The Going Merry drifted slowly through thick mist as the silhouette of a large island took shape in the distance. A strange, otherworldly silence hung over the scene, broken only by the creak of the ship's wooden frame and the rhythmic lap of waves. The fog coiled around the ship like ghostly fingers, making it hard to see more than a few meters ahead. The crew squinted into the white shroud, each step forward carrying a sense of growing unease. The air smelled of wet leaves and old salt, a dense, earthy scent that clung to their lungs.
"This mist is unnatural," Nami said as she tightened her grip on the helm. Beads of sweat formed on her brow as she tried to steer carefully through the haze. She leaned over the navigation table, eyes narrowed. "The log pose points here, but… I've never seen this place on any of my maps."
Robin stood beside her, arms crossed, her eyes calm but alert. "That makes it all the more interesting. An uncharted island—what secrets might it hold?" Her voice held an almost scholarly excitement, but her posture was alert and ready.
Luffy leaned over the side of the ship, his straw hat casting a shadow over his curious expression. "Looks fun. Let's go check it out." He smiled, eager for the mystery that lay ahead.
Zoro gave a grunt and scanned the mist ahead. "Doesn't look like fun. Looks like a trap. This silence doesn't feel natural." His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, instincts sharp.
Sanji lit his cigarette and leaned on the railing, the smoke curling up and vanishing into the mist. "Either way, we won't know unless we land. Keep your eyes open." He exhaled a slow breath, watching the horizon disappear into white.
Chopper peeked nervously over the railing, hugging his medical bag to his chest. "I-I don't like how quiet it is… it feels like something's watching us." His hooves fidgeted on the wood, clearly uncomfortable.
The ship nudged into a shallow cove. The mist parted slightly to reveal a narrow strip of shore lined with dense jungle. The trees loomed tall and dark, their leaves dripping with dew, and strange bird calls echoed in the canopy. The moist earth squelched under their feet as they stepped onto land.
"Alright, let's go!" Luffy called, already swinging down onto the sand with a wild grin. He landed with a soft thump, kicking up dust.
Nami sighed but followed. "At least stay close this time. Don't go running off!" she warned, adjusting her orange jacket.
The crew disembarked and moved into the thick greenery. Vines tangled around branches, and strange birds cawed in the canopy above. The jungle floor was soft and damp, muffling their footsteps. Mosquitoes buzzed in the air, and occasional rustling hinted at unseen creatures.
Deeper into the jungle, they stumbled across the wreckage of an old ship—its hull shattered and moss-covered, half-buried in earth. Broken planks jutted out like jagged bones. The remains leaned heavily against a massive tree, entwined with roots.
Robin knelt beside a fallen beam and traced a symbol carved into it with her fingers. "This is sky-related script. Very old. References to the heavens—possibly to a kingdom that believed in a land above the sky."
Usopp shuddered and backed away. "Don't tell me this place is haunted. That ship looks ancient… like it's been here for centuries."
Chopper, crouched by a pile of scattered bones, looked up with concern. "These are human remains… but really, really old. The weathering suggests they've been here for generations." He examined the bones carefully, noting fractures and age.
Luffy, meanwhile, wandered ahead, stepping over roots and ducking under branches. His voice rang out, "Hey! I found something!"
The crew rushed to him. He held up a torn, weathered scroll—part of a map, drawn in crude ink. It showed a cloud sea and an island floating above it, marked with symbols similar to the carvings Robin had pointed out.
Robin took the parchment and examined it carefully. "It's incomplete, but the depiction of a sky island matches several myths from forgotten civilizations. This could be proof that they really believed it existed."
Nami leaned closer, her expression a mix of skepticism and wonder. "A sea in the sky? That's impossible… isn't it?"
Luffy grinned, his eyes gleaming. "Let's go there." His excitement was contagious, though no one echoed it right away. Robin arched a brow, and Nami looked torn between scolding him and admitting she was curious too.
Before anyone could respond, loud rustling came from the trees behind them. Boisterous laughter followed, breaking the tense calm like thunder. The laughter grew louder as heavy boots crunched the underbrush.
"Well, well. If it isn't the dream chasers," a mocking voice rang out.
A group of rugged pirates emerged—grinning with arrogance and swagger. They were loud, brash, and armed. At the center was a tall man with slicked-back hair and a mean smirk: Sarquiss, one of Bellamy's men. His gaze swept over the Straw Hats with disdain.
"Chasing fairy tales now, are we?" Sarquiss snorted. "Sky Islands? What a joke. Wasting time on nonsense, huh?"
Usopp scowled and stepped forward. "And who are you supposed to be?"
"Bellamy's crew. You've heard of us," Sarquiss said, stepping forward boldly. One of his companions snatched the parchment from Robin's hands with a swift, disrespectful motion.
"Hey!" Luffy snapped, fists balling up at his sides. His voice dropped an octave, filled with quiet fury. His mind flashed briefly to Bellamy's words in the bar, mocking dreamers, and the frustration burned in his chest.
The man ripped the parchment in two and let the pieces fall into the dirt, stepping on one with a cruel smile. "Garbage belongs in the ground."
Sanji's foot tapped against the earth, his cigarette now smoldering between tight lips. "That was a mistake," he said, barely containing his anger.
Sarquiss smirked and waved dismissively. "Oh, you gonna fight us over a bedtime story? Save your strength for something real."
Zoro's hand hovered over his sword, a low growl in his throat. "Keep talking and we'll see what gets cut down."
But Luffy didn't move. His jaw clenched, eyes narrowed, but his arms stayed at his side. "Let it go," he said flatly, though his knuckles were white.
The crew looked at him, surprised. Nami raised a brow, and Sanji frowned.
Luffy added, his voice low and deliberate, "They're not worth it… yet."
Sarquiss chuckled darkly, eyes glinting with malice. "You wanna chase clouds? Then get ready to be flattened."
Their boots thudded on the jungle floor as they closed in, grins widening with menace.
To be continued...
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