Chapter 43: Arriving at Sky Island — The Fool, Teach!

Before long, under the careful guidance of the veteran navigators, the Moby Dick stabilized completely.

The sailors worked in perfect coordination, adjusting the ship’s course with practiced precision.

As the vessel accelerated to its maximum speed, combined with the tremendous thrust of the Knock Up Stream, its velocity increased severalfold.

At that moment, the ship looked like a giant spear piercing the heavens.

Towering waves exploded around it as it shot upward through the sky, creating a spectacle unlike anything the crew had ever witnessed.

"Woohoo!"

Ace spread his arms against the raging wind, unable to contain his excitement.

"Big Ron, we actually did it!"

His voice was nearly drowned out by the howling gale.

Marco was equally thrilled.

Looking at the approaching cloud layer, anticipation shone in his eyes.

"It’s been a long time since anything this exciting happened. Sky Island really is something special."

Ron stood quietly on deck, gazing at Jaya as it grew smaller and smaller below them.

From now on, Sky Island will become my base of operations.

I’ll turn it into the ideal nation I’ve always envisioned.

"What a massive sea of clouds."

"You idiot, weren’t you listening yesterday? This is the White Sea!"

"Exactly! The White Sea is seven thousand meters above the ocean. Sky Island is located even higher, on the White-White Sea at an altitude of ten thousand meters!"

The crew excitedly discussed everything they saw.

After passing through the White Sea and traveling for quite some time, they finally arrived at the White-White Sea.

Everything here seemed covered in pristine white.

As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but endless clouds and dazzling whiteness.

Sunlight reflected off the cloud ocean, making it almost painful to look directly at it.

The air felt fresh and cool.

Even breathing was unusually refreshing.

The Moby Dick sailed gently across the cloud sea.

The crew crowded onto the deck, eagerly looking around.

"Look over there!"

Someone suddenly pointed into the distance.

Everyone followed his finger.

Soon, they saw it.

The silhouette of a Sky Island.

It floated above the White-White Sea like a miracle suspended in the heavens.

Lush greenery covered the island.

Dense forests contrasted sharply with the endless white surroundings, making the island appear even more mysterious.

The crew immediately erupted into cheers.

"Sky Island!"

"We finally made it!"

"Rumble-Rumble Fruit, here I come!"

"Enel! Get out here and donate some blood!"

"Let’s take ten pounds first, then keep him around and collect more whenever we need it!"

"Hahaha! That’s evil!"

"..."

Amid laughter and jokes, the Moby Dick gradually approached the shore.

The Whitebeard Pirates began disembarking.

Jaya

Marshall D. Teach stood on the shoreline, roaring in fury.

As he watched the Moby Dick disappear into the sky, his face twisted with disbelief and rage.

Those bastards had taken his prize.

The Tremor-Tremor Fruit (Gura Gura no Mi).

"Damn it!"

"I was one step too late again!"

Teach slammed his fist into a nearby reef.

BOOM!

The rock exploded into countless fragments.

His eyes burned with hatred.

"Sky Island..."

He gritted his teeth.

"Even if you run to the ends of the earth, I’ll find you!"

His gaze was cold and murderous.

To Teach, the Tremor-Tremor Fruit was more than just power.

It was a cornerstone of his ambitions.

Losing it dealt a serious blow to his plans.

After venting his anger for a while, Teach finally turned and disappeared into the jungle.

He planned to investigate the Whitebeard Pirates’ former camp.

Perhaps they had left behind some useful clues.

Time was precious.

He couldn’t afford to waste a single moment.

After Teach left, a figure cautiously crawled out from between some rocks.

It was Bellamy.

His heart was still pounding violently.

It felt as though he had narrowly escaped death.

Watching the direction Teach had gone, Bellamy felt both fear and relief.

He patted his chest and took a deep breath.

"That was close..."

"That guy’s called Teach?"

"Why have I never heard of him before?"

Bellamy frowned.

Remembering Teach’s sinister eyes and cruel smile sent a chill down his spine.

"He definitely doesn’t look like a good guy."

Bellamy narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

He replayed everything he had just witnessed.

"This guy clearly has some grudge against the Whitebeard Pirates."

"He’s been spying on this place for a long time."

"He’s definitely plotting something."

Then a sly smile appeared on his face.

"Heh... finally, some useful information."

"As long as it involves the Whitebeard Pirates, it’s valuable."

Bellamy knew this discovery might be crucial to completing his mission.

At that moment, he glanced up at the sky.

The Knock Up Stream had long since disappeared.

Bellamy sighed helplessly.

"I ended up arriving late too."

"I was prepared to endure hardships and complete my idol’s mission..."

"But now there’s nothing left."

He shook his head in disappointment.

Tomorrow, Donquixote Doflamingo would arrive.

Bellamy needed a convincing explanation.

"Sigh... I better start thinking of a good excuse."

That evening...

Numerous pirate ships suddenly appeared around Jaya.

One after another.

Every vessel flew a skull-and-crossbones flag.

The pirates loudly proclaimed their strength and ambitions.

"Hahaha! The first person to trade with Whitebeard will be me—Axe King Hajes!"

A massive pirate swung his giant axe while shouting confidently.

"Shut up! You’re trash! You couldn’t survive a single move from me!"

Another pirate sneered while drawing his sword.

"The first spot belongs to me!"

"Hehehehehe! The Kun-Kun Pirates have arrived!"

"Anyone who doesn’t get out of the way can taste my Iron Shoulder Slam!"

A bizarre group of strangely dressed pirates rushed ashore, waving their weapons aggressively.

The shoreline quickly descended into complete chaos.

Everyone wanted to be the first to secure a deal with the Whitebeard Pirates.

And none of them had any idea that the Whitebeard Pirates had already left for Sky Island.

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