The Shandorians and Sky Islanders laughed, embarking on the journey with Alistair to find the Golden Bell.
But their laughter soon faded.
They had to climb the giant vine.
This wasn't their forte.
Many were stumped at the base of the vine.
Alistair looked at the eager Enel. "Want to see it?"
"Of course." Even captured, Enel remained arrogant, unaware of his situation.
This was the spirit of strong One Piece characters.
Jimbei's actions were astonishing—giving up his Shichibukai title to accompany Ace in prison.
Such heroes were numerous; people focused on the Straw Hats' antics and were moved by them.
But Zoro's spirit against Mihawk was striking.
Mihawk recognized this in Zoro: Zoro might die, but if he survived, he'd be a great swordsman!
Many used swords, but few reached Mihawk's or Shanks' level. A swordsman's loneliness!
"Dalton, remove his Seastone cuffs." Alistair instructed.
Dalton shrugged. "If he escapes, it's your fault."
She didn't think she'd lose to Enel.
But she couldn't stop him if he ran.
No one could stop a Goro Goro no Mi user fleeing, not even a Pika Pika no Mi user.
"He won't run," Alistair said casually.
The hot air balloons ascended; freed from the Seastone, Enel stretched. The balloons were full; those wanting to ascend had to climb.
So did Enel.
"Can't you transform into lightning and ascend?" Alistair asked curiously, showing no fear.
"Have you ever seen lightning strike upwards?" Enel, now a captive, retorted impatiently.
Alistair pondered.
Perhaps Devil Fruits were different from what he imagined.
Did Enel believe lightning couldn't strike upwards, needing the Ark Maxim, or did the Goro Goro no Mi inherently restrict upward lightning strikes?
This was for later; Ace inflated the balloons, carrying the revolutionaries upwards.
Enel hopped and ran towards the vine.
The Shandorians and priests, using their Wind Shells, couldn't catch him; even without his Logia powers, Enel's physical abilities surpassed theirs.
Wyper and the others gritted their teeth, refusing to lose.
But the Wind Shells had limits.
The vine seemed limitless; they used almost all the wind, reaching only halfway.
They couldn't refill their Wind Shells; they had to climb.
The Shandorians and Sky Islanders had vastly different physical abilities.
Without the Shells, the Sky Islanders would have been slaughtered.
Now, without the Shells, they watched the Shandorians climb.
They were frustrated.
Skypiea had several levels: the White White Sea, the White Sea where the Sky Islanders lived, half of Jaya, and several more levels.
Gan Fall was on a slightly higher part of Jaya.
Above Jaya were more levels, unexplored until the Straw Hats cut down the vine, revealing a cloud island at the top.
The Golden Bell, Jaya's symbol, lay there, untouched for four hundred years.
Their balloons ascended faster than Enel and Wyper.
As they reached the second-highest cloud level, the Golden Bell rang across Skypeia, its sound echoing downwards.
The Shandorians, breathless, sitting on the cloud, wept.
Even those unfamiliar with the sound recognized it—the Golden Bell.
"Ah… beautiful." Enel was faster, reaching the highest cloud level below the topmost island; he looked down, then up, thoughtful.
"I'm still immature," he thought.
"Pack up! Prepare for airdrop!" Alistair commanded. The ropes were attached to the Golden Bell; ten balloons lifted it, guided by Lafitte, then descended slowly.
They watched Enel and Wyper wave; they descended faster.
Alistair had anticipated this; the Shandorians had parachutes.
Paratroopers descended; with the Shandorians' physical abilities, parachuting required no training; landing on land or the Knock Up Stream depended on luck.
Surviving a high-altitude descent was an achievement.
Precise landing?
That's for paragliders!
Thanks to the parachutes, everyone landed safely with the Golden Bell and balloons. But Skypiea trembled; a massive force was moving towards them.
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