Arrival

-One month later-

Zeph was sitting cross-legged with a golden staff on his knees and a half-eaten fruit on his hand. For the past one month, Zeph was practicing to control his Devil Fruit and so far, he had been very successful with it. He could now control the lightning with ease, and his body strength has increased further. Although he doesn't know how it increased that quick but he has a suspicion that the fruits that he has been eating for the past month has contributed to it.

Right now, he is contemplating about his various Devil Fruit techniques and realized that he doesn't have a special technique of his own. As of now, all he could do is use Enel's previous techniques and some basic techniques he thought of. He'd have to battle with the monsters to gain a sudden inspiration to create his own special technique.

"A special technique of my own is important, it will increase my battle power to a huge extent. I must acquire one quickly." Zeph assessed while looking at his staff.

Taking the staff in his hands with a focused face, he walked towards the forest to continue his training in hopes of coming out with a special technique.

-A few months later-

In the middle of the forest, the lands is littered with huge monstrous animals and marked with scorch marks. Amidst the pile of animals, Zeph is seen standing with his eyes closed and an expressionless face.

He opened his eyes and lightning flickered in the depths of his iris. A large smile plastered his face as he finally finished his training.

"I have gotten many gains from the period of training and finally, I have acquired my own special technique. I doubt I'll ever get to use it in Paradise but it is always good to be safe." Zeph happily smiled.

"My durability against the sea stone has improved. Although it does weaken me, it'll take some time for it affect me."

Before proceeding with his intense training, Zeph had asked Gan Fall for a bracelet made of sea stone, and Gan Fall being a God had acquired it very quickly from the Shandians. With the help of the sea stone bracelet, Zeph has increased his defense against the sea stone. It was grueling for Zeph at the start as the sea stone would immediately weaken him but eventually after constant use while practicing, his body sooner or later got used to it and could last a while longer. His strength has soared by a huge amount and he feels that he can give a good fight against the top level figures in the sea.

In the past few months, after the successful defeat of Enel, the Shandians were finally free and traversed back to Shandora located in Upper Yard. Zeph had told Gan Fall that he had some use for the gold that was used to build Ark Maxim. Gan Fall had no problems considering that the Skypieans don't have much use for gold. The ship is still residing in Upper Yard in a safe location and Zeph decided he would go visit there later on when the Straw Hats arrive.

Going back to his shack in a flash, he laid the staff on the bed and walked out to roast his meal. The crackling noise of the fire burst out from the campfire while the flames were dancing around in the wind emanating heat and providing warmth. A skinless animal is seen skewered on a spit over the campfire, rotating by a single hand.

Staring at the blazing fire, Zeph was lost in the moment as a strange apparition appeared within the depths of the fiery flames. The figure was indistinct and hard to make out but Zeph somehow found it eerily familiar, although he can't quite grasp the nagging feeling. A thin line of the flame, akin to a thread, reached out slowly towards Zeph in a peaceful manner. Zeph didn't flinch nor smothered it and allowed the flame to reach him. The flame was inches away from his face before a roar came out from the forest making Zeph look back, interrupting his thoughts. Zeph looked back at the flames and he couldn't see the apparition anymore. The flames were back to the way it was before.

'What was that?' Zeph pondered.

He was clueless about that strange situation and it was meaningless for him to think about it right now. The meal was ready and he gobbled up the large roasted animal quickly, releasing a relaxed sigh. Picking up a bottle nearby, he opened it and took a few sips. The bottle was clear, suggesting that it was the gold-colored liquid inside that gave it such a graceful hue. He had received the bottle as a gift from Gan Fall during his various visits at the God's Shrine. The drink was a rather smooth but crisp mouthfeel that engulfed his taste buds. Zeph closed his eyes and enjoyed the taste.

"Damn, this is really good! I'll have to ask Gan Fall for more." Zeph praised the drink.

The next day arrived and Zeph started to practice with the staff in his hands. He limited his practice time with the staff as he had to focus more on his lightning powers. Nonetheless, it is always good to have a weapon if his Devil Fruit powers can't do much in unexpected situations.

He has no prior experience with a staff and no suitable techniques for it. So, he just did some basic thrusts and swings to improve his aim and control his strength output.

After swinging and thrusting the staff, he put down the staff and wiped the sweat off from his face. He went to a large clear area and practiced his lightning techniques.

He brought his palm up and conjured a lightning ball that sent out streaks of miniature lightning bolts coiling around it. The conjured lightning ball contained in Zeph's palm discharged powerful shock-waves indicating its immense destructive strength. Zeph exerted enough force from his palm and pushed the lightning ball towards the tree with great speed. The lightning ball collided with the humongous tree and a powerful blast wave of lightning emerged, instantly disintegrating the tree to nothingness.

"Powerful" Zeph nodded in satisfaction with the attack. He continued on testing and improving his techniques.

