Chapter 46: Storm at Sea
Apparently, Charlotte had underestimated the power of the massive waves.
But giving up was not an option for him.
Surrender meant the ship would be destroyed, and everyone aboard would perish.
Of course, Charlotte wouldn't die immediately; he had the strength to hold on. However, he wasn't going to take that chance.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Two more hundred-meter-long slashes tore through the air.
This time, Charlotte infused his strikes with Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki, amplifying their power.
The massive wave split in two, but to Charlotte's dismay, the gap began to close almost immediately.
Even so, it was enough to give him a sliver of hope.
"Quick! Everyone steer toward the gap I created. Get the ship through before it closes!" Charlotte shouted over the roaring storm.
The pirates aboard had clearly seen Charlotte's earlier slashes, and when the first failed, despair filled their hearts. But now, seeing the second and third attempts work, their spirits were reignited.
"Brothers! Head toward the opening the captain made!" Paul yelled, his voice filled with urgency.
Isaac, gripping the wheel tightly, adjusted the ship's course, steering it toward the breach in the waves.
Charlotte remained at the bow, continuously unleashing slashes.
White arcs of energy, hundreds of meters long, sliced into the massive wave, momentarily creating gaps before the water surged back together.
"Faster!" Charlotte urged, his voice strained.
His energy was depleting quickly. Each slash, infused with his full power and Haki, drained him further.
Isaac narrowed his eyes, ignoring the rain and seawater streaming down his face, and guided the ship with precision toward the wave's opening.
Everyone on board held their breath, watching the massive wall of water loom closer.
Even Charlotte, as strong as he was, couldn't help but feel a flicker of fear at the sight.
But he didn't stop. He kept slashing, widening the gap in the waves.
Finally, the ship burst through the opening, emerging on the other side.
For a moment, the crew was silent, their hearts pounding. Then, a collective cheer erupted.
"Woo! I thought I was done for! I haven't even reached the level of a swordsman yet!" Paul cried, tears streaming down his face as he hugged Isaac.
Charlotte, standing at the bow, let out a deep breath and dropped his sword. Without the reinforcement of Armament Haki, the blade shattered into pieces upon hitting the deck.
Charlotte sighed, staring at the broken sword.
This was a recurring problem. Ordinary swords couldn't handle the energy of his slashes, breaking after just a few uses.
Before becoming a great swordsman, his swords could at least last for a few days. Now, at his current level, they barely lasted a few strikes.
No wonder most great swordsmen carried renowned blades. Ordinary weapons simply couldn't withstand the immense power.
The Seven-Star Sword became an even more enticing prospect in Charlotte's mind.
Though the ship had escaped the waves, the storm was far from over. Fierce winds howled, and rain lashed at the deck. Charlotte ordered the crew to lower the sails, fearing they'd be swept away by the gale.
This was the worst storm Charlotte had encountered since setting sail.
From above, the storm stretched across the entire sea, a vast, churning tempest.
Charlotte looked at the darkened sky, where lightning crackled and struck the sea with terrifying force. Schools of fish floated lifelessly to the surface, electrocuted by the bolts.
Despite the danger, Charlotte couldn't help but marvel at the bizarre sight. Nature's version of electric fishing, he thought grimly.
But there was little time to admire the spectacle.
Suddenly, a vision flashed through Charlotte's mind. His Observation Haki warned him of imminent danger.
Without hesitation, Charlotte drew his new sword and slashed upward.
"Captain?"
The crew was confused by Charlotte's sudden movement, drawing their weapons and scanning the sky.
"What's he aiming at?" someone muttered.
Before they could comprehend, a massive bolt of lightning streaked toward the ship.
Charlotte's slash intercepted it mid-air, dispersing the lightning.
Now the crew understood. Respect for their captain grew even stronger.
As lightning struck sporadically around the ship, Charlotte continued to unleash slashes toward the storm clouds above.
One particularly powerful strike tore a hole in the clouds, allowing sunlight to stream through.
For a brief moment, the crew saw the blue sky above and felt a glimmer of hope.
But the gap quickly closed, the storm clouds healing themselves.
"Damn it!" Charlotte cursed, frustrated at nature's relentless fury.
Though most of the lightning bolts landed harmlessly in the sea, the storm remained unyielding. Winds battered the ship, and rain poured down in sheets.
Then, the hail began.
Charlotte's Observation Haki flared again, warning him of danger.
"Quick! Get into the cabin! It's hailing!" he shouted.
The crew didn't hesitate, retreating below deck. Charlotte followed, knowing his slashes would be useless against the ice.
From the safety of the cabin, they watched as hailstones pelted the deck, shattering wooden fixtures and leaving dents wherever they landed.
Charlotte's face darkened.
The weather in the New World was far more unpredictable and dangerous than he had ever anticipated.
"If it weren't for my strength, we'd already be dead," Charlotte muttered.
"Captain, the nearest island is a day's sail from here, but we can't reach it in this storm," the navigator reported grimly.
"Damn it!"
Charlotte slammed his fist against the cabin wall, his frustration mounting. How much longer could they endure this relentless tempest?
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