Above the ocean, beyond the clouds, stretched the White Sea.
Finn stood at the warship's bow, examining a weathered chart of Skypiea. The parchment felt fragile between his fingers, edges worn soft by time and handling.
Besides Jaya Island's violent knock-up streams, other routes to Skypiea existed. The most stable was the High West, a location Finn had never personally visited but which the Marines occasionally used for access. However, Skypiea maintained minimal contact with the Blue Sea below. The World Government, Marines, and even pirates showed little interest in the sky islands. Most people didn't even believe they existed.
"Is that the Land of Gold?" Gion asked, pointing toward a small island floating among the clouds ahead.
"No. The Land of Gold is near where we'll make landfall on Skypiea proper. This should be Birka." Finn shook his head, studying the chart more carefully.
"Aren't we searching for the Land of Gold first?" Surprise colored Gion's voice.
"The Land of Gold isn't going anywhere. It's been sitting there for four hundred years." Finn lowered the chart, meeting her eyes. "I think we should prioritize finding the Rumble-Rumble Fruit."
After a pause, he added with slight frustration, "This Skypiea chart is ancient. I can't even confirm this is Bika with certainty."
"Just go ask someone." Gion smiled. "Simple solution."
Honestly, Gion didn't hold much hope regarding the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. Finding a specific Devil Fruit based on decades-old tavern rumors seemed wildly optimistic at best.
But seeing how seriously Finn took this search, she couldn't voice discouraging thoughts.
After all, wasn't Finn searching for the Rumble-Rumble Fruit for her benefit?
Well, partially. She recognized the pragmatic calculation beneath his generosity. This bastard was kind, certainly, but he probably hoped improving her combat capabilities would make her more useful to him in the future.
Still, Gion felt flattered despite understanding his motives.
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit...
Her thoughts drifted as she watched Finn study the chart. Is this guy actually trying to win me over? Should I... respond to that?
But he hasn't shown any personal interest. I can't be too forward about this kind of thing, right?
She was a beauty within the Marines, after all. Her suitors could form a line stretching from Marineford all the way to Mariejois. Before meeting Finn, she'd never given romance serious consideration, finding the constant attention more annoying than flattering.
Especially that bastard Tokikake, who confessed his feelings repeatedly, publicly, until the entire Marine Headquarters knew about it. Embarrassing for everyone involved.
She'd rejected him firmly every single time, giving him absolutely no encouragement, hoping he'd finally give up and stop making situations awkward.
But Tokikake remained stubbornly persistent.
That experience had made Gion somewhat resistant to romantic matters generally.
Until Finn appeared.
She had to admit, different appearances led to different reactions.
Tokikake possessed great potential and excellent abilities, but his looks were... unfortunate. Finn, conversely, was tall, handsome, and powerful. The only Admiral candidate the Marines had produced in twenty years. It was virtually certain he'd become an Admiral eventually, no obstacles in his path.
He was also genuinely interesting, possessed natural charisma that drew people to him.
When Finn had worked under Chief of Staff Tsuru, numerous female Marines had confessed feelings to him. He'd refused them all, politely but firmly.
Gion and Finn had been classmates in the Sixth Officer Training Camp. They'd known each other for years, developed good rapport. Now Gion served directly under his command at G-7. More contact, more time spent together.
Claiming she felt nothing toward Finn would be a lie.
Her thoughts wandering, Gion glanced at him periodically. Her cheeks warmed slightly.
Finn remained oblivious to her internal struggle, focused entirely on the sky island chart while guiding the warship toward landing.
Birka was remarkably small. As the warship approached, Finn felt like he could survey the entire island from the deck.
Several sky island residents waited at Birka's port. Unlike Blue Sea humans, they possessed small wings protruding from their backs. Decorative appendages, essentially. They provided no flight capability whatsoever.
Warships visited perhaps once every few months or years, so the port residents weren't particularly shocked by the arrival. They understood warships typically just restocked supplies without causing trouble, so no panic rippled through the small crowd.
Finn descended the gangplank and approached an elderly sky island man with a friendly smile. "Excuse me, is this Birka?"
The old man nodded. "That's right, Birka. Are you folks here for supplies?"
"Hahaha, no need. We're well-stocked. Actually, I came to Birka searching for something specific. I was hoping you might help." Finn extended his hand to the side.
Gion produced a prepared illustration of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and handed it to Finn smoothly.
"What are you looking for?" The old man's curiosity seemed genuine, his tone enthusiastic.
"Well, I'm wondering if you've heard of Devil Fruits?" Finn offered him the drawing.
"Cursed fruit?" The old man's expression shifted slightly.
"Yes, essentially the same thing." Finn nodded, uncertain of Skypiea's terminology for Devil Fruits.
"Rumors say that if you eat such a fruit and fall into the White Sea, you'll drop straight through to the Blue Sea below. The Sky God hates them." The old man explained matter-of-factly.
Finn nodded, understanding the logic. Devil Fruit users couldn't swim, and the White Sea had no bottom. Falling through meant a ten-thousand-meter plunge to certain death.
