On Sky Island, within the newly built Shandia tribal house, the Great Chief slowly opened his weary eyes. The ceiling above him was carved with sacred patterns unique to their tribe.
He rose to his feet and murmured softly, "Although the rising ocean that will one day swallow countless islands poses no threat to us Shandia, who live upon Sky Island by fate's grace… if what that man said is true, we cannot remain idle."
The old chief paced back and forth, his brows furrowed. "According to that man," he continued thoughtfully, "if we do not prepare early, even here on Sky Island, those greedy Celestial Dragons of the Blue Sea will eventually discover us. And once they do… they will unleash a weapon we cannot hope to resist."
He clenched his fists. "That man, Shirogai… he has no reason to deceive us."
The Great Chief believed every word Shirogai had spoken. "Shirogai said this is an opportunity," he whispered. "If our Shandia warriors grow strong, we could one day stand against any enemy that dares threaten our people."
Yet the Chief's expression softened. "But I do not seek glory. I only wish for my tribe to live safely and peacefully."
A faint chime echoed through the room — ding-dong… ding-dong… The soothing sound of the ancient Shandora bell filled the air. The Chief closed his eyes, letting the melody calm the turmoil in his heart.
"'Be prepared for danger in times of peace,'" he recalled Shirogai's words. "If we remain complacent, we may once again lose our ancestral land and the light of Shandora."
When he opened his eyes again, they shone with renewed determination. "Then as Shirogai said, let the warriors of Shandia become the strongest force beneath the sky. When that time comes, no one will ever take away our home again."
---
Far below, the Going Merry plummeted through the clouds.
The Straw Hat Pirates screamed as the ship, suspended only by a giant octopus balloon, began to fall. The balloon was deflating rapidly, and the descent had grown dangerously fast. Wood splintered as the hull began to tear apart.
"Shirogai! Shirogai! What are you doing?!" Nami shouted, panic in her voice. "If we hit the sea like this, we're done for!"
Robin's calm expression wavered. "At this speed, we'll break apart before we even reach the water."
"He must be busy," Zoro said grimly, gripping his swords. "Otherwise, he'd be here already."
Sanji took a drag from his cigarette, holding onto the railing. "Shirogai said not to disturb him unless it was serious. Guess this qualifies."
"This is serious!" Chopper cried, flailing his tiny hooves.
"Leave it to me!" Usopp yelled, scrambling beneath the ship. He pressed several Wind Dials he'd taken from Sky Island against the bottom of the Merry. The air bursts slowed the fall — barely.
"See? Still the hero!" he shouted proudly after climbing back up.
"Usopp hooray!" Luffy and Chopper cheered, tossing him into the air — just as a loud pop! echoed above.
Everyone froze.
"Uh… what was that?" Usopp asked weakly.
The octopus balloon had burst completely, shooting off into the sky like a rocket. The Going Merry began dropping again — faster this time.
"Oh no!"
"We're gonna die!"
Usopp fainted midair, eyes rolling back, only to be snatched back onto the ship by Luffy's stretching arm.
"Brace yourselves!" Luffy commanded. "Impact incoming!"
Even Zoro tensed, and Chopper's tears streamed freely.
Then —
"Heh, don't panic. I'll handle it."
The familiar voice cut through the chaos. Everyone looked up to see Shirogai, floating effortlessly above the deck, a faint smirk on his lips. He raised one hand. "Smoke Slide."
A torrent of black smoke erupted from his palms, forming a massive slide that extended from the Merry to the ocean below. The ship glided down the smoke like a child on a playground, slowing until it skimmed across the water.
"Wow! It's like Sky Island all over again!" Chopper cried.
Luffy laughed, sitting on the figurehead. "Wahahaha! We're back, Blue Sea!"
Nami collapsed onto the deck. "Finally… we're safe."
Robin smiled faintly, wiping her brow. "That was closer than I'd like."
Usopp staggered to the feet, trembling. "E-everything under control!"
Sanji chuckled. "Nice save, Usopp. Brave warrior of the sea, huh?"
Usopp puffed out his chest proudly.
Zoro, from the lookout, suddenly frowned. "Hold on. That building ahead…"
Everyone followed his gaze — a massive structure loomed in the distance.
"The Marine's G-8 Fortress," Shirogai said with a calm grin. "Things just got interesting."
"We just came back, and we're already fighting Marines?!" Luffy said, laughing eagerly.
"Perfect," Zoro muttered, jumping down. "I could use a warm-up."
Sanji snorted. "You'll need more than luck, moss-head."
"Bring it, curly-brow."
"Stop it, both of you," Shirogai said, his tone light but commanding. "They've already spotted us. Handle the cannon fire — I'll redirect our landing."
"Got it!" Luffy and the others responded in unison.
---
At the Marine G-8 Fortress, alarms blared.
"Enemy ship descending from the sky! It's the Straw Hat Pirates!" a sentry yelled.
"All cannons, aim!" Major Drake ordered. "Once they touch the ground, open fire!"
But before they could react, a marine shouted, "Major! The ship's landing changed direction — it's heading straight for the main gate!"
"Close the gate immediately!" Drake barked.
Seconds later, another voice screamed, "The gate—! It's been sliced open from the inside! Cut clean through!"
"What?! That's solid steel! Even a Vice Admiral couldn't—"
Drake froze.
"Someone just extended their hand and split it apart…"
A shiver ran down his spine. "Fire! Now!"
---
Far above, a man in a pink feathered coat and purple shades watched the explosions from the distance, floating lazily in the air.
"Fufufufu… the G-8 Fortress," he chuckled. "Who's foolish enough to attack that?"
The Heavenly Demon Donquixote Doflamingo tilted his head — and then froze when he spotted a familiar figure standing on the Merry's deck.
"Well, now," he grinned. "If it isn't The Plunderer himself… Shirogai."
Shirogai glanced up at him with a faint smirk. "Can't sleep, Doflamingo? Wandering around this early?"
"Fufufufu… fate truly is amusing," Doflamingo laughed darkly. "To meet someone as infamous as you — a man rivaling the Four Emperors — right here."
Strings shimmered around him, slicing the air. "Let's see how strong you really are."