The Aloof Gatekeeper of Twin Cape

The Quest for Knowledge and the White Shell slowly approached the foot of Reverse Mountain.

Looking up,

five enormous waterways slanted down from the summit of the Red Line, carrying seawater flowing against the current with a thunderous roar.

Higher up, the waterways converged at the mountaintop and disappeared 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 bizarre 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 rush up there, think carefully."

"You really don't have any other 'little things' you've been hiding from us?"

"Like secretly being the illegitimate son of a Celestial Dragon? Or having a twin who looks exactly like you?"

Ivankov leaned over as well, his enormous face filled with gravity.

"That's right! It's not too late to confess now!"

"If you suddenly reveal something like, 'Actually, I'm the grandson of a Marine admiral,' after we reach 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 absolutely have to squeeze out something else..." He thought for a moment.

"I helped Roger and Rayleigh rescue Shakky, so we have some history."

"As for the others on Rocks' ship—Kaido, Linlin, Whitebeard, and the like—I only met them once at God Valley."

"Really, that's it."

Moria pressed a hand to his forehead, looking even more speechless.

"He's acquainted with the core members of the Roger Pirates and has met Rocks' all-star lineup..."

He took a deep breath.

"Forget it... Anyway, if anything on that level comes up again, 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 block our way one day."

"Alright, alright, I promise." Lin Nuo agreed with a smile.

Meanwhile, 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 entrance is the third waterway on the eastern side."

"The downstream impact will be strong, but it is the straightest route. Are you ready?"

"Ready anytime!" Lin Nuo answered.

"Then—full speed ahead!!"

The sails of both ships had long been raised to their highest point. Kuma stood at the stern of the White Shell, repeatedly thrusting out his palms to generate compressed air and give the ship an extra burst of initial momentum.

The sailors aboard the Quest for Knowledge rowed their long oars with all their might.

The ships shot into the entrance of the chosen waterway like arrows loosed from a bow!

Splash!

Reverse Mountain's reverse current propelled them wildly upward along the nearly vertical rock face.

The seawater turned into mist that lashed everyone's faces.

Weightlessness and crushing pressure alternated madly.

"Woohoo—this is awesome!!"

Ivankov shouted excitedly!

Lin Nuo spread his wings and hovered ahead of the bow, ready to respond to any accident at any moment.

They charged onward! Ever upward!

Just as the bow was about to break through the mist and reveal the light where the mountaintop currents converged,

Lin Nuo turned and glanced 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, showing no intention of following.

Could someone really be socially anxious to that extent?

That strange feeling surfaced in Lin Nuo's heart again.

There was no time to think further. The next moment—

Crash!!!

Both ships burst free from the waterway at the same time, leaping out from the convergence point at the summit.

After a brief flight, the hulls smashed heavily into the sea, sending up waves.

But they had safely made it through the most dangerous stretch of Reverse Mountain.

Not far ahead, the rock wall of the Red Line formed a natural gap and platform, with a lighthouse standing atop it.

This was Twin Cape, the official starting point of the Grand Line.

Just as Ginny's intelligence had indicated, the area around the docks was empty and quiet.

There were no Marine warships setting up a checkpoint, not even the shadow of a patrol boat.

"They really pulled out..."

Stockton lowered his telescope, surprise and thoughtfulness on his face.

"Miss Ginny's intelligence was completely accurate. The Marines' temporary checkpoint is gone. Impressive."

Hearing the praise, Ginny smiled shyly with her lips pressed together.

"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.

Yet Lin Nuo, standing at the bow, did not relax.

The calmer things were, the more danger might be lurking beneath. 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 to when he could only passively receive chaotic information in Tenpan City, he could now control it more actively.

He could block out much meaningless noise and direct his perception toward a specific direction.

His perception spread outward.

At the dock came the rustling of tiny insects; farther away, the chirping of birds... and—

the soft sound of pages turning from the direction of the lighthouse.

Someone was there.

And only one person.

Lin Nuo opened his eyes and pointed toward 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. "It was one thing when we were at sea, but now we're on land. Why are you still going alone to scout ahead?"

"We're companions. Why do you act like you're our babysitter?"

Moria crossed his arms and snorted.

"You're always charging ahead. It makes us look useless."

Ginny and Kuma said nothing, but their eyes conveyed the same sentiment.

Lin Nuo looked at his companions' determined expressions and froze for a moment.

He had long been used to handling everything himself, especially when danger might be involved.

"...Alright."

He gave in, smiling as he shook his head.

"Then we'll go together, but be careful."

Dr. Stockton also said he would come along. "I'm very interested in this place as well."

Everyone lowered a small boat and rowed toward the dock.

Just as they were about to land, the lighthouse door opened.

A tall, muscular man wearing 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 figure at a glance.

Crocus.

In his memories, Crocus would become Roger's ship doctor in the future and serve as Twin Cape's lighthouse keeper.

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 any information about the area."

Before he could finish, Ivankov and Moria had already jumped out of the small boat and stepped onto the dock.

"Leave it to us."

Ivankov strode toward Crocus.

Lin Nuo opened his mouth, but ultimately smiled helplessly and followed behind with Alice and the others.

"Yo! Lighthouse old man!" Ivankov waved a large hand, his voice booming.

"Hello! We're travelers who've just entered the Grand Line! We'd like to ask about something!"

Crocus's gaze remained fixed on his newspaper. He even turned a page.

Ivankov raised his voice.

"Old man! Could you tell us where all the Marines around here have gone lately?"

Crocus finally raised his eyelids slightly and glanced at Ivankov.

"Loud."

Ivankov: "?"

"You're too loud." Crocus's tone remained utterly flat.

"Don't disturb me while I'm reading the newspaper."

"Um, old man, we just wanted to ask about something."

"For example, around here..."

"There are no suspicious people nearby, no suspicious ships, and the Marines left no message." Crocus answered concisely.

After saying that, he added,

"And I'm not an old man."

Seeing that things were going wrong, Moria stepped forward from behind and patted Ivankov on the shoulder.

"Calm down. Let me handle this."

He stood before Crocus.

"Old bastard, 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."

"You cactus freak, what right do you 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 abruptly turned around and shouted at Lin Nuo, who was still watching the show beside the small boat.

"Lin Nuo! Can I cut off this old man's shadow?!"

"I'll get all the information out of him before giving it back!!"

Ivankov gloated beside him.

"Hee-haw! Who was it that told 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 close inspection could one notice the slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth.

Lin Nuo watched the scene and held his forehead.

I'd better handle this myself...