After watching the warship disappear deep into the cloud ladder, Robert Algernon took out a wooden Beck coin, pressed it, and said.
"By the great and benevolent God, this is God's Guard squad leader Robert Algernon reporting. The gates of God's Country have just allowed passage to a powerful Marines force. They are well-equipped and their strength should not be underestimated. Their commander, in my eyes, possesses unfathomable power."
Raleigh and the others didn't know that Robert Algernon had already reported their whereabouts to the ruler of God's Country, though they probably wouldn't have cared even if they had known.
As for the ruler of God's Country, upon receiving this information, he stepped out of his palace.
...
On God's Island, in a palace atop Upperyard.
The pristine white walls were carved with mysterious patterns, resembling mysterious artworks formed by connected clouds.
Outside the palace, a man with extraordinary presence and a long beard looked up at the sky.
His name was Gan Fall, the current God of Skypiea.
He had a very gentle temperament and was a deity who loved his people. Under his leadership, the people of Skypiea lived happy and peaceful lives.
However, some recent trivial matters had been causing him concern.
The prolonged war within Skypiea had already claimed far too many lives.
The kind-hearted Gan Fall wanted to change this during his tenure, but he wasn't fully prepared yet.
"Will the Marines bring variables? I can't delay any longer. I must completely resolve this matter during my term."
....
Just like ascending from the Grand Line to the White Sea, Raleigh's warship once again experienced the sensation of breaking through the sea of clouds.
With the increasingly bright light from the cloud ladder above, the warship burst out of the cloud ladder with unstoppable momentum, crashing into the sea of clouds.
"My God, experiencing this twice in one day really makes me feel like I'm dreaming."
"Should I slap you to help you find out if you're dreaming?"
"Like hell! I'll beat you to death!"
Amid the noisy chatter of the Marines soldiers, Raleigh's warship officially arrived at Angel Island, the largest island of the sky island.
After briefly adjusting to the sunlight, everyone began to survey the surrounding scenery.
"My God."
A Marines soldier uttered these words, so shocked that he forgot to close his hanging jaw.
"What did you see that's so shocking?"
The Marines soldier beside him also looked in the direction he pointed, and upon seeing the distant scenery, revealed the same expression as his.
"It's truly hard to distinguish reality from illusion. Perhaps such a sight can only be realized on a sky island like this."
Gion, who had appeared beside Raleigh at some unknown moment, gazed at the distant Angel Island and marveled.
An enormous vine came into view.
Its impossibly thick trunk, countless extending branches, and unimaginable height made it appear like a celestial tree connecting heaven and earth.
Upon this colossal vine, countless pure white clouds settled upon the thick branches, with the houses of Angel Island's residents built atop these clouds.
Innumerable staircases made of clouds connected dwellings of all sizes.
From a distance, one could see children of various ages playing on the pristine white steps.
Some adult members of the Angel Tribe were also moving about their work.
The entire Angel Island was composed of this enormous vine and clouds forming the island together.
"I've been to Sabaody Archipelago before. I thought the trees there were astonishing enough, but I never expected to find a tree in the sky islands that rivals it completely."
Raleigh glanced tenderly at Gion beside him and then said;
"Sabaody Archipelago is also a very unique place. There, trees and bubbles together create the distinctive landscape of Sabaody, while here it's formed by vines and clouds."
'Yes, it's truly miraculous."
Gion was eager to set foot on the island, after all, she was still a young girl and had little resistance to such a dreamlike island.
"Ah, why do I feel a bit short of breath?"
"A little, but it's not a big issue. But speaking of which, Hans, have you been feeling weak lately?"
Beck looked at Hans with a mischievous grin.
Hans' face flushed red, and he quickly explained:
"Bastard Beck, I'm not weak at all! I was just joking earlier. Actually, I felt short of breath because I got too hot from the sun."
Hearing the argument between Beck and Hans, Raleigh turned around and advised:
"If you feel unwell, don't push yourselves. We're over ten thousand meters above sea level here. At this altitude, those with weaker constitutions may struggle to get enough oxygen. If you feel any physical discomfort, make sure not to overexert yourselves."
Raleigh was giving the Marines soldiers a precautionary warning.
Although he believed the soldiers' physiques far surpassed ordinary people, it was better to be safe than sorry, so Raleigh reminded them once more.
Bessermer Reginald looked back at Cricket, the youngest and physically weakest child on the ship.
Seeing both Raleigh and Bessermer Reginald's eyes fixed on him, Cricket quickly explained.
"Don't worry about me, Raleigh-sama, Reginald-san. We, the descendants of the Montblanc family, have been searching for Shandora in the Grand Line for four hundred years. We often dive deep into the ocean to look for clues, so our bodies are quite efficient at utilizing oxygen."
"Mm, good."
Raleigh nodded and then withdrew his gaze.
Bessermer Reginald gently ruffled Cricket's hair and laughed heartily.
"Kid, you're doing pretty well!"
Amid laughter and cheerful chatter, everyone slowly approached Angel Island.
At the port of Angel Island, after the warship was securely docked, Raleigh ordered the soldiers that they could have three days of free time.
Aside from causing no trouble, they were free to explore and enjoy themselves here, but they must return on time within three days.
Upon hearing Raleigh's command, the Marines soldiers cheered loudly.
"Long live Raleigh-sama!"
"I can't wait to experience the culture of Angel Island!"
"I wonder if Angel Island has good drinks. Anyone want to team up and head to a tavern for a drink?"
Hundreds of soldiers changed out of their uniforms, put on their own clothes, and entered Skypiea with the passes issued by Bessermer Reginald.
They were going to indulge themselves freely here!
Raleigh turned his head, looked at Gion who had changed into a new outfit, and smiled.
"Let's go explore together, Gion."