Roger: East Blue? What a nostalgic place.
Roger sighed. East Blue was his hometown.
Even after sailing the world for decades, he still yearned for his home.
Among the old-school legendary pirates, Roger and Whitebeard were the most sentimental.
Both had a special attachment to their hometowns.
Whitebeard: It's not easy to travel from the Kingdom of Crocus to East Blue.
The Kingdom of Crocus is located in the South Blue. To get to East Blue, you either have to directly cross the two Calm Belts and the Grand Line, or climb the Red Line and ascend to the other side.
The first option is a dead end, only the Navy has the technology to do it. The second option is also extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Shiki: What's so difficult about that? Just float over.
Bon Clay: You think everyone has your amazing ability?
Everyone who knew Shiki's ability couldn't help but complain in their hearts.
The power of the Sube Sube no Mi was really useful. With it, terrain wouldn't be a problem, only bad weather would affect him.
Flying through the Red Line and Calm Belts in an airship was a breeze.
【“Traveling to East Blue is difficult. Mr. Izo, do you know any trading ships that can cross the sea?”】
【Roa pondered and asked.】
【“Eh, no need for that. My ability can take you directly through the Calm Belts,” Fujitora said with his eyes closed.】
【“The power of the Gravity-Gravity Fruit can indeed do that,” Roa said with a smile.】
【“However, there's no need for that. While I said the research location is East Blue, in actuality, the investigation has already begun.”】
【“The route from South Blue to East Blue is also extremely worthy of investigation.”】
【A few days later, Roa and Fujitora boarded a ship belonging to a transoceanic trading company.】
【It took a few days for the trading company to reach the vicinity of Reverse Mountain.】
【At the foot of Reverse Mountain, Roa saw a camp with many people. It was a camp jointly established by several trading companies engaged in transoceanic business.】
【“Are you not worried about pirates?” Roa asked.】
【They were still relatively close to the reverse currents that led to the mountain's peak. While the camp was not weak, it still had a gap compared to the vicious pirates.】
【If a pirate with a bounty of over 20 million came to plunder, the camp wouldn't be able to defend against them.】
【“Don’t worry, it won’t happen,” the captain explained with a relaxed smile.】
【“Firstly, the surrounding waters of Reverse Mountain have many strong currents and the weather conditions are similar to the Grand Line. Ordinary pirates won't come here. Powerful pirates who come to Reverse Mountain are all aiming for the Grand Line.”】
【“Secondly, there aren't many islands near Reverse Mountain. Normally speaking, even if pirates want to plunder, they would choose to attack areas where smaller islands gather.”】
【“I see.” Roa took out a notebook and started recording the captain's words.】
【The trading company had been to Reverse Mountain many times before, and they skillfully avoided the currents strong enough to push large ships to the peak of Reverse Mountain, smoothly reaching the foot of the mountain.】
【Fujitora and Roa helped the trading company load and unload goods, displaying strength beyond ordinary people, which secretly filled the captain and his crew with awe.】
【While they hadn't shown much more of their strength, it was already enough.】
【Right now, Roa and Fujitora were still quite free, as they were still civilians and hadn't been placed on the World Government’s bounty list.】
【After unloading the cargo at the camp at the foot of the mountain, Roa asked the captain curiously.】
【“Are we going to climb over the Red Line and go to East Blue?”】
【“Yes.” Because of the little strength that Roa and Fujitora had displayed, the captain was now even more polite in his explanation.】
【“This is the only way to travel from South Blue to East Blue.”】
【“Isn't there another way? For example, a sea route that can cross the Calm Belts, or perhaps Reverse Mountain has currents that lead to other seas.”】
【“If only things were that convenient,” the captain said with a bitter smile.】
【“The Calm Belts have no wind or currents, so sailing ships can't move forward, not to mention that it's also the lair of Sea Kings, making it impossible to pass through.”】
【“Reverse Mountain only has five channels, four are upward currents, and only one downward current leads to the Grand Line.”】
【“Has no one thought of opening up a new current route on Reverse Mountain?” Roa asked.】
【“Of course, some have tried, but the currents near Reverse Mountain are special. Although the water flow from the top is downward, once it connects with the four seas, the raging currents will instantly turn it into an upward current.”】
【Roa took out his notebook and began recording. Previously, the captain was a little curious about his actions, but now he was used to it.】
【“So, has anyone thought of installing a mechanical device directly on the Red Line? I heard that Mary Geoise has bubble elevators, which should be more than enough for transporting goods.” Roa asked as if he were a journalist.】
【As a captain of a transoceanic trading company, the captain had extensive knowledge. He just shook his head slightly.】
【“I don't know where you heard that, young man. There are only two bubble elevators in Red Port. They're not even enough to transport people, let alone goods.”】
【“Perhaps the World Government uses them occasionally to transport goods, but ordinary merchants can't even think about it. If bubble elevators could be built in multiple locations, Mary Geoise wouldn't only build two.”】
【“As for mechanical devices, I heard that there were once trading companies from North Blue that tried to build one. They even invited scientists from Baltigo and skilled craftsmen from Water Seven.”】
【“Scientists from Baltigo and craftsmen from Water Seven,” Roa whispered.】
【Seeing Izo's confusion, Roa explained to him.】
【“Baltigo is known as the future country, a famous technological nation. It is said that their technology is a hundred years ahead of the world, while Water Seven is a water city that gathers the world's best shipbuilders.”】
【“If scientists from Baltigo and craftsmen from Water Seven were involved, building a mechanical device that could easily climb the Red Line shouldn't be difficult.”】
【“Yes, unfortunately, this project was ultimately stopped by the World Government,” the captain said with regret.】
【“Stopped? Why?” Roa was initially surprised but quickly calmed down and started writing something in his notebook.】
【“I don't know. The World Government said it was against the law, and they sent the Navy to disperse everyone.”】
【“As expected,” Roa nodded.】
【After a short while, all the cargo was unloaded.】
【“We will rest here for half a day and then start climbing the Red Line. Guests can find a place to rest.” The captain finished speaking and left.】
【“You seem happy.” Fujitora asked after the captain left.】
【He had been present for the entire conversation with the captain but hadn't heard anything that warranted happiness. He only felt that the World Government really did not do things right.】
【“Because I have already found the first major advantage we revolutionaries have over the World Government.”】
【Roa raised his notebook and smiled, “This is the power of investigation.”】