Meanwhile, on Angel Beach
The white streets of Angel Island hummed with quiet activity. The Straw Hats had scattered like leaves in the wind.
Luffy had finally caught the cloud bunny—by sitting on it—and was now trying to figure out if it was edible. Usopp was frantically trying to convince him it was a pet, not food, while Chopper was already preparing a small first-aid kit for the poor creature.
"The ears are so floppy!" Luffy said, holding the squirming bunny up. "I bet it tastes like cotton candy!"
"IT DOES NOT TASTE LIKE COTTON CANDY!" Usopp screamed. "IT'S A LIVING THING!"
Chopper ran over, his hooves waving. "Luffy, put it down! It's scared! Look at its little face!"
Luffy stared at the bunny. The bunny stared back. Luffy slowly lowered it to the ground. The bunny bolted. Luffy chased it again.
"COME BACK! I JUST WANT TO PET YOU!"
Zoro had wandered off—as expected—and was now standing knee-deep in the Sea Cloud, frowning at his feet. "It's not wet. But it feels like water. How does that work?"
Sanji had wandered off to explore the local cuisine, muttering something about "sky ingredients." Pagaya found him and immediately began showing him how to use a Flavor Dial. "You see, you press it, and it releases the taste of whatever was stored—"
Sanji pressed the dial. A burst of sour flavor exploded in his mouth. His face puckered. "Gah—WHAT IS THAT?"
"Lemon. Very old lemon."
"THAT WAS TERRIBLE!"
Pagaya laughed. "Yes. Very old lemon."
Nearby, Mira was running through the street, trying to befriend a group of local children. They stared at her like she was a strange animal. She didn't notice. "HI! I'M MIRA! I'M FROM THE BLUE SEA! DO YOU WANT TO PLAY?"
The children backed away slowly. One of them pointed at her. "She's weird."
"I know! It's fun!"
Su, Conis's fox, sat nearby, watching Mira with mild contempt. Mira noticed and crouched down.
"Sit," Mira commanded.
Su yawned.
"Roll over."
Su turned away.
"Play dead!"
Su walked off.
Mira pouted. "That's not very nice."
Robin stood near the shore, her eyes fixed on the distant shape of Upper Yard. Vivi stood beside her, arms crossed, her expression thoughtful.
"They're hiding something," Robin said quietly.
Vivi glanced at her. "The Skypieans?"
"Conis. Her father. The guards." Robin's eyes narrowed. "They've been too accommodating. Too helpful. It feels... rehearsed."
Vivi considered this. "You think they're setting us up?"
"I think they're afraid of something. And I think they're using us to deal with it."
Takuya stood at the edge of the white beach, his eyes fixed on the Sea Cloud. He hadn't moved for several minutes.
Robin approached him. "Something wrong?"
"I'm waiting," he said.
"For what?"
"For them to show their hand."
Robin studied his face. "You think they're hiding something."
"I know they are." He turned to face her. "They were waiting for us. Not like curious villagers. Like people that have done all the planning already."
Robin's eyes narrowed. "You think they knew we were coming?"
"I think they were told we were coming." He glanced toward the village, where Conis was talking to her father. "And I think they've been instructed to keep us busy."
Robin followed his gaze. "You're going to confront her?"
"Not yet." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I want to see how far they'll take the act."
Nearby, Conis stood at the edge of the village, her eyes fixed on the horizon. She was watching something. Waiting.
The white streets hummed with the sounds of a village pretending to be at peace.
But beneath it all, something was stirring.
And Takuya was watching.
On the Sea Cloud
Nami's heart pounded as the Waver surged forward. Behind her, she could hear the priests shouting, their voices sharp and commanding.
"STOP! YOU ARE TRESPASSING ON SACRED GROUND!"
She didn't stop. She pressed the Breath Dial harder, feeling the Waver lurch beneath her. The Sea Cloud churned white behind her.
"Come on, come on, come on!"
Ahead, the forest of Upper Yard loomed closer. She could see the ancient trees, their branches reaching toward the sky like grasping hands. The Waver skimmed across the cloud surface, leaving a trail of white mist.
She had to hide. Find somewhere to lay low until the priests gave up.
The Waver reached the edge of Upper Yard's shoreline—a strip of solid earth jutting out of the cloud sea. Nami leaped off, stumbling onto the ground. She grabbed the Waver and dragged it into the cover of a thick bush, her hands shaking.
"Okay," she whispered, pressing herself against the trunk of a massive tree. "Okay. I'm fine. I'm safe. I just need to—"
A crack of thunder split the air.
Nami's blood went cold.
She looked up. A figure stood on a branch above her—a tall man with long, dark hair, a sly smile, and a pair of wings folded behind his back. He wore a white coat with a symbol on the front.
"Hello there," he said, his voice smooth and amused. "You're a long way from the beach."
Nami stepped back, her eyes darting for an escape route. "Who are you?"
The man tilted his head. "I'm Satori. A priest of Upper Yard. And you..." He smiled. "Are trespassing."
Nami turned and ran.
She didn't look back. She didn't dare. She crashed through the undergrowth, branches whipping at her face, her lungs burning. Behind her, she could hear Satori laughing.
