A day later.
Satisfied with their arrangements, Souta Kiryuu and his companions departed aboard the St. Germain.
Dr. Vegapunk had obtained the experimental equipment he desired, while Capone Bege's body fortress was nearly stuffed to the brim with supplies.
Reiju had now officially become a member of the Kiryuu Pirates, serving as the go-between for Souta Kiryuu and Judge. Unlike before, her position no longer placed her under Judge's direct control, granting her far greater freedom.
Judge, in turn, had secured Souta Kiryuu's promise—soon, he would receive hundreds of billions in gold as cooperative funding. And within a year or two, he would also gain access to a large supply of artificial Devil Fruits, strengthening Germa's army to new heights.
Because Vegapunk's ever-growing head was attracting too much attention, Souta Kiryuu didn't linger in the North Blue. He and his crew needed to establish a base of operations as soon as possible.
The Polar Tang cut through the seas straight toward Reverse Mountain, safely entering the Grand Line.
"Bepo, Pekin, Shachi—head toward Jaya Island using the eternal log. Be careful, and we'll reunite there soon!" Trafalgar Law reminded his companions several times. For now, he would travel ahead with Souta Kiryuu to establish a base on Skypiea.
"Don't worry, boss! Just convincing Captain Kiryuu to let us cross Reverse Mountain with him was enough. We'll be fine." Pekin thumped his chest confidently. As long as they avoided unnecessary landfalls, their journey to Jaya posed little risk.
After their farewells, they all stepped into Bege's body fortress. Under the power of Bartholomew Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit, they were sent flying directly to an island near Jaya.
Years ago, while searching for doctors to treat Bonney, Kuma had visited Drum Island, Weatheria, and many other islands across this sea, leaving his marks behind.
This ability was simply too convenient for Souta Kiryuu. The Paw-Paw Fruit truly deserved its reputation—standing alongside the Azure Dragon Fruit as one of the top-tier Devil Fruits, both prized trophies once awarded to Celestial Dragons during the deadly tournaments of God Valley.
Near Jaya, Kuma and Bege reappeared. Soon after, Souta Kiryuu transformed into a colossal dragon and carried them aloft, soaring toward the fabled island in the sky.
Inside Bege's fortress, excitement ran high.
"At last, we'll see the legendary Skypiea!" Bonney cheered, her voice trembling with anticipation. Princess Mansherry was equally thrilled, especially since Souta Kiryuu had promised to relocate part of the Tontatta Tribe there. For her people, this was nothing short of paradise.
"To think there's an island in the sky right above Jaya…" Kuma muttered in awe. He had traveled this route before but never encountered Skypiea itself—only drifting weather islands like Weatheria.
"The fabled City of Gold, Shandora!" Vegapunk clapped his hands in glee. "I'll never need to worry about research funds again!"
Free from the World Government's control and flush with resources, Vegapunk was more ecstatic than ever. And with Souta Kiryuu and Kuma at his side, he felt safer than he had in years.
"Skypiea also hosts a Logia user—the Rumble-Rumble Fruit," Souta Kiryuu said calmly. "If we defeat him, Doctor, you'll never lack for energy again."
He spoke of Enel, the self-proclaimed thunder god. Even if impossible to recruit, Enel could at least serve as a living battery for Vegapunk's research. Perhaps, with his powers as a model, Vegapunk could even overcome the barrier of replicating artificial Logia Fruits.
After all, it was through studying Kizaru's Light-Light Fruit that he had already pioneered laser technology. Who knew what breakthroughs lightning might offer?
Laffitte, Bege, and Law exchanged glances, their respect for Souta Kiryuu's foresight growing deeper by the day.
Even Bege, a hardened mafia boss, found his own schemes shrinking in the face of this terrifying man. Having learned so many of Kiryuu's secrets, could he truly leave this crew alive two years from now? He wasn't so sure anymore.
"Dr. Vegapunk, you seriously plan to cut away part of your brain on Skypiea?" Law asked in disbelief. Recently, Vegapunk had even asked him to experiment with splitting consciousness, a step toward creating multiple avatars to research and work simultaneously.
Both Law and Wolf were awed. This truly was the world's greatest scientist.
"Our first mission upon arrival," Laffitte said eagerly, "is to crush this lightning fruit user, yes? If Captain Kiryuu can subdue such a powerful Logia, our crew's strength will soar!"
"Indeed," Souta Kiryuu replied. "His speed rivals Kizaru, and his Observation Haki spans an entire island. But he's arrogant—ignorant of the wider seas, and he hasn't even awakened Armament Haki. Kuma, the moment we confront him, you and I must strike decisively."
"I understand." Kuma's deep voice was steady. For Bonney's sake, Skypiea needed to become a safe haven. He would fight with everything he had to secure it.
Half a day later, Souta Kiryuu soared into the White Sea, his dragon form carrying him onto Angel Island at ten thousand meters above the ocean.
Descending alongside him were Kuma and Bege, while the others remained in the safety of Bege's fortress, marveling at the sight of the endless white clouds beneath their feet.
But their arrival had not gone unnoticed.
The patrol forces of Skypiea quickly surrounded the intruders, while crowds of islanders gathered to watch. Their chatter soon reached the ears of Enel himself, seated upon the golden throne of God's Shrine on Upper Yard.
"So, sky people from the Blue Sea? Intriguing… they seem quite strong."
Extending his electromagnetic waves through his Mantra, Enel listened to every sound across the island. Any who disrespected God would face his divine punishment.
These three would be entertaining prey.
He immediately dispatched his four priests to test their strength.
But before they could even arrive, Souta Kiryuu, Kuma, and Bege had already dismantled the White Beret police force with ease.
Enel's amusement turned to irritation.
"Enough. This god shall deal with them personally."
With a crack of thunder, his form dissolved into lightning, vanishing from the throne and reappearing on Angel Island.
Back on the island below, Kuma glanced at the unconscious guards. "That should be enough to draw him out," he said gently. He had held back as much as possible to avoid harming the Sky Islanders.
"He'll come soon. Watch for his thunder pillars," Souta Kiryuu warned Bege. "Our defenses can withstand him, but you're the most vulnerable."
Bege puffed his cigar and smirked. "Then don't forget to cover me, bosses. I've got too many lives riding inside this fortress."
If they claimed Skypiea, he thought, his fortress would finally be free of the burden of storing endless supplies and people.
The battle for Skypiea was about to begin.