Course Set
The Heaven's Embrace sailed under steady winds, the crimson glow of the evening sun reflecting off her runed hull. Robin stood at the navigation table in the library, a map spread open with four red circles marked in careful ink.
"These," she said, tapping each in turn, "are the suspected locations of the four Road Poneglyphs. With the copy from Zou and the one Big Mom had, we already have two. Shanks' lead should give us the third… and the last is rumored to be deep in Blackbeard's territory."
Bell-mère exhaled through her nose. "So we're basically sailing through the most dangerous waters in the world."
Vegito grinned. "Dangerous for them, maybe."
The Island of Karakuri Reef
Shanks' lead pointed to Karakuri Reef — an island notorious for turning away outsiders. Its cliffs rose like jagged teeth from the sea, the crashing waves below sounding like distant war drums.
As the ship approached, a volley of warning shots splashed into the water a hundred meters off their bow.
A voice shouted from the cliffside watchtower. "Turn back! Outsiders aren't welcome here!"
Nami glanced at Vegito. "So, subtle entry?"
Vegito shook his head, tail flicking lazily. "Nah. Let's introduce ourselves properly."
The Entry
Without slowing, the Heaven's Embrace rose on its folded wings, soaring up and over the cliffs before descending into the sheltered bay within. The locals froze mid-step as the massive ship glided in like a predator bird, runes along its hull pulsing faintly.
The dockmaster gawked. "What… in the name of the sea is that?"
"Your new favorite visitor," Vegito said, stepping onto the pier.
The First Confrontation
A squad of armed guards surrounded them within minutes. Their leader, a tall man with braided black hair and a spear tipped with obsidian, stepped forward.
"You ignore our warnings and trespass into our harbor. Why should we not sink your ship where it stands?"
Vegito smiled pleasantly. "Because your cannons can't scratch my ship, your spears can't pierce my skin, and if you tried, you'd be swimming home without your pants."
The man blinked. "…You're serious."
"Deadly."
Diplomacy, Vegito-Style
Robin stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "We're not here to take anything from you — except perhaps some knowledge. We believe there's a great stone on this island. A poneglyph."
The guards exchanged wary glances. Their leader's expression tightened. "That stone is sacred to our people. Outsiders have shed blood trying to reach it before. We will not let it happen again."
Vegito tilted his head. "Okay… but what if I help you with something you do want, and in return, you let Robin read it?"
The Problem
It didn't take long to find the locals' trouble — a massive sea beast had been attacking their fishing grounds for weeks, costing lives and food stores.
The elder of the village, a stern woman with silver hair braided into a crown, looked Vegito in the eye. "If you can slay the beast without destroying the reef, we will grant your scholar one reading of the stone."
Vegito's grin was pure predator. "You've got yourself a deal."
The Hunt
The reef stretched like a maze beneath the waves, its coral spires taller than most buildings. From the deck of the Heaven's Embrace, the shadow of the beast appeared — a leviathan-sized eel with jagged, bioluminescent spines.
Nojiko frowned. "That thing's… huge."
Carrot licked her lips. "And probably tasty."
Vegito vanished from the deck, reappearing underwater in a shockwave of displaced sea. He caught the beast by the jaw, forcing its mouth open with casual strength, and in one fluid motion, slammed it against the ocean floor.
The water churned, bubbles rising, and moments later Vegito emerged, holding the limp eel over his shoulder.
The Feast and the Stone
That night, the village held a feast the likes of which they hadn't seen in months. The eel's meat sizzled over open flames, and laughter returned to the bay.
True to their word, the elder led Robin to a hidden chamber within the island's cliffs. There, lit by flickering torches, stood the red stone, its ancient script carved deep into its face.
Robin traced the letters with reverent fingers. "Coordinates… the third Road Poneglyph."
She looked back at Vegito, her eyes bright. "One more to go."
Departure
As they prepared to leave, the elder clasped Vegito's forearm. "You came uninvited, yet you leave as a friend. Few could have done that."
Vegito smirked. "Guess I'm just charming like that."
The Heaven's Embrace lifted from the bay, wings catching the sunlight as they soared toward the horizon.
Next Target
Robin unrolled the map again. "The last known location… is deep within Blackbeard's domain. It will not be easy."
Bell-mère's grin was sharp. "Good. Easy's boring."
Vegito's tail swished in anticipation. "Then it's settled. Next stop — the last Road Poneglyph."
[Crew Status Updated]
Road Poneglyphs collected: 3/4.
New allies: Karakuri Reef people.
Next Chapter: Chapter 62 – Into the Shadow of Blackbeard.