Chapter 165: Forbidden Picnic
Inside the dimensional space.
"So this is the boss's Devil Fruit ability?"
Robin was still deeply impressed by this power, her tone calm but carrying a hint of danger.
"Next time you visit me, remember to knock..."
"Ahem, last time was just an accident."
Rhodes laughed awkwardly. Who knew you two would be doing that in broad daylight?
Aren't you afraid of corrupting Vivi?
As they chatted, they quickly passed through the dimensional portal and arrived in a brand new world.
"These clouds feel like seawater..."
Robin paused, gazing at the Sea Clouds below. She could vaguely see fish and large creatures swimming within them.
"It's truly incredible."
Robin's eyes gleamed. Witnessing it firsthand was completely different from hearing rumors.
Who could have imagined that thousands of meters above the White Sea, there existed another entire world?
The wonders of this world truly exceeded imagination.
Rhodes nodded. Skypiea seemed incomprehensible to him, but different worlds had different rules—something beyond ordinary understanding.
"But, boss, what should we do next?"
Robin withdrew her gaze and asked Rhodes.
They were currently floating at the space gate's exit, with nowhere to land.
"Check the Log Poses. Have they changed?"
"Indeed they have, and all three are pointing in the same direction."
Robin then remembered the advanced Log Poses Rhodes had asked her to carry. These specialized navigational tools were capable of simultaneously recording three islands on the Grand Line. If they were all pointing in the same direction, it undoubtedly indicated an exceptionally strong magnetic field in that location.
Following the Log Poses' direction, Rhodes estimated the distance and, with a wave of his hand, created another space gate ahead of them.
"Let's go. The real Skypiea is even higher."
With that, he stepped forward into another passage.
Robin hurriedly followed.
Angel Island.
Rhodes and Robin had just exited the space gate when they heard the melodious sound of a harp.
They looked toward the source.
A beautiful woman with small white wings and delicate features sat cross-legged on the beach, strumming a harp with graceful hands. She exuded tranquility and elegance.
"Wings? A native inhabitant of Skypiea?"
Robin asked, her left hand across her chest, her right hand supporting her chin.
Rhodes nodded slightly, squinting as he listened to the music.
This was his first time hearing Skypiean music. Others might not know, but Conis's playing was truly beautiful—cleansing the soul and bringing profound enjoyment.
Just then, the music abruptly stopped.
Conis had noticed Rhodes and his unfamiliar companion.
"Welcome to Angel Island..."
Conis put away her harp, slowly approached while holding her Cloud Fox, and somewhat reservedly invited Rhodes and Robin to visit Angel Island.
Robin glanced at Rhodes.
Rhodes readily agreed, as he needed time to acclimate to the environment at ten thousand meters altitude.
Led by Conis, Rhodes and Robin began their tour of Angel Island.
From the various unique Dials to the diverse cloud formations, Robin was continuously amazed.
Rhodes was more interested in the region's unique cuisine and Sky Tea.
Meanwhile, on the Upper Yard—the Island of Gods—Enel, the self-proclaimed God of Skypiea, had already detected Rhodes and Robin's intrusion through his Mantra network that covered the entire sky.
"How did they appear? There was no warning at all."
Enel was puzzled.
The normal route for Blue Sea dwellers to reach Skypiea was through Heaven's Gate, but Rhodes and his companion seemed to appear from thin air, without any advance notice.
"Heh, someone else has intruded without paying the entrance fee?"
At that moment, Enel's Mantra network shifted slightly, and a faint smile curved his lips.
He was delighted.
As Skypiea's God, Enel loved toying with these Blue Sea people. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had the mischievous idea of setting Heaven's Gate's entrance fee at ten billion Extol—though it actually only cost one billion Extol.
"Hmm? Where did those two Blue Sea dwellers disappear to?"
Suddenly, Enel's eyes widened slightly. After concentrating his Mantra, he realized the two presences had actually appeared in the forbidden territory!
How on earth had they managed that?
Enel couldn't help but show curiosity, temporarily suppressing the thought of punishing them with divine judgment.
The forbidden territory—Upper Yard.
After Rhodes and Robin had toured Angel Island, they opened another gate and arrived here.
"These trees are at least a thousand years old."
Robin looked up but couldn't even see the canopy.
Sighing, Robin said:
"Boss, I heard there's a god on this island. Are you certain you can handle it?"
She wasn't superstitious, just somewhat concerned.
After all, this was a legendary place like Skypiea. Even if not an omnipotent god, it should be an extremely powerful being.
Rhodes smiled calmly and was about to speak when a strange sound suddenly came from the nearby forest.
The two turned to look.
A ragged man rushed out, panting heavily. He was covered in wounds and had no wings on his back—clearly not from Skypiea.
"Help me, please help me!"
The man, upon seeing Rhodes and Robin, rushed toward them but accidentally fell. He didn't dare stop, tumbling and scrambling forward while shouting desperately.
"A pirate?"
Robin whispered, her eyes gleaming with understanding.
But at that moment, an immensely large dog suddenly leaped from the side, bringing a gust of foul air, opening its massive jaws to bite Robin.
Rhodes's expression shifted slightly, but before he could react—
Robin crossed her arms over her chest, and limbs suddenly sprouted from the dog's body.
Crack!
The sound of bones breaking echoed as the dog was instantly slammed to the ground.
As if sensing Rhodes's intentions, Robin smiled and said pointedly: "Thank you for all that 'training' back then, boss."
"..."
Rhodes's expression remained unchanged, but he secretly thought: this woman has a black belly through and through.
"Thank you, thank you!"
The pirate's excited voice called from the side.
But Rhodes was too lazy to acknowledge him. He hadn't eaten enough on Angel Island earlier, and such large game had conveniently delivered itself to his doorstep.
He walked up to the giant dog with broken limbs, tore off a hindleg, and efficiently removed the hide. Then he conjured flames and began grilling it with practiced ease.
Robin couldn't bear to watch the creature suffer, so she used her ability to break the giant dog's neck, then slowly approached the makeshift grill.
In this forbidden territory of the Skypieans, Rhodes and Robin sat together, tending the fire. The giant dog's leg meat roasted to a golden sheen, exuding an enticing aroma as fat dripped onto the flames with sizzling sounds.
"Smells amazing! Even the dogs on Skypiea are different!"
Rhodes's eyes lit up, and Robin couldn't help but swallow.
The pirate was completely dumbfounded.
Brother, sister—this is a forbidden territory!
Not a picnic spot!
If you don't run now, those priests will be here any moment!
(End of Chapter)
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