Leaving the tavern, the Hell Pirates traveled directly to the opposite side of Jaya Island.
A deserted coastline stretched before them, where a modest dwelling clearly showed signs of habitation.
"What species of bird is that?"
Kaka asked with genuine curiosity, gazing up at a parrot-like creature perched motionlessly in a tree. The bird displayed vibrant red plumage and appeared remarkably intelligent. His question arose from the creature's peculiar behavior, its head remained completely stationary, like a living statue.
Yet its eyes, filled with unmistakable awareness, moved deliberately as they assessed the approaching strangers.
"This is a creature unique to Jaya Island. It's my first time encountering one personally," Dom replied with interest.
Having traversed the first half of the Grand Line extensively, he possessed considerable knowledge of the region's exotic fauna.
"I've heard that the direction of this bird's head permanently indicates a specific location, functioning essentially like a biological compass," Dom continued.
"On the landmass of Jaya Island, the only remaining species of this kind points its head consistently north. The others, which point in three different skyward directions, are far rarer," Oboro added knowledgeably.
The Grand Line was renowned for its many unique creatures, and these Compass Birds represented one of its more fascinating examples. However, surviving Compass Birds on Jaya Island had become increasingly scarce, making them quite valuable specimens.
"Should we capture one?" Kaka suggested with enthusiasm.
"Don't waste time," Dom responded curtly.
"Right..." Kaka grinned sheepishly.
Meanwhile, their attention shifted to the figures positioned outside the nearby dwelling.
The group appeared to have recently returned from a deep-sea diving expedition. Upon reaching shore, they still wore various pieces of specialized equipment. Nearby lay an organized pile of salvaged artifacts, suggesting they were conducting an inventory of their discoveries.
The apparent leader possessed a distinctive appearance, an unusual chestnut-shaped hairstyle, muscular build, a cigarette dangling casually from his lips, and angular facial features that created a rather memorable impression. Furthermore, two members of his group, still clad in diving gear, bore striking resemblances to great apes and gorillas, with enormous, imposing physiques.
They appeared decidedly non-human in their characteristics.
The remaining two smaller members of the group also exhibited distinctly simian-like qualities upon closer inspection.
The Hell Pirates!
Mont Blanc Cricket, leader of the Saruyama Alliance, crossed his muscular arms in a display of forced composure.
He observed the pirates approaching from beneath the tree canopy with calculated sideways glances, his entire body tense with barely concealed apprehension.
Word had already circulated throughout Mock Town regarding the God Slayer's presence on the island, along with reports of his devastating capabilities. Cricket hadn't evacuated his crew from Jaya Island because he'd assumed the Hell Pirates would remain near Mock Town, the usual pattern for visiting pirates. While Jaya Island possessed considerable size, most visitors confined themselves to the port settlement rather than venturing to remote coastlines like this one.
Therefore, he'd believed his position offered relative safety.
But he had never anticipated the Hell Pirates would venture here!
Could their objective be the legendary Golden City as well?
As these troubling thoughts occupied his mind, Oboro and his companions drew closer.
The ape-like brothers of the Masira and Shoujou Pirates grew visibly nervous. Despite their typically boisterous, outgoing personalities and talent for lightening tense situations, they remained unnaturally silent. As if instinctively sensing the profound danger radiating from the approaching group, they simply stared at the Hell Pirates without uttering a sound.
Even their systematic sorting of salvaged treasures came to an abrupt halt.
Wearing relaxed expressions, Oboro led his crew past the front of Cricket's residence without directly acknowledging the Saruyama Alliance leader. The two groups crossed paths in tense silence. Compared to the Hell Pirates' casual demeanor and unguarded observational gazes, the Saruyama Alliance's posture and aura radiated unmistakable vigilance and gravity.
Although the Hell Pirates projected no overtly malicious intent, Cricket's breathing became noticeably irregular as the distance between the two groups diminished.
The very air seemed to grow heavy and stagnant around them.
However, Cricket's mental fortitude proved sufficient to prevent any outward display of panic. Instead, he reached out to gently touch the heads of two younger crew members who had instinctively sought shelter behind him, offering them wordless reassurance.
