One evening in the year 1507 of the Sea Calendar, Noah and Robin were packing their bags.
It was their last night staying in Shimotsuki Village.
A large waterproof chest was filled with manuscript drafts, serialized novels, and a handwritten draft of the revolutionary manifesto.
There were also some books on economics and sociology that Noah had painstakingly copied out in his spare time, to be used as reference later.
The Grand Line was a complicated place, requiring much more knowledge.
Two small boxes held changes of clothes.
There was nothing else; everything was kept simple.
Noah decided that once he entered the Grand Line, he absolutely had to commission a small, suitable travel ship.
In the future, there would be more and more manuscripts, and without his own ship, it would be really troublesome to carry everything.
At this time, Tom the shipwright from Water 7 was still alive.
Noah had to ask this top shipwright to build him a ship, and perhaps see if he could “kidnap” the shipwright too.
In the world of the sea, a top shipwright was incredibly useful for transportation.
Staying in Water 7 to build pirate ships?
What kind of thing is that?
With such great talent, one should benefit all the humans and non-human species on the seas!
Yes, besides humans, there were also merfolk, mink, ogres, dwarves, giants, and many other races on the sea—all companions Noah wanted to unite.
After Robin finished packing, she quietly started cleaning.
She didn’t use her ability, but cleaned little by little with her own hands.
She felt both anticipation and reluctance about the Grand Line.
She carried the mission of the last scholar from Ohara, to uncover the truth of the lost 100 years, so she absolutely had to go to the Grand Line.
But she was reluctant to leave her current peaceful and harmonious life.
She felt she had let down the doctors who had placed their hopes in her, her will was so indecisive.
Looking back at Noah, who seemed a bit excited, she faced her own heart directly.
Following Noah, even if the abyss of death lay ahead, she would not be afraid.
She was determined to thoroughly investigate that blank period of history and then tell every corner of the sea, “This is the true history.”
Before departing, Noah checked his status panel.
Constitution: 64
Strength: 75
Speed: 70
Skills:
Soru: Mastered 4%
Rankyaku: Beginner 99%
Conqueror’s Haki 16%~18%
Swordsmanship Master Level 25%
Observation Haki Master Level 1%
Armament Haki Proficient 95%
His duel with Master Koushiro had been very fruitful.
His Swordsmanship had taken another step forward in the Swordsman stage.
Observation Haki had also entered the Master Level.
With this strength, he could be considered a Great Pirate in the first half of the Grand Line, and he had the ability to protect himself.
The next day, Noah and Robin set off.
They took a passenger ship to the Red Line, and then through the Red Line into the first half of the Grand Line.
Normally, there were three ways to travel from the Four Seas to the Grand Line.
The first way was to take the normal passenger route to the Grand Line, just like Noah and the others, entering through routes guarded by Marines.
The second way was the Calm Belt.
The Calm Belt was a strange place; there wasn’t a shred of wind in it, and giant sea kings lurked at the bottom of the sea.
In the Great Age of Navigation, when most ships relied on sails, entering it was basically a death sentence.
The third way was the secret routes used by pirates, the most famous being the Reverse Mountain Route.
Why?
Because the starting point of the Reverse Mountain Route was Loguetown.
It was the starting point where Pirate King Roger awakened the Great Pirate Era.
Setting off from the very beginning to search for Laugh Tale held great symbolic meaning for pirates.
After entering the Grand Line, they arrived at a very lively island.
This was the first stop for normal merchants and travelers, so it was a mix of people, with a Marine branch nearby.
Noah’s decided first stop was Drum Island.
There were some questions he wanted to ask Ms. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Dr.
Kureha.
This ageless witch had very high medical skills, and he hoped she could be persuaded to help him out.
However, sailing in the Grand Line required a Log Pose.
If there were no direct passenger ships to Drum Island, it would be quite troublesome.
Fortunately, they learned that a fleet of several merchant ships was heading towards Drum Island these days.
Once they got close, they would find a way to reach Drum Island.
These merchant ships dared to travel so far because a Marine warship was going to patrol that sea area.
The fleet was led by Admiral Zephyr, known as the “Non-Killing Admiral.”
If it were a Marine Admiral like Akainu, the merchant ships would absolutely not dare to follow.
With a single “Inugami,” they could be sunk.
Admiral Zephyr had a good reputation at sea.
Unless it was an urgent or secret mission, he wouldn’t mind merchant ships following.
This time, he was taking new recruits out to broaden their horizons, so he certainly wouldn’t pay attention to other matters.
Following a great Marine figure like that made them feel very safe.
Noah also spent some money to join the fleet, wanting to get there and do things sooner.
He didn’t have time to wait for ships slowly now.
With Zephyr’s strength, there was a certain possibility Noah might be discovered following the fleet.
