"Goodbye, Bell-mère!"
"I'll miss you, Bell-mère!"
"Me too!"
"Yohoo, bye\~!"
In late February, twenty days after Shano departed for the East China Sea, the End finally welcomed its captain back.
Bell-mère stayed aboard for three full days, reuniting with her two daughters before departing for Dressrosa.
Shano had already arranged with King Riku to rent a small wooden house with a windmill for her, nestled beside a sunflower field outside the Royal Capital.
From the window, one could gaze upon a sea of golden flowers.
It also had a suitable yard for planting crops. It was also close to the bustling Royal Capital, with direct access to the main road.
With the flick of a button, one could switch between rural life and urban scenery. It was Bell-mère's dream cabin. If she grew tired of it, she could move to one of the other territories and experience different local customs and cultures.
Of course,
for now, there was only one "other territory."
But more would be coming soon.
Because with Shano's official return, searching for an island suitable for a base camp has officially become the Fallers' top priority.
In fact, over the past twenty days, the crew, under Shano's prior instructions, had already begun gathering intelligence on this matter.
Now that intelligence gathering is complete, it's time to hold a meeting to determine the direction.
On the deck.
"This is the nautical chart of the area we're about to arrive at."
Shano snapped his fingers.
Robin immediately understood, pulled out a long nautical chart from under his arm, and spread it out on the table.
Aside from Bonnie, who was riding a large dog on the bow to torture Gin, the rest of the crew gathered around the long table.
"Uh... is this a nautical chart?"
Nami stared at what looked like kindergarten graffiti in front of her, her face filled with astonishment.
"...Yeah."
Xiong scratched the back of his head, his old face slightly flushed.
He had the ability to fly, so the main task of collecting and integrating intelligence in this area was done by him.
He had also drawn this chart while recording it from the sky. It showed a total of seven islands, scattered throughout the sea.
The distances between the islands, their specific longitude and latitude, their shapes, their outlines...
none of it was remotely accurate.
But...
"Just a rough idea of the distribution of islands in this area is enough,"
Charlotte slapped Nami on the head with a stern look. "I'm not a navigator, and you're comparing me? If you want an accurate chart, go back and draw it yourself."
"Ignore him, Robin, and get back to business."
"Yeah,"
Robin smiled at Nami, who was clutching her head with tears in her eyes.
"Everyone is more or less aware of the current situation in the New World. After the Four Emperors took power, except for some scattered islands, most of the rest are under the control of the Four Emperors."
"And this sea area is quite special."
"It is located in the gap between the sphere of influence of the Beasts Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates. Both sides have no intention of completely taking this sea area into their possession, but regard it as a buffer zone in the war."
"The Whitebeard Pirates actually control the lower right corner, which is the southeasternmost island, called Mist Star Island."
"The Beasts Pirates actually control the upper left corner, which is the northwesternmost island, called Cinder Star Island."
Slender arms suddenly grew out of the nautical chart, pointing to the two islands.
Robin continued,
"The remaining five islands are currently unowned."
"The long-standing role of a buffer zone during the war has burdened the indigenous population, forcing them to leave their homes. Most have since migrated to other islands."
"These islands have gradually declined. The two northernmost islands have even become a haven for lawlessness, a hub for rampant underground black market transactions."
Robin paused, then smiled at Shano.
"And our captain seems to have taken a fancy to the central island."
The other six islands are named after stars, and the central one is known as Crescent Island.
As its name suggests, the island is large, crescent-shaped. Once rich in underground mineral resources, its central plateau stands tall, making it easily defended and difficult to attack.
It would indeed be a suitable base camp.
"The island in the middle?"
Shano stared at the center of the chart, then suddenly slammed his fist down, shaking the tabletop.
"No, that's wrong, Robin! Not the middle, but all of them!"
He grinned, unabashedly expressing his ambition. He unclenched his fist and pointed his finger at the center of the five unowned islands.
"I want all five of them!!!"
"It's almost time for these petty skirmishes to end. Now that I need to choose a base and formally establish my sphere of influence, how can a mere island satisfy my appetite? I must seize the entire sea in one fell swoop!"
Five unowned islands.
And in terms of size, population, and economic foundation, they were all impressive—definitely not barren wastelands.
If it weren't for their unique location, such a place would undoubtedly be coveted in the New World.
After all...
on one side was Kaido, and on the other was Whitebeard.
No one would dare defy the two emperors of the sea and get caught in the middle, causing trouble for themselves.
But he was different.
He, Shano, was also an emperor of the sea!
He defeated two admirals in a row, fought Kaido, the beast king known for his single combat prowess, and forced the World Government to sign a ceasefire...
This brilliant record, this reputation for commanding the sea, is enough to establish him anywhere in the New World!
Using this sea as a buffer zone for the war, forcing the civilians to flee?
