The cloud sea stretched endlessly, glowing with a soft golden shimmer as the Straw Hats trudged across it, still half-shocked that such a place existed.
Every step sank slightly—like walking on foam.
Usopp poked the ground nervously with his foot. "It's still WEIRD. Clouds should NOT be walkable!!"
Before anyone could comment—
FWOOOOSH!!!
Two blinding streaks cut across the sky, circling them rapidly.
Sanji jumped back. "What the—?!"
Zoro's hand went to his swords.
Robin simply smiled in interest.
The streaks slowed, dusting the crew with little puffs of cloud.
Cloud wavers.
And riding them—
A man with fierce tattoos and a girl with small fluttering wings.
Usopp shrieked immediately. "AHHHH SKY DEMONS!!! SKY ANGELS!!! SKY—WHATEVER—THEY HAVE WINGS!!!"
Nami grabbed him by the nose. "CALM! DOWN! THEY'RE JUST—okay wow yeah those ARE wings—"
Luffy didn't even hesitate.
His eyes sparkled like actual stars. "WIIIIINGS?!?! THAT'S AWESOME!! Are they soft? Do they flap? Do they—"
"Luffy, don't touch strangers," Robin gently warned.
Aisa clutched her waver handlebars. "They're loud… super loud…"
Wyper set his waver down with a heavy thud, eyes sharp as a hawk sizing up prey.
He crossed his arms.
"Let me ask you first—"
His voice was calm, serious.
"Are you pirates?"
The Straw Hats exchanged a quick glance.
Then together. "Yeah. We're pirates."
Wyper nodded once.
Aisa confidently raised her hand. "We're pirates too!"
Usopp's jaw dropped. "SKYPEIANS!! CAN BE PIRATES!?!?! WHAT—WHAT ELSE CAN YOU PEOPLE DO?! DO YOU HAVE SKY KRAKENS—SKY MERMAIDS—SKY—"
Nami smacked him quiet.
Meanwhile, Luffy stepped forward, grinning widely. "That's so cool! You're pirates too? Then what crew are—"
But before anyone could answer—
Something glittered in the distance.
White houses.
Tall cloud trees.
People with wings walking peacefully.
Luffy gasped.
Then—
SPRINTED.
"OOOOOH AN ISLAND!!! LET'S GO LOOK AROUND!!!"
"LUFFYYYYY!!!!!" Nami shrieked. "STOP RUNNING TOWARD STRANGERS' HOMES!!"
Zoro groaned. "He's already gone. Great."
Sanji dashed after Nami dramatically. "NAMI-SWAAAAN, LET ME PROTECT YOUUUU!"
The entire crew broke into a scrambling chase down the cloud path.
Wyper and Aisa stared.
Aisa blinked slowly. "…Are they always like this?"
Wyper sighed. "Seems so."
———————————
The Straw Hats skidded to a stop in the middle of the bright white streets.
Buildings made of cloud.
People with wings.
Children flying short distances.
Music drifting on the wind.
Usopp cried real tears. "I-It's beautiful… I wanna live here…"
Luffy then burst into the peaceful cloud village, skidding to a stop.
People turned, some startled, some fascinated.
"WOOOOWWWW!!" Luffy shouted. "EVERYTHING'S CLOUD!! EVEN THAT STAIRS— AND THAT DOG—IS THAT A CLOUD DOG!?!?"
"Luffy please," Nami begged breathlessly as she caught up.
Then—
A blonde girl with small wings and a shy smile approached them.
Conis.
"Um… welcome to Angel Island," she said softly. "Please don't be alarmed. We don't often get visitors from the Blue Sea."
Sanji immediately melted into a puddle. "AN ANGEL…! A REAL ANGEL…!!!"
Zoro kicked him out of the way.
Luffy leaned in, staring at her wings. "Do those help you fly???"
"Sometimes," she laughed.
Nami stepped forward. "We're travelers looking for information."
Conis then continued kindly,
"This island is protected by God."
She pointed upward—
Toward a massive flag fluttering proudly from a tall white tower.
A skull.
A crescent moon.
