**Chapter 11: The Eldest Daughter**
Just like Ginny, Rocks also knew exactly what these people were like.
As Nereus had said during their fight earlier, these people were fine when the wind was in their sails, but in a life-or-death struggle, not many could be relied upon.
Rocks didn't say that place was his hometown or that his family was there; instead, he guided everything with shared interests.
Moreover, Rocks felt he was strong enough. As long as the rest of the Rocks Pirates arrived there together, it would naturally make it hard for the enemy to focus solely on him.
As long as they drew away some of the attention, Rocks believed he could accomplish his goal.
This proposal received temporary approval from everyone, though everyone knew perfectly well that how much they could grab would depend on their own abilities.
"According to the intel, these people will be sent to God Valley in two weeks. Traveling from here to God Valley... there's enough time."
After everyone agreed to the distribution plan, Charlotte Linlin clarified some timing issues.
Traveling from Hachinosu in the New World to God Valley in the West Blue via the conventional route would take a significant detour, but they didn't need to go that way.
As long as they crossed the Calm Belt to the south, they could reach the West Blue smoothly.
The Calm Belt, as the name implied, was a silent domain without any wind.
Two vast Calm Belts separated the Grand Line, and together with the Red Line, formed the boundaries dividing the Four Blues.
Besides having no wind, making it difficult for most wind-powered ships to move, the Calm Belt itself was a nest of Sea Kings.
Beneath the Calm Belt lived countless Sea Kings—marine creatures even more dangerous than 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 needed, Shiki's Float-Float Fruit could even fly them directly across.
The simple meeting ended there. The group began preparing the fresh water and food needed for departure. No matter how swift their actions, the journey would still consume 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 conglomerate.
There were lone wolves like Kaido, and there were also those like Captain John and Nereus who had groups of confidant subordinates answering only to them.
Nereus didn't walk with Charlotte Linlin and Kaido. Even a temporary alliance didn't require much discussion; adapting to the situation when the time came would suffice.
He had quite a few things to arrange himself. Nereus knew very well that the God Valley Incident meant the disbandment of the Rocks Pirates. After this, they probably wouldn't return here.
However, no matter how fast they were, it was impossible to leave immediately today. Nereus wasn't in too much of a hurry, planning to arrange specific matters after everyone returned in the evening.
Meanwhile, Nanamo, who had gone to play with others earlier, was walking through the urban area of Hachinosu.
Although it was a pirate island, due to the large number of people living here, there was a certain order, just not very reliable, with violent incidents occurring from time to time.
The most peaceful period was actually when Shakky opened her "Rip-Off Bar" on the island.
Because she established a rule that anyone coming for her shop was forbidden from fighting on the island.
This made many pirates behave themselves significantly. Even some vicious pirates wouldn't start a fight upon seeing each other.
Nanamo's current location wasn't considered the center of the island. Overall, order was relatively good, and the consequences of pirates fighting 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 crazy people there are.
However, that could only be considered words from some envious pirates. Fundamentally, the further in, the stronger the people, with only Nereus being somewhat of an exception.
Because of the Fish-Men and Merfolk, his base was located at 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 very common occurrence on Hachinosu.
This could only be considered a minor scuffle. Seeing chaotic objects like tables and chairs flying out, the cloud immediately rushed forward, its body expanding like a barrier over Nanamo's head.
Although its body was made of cloud, the flying objects didn't pass through it. Instead, as if hitting a metal plate, they fell to the ground with clinking sounds.
"Princess Nanamo-sama, should we..."
"Hermes, I'm just out to play. Don't cause trouble for me."
"As you command, Princess Nanamo-sama~"
The cloud named Hermes abandoned the thought of attacking, simply escorting Nanamo past this street like a protective umbrella.
"You really are reliable, Hermes."
"What are you saying? I, Hermes, am the bravest Homie! I will definitely protect Princess-sama's safety!"
Yes, this cloud was a Homie, a product of Charlotte Linlin's Soul-Soul Fruit.
Relying on her fruit ability, Charlotte Linlin could endow many inanimate objects with life, or give ordinary animals superior intelligence.
She granted them various special abilities, some even possessing considerable combat power.
These Homies had varied personalities and unique thoughts. Charlotte Linlin couldn't be sure what personality the Homies she created would have.
Not just ordinary objects, but natural elements were no exception. For example, Prometheus beside Charlotte Linlin was fire, and Zeus was a thundercloud.
Hermes was made from a composite of various clouds native to Sky Islands. This was also the reason it could change its body structure just now to achieve a defensive effect with a cloud body.
That was Iron Cloud from Sky Island, possessing the same effect as metal.
Many children of the Charlotte Family had their own Homies to assist in their daily lives, but Nanamo's cloud was special—it was created by Charlotte Linlin splitting her own soul.
Like Prometheus and Zeus, it was a Homie of the strongest rank.
After all, this was Charlotte Linlin's first daughter, and not long after birth, Nanamo had displayed excellent talent. Charlotte Linlin therefore gifted this daughter a very special Homie.
With it following Nanamo, it served as double insurance. Although Charlotte Linlin's Homies weren't as strong individually as she was personally, they weren't something ordinary people could deal with.
"Alright, let's go quickly. This ice cream is going to melt."
"Yes! Mama's base is just ahead. Full speed forward!"
As it spoke, Hermes transformed its body into the shape of a horse, lying down beside Nanamo, intending to let her ride.
However, Nanamo ignored it, continuing to skip forward...