Passing the Heavenly Tribute, a Temporary Invitation to Join the Fleet

Red Line.

A crimson cliff that split the world's oceans in two.

Its summit was shrouded in clouds and mist year-round, as though it held up the sky.

This was the starting point of the Grand Line, as well as the natural barrier separating the Four Seas.

On the sea northeast of the Red Line, about three days' voyage away.

A small fleet was sailing in a loose formation.

At its head was a medium-sized three-masted sailing ship, its slender hull painted with emblems of astronomy and navigational instruments along its sides.

"First mate, how far are we from the designated coordinates?"

The speaker was a middle-aged man wearing round glasses.

"At our current speed, we'll reach Twin Cape at Reverse Mountain in approximately forty-two hours, Mr. Stockton."

The reply came from a lean sailor. He was the ship's first mate and navigator, Raymond.

He glanced at the compass, then looked up at the sky. "But are you sure you don't want to reconsider taking a detour?"

"The Navy around here lately..."

"Worried they'll charge us too much?" Stockton adjusted his glasses.

"We only have books and specimens aboard. No contraband, and no high-value goods."

"But—"

Before Raymond could finish.

A dull blast suddenly sounded from the distant horizon.

It was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear—and rapidly approaching.

"What was that?"

Raymond rushed to the rail and raised his telescope toward the source of the sound.

"It looks like something's coming this way!!"

Before his words had faded, a shadow suddenly engulfed the entire ship.

The sailors on deck instinctively looked up.

Then, everyone opened their mouths wide.

A standard two-masted sailing ship was "flying" over their heads at an altitude of less than thirty meters.

A ring-shaped burst of air exploded from its stern, propelling it forward in an astonishing glide.

All its sails had been furled, yet it was moving as fast as a ship under full sail with the wind at its back.

Excited shouts could faintly be heard from its deck.

"Left! A little more to the left! We're tilting—!"

"Kuma! Steady! Don't let the ship spin!"

Then, the ship began to descend, plunging straight toward the sea several hundred meters ahead.

Its hull rocked violently, but after swaying from side to side a dozen times, it slowly steadied.

The deck fell silent.

Every sailor stood frozen in shock.

"Wha—!!"

At last, someone reacted.

"A flying ship!!!"

Raymond's face went pale.

"Sir, how about we change course after all..."

"No."

Stockton raised a hand.

He stared at the White Shell in the distance, watching the figures moving about on its deck.

"Bring us alongside."

"Sir?!"

Raymond thought he had misheard.

"Look, aren't they waiting in place for us to approach?" Stockton pointed at the White Shell.

"And that ship looks perfectly ordinary. There's no pirate flag and no sign of armament. It doesn't look like a pirate ship."

He straightened his collar, curiosity curling into a smile at the corner of his lips.

"On this vast sea, meeting is fate. Besides..."

"A ship that can fly—aren't you curious?"

Seeing the expression on his master's face, as if he had discovered a new species, Raymond knew there was no point in saying anything else.

He rubbed his face miserably.

"...All hands, attention." He gave the order listlessly. "Hard to port, heading due east. Approach the unidentified vessel ahead."

"Stay alert, but no one fires first."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

Aboard the White Shell.

"Lin Nuo, it looks like only one of their ships is coming over."

Ivankov leaned over the rail, watching the slowly approaching vessel in the distance.

"The other five haven't moved at all... Are they observing us?"

Lin Nuo stood at the bow, his wings already folded away.

He quietly watched the three-masted ship draw closer, his gaze sweeping over its insignia and the sailors on deck.

"It looks like an ordinary research vessel." Alice came over, holding Teach.

"We're still three days from Reverse Mountain. I didn't expect to run into a fleet heading that way too," Lin Nuo said quietly.

"Perfect. We can try trading for supplies and information."

He turned to look at everyone on deck.

"Wait aboard the ship. Stay vigilant, but don't show hostility."

With that, he gave a light leap and crossed the rail.

The other ship happened to pull alongside at that moment, and their hulls lightly bumped together.

Lin Nuo jumped directly onto the other ship's deck.

Thud!

The sailors on deck all took a step back in unison.

Every gaze fixed on the pair of folded black wings behind him.

"An angel?"

"A bird?"