A sword and gun crossed behind it.
A symbol dripping with authority and danger.
Robin froze mid-breath. "…Impossible."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "You know that symbol?"
Robin's voice lowered. "That is the Nyx Pirates' insignia."
The Straw Hats froze.
Then they groaned in unison.
"AH—THEM AGAIN?!"
"WHY DO WE KEEP RUNNING INTO THEIR TERRITORY!?"
Usopp yelled, "THEY'RE EVERYWHERE LIKE—LIKE WHY!!"
Luffy tilted his head. "Oh yeah! Jinbe, Loki and Ghost girl were part of that crew!"
Sanji grimaced. "Great. As if the sky wasn't crazy enough already."
Nami pointed at the flag. "So… that's the mark of this 'God' protecting the island?"
Conis nodded softly. "Yes. The protector of Skypiea… Lord Enel."
Wyper, who had just caught up, snorted so hard it echoed. "God my ass."
Aisa sighed. "Wyper…"
Wyper with his arms crossed. "You want to know who 'God' is?"
He snorted. "Enel. The guy with a god complex."
Aisa pouted. "He's not THAT bad."
Aisa faced the Straw Hats and explained. "Enel-nii has a god complex. He always has. But he's not a tyrant."
Wyper crossed his arms. "He's annoying, dramatic, and calls himself divine—"
Aisa added, "And he talks like he glows even when he doesn't."
Wyper rolled his eyes. "Enel only calls himself God because of his looks and lightning powers. And because no one can make him shut up."
Aisa added cheerfully, "He's also our savior. And really nice once you get used to him."
Nami stared. "…You're describing TWO different people."
Aisa nodded. "Enel-nii came from Angel Island originally. But he was isolated because of certain circumstances. Eventually he met Lady Ada of the Nyx Pirates and sailed with her."
Robin's eyes widened. "Ada…? As in that Ada?"
Wyper continued, "When he returned, he united Angel Island and the Shandians. Negotiated peace with the old God, Gan Fall. Restored our land. Ended the war."
Aisa crossed her arms proudly. "He may act like God, but he gave us peace. So… he kinda earned it."
The Straw Hats blinked.
Luffy grinned. "Sounds like a fun guy!"
Sanji whistled. "So the guy's actually legit."
Chopper trembled. "S-So he's a good god?"
Aisa nodded firmly. "He's our savior."
Robin spoke next, voice low and scholarly.
"You mentioned he has lightning powers."
Wyper nodded. "The Goro Goro no Mi."
Robin raised a hand to her chin. "Then he possesses the Goro Goro no Mi… a devil fruit lost for hundreds of years."
Usopp sputtered. "A-A-A legendary fruit?!"
Sanji lit a cigarette shakily. "So the island's guardian is… lightning itself."
Aisa beamed proudly. "Yep! That's Enel-nii!"
Everyone—
Except Luffy—
Looked genuinely shocked.
"A LEGENDARY FRUIT?!"
"AND HE'S A PIRATE?!"
Luffy had only half-listened before suddenly raising a hand like a child in class. "Can we explore the island now?!"
Wyper blinked and finally asked, "What about you? What's your captain's name?"
Luffy gave his iconic smile and jabbed a thumb to his chest. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy. These are my friends. We're the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Aisa blinked. "Monkey… D…?"
The others introduced themselves one by one.
Wyper looked them over—
chaotic, loud, unpredictable—
And he smirked. "You're odd.…But you don't feel like enemies."
Aisa nodded in agreement.
Wyper lowered his spear then nodded once.
"You may explore the island freely. No one here will harm you. Skypiea welcomes you… Straw Hats. Just don't cause trouble."
Luffy threw his fists up instantly. "ALRIGHT!!! LET'S GO HAVE AN ADVENTURE!!!"
Sanji collapsed. "We're doomed."
Zoro grinned. "Now this is getting fun."
Robin smiled.
And the entire crew groaned—
Because of course he said that.
And Aisa watched them all with curious eyes
wondering just what kind of storm had arrived in the sky.
