The Golden Ship Sets Sail

With everyone in the Sky Kingdom pitching in on the massive shipbuilding project, the Golden Ship was completed at a visible, breakneck pace. Once they installed Birka Island's lightning-storage container aboard the new ship, a machine-like roar rang out.

Nearly a thousand Breath Dials on either side of the Golden Ship boosted it forward. Redfield also charged the hundred-plus Thunder Dials connected to the lightning-storage container. They had used up nearly all the Sky Kingdom's stock of Dials.

After Fish-Man Tom pressed the launch button, the massive propeller blades spun rapidly, and the Golden Ship successfully took to the sky before everyone's eyes.

Brook watched, filled with excitement. It was hard to imagine that this world's black technology could really make such a huge warship fly!

"Captain Brook, with the lightning-storage container and the power from 120 Thunder Dials, we can keep flying for half a month even without Redfield charging them!"

That was with significant power loss. With the Moon People's technology, the ship could probably stay aloft even longer. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been worth it for the Moon People to travel all the way from the distant moon to Sky Island with only enough energy to last half a month or a month!

The Golden Ship blazed with light. Nearly every part of it had been fitted with Sky Island's Lamp Dials. The cooking equipment had been replaced with Heat and Flame Dials, and even the showers now used Water Dials.

Brook looked at the Tone Dials. Every crew member wanted him to record songs they could listen to in their rooms, which left him at a loss for words. They had forgotten that he had once been a famous musician.

Perhaps he could return to his old career and create a few catchy tunes—or borrow a few famous songs from Earth. Something sentimental, rousing, or powerful.

Shakky had also learned a great deal from the weather experts of Weatheria about sailing the Grand Line and the New World. She had even learned how to use things like the Wind Knot.

What really angered the old weather experts was that Shakky had taken several Weather Ships and put them aboard the Golden Ship. Those were important vessels for Weatheria, used to fly down to the Blue Sea to buy supplies and gather news and intelligence.

The Weather Ships also had machines inside them that could create all kinds of natural weather, such as gales, downpours, and lightning strikes. They were also their weapons of self-defense.

The Golden Ship's main cannon had been designed jointly by the sniper Silvers and Fish-Man Tom, incorporating the concepts and design of the Ancient Weapon Pluton.

The Golden Ship wasn't as vulnerable to wind as Golden Lion's flying fleet. It had both a lightning-powered drive system and a Breath Dial drive system. However, it would still have to descend and sail on the sea in severe weather!

Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit could only make his pirate ships float. They still relied on wind to move, and the oars along their sides did little to help. That was why storms were the greatest threat to his airborne voyages!

Now that the new ship was finished, they naturally held a banquet to celebrate and give it a name. Their old ship, Yomi, had been dismantled for parts and no longer existed. The other crew members also felt the name didn't suit the Golden Ship's style!

Besides, a new ship usually didn't keep the name of the old one, like the Straw Hat Pirates' Going Merry and Thousand Sunny.

Brook had no choice but to pick a different name: Yama. Wherever the King of Hell went, his enemies would be reduced to tears!

One day, Yama would surely become more famous than Ancient Weapon Uranus, Pluton, and Poseidon.

"Congratulations on the completion of the Golden Ship, Yama! Long live!!"

"I don't know what it means, but the captain gets the final say. Nothing we can do about it!"

Shakky had just tried to name the ship the Golden Rose, but everyone rejected the idea, leaving her a little disgruntled.

During the banquet, Brook instructed Gan Fumo, the Civil Minister, and Wadica, the Military Minister, to protect the Golden City. He also told Moore Thomas not to bring the newly hired staff up to Sky Island.

They had to vet everyone carefully. The recruits would have to wait until the Hell Pirates returned and Redfield had inspected them before they could officially join the World Economic News Agency in the Sky Kingdom. Otherwise, they would have to stay at the Jaya Island branch!

Brook picked up the one- or two-year-old Morgans and showed him some affection. He hadn't expected Moore Thomas to feed him a Devil Fruit so soon.

Morgans already had some of the features of a Zoan: Albatross Form. No wonder the future Morgans preferred his beast form—and still hadn't learned how to fly!

Brook also went to Weatheria and "asked" for a Weather Ship for Moore Thomas, so he could use it to buy supplies on Jaya Island and bring them up to Sky Island.

Since Brook and his crew had taken most of Sky Island's Dials, production might be a little difficult over the next year. But Sky Island had plenty of gold, so they could easily buy all kinds of supplies on Jaya Island.

Time passed quickly. The Hell Pirates were fully prepared to venture into the New World and recruit the powerful crew members of the future.

With Moore Thomas's World Economic News Agency, Brook already had the upper hand when it came to information. The future big names were all under surveillance.

Whenever an opportunity arose, Brook would head out himself to recruit these rookie pirates—especially monstrous rookies like Kaido.

"I'm so excited! The Golden Ship—the pirate ship of my dreams!"

Standing at the helm, Shakky shoved Fish-Man Tom aside. She wanted to be the first person to steer the Golden Ship! "Hell Pirates, set sail!!!"

Shakky shouted. Fish-Man Tom could only shake his head helplessly as he pressed the start switch. Redfield also gave the Thunder Dials a quick boost with a bolt of lightning.

The numerous Breath Dials thrust the ship upward, and its propeller blades spun rapidly, driving Yama forward toward the New World!

Shakky also took out Weatheria's Weather Predictor to monitor the Grand Line's dangerous weather at all times.

"Captain Brook, are we heading to Fish-Man Island via the Sabaody Archipelago? I thought we were going to cross the Red Line directly!"

Shakky was happy too. The Sabaody Archipelago was her hometown, and she had lived there for over a decade. It would be nice to visit again, especially aboard the Golden Ship.

It gave her a proud, triumphant feeling to return home in such style, dressed in finery and riding high!

"Captain Brook, are you sure the Golden Ship won't make other pirate crews covet it?"

The intelligence officer Antonio was a little worried. The ship was far too conspicuous and seemed sure to attract plenty of greedy pirates!

"Anyone who dares to mess with the Hell Pirates will be obliterated by my thunder!"

Lightning flickered in Redfield's hand, crackling and snapping. Antonio felt much more at ease.

Captain Brook was powerful, and Brother Redfield's abilities were no less impressive than the captain's. They would surely keep Yama safe. Besides, the Silvers brothers were strong too. Everyone was capable.

Antonio clenched his fists, filled with hope for the future. He would make sure to ask the Den Den Mushi brothers about every last detail concerning the islands ahead!