CHAPTER 42: Rum, Maps, and the Pirate Flag

"Hey, uncle!"

As the ship approached the lighthouse on the small island, Mio leaned on the railing, his elbows resting comfortably, and called out to the man fishing on the shore.

Crocus looked up at the voice, his gaze settling on the odd trio on the ship's deck—Mio, the calm man grinning at him; Erica, the small girl with tentacles sprouting from her forehead; and Warwick, the hulking werewolf-like beast sitting quietly nearby.

"A strange crew," Crocus muttered, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "What is it, boy?"

Mio grinned. "I just have a question. I want to know—where's the nearest Calm Belt?"

"The Calm Belt?" Crocus raised an eyebrow, surprised. Pirates usually had no interest in those areas. After all, no one sane willingly entered a sea crawling with Sea Kings. "Why the hell would you want to go there?"

Still, he crossed his arms and considered. "There are two main Calm Belts. One's across the Red Line, near Mariejois and the World Government territory. The other is closer, near the sea around Little Garden."

"You got a map?" Mio scratched the back of his head. "I mean for the one near Little Garden."

Crocus gave him a sharp glance. "You think I thought you were dumb enough to go to Mariejois? Tch. Wait here. I'll get it."

Without another word, Crocus turned and walked into the lighthouse.

"Are you really planning to go to the Calm Belt?" Robin asked as she stepped beside Mio on the deck, curiosity glimmering in her eyes.

"Yeah." Mio nodded. "I'm thinking about training a Sea King. Or at least taming a sea beast. That kind of thing needs a trip into the Calm Belt."

Robin's eyes widened slightly. "Isn't that too dangerous?"

"Dangerous?" Mio gave a small laugh. "Maybe. But not fatal. We're not weak. And by the time we're done training in Little Garden, Erica and Warwick will be even stronger. I'll teach them the Six Powers or maybe even Haki. We'll manage."

Robin studied him for a moment. "Is the main reason because there's a poneglyph in the Calm Belt?"

Mio rolled his eyes. "You'll find out when the time comes. For now, focus on designing our pirate flag."

"Hmph, fine." Robin turned and walked toward the cabin, but not without tossing a playful glance back over her shoulder.

Moments later, Crocus returned from the lighthouse with a rolled-up map in hand.

Mio leapt down to the island in a smooth motion and approached him.

"I'll give you the map," Crocus said, eyeing him seriously, "but I want you to promise me one thing."

Mio nodded. "Let me guess—Laboon?"

Crocus blinked, then chuckled. "Sharp one."

He handed over the map. "If you ever meet the Rumbar Pirates somewhere on the Grand Line, tell them that Laboon is still waiting."

Mio took the map and gave a small bow of respect. "Got it. Though I'd like to hear more about Laboon, I've got to get going. Maybe next time."

He jumped back onto the ship, which began to pull away from the lighthouse.

"Hmph, now you want to hear stories?" Crocus muttered. "I'm too lazy to tell them."

Then—whoosh!

Something flew through the air. Crocus instinctively reached out and caught it—a bottle of rum.

Mio's voice echoed across the waves. "A thank-you gift!"

Crocus laughed softly, uncorking the bottle and taking a sip. "Interesting guy. Hope you survive the pirate graveyard known as the Grand Line…"

He leaned back in his recliner, newspaper in hand, a faint smile on his face.

—

The ship sailed steadily toward Little Garden.

As an ancient island, Little Garden was bound to have creatures of interest—mutated insects, powerful beasts. Mio wasn't especially interested in the two giants that lived there; giant genes were common compared to other rare ones, and he could always collect those later.

"Ah, thank god for wine," Mio muttered, lying on the deck with a bottle in one hand and the map in the other. "Otherwise, sailing would be boring as hell."

He studied the map. The route drawn by Crocus was simple but clear. They'd reach Little Garden soon, and from there, the Calm Belt would only be a day's journey away.

Mio folded the map and looked over at Erica. She sat cross-legged near the cabin entrance, flipping through a book. Compared to Robin's scholarly reads, Erica's book was clearly about food and cooking.

"Erica, come practice!" Mio called, sitting up.

She closed her book immediately. "Master, are we training Observation Haki?"

Mio nodded. "Of course."

Just as Erica was about to grab a blindfold, Robin emerged from the cabin, holding a piece of black cloth with both hands.

"Hey!" she called out. "What do you think of this design for our pirate flag?"

"That fast?" Mio blinked, genuinely surprised.

When he turned to look, he was even more surprised.

The black flag displayed a classic skull at the center, but with unique elements: two long swords crossed behind the skull, a ferocious wolf head looming above them, and a single long sword standing upright behind everything—symbolizing both might and unity.

Mio's eyes lit up.

"This is perfect," he praised. "Seriously, it looks badass. Well done, Robin."

Robin grinned. "I figured something representing all of us would work. The skull for pirates, swords for you and Erica, and the wolf for Warwick."

Mio nodded approvingly, then turned back to Erica. "Alright, let's start training. I want you to hit me—while I'm blindfolded. Make me dodge it."

Robin watched from the side as Erica tied the blindfold over Mio's eyes and took a stance. Warwick growled lowly in amusement as he leaned on the railing to watch the session.

As the ship sailed toward its next destination, the Grand Line wind howled across the deck.

The adventure had only just begun.