"Run, little Blue Sea dweller. It makes the chase more interesting."
Nami burst through a thicket and found herself at the edge of a clearing. In the middle stood a massive structure—an old, crumbling ruin, covered in moss and vines.
She didn't hesitate. She dove inside.
The darkness swallowed her. She pressed her back against the wall, her hand over her mouth, her heart pounding so loud she was sure he could hear it.
Outside, Satori's voice echoed.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are."
Nami closed her eyes.
'I'm going to die. I'm going to die in a ruin in the sky, and no one will ever find me.'
She thought of Takuya. Of his arms around her. Of his voice in her ear.
'I should have kissed him. I should have let him hold me. I should have stopped running.'
She pressed her hand harder against her mouth, stifling a sob.
High above, Gan Fall saw everything.
He had been watching Nami since she left the beach—not out of suspicion, but because she was alone, and alone people often got into trouble.
He had been right.
"Pierre," he said, his voice urgent, "she's cornered. The priest is closing in."
Pierre whinnied, his wings beating faster.
Gan Fall leaned forward, his lance in hand. "We're going to dive. I need you to get as close to the ruins as possible."
Pierre chirped in acknowledgment.
The pegasus shot downward, cutting through the air like a blade. Gan Fall held on, his cloak billowing behind him. The ruins grew larger, filling his vision.
"NOW, PIERRE!"
Pierre swooped low, his hooves skimming the top of the ruins. Gan Fall leaped from his saddle, landing silently on the roof.
He crept to the edge and peered down.
Satori was standing in the clearing, his eyes scanning the ruins. His hand rested on a dial at his belt.
"I know you're in there," Satori called out. "You can't hide forever."
Gan Fall's jaw tightened. He knew Satori. The priest was dangerous. Not just because of his power, but because of his unpredictability.
He had to move quickly.
Gan Fall climbed down the side of the ruin, his movements silent and practiced. He reached the ground and slipped through a gap in the wall.
Inside, Nami was crouched in the shadows, her arms wrapped around her knees. Her eyes were wide, her breathing shallow.
She looked up as Gan Fall approached, and her face went pale.
"Don't scream," he whispered. "I'm here to help."
Nami stared at him. "Who—"
"I'm Gan Fall," he said quickly. "Former God of Skypiea. Current guardian of the sky." He paused. "Also, I'm very bored. But that's not important right now."
Nami blinked. "You're... a former god?"
"Long story." He extended his hand. "We need to move. Satori won't stay outside forever."
Nami took his hand, and he pulled her to her feet.
"How do we get out?" she asked.
Gan Fall smiled. "The way I came in. The roof."
Nami's eyes widened. "The roof?"
"Do you have a better idea?"
Nami didn't.
Gan Fall led Nami through the crumbling corridors of the ancient structure. Dust and cobwebs clung to every surface, and the air was thick with the smell of old stone and decay.
"Where are we going?" Nami whispered.
"To the roof," Gan Fall said. "From there, I can get you back to the beach."
Nami stumbled over a loose stone. "And what about the priest?"
Gan Fall's jaw tightened. "We'll deal with him if we have to."
They reached a spiral staircase, its steps worn smooth by centuries of use. Gan Fall climbed quickly, his movements sure. Nami followed, her heart pounding.
At the top, a stone door stood slightly ajar. Gan Fall pushed it open, revealing the sky—blue and endless, with clouds drifting lazily below.
Pierre was waiting, his wings folded, his eyes bright.
"Good boy," Gan Fall murmured, stroking his steed's neck. He turned to Nami. "Climb on. I'll take you back."
Nami hesitated. "What about you?"
"I'll follow on foot. Pierre knows the way."
Nami climbed onto the pegasus's back, her hands gripping the reins. The animal was warm and solid beneath her, his muscles coiled with strength.
"Go," Gan Fall said.
Pierre spread his wings and leaped.
Nami held on as the pegasus soared into the sky. The ruins shrank beneath her. The Sea Cloud stretched endlessly in every direction.
She looked back and saw Gan Fall standing on the roof, his lance in hand, his gaze fixed on the forest below.
He waved.
She didn't wave back. She was too busy trying not to fall.
The sun hung high over the white village, casting long shadows across the cloud streets. Takuya sat on a cloud bench, his legs crossed, his expression unreadable. Conis stood a few feet away, her wings folded behind her back, her smile warm but practiced.
He had been watching her for hours. Every movement. Every glance. Every moment she looked toward Upper Yard instead of toward her guests.
He finally spoke.
"When are you going to stop pretending?"
Conis's smile faltered. "I... I don't understand."
"Of course you don't." Takuya's voice was calm, unhurried. "You've been playing the innocent guide, the helpful local, the sweet girl who just wants to help the poor Blue Sea dwellers." He stood up, brushing off his coat. "But you're not very good at it."
Conis's face remained still. "I don't know what you mean."
"Let me help you then." Takuya walked toward her, his steps measured. "You knew we were coming. You knew when we would arrive. You knew where we would land. And you've been feeding information to Enel's priests since the moment we set foot on your beach."