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In a far away place, 10,000 metres below Skypiea, a small-sized ship could be seen. The ship's figurehead is a sheep with a canon pointing out below the figurehead. The ship also had two white wings on each side of the ship. An orange field could be seen at the front of the cabin quarters. The sail was drawn out and above it is a distinct looking pirate flag. The sail and the flag is adorned with a skull wearing a straw hat insignia.

A young man is seen wearing a red vest and blue shorts standing on top of the figurehead. Under his left eye, he had a sharp scar with two stitches patching it. The same straw hat beautifying the flag is seen on top of the young man's head. This young man is Monkey D Luffy.

Behind the figurehead on the ship, most of his crew mates were staring ahead in shock and fear.

In front of the ship, a large terrifying whirlpool came into view. The ship was very close to the whirlpool.

"Why is this whirlpool so huge?!" Nami, Usopp and Chopper yelled in fear and nervousness.

"Alright, Let's gooo!" Luffy yelled in excitement with his hands punching the air.

"WHAT!?" Usopp shouted at Luffy with a horrifying expression. "L-Luffy, H-How about we try a different path?" Usopp fearfully asked with no hopes.

"Is the heroic Captain Usopp too scared to face a whirlpool?" Zoro mocked with a derisive smile.

"W-What are you talking about? C-C'mon, let's go in!" Usopp said with a brave face and a shivering voice. Zoro smirked and Luffy laughed out loud.

"God, Please save us!" Nami prayed on her knees with her trembling hands clasped together. Robin just looked on ahead and chuckled at their antics.

"Don't worry, Nami-san, Robin-chan! I'll protect you!" Sanji declared.

The ship slowly got dragged around the center of the whirlpool due to the powerful sea currents being generated by the whirlpool. As the ship got closer, it flew into the air towards the whirlpool hole.

"WE'RE GETTING SUCKED IN!!" Usopp screamed.

"Nami-san, Robin-chan! Come into my arms!!"

"WE'RE FALLING!" Chopper yelled with his eyes gaping out.

After a few seconds, the ship landed on calm water as if the previous situation didn't even exist. the whirlpool faded away and the sea became calm.

"W-What the..?" Usopp asked in confusion.

"It disappeared?" Robin commented.

"EVERYONE, HOLD ON TO SOMETHING! IT'S GOING TO START! THE KNOCK-UP STREAM!" Nami yelled as she grasped onto the railings.

"HOLD IT!" a voice echoed out from a distance away.

Both Zoro and Luffy looked at the direction of the voice and saw a raft with a black sail. He recognized the man in front as he saw in Mock Town.

"I've come for your 100 million Beli head." Blackbeard laughed

"Head? Whaddya mean 100 million Beli?" Luffy asked with a tilted head.

"Look at this!" Blackbeard brought up two wanted posters for Luffy to see.

"Oh my god! Their bounties have increased with Luffy currently at 100 million Beli and Zoro at 60 million Beli!" Usopp stated after eyeing the wanted posters with a binocular.

"Woohoo! My head's worth 100 million Beli!" Luffy excitedly said.

"I'm a bit disappointed with 60 million Beli!" Zoro proudly said with a smile.

"Will you two stop it?!" Nami shouted at them.

"Now-" Blackbeard got interrupted by the rumbling sound below the sea.

The sea under Going Merry is vibrating violently. The water under Going Merry slowly rose up and after the rumbling sound got louder, the water burst sending a powerful stream of water straight up into the sky. Most of the straw hats screamed in fright and stopped a while later after realizing they were going up. The ship was sailing up the enormous stream of water.

"This is amazing! Let's go to SKY ISLAND!!" Luffy said in excitement in contrast to Usopp crying in fear.

Sanji noticed that the Ship was slipping of the Knock Up stream. Nami calculated the wind direction and told them to unfurl the sails and position the rudder to the center of the stream. The sails were unfurled and the rudders were positioned in place.

"We're still slipping out!" Chopper yelled anxiously.

"We're fine!" Nami said with a focused look.

Eventually the ship slipped and came completely out of the water. Apart from Nami, the crew were expecting to fall down but the opposite happened. The ship began flying upwards along the stream towards the clouds.

"W-WE'RE FLYING!" Usopp and Chopper said in shock. Zoro and Robin smiled at the spectacle.

"Nami-san, YOU'RE AMAZING!!" Sanji complimented with heart-filled eyes.

The ship flew for a few more minutes and finally, it ascended and broke through the clouds simultaneously breaking the wings attached to the ship. The ship landed horizontally floating amidst the white clouds.

"WE'RE HEREE" Luffy shouted in joy.

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-Back at the shack-

Zeph was in the middle of testing something before his eyebrows raised up as he sensed a person or rather a group of people quite a distance away.

Zeph smiled and muttered, "They're finally here!"