Rei was aware of her shortcomings. She knew she had many flaws but the one flaw that she had always attempted to fix, but always failed, was how to comfort or even react appropriately when someone was crying in front of her.

She knew the science of how tears worked and that it was a neurological condition that could be triggered by many things. Most of the time, she knew the reasons for why that person was crying. She had all the information but when it came to processing it into some sort of action, she was stuck.

She also knew that even though she shouldn't, she felt some quiet relief that at this particular moment, at least she was not alone in her lack of response. She and her nakama watched with shock as the two leaders of the Mokomo Kingdom and the Kozuki Clan wept openly around them.

They had just informed the pirates about the Kozuki Clan's legacy of being the creators of the Poneglyph and that until recently, the art of reading and writing the ancient texts was passed down from generation to generation. However, it was cruelly severed by the demise of the former head of the clan, Momonosuke's father.

"O-Oden-sama...was...O-Oden-sama….Wano…" Kin'emon rasped through strangled breath. He was on his knees and his whole body trembled as he fought to say the unspeakable. When his struggle remained futile, he bunched his own knee over and over again with frustration. Tears dripped down his face and the ones in his alliance fared no better.

"Oy! If it's that hard to say, you don't need to force yourself!" Luffy shouted.

"N-No!" Kin'emon said. He gulped and took in a slow breath, "You all deserve to know. Oden-sama was...executed by the shogun of the Land of Wano and the pirate, Kaido. To save all of us retainers, he met his fate!"

"Kaido?!" Luffy yelled.

Kin'emon nodded and he gritted his teeth. "And...Emperor Kaido's Beast Pirates are still in the Land of Wano!"

Rei opened her mouth to ask something but then seeing the disheveled state of those who had an answer, she closed her mouth. She was about to take a step back when someone sturdy but warm came up to her and bumped her with his entire body. "It's okay," Zoro grunted under his breath, "If there's something you want to say, just say it. There's no way you could make it worse...Awkward, maybe, but not worse."

"Oh…" Rei said and then she tried again, "Why was your master executed? For that matter, what business does Kaido have with Wano? You guys have been targeted by him, right? Even Doflamingo had an interest in the samurais."

"Again, you don't have to tell us anything if it's too hard," Zoro added and gave Rei's hand a little squeeze of support.

Kin'emon wiped his face but it was fruitless as he continued to cry. "Kaido was trying to pull information from us. You see, Kozuki Oden-sama….The previous daimyo….traveled to the last island Raftel with the King of Pirates, Gol D. Roger, and witnessed the greatest secret of the world."

"What?!" the pirates gasped.

"Are you saying…" Luffy asked, "That Momo's dad...went to Raftel?!"

"Ah!" At the mention of word "dad", all the pirates turned to Rei, who shook her head violently.

"I did not know this. My dad never mentioned this. Nor did my uncle!" she said, "They don't tell me anything about their time on Gol D. Roger's ship."

Zoro frowned and he gently moved his hands up to Rei's shoulders. "Oy, Know It All…?" he asked carefully.

He believed her when she said she didn't know but he was also very worried that she was still shaken by what that bastard's, Bayard, mental invasion. Not being aware of these facts, not having foreseen it, might have a negative impact on her.

To his relief, she wasn't shaking beneath his hands and when she turned to look at him, there was no doubt in her eyes. Just a small touch of curiosity. "Yes, Zoro?" she asked.

He smirked and then looked casted his gaze back to the samurais. "Never mind," he said, "Forgot what I was going to ask."

"Oh. Okay."

"So do you guys know the secret of the world, then?!" Usopp asked as he leaned towards Kin'emon, "Did Oden tell you?"

Kin'emon shook his head. "Oden-sama didn't want to burden us so he never told us."

"But even if we did know, we'd never tell it!" Kanjuro added, puffing up his chest with pride.

"Of course," Robin said.

"It makes no difference. Whether we know or not, we'll keep being hunted. fIF so, teh only option we have is to fight!" Kanjuro said.

"That's right. Although we are defeated soldiers, we accept our defeat and survive to this day for one reason. Just because Oden-sama's last words are etched into our hearts," Kin'emon said with a hard thump to his chest.

"Those words are the reason we live," Raizo said.

The two leaders of Mokomo Kingdom nodded in agreement.

"What were those words?" Usopp asked.

"The words he left behind were just one phrase!" Kanjuro said.

"Open up the Land of Wano!" the samurais, Master Cat Viper, and Duke Dogstorm announced in unison.

