Following the directions given by the shipyard owner, the group headed west.
The road gradually left the lively dock district behind.
Windmills on both sides still turned slowly in the sea breeze, but without the harbor's noise the sound felt strangely hollow—just the repetitive slicing of wind by the blades.
A lonely, open wilderness atmosphere settled over the road.
"Boss," Aldo scratched his head while walking, his voice deep and doubtful,
"are we really going to see that old guy Barry?"
"That ship's from decades ago. Who knows if it can even fly anymore? If it's just scrap, we'll have wasted the trip."
"We'll check it first," Sami replied calmly.
"If it really doesn't work, then we'll have to commission one of the shipyards here to build a new one from the blueprints."
He paused.
"But if we do that… we'll probably be stuck on this island for quite a while."
Talking as they walked, they soon reached the western edge of the town.
At the end of the road stood a towering black cliff facing the restless open sea.
In the wind-sheltered area beneath the cliff sat a lonely old shack.
On its roof turned a massive ancient windmill, creaking endlessly in the ocean wind.
"This should be the place."
Kahailo adjusted his top hat, observing the bleak scene that felt completely different from the lively town.
Sami stepped forward and knocked on the fragile-looking wooden door.
"Coming… who is it?"
After a moment of rustling inside, a hoarse voice answered.
The door opened slightly, revealing a weathered face.
The man looked about seventy or eighty years old.
Deep wrinkles lined his face, and beneath his messy gray hair a pair of puzzled eyes stared out.
"Hello. Are you Mr. Barry?" Sami asked politely.
"We heard you might still have a Heaven Ascension Boat here. If it's still usable, we'd like to buy it. We need it to reach the Sky Island."
"Sky Island?"
Barry's half-closed eyes suddenly widened.
He opened the door fully and carefully scanned the group—Sami, Aldo, Kahailo, and the others.
His gaze lingered on Aldo's massive frame and spiked club before returning to Sami.
"You're… going to Sky Island?"
His tone held disbelief—and something deeper.
"Don't you know how dangerous that place is? No one has gone there for decades!"
Aldo puffed out his chest.
"Danger? Old man, do we look like people who fear danger?"
"We're strong!"
"Sky Island or not, we're going there for sure!"
"If you won't sell the ship, we'll just have the shipyard build a new one!"
Barry ignored Aldo's bluster.
He simply studied them silently for a few seconds.
Finally, his expression softened.
He stepped aside and gestured for them to enter.
"Come inside. Let's talk."
The interior of the shack was surprisingly tidy.
The neatness sharply contrasted with the shabby exterior.
Tool racks along the walls displayed various shipbuilding tools.
They were old, but clearly well maintained.
Barry motioned for them to sit on several simple wooden stools and slowly brought over cups of water.
"It's been… decades," Barry murmured, holding a rough ceramic cup.
"Decades since anyone even mentioned going to Sky Island."
He sighed softly.
"I never thought that before these old bones are buried, I'd hear someone say it again."
"Then if no one has cared for decades," Sami asked quietly, holding the cup but not drinking,
"why do you still keep these tools? And maintain them so carefully?"
"I'm not like the others."
Barry's voice suddenly grew firm, filled with stubborn pride.
"Liashda Island wasn't always a place that only builds little sailboats and surfboards!"
"Back then, the most famous thing we built here—the best-selling thing—was Heaven Ascension Boats!"
Barry's eyes drifted far away, lost in memory.
"At that time, eight out of ten shipyards on this island made them."
"Merchant ships and adventurers came endlessly."
"The docks were full of ships from every sea and from the Grand Line—from morning until night."
"That was what this island was supposed to be like."
"A place filled with hope and dreams."
Then he shook his head.
His voice lowered, filled with regret.
"But then… something happened up there centuries ago."
"No one knows exactly what."
"After that, fewer and fewer people went to Sky Island."
"This island had no other special products."
"The trade ships stopped coming."
"And without travelers, no one needed Heaven Ascension Boats anymore."
"One by one, the shipyards closed down or changed trades."
"The craftsmanship… slowly disappeared."
"Then why did you keep it?" Kahailo asked gently.
"Hahaha!"
Old Barry suddenly laughed.
"I've always been a stubborn old fool!"
"My grandfather built Heaven Ascension Boats."
"My father did too."
"And when it came to me… it's the only thing I ever learned."
"And the only thing I ever wanted to do."
"Even when nobody bought them anymore…"
He took a deep breath.
A small but stubborn flame lit his eyes.
"Wars, disasters… whatever it was—it's been hundreds of years."
"One day, it has to end."
"Is the road to the sky supposed to disappear forever?"
"I don't believe that!"
"The craft of building Heaven Ascension Boats can't vanish like that."
"So I stayed here."
"Watching over the last few ships."
"Maintaining them every year."
"Waiting…"
"Waiting for the day someone might need them again."
Barry looked at Sami with burning eyes.
"If you truly want one, I'll sell it to you very cheaply."
"But I have one request."
"Or rather… a condition."
"Go on," Sami said.
"If you're really going…" Barry's voice trembled with excitement,
"please take me with you!"
"What?" The crew froze in surprise.
Barry hurriedly continued.
"I've spent my whole life building Heaven Ascension Boats."
"I've drawn countless blueprints."
"I know every part of those ships by heart."
"But in my entire life…"
"I've never actually ridden one."
"I've never gone where it was meant to go."
"I've never seen Sky Island with my own eyes."
"It's been decades."
"And you're the first people I've seen who want to go."
"If I miss this chance…"
"I'll never get another one."
"Even if I die on the way to the sky…"
"I accept it."
"At least I'll die aboard the ship I built with my own hands—chasing the dream it was meant for!"
Silence filled the shack.
Outside, the windmill creaked slowly in the wind.
Sami exchanged glances with his companions.
Each of them looked surprised.
After a moment, Sami nodded slowly.
"Alright, Mr. Barry."
"If you truly wish it, we'll take you to Sky Island with us."
Barry's face seemed to grow twenty years younger instantly.
"Good! Good! Thank you! Thank you!"
"But," Sami added, returning to practical matters,
"we still need to check something first."
"What condition is your Heaven Ascension Boat in now?"
"Can it really survive this kind of journey?"
"You don't need to worry about that!"
Barry stood up immediately, excitement returning to his voice.
"The ship is in the workshop behind the shack!"
"It hasn't sailed for decades, but every year I inspect and maintain it."
"I replace worn parts, reinforce weak areas, oil everything properly."
"It's not brand new, of course—but it's in about seventy to eighty percent condition!"
"No problem at all!"
"Come, I'll show you!"
The old man eagerly led them toward the shed behind the shack.
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