There are actually several routes from the West Blue to the Grand Line.
The most dangerous one is to cross the Calm Belt directly to the New World.
The safest, of course, is through Red Port in Mary Geoise.
For pirates, the only way is to fly over Reverse Mountain.
But in reality, there is a fourth route from the West Blue to the Grand Line.
Summit of the Western Heaven.
That's right, it's the path Gan Fall once mentioned.
It can directly reach Sky Island from the West Blue.
Near the location of Reverse Mountain in the West Blue, there is a special sea area called the "Vortex Siphon Zone."
Due to submarine volcanic activity and special magnetic fields, this area forms a periodic gravitational disturbance zone.
Inside the Vortex Siphon Zone, there is a huge island called Giant God Ridge (Main Island of Degalt), where Giants born in the West Blue live.
They formed a Giant Kingdom called Degalt.
Saulo, San Juan Wolf, and Mori were all born here.
In addition, Harald, who traveled the world in his youth, also visited this place.
Normally, only the warships of the Giant Race can pass through here by using "Reverse Vortex Navigation."
But perhaps there is always an antidote within seven steps of a poison, or perhaps clever humans can always come up with novel ideas for adventure.
The creatures in the sea area near the Vortex Siphon Zone are generally extremely large, and a huge whale called "Rainbow Whale" lives here.
The Rainbow Whale's stomach can secrete corrosion-resistant mucus, providing a protective layer similar to coating for ships.
As long as the "Whale-Attracting Conch" unique to the West Blue is blown near the Rainbow Whale pods, Rainbow Whales can be attracted to approach.
Black's current trip is to head to the Giant Kingdom Degalt in the West Blue, and from there enter the Summit of the Western Heaven to reach Sky Island directly.
"Your Highness, won't this be too dangerous?"
After understanding the peculiarities of this sea area, Stella frowned, her expression very unwilling.
Black pulled her into his arms, caressed her face, and laughed:
"Don't worry, as long as the step of attracting the Rainbow Whales goes smoothly, crossing here isn't as dangerous as you think."
Stella's eyes sparkled as Black teased her, and seeing that his mind was made up, she didn't try to persuade him further, but instead softly called out:
"Your Highness..."
Black was stirred by this soft, lingering call.
Seeing that it would still take some time to reach the Siphon Sea, he picked up Stella and rushed into the cabin... It was unclear whether it was a short or long time later, but the sanctuary finally arrived at the target sea area.
The Siphon Zone was like a waking beast, with three intertwined currents constantly rising in collision, tearing the clouds into cotton-like remnants.
Seeing this scene, even Robin, who was usually calm, couldn't remain so:
"Do Celestial Dragons all disregard their lives so much?"
Perona, Koala, and Rami, who were standing by, all turned pale.
Black laughed loudly:
"It's not as dangerous here as it looks to you."
"As long as the ship is covered with the Rainbow Whale's mucous membrane, you can easily pass through by following the currents."
"That doesn't look as easy as you say!"
Robin retorted, but the Slave at the bow had already tremblingly blown the Whale-Attracting Conch.
"Whoosh—"
A long, melodious sound rang out.
Soon, a response came from afar.
The relatively older agent among the CP immediately shouted:
"Throw the prepared barrels into the sea! Create bubbles!"
The young agent's hand, gripping the railing, trembled slightly:
"Senior, do we really have to go through here?"
"Shut up!"
The older agent reprimanded him:
"This is the order of the Celestial Dragon Lord!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a giant whale several thousand meters long appeared, swallowing the bubbles on the sea surface in one gulp.
Before long, it spat out a slightly smaller bubble from its mouth, directly enveloping the entire sanctuary.
Immediately, all the stormy waves seemed to be isolated, and the sudden quiet environment made people feel a strange eeriness.
"Depart!"
Black pointed his scepter forward, and the Slaves quickly started the ship, rushing towards the currents ahead, with an air of facing death unflinchingly.
"Senior..."
The young agent felt his legs weakening, but was reprimanded by the older agent:
"Shut up! Rookie!"
"You go stabilize the port side with Moonwalk! I'll correct the rudder!"
"Yes!"
As the ship gradually went deeper, the protective layer formed by the Rainbow Whale's mucous membrane began to tremble, as if it could rupture at any moment.
The currents continuously pounded the mucous membrane; though it looked not very sturdy, it was exceptionally resilient and never ruptured.
However, the protected sanctuary was pushed to the other side of the route by the currents.
The two CP agents led the Slaves to constantly adjust their direction.
The three hundred Slaves on the sanctuary were divided into three groups, operating the propellers in shifts.
After an unknown number of impacts from the currents, a cry of alarm came from among the Slaves:
"The propeller is stuck!"
"Someone help!"
"No! I don't want to die!"
Hearing these chaotic sounds, some commands, some prayers, Black frowned.
Untrained Slaves were indeed useless; he would replace all the Slaves doing physical labor on the ship with pirate Captains sooner or later.
Black turned and instructed:
"Koala, go check on Group B."
"Mandy, go protect the engine room."
His voice was like an anchor, reassuring people.
Robin used her Flower-Flower Fruit ability to secure herself, Perona, and Rami to the mast.
Perona clung tightly to the mast, her face pale, and shouted loudly:
"Bookworm! Will the ship break in half?!"
Although Robin herself was also pale, she still stubbornly retorted:
"If it breaks, you troublesome person will fall off first!"
However, their worries did not materialize.
As Koala and Mandy left, the previously noisy cabin gradually quieted down, and the ship regained its stability.
Don't let Koala's usual timid appearance fool you; she is very capable when it comes to critical moments.
Protected by the Rainbow Whale's mucous membrane, the sanctuary surged out of the center of the vortex as if lifted by a giant's hand, crashing onto the nearby sea surface.
This layer of mucous membrane seemed to be specifically prepared for people to cross the Siphon Sea; as soon as it left the vortex, it shattered and disappeared.
The Slaves all breathed a sigh of relief, looking back at the currents still swirling upwards, feeling a sense of having escaped disaster.
Black, however, didn't feel much.
With his Observation Haki mastery, he could prevent most risks before disaster struck.
Even if something unexpected happened, it didn't matter; he hadn't eaten a Devil Fruit yet.
With his strength, taking a few people to break out would still be more than enough.
However, Black was also quite satisfied with this crossing of the Siphon Sea.
This is what an adventure story feels like.
Being able to have a tense and exciting adventure while ensuring safety is like bungee jumping, making one's heart race.
Black looked towards the bow; the "Yggdrasil," known as the West Blue World Tree, was clearly visible in the distance.