A few days later.
Explosive news broke, spreading across the Grand Line through the newspapers.
"Satoru Gojo, captain of the Jujutsu Pirates, fought and defeated Crocodile of the Shichibukai within the Alabasta Kingdom, destroying streets and buildings over an area more than two hundred meters across, damaging civilian property, and disrupting Alabasta's peace."
"Satoru Gojo, captain of the Jujutsu Pirates, and his crew are vicious criminals of the utmost brutality. Marine Headquarters has issued a bounty of 110 million Beli for Satoru Gojo's head!"
The news caused a stir among countless people!
There were seven members of the Shichibukai in total, and each was a powerful figure whose reputation and strength were enough to command fear throughout a region.
Even the Emperors who ruled the seas took the Shichibukai seriously.
Yet one of these figures, ranked among the world's strongest, had actually been defeated.
And the ones who defeated him were a rookie pirate crew from the East Blue, the Weakest Sea!
Renowned powerhouses across the seas turned their attention to Satoru Gojo.
Grand Line.
Whitebeard Pirates.
"Hahaha! Defeating a Shichibukai right after entering the Grand Line! This Satoru Gojo brat is pretty capable!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily upon hearing the newspaper's report.
"No matter how good he is, he could never beat Pops!"
"That's right! That's right!"
"Pops is the World's Strongest!"
Iron Wall Pirates.
Red-Hair, one of the Four Emperors, held a newspaper with a somewhat solemn expression.
"Hahaha, another remarkable youngster has appeared on the Grand Line. And he's from the East Blue, just like Luffy!"
Jaya.
The entire sea was in turmoil, yet Satoru Gojo, the cause of it all, lay in an armchair, leisurely basking in the sun.
"An island floating in the sky? Does it really exist?" Koratt asked from beside him, gazing at the vast banks of clouds overhead.
"We'll know once we go take a look!" Sasuke said coolly.
Incidentally, defeating Crocodile this time had triggered a hidden mission for Satoru Gojo, earning him a random reward.
He had drawn Sasuke from the world of Naruto, with his Rinnegan awakened, along with mastery of the three types of Haki. Dealing with Logia users would no longer be so troublesome!
The system's rewards were as impressive as ever! It looked like he needed to make some proper plans for the remaining Shichibukai! Perhaps they would trigger more mission rewards!
The Shichibukai: "..."
"Is everyone ready? If anyone is still scared, you can leave the ship now. I'll give you enough money to leave. Riding an updraft to Sky Island is an adventure in itself. I can't guarantee we'll succeed."
Satoru Gojo asked as he lay in his chair.
Although he had seen Luffy and the others reach Sky Island on their first attempt in the anime in his previous life, that had been necessary for the plot. Besides, Luffy had plot armor.
This was a real world now. Even Satoru Gojo couldn't guarantee they would reach Sky Island in one attempt.
Even if they failed, nothing could happen to Satoru Gojo. Sasuke would have no problem summoning a ninja hawk or activating Susanoo either.
As for Esdeath, with Satoru Gojo around, he would definitely save her first if anything happened!
Koratt and the others, however, would be in some danger. To put it bluntly, they were no different from ordinary people.
If they fell from several thousand meters up without any protection, they would have virtually no chance of survival.
"I'll go wherever the captain goes!" Esdeath said without hesitation.
Sasuke said, "An island floating in the sky. I wanted to see it for myself!"
"Oh, I was asking Koratt and the others, not you two," Satoru Gojo said slyly.
Esdeath: "..."
Sasuke: "..."
Koratt said, "We are willing to follow you to Sky Island, sir!"
Koratt and the others were all deeply interested in the island that existed up in the sky.
Most importantly, they believed Satoru Gojo would undoubtedly become a great pirate whose name commanded fear across a region of the sea.
Although they weren't qualified to join the Jujutsu Pirates, the chance to work under a great pirate's crew was an opportunity that came once in a lifetime.
"You won't regret the choice you made today! Let's go! Head to the waters I marked and wait for the Knock Up Stream to appear."
Satoru Gojo nodded in approval of Koratt's decision.
He had paid the system one million Beli for the location where the Knock Up Stream would appear.
Koratt directed the pirate ship toward the designated waters.
At last, the pirate ship slowly came to a stop on a calm stretch of sea, without wind or waves.
But that calm didn't last long. A faint whirlpool slowly began to form on the surface.
As time passed, that little whirlpool gradually expanded into a terrifyingly huge vortex.
The whirlpool's powerful pull dragged in everything around it. Several Sea Kings were caught in it and torn to pieces.
Seeing the Sea Kings' gruesome fate, Koratt went pale with fear. He swallowed and asked:
"Lord Gojo, is this really going to be all right? Didn't you say there would be a Knock Up Stream? Why is there a giant whirlpool?!"
"Don't worry. This is just a sign that the Knock Up Stream is coming. Koratt, give the order to sail toward the center of the whirlpool. Remember to follow the direction it's spinning."
Satoru Gojo rose from his armchair and spoke calmly.
Koratt and his men hesitated as they looked at the enormous whirlpool that had swallowed the Sea Kings.
In the past, whenever they encountered a whirlpool at sea, they wanted nothing more than to stay far away. Now they were supposed to rush toward its center. Wasn't this just going to their deaths?
"Koratt, what are you standing there for?"
"Yes, Lord Gojo! Understood! M-men, head toward the center of the whirlpool!"
Urged on by Satoru Gojo, Koratt stopped hesitating, gritted his teeth, and gave the order to advance.
Before long, the sea beneath the pirate ship churned even more violently, throwing Koratt and the others off balance.
Sasuke concentrated Chakra in his feet, sticking firmly to the ship.
Satoru Gojo hovered above the deck with his right arm around Esdeath, completely unaffected.
Suddenly, a powerful force surged up from beneath the sea, pushing the seawater above the surface and sending it gushing into the sky.
"Aah! Aah! Aah!"
As the ship was suddenly lifted, Koratt and the others screamed, clinging tightly to whatever they could grab.
From a distance, it looked like a fountain spraying water, except its opening was rather enormous, and it was spraying seawater rather than spring water.
Propelled by the erupting seawater, the pirate ship climbed into the sky at incredible speed.
Before long, they had actually reached the sea of clouds and officially arrived at Sky Island.
Everyone was stunned by the endless expanse of white clouds before them.
Sky Island really did exist in this world!
Koratt said, "What a spectacular sight!"
Sasuke said, "Tch, nothing special!"
Esdeath said, "Sky Island. How interesting! I wonder if there's anyone worth fighting here?!"
Satoru Gojo said, "There's one who just about qualifies! We came here to recruit him!"
"Oh? Then I'm really looking forward to it!"
Hearing that Sky Island had a powerful fighter who drew Satoru Gojo's attention, Esdeath's eyes flickered with anticipation.
If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you can find it again next time!
Before you continue