Up we go

It's been a few days since we were back on sea. The weather was somewhat stable, no encounter with navy ships, and the usual banter between the crew members rang throughout the ship.

Well weather and navy ships aren't much of a problem since we are traveling in a submarine under water but still.

"How dare you! You heartless bastard! You're a demon!"

Kuina's voice rang loudly throughout the ship at the moment. Seems like she is getting bullied again.

"Bastard? Demon? Is that how you speak with your vice-captain?"

"But it's true! Using your position and power to steal my pudding just to fly away the next moment instead of fighting… I'll tell Robin-nee on you!"

"Huh?! Ah no wait you'll destroy the image she has of me! Kuina!"

'…Does Sabo care about Robin's opinion so much. Is he still holding on to his first crush?'

Such and other useless thoughts went through my head while I was dodging a spear coming from my left.

"Damn it you didn't even look!"

"Since there is no need to. You wouldn't be able to hit me even if I was blindfolded and tied by a chain."

I was currently training with Shachi and Penguin when we suddenly heard an anxious voice calling for me.

"Captain! Captain I think we have a problem!"

In rushed a teary eyed Beppo, the panic openly shown on his white round face. The three of us stopped what we were doing and looked at Beppo for an explanation.

Law and Augur coincidentally walked into the training room when Beppo was about to explain and looked questioningly at everyone.

While Beppo was calming himself down Robin, who probably heard him shout before also came with Sabo and Kuina next to her.

Finally our navigator told us what happened.

"I am so sorry but… but I think we are lost."

"WHAAT?!"

The reaction of the others, minus Robin and Augur, made Beppo flinch and cower. He really looked pitful. It's somewhat understandable since getting lost on the Grand Line is no laughing matter.

"Everyone calm down a bit. Beppo tell us what happened. How can we be lost when we have a Log pose."

That was my attempt to make the others shut up and calm down a bit. Then the still teary eyed Beppo continued to speak.

"I.. I think the log pose is broken."

"…"

This does sound like a bad situation. Beppo who was on the verge of tears suddenly felt a hand patting him. It was Robin. She wouldn't admit it but she has a big weakness for cute things and little kid Beppo counts as such.

'Lucky bastard… wait why did I thank that?'

"Can we see it?"

Law asked him to which Beppo nodded. Once he took it out and showed us we saw the log pose… pointing upwards?

"… It's not broken."

"…But it points upwards…shouldn't it point to an island?"

"And who says there can't be islands up above?"

After answering Augur I was about to explain about sky islands.

"I heard from grandpa (no I didn't) that there are islands above the clouds called sky island. Our log pose probably pointed towards one of those because we are within their magnetic field."

'Ah…so that's how it is' is what their expressions are openly displaying. They accepted it quite easily… it's almost a bit boring seeing them so calm about this.

"Then Jackson-nii should I take us there?"

"Yeah sure do your thing once we resurface."

"Aye!"

Just as we said, we resurfaced on the water before Sabo made use of his devil fruit powers and made us float up. Everyone gathered outside on deck to watch.

Neither too fast nor too slow we ascended towards the sky, piercing even through the clouds until we found ourselves on a White Sea made of clouds. In the distance an island could be seen.

I knew about this from the show but as so often proved by now, knowing and seeing for yourself are completely different.

When I saw it on tv I thought it was cool but right now I feel like I am pioneering in a new world… ironically close to home isn't it.

Still it is a good feeling. Like a small achievement just by being here.

I looked to my right. Sabo was standing there, illuminated by rays of light, his eyes shining as he looked at the sea of clouds we were on.

I looked to my left. Kuina was there, a gentle wind blowing her relatively short hair. Her gaze fixed on the sky we were standing in.

Behind me Law, Beppo, Penguin, Shachi, Augur and Robin were standing with smiles on their faces, for whatever reason.

But I too had a smile on my face. I don't know why but I just feel like smiling.

"Let's go. Let's go and explore the sky."

With this words we made our way to the island in the distance.

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3rd Per. POV

High up, above the clouds, was an island, on a sea of pure white clouds. The island was named high sky and on this island was the town sky high.

"Onii-san I'll be going now!"

"Take care and stay safe. Don't overdo it!"

On the outskirt of the town in front of a rundown restaurant, a little blonde girl with green eyes was running out. Her hair barely reached her shoulders, and she was concerningly thin. She looked to be around 7 years old, wore an old wornout shirt and brown shorts that seemed to be too big for her. What stood out the most about her were the small wings on her back.

In her hands she held a basket filled with flowers.

"Oh Lilia-chan, are you selling flowers again?"

"Mister uncle! Yes I do. Do you perhaps want to buy one?"

"How could I say no to you? Of course I'll buy one."

Conversations like this took place many more times as the little girl went around town selling flowers until she ran around a corner and bumped into someone, causing her to fall down.

"Ohh, I'm sorry, I was a bit careless."

An unfamiliar voice to the little girl. Looking up she saw a middle aged man probably somewhere around 50 years of age, with short black hair. His skin was lightly tanned he wore a grey suit with black stripes and a hat. He was also smoking but the most noticeable trait of said man is his height. He was easily 300 centimeters high. Also unlike the others he didn't have wings.

"Sorry mister, I didn't pay attention to my surroundings."

The girl then gathered the flowers that fell down and returned them into the basked. Afterwards she took a flower and handed it to the man who was standing there while watching her.

"Mister, please take this as an apology."

"Oh! How polite. Thank you very much young lady. But I would like to buy a second flower in addition to the first one you gifted me."

"Ehm… I haven't seen you here before. How come?"

"I'm not from here, why?"

"Ah! Then do you have anywhere to spend the night? If not I can show you a place. For a small fee you get a room above my brother's restaurant."

"Then I will go and take a look. Thank you again young miss."

After giving him instructions for the direction the young girl continued to walk around and sell flowers until the same thing happened again a bit later.

This time she ran into a boy with pinkish blonde hair and golden brown eyes. Behind him was a small group that started looking at her. Again no one had wings.

'What's going on today?'

"Sorry mister, I didn't pay attention to my surroundings."

"No problem. Are you hurt anywhere?"

"No, I am fine thanks. Mister, please take this as an apology."

She again handed a flower for free as an apology.

"Ah please give me a second flower I will buy one extra."

The boy then turned and gave the girls in the group one flower each.

"Ehm… if you are new here do you have a place to stay. If not I can lead you to a restaurant that might have some rooms for rent."

"Really? That's quite convenient. Please lead the way."

Following the little girl the group was led to the town's outskirt where a rundown building stood. It had two floors above the ground but it didn't look very inviting.

After going in, they saw that another man was already there eating a meal and doing nothing but when the boy in front of the group stepped in he froze right then and there looking at the man with shock.

The man also looked up when he sensed the other party and looked surprised.

"Ohh… some unexpected trouble… how scary."

Kizaru, newly promoted navy admiral of the headquarters looked at Jackson and his crew members.

(AN: Hey! Sorry for not uploading yesterday! I wrote the chapter but only saw now when I wanted to write todays chapter that I didn't upload it -.- Sorry for that! Anyways I thought that it's about time for another somewhat big fight to happen and for mc to flex his power and crew a little bit.)