Chapter 136: Another tour of the world

Chapter 136: Another tour of the worldChapter 136: Another tour of the world

Thê source of this conte/nt n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

After a short stay at the Twins Cape for Brook and Laboon. The crew left directly for Alabasta. Crocus had congratulated Luffy for reaching Laugh Tale and becoming the Pirate King. They had celebrated all day and all night.



Igaram, Pell and Chaka were delighted to see Vivi back again and welcome for the third time the crew in the palace. The official story that any Alabastan would say to an outsider was that the crew ransomed Vivi and the kingdom simply paid. All to avoid linking Vivi and the crew together in the eyes of the World Government. Just before leaving, Vivi had privately slapped Rick and vented her grievances. He would have taken it all in stride were it not for the cut he received on his cheek made by the engagement ring he had gifted Vivi when he had kidnapped her more than a year ago during the Reverie. The princess has come to terms with her feelings and the situation the man she loved was in, after long talks with the other women in his life. Taking her time she had made her decision and chose to remove the ring from the chain she was wearing around her neck under her clothes to put it on the appropriate finger. She gave him a loving and longing kiss then turned him around and literally kicked his ass out of her room. Nami, Robin and Reiju, were not aware of Vivi’s decision but immediately knew what it was when they saw Rick’s stupid smile on his face.



Surprisingly, Mihawk didn’t take the opportunity to leave, refusing to put an end to teaching Eri. She was so happy about it that she gave him a heartfelt hug that made him uncomfortable. He began sweating in fear when he first felt then saw Rick’s murderous aura around looking at him. The protective father signed with his hands that he was keeping an eye on him for any funny business with his daughter. It was fine with Mihawk, he had no feelings beyond those of a teacher to a student.



After weeks of sailing they arrived on O’hara where to their surprise they found Shakky and Rayleigh.



“What are you doing here?” asked Usopp.

“The world is about to change like never before and we wanted to be part of it. One last time.” replied the former Kuja empress. “Congratulations on reaching your dream.” she smiled at Luffy who thanked her.

“LUF...”

““MOVE!””



Sabo had made a spectacular entrance by blowing up the bar’s doors, and was kicked aside by both Hancock and Kaza, who ran for Rick and tackled him down to the ground.



“DAD!” Eri exclaimed.

“I’m alright.” her father said as she pushed away his wife and fiancee and made them float in the air. “Do you have to tackle me everytime I’m back?”

““YES”” they yelled, making him sigh.



He put them down and Hancock glued herself to him, drowning his arm in her voluptuous cleavage and kissing his face for everything she was worth. Kaza on the other hand took Eri in a bear hug.



“Mom, I’m alright.”

“Nuh-huh. Let me have a good look at you.” said the older redhead and put her daughter at arms length to check on her. When she saw the scar on her brow she frowned and rubbed her thumb gently on it.

“I got that during a storm. The floor was wet and I slipped.” She told the lie she agreed on with her father.

“Hmm. If the two of you are here, who’s watching over Lynda and Cora?”

““Ace.””

“Ace is here?!” Luffy exclaimed.

“Yeah. He arrived a couple days ago to celebrate you becoming the Pirate King.” explained Sabo who stood up and dust himself.

“That’s not what I meant! He shouldn’t be in the care of our nieces!” the Pirate king shouted and ran out of the bar.

“Hmm. Why?” inquired Sabo looking at the other as Rick had followed Luffy.

“Ace is very irresponsible with young children or rather was, he really got better. I wouldn’t have left my daughters in his care otherwise.” answered Hancock.

Five minutes later Rick came back with his daughters in his arms, Luffy and Ace in tow were fighting.



“I can’t believe you started a fire!”

“It was an accident! The girls were safe!”

“Okay, maybe he has to get better a bit more.” said Hancock.



From there the party began. Not something very loud because of the children but there was lots of drinking, laughing, singing and bragging. Robin and Rick were at the counter talking with Shakky and Rayleigh.



“So you found the missing history, was it everything you expected?” he asked the brunette.

“Mostly no. I suspected it was about the World Government covering up something bad they did but I never thought it would be about a war, the D clan, a goddess, Joy Boy, the Lost kingdom and Imu herself.”

“What are you talking about?” the old man asked, confused.

“What I’m...You never saw Joy Boy’s grave?”

“If you mean the inside of it, then no. Only your mother, Roger and Oden went inside.”

“Oh, boy... you’re in for a long story.” said Rick.



While Shakky's face didn’t move an inch, her eyes noticeably got bigger after each revelation at best, Rayleigh’s mouth lowered and lowered so much you could have fit a barrel in it.

