"Sky Garden!"
Under Storm's control, the two Blue-Eyed White Dragons circled the Sky Garden once, allowing everyone to take in the full view of the floating island.
"Though this island is still quite 'primitive,' from this moment onward, this will be our headquarters!"
Storm declared these words with grand ambition.
However, few responded to him.
Those like Robin and Nami, who had prior experience with "ascending," were fine.
But for Ace, Kid, and Killer, this was their first time at an altitude of ten thousand meters. The three of them were still adjusting to the thin air.
As for Kuma, his physical constitution allowed him to quickly adapt to the Sky Garden's high altitude, but Bonney was completely unable to cope.
Ever since the Blue-Eyed White Dragons had reached a certain height, Bonney had begun to feel unwell.
Now, at the Sky Garden's elevation of ten thousand meters, Bonney had completely lost the strength to speak.
"Bonney! Bonney!"
Kuma held his daughter nervously, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Don't die on me!"
"Then stop hugging her so tightly!"
Storm flashed to Kuma's side and slapped his arm with a crisp smack.
"Give Bonney some space to breathe fresh air!"
"Oh, oh..."
Kuma immediately loosened his tight grip on his daughter, flustered.
"Whew..."
Bonney let out a relieved sigh, audible even to Robin and Nami nearby.
The two girls, already fully adjusted to the high-altitude climate, simultaneously rolled their eyes at Kuma.
This "Father" was really too incompetent, wasn't he?
"Daddy..."
At that moment, Bonney reached out with her small hand and grasped Kuma's finger, comforting him softly.
"I'm okay..."
"Hehe, Bonney, that's great to hear..."
Kuma immediately bent down, bringing his large face close to hers.
"It's all Daddy's fault for holding you too tight earlier..."
After this brief interlude, the newcomers to the ten-thousand-meter-high floating island gradually adjusted.
Though their bodies still felt somewhat weak, basic movement was no longer an issue.
Seeing that everyone was still not in high spirits, Storm decided to let them explore freely for a while, allowing them to tour the "Sky Garden."
With Storm's permission, Kuma and the others quickly split into smaller groups.
Kuma and Bonney formed one pair—a large figure chasing after a small one as the latter ran ahead.
"Giggle—Daddy!"
Bonney laughed like silver bells, sprinting freely across the land in her "Little Bear Armor."
"The books were right! Sky Islands really exist! We're so close to the sun here!"
"Bonney! Slow down! You're running too fast!"
Kuma still followed nervously behind her, taking quick little steps to keep up.
"Be careful! Don't trip!"
Kid and Killer formed another group, the red-haired spiky boy and the blond wavy-haired man walking side by side across the Sky Garden.
"Bro, this place is really high up..."
Kid unleashed his Magnet-Magnet Fruit powers, sensing the magnetic pull of this "Sky Island" he was seeing for the first time in his life.
"This island has magnetism too, just like the books said. I've already recorded its magnetic signature..."
"Fahahahaha!"
Killer burst into loud laughter, slapping his brother firmly on the shoulder.
"Kid, you're getting funnier by the day! You don't sound like your usual self at all!"
Robin and Nami, though meeting for the first time, had somehow already formed a companionable bond.
"If the captain doesn't mind, I'd love to plant flowers all over this island."
"Captain? You mean White Dragon-sama? Well, if it were up to me, I'd plant some orange trees!"
The only one walking alone was Ace.
A conflicted expression lingered on Ace's face as he wandered through the Sky Garden by himself.
He wanted to say that this flying experience completely defied his expectations of "setting sail," yet he couldn't deny that this journey had given him an entirely new sense of wonder.
Storm observed everyone's actions quietly.
Only after they had all fully adjusted to the Sky Garden's environment did he gather them together again.
With a subtle activation of his Clay-Clay Fruit powers, several soft clay chairs of varying sizes emerged from the ground, offering everyone a place to rest.
Once they were all seated,
Storm, as the leader, formally introduced the newcomers—Ace and Nami—to Kuma and the others.
"Portgas D. Ace. Though a bit stubborn, he's overall a very easygoing person."
"Nami, a genius navigator! Among everyone I've ever met, her talent for navigation is unmatched—bar none!"
Storm didn't disclose Ace or Nami's personal backgrounds to Kuma and the others.
Such private matters were for them to share if they wished.
Storm wasn't about to meddle in that.
Upon hearing Storm's words,
Ace and Nami reacted very differently.
The former gave an almost imperceptible nod. He didn't quite agree with the "stubborn" remark but didn't feel it was the right time to argue.
The latter, however, beamed with excitement—this was the first time the little thief-cat had ever received such high praise from Storm.
Through these subtle expressions, the basic personalities of the two "newcomers" became clear to the others.
After introducing Ace and Nami to Kuma's group, Storm then briefed Ace and Nami about Kuma and the rest.
Once the simple introductions were over, everyone was at least "acquainted."
As for deeper bonds, those would have to develop over time.
After all, today was just their first meeting.
Expecting them to grow completely familiar—let alone trust each other—in such a short time…
That would be far too difficult.
Fortunately, neither Nami nor Ace were particularly troublesome individuals.
Thanks to Storm's introductions, they had begun integrating into the group.
After a few casual exchanges to ease the initial awkwardness,
Storm clapped his hands again, drawing everyone's attention.
"Now, let me introduce two new 'companions' to everyone.
"One of them is someone whose name you may have already heard before.
"But the other is someone I'm introducing to you for the very first time today."
With a thought, Storm activated the power of the [Clay-Clay Fruit], and two figures—one large, one small—appeared behind him.
Whitebeard Jr., Edward Teach.
