Above the calm sea, the Going Merry sailed smoothly, its sails billowing with the wind.
"Hoo! Hoo!" Vivi stood at the bow, arms outstretched, relishing the ocean breeze. This moment, sailing freely with her friends, unburdened by the responsibilities of Alabasta, felt like a dream come true.
Her gaze drifted unconsciously to Ace, who had brought her into this new life. A faint blush touched her cheeks as she thought of him.
"Ace, you've heard and felt what happened that night..." Vivi murmured softly, her thoughts drifting.
Nami, Kaya, Nokigao, and Tashigi glanced at Ace with curious expressions. "You guys are acting weird," Ace chuckled, taking a sip of beer. "It looks like your crew is still shy about what happened that night."
Nami, Kaya, Nokigao, Vivi, and Tashigi blushed even deeper at Ace's teasing.
"Robin, if Ace didn't need a historian, I wouldn't have let you on this ship. And even now, I don't fully trust you," Nami shot back, face red with embarrassment, then hurried over to Robin with a mischievous grin. "Speaking of which, I still have some jewelry from Crocodile."
Robin chuckled lightly, sipping her tea with grace, unfazed by Nami's playful banter.
"My sister's love for money runs deep, all thanks to Cocoyashi Village," Nokigao sighed, watching Nami count the jewels.
Ace, noticing Nami's actions, looked on fondly, protecting not just Nami's treasure but the dreams of all his crewmates.
Kaya, covering her mouth with a smile, settled beside Ace, reading her medical book and occasionally stealing glances at him.
Robin's interruption brought a calm back to the Merry. Nami studied the navigation charts, and Nokigao steered the ship skillfully while Kaya, Vivi, and Tashigi adjusted the sails under Nami's guidance.
Meanwhile, Ace lounged leisurely on a deck chair, soaking in the sun. "You're quite relaxed, Captain," Robin remarked, taking a sip of tea.
Ace chuckled, hands behind his head. "I trust my amazing crew with sailing. I've got the best navigators, helmsmen, ship's doctor, swordswoman, combatant, and historian in the world. I only need to step in at critical moments."
Robin paused at Ace's confidence. She understood his deep trust in Nami and the others and was touched by his words about being the best historian.
Ace's gaze turned to the horizon. "Everything looks normal. Wait... what's this?" Nami exclaimed, her confidence faltering as she inspected the sea.
"What's wrong, Nami?" Nokigao asked, concerned.
"The Log Pose... it's pointing to the sky!" Nami's voice rose in disbelief.
"What?" Vivi, Nokigao, Kaya, and Tashigi gasped, eyes following Nami's gesture skyward.
"Woo! Boom!" The air cracked with the sound of breaking as debris from countless ships plummeted from the heavens.
"Heavens, a ship just fell from the sky!" Vivi, Kaya, Nami, Nokigao, and Tashigi exclaimed in unison, stunned by the surreal sight.
"Nami! The wreckage is falling towards us!" Vivi panicked.
"Nokigao, turn the helm!" Nami commanded urgently.
Nokigao swiftly adjusted the rudder while Kaya, Vivi, and Tashigi worked on the sails.
"Aren't you going to do something?" Robin asked Ace, who observed the falling wreckage with interest.
"At this level, there's no need for me to intervene," Ace replied, a faint smile on his lips. "I have the best crew in the world."
Ace's words resonated. Kaya and Vivi, initially alarmed by the unexpected crisis, regained their composure. Their expressions turned resolute.
"Yes, we're Ace's crew!" Vivi declared, her voice steady.
Tashigi tightened her grip on Shigure, her resolve clear. "Vivi, use Sand-Sand Fruit! Kaya, Tashigi, let's chop down the wreckage!"
Nami regained her command presence. "Follow my lead!"
"Shave!" Kaya focused, executing swift movements.
"Whoosh!" Kaya's Tempest Kick sliced through the air, cutting multiple slashes at the falling wreckage.
"Boom!" Tashigi stood firm on the bow, unsheathing Shigure with determination.
"Whoosh!" With a powerful swing, Tashigi unleashed a massive flying slash, obliterating a large piece of debris.
"Vivi!" Kaya and Tashigi called out as they looked towards Vivi, who stepped forward on the bow.