“To think that such a thing happened.” wondered aloud the former empress.

“It’s... hard to believe.”

“Old man, we have the goddess’ body stored on the ship if you want proof.”

“No, no. I believe you guys but it’s so... fantastical of a tale.”

“What are you going to do, now?” the Dark king’s wife asked.

“Well, Luffy is...”

“Blow up Reverse Mountain.” answered bluntly Robin cutting her husband's speech and making Rayleigh spit his beer.

“You what?!”

“Luffy found the One Piece but he isn’t technically the freest man on the sea yet. Only with Reverse Mountain gone can he claim to be.”

“By the way, the One Piece is probably the goddess and not the treasure Roger left on Laugh Tale.” added Rick.



Rayleigh laughed at the revelations and shook his head. His student reminded him too much of his late best friend with how outrageous they were. Perhaps it was why one succeeded the other.

After spending the night in the bar. Robin, Rick, Sabo and Aokiji went to the main building of the R.A. and greeted Koala who had been delighted to see Robin and Rick and shocked to learn who was agent Coolio. After sharing the missing history for a third time, especially the part about Imu, Sabo confirmed that she existed.



“She’s the one that ordered King Cobra’s death. He got an audience with the five elders in the empty throne room and asked a question about what happened to Queen Nefertari Lili. That’s when Imu showed herself and sat on the throne. Because of the low light, I couldn't see what she looked like but I understood that the elders were subservient to her. After revealing that Queen Lili was a traitor and was guilty of the crime of spreading the poneglyphs all over the world she ordered him killed. I tried to save him but I was too late.” the blond man confessed.

“She needs to be taken down.” Rick stated.

“Yes. Her and the celestial dragons but we’re not ready yet.” replied Koala.

“Luffy has to do something first before our journey ends. After that...”

“War then going back home and start a family.” Rick finished Robin’s sentence and gave her a hopeful smile that she returned.

“So you’re really in the fight?” asked Sabo.

“Yes, it’s time I properly join the Revolutionary Army.”

“Good to hear!” declared Sabo with a smile.

“YAY!” Koala shouted, hugging Robin’s neck.



“A year, my Lady. We’re almost done with the reconstruction of Wano but the country still needs more time to fortify itself from outside threats and for the people to prosper. We’re not weak but not strong enough yet. A year and Wano will be ready to open its borders.”

“That’s more than enough, child.”

And with that she gave back control to Rick under the amazed eyes of everyone but the crew.

“Sometimes, I regret having eaten a second devil fruit. I feel like a meat suit now.”

‘Oh, we both know that’s not true!’

‘I know but the way they all looked at me... That was the first thing that came to mind.’

“Sir Rick, to be the vessel of a Goddess...”

“Is not as great as one might think but she’s a good conversationalist so I don’t have anything to complain much about, Kin’Emon.”

“Why didn’t she participate during the raid on Onigashima?” asked Yamato.

“And why didn’t Lady Tsukuyomi manifest afterwards?” asked Sukiyaki.

“She did indirectly participate by removing the limits on my powers. As for why she didn’t show herself afterwards... I think it’s because of her connection to Wano and Lady Toki. She would have had to reveal the truth of the void century and she didn’t think wise at the time. ‘You owe me for covering for you.’

‘You owe me twenty years in darkness!’

‘Not my fault!’

After that meeting, Rick thought that Luffy would be unhappy with the results but he shrugged it off and said that there were plenty of islands to explore and for Nami to map so everything was alright in his opinion.

When it was time to leave they were stopped by a request from Momonosuke.

“Despite my refusal, my sister asked of me the permission to join your crew in your travels to serve Lady Tsukuyomi just like our mother did. In truth my refusal matters little, my sister is a grown woman and can do as she pleases. However, it is up to you, Luffy.”

“Sure, I have no problem with it. We’re the most wanted people in the world though, it might be dangerous.”

“I know, that's why I request of you to bring Yamato too as my sister's bodyguard.”

“ME?!”

“Yes. You already visited the whole country, Yamato. Just like my father did. I know you want to take to the sea and follow his footsteps further but stay to protect the country. It’s a good opportunity that may not come again.”

“Yama-bro can come too.”

And just like that Sunny got two new passengers. The first day Princess Hiyori followed Rick everywhere. Since he was Diana’s vessel she decided that serving him was serving her. That quickly put Rick in a bad mood and put the goddess in a hilarious one. Finally, Rick brought Hiyori to the infirmary to see Diana’s body and gave her the task to take care of her and successfully got her off his back.

The crew's next destination was decided by their Log Pose this time, like it should have been the first time they left the island.