Chapter 84 The Merry Soars Through the Ocean Currents to Fly to the Sky IslandThis was precisely the application of the electromagnetic force of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. Besides manipulating the "Iron Sand Sword," it allowed the user to adhere to metal and even levitate in high-intensity electromagnetic fields.
In his previous life, he had seen it in *A Certain Scientific Railgun*, where Misaka Mikoto used a high-altitude airplane as a springboard to land unharmed from 3,000 meters in the air using electromagnetic force. Now, he had perfectly replicated that move.
"Aaaaaah!!"
The crew members were terrified by the sudden weightlessness, their screams piercing the sky.
But strangely, the Going Merry didn't crash. Instead, as if equipped with an invisible parachute, it glided smoothly to the very center of the whirlpool.
With a muffled "plop,"
the ship landed steadily in the water, creating circular ripples that spread outwards.
"This...this is not scientific!"
The crowd looked around in shock. The center of this massive whirlpool was actually a calm, stagnant area of water, like a tranquil lake in the eye of a storm.
"Phew—" Luffy casually wiped imaginary cold sweat from his forehead.
The others instantly erupted in fury, unanimously exclaiming, "╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻! You should have at least given us a heads-up before you did this!"
Before they could even catch their breath, the once calm sea suddenly began to boil, countless enormous bubbles rising like boiling water.
The water level at the center of the whirlpool began to rise visibly.
"Everyone on alert! Hold onto the strongest thing you can, or get into the cabin!" Luffy roared, "We're going to take off!"
However, even Usopp, who had just wet himself in fear, didn't choose to hide. Everyone clung tightly to the railings, excitedly experiencing the feeling of being launched vertically into the air like a rocket.
In the blink of an eye, the center of the whirlpool had been filled, even rising above the surrounding sea level.
The salvage ship belonging to the apes and gorillas appeared on the edge of the horizon.
"Thanks for your help! Until we meet again!"
Luffy stood at the bow, laughing and waving goodbye to the two guides.
Then, he grabbed C.C., who was clinging tightly to him: "Destination: Skypiea! Let's go!"
BOOM—!!!
A deafening roar exploded, as if the seabed had completely shattered.
An indescribably terrifying upward current, carrying the Going Merry, shot straight into the sky like a white dragon.
"Sukkomi!! This is a miracle! The ship is actually sailing vertically upwards!"
Looking at the towering column of water below, seemingly capable of piercing the heavens, everyone trembled with excitement. This was a miracle that could only be witnessed on the Grand Line.
Suddenly, Sanji frowned and shouted, "Something's wrong! The ship's about to lift off the water and float!"
Nami felt the turbulent air currents around her, and at that moment, her instincts as a genius navigator fully awakened.
"Listen up, everyone! Hoist the sails immediately! Be quick!" The fear in Nami's eyes vanished, replaced by absolute confidence and focus.
"This isn't just a water column, it's a towering ocean current! The wind surging up from below is a super-powerful updraft generated by geothermal activity and a massive steam explosion!"
"As long as the opponent is the wind and the sea, that's my home turf! Don't forget who the navigator of this ship is!"
At this moment, Nami stood tall and commanding, her aura of absolute control instantly reassuring everyone.
Looking at Nami, the crew wore expressions of pride, as if she were their own navigator.
Nami pointed upwards with her slender hand: "Starboard winds, hard port immediately! Adjust the ship's angle and let the wind propel us up!"
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!!"
"Luffy! You're in charge of cleaning up the debris and Sea Kings falling from above!"
"Roger that! Railgun ready!"
"Final warning, hold on tight to the railing! We... we're really taking off!"
The instant the words left her lips, the Going Merry, propelled by the wind, completely broke free of the water column, spiraling upwards around the massive water dragon!
Amidst the screams and cheers of the crew, the Going Merry pierced through layers of clouds, traversed the vast Cumulus clouds, and finally arrived at the legendary world above the clouds.
Everyone was soaked to the bone, as if they'd just been pulled from the water, collapsing onto the deck, gasping for breath.
"Damn it... this is awful, I can't breathe!"
Zoro clutched his chest, gulping for air, but his lungs felt like they were stuffed with cotton.
"That's normal. We're in the White Sea at 7,000 meters altitude, the oxygen's thin. Breathe like this."
Luffy said, taking a deep breath, his stomach bulging dramatically like a balloon.
Everyone instantly broke down: "╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻! Who the hell can do this rubber-man-like thing, you bastard?!"
Just then, they finally came to their senses, realizing the change in their surroundings: "The White Sea?! We're really up here?!"
Suppressing the discomfort of altitude sickness, the group excitedly climbed the railing and peered out.
Before their eyes, a vast ocean of white clouds stretched out, a scene straight out of a dream.
"It really is the sea..."
Usopp gazed at the boundless sea of clouds, a smug and lewd smile spreading across his face.
The next second, he ripped off his shirt in a flash, struck a ridiculously muscular pose, and roared with laughter: "Hahaha! I am the King of Skypiea!"
Chopper, seeing this, immediately became a devoted fanboy, whistling and cheering for Usopp.
Sanji, unusually serious, puffed on a cigarette and advised, "Hey! Don't mess around, we haven't even figured out if these clouds can support our weight yet."
Usopp wouldn't listen, and with a leap of faith, he jumped over the ship's railing, laughing loudly: "The sea, here I come! Hahaha!"
Whoosh!
He effortlessly pierced through the clouds and disappeared into the vast expanse of white.
Chopper clapped his hands, his eyes sparkling: "Amazing! Captain Usopp is the embodiment of courage!"
However, several minutes passed, and the surface (clouds) remained motionless; Usopp seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Zoro frowned and reminded him, "Hey, that guy still hasn't surfaced."
Robin, chin in hand, casually posed a terrifying question: "Speaking of which, is there even a seabed in a place like this?"
Luffy yawned and said nonchalantly, "That's a cloud, not water. If you fell in, you'd probably just pass right through the Cloud of Sekita and crash back into the Blue Sea, turning into a meat patty."
Everyone: "..."
After a deathly silence, a scream erupted from the deck: "Help! Help!!!"
By the time Luffy stretched out his arm and pulled Usopp ashore, the guy had already fainted, his eyes rolling back in his head.
Just then, the calm sea of clouds suddenly churned, and a giant pink octopus lunged at the Going Merry, its claws outstretched.
"It's huge!!" Nami gasped, her face paling, and instinctively clung to Luffy for safety