Mount Levis: The Upside-Down Mountain
Mount Levis, commonly known as the Upside-Down Mountain, stands as one of the few relatively safer passages into the Grand Line—provided one isn't deterred by the looming threat of death.
While entry through the Calm Belt is possible, it's fraught with peril. The Calm Belt is notorious for being the habitat of the formidable Sea Kings. Without advanced technology like the Navy's seastone-infused ships to mask their presence, the odds of survival plummet to a mere 20%.
Nevertheless, Kairos Flint and his crew had already navigated their vessel up the treacherous currents of the Upside-Down Mountain, successfully entering the Grand Line without incident. Notably, they didn't encounter the massive whale, Laboon, during their ascent.
Twin Capes: The Gateway to the Grand Line
At the base of the mountain lies Twin Capes, marking the official commencement of the Grand Line. A solitary lighthouse stands here, maintained by an enigmatic figure named Crocus.
Crocus isn't just any lighthouse keeper. In his earlier days, he served as the ship's doctor for the legendary Roger Pirates. Remarkably, after the Pirate King's era concluded, Crocus faced no repercussions and continued his life openly, tending to the lighthouse at Twin Capes for many years.
Kairos and his crew disembarked, making their way to the lighthouse. There, they found Crocus reclining on a lounge chair, engrossed in a newspaper, with a glass of juice resting on a nearby table. The scene exuded tranquility.
However, Kairos's visit wasn't driven by nostalgia or curiosity about Crocus's past affiliations.
"Mr. Crocus, I'm here to purchase a Log Pose," Kairos stated directly.
Though the Bounty Hunter Intelligence Organization wasn't among the world's elite information networks, it had its merits. Through them, Kairos had learned that Crocus, despite his unassuming appearance, was a reliable source for acquiring Log Poses essential for navigating the Grand Line.
"Standard Log Pose: 500,000 Berries. Permanent Log Pose: 1 million Berries," Crocus replied without looking up.
"That's daylight robbery!" Nami exclaimed before Kairos could respond.
"If you don't wish to buy, feel free to venture into the Grand Line blindly," Crocus retorted, returning his focus to the newspaper.
"I'll take a Log Pose to Whiskey Peak and a Permanent Log Pose to Alabasta," Kairos said, placing 1.5 million Berries on the table.
His choice of Whiskey Peak wasn't arbitrary. The island was known to harbor numerous bounty hunters, many affiliated with Baroque Works, the clandestine organization led by one of the Seven Warlords, Crocodile. For Kairos, this presented an opportunity. Engaging with these bounty hunters could yield valuable ability crystals, enhancing his own strength.
Crocus, noting Kairos's prompt payment, handed over the requested Log Poses. Kairos passed the Whiskey Peak Log Pose to Nami and secured the Alabasta Permanent Log Pose in his personal storage, aware of its fragility.
"Mr. Crocus, do you have a Den Den Mushi to contact the Red-Haired Pirate?" Kairos inquired.
At the mention of the "Red-Haired Pirate," Crocus's demeanor shifted. He eyed Kairos warily.
"I'm not sure what you're referring to," Crocus replied evasively.
"Come now, Doctor of the Roger Pirates. Without your medical expertise, Roger might never have reached Raftel. And Shanks, the red-haired trainee on that very ship—you spent years together. Are you certain you don't know him?" Kairos pressed.
Crocus fell silent, the weight of past memories evident.
"How do you know all this?" he finally asked.
"That's not important. What matters is that Shanks's daughter is currently with me, and I need to speak with him," Kairos said, gesturing towards Uta.
Uta, standing nearby, sensed something amiss but couldn't pinpoint it.
"What?!" Crocus exclaimed, his gaze shifting to Uta. Her hair, mirroring Shanks's distinctive red hue, lent credibility to Kairos's claim.
"Does Shanks truly have a daughter?" Crocus asked hesitantly.
"Of course. You've been stationed here for years. Surely, you've noticed how frequently Shanks visits the East Blue," Kairos responded.
While Crocus couldn't recall the exact number of visits, he acknowledged that Shanks had returned to the East Blue multiple times. Given the dangers of the Calm Belt, it was plausible that Shanks used the Upside-Down Mountain for his travels, making stops at Twin Capes along the way.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Crocus stood up. "Wait here," he said, heading into the lighthouse. Moments later, he returned with a Den Den Mushi, its shell adorned with red markings.
"This connects directly to Shanks," Crocus said, handing it to Kairos.
Kairos initiated the call. After a brief pause, the Den Den Mushi's face transformed, mimicking Shanks's features.
"Mr. Crocus, it's been a while. I didn't expect you to reach out," Shanks's voice emanated.
"Red-Haired Shanks," Kairos interjected.
Shanks's expression turned serious. "Who are you? Where's Crocus?"
"You can call me Kairos Flint, a bounty hunter. But that's not the point. Your daughter is with me. If you value her safety, you'll comply with my demands," Kairos stated calmly.
Crocus was taken aback. Wasn't Kairos on friendly terms with Uta?
Uta herself was stunned. Kairos had mentioned wanting to provoke Shanks, but this direct threat was unexpected.
"Kairos, you must be mistaken. I don't have a daughter," Shanks replied, perhaps thinking Uta was still in Elegia.
"Uta," Kairos said.
In the New World, aboard a secluded island, Shanks's demeanor changed instantly. His Conqueror's Haki surged, causing his crew to react with alarm.
"If you harm Uta, I will find you, no matter where you hide, and end you," Shanks declared.
"I'll be waiting," Kairos responded nonchalantly. "My demand is simple: I want ten pirates, each with a bounty exceeding 500 million Berries, delivered alive. Fail to comply, and I can't guarantee your daughter's safety."
"Understood," Shanks replied without hesitation.
"Excellent. I'll await you in Alabasta in a month. If you don't show, don't blame me for what happens next. By the way, your daughter is quite charming," Kairos added before ending the call.
Nami, Uta, and Crocus stood in stunned silence, processing the unexpected turn of events.
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