The night was getting darker.
The flagship sailed out of the dock, departing Sherly Island amidst the champagne salutes from the Giant Whale Shipbuilding Company.
"The next stop is Log Town, it's not far, we should get there in four or five days at most. Mr. Gandalf sent us enough food and freshwater for ten days, more than sufficient for this leg of the journey."
Kuina studied the nautical chart, bending over to point and gesture at it.
"Log Town is the closest town to the entrance of the Inverted Mountain in the East Sea, where there's a Navy Branch stationed. Security is relatively stable, so it can serve as the final stop in the East Sea. Captain, once we replenish food and water there, we can officially head towards the Grand Line!"
She has been well-read since childhood and knows lots of nautical knowledge, so she took the initiative to temporarily assume the role until they find a professional navigator partner.
The lack of sailing experience can be partially compensated by consulting Zeff.
"Okay, let's do that…"
Shano lay sprawling over the bow of the Silver Wolf, while Ah Yin scowled at the bow and occasionally bared her teeth at it.
Kuina calling him captain made him feel entirely comfortable.
Even though he was already called that before they officially set sail.
But once he truly owned his flagship and was called that again, it felt completely different.
He was increasingly satisfied with this ship; the training room's specifications were higher than expected, and the bedroom and hallway were decorated in a minimalist solid wood style with some Bohemian decor that suited his taste well.
It just lacked a good name.
The four of them had already discussed the name together, but the names they came up with were lacking, like Silver Wolf, Great Sword Master, Shimotsuki Coconut, Iron Fist...
Eventually, the names kept getting more ridiculous, and Shano almost wanted to call it "Flying Dutchman," but fortunately, they all decided to postpone and consider further for a few more days.
"Hey, Nojiko."
Shano yawned and looked up at the mast, "You've been up there for over an hour, still not over the novelty? It's about time you came down to wash and sleep."
"Eh? Why like this, let me watch a bit longer, bro~!"
Nojiko acted spoiled like she did in childhood; it was her first time up on the lookout of such a big ship, and everything was so novel.
Unable to help himself, Shano waved his hand, and Nojiko gleefully picked up the monocular again.
After some unknown time had passed, Nojiko suddenly made a light noise: "Bro, there seems to be a pirate ship over there? That pirate flag looks familiar…"
She frowned, wracking her brain and thinking, "Looks like the Black Cat Pirates?"
Black Cat?
Hundred Strategies Kuro?!
Is there more points delivered at the doorstep?
Shano sat up straight in a flash, issuing his first order as captain: "Then what are we waiting for, hurry up, get the ship closer!"
...
The ship did get closer, but everyone found something wrong.
The Black Cat Pirates' ship was missing most of its front section, as if something had split it into two parts.
The cuts were smooth and crisp, as for the rear portion left, who knows where it floated off to.
Onboard the deck were corpses everywhere, with a strong stench of blood.
Under the sun umbrella on the rattan chair, Shano saw Kuro's upper body, his face still had an expression of terror, as if he had seen something unbelievable before dying.
"What on earth…"
Kuina was squatting at the edge of the cut section, her brows tightly knit, "No mistake, this kind of sharp sensation cutting in two, it's absolutely Sword Qi from a Sword Master…"
But there are only three Sword Masters in East Sea.
She, her father Koushirou, and Shano.
Where did this unseen Sword Master suddenly appear from?
"Who knows."
Shano chuckled, not caring who the shady attacker was, probably Kuro was just unlucky, ran into Hawkeye relieving himself at the bow might be possible.
While the others went to inspect elsewhere, he hummed a happy tune and began skillfully collecting the loot.
Kuro's ten metal claws, Jango's hypnotic pocket watch...
And those two feline-themed cadres who look familiar but couldn't remember their names at the moment weren't spared either, casually stripping away their weapons.
Altogether, a total gain of a thousand points.
Actually a bit more than the Klik Pirates, causing the remaining points to rise back to the thirty thousand mark.
"Bro, after checking, there isn't much treasure onboard, mostly cash, totaling fifty million Belly."
Nojiko popped her head out from the cabin door, reporting while counting fingers, "Together with the funds currently on our ship, it'll just hit eighty million Belly."
Almost crossing the billion mark?
Shano nodded, all the bounty earned from Branch 77 was left at home, he had only taken a few millions with him.
Sailing out, there're opportunities everywhere, as long as you have the strength, are you afraid of not earning money?
"We can take a good amount of food too."
Zeff happily came to report after checking the kitchen, "Heh heh, these pirates seem to have just replenished their food and drinks, not much has been consumed yet, enough for us to eat for a month."
Points, treasures, food... the bounty delivered on a silver platter was varied and complete.
Of course, there's one last thing to not forget.
Shano waved his hand to order: "Remember to take their heads, and when we reach Log Town, we'll collect the bounty from the Navy there!"
There's no need to replenish food there.
But no matter what, Log Town is a place he must visit.
There's still a big fat sheep that hasn't been hurriedly harvested for years, waiting patiently for him!
......
Five days later.
The four gathered around the long table on the deck, staring incredulously at the nautical chart.
"Weren't we supposed to reach Log Town in four or five days at most…" Shano rubbed his chin, "Why is the vicinity deserted and not an island in sight?"
"..."
Kuina propped herself on the table, silent for a long time before squeezing out words with difficulty, "We probably… deviated from course. Our current route seems more towards Goa Kingdom…"
'What the heck?'
Nojiko sneaked from behind and jabbed Kuina's waist forcefully, "When you were thumping your chest confidently about being capable as a navigator, did you not have that expression!"
"Plans never keep pace with changes…"
Kuina was feeling sorry for herself, not having the face to argue, but she really did her best, for the first two days, under Zeff's assistance, navigation was normal, everything was under control.
Unfortunately, on the third day, there was a heavy rainstorm, vision impaired, wind direction scattered.
When the rainstorm lasting a day and a night stopped, they found the course had deviated significantly from the original plan.
"Don't blame yourself for this, just adjust the course and continue heading for Log Town, it won't be a big delay."
Shano smiled and patted Kuina's shoulder for comfort, not minding the mishap, though it did serve as a reminder.
In the East Sea, it's okay to go off course.
As long as it's discovered early, you can quickly get back on track using the compass.
But how about in the Grand Line?
There the magnetic field is chaotic, the wind direction co-current all unpredictable, the compass loses its effect, and only the Log Pose can lead the way with risks far exceeding the East Sea.
Looks like finding a reliable navigator must be prioritized soon.
"Beep beep…" Just then, a prompt sounded by the ear, Shano paused first before realizing, his eyes revealed surprise.
This is...
The Devil Fruit detection radar finally got a response?
Boom!
Almost simultaneously, the ship suddenly shook and started to violently bob, the few on the deck staggered and nearly fell.
"What's going on?"
Shano shut down the backpack menu, turned his head and shouted.
"There's a vortex current, and it's quite large!!"
Kuina rushed to the helm and desperately twisted it back and forth, trying to keep the ship balanced, "It's pulling us towards a direction… damn! We haven't even entered the Grand Line yet, why did we encounter such a thing!!"