The Swordsmanship Tournament was still taking shape, and riding that wave, Paros Island gradually grew more popular.
People seeking Beli, Devil Fruits, or simply greater strength and a chance to spar with the sea's strongest fighters came flocking in.
Pirates, hunters, lone wanderers, and members of every race across the sea gathered together.
They started at the bottom of the Sky Arena, fighting their way upward on a journey to the summit.
The World Economy News Paper had already published a detailed explanation of the Sky Arena's rules.
Every competitor could register an identity at the Sky Arena, using either their real name or a code name.
They could also choose whatever clothing and masks they wanted before a duel.
Inside the Sky Arena were several large clothing factories offering countless styles and varieties of clothing.
Advancement in the Sky Arena was determined by the number of wins. Out of ten duels, competitors needed more than eight wins—in other words, eight consecutive victories would qualify them to advance to a higher floor.
If someone was overwhelmingly strong, the Pluton Pirates had the right to promote them directly to the upper floors to preserve the balance.
Thus, only those with plenty of wins could reach the higher floors, which also meant they were stronger.
This gradually separated competitors by strength. The higher the floor, the stronger the competitors fighting there.
Naturally, opponents on the higher floors were stronger, and the rewards increased as well. Without sufficiently enticing rewards, how could anyone be willing to keep fighting?
Even for a fight on the first floor, the Pluton Pirates offered a prize of fifty thousand Beli to the winner.
It did not seem like much, but the higher the floor, the richer the prize.
Likewise, those who won their fights could earn a