Conis's smile tightened. "That's a serious accusation."
"Is it?" Takuya tilted his head. "Then explain this. Your warriors came to greet us with weapons raised. You went from hostile to helpful in the span of a few minutes. You know all about dials, about the clouds, about the god who rules this island—and yet you didn't mention any of it until we landed at your home."
Conis opened her mouth, but Takuya continued.
"We openly said we want your gold, and you didn't even blink. No fear. No hesitation. Just a smile and a nod. Tell me, Conis—what kind of village welcomes thieves with open arms?"
Conis's face went pale. "I didn't—"
"You did." Takuya stepped closer. "You were told to distract us with the novelty of this place. Make us lower our guard. Make us feel safe and welcome so that when we were completely carefree and totally not expecting anything, you could hand us over to Enel."
Conis's hands were shaking. "That's not—"
"Your plan was to split us up. Send us in different directions. Make us vulnerable. One by one, you'd deliver us to his priests." Takuya's voice dropped. "And you started with Nami."
Conis's face crumbled. "How do you know all this?"
"Because I know a lot of things about you, this island, and much more." He smiled—a small, knowing smile. "I know about the trials. The ordeals. The layout of Upper Yard. I know everything you know about Enel and his priests—and more."
Conis stared at him, her mouth open. "How? You just arrived—"
"I know what you had for breakfast this morning, Conis. I know the name of your childhood pet. I know that you're terrified of thunderstorms, which is ironic, given who rules this island."
Takuya's eyes narrowed. "And I know that you've been sending information to Enel through a collector who passes through the village every three days."
Conis's face went white. "That's impossible. No one knows about the collector—"
"He's dead."
Conis froze. "What?"
Takuya reached into his coat and pulled out a small object—a broken dial, cracked and useless. He tossed it at Conis's feet. "This was his. I found it on his body. He was completely disfigured. Unrecognizable. The only reason I knew it was him was because of this."
Conis stared at the dial. Her hands were trembling. "You... you killed him?"
"I didn't kill him. I just... borrowed his body to send a message." Takuya's voice was flat. "But he's dead. And whoever sent him is next."
He stepped closer, looming over her.
"Now. Why did you send Nami toward the Upper Yard?" His voice was cold. "Was it to hand her over to Enel's priests?"
Luffy, who had been watching with his usual blank expression, tilted his head. "Wait. So she's a bad person?"
Usopp's face was pale. "She was going to hand us over? To a god? Who controls lightning?!"
Sanji's fists clenched. His eyes were blazing. "She sent Nami into danger. She sent her alone. Into a forest filled with priests. To be captured." His voice was shaking. Not with fear. With rage.
'Nami. Alone. Scared. Running for her life.' The image burned in his mind. 'What if she's already hurt? What if she's already—' He couldn't finish the thought. His stomach churned. His hands trembled. 'I should have been there. I should have protected her. I should have—'
Zoro's hand moved to his sword. His expression was calm, but his grip was tight. "We should just kill her and move on."
Sanji stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "No. We should make her suffer first. Slowly."
Zoro glanced at him, one eyebrow raised. "You want to punish a woman? Tired of being a simp?"
Sanji froze.
The words hit him like a physical blow. His eyes widened. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.
'What am I saying? What am I thinking?'
He looked at Conis—trembling, crying, terrified. A woman. A scared woman who had been forced into this by a tyrant. And he had just suggested—'slowly. Make her suffer slowly.'
'Since when do I think like that?'
His hands were shaking. His chest was tight. 'I'm angry. I'm so angry. But that's not—that's not who I am. I don't hurt women. I've never hurt women. I would never—'
He stumbled back a step, his mind reeling. 'Why did I say that? Why did I think that?'
He pressed a hand to his forehead. His thoughts were a storm. 'Nami is in danger. Nami could be dying. And I'm standing here threatening to torture a woman who's already broken.'
He looked at his hands. They were still shaking.
'What's happening to me?'
Chopper was trembling. "Nami is in danger? Nami is in real danger?"
Vivi's eyes were wide. "They planned to split us up. They planned to hand us over. All while pretending to be friends."
Her stomach turned. 'I knew it. I knew something was wrong. But I don't think I need to worry much, since Takuya is calm, that means he has planned something, let's just hope nami is safe till we get to her.'
Robin's expression was unreadable. But her eyes had hardened.
Luffy looked at Conis. His face was blank. Not angry. Just... confused. "You tried to hurt Nami?"
Conis's lip trembled. "I didn't—I never wanted to hurt her. She was kind. She was curious. But they said if we didn't cooperate, they would destroy our village—"
Luffy's head tilted. "You hurt my friend!."
Conis's eyes widened.
"Nami is my nakama." Luffy's voice was flat, matter-of-fact. "If she gets hurt, I'll destroy whoever hurt her. That's all that matters."
The words were simple. Flat. And somehow more terrifying than any threat.
Conis stared at him, her face white. She had seen many things in her life. She had seen Enel's lightning. She had seen the priests' cruelty. But this—this calm, quiet certainty—was something else entirely.
She believed him.
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