It doesn't matter.
From now on, it will become his base, his territory, and all this will be a thing of the past!
...
Boom!
Violent thunder tore through the sky.
A thick bolt of lightning suddenly struck down, landing squarely on the jib of the End.
Sizzle!
The jib immediately caught fire, but before the fire spread, icy snowflakes had already drifted over and wrapped around the surface of the mast.
The snow melted into water, and the fire was quickly extinguished.
"At the headquarters of the Navy, there is a unit that is specifically responsible for monitoring and promptly extinguishing the fire in Marinford."
Smoker, holding a cigar in his mouth, glanced sideways at Nojigo next to him, and said with a sigh, "If you join that unit, I think you'll become the highest commander in a few months."
"Stop teasing me, the wind is getting stronger, go steer the ship!"
Nojigo said unhappily.
"Isn't Jack in charge of this matter now? Why are you calling me?" Smoker wondered.
"That guy has a stomach upset. He's been squatting in the bathroom since this morning and hasn't come out yet."
Nojigo sighed. "These are the preserved oranges my mother brought from the East China Sea. They were a kind gesture, but after such a long journey, how could they not spoil? My brother and I didn't dare eat any of them, but this idiot, obsessed with the flavors from Lord Shano's hometown, devoured them all in one gulp."
"He's asking for trouble! He'll probably be awake for at least three days..."
Nojigo shook her head.
After Smoker returned to his post, she, acting as lookout, ascended the tower and peered through her telescope.
"We've entered this area,"
Nojigo muttered to herself. "That's going pretty smoothly."
Zi Teng Luo—that's the name of the sea area centered on Crescent Island.
After four full days of sailing,
the End finally reached this sea.
Following Shano's orders, the End did not intend to stop at any islands it passed by, but would instead head directly for Crescent Island, the central point.
But just then...
"A ship?"
Nojigo was slightly startled. After checking through her monoculars several times, she immediately sounded the alarm on the observation deck.
"Attention everyone! An unidentified ship has been spotted at three o'clock,"
she shouted. "It's about five nautical miles away and is approaching us!"
Kuina immediately pushed open the door and stepped onto the deck.
She pulled out her Wado Ichimonji and calmly looked up at the blurry black dot in the distance.
There was no need to alert Lord Shano. Ever since her time in Paradise, she'd been responsible for destroying invading pirate ships. She'd slashed countless ships along the way.
If this one showed even the slightest hint of hostility, it would be no exception...
Huh?
Kuina's brow furrowed slightly.
As the distance between them closed, her observation Haki could now encompass the ship.
It was a broad, plump, ordinary little sailboat.
Strangely, she couldn't sense anyone on board, nor did she see anyone on the deck.
A ghost ship?
She lowered her gaze, gazing at the ship itself.
This time, she made a surprising discovery. A faint, vague presence emanated from the hull, as if she'd encountered it somewhere before, perhaps not long ago...
Kuina's eyes flickered, as if she suddenly understood something. She shook her head, sheathing her sword.
"They're not enemies. Let's save them."
Eh?
Nojigo and Smoker stared at her in confusion.
People? Where were they?
Kuina didn't answer. Instead, she went to the cabin corridor and kicked down a professional lifeguard who was dozing there, hiding from the rain.
Ten seconds later,
the swordswoman folded her arms, staring at the motionless sea before her, feeling a little confused.
A dripping wet Gin scrambled around the back of the ship and climbed onto the deck, then kicked her down with a stern look.
...
Finally,
with the combined efforts of the two lifeguards,
the fat, unmanned boat was finally lifted onto the deck of the End.
Gin lazily slumped back to sleep, while Kuina was furious. She felt guilty, but there was nothing she could do, so she went to take a shower.
After a hot shower and a change of clothes, she returned to the deck.
Several more crew members had arrived. Shano, who had been training in the training room, was called out by Noki.
The rescued ship finally awoke.
"Hmm, where am I?"
A portly old man's face appeared at the bow, his complexion pale and hazy. "Are you so lucky to have escaped?"
"It's been a while."
Shano, sitting cross-legged in the chair in front of him, looked at the talking ship and said slowly, "Mr. Henry."
"Who's talking?!"
The fat little boat twisted around with great effort, and when it saw Shano's face clearly, it shuddered:
"Mr. Shano?!"
The shock brought it to its senses. With a bang, the fat little boat disappeared.
In its place was a stout old man with gold-rimmed glasses and graying hair.
It was the merchant they had met at sea during their meeting with the Red Hair Pirates.
—Henry, the user of the Ship-Ship Fruit.
"It's really you, uncle!"
Nami widened her eyes beside him, "I didn't think it looked like it at first, after all, the ship you turned into last time was much bigger than this."
