"Didn't you read today's newspaper?"
"Look at this."
"That's right. The Eight Treasures Navy leader Don Chinjao, who appeared on today's front page, used to be one of Dad's old rivals. Now that he's been defeated and killed by the War Pirates, it's only natural that Dad would feel something about it."
After swallowing the meat in his mouth, Marco wiped his lips. Having eaten his fill, he spoke casually while standing up and walking toward his father.
"Dad, you've already had enough to drink today. No more."
"Gurararara… stop talking nonsense," Edward Newgate laughed loudly. "What kind of pirate doesn't drink?"
Standing in front of the old man who was still pouring himself another drink, Marco tried to persuade him again.
But Whitebeard merely glanced at his son and dismissed the suggestion with clear dissatisfaction.
Seeing his father acting stubborn like a child gave Marco a headache.
He understood Whitebeard's physical condition better than anyone.
If the old man didn't start taking better care of himself, his health might decline sharply in the next few years.
The Eight Treasures Navy had a long history, and Don Chinjao had once been a powerful pirate who even clashed with Gol D. Roger.
Now that news of the Eight Treasures Navy's defeat—and Chinjao's death—had spread across the seas, the impact was enormous.
At the same time, both the Eight Treasures Navy and Chinjao had become stepping stones for the War Pirates and their captain Kaito Arisawa.
Through this battle, Kaito and his crew had completely broken free from the limits of West Blue and gained worldwide fame.
More than a week later.
Near Reverse Mountain in West Blue.
The massive fleet of the War Pirates had anchored in the nearby waters.
"How did it look?"
Standing on the deck and waiting patiently, Kaito looked toward Lafayette, who had just returned from scouting the mountain.
Robin, Mangu, and the others were also watching him.
Lafayette folded the paper wings on his back as he landed lightly on the deck.
"No problem," he said with a faint smile.
"The situation at Reverse Mountain matches the information we gathered."
"This place really is one of nature's miracles."
"The ocean currents flowing from the Four Blues toward the Grand Line actually move upward against gravity."
"But unfortunately, the air currents above those waters flow in the exact opposite direction—from the Grand Line back toward the Four Blues."
"In other words, we can ride the reverse ocean currents to reach the summit of Reverse Mountain. Then, with the help of the opposing air currents, we can shift our course into the passage leading to East Blue."
By the time he finished explaining, Lafayette couldn't help but sound slightly impressed.
Between the Four Blues and the Grand Line, there were generally three ways to travel.
The first method was through the transit station built by the World Government on the Red Line.
The advantage of this route was safety.
The disadvantage was that travelers had to be approved by the World Government.
In other words, unless you were official personnel or considered a lawful citizen, you couldn't pass through.
Additionally, only people could cross the Red Line through that route.
Ships could not.
Travelers had to acquire a new vessel after crossing.
The second route involved crossing the Calm Belt.
The advantage of this route was freedom.
Anyone could attempt it.
But the disadvantages were obvious.
The Calm Belt had almost no wind, making sailing extremely difficult.
Worse still, the region was home to countless Sea Kings.
Another limitation was that the passage could only connect neighboring seas.
For example:
East Blue → First Half of the Grand Line → South Blue
Or
West Blue → Second Half of the Grand Line → North Blue
The third route was through Reverse Mountain.
This was the most unique method and the one pirates used most frequently.
Its advantages combined the best aspects of the other two methods.
It was safer than crossing the Calm Belt.
And it allowed access between different seas.
However, it had its own drawbacks.
As Lafayette mentioned, Reverse Mountain had a bizarre and dangerous natural structure.
On the surface, the reverse-flowing currents from the Four Blues appeared to lead only into the Grand Line.
But in reality, above those currents flowed powerful air streams moving in the opposite direction.
Simply put:
To enter the Grand Line from the Four Blues, ships relied on the upward-flowing ocean currents.
But to leave the Grand Line—or travel between the Four Blues—ships had to rely on the air currents moving against those waters.
Since the War Pirates intended to travel from West Blue to East Blue, Kaito had chosen the third method.
"It sounds pretty simple," Sandy said while stroking his chin.
Law glanced at him sideways and sighed.
"It sounds simple, but doing it won't be easy."
And he was right.
From Lafayette's explanation, the process seemed straightforward.
All they had to do was ride the currents and adjust their sails to catch the airflow.
But the problem was timing.
The transition between ocean currents and air currents occurred only for a brief moment at the summit of Reverse Mountain.
And unlike a normal crew controlling a single ship—
Kaito had an entire fleet.
Twenty-five ships needed to execute the maneuver perfectly.
One mistake could send multiple ships crashing into the cliffs.
"Law's right," Kaito said with a nod.
"Everyone must stay focused."
"No mistakes."
"Understood!"
"Don't worry, Captain!"
"A mere Reverse Mountain won't stop us!"
Robin and the others nodded confidently.
Soon afterward, Kaito handed command of the fleet to Lafayette, the chief navigator.
Under Lafayette's leadership, the War Pirates' fleet began moving once again.
Their destination was the towering Reverse Mountain ahead.
"Attention all ships!"
"We're about to enter the reverse current!"
"First—lower all sails!"
"Helmsmen, maintain control and keep the ships away from the cliffs!"
"Sailors, listen carefully!"
"When we reach the summit, follow the instructions I gave earlier!"
"The moment you hear your assigned number, lower the sails immediately and adjust the ship's angle!"
"Attention… attention…"
"Ship One!"
Within a short time, the fleet successfully reached the reverse current channel of Reverse Mountain.
Lafayette spread his paper wings once again.
Flying above the fleet, he issued commands through the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
The waters surged violently.
The currents flowing upward from West Blue toward the summit of Reverse Mountain were not only unnatural—they were extremely powerful.
The moment Kaito's flagship entered the current, the ship's speed increased dramatically.
It shot upward toward the mountain peak.
At the same time, Lafayette directed the remaining ships to enter the channel one after another.
Each vessel waited roughly ten seconds before following the one ahead.
Ship by ship, the fleet entered the reverse current—
Until all twenty-five ships were climbing the waters of Reverse Mountain together.
-------------------------
For advanced chapters, visit patreon.com/Varnok