Fly into the Sky

"Aw, aw, aw!!!"

A filthy dog reeking of stench was hung from the mast, howling nonstop.

"Keep him hanging." Rogge said irritably.

Jerry could not bear to watch and came to plead with Rogge, but Rogge and the others showed Billy no mercy. Keep him hanging.

On the other side of Jaya Island, Cricket and the others were already waiting for them. Besides him, there were also his two sons, Shoujou and Masira of the Saruyama Alliance, who had been drawn in by his story.

"Follow them. Once you get there, they'll lead you in. You saw what the stream was like yesterday. That one wasn't very large, but this one will be huge. There isn't much time, so get moving." Cricket said around his cigarette.

"Thanks." Rogge waved and left with the Saruyama Alliance's ships.

Cricket watched them leave, then shook his head with a smile. There was a trace of envy in it. He had once been a pirate too, but after coming here, he had given up that identity and become an ordinary man, choosing to search for stories about his ancestors.

Perhaps that was what pirates were meant to be—adventurers who pressed forward without hesitation even knowing danger lay ahead, even knowing their entire pirate crew might be buried in the sea. Trusting their companions, never stopping their steps.

Rogge looked at Cricket. He had actually wanted to invite him aboard, because Cricket would have made a fine companion. Unfortunately, Cricket no longer had any desire to set sail. Perhaps he would someday go to Sky Island and see the legendary Golden City, Shandora. Perhaps he would return to the North Blue. But he would never continue adventuring again, never chase the so-called One Piece.

"Take Billy down. Lock him in the toilet, preferably tie him