The members of the Saruyama Alliance stood frozen, still processing what they'd just witnessed.
When they looked at Marcus and the Straw Hats now, their expressions had shifted.
They didn't know the full story of what had just happened. And of course, they didn't understand who that distant ship belonged to or why Marcus had attacked them. But that single strike had explained everything they needed to know about the power level they were dealing with.
When facing someone that strong, you kept your head down and your questions to yourself.
Cricket studied the guide bird perched on his shoulder for a moment before speaking. "We're getting close to the Knock Up Stream zone. It should be another hour or so at this pace."
The Straw Hats exchanged glances. Marcus' little "incident" had definitely thrown a wrench into their plans, but their goal remained the same. Sky Island was still up there, and they were still going.
Did anyone doubt Marcus' decision to attack that ship? Not really. They were crewmates, and crewmates backed each other up, even when they didn't fully understand what was going on. Besides, if he thought that ship was dangerous enough to warrant a pre-emptive strike, they trusted his judgment.
As for worrying about being chased? They were about to ride a massive geyser into the sky. Good luck following them up there with a regular ship.
Marcus walked over to Cricket, scratching the back of his head. "Hey, about you guys heading back to Mock Town... you might want to delay that for a few days. Those people I just attacked? They're gonna hold a grudge, and they might take it out on anyone they think helped us. Or you could change up your ship's appearance, make it look completely different. Actually, I can help with that if you want."
He felt responsible for dragging these helpful strangers into his mess. The least he could do was give them a way to avoid the fallout.
Cricket considered this for a moment, then nodded. "We've got time before the Knock Up Stream anyway. Might as well."
Marcus got to work immediately, using his abilities to completely reshape both the Saruyama Alliance ships and Cricket's vessel. What had been distinctive, personality-filled ships became generic-looking vessels that could blend into any harbor.
The modifications made Masira and Shoujou look a bit dejected, they'd been proud of their ships' unique designs. But it beat the hell out of being hunted down by whatever terrifying group Marcus had just pissed off.
Besides, they were ship modifiers themselves. Once things cooled down, they could always restore the old designs or make something even better.
Nobody blamed the Straw Hats for the danger. That slash... it had made one thing clear: these weren't people you wanted to cross.
Cricket watched the crew work. Eventually, curiosity got the better of him. "Are you folks from the New World? Can't imagine pirates this strong hanging around Paradise."
He wasn't asking about their beef with that other ship, that was their business. He just wanted to know where they'd come from.
The Straw Hats' expressions turned a bit awkward at the question.
"If it's not something you want to talk about, that's fine," he added quickly. "I'm not trying to pry into your secrets or anything."
Luffy, naturally, had no such reservations. "We're from the East Blue! And one day, I'm gonna conquer the entire Grand Line and become the Pirate King!"
Usopp sighed heavily. "The first part answered his question. The second part was completely unnecessary."
"Doesn't matter! I'm still gonna become the Pirate King!"
Usopp had given up arguing about this particular quirk. Luffy declared his intention to become Pirate King to literally everyone they met, villagers, enemies, random people in bars, even inanimate objects sometimes. It was his personal catchphrase at this point.
Cricket blinked in surprise. The East Blue was widely considered the weakest of the four seas, but it also had a strange history of producing legends.
The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, had come from the East Blue.
The Marine Hero, Garp, was from there too.
And now here was another crew making waves.
"Is this... fate?" Cricket muttered without thinking.
The Straw Hats immediately perked up, their expressions turning odd.
"What's wrong?" he asked, confused by the sudden change in atmosphere.
"You just said Marcus' catchphrase," Nami pointed out.
"What?" Marcus looked baffled. "Since when is that my catchphrase?"
The crew started counting on their fingers, recalling every instance.
"You said it when we first met in Mock Town!" Luffy raised his hand enthusiastically.
"I can testify to that," Usopp nodded.
One by one, they started listing occasions. From their first meeting in the East Blue all the way to now, Marcus had apparently been dropping the word "fate" constantly.
"Do I really say it that much?" he scratched his head.
Cricket couldn't help but laugh at the scene. It reminded him of better days, back when he'd sailed with his own crew. If he were twenty years younger, he might have signed up with these kids in a heartbeat.
He clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, enough chatting. This is as far as we can take you. From here on out, you're on your own."
The sky had darkened considerably. Not far from their ships, a massive whirlpool churned in the ocean, water spiraling down into darkness.
"That's where the Knock Up Stream erupts," he explained, pointing at the vortex. "And it's your only shot at reaching Sky Island. Miss your chance, and you'll have to wait for the next one."
Nami turned to look at the whirlpool, her navigator's knowledge filling in the details Cricket hadn't mentioned. She'd researched this phenomenon thoroughly before they'd set out, but seeing it in person made her stomach drop a bit.
The Knock Up Stream was caused by extreme pressure buildup in underwater caverns, which would eventually explode upward in a violent jet of seawater. But the real underlying cause was volcanic activity. They were essentially sailing into the mouth of an active underwater volcano.
She swallowed hard. "Luffy... is it too late to reconsider this plan?"
When she turned around, she saw the Men's Romance Brigade already celebrating like they'd already landed on Sky Island.
Vivi walked up beside Nami and patted her shoulder sympathetically.
"Vivi..." Nami's voice was small and dejected.
"Nami," Vivi said with a playful smile, "from here on out, all our lives are in your hands~"
She stuck out her tongue, and Nami's eye twitched. She'd thought Vivi was coming over to comfort her, but instead she'd just piled on more pressure.
"This is as far as we go," Cricket said, his ship and the Saruyama Alliance vessels beginning to pull away. "Good luck up there."
"Why do I feel like I'm being led to the execution platform..." Nami muttered.
"You're not alone!" Usopp immediately agreed, finding solidarity in shared fear.
As for Chopper, the third member of their "cowardly trio"? He'd already been swept up in the crew's excitement. In his mind, he was already on Sky Island, carving "Chopper was here!" into some cloud.
He was easily influenced by the crew's mood. When everyone else was excited, danger became an abstract concept that didn't really register.
Robin spoke up calmly from her spot on the deck. "According to the records, Sky Island has something called the White Sea. If that's the case, would Devil Fruit users be affected? After all, we'll be passing through clouds... doesn't that count as being submerged in water?"
"Not with our new gear!" Luffy grinned. "Even if we fall into the sea up there, we'll still be able to swim!"
Robin considered this, then nodded slightly. "Let's just hope we don't fall off the clouds entirely."
"Robin! Don't say scary things like that!" Nami shivered involuntarily.
The Going Merry had already drifted toward the center of the whirlpool, caught in the current. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she gripped the railing.
Her eyes locked onto the deceptively calm center of the vortex.
"It's coming! It's coming!"
The whirlpool suddenly collapsed in on itself. The water level at the center began rising, bulging upward like the ocean was taking a breath.
Then it erupted.
The force of the Knock Up Stream hit them. The Going Merry groaned and creaked under the immense pressure as thousands of tons of water shot upward, carrying them with it.
Any normal ship would have been torn apart instantly by the forces involved.