After more than ten days of sailing, the Skylark finally reached the final destination indicated by the Log Pose—Birka.
The ship slowly entered the cloud sea surrounding the island.
But the sight before them made Sami pause in surprise.
The island was peaceful.
Gentle clouds quietly embraced it, the sky was clear, and the sunlight was warm.
It was nothing like the stormy, thunder-filled island he had imagined.
Is this really Birka?
A trace of doubt rose in Sami's mind.
In his imagination, the island that once gave birth to the Rumble-Rumble Fruit should have had a far more dramatic atmosphere.
The crew disembarked one after another.
Looking around, Birka was very different from the commercial atmosphere of Aramuk Island.
The dock was much smaller.
Only a few simple cloud boats were moored nearby.
Compared to Aramuk's bustling harbor, this place felt more like a quiet fishing village forgotten by time.
Aldo walked over with his spiked club resting on his shoulder.
"Boss… this place looks pretty peaceful."
"Almost like a retirement village."
"Let's go take a look around first."
Sami pushed aside his thoughts and gestured to the crew.
"Maybe we'll find something interesting here."
"Oh! Charge!"
"Fruit shops!"
A few sailors immediately became excited again.
They clearly hadn't forgotten how Gade found a Devil Fruit bargain.
The group left the dock and entered Birka's village streets.
"Hey! The people here look different from the last island!"
The residents also had wings.
But many of them had small horns growing from their foreheads or hairline.
"They've got horns!"
"Is this another race?"
"So besides Sky Islanders there are… Sky Goat people?"
"Hey! Don't just make up weird race names!"
Unlike the people of Aramuk Island, Birka's residents looked at them with clear caution and distance.
"Hey, look—they don't have wings."
"They're… Blue Sea people?"
"How did they come here?"
"It's been many years since we've seen any."
"I don't know…"
"Should we inform the Great Elder?"
"Yes. Let's report it."
"These guys don't seem very welcoming."
Feiqi casually rested a hand near his waist and whispered,
"And this island looks… less developed than the last one."
"Everyone stay alert."
"The atmosphere here is different from Aramuk Island."
"They're not as open."
"Watch what you say. Don't cause trouble."
Under those wary gazes, they visited a few local shops.
The products were limited.
The craftsmanship wasn't particularly refined.
And the shopkeepers barely spoke during transactions.
Before long, a group of Birka guards with serious expressions blocked their path.
The guard captain looked over the group and finally focused on Sami.
"Guests from outside."
"Our Great Elder wishes to see you… meh."
"Great Elder?"
Sami raised an eyebrow.
"The leader of this place?"
"Yes."
Sami exchanged glances with his companions and nodded.
"Alright. Please lead the way."
Under the guards' escort, they passed through the streets and arrived at a tall building in the center of the village.
Inside the hall sat an elderly man with white hair and beard.
"Welcome, travelers from afar… meh."
His voice was calm and slow, ending with a goat-like tone that seemed habitual.
"Greetings, Great Elder."
Sami nodded politely.
"If I am not mistaken," the elder continued,
"you are visitors from the Blue Sea below, correct?"
"What business brings you to Birka? Meh."
His eyes slowly swept across the group.
He lingered briefly on Sami, Aldo, Marcus, and the other stronger members.
Sami smiled politely.
"We heard that Sky Islands have unique scenery and rare products."
"So we came to explore different islands."
"And perhaps purchase some Sky Island goods to sell back in the Blue Sea."
"You could say we're… opening a new trade route."
"Oh?"
"A trade route to Sky Island?"
"That is rare indeed… meh."
The Great Elder nodded.
"Birka lies far from the main cloud sea trade routes."
"Visitors are uncommon."
"Blue Sea traders have not appeared here for many years."
"Haha."
"We're still exploring Sky Islands ourselves."
"We're curious if any islands have developed interesting new products over the years."
"I see… meh."
The elder nodded again.
"In that case, I am relieved."
"Our island has been isolated for centuries."
"We are wary of outsiders with ill intentions."
"Please forgive the villagers' caution."
"Not at all."
"We understand."
The elder turned to a guard.
"Abo."
"Show these honorable guests around the island."
"Make sure they are well treated."
"Yes, Great Elder!"
Sami thanked him and left with his crew under Abo's guidance.
Only after their figures disappeared from the doorway did the Great Elder's gentle smile fade.
His eyes became heavy with seriousness.
Slowly, he raised a wrinkled hand and pressed his fingers to his temple.
As if sensing something.
His brows tightened.
"These Blue Sea people…"
"Their voices are far too strong… meh."
He murmured quietly.
His voice carried deep shock.
"Chaotic and surging…"
"Filled with desire and power."
"Especially the young man leading them."
"His voice is the strongest."
"Truly terrifying… meh."
He lowered his hand and sighed.
"Even with Mantra (Observation Haki)… it may not be possible to keep them all here."
"I haven't heard voices this powerful in many years."
"Did they really come only for trade? Meh…"
He leaned back in his chair and stared at the peaceful sky outside.
His worry deepened.
Meanwhile, Sami and the others walked behind the guard Abo through Birka's streets.
The villagers still watched them cautiously.
But the presence of the guard eased the tension slightly.
They visited a workshop where craftsmen produced dial devices.
They examined woven handicrafts.
They browsed several small stores.
"These people are a bit xenophobic," Gade commented,
"but they seem pretty honest."
He examined a hand-carved smoking pipe.
Marcus nodded.
"That's probably because they rarely interact with outsiders."
"As the elder said, this island is isolated."
"They haven't been corrupted by outside influences."
Abo overheard them and turned around proudly.
"You are correct."
"The people of Birka live this way… meh."
"If someone commits wrongdoing or harms others, they must go to the Repentance Platform."
"There they confess their sins before everyone and ask for forgiveness."
"Repentance Platform?"
Sami followed Abo's gesture.
In the middle of the street stood a small platform made of island clouds.
It was empty now.
"Yes."
"It is an ancient tradition."
"If someone has evil thoughts or commits wrongdoing, they must confess there."
"It brings forgiveness and inner peace… meh."
Feiqi asked curiously,
"What if someone commits a crime but refuses to repent?"
"Or doesn't believe they did anything wrong?"
Abo's face turned serious.
"That would be very bad… meh."
"All villagers live under the Mantra network of the elders."
"If someone commits evil and refuses to repent…"
"They violate the island's laws."
"The consequences are severe… meh."
"Mantra?"
Abo showed a reverent expression.
"It is a sacred power passed down among the elders."
"It can sense good and evil."
"It can hear people's hearts."
"On this island, no one can hide wrongdoing from the elders' Mantra."
"So the Repentance Platform is not only tradition."
"It is also law… meh."
Hearing this, Sami's heart stirred.
Right… Observation Haki.
He had trained with Dorry and Brogy for over a year.
But his Haki was still only at the beginner level.
If I ask the Great Elder…
Maybe they could teach me.
Sky Islanders might have different training methods for Observation Haki.
If he could compare them with the giants' teachings—
He might be able to combine both approaches.
Learning from multiple masters…
That could be extremely valuable.
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