Chapter 55: Surveillance

Chapter 55: Surveillance

Although Charlotte's body was only twenty years old, his actual age, counting both lives,, was not much younger than Jinzaemon's.

"Hahaha! Surprising, isn't it? You didn't expect a pirate, notorious for his ruthlessness, to initiate a friendly chat, did you?" Charlotte said, smiling as he looked up at Jinzaemon, who stood two heads taller.

Jinzaemon chuckled, his laughter echoing in the tavern.

"Hahaha! I admit, I didn't expect it. It's not every day you meet a pirate with such charisma," Jinzaemon replied sincerely.

"Hahahaha! Come on, drink with me!" Charlotte raised a bowl of wine from the table, motioning for Jinzaemon to join him.

Jinzaemon followed suit, lifting his own bowl and emptying it in one gulp.

The two drank until dawn, their laughter filling the tavern.

As the first rays of sunlight streamed through the windows, the remaining crew began to wake up, rubbing their eyes and shaking off the effects of the previous night's indulgence.

"Boss, should we leave today?" Paul approached Charlotte cautiously, sensing his captain wasn't in the best mood.

Charlotte nodded. "Yes, once everyone is awake, we'll head back to the ship and set sail."

Paul's shoulders slumped. He had hoped to linger on Fishman Island for a couple more days. The allure of its unique atmosphere and the beauty of its mermaids made leaving difficult.

Charlotte noticed Paul's reluctance and smirked. "What? Want to stay behind? Fine by me."

Paul quickly shook his head, waving his hands in protest. "No, no! My goal isn't leisure. I strive to reach the level of a true swordsman, not waste time idling."

Charlotte let out a light laugh, not bothering to respond further.

"By the way," Paul asked, looking around, "where's General Jinzaemon? I don't see him anywhere."

"He left earlier," Charlotte replied nonchalantly. "Why? Miss him already?"

Paul scratched his head awkwardly. "I was just curious. He was so vigilant yesterday, but now he's nowhere to be seen."

Charlotte shook his head, amused by Paul's curiosity. "He's probably busy. Let's get ready to leave."

---

With the crew awake and the ship prepared, Charlotte took one last look at Fishman Island before ordering the departure.

The ship, with its newly coated film, began its ascent through the Fishman Island tunnel under the Red Line.

"Float up!" the navigator called out.

The crew worked quickly, guiding the ship to the surface. Within moments, the vessel broke through the ocean's surface with a splash, the coating shattering upon impact.

Standing at the bow, Charlotte looked out at the familiar waters of the Grand Line. In the distance, the towering trees of the Sabaody Archipelago came into view.

Charlotte's gaze lingered on the island for a moment before he turned to the navigator and handed over the log pose.

"Set course for Askaka Island," he ordered firmly.

The ship turned away from the Sabaody Archipelago, sailing in the opposite direction.

---

Unbeknownst to Charlotte and his crew, a naval warship had been discreetly tailing them since they left Beehive Island.

When Charlotte's ship passed through the Sabaody Archipelago and entered the Grand Line, the surveillance intensified.

At Navy Headquarters, the situation was being closely monitored.

"Tell me," Kong demanded, slamming a folder onto the table, "what's Charlotte's purpose in the Grand Line?"

The room was silent. Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged glances before Tsuru spoke up.

"Fleet Admiral Kong, have we learned anything from our spies in the Rocks Pirates?"

Kong shook his head, his frustration evident. "No useful intelligence so far. We only know that Charlotte's movements might be linked to intelligence agent Shakky. Both our agents and those from the World Government have failed to uncover anything substantial, and we've suffered significant losses in the process."

Tsuru reviewed the reports, her expression thoughtful. "Perhaps the best course of action is to continue monitoring him from a distance. We should avoid any premature confrontation until we understand his true intentions."

After a moment of contemplation, Kong nodded. "Agreed. Dispatch a surveillance team to follow his ship. Maintain a safe distance and report back on his every move."

The order was relayed to the naval forces stationed at the Sabaody Archipelago.

---

A few hours later, aboard the surveillance warship:

"Major General, we've spotted the pirate Charlotte's ship!" the lookout called from the crow's nest.

The major general, a stern-faced officer with years of experience, approached the bow and peered through his spyglass.

"Maintain our distance. Do not engage under any circumstances," he commanded.

The warship continued its silent pursuit, trailing Charlotte's vessel as it sailed toward Askaka Island.

---

Meanwhile, aboard Charlotte's ship, Paul approached the captain, his voice tinged with unease.

"Boss, I can't shake the feeling that we're being watched."

Charlotte smirked, his sharp senses already aware of the faint presence behind them.

"Let them watch. If they get too close, I'll give them something worth reporting," he said with a sly grin, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword.

---

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