"So, have you seen this particular cursed fruit on the island?" Finn kept his tone casual, friendly. "We're specifically searching for it, and we're prepared to pay generously."
"How generously?" Direct question, no pretense.
"Two hundred million berries?" Finn suggested.
"Two hundred million berries!? That's two trillion extols!" The old man's shock was immediate and unfeigned.
Skypiea used different currency than the Blue Sea, with an exchange rate of approximately one to ten thousand. One berry equaled ten thousand extols.
Finn knew this information from his research. "Yes, two trillion extols."
"I'll search for it immediately!" The old man straightened with surprising energy for his age. "Temples usually suppress these cursed fruits. Maybe I can find the one you want."
Two trillion extols? He definitely wanted that reward.
"Temples?" Finn's interest sharpened. The Marines possessed minimal information about Skypiea's social structures.
"Yes, there's a temple dedicated to the gods. Whenever we find cursed fruit, we deliver it to the temple so the gods' power can suppress their curse." The old man explained readily.
Finn's thoughts raced. That means there might be multiple Devil Fruits stored on Birka.
"Can you take me there?" Finn asked.
"Of course, of course. But regarding payment..." The old man hesitated.
So enthusiastic just a moment ago. Turns out you're just after money.
Finn kept these thoughts private, maintaining his pleasant expression. "Don't worry. As long as you lead me to the cursed fruit we need, you'll receive everything you're owed."
"Then follow me." The old man nodded, apparently satisfied.
He led Finn directly toward Birka's town center.
Finn found himself slightly surprised. Are sky island people genuinely this trusting?
He'd made a casual promise, offered no guarantee or down payment, yet the old man believed him completely without apparent doubt.
The isolation probably explained it. Pirates and other malicious individuals rarely reached Skypiea. Marines visited occasionally but presumably didn't abuse these simple "angels," fostering a certain naivety.
Actually beneficial for Finn's purposes. He had no intention of harming them. Just wanted the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
After entering town, more sky island residents became visible, flapping their small decorative wings as they went about daily activities.
But occasionally, Finn noticed people without wings. Mostly children. They looked pitiful, clearly discriminated against. Some were searching through garbage bins for food.
"Who are those people?" Finn asked.
"Wingless ones." The old man's voice dropped, became slightly uncomfortable. "Just like you Blue Sea people, but born on Skypiea. This means they were cursed by the gods, born with inherent sin. In Birka, they're considered bad omens. We won't kill them, but we won't help them either. We minimize contact as much as possible."
Finn nodded, understanding the implication. No wonder I only see children.
With treatment like this, survival to adulthood would be extremely difficult.
Suddenly he remembered: Enel had been wingless. No wonder that man destroyed all of Birka after obtaining the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's power.
The root cause was right here. He probably harbored intense hatred toward Birka, having endured constant discrimination and targeting throughout his youth.
Perfectly normal for someone to seek revenge after suddenly gaining overwhelming power. Finn put himself in that position and felt he might become equally extreme under such circumstances.
As for how Enel had eaten the Rumble-Rumble Fruit originally, looking at those children scavenging through garbage made the answer obvious.
Most likely he'd been starving, couldn't find food, took a desperate risk and broke into the temple to steal their "cursed fruit."
When you're dying of hunger, why fear curses?
The temple wasn't large, but appeared quite magnificent. Apparently their god enjoyed extravagance and display.
Throughout the walk, Finn conversed extensively with the old man, gradually understanding Birka and Skypiea better.
Sky island people were relatively isolated from outside knowledge and culture. Living so high above, accessing Blue Sea information was difficult. Their social state remained somewhat primitive.
Each island's ruler carried the title "God." More spiritual leader than political authority. People lived their own lives without needing active governance. Only during festivals did the God appear to lead sacrifices and ceremonies.
Generally speaking, Skypiea's social structure was loose and remarkably simple. Everyone was considered the God's people. Life was easy, pressure minimal.
Finn had no particular criticism of Skypiea's culture and social organization. Different societies developed different systems.
After entering the temple, they underwent ritual purification first, worshiping devoutly. Finn participated respectfully. When in Rome, do as Romans do.
People here took their gods seriously. Best to respect their beliefs.
After worship concluded, the old man led Finn to where "Cursed Fruits" were kept suppressed.
Finn struggled not to voice his thoughts aloud. This temple security is absurdly lax.
Could just anyone walk in and cause trouble?
No defensive measures whatsoever!
He recalled that Angel Island possessed organizations like Divine Guards. But Birka seemed completely autonomous, operating on trust and social pressure alone.
Was this the legendary utopian society?
Then why did they still value money so intensely?
Completely baffling.
No wonder Enel killed everyone eventually. The vigilance is pathetically low.
Finn kept these critical thoughts private as he entered the chamber. He saw a statue, and at its feet rested three square plates, each holding a Devil Fruit.
Finn's eyes brightened immediately. Three fruits?
One was indigo blue, covered in strange lightning-pattern symbols, exactly matching illustrations Finn had studied. The legendary Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
Jackpot.