The Quest for Knowledge and the White Shell slowly approached the foot of Reverse Mountain.
Looking up—
Five enormous waterways slanted down from the peak of the Red Line, carrying seawater flowing against the current and roaring thunderously.
Higher up, the waterways converged at the summit and vanished into the clouds.
"It really is... no matter how many times I see it, it still feels unbelievable."
Lin Nuo stood at the bow of the White Shell and could not help sighing.
But this wondrous sight that defied all physical laws was exactly what made this world so fun.
"Hey, Lin Nuo." Moria's voice came from beside him.
"Before we charge up there, think carefully again."
"Are there really no other 'little things' you've kept from us?"
"Like being the illegitimate son of a Celestial Dragon? Or having an identical twin?"
Ivankov leaned over as well, his enormous face filled with seriousness.
"That's right! It's not too late to confess now!"
"If you suddenly reveal something like, 'Actually, I'm the grandson of some Marine Admiral,' after we enter the Grand Line, my poor little heart won't be able to take it!"
Lin Nuo laughed and raised both hands in surrender.
"That's really all. Everything I should say and can say, I already said."
"If I really have to squeeze out something else..." He thought for a moment.
"I helped Roger and Rayleigh save Shakky, so we have some history."
"As for the others on Rocks's ship, like Kaido, Linlin, and Whitebeard, I only met them once at God Valley."
"Really, that's it."
Moria pressed a hand to his forehead, looking even more speechless.
"You befriended core members of the Roger Pirates and met Rocks's all-star lineup..."
He took a deep breath.
"Forget it... Anyway, if there's something on that level in the future, please tell us sooner."
"I don't want to find out how many monsters our captain has offended from someone else's mouth only when the Marines suddenly surround us one day."
"Fine, fine, I promise." Lin Nuo agreed with a smile.
On the other side, Dr. Stockton had already completed the final communication with the White Shell through flag signals and a loudspeaker.
"Mr. Lin Nuo, the current calculations are complete. The best entry point is the third waterway on the eastern side."
"The downstream impact will be strong, but it is the most direct route. Are you ready?"
"Ready anytime!" Lin Nuo replied.
"Then—full speed ahead!!"
The sails of both ships had long since been raised to their highest point. Kuma stood at the stern of the White Shell, repeatedly thrusting out his palms to launch compressed air and provide the ship with extra initial propulsion.
The sailors aboard the Quest for Knowledge rowed their long oars with all their strength.
The ships shot like arrows from the bowstring into the entrance of the chosen waterway!
Splash!
Reverse Mountain's countercurrent drove them wildly upward along the nearly vertical cliff face.
The seawater turned into a sky-filling mist that lashed everyone's faces.
Weightlessness and crushing pressure alternated madly.
"Woohoo—this is thrilling!!"
Ivankov shouted excitedly!
Lin Nuo spread his wings and hovered ahead of the bow, ready to deal with any accident at any moment.
They charged! Kept charging upward!
Just as the bow was about to break through the mist and glimpse the light where the currents met at the summit—
Lin Nuo turned and looked back toward the foot of the mountain.
Through the churning spray, he saw the five "socially anxious" merchant ships that had been following them.
They were still quietly stopped on the sea at Reverse Mountain's entrance, with no intention of following.
Could someone really be socially anxious to that extent?
That strange feeling rose in Lin Nuo's heart again.
There was no time to think. The next moment—
Splash!!!
Both ships broke free of the waterway at once and leaped out from the convergence point at the summit.
After a brief flight, the hulls crashed heavily onto the sea, throwing up waves.
But they had safely made it through the most dangerous stretch of Reverse Mountain.
Not far ahead, the Red Line's rocky wall formed a natural gap and platform, upon which stood a lighthouse.
This was Twin Cape, the official starting point of the Grand Line.
Just as Ginny's intelligence had indicated, the area around the dock was open and quiet.
There were no Marine warships setting up checkpoints, not even the shadow of a patrol boat.
"They really pulled out..."
Stockton lowered his binoculars, surprise and contemplation on his face.
"Miss Ginny's intelligence was completely accurate. The Marines' temporary checkpoint is gone. Impressive."
Hearing the praise, Ginny pursed her lips and smiled a little shyly.
"So this is the Grand Line? Even the air feels different!"
Ivankov took a deep breath.
"That lighthouse... is huge." Kuma looked up at it.
