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--xLOVEx--
As the ship continued to ascend, the clouds thickened around them. The air grew colder, and visibility became limited. The crew braced themselves for whatever lay ahead. The wind whipped through them, and the sound of rushing air filled their ears as they soared higher and higher.
Soon, the ship was ascending rapidly, climbing the side of the Knock Up Stream. The force was immense, and the Going Merry creaked under the pressure. As the ship struggled against the violent waters, Sanji noticed something alarming. "Oh no! We're losing velocity," he called out. "If we slow down, we'll fall off the side of this pillar straight into the sea!"
Coby glanced at Nami, a grin spreading across his face. "Nami, you're the navigator, and this is just another sea."
Nami clenched her fists, determination blazing in her eyes. She barked orders without hesitation. "Open the sails! Full speed ahead!"
The crew scrambled to obey, moving swiftly to adjust the sails. The wind caught them immediately, billowing out and giving the ship a much-needed boost of speed. The Going Merry surged forward, climbing higher up the stream with renewed force.
Luffy gripped the figure head, his eyes wide with excitement as the ship rocketed upward. "This is amazing!" he shouted over the roar of the wind.
Zoro stood firm, his stance wide as he kept his balance. He glanced around at the others, making sure everyone was holding on tight. "Keep it steady!"
Chopper clung to the mast, his small body trembling from the sheer intensity of the ride. "I can't believe we're going to the sky!" he exclaimed, his voice barely audible over the howling wind.
As the ship ascended higher and higher, the clouds thickened, and visibility became nearly nonexistent. The Going Merry creaked under the strain, but Nami kept them on course, her hands steady on the wheel.
"Almost there!" she yelled, her voice full of conviction.
Just as it seemed the ship would be swallowed by the clouds entirely, they broke through, bursting into the clear blue sky above. The crew gasped in unison as they took in the breathtaking view. The sky stretched out endlessly around them, a vast expanse of white clouds below and above, with the sun shining brightly overhead.
The crew gasped for air as the ship passed through the white sea. For a moment, they were forced to hold their breath, the oppressive thinness of the air bearing down on them, but the ship pierced through the thick clouds. They soon realized the ship was floating, the Going Merry suspended atop the clouds as if it were a normal sea. Usopp, ever eager to show off his bravery, decided to take a swim in the White Sea, a childlike curiosity lighting up his eyes. But when he dove too deep and nearly plummeted back to the blue sea below, Luffy and Robin were quick to pull him back to safety.
"That was too close!" Usopp yelled, clutching the deck as if it might vanish beneath him. His heart pounded as he caught his breath, the near-death experience making him question every decision that had led him to this point.
Their brief moment of peace was interrupted by the sight of a man wearing a mask and tribal clothing, surfing toward them with alarming speed. The crew was still adjusting to the thin air, their lungs struggling to keep up with the altitude, and their reactions slowed as a result. Before they could fully process what was happening, the man darted forward, his movements quick and deadly. He quickly incapacitated Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro.
Coby staggered, feeling the burning in his lungs intensify as he tried to fight back. His body ached, and he couldn't get enough air into his lungs. Even their formidable strength seemed to wane in this harsh environment. He could barely keep up with the masked man, every breath a struggle. It wasn't just his physical strength that was affected—the thin air was messing with his coordination and focus too.
Zoro gritted his teeth, trying to push through the exhaustion that was setting in. "Damn it…this guy…" he muttered, frustrated by how easily they'd been taken down.
Luffy, lying on the deck, groaned as he tried to stand back up. "Who the hell is this guy?"
The masked man gave no answer, merely readying himself for another strike.
Coby panted, trying to find a way to outmaneuver the masked man. His fists clenched, but he could feel his strength fading fast. Just when it seemed like they were done for, a loud screech filled the air.
A giant bird swooped down from the clouds, its wings spread wide as it aimed directly at the masked man. Perched on the bird's back was a knight in armor, holding a lance that gleamed under the bright sky. With a powerful thrust, the knight jabbed the lance at the masked man, forcing him to dodge and retreat.
The masked man hesitated, clearly recognizing the knight as a formidable opponent. Without a word, he backed away and disappeared into the swirling clouds, leaving the crew momentarily stunned.
The knight and his bird landed gracefully on the deck of the Going Merry. The crew, still catching their breath from the earlier battle, watched as the knight dismounted. He stood tall, his armor gleaming despite the thin air and harsh conditions.
"I am the Knight of the Sky, Gan Fall," the knight announced, his voice calm but authoritative. He looked around at the crew, assessing their condition. "It seems you've had an encounter with one of the sky warriors."
Luffy, still rubbing his head where the masked man had struck him, stared at Gan Fall with wide eyes. "Knight of the Sky? That sounds cool!"
Gan Fall chuckled lightly, his gaze softening as he looked at the curious faces before him. "It's a title I've held for many years. You've entered the White Sea, a dangerous place if you're unprepared."
Nami stepped forward, her curiosity piqued. "We're looking for Sky Island. Can you help us find it?"
Gan Fall nodded. "Sky Island, also known as Skypiea, isn't far from here. But you must be careful—this sea is filled with dangers, and not all who arrive make it to Skypiea safely."
Zoro, still catching his breath, leaned on his sword. "That guy who attacked us… is he one of those dangers?"
Gan Fall's expression darkened slightly. "Yes, that man is one of the many dangers lurking in this sea. But before we discuss more about him, let me introduce my service. I am a Knight, and my job is to assist travelers like yourselves in this treacherous White Sea. Anytime you need me to save you, I'll charge a modest fee of 5 billion Extol."
The crew stared at him in confusion, their faces blank. Coby couldn't help but chuckle. "It's only about 500,000 beli," he explained. The others sighed in relief, but Nami exclaimed, "That is still a lot!" Their relief was short-lived when Gan Fall realized how they had arrived in the White Sea.
"You came here through the Knock Up Stream?" Gan Fall asked, his tone laced with disbelief.
Nami, already on edge from everything they'd been through, felt her frustration bubbling up. "Wait, are you saying there were other ways to get here? Easier ways?"
Gan Fall nodded slowly. "Indeed, there are more manageable routes, though they each come with their own risks."
Nami's eyes welled up with tears of frustration. "Coby! Why didn't you tell us there were other ways?"
Coby shrugged nonchalantly, meeting her teary gaze. "Those other paths have their own dangers too. With the Knock Up Stream, it's all or nothing—either we all die, or we all make it. The other routes might pick us off one by one. Even if I had offered, would any of you have accepted?"
The crew collectively shook their heads. None of them would have accepted a safer route at the cost of their unity. The thrill of surviving the Knock Up Stream together was worth more than anything else. Gan Fall seemed to understand their resolve and tossed a small whistle towards them.
"I'll give you one service for free," he said. "Blow this, and I will come down from the heavens to save you." With that, he mounted his ugly pegasus and flew away, disappearing into the sky above.
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