Masira then agreed to accompany the Strawhats to Jaya, promising to lead them to the descendant of Mont Blanc Noland. While they sailed together, Douglas stood quietly at the rail of the Going Merry, already deep in thought.
He knew the Knock Up Stream would provide the force to launch them toward the heavens, but with the additional weight of Cricket, Masira, and possibly even their crews, there was a serious risk that the Going Merry wouldn't reach the proper altitude. If they fell short, it would mean disaster.
Douglas's mind worked quickly, recalling the special material he had recently developed. If I use it to build a lightweight propulsion system, it might be enough to give the Merry that extra push. The problem was clear: his stock of material was far too limited. He needed more, and fast.
Turning toward Masira, Douglas raised his voice. "Masira, can you take us first to a town where I can get a large supply of raw materials? I need to build something important before we try for the Sky Island."
Masira grinned at the request, his sharp teeth flashing. "You're in luck! That's already where we're headed. The island of Jaya. Just a small detour and we'll be there in no time."
Hearing this, Douglas allowed himself a rare smile. Everything was falling into place. With enough supplies, he could create a system that would not only preserve the Going Merry but also ensure they, and their new allies could soar into the skies without fear of falling short.
After a short journey, the Strawhats finally spotted land on the horizon. At first glance, the island's silhouette seemed picturesque, framed by the golden light of the sun. Its outline gave the illusion of a tropical paradise, and both Nami and Usopp immediately brightened, imagining sandy beaches, bustling ports, and the kind of comfort that might feel like heaven after weeks at sea.
But the closer the Going Merry drew, the more that illusion shattered. The coastline revealed itself not as pristine but rugged and scarred. The once-dense forests looked patchy, with wide swaths of land stripped bare as if torn apart by reckless hands. Dilapidated shacks and crooked buildings clung together at the edge of the port, their walls covered in grime and graffiti. From the harbor came the sharp stench of cheap liquor, unwashed bodies, and the metallic tang of blood—evidence of countless brawls fought without reason.
Nami's hopeful smile quickly faded into a grimace, and Usopp, who had been dreaming of comfort, swallowed hard as he gripped the ship's railing tighter. "This… doesn't look like paradise," he muttered nervously.
Luffy, however, leaned over the side of the Merry with wide, curious eyes, excitement undiminished. "Hehehe, looks fun!" he laughed.
Zoro's sharp gaze scanned the docks. Men and women lounged around with weapons slung carelessly over their shoulders, shouting and laughing crudely. A fight suddenly broke out in the middle of the street, two groups smashing bottles over each other's heads while bystanders cheered instead of stopping them. It was lawless chaos, plain and simple.
"This island…" Robin said quietly, studying the scene with her calm but calculating eyes. "It reeks of pirates."
Sanji exhaled a plume of smoke and adjusted his tie. "Tch. Figures we'd land in a cesspool like this."
Douglas, standing near the mast, observed silently, noting every detail. His mind was already working, analyzing the island's state with the precision of an engineer and the perspective of a scholar. To him, this wasn't just a haven for pirates but a fractured land with its own history and struggles written in every ruined corner.
Nami shook her head, sighing. "Of course. Leave it to us to sail straight into the worst possible place."
"Alright, let's dock here. I'll look for the things I need. Please—don't start an unnecessary ruckus," Douglas said calmly as he, Nami, Zoro, and Luffy disembarked. The rest of the crew remained on the Merry, while the Masira Pirates secured their own ship nearby.
Not long after, Douglas split off from the others. Nami insisted on gathering more information about the Sky Island and the rumored descendant of Noland, while Douglas turned to the task of hunting down materials.
Store by store, he scoured the port, collecting every scrap that might be useful, imagining how each piece could combine with the others to form the device he envisioned. It took him over an hour, but eventually he had what he needed. With his arms full of supplies, he closed his eyes and spread out his Observation Haki to locate his crewmates.
The moment he sensed them, a chill ran through him. Nami's presence pulsed with distress. Without hesitation, Douglas dropped what he was carrying and sprinted through the filthy streets.
When he arrived, the sight stopped him cold.
Zoro and Luffy were being beaten mercilessly by a man whose smug, twisted face radiated cruelty. Around them stood a jeering crowd, roaring with laughter, egging the man on as he mocked the two Strawhats.
Something inside Douglas snapped. His anger boiled over as he strode forward.
"Oi, what's your problem?" one of the laughing pirates sneered, stepping into Douglas's path with a swagger. His arrogance lasted only a second.
Douglas's hand shot up, seizing the man's face. A muffled sound escaped his victim—then came the wet, sickening crack-BOOM as the man's head burst apart in an instant.
Blood sprayed across the cobblestones. The corpse dropped to the ground with a thud.
The jeering stopped. The laughter died. Silence crushed the air. Every eye turned toward Douglas, whose coat and hands were now spattered red.
The man who had been beating Luffy and Zoro froze mid-motion. Slowly, he turned to look—and saw Douglas standing over the body, his eyes burning with a cold expression on his face.
"Oi, brat! Do you even know what you just did?" the man who had been beating Luffy and Zoro snarled, rage twisting his face.
Douglas turned his bloodstained head toward him, utterly unfazed. "Oh… you mean this loser?" He glanced down at the twitching headless corpse at his feet. A mocking smile tugged at his lips. "Oops. Guess I made things uneven."
Before anyone could react, Douglas strode casually toward another pirate who had been laughing the loudest. The woman's grin froze as his shadow fell over her.
"What're you—"
Her words were cut off in a deafening BANG. Her entire upper body erupted in a spray of gore, leaving nothing but smoldering remains where she had stood.
The street was painted red. The air stank of iron and smoke.
"Oops," Douglas said again, voice chillingly flat, as if he had merely knocked over a cup of tea.
The onlookers were silent now—pale, trembling, unable to decide whether to flee or even breathe. Even the Strawhats froze, their eyes wide. Luffy and Zoro, still battered from the beating, stared at Douglas in disbelief. Nami took a half step back, her stomach churning, unable to tear her gaze from the carnage.