The Going Merry drifted peacefully on a sunlit afternoon—gulls crying overhead, the sea glittering like scattered jewels.
A perfect calm.
A peaceful moment.
Until—
"EVERYONE!!!"
Nami's scream shattered the tranquility like a bomb.
The entire deck exploded into chaos.
Usopp leapt behind a barrel. "I DIDN'T DO IT! WHATEVER IT IS—I'M INNOCENT!!!"
Sanji spun mid-air, cigarette dangling from his lips. "What happened, Nami-swan?! Did marimo break something?!"
Zoro scowled. "Why would I break anything? I was literally asleep."
Chopper flailed, running in circles. "IS IT A SEA KING?! ARE WE SINKING?! AM I DYING?!!"
Luffy bolted over enthusiastically. "WHAT?! WHAT IS IT?! SHOW ME! SHOW ME!"
Nami grabbed his face and shoved him aside.
"LOOK!!"
She held out the Log Pose with trembling hands.
Usopp peeked over the barrel. "…It's just a Log P—"
His eyes bulged.
The needle wasn't pointing at the horizon.
It wasn't wavering.
It wasn't broken.
It was pointing straight up toward the heavens.
"THAT'S UNNATURAL!!!" Usopp screamed, hiding again.
Sanji blinked rapidly. "…Nami-swan. Are you sure you didn't accidentally hit it?"
Nami smacked him across the skull. "You think I'd mistake THIS?! Look at it!"
Zoro crossed his arms. "It's probably defective."
"It's NOT defective!!!" Nami shoved it into his face. "THE NEXT ISLAND IS UP THERE!!!"
Luffy's jaw dropped open, eyes turning into literal stars.
"UP?! IN THE SKY?!
He clutched his straw hat, practically vibrating.
Robin, leaning calmly against the railing, watched the chaos with a serene smile.
Her new hat cast a soft shadow over her tranquil face.
"There are legends about this," she said, voice warm and steady. "Ancient tales of an island in the sky. A land floating above the clouds."
Everything froze.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
Usopp peeked again. "A… l-l-legit sky island?"
Robin nodded.
"Some scholars believed in it. Others dismissed it as myth." She looked up into the endless blue. "I always hoped it was real."
Chopper shivered adorably. "B-But c-clouds aren't solid! How would it work?! How do people live up there?! Wouldn't they fall? Wouldn't they—"
Nami grabbed him and shook him. "THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW!!"
Sanji knelt dramatically. "To think Nami-swan would uncover a mystery of the heavens… I'm honored to witness your brilliance—"
Nami kicked him away.
Zoro scratched his head. "Tch. Doesn't matter. If the Log Pose says up, then we go up."
Usopp grabbed his face. "You're all insane! Boats don't go up! Gravity exists!!"
Luffy stretched his arms to the clouds with a huge grin. "SKY ISLAND!!! LET'S GO RIGHT NOW!!!"
Nami screamed. "WE DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO GET UP THERE YET!!!"
But deep down—
Zoro smirked.
Robin smiled softly.
Sanji sighed in resignation.
Chopper trembled with excitement and dread.
Usopp cried into his hands.
Because they all knew—
The moment Luffy sparkled like that?
Their fate was sealed.
Robin closed her book and stepped beside him, gazing upward.
"A land above the sky…"
She whispered. "It seems our adventure is about to take an interesting turn."
Luffy was still sparkle-eyed, stretching both arms toward the clouds like he could grab the sky itself. "SKY ISLAND!!! WE'RE GOING UP!!!"
Usopp grabbed his hair. "STOP SAYING 'UP' LIKE IT'S THAT SIMPLE!!! WE'LL DIE!!!"
Chopper trembled violently. "I-I don't want to die yet!! I haven't even mastered half the emergency bandages I invented!!"
Zoro yawned. "Tch. Up, down… doesn't matter. I'll follow whatever direction we go."
Sanji puffed smoke. "If we go up, I'm making a menu dedicated to sky island cuisine."
Luffy looked thrilled at that idea.
Nami, veins bulging on her forehead, stomped down the stairs of the deck.
"EVERYONE. LISTEN."
The ship fell completely silent.
Even the birds stopped cawing.
Nami jabbed the Log Pose forward like she was presenting a divine judgment.
"Yes, the Log Pose points up.
Yes, that means there might be something insane like a Sky Island.
BUT—"
She raised a finger. "We are not flying the ship into the atmosphere like lunatics!"
Luffy pointed at her dramatically. "WHY NOT?!"
