-January 1, 1517, Water 7.
Sunlight filtered through the clouds, falling in dappled patches on the tightly shut doors of Blueno's tavern. A sign hung outside, with "Closed" written in bold letters.
As a tavern, it was perfectly normal for it to be closed in the morning. Business usually started at three in the afternoon.
In fact, holidays in the pirate world were much like those in Europe and America on Blue Star.
Apart from countries with distinctive local holidays, such as Wano Country and Flower Country, most countries treated January 1 as the official "New Year."
There was no snow, and the temperature was around sixteen degrees. Wearing an inconspicuous dress and warm tights, Kalifa gradually approached the tavern's back door, looking as though she were casually out shopping.
Compared with the Four Seas, the Grand Line's weather was completely abnormal.
Some islands had four distinct seasons, while others had no seasonal distinctions at all, or remained year-round in seasons including, but not limited to, spring, summer, autumn, winter, rain, drought, and wind.
Water 7 was a summer island. Even at its coldest, the temperature stayed above ten degrees. After all, it was a city on the water, built by raising structures atop ancient buildings.
If the water could freeze, the submerged buildings, subjected to constant expansion and contraction year after year, would have collapsed long ago. Water 7 would no longer exist.
...Kalifa quietly entered the alley behind the tavern and lightly knocked on the back door in the agreed rhythm.
"We're closed right now."
Blueno's voice came from behind the door.
"A friend asked me to pick up the gift box he left here yesterday."
...After two exchanges of passwords, Blueno let Kalifa inside.
As she pushed open the back door, an atmosphere both familiar and unfamiliar