"August 24, 1503, of the Sea Circle Calendar, East Blue, from Loguetown to the Victoria Kingdom.
Just like the past three days, today's weather is still unfavorable for sailing.
For some reason, the usually clear and sunny sea route is now covered with dark clouds. The piercing sea wind feels like knives cutting into the skin, and the navigators on the ship cannot explain this strange weather..."
In the cabin, Kuro was sitting at a desk, using a quill pen to record the day's sailing conditions in his logbook.
Kuro was an extremely meticulous person, recording even the most minor incidents in his life that others might find unremarkable, let alone the strange weather of the past few days.
This habit began after he became a Navy officer. In the past, he dared not record anything in writing to avoid revealing any information about himself.
Kuro did not enjoy this seafaring life; constantly battling the waves was not his idea of a dignified life.
But he had no other choice; now that he had tied himself to this Navy major, leaving wouldn't be easy.
The only consolation for Kuro was that this Major Hailan was indeed fulfilling his promise—trying to make Kuro's life as comfortable as possible.
The warship rocked violently in the waves, and outside, not only the sailors and navigators but also Major Hailan and Ensign Wagner were busy.
Unhappiness comes from inequity, and contentment is relative.
Seeing Hailan and Wagner busy alongside the crew, Kuro felt somewhat comforted.
Kuro wouldn't leave the cabin to help with the navigation to curry favor with Hailan because he knew his value to Hailan wasn't in such tasks.
Being used isn't scary; what's frightening is when people don't even bother to use you.
Kuro understood that as long as he maintained his current value and continued to grow it, his future would be bright as long as Major Hailan remained in power.
...
"Sir, the waves are too high. If we keep sailing, our warship might capsize!" Ensign Wagner shouted into Hailan's ear, shielding his face from the wind with his arm.
Sound travels through a medium, and on a day like today with such strong winds, the distance sound could travel was very limited.
Hailan also shouted at the top of his lungs, "You're a local from East Blue, don't you have any experience dealing with such storms?"
"Never encountered anything like this before, never!" Wagner, bare-chested, shouted back, showing none of the images of a Navy ensign. In such extreme weather, no one cared about appearances.
Unlike Bellemere, who had been promoted to Loguetown's colonel, Wagner was still an ensign.
Because his choice was different from Bellemere's.
Wagner wanted to stay by Bellemere's side, but after meeting Major Hailan, he felt his life's goals changing.
This special envoy from the headquarters to East Blue, Major Hailan, fought bravely, cared for his subordinates, and aggressively targeted pirates.
This was the image of a Navy officer he had always envisioned.
Such a superior was worthy of his respect.
Unlike Kuro, who stayed for his career prospects, Wagner genuinely wanted to follow Major Hailan from the bottom of his heart.
As for Bellemere...
Fortunately, he never confessed or showed his admiration for her.
Although, with Bellemere's intelligence, she probably already knew.
But Bellemere was too independent, and continuing to pursue her might not yield any results.
It is better to follow Major Hailan and realize their mutual ideals.
Wagner comforted himself with these thoughts.
Crack!
A bolt of lightning flashed through the clouds as if nature itself was venting its ruthless anger.
A massive wave, like a small mountain, rose and crashed towards Hailan's warship.
Storm Leg. Siege Cannon!
Hailan leaped from the warship, and blue-green vacuum slashes formed spiraling blue energy waves on his legs. They carried an unstoppable force as they struck the towering waves that mere mortals could only gaze at in helplessness.
Boom! Boom! Boom...
The "siege cannons" fired from Hailan's legs one after another, creating continuous, deafening explosions.
Finally, water wore away rock, and cannon fire broke walls.
The giant wave, which could have swept away all the masts on the warship, split in two, opening a path for the warship.
The crashing sea water, mixed with rain, poured onto the warship, but Hailan, already soaked by the rain, didn't care about the seawater anymore.
He stood at the bow like a statue, unyielding in the wind and rain.
Hailan's steadfast image gave the soldiers on deck immense confidence.
"Don't worry, everyone! With Major Hailan clearing the way, no wave can stop our progress. Let's push through!" Wagner encouraged the crew, leading by example in adjusting the sails.
But in the face of nature's power, no matter how high the morale, humans still seemed small and powerless.
The giant wave dissipated.
But that didn't mean the obstacles were gone.
On the vast, rolling sea, a strange dark green wind began to blow.
Crack!
Without warning, the main mast of the warship snapped before the astonished eyes of the crew.
The violent shaking even caused Kuro to stumble out.
"The mast broke? That's impossible!
How could the mast break before the crew was blown away?
This isn't an old pirate ship; this is a warship!"
Whether it was an illusion or not, after the mast broke, the wind and waves seemed to lessen a bit.
"A dark green wind? Has anyone seen this before?" Hailan frowned and asked the soldiers on deck.
Everyone, including Kuro and Wagner, looked puzzled and shook their heads.
"Turn back."
Amidst the mixed reactions of surprise and disappointment, Hailan finally gave the order to return.
Surprise that they no longer had to risk their lives against the storm, disappointed that, despite Major Hailan's leadership, they ultimately lost to nature's power.
"Return, this is something you shouldn't be involved in."
Above the clouds, a hooded man was talking to himself.
But just when he thought it was over, Hailan caught his attention again.
"Kuro, get me an extra compass."
Without a word, Kuro turned and went into the cabin.
Wagner, curious, asked, "Sir, what do you need a compass for?"
Hailan turned his gaze to the distant sea: "The warship's journey ends here. From now on, I'll go alone!"