Chapter 16 – Conis’s Struggles and Decision-Making

Morning broke gently over Angel Island.

The sea of clouds shimmered under the rising sun, painting the skies in soft gold and silver. The air here was lighter, freer, but the hearts of the people remained shackled.

Inside her small home near the edge of the island, Conis sat silently, her fingers hovering over her harp strings. Her gaze drifted toward the horizon, where the Queen's Grace rested at the dock, its foreign sails gently fluttering in the breeze.

She had spent the entire night awake, her mind weighed down by thoughts that refused to settle.

The words of Kaito lingered.

"Our ship's always open. But only if you choose it."

A simple offer, yet one that stirred her deeply.

For so long, her life had been confined to Angel Island, trapped beneath the oppressive weight of Enel's rule. The idea of leaving—truly leaving—had always been little more than a distant dream.

And now that dream was within reach.

Yet doubt gnawed at her.

Her father, Pagaya, had always been kind but cautious. He valued survival above all else. And Conis had spent her life following that path—keeping her head down, playing quietly, never stepping beyond what was allowed.

Could she really leave it all behind?

Could she abandon the safety of her home for a freedom that promised uncertainty?

Her fingers pressed into the harp strings, drawing out a soft, trembling note.

There was no answer in the music today.

Only questions.

At the Queen's Grace, the crew was preparing for another day of exploration.

Nojiko reviewed the charts carefully, mapping the safest routes across the White Sea. Carmen was already in the galley, experimenting with sky shrimp and unfamiliar spices. Khalifa sat on the deck, meticulously cleaning and adjusting her gloves.

Kuina stood alone at the starboard side, her gaze distant, as if waiting for the next challenge to arrive.

Kaito, seated near the railing, casually flipped through one of the system's training scrolls, though his mind wasn't fully on it.

His system chimed softly.

[Mission Progress: 25% – Conis's Decision Pending.]

He closed the scroll and glanced toward the village.

He could sense it.

She was struggling.

But it wasn't his place to force her decision.

It never was.

Kaya approached with a cup of tea, her gentle presence settling beside him.

"She's hesitating, isn't she?" Kaya asked.

Kaito nodded. "Yeah. It's a big step. Leaving everything you've ever known… it's not easy."

Kaya's gaze softened. "I was once trapped in a world where I was protected by walls. But it was Usopp who showed me what lies beyond. Sometimes, it only takes one person to pull you toward freedom."

Kaito smiled faintly. "And sometimes, you have to walk toward it yourself."

"Are you going to wait for her?"

"She'll come when she's ready."

Kaya sipped her tea, her voice calm. "You seem sure of that."

"I'm not," Kaito admitted. "But hope is a good habit."

They sat in companionable silence, watching the village from a distance.

Meanwhile, Conis wandered the market streets of Angel Island, but the world felt smaller than ever.

Every smile from the merchants was tight.

Every whispered conversation stopped when Enel's priests passed by.

Even the children's laughter was subdued, careful not to draw too much attention.

The sky was vast, but the island was a cage.

She ran into her father near the edge of the cloud dock.

Pagaya noticed her distracted expression. "Is something troubling you?"

Conis hesitated, then asked quietly, "Father… have you ever wanted to leave Angel Island?"

His face stiffened.

"Leave?" he echoed, as if the very thought was dangerous. "Conis, the world below is not meant for us. This is our home."

"But our home is suffocating," she said, her voice trembling. "Enel's rules, the fear, the silence… is this really living?"

Pagaya placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "We survive. That's what matters."

Conis shook her head. "I don't want to just survive."

Her father's gaze faltered, but he quickly masked it.

"Those people you've met—the crew of the Queen's Grace—they are from the blue sea. Their world is full of conflict and danger. You are safe here."

"Am I?" Conis whispered, her voice heavy with doubt.

Pagaya's grip loosened.

She stepped back, her heart racing.

"I want to hear more songs. I want to see more skies. I want… I want to be free."

Pagaya's silence was deafening.

For the first time, she realized that her father's survival had come at the cost of his dreams.

Perhaps he had wanted freedom once, too.

But fear had clipped his wings.

She would not let it clip hers.

The decision was not made in a grand moment.

It came quietly, like the soft pull of the tide.

The next morning, as the Queen's Grace prepared to disembark for deeper exploration, Conis appeared at the dock with nothing but her harp and a small satchel.

Nojiko spotted her first. "Captain, we've got a guest."

Kaito turned, his grin forming as if he had expected this all along.

Conis approached, her steps unsure but steady.

"I want to go with you," she said plainly, her eyes trembling but determined.

Kaito folded his arms. "Are you sure? You're leaving behind your home. Your family. There's no guarantee what you'll find out there."

Conis clutched the strap of her harp tighter. "I'd rather face the unknown than keep playing the same silent song."

Kaito glanced briefly at his crew.

Kuina nodded, satisfied.

Carmen smirked. "More mouths to feed, huh? Guess I can handle it."

Khalifa offered no objection, but her eyes flickered with quiet approval.

Kaya smiled warmly. "Welcome aboard."

Nojiko extended a hand. "Come on. The skies don't wait forever."

Conis took her hand, stepping onto the Queen's Grace.

The system chimed softly in Kaito's mind.

[New Crew Member Acquired: Conis – Sky Musician]

[Potential Growth Path: Combat Support / Emotional Resonance Specialist]

Kaito's grin widened. "Looks like the song's about to get a little louder."

Conis glanced back at her island one last time.

She knew she was leaving her father behind.

But perhaps one day, when the skies were safer, she could return.

For now, the sea of clouds stretched endlessly before her.

And her heart soared.

The next few days were spent exploring the outer edges of Skypiea, careful to avoid direct conflict with Enel's priests.

Nojiko guided the ship expertly across the White Sea, charting unfamiliar islands. Carmen experimented with sky shrimp stew, forcing the crew to endure her increasingly bizarre dishes. Khalifa quietly gathered information from Sky Islanders who dared to whisper about rebellion.

Kuina continued her personal training, slicing the air in silent practice, her focus unshaken.

Kaya and Conis bonded quickly, their shared kindness forming an easy friendship. Kaya taught Conis basic first aid, while Conis began teaching Kaya to play simple harp melodies.

Kaito watched them all, satisfied.

The crew was growing—not just in number, but in connection.

And soon, their next encounter would come.

Rumors of a fierce child with the ability to sense people from miles away had begun circulating among the islands.

A child who fought alone.

A child who refused to bow to Enel.

Aisa.

Their paths were about to cross.

But for now, Kaito allowed his crew to enjoy the rare calm.

There would be storms soon enough.

And this time, they would not be spectators.

They would be players in the sky's unfolding drama.