Seeing the island, the navigating ships naturally won't go wrong, nor be confused about the direction.
Even in the Grand Line, there is direction; it's just that ordinary compasses can't be used, hence the Log Pose exists.
If there's something that can discern directions, one doesn't necessarily need a Log Pose to sail. Using the sun is possible too, but the Grand Line's sun isn't very trustworthy due to the unpredictable climate.
Northeast of Anu Country is bordered by the Calm Belt; as for why not directly north... it's because the route itself is crooked.
Most sea maps depict the Red Earth Continent and Grand Line crossing as a cross, but actually, they form an 'X' shape because the East Sea really is east, not northeast.
The Death Star approached the island and began to circle; it's sunny now, and Lily can see the sun. After determining the direction using the sun's position, they headed northeast.
After about two hours, the Death Star reached the backside of the island, docking near this Stone Island.
Anu Country is entirely a Stone Island. Looking around, there's nothing but stone on the island; even the ground is made of stone and not a single plant can be seen.
The docking position of the Death Star is an isolated area, with no natural harbor. The land extends beyond the vessel but not by much, just enough for the gangway to be set up.
"Bellamy, Pearl, Mute, the three of you will lead the team."
Gin selected the pirates to raid the island, picking out the outstanding ones and chose five hundred to go ashore with Sage.
The new and old East Sea members were split evenly, and those remaining on the ship were also evenly divided. Although Gin felt the pirates wouldn't cause trouble, just to be safe, he included some new troublemakers in the team.
These people, despite obeying Captain Sage, are inherently restless. Now that high-ranking officers and squad leaders are all dispatched, he won't leave these people aboard the ship either. After all, the Death Star has a Treasure Vault; should there be any disturbance, although the old members can stop it, Gin doesn't want any trouble.
That would imply his training of the subordinates is ineffective, a disgrace.
If Sage hadn't specifically asked him to go ashore, he would rather stay on the ship.
"Captain Sage, everyone's here, are we waiting until night?"
Gin asked Sage as he saw the personnel land ashore.
The cursed gold coin only works when people are asleep.
"Why wait until night?"
Sage pulled out a cigar from his fur cloak and randomly pointed at someone, "Hey you, give me a light."
A subordinate ran over, took out a match, and lit it for him.
"Alright, you then."
Sage took a deep breath, exhaling smoke, and casually tapped the subordinate's forehead.
Just that tap, and the subordinate's pupils contracted, falling asleep right away.
Sage's North Star Divine Fist, for the strong, may only act as pure destruction, but to highlight the Secret Hole effect, one must weaken the person first.
But to him, the weak are essentially like manipulable puppets.
"Ability User?"
At least from Hawkins' perspective, Sage's action seemed akin to that of an Ability User.
There are many ways to make someone faint, but making them fall asleep directly... isn't easy to accomplish.
"Just like your divination, not only abilities can achieve certain things," Sage smiled.
Some people's specialties could be considered abilities, yet the North Star Divine Fist is stronger than these specialties.
To some extent, aside from being a 'Haki Person', Sage is also an 'Acupuncturist'.
He took out the cursed gold coin, placing it on the sleeping subordinate's body.
Soon after, the subordinate grabbed the coin on him, his pupils dimly lit as he stood up, heading in a direction.
"Oh... heading towards the Royal Palace."
Even landing on the edge of the island, one can still see the highest mountain, its peak gleaming white, like a bright pearl. Sage used a telescope, conveniently spotting the enormous white castle atop the mountain.
It's made of stone too, yet it looks rather nice.
"Must be wealthy!" Sage lowered the telescope, casually tossing it to a subordinate, following the cursed, influenced subordinate forward.
The entire island is made of stone, but not flat ground. Large stone mountains and small hills are everywhere, and the ground is rugged. Further in, one can see some old quarry tools, carelessly abandoned.
And the subordinate's steps didn't halt, continuing toward the Royal Palace.
"Is the place he's heading really the Royal Palace?" Lily frowned, watching the cursed subordinate ahead.
"Isn't that just right?"
Greed glinted in Sage's eyes, "It suggests there's gold in the Royal Palace, so we don't need to go elsewhere. Loot the Royal Palace, then loot the port; the sky is turning dark..."
He glanced at the gradually dimming sky, with a sinister smile, "Perfect time for a robbery!"
Hawkins walked, sticking cards on straw, casually saying, "Robbery success rate 95%, plan success rate 95%."
"Look, isn't it great!"