————————-
High above Angel Island, inside Enel's golden sanctuary, a rumble of static filled the air as Wyper and Aisa stepped in.
Enel lounged lazily on his lightning throne, drums behind him pulsing softly.
He didn't open his eyes when he spoke.
"So? What did you find?"
Wyper crossed his arms. "Pirates. A whole crew of them."
Aisa added without hesitation, "They're REALLY loud."
Enel smirked faintly at that. "Well then… their captain? What's his name?"
Wyper answered plainly. "Monkey D. Luffy."
For the first time—
Enel's eyes flew open.
Lightning cracked in the air. "…What… did you say?"
Wyper repeated, slower this time. "Monkey. D. Luffy."
Enel's entire body stiffened.
And inside his mind—
A shock far greater than lightning hit him.
Monkey D…
Captain's son?! Ada and Dragon's son?!
No… not quite… not confirmed.
But still—
That D.
That name.
Enel swallowed hard thoughs racing in his mind. Hmmm Shanks did mention meeting Ada's son… A boy with straw hat dreams…So he really set sail and he actually made it here… to the sky. The son of my captain… is here.
Aisa blinked up at him. "Enel-nii? Why do you look like you swallowed lightning AND choked on it?"
Enel snapped out of his shock and cleared his throat, trying to look composed.
"It's nothing."
He stood—fast enough that sparks jumped off him. "Simply that… someone very interesting has arrived."
Wyper blinked. "You're getting up? Where are you going?"
Enel smiled—not his arrogant smirk, but a genuine, excited grin.
"To meet them."
Both Wyper and Aisa froze.
"You—YOU?!" Wyper barked. "You never meet outsiders!"
Aisa gasped dramatically. "Enel-nii is LEAVING THE TEMPLE??? CALL THE HEALERS—HE'S SICK!!"
Enel groaned. "You two are unbelievably noisy. We're going."
Lightning coiled around him like living serpents.
In a flash—
They vanished.
—————————-
The Straw Hats crossed a bridge of white cloud into a wide field of ancient ruins.
Collapsed pillars.
Half-buried temples.
Massive stone structures swallowed by greenery.
Robin knelt beside a carved panel.
"These markings… They belong to the Shandians."
Chopper blinked. "The tribe Wyper and Aisa came from?"
Robin nodded. "A long-lost warrior race. Their legend is tied to Noland the Liar… and the fabled Island of Gold."
Sanji whistled. "Gold, huh? That would explain Nami's sparkly eyes."
Nami was already shaking with greed. "Golden history! Golden treasure! Golden—!"
But she stopped.
Something crackled.
Robin looked up. "…Electricity?"
A bolt of lightning slammed into the ground—
BA-BOOOOM!
Dust flew everywhere.
Energy surged like a storm.
Zoro grabbed his swords. "What the hell—?!"
Usopp screamed, "WE'RE BEING SMITED BY GOD!! I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN!!"
When the light faded—
Three figures stood there.
Enel. Wyper. Aisa.
Sanji whispered, "That entrance was way too cool…"
Enel's eyes scanned the crew slowly before resting on Luffy.
"You must be…
Monkey D. Luffy."
Luffy grinned. "Yep! That's me!"
Enel smiled faintly. "I am Enel. Though some here call me God."
Robin narrowed her eyes. "Luffy… don't relax. That man carries a bounty of nearly 3 billion berries."
The Straw Hats ALL FROZE.
"THREE. BILLION.?!?!"
"IS THAT EVEN LEGAL?!"
"THAT'S THE BIGGEST NUMBER I'VE EVER HEARD!!"
Chopper fainted on the spot.
Luffy stepped forward excitedly. "WOAH!!! You must be super strong!!! Wanna fight?!"
Enel blinked. "No. I don't like wasting energy. Fighting is annoying."
Luffy's jaw dropped in offense. "BORING!!"
Wyper rolled his eyes. "Robin. You asked about this place?"
Robin nodded politely.
Wyper gestured around them. "These ruins…were my ancestors' homes."
Then Enel added."You know Jaya, right?Well—this is the other half of it."
Silence.
