After leaving Bika, the Skylark followed the Log Pose record obtained from Velandel, sailing northeast across the boundless White Sea.
Inside the Skylark's Cabin
"Take this, Brother Aldo!"
A bean shot through the air at a respectable speed toward Aldo, who was wearing a blindfold.
Aldo's ear twitched, and his head instinctively tilted aside.
Smack!
The bean landed squarely on his forehead.
"Hey! You brat, ambushing me, huh? Just wait till I master this—you're the first one I'll test it on!"
Aldo ripped off his blindfold and glared at the grinning sailor who had thrown the bean.
"That's enough, Aldo," Riberra Sami said calmly. "Calm your mind. Your heart is too restless."
"Boss…"
Aldo grumbled, but obediently put the blindfold back on.
Meanwhile, Hans stood near the helm, staring absentmindedly at the sea of clouds ahead.
Ever since it was revealed that he had awakened Observation Haki, he had been constantly activating it—even using the sensation to help guide the ship (with Henry assisting him at the helm).
The feeling was strange, and he still wasn't used to it. But Elder Velandel had said that mastering the Heart Net required constant practice.
"Hans! Hans!"
Feich's voice suddenly rang out from the lookout post.
"Look ahead! There's a huge cloud waterfall! Are we almost there?"
Hans snapped back to attention and focused his gaze forward.
Far on the distant horizon, a massive waterfall made entirely of white clouds cascaded downward. The arrow of the Log Pose pointed straight toward it.
Hans adjusted the helm, guiding the Skylark closer to the waterfall. But soon the ship was blocked by a wall of clouds beneath it.
"Boss!" Hans shouted toward the cabin. "Following the Log Pose, we've encountered a giant cloud waterfall ahead. The route seems blocked by a cloud wall!"
Riberra Sami removed his blindfold and stepped onto the deck.
Aldo and the sailors who had been practicing reaction drills with beans quickly gathered around as well.
"That waterfall is huge…"
"Wow… it's even more spectacular than waterfalls in the Blue Sea!"
Riberra Sami walked forward and touched the cloud layer ahead of the ship.
"This isn't Sea Cloud—it's Island Cloud. The ship can't pass through."
He turned to Feich.
"Feich, climb up and see if there's some kind of path or entrance on top of the island cloud."
"Leave it to me!"
Using a grappling hook, Feich quickly climbed onto the top of the cloud. After looking around for a moment, he waved and shouted down.
"Boss! Found something! There's a path through the island cloud—and I think I see a huge gate beneath that waterfall!"
"Good! Guide us from above—we'll follow you!"
Under Feich's directions as he leapt across the cloud top, the Skylark navigated along the edges of the island cloud. After several twists and turns, they finally reached the side of the waterfall.
A gigantic gate stood before the cloud cascade.
The structure was polygonal in shape, and above the entrance were carved enormous words:
Heaven's Gate.
"Heaven's Gate…"
Marcus read the name aloud, raising an eyebrow.
"That doesn't sound very auspicious."
The Skylark slowly sailed through the gate.
Beyond it lay a cloud-river tunnel supported by two rows of massive stone pillars. Several small doors lined the bottom sides of the tunnel.
At the entrance stood a young couple, apparently lost in their own world.
The man was tall and muscular, dressed in typical Sky Island attire. One hand rested against the wall beside the woman, boxing her in, while the other gently lifted her chin as he whispered something.
The woman was tall and beautiful, her cheeks slightly flushed as she smiled with mock annoyance.
When the Skylark approached, she gasped softly and lightly punched the man's chest.
The man chuckled awkwardly and stepped aside.
The woman quickly straightened her clothes. The blush remained on her cheeks, but she adopted a professional expression and walked to the cloud river's edge.
"Hello there~ Welcome to Heaven's Gate! Are you here for sightseeing? If you wish to proceed to the upper level, you'll need to pay the entry fee. It's required by law~ Five hundred million Extol per person!"
"Five hundred million?!" Aldo nearly jumped. "That's robbery!"
"It's the law of the Kingdom of God," the woman replied sweetly. "Only those who pay receive legal entry permits and protection under the kingdom's laws. If you refuse, it will be considered illegal entry—and you'll bear the consequences. You're people from the Blue Sea, right? You should understand the rule of respecting local customs~"
Riberra Sami raised a hand to calm his restless crew.
Five hundred million Extol equaled about 50,000 Beli. Expensive, but nothing serious for them.
