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Explorer, on deck.
Vivi and Nojiko stared at the sky with intense focus, their right hands already on their sword handles.
Ikki followed Nami to the back of the deck and looked up where she was pointing.
"That's...a giant?" Robin frowned slightly. In the sky, there were human shadows hundreds of ters tall.
"Yes, yes, Captain Ikki, you know what it is! Why are there giants in the sky? Should we run away?" Nami asked worriedly, holding Ikki's hand.
"No need to run," Ikki said, patting Nami on the shoulder. He gave a calm look to everyone around him.
"Those aren't giants up there. It's just the reflection of people in the sky caught in the sunlight. Since these people live on islands in the sky, we can see their huge reflections on the sea."
As soon as Ikki saw the huge winged figure in the sky, he knew it was a projection of the people from Skypiea. He also understood why his Observation Haki hadn't sensed any enemies - Skypiea was still very far away.
"Islands in the sky? Captain Ikki, are you serious?" Nami blinked and looked at him with curiosity.
"Yes, Captain Ikki, how can there be islands in the sky with people living there? Are they the sa as us?" Vivi asked, equally curious.
"I've heard stories about Sky Islands before. So they're not just made up?" Robin added with surprise.
"Sky Islands are real," Ikki said. "Robin, you know the story of the City of Gold, right?"
"Of course I do," she replied. "According to legend, Noland the Liar once found the City of Gold. But when he took the king to look for it, they couldn't find it. So the king executed him. That's how the story of 'Noland' goes."
"Ikki, are you saying the City of Gold exists and it's in the sky?" Robin looked at Ikki with surprise.
"City of Gold? With lots of gold?" Nami's eyes imdiately turned into berry symbols when she heard this.
"From what I've heard, the City of Gold was lifted into the sky by a powerful ocean current and beca part of Sky Island," Ikki explained. "And yes, there is a lot of gold up there."
"Lots of gold!" Nami hugged Ikki's arm. "Hey, Ikki, since you know about Sky Island, you must know how to get there."
"Of course I do," Ikki nodded slightly. "But instead of using the normal way to reach Sky Island, I think it's better to use Nojiko's Zanpakutō to get us there."
"My Zanpakutō?" Nojiko put her hand on her sword. "Ikki, are you asking to use it to help us reach Sky Island?"
Ikki shook his head. "That's not necessary. Sky Island is too high, and your strength might not be enough. So I'll have to use your Zanpakutō's Shikai myself."
Ikki had thought about his own physical condition. With his S-level life force, if he used Nojiko's Shikai without fighting or healing others, it could last a long ti. Getting to Sky Island wouldn't be too hard.
"So you can use Nojiko's Zanpakutō too?" Robin asked. "Ikki, are we going to Sky Island now?"
Robin glanced at the Log Pose in Nami's hand that was pointing to the sky, then looked at Ikki.
"We definitely need to visit Sky Island," Ikki laughed. "After all, there's more than just gold that Nami likes. There's also a poneglyph you want to see, Robin. Now that you're part of my crew, I have to help you reach your dream."
"A poneglyph?" Robin couldn't hide her surprise. "Ikki, are you telling the truth?"
"Looks like we have to go to Sky Island," Nojiko said, looking at Nami and Robin on either side of Ikki. She shook her head and turned to Vivi.
"Islands in the sky?" Vivi clasped her hands together, her eyes glowing with excitent. "That must be beautiful. We'll have an amazing adventure there!"
"Well, even Vivi is excited about Sky Island," Nojiko shrugged and looked at Ikki. "Ikki, are we heading to Sky Island next?"
As she spoke, she was already preparing to hand her sword to Ikki.
"No need to worry," Ikki said. "Even if we flew up from here, it wouldn't be the shortest path to Sky Island. Let's go to Jaya Island nearby first, and then plan our trip to Sky Island."
Ikki gently took his arm back from Nami. He was still looking forward to finding Bellamy in Mock Town on Jaya Island and using his Devil Fruit to help Nami achieve Bankai with her Zanpakutō.
