The thunderclouds remained dense, and lightning streaked across the sky like writhing serpents.
Although they had sailed beyond the storm's direct path, the surrounding sea was still turbulent, influenced by the residual chaos of the New World's unpredictable weather.
The waves surged, though they had significantly diminished in size. Thunder rumbled in the distance, louder than before, but no immediate danger lurked.
It was only at this moment that the crew finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Hula la...
The wind carried the rain, drenching the ship with a steady downpour. Though the wind and rain were persistent, the Hebrefeller swayed only slightly, proving its sturdiness.
Thankfully, it was just rain. Even if the downpour intensified, it posed no real threat.
Charlotte Linlin returned to the captain's quarters, staring out the window in contemplation. The moment she snapped back to reality, she realized the rain had stopped.
Looking at the deck, she saw the aftermath of their harrowing ordeal—the ship bore scars of the violent storm.
The crew still felt shaken. This experience was one they would never forget.
Charlotte's expression darkened. She couldn't help but recall the infamous Battle of Edd War.
In such erratic and merciless weather, it was no wonder Golden Lion Shiki had suffered defeat.
The New World's seas were truly treacherous.
"Damn that Golden Lion Shiki," Charlotte muttered. The mere thought of him incited her fury.
If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have had to endure such a perilous ordeal.
She was no reckless thrill-seeker like Monkey D. Luffy.
Even though resentment swelled within her, there was no point in dwelling on it. She took a deep breath, regaining composure.
"Where are we? Are there any islands nearby?" Charlotte inquired, turning to the nearest crew member.
The crew member's face twisted with unease as he hesitated before responding.
"Captain, we... we've lost our bearings. We don't know where we are, and there's no telling if any islands are nearby."
Charlotte's eyes widened. "What?"
They had actually gotten lost.
"Damn it!" She cursed under her breath. Getting lost in the New World was a nightmare.
With most of the world covered by ocean and the presence of countless dangers—both natural and man-made—running out of supplies could spell doom for any crew.
Everyone huddled inside the cabin, watching the drizzle outside. The rain came and went unpredictably, but its frequency was decreasing.
The extreme weather seemed to be subsiding.
The distant sky gradually cleared, a beacon of hope for the weary crew.
"Hah..." Charlotte exhaled, finally relaxing.
Thankfully, her ship was well-built. Spending 1.2 billion berries had not been in vain. Safety was paramount.
No one knew how long it would take, but eventually, the sky bathed the ocean in golden light, and the warm sunshine kissed her face.
Feeling the long-lost sunlight, Charlotte's tension eased.
The sea had returned to its usual deceptive calm.
Had someone not experienced its wrath firsthand, they would never have believed it had been a raging monster just hours ago.
The gentle sea breeze lifted Charlotte's hair, and her mood lifted with it.
"Boss! Boss! There's an island ahead!"
A crew member shouted excitedly while peering through a spyglass.
Charlotte's heart skipped a beat. She took the spyglass and followed his gaze.
A faint silhouette of land emerged on the horizon.
Excitement surged through her. Land—solid, stable land! Relief washed over her.
After drifting for days, they desperately needed to dock and recover.
"Full speed ahead! Set course for the island!" Charlotte commanded.
"Aye, Captain!"
The crew, reinvigorated, worked in unison to steer the Hebrefeller toward their destination.
As Charlotte observed the renewed energy in her men, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of shame. Their unshakable spirit was something even she could not compare to.
She glanced at the now-serene sea and hoped they wouldn't encounter another storm anytime soon.
Her nerves couldn't take another ordeal so soon.
After a long journey, the Hebrefeller finally reached the island without further incident.
The moment she stepped off the ship and felt the solid ground beneath her feet, a wave of emotion surged within her.
The sensation of standing on stable land felt almost surreal.
She took a deep breath, surveying the lush greenery around her. Even the simplest trees seemed beautiful after days at sea.
"ROAR!!!"
A thunderous growl shattered the peaceful moment. Instantly, the crew drew their weapons, eyes scanning for the source.
A massive tiger emerged from the foliage, moving slowly toward them. But what shocked everyone the most was the presence of a small boy sitting atop the beast's back.
The crew tensed, uncertain of what to make of the bizarre sight.
Charlotte's expression shifted slightly. She had just realized something unsettling—her Observation Haki was ineffective here. She couldn't sense any life on this island.
Had it not been for the boy and the tiger standing right before her, she would have thought the island was deserted.
"Outsiders, did you get caught in the storm?" The boy asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
Charlotte studied the boy. How careless.
Did he not see an entire crew of armed pirates? What if they were slavers?
Still, she answered, "Yes, we were caught in a massive storm at sea and docked here to rest."
"Really? Is the sea fun?"
Charlotte felt her eye twitch. What kind of question was that?
"There's nothing fun about the sea," she replied, her tone serious. "It's dangerous."
"Hmm... no wonder the adults in town never let us go out to sea." The boy muttered to himself.
"Ahem... So you're a local?" Charlotte asked.
The boy nodded. "Yeah! Are you heading to town?"
Charlotte considered it. "Sure, can you take us there?"
"No problem! Follow me!"
Without hesitation, Charlotte and her crew followed. They needed to resupply, after all.
As they walked, the boy, an endless chatterbox, provided plenty of information.
His name was Good Roper, and the town they were heading to was called Rob Town.
Charlotte nearly choked upon hearing the name. Rob Town? What was with this world's naming conventions?
Then again, there was an Orange Town. So, perhaps this wasn't unusual.
Upon arriving at the town's entrance, Charlotte immediately understood why it was named Rob Town.
The buildings had carrot-shaped rooftops, creating an oddly charming aesthetic.
But what truly stood out was the massive tree at the town's center. It wasn't just any tree—it had a thick, carrot-shaped trunk and an expansive leafy canopy.
The sight captured everyone's attention.
Good Roper grinned. "That's our sacred tree!"