The Oro Jackson sailed through an eerily calm stretch of the Grand Line, the ocean still and endless beneath a lavender dawn. The faint hum of the wind filled the silence as the legendary ship glided forward — its black sails painted with a silver crescent moon and the bold letters NYX D. ADA.
Mihawk leaned against the railing, eyes narrowed as the light shimmered over the waves. "We've been heading north for three days," he said finally, his tone quiet but edged with impatience. "And still no land in sight."
From the helm, Ada adjusted her gloves, unbothered. "That's because we're not looking for land," she replied. Her voice was calm — commanding, but soft enough to make everyone listen.
Bullet raised a brow, lounging on a barrel nearby. "What do you mean, 'not looking for land'? You got us chasing another myth, Ada?"
Ada didn't turn. "You believe in power, don't you, Bullet?"
He grinned. "I live for it."
"Then you'll believe me when I say," she said, her gaze lifting to the horizon, "we're going up."
Bullet blinked. "Up?"
Mihawk's golden eyes glinted faintly. "You mean Skypiea, don't you? The island said to float above the clouds?"
Ada's lips curved slightly. "I see the rumors reached even you."
"So it's real," Mihawk murmured. "I always assumed it was a sailor's tale."
"It's real," Ada said. "I've been there once — long ago, with Roger."
Both men looked at her in quiet surprise.
Bullet whistled. "Heh. The Pirate King's crew really did see everything, huh? So what are we doing going back up there? Treasure hunt?"
Ada turned her gaze to the rising sun. "Not treasure," she said. "There's a rumor I heard back then — a fruit that fell from the heavens. A devil fruit born from lightning itself."
Mihawk folded his arms. "You mean the Rumble-Rumble Fruit… the power of lightning? That would make even the strongest think twice."
Ada's voice carried a calm certainty. "If it still exists, it's waiting for someone who can use it."
Bullet cracked his knuckles. "Now that's a prize worth the trip."
Mihawk's sharp eyes shifted toward Ada. "And you plan to claim it yourself?"
Ada's expression didn't change. "No. But fate has a way of guiding us toward those meant to bear such power."
——————-
The next morning, storm clouds gathered without warning — a rumble deep beneath the waves.
"There," Ada said, nodding toward the horizon. "The Knock-Up Stream."
The ocean ahead was splitting, spiraling upward into a massive pillar of roaring water that reached the heavens.
"The Knock-Up Stream…" Mihawk murmured, his tone half disbelief, half awe.
Bullet grinned. "Now that's what I call a ride!"
Mihawk frowned. "You're seriously intending to ride that?"
Ada's eyes glimmered with quiet amusement. "I've done it before. Hold fast."
The ship tilted as the massive column of water erupted from the sea, spraying mist across the deck. Ada gripped the wheel tightly, her eyes narrowing.
"Hold on!" she shouted.
The Oro Jackson tilted toward the rising water column, the crew gripping whatever they could. Wind screamed across the deck as the ship entered the whirl of the Knock-Up Stream — and then shot upward like a comet.
"HAHAHAHA!" Bullet's laughter echoed through the chaos. "This is insane!"
Clouds enveloped them — silver mist and flashing light all around. Mihawk's expression stayed perfectly calm, though his fingers tightened on his sword.
Bullet roared with laughter, clinging to the mast. "Now this is more like it!"
The Oro Jackson was launched skyward in a storm of white spray and roaring thunder. Clouds enveloped them, light flashed all around — and then suddenly, silence.
When the mist cleared, they were sailing on a sea of clouds, the golden sun shining over floating islands of white.
Mihawk exhaled softly. "…So this is the Sky Island."
Bullet whistled. "Looks like we made it. Guess you weren't lying after all, Ada."
Ada allowed herself a faint smirk. "I don't deal in lies."
Ada then smirked. "Welcome to Skypiea."
—————-
They docked at the edge of an island made of solid cloud. White trees swayed in a gentle wind, and the air smelled faintly of thunder. A few winged Skypieans watched them from afar, whispering nervously.
"Never seen faces like ours before," Bullet muttered.
Mihawk's hand rested casually on his sword. "They can stare all they want."
As they walked further inland, the peaceful hum of the island broke — replaced by shouting.
