The Embercloud marched!

High above East Blue, the Embercloud roared through the sky, its Jet Dials propelling it forward at incredible speed. The massive teardrop-shaped aerial fortress cast a long shadow over the floating restaurant, Baratie.

Down below, a group of travelers stood outside the restaurant, gazes lifting toward the sky.

A blonde cook in a black suit, leaned against the railing, puffing on a cigar. His sharp blue eyes narrowed as he watched the vast flying fortress disappear into the horizon. Rumors had spread about the ship's owner, The Fire King Jacob—who was said to be surrounded by a harem of beautiful women. Sanji exhaled smoke through his nose, irritation creeping into his expression.

"Tch. Lucky bastard."

Beside him, a young man in a straw hat leaned forward excitedly, his wide grin stretching from ear to ear.

"WHOA! That thing looks awesome!" Luffy practically shouted, bouncing on his heels. "A flying ship! I want one!" His excitement grew as he watched the Jet Dials flare at the back, propelling the Embercloud forward like a shooting star.

A green-haired swordsman stepped out from the restaurant doorway, instinctively gripping one of his three katana. His sharp eyes followed the flying fortress, a flicker of longing passing through him.

'That ship... The Fire King... Kuina.'

Zoro exhaled, shaking off the strange nostalgia.

Standing beside him, a normal-sized man with a flyer cap—Borodo, their newly recruited navigator—tilted his head. "Huh. I've heard stories about that thing. Some say it doesn't need a sail to sail. Which was quite contradictory."

A woman with golden-blonde hair crossed her arms, watching with curiosity. "Whoever made that must be someone super intelligent."

Her name was Honey Queen.

Sanji scoffed, turning away. "Doesn't matter. A real ship sails the sea, not the sky." He flicked his cigar. "And anyway, are you here to recruit me or to talk about flying ships?"

Luffy, however, was still starry-eyed. "I'll totally get one of those someday!"

As the Embercloud vanished beyond the horizon, the Straw Hats returned to their mission—recruiting Sanji, which he continually declined. 

***

Inside the Embercloud navigation room, the warm glow of dial-powered lamps illuminated the space. Large, intricate maps were spread across the table, with a stunning view of the Red Line stretching beyond the reinforced glass windows.

Nami sat beside Jacob, tracing their course with a thoughtful frown. The recent events in Syrup Village still weighed on her. Nojiko was strong, but the trauma of what happened lingered.

"She's been so quiet lately," Nami murmured, arms crossed. "I'm worried about her."

Jacob stood beside her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "She'll get better. She's got us. And she's got you."

Nami sighed, leaning into his touch. "I hope so."

Jacob tilted her chin up and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. She blinked in surprise before giving him a small, grateful smile. Together, they turned their attention to the sight before them—the towering, endless expanse of the Red Line, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

Suddenly, a loud crackling sound filled the room.

BZZZT!

Blue lightning flickered across the floor before Raki materialized out of thin air, her body crackling with residual electricity. She smiled, the faint hum of static energy still dancing along her fingertips.

"Yo, Nami!" Raki called out, her tone full of energy. "I just topped off the main battery. The Embercloud can fly at full power for a whole week."

Before Nami could reply, with another flash of electrical static, Raki vanished again—teleporting elsewhere aboard the fortress.

Jacob chuckled. "She's getting the hang of that fruit."

Nami shook her head with a half-smile. "As long as she doesn't fry anything important…"

The two returned their gaze to the Red Line, Jacob's arms wrapped around Nami's waist. They stood in comfortable silence, enjoying the tranquil beauty of the world stretched out before them. The sky was painted in shades of crimson and violet, and for a moment, everything felt at peace.

Then—

"Jacob!"

The sound of Porche's high-pitched voice shattered the quiet moment. She marched toward them, arms crossed, lips pursed in an adorable pout.

"You're not giving me enough attention!" she huffed, tapping her foot impatiently.

Jacob sighed, already knowing where this was going. "Porche, I—"

"And don't even try to tell me that Kuina and Reiju don't have Devil Fruits either!" she cut him off, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "Because those two are monsters! I mean, seriously—one is a sword demon, and the other has poison running through her veins!"

Nami stifled a laugh, stepping back to watch the exchange unfold.

Jacob rubbed his temple. "I literally offered you a Zoan fruit after we took down some of Hanafuda's men, and you turned it down."

Porche flipped her long, soft blue hair over her shoulder and hmphed. "Because I don't wanna be some animal! I want a fruit that lets me command cute animals, not become one!"

Jacob let out a long, exasperated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "So you want… a Devil Fruit that lets you control adorable animals?"

"Yes!" Porche beamed. "Imagine me surrounded by an army of cute little creatures that follow my every command! It'd be so perfect!"

Jacob gave her a tired look. "Porche, that's the most specific and ridiculous request I've ever heard."

Nami burst into laughter behind him, shaking her head. "You really have your hands full, don't you?"

Jacob groaned, but there was a hint of amusement in his expression. "Tell me about it…"

***

Crocus stood knee-deep in salt water, carefully applying a medicinal balm to Laboon's massive scars. The giant whale released a soft, low coo, his deep eyes reflecting the twilight above.

A loud noise echoed across the cape just as Crocus tied off the last bandage. A sharp whoosh, followed by a deep thrumming sound, rumbled through the air.

The old doctor looked up, his sharp eyes narrowing.

Above the Red Line, a teardrop-shaped gray fortress streaked across the sky, its cloud-like surface absorbing the last remnants of daylight. The structure was enormous—far more extensive than any ship Crocus had seen. Propellers on its sides and back roared as they cut through the air, while bursts of compressed air emanated from large shells embedded into the hull, likely Jet Dials.

Crocus's brow furrowed. "What in the world…"

Then, he spotted her.

Flying alongside the massive structure was a blonde girl with four pairs of radiant wings, gliding effortlessly through the sky. She moved as if gravity didn't apply to her, her arms stretched out in pure exhilaration. She had an unmistakable smile that radiated childlike joy, as if she belonged there among the clouds.

Laboon let out a loud, curious bellow, watching the strange flying fortress zoom past the Red Line.

Crocus adjusted his glasses. "A floating fortress… with a girl that flies like a celestial being." His lips curled slightly. "The Grand Line just keeps getting stranger."

As the Embercloud soared over the Twin Capes and vanished into the distance, Crocus could only shake his head and chuckle.

Whoever was aboard that thing… they were definitely going to shake the world.