The LC-02's engine gave off a steady hum as the vessel sliced through the deep blue water, slowly entering an unusually calm stretch of sea.
Potts stood by the helm, his palms slick with sweat, eyes glued to the waves outside the ship.
This was the Calm Belt, a death zone even seasoned navigators in the Great Pirate Era avoided. Massive Sea Kings lurked beneath the surface like underwater mountains; one careless move could mean total annihilation.
"C-Commodore, are we really going through here?" Potts' voice trembled. "Taking the long route may be slower, but at least it's safe!"
Renzo, lying under the shade on deck, didn't even open his eyes. A muffled "mm" came from his throat as he lazily rolled a half-melted milk candy between his fingers.
He had snatched it from a small island on the Grand Line; now it was his prized time-killer.
He already knew Potts would panic, but to him, taking the long way meant several extra days at sea, and several more meals of Potts' "dark cuisine." Compared to that, cutting straight through the Calm Belt was actually less troublesome.
"Don't make noise," Renzo said lazily.
"If you wake me, even the Sea Kings won't be worth avoiding."
No sooner had he spoken than the ship gave a faint tremor.
Potts nearly jumped out of his skin. His gaze followed the disturbance and froze. Beneath the surface on the starboard side, an enormous shadow was slowly rising.
It was a Sea King, its size comparable to a small island. Gray-brown skin covered in wrinkles, scarlet eyes glowing like searchlights, and both fixed directly on the LC-02.
"I-It's coming!"
Potts fumbled for a weapon, but the ship had nothing except a fruit knife Renzo had tossed aside earlier.
Just as the monster was about to attack, its enormous fin raised a wave, then suddenly stopped mid-motion.
A flicker of confusion passed through those blood-red eyes. The murderous aura that filled the sea deflated like a popped balloon.
The creature circled the LC-02 once, lowered its massive head to sniff curiously near the hull, then, as if losing interest, lazily swished its tail, sending a gentle ripple across the water before sinking back into the depths without a splash.
Potts gaped, speechless for a long moment. "I-It left? Just like that?"
"Hated the hassle."
Renzo finally cracked open an eye, glanced at the disappearing Sea King, then looked back at his melting candy.
"Same as you. Sees trouble, runs."
He didn't explain further, and Potts didn't dare ask.
Ever since he'd started sailing with Renzo, he'd gotten used to these things that defied common sense.
Over the next few days, more Sea Kings appeared, but none came closer than a few hundred meters. Some yawned and swam off; others simply sank beneath the waves, as if some unseen force was warning them away.
Gradually, Potts relaxed enough to nap by the rail.
'With the Commodore aboard, even the Sea Kings of the Calm Belt had become well-behaved.'
Three days later, the LC-02 finally broke free of the Calm Belt and entered the waters of the East Blue.
Compared to the chaos of the Grand Line, the East Blue was calm as glass. The sunlight shimmered like gold dust on the surface, and even the sea breeze carried a faint grassy scent.
Renzo actually sat up for once, resting against the railing as he looked at the distant scatter of small islands. His gaze softened slightly, a rare hint of relief.
"Finally."
He stretched, bones cracking lightly.
"Potts, find a small island. We'll restock fresh water and fruit, and see if anyone sells fresh meat."
"Right away, Commodore!"
Potts perked up, adjusting course toward the nearest island.
But before they could reach the island, several large pirate ships suddenly appeared on the horizon. Their sails bore the snarling emblem of Krieg, and they were speeding straight toward them.
Potts' grin vanished instantly. He snatched up the telescope, and his face went pale.
"I-It's the Krieg Pirates! One of the fiercest crews in the East Blue! Commodore, they're coming right for us!"
Renzo frowned, taking the telescope and giving the ships a brief glance.
The lead vessel was massive, its prow carved into a roaring lion's head. Dozens of pirates crowded the deck, armed with all manner of bizarre weapons, hardened veterans of plunder.
"Tch." Renzo lowered the telescope, his tone dripping with irritation.
"Just arrived in the East Blue, and already trouble. Figures."
Before he could finish complaining, the Krieg fleet had surrounded the LC-02.
On the largest ship stood a burly man clad in gold armor, wielding an enormous cutlass, none other than Don Krieg, the "Admiral" of the Krieg Pirates.
Krieg's eyes swept over the LC-02, small, unarmed, unimpressive. A sneer crossed his face.
"Oi! Little ship ahead! Stop right there!" he barked. "Hand over all your supplies and treasure! And leave the cook behind, do that, and I might spare your lives!"
His men howled with laughter and echoed.
"Yeah! Hand it over or we'll smash your toy ship to bits!"
"The Admiral's being generous! You should be grateful he even wants your cook!"
"Hurry up before we get impatient!"
Potts trembled behind Renzo, whispering, "C-Commodore, they want our stuff… and our cook! But we don't have a cook!"
Renzo didn't answer him. He simply lifted his gaze to Krieg, speaking in a flat, indifferent tone.
"We don't have treasure, and we don't have a cook. You're in the way. Move."
Krieg blinked, momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting the lazy-looking young man to talk back to him.
He squinted, studying Renzo, simple clothes, messy hair, no visible weapons. Apart from a handsome face, he seemed completely harmless.
Krieg's expression darkened.
"You little shit… Do you not know who I am! Looks like I'll have to show you whose sea this is!"
He waved his hand and shouted, "You two! Search their ship! If they resist, toss them to the fish!"
Two large pirates immediately jumped into a small boat and began rowing toward the LC-02, axes in hand, grinning viciously.
Potts' knees went weak. He grabbed Renzo's sleeve. "C-Commodore, what do we do? Should we fight?"
Renzo didn't reply. His brows knitted faintly, irritation welling up inside.
The pirates' footsteps, their breathing, even the rasp of metal from their axes grated on his nerves.
Just as the two pirates were about to climb aboard the LC-02, something strange happened.
Their boat suddenly rocked hard. One of them slipped and nearly fell into the sea.
The other reached out to steady him, but halfway through the motion, he let out a massive yawn. His eyes went dull, and the axe slipped from his hand with a heavy clang.
"W-what's going on?"
The first pirate rubbed his eyes, dazed.
"Why… am I suddenly so sleepy…"
He shook his head, trying to stay awake, but as he took another step, his legs gave out. He slumped against the railing, staring blankly ahead, all thoughts of boarding the ship forgotten.
From the flagship, Krieg's face darkened. "You useless idiots! What are you doing?! Move!"
But the two men didn't respond, one yawning, the other zoning out, both too lazy to even lift their heads.
The other pirates began to murmur among themselves.
"What's wrong with those two? Are they slacking off?"
"They were fine just a second ago…"
"This is weird… should we send more men?"
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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