The Reverse Mountain Arc is the point that officially initiates the trip of the Straw Hat Pirates into the Grand Line, the deadliest sea in the entire world and the focal point of the remaining One Piece. This arc is powerful, though short, in symbolic meaning. It presents the perils of the Grand Line, establishes the laws of this uncontrollable sea, and above all, introduces one of the most emotionally powerful characters of the story, Laboon, the giant whale awaiting a crew that may never come back.
A Big Driveway to the most treacherous Sea.
The Straw Hats reach the entrance of the Grand Line by a mountain named Reverse Mountain, which is one of the only known ways of getting into the legendary path. This mountain is special, four seas in the world stream up to the top of the mountain because of weird sea-currents, and then converge and spout down into the Grand Line.
The scene is tense at the very beginning. When the Going Merry is being pulled to the treacherous upward current, all the skill that the crew members have is needed to ensure that the ship remains steady. Here comes a very important figure Nami, the navigator. The training in weather, currents, and maneuvering of ships comes in handy when they are combating the powerful waves and fierce winds. This scene provides a subtle support to the significance of the talents of each crewmember- though Luffy is the captain, the teamwork is the only way to survive.
The ascending of the Reverse Mountain is a symbol of a new beginning: uncertain, perilous, and thrilling. It is evident when the crew finally reaches the top and is descending towards the Grand Line, the feeling of awe and anticipation is evident. This is all they were training on since the East Blue.
The Wall that Giant Stands in Their Way.
But their destination at the end of the descent is something that none of them anticipates; a giant whale standing in the entrance of the Grand Line. Laboon, the name of this whale, is so great that the Going Merry runs right into him, and is stuck against his skin. Surprisingly, Luffy is not bothered by the crash and steps on the head of the whale and meets Crocus, an elderly man residing within Laboon.
Crocus is the owner of the Twin Capes Lighthouse and a doctor who is extremely knowledgeable about the Grand Line. He also describes the tragic past of Laboon that becomes the emotional core of this arc.
Labans Story-A Story of Faithfulness and Patience.
Laboon is merely a small whale that befriended a crew of pirates called the Rumbar Pirates years ago. The crew adored him and he was after them everywhere. However, as they got on the Grand Line, they knew that it was too unsafe with a young whale. On the Twin Capes they left Laboon behind, with a promise of their return on finishing their expedition.
But decades passed.
The Rumbar Pirates never came back.
Laboon waited patiently thinking that they would come back one day. Loneliness and sorrow motivated him to repeatedly bang his huge head on the Red Line in an attempt to break through to his lost friends. The scars of these self-inflicted attacks were deep all over his body.
The story of Labaan is a basic, tragic one. It echoes one of the themes of One Piece: the idea of waiting, being loyal, losing and hope that helps the characters to go on even under the conditions when everything is impossible.
Luffy’s Promise
Upon noticing that Laboon is suffering, Luffy responds in a very Luffy-like manner, the one that no one expected and yet was very kind. Rather than attempting to console Laboon in a purely verbal way, he confronts the whale to a battle. This may at first appear absurd, but we soon understand why, by stopping himself, Laboon was what Luffy wants him to be: a new reason to keep on hurting himself.
Following the fight, Luffy leaves the Straw Hat Pirate symbol on the forehead of Laboon and vows:
One day, when Straw Hats complete their journey on the Grand Line, they will come back to fight again Laboon.
This gives Laboon a boost, a future and not a past which he is stuck in. It reveals the individual approach to leading as Luffy does not just feel the pain but does his best to take the place of grief with the sense of mission.
It is among the first instances when Luffy develops strong emotional attachments to people that he encountered on his path. It also supports one of the major themes of One Piece:
A promise can lead a whole life of the person.
Crocus and the Rules of the Grand Line.
Informational role is also played by crocus. He warns the Straw Hats of how the Grand Line can be unpredictable. The weather is subject to an immediate change. The compass needles do not operate in the ordinary way. There are distinct magnetic fields and climates on islands. Here the Log Poses come in, special equipment of navigation needed to ride in the Grand Line.
Their initial Log Pose is also given to the crew thus officially signaling the start of their actual Grand Line journey.
Introduction to Music of the Baroque Period (Foreshadowing)
More foreshadowing of later arcs is also present in Reverse Mountain. Two unknown agents, Mr. 9 and Ms. Wednesday make short appearances, attempting to kill Laboon on behalf of their kingdom. The incident leads to the introduction of a criminal group Baroque Works, the presence of which will take over the following arcs in particular Alabasta.
The viewer can have a preview of the mystery and political depth that is to come in the Grand Line due to their unsuccessful mission and unfamiliar actions
