Entering Reverse Mountain

Charlos paused slightly and looked down at Crocus on the deck.

Then he leaped down from high atop the mast, landing steadily before the old man.

"I've heard its story. It's here, waiting for a group of companions to return."

Sunlight streamed down, glinting off Crocus's lenses and clearly reflecting Charlos's figure.

His gaze sharpened slightly as he spoke in a low voice.

"Waiting for companions... Where did you hear that?"

At that moment, Amina quietly edged over to Amira's side and whispered.

"Big sister, how come I never knew Charlos had heard a rumor like that?"

Crocus's ear twitched slightly.

Charlos looked directly at the old man before him and spoke slowly.

"I once met a man who was very good at playing the violin in the Florian Triangle."

"He told me that he once had a whale companion named Laboon."

"Unfortunately, he was trapped in the Florian Triangle and couldn't get out. He asked me that, if I ever had the chance to see this whale, I'd pass along a message for him."

Crocus's expression shifted as he stared at Charlos.

"Kid, you didn't make that up, did you?"

"Of course not! I'd never dare make up something like that."

Charlos swallowed and raised a finger solemnly.

"That musician with the afro was named Brook."

The instant he heard that name, Crocus abruptly turned toward the enormous Laboon on the sea.

He shouted at the giant whale, "Hey! Laboon! Did you hear that? Brook is still alive!"

The previously motionless Laboon slowly lowered its enormous eye again, fixing it firmly on Charlos.

On the deck, Amina again quietly leaned close to Amira's ear and asked in a puzzled whisper.

"Big sister, he didn't really make this up, did he?"

Amira gently shook her head, her gaze calmly fixed ahead.

"Probably not. But I don't know where he learned all this."

The giant whale Laboon slowly opened its massive mouth above the sea and let out a deep, drawn-out cry.

Crocus looked at Charlos again, his expression softening somewhat.

"Kid, I thought you were just casually making up lies. But you speak so earnestly that this probably isn't false."

Charlos quietly let out a breath of relief.

"Of course."

"My name is Crocus."

Charlos subconsciously scratched the back of his head and blurted out, "Crocus, I know you. You used to be Pirate King Roger's ship's doctor."

The instant those words fell, Crocus's eyes narrowed sharply.

Charlos jolted all over, cold sweat instantly breaking out across his back.

His heart pounded wildly as panic surged through him. Damn it, why did I say that? He isn't going to kill me, is he?

Amina turned to Amira beside her, her face full of confusion.

"Big sister, what's the Pirate King? Is it like the Squid King?"

Amira tilted her head and thought for a moment before answering softly.

"Probably the boss among pirates."

"But big sister, we've met so many pirates, and their bosses all seemed different."

Just then, the silent Crocus suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahahaha! Kid, you should watch what you say in the future. This old man means no harm. I'm just a lighthouse keeper now."

Charlos let out a long breath, and the weight in his heart finally lifted completely.

"You scared me to death."

Crocus looked at him and slowly changed the subject.

"So, kid, where are you headed?"

Charlos answered openly.

"We're going to West Blue. I'm looking for someone there."

"Going to West Blue to find someone?"

Crocus smiled faintly and said softly.

"Then I wish you luck."

The luxurious ship set sail again, heading toward Reverse Mountain.

Crocus sprang into the air and landed atop Laboon's head, raising a hand in farewell.

Charlos also raised his hand to bid Laboon and Crocus goodbye, then shouted to the giant whale.

"Hey, Laboon, don't ram into it anymore! Otherwise, when your companions come back for you someday, they'll be heartbroken to see this."

Laboon let out a deep cry, as if agreeing to the request.

The ship cut through the waves and slowly sailed deeper toward Reverse Mountain.

Amira and Amina walked shoulder to shoulder to Charlos's side, standing on either side of him and boxing him in.

Charlos looked at the two of them and asked in confusion, "What is it, you two?"

Amina spoke first, her eyes full of curiosity. "Earlier, when you said we were setting off for West Blue, I thought there was something good there. Only now do I know you're going there to find someone."

Charlos's eyes shifted slightly as he calmly asked, "Is there a problem with that?"

Amira immediately puffed out her cheeks, her tone full of stubborn seriousness. "Of course there is! Is the person you're looking for a man or a woman?"

Charlos curled his lips into a smile and deliberately played mysterious. "That's a secret."

"No!" Amina immediately stepped forward, her voice stubborn. "Tell us right now!"

Charlos frowned.

"Why are you both so hung up on whether that person is a man or a woman?"

Amira slowly lowered her head, then turned to look at Amina beside her before looking back at Charlos.

"Of course there's a reason."

"What reason?" Charlos asked.

Amina pressed her lips together and refused to budge.

"You tell us first. Is it a man or a woman?"

Charlos narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"A man."

Amira and Amina both let out long sighs of relief.

Then Charlos changed his tune and added with a smile, "Just kidding. It's a woman."

Amira and Amina instantly crowded closer, their expressions changing.

"What? No, that won't do!"

"Why not? Let's hear it."

Amira held her little hands in front of herself, her fingers fidgeting constantly.

Seeing her sister like this, Amina spoke up.

"Shalria was already going to have you all to herself, and we two could only get a little leftover. If another woman comes along, wouldn't that mean we won't even get a taste?"

Charlos curled a finger and flicked Amina on the forehead with a snap.

"What are you thinking about all day?"

Amina raised a hand to rub the spot he had flicked and grumbled indignantly.

"I'm not wrong."

Charlos stretched out an arm and pulled both of them directly into his embrace.

"Don't worry. You haven't developed yet. Once you have, neither of you will get away."

As soon as he finished speaking, Amira and Amina's ears instantly turned bright red.

Amira obediently leaned against Charlos's chest and gave a quiet hum.

Amina's cheeks burned as she hurriedly broke free from his embrace.

Charlos spoke slowly. "Oh? So you still want to run away?"

Amina turned her head away, showing Charlos her back, her tone stiff.

"I-I'm not running away. We agreed on it."

Charlos looked at her back and replied, "All right, it's agreed."

Just then, the ship suddenly shook with a thunderous rumble.

Amina hurriedly grabbed the railing beside her and cried out, "Hey, what happened?"

Amira immediately spread her wings and flew into the air.

Charlos braced himself against the railing nearby and swept his gaze around.

"What's going on?"

Amira hovered in midair, her voice carrying a hint of astonishment. "The ship... the ship is sailing into the sky."

Charlos let out a long sigh of relief.

"Then hurry down and steady the ship. We're entering Reverse Mountain now."

Amira quickly flapped her wings and landed back on the deck, gripping the ship's railing tightly with both hands.

The entire ship slowly climbed upward along Reverse Mountain's current.

Amina stared at the strange sight around them and could not help exclaiming.

"Wow, that's amazing."