Sage's smile widened, "Just calculate when you've nothing to do... but, old Hawk, where's that 5%?"
Hawkins shook his head, "There's no pure concept of 100%, only infinitely close. The 5% might be due to other factors."
"Oh? Can't you predict what will happen next?" Sage asked.
No wonder he can't predict he'd meet Kaido himself; it seems that only after something happens, or when he learns about it, divination can be performed.
"Sage, this place is so annoying, it's all just stone."
Renedia pouted, "We better hurry up and rob the Royal Palace."
"What we want is money, treasure."
Sage said, "Who knows if he'll go to the Royal Palace, maybe he'll turn soon. Just follow. If anyone gets tired, just say so, and we'll camp and rest."
He had countless ways to make someone sleep. If truly tired, rest first, then switch someone else to continue the journey.
Before the robbery, they wouldn't have the risk of being discovered.
Until the sky turned completely dark, revealing stars and moonlight, they stopped in this land full of stones.
The Stone Island is not small; after walking for half a day, there's still no end. It's probably where the Royal Palace is located.
"Gin, let's camp."
Sage gave an order, and Gin swiftly moved to the front-most subordinate, grabbed his hand, retrieved the cursed gold coin, and dragged the subordinate back to the rear.
"Yes, Captain Sage."
This place is a giant, dilapidated quarry. The ground is carved into an irregular polygon, filled with old tools and leftover stones. But compared to the uneven area outside with increasing stones, this quarry is quite flat, suitable for resting.
Lily instructed some people to start setting up the camp in the center of the quarry, mainly the camp for the captain and officers. As for the other subordinates, those with bedding slept on it; those without found a spot beside a bonfire to lay down.
"Can't find any fresh ingredients nearby."
Marika circled around, shook her head, and laughed, "We'll have to eat packed meals."
Lily watched the giant mountain getting closer, estimated the distance, saying, "Another day of walking or so, and we'll arrive. It won't take too long."
"Camping once in a while isn't bad, even if it's just rock."
Sage saw his subordinates spreading hides on a flat surface and sat down, "Let's not drink today; we can't afford delays on the road. Everyone just eat something."
"Okay."
Hawkins nodded in agreement, "With so many people, if we make a fuss, maybe someone will discover us, causing unexpected issues. Better to keep a low profile."
"Scared of that?"
Sage laughed, "It's just that if I drink, I can't get up in the morning."
He watched his subordinates start setting up wood, lighting flint, and laid out a blanket in front of him, placing his food down.
Sage had a lot of food, requiring some subordinates to carry it. It was all to prevent lack of supplies after landing; otherwise, no matter how good Marika's skills were, she couldn't find food in this rocky place.
It's essential to prepare some in advance.
These foods were always consumed with Sage's three top officers, so they prepared more.
"Hey, Haw, come and eat a bit. I'm optimistic about you."
Sage took a big bite of a meat leg, seeing Hawkins quietly eating his packed meal, waved him over, "Don't be so reserved."
"I'm not reserved; it's just my nature. Also, my name is Hawkins."
Hawkins, hearing this, wasn't polite, walked over to Sage, and sat cross-legged beside him.
Sage chuckled, "The title 'Magician' is pretty nice, but Haw..."
"Hawkins," Hawkins corrected, "Call me Basil too."
Sage completely ignored him, "Haw, I'm also a magician. I have a trick: whenever I enter someone's house, whether they're home or not, their money disappears!"
"Sage, that's not magic... that's robbery," Renedia said.
"Don't mind the details."
Sage waved his hand, suddenly closed his eyes, "I can even taste stuff with my eyes shut."
He picked up a cup, took a sip, smacked his lips, suddenly opened his eyes, and confidently said, "This is woda!"
Woda?
Hawkins' hand holding the food visibly showed veins, unable to maintain his composure, raising his voice eight octaves, "There's nothing but water here! Also, it's water, water! What woda! Haven't you been to school?"
"Right, I'm illiterate!"
Sage laughed heartily, slapped Hawkins on the back, causing him to stumble and drop his food on the clean tablecloth.
"That's the way, stop being so cool, no booze but still keep up the noise, haahaha!"
Lily embarrassedly rubbed her forehead, Marika kept her gentle smile, and Renedia laughed aloud with Sage.
The surrounding subordinates ate happily; though there's no alcohol, they chatted away, sometimes breaking into laughter, bringing life to the deserted quarry.
Pirates, aren't they all about this kind of fun?
What's the point of keeping it tense?