Arriving at Sky Island

Cricket crossed his arms, looking at Jacob seriously. "If Sky Island is real, the easiest way to get there is by using the Knock-Up Stream. It's risky, but it'll launch you straight into the sky."

Jacob already knew this, but he played along, nodding. "How do we find it?"

Cricket sighed. "That's the tricky part. The Knock-Up Stream isn't random, but it takes skill to predict where it will appear. You need to follow the wind patterns, and we need a South Bird."

Jacob's eyebrow twitched. He could fly straight up to Sky Island alone, but that would waste much energy. He needed his full strength for Enel and his priests. So he pretended to consider the plan, then nodded. "Alright. Where do I find one?"

Cricket pointed toward the dense jungle. "They nest in the deep forest. They're annoying creatures, always pointing south no matter what. You'll know them when you see them."

Jacob cracked his knuckles. "Got it. Be right back."

Before Cricket could add anything, Yamato stretched her arms and grinned.

"Oooh! A bird hunt? I'm coming too!"

Jacob sighed but didn't stop her. He launched himself into the air, his blue flames igniting, and Yamato followed by leaping from tree to tree like an excited child.

Deep in the Jaya Forest

The jungle was dense and alive, with massive trees and thick vines blocking out much of the sunlight.

Jacob didn't bother sneaking. With his enhanced senses, he immediately picked up the scent of the South Bird and heard its squawking.

Perched on a thick branch, a large, round bird with a sharp beak and piercing eyes stared at him. Its feathers blended deep green and brown, blending into the jungle. Its head was stubbornly turned south, no matter how it moved.

Yamato landed next to Jacob, grinning. "That's the one! Let's catch it!"

Jacob didn't even hesitate.

With a burst of speed, he was suddenly in front of the bird.

The South Bird barely reacted before Jacob snatched it by the legs.

It squawked furiously, flapping its wings, but Jacob held it up with one hand.

Yamato blinked. "Huh?! That was fast! I thought we'd have a long chase!"

Jacob smirked. "I don't have time to waste."

The bird snapped at him, squawking angrily.

Jacob glared at it. "Shut up, or I'll roast you."

The South Bird immediately went quiet.

Yamato laughed. "Bwahaha! You scared it!"

***

The air grew tense the moment Jacob and Yamato left.

Kuina, who had been calmly polishing Wado Ichimonjo, suddenly paused. Her Observation Haki tingled, alerting her to a malicious presence approaching fast from Mock Town.

Her sharp eyes turned toward the entrance.

Nami, sitting nearby, noticed the shift in Kuina's demeanor. "What is it?"

Kuina stood up, gripping Wado Ichimonjo. "Trouble."

Carina groaned. "Can't we get a break?" She then closed her eyes and sensed the vibration from the approaching footsteps. "About fifty-seven people are approaching from the southeast, blade girl. Be careful."

Kuina didn't answer. Instead, she walked outside, her steps calm but purposeful.

A group of pirates stood at the forest entrance, grinning arrogantly.

At the front was Bellamy the Hyena.

His yellow sunglasses reflected the sunlight, and his trademark cocky sneer was plastered on his face. His crew of misfits stood behind him, some smirking, others gripping their weapons, ready for a fight.

Bellamy casually cracked his knuckles. "Well, well, well. I was hoping to meet that bastard 'Fire King,' but it looks like he left his harem to guard the house."

The insult didn't faze Kuina.

She merely gripped her sword tighter.

Bellamy laughed. "Oi, don't give me that scary look. You should be happy—I'm here to relieve you girls of your 'man's' burden."

Some of his crew snickered.

Kuina exhaled slowly. Then, in one fluid motion—

She vanished.

Bellamy's grin froze.

A flash of silver appeared behind him.

A sharp gust of wind followed.

Bellamy's body stiffened.

His sneer faltered.

He looked down.

A clean diagonal slash ran across his chest.

Blood sprayed into the air.

Bellamy collapsed onto the ground.

His crew froze, horrified.

Kuina, standing behind him with her sword already sheathed, spoke coldly.