Sky Island could wait. After all, it wasn't going anywhere.
But Bellamy was a person who might leave suddenly, and Ikki couldn't guarantee he'd still be there later.
"But we can't use this Log Pose now," Nami said, pointing to her Log Pose.
"It's fine, just sail in that direction," Ikki said, pointing. "My Observation Haki senses a ship coming from there. Maybe we can ask them for directions."
"And Robin, if you don't want people seeing you in those clothes, you should go to the cabin and change into sothing normal."
Robin was still wearing the tight workout clothes from her training session.
"Ikki, are you worried about other n seeing my body?" Robin teased, but quickly walked toward the cabin.
Nami, Nojiko and the others nodded and steered the ship in the direction Ikki had pointed.
Soon, the Explorer found two pirate ships thanks to Ikki's guidance. With just one look, Ikki recognized them as the Masira and Shoujou pirates from Jaya Island that the Straw Hat Pirates had t in the original story.
anwhile, at the Holy Land of Mariejois.
"Marine Headquarters announces the arrival of Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo!"
"Marine Headquarters announces the arrival of Shichibukai Bartholow Kuma!"
After these loud announcents, the tall Shichibukai Kuma and Doflamingo jumped from their ships.
"Oh my, I didn't expect Fleet Admiral Sengoku would be at the port to greet us," Doflamingo smirked. "You must be very focused on this Shichibukai eting, hmm?"
Doflamingo walked up to Tsuru, who was standing at the port, and looked oddly at the Vice Admiral who stood among the Marines.
Though the woman before him was quite old, Doflamingo didn't dare underestimate her. Before he beca a Shichibukai, Tsuru had led Marines to chase him across most of the ocean. Doflamingo was quite wary of her.
"Hmph, don't think too highly of yourself, Doflamingo," Tsuru snorted coldly, though a slight smile soon appeared on her face. "But I do want to thank you sea scum for attending this Shichibukai eting, Doflamingo and Kuma."
Hearing this, Kuma remained silent, just looking ahead quietly.
Doflamingo couldn't help but laugh.
"Fufufu, so you're not waiting for us? Then who are you waiting for... hmm? Hawkeye?!"
"I didn't expect a man like you would co to this Shichibukai eting!" Doflamingo turned around and looked curiously at the man approaching with a black sword on his back.
"I'm just curious about the man who defeated Crocodile," Mihawk said as he walked up to Tsuru, his eyes extrely sharp. "In this eting, we should discuss that man, Vice Admiral Tsuru."
"The man who defeated Crocodile?" Doflamingo looked at Mihawk with interest. "I recall the Marines claid so Marine Captain nad Hina defeated Crocodile. You even promoted her to Commodore."
"Fufufu, I knew a re Marine Captain couldn't defeat a Shichibukai. Hawkeye, do you know who really defeated Crocodile?"
Kuma also turned to look. He was equally curious about a man who interested even Mihawk.
"Ikki. Just a man with a sword," Mihawk said calmly.
"Hawkeye, you actually know that man?" Tsuru frowned.
The Marines didn't want to reveal the truth about Ikki. It might make Hina's supposed capture of Crocodile seem fake.
But she never thought Mihawk would know about Ikki, or that he'd found out Ikki had beaten Crocodile.
What Tsuru didn't know was that Mihawk had learned about Ikki because of Zoro.
Mihawk was quite interested in Ikki, and after asking around, he'd learned the truth about what happened in Alabasta.
Though the Marines had hidden so information, they couldn't silence all the people of Alabasta.
"I only heard about him from a swordsman who interested ," Mihawk said. "I heard this man wants to collect famous swords from around the world, including my black blade. I want to see what kind of man would dare say such a thing."
As he spoke, Mihawk looked out toward the distant sea.
There, a Marine warship was sailing quickly toward the port of Mariejois.
From a distance, they could see Vice Admiral Gion standing on the deck.
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