## Day 95 | Location: Misty Passage, East Blue
I awoke to Nami's urgent shaking and the violent rocking of our vessel.
"Storm!" she shouted over the sudden howling wind. "Came out of nowhere—the barometer didn't even register the pressure drop!"
Staggering to my feet, I followed her to the deck where chaos awaited. What had been peaceful mist hours before had transformed into a raging tempest. Rain lashed horizontally across the Swift Gull, while waves twice the height of our mast threatened to capsize us with each pass.
Nami was already in motion, securing loose equipment and adjusting sails with practiced efficiency. "Take the helm!" she commanded, tying a safety line around her waist. "Keep us pointed into the waves—don't let them hit us broadside!"
I complied immediately, gripping the rudder and fighting to maintain our heading against the powerful currents trying to spin us. The wheel bucked in my hands like a living thing, requiring all my enhanced strength to control.
"This isn't natural!" Nami shouted over the wind as she worked to reduce our sail area. "Weather doesn't change this drastically without warning signs!"
She was right, of course. Even with my limited meteorological knowledge, I recognized the unnatural speed of the storm's onset. This was either a Grand Line phenomenon somehow manifesting in East Blue, or something even stranger.
A massive wave crashed over our port side, nearly washing Nami overboard. Only her safety line saved her, though she slammed painfully against the gunwale before I could pull her back aboard.
"Are you alright?" I called, helping her regain her footing.
"Fine," she gasped, though her grimace suggested otherwise. "But we won't be if we stay in this much longer. The hull can't take this kind of beating!"
Lightning cracked overhead, illuminating the chaos around us in stark white flashes. In that moment, I made a decision. This situation warranted more direct intervention.
Keeping one hand firmly on the helm, I focused inward, accessing my wish power. The familiar mental pressure built as I concentrated on our immediate need: *Increase our luck in navigating safely through this storm.*
The energy pulsed outward, a subtle ripple of probability alteration that wouldn't be visible to Nami but would shift circumstances subtly in our favor. Almost immediately, the wind pattern shifted, creating a momentary pocket of relative calm around our vessel.
"There!" Nami shouted, pointing to a gap in the tempest ahead. "Head for that opening!"
I turned the wheel, guiding our battered craft toward the strange break in the storm. As we approached, the violence of the weather intensified around us while paradoxically clearing directly ahead—as if we were being guided rather than threatened.
"This doesn't make sense," Nami muttered, checking her compass only to find it spinning wildly. "It's like the storm is... herding us."
For nearly an hour, we navigated through the bizarre weather pattern, always finding a path forward just when it seemed we would be overwhelmed. My enhanced luck subtly influenced events, while Nami's exceptional navigational skills made the most of each opportunity.
Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the storm parted before us, revealing a sight that made both of us freeze in momentary disbelief.
"Land," Nami whispered, staring at the darkened silhouette ahead. "That's not possible. There shouldn't be any islands in this region."
Yet there it was—unmistakably an island, its jagged coastline visible as a black mass against the storm-gray horizon. A high cliff face dominated the visible portion, with what appeared to be a small bay or inlet nestled at its base.
"The map," I said, recalling Thornhill's document. "Could this be it?"
"Maybe," Nami conceded, though her expression remained doubtful. "But finding it in these conditions? The odds would be astronomical."
*Enhanced luck has its advantages*, I thought but didn't say.
With the immediate threat of the storm receding, we approached the mysterious landmass cautiously. The closer we drew, the more details became apparent—the cliff face was riddled with unusual cave formations, and the small bay offered surprisingly sheltered waters.
"We should anchor there for the night," I suggested, pointing to the protected cove. "Assess damage and continue exploration at first light."
Nami nodded in agreement, expertly guiding our vessel into the natural harbor. As we secured the Swift Gull, the last of the storm seemed to dissipate, leaving an eerie calm in its wake. The mist remained, however, wreathing the island in ghostly tendrils that obscured its full extent.
