The next day...
The towering Red Line emerged on the horizon.
Everyone paused their training and gathered on the deck, looking toward the Red Line.
"We're finally heading back to the Grand Line! Woohoo!" Lily cheered excitedly. "The East Blue and West Blue were so boring."
"I can finally fight alongside everyone," Hancock said, her eyes already flashing with the domineering aura of an Empress.
In the East and West Blue, she hadn't encountered any real opponents. The only time she faced a true challenge was when she met the Red-Haired Pirates, but even then, they didn't fully engage in battle. Besides Kuke, whom she sparred with twice in training, no one else had provided a real fight.
"We've all grown stronger since leaving the Grand Line for a few short months," Gion said confidently, staring at the Red Line. "No challenge will be too great for us now."
"Captain, once we enter the Grand Line, the Navy will surely take action. It wouldn't be surprising if they deploy an admiral," Stussy remarked with a smile, looking at Kuke. Even the World Government no longer intimidated her in the slightest.
"The Grand Line—this sea of legends filled with monsters," Guina murmured as she clutched her massive sword, Wado Ichimonji. Her heart was full of both anticipation and fear of the unknown.
"Don't worry, no matter how strong the monsters are, our captain can handle them," Koala said, punching the air as she reassured her friend.
Nico Robin silently watched everyone. She had heard countless tales about the Grand Line from many different sources. Those who had once led the groups she joined had always shown fear when speaking of the Grand Line, as though it were a place that devoured people alive.
Plus, the ones responsible for destroying Ohara were also on the Grand Line—there were admirals and the World Government. This gave Robin an unshakable fear of the Grand Line.
Even though she knew she needed to go there to uncover the truth behind the Void Century, she had always lacked the courage.
But now, seeing her companions' excitement, curiosity, and anticipation—without a trace of fear—Robin began to believe that she could achieve her dream.
And the source of that belief? She looked silently at the figure standing at the bow of the ship—Kuke.
"We're returning to the Grand Line!" Kuke raised his hand.
The Radiant Eclipse seemed to echo the crew's excitement, as it roared toward Reverse Mountain at full speed.
At the same time, Kuke took out a Den Den Mushi and contacted Shakky.
"Shakky, any luck finding a navigator?" Kuke asked.
On the other side of the line, Shakky's deep voice came through, "Sorry, Kuke, I haven't found one yet."
Navigators were a rare commodity. Every ship on the sea needed one, and there were few people with the talent for it. Many pirate crews sailed the seas without a proper navigator, leaving their voyages to fate.
"That's alright. It's not a big deal. I appreciate your help, Shakky," Kuke replied, understanding how difficult it was to find a skilled navigator.
It looked like they might have to resort to some unconventional methods to get to Sky Island. As for the New World, perhaps they could recruit a navigator from one of the major factions, hopefully a female one. As long as she could navigate, she didn't need to be a master.
After a brief pause, Shakky's voice came through again, this time tinged with hesitation. "Captain Kuke, may I ask why we need a navigator so urgently?"
She knew the Radiant Eclipse had managed to cross the first half of the Grand Line without one, so why the sudden need?
"We're planning a trip to Sky Island," Kuke answered honestly.
"Sky Island?" Shakky gasped. She had heard of the legendary island in the sky. "Navigators who can lead a ship to Sky Island are extremely rare. And the route to Sky Island is located in the first half of the Grand Line. Captain Kuke, the first half is the most dangerous for the Radiant Eclipse. Whatever you do, don't just kidnap a random navigator from another group. If you get betrayed and the Navy finds out your location, it could be fatal."
Shakky's concern was evident in her voice.
In her view, the Radiant Eclipse was still not invincible against the World Government and Navy's encirclement. Their safety relied heavily on the Navy being unable to pinpoint their location. If the Navy ever managed to encircle them, even the strongest pirate crew would be in grave danger.
"Alright, to avoid any risk, I'll come myself," Shakky said after a pause, sounding resolute.
Kuke blinked in surprise. "Huh?"
"You didn't expect it, did you? Shakky is a navigator, and a seasoned one at that. There are hardly any navigators out there who can rival her skills," Rayleigh's voice chimed in, sounding a bit proud.
Kuke was genuinely surprised. The original story had mentioned so little about Shakky's background.
"Captain Kuke, don't blame me for not offering to help earlier. It's just that…" Shakky hesitated, struggling to explain her reasons.
The truth was, Shakky had her own personal struggles. Age was catching up with her, and time had defeated countless rulers of the sea. She didn't want to trouble Kuke, but there were things even she couldn't solve.
"Shakky, the fact that you're willing to come already means a lot. How could I possibly blame you?"
"So, where should we meet?" Shakky asked.
"Jaya Island," Kuke replied.
"Got it."
Back on Sabaody Archipelago, Shakky hung up the phone and chuckled to herself. "I haven't set sail in so long, and now I'm actually excited."
Rayleigh was dumbfounded, staring at the spirited Shakky. "Is this the Shakky I know?"
"Do you want me to come along too?" Rayleigh offered.
"Get lost! You're not a member of the Radiant Eclipse! You're not worthy," Shakky said as she slammed the door shut. "Watch the shop and don't even think about touching the wine—especially the batch I made for the captain."
Rayleigh stood there, completely at a loss.
…
Meanwhile, the Radiant Eclipse and Shakky sailed from different directions, heading toward the same destination—Jaya Island.
After a ten-day journey, the Radiant Eclipse was the first to arrive near the island.
"Shakky shouldn't be here this quickly. Sabaody is much further away from here," Kuke noted as the ship anchored near a secluded shore.
They waited for about a week.
"She's here."
Kuke looked toward the sea, where a small boat was cutting through the waves, carrying a lone figure.
"Isn't this the Grand Line? How can someone sail alone in a tiny boat?" Guina was baffled.
They had only recently entered the Grand Line, but already they had witnessed its chaotic, ever-changing weather. Sailing without a proper ship could mean certain death.
"That's no ordinary person," Kuke replied.
Even with her age, Shakky's strength in the first half of the Grand Line was still considered top-tier. And combined with her navigational skills, sailing alone was not an impossible feat for her.
"Let's go. She's our comrade and a member of our crew," Kuke said as he stepped off the ship, guiding the Radiant Eclipse forward to meet Shakky.
"She's one of us?" The newer crew members were both surprised and curious.
"Captain, have you been waiting long? Should I make it up to you? You've gotten even more handsome," Shakky teased as her small boat neared, and with a simple tap of her foot, she leaped a hundred meters to land gracefully aboard the Radiant Eclipse.
And with that bold joke, for the first time, the entire crew of the Radiant Eclipse was finally together!