Chapter 169: Maybe Possible

The weather, ocean currents, and wind patterns of the Grand Line were a chaotic mess.

In such a harsh sailing environment, having a reliable ship was a prerequisite for survival.

After all, human strength was no match for the forces of nature.

Especially in this perilous sea, where a shipwreck often meant certain death.

Moreover, the Grand Line's oceanic area was far smaller in surface area than the Four Blues. On a macro scale, it resembled a narrow ribbon encircling the globe.

In such a confined sea, the chances of encountering another ship were significantly higher, and each meeting could easily escalate into an unavoidable naval battle.

Against this backdrop, the small mast ship that Maude had seized from the East Blue—with only two mobile cannons onboard—probably wouldn't last much longer before being retired.

To replace it with a reliable vessel as quickly as possible, Maude made his decision without delay.

Crocus chuckled as he looked at Maude. "This is the only place where you can choose your route. Are you sure about deciding so quickly?"

"Yes."

Maude nodded, his tone calm. "Our mast ship can barely withstand the Grand Line's unpredictable weather. Replacing it is our top priority."

"Fair enough," Crocus replied, raising his glass for a sip. "Most rookie pirate crews entering the Grand Line from the Four Blues consider this as well. That means plenty of pirates choose the Leviathan route. Be prepared for company."

"Plenty of company, huh..."

A glint appeared in Maude's eyes. He replied earnestly, "Good. That gives me one more reason to choose this route."

"Oh?"

Crocus raised an eyebrow, surprised.

Meeting the older man's curious gaze, Maude smiled and said, "More people means more challenge."

"Haha!"

Crocus threw his head back, laughing.

Little did he know the real reason Maude relished a crowded route.

Maude then inquired about Leviathan Island, gleaning what information he could.

Unfortunately, Crocus didn't know much, but what he did provide was useful.

The first island on this route was called Twin Island, sharing its name with the Twin Capes that Crocus guarded.

Perhaps because of this connection, Crocus was more familiar with this route.

Beyond Twin Island lay Leviathan Island, home to the Thomas Shipyard.

According to Crocus, the path from Twin Island to Leviathan Island inevitably passed through the territory of the Ironhead Fish shoals.

Based on Crocus's description, Ironhead Fish resembled arapaima, with rounded, protruding foreheads that looked like bald monks' heads.

These fish, roughly the size of calves when mature, had foreheads that accounted for a third of their body size.

They traveled in schools and were highly sensitive to passing ships.

Whenever they detected a vessel, they would swarm to attack, ramming their blunt foreheads into the ship.

If luck was on the crew's side, the ship might sustain only minor damage. But if not, the vessel could be smashed and sunk.

After hearing this, Maude could vividly picture the scene—a horde of fish with battering-ram foreheads.

With such bizarre creatures along a vital maritime route, it was no wonder Leviathan Island boasted a major shipbuilding industry like the Thomas Shipyard.

It seemed like a business born from the harsh environment itself, almost as if someone had scattered nails on the road.

"This is the sea chart to Twin Island and the Log Pose," Crocus said, handing over the items.

Moriah took them and passed them to Lafitte beside him.

As Lafitte strapped the watch-like Log Pose onto his wrist, Crocus offered a tip:

"Once the Log Pose's direction aligns with the chart, the 'log' has been recorded."

"Understood," Lafitte nodded, opening the sea chart to study it.

In the Four Blues, Log Poses were exceedingly rare, let alone a sea chart for the first island of one of the seven routes.

At the starting point of Twin Capes, these two items were indispensable.

Confident in Lafitte's skills, Maude turned to Jim. "Jim, bring two barrels of wine from the ship."

"Got it."

Jim returned shortly with two barrels, which Maude presented as a token of thanks to Crocus. The latter accepted them with a grin.

An hour later, the Log Pose had fully recorded the direction to Twin Island, and it was time to set sail.

"Senior, we're off."

"Go ahead."

Crocus smiled warmly.

Since Maude's group had arrived, that smile had rarely left his face.

As Maude and his crew prepared to board, the previously calm sea suddenly quaked, and a thunderous roar echoed from beneath the waves.

The sudden commotion caused Lafitte and the others to tense.

Maude, recognizing the source as Laboon, remained unperturbed.

"What's going on?" Gaya asked, puzzled.

"It's Laboon ramming the Red Line," Crocus explained, glancing toward the sound with a furrowed brow.

The sedatives were running out faster and faster. At this rate, in five, maybe ten years, they would lose their effectiveness. When that happened...

"Laboon?" Gaya turned to Crocus.

"He's a whale trying to break through the Red Line with his head," Crocus said. "When you set off, steer clear of the sound."

"Breaking the Red Line?" Lafitte said skeptically. "That's impossible."

"Maybe it is," Maude said, gazing at the towering Red Line.

His words drew everyone's attention.

"Just kidding," Maude smiled, ending the speculative conversation.

Impossible?

If he could cross into this world, what wasn't possible?

In this extraordinary world, anything imaginable could someday become reality.

The crew eyed Maude curiously.

He didn't seem like he was joking.

"Alright, let's board."

Maude led the way, shifting focus back to their journey.

"Hoho," Lafitte chuckled, following him onto the mast ship.

Once everyone was aboard, Jim raised the anchor, and Lafitte unfurled the sails.

The mast ship gradually drifted from the shore.

Crocus stood with folded arms, watching them depart.

"Ah, youth," he mused.

With that, he dove into the sea, swimming toward Laboon, who was still ramming the Red Line.

The mast ship braved the waves, heading for Twin Island.

The next day, a storm struck.

Thanks to Lafitte's quick thinking in furling the sails, they avoided capsizing.

Even so, the massive waves hammered home the terrifying reality of the Grand Line.

Several times, it felt as though the mast ship might shatter at any moment.

Fortunately, they emerged unscathed from the storm.

"So this is the Grand Line..."

Surviving the ordeal left Maude shaken.

Viewing the Grand Line as an observer was one thing, but experiencing it firsthand was entirely different.

In such conditions, a capsized ship meant near-certain death.

Changing out of his rain-soaked clothes, Maude stood at the bow, gazing ahead.

"Twin Island."

He murmured the name to himself.

Gaya joined him, speaking softly. "A single island with both spring and winter climates—amazing, isn't it?"

"Sure is," Maude replied with a smile.

Their knowledge of Twin Island came from Crocus's information.

As Gaya described, it was a unique island where spring and winter climates coexisted.

If all went smoothly, they would reach it in ten days.

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