"BECAUSE WE'LL DIE, YOU IDIOT!!"
She smacked him so hard his head stretched sideways.
Sanji caught the Log Pose before it hit the deck. "Nami-swan, as always, your reasoning is perfect~"
Nami tugged a map from her bag and unrolled it across a crate.
"Look. Before trying anything suicidal, we need information."
She circled a nearby landmass on the chart.
"This island—Jaya—is the closest port. We can resupply, repair the Merry, and gather intel. And maybe figure out how the hell you even reach a Sky Island safely."
Robin nodded, resting a hand on her chin.
"A wise choice. Pirate towns often have old maps… or old men with stories."
Usopp perked up. "O-Old men with stories sounds safe. Let's do that!"
Zoro shrugged. "As long as there's booze."
Chopper raised a hoof. "As long as there's cotton candy!"
Sanji spun hearts around his head. "As long as there's someplace I can buy ingredients for Nami-swan's meals—!"
Nami ignored all of them.
Her eyes turned flinty as she pointed out to sea.
"We set course for Jaya.
Once we're ready—only THEN do we go chasing sky islands."
Luffy grinned ear to ear, as if that was already a victory. "Okay! Jaya first—SKY ISLAND SECOND!!"
Usopp screamed. "NO—WE'RE NOT PUTTING IT LIKE THAT!!"
But the decision was made.
Robin closed her book, smiling warmly.
"'The road to the heavens begins in the dirt,'" she quoted.
"A fitting start, wouldn't you say?"
Luffy planted his foot on the bow and pointed forward dramatically.
"FULL SPEED AHEAD!!
TO JAYA!!"
The Going Merry sped toward its next adventure—
toward the island where dreams were mocked,
punches changed destinies,
and the path to the sky would soon reveal itself.
———————
Mock Town
The Straw Hats pushed open the creaking saloon doors.
The place smelled of booze, sweat, and arrogance—the kind that filled a room before the men did.
Bellamy was already laughing before he even turned around.
His crew spread across the bar like vultures in human shape.
Luffy, Zoro, and Nami walked up to the counter.
Nami placed the Log Pose on the bar with a sharp click.
"Excuse me," she said politely, "we need information. Our Log Pose is pointing up. Can you tell us about Sky Island?"
Silence.
Then—
Laughter exploded like a bomb.
"SKY ISLAND?!"
"BAHAHAHAHA!! LOOK AT THESE IDIOTS!"
"They think treasure is in the clouds!!"
"Dreamers! We got dreamers here!!"
Bellamy slammed a hand on the bar, laughing so hard he wheezed. "You morons actually believe in that 'Sky Island' crap?!"
He leaned close to Nami, sneering. "In this age, dreams are a joke."
Nami's eyes narrowed. "So that's why you're laughing? Because we're searching for something the Log Pose literally points to?"
The bar roared louder.
"Hear that? She's serious!"
"It points up! HAHAHA!"
"Sweetheart, your rookies are wasting their time!"
Bellamy turned toward Luffy and Zoro. "Dreams are DEAD. Only REAL pirates live in reality!"
Bellamy slammed a heavy hand on Luffy's shoulder. "Sky Islands don't exist, you idiots! In this era, dreams only make you WEAK!"
Sarquiss jabbed a finger toward Zoro. "And you, swordsman? Don't tell me you believe that kind of crap."
Zoro didn't even bother turning his head.
"Not interested in talking to small fry."
The room gasped.
"Ohhh, he's got a mouth on him!"
"Cocky bastard!"
Bellamy's smile twitched dangerously.
"You two think you're tough?"
He grabbed Luffy's vest and yanked him forward.
Nami raised an eyebrow. "Let him go."
He smirked then backhanded Luffy across the jaw.
Zoro's hand moved instantly toward his sword—
—but Luffy's hand shot out, stopping him with a single, calm touch.
"Don't attack," Luffy said quietly.
Zoro paused.
Bellamy laughed, ready for a fight—
but Zoro looked at Luffy's grin.
A small, sharp grin of his own spread across his face.
"Tch. Alright, Captain," Zoro muttered. "I get it."
Bellamy didn't.
He threw another punch.
Then another.
And the bar joined in—kicks, bottles, fists.
Luffy didn't flinch.
Zoro didn't lift a blade.
Nami stared in disbelief. "What?! Are you two CRAZY?! They're hitting you—why aren't you fighting back?!"
Before she could step between them, Bellamy struck again.
His crew swarmed like hyenas.
Luffy didn't react.
