A cloud fortress

The massive aerial fortress loomed over Foosha Village, casting a long shadow as it drifted above.

It was an engineering marvel, a floating stronghold shaped like a teardrop, its structure reinforced with Dial technology. Impact Dials covered the front, ready to absorb and reflect air pressure, while Jet Dials at the back propelled it through the sky at incredible speeds.

Villagers gawked in awe from below—a flying island above their peaceful home.

Jacob stood in front of Makino once more, arms rested, leaning against the counter of her bar.

Makino smiled, shaking her head. "You're persistent, Fire King."

Jacob smirked. "And you keep saying no."

"I have a life here." She gestured around. "The village needs me."

Jacob sighed. "Makino, you've spent your whole life here. Don't you want to see what's beyond the horizon?"

Makino chuckled softly. "That's what I said to Luffy when he was a kid."

Jacob leaned forward. "Then why not take your advice?"

Makino looked away for a moment, thoughtful. Although she had dreamed of adventure when she was younger, responsibility kept her grounded.

Jacob grinned. "I'll make it worth your while."

She raised a brow. "Oh?"

"I'll give you all the rarest wines and liquors from every island we visit."

Makino laughed. "That's tempting… but I can't just leave."

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'll come back again someday. You'll say yes eventually."

Makino shook her head, amused. "You're impossible."

After the rejection, Jacob soared back toward the aerial fortress with Kuina on his back. It had been two months since the battle at Syrup Village, and the crew had changed significantly.

Conis was seen in mid-air as they approached the fortress, her large, feathery wings flapping rhythmically as she trained.

She had eaten the Tenshi no Mi, Model: Seraphim, the only remaining Devil Fruits from their heist at Mad Treasure's vault. Now, she had the abilities of a divine being, granting her superior flight and celestial energy.

On the ground below, Porche fumed.

She crossed her arms. "I'm the only one without a Devil Fruit now! Even Conis has one!"

Kuina smirked, resting a hand on her sword. "That's not true. I don't have one either."

Porche groaned. "Yeah, but you don't need one! You're a swordsman! I just feel left out!"

Carina walked past, chuckling. "If it makes you feel better, you're still adorable."

Porche pouted, but then her attention snapped back to Carina's den den mushi, which was projecting a faint transmission of whispers and distant chatter.

Jacob landed beside them. "What did you find?"

Carina smirked. "I tracked him."

Jacob's expression darkened. "Hanafuda?"

She nodded, adjusting the strap on her dress. "He's hiding in Whiskey Peak. Smart move. That place is crawling with bounty hunters, and he's got a few hired guns protecting him."

Jacob's fists tightened, flames flickering around them. "He won't hide for long."

Carina grinned. "I knew you'd say that."

Nami walked over, arms crossed. "So? Are we heading straight there?"

Jacob nodded. "Yeah. It's time to finish this."

Jacob stepped into the large infirmary aboard the aerial fortress, eyes scanning the room.

Kaya stood beside two occupied beds, her hands glowing faintly as she used her ability to heal Nojiko and Alvida. The room smelled of herbs and clean bandages, but the air was heavy with something else, an unspoken pain.

Nojiko lay there, her once vibrant demeanor dimmed. Her blue hair now had a streak of green, a reminder of how much she had changed since the attack.

Even now, as her wounds healed, her eyes remained distant.

Alvida sat up on the other bed; her body mostly recovered, but her gaze was colder than before.

Her beauty was ethereal, even when her skin and face were riddled with self-inflicted cuts; at first, Jacob thought that she had consumed the Slip-Slip Fruit, but it turned out that she had been born beautiful in this alternate universe.

She held the title of the most beautiful girl in East Blue and used to be proud of it, but now she hates her beauty. She even attempted to skin her face before Jacob knocked her out, and Kaya healed her.

Jacob stopped at the foot of their beds. "How are you both feeling?"

Kaya sighed softly, wiping sweat from her brow. "Physically they're healing well, But… It's not just their bodies that were hurt." She hesitated. "The trauma ran deeper. Especially Alvida."

Jacob looked at Nojiko first. She didn't meet his gaze. Her hands clenched tightly in her lap.

"Nojiko?" he called gently.

Her fingers twitched, and she finally spoke. "... I hesitated. "

Jacob narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Nojiko's voice was barely a whisper. "I should have fought harder. I should have killed them. I should have..." she exhaled shakily. "I wasn't strong enough. "

Jacob felt his chest tighten. This wasn't just about physical wounds. They nearly killed her; if not for her fruit awakened at the last moment, both she and Reiju would've died.

