As Ganfall accepted the deal, Douglas began setting up a small recording device and connecting it to a speaker system that would allow everyone to listen clearly without crowding the Going Merry.
The Strawhats, along with Cricket, Masira, and Shoujou, gathered around with curiosity and focus, each of them waiting for Ganfall to begin sharing the knowledge he had about the Sky Islands.
The group's interest was high, as none of them had ever encountered a place so mysterious and detached from the seas below.
"What do you want to know first?" Ganfall then asked as he carefully pocketed the payment Douglas had given him. It was a solid stack of berries worth about one hundred thousand in total—an amount that could easily feed a normal Blue Sea family for a long time, but up here in the Sky Islands, it was a figure that could already be considered a respectable fortune.
"Let's start with history," Douglas replied after a short pause. "Tell us about the origins of the Sky Islands, even the parts you only know through stories or assumptions."
His crewmates—Cricket, Masira, and Shoujou—stood beside him, listening closely and nodding in agreement. The Strawhats also grew quiet, each of them understanding that what they were about to hear might connect to the strange events they had experienced on Jaya.
"To understand the full history of the Sky Islands," Ganfall began, speaking with a calm and steady tone, "you first need to know about the three races that once existed in the skies.
The Skypieans, who are my people, lived in the city known as Skypiea—hence the name. The second race are the Shandians, the one who attacked you earlier; they were once the proud residents of the ancient city called Shandora.
The third were the Birkans, who built their civilization in a city named Birka. However, the city of Birka, along with its people, was destroyed long ago."
The entire group listened without saying a word. The sound of the wind brushing against the clouds filled the silence as Ganfall continued."To tell you about our origin, I must go back to the time before the three races were separated. In those days, we all lived together in a place called Fairy Vearth. It's a land you can sometimes glimpse during the night when the sky is clear and free of thick clouds."Ganfall pointed upward as he spoke, causing some of the Strawhats to look up out of instinct, though they only saw endless clouds above them.
"However," Ganfall continued, "resources began to dwindle, and our ancestors were forced to leave Fairy Vearth in search of new lands. During that migration, the three races became separated. The Skypieans ended up here, on this land that came to be known as Skypiea. The Birkans found another place in the sky and called it Birka. The most fortunate ones, the Shandians, landed back in the Blue Sea, on an island known as Jaya."
The mention of Jaya shocked several of them, especially Cricket, who immediately realized the connection between the old tales and their homeland. The others exchanged glances, understanding the weight of the revelation. The island they had come from was directly tied to this floating land above the clouds.
Ganfall went on, his voice steady. "Then, about four hundred years ago, something extraordinary happened. A part of Jaya was sent upward into the sky by an event we still don't completely understand. That part of the island contained a vast amount of Vearth, the rich and fertile soil that is extremely rare in the sky. Because of this, the Skypieans declared war on the Shandians, hoping to claim that part of the land for themselves. In that war, the Shandians' leader, Kalgara, perished, and the Skypieans took control of what became known as Upper Yard. It was said to be the place where the gods of Skypiea resided. The Birkans, however, stayed apart and did not interfere."
The story felt eerily familiar to some of them, especially to Cricket. He stood frozen, wide-eyed, as he finally heard the name Kalgara spoken in truth rather than in stories of lies and legends. Masira and Shoujou, who knew him best, noticed the deep look on his face—a mixture of disbelief, relief, and quiet vindication.
Ganfall cleared his throat lightly before continuing. "That is the history of the Sky Islands in summary. But now, I'll tell you the things that truly matter for your safety and understanding—information you'll need if you plan to travel further."
He then went on to explain in greater detail about the layout of Skypiea, starting with a place known as Angel Island and the toll required to enter through the Angel's Gate—seven billion extols.
He mentioned that even if they refused to pay, entry would still be possible, but it would mean facing the punishment of the gods, something he strongly advised against.
Ganfall also described the different types of clouds found throughout the Sky Islands—those that formed solid ground, those used for sailing, and those that created the seas themselves.
He gave them a map far more detailed than the one Luffy had, marking safe routes and dangerous zones they should avoid.
As the conversation went on, Ganfall began discussing the many kinds of Dials, their unique properties, and their potential uses. Usopp was especially focused at this point, listening carefully and asking for detailed explanations.
He even began sketching each Dial on paper, labeling their functions one by one. Ganfall patiently answered every question, showing genuine interest in how fascinated the group was.
Douglas mostly stayed quiet, thinking deeply as he listened. He was already planning on how to use this new knowledge to improve the weapons and equipment for his allies.
Beside him, Cricket's mood had shifted completely; he was smiling while talking with Luffy, who seemed just as happy to see his friend's burden lifted.
The discovery had given Cricket a sense of peace that words couldn't quite describe.
Nami, Robin, and Chopper were also working together. Robin used her ability to scout the surrounding area as far as her reach allowed, while Nami made a detailed chart of the cloud formations and terrain features.
Chopper kept a close eye on Robin, reminding her not to push herself, though he momentarily forgot that she, like him and the others, had been given the serum that strengthened and accelerated their recovery.
Sanji and Zoro were patrolling the edges of their position, remaining alert for any sudden attacks. Their movements were calm but deliberate, ensuring that no one could catch them off guard while the others were preoccupied.
After what felt like hours of discussion and questioning, everyone had finally run out of things to ask. Ganfall looked both tired and content. He exhaled a quiet breath of relief, then turned toward his large bird companion.
The creature suddenly transformed into a horse with a flap of its wings, lifting Ganfall onto its back. With one last nod to the group, the Sky Knight and his companion ascended into the clouds, leaving the three allied ships behind to digest everything they had learned—until the next time they would meet again.