Chapter 31: Reaching the Sky

The sea roared beneath me as the Knock-Up Stream shot upward, launching my ship into the sky with unimaginable force. The air became thinner, and for a brief moment, everything felt weightless.

Clouds rushed past, enveloping my vision in a blinding white haze. The world below vanished, replaced by the endless sky above. The wind howled, my ship creaked under the sheer pressure of the ascent, but I remained firm, my grip steady on the helm.

Then, as suddenly as the chaos had begun—it ended.

I had broken through.

The Grand Line's blue waters were gone, replaced by a sea of clouds stretching infinitely in every direction. Floating islands, massive trees, and golden structures gleamed in the distance. The sky above was clearer than I had ever seen, painted in hues of deep blue and gold as the sun cast its light over the heavenly landscape.

I had arrived in Skypiea.

First Steps on Sky Island

Guiding my ship toward Angel Island, I noticed something strange. The air felt different—lighter, almost weightless. Each step I took on the deck had less resistance, as if gravity itself had loosened its grip.

My ship drifted toward the cloud shore, where I saw tall, slender people with white wings on their backs watching from a distance. Some stood in small groups, whispering amongst themselves, while others looked at me with cautious eyes.

I stepped off my ship, landing on the white clouds beneath me. The surface was soft, yet solid—like walking on air.

Almost immediately, several Skypieans approached.

A man in a feathered headdress, his long white robes flowing behind him, stepped forward, clearly the leader of the group. His gaze was sharp, studying me carefully.

"A dweller of the Blue Sea," he muttered, his voice calm but wary. "What brings you to our land?"

Introducing Myself

I kept my composure. I had no reason to be hostile, nor did I want to reveal too much.

"I am a traveler," I said simply, my voice steady. "I've come from the Blue Sea below, drawn by curiosity and the desire to see the world."

Murmurs spread through the Skypieans. Some looked relieved, while others still seemed cautious. It was clear that Blue Sea dwellers were not always welcomed kindly here.

The leader studied me for a long moment before nodding. "Few from below reach this place, and even fewer arrive without hostility. If you seek no harm, then we welcome you as a guest."

I inclined my head slightly. "I appreciate your hospitality."

He gestured toward the city behind him. "Come. Let us walk, traveler."

Exploring Angel Island

As I followed the Skypieans into their city, I took in my surroundings.

The buildings were made of cloud-like structures, yet they were as sturdy as stone.Strange shell-like objects, called Dials, were used for daily tasks. Some emitted flames, others stored sounds, and some even powered transportation.The people moved gracefully, adapted to the lighter gravity. Their wings were not used for flying, but they still gave them an ethereal presence.

Despite their warm welcome, I could feel a quiet tension beneath the surface. The people seemed alert, as if watching for an unseen threat. Something was happening in Skypiea.

As we walked through the market district, the leader turned to me. "You are a warrior, are you not?"

I met his gaze. "Why do you say that?"

He motioned toward my sword—Oden, my blackened blade. "That weapon is no ordinary sword. Only those who have seen great battle carry such things."

I nodded but did not elaborate. For now, I would remain a traveler.

The leader seemed to accept my silence. "Come, let us take you to a place where you may rest. You are not the first visitor from the Blue Sea, but you may be one of the rare few who arrives with peaceful intentions."

As we continued through the city, I couldn't shake the feeling that Skypiea held more mysteries than I had anticipated.