[If we hit 1000 PS before the end of this week, I will drop 5 extra bonus chapters.]
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The next day at noon, the sun was high in the sky.
At the training ground of the Loguetown Marine base, Smoker was training as usual.
"Strange… why didn't that foolish woman show up today?"
Smoker habitually lit a cigar.
Tashigi, who usually practiced swordsmanship on the training ground, had not appeared all day.
It wasn't that he had any special feelings for Tashigi, but that foolish woman was one of the few Marines he acknowledged.
"Wait… wasn't she following Caelan yesterday?"
Smoker took a deep puff of his cigar and blew out a large smoke ring.
Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen Tashigi at all since Caelan left yesterday.
Could that foolish woman have been tricked by someone?
"No, I have to go bring her back!"
Smoker put out his cigar and was just about to leave when he noticed a Marine hesitantly standing nearby.
"Captain Smoker, this is Master Chief Petty Officer Tashigi's resignation letter."
The Marine handed him a piece of paper, his hands trembling.
Smoker unfolded the letter.
…
[Captain Smoker, thank you for your care.
Please don't worry about me. I have joined Caelan's crew to search for more famous swords.
I am truly sorry for the trouble I've caused you in the past.
I hope that the next time we meet, you will have been promoted to commodore.
Also… please stop smoking. It's bad for your health.]
…
The letter was short, the handwriting rushed and sloppy, as if written in a hurry.
"My assistant was kidnapped?"
Smoker lit another cigar, took a deep breath, and forced himself to stay calm.
Though Tashigi was foolish, she was someone whose sense of justice Smoker recognized and one of his few friends.
He really couldn't figure out how Tashigi could have been lured away.
In less than half a day, Caelan had somehow managed to take his assistant.
Tashigi, you're far too easy to fool.
"Forget it. I just hope you'll be safe."
Smoker gave up the idea of going after Tashigi.
This was her choice. As a friend, the only thing he could do was wish her well in achieving her dream.
That guy Caelan… he should be trustworthy, right?
Thinking about Caelan's strength and the good reputation he usually had, Smoker felt a little more at ease.
…
In front of Reverse Mountain, aboard the Wind Rider.
After departing from Loguetown yesterday morning and sailing for a full day, the Wind Rider finally arrived at Reverse Mountain.
This was the last hurdle before entering the Grand Line.
Reverse Mountain was a strange and dangerous place.
The powerful ocean currents of the four seas converged here, pushing the seawater against gravity and forcing it upward.
With this current, ships could ride the flow up Reverse Mountain and enter the Grand Line.
But if the ship wasn't handled properly, it would crash into the Red Line, leading to shipwreck and death.
"So this is Reverse Mountain? The seawater is actually flowing upward… amazing!"
Tashigi stared at the rising seawater in wonder.
She had come from Marine Headquarters and usually traveled between the Grand Line and the East Blue without having to pass through Reverse Mountain.
Marine warships had their own propulsion systems and seastone-coated hulls, allowing them to pass through the Calm Belt and enter the Grand Line safely.
Compared to Tashigi's amazement at the marvel of Reverse Mountain, Nami looked a little anxious.
The roaring sound of the current smashing against the mountain walls echoed in her ears. The violent sea current struck the rock face, instantly turning the seawater into mist.
If the ship got caught in it, it would be shattered instantly.
In the narrow channel, the seawater surged upward at terrifying speed. If the ship wasn't steered properly, it would be flung into the air and smashed onto the Red Line.
Every aspect of this place posed the ultimate challenge for a navigator.
"This place is dangerous. Can we really make it through safely?"
Nami bit her lower lip, feeling nervous.
Even though she believed she was the best navigator in the East Blue, she still felt fear when facing such a deadly challenge.
"Relax. We all believe in your skills."
"Right, Tashigi?"
Caelan gently patted Nami on the back, trying to soothe the nervous navigator.
"Yes! I believe in Nami too!"
Tashigi nodded earnestly.
Although she had only joined the crew yesterday, she was sincere and willing to trust her companions.
"Why are you two so confident in me?"
Nami couldn't understand where Caelan's confidence in her came from.
"Because you're the best navigator in my eyes. Of course I believe in you."
Faced with Nami's question, Caelan simply smiled and gave her encouragement.
This was top-level navigation talent. A little Reverse Mountain was nothing for her.
"Because we're companions. We have to trust each other."
Tashigi didn't think too much about it. To her, trusting each other was just the natural thing to do.
"Hah… since you say so, I won't let you down!"
Nami exhaled slowly, her eyes now full of determination.
Both of her partners trusted her completely. She couldn't disappoint them.
It was just a mountain. She was determined to conquer it.
"Get ready! I'm going in!"
Nami gripped the helm tightly and turned it with force.
The Wind Rider followed the upward current, charging up Reverse Mountain.
The raging currents rocked the ship violently. Sea spray and strong winds lashed the deck.
Tashigi stood beside Nami, helping her control the helm.
Caelan stood motionless at the bow of the ship, allowing the waves to batter against him as he stood firmly.
He was there as insurance in case anything went wrong.
As they approached the summit, the currents from the other three seas collided, creating a massive wave several dozen meters high that surged toward them.
"Caelan! There's a wave! Our ship is going to be hit!"
Nami cried out.
She and Tashigi tried their best to steer the ship away, but the wave was too huge.
The wave completely blocked the channel, leaving them no room to dodge.
If they were hit by it, the ship would be smashed against the Red Line and destroyed instantly.
"Don't panic. It's just a wave."
Caelan remained calm, completely unfazed by the sudden threat.
He raised his massive sword and unleashed a crescent-shaped slash at the incoming wave.
The moment the slash struck the wave, the towering water was instantly sliced apart and scattered into mist, losing all its force.
"So strong!"
Nami and Tashigi were both stunned.
They had seen Caelan easily defeat pirates before, but they hadn't expected him to be just as overwhelming when facing the power of nature.
"It's great to have such a captain!"
Tashigi shouted excitedly.
Caelan, standing there with his giant sword, cutting down the wave, gave her an incredible sense of security.
Nami nodded in agreement. No matter the situation, Caelan always made people feel at ease.
With joy from surviving the crisis, Tashigi and Nami worked together to steer the Wind Rider safely through Reverse Mountain.
The rest of the journey was smooth, and they finally reached Twin Cape without incident.
As Caelan expected, they did not encounter Laboon, since the whale didn't crash into the Red Line every day.
Looking at the vast blue sea ahead, Caelan felt full of spirit.
The East Blue wasn't bad, but for him, the Grand Line held even greater possibilities.
(To be continued.)
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