"You're really lucky to have survived, crossing the Calm Belt like that. I can't even imagine it." Nojiko sighed with emotion.
"Yeah, back then we had to fly our ship across the Calm Belt. Even then, we still got attacked by a giant Sea King."
Nami recalled the time when they first landed on that little island in the Calm Belt back in East Blue.
Hearing about a flying ship, Ulti's memory suddenly flashed. She carefully studied Leno and the others.
"You're the adventurer Leno… Are you all adventurers?" Ulti remembered once reading a newspaper that mentioned the adventurers' 'Miracle Ship'. She had envied it for a long time.
"Oh? Has our adventurer reputation already spread to the New World?" Nami was pleasantly surprised.
"Yes, the newspaper said that Adventurer Leno possesses abilities similar to Lord Kaido's. They even suspected you might be Lord Kaido's illegitimate son."
Ulti eagerly shared the gossip, remembering how she and her younger brother had talked about it for ages.
"Pfft—"
Seeing Leno's face turn pitch-black, Nami and Nojiko burst into laughter.
Kuina pressed her lips together tightly, clearly trying hard to hold back. She remembered when that newspaper first published this, Leno had been so furious he nearly went to fight Morgans to the death.
Leno glared at them, then turned to Ulti: "I'm not Kaido's father… Stop spreading such ridiculous rumors."
"Eh? You said it the wrong way around, didn't you? Right?"
Ulti tilted her head in confusion, then suddenly thought of something and knelt on the ground.
"Can I ask you to take me back to the New World? Lord Kaido will surely reward you greatly. He treats me so well."
"Uh… we don't currently plan to head into the New World." Leno hesitated, then looked to his companions.
"Please, I beg you!"
Ulti kowtowed, pleading earnestly.
"What do you all think?"
Leno asked his crew.
"I've heard the New World's climate is harsh and unpredictable. But to go and see it now? I'm excited." Nami's eyes sparkled.
"They say the New World is where the strong gather, with countless warriors like stars in the sky!" Kuina gripped her sword tightly, her fighting spirit burning.
Carmen was also enthusiastic: "I'm all for it. I'd love to see what kind of food the New World has—sounds great."
Chopper clung to Leno's leg: "Captain Leno, if we enter the New World, you have to protect me!"
Nojiko and Robin shrugged—it didn't matter to them where they went.
"Since everyone agrees, then let's prepare to set sail for the New World."
After seeing the crew's attitudes, Leno finally made his decision. He turned to Ulti.
"By the way, Ulti, do you have a pointer or a Vivre Card? Otherwise we'll be wandering around like headless chicken once we get to the New World."
"I have, I have! Thank you all so much for taking me back."
"When we return, you'd better thank us properly," Nami teased playfully.
The group began clearing the dishes. Soon after, their ship slowly rose into the sky, flying straight over the Calm Belt.
"As expected of the 'Miracle Ship'—this vessel is incredible!"
Fresh from her bath, Ulti came out wearing Robin's clothes, toweling her hair as she marveled.
Seeing her like this, Leno's eyes widened. Cleaned up, dressed in fresh clothes, Ulti was radiantly charming.
Her fair cheeks glowed with a faint blush, her pink eyes shone with innocence, and the lace mask added a unique beauty.
Her new outfit accentuated her full figure, highlighting her slim waist. Her jade-like legs gleamed softly, and the red high heels gave her an extra touch of allure.
Leno found himself momentarily entranced.
Suddenly feeling several burning gazes on him, Leno snapped out of it.
"Ahem… Well then, Ulti, if you're free, why don't you take a look around the ship?"
Leno said, feeling a little guilty as he picked up a nearby cup and took a sip.
"Stupid Leno, what a huge pervert, pig-hoofed scoundrel! With so many beauties on board, isn't that enough? The moment he sees another woman, his eyes glaze over!" Nami muttered through gritted teeth.
Nojiko also gave him a slightly resentful look. Was she really that beautiful? Fine then… maybe… maybe she'd dress up for him too.
'Isn't it just looking at a beautiful woman? Hmph, just you wait. When you're old enough, I'll really have to sort you out. I'll let you know what it means for the tables to turn,' Leno muttered viciously.
Robin, watching all this, covered her mouth with a soft laugh at the sight of the sulking captain.
"Sugei! It's my first time flying in a ship too. There are a lot of Sea Kings below. Shouldn't we fly a bit higher?" Ulti leaned over the railing to look down.
"Amazing right? When I first boarded this ship, I was excited for a long time too." Chopper appeared beside her.
"Huh? A little raccoon got(tanuki)? Are you a Mink Tribe member?" Ulti looked at him in surprise.
"You idiot! I'm a reindeer! With horns! See? I'm a reindeer who ate a Devil Fruit!"
Furious, Chopper yanked off his hat and pointed at his antlers.
"Ah? Sorry, sorry—you're a Devil Fruit reindeer? That's amazing."
"Hmph, fine, I'll forgive you this time. But don't get it wrong again!"
Since she apologized right away, Chopper couldn't stay mad.
After a while, Chopper asked: "That Mink Tribe you mentioned—aren't they the talking animals Leno once told us about?"
"Yes, the Minks are indeed a tribe of talking animals. They even founded their own country."
Ulti, fond of Chopper, hugged him gently and explained.
"They mostly live on Zou. Their country is called the Mokomo Dukedom. It's built on the back of a massive elephant named Zunesha, who's over ten thousand meters tall."
"Sugei! A ten-thousand-meter-tall elephant?!"
Chopper was stunned, unable to imagine such a colossal creature.
"Yes, the giant elephant carries Zou and moves non-stop. It's not easy to find its location."
"Chopper, Zou is home to many animals. Who knows—you might even find a lovely reindeer girl there. We'll catch you a partner!" Leno's teasing voice came from behind.
"Wha—?! You bastard, what nonsense are you talking about?! I don't understand!"
Chopper's heart leapt for a second before his face flushed red with anger.
"Hahahaha!"
"Leno, don't teach Chopper bad things. Look, he's embarrassed now." Nojiko scolded lightly.
Chopper pulled his hat down over his eyes, clearly shy.
"Chopper, don't be embarrassed. Who knows, maybe when we go to Zou one day, you'll really meet one."
"Stupid Leno! I'll kick you!"
Chopper pounced on him, and the two rolled across the deck in playful combat.
Nojiko, Robin, and the others smiled warmly, quietly enjoying the peaceful moment.
The ship sailed smoothly. Nobody knew how much time had passed before Ulti suddenly pointed ahead: "We're about to leave the Calm Belt—the New World is right in front of us!"
T/n:
If you like the novel so far, please leave me a 5-star review
I'd really appreciate it if you could leave a Review—Power Stones
patreon.com/Hard_Worker +50 chapters