Chapter 318: The Gem Iceberg
In fact, Charlotte had another option—he could've gone directly to the Flower Country and asked Chinjao for a safe route through the iceberg. But there was no way Chinjao would agree.
Of course, Charlotte still had his ways. His Observation Haki wasn't just for show.
With age and experience, Charlotte's Observation Haki had become terrifyingly strong.
His ability to read minds had nearly evolved into memory searching, bordering on the legendary abilities of the Three-Eyed Tribe.
And recently, he had awakened the power to hear the voice of all things.
As long as he sat quietly and focused, he could hear the breath of everything around him.
Even stone had its own rhythm.
This discovery had amazed him at first.
However, he still couldn't foresee the future.
Whether it was a limitation of talent or something else, future sight remained out of reach.
He could sense danger, however.
Charlotte's first awakened ability was the ability to predict danger and avoid it.
It wasn't the same as seeing the future, but close.
Right now, his Observation Haki could even perceive what was happening ten kilometers above the ground.
As for space? That was still beyond his current range.
He wondered where Fujitora was now.
If he could find him, Charlotte wouldn't mind trying to recruit him.
It was unlikely, but worth a shot—just like he'd attempted with Redfield.
Speaking of the Red Count…
He had made quite the name for himself in the New World in recent years.
Challenging Whitebeard, Roger, and Golden Lion—he spared no one.
Every so often, he'd seek them out for battle—a true battle maniac.
Thankfully, Charlotte was no longer in the New World.
Redfield's reputation had soared.
He even stormed Charlotte's base on Carmel Island—a serious blow to Charlotte's image.
Now, there were rumors in the New World that the title of one of the Four Legendary Pirates should be passed on to Patrick Redfield, "Lonely Red."
That debate had caused quite a stir.
Many wandering pirate crews had tried to join Redfield's ranks to help him build a true pirate crew and fix his lack of forces.
But Redfield refused them all.
With his mind-reading ability, Redfield had no respect for those who just wanted to use his name.
He didn't even acknowledge them.
This left the rumor-mongers disappointed.
Some suspected that the World Government or the Navy was behind the campaign—spreading rumors to pit the pirates against one another.
After all, the Navy had a history of this kind of thing.
But Redfield's legend only grew.
He was now known as the man who rivaled the Four Legends on his own, and his fame even surpassed Big Mom's.
After all, Big Mom's pirate crew was built on bloodlines—outsiders could never climb high.
But Redfield? He stood alone.
—
In just half a month, word had spread across the West Blue—
The Rockefeller Pirates, newly arrived, were rampaging.
Six or seven notorious pirate crews had already been destroyed.
Now, they were raiding everything in one particular region—even Navy surveillance ships hadn't been spared.
Everyone was asking the same thing:
What is Charlotte trying to do in the West Blue?
Caesar and his siblings sailed the seas for an entire day… without seeing a single ship.
They had no choice but to return to the Poseidon to report.
"We've collected over sixty ships. Is the West Blue really this full of pirates?"
Even Charlotte was shocked when he heard the number.
He rushed outside to see for himself.
And froze.
Surrounding the Poseidon were over sixty ships, all neatly lined up, like they were waiting for inspection.
"Damn…"
Charlotte sucked in a cold breath.
"If the Navy sees this, they'll think I'm expanding my forces!"
Then he spotted three or four Marine vessels among the haul.
"You even robbed the Marines?!"
Charlotte said, astonished.
Caesar grinned proudly, his little face beaming, waiting for praise.
"…Heh."
Charlotte simply chuckled dryly and said nothing.
"Let's go. Head for the iceberg."
He waved a hand and turned to head inside.
After all, Caesar wasn't wrong—he had just followed Charlotte's orders to collect ships.
So they set sail, an armada of vessels following them.
Fortunately, no one was nearby—or they'd have been terrified.
The Poseidon stopped at the edge of the frozen sea, facing the iceberg that blocked their path.
"Brrr… it's cold,"
a few of the kids shivered and hugged themselves.
At that moment, Trunks stepped forward.
His Heat-Heat Fruit activated, raising the temperature around them and dispelling the chill.
With Esdeath and Trunks, the group never had to worry about temperature—hot or cold.
And Charlotte still had the Temperature Fruit in reserve.
That was a true treasure.
"Send scouts in—one lane at a time."
Charlotte ordered.
His men, already prepared, began paddling the smaller ships forward.
He wasn't overreacting.
The icebergs and reefs were treacherous.
Even the legendary Titanic had sunk due to an iceberg—he wasn't going to let the Poseidon, a ship he had poured his soul into, meet the same fate.
As the scouting vessels proceeded, several ran aground or struck underwater hazards.
Rescue teams had to be sent in repeatedly.
Hours passed.
Finally, one ship reached the iceberg.
"Captain! We have people ashore! They found a safe route!"
The navigator ran over to report.
"Good. Let's go. Barrett, stay on the ship. If anything happens, report to me immediately."
Charlotte gave his orders and took a small boat, following the safe route into the iceberg field.
As they approached, he stepped onto the frozen land.
The smooth, glimmering ice immediately told Charlotte he was in the right place.
He skated across the frozen surface until he reached the center.
Then, he kicked away a pile of snow.
Everyone around him held their breath, watching.
As the snow was brushed away, beneath the semi-transparent ice, something glimmered deep below.
"Dad! There's something under the ice!"
Caesar shouted, pointing.
Charlotte rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, son. I'm not blind."
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