ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

[33]Crossing the Upside-Down Mountain—Zefa is Catching Up!

Near Upside-Down Mountain—

The torrential rain hammered down relentlessly.

"The current is too strong… and why does it feel like it's pulling back?"

Caesar lifted his gaze to where the ship's flag was fluttering violently in the storm.

"You're not wrong," he muttered.

"It's true."

"But it doesn't matter. We go straight ahead."

Brad's eyes widened. "Is that really the plan?"

At that moment—boom!

A flash of blue-and-white lightning split the stormy sky.

Through the flashes of light, they caught their first clear glimpse of the Red Line.

"It's massive… I can't even see the top."

Upside-Down Mountain stood before them—the first crossing point where the Red Line intersected with the Grand Line.

The colossal landmass split the first half of the Grand Line from the New World.

And this mountain—the only natural entry point into the Grand Line—was infamous for its treacherous, near-vertical waterways.

The channels led four seas into the mountain, converging at its peak before spilling into the Grand Line.

Caesar, who had memorized the world's geography by heart, raised his head slightly.

The cold rain lashed against his face, and the howling wind sent his coat flapping wildly. Even from a distance, the raw power of the currents was overwhelming.

On the Red Line's rocky surface, the four ocean currents carved narrow waterways up the sheer mountain.

"How the hell do we climb that?"

"Full speed ahead," Caesar stated coldly.

Brad's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "You're kidding! We'll be smashed to bits!"

Caesar remained calm. "Just steer. Leave the rest to me."

Boom-boom-boom!

The raging currents surged violently, forming waves that threatened to swallow the ship whole.

With a sharp gaze, Caesar positioned the ship at the precise center of the channel, aligning it with the North Blue's current.

As they ascended, the ship fought against gravity, propelled solely by the powerful water force.

At the peak—where the water split into the Grand Line and the four seas—Caesar timed the turn perfectly, guiding the ship through a breathtaking mid-air spin.

Swoosh!

They landed smoothly on the East Blue's waterway.

Thankfully, the East Blue's channel was empty—no ships to collide with.

Though now facing downward, the ship was still moving against the East Blue's current.

Brad gritted his teeth, adjusting the rudder to avoid the jagged rocks lining the narrow passage.

Minutes later—they had crossed.

The ship plunged down the final stretch of the waterway, entering the East Blue at last.

Caesar leaned against the railing and checked the Eternal Pose.

It wasn't set to a specific island—only to point them toward the East Blue. Once here, it was useless.

"Where to next?" Brad asked.

Caesar thought for a second before replying.

"Goa Kingdom."

Somewhere near Goa, there should be Shimotsuki Village.

Whether the Shimotsuki Clan had already settled there or not was unclear.

Either way, that was their first destination.

---

Marine Headquarters—Marineford

"We have intel from the East Blue," Sengoku reported. "A ship matching Alexander Caesar's has been sighted there—same one that was last docked in the North Blue."

Seated behind his desk, Commander-in-Chief Kong frowned.

"The East Blue?" he muttered. "Why would he go there?"

Sengoku shook his head. "Unknown. His exact destination is also unclear."

A brief pause.

"But…" he continued, "this could be a diversion for Rocks D. Xebec."

Kong's eyes narrowed. "That makes sense."

"Keep a close watch on Rocks' movements."

"Yes, sir!"

Sengoku saluted and left.

---

East Blue Waters—Caesar's Ship

Brad stood atop the crow's nest, scanning the horizon with his spyglass.

Excitedly, he called down to Caesar.

"I see an island!"

Caesar smiled slightly, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.

Brad sighed in relief.

"The East Blue is so peaceful. Compared to the New World, this is like a vacation—"

Before he could finish—

Caesar cut him off.

"The Marines are catching up."

Brad stiffened. "Wait… what?"

Caesar's eyes darkened.

"It's that guy."

"...You mean—Zefa?"

Caesar nodded.

"The 'Black Arm' himself."

Brad's breath hitched.

A Marine Admiral-candidate with general-level combat power.

This wasn't good.

He glanced at Caesar, then at himself.

A sinking feeling settled in his chest.

---

[34]Black-Arm Zefa Enters the Battle!

The Marine fleet closed in.

Caesar stood at the bow, watching as tall, green-hulled warships loomed ever closer.

On the lead ship's deck, Zefa stood firm, his sharp eyes locked onto them.

"Alexander Caesar!" his voice boomed.

"And you—Brad, the Zoan-type Devil Fruit user of the Saber-Toothed Tiger model!"

"Your journey ends here."

The Marine ships surrounded them.

Zefa stood at the helm, looking down at them with an imposing presence.

Caesar turned to Brad.

"You go ahead. I'll handle this."

Brad's pupils contracted.

"No way—I'm not leaving you!"

Caesar's voice remained steady.

"You're a Devil Fruit user. If you fall in, I can't save you."

"You know I have a way out."

Brad clenched his fists—then nodded.

Boom-boom-boom!

Marine cannons fired.

Caesar's Haki-covered arms intercepted the incoming shells.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Metal collided with unbreakable will.

The Marines' eyes widened.

"He's using Armament Haki!"

"Bullets won't work!"

Caesar didn't waste time.

He lunged.

Boom!

His blackened fist clashed directly against Zefa's iron-hard knuckles.

Clang!

The shockwave shook the entire ship.

Zefa's legendary "Black Arm" lived up to its name.

He barely budged.

Caesar landed on the Marine ship's deck.

Immediately—swords, rifles, and bayonets surrounded him.

"Surround him!"

Hundreds of blades gleamed in the rain.

Caesar sighed.

"Move."

His voice was low—but carried a silent pressure.

The air shifted.

A pulse of raw Conqueror's Haki swept across the deck.

Thud-thud-thud!

One by one, Marines collapsed.

Their swords clattered to the ground.

Caesar exhaled slowly.

"Let's get this over with."