The reason for taking such a great risk was simple, Nelson wanted to attract the attention of the guards, ensuring that his subsequent movements would go unnoticed.
It could be seen that Nelson was bold... recklessly bold.
Teach, however, didn't yet understand the nature of Nelson's ability. He had already ruled out the Displacement Fruit, for that ability held no spatial properties.
Similarly, Nelson's movement clearly possessed a domain—a bounded space within which he could shift positions freely. It also had a range limit; otherwise, he could have appeared directly on the ship carrying the Celestial Gold. Of course, such a feat would consume tremendous physical energy.
From observation alone, Teach could tell that in just four short displacements, Nelson had already used up roughly one-fifth of his stamina.
Teach was certain Nelson had not awakened Observation Haki, but within his domain, he could freely sense and move. That meant he had control over every inch of that space—functionally similar to the awareness granted by Observation Haki itself.
In just a few exchanges, Teach had already analyzed most of Nelson's power. If Nelson knew how much Teach had deduced from so little, he would be utterly shocked.
Yet even Teach had reached his analytical limit; the rest was still a mystery. Still, this alone proved the terrifying potential of the ability—it was unquestionably a formidable fruit.
"So, next is the inside…" Nelson muttered to himself. Through his domain, he could feel that behind this shipyard lay a hidden space.
Originally, he had only half-believed that the Celestial Gold was stored here, but now he was certain. Why else would such an isolated shipyard exist in this remote corner of the kingdom? Surely not merely as a river transit point.
Nelson wasn't stupid. The shipyard was small, capable of docking only three or four ships at most. It held little commercial value, and there were far better locations along the river where larger shipyards could be built.
His lead on the Celestial Gold had been pure chance—a rumor overheard from a kingdom general who had guarded the previous transport. At the time, Nelson hadn't known it was Celestial Gold, but the cargo had been exceptionally valuable, and his ability had allowed him to glimpse the treasures inside.
He had trailed that transport convoy here but couldn't get close; the escort was too strong, the defenses airtight. Yet he had overheard the general speak the words "Celestial Gold." From that moment, Nelson's target had been decided. He waited patiently until the shipment left and the escorts dispersed—then struck.
Now, standing before the shipyard, he felt no fear. His confidence came from his ability; within his domain, he was nearly untouchable.
But what Nelson didn't know was that two people were already aware of him, Teach, hidden in the shadows, and another deep inside the cave, lurking aboard the ship that held the Celestial Gold.
"Is it a kid?" a middle-aged man muttered inside the cave. He was the guardian of the treasure ship. The instant Nelson appeared in the warehouse, his Observation Haki had picked up on the intruder's presence. His range was limited—only a few hundred meters, far inferior to Teach's vast perception, so he couldn't identify Nelson's ability.
He could only sense that someone unfamiliar had entered.
The shipyard's warehouse was pressed tightly against the rock face that concealed the hidden cave, only a single wall separated the two spaces. Nelson fought down his excitement; it wasn't time to relax.
He didn't believe such priceless Celestial Gold would be hidden here without additional guards. Even though he sensed no other presence, that very emptiness made him more cautious.
He wouldn't leave. The situation was dangerous, but he was confident in his ability to escape. Having come this far, with the Celestial Gold so close, how could he possibly retreat now?
Once again, Nelson activated his ability—and in an instant, he appeared on the other side of the wall.
Moments later, Teach appeared silently in the warehouse, on the opposite end from where Nelson had been. He had already estimated the range of Nelson's domain and wasn't sure if Nelson could detect him, so he moved with extreme caution.
As for the guardian of the Celestial Gold—despite Teach entering his Observation Haki range, he sensed nothing. Teach's aura was completely erased; Observation Haki cloaked his body, isolating him from perception entirely.
Against such an absolute difference in power, the man had no chance of detecting him.
Teach could already tell—the guard's strength was only on par with an ordinary Marine Vice Admiral. He had mastered both Armament and Observation Haki, but only at the most basic level. His overall strength was further enhanced by a Devil Fruit ability, but even that didn't change the outcome.
After all, in the first half of the Grand Line, few reached true greatness. The comfort of a peaceful life dulled ambition. Without constant combat and challenge, one's spirit could not break its limits—and without that, Haki could never grow strong.