Then—
"THE OTHER WHAT?!"
"How does HALF AN ISLAND END UP IN THE SKY?!"
Enel shrugged casually. "Centuries ago, a massive Knock Up Stream blasted it skyward. Straight into the White Sea."
Everyone stared.
Usopp fainted beside Chopper.
Luffy scratched his head. "So THAT'S why the map was weird…"
Then his expression brightened. "Oh! Do you guys… have the bell?"
Wyper and Aisa exchanged a look.
Aisa nodded. "Yes. It's here. Why?"
Luffy grinned ear to ear. "I wanna keep a promise to Cricket! I told him I'd ring it!"
Wyper blinked. "…Cricket?"
Nami stepped forward. "Mont Blanc Cricket. He's a descendant of Noland the Liar."
The reaction was instant.
Aisa's wings stiffened.
Wyper's hands trembled. "After all these years… there are still descendants…?"
Aisa clutched her chest, eyes filling with tears.
Wyper's voice cracked—
"Then…then our promise… wasn't forgotten…"
Luffy tilted his head. "Why are you crying?"
Enel placed a hand on Aisa's head gently.
"It's joy, straw-hat boy. Their tribe made a promise with Noland. But they were never able to fulfill it."
He smiled faintly. "But now—you can."
———————
The Straw Hats followed Wyper and Aisa through a stone archway covered in ancient vines.
The air changed—
heavier, older, filled with history.
When they stepped into the clearing—
Nami gasped.
Zoro's eyes widened.
Chopper nearly fainted.
Because before them stood—
The Golden Belfry of Shandora. A tower of pure gold and ancient stone, glowing like captured sunlight.
But Robin—
she didn't look at the bell.
Her breath caught.
Her heart skipped. "…A Poneglyph."
There it stood, half-buried beneath the roots and gold.
A massive Poneglyph slab, carved with the language of the lost century.
Robin stepped forward trembling, hand hovering just above its surface.
"That's right," Enel said calmly, appearing beside her in a crackle of static.
Robin jolted. "Y–You… You know what this is?"
Enel smirked slightly. "Our crew encountered many during our voyage."
Robin's eyes widened as if he'd said something impossible. "M-Many?! I've only found a handful in my entire life…"
Enel shrugged lightly. "Then your journey is far from complete."
She studied him—truly studied him.
He spoke with certainty.
As if speaking to a fellow scholar.
"Tell me," Enel asked softly, "are you Nico Robin… of Ohara?"
Robin froze.
Her fingers trembled.
Zoro and Sanji moved protectively toward her—but Robin raised a hand, stopping them.
"…Yes. I am."
Enel nodded gently. "I see. You've survived much."
Robin's eyes softened—not with fear, but with gratitude unspoken.
"You may read it," Enel said.
The Straw Hats were already wandering around the clearing—
Luffy staring up at the giant bell in awe,
Zoro whistling at the gold,
Usopp imagining "Usopp's Golden Sniper Tower,"
Chopper trembling from excitement,
Nami demanding to know its market value,
While Robin alone approached the massive stone beneath it.
She traced the ancient carvings with shaking fingers.
Her eyes widened, voice trembling. "Poseidon… A weapon… One of the three Ancient Weapons."
A quiet voice replied behind her. "Correct."
Robin turned sharply.
Enel stood at her side, hands behind his back, calm as still water.
She stared at him. "You… know of the Ancient Weapons?"
Enel gave a slow, easy shrug. "Of course. Poseidon—if I recall—is sleeping in Fishman Island."
Robin nearly fell forward. "H–How do you know that?! That knowledge is forbidden, erased by the World Government!"
Enel looked at her as if the answer was obvious. "Because we found it."
Robin froze.
Her mouth opened—
but no sound came out.
Wyper and Aisa were far off with Luffy and the others, so they didn't hear.
Only Robin and Enel stood in the shadow of the Golden Bell.
Robin forced out a breath. "You… You possess Poseidon…?"
"Mm. Not directly," Enel clarified. "But she is under our protection."
"She?" Robin repeated. "Poseidon is… a person?"