Golden Lion II, Lion.
However.
Before Storm could introduce these two "clay companions" to Robin and the others, one person completely "exploded" upon seeing Whitebeard Jr.
"Whitebeard!"
Ace leaped up from the clay sofa in an instant.
Ever since he resolved to set sail as a pirate, he had carried one "dream."
Unlike most pirates who dream of "becoming the Pirate King," Ace's dream was—"to become a great pirate, keep winning, attain the highest honor, and prove his existence to the entire world."
And to fulfill this dream.
Ace's greatest enemy was none other than the current "World's Strongest Man," Whitebeard Edward Newgate!
Defeating and killing Whitebeard, claiming the head of the world's strongest man—that was the final step in Ace's current "dream."
Now, suddenly seeing a Whitebeard before him, how could Ace not be excited?
Under Storm's bewildered gaze.
Ace dashed toward Whitebeard Jr. like a swift leopard, moving at the fastest speed of his life, gripping his ever-present "Supreme Water Pipe" in his hand.
Boom—Crack!
Ace swung the "Supreme Water Pipe" with all his might. The weapon struck Whitebeard Jr.'s body with a dull thud before snapping in half on the spot.
Whitebeard Jr.'s expression remained unchanged as he raised his massive, fan-like right hand and swatted Ace away with a single slap, sending him flying over a dozen meters.
If not for Storm carefully controlling the force, Ace might have been completely shattered by that blow!
The current Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II were not like their previous versions.
These two "Great Pirate IIs" were now creations of the eight-star [Clay-Clay Fruit]!
In terms of pure physical attributes—"strength" and "speed"—Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II could already rival Marine Admirals and Pirate Emperors!
An eight-star [Clay-Clay Fruit] was no joke!
Ace was sent flying by Whitebeard Jr.'s slap, tumbling across the ground like a rolling gourd.
Seeing Ace in such a sorry state, the others couldn't stay seated any longer.
Nami, who felt closest to Ace, hurried over to help him up.
"Ace, what are you doing?"
Nami asked, half-curious, half-complaining.
"Why did you attack the White Dragon?"
"White Dragon? You mean Vongola?"
Ace wiped the blood from his mouth, his sharp gaze fixed on Whitebeard Jr.
"I was challenging Whitebeard!"
"Mr. Ace, this 'Whitebeard' is actually 'Whitebeard Jr.,' Edward Teach."
Robin's magnetic voice chimed in at this moment as she calmly reminded them,
"According to what the captain said earlier, Mr. Teach was the first 'crew member' he recruited."
"Whitebeard Jr.? Edward Teach?"
Ace's brows furrowed tightly. Having lived in the mountains of Goa for years, he had no access to the latest news from the sea and was unaware of Whitebeard Jr.'s existence.
"It's not just that 'Whitebeard,'" Nami whispered beside Ace at that moment.
"And that golden-haired man next to him—that's 'Golden Lion II,' Lord Lion."
Hearing this, Ace's frown deepened even further.
The names Whitebeard and Golden Lion were ones he had heard from the old man before. According to him, these two "great pirates" had once caused immense trouble for the World Government and Marine Headquarters.
Whitebeard was currently one of the Pirate Emperors of the New World.
As for Golden Lion, ever since his escape from Impel Down over a decade ago, no one had heard any news about him.
However.
All this information was about "Whitebeard" and "Golden Lion."
Ace stared at the two towering figures standing behind Storm like gatekeepers, utterly baffled.
What was the deal with these two "IIs"?
"Ahem."
Storm cleared his throat lightly, first pointing to Whitebeard Jr. beside him.
"This is Whitebeard Jr., Edward Teach. I believe most of you have seen his bounty poster.
"But what I'm about to tell you now is something else.
"Actually... Edward Teach is me."
Storm had previously told Robin that Edward Teach was the first "crew member" he recruited.
That statement wasn't entirely wrong.
Who said pirates couldn't create their own subordinates?
Just look at Charlotte Cracker of the Big Mom Pirates—didn't he command an army of biscuit soldiers?
Those biscuit soldiers were also creations of his Biscuit-Biscuit Fruit and counted as his "subordinates."
But now.
With all the members he had gathered assembled together, Storm couldn't keep using that excuse anymore.
They were all part of the same crew.
Storm felt there was no need to hide the truth about "Whitebeard Jr." and "Golden Lion II" from them.
However.
Storm had expected this "revelation" to draw gasps of amazement.
But the reaction he got was completely the opposite of what he had anticipated.
"What does the boss mean by that?"
"No idea, I don't get it."
"Captain, what nonsense are you spouting now? Didn't you just create this 'Mr. Teach' with your powers?"
Kid and Killer were the first to voice their confusion.
Robin quickly followed, sharing her thoughts.
Kuma and Ace frowned, staring at Storm with deeply puzzled expressions.
Bonney had no clue what Storm was talking about.
As for Nami.
The little cat burglar, equally clueless, clapped enthusiastically for the White Dragon under the bewildered gazes of the others.
"Wow! So that's how it is! The White Dragon is truly amazing!"
Amid the silence of the group.
Nami's exaggerated praise rang out awkwardly.
Storm's lips twitched violently, his toes practically digging a castle beneath the Sky Garden's floor!
Why had he suddenly confessed to everyone that he was Edward Teach?
"Storm."
At that moment, Kuma spoke softly, the ever-understanding man presumptuously offering Storm an out.
"What you meant to say was—
"Mr. Edward and Lion are both comrades, right?"
What else could Storm say?
Was he really going to argue that Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II were actually his "alternate identities"?
Under everyone's strange gazes.
Storm gave up entirely and declared.
"That's right! Exactly that!"