Zoro didn't budge.
The bar was filled with fists and laughter.
"C'mon! Fight back!"
"What's wrong, dreamers?!"
"Sky Island idiots!"
Nami shouted, furious. "LUFFY! ZORO! DO SOMETHING!!"
They simply took it.
And when the laughter peaked—
when the cruelty was loudest—
Luffy turned and walked out.
Zoro followed, dusting off his sleeve like the whole thing bored him.
Their faces were bruised, clothes scuffed…
But their eyes?
Untouched.
Not anger.
Not fear.
Just disinterest—
as if Bellamy and his crew didn't matter enough to notice.
Like the sky was above them…
and these men were too far below to reach.
—————————-
Outside the bar.
Nami spun on Luffy and Zoro like an incoming storm. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO?! WHY DIDN'T YOU FIGHT BACK?! THEY HUMILIATED YOU! THEY BEAT YOU UP! YOU LET THEM—YOU—YOU—!!"
Luffy just scratched his cheek, smiling softly.
"They're not worth it."
Zoro cracked his neck, stretching lazily like nothing had happened. "No point swinging at trash. They're not even a warm-up."
Steam practically poured off Nami's head.
"NOT EVEN A WARM—ARE YOU INSANE?! THEY—"
A thunderous laugh cut her off. "ZEHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
The ground seemed to tremble under the sound.
They turned.
A huge, wild-looking man leaned against a crooked wall, both hands full of cherry pie.
Scruffy coat, missing teeth, smile too wide and too confident.
His aura felt… unpredictable.
But his eyes burned with something fierce.
Something familiar.
"Oi, oi… don't be so hard on 'em," he said between bites. "Those two boys… they already won."
Nami blinked hard. "Won? They got thrown around like rag dolls!"
He snorted, wiping crumbs from his beard.
"That's because you're lookin' at the surface. But a pirate's spirit—"
He jabbed a thumb at his chest. "—that's what really matters."
Luffy tilted his head. Zoro watched quietly.
The man grinned wider. "There's two kinds of pirates in this era… ZEHAHAHAHA!!"
His voice rose, booming through the alley."First, you got the new generation of fools. The kind who laugh at dreams. Call everything impossible. Live like cowards who already gave up!"
He spat on the ground. "Scum who say there's no Sky Island, no treasure out there, no point reachin' for the top. All they believe in is GOLD they can see with their eyes."
His grin sharpened. "But those guys? They'll never go anywhere."
He leaned forward, voice low and heavy with conviction. "Then you got pirates like you three…"
His gaze locked onto Luffy. "That gleam in your eyes… that belief in the impossible… THAT'S what shakes the world."
He pounded a fist to his chest with a laugh that echoed like cannon fire.
"DREAMS ARE WHAT MAKE PIRATES!!
AND DREAMS—ZEHAHAHAHA—
THEY NEVER DIE!!"
The air trembled.
Nami blinked, stunned into silence.
Luffy's grin stretched wide—recognizing something real.
Something honest.
Zoro gave a small, approving grunt.
"Not bad for a loudmouth," he muttered.
Nami swallowed. "Hey… who was that guy?"
Luffy and Zoro walked past her, not even turning back.
"Guy? No…" Luffy said.
Zoro nodded. "It was them."
Nami froze. "W-W-… them?"
But Luffy and Zoro didn't explain.
The stranger with the booming laugh…
the one who spoke about dreams like they were sacred…
…was already gone.
Vanished into Mock Town's shadows.
Leaving behind an echo.
ZEHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
DREAMS NEVER DIE!!
———————————-
Night had crept over Jaya like a heavy cloak.
Cricket's home lay in shambles—torn wood, shattered tools, the earth gouged from digging.
And the very treasure that represented his ancestor's dream… was gone.
Luffy stood at the shoreline, fists trembling—not with rage, but with resolve.
"No more ignoring them."
He turned toward town.
Zoro smirked as he cracked his knuckles.
"About damn time."
But Luffy didn't slow down.
He walked straight into Mock Town—straight into Bellamy's den.
————————
Inside the Bar.
The moment Luffy pushed open the saloon doors, every pirate inside burst into laughter.
Sarquiss nearly fell out of his chair pointing at him. "HE CAME BACK! HAHAHA! THE SKY-DREAMING BRAT CAME BACK!"
A tall pirate with shark-like teeth slapped the table. "Hey Bellamy, look! The punching bag's here!"
A drunk man leaned forward, smirking through missing teeth. "Oi, kid! You want round two?"
