A month later, on the Grand Line, in the waters near Jaya.
The White Gull lay anchored on a sea as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the clear blue sky.
"Jaya..." Tesoro stood on deck with a nautical chart in hand, his brow slightly furrowed.
Then he looked up toward the nearby harbor, bustling with ships coming and going.
That was Mock Town, which had yet to become a gathering place for pirates.
"Vice Admiral Gern, Mock Town is just ahead. Should we dock there, replenish our supplies, and ask the locals a few questions while we're at it?" Tesoro asked, turning around.
"After all, if the chart is right, these are the waters around Jaya mentioned in the legend of Noland the Liar's city of gold."
"No need." Gern leaned against the railing, gazing up at the sky with a slight smile. "Because we've already arrived."
"Arrived?" Tesoro froze and looked around. Aside from the vast sea and Mock Town on the distant half of Jaya, where was there any other land?
"Gern, you're not joking, are you?" Snake Princess leaned languidly against the mast.
Her long orange-red hair fluttered in the breeze. She chuckled and stroked her pet snake. "There's nothing here but seawater."
"If Gern says we've arrived, then we've arrived!" Lipo bounded over to Gern, tipping her little face up as her fluffy rabbit ears stood erect. "Gern, did you find something?"
Gern looked down at Lipo, his eyes full of affection.
He reached out, gathered her into his arms, and ruffled her hair with a smile. "As expected, my Lipo knows me best."
A flicker of envy crossed Snake Princess's eyes at the sight, and she immediately changed her tune. "Actually, I believe you too, Gern.
"Sky Island must be somewhere out there!" With that,