Buru buru… buru buru…
The distinctive ringing of a Den Den Mushi echoed across the deck of the Swordfish.
Kahailo, who had been leaning against the railing enjoying the warm sunlight of Liashta Island, snapped back to attention and picked up the receiver.
Click.
The snail's appearance quickly changed, mimicking Sami's face and expression.
"Hello? Kahailo? It's Sami."
"Boss Sami!" Kahailo straightened immediately. "How are things on your side?"
The Den Den Mushi displayed Sami's smiling expression.
"We've successfully passed through the Upward Sea Current and landed safely on the Sea of Clouds."
"The Log Pose has locked onto something, and we're heading toward the first island."
"How are things down there?"
Kahailo glanced around.
In the distance, Isaac was leading a group of crew members in physical training near the dock.
Closer by, a few energetic sailors were borrowing surfboards from the locals and surfing inside the calm bay, splashing water everywhere.
"Everything's normal here, boss," Kahailo replied with a smile.
"Isaac and some of the guys are training and handling supplies."
"As for the rest of us… well, we're finding ways to entertain ourselves."
He carefully chose his words.
"Oh? Sounds like you're all pretty relaxed," Sami teased.
"Well, we have to wait here until you return," Kahailo laughed. "Gotta find something to pass the time."
"By the way, how are things going up there in the cloud sea—"
He suddenly stopped.
From the Den Den Mushi came a faint but urgent commotion.
Shouts.
And what sounded like dull impact noises.
"Boss, what's that sound on your end?"
"Hm?"
The snail version of Sami seemed to tilt his head as if listening.
"Oh, nothing."
"Just a small situation."
"No big deal."
"Let's leave it at that for now. Stay in contact and wait for our return."
"Understood."
Though Kahailo felt a trace of doubt, he still agreed.
Click.
The call ended.
The Den Den Mushi returned to its normal shape and lazily yawned.
Kahailo set the receiver down and looked toward the western sky.
All he could see were drifting clouds.
"A small situation…"
He murmured to himself.
Then shook his head.
"With the boss there… nothing should go wrong."
Meanwhile — Above the Sea of Clouds
On board the Skylark.
"Look behind us! What is that thing?! It's coming!"
"My god! That shadow is huge!"
"It's a fish! A giant fish in the cloud sea!"
Crew members gathered along one side of the ship, pointing and shouting.
Everyone turned to look.
Behind the Skylark, a massive shadow broke through the white cloud surface and sped toward them.
It was an enormous fish-like creature.
Nearly thirty meters long.
Its body was wide and flat.
Its skin matched the pale gray-white of the cloud sea, covered in strange spiral patterns.
Instead of fins, it had several pairs of membrane-like wings that allowed it to glide smoothly through the clouds.
Its speed was terrifying.
Within seconds it reached the Skylark's side.
Its enormous shadow swallowed half the ship.
And standing right there—
At the railing—
Was Sargins.
He seemed to be staring blankly into the distance.
The shadow covered him completely.
As if sensing something, Sargins slowly raised his head.
The creature lowered its massive head.
Two enormous yellow-brown eyes locked onto his.
They stared at each other.
For a brief moment—
Time froze.
Then suddenly—
The monster opened its enormous mouth filled with rows of needle-like teeth and lunged toward Sargins.
"Move! Sargins, get away!"
"Sargins! Back off!"
But the usually quiet boy didn't move.
As the jaws rushed closer—large enough to swallow him and the railing in one bite—
Something flickered in his normally vacant eyes.
"…Attack range."
At the final instant—
Sargins moved.
He didn't retreat.
Instead, gripping the heavy iron training club Aldo had given him—
He stomped hard against the deck.
And charged forward.
"Sargins! Don't!"
BOOM—!!!
A brutal impact echoed across the sky.
Sargins' seemingly clumsy swing carried terrifying raw strength.
The iron club smashed directly into the side of the creature's snout.
The giant fish's charge veered sideways.
Its head twisted violently.
A strange cry of pain escaped its throat.
Using the rebound force—
Sargins flipped through the air—
And leapt off the ship, falling toward the swirling cloud sea below.
Enraged, the creature twisted its massive body.
Its winged limbs churned the clouds into waves as it turned.
Then it lunged again toward the falling boy.
Above the cloud sea—
A battle between man and monster erupted beside the Skylark.
Compared to the giant creature, Sargins looked tiny.
But each swing of his iron club carried unbelievable power.
Every collision between club and flesh produced heavy, bone-rattling impacts.
Cloud mist rolled wildly around them.
The fight ended faster than anyone expected.
After suffering seven or eight brutal blows, the monster's movements slowed.
Its body stiffened.
With a mournful cry—
The enormous creature tilted sideways.
Then floated lifelessly atop the cloud sea.
Hans had already slowed the Skylark and brought it to a stop.
Sargins swam through the clouds and grabbed the rope ladder the crew lowered.
Soaked from head to toe, he climbed back aboard.
The moment he stepped onto the deck—
Aldo rushed over.
And smacked him hard on the head.
"YOU IDIOT!"
Aldo was both furious and worried.
"Didn't you hear what the boss said?!"
"No jumping off the ship!"
"NO JUMPING!"
"And you go diving into the clouds to fight that thing?!"
Sargins lowered his head after the hit.
Rubbing the spot, he slowly looked up.
His face still blank.
His eyes quietly shifted from the furious Aldo—
To Sami, who had just arrived on deck.
"Alright, Aldo," Sami said calmly.
His gaze moved between Sargins and the giant fish corpse floating in the distance.
"No one got hurt."
"And the problem's solved."
"Let it go this time."
He turned to Hans and Leon.
"Resume course."
"Head for Aramuk Island."
"Yes, boss!"
Aldo snorted and glared at Sargins again.
"Hmph! You got lucky this time—and made me look good!"
"But listen carefully!"
"No jumping off the ship without orders!"
"Got it?!"
Sargins looked at him quietly.
Then nodded.
"…Mm."
With the danger gone, the Skylark resumed its journey.
A few curious sailors gathered around Sargins, staring at his soaked clothes.
"Sargins, how was it?"
"Swimming in clouds—does it feel different from swimming in the sea?"
"What's it like?"
Sargins shook water from his hair.
He turned his head toward them.
His expression remained blank.
After a moment, he spoke.
"…No difference."
Then he walked back to his usual spot behind Aldo.
He sat quietly against the cabin wall, hugging his iron club.
Returning to his usual shadow-like silence.
As if the boy who had just leapt into the clouds and beaten a giant monster to death…
Had never existed at all.
The sailors exchanged looks and chuckled.
"That guy…"
"What a strange fellow."
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