For generations—four hundred years of persistence.

And yet, it was likely going completely against the real answer. A bit dazed…

Cricket knew that this was, in all likelihood, the real answer.

So then, what did the sacrifices and persistence of generation after generation of ancestors over the past four hundred years—exploring the seafloor—really mean…

People are like this: before the truth is revealed, they firmly believe in what they hold in their hearts.

But when the real answer is uncovered and it completely contradicts what they had believed in…

All that persistence up to now becomes utterly meaningless. No one can accept that peacefully…

…

Three days later, waters off Jaya Island.

There was still some time before the eruption of the Knock-Up Stream, but the sea surface was already beginning to stir.

A vortex had formed at the epicenter of the impending eruption.

As time went on, the vortex spun faster and larger. Even the warship, anchored in place, began to shift slightly.

Cricket stood beside Sakazuki, gazing at the massive whirlpool.

In his arms was a strange bird, looking somewhat tense.

The South Bird, also known as the Compass Bird, had a slightly plump body and a vacant expression.

Its head resembled a compass needle, always pointing south.

All of this was in preparation for the journey to the Sky Island.

“It’s coming.”

Sakazuki’s deep voice echoed in everyone’s ears, making them jump.

Just as they turned to see what was happening, the ship suddenly lurched.

RUMMMMBLE!

A massive sound erupted as the vortex suddenly intensified in speed and violence.

The raging sea began to pull the warship toward the center of the vortex, moving faster and faster.

Until, driven by speed and mass—

SPLASH!!!

The warship was flung from the surface, hurled toward the void at the vortex’s center.

Cricket and the soldiers aboard stood on the airborne vessel, staring at the sea below, their faces pale.

They were being thrown into the air!

“HISSSSS!!!!!”

Everyone turned to the bow of the ship, where Sakazuki stood, his expression unchanged.

As if nothing had happened, his calm demeanor stabilized everyone’s nerves a bit.

It had only been a split second—just as the warship was about to fall into the hollow…

BOOM!!!!!!

The sound of the warship crashing into water rang out.

The whirlpool had vanished in an instant, leaving behind only a calm sea.

“Hold onto the railing.”

Sakazuki’s deep voice sounded again.

One hand gripped the railing, while the other grabbed Cricket.

Everyone quickly followed suit and held on tightly.

The sea surface began to bulge like a swelling water bubble.

Lifting the warship upward, their field of view climbed higher and higher.

Endless seawater broke through the bubble, transforming into a towering current that propelled the warship into the clouds.

“Whoa!!!!”

“We’re riding vertically!”

“This is such a strange feeling.”

“Hahahahaha!!!”

“Charge!!!!”

“OOOOOOOHH!!!!”

The warship ascended vertically with the current. Everyone, witnessing this for the first time, couldn’t help but shout in amazement.

But soon, something felt wrong—why did it seem like they were getting farther from the sea?

“Hey hey, no way!!!”

“We’re doomed!!”

“Are you serious?!!!”

“I…!!!”

“HEY HEY HEY HEY!!!!”

As more and more people noticed the warship drifting farther from the water’s surface—

And saw a few Sea Kings falling off to the sides—

They finally realized it wasn’t an illusion.

They were really getting farther and farther from the sea!!!

SPLASH!!!

At the moment the warship broke free from the sea, Sakazuki’s hand on the railing transformed into molten magma, surging out rapidly.

Like a coating, it enveloped the ship’s body—leaving the interior hollow—forming an arrowhead-shaped outer shell.

With Armament Haki hardening the magma, massive black arrowheads appeared in the sky.

BOOM!!!!

Endless magma erupted from the base of the black arrowhead, pushing the ship further skyward like a jet.

BOOOOM…

Bringing Cricket along was just a casual favor.

But since they’d made it, those treasures on the Sky Island… he wouldn’t be polite about taking them.

Sakazuki’s real objective was the blueprint for the flying Ark Maxim…

…

White Sea

Located 7000 meters above the Blue Sea.

The air was thin, filled with countless small sky islands.

It could be accessed via the summit of the West Sky or by the Knock-Up Stream, and exited through the far end of the eastern clouds.

The Sky Islands was located another 3000 meters above the White Sea.

It consisted of Angel Island and God’s Island, “Upper Yard.”

Of course—

The most important thing here was the design blueprint of the Ark ‘Maxim,’ endless gold, and the Goro Goro no Mi…

No reason not to take it all.

BOOM!!

With a loud explosion,

A massive black arrowhead burst through the surface of the White Sea.

The moment it emerged, the enormous black arrowhead softened and squirmed, then vanished.

A warship crashed into the sea surface, sending waves several meters high splashing down.

Bathed in sunlight again, the people looked around at this white world.

“This is???”

“Clouds?”

“Whoa!!!”

“Pure white everywhere.”

“We’re floating… on clouds?”

“That’s impossible!!!!”

“HISSS!!!”

“It’s real, you know.”

The adjutant pulled out documents about the Sky Island.

“This should be the White Sea—a navigable sea formed by sea clouds within the Cumulonimbus Clouds.”

“Hiss, so it really is clouds.”

“How can we be sure this is the White Sea?”

“Because of that.”

“Hmm?”

“What is that?!”

“A white waterfall flowing in reverse?”

Following the adjutant’s finger, the soldiers looked in that direction.

Though partly obscured by clouds, they could faintly see a white waterfall flowing upward.

“Yes, that should be the Gate of Heaven.”

“HEAVEN?!?!?!”

“The Heaven?!”

“Nope. That place is also made up of Sky Islands, and is the only official nation among them—Skypiea.”

“That is the entrance to Skypiea—the Gate of Heaven.”

The adjutant explained to everyone, while the surrounding soldiers showed visible disappointment.

They thought it might be actual heaven.

“I see. I thought we’d see a god or something.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? There’s no such thing as gods.”

“Hahahahaha.”

“There might not be a real god, but…”

That drawn-out voice caught everyone’s attention. They all looked at him expectantly, and the adjutant smiled.

“There is a race of angels—the kind with wings.”

The surrounding soldiers gasped in excitement, looking eagerly toward the bow of the ship.

Sakazuki nodded at the adjutant, who raised a hand and looked toward the distant reverse-flowing waterfall.

“Target: Gate of Heaven!”

“OOOOOOHHH!!!!”

—

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