ONE PIECE: Lone Sails

The Golden Lion's clash in the Calm Belt had ignited a firestorm of attention, but beyond Morgans' covert surveillance and the involved parties—Marine and the Golden Lion himself—details remained shrouded in mystery. Follow-up reports from Morgans were inevitable, yet the Marines' focus had shifted. The New World was ablaze with conflict as the battle for maritime supremacy intensified.

Whitebeard had claimed the first throne as a Sea Emperor, his pursuit of a family of "sons" cementing his dominance. His rise spurred other New World titans into action. Kaido, having quelled Wano's internal threats by slaying Kozuki Oden, launched aggressive expansions. Charlotte Linlin, wielding her tea parties as a tool of influence, tightened her grip on the underworld. The Ochoku Pirates entrenched themselves on Beehive Island, while the first wave of Great Pirate Age newcomers—hardened by three or four years on the Grand Line—flooded into the New World, amplifying the chaos.

Faced with this tidal wave, Marine forces in the New World contracted, prioritizing key strongholds. The East China Sea, the calmest of the Four Seas, appeared untouched by the turmoil. On Starfish Island, Noah and his manor continued their quiet routines, their strength growing steadily with the integration of Armament Haki and the Six Styles.

Early September 1502

Noah Manor, Study

After three months of relentless training, Noah had awakened Armament Haki. Though limited to coating one fist for less than twenty minutes, it marked a significant milestone. His robust physique also allowed him to master Iron Block and Finger Pistol. Conqueror's Haki had grown more potent, its range expanding to 1,200 meters with rudimentary control, though directional precision remained elusive. His Observation Haki had sharpened too—1.5 kilometers omnidirectionally, and 7.5 kilometers in a focused line.

Among the manor's residents, progress varied. Joshua and Mary had awakened Observation Haki, Vic had grasped Iron Block, and Anthony showed promise in swordsmanship, while Alei excelled in marksmanship. The others had yet to manifest clear talents. Noah reviewed their training reports, noting the expected disparities in aptitude. Talent wasn't fixed, however—Devil Fruits, for instance, could elevate physical potential.

It's time to plan the next step, he mused, setting the reports aside.

The Next Day, Dawn

Northwest Bay, Starfish Island

At the simple pier, Noah and Ajie had spent the past three months upgrading the submarine. Now eighteen meters long and 4.5 meters in diameter, it featured an underwater hatch for diving operations. Noah and Vic boarded, and the vessel submerged, beginning its exploration of the seabed near the Starfish Islands.

Noah had chosen the trade route between Starfish Island and Rogue Town—a busy corridor likely littered with sunken ships. Deserted waters offered little promise, but a well-traveled route guaranteed wrecks. After an hour of cruising, he consulted a detailed nautical chart purchased in Rogue Town, noting a reef cluster ahead. Slowing the submarine's propulsion, he scanned the area with Observation Haki, detecting over twenty underwater obstacles.

Soon, a sunken ship entered his sensory range. "Vic, there's a wreck below. You'll explore it shortly."

"Got it, Brother Noah. I'll handle it."

"Be careful."

Noah unleashed Conqueror's Haki, clearing marine life within a kilometer. The submarine halted ten meters above the wreck, and Vic, clad in a diving suit with a breathing hose and safety rope, descended through the bottom hatch. His waterproof searchlight pierced the murky depths, revealing a wooden ship half-buried in sediment.

Without hesitation, Vic pried open the wreck's hatch with an iron crowbar, his searchlight illuminating the interior. An hour later, he crushed a wooden card tied to his suit—an agreed signal. Noah, sensing the card's destruction, reeled in the safety rope. Twenty minutes later, Vic emerged from the diving compartment, dragging a fishing net bag.

"Here's the haul, Brother," Vic said, breathless but triumphant.

Noah inspected the contents: a dozen gold and silver vessels, hundreds of coins, and several gemstones—worth roughly 300,000 Berries. "Not bad. Eat something and rest."

Vic grabbed milk and dried meat from a locker, settling down to recover. Noah sealed the treasure into a [Secret Card—Treasure Room], and the submarine pressed onward to the next wreck.

New Year, 1503

Starfish Island

Since September, Noah and Vic had conducted monthly week-long treasure hunts along nearby routes. Four expeditions yielded over 80 million Berries in gold, silver, and jewels, plus a sharp dagger and two Log Poses to the Grand Line. The ocean floor of the pirate world was a trove of untapped wealth, accumulated over millennia across countless eras.

Compared to the treachery and chaos of the surface, the seabed offered a quieter, richer frontier. Over 80% of this blue planet was ocean, yet most factions lacked the means to explore it. The World Government, capable but disinterested, ignored it; the Fish-Men, confined near the Ryugu Kingdom, barely scratched the surface. The Four Seas' depths remained largely unclaimed—a goldmine for those bold enough to dive in.

Noah's submarine, powered by his Card Fruit, gave him a rare edge. Each haul bolstered the manor's resources, funding their growth and arming them for the future. The treasure hunt was more than a means to wealth—it was a strategic step toward independence and power in a world teetering on the edge of upheaval.