January 24, 1519, Sea Circle Calendar.
The waters of the New World-
The Red Tears, known to the Blue Sea People as the "Church in the Sky," flew above the clouds.
On the bridge, Sephiroth sat in the captain's chair, studying the itinerary in his hand.
"Heavenward~ Heavenward~ What kind of place is this Food Valten we're going to?"
Yamato squirmed excitedly in her seat, unable to sit still. Visiting any island she had never seen made her happy.
She had spent two months playing on Amazon Lily at the end of the year, then returned to Sky Island for New Year's. After behaving herself for over half a month, her urge to head out on another adventure had begun stirring again.
The moment she heard Sephiroth was setting sail, she signed up.
"Huh? You didn't ask anything beforehand? Just so you know, there probably won't be any fighting this time. But you can look forward to the food..."
Sephiroth was setting sail because Uta's girl band had received an invitation to perform at a food festival.
Over the past three months, Uta and the others had followed much the same schedule as Yamato.
They had performed on Sky Island over New Year's and recorded a New Year's album.
But since they were on their own turf, calling it their first job of the year felt a little questionable.
Hearing that the food festival would feature world-class chefs, they wanted to go see it for themselves-and hold a concert to kick off the new year while they were at it.
"That island is nominally Whitebeard's territory, but it isn't under his direct control. It's more the kind that pays protection money. They're holding a food festival there, and apparently the New World's top chef is participating."
Food Valten.
It was