Going Through Fire and Water

Sky Island, the Gate of Heaven.

Above the endless White Sea, Seven was seeing off his only crew member: Vice-Captain Dracule Mihawk.

"Mihawk, take this gold for your travel expenses."

The most abundant resource on Sky Island—or rather, the Golden City Shandora—was gold. That was exactly why Seven had used it to pave his way and strike a deal with Kizaru.

Mihawk took the bundle. "Captain, when do you plan to set sail?"

Having already witnessed the legends of Sky Island and Shandora, it was time to continue his training. His defeat at Kizaru's hands had only hardened Mihawk's resolve to hone his skills.

Yet, for some reason, a faint melancholy crept in.

In just two short months, Mihawk realized belatedly that he truly acknowledged Seven.

Seven thought for a moment. "Two years from now."

"I'm fifteen now. When I turn seventeen, I'll return to the sea and find you. Then we'll ride the wind and waves together and search for more crewmates."

Even though Seven could form a crew alone.

But to stand firm on this sea, relying on just him and Mihawk... the odds were too steep.

He needed to find more like-minded crew members.

People like Kuma, Jinbe, the future Admiral Fujitora Issho—all of them, recruited under his banner.

"Mihawk, if you run into anyone who catches your eye during your training, don't forget to invite them for me. I'll handle the ship."

Mihawk nodded. "See you in two years."

The reason he'd agreed to join the Morning Star Pirates in the first place was convenience. Having a captain as versatile as Seven made things easy.

With that, Mihawk turned without looking back and leaped straight down from the ten-thousand-meter altitude.

Seven seized the moment, pulled out an Image Shell, and snapped shot after shot of Mihawk's heroic figure.

"Too bad Mihawk always wears that hat, hiding the Flying Bamboo Dragonfly..."

From their meeting at Twin Capes to traveling together to Loguetown to see Captain Roger off one last time, and then fleeing pursuit while buying Dream One Heart, Seven had rushed straight to Sky Island.

The whole journey had been too hurried.

He hadn't had a chance to enjoy the scenery along the way.

Now, finally, the pace had slowed.

Seven strolled through Sky Island with his hands in his pockets, occasionally greeting the locals he passed.

"Lord Thunder God."

If it weren't for the small wings on the backs of both the Skypieans and the Shandia people—a bit jarring to look at—Seven would have seriously considered renaming Sky Island to Inazuma.

Why insist on that?

Because it was amusing.

In the entire Pirate World, the country most suited to the name Inazuma was undoubtedly Wano Country.

Too bad Kaido had his eyes on it.

With Seven's current strength, even with Mihawk, he couldn't defeat the Beasts Pirates. The gap wasn't just in individual power but also in crew numbers.

Fourteen years had passed since the God Valley Incident broke up the Rocks Pirates. At thirty-five, Kaido was in his prime.

Seven, only fifteen and still growing, was in no position to clash with Kaido.

That was how Seven operated—one step forward, two steps planned, three steps thought out. He'd just taken over Sky Island and was already eyeing Wano Country.

Because geographically—

Sky Island sat ten thousand meters above the sea. Only Devil Fruit users like Seven or Kizaru could travel back and forth without trouble.

It worked as an early base, but not as the main headquarters for the entire crew.

Unless Seven had so many points he could afford to give every crew member a Flying Bamboo Dragonfly and a Flying Cape.

And Wano Country?

Located in the New World, accessible only through treacherous waterfalls, it was easy to defend and hard to attack, effectively blocking outside invaders.

It was also the sole source and processing site for Sea Prism Stone, holding strategic resources and technology.

A far better fit for the Morning Star Pirates' main base.

The only hurdle: how to defeat Kaido?

"Guess I'll wait a few more years."

Just as Seven sat down in the Thunder God Palace, Gan Fall leading the former Sky Island faction and Calpa leading the former Shandia faction came to pay their respects in a crowd.

"Lord Thunder God..."

Seven waved a hand, signaling them to sit.

"I already know why you're here."

The root conflict between the Skypieans and the Shandia people came down to a shortage of land resources.

Of course, there was also a lack of mutual respect.

The Skypieans saw the Shandia people as savage invaders, while the Shandia people viewed the Skypieans as shameless plunderers.

"The allocation of land resources will be handled by the Skypiea Council, composed of elders from both sides, who will distribute residential and farming land based on population."

"The two tribes will live and farm in mixed settlements."

"The Skypieans will provide Dial and cloud sea technology, while the Shandia people will offer agricultural knowledge, forming a Cooperative to jointly develop efficient farming."

"The former war zones have fertile soil but were isolated by conflict, leading to ineffective use. Now they must be properly utilized, made to grow food that can feed everyone."

"Additionally, the former God's Team and the Shandia Warriors will be reorganized into the Thunder Cloud Guards, responsible for overall security, law enforcement, and suppressing rebellions."

"Peace Day will be designated as a statutory holiday."

"I have only one demand: fairness, fairness, and goddamn fairness."

Seven was mid-speech when a series of notification sounds rang out, rattling his brain.

"Ding, your consigned item: Impact Dial, purchased by Naruto User, earning 9,000 points. Current balance: 11,916 points."

"Ding, your consigned item: Wind Spray Shell, purchased by Naruto User, earning 900 points. Current balance: 12,816 points."

"Ding, your consigned item: Octopus Hot Air Balloon, purchased by Warhammer User, earning 900 points. Current balance: 15,966 points."

Seven's expression froze in shock: This guy, a true prodigy from the Warhammer World, just cleared out everything I listed on the Trading Platform...

A real top-tier spender.

Warhammer Bro, going through fire and water for me!

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Seven instructed solemnly, "Old Gan, Old Ka, put in the extra effort."

"Yes, Lord Thunder God."

After the crowd dispersed, Seven began pondering how to maximize his strength with this fortune of 15,966 points.

The safest method was to buy Observation Haki and Armament Haki, costing a total of 10,000 points.

With the Rumble-Rumble Fruit amplifying him, awakening Observation Haki would give him more confidence in battle.

Armament Haki not only filled his biggest gap in defense but also served as the foundation for the higher level of Armament Haki, Flow.

Beyond that, there was another option.

The Iron Balloon, the same physique as Yonko Charlotte Linlin, priced at 20,000 points.

Seven rubbed his brow, already forming a plan: Armament and Observation Haki can be gained through training, but the Iron Balloon cannot.

The Iron Balloon is an innate physique, independent of Armament Haki, and their defenses can stack.

It's an inborn, extremely powerful natural defensive ability, impervious to ordinary blades and bullets.

It's the foundation of Big Mom as a natural destroyer, and it perfectly matches my Innate Divine Strength.

Which one to buy is obvious.

Though I don't have enough points now, there are only three days until the next refresh of listing slots.

Warhammer Bro bought six items this time, including four types of shells, but two were snapped up early by Apocalypse User and Naruto User.

Given Warhammer Bro's wealth, the other four shells—Water Shell, Flame Shell, Laser Dial, and Flash Shell—are highly likely to be purchased too.

Each sells for 1,000 points, and with the other six items, it'll be enough to buy the Iron Balloon.

I'll wait a bit longer.