"Tell us, then—how do we reach the Sky Island?" The group found an open spot to sit and waited for Cricket's answer.
They felt no need to wander the town on this island asking around anymore. If the locals didn't believe the Sky Island even existed, they naturally wouldn't know a thing about it.
"To reach the Sky Island, you must pass through the Knock Up Stream, a sea current known as a life-or-death gamble—shoot straight up or die trying."
Cricket's expression grew heavy as he spoke.
"The Knock Up Stream? What's that?" Mor voiced the question on his mind; he'd never heard the term before.
"Just as the name says, it's an ocean current that shoots from the sea straight into the sky."
"What?! There's a current like that? Wouldn't that be incredibly dangerous?"
"Exactly, it's extremely dangerous. Ride that current upward and there are only two outcomes: everyone survives, or everyone dies."
Hearing that, most of the crew sucked in a sharp breath. If that were truly the case, then this route was insanely perilous.
"Has anyone actually made it up to the Sky Island?"
"I don't know." Cricket shook his head. "But I imagine some must have succeeded."
"Of course there have been successes." Shirakawa suddenly spoke up.
Everyone's attention shifted to him.
"You know?" Cricket asked.
"I do. The Roger Pirates, led by the Pirate King Roger himself, successfully reached the Sky Island. If I hadn't left the crew early, I might've seen the splendor of the Sky Island with my own eyes."
"Wonderful, wonderful! The Sky Island really does exist!"
Cricket's eyes welled up with tears again. His family had lived under the label of liars for four hundred years. At last, he could prove that the tale passed down through the generations was true.
"Captain, what now? Do we head straight for the Sky Island?" Jora asked Shirakawa.
"Of course. There's nothing on this island worth lingering for. The only question is, when is the next Knock Up Stream?"
Just as Cricket was about to say he had a way, a small transponder snail tucked against Yuristin's chest suddenly started ringing, "Puru puru puru."
"Hello, this is Yuristin." Under everyone's watchful gaze, Yuristin picked up the call.
"Tch, is this the first time the snail on our ship has actually rung?"
Everyone aboard knew what that transponder snail was for: contacting the subordinate crews under the Silver Pirates. Only those sub crews could reach them through that particular snail.
"Hello? Boss Yuristin? We're the Dali Pirates! We're surrounded by the Marines and we're about to go down!" A panicked, frightened voice burst from the other end.
"Where are you right now?" Yuristin's tone turned dead serious. Now that they'd taken them on as subordinates, it was their duty to protect them.
"We're near Dogura Island!" Then the snail went dead with a sharp click.
"Captain, what should we do?"
All eyes turned to Shirakawa. They had all heard the conversation.
"Looks like the Sky Island will have to wait."
Shirakawa didn't hesitate before answering. The Dali Pirates—he still had some recollection of them, that crew of nothing but muscleheads. A rather amusing bunch.
"Though, I get the feeling this is a trap set just for us."
Yuristin spoke up as well. Why would the Marines specifically target the Dali Pirates? A coincidence? Yuristin wasn't buying it.
Right then, a memory surfaced in Shirakawa's mind—what Garp had told him the day before yesterday: "Whether you make it to Water Seven in one piece is still up in the air."
Garp must have known about the Marines' plans for them all along.
"So it's an open trap."
Shirakawa fell silent for a moment before continuing. The Dali Pirates were their subordinates. They had to go rescue them. If word got out that the Silver Pirates didn't lift a finger to save their own, who would dare join them in the future?
"We have no choice but to go."
"Sorry, Cricket. The Sky Island will have to wait until next time."
"It's fine. Your comrades come first." Though disappointment flickered across Cricket's face, he had no choice either. He couldn't exactly rush up to the Marines and order them to stop.
Mor had already pulled out the sea chart and located Dogura Island. It was close by.
"As expected, the Marines planned this all along. The Dali Pirates might already be subdued by now."
Staring at an island only half a day's sail away, Yuristin made her guess.
"In that case, let's set sail. I want to see exactly who has the nerve to lay a hand on our people."
Shirakawa rose to his feet and spoke those words with unwavering authority.
They all knew a brutal battle might be waiting. But not a single person intended to back out. If the Marines had set an ambush, they had surely come fully prepared—maybe even aiming to wipe them out completely.
The crew boarded the ship with fierce resolve, leaving Cricket standing alone on the shore.
"Hope you all make it back safe."
Their time together had been short, but because they believed in the Sky Island, Cricket already considered them true friends. He felt they were kindred spirits.
Onboard, every member of the Silver Pirates wore a grim expression. The fight ahead might be the biggest they'd faced since setting sail—and quite possibly the worst.
"Are you all ready for this?"
Standing at the bow, Shirakawa's face was stern as he addressed his crew.
"Always ready, Captain." Jora brimmed with confidence.
"When the fighting starts, Lisa, Adara, and Mor—you three stay on the ship. Hide well inside the cabin."
Shirakawa directed this at the three of them. If things went badly this time, they could suffer casualties.
"Why me?" Adara protested. It made sense for her mother and Mor to hide, but she was a fighter.
"Do as you're told." Abro scolded his daughter directly, deeply worried for his family's safety.
"I'm putting you with those two because I want you to protect them," Shirakawa explained to Adara. Though it was just an excuse to keep her out of harm's way.
"Oh, I see." Adara pouted a little, but inside, she felt a bit better.
Salar walked up to Adara with a gentle smile and patted her head in reassurance.
"Be careful when you fight," Adara said, her concern aimed at Salar.
"Don't worry, I will."
"Tch, get a load of these two."
But Abro felt even more sour inside. Wasn't he going to be in just as much danger? Why was his daughter only worried about her lover and not her own father? At least he had his wife, he thought—but when he glanced over at Lisa, she wasn't even looking at him.
That made him feel utterly hopeless.
/-\
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