Having finished his "family visit," Garp's fleet began its return voyage. The Dog-head Warship slowly left the East Blue and headed for the Grand Line.
When they had come to the East Blue, Garp's fleet had chosen to cross the Calm Belt, using a relatively quick and convenient route.
But on the way to the Grand Line, Garp changed course. Rather than taking the Marines' designated route, he planned to pass through Reverse Mountain and enter the Grand Line.
Reverse Mountain.
Other than crossing the Calm Belt, Reverse Mountain was the only entrance to the Grand Line.
The currents from the East Blue, West Blue, South Blue, and North Blue flowed through four separate channels, converging against the current at the summit of Reverse Mountain before pouring into the Grand Line.
This strange sight that defied gravity had once blocked the path of countless pirates seeking to enter the Grand Line.
It could be called the Grand Line's natural barrier.
It was precisely because of Reverse Mountain's existence that pirates from the East Blue were exceedingly rare in the Grand Line. Every pirate who managed to enter the Grand Line from the East Blue had to be quite something.
"Whoa... so this is Reverse Mountain! It really is spectacular!"
On the Dog-head Warship at the foot of Reverse Mountain, Tsugikuni Yoriichi and his crew stood at the bow, gazing at the bizarre sight of the water flowing upward in the distance, unable to suppress their amazement.
Having lived several lives, Tsugikuni Yoriichi was still awed by nature's miraculous craftsmanship.
Several hundred meters ahead of the Dog-head Warship stood an endless, sky-piercing cliff. Under the sunlight, its pink rock face had turned an orange-red like burning clouds at sunset.
At the center of the cliff were two broad waterways, perpendicular to