To ensure absolutely nothing could go wrong, the Five Elders even secretly dispatched CP0 to assist. If that still wasn't enough to take down Fire Fist Ace, then there was simply no justice left in the world.
First half of the Grand Line — the famed Food City.
This place was bustling to an absurd degree. Delicacies from all over the world gathered here, the liveliness rivaling even the dessert island inherited by the Sky Kingdom.
Its transportation was also incredibly convenient. The island connected directly to the world's most advanced Sea Train, with rails running straight to Water 7.
Tourists could first take the train to stroll around the City of Spring Queens, then comfortably arrive at the sacred land of shipbuilding.
For the group traveling this time, compared to carrying out some tedious mission, this felt more like an impromptu, all-expenses-paid vacation.
At this moment, one of Tenma's ace combatants under his command—"Thunder Princess" Yamato—was leading a group of next-generation retainers in an all-out eating spree.
"Wow! This is amazing!"
Yamato sat shamelessly inside a street food shop. Despite having a cold, glamorous, top-tier face, she was currently acting like a bold, carefree bruiser, shouting loudly as she ate.
In her right hand, chopsticks flew as she slurped ramen from the bowl like a raging storm. Her left hand wasn't idle either, using a fork to shovel takoyaki into her mouth nonstop, her cheeks puffed up like a hamster.
"This takoyaki is insane! And this Sea King chashu ramen—the broth is even better than what the palace chefs make! And this juice is incredible too! What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and try it!"
Whether it was Yamato's unique eating aura or simply her enthusiastic hospitality, Nami and the others soon took their seats as well.
After just one bite, everyone's eyes lit up, and their originally restrained eating pace instantly skyrocketed.
Ulti was especially savage—while eating from her own bowl, she casually snatched half the dumplings off Page One's plate next to her.
Page One wore a helpless expression. Just as he turned his head to seek sympathy, he saw Law beside him, looking dotingly as he picked the best pieces of meat from his own bowl and placed them into his sister Lami's dish.
Turning back to look at his own fierce older sister, Page One had just opened his mouth to protest—
When Ulti shot him a vicious glare, as if she could see the future.
He was instantly intimidated, swallowed his words, and obediently chickened out.
After eating for a while, Zoro suddenly put down his chopsticks and frowned.
"No flavor in my mouth. Just juice isn't cutting it. I'm going to find somewhere to buy some alcohol."
Before he'd even gone far, a loud thwack landed on his head.
Nami smashed him straight into the ground with a single blow.
Grabbing Zoro by the collar, she shook him furiously, veins popping.
"Zoro! I warned you, didn't I?! Anyone else can move around freely, but you are absolutely not allowed to wander off! Haven't you realized how much trouble you've caused us along the way?!"
"Yeah, exactly!" Lami chimed in with hands on her hips.
"Zoro, you're honestly a miracle. Blink once and you're gone. That last town only had a few streets, and you still managed to get lost three times!"
She sighed helplessly, rubbing her forehead.
"This sense of direction is downright terrifying."
Hearing his sister say that, Law nodded seriously in agreement.
"Indeed. This qualifies as a medical miracle. Even with my lifetime of medical knowledge, I can't explain this phenomenon. It's basically incurable."
Law was now the pillar of the Sky Kingdom's medical department. For him to use phrases like "lifetime of medical knowledge" spoke volumes about how severe Zoro's condition was.
After being scolded from all sides, Zoro's face turned the color of pig liver. He was furious inside, but no matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn't find a single argument to refute them.
After all, his directional disability had been with him since childhood—especially in complex terrain like the Shogun's capital. If not for patrolling maids constantly pointing him in the right direction, he might have spent his entire life circling his own backyard.
But what truly broke him wasn't Law's venomous tongue—
It was Perona, suddenly hugging her knees and silently crying beside him.
"Even Law has declared you hopeless… looks like Zoro is destined to be an irredeemable idiot for the rest of his life."
Perona looked at him with watery eyes full of pity.
"My heart aches just looking at you now. So pitiful… you have to stay strong!"
"HEY! That's enough already! Are you done or not?!"
This mixture of sympathy and encouragement completely shattered Zoro's mental defenses. He roared in embarrassment and rage, startling nearby diners into backing away.
"And none of that even matters, alright?! Finishing Lord Tenma's mission is the important thing!"
"What a stiff topic change," everyone said in unison.
Guina, who had been quietly drinking juice, finally spoke up.
"Zoro isn't wrong. We've played enough. We should hurry up and take care of the task Master assigned us."
"Actually, there's no need to rush that much," Baby 5 said.
"Lord Tenma specifically told us before we left—as long as we arrive before the big event breaks out, we're allowed to mess around."
"And from here to Water 7, it's only a few days by train," Nojiko added.
These words immediately earned Ulti's enthusiastic nodding.
Though they were on a mission, this was a rare chance to travel far from home. Especially after hearing about all the entertainment nearby, Ulti and the others had been itching with anticipation.
Not only did Food City have specialty cuisine the Sky Kingdom hadn't yet introduced, it also boasted all kinds of fashionable new clothing.
For girls in the bloom of youth, the temptation of shopping here was basically MAX level.
Seeing that even Guina no longer insisted, Zoro could only sulk back into his seat, gloomily drinking the alcohol Law had bought for him.
Page One originally wanted to voice his own opinion, but seeing that this was clearly a girls' decision-making session, he wisely shut his mouth.
Aside from Law—the ultimate siscon who'd do anything for his sister—he and Zoro had completely devolved into bag-carrying tools for the girls over the past few days.
Meanwhile, in the skies above a nearby stretch of sea.
A gigantic octopus was inflated like a hot-air balloon, its thick tentacles steadily supporting a medium-sized wooden sailing ship as it descended slowly through the clouds toward the sea.
This was a transportation method unique to Skypiea—the octopus balloon.
Almost every pirate who had visited Skypiea relied on this thing to return to the Blue Sea.
And hanging beneath that massive octopus right now—
Was the Straw Hat crew's Going Merry.
"This is way too crazy! I can't believe the legends of Skypiea were actually real!"
Hughes, the male navigator who had replaced Nami's original role, exclaimed with lingering excitement.
"This is what adventure's all about! But hey, long-ear thief—this shouldn't be your first time leaving Skypiea, right?"
Luffy, wearing his straw hat, turned to ask their new companion.
"Who are you calling long-ear thief?!" Enel snapped irritably.
"You lowly Blue Sea human!"
"We fought before, sure, but now that you're on the ship, shouldn't you at least call him 'Captain'…? Forget it, I can't say it either. Let's just use names."
Sanji spoke from the side, covering his face, clearly reliving some painful memories.
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