"Boommmmm!"
The fleet shot upward like a barrage of rockets, roaring with thunderous explosions.
1000 meters, 3000 meters...
"Aaaaaaah!"
The intense gusts from the rapid ascent ripped moisture from every fishman and mermaid aboard, leaving their skin dry and cracked with terror.
Even Jinbei and Tiger felt like they were about to shrivel up into dried sardines.
Queen Otohime clutched her chest, overwhelmed with fear. If not for the mysterious barrier that had formed around them at some unknown point, her frail body would've been torn apart long ago.
Before Tiger, Otohime, or Jinbei could speak, the ship broke through 7000 meters.
Splash!
The moist air within the cloud revived every fishman and mermaid whose scales had curled from dryness. One by one, relief and vitality returned to their faces.
"Ah! I'm alive again!"
"This really is the sea! A sea in the sky!"
"I can smell fish!"
"…"
"How is this even possible?"
Jinbei stood stunned, gazing at the vast white cloudscape around them and the fish swimming effortlessly through it. Even though he'd seen the video demonstration from Senor Pink, experiencing it in person left him speechless.
This was truly a place made for fishmen to live!
Beside him, Tiger's sharp gaze rose to Doflamingo and his group above.
He was curious. In an environment like this, Devil Fruit users shouldn't be able to use their abilities.
"Push forward, Smoothie."
Watching the reinvigorated workers below, Doflamingo frowned slightly and issued the command.
Even though he wore a special transparent fiber suit to isolate seawater, this place was still too dangerous for Devil Fruit users to linger.
If it weren't for the fact that these workers were about to collapse, he never would've risked passing through the Imperial Cumulus
(T/N: According to Montblanc Cricket's theory, the Imperial Cumulus is a mass of clouds so dense and ancient (possibly thousands of years old) that it could be described as "petrified". Because of this density, the Imperial Cumulus does not have an atmospheric current and can never condense into rain).
"I understand, Doffy."
Smoothie raised her long, powerful hand and gave a flick of her wrist.
The motionless fleet resumed its ascent.
...
Several hours later.
The fleet reached the area of the Sky Island.
The dazzling sunlight refracted through the pure white clouds, creating a dreamlike scene straight out of a fairytale.
Every fishman aboard was struck with awe.
This was the sunlight they had longed for… for who knew how long.
As they drew closer, the massive cloudborne island grew larger, eventually filling their entire field of vision.
All the fishmen held their breath, unwilling to break the sacred silence of the moment.
Thud!
The fleet docked at the edge of the blank zone between the Fourth and Fifth Rings.
Nico Robin was already waiting there with a unit of cloned soldiers.
As one of the family's most intelligent and charismatic members, she was in charge of welcoming the merfolk from Ryugu Kingdom.
The cloned soldiers formed a barrier to keep curious bystanders at bay and prevent any unforeseen incidents.
The moment Doflamingo appeared in his signature feathered coat, the immigrant population erupted in jubilant cheers.
"All hail Doflamingo-sama!!"
"Long live Doflamingo-sama!!"
"…"
To these immigrants, Doflamingo was nothing short of a god who had saved them from the suffering of the Blue Sea.
Sure, adapting to life in the Sky had taken some effort, but now...
There were no pirates attacking them. No nobles to oppress them.
The taxes they paid were minimal compared to their generous wages.
Doflamingo quickly won the people's hearts and devotion.
Even if he killed and burned on the sea, it was because the enemy had provoked him.
Doflamingo-sama was never in the wrong!
The people's heartfelt cheers eased much of Queen Otohime's anxiety.
If he was so loved by the people, then maybe Doflamingo wasn't as cruel as the rumors claimed.
She hurried off the ship and gently stepped onto the island cloud.
Her eyes welled with tears of joy as she saw the curious humans in the distance.
She had waited and hoped for a moment like this for so, so long.
Up above, Doflamingo showed no sign of stopping. He glanced at the moved Otohime below and gave a faint smile.
"This place is yours now. But remember—building a home is your job."
Before Otohime could react—
Doflamingo's ship and the one carrying the Fishman District sailed off toward the island's center, stirring another wave of wild cheers.
"Wait! Doflamingo-sama!"
Queen Otohime called out in a panic, reaching out as if to stop him.
Even if Tiger and the others from the Fishman District misunderstood her now...
They were still her people.
"No need for your concern, Queen Otohime."
Tiger's cold, blunt voice echoed from afar.
Otohime lowered her head, her body limp.
Fresh tears poured from her eyes once more.
They had a new home. A new beginning.
So why… why did everything still feel so different?
"Queen Otohime, I have business to attend to, so I'll take my leave now. From here on, Nico Robin will help you start your new life."
Senor Pink led Weevil off toward the island interior. Before he left, he pointed to Nico Robin standing nearby.
Meeting Otohime's teary eyes, Robin offered a gentle smile and flipped open the documents in her hand.
"Hello, Queen Otohime. I'm Nico Robin. I'll be handling your and your people's integration into the Sky Realm. As agreed, you and your merfolk must work in exchange for the right to live here. Of course, wages will be paid on time. On this island, no one gets to be idle."
Otohime had already learned of and agreed to this condition back on Fishman Island, or she never would've come here.
She nodded and asked:
"What jobs can we choose from? Mermaids aren't good at fighting."
While it was true mermaids weren't known for combat skills, their physical strength still far exceeded that of ordinary humans.
Robin was well aware of this.
"There are a few options. You could become shellfish cultivators or cloud-factory workers... Each job pays differently. Of course, you're also free to go into business. You could sell unique goods from Fishman Island that play to your strengths."
"In addition, everyone can participate in a daily prayer session. That's compensated too."
"Prayer?"
Otohime blinked in confusion, but that wasn't her main concern. She quickly asked,
"What about me?"
These job details would need further review before she could guide her people to choose.
But the real problem was—she couldn't do any of them.
She wasn't physically strong. She couldn't lift or carry anything. She was delicate and frail.
"Doflamingo-sama has arranged a special role just for you—psychological counselor."
Robin handed her a photo and continued.
"Many of our residents came from the Blue Sea, where they suffered oppression and trauma. They need your support."
This was something Doflamingo had long decided.
Otohime had a kind heart and natural Observation Haki.
If she ever tried counseling his battle division and turned them all soft, then wouldn't all his years of hard work be wasted?
But for calming the civilians, she was the perfect fit. Let them fully embrace the peace of the Sky Realm.
Because under his rule, no one gets to be idle!
"Psychological counselor…?"
Otohime stared blankly at the photo.
It showed a newly constructed building. The address read: Center Zone, Ring Three.
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg