Click.
As the phone bug in his hand went silent, Ace withdrew his Field Of Understanding, a slight smile playing on his lips. The phone bug, shrouded in his Field Of Understanding, felt remarkably like the modern technology from his past life.
Bellamy, witnessing this, was filled with disbelief and deep fear. There was no way the man before him was only worth 85 million Baileys. Doflamingo, whom Bellamy admired most, didn't dare to speak against this guy. What's more, Ace had just mentioned a meeting with the Naval Headquarters Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Shichibukai Hawkeye Dracule Mihawk, and Bartholomew Kuma. This man had the audacity to provoke them all, including the Four Emperors Kaido. Bellamy realized they had offended someone far beyond their understanding.
The vice-captain of the Hyena Pirates, Sakis, fainted from fear upon hearing these names.
"Ace, you..." Robin looked at Ace, shocked. Naming Four Emperors Kaido was audacious. He had spoken to Shichibukai Doflamingo and the Marine Fleet Admiral with such confidence. Robin's admiration for Ace grew as she gazed at him.
"Ace, who is Kaido? Was that really the Marine Fleet Admiral and several Shichibukai on the phone?" Nami asked, moving closer to Ace with a bad feeling in her heart.
Robin explained, "On this sea, there are four big pirates known as the Four Emperors who dominate the entire second half of the Grand Line, called the New World. Each of them is powerful enough to clash with Naval Headquarters. The balance of power between the Naval Headquarters, Shichibukai, and Four Emperors maintains the current stability of the sea. Kaido is one of the Four Emperors."
"Isn't that bad? He's a super big shot!" Nami exclaimed.
"It's just a Yonko," Ace replied, his mouth curling into a confident smile. Ace felt his Conqueror's Haki strengthen further. As he aspired to become the king of the world, his first step was to take down one of the Four Emperors, and he had chosen Kaido.
Ace pondered whether Doflamingo would dare relay his words to Kaido. He doubted it. The Marines desired stability and wouldn't want a direct clash between Ace and Kaido so soon. Ace smiled at the thought, his determination unwavering.
Vivi, reflecting on Ace's confidence, admired him even more. Alabasta had struggled against a Shichibukai, and now Ace nonchalantly dismissed a Four Emperors.
Ace then addressed Nami, "When I get Kaido's head, I'll sell it to you. It's worth 4.6111 billion beli."
"4.6 billion?!" Nami exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock. Bellamy fainted at the number.
"We're pirates, so Marine probably won't give us a bounty," Nokigao noted.
Nami, still in disbelief, added, "It's not about the reward; it's about facing such a powerful figure!"
Ace reassured her, "Relax. Once we get the Devil Fruit worth more than 3 billion from Sky Island, maybe your bounty will be close to that number."
"I don't want a bounty that high! It's too much!" Nami protested, though a part of her felt fortunate to be with Ace, who had not yet received a bounty.
Tashigi handed Nami a stack of bounty orders just delivered by a news bird. Nami's face turned pale as she read them.
Ace laughed as he laid out the bounty orders on the bar, "The Entei Pirates' reward orders. Captain, Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace: 150 million Baileys. Historian, Son of the Devil, Nico Robin: 79 million Baileys. Navigator, Little Thief Cat, Nami: 13 million Baileys. Sniper, Nojiko: 15 million Baileys. Ship Doctor, Kaya: 16 million Baileys."
"Why are we being rewarded with a bounty?!" Nami exclaimed, covering her face.
Ace explained, "I sent your battle video to Marine. Isn't it a surprise?"
Nami, jumping onto Ace's back, accused, "The video phone bug you gave us not only showed you fighting Crocodile but also recorded us!"
Ace, holding Nami to prevent her from falling, smiled, "Doesn't it feel good to be on a bounty poster with the captain?"
"I'll fight you!" Nami bit Ace's neck lightly, her irritation mixed with affection.
Ace, stroking her head, said fondly, "Okay, how about I compensate you with Kaido's 4.6 billion head later?"
Nami, blushing, let go and jumped off his back, "Fine, but don't let my bounty rise too high. A lady like me needs to keep a low profile."
Kaya placed her bounty order next to Ace's on the bar, smiling sweetly. Vivi, envious, vowed to work hard to earn her place beside Ace's bounty. Tashigi, though conflicted, felt moved by Ace's consideration in not sending her video to Marine, giving her time to decide her path.
The tavern owner, bringing supplies, nervously refused payment, fearing Ace's bounty. Nami, placing a stack of Baileys on the bar, thanked him. Robin, lifting the supplies with her Flower-Flower Fruit ability, marveled at its convenience.
Ace led the crew out of the tavern, filled with excitement for their journey to Sky Island and the adventures ahead. As they departed, Robin reflected on how deeply she had integrated into the Entei Pirates, a feeling that was both strange and wonderful.
On the coast of Gaya Island, there stood a half-room house with wooden boards replacing missing walls. These boards were humorously painted with castle decorations.
"Stop talking nonsense. How can anyone still believe in the legend of Sky Island?" a man with a rhombus-shaped face, a tattoo on his left arm, and a cigarette dangling from his lips said, wiping his wet clothes. This was Cricket Montblanc, the descendant of the famed "big talker" Montblanc Noland.
"Dad! There really are people like that, and they're very strong. Just their gaze made me powerless to resist," an ape-like man said excitedly to Cricket.
"Huh? Do those kinds of people really exist? Are you dreaming?" a guy who resembled an orangutan asked loudly.
"How could I be dreaming! They were on a sailing ship with a sheep's head as its bow," the ape gritted his teeth and insisted.
"Was there a pirate flag with flames burning around it?" Cricket suddenly asked.
"That's right! Dad, how did you know?" the ape asked, surprised.
"They're here," Cricket pointed to the sea and murmured.
"Hey, ape! We are here, take us to Sky Island quickly!" Nami stood on the bow of the ship, waving her hands and shouting loudly. Her eyes were full of longing for the Devil Fruit worth a billion Baileys.
"Is there really such an idiot?" Cricket murmured.
After docking, Ace and his crew communicated with Cricket. He soon learned their identities through their bounty orders and recounted the story of Montblanc Noland. Cricket, having been ridiculed his entire life due to his ancestor's tales, had resolved to prove Noland's legend true and find the golden bell. Despite his efforts, he had yet to find anything.
Cricket also explained that the only way to reach the legendary Sky Island was through the treacherous Knock-Up Streams. Nami's eyes lit up at the thought of the gold rumored to be there.
"Just some picture stories," Cricket said, exhaling a puff of smoke.
"No, I'm afraid it's not groundless," Robin interjected, taking out a map. "Look, this is the old map of Gaya Island, but the current island is missing a piece." She pointed to the map, explaining, "If there is an Knock-up Stream like you mentioned, it's possible that the other half of Gaya Island was washed into the sky."
"Is it really possible?" Cricket's hands trembled, questioning if his ancestor was truly not a liar.
"Uncle, take us to the place where the currents rise. Just wait here for us to ring the golden bell on Sky Island," Ace said with a confident smile.
After a moment of silence, passion filled Cricket's eyes. If it was this big pirate leading the way, perhaps the legend could be proven true.
"In order to take advantage of the rising currents to fly into the sky, the ship must be modified. According to my calculations, the rising tide should be tomorrow!" Cricket announced, and immediately, he and his ape and orangutan companions set to work on transforming the Merry. Based on the wind direction and his experience, Cricket was confident that tomorrow would be the day when the upwelling current would break out.
"If anyone can reach Sky Island, it's this big pirate with a bounty of 150 million beli," Cricket thought.
"It's really lucky. It should only take one day for the recording pointer to log the magnetism of Gaya Island. After tomorrow, we'll have to give up on Sky Island," Nami said with a smile as she looked at the record pointer in her hand.
"Hey, miss, you're not exactly a brave person. Although, in theory, you can ride the rising current to the clouds, boats that were washed up by the currents usually crash back into the sea. That's why we fish here," Cricket said, pointing to the ape.
"How rude! What do you mean I'm not a brave person?" Nami retorted, her face tightening.
"Hmph! Even if there is an accident, Ace and Kaya can use Geppo to bring us down safely from the sky. Right, Kaya?" Nami smiled, holding Kaya's arm.
"Yes," Kaya nodded, smiling.
"Moonwalk?" Cricket asked, confused.
"A physical skill that allows you to walk in the air by stepping on your feet," Kaya explained.
"Is that so? A pirate group with such miraculous skills is worthy of being a great pirate group with 150 million beli. No wonder you're not afraid of failure," Cricket said with emotion. With such physical skills, even if an accident occurs, they could avoid falling into the sea.
"You've got it wrong," Nami said as Ace put his arm around her shoulders. "As long as I'm sailing on this sea, whether it's the surface or the rising current, my navigator won't fail. And my navigator is the bravest at heart." Ace held Nami's hand slightly, smiling warmly.
Nami looked at Ace's smiling face, her eyes shimmering. Kaya, Nokigao, Vivi, and Tashigi also smiled. Even if they themselves might not feel outstanding, in Ace's heart, they were the best.
"I have the best navigators, ship doctors, helmsmen, snipers, historians, swordsmen, and combatants in the world," Ace often said. Even Robin remembered his words, her beautiful eyes flashing.
"Is that so?" Cricket closed his eyes and smiled. He began to believe that Ace and his crew could indeed reach Sky Island and ring the golden bell if it truly existed there.
"Boost!" Cricket shouted, and his crew worked tirelessly, their hammers practically smoking from the effort. Ace smiled slightly, his hands glowing as he assisted in the transformation of the Merry.
Soon, the next day arrived, and the Merry had been transformed. The most eye-catching addition was the wings on both sides. "This transformation is even more perfect than I imagined. With this, we can soar into the sky with the rising ocean currents," Cricket smiled.
"Not bad," Nokigao, the helmsman, said, carefully simulating the driving process of the modified Merry. After a thorough simulation, she nodded confidently.
"The Entei Pirates, set sail! Target: Sky Island," Ace announced, jumping onto the bow.
"Yes!" The girls raised their hands, responding loudly, their excitement contagious. Even Robin was caught up in the atmosphere.
"Let's escort you," Cricket offered, smiling.
"According to calculations, the rising current should be near here," Cricket said after a long sail. He watched the clouds turning dark and shouted, "Go and detect the exact location."
"Leave it to us!" the orangutans and apes responded. The salvage experts dove into the sea.
"The steam is starting to spread!" one of the salvagers shouted after a while, jumping out of the sea. "It's right here," Cricket nodded towards the Merry. The rising current was near, its location identified by the steam.
"Then, I wish you all the best," Cricket said loudly. "Wait until you hear the golden bell from Jaya," Ace replied, his mouth curling into a slight smile.
"Here it comes!" Ace's Observation Haki spread, his eyes suddenly focused. The women's expressions grew solemn. In an instant, a massive whirlpool appeared on the calm sea, and the clouds turned black. Nami screamed in surprise, "Is this different from what was promised? Why is there such a big whirlpool?!"
"Getting to Sky Island is not as easy as imagined," Robin said, watching the enormous whirlpool.
"What an interesting sea," Ace said, standing at the bow and laughing, arms outstretched. "Come on, Nojiko!"
Nokigao controlled the Merry with determination, guiding it into the center of the massive whirlpool. Nami grabbed Ace's arm tightly, while Vivi and Kaya steadied themselves using their Sand-Sand Fruit and Six Styles abilities. Seeing Nami's actions, they joined her, falling into Ace's arms.
"We must capture the captain," Ace smiled, stroking Kaya and Vivi's hair.
"Uh-huh!" Kaya and Vivi blushed slightly.
"Here we go! Everyone, hold on!" Cricket shouted from a distance as the whirlpool began to gather. The rising current was imminent.
Ace's Observation Haki detected the updraft's formation. With a powerful eruption, a massive ocean current shot straight into the sky, penetrating the clouds. Under Nokigao's helm, the Merry caught the rising current, and its modified wings allowed it to soar into the sky with the updraft.
"We're really flying!" Vivi exclaimed, hugging Ace's arm.
"The wind, it's the wind," Nami said, stretching out her arms and feeling the airflow.
However, the Merry began to drift away from the current. "No, the hull is leaving the current. If it completely leaves, we'll fall," Nojiko said loudly, holding the control rudder tightly.
"Open all sails!" Nami commanded, her face full of confidence.
"Nami?" the crew looked at her.
"Who do you think the navigator of this ship is? As long as I'm on the sea, with the wind and sea, there's no route I can't navigate. I'm the best navigator in the world," Nami declared, smiling at Ace.
"Nami," Nojiko also smiled confidently. "I'm the best helmsman in the world! Vivi, Kaya! Open the sails!"
"Shave!" Kaya's eyes focused, and she appeared next to the sail. Vivi transformed into wind and sand, then reformed by another sail, determined to prove herself.
"Tashigi!" Vivi and Kaya called out.
"Yes," Tashigi grabbed the rope that controlled the sail, her eyes full of determination. She was also a member of the Entei Pirates.
"Let's go!" Nami shouted, clenching her fists.
The Merry's hull broke away from the rising current, but the sails caught the wind, allowing it to fly. "Success!" the girls exclaimed.
"Hahaha," Ace laughed at the bow, feeling the power of nature.
"Well done, my lovely crew," Ace said, looking at the girls with pride. Robin, watching from the side, felt a surge of admiration.
"Is this the Entei Pirates?" she thought. As long as Ace believed in them, they could do anything.
"Boom!" the Merry broke through the clouds, landing heavily on the white expanse above. "Are we really on the clouds?" Nami murmured, looking down.
"We're really on top of the clouds," Vivi said, covering her mouth in disbelief.
"Together with everyone and Ace, we came to the legendary Sky Island," Nojiko said, her lips curving into a smile. Robin also stared at the white expanse in awe.
"Hahaha, it's amazing," Ace laughed, standing at the bow.
Suddenly, a harsh roar filled the air. "There's a strange guy there!" Kaya pointed to a masked figure rushing towards them on a strange skateboard.
"A Shandia guy?" Ace narrowed his eyes.
"It seems they're coming for us. Are there pirates on Sky Island too?" Nami's face changed.
Kaya, Vivi, and Tashigi stepped forward to fight, but felt weak. In an instant, the masked man appeared above them, but Ace's iron fist sent him rolling among the clouds.
"Grumble!" a strange Pegasus appeared, ridden by a figure in armor, holding a spear. Ace recognized him as the former "god" Gan Fall.
"Another one?!" Nami exclaimed.
"Why don't we have any strength?" Vivi, Kaya, and Tashigi wondered, feeling weak.
"Are you from the Blue Sea?" Gan Fall asked.
"Blue sea people?" Nami asked, confused.
"Yes, people from below are called Blue Sea people here. The air here is different; it's very thin. It's normal to feel weak when you arrive. But haven't you adapted yet?" Gan Fall asked.
"Adaptation? We just rode the upcurrent to get here," Nojiko explained.
"You chose the most dangerous route to get here," Gan Fall said in disbelief.
"Is there any other way?" Nami wondered.
"Yes, the general route is through Cloud's End, passing many islands," Gan Fall explained.
"I knew it! The route you chose is the most dangerous," Nami said, tears streaming down her face.
"But why aren't you affected by the air here?" Gan Fall asked Ace.
"Maybe I adapted quickly," Ace smiled, his hands glowing as he enveloped the girls in a strange energy, restoring their strength.
"It's hard to believe," Gan Fall murmured. "I was going to give you a whistle to call for help, but it seems you don't need it."
"Maybe we'll meet again," Ace said, smiling.
"Hopefully," Gan Fall replied, disappearing into the clouds on his Pegasus.
"What an ugly Pegasus," Nami said with some disgust. "Probably a bird that ate the Devil Fruit. Let's go to Sky Island," Ace smiled.
"But Ace, the record needle is still pointing diagonally upward," Nami said, holding out her hand.
"That means the island where the magnetic force is recorded is in that direction. We've really arrived at Sky Island," Robin smiled.
"Then let's move in that direction," Ace laughed.
"Yes!" the girls responded with smiles.
As the Merry moved forward, a gate appeared in front of them. They had truly arrived at Sky Island.