Chapter 85: The Doldrums (Second Update)

“Major Pengeris, isn’t our course a bit off? This isn’t the route to Reverse Mountain, is it?”

Three days later, Nami approached Pengeris with the sea chart and compass in hand, her voice laced with confusion.

On the ship, Lawlan always left the details of navigation to his first officer, Pengeris, choosing only to oversee the broader picture. It wasn’t out of laziness—he simply disliked dealing with the nitty-gritty of daily affairs.

“Yes, Nami, your map is correct, and so is your understanding. If we were ordinary pirates or merchants, entering the Grand Line would indeed be possible only through Reverse Mountain,” Pengeris explained with a smile. “But the navy is different. We have our own special methods for safely crossing the Calm Belt. We can reach the Grand Line directly from the sea, without passing through Reverse Mountain.”

“I see!” Nami’s eyes sparkled with newfound knowledge.

So it was her own lack of experience—while she thought everyone had to brave Reverse Mountain, the navy had their own unique route. It made sense; for a warship this size, passage through Reverse Mountain couldn’t possibly be so straightforward. Taking a special path across the Calm Belt explained everything.

“According to the chart, we’ll enter the Calm Belt by this afternoon. You’ll see for yourself—it’s a remarkable place,” Pengeris continued. “A sea of absolute stillness, with no wind and no currents. Aside from that, there are countless giant sea kings. For most, this is a forbidden zone.”

Nami nodded. She was growing more intrigued by the so-called Calm Belt. Her dream was to chart the entire world—how could any world map be complete without the Calm Belt?

With anticipation, Nami finished her lunch and lingered on deck, determined to witness the Calm Belt the moment they arrived.

As the warship pressed onward, a stretch of sea entirely unlike the East Blue gradually appeared. It was as if a natural wall divided two worlds; from that single visible line, the same ocean was transformed into two utterly distinct realms.

On the East Blue side, the waves surged and crashed, white spray blooming and vanishing endlessly.

But beyond that line, the waters were calm and unruffled, the surface barely disturbed. Occasionally, a ripple would appear, only to fade without a trace.

The entire sea became a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and drifting clouds above.

“So this is the Calm Belt?” Nami gasped in awe at the remarkable sight.

Was this the wonder of nature—a single boundary, and the connected seas became two worlds apart?

“Wait, Major Pengeris, if there’s no wind or current in the Calm Belt, how can we cross it to reach the Grand Line? If we had to row all the way, we’d collapse from exhaustion!” Nami suddenly realized an important problem.

“Well, it’s said there are no currents in the Calm Belt, but that’s not entirely true,” Pengeris replied. “Have you heard of the World Government’s three great institutions? One is the navy, based at Marineford; another is Judicial Island near Water 7; and the last is Impel Down, the great prison, located in the Calm Belt.”

“The locations of these three institutions are anything but random. As a navigator, you should know about the Triangle Currents. These institutions are each situated at one corner of this triangle.”

“To prevent others from using these currents, the government built three massive Gates of Justice at the edges of these institutions, between the currents.”

“Our task now is to row to Impel Down. Once we arrive, we’ll open the Gate of Justice. Riding the Triangle Currents, we’ll head straight to Marineford.”

“So, by your logic, couldn’t someone else sneak into the Calm Belt, catch the Triangle Currents, and make their way to the Grand Line as long as they avoided the Gates of Justice? There’s nothing you could do to stop them, right?” Nami pressed.

“That’s an interesting theory, but did you forget what I just said? The Calm Belt is home to giant sea kings. The navy has special methods to avoid their attacks, allowing us to come and go freely. Others who venture in—if they’re lucky, they’ll starve to death. If not, those giant sea kings will tear their ships apart and devour them whole.”

“Besides, there’s no way to enter the Triangle Currents except through the Gates of Justice.”

Pengeris smiled as he spoke.

After hearing all this, Nami’s mind buzzed. Aside from some vague knowledge of the Triangle Currents, everything Pengeris described was entirely foreign to her.

She’d only ever heard of the navy before, never realizing there was a World Government above them, with two other massive institutions beneath its banner. And what were these giant sea kings? The largest creature she’d seen was the sea beast Moo from the Arlong Pirates, but from the name alone, she could sense that Moo was nothing compared to these legendary sea kings.

“Nami, I can tell you’re a gifted navigator. Captain Lawlan has great faith in you. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to consult me or the other navigators,” Pengeris said gently, thinking Nami’s silence meant she was discouraged.

“Oh, it’s nothing, Major Pengeris. I’m just overwhelmed,” Nami replied, waving her hands. “I’ve spent my whole life in the East Blue and never heard of any of this. It’s a lot to take in at once.”

“I’m glad to hear that. In that case, keep watching. I have duties to attend to,” Pengeris said, then left the deck to command the sailors.

There was much to do upon entering the Calm Belt—assigning crews to take turns rowing, furling the sails, and so on. The most important steps were rowing in shifts and stowing the sails, since the absence of wind meant the sails would only create drag and make rowing harder.

After Pengeris left, Nami stood there, absorbing all he had said.

She had thought it would be simple—to use her skills and talent to help Lawlan navigate the seas. Now, she saw she’d overestimated herself. Her experience was useful in the East Blue, but here, in the Calm Belt or the Grand Line, it was of little use.

“I have to keep learning,” Nami whispered, raising her small fist in determination. If she wanted to stay by Lawlan’s side, she had to do everything she could to help.

With Lawlan’s strength and talent, his future would only grow brighter—she could not afford to become a burden on his path forward.

“Wait, Major Pengeris, may I ask you some questions?”

Seeing Pengeris return to the deck, Nami hurried over to him, eager to learn more.