"What?!" Rei gasped. She stepped towards the center of the circle, unconsciously out of Zoro's hold. "That's really what he wants?!"

"What? I don't get it...Open up what?" Chopper asked.

"The land of Wano has always been closed. No one inside can leave and no one outside could ever come into the country," Brook explained, "If they open up, that means they'll interact with other countries."

"That's what you all are aiming to do? Open this closed country to the world?" Rei asked.

Kin'emon nodded. "That's our wish. We have put our lives on the line in order to fulfill our master's last wish. The Land of Wano is almost entirely under the control of the shogun and Kaido who've joined forces. Our friends are trying to muster dissidents there now but they're still vastly outnumbered by a great army. The chance of victory is slim!"

"But we have to win!" Kanjuro said with gritted teeth and Kin'emon nodded again.

"Thus, to look for someone who will fight for us," Kin'emon said, "We set out to sea. First, we were heading for Zou. Because to fight against the Beast Pirates, we surely needed the help of Minks, our closest allies."

"Ah. Naturally," Duke Dogstorm said with a nod, "Because of the deep bond and history we have together, we'll always share the same fate!"

"More than anything, the dog and I have been the direct retainers of Oden-sama," Master Cat Viper added, "Ever since the day Raizo arrived here, all of our warriors were prepared."

"But when we actually fought...it turned out like this with just a part of Kaido's army," Duke Dogstorm said as he looked down at his bandaged limbs.

"How disappointing…" Master Cat Viper sighed.

"We were going to go to Beffi Island next," Kin'emon said, "But...just trying to get to Zou proved most difficult….And to think that we brought such disaster here too..."

"Oy! That's because Jack used that dirty weapon!" Franky protested.

"No one could've expected they'd use the poison gas!' Usopp added.

"No matter how dirty they play, this is still our country!" Master Cat Viper snapped.

"But we won't let it happen again. We won't repeat the same failure!" Dog Dogstorm said, "We still have an ace up our sleeve. If we fight again, we will show you the true power of the Minks."

"What?! True power?" Franky asked.

The leaders of the Mokomo Kingdom nodded with a confident smile.

"I am confident you will have the support of Beffi Island," Rei said, "So that will definitely aid your mission."

Kin'emon shared a look with Kanjuro and then they both prostrated themselves on the floor.

"Luffy-dono...and Law-dono," Kin'emon said with his head bowed, "I know it's presumption of me to ask you a favor after you saved my life but I've been impressed by how strong you guys are. Since we had been fated to share the same purpose up until now, will you continue this journey and help us fight to kill the shogun of the Land of Wano and Emperor Kaido?!"

"Please. I'm begging you, Luffy-dono!" Kanjuro said.

Raizo bowed his head. "Please."

"O-Of course we will!" Usopp said as he pumped his fists in the air, "Those samurai and the Minks! They'll be a big help for us too! We will-"

"No," Rei said abruptly.

"Oy! What are you saying, Rei-Sis? Of course we'll super help them," Franky said.

"Stop. That is not for you to decide," Rei said, "It's Luffy's decision to make."

She then took a step towards the samurai child. "Nor is this a request for Kin'emon and them to ask. Momonosuke-sama...What do you think? Is this what you want?"

"Eh?!"

Even Momonosuke looked up at the tactician and she blinked back at the sniffling child.

"This whole time, you haven't said a word but this is regarding your father. I want to know what you want to do," she said.

"Oy! Lay off of him," Nami protested, "Momo-chan is clearly upset about all this. He's just a child!"

"No, he's not just a child," Rei said calmly, "He is now the current head of the Kozuki Clan, Kozuki Momonosuke-sama."

Nami glared at the tactician, "Don't-"

Luffy folded his arms over his chest. "Ah!" he shouted with such force that it made almost everyone jump at the noise, "Momo! I thought you were someone important. You're a leader of these great men, aren't you?! Are you just going to cry?!"

"Guys! Don't be so harsh on him!" Nami yelled.

"That's right. Usually, heirs don't rightfully take their place until they are a lot older than Momonosuke-san. Once the adults around him has prepared him enough for his-" Brook started to explain but then was cut off by the sounds of Monosuke's wooden sandals clattering on the floor.

With his head down and his fists clenched at his side, he walked up to Luffy. He stood in front of the captain and he gripped the sides of his robe. "L-Luffy!" he shouted, "I want to bring down Kaido. He was an enemy to my parents. He killed my mother too! I wish to grow up and become strong quickly and avenge my father and mother! I want to protect all my retainers too!"

