Between the boundless waves of the East Blue stretched a maritime route that few dared to traverse an ancient passage linking the East Sea and the faraway South Sea.
On this busy trade lane, a massive ship glided silently through the morning mist. Its scale was colossal, yet to the naked eye, it was utterly invisible. The Silver Dragon, veiled by a mysterious fog, slipped across the horizon like a ghost that the world had forgotten.
Then, without warning, a tall and powerful figure suddenly appeared in midair. The man's silhouette gleamed briefly against the sunlight before diving straight toward the ocean below like a meteor. Just as it seemed he would crash into the sea, his body flickered once and vanished, as though he had never existed at all.
Aboard the Silver Dragon, Big Pan burst onto the deck, his face lit with excitement. "Boss! From the outside, the Silver Dragon's completely invisible now!"
His shout drew everyone else out of their cabins. They rushed up to see for themselves, and soon the ship was full of chatter and laughter.
Filina twirled happily beside the railing. "Unbelievable! That stone looked so ordinary, but it's actually magical!"
Eli Winters sat nearby, rolling the peculiar stone between his fingers. It shimmered faintly, releasing threads of pure white mist that drifted lazily into the air. The fog expanded until it cloaked the entire ship, wrapping it in a veil of shifting clouds.
From a distance, the Silver Dragon had vanished completely. But those on board could still see clearly through the haze, as if the fog were only an illusion visible to outsiders.
Eli chuckled softly. "That explains why we couldn't see that hidden island earlier. The stone must've been the reason. Still, aside from the invisibility trick, it's not much use."
"Heehee! Then if you don't want it, give it to me!" Filina's bright eyes sparkled mischievously. Her sweet, sing-song voice carried that familiar tone of mischief Eli had learned to dread.
He shot her a wary look. "What are you plotting this time?"
"Plotting? How could you say that about me!" she huffed, puffing her cheeks in mock outrage. "I just think it's cute, that's all."
"Cute? You mean dangerous." Eli sighed, rubbing his temples. He knew better than anyone how creative her "harmless ideas" could be.
Filina was a whirlwind of energy and trouble known across the ship for her pranks. Simon, Dote, and especially Big Pan had all been victims. More than once, they'd woken up to find strange little creatures crawling beside their pillows, courtesy of her "experiments."
But this time, Filina seemed genuinely enthusiastic. "Eli, listen! If I had that stone, I could hide in the clouds during a fight! The enemy would never see me, and I could just strike them with lightning again and again! Imagine it zap! zap! Totally unstoppable!"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she began laughing to herself.
Eli couldn't help but smile. Despite her childish antics, her spirit was contagious. "Fine, take it. But use it wisely."
The stone was simple to control. By channeling a bit of spiritual energy into it, the user could summon two kinds of mist one to conceal, another to poison. And when needed, the fog could be drawn back into the stone.
After a few playful quarrels, everyone went back to their routines, and the Silver Dragon sailed smoothly on.
By afternoon, an island appeared on the horizon the first inhabited land Eli had encountered since entering the South Sea. The ship drifted closer, its white hull gleaming like a phantom against the gray waters, until it finally docked against a rough wooden pier.
The crew disembarked, stepping onto the worn earth of a struggling village. The sight that greeted them was somber. The villagers' clothes were threadbare and patched; their faces gaunt and pale from hunger. Even the air seemed heavy with fatigue.
Eli's eyes swept across the landscape. Houses here were little more than shacks, cobbled together from driftwood and rusted metal. The streets were cracked and uneven, the smell of salt and decay hanging thick in the air.
From a nearby alley, a group of children peeked out barefoot, thin, and trembling. Their eyes, wide and innocent, lingered on the jewelry and weapons glinting on the newcomers.
The sight tugged at Filina's heart. Without hesitation, she rummaged through her satchel and pulled out a handful of bright candies wrapped in colored paper. Fiona and Reiju did the same, each offering their share with warm smiles.
The children hesitated at first, unsure if it was safe. But when they saw the kindness in the women's eyes, they slowly reached out, taking the sweets with trembling hands.
Moments later, their faces blossomed into radiant smiles pure, unguarded joy that sparkled brighter than sunlight on water. They shouted their thanks and ran off laughing, their voices echoing through the dusty streets.
