After having finished up the coverup tattoo, Nox walked to a secluded spot and tried out his other tattoos. From his hands coiled fire like a flaming serpent. It didn't hurt him and he was in full control, making it take different shapes and when he dismissed it, the tattoo returned just as it did with the sword. Lightning behaved just the same. It was the doves that surprised him though. When he summoned the small birds, he felt a connection forming and suddenly, he saw through their eyes as well as his'. It was quite disorienting at first but as they flew, he got more used to it. This could be a massive advantage in the future, looking through the eyes of his summons.
From up there, he could see the party going on farther into the island, Luffy was devouring meat, Zoro was drinking his liver into submission and so on.
He smiled. This was a dream come true, being in the world of one piece. Might as well enjoy the feast. So, nox dismissed the dove and walked over to them, "hey Nox! You just have to try these turkey legs! They are so good!"
Nox smiled at his captain… his captain, that had a nice ring to it. He grabbed a turkey leg and ate it, no cutlery, just hands and mouth. It was good, so very good, "who cooked this? I have to thank them!"
"Our cook did, Sanji. I don't think he is available right now though", Nami said with distaste, looking at the cook fawning over every girl he could lay eyes on. Classic Sanji, "he cooked all of this?"
"Yeah, isn't he great? Shi shi shi shi!"
"Sure has a talent when it comes to cooking. Say, what is your plan? I know you want to be king of the pirates but what are your more short term goals?"
"Get to the grand line of course! Shi shi shi shi! First step is the grand line and second step, laugh tale!"
"You make it sound so easy… I don't think it will be quite like that. The difference between the east blue and the grandline is like a mole hill and a mountain!" And the difference between paradise and the new world was like a fire cracker and a nuclear bomb but he didn't say that part aloud.
"You have been to the grand line before?"
"My dojo was on the grand line, on L'arbor, an island ruled by a fearsome pirate, or it was, until roughly 20 years ago, I was 12 and the pirate was killed, we were free once more" he bullshitted hard, pulling from one piece dnd, a podcast he enjoyed in his previous life.
"Woah, what is the grand line like?"
"It is a lot more dangerous than the blues, a normal compass is useless, you need a log pose to navigate it. You'll have to get one of those in logue town"
"Why is that?"
"Every island on the grand line has its own magnetic force, log poses calibrate based on the magnetic force of the island you are on. There are multiple paths through the grand line and a log pose is calibrated to one of those. Each time you are on a new island, you have to wait there for a bit, the time varies from island to island, before you can sail on", he explained, "there are also eternal poses, which always point to a specific island"
"Woah, the grand line sounds more awesome as time goes on!" Luffy was practically vibrating with excitement, "tomorrow, we set sail! I can't wait any longer!"
"Zoro, let's train a bit. If we are going to the grand line, i don't want to stay this weak"
"Fine", Zoro stood up, sake cup still in hand, "I'll teach you one sword style. You have a good foundation but you lack finesse. Show me your stance. No, no! Your legs are too wide and straighten up! Yes, like that now give me three hundred downwards slashes"
They trained till deep into the night, the moon hung high up in the sky when Zoro was finally satisfied for the day.
When he finally fell asleep, he dreamed of adventures to come, of fighting alongside the monster trio, eating food prepared by Sanji, finding treasure a plenty and of course, his favorite waifu Boa Hancock. This time around it wouldn't be the idiot Luffy who she fell in love with but him! That dense idiot didn't deserve her attention.
When he awoke, he was full of energy and ready to start his journey. He sat on the Merry, looking at Usopp, Zoro, Sanji and Luffy, "where is Nami?"
"Maybe she isn't coming" said Zoro.
"What?! Why wouldn't she come?!" Sanji was in panic mode but then they heard Nami's voice, shouting, "set sail! Now!"
They did as they were told as Nami sprinted up towards the pier. She jumped on top of the ship and waved a berry bill at them.
"Hey, my wallet is gone!"
"Mine too!"
"So is mine!"
"Take care everyone", Nami winked.
"She tricked us!"
Nox chuckled, classic Nami. Nox grabbed one of the many wallets that had fallen on the ships deck.
"What do you think you are doing? I stole those fair and square!" Nami protested.
"We are a crew, we split our earnings"
"You don't have the authority to decide that! Only the captain can make that kind of-"
"Sounds fair to me", Luffy nodded and Nami's face fell.
"Fine, we have eighteen wallets and are six people, so three for each but I get to pick first!" She picked the three juiciest looking wallets and stared in dismay as the other crewmen picked up their share. She didn't like it but the captain had earned her respect, so she had to honor his orders. She should rather just have denied it, instead of giving the decision to the captain but she couldn't exactly backpedal now. This also set a dangerous precedent, that all loot had to be equally divided.
Unaware of Nami's inner turmoil, Nox counted the berry's 350 thousand berry. That was quite a lot. Probably the money which they would've used as ransom to allow them to continue living, three adults and one child worth of money.