"Mo-Momonosuke-sama," his retainers whispered.

"But because my body is still small, I can't do that," Momonosuke continued to yell, "That is why...Why I want to fight with me! I'm begging you. Pl-"

Thump!

Luffy laid a heavy hand on top of the child's shaved head. "I got it."

"Huh?'

Luffy stooped down so that he was eye level to the child and brought his hand between them. "Let's join hands and become allies," he said with a grin, "Let me have Kaido's head, though."

Momonosuke clutched Luffy's hand with both of his and he touched his forehead to it. "Okay! Okay!" he wept with relief.

Luffy's grin disappeared and he clucked his tongue. "Tch! You're doing it all wrong. You gotta grab tight!"

The rubber captain closed his fingers tighter around the child's fist and the child shakily tried to do the same. "Th-Thank you. Thank you!"

"With more energy!" Luffy demanded.

"But...But I am grabbing your hand," Momonosuke whimpered.

"No. Stronger!" Luffy lectured.

"Don't I get a say in this?!" Law demanded from his corner of the hideout and Rei blinked at him.

"We are taking down Kaido. Is this not what you wanted?"

"Yes, it is," Law snapped, "But-"

"Then what's the problem?" Rei asked.

Law scowled but continued to walk towards Luffy.

"Yosh! Guys!" Luffy said with a grin as he stood back up and threw his fist out, "Listen up! Our objective is to kick Emperor Kaido's butt! We are now the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance!'

Duke Dogstorm, Law, and Momonosuke, with a lift from Kin'emon, raised their fist to meet Luffy's. "AH!"

"Is Ninja necessary in the title?" Nami wondered.

"Yes," the males said without hesitation.

"Never bow your heads. Don't ever get on your knees," Luffy announced with a grin, "An alliance means…"

"Don't say it," Law grumbled as he withdrew his fist.

"Friendship!" Luffy shouted, "We're all allies but there is one condition."

"Shouldn't you say this BEFORE we form the alliance?" Kin'emon asked.

"Well," Luffy said with a frown, "One of the members of my crew is not here. I'll go and get him back. So don't go off to fight until then."

"Is that the condition?" Raizo asked, "That's not a problem if it is. We can wait."

Rei nodded in support of this. "Our alliance will need Sanji. It will be the same as getting help from a thousand more people."

"I'm worth two thousand," Zoro declared from the back, "Right, Know It All?"

Rei turned to him and she gave him a small smile while Nami gave him a comforting pat on the head.

"Sure. Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night," Nami said but that did not satisfy the swordsman. He walked over to the tactician and he pulled her to him by her wrist.

"Right?" he asked, "I'm worth more than that shitty cook, right?"

She flipped her hand so that she was holding him just as much as he was at her. "It depends…" Rei said.

The navigator laughed at the thunderous look on the swordsman.

"On?!"

"The situation and who it's affecting," Rei said with a thoughtful frown, "If we're talking about nourishing people back to health, Sanji would definitely have an advantage. When it comes to strategizing, he also would be more-"

"Ugh. Forget it. Why do I even bother?" Zoro grunted as he pulled his hand away from the tactician and stalked back to his spot.

Nami stifled her giggle and decided to give the swordsman a break. "Rei. How much is Zoro worth to you in your life?"

"Oy! Nami!" Zoro hissed as his eyes bugged out and a vein bulged up against his neck.

"Irreplaceable, of course," Rei said matter of factly and then turned back to focus on the discussion of the alliance.

The face of the swordsman could not get any redder but that still did not stop him for putting a smirk on top of it and then giving a small nod of thanks to the navigator.

Since everything was settled, the group left the hideout and went back up to the surface of the Whale Tree. It was a less tense walk as before and full of cheerful chatter amongst the group. When they came outside, back to the top of the tree, the topic of discussion had moved to Duke Dogstorm and Master Cat Viper's time on Gol D. Roger's ship.

"So you know Shanks!" Luffy said with a spring in his step, "He's the one who gave me this hat."

"I thought it looked familiar," Duke Dogstorm replied, "Ah. The cat and I boarded many ships as Oden-sama's attendants. We stayed by his side when we were traveling on Whitebeard's Moby Dick and when Oden-sama was recruited by Roger."

"Whoa! Whoa! Wait!" Usopp shouted as everyone stopped in their tracks, "Did you just say Whitebeard?!"

"Yes. We were still young," Duke Dogstorm said, "Just like the apprentices such as Shanks and Buggy."