Lin Nuo looked at their frightened expressions, then glanced over his shoulder and understood.

"Ah, these."

"Just decorations. They're not real."

The sailors were skeptical, but their expressions relaxed slightly.

"I see! That's quite a distinctive outfit!"

A hearty voice came from behind the crowd.

Dr. Stockton parted the sailors and walked up to Lin Nuo.

He extended his hand.

"I'm the captain and expedition leader of the Quest for Knowledge, an archaeology enthusiast, Alger Stockton."

"Pleased to meet you, sir."

Lin Nuo shook his hand.

"Lin Nuo, from the West Blue."

"The West Blue?" Stockton's eyes lit up.

"That's a sea rich with historical heritage! Might I ask what brings you aboard so suddenly? Is there anything you need help with?"

Lin Nuo released his hand and got straight to the point. "We were attacked by a Sea King. Our ship was damaged, and we're short on some supplies."

"When we saw your fleet passing by, we wanted to ask whether we could trade for supplies, lumber, tools, and the like."

"Of course." Stockton nodded readily.

"Academic expeditions value mutual aid above all else. Our reserves are fairly plentiful, so sharing some with you won't be a problem."

"We'd be most grateful." Lin Nuo paused, his gaze shifting toward the five merchant ships standing still in the distance.

"Are those ships your companions as well? Why are they stopped so far away?"

Stockton followed his gaze and smiled. "Yes and no."

"We only met midway through the journey. We're traveling together because we share the same destination."

"After all..."

He lowered his voice.

"This stretch of sea hasn't been very peaceful lately. Traveling with a fleet is safer than being alone."

"I see. Then where are you headed?"

"Whiskey Peak," Stockton said. "We need to replenish some specialized research equipment there, then pass through Twin Cape and enter the Grand Line."

"Is that your destination as well, Mr. Lin Nuo?"

Lin Nuo did not deny it.

The smile on Stockton's face suddenly became somewhat mysterious.

He stepped closer. "If I may ask... is there anything valuable aboard your ship, Mr. Lin Nuo?"

Lin Nuo's eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Don't misunderstand, I don't mean anything by it." Stockton quickly waved his hands and explained.

"You may not have heard."

"Recently, the Navy has set up a temporary checkpoint at Twin Cape and is collecting a transit Heavenly Tribute."

"A transit Heavenly Tribute?"

"Yes, similar to the Heavenly Tribute paid annually by World Government member nations."

"But this is aimed at private ships entering the Grand Line through Twin Cape." Stockton adjusted his glasses.

"They charge in tiers based on ship size, cargo value, and the identities of those aboard. The more valuable your cargo, the more Beli you have to pay."

He pointed toward the five merchant ships in the distance.

"However, fleets are eligible for reductions."

"As long as a fleet consists of six ships or more, it can receive a tax reduction."

"With me and those five merchant ships, we have exactly six ships right now. We're one ship short. Would you like to join us, sir?"

Stockton looked at Lin Nuo, his tone sincere. "If you join, you'll save quite a bit of Beli passing through Twin Cape."

"And fleets clear the checkpoint faster too, reducing the time the Navy spends inspecting you."

Lin Nuo fell silent for several seconds.

He sized up the captain before him.

The man's expression was open, and his words made sense.

But...

"I need to ask my crew what they think."

"Of course." Stockton smiled and stepped back. "Please, take your time. We'll wait here."

Lin Nuo nodded, turned around, and lightly leaped back onto the White Shell.

Stockton remained where he was, watching his back disappear beyond the opposite rail.

First Mate Raymond quietly came over.

"Captain, how did it go?"

Stockton did not answer immediately.

He looked at the White Shell, his brow faintly furrowing behind his lenses.

"...I couldn't tell much."

"His speech and behavior were all normal, and his request was reasonable."

"But..."

"But?"

Stockton raised a hand and gently pressed it against his chest.

"He's obviously so young in appearance."

"But for some reason, I feel something about him is very, very ancient."

"Ancient?" Raymond did not understand.

"Yes."

Stockton lowered his hand and shook his head, dismissing the absurd feeling.

"Still, don't think too much about it."

"Maybe I've been out of touch with the outside world for too long. Perhaps I'm just overly sensitive." He smiled.