"Don't worry, there are definitely no pirates around there!" Smoker said firmly.

...

"The Calm Belt, so the Navy can travel through here to the Grand Line, huh? That's... cheating."

On the warship, Kro looked at the sea ahead, which was almost as flat as the horizon, and muttered to himself.

As a pirate, he only knew one way to enter the Grand Line: crossing the Reverse Mountain, that extremely dangerous place. He never expected that the Navy could cross the Calm Belt directly.

"Because there is Seastone beneath the ship, which has the same energy as the ocean and will not be detected by sea kings."

Tashigi said from the side, "However, this technology is very rare, so there are not many ships that can sail it, and it is only used by headquarters."

Smoker acted swiftly, heading straight from Loguetown into the Calm Belt, which would take them directly to the Grand Line.

On the third deck of the warship, Kuro and Smoker lay on two beach chairs, smoking cigars together, while Lida sat beside them, enjoying the food on the table.

This leisurely, comfortable, and safe life was exactly what Kuro desired. Lying here, even the slightest bit of resentment he had towards Smoker vanished.

"If only things could stay like this forever..." Kuro sighed.

"I just don't understand, you're so strong, why do you have to be willing to do this?"

Smoker, standing nearby, asked, "If you really want to be safe, then catch more pirates."

Have you ever heard the saying...?

"What?"

"Human dreams never end!"

Kuro straightened up, poured himself a glass of red wine, and drank it all in one gulp.

"That's why there are never enough pirates to catch."