That was why the first half of the Grand Line was mockingly called "Paradise." Stay there too long, and your strength would inevitably stagnate.
Nelson crept forward, eyes darting to both sides. The surrounding walls were slick with moisture, connecting to the river outside. Only a narrow ledge of rock and soil provided footing.
Then he saw it, light flickering in the distance. Lanterns. Human presence.
His pulse quickened, and his steps grew faster, echoing softly in the silence—thump, thump—reverberating through the tunnel.
The oppressive darkness tightened his nerves; fear crept at the edges of his mind. Yet he pressed on, hugging the cave wall until he reached a broader space illuminated by dozens of lamps.
Before him sprawled a massive artificial cavern, far larger than the natural passageway. This inner section was clearly man-made, with walls smoothed and reinforced.
And there, floating at the center, was a luxurious ship resting on still waters. Wooden walkways connected its sides to the stone banks, proof of frequent human activity.
The interior blazed with light—so bright it seemed like daytime. Yet Nelson saw no one. Not a single guard.
Could it be… that there truly was no one stationed here? Were they so confident in their secrecy that they left the Celestial Gold unguarded?
He hesitated, puzzled.
Step by cautious step, Nelson approached the ship.
"Something interesting is about to happen," Teach thought from afar, watching everything unfold through his Haki.
At that very moment, though Nelson's face betrayed nothing, he had already sensed another presence—someone concealed aboard the ship, waiting to ambush him.
But Nelson was no amateur. Years of thievery had honed his instincts and his acting. He showed no sign of alarm, only cautious curiosity, feigning ignorance while masking his killing intent.
He didn't yet know the strength of the hidden man—but it was certainly far greater than his own. His only true advantage lay in his ability.
Both men had already discovered each other, but Nelson was in the open while the guardian remained hidden, unaware that his cover had been blown. He could not imagine that Nelson's spatial domain also granted a Haki-like awareness of movement within it.
If the man's Observation Haki had been stronger, he could have sensed Nelson's emotions and realized that he had already been exposed.
The initiative now lay firmly in Nelson's hands.
He moved slowly toward the ship, scanning the deck as though studying it.
Hidden deep within the ship's interior, Moray, the guardian, smiled faintly as he moved. He had sensed Nelson entering and slipped quietly into a sailor's cabin—one that connected directly to the outer deck. This was the only route Nelson would take.
When the intruder crossed that threshold, Moray would strike—swiftly and fatally.
It was this cautious, deliberate nature that had earned Moray the responsibility of guarding the Celestial Gold. He never acted rashly. But when he did, it was with precision—one strike, one kill.
He didn't yet know he had already been discovered. Within Nelson's domain, every movement he made was under surveillance.
Nelson first circled the ship, memorizing its structure. His ability granted him a god's-eye view, and what he saw inside nearly made his breath catch—heaps of glittering treasure stacked like mountains, all shimmering under lamplight.
Although he was no longer poor—his powers had changed that—his years of hardship had left him with an unshakable fondness for wealth.
His heartbeat quickened. His eyes gleamed with the reflection of gold and jewels. He wanted to take it all but reason reminded him this was not the time.
Even with his spatial ability, he couldn't carry much. Storing objects consumed vast energy, and part of their weight still burdened his body physically. With his current stamina, he couldn't risk overloading himself.
Still, how could he walk away empty-handed with a fortune before him?
He made up his mind and stepped onto the ship.
Inside, Moray waited. His patience, though considerable, was wearing thin. Seeing that the intruder still hadn't entered, he briefly suspected that he'd been detected. But when Nelson finally crossed the deck, he relaxed slightly, though he remained alert.
He could tell the thief's goal was the Celestial Gold—it couldn't be coincidence. And though he didn't know how this man had learned of it, he knew he had to be eliminated.
If the Celestial Gold was stolen here, within the kingdom, their nation would face annihilation.
The two men slowly drew closer—one cautious and calculating, the other composed and deadly.
Nelson's right hand hovered near his hip, where a pistol rested, ready to be drawn. His fruit granted him no direct offense—his firepower came from that gun.
He prepared himself—physically and mentally—for battle.
Unseen by both, Teach moved quietly closer, merging with the darkness. He could feel the tension building—the storm before the clash.
Soon, the confrontation would begin.