"But the two of us didn't go to Raftel with them," Master Cat Viper said, "Our time on board, though, was fun. Oh! The things we saw. The different species. The island in the sky."

"So you know Shanks and Rayleigh then," Luffy grinned, "And Jeffrey, Rei's dad, right?"

"Of course!" the two leaders said and Rei blinked.

"Well...that does make sense. My father was part of Roger's crew," Rei asked.

Master Cat Viper flashed his teeth. "We knew your mother too."

"Wh-wh-WHAT?!" Rei was so floored by this that her jaw dropped.

"Huh? I thought you knew," Duke Dogstorm said, "How'd you think we established an alliance with the Royal Family in the first place? Your parents made the introduction. Actually, your mother insisted."

Rei's hands went to her face and she stared at her feet. "Wait...Wait...So…" her mind was racing a mile a minute as she tried to make sense of everything, "So...you mentioned the island in the sky...so that would mean, you met my father just as he was about to marry my mom...So you...you two were there when they got married...And then they left...but then...but then you saw them again at Beffi Island?"

Duke Dogstorm grinned, "Ah. Zunisha happened to past by the island of Beffi at the time. We remembered that Cogan and his wife had wanted to build a life there so the cat and I paid them a visit. Your mother was pregnant with you at the time, I believe."

"Me?" Rei's eyes went up to the two leaders, "Ho...How was my mother?...I mean...In terms of her pregnancy? Was she healthy? Was she happy?"

"She was very eager to meet you," Master Cat Viper said, "So was your father."

"Oh…" Rei hands moved to the front so they covered her lips. This was a chapter in her parents' life that she had never thought to ask until now. She could feel herself getting giddy by the news but she didn't quite know why. It all made sense and nothing seemed surprising but it still made her happy to know this information.

"Apologies for interrupting," Franky said as he brought his sunglasses down to his eyes, "If you were sailing with Roger, then the ship must've been the Oro Jackson, which was built by my shipwright teacher, Tom-san!"

"What?! Are you the shipwright Tom's pupil?!" Master Cat Viper asked.

"AH," Franky said with a nod and then pulled his arms together, "SUPER!"

"Th-Then do you know the doctor named Crocus?" Brook asked.

"WAIT!" Nami said as she stuck her hand in the air, "Before we get to this, we need to discuss something more pressing."

She then made her hand into a fist and turned her arm so that the dog and cat could see the Log Pose on her wrist. "Up until now, we've been following the Vivre Card Law gave us to Zou. Now, we found the Road Ponegliff, which points us towards the location of Raftel...But we've been told by Crocus that if you track logs, every route will come to one island in the end. I'd always thought it would be Raftel but…"

"Ah. Crocus-san!" Master Cat Viper said, "How is he? Haven't heard that name in a while."

"He was fine! But that was two years ago," Luffy shouted.

"Oy! Let's stick to the point!" Nami lectured, "Are we still supposed to follow the Log Pose then?"

Duke Dogstorm nodded. "There is definitely a route on which all of those three needles point, towards one specific place. However, you-gara already left on a journey which lies beyond that point."

"What? What do you mean?" Nami asked.

"You're supposed to find out about something for the first time at the end of the route. Find out the truth about the Ponegliffs and the ancient scripts. Find out about the civilization that created those and the existence of the island, Raftel. When Roger reached that point, he had to start over and do everything again in search of Raftel. Crocus was also part of the Pirate King's crew. He is one of those who knows everything," Duke Dogstorm said.

"We're already on a journey beyond the end?" Rei repeated, "Does that mean we're on the right track?"

Duke Dogstorm and Master Cat Viper shared a smile and then nodded.

"I got it," Nami said with a confident smile, "As Crocus-san said, the logs are leading us to Raftel for sure. Leading us to the way to Raftel, which lies beyond the end point. The logs weren't lying!"

"Are you a navigator? You're very dependable," Master Cat Viper said.

Rei looked up at the sky and she frowned. "If...If you were once part of Whitebeard's crew as well, would you be asking them to help in this alliance? Could you?"

Duke Dogstorm and Master Cat Viper looked at her in surprise.

"A-Actually, yes," Duke Dogstorm said, "We were planning on finding the former 1st division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco the Phoenix. How did you-"

"She's a genius," Zoro said.

"Oh! So you guys are friendly with him? That's good to know," Usopp said with relief, "If he can back us up, that would be very helpful."

"You know where to find him?" Rei asked, "Didn't everyone disappear after the Grudge War against the Blackbeard Pirates?"

