Mystery of Dawn Island

The winds of the East Blue were nothing like those of the Grand Line. After seven days and nights at sea, Lin Ye finally caught sight of Dawn Island at daybreak on the eighth day.

The island was far smaller than Lin Ye had imagined. An unnatural pale-blue mist shrouded it, with a few low buildings barely visible through the haze. As his ship drew closer, he noticed that the coastline formed a perfect circle, as though someone had cut it with precise care.

"Dawn Island..." Lin Ye murmured. The Tuning Fork in his hand began to tremble faintly of its own accord.

When the ship docked at the crude pier, several islanders in rough-spun clothes were sorting fishing nets. At the sight of a stranger, they stopped at once and stared at Lin Ye, their faces blank but their eyes wary.

"Outsiders aren't welcome," an elderly fisherman with graying hair said hoarsely. "Especially not now."

Lin Ye jumped off the ship, deliberately leaving the Tuning Fork and the Dawn Blade in plain sight. "I'm looking for the ancient passage to Luna."

The islanders grew even warier. Several quietly backed away, as though Lin Ye had spoken of something forbidden. The old fisherman narrowed his eyes and looked Lin Ye and the objects in his hands up and down.

"You don't know what you're talking about, young man," the old fisherman finally said. "There's no passage here. Just ordinary fishermen living simple lives."

Lin Ye did not argue. He raised the Tuning Fork and tapped it gently. A clear note spread through the air and drew a subtle resonance from somewhere on the island. The Dawn Blade gave off a faint glow, its etched patterns growing more distinct.

Lin Ye closed his eyes and sensed the information carried back by