Chapter 11: The Eldest Daughter
Just like Ginny (the source of the message), Rocks knew exactly what kind of people his crew were.
As Nereus had pointed out during their fight, these people were fine when the wind was at their backs, but in a desperate life-or-death struggle, few could be relied upon.
Rocks didn't tell them that God Valley was his hometown or that his family was there. Instead, he guided everything purely through mutual benefit.
Moreover, Rocks felt he was strong enough on his own. As long as the other members of the Rocks Pirates showed up, they would naturally distract the enemy.
As long as they drew away some of the enemy's attention, Rocks believed he could accomplish his own goals.
This proposal received temporary approval from everyone. However, they all knew tacitly that how much they could grab would depend entirely on their own abilities.
"According to the intel, these people will arrive at God Valley in two weeks. Traveling from here to God Valley... there's enough time."
After everyone agreed on the distribution plan, Charlotte Linlin clarified the timing.
To travel from Hachinosu in the New World to God Valley in the West Blue, the conventional route would be a long detour. But they didn't need to take the conventional route.
As long as they cut straight south across the Calm Belt, they could reach the West Blue smoothly.
The Calm Belt, as the name suggested, was a silent domain with absolutely no wind.
Two vast Calm Belts separated the Grand Line from the rest of the world and, together with the Red Line, formed the boundaries dividing the Four Blues.
Aside from the lack of wind making it difficult for most wind-powered ships to move, the Calm Belt was also the nesting ground of Sea Kings.
Beneath the Calm Belt lived countless Sea Kings—marine creatures far more dangerous than ordinary Sea Beasts.
For ordinary people, sailing a ship into the Calm Belt was suicide. But for this group of monsters known as the Rocks Pirates, crossing the Calm Belt wasn't difficult.
If necessary, Shiki's Float-Float Fruit could even fly them directly across.
The brief meeting ended there. The group began preparing the freshwater and food needed for departure. Even with their speed, the journey would still take some time.
Besides that, they had other matters to arrange. The Rocks Pirates were fundamentally closer to a "Rocks Grand Fleet"; it wasn't a single pirate crew but a complex coalition.
There were loners like Kaido, but also groups like Captain John's and Nereus's, who had many loyal subordinates answering only to them.
Nereus didn't leave with Charlotte Linlin or Kaido. Even with a temporary alliance, there wasn't much to discuss. They would just adapt to the situation when the time came.
He had plenty of his own arrangements to make. Nereus knew very well that the God Valley Incident signified the disbandment of the Rocks Pirates. After this, they likely wouldn't return here.
However, no matter how fast they moved, they couldn't leave immediately today. Nereus wasn't in a huge rush; he planned to arrange the specifics tonight after everyone returned.
Meanwhile, Nanamo, who had gone out earlier to play, was walking through the urban district of Hachinosu.
Although it was a pirate island, due to the large population living there, a certain order existed. It just wasn't very reliable, and violence occurred frequently.
The most peaceful period was actually when Shakky had opened her "Rip-Off Bar" on the island.
She had established a rule: anyone coming for her shop was forbidden from fighting on the island.
This made many pirates behave themselves, and even vicious pirates wouldn't start fights upon seeing each other.
Nanamo's current location wasn't the center of the island, so order was generally better. even if pirates fought, the consequences weren't severe.
This was actually because these people weren't strong enough. There was a saying on Hachinosu: the further in you go, the more crazies you find.
But that was just jealous talk from some pirates. In reality, the further in you went, the stronger the people were. Nereus was the only exception.
Because of his Fish-man and merfolk crew, his territory was on the outermost seaside.
At this moment, a cloud about the same size as Nanamo was floating in front of her.
On the street ahead, two pirates were fighting—a common sight on Hachinosu.
This was only a minor scuffle. Seeing random debris like tables and chairs flying out, the cloud immediately rushed forward, expanding its body like a shield to hover over Nanamo's head.
Although its body was made of cloud, the flying objects didn't pass through it. Instead, they clanged and clattered onto the ground as if hitting a steel plate.
"Princess Nanamo, should I..."
"Hermes, I'm just out to play. Don't cause trouble for me."
"As you command, Princess Nanamo~"
The cloud named Hermes dismissed the idea of attacking. Acting like a protective umbrella, it simply escorted Nanamo past the street.
"You really are reliable, Hermes."
"You flatter me. I, Hermes, am the bravest Homie! I will definitely protect your safety, Princess!"
Yes, this cloud was a Homie, a creation of Charlotte Linlin's Soul-Soul Fruit.
Relying on her fruit ability, Charlotte Linlin could grant life to inanimate objects or bestow superior intelligence upon ordinary animals.
She gave them various special abilities, and some even possessed considerable combat power.
These Homies had diverse personalities and unique thoughts. Even Charlotte Linlin couldn't be sure what personality a created Homie would have.
This applied not only to ordinary objects but also to natural elements. For example, Prometheus beside Charlotte Linlin was fire, and Zeus was a thundercloud.
Hermes was made from a composite of various clouds native to Skypiea. This was why it could change its structure and use its cloud body to achieve defensive effects.
That was Iron Cloud from the Sky Islands, possessing the properties of metal.
Many children of the Charlotte Family had their own Homies to assist in their daily lives. Nanamo's cloud, however, was special—it was created by splitting Charlotte Linlin's own soul.
Like Prometheus and Zeus, it was a top-tier Homie.
After all, Nanamo was Charlotte Linlin's first daughter. Moreover, not long after birth, Nanamo showed exceptional talent, so Charlotte Linlin gifted her this very special Homie.
Having it follow Nanamo served as a double insurance. Although Charlotte Linlin's Homies weren't as strong alone as she was, they were still more than enough to handle ordinary people.
"Alright, let's go faster. The ice cream is going to melt."
"Yes, Ma'am! Mama's territory is just ahead. Full speed forward!"
As it spoke, Hermes transformed its body into the shape of a horse, crouching beside Nanamo, intending for her to ride.
But Nanamo ignored it, continuing to skip and hop forward on her own...