Upper Yard: The Edge of God's Island.
The rolling White-White Sea clouds slapped against the shore like the tide. The Eclipse sat at anchor, exuding a ferocious, heavy aura. Dark-gold lightning circuits were embedded into its hull, and its standard cannons had been replaced by multi-tube, automated defense arrays.
"The conduction and control systems are theoretically finished," Jeno said, emerging from the hold in his polished mechanical exoskeleton. He patted the railing and frowned. "I've mastered the lunar tech, Captain, but the materials on Sky Island are too soft! Island Clouds and ancient wood can't handle the recoil of the heavy armor and cannons I want to install. If we fire a full broadside, we'll shatter our own keel!"
"It's not just the wood," Leona added, sitting on a stump and sharpening her cleaver. "I'm sick of sky-fish and island beasts. As a chef, I need the violent, fresh, super-sized Sea Kings of the deep!"
Ace turned from the bow. His body, tempered by months of hellish training, was now a suit of muscular armor nourished by the Divine Fire. He looked at his crew: Urouge's rock-like mass, Leona's steel-cutting gaze, Enel's Haki-coated fists, and Buggy, who was currently a swarm of fragments moving crates of wine.
"You're right. We've squeezed this place dry," Ace smiled. "Honing our bodies here was the right choice, but stay in comfort too long and your bones begin to rust. The stage for the Eclipse Pirates was never meant for silent clouds."
Ace took a breath of the thin, cold wind. Ambition reignited in his eyes. "It's time to return to the Grand Line. Down there, the monsters are endless, the food is matchless, and the scenery is worth the blood."
He waved his arm, setting the new course. "Pack the loot and the Sky Island specialties. We set sail for the shipbuilding holy land—Water Seven! We'll buy the finest metal and wood to give our partner an indestructible skeleton!"
"Understood!" Carina unfolded the charts, her eyes bright. "That's the perfect place to fence the gold and gems we brought back from the Moon."
The Descent.
The ship took on final supplies at Angel Island. Wyper and Gan Fall stood at the docks.
"Keep a good watch over my flag," Ace told them.
"Awaiting your orders, Captain!" the Shandia warriors roared, striking their chests.
Ace faced the sea breeze, his hand on the black steel Vermilion Bird ram. "Jeno, full power to the Wind Shells. Enel, charge the array. We're flying straight there!"
"Let those Blue Sea bumpkins see what lightning and machinery can do!" Jeno slammed the lever.
The Eclipse defied gravity, soaring from ten thousand meters high amidst a terrifying downward gale. Like a black raptor, it split the accumulation clouds and plunged toward the azure horizon in a stable, high-speed glide.
Water Seven: The City of Tides.
In less than two days, the majestic city built on a giant sea fountain revealed itself. Intersecting waterways and massive shipyards proclaimed its prosperity. The Eclipse slammed into the waters surrounding the city, using back-thrust valves to decelerate before dropping anchor at a secluded commercial dock.
"It smells like machine oil and high-grade wood," Jeno noted, his goggles already scanning for material shops.
Ace strode down the gangplank. "We're here for a major overhaul. Everyone, go ashore and relax. Experience the city."
A Few Hours Later.
At an open-air cafe by the water, Carina sipped black tea while Berries ate dried fruit. Since entering the city, Carina had scattered several "monitoring" gold coins—linked to her Communication Fruit—into various gangs and commercial districts.
Suddenly, her hand paused. In the noisy web of data in her mind, a specific frequency triggered her "Keyword Lock." A stiff, professional voice rang in her head:
[This is Blueno. Surveillance on Iceburg's residence is 24/7; no abnormalities. Regarding the blueprints for 'that weapon,' Kaku and Lucci are infiltrating further. Confirmed they are not at Galley-La headquarters.]
Another channel snapped open—a neurotic, irritable voice:
[I don't need reports of nothing! I want the blueprints for Pluton! I sent CP9 to lurk there to find them, not to work as shipwrights! Even if you have to dig out Iceburg's brain, find it!]
The frequency went silent. Carina's purple eyes flashed with shock. CP9 assassins... Mayor Iceburg... The Ancient Weapon Pluton?!
She understood the gravity. To touch the Ancient Weapons was to challenge the entire World Government. She closed her eyes, sinking into the radio waves.
[Did you hear that, Captain?]
A Barbecue Tavern, Blocks Away.
Ace set down a massive oak mug of liquor. Thanks to the link Carina provided, he had heard every word.
[I heard it, Carina,] Ace responded calmly.
[Captain, Water Seven is more dangerous than we thought,] Carina warned. [The Mayor is being infiltrated by the government's top agents. Should we keep a low profile? Those rats have keen noses...]
[Rats?]
In the tavern, Ace stood up, his broad frame blocking the sunlight. He thought of Rob Lucci, the human weapon. He was the perfect whetstone to test their three months of training.
[Ignore them. Business as usual.]
Ace's gaze swept across the bustling city, a cold, murderous aura radiating from him.
[If those rats dare bare their teeth at the Eclipse... don't hesitate. Take them, their schemes, and their gutter... and destroy them all for me.]
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