"Listen up, everyone! Prepare to move out! We're entering the Grand Line!"
Kaito's powerful voice rang across the sea, carrying effortlessly throughout the entire fleet.
"Yeah!! Let's go!"
"Follow the captain's orders!"
"To the Grand Line!!"
At Kaito's command, every member of the War Pirates—from Robin and the senior officers to the newest recruits—cheered excitedly.
The anxiety that had weighed on everyone since the battle with Kuzan vanished the moment Kaito returned.
Now, only high spirits remained.
The fleet raised anchor once more, every crew member taking up their assigned position as the ships steadily sailed toward the entrance of Reverse Mountain.
"Pay attention! Reef every sail before we begin climbing!"
"Helmsmen, keep the ships centered! Don't let them crash into the cliffs!"
"Maintain proper spacing between every vessel!"
Having already experienced Reverse Mountain once before, the crew approached it with far greater composure.
With Lafayette serving as overall commander and Nami leading the navigator team, every ship advanced in perfect order.
Preparations for the climb were completed one after another.
"Captain, leave the rest to us."
"You should get some rest."
"That's right."
"We couldn't help you during your fight with Admiral Aokiji, but this is something we can handle."
"Come on, Captain. I'll help you change into a fresh set of clothes."
Seeing everyone enthusiastically taking responsibility, Lafayette, Law, and the others all urged Kaito to take a break.
Kaito smiled.
"Alright."
"I'll leave everything to you."
Without refusing their goodwill, he entered the cabin together with Robin to change out of the clothes that had been nearly destroyed during his battle with Kuzan.
Boom!!
Not long after Kaito disappeared below deck, the fleet successfully entered the entrance to Reverse Mountain one ship after another.
The reverse current remained as violent as ever.
The instant each vessel entered the channel, the powerful current seized it and hurled it rapidly upward toward the summit.
Unlike traveling between the Four Blues, entering the Grand Line through Reverse Mountain was surprisingly safe and straightforward.
As long as a crew possessed competent navigators, successfully guiding a ship into the proper current wasn't particularly difficult.
That was exactly the case for the War Pirates.
Under Lafayette's command, with Nami and the navigator team coordinating every movement, each ship smoothly rode the ascending current.
Upon reaching the summit, the sails were adjusted once again, allowing the fleet to enter the downward channel leading directly into the Grand Line.
It's incredible...
I never imagined a mountain like this could actually exist.
Standing aboard the flagship, Zoro gripped the railing tightly to steady himself while excitedly looking around.
It was his first time crossing Reverse Mountain.
The magnificent sight completely captivated him.
Nami wore much the same expression.
Although Lafayette had described Reverse Mountain to her before they arrived...
Actually experiencing it firsthand was on an entirely different level.
"Woooooo—"
As the fleet sped down the descending current like a giant waterslide...
A strange cry suddenly echoed through the mountain pass.
"What was that?"
"Was it the wind?"
"It doesn't sound like the wind."
"It sounds more like some kind of animal."
"Look ahead!"
"There's a mountain blocking the exit!"
The strange sound startled everyone.
Moments later, the flagship burst through the dense mist created by the rushing water.
The end of the passage finally came into view.
However...
Instead of the vast open ocean everyone had expected...
An enormous black mountain stood directly in front of the exit.
The towering mass completely blocked the channel.
Every person aboard the flagship immediately turned pale.
"How... how is that possible..."
Nami's beautiful eyes widened in horror.
Her legs gave out beneath her as she collapsed onto the deck.
The ships were descending at tremendous speed.
If they continued like this...
They would collide head-on.
Not only would the ships be destroyed...
No one aboard would survive.
"That's not a mountain!"
"It's a whale!"
"Hurry!"
"Lower every sail and slow the descent!"
"All artillery crews!"
"Open fire!"
As the ships continued rushing downward, everyone finally got a clearer look at the obstacle below.
It wasn't a mountain at all.
It was an enormous whale.
Its body was so massive that it looked like a mountain rising from the sea.
Lafayette's expression changed dramatically.
He immediately ordered the crew to lower every sail in an attempt to reduce their speed.
At the same time, Law shouted toward the artillery crews.
"Fire every cannon!"
"Bombard it!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Dozens of cannons roared simultaneously.
A barrage of shells rained down upon the gigantic whale below.
Explosion after explosion erupted across its enormous body.
Because the fleet had entered Reverse Mountain in a long, single-file formation...
Only the flagship at the front had a clear line of fire.
Even after dozens of shells exploded against its body...
The bombardment achieved very little.
The explosions merely scorched its thick skin.
They failed to inflict any meaningful damage.
"Wooooooo!!"
The whale released an even louder cry.
Although the cannon fire hadn't seriously injured it...
The attack had clearly angered the gigantic creature.
Eyes larger than entire ships slowly turned toward the descending flagship.
They stared coldly at the approaching fleet.
The sea churned violently.
The whale shifted from its upright posture and faced the descending ships directly.
Then...
It slowly opened its gigantic mouth.
A mouth so enormous that it seemed capable of swallowing not only the flagship...
But every ship in the War Pirates fleet.
Tap.
Whoosh!
The terrifying sight caused Lafayette and the others to change expression.
Just as everyone prepared to act—
A figure suddenly burst from inside the cabin.
Using the figurehead as a launching point...
Kaito shot into the sky toward the gigantic whale.
"Two-Sword Style—Imitation Beast: Demon Eagle!"
Kaito soared high above the flagship.
His eyes were cold and razor-sharp as they locked onto the enormous whale—
Laboon.
Without the slightest hesitation, he drew both golden sabers.
Twisting his body through the air, he unleashed a tremendous slash.
Zheng!!
The slash took the form of a giant eagle spreading its wings in flight.
Its golden blade of compressed force screamed through the air with enough power to tear apart the sky itself.
It flew straight toward Laboon's wide-open mouth.
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