129. Clues

The sword ray didn't pause swept past the ship, cleaving it in two. The crumbling parts of the ship fell first followed by the ship.

The sea rose and fell as the ship fell on both sides of the warship. The crew held onto the helms to steady themselves.

Leo fell back on the deck and said, "Check the wreckage!"

Mace and the crew got busy.

Shinobu walked beside him and looked at the broken ship, "Is it a devil fruit?"

Leo shook his head, "I don't know. Let's wait and see what Mace finds."

After some time Mace came back and reported, "Captain, we found several dried up corpses inside. Initial assessment concludes that they died of hunger and thirst."

Leo raised and eyebrow, "What happened for them to starve to death?"

No one had answer.

"Mace, what do you think? Is it some kind of Devil fruit ability?"

Leo asked.

Mace thought for a moment and said, "No, captain, I don't think so. I believe this might be related to Sky Island."

Leo frowned, "Don't tell me the legends are true."

Mace shook his head and explained, "I don't know if it really exits. But it is a fact that whenever someone pass through this area the log pose will point to the sky."

Leo was surprised, "There is such a thing?"

Mace nodded, "Yes. But we haven't been able to find anything so far."

Leo pondered for a moment, "How far is the nearest island?"

Mace replied, "Couple of hours."

"Alright. Set sail for it. Since it's close there might be some clues about Sky island there."

"No, captain. We tried it before. Everyone there only knows that the log pose always points to the sky near this area, other than that they are as clueless as everyone else."

"Won't hurt to take a look."

Mace said no more and set course.

Two hours later they reached their destination.

"Hey, look."

"Whoa, a navy ship. Are they here for those pirates?"

The islanders watched curiously as the warship docked. Leo and Shinobu stepped out with Mace and several men.

Leo told the men, "Split up. Check for clues related to Sky Island. It doesn't matter what, as long as it has a connection to Sky Island report back to me."

"Yes, Sir!"

He led Shinobu and walked around the town and entered a bar.

As soon as they stepped in the bar went quite. Everyone turned to stare at them.

Many pirates were seated around. However Leo ignored them and went to the bartender.

"Beer."

The bartender was quite nervous. He hastily took out two big beer glass and filled it to brim before sliding it to Leo and Shinobu.

Taking a swig Leo asked, "What do you know about Sky Island?"

The already silent atmosphere got even more quite.

Suddenly someone laughed. Following it the bar erupted.

"Haha, he wants to find Sky Island! That's goddamn funny!"

"Another dreamer. Guys like this pop up now and then."

"Sonny, just go back to your mama. You ain't gonna find shit here."

The men inside the bar were mostly pirates. They ridiculed him for coming here in search of Sky Island.

The bartender was nervous and didn't speak for a while.

"You didn't answer my question."

Leo's voice woke him up. He hastily said, "Sir, many tried to find Sky Island but came out with nothing. No one knows where it is or how to get to it."

Leo wasn't disappointed that he couldn't find any clues. If it was this easy others would have found it by now.

"I don't know if it will be helpful but there is a man on this island who might know something."

The bartender suddenly spoke. Leo's eyes sparkled.

"What's his name and where is he?"

"His name is Cricket and he lives at the edge of this island."

Leo payed for the beer and tipped the bartender.

He then stood up and took a good look at all the pirates.

"You guys are lucky."

He left those words and walked out.

"Hey, pretty boy, what the fuck does that mean?"

A pirate with a fierce look on his face blocked Leo's path and asked coldly.

Leo didn't bother with him and simply punched out.

"You are looking to die!"

The pirate raised his sword and met Leo's fist.

"That's Helck, his bounty is 35 million. That marine is done for."

Everyone was expecting the young marine to be badly wounded by Helck. However what happened next made them drop their jaws in shick.

Helck was sent flying through the air while spewing blood. He. crashed through the bar door fell outside.

Leo coolly walked out. This time no one dared to block his path.

After he was gone the pirates broke out into a commotion.

"Who was that?"

"He took out Helck with a single punch! Powerful!"

They were animatedly discussing who Leo was. However the subject of their discussion was on his way to the edge of the island.

Pereperepere...

Leo's den-den mushi rang.

Kachak!

"Captain, there are no information about Sky Island. However I found a guy who might know how to get there."

Mace's voice came from the other end.

Leo smiled and asked, "Is his name Cricket?"

Mace replied, "Yes, Captain."

"Wait there. We are on our way."

After walking for a while Leo and Shinobu came to the edge of the island. He saw a small hut. However the hut looking from the sea showed a huge mansion.

Interesting guy.

Leo thought to himself.

Mace was waiting for him. Beside him was a big man, he had a bun shaped haircut and wore no shirt.

"Captain, this is Mont Blanc Cricket."

Leo sized up Cricket and asked, "Why do you believe in Sky Island?"

Cricket was also sizing up Leo. He didn't answer and asked, "Why are you looking for Sky Island?"

Leo chuckled, "It's exciting to find new and interesting places."

Cricket smirked, "I see. So you are the adventurous type. Alright, come in."

He led them inside the hut. There weren't any furniture so all of them sat down on the ground.

Cricket said, "If Sky Island exits it's way up in the sky?"

Leo nodded. This hypothesis sounded right.

"How do we get there?"

Cricket said, "Knock up stream."

"Knock up stream?"

Cricket explained, "It's a pillar of water shooting up into the sky due to volcanic eruption down on the sea bed."

Mace asked seriously, "That stream will destroy our ship if we try to ride on it."

Cricket shook his head, "No, it won't. I can modify your ship, that should help you guys ride it."

Mace turned to his Captain and said solemnly, "Captain, please think this through."

Leo rubbed his chin. He looked at Shinobu and found her smiling back.

He laughed and said, "Let go to Sky Island!"