"Hoo ho ho! Leave it to me," Vivi declared confidently.
Standing tall, Vivi extended her right hand. A swirling sandstorm formed in her palm—a testament to her mastery of the Sand-Sand Fruit.
"I'm no longer the Princess of Alabasta without combat skills," Vivi thought, her gaze steady. "Now, I fight as a member of Portgas D. Ace's crew! Nefertari Vivi, user of the Sand-Sand Fruit!"
"SandStorm!" Vivi unleashed the sandstorm, swirling it around the falling debris.
"Boom!" The violent sandstorm enveloped the wreckage, driving it swiftly down into the sea.
"Plop! Plop!" The debris splashed into the ocean, leaving the Merry unscathed.
"How...?" Ace turned to Robin, a proud smile spreading across his face.
"It's incredible. In just a few days, their strength has grown so much," Robin marveled, her eyes gleaming.
Robin had seen firsthand how Ace's presence and encouragement had empowered Nami, Kaya, Nokigao, and Tashigi during their battles at Whiskey Peak.
"In terms of sheer power, Ace's abilities are unmatched," Robin reflected. "Every day, their skills in handling the field of understanding improve rapidly."
"Especially Vivi, after acquiring the Sand-Sand Fruit," Robin continued, recalling Vivi's rapid progress. "Previously lacking in combat talent, now she wields the Sand-Sand Fruit with skill comparable to Crocodile's."
"With Ace around, any deficiencies in raw power are easily compensated," Robin concluded.
"Do you ever wonder about my power?" Ace's voice broke Robin's reverie.
"I'm not particularly interested in enhancing my strength. History is where my passion lies," Robin replied with a knowing smile.
Ace grinned at her response, silently acknowledging her choice.
"So, the route seems clear. But... what's this?" Nami interrupted, puzzled as she inspected her Log Pose.
"No, Miss Navigator," Robin reassured her, smiling faintly. "When encountering strange phenomena at sea, it's better to question your assumptions than doubt the Log Pose."
"Sky Island... an island in the sky?" Nami raised her head, gazing at the vast sky with a forced smile. "Does such a place really exist?"
"Sky Island?" Ace's chuckle drew everyone's attention.
"Do you know about Sky Island, Ace?" Robin's smile faded into seriousness.
"I've heard bits and pieces," Ace admitted, turning thoughtful.
"Sky Island? An island in the sky? Does such a thing truly exist?" Nami wondered aloud, her thoughts reeling.
"No, wait... Ace only heard rumors," Nami corrected herself quickly.
"Really? How romantic," Kaya enthused, looking at the sky with hope sparkling in her eyes.
Kaya's unwavering belief in Ace's words touched everyone.
"But how could an island exist in the sky? It defies all logic," Nami muttered, her skepticism evident.
Ace looked at the Log Pose, then turned to Nami with a smile. "By the way, Nami, I have a feeling that Sky Island might hold a Devil Fruit worth more than three billion Berries, perfect for you."
"Yo, Nami! Nojiko! Let's set a course for Sky Island!" Ace's excitement was palpable.
"How in the world are we supposed to do that?" Nokigao interjected, staring incredulously at Nami.
"I can navigate, but I can't make the ship fly," Nokigao protested.
"Dammit! What did you do to my ship?" A sudden bellow cut through their discussion.
Startled, they turned to see a massive salvage ship approaching, with an orangutan bellowing from its bow.
"Apes? Talking apes?" the crew marveled at the unusual sight.
Ace's eyes narrowed slightly as he recognized them. "Are these the apes from the Aru Mountain Alliance?"
"What do you mean, this is your ship?" Nami demanded, confronting the orangutan.
"All the ships that fall into these waters belong to me! I salvage them, and you've destroyed them!" the orangutan roared.
Ace's gaze sharpened briefly. Was this Conqueror's Haki at work?
"I-I'm sorry! I spoke out of turn," the orangutan stammered, bowing to Ace.
Robin exchanged a significant glance with Ace.
"Was this another display of his Amazing Haki?" Robin pondered.
"Come closer. Let's talk," Ace invited, smiling.
The orangutan trembled, feeling an inexplicable terror emanating from Ace.
