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The journey was thrilling yet safe. Like a proud King of the Sky, Black Phoenix soared majestically through the air, gliding right over and through a sea of Sea Kings that looked overwhelmingly powerful and terrifying.
Not a single Sea King dared to stop it, and none posed a threat. Just like what Rojen had seen in the images before: a cold, aloof, jet-black giant bird gliding through the heart of a cluster of massive sea beasts, completely unchallenged.
Another day passed.
By then, Black Phoenix had already carried them past the densest region of Sea Kings, the very center of the Calm Belt.
"There are way fewer Sea Kings now, and they're smaller too," Jason said, sounding delighted.
"Captain, we're about to reach the Grand Line!"
"Mm," Rojen nodded.
His eyes relaxed slightly. It was good to see Black Phoenix glide safely across this treacherous zone. But the real challenge remained, how to get them and The Logan across the final stretch.
During this time, Black Phoenix hadn't rested a single day. Sometimes it flapped its wings; other times, it glided using air currents, all in the most energy-efficient way possible.
These subtle details didn't escape Rojen's sharp eyes.
"Seems like even for Black Phoenix, this type of flight is physically demanding."
But even so, up to this moment, he hadn't seen a single trace of fatigue in Black Phoenix's eyes. That fact astonished him even more, deepening his suspicions that the origins of this majestic bird were anything but ordinary.
It wasn't afraid of Sea Kings, and its physical endurance was simply incredible. Everything about this creature proved that it was far from normal.
With a single command, Black Phoenix continued flying.
As they pushed forward, the number of Sea Kings dwindled rapidly. Their sizes returned to what they had first seen, hundreds of meters at most, some even just a few dozen meters long.
"We're almost there, Captain!" Jason shouted, unable to contain his excitement.
No one had expected that they'd actually cross the Calm Belt safely, and successfully enter the Grand Line.
A smile finally appeared on Rojen's face.
Crossing the Calm Belt into the Grand Line in just a few short days, there was no way the Marines could catch up now.
Three hours later, perched atop Black Phoenix's back, they finally saw a stark contrast in the sea ahead, this new region clearly didn't belong to the Calm Belt anymore.
"There's wind now, Captain! We made it!" Jason yelled, and Rouge looked just as joyful.
"Black Phoenix, set down The Logan. Thank you for the journey." Rojen gave the command respectfully.
The majestic bird let out a gentle cry, then began its descent.
Fifteen minutes later, Rojen and the others were back aboard The Logan. High above, Black Phoenix looked down with reluctant eyes, clearly unwilling to part.
"Head back now, Black Phoenix. If I need you, I'll call." Rojen waved, feeling a pang of reluctance too.
This bird was truly extraordinary, with overwhelming power and combat ability. If it stayed, it would be a formidable ally. But the problem was: Black Phoenix had a family. Helping out temporarily was one thing, but forcing it to stay long-term might cause some hidden changes in its heart.
If that day ever came, and it tried to break free from control, Rojen wasn't sure he could stop it.
"Screee!"
In the end, Black Phoenix gave one last mournful cry, then spread its wings and soared high into the skies, flying toward Luffy's direction.
"Where are we exactly?"
As soon as they reached their destination, Rojen's first priority was finding out exactly where they had landed.
The Grand Line was divided into two halves, the first half was manageable. But if they had somehow entered the second half… that was a whole different beast.
Because that part was ruled by pirates, filled with powerhouses, and danger beyond imagination.
"Jason, head north."
After thinking for a moment, Rojen gave the order.
Jason nodded, then lowered the sails. The sea breeze rushed in, and the sails billowed instantly.
"Ahhh, the scent of the sea! Hahaha, it's been a long time since I've felt this!" Jason laughed heartily.
The Logan slowly began sailing north. Rojen sent Rouge to rest in the cabin, while he himself sat cross-legged at the bow of the ship.
His internal qi was currently flowing continuously, being absorbed from both within and from the outside world, then infused into his dantian. Every day, his internal power grew stronger. Out of the 365 acupuncture points, Rojen had already cleared 56 over the past few days of cultivation.
His body felt brimming with strength. He felt as light as a swallow in flight.
Even his Sharingan had evolved, reaching the stage of two tomoe.
Insight, replication, copying, these unique abilities of the Sharingan would undoubtedly become a formidable aid in upcoming battles.
"Now then, the main problem is…"
"I'm broke!"
Yes, during the Battle of Baterilla Island, Old Man Yamamoto's summoning had drained him completely. Right now, aside from the 30 million belly he had set aside as emergency funds, he didn't have a single coin to his name.
"I need to refill my wallet, fast." Rojen's eyes gleamed with sharp intent.
This was the Grand Line, and if there's one thing the Grand Line isn't short of, it's pirates. He was confident he could quickly fill his pockets here once again.
They continued sailing, and about three days later, they finally spotted a ship on the horizon.
"Captain, it's a pirate ship!" Jason was sharp-eyed and had already spotted the vessel slowly cruising ahead.
Rojen narrowed his eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
Starving for action, and now, food had come knocking on the door?
"Full speed ahead. Let's go greet them."
"Aye, Captain!" Jason responded loudly.
Three minutes later, Rojen could clearly see the pirate ship ahead.
And the moment he laid eyes on it, his heart eased.
From the marine life he'd encountered so far, he had already guessed that the chances of this being the New World were extremely slim. Seeing this pirate crew now only confirmed that.
But at the same time, his eyes flickered with a strange expression.
"These guys are… chefs?!"
Indeed, when they looked at Rojen's ship, the pirates aboard also stared back curiously. Unlike the savage pirates he had encountered before, this crew's gaze was filled only with confusion and interest, no malice at all.
Then, Rojen's eyes locked onto the man standing at the center of the enemy ship. He had blond hair, wore a chef's uniform, and had a stern, icy expression, clearly the captain.
"No way… it can't be?!"
That golden beard, twisted like fried dough twists, and that faintly recognizable face, this chef-captain looked exactly like Red Leg Zeff!
His eyes twitched slightly. Rojen hadn't expected to encounter that person here, of all places.
At this moment, Red Leg Zeff looked like he was only in his twenties. The pirates beside him were all young, some with smiling faces, others with quirky appearances, but all full of life.
Of course, what caught Rojen's attention the most… was Zeff's legs.
They were both intact.
"Hey… is your name Zeff?" Suddenly, Rojen called out.
His words instantly sparked confusion among the curious pirates across the water.
"How do you know that? Our captain's name is Zeff."
Rojen's eyes flashed with understanding.
So it really was him.
Zeff stood silently on the deck, cold and calm, his expression stern as he scrutinized the three figures aboard The Logan.
(End Of This Chapter)