Chapter 21

The weather and sea on the Grand Line change a lot, like a child's mood swings.

I recently passed through Winter Island, Drum Kingdom, and stocked up on supplies, including barrels of spirits, before heading towards my destination.

After leaving the winter island, the weather suddenly got warmer, but soon storms and big waves hit.

Traveling these waters without a skilled navigator is risky, especially for those without strength. Well, except for Luffy—he's exceptional.

Despite the rough weather, Arthur, being strong, presses on fearlessly.

Using Observation Haki, Arthur easily navigates through the waves. Just half an hour later, he senses something stirring in the calm sea.

Jessica, a noble girl, has been groomed since childhood in proper etiquette and controlled life. Even her future marriage is predetermined for political reasons.

Though she appears refined, Jessica is restless inside. Since childhood, she's been captivated by adventurous tales, leaving her with a deep longing for exploration.

However, she never understood why those stories only featured men and no women. So, one day, she dared to ask.

After she asked, there was a moment of silence, followed by laughter. They said, "Because women are naturally frail! The perils of the sea require the strength of men."

"They believe women can't handle the horrors of the sea or dangerous people. That's why they say adventure is for men, while women stay home to bear children and wait for their return!"

These words didn't sit well with Jessica, but she felt she lacked the authority to challenge them. Besides, most of the adventurers she'd heard of were indeed men. Yet, she rarely heard about strong women.

From that moment on, Jessica pleaded with her parents to find her a teacher who could train her. However, her parents disapproved, not wanting their daughter to become rough.

But Jessica was determined. Her persistent pleas eventually moved her mother, who then persuaded her father.

In the end, her stubborn aristocratic father arranged for a swordsman from the kingdom to train her. He was reputedly strong within the kingdom.

Originally frail, Jessica pushed herself to her limits, aiming to prove that women could be strong too.

Jessica couldn't understand why the adventure stories she heard only featured men, so one day she bravely asked.

After her question, there was a pause, then laughter followed. They replied, "Because women are naturally weak! The dangers of the sea require the strength of men."

"They think women can't handle the challenges of the sea or dangerous situations. That's why they believe adventure is for men, while women should stay home, have children, and wait for their return!"

These words didn't sit right with Jessica, but she felt powerless to challenge them. Most of the adventurers she knew of were indeed men, and strong women were rarely mentioned.

From then on, Jessica begged her parents to find her a teacher who could train her. However, her parents disagreed, not wanting their daughter to become rough.

But Jessica was determined. Her constant requests eventually persuaded her mother, who then convinced her father.

In the end, her stubborn father arranged for a skilled swordsman from the kingdom to train her. He had a good reputation for strength in the kingdom.

Originally fragile, Jessica pushed herself to her limits, aiming to prove that women could be strong too.

However, when he was ready to inform his daughter, he only found a letter on the desk. Jessica had fled.

Escaping, Jessica took some essential money, disguised herself, and sneaked onto a merchant ship. As she prepared to sail to the next island, she traded the jewels she had with her for a small but sturdy boat to start her journey.

Yet, the weather was unpredictable. Shortly after setting sail, a fierce storm shattered her boat. If she hadn't summoned her courage and clung to a relatively large sampan, she might have perished at the bottom of the sea.

Unfortunately, her two finely crafted swords also sank with her boat.

She anticipated drifting at sea for days, possibly succumbing to sea beasts or starvation.

But just as she grew weary, as the sea slowly calmed, a peculiar yet elegant ship approached her.

Arthur observed the distressed girl waving frantically nearby, halted his boat, and then lowered the ladder.