"W-What do you want to know? About the ships falling from the sky? I'll give them all to you," the orangutan offered cautiously.
"I'm not interested in ships. I'm interested in how to reach Sky Island," Ace stated calmly, his smile unwavering.
The orangutan stared at Ace in disbelief. "You... you believe in Sky Island?"
Tears welled in the orangutan's eyes. "Dad! Look, these people believe in Sky Island!"
The orangutan turned to his kindred. "Though I don't know how to reach Sky Island, my father does. He lives in a house on the shore of this island."
"Island in the sky? How could that be possible?" Nami mused aloud, still skeptical.
"That's right! Dad is a descendant of Montblanc Noland!" the orangutan boasted proudly.
"But he's out during the day. There's a nearby town on Jaya Island. Go to Magic Valley Town first to gather supplies. I'll inform Dad about you," the orangutan offered eagerly, handing over a pointer.
"Then let's head for Jaya Island," Ace decided, taking the pointer from Nami.
Ace's smile widened. Jaya Island promised not only supplies but also the intrigue of the unexpected.
"Look! That seems to be Jaya Island," Nami exclaimed from the bow of the Merry, pointing towards the island ahead.
"This should be a no-nonsense zone. Even pirate ships can dock openly at the port," Robin remarked as she joined Nami at the bow, holding a book in her hand.
"Wouldn't that suit us just fine?" Ace's lips curled into a smirk.
"Yes," Robin nodded, casting a glance at Ace and the other girls.
"The Entei Pirates' strength is already unmatched in the first half of the Grand Line. The chaos here won't affect us at all," Ace remarked confidently.
"Let's head to Magic Valley Town to buy supplies. If we're going to Sky Island, we need to ensure our Log Pose records the magnetic force accurately," Nokigao suggested, taking command as Nami's thoughts were occupied with the prospect of the three billion Beri Devil Fruit.
Arriving at Magic Valley Town, the disarray still unsettled the girls. The streets were littered with countless pirate flags, and an air of alcohol and violence hung thick.
"Hey! Isn't that...?" A voice rang out as the crew stepped into the town, eyes widening in recognition.
"No, it can't be," another voice whispered in disbelief.
"It's Portgas D. Ace, the Flame Emperor with an 85 million Beri bounty!"
"The big shot himself in Magic Valley Town?"
In a corner, pirates huddled over bounty posters, staring at Ace and his crew with fear etched on their faces.
"What? I thought we could stock up here, but it's a complete mess," Nojiko sighed, surveying the chaotic streets devoid of shops.
"There's a tavern over there. Let's see what's inside," Kaya suggested, pointing towards a nearby establishment.
"Sounds good," Ace replied, his Observation Haki subtly extending as a slight smile played on his lips.
"That fool still dares to defy me, haha," a man with yellow hair and a scar across his left eye laughed as he sat at the bar.
"Haha, you must be Bellamy, the pirate with a 55 million Beri bounty!" other pirates in the tavern cheered.
"Crack!"
The tavern door swung open, drawing everyone's attention.
All eyes turned towards a man entering with several beautiful women, prompting some to make aggressive moves. Yet, hesitation replaced their bravado as they caught sight of Ace's bounty poster, not yet updated.
"The 85 million Beri big shot!"
"Boss, get us some food," Ace calmly requested, pulling out a chair.
"Right away," the tavern owner responded, noticing the varied reactions among the patrons.
"Hey! That guy over there is..."
"The vice-captain of the Hyena Pirates, Sakis," someone nervously identified.
Bellamy's eyes locked onto Ace, his expression mirroring a hyena's grin as he appraised Ace with caution.
"Enjoy," the tavern owner placed plates of food before Ace and his crew.
"Sakura peach pie?" Ace recognized the dish from Luffy and Blackbeard's tales.
"Crack!"
Ace bit into it, then grimaced, "Tastes awful," a slight twitch at his mouth hinting at his familiar tastes.
He washed it down with a gulp of drink, eyes lighting up. "Oh? This drink's quite good."
"Boss, a hundred servings of this and a hundred of those," Nojiko requested with a smile, pointing out other tasty dishes.
"Right away," the owner hurriedly agreed, sensing the crew's significance.
"Hello!" Bellamy's patience wore thin, interrupting their meal.