"I'll check the hull for damage," Nami offered, already retrieving tools from our storage locker.
"I'll see about dinner," I replied, knowing we both needed rest and nourishment after the ordeal.
With the immediate crisis behind us, I took a moment to contact Red Queen discreetly while gathering fishing equipment.
"Location analysis?" I murmured.
"Coordinates uncertain," came the quiet response. "Magnetic and gravitational readings are highly irregular. Preliminary scans indicate the island has unusual properties—possibly related to electromagnetic anomalies throughout the region."
"Life forms?"
"Abundant vegetation detected. Various animal species present but not immediately threatening. No human habitation signatures identified."
Interesting. I proceeded to catch several fish from the surprisingly abundant waters of the cove, then prepared a simple meal over a small fire on the beach. Without my usual cooking equipment, it was basic fare, but after our harrowing experience, even grilled fish and hardtack tasted exceptional.
"The ship took some damage, but nothing critical," Nami reported as we ate. "We can make proper repairs tomorrow."
I nodded, studying the misty shoreline. "What do you make of this place?"
She followed my gaze, expression thoughtful. "It's strange. The cave formations don't match typical East Blue geology. And did you notice the currents around the island? They form unusual patterns—almost circular."
"As if the water is rotating around the island itself," I agreed, having observed the same phenomenon.
"Exactly." She frowned slightly. "I've never seen anything like it."
We finished our meal in contemplative silence, then set up a simple camp on the beach, neither of us wishing to sleep on the damaged vessel until repairs were complete. With a small tent erected and a fire to ward off the evening chill, we settled in for the night.
"I'll take first watch," I offered, knowing sleep would elude me with so many questions about our discovery.
Nami agreed without argument, her exhaustion evident. Within minutes of retiring to the tent, her steady breathing indicated she'd fallen asleep.
In the quiet hours that followed, I studied our surroundings more carefully. The mists shifted continuously, sometimes revealing tantalizing glimpses of the island's interior—dense forest, unusual rock formations, and what appeared to be ancient stone structures half-hidden among the trees.
"Environmental analysis complete," Red Queen reported softly after I confirmed Nami was deeply asleep. "Atmosphere contains elevated levels of unidentified particles—possibly related to the electromagnetic anomalies. Vegetation shows unusual properties, including accelerated growth patterns and enhanced cellular density."
"Adam Wood?" I questioned.
"Cannot confirm without direct samples, but preliminary comparisons to known data suggest similarities."
Promising indeed. I kept watch through the night, occasionally adding wood to our fire and listening to the strange, distant sounds that emanated from the island's interior—not threatening, but definitely unlike anything I'd encountered in this world so far.
## Day 96 | Location: Mysterious Island, Misty Passage
Dawn broke with surprising clarity, burning away much of the mist and revealing our discovery in daylight for the first time. The island was even more impressive than it had appeared the previous night—lush forests covered most of the visible terrain, with the cliff face we'd spotted rising dramatically on the northern side.
Nami emerged from the tent, blinking in the morning light. "Wow," she breathed, taking in the scene. "It's beautiful."
"And apparently uninhabited," I added, gesturing to the pristine shoreline that showed no signs of human presence.
After a quick breakfast, we divided tasks—Nami would oversee repairs to the Swift Gull while I conducted initial exploration of the immediate area. Before departing, I equipped myself with basic supplies and a few discreet technological aids hidden among more conventional tools.
"Don't go too far," Nami warned as I prepared to head inland. "And take this." She handed me a small whistle. "Three short blasts if you need help."
I nodded, touched by her concern despite her attempt to make it sound practical rather than personal.
The forest proved dense but navigable, with game trails providing natural paths through the vegetation. The trees immediately drew my attention—many were species I recognized from East Blue, but interspersed among them were specimens unlike anything I'd seen before.