Eli watched them go, his chest tightening. "The East Sea and South Sea are neighbors," he murmured, "but the difference in how people live… is like heaven and earth."
In the East Sea, most civilians at least lived stable lives. Here, the people were barely surviving.
The crew followed a dirt path toward the center of the village, where an older man in tattered clothes approached. He was tall but frail, with calloused hands and tired eyes. Bowing respectfully, he said, "Honored travelers, welcome. I'm the chief of Durban Village. What brings such esteemed guests to our humble island?"
Eli smiled gently. "No need for formality, sir. We're just passing travelers, looking to rest for a while."
Relief flickered in the chief's eyes. He invited them into his modest home, where they gathered around a small table. As they talked, Eli asked softly, "Village Chief, why are your people living in such hardship?"
The man's face darkened. With a long sigh, he began his story.
Durban Village lay under the cruel rule of the Feimon Kingdom a nation drowning in corruption. The nobles and royals treated commoners as disposable property, demanding heavier taxes each year. No matter how hard the villagers worked, they never earned enough to survive.
Those too old or weak to work often took their own lives, unwilling to burden their families. And the poorest those unable to pay even a fraction of the taxes were forced to sell their loved ones into servitude.
A child was worth only five thousand Berries. A young woman, perhaps ten thousand. A strong man, twelve at best.
The chief's voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes wet. "Even my son… they took him, too." Tears streamed down his wrinkled cheeks and fell onto the dry, cracked floor.
Fury flashed across Filina's face. "Those nobles are monsters!"
Big Pan slammed his fist onto the table. "Boss, let's go wipe them out!"
The others nodded, anger flaring in their eyes.
But Eli's tone was calm, though his gaze was sharp. "And then what? You kill a few nobles, and more will replace them. The people will still suffer. Do you plan to rule this country yourselves?"
Big Pan frowned. "Then what do we do?"
Eli smiled faintly. "Leave that to me."
Before anyone could ask, his figure blurred and vanished. Seconds later, he reappeared, clutching the collar of a startled man.
It was Dragon the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
"Eli! What are you doing?!" Dragon snapped. "I was in the middle of a meeting!"
Ignoring his protest, Eli quickly explained the situation. Dragon's expression turned solemn. "You want us to expand into the South Sea?"
Eli nodded. "You catch on quick."
But Dragon shook his head firmly. "Our forces are concentrated in the New World. Moving a large number of troops here would be dangerous. The World Government's surveillance of the Four Seas is tight. Any sudden movement, and we'll be exposed."
Eli's voice hardened. "You've been in the New World for years and achieved what, exactly? Still chasing ideals with no results! You talk about freedom, but you've done nothing to give it to the people who need it most."
Dragon's jaw tightened, his face flushed with anger.
Eli continued, "I'm not asking for your entire army. Just send a small division here. Operate from the shadows. Focus on countries outside the World Government's alliance. Help the people quietly let them live better lives. That's how real change begins. Not through slogans, but through action."
Dragon fell silent. After a long pause, he sighed. "You might have a point. I'll discuss it with my comrades."
"Do that," Eli said. "But don't take too long. These people can't wait forever."
Eli sent him back in an instant.
When Dragon reappeared, his officers surrounded him in alarm. "Leader! What happened?"
He calmed them quickly, explaining everything. As he finished, one woman a fiery redhead with revealing clothes gasped. "Wait, that man was Eli Winters! The one who killed a Marine Admiral!"
The room erupted in whispers. "That's him? He's younger than I imagined!"
Before the chatter could grow, a flamboyant officer with far too much makeup stepped forward and reached for Dragon's shoulder dramatically. "Oh, to think such a handsome terror exists in our time…"
Dragon groaned. "Enough. Focus."
Clearing his throat, he said, "Eli proposed expanding part of our force into the South Sea. What do you all think?"
The redhead grinned. "It's a good idea. The South Sea's full of oppressed people a perfect place for our cause."
Another officer adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. "If we plan carefully, we can strengthen our influence there without exposing ourselves. It aligns perfectly with our mission."
Dragon nodded slowly. "Then we vote. All in favor of establishing a South Sea division?"
Hands rose across the room.
A small smile curved Dragon's lips. "Then it's decided. The Revolution begins anew this time, in the South Sea."
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