"I can turn into any kind of ship. This time I turned into a small boat just to facilitate escape."
Fat Henry smiled bitterly, "Of course, as long as I fall into the sea, I will faint and lose consciousness in a short while. Whether I can escape depends entirely on fate."
"I remember you hate your own ability, right?"
Shano raised his eyebrows, "You would rather jump into the sea and turn into a ship. It seems that you have encountered some trouble?"
"It's more than just trouble. I almost died this time, Lord Shano!"
Being cared for by a big man like the Emperor of the Sea, Fat Henry felt aggrieved all of a sudden. He took out a handkerchief, wiped his tears and said:
"Not only did he rob all my property, but he also wanted to kill me. Woohoo, under the banner of old man Whitebeard, he won everyone's trust, but in the end he went back on his word. Lord Shano, how can this be possible, how can this be possible..."
The banner of Whitebeard?
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Shano frowned. "You're absolutely safe with me. Calm yourself, Mr. Henry, and explain everything clearly."
"Yes, it's like this..."
Henry sobbed for a long time before finally stopping. It seemed that he had really frightened this fat old man, who had once been a ruthless man in his youth. "Sir Shano, have you heard of the Ice Witch Whitebeard?"
"Yes."
Shano nodded slightly.
Of course he remembered the name.
She was one of the 43 pirate captains who followed Whitebeard into Marinford during the Battle of Marineford.
During the battle between Whitebeard and Roger, this woman had been there and had engaged in fierce battles with Roger's men.
She was undoubtedly a veteran figure under Whitebeard.
"It's easy to explain if you've heard of it. This Wisteria Sea, the most southeastern Misty Star Island, is an island protected by Father Whitebeard. It's considered an important commercial transit town between the Four Emperors, and the actual controller of this island is the Ice Witch, Whitebeard."
"Just last week, this Ms. Whitebeard said that Father Whitebeard was planning a big deal. All merchants who come to invest money can get double the dividends within a week."
"And you believed it?"
Nami looked at him with disdain, "You've been a businessman for so many years, and you believe in such a good thing that falls from the sky?"
"If it were someone else, I would definitely sneer, but that's Whitebeard!"
Fat Henry cried aggrievedly, "Whitebeard's most respected veteran subordinate is also under the banner of Father himself... Little girl, do you know how high this credibility is? Who would have thought that they would suddenly turn their backs on it!"
"Ice Witch Whitebee..."
Xiong suddenly spoke. "I dealt with her once before. She was a very generous woman, and logically speaking, she wouldn't do such a thing."
It was indeed a bit strange.
Shano rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So, how much were you cheated out of?"
"Two billion! Two billion Baileys!"
Fat Henry beat his chest in regret.
"That's all the money I've saved over the years! Wow, Mr. Shano, when the time came to ask for the money, I didn't get a single cent, and I almost died there. It's so unfair! Can someone help me get justice?"
Huh?
Wait!
Isn't this a powerful figure who has the power to uphold justice?
Fat Henry suddenly reacted, sniffed, and looked at Shano eagerly: "Sir Shano..."
"I..."
Shano frowned, and just when he was about to say something, Fat Henry raised five fingers:
"Five hundred million! Sir Shano, as long as you can help me get the money back, I am willing to give you five hundred million Baileys as a reward!"
"I don't..."
"One billion! One billion Baileys!"
Fat Henry felt a little painful, "This is all I can give, Sir Shano, I know it's not easy to make a big shot like you run around, but there are more than one businessman who has been slaughtered like a pig. When the time comes, you can get the debt back together, and they will definitely give them a lot of money as a thank-you gift. This trip will definitely be worth it!"
"Okay, then ten billion."
Shano hesitated and nodded helplessly, "Since you insist so much, it's up to you..."
"Thank you, thank you!" Fat Henry smiled immediately, "No wonder everyone praises your good reputation, you are really chivalrous! Oh, by the way, what did you want to say just now?"
"Me?"
Shano took a sip of the orange soda beside him and said softly, "I mean, I'm used to standing up for the weak. Even if you don't give me money, I'll definitely make this trip."
Eh?
Fat Henry's smile froze on the spot.
...
At the same time.
In an unknown sea, on the White Whale.
"Marco."
Whitebeard leaned back on the sofa, letting the nurses beside him help apply the potion, and asked, "It's been five days since we sent Vista to Misty Star Island to investigate, and still no news?"
"No, Dad."
Marco was reading the newspaper and said with a smile:
"If you calculate the distance, the earliest they should arrive is today. If they encounter a storm, it wouldn't be surprising if it's delayed for two days. Besides, with Vista's strength, there's nothing to worry about."
"Really?"
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at the sea in the distance and pondered, "But the news coming back from Misty Star Island is really a bit strange. It always makes people have an uneasy premonition..."