The mechanical hum of the Red Port machinery drowned out the sounds of the ocean as the massive Marine cruiser was locked into the Bondola lift. Thousands of tons of iron and wood began a steady, vertical ascent up the crimson face of the Red Line.
The Boys' Side: A Shift in Gravity
In the men's wing, the brawl was at its peak. Zoro and Sanji were locked in a clash of steel and leg, while Bakugo was charging an explosion aimed directly at Kid's metallic arm. Luffy, Ace, and Sabo were howling with laughter from the top of the meeting table.
Then, the lift jerked.
The floor didn't just tilt; it felt as though the world was suddenly being pulled out from under them. The change in gravitational pull caused Bakugo's explosion to misfire, hitting the ceiling, while Kid's pile of scrap metal slid across the room like a landslide.
"What the—?!" Bakugo yelled, his boots scraping for purchase as he was pinned momentarily against the wall by the upward G-force.
"Hey! Watch where you're aiming that scrap, Red-head!" Law growled, using his "Room" to teleport himself and his chair safely to a bolted-down section of the deck.
Coby and Smoker immediately stood firm, their Marine training allowing them to adjust their weight. Ain grabbed onto a handrail, her eyes sharp. "Calm down! We're ascending the Red Port. The gravity will stabilize once the lift hits its cruising speed."
Kawamatsu laughed, his stout frame barely moving. "A mighty lift for a mighty fleet! It feels like being pulled by a mountain god!"
Izuku, still clutching his notebook, was frantically trying to write while pinned to his seat. "The... the acceleration... it's incredible. How much steam power does it take to lift a fleet this size?"
Mirio stood up, defying the pull with a grin. "Whoa! It's like being on a giant elevator! Tamaki, look out the porthole! The sea is disappearing!"
Tamaki didn't look; he squeezed his eyes shut and manifested a clam shell around his hands to grip the floor tighter. Chopper, in his Heavy Point, acted as a localized anchor, letting Luffy and Usopp grab onto his fur so they wouldn't slide away.
The Girls' Side: A Moment of Wonder
In the women's wing, the atmosphere was much more composed, though no less surprised. Momo Yaoyorozu had anticipated the movement, having studied the mechanics of the Red Port. She stood calmly, her feet shoulder-width apart.
"Everyone, please stay seated or hold onto the fixed furniture," Momo advised.
Nami didn't need to be told. She was already at the window, her eyes wide. "Look at the horizon... you can see the curve of the world from up here."
Nejire flew toward the glass, her nose pressed against it. "Wow! Wow! The ships below look like little toys! Hey, Vivi, look! Alabasta must be somewhere out there!"
Vivi joined her, a look of longing on her face, while Shirahoshi peered over her shoulder, trembling. "It's so high... I feel like I might fall into the sky!"
Tashigi and Kuina had stopped their staring match. Both swordswomen were looking out at the red rock passing by at high speed. "To build something like this," Kuina whispered, "it's a different kind of strength than a sword."
Hibari was busy making sure her rifle was secured. "The pressure is changing! My ears are popping!"
Belo Betty leaned against the frame of the window, lighting a fresh cigarette. "The higher you go, the more you see how the world is divided," she muttered, looking at Robin.
Robin nodded, her expression unreadable. "The Red Line. The wall that splits the world in half."
Hiyori and Kiku stood together, their traditional robes fluttering in the artificial wind created by the lift's vents. Kiku kept a protective hand near Hiyori, her eyes scanning the rock face for any signs of danger.
In the corner, Boa Hancock remained seated. She didn't look out the window. She kept her eyes on the floor, her fingers intertwined with Salome's scales. Ain noticed her isolation and walked over, standing nearby without saying a word—a silent acknowledgement of another woman who preferred the quiet.
Camie, Shiozaki, Yanagi, and Yui Kodai gathered at the central table, holding onto the edges. "It's like we're leaving the world behind," Yanagi murmured, her ghostly hair floating upward due to the momentum.
Kaya sat with Ibara Shiozaki, the two of them sharing a quiet prayer for a safe arrival.
The massive lift continued its climb, the air growing thinner and colder as they approached the heights of the Red land.
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To be continued