Heavenward

Before long, Mont Blanc brought Shoujou and Masira over to introduce Luffy to a possible way of reaching Sky Island.

"There should be other ways to get to Sky Island, right?" Robin looked at Li Ziming. Years of habit made Robin unwilling to take risks.

"There are, but we'd have to go to other seas." Li Ziming looked at Robin. "Why aren't you out there partying with them?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Robin looked at Li Ziming curiously. "As far as I know, you don't seem like someone who would pass up an occasion like this."

"There are some things I'm concerned about, so it's best to stay on guard." Li Ziming had dealt with Bellamy, so there definitely would not be anyone coming to steal their gold tonight. But what unsettled him most was Blackbeard. If Blackbeard really came, then with their current strength, they would have absolutely no chance of escape.

"Is there something special about this island?" Robin frowned. "Should we tell the others?"

"No need." Li Ziming shook his head. "After all, it's only a guess. Whether it will actually happen is another matter, so there's no need to make those guys worry."

"Then I'd better hurry those guys along." Robin spoke as she walked into the house. The group then went out to search for the South Bird, while Li Ziming remained behind to stand guard.

"This is the South Bird?" Li Ziming asked doubtfully as he looked at the bird before him. "I've already seen plenty of strange things, but I still have to say that this bird is really weird. Can this thing really find the Knock Up Stream?"

"If you chose to trust me, then do as I say." Mont Blanc spoke indifferently. "If you decide not to go, that's fine too. Tomorrow, Masira and Shoujou will finish modifying your ship. Whether you go afterward is up to you."

"Don't worry, we're definitely going, old man!" Luffy was already bursting with excitement.

After a night of modifications, the Going Merry was finally ready.

"I suddenly feel like going to Sky Island was a mistake. Can I choose to back out?" Li Ziming looked at the ship before him. A ridiculous rooster comb had been mounted on the sheep's head, while two wings had been added to its sides. It had not seemed like much when he read the manga before, but now that he actually had to ride on this ship, he truly felt uneasy.

"What are you talking about? You can tell at a glance this ship can fly!" Luffy's eyes were shining.

"How can you tell?!" At that moment, Li Ziming seemed to have taken over Usopp's role as the straight man.

"Why are you suddenly acting so strange?" Robin asked curiously. "Are you afraid of something?"

"I never thought someone like you would have something you're afraid of." Nami looked as though she had heard something incredible, her eyes taking on a devilish gleam.

"All right, if you're going, hurry up and set out. Masira and Shoujou will guide you." Mont Blanc interrupted their conversation. "Saruyama Alliance! We absolutely cannot mess up this mission! No matter what happens, escort these guys all the way!"

"Roar!" Masira and Shoujou let out earth-shaking cries.

"Kid." Mont Blanc walked over beside the Going Merry and spoke to Luffy, who had just boarded. "Kid, this is where we part ways. But there is one thing that is absolutely certain: no one has ever proven that Shandora and Sky Island do not exist. Maybe some people will laugh and say that's twisted logic, but what does it matter? Dreams are what make it romantic!"

"Romantic?" Luffy smiled.

"Kid." Mont Blanc smiled as well. "Don't fall from the sky."

"See you, old man!"

"Mr. Mont Blanc, thank you for your help!"

"Old man, you have to take care of yourself!"

Several hours later, a vast mass of dark clouds appeared before them.

"It's a Cumulonimbus! Immediately dispatch the diving team to search for the current!" Masira swiftly gave the order and began using sound to survey the surrounding waters.

Before long, using the echoes of sound, Masira discovered the nearby currents and the Sea Kings lurking beneath the water.

"That direction! Turn the rudder toward ten o'clock! Don't be afraid of that whirlpool; it's the sign that the current is about to erupt!" Shoujou gave orders just as swiftly.

"The waves are getting bigger!"

"Navigator! What's the Log Pose doing?" Robin asked.

"It's been pointing straight up!" Nami stared fixedly at the Log Pose in her hand.

"We have a tailwind! The Cumulonimbus is moving toward the center of the whirlpool!" Shoujou's subordinate gave a detailed report.

"Looks like we hit the jackpot this time, brother!" Shoujou said excitedly.

"Yeah, a perfect eruption!" Masira was equally excited.

"Can we do this?!" Luffy shouted.

"Of course! Don't turn the rudder now. Keep following the whirlpool straight into its center!" Shoujou said.

"Into such a huge whirlpool?" Usopp felt his legs trembling.

"You never said we had to enter the whirlpool!" Nami was similarly caught completely off guard by the news.

"Here we come, Sky Island!" Luffy shouted excitedly.

Li Ziming took out a bottle of liquor and gulped down a mouthful, forcibly suppressing the discomfort in his chest.

"We're only taking you this far!" Masira and Shoujou immediately sailed away in their own ships.

"This is a scam! I want to go back!" Nami burst into tears.

"Don't say that. If we miss the adventure of the dream island among dream islands, we'll regret it for the rest of our lives." Luffy looked extremely excited.

"That's right, you should give up." Zoro spoke up. "We're about to be swallowed by the giant whirlpool."

"Wait, what happened? Why did such a huge whirlpool disappear?" Luffy seemed to be having a great time and was somewhat dissatisfied by the whirlpool's disappearance.

"It didn't disappear. It all sank to the bottom of the sea." Nami said fearfully.

"Hold on to everything within reach. If you get thrown overboard, you're definitely dead." Li Ziming's eyes had never been clearer. "Get ready. We're going up."

"Ahahaha!" A raft-like ship appeared. "We finally caught up to you, Straw Hat!"

"It's that old man!" Luffy recognized him at once.

"I'll be taking your 100 million bounty!" Blackbeard said excitedly. "Die quietly for me!"

"100 million?" Luffy had no idea what he meant.

"It's you. You and Zoro have both been wanted. Your bounty is 100 million, and Zoro's is 60 million." Li Ziming knew those guys had not cared at all about being wanted.

"What about me? Do I have a wanted poster?" Sanji hurriedly asked Li Ziming.

"Sorry, you don't." Li Ziming walked to the side of the ship. "Something unknown might happen, but Captain, do you mind if I trigger this current early?"

"No problem. I want to get to Sky Island sooner too!" Luffy did not mind in the slightest.

But Robin could tell that Li Ziming was afraid. The people on that approaching ship had clearly made Li Ziming feel threatened; otherwise, he would never take such a risk. He could not possibly be unaware of the danger of the Knock Up Stream. Triggering it early involved far too many uncertainties, yet Li Ziming still chose to do so. That meant the newcomers were even more dangerous to him than the Knock Up Stream. Robin was now immensely curious about their identities.

"Boys!" Blackbeard gave orders to his subordinates. "Hurry up! We can't let those guys get away!"

"Captain, someone on that ship appears to be preparing to do something." Van Augur spoke in a calm tone.

"Then shoot him down." Blackbeard said as if it were only natural.

"Yes." Van Augur's rifle was already aimed at Li Ziming.

At that moment, Li Ziming felt his life being threatened. Even so, he still activated his ability and used every last bit of strength to move his body. Yet a bullet still burst a spray of blood from his left chest. Before losing consciousness, Li Ziming only vaguely heard everyone's cries of alarm.