Three brand-new high-pressure oxygen tanks stood firmly on the cave floor.
With no time for extra rest, Senku immediately finalized the underwater search team's lineup.
In the end, Tsukasa, Chrome, and Nikki were chosen to dive together.
Ukyo and Watermelon stayed on shore to keep watch.
The sea wind howled along the shore, and waves battered the rocks one after another. The water was dark, its depths impossible to see. Just looking at it felt oppressive.
Tsukasa checked the oxygen mask over his nose and mouth, confirmed that the oxygen supply was steady and the tank valve was working properly, then turned to the other two and gave a grave warning.
"Visibility is poor underwater, and the pressure is high. Follow my pace, don't swim off on your own, and signal immediately if you find any stone."
Chrome and Nikki both nodded, put on their gear, and steadied their breathing.
A moment later, all three plunged into the water in succession, disappearing into the blue sea.
The surface grew calm again, leaving only ripples slowly spreading outward.
The seabed, however, was an entirely different world.
Light penetrated the surface, filtering through layers of seawater until it became dim and soft.
It was frighteningly quiet underwater. The only sounds were the faint stir of currents and the gentle hiss of air flowing from their oxygen tanks.
Broken stones, gravel, and rocks covered the seabed. Countless petrified fragments lay mixed into the sand and rubble, darkened by their long soak in seawater and extremely difficult to distinguish.
Once Tsukasa had adjusted to the underwater visibility, he quickly surveyed the terrain and decided on the order of retrieval.
He raised a hand and made simple underwater gestures, directing Chrome and Nikki to split up.
Large quantities of fallen rocks had piled up on