guy the boss wants to recruit!"

Noil's sharp senses caught the shout, and he looked toward the people aboard in confusion.

A man stood at the rail, rubbing his hands eagerly. He called out in a friendly voice, "Are you Mr. Noil?"

Noil raised an eyebrow. "I am. Who are you?"

The man's smile widened. "We're bounty hunters from Baroque Works. We'd like to invite you to Whiskey Peak."

"Baroque Works?" Noil asked, puzzled.

Wasn't that Crocodile's organization? I haven't even gone looking for him, and he's come to me?

"But I don't know you," Noil said.

The man smiled. "You're East Blue's strongest bounty hunter. It's only right that we welcome you."

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Mr. 9. Everyone in our organization goes by a codename."

Noil studied him thoughtfully. Was this guy Mr. 9 in the Original Story?

I thought Mr. 9 had a number on his face and was Princess Vivi's partner...

Did Crocodile fire this one later?

Noil had no time to worry about their personnel problems. With a guide right in front of him, he wouldn't have to find the way himself.

"Thanks, then. Lead on," Noil said.

"Right away!"

Mr. 9 answered with a smile. When he turned away, a sly grin crept across his shifty face.

Just earlier, the boss had suddenly told him to welcome a newcomer.

Worse, the boss had said the newcomer was much stronger than him and would take his position, demoting him to Mr. 10!

Why should he?!

Jealousy twisted Mr. 9's features.

I'll get rid of the man standing in the way of my promotion!

Mr. 9 hid his feelings well, but Noil sensed them clearly.

Noil chuckled and paid him no mind.

He put on an eye mask and stretched out comfortably on the deck.

Weaklings like these always think they're Sun Wukong, ready to turn the heavens upside down.

And how mighty was the Monkey King? Even he ended up pinned beneath Five Finger Mountain for relieving himself where he shouldn't have...

With the ill-intentioned Mr. 9 leading the way, Noil reached Whiskey Peak.

Whiskey Peak was known as the "town that welcomes pirates."

In truth, most of its residents were bounty hunters.

They gathered there to prey on greenhorn pirates heading into the Grand Line and collect their bounties.

Many young, inexperienced pirates had lost their lives and become easy pickings for them.

The town was also a branch of the secret criminal organization Baroque Works.

In other words, it was Crocodile's territory.

The group escorted Noil onto the island. He looked at the peaks, which resembled giant cacti, and couldn't help marveling.

The world really is full of wonders. Even mountains can grow into that shape.

Shame those "cactus needles" are all gravestones. Talk about spoiling the view...

Mr. 9 beckoned warmly. "This way, Mr. Noil. We've prepared a feast for you."

"Now that sounds good. Lead the way," Noil said cheerfully.

Mr. 9 ushered Noil into town, where a table laden with food and drink had already been set inside a house.

"Whoa!" Noil's eyes lit up, and he rushed straight over to eat.