"Get him! He's a cursed one!"
The three stopped, turning toward the sound. Ada's eyes narrowed.
In a clearing, several men were beating a boy — blond-haired, barefoot, no older than fifteen. The boy wasn't crying; his teeth were clenched, his eyes burning with quiet fury.
Ada's Haki flared instantly — the air crackled with invisible pressure. The men froze, trembling as if the sky itself weighed down on them.
Her voice came out low, cold, dangerous. "Leave him."
One of the men stammered, "Y-you don't understand! He's been stealing from the priests—!"
Ada raised her pistol, firing once — a bullet of compressed Haki striking the ground at the man's feet. The explosion of pressure sent him flying backward.
"I said leave."
The others fled without a word.
As silence returned, Ada holstered her weapon and stepped toward the boy.
"Name?" she asked.
He glared up, defiant. "…Enel."
Ada crouched down slightly, studying him. "You've got something in your eyes," she murmured. "Rage. But not the useless kind — the kind that waits."
Enel blinked. "Why… why help me?"
Ada's tone was calm, but heavy. "Because I've seen where eyes like yours can lead."
Mihawk approached slowly, arms crossed. "So what now? You plan to adopt every stray with a grudge?"
Ada ignored him. "Tell me, Enel — have you ever heard of a fruit on this island? A strange one, blue, humming like thunder?"
The boy's eyes widened. "You mean the one the priests guard? They say it's cursed."
Bullet cracked his knuckles. "Sounds like our kind of treasure."
Ada smiled faintly. "Cursed or blessed, that depends on who eats it. Take us there."
——————
They walked through the dense cloud-forest, Enel leading nervously. Strange animals fluttered between the trees, their bodies made of light. In the distance, they could see a massive temple of gold rising from the clouds, faint lightning dancing along its edges.
"That's it," Enel said softly. "The temple of the gods."
The entrance was sealed with old markings. Ada pressed her hand against them, her Haki pulsing faintly — the doors groaned open.
Inside, the air was heavy and electric. An altar sat in the center, holding a single fruit — swirling blue and silver, sparking faintly with energy.
"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit…" Mihawk said quietly.
Ada stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "So it was real."
Bullet smirked. "So who will eat it?"
Ada turned slightly, her cold eyes fixing on the boy. "He does."
Enel flinched. "M-me?"
Ada nodded once. "You led us here. And you carry the storm in your eyes. This fruit was meant for you."
Enel shook his head. "Why give me something like that?"
Ada's voice was calm. "Because power tests the heart. And I want to see how yours changes the world."
He hesitated, then reached for the fruit.
The moment he bit into it, lightning erupted through the temple. Thunder split the sky as the walls glowed white — and then silence.
Enel stood trembling, sparks dancing across his skin. His wounds vanished, replaced by an aura of raw energy.
He looked up, awe and terror mixing in his face. "I… I can hear the thunder."
Mihawk smirked faintly. "Looks like you got what you wished for."
Ada turned, her expression steady. "No. He got what he was destined for."
She faced the boy again. "Come with me, Enel. The world below is vast — and cruel. But together, we can change it. If you want to change your fate… sail with me."
Enel clenched his fists, the sound of crackling electricity filling the air. "I've got nowhere else to go."
Enel hesitated — then nodded slowly. "Then I'll follow you, Captain."
Ada extended her hand. "Then welcome to the Nyx Pirates."
He took it.
———————-
Hours later, the Oro Jackson soared downward through the sea of clouds, catching the wind as it descended back into the Grand Line.
Enel stood at the bow, staring in awe at the endless blue world beneath them.
Bullet grinned from the rigging. "Not bad for a first day, kid."
Mihawk gave Ada a sidelong glance. "You seem rather certain about him."
Ada leaned against the railing, her voice calm but certain. "Because I saw it in his eyes — the will to rise. Just like Roger once saw in me."
Ada's eyes then lingered on the horizon. "The world doesn't know it yet, but a new era is coming. And we'll be the ones to shape it."
As the Oro Jackson broke through the clouds, sunlight hit the sails — the crescent moon of the Nyx flag gleaming like silver fire.
A new thunder rolled across the horizon.
And with it, the world below would soon tremble again.