The dark-gold steel leviathan cleaved through countless white waves, crushing the opposing currents in its path as it charged straight toward the Calm Belt.
"Reporting, Captain! The power furnace is running steadily. Our speed has reached its maximum limit!"
Ryan braced a hand against the console, his gaze fixed on the turbulent sea ahead as he reported loudly.
"Maintain speed. Keep the Full-Ship Weapons System at level-one combat readiness."
Lorne stood atop the bow's keel, his black-and-gold cloak snapping violently in the howling wind.
"Understood! All ships, adjust the elevation of your secondary guns immediately. Be ready to fire in concert with the main cannon at any moment!"
Ryan swiftly relayed the orders through the ship's speaking tube, while the messengers in the main control room rapidly pulled the various control levers.
Suddenly, the Pluton Sonar Radar at the center of the main console let out a piercing shriek. Red warning lights instantly flooded the entire wheelhouse.
"Warning! High-density metal signatures detected three nautical miles ahead!"
"At depths of fifteen to fifty meters, the waters below are filled with chained minefields!"
The observer responsible for sonar monitoring cried out, his hands flying across the control panel.
"Bakel, bring up the underwater scan immediately. Let's see exactly what's down there!"
Ryan strode over to the radar screen and barked the order.
Bakel slammed the holographic scan button, and densely packed black dots immediately appeared on the green fluorescent screen.
"First Mate Ryan, something's wrong!"
"Those mines have casings made entirely of high-purity seastone, and they're packed with heavy RDX explosives!"
"If a Devil Fruit User falls into the water or a hull brushes against them, this entire stretch of sea will turn into a chain of infernos!"
Bakel pointed at the overlapping defensive chains on the screen, his voice exceptionally grave.