The storm raged on. The ship pitched harder and harder, and huge raindrops hammered down without mercy. Before long, everyone was soaked to the skin. It took a full two hours for calm to return. Exhausted, they collapsed on the deck, too drained to move.
Ye Chen was the first to wake. He had no idea how long they had slept. Mist shrouded everything, cutting visibility to almost nothing, and thick fog covered the sea in every direction. He couldn't tell where the ship was, so he hurried to wake the others. They had slept well, and some grumbled at being roused. But when they saw the strange fog around them, everyone grew tense.
Nami frowned anxiously. "We can't see a thing. We're bound to lose our course."
Then she noticed the Log Pose. All three needles were swinging wildly. Its magnetic bearings had gone completely haywire.
A while later, Zoro muttered, "Don't you think it's too calm? There's no wind, not even a ripple. The ship's sailing a little too smoothly."
Nami suddenly realized what had happened. She rushed to the ship's rail and leaned out to look at the water. "Oh no. We've entered the Calm Belt."
There was no wind in the Calm Belt, so ships could not move. Worse, it was a breeding ground for gigantic sea beasts. Countless enormous Sea Kings gathered there, making it an extremely dangerous place.
"We have to leave right now." Nami's voice trembled on the verge of tears.
She turned to Ye Chen, her eyes bright with sudden hope. He gave her a reassuring look and lightly touched the ship's rail. The Death God immediately soared into the sky. Two Sea Kings had just stretched out their long necks to attack, but all they could do was watch the prey