Kuzan rushed into the navigation room and leaned over the sea chart, frantically searching for the location of the island mentioned in the transmission—Dongwu Island.
In the New World, most travel is guided by Log Poses or Vivre Cards. Charts are rarely used, but warships are still equipped with them so Marines can get a rough idea of their current position.
Their ship had only entered the New World a week ago. And given that Kuzan's "ride" wasn't exactly cutting-edge, with weak propulsion at best, their pace across the New World's treacherous currents had been slow. In a week, they hadn't covered much distance.
Their current mission was to reach Water 7 before June and await further orders. Normally, with a Permanent Log Pose guiding them, the voyage would take about three months.
The extra time was primarily intended to allow for "unforeseen delays" and give the crew space to grow through adversity.
After all, the New World was a place riddled with danger. The treacherous weather and currents were only part of it. The real threat came from the pirates roaming these waters.
Most Marine fleets entered the New World in groups. Only a handful of high-ranking, powerful officers were permitted to sail alone. The strategy was simple: keep the world from guessing just how much force the Marines had committed to the New World.
But that distress call changed everything. Kuzan's top priority was no longer making it to Water 7—it was finding out what had happened on Dongwu Island.
With that determination in mind, Kuzan scoured the chart.
And failed.
There was no sign of Dongwu Island anywhere.
Frustrated, he slammed his palm against the table.
"What do you mean it's not here? How could it not be here?!"
Kuzan glared at the sea chart, his anger evident. He was still young, and his emotions were worn on his sleeve. The Marines nearby didn't even dare to breathe as they watched the usually calm Vice Admiral lose his temper.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni stood beside him, also scanning the chart. His photographic memory allowed him to take in everything faster than most, and he had already come to a realization before Kuzan finished looking.
His brow furrowed.
Dongwu Island, if it wasn't marked on any charts, then it had to be an island the Marines had never discovered before.
But if that were the case, a new problem arose.
If it was an undiscovered island… how did the person on the other end of the call clearly state the name Dongwu Island? Had the Marines stationed there uncovered something previously unknown?
"Kuzan, something about this doesn't sit right with me," Yoriichi said quietly.
No sooner had he spoken than the door burst open. A young Marine rushed in, saluted, and reported in a loud voice:
"Vice Admiral Kuzan, we've spotted a castaway in the water! Should we initiate a rescue?"
His words immediately drew Kuzan's attention.
"A castaway? One of the pirates we threw overboard just now?"
Kuzan asked with a touch of doubt.
But the Marine shook his head firmly.
"No, sir. It's a young girl. She couldn't possibly be one of those pirates."
"Besides, we've already sailed several minutes since the battle. She's ahead of us, not behind."
Kuzan nodded, but a strange feeling began to rise in his chest. Still, when he heard that it was a girl, he didn't dwell on it.
"If she's not a pirate, then what are you waiting for? Rescue her! Why are you wasting time?"
Kuzan barked the order and, seemingly uneasy about leaving the task to others, turned and walked briskly out to the deck himself.
Yoriichi watched him go, then leaned forward, both hands resting on the chart.
He muttered to himself, "A girl, drifting alone in the New World?"
"With those monstrous currents, she'd have to be unbelievably lucky to survive…"
As he tapped rhythmically on the table, his words caught the attention of a nearby Marine. One particularly sharp-minded sergeant quietly poured Yoriichi a glass of water, then asked carefully:
"Captain Tsugikuni, do you suspect something's off about the girl?"
Yoriichi gave a small shake of the head. He didn't want to speak too soon. After all, in a world like this, children of destiny did exist.
Take Luffy, for example, he couldn't even swim, yet he survived being sealed in a barrel at sea. So perhaps this girl was one of those blessed by fate.
"Hard to say. Go take a look at the situation on deck. Come back and report to me exactly what you see and hear."
"Don't comment, don't speculate. Just observe."
"Kuzan's no fool. He'll make his own judgment."
The sergeant saluted and swiftly left the room.
Back on the deck, over a dozen Marines had gathered in a circle, looking down at the unconscious figure lying on the floor.
The girl's long, damp hair spread across the planks. Her delicate face was pale, brows slightly furrowed, and her expression was filled with fatigue and unease. Her fair skin was smooth and soft, like spring morning mist. A tiny pink mole sat near the corner of her lips, which parted slightly with each faint breath.
Her gauzy dress was soaked through, clinging tightly to her body and outlining her elegant silhouette. As the sea breeze brushed her skin, she shivered and instinctively curled into herself.
"Quick, get the ship's doctor!"
"And bring some hot soup and food!"
Kuzan's heart clenched at the sight. Without hesitation, he pulled off his cloak and wrapped it around her, then gently lifted her in his arms and strode toward the cabins, calling for help as he went.
The surrounding Marines scattered at once, some running to find the doctor, others heading for the galley.
Kuzan brought the girl to his own quarters. Just as he was about to lay her on the bed, he felt the cold seep through his sleeve. Her wet clothes were soaking into his uniform.
He realized immediately, her clothes were still drenched. In this cold season, leaving her like that would only hasten hypothermia. The water temperature in the sea was higher than that on deck. Now that she was out of the water, keeping her warm was critical.
"Everyone out!" Kuzan ordered, turning to the curious Marines who had followed him inside.
They hesitated, but eventually obeyed and left. Kuzan looked down at the girl in his arms and murmured softly, "Sorry…"
Then he closed his eyes and released his Observation Haki.
A few minutes later, the door opened again. The ship's doctor entered first, followed by the other Marines. As they entered, their gazes immediately locked onto a soaked, dripping dress lying on the desk.
All eyes turned to Kuzan.
One bold young corporal couldn't hold back his outrage and yelled, "Vice Admiral Kuzan!!! How could you do this?!"
"You idiot! I didn't do anything! I didn't even look!"
"I was saving her!"
"I'm a Vice Admiral of the Navy! A man of justice! You think I'd do something that disgusting?!"
Kuzan shouted, face flushed red, full of righteous indignation.
But yelling didn't help. Other than the ship's doctor, who was now tending to the girl, every young Marine in the room looked at him with teasing, skeptical eyes. Their smirks made Kuzan squirm in discomfort.
"She's hypothermic!" the doctor suddenly declared.
"This won't do. We need warm water, submerge her in it immediately!"
The moment he gave the order, the Marines sprang into action.
Ten minutes later, Kuzan's room was sealed again.
A large wooden tub had been brought in. The girl lay inside, her head resting back against the rim. Her long black hair hung down over the sides, steam rising around her. The air was heavy with mist and a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Kuzan sat at his desk with his back to the tub, resting his chin on one hand in deep thought.
"Mm…" came a soft sound.
Kuzan immediately straightened up. Turning around, he saw the girl's clear, bright eyes staring directly at him. After a brief silence, her lips parted.
"Where… am I?"
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Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 350 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!
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