One variety in particular stood out—massive trunks with distinctive golden-brown bark that seemed to shimmer slightly in the dappled sunlight. The wood had an unusual density when tested, and the grain pattern visible on a fallen branch displayed remarkable complexity.
"Sample analysis," I murmured to Red Queen after placing a small fragment in my scanner.
"Cellular structure confirms hypothesis," came the response. "99.7% match to historical records of Adam Wood. Exceptional density and strength indicators. This specimen is approximately 27 years old based on growth ring analysis."
Remarkable—not just Adam Wood, but relatively young specimens, which suggested active growth rather than ancient remnants. If a whole grove of these trees existed on the island, the value would indeed be astronomical.
I continued exploring, recording my findings while maintaining the appearance of conventional note-taking whenever I sensed Nami might be watching from a distance. After about two hours, I came upon something unexpected—stone ruins partially reclaimed by the forest.
The structures were clearly ancient, with weathered symbols carved into megalithic blocks arranged in what might once have been a circular plaza. At the center stood a stone pillar covered in unfamiliar script—not the standard language of this world, nor the Poneglyphs I knew existed from the story.
Using my translation module, I discreetly scanned the markings, letting Red Queen process the information in the background while I examined the site more conventionally.
"Partial translation available," she eventually reported. "Text appears to describe astronomical alignments and references to 'the wandering island' and 'currents of time.' Historical references indicate the island experiences periodic displacement through unknown mechanisms."
Fascinating. This might explain why the island had remained hidden despite previous discoveries—it apparently moved, perhaps following some complex pattern related to the region's unusual properties.
I documented everything thoroughly, knowing this kind of historical record would be valuable to certain individuals—Robin would find this particularly interesting if I ever encountered her.
By midday, I'd returned to our camp to find Nami had made impressive progress on repairs. She looked up as I approached, wiping sweat from her brow.
"Find anything interesting?" she asked.
"Very," I replied, sharing my discovery of potential Adam Wood and the ancient ruins, though carefully omitting the more advanced analysis I'd performed. "The trees match Thornhill's description, and there's evidence of previous habitation, though long abandoned."
Her eyes lit up at the mention of Adam Wood. "How much did you find?"
"At least an acre of mature specimens in the area I explored," I reported. "And that's just a small portion of the island."
She let out a low whistle. "That's worth... I can't even calculate it. Billions, easily."
"And potentially sustainable if harvested properly," I added. "The trees appear to be actively growing, not just ancient survivors."
After a quick meal, Nami joined me for further exploration. We hiked deeper into the island's interior, eventually discovering not just more Adam Wood groves but also something that made Nami's eyes widen with undisguised avarice—a small temple structure containing ceremonial artifacts of gold and silver.
"Now we're talking," she murmured, carefully examining an ornate golden disc engraved with celestial patterns. "This is definitely coming with us."
"The previous inhabitants must have valued astronomical observations," I noted, studying similar patterns throughout the chamber. "These all depict star positions and orbital patterns."
"Worth their weight regardless of historical value," Nami replied practically, already calculating the treasure's worth.
We spent the afternoon documenting and carefully collecting portable artifacts, being careful to leave the main structures undisturbed. I was particularly interested in the written records, discretely scanning everything while pretending to sketch conventional notes.
Our exploration was briefly interrupted when we encountered the island's wildlife—a troop of unusually large monkeys that watched us with intelligent curiosity from the trees. When one bold male approached too aggressively, I demonstrated enough combat prowess to drive them back without serious injury to either side.
"Impressive," Nami commented after watching me handle the situation. "Those aren't ordinary monkeys."
"Adapted to the island's unique environment," I suggested. "Possibly isolated here for many generations."
By late afternoon, we had gathered significant treasure, multiple wood samples, and extensive documentation of the island's features. As we prepared to return to camp, I used my wish power once more, this time focusing on a more specific desire: *Create a reliable method to track this island's movements*.
