"Everything ready?" Rosen stood at the bow of the Dawn. The ship wasn't small, and he estimated that filling its hold with gold and treasure would be more than enough.
For example, cutting down one of those golden pillars and hauling it away would make for a staggering fortune.
"Ready!" His crew was brimming with energy. After resting for some time, they were itching for action—especially upon learning they were heading to the legendary, possibly mythical Sky Island. Their excitement only grew when they heard rumors of a "City of Gold" waiting above, a chance for immense wealth that stirred their hearts.
But the biggest motivation was the future goal Rosen had set for them. No longer lost, they now knew they were fighting for a grand cause.
"Stay in touch." Alice and Hodman stood below the ship, bidding farewell to Hathaway and Liya while casting a slightly resentful glance at Rosen.
Rosen pretended not to notice, busying himself with the scenery. 'Why won't this woman give up?'
"Farewell, Your Majesty!" Hodman led all the Lantisians in a deep bow. Every Lantisians was reluctant to see their queen leave, and their own weakness gnawed at them. If only they were stronger, their ruler wouldn't need to sail away or worry about endangering them.
"Raise the sails and set off!" Seeing everyone aboard, Rosen wasted no time and ordered the ship toward Sky Island—though technically, he lowered the sails instead.
"Earth Scroll: Sandstorm Surge!" Sand shot from Rosen's hands, landing on the ground before forming two massive hands that lifted the ship. A rolling sandstorm then pushed the Dawn toward the Giant's Peak.
Thanks to the inland river leading to the sea, hiding and moving the ship within the island was easy.
Rosen focused intently on controlling the sandstorm. Unlike in battle, brute force wouldn't suffice here. He had to avoid large-scale destruction of the forest while maintaining precise direction. The real challenge would be the ascent.
A single misstep could send the ship plummeting, and Rosen might not react in time to prevent casualties.
The Sky Island route naturally carried risks, but Rosen had already deduced the method for reaching it. If Bellamy could manage it, then between him and Hathaway, protecting everyone shouldn't be an issue. With officers like Mr. 5 and others, their combined strength wasn't inferior to Bellamy's crew at the time.
Strength could overcome any trial or danger.
"Your ability is incredibly convenient," Hathaway remarked from the bow, standing perfectly still while the rest of the crew clung to the rails or masts to steady themselves. Sailing on a wave of sand was a first for them—thrilling, but also shaky.
Some even scribbled notes in their journals.
"It's just a Devil Fruit power. Want me to get you one?" Rosen said casually.
"No thanks. Devil Fruits are useful, but the curse of the sea would weaken my existing abilities. Not worth it," Hathaway declined.
"Then take this sword." Rosen tossed her the Sun Blade. As a non-swordsman, he couldn't utilize it well, whereas Hathaway could wield it to greater effect.
Though she wasn't technically his subordinate—just an ally—for now, the distinction hardly mattered.
Hathaway caught the blade, opening her mouth as if to say something before deciding against it. She owed him too much already.
"What a fine sword. A Supreme Grade lives up to its name." She gripped the Sun Blade, her heart surging with excitement.
"We're climbing now. Hold tight." The Dawn reached the base of Giant's Peak, the ship rocking more violently as the sandwave carried it upward.
Everyone clung to the vessel.
*Boom!*
Rosen concentrated as the sandwave carried the ship up the mountain, turning obstructive boulders into sand and merging them into the surge. From afar, the sight of a ship scaling a mountain amid a sandstorm was breathtaking.
Alice, Hodman, and the others watched from a distance, awestruck.
"Where's Natalie? I haven't seen her all day. Today's the queen's departure—where is she fooling around?" Hodman suddenly realized Natalie was missing.
"I suspect she's on that ship. Last night, she asked me if Lantis was safe now. Knowing her, she probably wants to be a pirate," Alice said calmly.
"That reckless girl..."
As the Dawn climbed higher, the ship grew increasingly unstable. Rosen had to shape multiple sand hands to secure it while anchoring the sandstorm.
"Wow, this is amazing! So exciting!" A voice burst from a barrel in the corner.
Natalie climbed out, small round shield on her back and dagger at her waist, before nimbly scaling the mast. Though the ship tilted from the steep ascent, she moved effortlessly.
"Natalie?!" Rosen was stunned. 'When did this reckless girl sneak aboard?' He didn't constantly use Observation Haki, but he should've noticed something.
Was her innate Observation talent this extraordinary? It wasn't impossible—some, like the legendary Red-Haired Shanks, had mastered it from childhood, later even reading minds.
"Hi, Uncle!" Natalie waved cheerfully, hugging the mast and grinning like an excited puppy.
"'Hi' my foot. I told you not to set sail!"
"I'm an adult now. I can make my own choices."
"Sand Burial." Rosen's eyebrow twitched. A weakened sand fist surged from below, knocking her off the mast and burying her in sand.
"Adults don't get one-shot."
"Hmph, again!" Natalie scrambled up, drawing her dagger and shield before reconsidering and charging at Rosen shield-first.
"Stubborn brat." Rosen couldn't use Armament Haki—she'd be sent flying—so he trapped her legs in sand instead.
"Fine, you can stay. But no causing trouble, and no pirate nonsense. You're just an unpaid deckhand, got it?"
"Sure, sure, whatever!" Natalie didn't care, as long as she got to sail.
At this point, sending her back would only make her sneak out alone later. Better to keep an eye on her.
"We're at the summit. Robin, see any Upstream Clouds?" Rosen called.
"Not yet—wait, there!"
"Hold on! Purgatory Tornado!" Rosen spread his arms, his body dissolving into sand as it merged with the storm below. A colossal sand tornado formed beneath the ship, tilting toward a massive solid white cloud drifting overhead.
"Up!" Rosen poured all his strength into the tornado, launching the Dawn skyward. Though straining, he maintained a steady rotation—too fast, and the ship would tear apart.
Whoosh!
Thud!
After a few rotations, the sand tornado deposited the Dawn onto the solid cloud with a heavy but safe landing.
"We did it! We're on a cloud! This is incredible!" Natalie cheered, while the others stared in awe.
Such an experience was rare indeed.
(End of Chapter)