Enel smiled slightly. "Yes. A mermaid."
Robin's eyes went wide, trembling with realization. "This… this changes everything. Poseidon isn't just a weapon, she's—"
"Alive," Enel finished for her. "Thinking. Feeling. Powerful beyond measure… and safe, so long as Ada commands it."
Robin swallowed hard. "You speak of the Ancient Weapons casually… as if they're tools."
Enel shook his head. "No. We know exactly what they are."
His voice softened—surprisingly gentle.
"Ada would never use such power for cruelty. That is not the captain she is."
Robin stared at him—truly seeing him for the first time. "You've… seen many Poneglyphs, haven't you?"
Enel raised a brow. "More than you have, I imagine."
Robin's breath trembled. "…Everything I've searched for my whole life… You speak of it so—so simply."
"Your journey is still young, Nico Robin."
Robin stiffened—
But Enel simply looked at her with quiet understanding. "You've suffered much. But knowledge is rarely a peaceful burden."
Robin's throat tightened. "Enel… why tell me this?"
"Because," he said calmly, "You deserve to know that your pursuit of history is not in vain."
Then—
Something else caught her eye.
A crude carving in the corner—not ancient.
Words.
Robin gasped. "These… these were carved by…"
Enel stepped back with a small smirk. "Ah. You noticed."
She stepped back in disbelief. "…Gol D. Roger."
Her vision wavered. "The Pirate King… was here."
Suddenly the Straw Hats who were minding their own business suddenly exploded once they heard the word Pirate King.
"THE PIRATE KING?!"
"ROGER WAS HERE?!"
"THE PIRATE KING LEFT HIS MARK?!"
"WHAAAAAAT?!"
Luffy leaned closer, eyes sparkling. "Oi Robin! What did the Pirate King say?!"
Robin breathed out slowly. "It says… 'I made it here. This message is for those who come after me and I will guide this texts to the ends of the world.'"
The crew stared in awe.
Enel folded his arms. "Gan Fall mentioned Roger once. He and his crew came here decades ago… and vanished like a storm."
Luffy grinned. "So the Pirate King beat us here, huh?"
Zoro smirked. "Guess you're following a legend's footsteps."
Sanji exhaled smoke. "That's some pressure, captain."
Luffy laughed. "Just makes it more fun!"
Wyper stepped forward and pointed to the bell. "This is the Light of Shandora…the voice of our ancestors."
Enel smiled faintly. "It hasn't rung in centuries."
Luffy touched the rope.
His grin softened—warm and determined.
"Then let's ring it."
They stood in a circle beneath the bell.
Aisa clutched Wyper's arm, eyes shaking with emotion.
Robin stood quietly, hand resting on the Poneglyph.
The Straw Hats watched with pride—
As Luffy stepped forward.
He closed his eyes.
Cricket…
I promised you.
I promised I'd prove it.
I promised I'd ring it…
so your ancestors would hear…
and the world would know your truth.
He inhaled deeply.
Then—
With a huge grin—
Luffy drew back his fist.
"CRICKET!!!
I'M RINGING IT—
JUST LIKE I PROMISED!!!"
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG—!!!!
The sound shook the heavens.
It washed over.
Angel Island
The Shandian homeland
Enel's golden sanctuary
The sky seas
The white sea
And down—
Down—
Down—
to the Blue Sea below.
Aisa burst into tears.
Wyper knelt, head bowed.
Robin wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
Nami sobbed openly.
Sanji lit a cigarette to hide the wetness in his eyes.
Zoro grinned, arms crossed.
Usopp sniffled loudly.
Chopper bawled into his hooves.
And Luffy laughed—
laughing with tears streaming down his face.
A 400-year promise—
A 400-year pain—
A 400-year truth—
Finally fulfilled.
———————-
Author's Note
Hey everyone!
Sorry for the very late chapter, life has been insanely busy these past few days. I'm finally graduating from college!!! and I've been job hunting nonstop, plus interviews left and right.
So writing had to take a little break.
Thank you so much for being patient. I really hope you enjoy this chapter and the ones coming next. Your support keeps this story going.