The Kingdom of the Sky Mountains, also known simply as the Sky Kingdom, isn't literally in the sky—but it might as well be. This mountainous nation on Lushan Island, in the first half of the Grand Line, is famous for building an entire city that floats among the clouds atop its highest peak.
The Grand Line is home to many extraordinary locations, but two stand out: Water 7, where the revolutionary Sea Train was born, and Lushan Island, home of the Sky Kingdom. While Water 7 became known for shipbuilding, the Sky Kingdom rose to fame for a different marvel—the Sky Cableway, a ropeway network connecting towering cliffs and mountains.
Mastering high-altitude construction out of necessity, the people of the Sky Kingdom turned these cableways into an engineering art form. The crown jewel? A castle in the sky, a city suspended on the island's summit by a massive web of cableways.
Years ago, the Sky Kingdom suffered internal strife. Desperate, they turned to the World Government for help—but as a non-affiliated nation, they were refused. Worse, the World Government tried to take advantage of the chaos to steal the secrets of their Sky Cableway technology.
They failed.
Since then, the Sky Kingdom harbors deep resentment toward the World Government and has refused to share their ropeway innovations with any government-affiliated nations. That's why, despite being as impressive as the Sea Train, the Sky Cableway never spread across the seas.
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On the highest peak of Lushan Island, the floating Sky City sat, supported by cableways extending from its base to the distant cliffs below. From afar, it looked like a palace suspended in midair—majestic, mysterious, and inaccessible.
Sabo, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, stood near the city's edge, gazing out over the cloud-shrouded mountains with a faint smile.
He had come here on a mission: to persuade the Sky Kingdom to join the Revolutionary Army. After months of effort, he had finally succeeded. The royal family signed an alliance agreement and agreed to provide their expertise in building Sky Cableways to the revolution.
"Looking pleased, Sabo-kun," came a voice behind him. Karasu, commander of the Revolutionary Army's Northern Forces and clad in his signature crow mask, approached.
"Yeah," Sabo nodded. "Kerra is coming back… and this time, she's not coming alone."
This time, she was bringing not only important research notes from Vegapunk—but also his brother.
Even though Sabo still hadn't fully regained his lost memories, just the thought of seeing Ace made his heart race.
"Sa~bo-kun!"
A cheerful voice rang out from below. Sabo and Karasu looked down to see Kerra and Ace ascending in a cable car, rising slowly toward the sky.
The moment Sabo laid eyes on Ace, something stirred inside him.
Memories—long buried—suddenly came flooding back.
"Ace… Luffy…"
The images of their childhood together returned. The campfires. The shared dreams. The bond that time and trauma couldn't erase. Tears welled in Sabo's eyes. Without hesitation, he leapt from the platform and landed nimbly on the cable car.
"Ace!"
"Sa—bo!"
They crashed into each other with a tight embrace, overwhelmed with emotion.
Kerra, meanwhile, stood awkwardly to the side, completely ignored.
"You remember now?" Ace asked, giving Sabo a playful punch.
"Yeah," Sabo smiled. "The moment I saw you, everything came rushing back."
WHAM!
Sabo suddenly punched Ace on the head.
"You bastard! Trying to make me call you 'brother' last time when I didn't even remember anything! I'm the eldest brother, you hear me?!"
"Are you kidding me?!" Ace yelled, punching him back. "I'm the eldest! You arrogant jerk!"
The two continued smacking each other until finally they both collapsed into another tight hug.
"…It's so good to remember you again, Ace." Sabo's voice trembled.
Ace patted him on the shoulder. "I'm just glad I lived long enough to see you remember."
Sabo suddenly asked, "What about Luffy? That kid still yelling about becoming Pirate King?"
"Of course," Ace chuckled. "By now, he's probably getting ready to set out on his own journey."
"What about you?" Sabo looked him in the eye. "Do you still want to be Pirate King?"
"I've changed," Ace said, shaking his head. "I no longer aim to be Pirate King. My ambition now… is to surpass the Pirate King."
"…Surpass?" Sabo blinked, then broke into a grin. "That sounds exactly like something you'd say."
"Of course. Since Luffy wants to become Pirate King, how could I, as his older brother, compete for the same goal? But as his brother, I also can't let him surpass me so easily."
Sabo laughed. "So what's your dream now, then?"
"I've joined the revolution," Sabo said. "I'm not a pirate anymore. My dream now… is to help Dragon complete the revolutionary cause."
"…That's a great dream," Ace nodded. "Sabo, you've become a man as noble as Uncle Dragon."
"Heh. I'm trying," Sabo said, his voice soft but firm. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, was his inspiration. Following in his footsteps felt right.
Suddenly, Ace looked at Sabo seriously.
"By the way, Sabo… I want to invite Bartholomew Kuma to join us. I've always admired him. I'd like him to be part of my crew."
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