The mental effort was considerable, but I felt the power take effect. Using my knowledge of this world's physics and the unusual magnetic properties we'd observed, I conceptualized a specialized compass that would respond specifically to the island's unique signature.
Back at camp, I "assembled" the tracking device from components in my pack, presenting it to Nami as something I'd prepared in advance based on Thornhill's notes.
"This should help us find our way back," I explained, showing her the modified compass. "It's calibrated to detect the specific magnetic anomalies generated by the island."
She examined it with professional interest. "Clever. So even if we lose sight of it in the mist..."
"We should be able to locate it again," I confirmed. "Though I suspect finding it the first time was largely luck."
After securing our findings and completing repairs to the Swift Gull, we enjoyed a celebratory dinner on the beach. The treasure we'd discovered—both the Adam Wood samples and the ancient artifacts—would more than fulfill our contract with Thornhill while leaving plenty for Nami's personal objective.
"So," Nami said as we watched the sunset paint the mist in brilliant hues, "what's next for you? After we return to Hoko, I mean."
I considered the question carefully. "I'm in no particular hurry. Thought I might explore more of the East Blue—there's much I haven't seen yet."
She nodded, studying me with that calculating gaze that missed little. "You're different from other travelers I've met. Most have specific destinations or goals."
"Perhaps I'm still discovering mine," I replied honestly.
The conversation drifted to lighter topics as night fell. We agreed to depart the following morning, having secured significant samples of Adam Wood (carefully stored in my ring when Nami wasn't looking) and enough treasure to satisfy both our agreements.
As Nami slept that night, I took a final opportunity to document everything about the island in Red Queen's database. The botanical samples, historical records, and geographical data would all prove valuable in the future, I suspected. Most importantly, the tracking device I'd created would allow me to relocate this place when needed—a resource and sanctuary few others would be able to find.
Looking out over the misty landscape, I reflected on how this journey had changed my trajectory in this world. What had begun as a simple treasure hunt had yielded not just valuable resources but also a beginning partnership with one of the story's key characters. While I had no intention of disrupting the main narrative, perhaps there was a role for me in its margins—someone who could witness and occasionally influence events without changing their core direction.
For the first time since my arrival in this world, I felt something beyond mere survival or adaptation. Something like purpose, however tentatively formed.
Morning would bring our departure and return to the known world. But for now, under stars partially obscured by the island's ethereal mist, I allowed myself to simply appreciate the wonder of existing in this reality—a place of endless blue seas, hidden treasures, and adventures yet to come.
## Day 97 | Location: Departing Mysterious Island, East Blue
Dawn revealed yet another surprise from our remarkable discovery—the mists had shifted during the night, and with them, apparently the island's position. The surrounding sea looked noticeably different, with the current patterns Nami had observed now flowing in altered directions.
"It moved," she stated simply, checking and rechecking her navigational instruments. "The island actually moved during the night."
"That would explain why it's remained hidden for so long," I replied, watching her reaction carefully. "Even those who found it once might never locate it again."
She shook her head in amazement. "I've heard stories about islands with strange properties, especially near the Grand Line, but to actually witness it..." She trailed off, then turned to me with renewed intensity. "Your compass—will it still work?"
I nodded, showing her the specialized instrument which was indeed still responding to the island's unique signature. "The island may move, but its fundamental properties remain consistent. This should help us find our way back if we choose to return."
"If?" She raised an eyebrow. "With what we've discovered here? Definitely when, not if."
With our treasures secured and the Swift Gull repaired, we set sail by mid-morning. As we pulled away from the shore, I took one last look at the mysterious island—this unexpected gift that had provided not just material wealth but a foothold in this world I was still learning to navigate.
Nami expertly guided us back through the misty region, her skills complemented by our specialized compass. By afternoon, we had emerged from the worst of the anomalous zone, finding ourselves in clear waters with steady winds to speed our return journey.