Chapter 244: The Black Ship Arrives
Toki, who was standing next to Charlotte, suddenly sensed a wave of hostility emanating from him. Instinctively, she stepped slightly away.
Charlotte noticed her reaction but chose to ignore it.
Even though he found her attractive, he wasn't the type to force himself on a woman. He believed in letting things happen naturally.
"Judge! Can we get the ship up there?"
Charlotte walked into the control room, where Judge was at the helm, and asked.
Judge frowned as he studied the towering cliffs of Wano. Water cascaded down from the island, forming natural waterfalls.
If it were an ordinary ship, attempting to ascend carelessly would almost certainly damage the bow and hull. However, the Poseidon was no ordinary vessel. The water posed no issue—the real challenge was finding a way up.
"Mr. Charlotte, it's possible! This ship has enough power. We can push through with a single burst."
Judge confidently stated.
"Good. Get us up there."
Charlotte nodded.
Without hesitation, Judge activated the ship's full propulsion system.
The propellers at the stern roared to life, and massive mechanical wings extended from the hull. The Poseidon shot forward at an impossible angle—ninety degrees straight up toward Wano!
Everyone aboard held onto the railings as the ship surged upward.
Elena waved her hand, summoning large bubbles of air.
The younger children were instantly encased in floating bubbles, preventing them from being affected by the rapid ascent.
Seeing this, she also enveloped Martha and the other four pregnant women in protective bubbles, ensuring their safety.
Charlotte had been too focused on the journey to consider the risk to his wives and unborn children. Fortunately, Elena had reacted in time.
The ship continued its rapid climb, sending excited screams echoing across the deck.
Most of the crew were thrilled.
Especially Charlotte's younger children, who clapped and cheered, enjoying the thrilling ascent.
Charlotte, meanwhile, remained focused, keeping an eye on the ship to ensure there were no unexpected issues.
At last, the Poseidon successfully breached Wano's natural defenses and sailed onto the great river that ran through the country.
Judge exhaled deeply, relieved.
Even though he had been confident in his calculations, there had still been a risk.
But now, the ship was safely inside Wano's borders.
Charlotte stepped onto the deck, gazing out at the landscape.
In the distance, a towering mountain loomed—the heart of Wano, the Flower Capital.
"Let's head that way and take a look," Charlotte instructed.
The ship turned toward the capital, navigating the river.
Toki, standing at the bow, looked around in awe.
She had finally arrived in Wano.
As the river narrowed, Charlotte realized that the Poseidon was too large to proceed further inland.
There was no choice but to disembark and continue on foot.
The ship docked at a nearby port.
The local people, stunned by the sight of such a massive black vessel, gathered around in astonishment.
It was unlike anything they had ever seen.
A group of samurai quickly emerged, swords at the ready.
Charlotte, watching the approaching warriors, immediately frowned.
An inexplicable sense of disgust rose within him.
"Who are you? Identify yourselves!"
A samurai captain stepped forward, his tone stern as he glared up at the ship's towering hull.
No response came.
Instead, a ladder was lowered from the ship, and rows of swordsmen in formation descended, ignoring the samurai entirely.
Feeling his authority challenged, the samurai's face twisted in anger. He immediately drew his sword.
"You bastards! Who do you think you are?!"
The moment the words left his mouth, a powerful slash tore through the air.
Raoul had drawn his sword.
The energy wave carved a deep trench into the ground right in front of the samurai.
His face went pale as cold sweat ran down his back.
He had almost died.
Without hesitation, he turned and ran, disappearing into the crowd.
No one paid him any further attention.
Charlotte disembarked next, stepping onto Wano soil with his six pregnant wives at his side.
The air was fresh, carrying the scent of cherry blossoms rather than the salty tang of the sea.
It was a welcome change.
"You all stay here. I'll take a small group to scout ahead," Charlotte said, squeezing Elena's hand.
"Barrett, take a hundred men and follow me."
"Yes!" Barrett responded, swiftly assembling a team.
"Mr. Charlotte, may I come with you?"
Toki, hesitant yet determined, stepped forward.
Charlotte studied her for a moment before nodding.
"Fine, follow me."
Leading his team, Charlotte set out toward the Flower Capital.
Esdeath, noticing them leaving, quickly followed.
The younger children also wanted to join, but their mothers held them back.
Esdeath was the only one who managed to tag along.
Caesar, meanwhile, simply yawned and stayed behind, uninterested in the expedition.
Charlotte didn't mind Esdeath's presence. He expected her to follow him anyway.
As soon as they left the port, the samurai who had fled earlier rushed toward the Shogun's palace.
Inside Orochi's residence, a banquet was underway.
The shogun was entertaining guests, already somewhat drunk, when the samurai burst in.
"Report! A massive black ship has docked at Port No. 3 in the Flower Capital! It flies a pirate flag!"
Orochi, slightly intoxicated, lazily raised his head.
"A pirate ship? From the outer seas?"
His drunken expression twisted into irritation.
"Gather some men and destroy it."
He waved dismissively.
"Yes, my lord!"
The samurai grinned, eager for revenge, and hurried out to relay the order.
Soon, five hundred warriors assembled in the palace courtyard.
These were the newest recruits of Orochi's forces—men eager to prove their loyalty and gain favor.
Hearing that an enemy had appeared, they became excited.
They needed merits, and fate had delivered an opportunity straight to them.
With weapons in hand, they charged toward the port.
Meanwhile, Kurozumi Murasaki happened to be searching for Orochi.
He was puzzled by the sudden mobilization of troops.
Stopping a passing samurai, he asked, "What's going on? Why are so many men being gathered?"
The samurai immediately bowed respectfully.
"A pirate group from the outer seas has arrived. The shogun has ordered us to eliminate them!"
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