Unknown Sea

After leaving Wano Country, the Ashen had sailed across the azure waters of the New World for several days. Yet as the voyage continued, the bright sunlight around them was gradually replaced by an eerie gloom, and even the sea breeze carried an oppressively heavy sensation.

"Hey, Captain, it looks like we've arrived."

Holding the ancient parchment sea chart scavenged from a hidden compartment in Orochi Castle, Carina stood inside the Obsidian command room, her expression unusually grave. She pointed toward the sea ahead, then glanced at the specially made Eternal Pose on the navigation table.

The pointer, which should have been accurately indicating the next island, was now spinning wildly through three hundred and sixty degrees on its dial, producing a harsh clattering sound.

Magnetism had completely failed here.

Not only that, when the Ashen fully crossed into the boundary of the forbidden zone marked on the chart, everyone stepped onto the deck without a word.

"Wh-what the hell is this place?"

Even Keen, who prided himself on having seen it all, could not help drawing in a sharp breath at the sight before him.

The waters ahead were no longer a deep blue, but an incomparably strange pitch-black. Their viscous texture resembled an abyss formed from tens of millions of tons of ink. When the waves struck the Obsidian hull, they raised no white foam, instead making dull, swamp-like slapping sounds.

Above the Black Sea floated a layer of grayish-white fog so dense it was nearly tangible.

This was no ordinary fog. The instant the Ashen's prow pierced it, the sails on the mast let out overloaded creaks, as though the mist possessed the weight of a physical substance.

"This is Heavy Water Mist."

Rain stood at the black-stone prow with his hands behind his back, allowing the