From afar, it looked like an island filled with tropical charm. Waves gently lapped against the shore, coconut trees grew across the island, and vast green banana leaves swayed in the wind.
What was even more astonishing was the massive purple, egg-shaped building standing atop the fluffy white cloud floating above the island.
"Could it be...!"
"Th-That can't be...!"
Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp stuck their heads out in stunned disbelief, their eyes fixed tightly on the cloud.
"It's a sky island!!"
The excitement in their hearts showed plainly on their faces, and their eyes immediately sparkled with golden light.
"As soon as we got close to the island, even the air started getting warmer."
Nami muttered curiously as she looked around.
The blizzard in the distance behind them showed no sign of letting up, and the bizarre contrast in climate left her utterly baffled.
The Going Merry slowly approached the island. Just then, countless shadows appeared beneath the waters surrounding it, and bubbles rose from the sea with a gurgle.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
Several huge sprays of water erupted. To everyone's shock, enormous bodies burst out of the sea one after another, surrounding the island as pairs of beastly eyes stared at them.
"—Eh! Are those Sea Beasts?!"
Usopp cried out in alarm.
"Yohohoho~, they seem to be guarding this island."
Brook moved with the lightness of a swallow, cheerfully leaping onto the railing at the bow and crouching there. His bony fingers gripped his cane, ready to draw his sword at any moment.
"Wait, these Sea Beasts don't look quite right."
Franky suddenly spoke up, his gaze grave as he examined the group of Sea Beasts before them.
Once he pointed it out, the others also noticed something was off.
Sea lions, sea giraffes, sea bulls, sea raccoon cats,