With just one strike, the Logia-type Marine Colonel "White Hunter" Smoker was defeated.
Everyone at the scene was completely stunned.
Led by Tashigi, the group of Marines stood frozen like statues.
Even Erza, Mirajane, and Lucy were momentarily speechless.
No one had expected the battle to end so abruptly.
"Yay! The Guild Master is amazing!" Nami cheered.
"Yeah! I totally don't understand how he did it!" Mirajane clapped with a smile.
"Mr. Smoker!!!" Tashigi cried out in fear. She immediately led others into the rubble to dig out the bloodied and unconscious Smoker.
"Let's go, ladies." Sullivan casually swung his new trophy and turned to leave.
"Guild Master, how did you do it? That guy's body seemed immune to all physical attacks. Even my sword couldn't hurt him at all!" Erza asked in confusion.
"It was simple. The tip of his weapon was embedded with Seastone, which can suppress Devil Fruit users." Sullivan explained.
"A stone that can suppress Devil Fruit users? That must be incredibly rare!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Not too rare. If we want it, we can get more."Sullivan replied.
"Do they make Seastone armor? I want a full set!"Erza asked eagerly.
"Armor would be difficult. Seastone is harder than diamond, you know."
"What?! It's that hard? Never mind then! Are there any other ways to counter Devil Fruit users?""Armament Haki."
"Haki? What's that?"
"Haki is a latent power within everyone…"
"Guild Master, do you know how to use it?"
"Nope." Sullivan shrugged.
As they chatted, the four returned to their ship.
Under the awe-filled gazes of the townspeople, the Fairy Tail set sail once more——toward the Grand Line!!!
About an hour later—
The sky suddenly changed.
What had been clear skies was quickly shrouded by heavy rain clouds.
A torrential downpour came crashing down without warning.
Waves rolled violently across the sea.
"Look! What is that? A wall? Why is there a wall in the middle of the ocean?" Erza pointed through the mist at a towering red cliff that reached the clouds.
"That's the Red Line. It's my first time seeing it too. They say once we cross Reverse Mountain, we'll reach the Grand Line!" Lucy said, her voice tinged with nervousness.
"But… how do we get to the other side of that wall?" Mirajane asked, puzzled.
"It's simple." Sullivan looked ahead.
In the middle of the red wall, there was a narrow gap. A special current flowed up through the opening, drawn upward by a mysterious force.
The climb up Reverse Mountain—No matter how many times one sees it, it's always awe-inspiring.
Even Erza and Mirajane, who came from a magical world, were left speechless, mouths agape.
"Ladies, hold on tight!" Sullivan gripped the wheel and steered the Fairy Tail straight into the uphill current.
Five minutes later—The Fairy Tail burst through the rainclouds and crested Reverse Mountain.
The sky cleared and sunlight returned.
From the mountain's peak, with the vast ocean stretching below, Nami and the others couldn't help but gasp in amazement.
But then—The ship's bow dipped downward.
Like a roller coaster, they began to descend rapidly.
The girls' screams echoed all around.
Twin Capes – The Entrance to the Grand Line
This was a place all newcomers passed through on their journey into the Grand Line.
Lately, the weather at Twin Capes had been gloomy.
For days now, light rain had fallen nonstop, making it feel like even the people were beginning to mold from the damp.
Under a sunshade beside the lighthouse, an old man wearing a Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Although weather on the Grand Line was famously unpredictable, he felt there was something unnatural about the constant drizzle these past two days.
The old man, Crocus, turned his gaze toward the coast.
There, a melancholic girl stood like a statue.
She had long wavy blue hair, a matching slit dress, a blue hat, and held a frilly blue umbrella. For two days now, she had stared longingly at the Grand Line's entrance.
Two days ago, when Crocus had finished inspecting Laboon from the inside, he found this mysterious girl had somehow appeared at Twin Capes without anyone noticing.
Assuming she was with some pirate crew resting nearby, he didn't think much of it at the time.
But…
When he emerged from Laboon again half a day later, the girl was still there, alone and unmoving.
Crocus, a kind-hearted old man, brought her some hot soup and food. That was how he struck up a conversation with her.
From her, Crocus learned her name:
Juvia Lockser.
She said she was waiting here for her companions to come pick her up.
"Waiting for your companions, huh…" Crocus muttered as he shook his head.
It reminded him of something from fifty years ago.
That day, a whale named Laboon was left behind by his companions here, with the promise they would return after sailing around the world.
But…
Fifty years had passed, and they never came back.
Whatever the reason, Laboon had clearly been abandoned.
No one would return for him again.
And likely, the same fate awaited this girl.
Still…
Those were cruel words, and Crocus simply couldn't bring himself to say them out loud.
All he could do was let the girl realize it on her own.
"Sigh… when will this gloomy weather finally end?" Crocus sighed.
But, in the next instant…
Without warning, the two-day drizzle suddenly stopped.
Sunlight broke through the clouds. The sky cleared.
At the same time, the girl at the shore turned her head.
And for the first time in two days, she revealed a bright, radiant smile.
"Grandpa, thank you for taking care of me these past two days. My companions are here to pick me up!"