Time flew by, and soon a month and a half had passed.
During this period, Ron's ship encountered pirate ships three times.
One of them attacked him, while the other two did not.
Ron used the attacking pirate ship and its crew to test his newly acquired black blade, Shusui (Ryuma's Blade).
Unlike Raikiri's explosive sharpness, the slashes from Shusui were heavier, more concentrated, and overwhelmingly powerful.
A few dark slashes decimated the captain, who had consumed the Turtle Turtle Fruit—a Zoan-type Devil Fruit—along with the rest of the crew.
Ron then used the pirate ship as a target to test the power of his new weaponry.
Homing missiles, laser beams, and a barrage of machine gun bullets.
In under ten seconds, the pirate ship was obliterated.
And that wasn't even at full firepower.
Ron had calculated that the current firepower on his ship could surpass the combined arsenal of a Marine warship fleet.
However, the use of mechanical components and gunpowder was substantial, so he preferred to conserve it.
Two more days passed…
An island appeared ahead on the horizon.
According to the sea charts, Ron had reached the Grand Line's first half, nearing Jaya Island.
Above Jaya Island was Sky Island.
Ron ceased his mechanical tinkering, stepped out of the workshop, and walked onto the deck.
"So, that's Sky Island..."
Dressed in a work uniform, gloves, and safety goggles, with his black hair tousled, Ron stood on the grass-covered deck and looked skyward above the island.
"Timing-wise, the Knock Up Stream should appear soon."
The sea breeze ruffled Ron's hair, and his long bangs swayed slightly as he pondered.
Between him and the current Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit) user, Enel, who would be stronger?
Ron chuckled lightly.
The answer to that question could only be determined by a direct confrontation.
He turned and headed back into the ship.
Ding! The system's notification rang in his mind.
[Detected the host's location at Jaya Island. Sign-in condition met. Sign-in now?]
With Raikiri at his waist and dressed in black trousers and a white short-sleeved hoodie, Ron strolled the cobbled streets of Jaya Island.
It was on this very street that Luffy would meet Blackbeard in the future.
[Sign-in successful. Reward: +10 Vitality Points]
Ron felt a surge of warmth and the familiar tearing sensation as his muscles strengthened. He'd experienced this sensation many times and was thoroughly used to it.
The human body has its limits, but since breaking the 100-point vitality mark, he had surpassed countless barriers.
Every breakthrough brought him closer to the pinnacle of strength.
A bell chimed as Ron pushed open the door of a tavern and stepped inside.
After sitting for a while and overhearing tales about the legendary sky island and the timing of the next Knock Up Stream, he left the tavern, walking through Jaya's streets.
"Over a month until the next Knock Up Stream..."
He didn't intend to wait that long.
"It's better to use the flying device."
But Ron wasn't in a hurry. Having floated on the sea for nearly two months, he wanted to take a moment to enjoy the firm ground beneath his feet and spent two leisurely days on Jaya Island to rest and recalibrate. Once ready, he returned to his ship, activated the protective barrier, and took off in his flying device.
"What... What is that?!"
The people of Jaya Island gazed in shock as the unidentified craft soared skyward. Every household turned out onto the streets to watch.
Among them was Bellamy, who would later mock Luffy's dream.
Under the watchful eyes of Jaya's residents, the dark flying craft angled upward and disappeared into the clouds.
Ron's flying device hovered above the Sea Clouds.
Angel Island and Upper Yard lay ahead.
Ron, hearing no system notifications, casually piloted his way upward.
Through the thick clouds, an island emerged before him.
It was Upper Yard, part of Jaya Island propelled skyward by the Knock Up Stream four centuries ago.
Next to it floated a smaller island, likely Angel Island, where Sky Island residents lived.
Ron made no attempt to hide his arrival as he flew over Angel Island and headed further in.
The Sky Islanders on Angel Island noticed the strange flying machine.
"A flying metal bird?!"
"How incredible and fast!"
Some Sky Islanders even flapped their wings, attempting to fly up for a better look.
But they couldn't keep pace with the black metal craft.
On Lovely Street in Angel Island, a girl about ten years old with small angel wings and light yellow pigtails stood holding a harp, staring in amazement at the flying object. Beside her, a cloud fox named Su was equally stunned.
Conis gazed up at the mysterious black vehicle, saying, "What is that?"
"It seems to be heading toward the Sanctuary..."
Su tilted its head, looking adorable.
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