"Leave. Before I cut you all down."

The Bellamy Pirates stumbled back, fear in their eyes.

Bellamy, groaning in pain, barely managed to push himself up.

His cocky grin was gone.

Replaced by shock.

He had been defeated in a single slash.

By a woman with no devil fruit.

Bellamy was dragged by his crew, clutching his wound, once cocky grin replaced with pure rage and disbelief. He couldn't accept it—a single strike from a woman had left him humiliated.

His subordinates exchanged nervous glances, but none dared to look back.

They knew.

If they stayed even a second longer, she would kill them.

Kuina stood still, watching them disappear into the jungle, her hand resting on Wado Ichimonjo's hilt.

She sighed, turning back toward the house. "What a waste of time."

Nami exhaled in relief, collapsing into a chair. "That was stressful."

Carina smirked. "I'm just glad we didn't have to do anything. Damn, Kuina, you're terrifying."

Desire, who had been quiet up until now, suddenly blurted out:

"If I was a lesbian, I would totally fall for you."

Silence.

Kuina blinked, staring at her. "…Huh?"

Kaya choked on her tea, while Porsche burst out laughing.

"You should say things like that with more confidence, girl~," Porsche teased, elbowing her.

Desire's face turned red. She whipped around. "I-I didn't mean it like that, idiot!"

Just as the laughter died, a gust of wind blasted through the clearing.

A blue streak of fire cut across the sky before Jacob landed gracefully, holding a squawking South Bird by the neck.

Yamato landed right after him, grinning ear to ear. "That was fun! These birds are faster than they look!"

The South Bird furiously pecked at Jacob's gloved hand, but he ignored it.

"Alright, we got the damn bird," Jacob said, shaking his slightly sore fingers.

"That means we can track the Knock-Up Stream properly."

He glanced at the girls. "Everything good here?"

Carina smirked. "Oh, you missed quite the show."

Jacob raised an eyebrow, but before he could ask, Kaya cut in. "Kuina handled it."

Yamato blinked. "Handled what?"

Nami smirked. "A Cocky Pirate came by looking for trouble."

Jacob frowned. "Cocky Pirate?"

Kuina rested her hand on her sword's handle. "He talked too much, so I cut him down."

Jacob let out a low whistle.

Desire, still flustered, muttered under her breath, "…So cool."

Jacob gave her a confused look.

"What was that?"

Desire immediately snapped at him. "Shut up, Fire King! Nothing!"

Jacob chuckled but let it go.

"Alright, now that we're all here, let's figure out our next move," he said, tossing the South Bird toward Cricket, who barely managed to catch it.

***

As the Knock-Up Stream exploded beneath them, the group was launched high into the sky.

Nami gritted her teeth, controlling her Cloud with delicate precision. The violent ascent shook everyone, their stomachs twisting from the sheer force.

Yamato, laughing wildly, clutched the South Bird tightly against her chest as if it were a treasure. "We're flying! We're actually flying!"

Jacob had experienced fast flight before, but this? This was different.

The pressure, the air thinning, the sudden shift in gravity felt surreal.

Then, suddenly—

Everything went silent.

The storm below disappeared. The raging winds calmed.

And in front of them—

A vast, endless sea of white.

The White Sea.

For a moment, nobody spoke.

They were floating, drifting in the clouds, surrounded by endless white fluff as far as the eye could see. The sun bathed everything in golden light, reflecting off the strange, cloud-like water.

It was… breathtaking.

"…We made it."

Jacob's voice was quiet, almost in awe.

Nami could only nod, stunned.

Even Kuina, who was rarely shaken by anything, looked around, her eyes wide.

Carina muttered, "This is unreal… it's like we're in another world."

Kaya clasped her hands together, tears brimming at the corners of her eyes. "It's beautiful."

Desire had no sarcastic remark. She just stared.

Porsche, however, was the first to snap out of it. She stretched her arms above her head and smirked.

"Alright, enough sightseeing! Where are we landing?"

Jacob shook himself out of his daze. Right. They had a mission here.