"Boss, what on earth just happened?" Big Pan dropped onto the deck with a heavy thud, still shaken. "That scene just now felt like the sky and earth were collapsing. Even I could feel a suffocating sense of danger."
Eli Winters stood at the bow, calmly surveying the unfamiliar sea ahead. His expression was steady as he explained, "The space in that region became distorted for reasons unknown. Different layers of space collided and compressed into each other, which triggered an extremely violent spatial storm. Don't worry. That kind of phenomenon is temporary. It will dissipate on its own soon enough. That is also why we were able to enter the area safely in the first place."
As he spoke, Eli's perception spread outward without restraint.
He knew exactly why he could be so certain. The spatial energy they encountered had no stable source. It had erupted suddenly, like water without a spring. Something like that would inevitably burn itself out.
Hearing this, Reiju finally relaxed a little, though fear still lingered on her face. "That was terrifying… If you hadn't been there, Captain, we probably would have all died in that chaotic spatial flow."
Eli smiled lightly. "Don't think of it as something so hopeless. Spatial storms look frightening, but they are not completely unstoppable. From my experience, anyone with sufficiently advanced Armament Haki can barely withstand their impact."
As he spoke, he gave Reiju's shoulder a reassuring pat.
The others immediately rolled their eyes.
Among them, aside from Reiju, everyone had awakened Armament Haki. But those who had truly cultivated it to an advanced level could be counted on one hand. Eli, Big Pan, and Fiona. That was it.
After everyone had rested for a while, Filina blinked her curious eyes and began carefully observing their surroundings. Suddenly, as if remembering something important, she turned to Eli.
"Brother Eli, where exactly are we now?"
Eli replied calmly, "Filina, take out the map and the compass. If I'm not mistaken, we should already be at the location marked on it."
"Oh right!" Filina tapped her head sheepishly. "I almost forgot something that important."
With a casual flip of her hand, a mysterious-looking map and an exquisitely crafted compass appeared in her palm.
She immediately focused, carefully comparing the two. Before long, her eyes widened in shock.
"This… This really is the destination!"
But confusion quickly followed. The map and compass clearly indicated this location, yet when she looked around, there was nothing. Just endless sea and sky.
"This is strange…" Filina muttered. "What's going on here?"
"What's wrong, Sister Filina?" Chiyo asked with concern.
"It's nothing," Filina said gently, patting Chiyo's shoulder. Then she turned back to Eli, puzzled. "Brother Eli, you were right. This should be our destination. But it looks completely empty. Could the map be fake?"
Eli burst out laughing. "No, no. The map is genuine. It's just that the place we're looking for is hidden somewhere our eyes can't directly perceive."
Filina puffed out her cheeks. "Brother Eli, stop teasing us and just tell us already."
At that moment, Robin, who had been silent until now, spoke up thoughtfully. "Could it be… that the location is hidden within the void itself?"
Everyone froze and turned toward Eli.
He smiled and nodded.
Reiju asked anxiously, "Then can we really find a place hidden in the void?"
Eli lifted his chin slightly, confidence overflowing. "Don't forget who your captain is. When it comes to manipulating space, if I claim second place, no one would dare claim first. Finding it will be effortless."
Fiona snorted. "Alright, alright. You're amazing. Now hurry up and find it already."
This time, Eli did not hesitate.
He thrust both hands forward and tore open the empty space ahead of the Silver Dragon. A spatial裂缝 appeared, faint at first, then rapidly expanded as he poured in more power. In moments, it became a vast spatial passage, large enough for the Silver Dragon to sail through with ease.
"Dorte, full speed ahead!" Eli shouted.
"Got it!" Dorte replied instantly, taking control.
A deep, powerful hum echoed through the ship like the roar of a massive beast. The Silver Dragon shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, plunging straight into the spatial passage.
The journey was shockingly smooth. The ship raced through the tunnel like a silver dragon cutting through the wind. Before long, it emerged on the other side.
Light returned.
Everyone hurriedly looked around, eyes filled with awe.
"That island is enormous!" someone exclaimed.
Ahead of them stood a massive island, its scale utterly staggering. Its total area rivaled that of two Alabasta kingdoms combined.
Strange objects could be seen flying through the sky, rising and diving in complex patterns.
"What are those?" curiosity spread among the crew.
Eli stared upward, eyes wide. "Are those… flying cars?"
The sight sent waves through his mind.
Was this some technological world that had also crossed into the seas like he had?
Big Pan scratched his head. "Boss, when you say 'cars,' do you mean those flying metal things?"
Eli did not answer.
His thoughts were in turmoil. The world of pirates had technology, yes, but it was warped and uneven. What he was seeing now was far beyond that. Those flying vehicles reminded him painfully of his previous life.
Yet this was supposed to be the pirate world.
"Let's go take a closer look," Eli said, regaining his composure.
Dorte steered the Silver Dragon toward the island.
As they approached, everyone fell silent.
A towering steel wall surrounded the city, stretching into the clouds. Every inch of it was forged from solid metal, imposing and terrifying.
Even more unsettling were the dark red bloodstains splashed across its surface, as if countless brutal battles had been fought here.
Then it happened.
Sharp alarms blared across the sky.
Cannons extended from the wall, massive barrels swiveling toward the Silver Dragon like the fangs of a steel beast.
Eli reacted instantly. "We are travelers and adventurers who entered by accident. We mean no harm!"
There was no response.
The cannons remained locked on them, silent and deadly.
Then a buzzing sound broke the tension.
A giant bee, the size of a clenched fist, wearing small goggles, flew down from the wall and hovered in midair. It circled the Silver Dragon carefully before emitting a series of sharp, complex sounds.
None of them understood a word.
"That bee is huge!" Big Pan exclaimed.
"It sounds like it's trying to talk to us," Chiyo said hesitantly.
But without shared language, communication was impossible. After a while, the bee shook its head and flew back toward the wall, disappearing from sight.
"It left," Big Pan said. "Boss, should we grab it and ask?"
"Ask?" Eli shot back. "Can you understand what it says?"
Big Pan laughed awkwardly and scratched his head.
"Let's wait," Eli said calmly. "Any civilization capable of building walls like this must have intelligent inhabitants."
Sure enough, a wolf's head soon appeared above the wall.
Then a tall figure emerged fully. A humanoid wolf clad in a tight black uniform, muscles bulging with power.
"Warriors from beyond this domain," the wolfman called out. "Do not be alarmed. We will not attack. You are welcome here. However, there is no gate in the Steel Bastion. If you wish to enter, you must climb up yourselves. Please hurry. Dangerous sea beasts are approaching."
Robin frowned. "Captain, that looks like a Mink. But the Minks should live on Zou, on the back of a giant elephant. Why are they here?"
Eli smiled. "Let's find out."
With that, he flew upward toward the wall, leading the way without hesitation.