While getting too close to a former Marine Admiral might be dangerous, Zephyr’s sense of justice would prevent him from overly probing.
If it were after Zephyr lost his arm, Noah would definitely keep his distance.
Who knew how terrifying a former Admiral who had gone to extremes could be?
Successfully boarding the ship, Noah couldn’t do much strenuous activity.
He could only meditate on “Blade Zen” in his room.
He wrote books, occasionally went to the deck for fresh air, kept to himself, and tried to avoid causing any trouble.
But some things couldn’t be avoided.
After a week of smooth sailing, suddenly the lookout on the ship sounded an alarm.
They saw a pirate ship approaching the merchant ships.
There were really some crazy pirates on the Grand Line.
Without any investigation, they just charged at a group of merchant ships.
Didn’t you see the Marine warship ahead?
When they boarded, the pirates herded all the crew and guests onto the deck.
Then, a pirate captain with no distinctive features except for an explosion of hair jumped out.
“Do you know who I am?
My bounty is 25 million Belly.
I am Explosion Billy from the North Blue.
Now, hand over all your valuables to me.”
At this moment, the Marine battleship ahead began to turn and charge at full speed.
Actually, Zephyr hadn’t taken it seriously at first, not even using his Observation Haki.
Usually, pirate ships would turn and run when they saw a warship, and the Marines would pursue.
But these pirates charging straight ahead was indeed unexpected.
However, it was good for the new recruits to get a taste of battle.
“Don’t think that Marine warship can save you.
I’ve wiped out several warships in the North Blue.
Cooperate obediently, and those who don’t will be thrown into the sea.”
“Wicked man, daring to attack the Marines!”
“Who are you?
Don’t you want to live?”
Explosion Billy looked back and saw, “Huh?
Marines?
When did you get on the ship?
Doesn’t matter.
Just a mere old man, I’ll hack him to death.”
In reality, Zephyr was worried about the hostages on the ship getting hurt, so he came ahead to take control of the situation.
Seeing that Zephyr ignored him, Explosion Billy raised his sword and struck. Find the original chapter at g.com.
It had some power, and by the standards of the North Blue, this skill was indeed top-tier.
However, this skill made Zephyr want to laugh.
Several of the recruits in his training camp could reach this level.
He reached out and grabbed the blade of Explosion Billy’s sword.
Explosion Billy was furious, seeing this as looking down on him!
Veins bulged on his head, and he swung down fiercely!
*Swish!*
The sword was caught by Zephyr.
He tried to pull the sword back with all his might, but it wouldn’t move.
He decided he didn’t want it anymore and leaped back, pulling a flintlock pistol from his waist and pointing it at Zephyr.
“You must be a Devil Fruit user, right?
Indeed powerful, to be able to block my sword.
Can you block my gun then?
Huh?
Old man, times have changed.”
*Pfft.*
Noah couldn’t help but chuckle.
This Explosion Billy could make jokes so seriously and even throw in a punchline.
He was truly surprised.
Hearing someone behind him dare to laugh, Explosion Billy became furious.
I’m robbing here!
I’m a heinous pirate, a terrifying figure who makes children cry.
How dare you laugh at me?
He turned and pointed his gun at Noah.
“Pretty boy, what are you laughing at?
Do you know how to write the word ‘death’?”
Explosion Billy threw in another punchline, and Noah lost his composure.
*Pfft.*
Explosion Billy couldn’t take it anymore.
“Today, I’m going to make you, pretty boy, die miserably at sea!
Even a Marine Admiral can’t save you, I, Billy, declare it!”
Noah was caught in a “happy hell.” Was this Billy also a time traveler?
He had so many punchlines.
Explosion Billy pulled the trigger, and Noah slightly tilted his head to dodge it.
This made Billy lose face.
In front of everyone, he started loading the bullet and powder, even using a small rod to poke into the barrel.
Old flintlock guns were indeed troublesome.
He raised the gun again, and with a bang, Noah dodged again by shifting his body to the side.
Even an idiot would realize something was wrong.
This Grand Line was too strange!
His first robbery, and he encountered a strange old Marine and a somewhat capable pretty boy.
At this moment, the Marine warship also approached.
“Act!
Arrest all of them!”
Zephyr commanded, and the new recruits on the ship began to clash with the pirates.
Five minutes later, all the pirates were subdued.
He didn’t bother with the cleanup; his adjutant would handle it.
Zephyr walked directly towards Noah.
When Noah started laughing, he had already scanned him with his Observation Haki.
Sensing the young man’s strong physical condition, he became curious.
“Young man, what’s your name?
Your skills are impressive.
Is it convenient to tell me where you’re going?”
The former Admiral’s sense of responsibility made Zephyr want to have a general understanding of such a powerful individual appearing.
“Uh, a moderately famous writer, Adam, heading to Drum Island.”
This was Noah’s first meeting with Zephyr.