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Many people were already lying on the edge of the boat, peering down at the vast sea below.
The colossal figures beneath them were so massive that some were as large as islands.
Yet here, there seemed to be an endless number of these creatures.
"It's incredible! This is the Calm Belt! I've heard stories, but I never expected to see so many enormous creatures here," remarked a guard from the Tru Kingdom, standing at the rail in awe.
"Didn't you know? This is typical for the Calm Belt. It's why most pirates enter the Grand Line through Reverse Mountain the presence of these monsters makes it nearly impossible to cross otherwise.'
"Some of these creatures are hundreds of meters long, even stretching over several kilometres. It's beyond anything we can imagine," said a female member of the pirate crew with a knowing smile as she leaned over the edge beside the guard.
"How could anyone live in a place like this? And how do you keep them from attacking you every time you sail out?" the guard asked, curiosity evident in his tone.
He wasn't the only one wondering; others nearby had pricked up their ears, eager to know the secret behind safely crossing the Calm Belt.
Currently, aside from the Marines and the World Government, only the Kuja Pirates possess the means to navigate this treacherous area safely.
Even the powerful Four Emperors, who dominate the Grand Line, are cautious here.
The Grand Line and the Calm Belt places where survival is uncertain, and one misstep could mean death without a trace.
While this conversation unfolded, Anos and Hancock sat nearby, appearing to chat casually with others but listening intently.
When the pirate girl heard the guard's question, she hesitated for a moment, then responded with a slight laugh, "That's just the way we live! I'm not really sure of the details."
"I see. Well, it's still impressive. If we could safely cross the Calm Belt, it would cut the journey to the Grand Line by at least half," the guard replied, grinning.
Others nearby continued to ask similar questions, driven by simple curiosity.
Overhearing this, Anos, who was sitting on the deck sipping tea, exchanged glances with Boa Hancock, who sat beside him.
"Wouldn't you like to know how we survive in the Calm Belt?" Hancock asked with a smile.
Anos, along with the three Kuja sisters, continued their conversation and snacks. At Hancock's question, however, Anos merely smiled.
"Hancock, it's best not to share too much with others. The ability to navigate the Calm Belt is one of the Marine's and World Government's greatest assets. Imagine if other nations or pirates had access to this technology what would happen?" Anos said thoughtfully, taking another sip of tea.
"But haven't we been crossing it ourselves? And for the Marines, it's not as though they can keep this knowledge hidden forever," Sonia replied, puzzled.
"While the Marines have developed a way to cross the Calm Belt, they also have a significant limitation," Anos explained. "They can sail, yes, but they're at a disadvantage in battle here. Despite their strength, they're still vulnerable."
Hearing this, Hancock pondered for a moment before asking, "Could this be why the Marines invited us to join the Shichibukai? Because of our ability to navigate the Calm Belt?"
"Perhaps. With your current strength, joining the Shichibukai might be challenging, but the fact that you can sail and fight in the Calm Belt makes you invaluable to the World Government," Anos explained, considering his words carefully. "While the Kuja Pirates may not rival someone like Crocodile in raw strength, the Calm Belt advantage changes things."
Anos suspected that one reason the World Government accepted various pirates into the Shichibukai was due to personal vendettas against the Four Emperors Crocodile, for instance, harboured a grudge against Whitebeard.
In these turbulent times, the government sought stability, making Amazon Lily's strength in the Calm Belt a strategic advantage.
Even a Marine admiral could face peril here. The Calm Belt's beasts are beyond ordinary comprehension, though few have seen them clearly.
Yet, their presence looms, reminding all who sail of their power.
"King Anos, how do you know so much about these things?" asked Marigold as she munched on some food.
"There are only a few methods to cross the Calm Belt safely. The Marines use Sea-Prism Stone, which emits an aura similar to the sea, allowing ships to move undetected."
"For you, Kuja, the solution has always been simpler. You tame Sea Kings, training them to ferry your ships safely," Anos answered with a calm smile.
While others in the crew were oblivious, the three Kuja sisters knew exactly what he was talking about.
The Kuja Pirates survived the Calm Belt by commanding these mighty Sea Kings, enabling them to navigate freely through the otherwise treacherous waters.
For outsiders, this was a mystery. While many suspected that the Marines used Sea Prism Stone, the specifics remained unknown to most.
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