"The ship is impressive."
At that moment, a voice broke the silence with an unexpected compliment.
Cricket looked toward the speaker and identified him as the man positioned at the rear of the Hell Pirates formation, his face adorned with various ornamental accessories.
The pirate gestured toward the Utan Sonar anchored along the shoreline and offered an approving thumbs-up gesture.
Cricket chose not to respond verbally.
He deliberately extinguished his cigarette and quietly directed the ape brothers to retreat inside the dwelling.
Then he watched as the Hell Pirates positioned themselves at the water's edge. The earlier drizzle had ceased, and the sky had begun to clear, allowing wisps of golden sunlight to stream dramatically through the dispersing clouds.
Observing the Hell Pirates as they gazed intently toward the heavens, Cricket's suspicions crystallized into certainty.
The Hell Pirates were indeed bound for the legendary Golden City in the sky.
"Is Sky Island really there?"
"Right above us?"
"Incredible! How extraordinary!"
Kaka exclaimed with wonder, staring up at the clearing expanse of clouds overhead.
"I made inquiries earlier, and the tavern owner confirmed that objects frequently fall from the sky, mostly ancient shipwrecks. Occasionally, there are strange atmospheric phenomena or mysterious sounds," Dolan added with a knowing smile.
Among their small group, Rob Lucci was the only member who possessed definitive knowledge of Sky Island's existence.
The World Government maintained classified information regarding the aerial territory, and Lucci had been briefed on these details during his service. However, Sky Island's unique geographic position made it inaccessible to conventional marine forces. Furthermore, Sky Island maintained minimal interaction with the surface world, known among sky dwellers as the "Blue Sea", making it unlikely to significantly impact maritime politics or global affairs. Consequently, the government had chosen to simply ignore its existence.
"If your destination is the Golden City, I strongly advise you to wait. This is not the appropriate time."
Suddenly, a deep, authoritative voice spoke from behind them.
Dom turned to see Cricket standing outside his dwelling, clearly a formidable pirate captain despite his current circumstances.
"You should have heard certain rumors about reaching that place. You'll need to wait for a specific oceanic phenomenon and require both a skilled navigator and a specially reinforced vessel," Cricket explained with measured calm.
He had chosen to share this crucial information because he sensed that, given the Hell Pirates' demonstrated strength and reputation, they might actually possess the capability to reach the legendary city. They couldn't be compared to typical treasure-hunting pirates who ventured to Jaya Island.
While a reckless approach would prove catastrophically dangerous, if the Hell Pirates could successfully locate the 'Golden City,' they would accomplish something that had eluded countless others. Such success would finally vindicate his ancestor, the so-called "Liar King" Mont Blanc Noland, proving he was neither a fraud nor a deceiver.
Furthermore, Cricket believed his ancestor had established some form of covenant with the inhabitants of the Golden City centuries ago.
"Do you know the method for reaching it?" Kaka asked with obvious enthusiasm, taking charge of the conversation.
"I cannot claim certainty about whether the Golden City actually exists in the sky, but I'm convinced there's something significant up there," Cricket replied thoughtfully. "Based on the surging ocean currents and the occasional debris that falls from above, we can determine that throughout history, countless adventurers and pirates have attempted this journey using similar methods. Something in the sky must be drawing them upward."
"Therefore, you'll require a ship, a exceptionally sturdy vessel. Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll, "
Before Cricket could complete his warning, Kaka scratched his head and laughed heartily. "So Sky Island definitely exists up there, correct?"
"Sky Island..." Cricket repeated, momentarily stunned by the casual confirmation.
"It's fine, thank you for the information," Kaka responded with genuine appreciation.
"It seems our captain possesses superior knowledge on this matter," he added as Oboro began moving toward the open sea.
Kaka hurried to follow his captain's lead.
"Wait! You can't simply, "
Cricket opened his mouth to stop them, but in the next instant, every member of the Hell Pirates launched themselves skyward at astonishing velocity, shooting directly into the cumulus clouds that had not yet completely dispersed above.
Cricket's pupils contracted sharply, and his raised arm froze mid-gesture in absolute disbelief.