Master Cat Viper shrugged. "There's a slim chance we will and even if we do, there's only a little hope he'll agree to help."

"So everyone needs time to prepare anyways before we launch an attack on Kaido," Rei said as she tapped her chin, "You need to find Marco. Momonosuke-sama and the rest of the samurais needs to round more allies both inside and outside the country. Meanwhile, we need to get back Sanji...but the riskiest thing to do would be for Kin'emon and them to sneak back in without everyone realizing. Especially if Kaido is still at Wano."

"Yes, that's correct. I-" Kin'emon started to say.

"It's okay, Kin. Let her work," Zoro said with a smirk.

Rei turned to Law. "Could we use your ship?"

"Huh?"

Rei frowned. "Last time I checked, your ship was a submarine. Couldn't we use it to get to Wano without detection? Kin'emon? Do you have a place you know on Wano that could hide Law's submarine?"

"Yes! If you could take us, that would be great, Law-dono!" Kin'emon said.

"A...Ah, that can be done," Law said.

"So we would head first to Wano and wait for every-"

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Zoro shouted, ignoring his own advice to the samurais, "What do you mean we? You're going with them to Wano?"

"Of course. I should get there before we regroup to form some sort of plan. I'd rather not start a battle without any information."

Zoro scowled. "You can't just go alone with the samurais."

Rei blinked. "Of course not. You're coming too."

"Huh?!"

"You, me, Franky, Robin, and Usopp will go to Wano with Momonosuke-sama and them on Law's ship, while Luffy, Nami, Brook, and Chopper will retrieve Sanji on the Thousand Sunny."

"W-Wait! We're splitting up again?!" Usopp asked, "I thought we were all going to go get Sanji!"

"Brook seems to know somethings about Sanji's family and he has a level head," Rei said with a tilt of her head, "Nami needs to navigate the Sunny. Half of Law's crew are medically trained so it would be better for Chopper to go with Luffy…I mean, they could use your great aim...Did you want to go with them, Usopp? I just thought you'd rather come with us because we'd at least be laying low for a while until everyone is assembled rather than rushing into battle….with Big Mom."

"EEP! You're right!" Usopp shrieked and stuck up his hand, "I'm on Team Lay Low at Wano!"

"Ow! Not that I super don't but why am I, Zoro, and Robin going to Wano and not with Luffy?" Franky asked.

"Robin is great at observing people and gathering information quietly. You are quite the firepower and can get us out of a jam if need be. And as for Zoro, of course he'll want to go to Wano...Which is also why I have to be there. I'm sticking to his side," Rei answered.

Zoro stood a little taller but it his confident bubble was burst when the tactician continued.

"Putting Zoro in the kingdom of swordsmen is not ideal. I'll have to keep an eye on him, just in case he starts a war before you guys even get here."

"EEP! That's true!" Usopp shrieked, "Maybe Zoro should go with Luffy to get-"

"Oy!" Zoro shouted, "I can control myself!"

No one told him otherwise but the expression on his nakama's face showed strong doubts to his claim.

"Okay, then," Rei said and continued on with her planning. She was completely oblivious to the swordsman's annoyance as she started to pace around with her hands clasped behind her back, "Like I said, our group will go ahead first and then wait for everyone there. I'll make a Vivre Card for Kin'emon and myself so that Luffy's group and the Mink's group can follow to Wano."

"Whoa! You know how to make a Vivre Card? Since when?!" Nami asked.

"A couple days ago. I found a book on Ellis' ship," Rei said without glancing over at the navigator, "Oh! And when Luffy's team gets to Big Mom, they would need to not only disrupt the wedding but get a rubbing off of the Road Poneglyph as well."

"That would be nice," Robin said with a relieved smile.

"Rubbing?" Luffy asked.

"Take a piece of paper, place against the Poneglyph and rub a crayon over it so that we get an imprint of what it says," Rei explained.

"Take a wha-?"

"I'll explain later, Luffy-san," Brook said.

"And while they're doing that, Robin can also find the Poneglyph at Wano...Did I cover everything? I think that should be good," Rei continued. She finally stopped and she turned to the captain, "Does that sound alright with you?"

Luffy scratched the back of his head. "I didn't listen to much of it but sure! Whatever you say."

"Don't just agree to a plan so light-heartedly!" Usopp shrieked, "We're talking about going against two Yonkos here. TWO!"

Luffy shrugged. "But if Rei says it's a good idea, then it has to be a good idea."

"Ah," Zoro said as he crossed his arms and begrudgingly gave a nod to the tactician, "Like I said. A genius."