Between Two Worlds: Nen and Haki

"Helmsman, grip that wheel tight! Don't slack off for even a second!"

"Keep a close eye on the power levels! We can't afford any malfunctions now!"

Just as calculated, Reverse Mountain was currently in its reverse current cycle, allowing passage from the Grand Line back into the four blues.

As the warship drew closer, everyone on board became frantically busy.

Whether it was the navigators, the helmsmen, or Nico Robin—who served as Zane's assistant and essentially the Hunting Team's steward—none dared to be the slightest bit careless.

The New Riding the Wind and Waves was powered by electricity; its paddle-wheel propulsion made it far easier to handle than a standard sailing ship.

Ultimately, the warship successfully entered the upward-surging current.

BOOM!!!

Under the impact of the current, the warship's speed skyrocketed, racing toward the summit until it launched into the air.

Thanks to the steering maneuvers performed beforehand, the airborne ship didn't veer off course, instead landing precisely within the channel leading to the West Blue.

Caught in the downstream flow, the warship plummeted at an even greater speed.

RUMBLE!!!

Colossal waves reached for the sky.

The massive warship carried an incredible momentum as it slammed into the sea at the mountain's base, instantly kicking up a churning wall of water.

While the New Riding the Wind and Waves was not crafted from the Treasure Tree Adam, its materials were still high-grade.

Amidst the violent shaking, the vessel eventually stabilized, remaining completely unscathed.

"Captain, Chinjao isn't in the Flower Country right now. Should we track him down directly?"

Once the ship steadied, Nico Robin moved with a graceful sway to stand behind Zane, who was stationed at the prow.

Nico Robin was also a native of the West Blue.

Before Crocodile ever came looking for her, she had spent years making a name for herself in these waters.

Although her life had been one of constant wandering under the World Government's pursuit, her time spent among various factions had made her well-informed and allowed her to establish a significant network of contacts in the West Blue.

Sure enough, upon learning Zane's goal for coming here, she immediately proved her worth by reaching out to her local connections.

After a round of intelligence gathering, reports regarding Chinjao's status quickly came back.

Chinjao was the 12th Leader of the Happo Navy. Beyond being a pirate crew, the Happo Navy also served as the official military of the Flower Country.

Normally, the Happo Navy remained stationed within the Flower Country.

However, as they often took on the role of pirates for plunder,

and with Chinjao growing older while the next generation of the Happo Navy struggled to step up,

Chinjao had been leading the Happo Navy on expeditions more frequently to train the next generation of leaders.

It was clear that Zane's timing wasn't ideal.

They had arrived right when Chinjao was away on an expedition.

"There's no need. We'll head straight to the Jewel Ice Sheet and wait for him to come to us," Zane said, turning around with a light chuckle as he looked at Nico Robin.

The Jewel Ice Sheet was a glacial island that served as the natural treasure vault for generations of the Happo Navy.

However, this vault had been sealed shut ever since Garp flattened Chinjao's pointed head with a single punch.

This had become the greatest pain of Chinjao's life.

Consequently, in addition to his burning hatred for Garp, the treasures sealed beneath the Jewel Ice Sheet had become his obsession.

Knowing Chinjao's situation, Zane didn't mind playing the waiting game at all.

He believed that if Chinjao learned his treasure was being occupied by others, he would come charging back regardless of the cost.

"The Jewel Ice Sheet..." Nico Robin murmured thoughtfully.

The Flower Country was a powerful nation in the West Blue.

Naturally, Nico Robin was well aware of it.

By the same token, the Jewel Ice Sheet was not some top-secret location.

The reason it served as the treasury for the Happo Navy was not secrecy, but the exceptionally thick and sturdy ice.

Leaving the task of locating the Jewel Ice Sheet to Nico Robin, Zane went to find Chopper after they successfully cleared Reverse Mountain.

Over the past few days, he had been discussing medical pharmacology with Chopper and the members of the medical team.

His goal, of course, was to use the power of the Munch-Munch Fruit to develop highly effective medicines.

Nico Robin did not disappoint Zane.

In just a few days, after several investigations, she pinpointed the location of the Jewel Ice Sheet.

Wasting no time, at Zane's command, the New Riding the Wind and Waves immediately set sail for the Jewel Ice Sheet.

"Brrr... it's freezing!"

"I didn't expect to find such an extreme island in the four blues. I thought places like this only existed on the Grand Line."

"The world is full of wonders. Once you've seen enough, nothing seems strange anymore."

Upon entering a certain sea area of the West Blue, the previously warm climate shifted rapidly. The temperature plummeted, prompting the members of the Hunting Team to put on thick winter gear.

"Attention everyone! A glacial island has been spotted ahead!!"

As the warship pressed on and the temperature continued to drop, the lookout quickly relayed the news via the Broadcast Transponder Snail.

"Quite a crowd they've got there!"

Seated on his golden throne with a black fur mantle draped over his shoulders, Zane sat with his legs crossed.

Having sensed the situation ahead with his Observation Haki even before the lookout, he gave a faint smile.

"Boss, are there a lot of guards on that Jewel Ice Sheet?" Manlong, who was sitting cross-legged on the deck nearby, asked with a sudden glint in his eyes.

Thanks to the treatment from the medical team, Manlong's wounds were healing quickly.

Although he was still wrapped in many bandages, he was already able to move freely.

"Yeah, quite a few. And there are some strong ones among them," Zane nodded slightly.

The ice of the Jewel Ice Sheet was so hard that ordinary people could not hope to break it.

However, the Happo Navy clearly had not just abandoned it.

Based on what his Observation Haki sensed, the Jewel Ice Sheet ahead was not just crawling with guards; there were several individuals with powerful presences.

"Then..."

"No way, Big Brother Manlong! Your injuries haven't fully healed yet, so you can't go overdoing it!"

Hearing there were strong opponents, Manlong immediately wanted to volunteer for battle, but Chopper—guided by his doctor's intuition—suddenly popped up and sternly forbade him.

"Er..." Manlong scratched his head, looking at Chopper's serious little face.

He held a lot of respect for Chopper, who had been the lead doctor treating him.

"Manlong, focus on recovering for now. This time, Baby 5 and Robin will take the lead!" Zane wanted Manlong to grow quickly, but he would not push him beyond his limits.

The battle with Crocodile had already provided the man with excellent training.

Since his wounds had not healed yet, Zane would not force him to fight.

"Huh? Me?!"

Startled, Nico Robin pointed back at herself.

"What's the matter? Are you scared?" Standing by the right armrest of Zane's throne, Baby 5 immediately shot a provocative look at Nico Robin.

This woman was highly threatening, both in terms of her looks and her figure.

Although she had not climbed into the Captain's bed yet, there was no telling what the future held.

While she would not stop the Captain from having other women, she was not about to slack off when it came to her own standing.