Nami, along with the members of the second division, Vivi and Kaya, strolled cheerfully through the streets of Sky Island, attracting curious glances from the locals.
Sky Island had developed a unique civilization, with many everyday items made from shells.
There were many types of shells on Sky Island: wind shells, cloud shells, sound shells, water shells, light shells, laser shells, impact shells, and more—a dazzling variety.
Nami and the others, who had never seen such strange and new things before, went shopping.
Fortunately, Berries was the world currency and was accepted on Sky Island as well.
After buying various kinds of Sky Island shells, the group of women continued exploring the clothing stores.
"Nami, have you forgotten our original purpose?" Vivi asked helplessly. "You've already bought enough. Look at them—they can barely carry it all."
"Hehe, let's buy some clothes for Luffy too. He only has a few outfits," Nami said, sticking out her tongue as she quietly set aside the latest Sky Island fashion dress. Then she turned to look at the members of the second division.
Each of them was carrying bags of all shapes and sizes, and the situation was quickly becoming troublesome.
"We've spent too much money! We need to find gold and earn it back!"
At that moment, a group of men wearing white shell-shaped hats suddenly entered the store.
Upon seeing them, the people of Sky Island—including the shop clerks—grew tense.
"Are you tourists?"
Hearing the voice, Nami and the others turned to look.
The leader of the men raised his right hand, extended only his index and pinky fingers, placed it atop his head, and made a salute unique to the people of Sky Island.
"I am Captain McKinley, and I come from the Temple as an oracle. Among you, who is Nami?"
McKinley's gaze swept over the group and finally landed on Nami.
"That's me. What's the problem?" Nami stood up. "We paid to enter the country—we're legitimate tourists."
"That's not important. Since you are Nami, come with me to the Temple to meet God."
The captain said solemnly, "Consider yourselves honored. Even we rarely get to see the divine face. You've been given the chance, so be grateful."
"Huh? Why?" Nami laughed, finding it strange that a god would suddenly want to meet her.
"Do you intend to resist? God will pass judgment!" McKinley said in a deep voice.
At that moment, a member of the second division, Mr. 1, stepped forward and stood in front of Nami.
Immediately after, Mr. 3 jumped in and said, "Watch your tone, Sky Island folks. Miss Nami is the captain's woman..."
"Step back, Mr. 3."
"Yes, Miss Nami!" Mr. 3 quickly took two steps back.
Nami crossed her arms and asked with interest, "This god you mentioned... he probably knows where the gold is, right?"
"Gold?" McKinley looked confused.
"The City of Gold, Shandora... Never mind. Just take me to him!"
Nami was ready to ask this god directly. Since he seemed to be in a high position, he surely knew something.
At the Temple.
Luffy lay on the bed and yawned.
His Observation Haki could cover the entire island, including Angel Island.
What Enel had achieved, he managed to replicate with ease.
However, without the Goro Goro no Mi, he couldn't hear exactly what Nami was saying.
"They're heading toward this island?" Luffy raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "The Sky Island people brought them here using the Milky Road, huh?"
After all that effort to find the gold, it turned out the gold had been turned into a ship...
He was really looking forward to seeing Nami's reaction.
---
At the same time...
Robin, Zoro, and Sanji had already entered the ruins of Shandora.
They encountered four priests and were now engaged in a fierce battle.
To be more precise, Zoro and Sanji were the ones fighting the four.
Robin was busy exploring the ruins.
"Zoro's fine, but can Sanji handle it? He only knows Rokushiki."
Luffy watched with great interest.
His Observation Haki could only detect auras, and from their strength, he could barely get a sense of the battle.
As long as a person is alive, their body emits sound. Observation Haki is the ability to detect those sounds and achieve seemingly impossible feats.
At an advanced level, it can even predict the immediate future.
Ever since the Straw Hat crew landed on Sky Island and he defeated God Enel—
Meanwhile, in the Blue Sea, in the Grand Line.
On the deck of a Navy warship.
"Admiral Aokiji, are we really going back just like that?" asked a captain with a puzzled expression.
"We don't have a choice. They all went to the sky," Aokiji replied, lying on a chair with a sleep mask on, sounding powerless but serious.
"But we'll be scolded by Admiral Sengoku. What if we just patrol this sea area for a while? The Straw Hat crew will eventually come back, right?" the captain suggested.
Come back down?
Aokiji removed the mask and looked at his subordinate.
So what if they did?
He couldn't really do anything to Straw Hat Luffy. After all, he was the grandson of Vice Admiral Garp, and out of respect for his mentor, he couldn't go too far.
If Luffy was determined to protect Nico Robin, all Aokiji could do was shrug and admit defeat.
And to be honest, he wasn't that interested in capturing Robin either.
It had been 20 years since that island was destroyed, but the world hadn't changed much.
"I don't know what to do either..." Aokiji muttered, a little confused, as he put his mask back on.
The Marines' position, the teacher-student bond, the lingering guilt over the past, and the uncertainty about Saul's choice...
At that moment, the Den Den Mushi beside him buzzed.
The captain picked it up, and Sengoku's voice came from the other end.
"Aokiji, what's the situation?"
Aokiji stayed still and lazily replied, "Sorry, they escaped."
"Don't mess with me. With your strength, you're telling me they escaped? If you're going to make excuses, at least make them convincing. I'm the one who has to report to the higher-ups!" The Den Den Mushi mimicked Sengoku's voice and tone perfectly.
"I couldn't help it. That Straw Hat Luffy has Conqueror's Haki. No one in the intel reports mentioned that," Aokiji said, using one of his work techniques—shifting the blame.
"What did you say?!" Sengoku's tone turned sharp with shock.
Impossible!
How could that be?
Garp's grandson is still just a kid!
In this vast sea, a power that only a few truly strong individuals could master was actually being wielded by a teenager?
That damn Aokiji—was he lying?
No. Though Aokiji was lazy, he wouldn't lie about something like that.
Sitting in his office, Sengoku was momentarily stunned.
After a moment of silence, he took a deep breath and said:
"Forget that for now. I have a more important task for you. If you complete it, the government won't complain!"
Admirals really did lead busy lives.
Aokiji touched the wound on his abdomen and said helplessly, "What is it?"
"Crane's intelligence division received sighting information about 'Fire Fist' Ace. You need to go capture him immediately! No slacking off this time. Got it?"
To the World Government, compared to long-term threats like Nico Robin, Fire Fist Ace was a much more urgent issue at the moment.
"Ah... Got it."
After ending the call, Aokiji stood up and chose a bicycle from several lined up on the deck.
He left.
"You guys return to headquarters. I'll go carry out the mission."
"Eh? What about the pirates we caught yesterday?"
"Send them to prison. They're just small fry."
"Understood."
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."