Bellamy stood, rolling his shoulders, springs creaking beneath his boots.
"Well, well… Straw Hat."
His tongue clicked against his teeth.
"You want another beating?"
Luffy didn't smile. "Return the old man's gold."
The bar roared even louder.
A tattooed woman spilled her drink from laughing so hard. "You hear this kid?! He thinks he can ORDER us!"
A pirate with a broken nose scoffed. "What's he gonna do? Cry at us?"
Sarquiss wiped tears from his eyes. "This kid's completely insane!"
Bellamy bounced on his heels, the floor shaking with each spring. "You seriously came back to talk about dreams again?"
He crouched low. "No wonder you're weak."
"SPRING HOPPER!"
Bellamy shot forward like a bullet—
bouncing off walls, ceiling, tables, everything.
The bar blurred with motion.
Bellamy was everywhere—
A streak of motion and arrogance. "This era has no room for DREAMERS!!!"
His fist drew back.
Pirates cheered.
"CRUSH HIM, CAPTAIN!"
"BREAK HIS SPINE!"
"SHOW HIM WHAT REAL PIRATES LOOK LIKE!"
Sarquiss grinned wide, betting more money on how many bones Luffy would lose.
Luffy took one step.
Just one.
His sandal scuffed the floor.
His arm pulled back.
No hatred.
No shouting.
Just calm.
Then—
BOOM.
The walls shook.
Tables toppled.
Bellamy's body shot across the bar—
burying into the floorboards hard enough to crater them.
He didn't get up.
He didn't twitch.
He was simply gone.
A large fist imprint stuck on his face.
Silence hit the room like a hammer.
Sarquiss's cigarette slipped from his lips… and burned a hole in his pants.
He didn't notice.
A tall pirate with braids whispered hoarsely. "W-What was that?… He deafeated Bellamy—with just one PUNCH?!"
A woman who'd been laughing earlier clutched her throat. "I–I didn't… even see the punch…"
Another man crumpled to his knees, unable to breathe under the weight.
A massive, tattooed crewmate staggered back, eyes bulging. "H-How… how did he knock out Captain Bellamy in ONE HIT…?!"
Pirates that mocked him minutes ago now stared pale-faced, unable to speak.
Luffy turned his head.
Not fast.
Not threatening.
Just a quiet, disappointed glance.
It was enough.
An invisible shockwave rippled from him—silent, suffocating.
Glasses cracked.
The chandelier swayed.
Half the bar collapsed instantly, unconscious—eyes rolling white.
The ones still awake trembled violently, sweat pouring down their backs.
Sarquiss dropped to one knee, unable to stand under the pressure.
Luffy's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Give it back."
No pirate dared disobey.
Sarquiss scrambled to his feet, tripping over himself. "H-HEY!! MOVE IT!! RETURN THE GOLD—NOW!!"
Bellamy's crew rushed around like terrified rats, dragging out crates, bags, jewels—every last piece.
They piled Cricket's gold at Luffy's feet.
No one dared breathe.
Luffy turned without looking at Bellamy.
"Let's go."
Zoro smirked behind him. "Tch… now that felt right."
Nami exhaled, relief and pride mixing inside her chest.
And as they left, Mock Town shivered—
having learned that dreams weren't foolish…
they were unstoppable.
———————-
Hours later, the sea rumbled beneath the Going Merry.
A deep, monstrous vibration shook the hull.
Sanji grabbed the railing. "Tell me that's not what I think it is—"
But it was.
A whirlpool spun open beneath them—
wider and wider—
until suddenly a column of water erupted, roaring like a dragon awakening.
THE KNOCK UP STREAM.
Chopper screamed, tail puffed. "Nami we're going to DIEEEEE—!!"
Nami, drenched in sweat, forced the wheel with both hands. "WE'RE ONLY DYING IF WE MISS THE STREAM!! SO HOLD ON!!"
Zoro planted his feet, sword in his mouth, face lit with thrill. "Hah! NOW it's getting fun!"
Usopp clutched the mast, wailing. "I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS! I TAKE BACK EVERYTHING! I DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE SKY ANYMORE!!!"
Robin simply smiled, serene even in chaos.
"Such an amazing natural phenomenon…"
Luffy jumped to the prow, eyes shining.
"ALRIGHT EVERYONE!! LET'S FLYYYYY!!!"
The Merry launched upward like a cannonball.
Clouds shredded apart.
Wind howled past.
Light tore through the mist as they soared—
higher
higher
higher—
WHOOSH!