Ace continued eating, seemingly unfazed.
"Portgas D. Ace, with an 85 million Beri bounty, what's your business in Magic Valley Town?" Bellamy demanded, his voice tinged with challenge.
Ace remained silent, focused on his food.
Bellamy clenched his fists, suppressing his anger as Sakis nervously pulled at his sleeve.
"The 85 million Beri pirate wants to go to Sky Island. Do you have any information?" Nami interjected, skeptical of relying solely on the orangutan's words.
Laughter erupted from the pirates in the tavern, Bellamy included, though most stifled their amusement.
"Sky Island? Does anyone still believe in that fairy tale?" Bellamy mocked, his gaze fixed on Ace.
"Do you not have dreams?" Kaya's voice rang out, her eyes flashing with defiance.
"Sky Island is a place of romance. If Ace says it exists, then it exists," Kaya affirmed, her belief unwavering.
"Dreams? The era of pirates chasing dreams is over. This is a new era," Bellamy retorted dismissively.
"New era?" Ace paused, wiping his mouth. "Hola!"
The tavern fell silent as Ace stood, the air thick with tension.
"Hey! Bellamy, this isn't good. He's serious," Sakis warned, anxiety creeping into his voice.
"Humph, what's 85 million? I doubt you can match that power," Bellamy taunted, but his bravado wavered.
"Playing pirate games, yet speaking of a new era?" Ace's calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Bellamy's bluster.
"What did you say?!" Bellamy exploded, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Even with an 85 million Beri bounty, insulting the new era in my heart is unacceptable," Bellamy declared defiantly.
Suddenly, Bellamy's legs sprang into action, transformed into springs.
"Can't I just go up there?" Sakis brandished a dagger, his voice laced with anger.
"Powers of the Devil Fruit?" Nami's gaze remained unwavering as she watched Bellamy's transformation.
Before anyone could react, Bellamy lunged towards Ace with a spring-assisted leap.
"Go! Kill them!" Sakis rallied the tavern's pirates, setting off a chaotic brawl.
"Boom!"
"Ah!"
Screams filled the tavern as violence erupted.
"I apologize for the mess," Ace calmly addressed the shaken tavern owner.
"Th-there's no need," the owner stuttered, stunned by the sudden turn of events.
"Remember to compensate for the damages," Ace instructed, turning his attention to Bellamy, who lay defeated.
"Yes, sir," Bellamy muttered, a mix of reluctance and fear in his eyes.
"Are you kidding me?!" Sakis, wounded and humiliated, glared at Ace and his crew from afar.
"This... This is the power of an 85 million Beri bounty? Impossible! He didn't even lift a finger earlier!" Sakis trembled, eyeing the girls who had effortlessly subdued his crew.
"They took down the big shot with an 85 million Beri bounty without even a fight. We stand no chance," fear gripped the pirates in the tavern.
"Well, found it," Ace noted, retrieving a Phone bug from Bellamy.
Bellamy tried to resist but lacked the strength.
"If you dare to dirty our captain's shoes again, I'll end you," Nokigao warned, gun pointed at Bellamy's head.
Fear and resignation flashed in Bellamy's eyes.
"This bug... My crew is so reliable," Ace chuckled softly, pleased with his crew's efficiency.
"Now, onto business," Ace murmured, activating the Phone bug to make a call.
Meanwhile, in Mariejois, at the Holy Land...
"Seven Warlords of the Sea, Lord Bartholomew Kuma and Lord Donquixote Doflamingo are here to welcome you," a broadcast announced.
In the conference room, chaos ensued as Doflamingo toyed with two Vice Admirals, stirring up trouble.
"Stop this, Doflamingo!" one Vice Admiral shouted, unable to control himself due to Doffy's puppetry.
"Fufufu, let's wrap this up quickly," Doflamingo had the smirk of a gangster ever-unrelenting.
"Enough!" Fleet Admiral Sengoku intervened, silencing the room.
The arrival of Dracule Mihawk added to the tension, his presence stirring curiosity among the Warlords.
"Let the meeting commence," Sengoku commanded, restoring order.
"Bru Buru Buru!" Doflamingo's phone ominously and suddenly rang, cutting through the atmosphere...