Ghost Sea (Three-Way Melee, Part One)

The Ghost Sea, Noon.

The fog was thicker than expected.

Lin Yuan stood at the entrance to the Safe Waterway, his feet resting on a reef protruding from the sea. His ship—the medium-sized sailboat he had brought from Hachinosu —was anchored twenty meters behind him, neither docked nor anchored. Kaido stood at the bow, carrying Iron Club, squinting at the fog. Bullet sat on the gunwale, tapping his fingers impatiently on the deck. Kuma stood silently at the cabin door. Jin hovered ten meters above the mast, the flames behind him like a lamp in the thick fog.

Moria crouched in the shadows at the stern, his knuckles white as he gripped the scissors. This was his first time participating in an operation of this magnitude.

"Ginny, report your location," Lin Yuan said into the Den Den Mushi.

"The Rocks Fleet is fifteen kilometers to your northwest. The Marine Fleet is twelve kilometers to your north. The Transport Fleet is ten kilometers to your southwest." Ginny's voice came through the Den Den Mushi, clear but tinged with tension. "All three are slowing down. They should be sensing each other by now."

"Where is the Transport Fleet headed?"

"They're still heading towards the Waterway. Their lookouts may not have spotted you yet."

"Understood. Keep an eye on it."

Lin Yuan hung up the Den Den Mushi and leaped onto the bow of the boat.

"Everyone, get ready. The Transport Fleet will arrive in ten minutes. Do not reveal your presence beforehand."

The Transport Fleet arrived faster than expected.

Eight minutes.

Three Transport Ships, lined up in a single file, slowly emerged from the fog to the south. Each ship was escorted by a warship on each side, making a total of six warships, arranged in a fan shape. The decks of the warships were filled with naval soldiers, their cannons pointed outwards, and the lookouts on the watchtowers held binoculars, nervously scanning the sea.

"Six warships and Three Transport Ships," Ginny's voice came through the Den Den Mushi. "The captains of the escort warships are all Rear Admirals. Besides Seastone, the Transport Ships are carrying weapons and provisions."

How much is it worth?

"There are about 100 tons of Seastone, worth 2 billion on the market. Weapons and food together are worth about 500 million."

Kaido's eyes lit up.

"Oh, lol... two billion?"

"Don't rush," Lin Yuan said, "Let them go first."

The Transport Fleet passed by the entrance to the Safe Waterway, less than three hundred meters from Lin Yuan's ship. The dense fog was a great help—the naval lookouts did not spot them.

As the last Transport Ship passed the Waterway entrance, the sound of cannons could be heard from the fog to the north.

It wasn't just one sound, but a chorus. A dense barrage of cannon fire rolled in from the north like thunder, shaking the sea.

"The Marine Fleet and the Rocks fleet have engaged in combat," Ginny said. "Sengoku and the Rocks ordered their troops to open fire simultaneously. They are about eight kilometers apart. Neither side has moved their main forces yet; they are only probing with outposts."

Lin Yuan stood at the bow of the ship, gazing northward. In the thick fog, he could vaguely see flashes of light, and the sound of cannons grew increasingly intense.

"The Transport Fleet has sped up," Ginny said. "They heard cannon fire and are rushing into the Waterway."

"Let them charge," Lin Yuan said. "We'll follow behind."

Three Transport Ships filed into the Safe Waterway. Not all six escort warships followed – two remained at the entrance to guard the Waterway, and four followed. The Waterway was only wide enough for one ship to pass at a time, so the Transport Ships and warships formed a long column.

Lin Yuan's boat followed at the very back, maintaining a distance of 500 meters. The dense fog provided excellent cover.

Ginny, what's the situation up ahead?

"There are no obstacles ahead in the Waterway. The exit is on the east side of the Ghost Sea, leading to open sea. If the Transport Fleet leaves the Waterway, it can escape into the Calm Belt by heading southeast." Ginny paused, "But Rocks won't let them out."

"Rocks moved?"

"They've moved. He sent Ochoku and Silver Axe with three ships to circle around to the eastern exit of the Waterway. They're faster than the Transport Fleet."

Lin Yuan remained silent for a moment.

"The plan remains unchanged. Wait."

Fifteen minutes after the Transport Fleet entered the Waterway, an explosion was heard from the fog ahead.

It wasn't the sound of cannons, it was an explosion—the kind of muffled sound of a ship's hull being breached and its ammunition compartments being detonated.

"Ochoku and Silver Axe have made their move," Ginny's voice tightened. "They've intercepted at the eastern exit of the Waterway. The first Transport Ship has been hit and is sinking. The escorting warships are fighting back, but they can't overcome the enemy."

"Casualties?"

"The people on the Transport Ship were struggling in the sea. The navy personnel on the warship were rescuing people, and they were also shot at."

Lin Yuan did not hesitate.

"Kaido, you come with me to the front. Bullet, Kuma, King, Moria, the ship is yours. Ginny, keep an eye on Rocks and the main Marine force."

Both doors opened simultaneously.

Lin Yuan and Kaido emerged from the gate and landed at the eastern exit of the Waterway. The water here was wider than inside the Waterway, resembling a small lake. Three Rocks pirate ships were positioned across the exit, their cannons pointed towards the Waterway. The first Transport Ship was already half-submerged, its bow raised and its stern submerged. Scrap planks and struggling marines floated on the surface. The second Transport Ship was trying to turn back, but the Waterway was too narrow. Two of the four escort warships were already incapacitated, while the other two were still firing back, their cannonballs hitting the Rocks ships and sending up splinters of wood.

