Chapter 13: Wanting to Quit the Grand Line!
The Grand Line being called the "Pirates' Graveyard" wasn't without basis. Setting aside other factors, just the current at the entrance was a major test. Of course, the difficulty of this test was related to the weather at the time of entry. For example, the stormy night Luffy chose undoubtedly presented the greatest difficulty.
Fortunately, the Luke Pirates knew how to pick their days and chose a time with good weather. Without the added difficulty of wind and rain, and with the Luke Pirates' navigator being somewhat capable, the ship entered the mountain-climbing current without mishap, though not without some trepidation. Watching the surrounding scenery recede rapidly, the pirate ship quickly rushed to the summit of Reverse Mountain and then smoothly entered the descending current.
Standing on the deck and looking at the familiar Twin Capes lighthouses in the distance, although it was Buggy's first time seeing them, this body was quite familiar with them. Buggy had no intention of disembarking to visit the old ship doctor, Crocus; he merely watched impassively as the ship left Twin Capes.
More than half a day after the ship left Twin Capes, Buggy, who was resting in his cabin, suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside.
"Little Bro, may I ask if you are resting?" a voice called out.
From the sound, Buggy knew it was Captain Luke.
Opening the door, Buggy looked at Luke and asked, "Is something wrong?"
"It's like this: I heard you mention earlier that you have some business in the Grand Line. Since I've taken your money, Little Bro, I plan to take you where you need to go first, and then we'll depart. I wonder where Little Bro is heading? If possible, it would be best if Little Bro could guide our course. As you know, this is our first time entering the Grand Line, and we're unfamiliar with many things!"
Upon hearing Captain Luke's words, Buggy knew why the captain was looking for him. It was probably because he was unaware of the Grand Line's peculiarities, lacked a Log Pose, and discovered that his compass didn't work after leaving Twin Capes.
"Is that so? I forgot to remind you, Captain Luke. The Grand Line is different from the Four Seas. On this route, compasses are affected by irregular magnetic forces and cannot point in the correct direction. Without a navigational instrument called a Log Pose, reaching an island depends solely on luck. But don't worry, let me take the helm, and I can take you to the island I want to go to. Afterwards, you can get a Log Pose and continue on your way," Buggy said understandingly after grasping the situation.
"That would really trouble you, Little Bro." Only after hearing Buggy's explanation did Luke understand why the navigator's compass was malfunctioning.
Following Luke to the helm, Buggy took out the compass he had obtained from the lottery, then took over the helmsman's position and began to control the ship.
"Um... Little Bro, can your compass point south?" the helmsman asked, looking uncomprehendingly at the compass in Buggy's hand.
"Pointing south is definitely not possible, but the place I'm going isn't to the south, so whether it points south or not doesn't matter, right? Instead of asking me such a boring question, you should have your navigator keep a close eye on the weather. Although the weather in the first half of the Grand Line isn't overly exaggerated, it's terrifying compared to the Four Seas. The title 'Pirates' Graveyard' isn't for nothing. All I can do is point the way; I can't help with the weather," Buggy said. Although he didn't want to talk too much, he still offered a reminder as he didn't want to waste time.
It had to be said, Buggy's reminder was very useful. At least Luke took it very seriously. After all, ever since the compass failed, he had realized that this sea area was very different from the one he was previously in. Because of this, Luke paid considerable attention to Buggy's words.
And soon, Luke understood the terror of the Grand Line from a storm. In the Four Seas, no matter how strong a storm was, even if it instilled fear, it wouldn't reach the point of complete despair upon being caught in it. But an ordinary storm in the Grand Line would make even old sailors tremble with fear.
The Luke Pirates' ship was already thoroughly frightened just by skirting the edge of the storm. After the storm passed, even with the great temptation of ONE PIECE, Luke couldn't help but hesitate.
"Little Bro, although you are very young and very strong. You must have traveled between the major seas before. I wonder, how can one safely return to the North Blue from the Grand Line?" After things calmed down, Luke found Buggy, who was still at the helm, and asked.
"Thinking of going back already? Well, it's true that the Grand Line is indeed terrifying. However, wanting to return to the North Blue is not an easy task. As far as I know, there are only three ways to return to the North Blue from the Grand Line. First, pass through the first half of the Grand Line. After passing Fish-Man Island and surfacing in the second half of the sea, immediately sail along the Red Line. You can enter the North Blue by passing through the Calm Belt. However, this route is very difficult. Not to mention that the first half is already challenging, even reaching the end of the first half and wanting to go to Fish-Man Island is not easy. After all, out of ten ships heading to Fish-Man Island, usually only about three have a chance of reaching it, let alone passing through the Calm Belt afterwards."
Buggy paused here, not because he didn't want to continue, but because what he said had frightened Luke.
"Little Bro, what about the second method?" Luke, his face pale, asked after swallowing hard with difficulty.
"The second method is much simpler. Return directly to the entrance of the Grand Line, Twin Capes, then go up against the descending current to cross the Red Line directly. As long as you can do that, I guarantee you can return to the North Blue one hundred percent. Of course, this method is only suitable for people, not ships."
After hearing Buggy's second method, Luke's face immediately darkened.
"Little Bro, perhaps you can achieve the methods you mentioned, but I definitely can't. You should tell me the third method," Luke was still very aware of his own strength.
"The third method is the simplest, in a way. Stop being a pirate and become a Marine. Change your pirate flag right now. Then, when you reach the next island, enlist in the Marines and later apply for a transfer to the North Blue. If you're lucky, you might be able to return to the North Blue in a few years. Of course, if you're a wanted criminal, then there's nothing more to say. Probably after you go, the Marines will just be waiting to send you on a warship to the Great Underwater Prison in the Calm Belt," Buggy said, and then didn't continue.
Shaking his head, Luke said nothing after hearing these words. Seeing this, Buggy knew that this fellow was most likely already on a wanted poster.
(End of this chapter)