"We understand."
He gestured to Hiriluk, who brought over a money pouch. Riberra Sami weighed it briefly before tossing it to the woman.
"Count it. That should cover all of us."
After quickly counting, the woman's smile became noticeably more genuine.
"The amount is correct~"
She produced a stack of delicate white cards.
"These are your entry permits. Please keep them safe and obey the laws of the Kingdom of God during your stay. In particular, pay attention to the restrictions concerning the Sacred Land of Upper Yard (Apayado). If you violate those rules, you'll get into serious trouble."
At that moment, the man who had been standing nearby walked over and took the cards from her.
"Amazon, I'll take them the rest of the way."
The woman called Amazon nodded.
"Then I wish you all a pleasant journey across the White Sea~ Once you leave this cloud river route, you'll see Angel Island. And remember—stay away from Upper Yard!"
The man lightly jumped down from the platform inside the tunnel, landing steadily on the deck of the Skylark.
Turning back toward Amazon, he gave her a playful wink.
"I'll head off first! I'll come see you again later!"
Then he placed two fingers in his mouth and blew a sharp whistle.
Splash!
Two enormous lobster claws suddenly rose from the cloud river on either side, clamping onto the sides of the Skylark!
"Enemy attack?! Prepare for battle!"
Aldo and the crew instantly tensed, weapons drawn.
"Relax, relax!" the man quickly waved his hands. "They're not enemies. These are a White Sea specialty—Super Express Shrimps! They act as towing vehicles for this cloud river route and will carry us quickly to the upper level."
As if to prove his words, the shrimp suddenly surged forward.
The Skylark shot upstream along the rushing cloud river!
The ship rocked violently in the cloud current, drawing excited shouts from the crew.
"Waaah—! This is insane!"
"It's faster than any ocean current!"
"We're flying!"
The man stood at the bow, letting the strong wind whip through his hair, clearly enjoying himself.
Turning back toward Riberra Sami, he introduced himself.
"I got carried away with the trip and forgot introductions. I'm the captain of the God's Army, Gan·Fall. What brings you Blue Sea guests to the Kingdom of God? We haven't seen people from the Blue Sea for many years."
Pfft—!
Riberra Sami, who had been drinking water, suddenly spat it out in surprise and coughed awkwardly.
"Captain?" Hans looked over with concern.
"I'm fine… just choked."
Riberra Sami waved it off, though his eyes carefully examined the man before him.
Muscular build.
Broad frame.
Full of vitality.
Sharp eyes.
This looked nothing like the elderly former God Gan Fall from his memories—the old man who rode the skinny horse Pierre.
So Gan Fall was this… heroic when he was young?
Captain of the God's Army…
So at this point in time, he hadn't yet become the God of Skypiea.
Then who is the current God?
Riberra Sami quickly composed himself and answered Gan Fall's question.
"We're a merchant group, Captain Gan Fall. We ventured across the heavenly seas to see whether trade between the Blue Sea and Sky Islands might still be possible. This trip is mainly to purchase some Sky Island specialties—such as various Dials—and bring them back to the Blue Sea for sale."
"Oh? A merchant group? Buying specialties?"
Gan Fall's eyes lit up.
"I see! It's true that we haven't had an official Blue Sea merchant group visit for a very long time. I wonder what the Blue Sea is like nowadays?"
"Not very different from before," Riberra Sami replied vaguely.
Then he asked in return,
"Captain Gan Fall, you mentioned the Kingdom of God and its God earlier. May I ask who currently holds that position? Since this is our first visit, we'd like to understand the customs and… rules here."
Gan Fall's smile faded slightly.
He looked toward the brightening exit of the cloud tunnel ahead, his tone becoming somewhat complicated.
"Our God… is a very majestic figure. Under his rule, the Kingdom of God is orderly and peaceful."
He paused.
"As for anything else… since you are legal visitors and merchants, as long as you follow the laws—especially by staying away from the Sacred Land of Upper Yard—you will receive Angel Island's hospitality. There's no need to ask further."
At that moment, the Super Express Shrimp suddenly leapt upward!
The Skylark burst out of the cloud river route and was tossed into an endless white ocean—the White-White Sea.
Sunlight spilled across the cotton-like sea of clouds, reflecting soft yet dazzling light.
In the distance, an island floated quietly above the cloud ocean.
"We're here!" Gan Fall shouted.
"Welcome to the Kingdom of God—Angel Island is right ahead!"
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