As the marine warship pressed forward, the clouds that had been obscuring their view gradually parted.
A massive golden gate came into sight, its sharp edges forming a many-pointed star that shimmered with a majestic brilliance. Suspended at the top was a plaque with the words: "HEAVENS·GATE·."
Behind it, a white waterfall flowed in reverse, rising upward into the sky. This was the entrance to Skypiea—Heaven's Gate.
"Wow!"
"What a sight!"
"But... doesn't 'Heaven's Gate' sound a little ominous?"
"No."
"Maybe... we're already dead~"
"Hahaha!"
"What?!"
The ship drew closer, and the gleaming gate loomed large in everyone's eyes. A collective sense of awe swept over the crew.
Just then, a group of guards stepped out from a building behind the gate. At Sakazuki's signal, the warship slowed to a gentle halt beside the platform where the guards had gathered.
They wore matching uniforms and gleaming armor, each holding a spear. But what caught everyone's attention were the white wings folded against their backs.
Sakazuki gave a nod to Carlo, who leapt from the ship and approached the group.
"Greetings, I'm Carlo from the Marines. May I ask your name?"
"Welcome, adventurers from the Blue Sea," the lead guard replied. "I am Hodgson, Captain of the Ninth Division of the Divine Squad. What brings you here?"
"We're searching for a lost island."
"An island?"
"Yes. It's called Jaya Island. Have you heard of it?"
Hodgson furrowed his brow. "Hmm... no. Perhaps it's hidden somewhere in the White-White Sea. There are countless small sky islands scattered across it. I can only wish you luck."
"I see. Thank you. By the way, would it be possible for us to travel to Skypiea and take a look around?"
"Certainly. If you're sightseeing, though, the entry fee is one hundred million Extol per person."
"Huh?!" Carlo gasped. "Did you say one hundred million?"
"Yes. One hundred million Extol."
"That's... really expensive."
"Expensive? Didn't you exchange currency on your way here?"
"Exchange?"
"...That's odd. Normally, anyone coming here would've passed by at least a few of the key islands. You didn't stop anywhere?"
"Uh... we actually came up using the Knock-Up Stream."
Hodgson's eyes widened. "That monstrous current?!"
He stared at the marine warship in disbelief, then walked closer, examining the hull with growing amazement. His expression shifted from shock to admiration.
"Not a single scratch... unbelievable. You're monsters."
"It wasn't that big of a deal. We just got lucky, I guess," Carlo said modestly.
Hodgson gave him a flat look. 'Lucky? Seriously?'
"That was the Knock-Up Stream. Most who take it don't survive, and even if they do, their ships are usually in pieces. But yours is perfectly intact."
"Just luck, really."
"You really think I'd believe that...? Never mind. Let's go back to the earlier topic. The exchange rate for Extol to your Blue Sea Berries is ten thousand to one. So, it'll be ten thousand Berries per person."
"Phew, got it. Give me a moment." Carlo returned to the ship and spoke with Sakazuki.
Soon after, he came back with a case holding 10,020,000 Berries and handed it over to Hodgson for verification.
"Hm, 1,002 people," Hodgson noted.
"Yes."
"Very well. Please return to your ship and hold on to the railings. Have a pleasant journey. One more thing—stay away from the Upper Yard. That is the dwelling place of God. Outsiders are forbidden from entering."
Toot!
As Hodgson blew his whistle, several giant lobsters surfaced around the marine ship. They raised their massive claws and clamped tightly onto the warship.
The moment Carlo jumped back on board, the express lobsters pulled together, charging straight up the reverse-flowing white waterfall. Only then did everyone realize that inside the waterfall was a spiral staircase made of clouds.
The lobsters climbed quickly, hauling the ship along the winding path toward the heavens.
Watching the ship disappear into the spiral, Hodgson pulled out a Dial and pressed it.
"This is Captain Hodgson of the Ninth Division, Divine Squad. A group of powerful adventurers claiming to be the Marines came up through the Knock Up Stream and entered Skypiea."
"Requesting…"
...
Skypiea, Upper Yard.
A grand palace, pure white from top to bottom, stood tall and majestic. Its walls were carved with intricate cloud patterns.
Inside, seated on a majestic throne, was a man with a long beard. He set down the Dial he had been listening to, then waved over a nearby guard and whispered a few quiet instructions.
"Marines, huh…" he murmured to himself. Rising from his throne, Gan Fall stepped out into the open and gazed up at the sky, deep in thought.
Something seemed to cross his mind, and his eyes turned firm. He turned back inside, retrieved a notebook from a nearby table, and flipped it open.
"It can't be delayed any longer…"
This long war had already claimed too many lives. It needed to end.
...
As the blinding sunlight above grew nearer—
Boom!
The warship burst out from the top of the cloud path. The express lobsters released their grip, and the vessel dropped gently into a vast sea of clouds.
Before them appeared an enormous island woven from thick vines and soft white clouds.
Angel Island.
The massive vines stretched into the sky, countless branches spreading outward. Clouds rested atop these branches like platforms. On each sat buildings that looked like small castles.
White stairways connected each cloud, and children with white wings on their backs ran up and down the stairs, laughing and playing.
"Whoa!"
"This is amazing. What a gigantic plant."
"A world made of clouds..."
"By the way, are any of you feeling short of breath?"
"Yeah. I noticed it earlier below, but it's definitely worse now."
"This place is over 10,000 meters above the sea level," Carlo explained to the crew. "The air here is thin. Those with weaker bodies may feel lightheaded or dizzy. In severe cases, it can be fatal."
While speaking he glanced over at Cricket—the youngest on board. To his surprise, the child looked completely fine.
Noticing the look, Cricket smiled and said, "I'm alright. Don't worry about me. I've been diving to search for ruins since I was little, so I'm already used to low-oxygen conditions."
"Alright. But let us know right away if you feel unwell."
"Got it!"
...
After giving the marines permission to move freely, Sakazuki took Cricket and began exploring, taking in the scenery so different from the Blue Sea.
A few hours passed before a messenger appeared and interrupted their brief moment of peace.
"Reporting in, Vice Admiral Sakazuki. A man claiming to be a member of Divine Squad has delivered a message: 'God requests your presence.'"
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