The Thousand Sunny sailed in the direction indicated by the compass for several days, and the surrounding environment began to change subtly. The sky was no longer a pure azure, but was filled with many clouds of different shapes and distinct layers, like giant cotton candy islands floating overhead. The direction of the sea breeze also became complex, sometimes gentle, sometimes fierce, carrying a unique crispness characteristic of the high altitude.
Nami was completely focused on sensing every subtle change in the wind and clouds, the Clima-Tact in her hand glowing faintly to aid her in making more accurate predictions. "Attention everyone, we are approaching the outer edge of the ' Road to the Sky,' and the air currents will become increasingly unstable!"
As if to confirm her words, a vast, dark gray wall of clouds appeared on the horizon ahead, with thick Inazuma flashing like silver snakes within it, accompanied by rumbling thunder. That was the first natural barrier leading to the Sky Archipelago —the " Storm Corridor."
"Wow! What huge dark clouds!" Luffy excitedly, craning his neck.
"W-Are we really going to go through this?" Usopp's voice trembled with tears. "We'll get struck by lightning!"
Chopper hugged Usopp tightly. "How scary!"
Franky inspected the ship's lightning protection system: "A super challenge! Bring on the storm!"
Jinbe calmly steered the ship, sensing the surging currents below. "The waves are intensifying, and there are undercurrents below."
Allen's perception penetrated deep into the storm cloud wall. He could not only "see" the violent lightning energy and chaotic air currents within it, but also vaguely sense that behind this storm, there existed some kind of guiding energy network, like a safe passage hidden in danger.
"There's a path in the storm," Allen said calmly, pointing to a region of the cloud wall that seemed to be the most densely lightning-filled. "Follow the faint airflow at the edge of that area; that's a deliberately maintained 'wind tunnel.'"
Upon hearing this, Nami immediately focused her senses and, sure enough, detected a relatively stable, upward-moving wind in the direction Allen pointed out! "It really is! There's a wind path! Jinbe, hard to port, head in that direction!"
Under Jinbe's skillful control, the Thousand Sunny, like a brave surfer, cut through the surging waves and gales, precisely navigating into the wind tunnel hidden within the storm.
Upon entering the wind tunnel, the scenery changed abruptly! The ship seemed to be lifted up by an invisible giant hand, its speed suddenly increasing, and it began to climb upwards along a huge spiral trajectory! All around were howling winds and lightning tearing the sky Inazuma, but the inside of the wind tunnel was relatively stable. However, the intense feeling of gravity made everyone except Luffy (who found it fun) and Allen (who felt nothing) somewhat uncomfortable.
They are rushing into the sky along a naturally formed "air staircase"!
Passing through the thick storm clouds, the view suddenly opened up! They had left the usual Blue Sea and were now standing on a vast, boundless White Sea! Beneath their feet was a sea of white clouds as thick as cotton wool, and above them was an even higher " White-White Sea " of sky, shimmering with a faint seven-colored halo. Sunlight streamed down without obstruction, turning the sea of clouds into a golden hue.
"We... have arrived at the White Sea!" Nami exclaimed in surprise, looking at the altimeter and the surrounding environment.
"Whoa! We're running on the clouds!" Luffy leaped up directly on the sea of clouds, discovering that the clouds were solid enough to support a certain weight.
Usopp and Chopper cautiously extended their feet and stepped onto the soft clouds, both surprised and frightened.
Sanji gazed at the dreamlike scenery, captivated, and exclaimed, "This truly... is a paradise worthy of ladies."
Zoro, holding his sword, checked his bearings (he wasn't lost yet).
Franky and Brook exclaimed "Super~" and "Yohohoho" in admiration at the magnificent view.
Robin smiled as he observed the composition of the sea of clouds and the distant landscape.
Ace spread his arms, feeling the thin air and sunlight high in the sky. "The fire here seems to burn more freely."
Jinbe vigilantly observed the area beneath the sea of clouds, guarding against any attacks from below.
However, this seemingly peaceful sea of clouds is not without danger. In the distance, the shadows of enormous wings can be vaguely seen flitting through the clouds, accompanied by long and melodious cries. Some strange cloud creatures, shimmering with a soft light like jellyfish, drift nearby, seemingly harmless, but no one knows whether they are aggressive.
The Log Pose becomes active again here, no longer pointing horizontally, but slightly upward, pointing towards the depths of the White-White Sea, to that more mysterious region of Sky Archipelago Islands, dotted with countless islands.