The Going Merry burst through a ceiling of brilliant white.
And suddenly—
A sea of clouds unfolded before them.
Floating islands.
Waterfalls made of mist.
Gates of pure white.
Robin whispered, breathless. "So… the legends were real."
Luffy spun on the deck, laughing.
"SKY ISLAND!!! WE MADE IT!!!"
The Straw Hats gazed in awe.
———————-
Far across the sky, in the highest sanctuary of Upper Yard—
A soft bell chimed.
The heavenly drums vibrated once, like thunder in the distance.
Upon a throne shaped from gold and lightning, a man slowly opened one eye.
Long earlobes.
A serene smile.
A presence that hummed with power.
Enel.
He sat up slightly, head tilting as if hearing whispers carried by the clouds themselves.
"…Hmmm."
Lightning danced across his shoulders like lazy fireflies.
"New presences…
…foreign minds…
…voices drifting where they normally do not."
He smirked—not cruel, but proud. "They reached us on a Knock Up Stream? That's rare. How… bold."
He lifted a hand, summoning a small orb of lightning. "Let's see who intrudes upon God's doma—"
Before he could finish, soft footsteps pitter-pattered in.
A small head popped around the doorway.
Wings fluttering. Eyes shining.
Aisa.
She puffed her cheeks. "You're still calling yourself 'God', Enel-nii?"
Enel's smirk turned into a relaxed grin. "Of course. With my powers and my looks, Aisa, it's impossible to be merely human."
He gestured at himself grandly, golden ornaments ringing.
Aisa rolled her eyes so hard her wings drooped. "You sound like an old man showing off."
Enel choked. "Old—?!"
He slapped a hand to his chest, offended.
"I am the divine embodiment of youthful radiance, thank you very much."
Aisa just stared at him unimpressed. "Uh-huh. Sure, shiny boy."
Enel flicked his long earlobe in irritation. "I'll have you know I'm still in my thirties, and I am a very eligible bachelor."
Aisa tilted her head. "Bache… what now?"
Enel blinked. "Bachelor. It means—"
Before Enel could retort, heavy footsteps echoed behind her.
Wyper walked in, arms crossed, spear strapped to his back.
"It means no one wants to date him."
Enel sputtered, lightning crackling like angry sparks. "THAT IS NOT—WY—!! WY—!!"
Aisa gasped dramatically. "Ohhhhhh. So 'bachelor' means lonely."
"AISA!!"
Enel practically vibrated with indignation as the two Shandians struggled not to laugh.
Wyper then snorted. "I see you still got that God complex of yours Enel."
Enel shrugged elegantly. "Hmph if mortals wish to misunderstand perfection, I cannot help that."
Aisa whispered loudly to Wyper. "He's been like this since breakfast."
Enel cleared his throat sharply.
"Anyway."
His tone shifted— calm, authoritative, lightning humming at his fingertips.
"There are intruders on Skypiea. Interesting ones. Investigate."
Wyper raised a brow. "So you are worried."
Enel's eyebrow twitched. "I am not worried. I am… curious."
A small spark snapped beside Wyper's foot.
"Just go."
Wyper smirked, unfazed. "Fine."
Enel leaned back in his throne. "And take the girl. Aisa's mantra will be useful."
Aisa straightened proudly. "Yes, sir!"
Enel added with a small smile. "And… be careful. Both of you."
Wyper paused for half a breath—rare softness flickering in his eyes.
"…We'll be fine."
Aisa tugged Wyper's sleeve. "Come on! I want to hear them better!"
Enel waved lazily as they left. "Do try not to pick a fight immediately, Wyper."
———————
The two stepped outside onto the bright, sprawling cloud plain.
Aisa climbed onto her small waver.
Wyper strapped himself onto his massive one.
Aisa closed her eyes.
Wind brushed her cheeks.
Clouds whispered.
And she heard them—
Voices full of warmth… excitement… dreams.
Her eyes flew open.
"Wyper… they're happy. They're not scared at all!"
Wyper's lips curled into a grin.
"Not afraid of the sky… or of Enel."
His spear's ignition crystal glowed.
"Interesting."
With a roar of cloud-engine power, Wyper shot forward, slicing through the white sea.
Aisa followed, her smaller waver leaving a dancing trail.
Two streaks of white darted across the sky—
headed straight for the newly arrived Straw Hats.
"Let's go welcome our visitors," Wyper murmured. "And see what kind of dreamers dare enter Skypiea."
The clouds curled around them, guiding them toward the Strawhats.