11 11. Changing Tides

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As expected, someone woke up and walked around the island and saw my statue.

I was loading up provisions into my yacht when dozens of citizens found me and started inquiring about it.

I could see some of them were looking at me like a god and that felt good. Some of them even said they felt a tingle when they touched it.

Really should have phrased that better.

I didn't say much but indicated to try praying to it, which caused them to disperse to go try it.

Genzo and Nojiko were the only ones left to see me off. Everyone else said thier goodbyes and ran off to see the statue.

"Maui, once again thank you for eliminating the Arlong pirates. You're welcome back here anytime." Genzo said with a genuine smile on his face.

"I'll definitely be back someday. Take care of yourself Genzo, especially with that marine captain."

Genzo understood and tipped his hat to me before leaving me and Nojiko.

"So you're going to the Grand Line now, Maui?" Nojiko asked.

"I'll be making some detours but yes. Why? Changed your mind about being a farmer?"

Nojiko just giggled. "No. I'm not cut out for a life of thrilling adventure. I'm just worried for you. I've heard the Grand Line is extremely dangerous..."

"Your concern definitely warms my heart. I think knowing that a beauty such as you is worried for me, will give me motivation to survive." I finished saying with a chuckle.

I really am going to miss Nojiko. The time I spent with her was enjoyable and relaxing.

Her easy going nature and kindness are breathe of fresh air after being on an island alone for so many weeks.

Our banter lasted a few more minutes before it was time to depart.

She surprised me by sneaking a kiss on my cheek and thanking me one last time.

I floated away with mixed emotions and it made it hard to focus my desire using my compass.

It kept trying to point back to Conomi Island. So I decided to meditate to clear my mind so I can refocus.

I realized that I may be too hasty to enter the Grand Line. There's still many places I haven't seen in the east blue.

It would probably be a long time before I could come back here.

So I figured I'd at least do as much as I can for a few weeks, before crossing into the Grand Line.

I'm going to challenge myself by crossing the Calm Belt. There are tons of powerful sea kings that live there, so I'm guaranteed to get some good experience.

I have 2 devil fruits, the Smooth fruit and a unknown.

But there should still be several undiscovered fruits left to find in the East Blue.

While not useful to me personally since I cant eat them, they will be useful to my subordinates, allies and acolytes.

So I'm gonna need more that just a few devil fruits.

The cooldown between wishes doesn't leave me the option to rely solely on that power.

Moon God's Miracle should only be used to get things I cant get on my own.

We stopped at every island along our route for the next several days.

Occasionally we would be attacked by pirates but they were all small fry.

I found 3 more devil's fruits to bring my total to 5.

The Smooth fruit the only one I already know what it is.

The other devil fruits are all unknown.

I gotta say, I really love this compass.

Devil fruits are supposed to be rare, like the odds were like 1 in 5 million or something like that.

But as long as I want one, I can find it easily.

I was currently following the compass to find another one but as we sail the compass needle suddenly jumped to point behind me.

"Huh? That's wierd... Gyarados! Turn us around!"

"Gyaroo!" He roared in affirmation. Gyarados pulled us around as I watched the compass.

"It did it again... that means it isnt on an island, but underwater... Gyarados stop and guard the boat! I'll be right back."

Gyarados stopped and I dove into the water.

This part of the sea was deep and the further down I went, it got darker and darker.

I could not see a sea floor yet even after diving 1000 meters.

With my speed in the water it didn't take long.

I finally reached the sea floor after diving down, if I had to guess, over 12,000 meters.

I was even deeper than the Mariana Trench back on Earth...

The sea life became more scary looking as I went deeper.

And if it were not for the glowing sea fauna and flora then it would be completely dark down here.

I grabbed a glowing fish and used it as a lamp to check the compass.

I followed the compass needle and eventually found a cave on the side of a cliff.

The entrance was neatly hidden behind coral and barancles but I just smashed through those to open up the mouth of the cave.

I swam slowly into the cave tunnel holding a helpless glowing fish in front me.

The fish didn't enjoy being grabbed by me but eventually gave up the struggle.

The tunnel was narrow but after half a kilometer it opened up into into a massive cavern that had air.

I stepped out of the water and was amazed by the wondrous sight.

The cavern was glowing brightly with different colored glowing crystals that grew like stalagmites.

But on one side of the cavern was something strange. Embedded in the cave wall was an ancient looking door.

I walk closer to it. As I did I felt strange looking at it.

The door was not normal.

It was made out of shadowy black wood and ancient letters were etched in a circular pattern starting from the edge and spiraling into the center of the door.

I reached out for the handle before I felt something touch my shoulder.

"Hey."

"Ah!" I almost jumped out of my skin. I quickly got into a defensive position and looked at who just appeared behind me.

"Huh? Is that you Goddess?" The red haired punk goddess that I met in heaven was standing there with an amused smirk on her face.

"Scared you good, huh!"

*ahem* "No, I was just a little surprised... What... are you doing here?"

"Liz." She said simply.

"What?"

"My name. Just call me Liz." She smiled and then said nothing waiting for me to call her by name.

"Okay... Liz. What brings you to see me?"

"I was watching you for entertainment, when I saw you about to accidentally wander into the underworld. So your welcome!"

I wasn't sure what to address first. The fact she was watching me, I was about to enter the underworld, or that she took my catch phrase...

"You mean like... THE underworld?"

"Yeah, the entrance for this world's underworld moves around alot. I dont know if it's good luck or bad luck you stumbled onto it. The fruit you were looking for is over there, by the way." She pointed to the side.

I look over my shoulder and growing on a vine that was hanging on the glowing crystal, was a devil fruit.

I walked over to it and plucked it off the vine.

This one felt a little ominous, mostly because of its shape since it looked like a big red pepper.

'I hope it isnt too spicy, R.I.P. to the person that eats this one...' I thought to myself.

"Hey, Liz. Can you tell me more about the underwor- and, she's gone..."

When I turned around she had disappeared. She came and left like a whirlwind.

"She came down here just to stop me from opening the door?" I looked back at the spooky door and then sighed.

"Curiosity killed the cat, huh?"

I probably wouldnt be able to escape the underworld as I currently am. That must be it.

If I went in there, my journey would have ended.

Perhaps only a full god could go in and out of that place? I dont know yet, but I decided to leave with my questions unanswered.

Even if the entrance moves, as long as I have my compass, I can find it again.