Three days later, in the waters of Jaya Island.
Although some time remained before the ascent sea current erupted, the sea surface had already begun to churn, with a whirlpool forming at the eruption point.
As time progressed, the whirlpool grew larger and larger, and the warships staying in place began to sway slightly.
Kuri stood beside Sakazuki, holding a strange bird, and watched the giant whirlpool with a hint of nervousness.
The Log Pose, also known as the South Bird, had a slightly plump body, a dazed expression, and a head like a compass needle, always pointing south, along with some beli prepared in the ship's cabin.
All were preparations for the upcoming journey to Sky Island.
"It's coming,"
Sakazuki's deep voice resonated in everyone's ears. Startled, they were about to check for any anomalies when the ship suddenly shook.
RUMBLE!
A loud noise erupted, the whirlpool's flow suddenly accelerated and intensified. The roaring seawater dragged the warship towards the center of the whirlpool, faster and faster.
Until, under the force of speed and weight.
CRASH!!!!!!!!
The warship left the sea and was thrown towards the void at the center of the whirlpool. Kuri and the soldiers on board stood on the warship, now airborne, looking down at the sea with pale faces.
They had been flung out! Hiss!
All eyes turned to the person at the bow of the ship. Seeing Sakazuki standing there with an unchanged expression, as if nothing had happened, they felt slightly reassured.
In reality, it was only a fleeting moment. Just as the warship was about to fall into the void.
BOOM!!!!!
The sound of the warship smashing into the water echoed. The whirlpool that had just appeared vanished in an instant, leaving only a calm sea surface.
"Hold on to the railings."
Sakazuki's deep voice sounded. He placed one hand on the railing and lifted Kuri with the other. Seeing this, everyone quickly grabbed hold of the railings.
The sea surface seemed to bulge like a water bag, supporting the warship. As the crew's perspective rose higher and higher.
BOOM!!!!!
Endless seawater broke through the water bag, transforming into a sky-piercing sea current that pushed the warship towards the depths of the clouds.
"Wow!!!"
"We're swimming vertically."
"What a strange feeling."
"Hahahahaha!!!"
"Charge!!!"
"Whoa!!!!!"
The warship was sailing vertically on the sea current. Everyone, seeing this scene for the first time, exclaimed continuously. However, after a while, they felt something was wrong. Why did it seem like they were a little further from the water's surface?
"Hey, hey, no way!!!"
"We're doomed!!"
"No way!!!"
"I...!!!"
"Hey, hey, hey, hey!!!!!"
As more and more people noticed the warship drifting slightly away from the water's surface, and the sea kings that had fallen nearby, they finally realized it wasn't an illusion.
They were truly getting further and further from the water's surface!
WHOOSH!
The moment the warship left the water, Sakazuki's hand on the railing transformed into magma, which rapidly surged out, coating the hull like a film. The middle section was left open, forming an arrow-like shape on the outside.
Armament Haki covered and hardened. Giant black arrows appeared in the air.
BOOM!!!!!!!
Endless magma erupted from the bottom of the black arrows, providing thrust to propel them skyward.
BOOM.......
------------------------------------
The White Sea, located 7,000 meters above the Blue Sea, had thin air and countless small sky islands. It could be accessed via the Summit of the West Sky or the Ascent Sea Current, and returned from the End of the Eastern Clouds.
On the layer above was the White White Sea, containing a nation called "Sacred Realm," the Land of God.
The Land of God was another 3,000 meters above the White Sea, composed of Angel Island and the God Island "Apis."
BOOM!!!!!!
With a deafening roar, a giant black arrow shot out from the surface of the White Sea. The moment it broke through the surface, the giant black arrow softened, writhed, and disappeared.
WHOOSH!!!!
A warship plunged into the water, creating a wave several meters high that cascaded down.
Bathing in sunlight once more, they looked out at the white world.
"This is???"
"Clouds?"
"Wow!!!"
"It's all white."
"Floating on clouds."
"How is that possible!!!"
"Hiss!!!"
"It's real."
The副官 (fùguān - adjutant/aide) took out materials documenting Sky Island.
"This should be the White Sea, a navigable sea formed by sea clouds within the accumulated imperial clouds."
"Hiss, it really is clouds."
"How can you be sure this is the White Sea?"
"Because over there."
"Hmm?"
"That's?!"
"A white waterfall flowing upwards?"
Following the adjutant's pointing finger, the soldiers looked in that direction. Their vision was partially obscured by clouds, but they could still vaguely see a white waterfall flowing upwards.
"Yes, that should be the Gate of Heaven."
"Heaven!!!"
"Is that the heaven you're talking about!!!"
"No, that is also composed of sky islands, and it's the only country with sky islands, the Land of God."
"That is the entrance to the Land of God, the Gate of Heaven."
The adjutant explained to everyone. The surrounding soldiers were disappointed, having thought it would be paradise.
"I see. I thought we'd see gods."
"What nonsense are you talking about? How can there be such things as gods?"
"Hahahaha."
"There are no true gods, but..."
A drawn-out voice rang out, drawing everyone's expectant gaze towards him. The adjutant smiled.
"There are the Angel race, the ones with wings."
A gasp went through the surrounding soldiers, their eyes filled with anticipation as they looked towards the bow of the ship. Sakazuki nodded at the adjutant, who waved his hand and looked towards the inverted waterfall in the distance.
"Target, the Gate of Heaven!!!"
"Whoa!!!!!!!!! "