Crossing the ocean to India by the usual route would have taken considerably longer.
The fastest practical way to reach their destination was to take a shortcut.
The Panama Canal, which connected the oceans, had been blocked by collapsed banks and was no longer navigable.
In the end, everyone chose the Suez Canal.
To be safe, they sent up the Hot Air Balloon. Chelsea stood in its basket high above them, holding a newly assembled, high-powered telescope with freshly ground fluorite lenses as she surveyed the entire canal.
The wind brushed past the balloon's basket. With nothing blocking her expansive view, she could take in the whole canal.
A moment later, Chelsea's voice reached the ship from high above.
"It's open! But there are branches blocking the middle of the channel!"
Thick logs were wedged in the center of the waterway, completely preventing any ships from passing through.
"The channel's blocked solid with wood."
Amid the silence, Senku spoke. "Blow it up with a rocket."
Seriously?
A streak of fire cut across the sky. Trailing a brilliant plume, a small missile struck the pile of wooden obstacles in the center of the channel with pinpoint accuracy.
Boom-
A deep explosion rang out, sending water spraying into the sky and blasting all the branches away.
The ripples slowly settled. The Suez Canal was clear.
"Ha-ha! Done!"
Ryusui raised a hand and snapped his fingers crisply, his expression brimming with confidence.
With every obstacle cleared, the ship set off again, speeding down the canal unhindered and heading straight for Indian waters.
Ryusui leaned against the rail, gazing at the rolling blue sea as he spoke.
"The Nanami Group invested in building a top-tier comprehensive university in India years ago."
"The genius we're looking for is on that campus. And he's not the