"We finally made it." Moria also let out a breath of relief.
However, Lin Nuo, standing at the bow, did not relax.
The calmer things were, the more likely danger lurked beneath the surface. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Voice of All Things
Over the past dozen days at sea, he had either been forging the black blade Yoru with Lunarian Flame every day or repeatedly practicing this ability.
Compared with Tenpan City, where he could only passively receive chaotic information, he could now control it far more actively.
He could block out much of the meaningless noise and direct his perception toward a specific direction.
His perception stretched outward.
On the dock, the rustling of insects; farther away, the calls of birds... and—
From the direction of the lighthouse came the soft sound of pages turning.
Someone was there.
And there was only one person.
Lin Nuo opened his eyes and pointed at the lighthouse.
"There's someone over there. I'll go check things out first."
"Here we go again." Ivankov put his hands on his hips. "On the sea, that was one thing, but now that we're on land, why are you still going to scout alone?"
"We're companions. Why do you act like you're our babysitter?"
Moria folded his arms and snorted coldly as well.
"You're always charging ahead. It makes us seem useless."
Ginny and Kuma said nothing, but their eyes conveyed the same sentiment.
Lin Nuo looked at his companions' resolute expressions and froze for a moment.
He had long been used to taking everything upon himself, especially when danger might be involved.
"...All right."
He gave in, smiling as he shook his head.
"Then we'll go together. But be careful."
Dr. Stockton also said he wanted to come along. "I'm very interested in this place as well."
The group lowered a small boat and rowed toward the dock.
Just as they were about to land, the lighthouse door opened.
A tall, sturdy man in a floral shirt and beach shorts, with cactus-like hair, slowly walked out.
He was even holding a newspaper, reading as he walked.
Lin Nuo recognized that distinctive appearance at a glance.
Crocus.
In his memories, Crocus would one day become Roger's ship doctor and the lighthouse keeper of Twin Cape.
He was also Laboon's current guardian.
"He's the lighthouse keeper here."
Lin Nuo explained.
"Let's ask him about the Marines' movements and the information around here."
Before he could finish, Ivankov and Moria had already jumped out of the small boat and stepped onto the dock ahead of everyone else.
"Watch us."
Ivankov strode toward Crocus.
Lin Nuo opened his mouth, then ultimately smiled helplessly and followed behind with Alice and the others.
"Yo! Lighthouse old man!" Ivankov waved his large hand, his voice booming.
"Hello! We're travelers who just entered the Grand Line! We'd like to ask about a few things!"
Crocus's gaze remained on the newspaper, and he even turned another page.
Ivankov raised his voice.
"Old man! Do you know where all the Marines around here have gone recently?"
Crocus finally lifted his eyelids slightly and glanced at Ivankov.
"Loud."
Ivankov: "?"
"You're too loud." Crocus's tone remained utterly flat.
"Don't disturb my reading."
"Um, old man, we just want to ask a few questions."
"For example, around here..."
"There are no suspicious people around here, no suspicious ships, and the Marines left no message." Crocus answered concisely.
Then he added one more thing.
"Also, I'm not an old man."
Seeing that things were going poorly, Moria stepped forward and patted Ivankov on the shoulder.
"Calm down. Let me handle this."
He stood before Crocus.
"Old fossil, you live here, right? Haven't you noticed anything unusual?"
Crocus finally lowered his newspaper and looked at Moria.
"Yes. You, for example."
Moria: "???"
"It's my first time seeing someone style his hair like an onion."
"What right does a cactus have to talk about me?!"
A calm voice came from behind the newspaper.
"I saw many Marine ships passing by."
"And then?"
"And then they passed by."
"Where did they go?"
"Don't know."
"Isn't that the same as saying nothing at all?!"
Moria spun around and yelled at Lin Nuo, who was still watching the show beside the small boat.
"Lin Nuo! Can I cut this old man's shadow off?!"
"I'll get all the information out of him, then give it back!!"
Ivankov gloated from the side.
"Hee-haw! Who was telling me to stay calm just now?"
Moria glared at him. "Shut up!"
The two began arguing right in front of Crocus.
Meanwhile, Twin Cape's guardian still held up his newspaper.
Only upon closer inspection could one see the slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth.
Lin Nuo watched the scene and rubbed his forehead.
I'd better handle this myself...
Before you continue