This was a special express transportation method used to tow ships over the enormous vines directly to the White-White Sea.
The Going Merry was clamped by the Express Lobster and rapidly ascended along an incredibly thick vine, piercing through the final layer of clouds.
When the view before them suddenly opened up, even the well-traveled Robin couldn't help but feel a flicker of awe in her eyes.
The pure white sea of clouds stretched out like a vast plain, dotted with all sorts of strange Sky Island flora and architecture.
In the distance, a beautiful island of exotic style, constructed from various shells and clouds, came into view—Angel Island!
"It's Sky Island! It's real, it's real!"
Vivi and Nami were so excited they pressed their cheeks together, fingers interlocked, cheering and jumping for joy like two little girls.
Nika, who was wedged between them, had her small face buried in their soft chests, unable to struggle free, just rolling her eyes with an utterly resigned, world-weary expression.
Left or right... which is bigger?
Maybe Luffy would know.
Little Merry, floating nearby, blinked her big eyes, watching Vivi and Nami's actions. Thinking this might be some special landing celebration ritual, she looked up at the intelligent, elegant Robin beside her with expectant eyes.
"Shall we try it too?"
That expression and look were simply impossible to refuse.
Robin looked at Merry and couldn't help but smile gently. Mimicking Vivi and Nami, she bent down slightly, pressing her cheek against Merry's and interlacing their fingers for a moment.
"ω) y" Merry immediately narrowed her eyes happily, her little face beaming with joy.
With the help of the Express Lobster, the Going Merry safely reached the beach of Angel Island.
Soft white sand, crystal-clear pale blue sea of clouds, and the unique architecture in the distance painted a picture so fantastical it seemed like a dream.
"Can finally do some proper repairs."
"No Marines here. Not even pirates. A good place to relax."
"I want to see if there are any good swords here."
"Ahhh! Of course, coming to Sky Island is to meet the beautiful angel ladies!"
Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper couldn't wait. They jumped off the ship and rushed onto the beach, ready to enjoy this rare, exotic scenery.
"Darn it, I'm so jealous." Luffy looked utterly dejected. As a result, arcs of electricity crackled to life on his outstretched hand.
Coming to Sky Island but not being able to play?
He should have thought of this earlier!
He even felt it might have been better if this were the second-stage sensory deprivation punishment. At least then he could eke out a little time to play, and just train extra in his dreams while sleeping at night.
But now? Absolutely not.
Even on the Merry, he had to constantly compress the electricity within himself, or else the ship might accidentally blow up.
He plopped down on the deck. The captain becoming a lonely old man left behind on watch?
Not that! Please, not that!
"Luffy, what's wrong?" Vivi walked over and asked with concern.
Luffy sighed and pointed to the occasional, uncontrollable tiny arcs of electricity sparking on his body, offering an excuse. "My body's having a little... issue. The uncontrolled electricity might affect you all."
A small scheme immediately hatched in Vivi's heart.
Then... staying on the ship to play with Luffy?
There would be plenty of time to explore the island later, but time alone with Luffy wasn't something that came around often.
Nami might be a good sister, but... sorry!
"Ah, then I'll..."
"You all go play first. I'll stay on the ship and keep this idiot company for now."
Before Vivi could even finish her sentence—just one second too slow—Nami, beside her, had already said everything she wanted to say.
Again! It's happening again!
Vivi was left utterly speechless.
Back in Alabasta, it was the same! She was there first!
Just one second slower, and someone snatched it away again.
Might as well call me "Vivi One-Second-Late" from now on!
Luffy, however, didn't pick up on Vivi's reaction. He looked up to see Nami, who had just changed into a cool beach outfit—a white halter top and hot pants, revealing smooth shoulders, a slender waist, and plump, pale thighs—swaying right in front of him. Seeing Luffy's state, she put her hands on her hips, looking like she was at her wit's end with him.
Robin's gaze shifted between Nami and Luffy, a trace of barely perceptible teasing in her eyes as she delivered a sly remark. "Then I'll go explore the island with Miss Vivi first. You two take your time."
Vivi actually wanted to say she'd stay too. But remembering her time in the Alabasta royal palace, where she seemed to have used the excuse of being "forcibly taken" to have some small, beyond-ordinary-crewmate interactions with Luffy...
Didn't that count as a sneak attack?
I'm way ahead of Nami!
That's what Vivi understood from her indirect inquiries. What she didn't know was that her good sister was also a master of strategy—feints and misdirection.
At this moment, Vivi felt too awkward to fight Nami for it. She could only nod and follow Robin off the ship, though her gaze lingered on Luffy and Nami for a moment longer.
Soon, everyone else had excitedly rushed off to the beach, leaving only Luffy and Nami on board.
"Aren't you already dressed for it?" Luffy was quite direct. "You don't have to wait for me."
"Lying around is the same anywhere." Nami shot him a glare. "I just think the ship is nice too. Got a problem with that?"
"Wouldn't dare," Luffy knew exactly how to handle Nami—just go along with her. The urgent matter now was to compress all the electric current inside his body and then cut corners on the training plan according to schedule. Luffy was an expert at that.
He continued to sit cross-legged on the deck, closing his eyes to concentrate. Tiny blue arcs of electricity danced and flickered across his skin, emitting faint zapping sounds.
Nami sat on the railing not far away, chin resting on her hands, watching him quietly.
Sunlight filtered through the pure white clouds, spilling onto Luffy's focused profile and onto the cool outfit Nami had just changed into, making her appear even more radiant.
Watching the active arcs of electricity, Nami couldn't help but ask curiously, "Luffy, just how far have you developed your Devil Fruit powers? You can even generate electricity now?"
That counted as Devil Fruit development, right?
Luffy opened his eyes and grinned, extending a finger with a small, stable arc of electricity dancing on its tip. "Nami, want to reach out and touch it? Give it a try?"
Try?
Try, then. Who's afraid?
It's not like anyone else is on the ship anyway.
In that little area, a sudden quiet fell.
So quiet that Nami could almost hear her own heartbeat. Thump, thump, thump, growing faster and faster.
For a moment, she felt like she'd turned into a cat with a keen sense of smell, detecting in the air—mingled with the fresh scent of the sea of clouds and Luffy's unique smell—a gradually approaching, ambiguous sense of danger.
Right... there really isn't anyone else on the ship now!
And so, the young girl's heart skipped a beat, then began to race uncontrollably.
Over there, Merry and Robin's bodies both paused simultaneously for a moment.
***
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