Ochoku stood at the bow of the first ship, holding a large sword covered in Armament Haki. Silver Axe stood on the deck of the second ship, twirling his axe in his hand.

"Transport Fleet, stop." Ochoku's voice wasn't loud, but it carried far across the water. "The Seastone remains; everyone else can leave."

The captain of the second Transport Ship was a Rear Admiral, and his face was ashen.

"Impossible!"

"Then die."

Ochoku raised his broadsword and slashed towards the Transport Ship. A black slashing wave flew from the blade, swept across the water, and struck the bow of the Transport Ship. A crack appeared in the bow, the planks shattered, and seawater rushed in.

"Captain!" Ginny's voice came through the Den Den Mushi, "Rocks' main force is moving towards you! He may have spotted you!"

"Distance?"

"Ten kilometers. Still accelerating."

Lin Yuan glanced at Kaido.

"You hold off Ochoku and Silver Axe. I'll go move the goods."

"Okay... fine." Kaido took the Iron Club off his shoulder and walked towards Wang Ochoku's ship. He stepped on the water, not with a Devil Fruit ability, but with pure physical skill— the Haki under his feet made the water as hard as the ground.

The moment Ochoku saw Kaido, his expression changed.

Kaido?!

"Oh ho ho... Ochoku, long time no see." Kaido stood on the water, his Iron Club slung over his shoulder. "Your sword is still as long as ever."

What are you doing here?

"Moving goods."

Kaido swung his club. Not at Ochoku, but at the bow of Ochoku's ship. The Iron Club struck the deck at the bow, shattering the planks, causing the bow to sink and the entire ship to tilt forward. Ochoku lost his balance and had to plunge his large sword into the deck to steady himself.

"You--!"

Kaido ignored him. He turned and walked towards Silver Axe's ship, striking again with his staff. Silver Axe jumped to dodge, but the ship was smashed with a large hole.

"Kaido! You're Lin Yuan's man, not Rocks's! You're helping the Navy?"

"I won't help the Navy," Kaido said. "I'll help myself."

Lin Yuan didn't watch Kaido's battle. He opened a door and went directly into the hold of the second Transport Ship. The hold was filled with wooden crates, each bearing the World Government's insignia. He opened another door, behind which was the warehouse of Hachinosu.

One box, two boxes, three boxes.

He didn't know how many boxes he had moved. Ginny's voice called out into the Den Den Mushi, "Lin Yuan! Rocks is five kilometers away!"

"Knew."

He sped up.

When the last box was moved, the door suddenly closed—not by him, but by someone outside.

Lin Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.

His Spatial Perception told him that someone was standing outside the door. That person wasn't Kaido, Ochoku, or Silver Axe. The person's body temperature was very low, and their heartbeat was very slow, only eight beats per minute.

Slow Heartbeat.

Lin Yuan didn't open the door, didn't move, and didn't even breathe. He stood in the hold of the Transport Ship, looking out through the crack in the door.

The man stood on the deck, wearing a long black robe, with gray hair and a face covered in wrinkles. He held no weapon, but standing there, he resembled a drawn sword. His eyes were gray, with pupils that slanted vertically like snakes.

He turned to look at the lower deck where Lin Yuan was hiding.

Their eyes met through a door.

Lin Yuan's finger pressed against the door.

"You shouldn't have come here." The Slow Heartbeat voice, as if coming from underground, said, "Rocks will be angry."

"What does it matter to me if Rocks is angry?"

Slow Heartbeat stared at the door for a moment, then shook his head.

"Spatial Ability User... troublesome."

He turned and left.

Lin Yuan stood in the lower deck, a layer of cold sweat beading on his forehead. It wasn't out of fear, but because that person gave him the feeling of a dormant volcano, ready to erupt at any moment. He had seen Rocks, Whitebeard, Garp, and Roger. Those people were strong, but their strength was visible and tangible.

Slow Heartbeat is different. His strength is invisible and unfathomable.

"Lin Yuan!" Ginny's voice came through the Den Den Mushi, "Rocks is only three kilometers away! Sengoku's fleet is catching up too! If you don't leave now, you won't be able to get out!"

Lin Yuan took a deep breath, opened a door, and walked out.

Kaido was fighting Silver Axe. Silver Axe's axe struck Kaido's shoulder, leaving a white mark. Kaido punched Silver Axe in the chest, sending Silver Axe flying and crashing into his own ship, shattering a section of the deck.

"Kaido, retreat."

"We're not playing anymore?"

"That's all for now. The goods have been moved."

Kaido glanced at the Rocks fleet that was approaching, and then at the Marine warships that appeared on the distant sea.

"Okay, let's go."

The two went inside. The door closed.

Ochoku stood on the broken bow of the ship, looking in the direction where Lin Yuan and Kaido had disappeared, his face ashen.

Silver Axe climbed out from under the broken planks and rubbed his chest.

"That brat... emptied the place?"

"They've emptied it all out." Ochoku gritted his teeth. "Three Transport Ships, completely empty."

Silver Axe remained silent for a moment.

"Rocks will go crazy."

Ochoku did not answer.

In the distance, Rocks' giant ship was approaching at full speed. On the bow, Rocks D. Xebec stood, the hem of his black overcoat fluttering in the sea breeze. His face was grim.

(End of Chapter 59)