His gaze shifted to Alvida. Unlike Nojiko, her expression was composed, too composed. A deep-seated rage was beneath her calm demeanor.

Alvida spoke up, her voice smooth but edged with venom. "Carina found Hanafuda in Whiskey Peak, right?"

Jacob nodded. "Yeah. We're going after him."

Alvida smirked darkly. "Good. I found something that you're looking for, it took me almost two months to see it,

Jacob raised an eyebrow. "A portal to Punk Hazard?"

She nodded. She leaned back against the bed, staring at her reflection in a nearby mirror.

It turned out she ate a Mythical Zoan. A creature called Yata no Kagami. This allows the user to create portals to all reflective surfaces.

Then, with a flicker of Mirror Youkai energy, the mirror's surface rippled like water, revealing an image of a modern lab.

Jacob's eyes widened. "Is that...?

Alvida's smirk widened. "Punk Hazard. I create a portal to go there."

Before Jacob could respond to Alvida's revelation, a loud explosion shook the fortress.

BOOM!

The walls trembled, and a plume of white smoke shot out from the hallway leading to Reiju's lab.

Then came a familiar, booming laugh.

"HAHAHAHA! I THINK IT WORKED, REIJU!"

Jacob sighed, already knowing who was responsible for the chaos.

Alvida arched an eyebrow. "Is it always this lively?"

Nojiko barely reacted, still staring blankly at her lap, lost in thought.

Jacob didn't answer. He simply turned and walked toward the lab, leaving the infirmary behind. Kuina, Porche, and Desire were already outside the door when he arrived, watching with mild amusement.

Inside, Reiju stood at the center of the lab, arms crossed. She looked annoyed, a rare expression on her normally calm face.

Across from her, Yamato was grinning ear to ear.

The lab was a mess. Broken glass, overturned tables, and a smoking containment pod lined the walls.

Jacob sighed, rubbing his temples. "What the hell happened?"

Reiju's frustration showed in her sharp response. "She volunteered to test my enhancements. I told her it wasn't ready."

Yamato flexed her arms proudly. "But I feel great! I think I'm even stronger now!"

Jacob narrowed his eyes. "What exactly did you do?"

Reiju pushed up her gloves, looking at him seriously. "I've been trying to recreate the lineage factor enhancements that Judge used on me and my brothers. If I can perfect it, I might be able to enhance my bodies far beyond normal limits."

Jacob frowned. "You're experimenting on yourself?"

Reiju nodded. "Unlike my brothers, I was born naturally. My enhancements came later. And I can study better. Judge asked my assistance in his experiments; sometimes, I experimented on my own."

Yamato grinned. "And I got to be the first test subject!"

Jacob stared at her. "Is a test subject something to be proud of?"

Yamato grinned wider and suddenly punched the air. The force shattered a metal pillar in the room.

Reiju sighed. "It's working… but the process is unstable. It won't stay permanent. It needs refinement."

Jacob took a deep breath. "Then I might find the perfect place to find the refinement."

Reiju's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Jacob smirked. "Alvida found a mirror that leads to Punk Hazard. We can infiltrate it and steal whatever Vegapunk left behind."

A silence filled the room as everyone processed his words.

Then, Reiju's lips curled into a smile. "Punk Hazard, huh? Now that's interesting."

Jacob exhaled sharply. "We'll deal with Punk Hazard later." His sharp eyes swept across the room. "Right now, our priority is Whiskey Peak. We need to take down Hanafuda before he disappears again."

Reiju crossed her arms, intrigued by Punk Hazard but willing to wait. "Fine. But don't take too long. We'll need a plan if we want to infiltrate Punk Hazard. It is one of the most guarded places after all."

Yamato stretched her arms, her grin unwavering. "Alright! Let's go smash this guy already."

Jacob turned and walked toward the navigation deck. Nami and Carina were already there, analyzing Carina's surveillance reports.

Nami looked up. "So, we're heading straight to Whiskey Peak?"

Jacob nodded. "Set course immediately. We need to move before he escapes again."

Carina smirked, her fingers tapping the table. "Hanafuda's been moving carefully, but I doubt he expects an aerial fortress to drop from the sky."

Kuina silently followed Jacob and placed a hand on her sword. "He's cornered. This ends now."

Nami adjusted the Jet Dials at the back of the fortress. The engines roared to life. Clouds shifted, and the massive teardrop-shaped aerial base turned its course toward Whiskey Peak at high speed.

Jacob clenched his fists.