HEAVEN'S GATE

A helmeted knight with a long beard looks back and asks, "DID HE LEAVE...I" Below, inside a wooden structure, the knight stands near a small figure in a top hat while a group sits on the floor. Dialogues overlap: "DON'T MENTION IT. IT COULDN'T BE HELPED.", "THANK YOU FOR SAVING US.", "THREE ON ONE AND YOU STILL LOST!!", "ALSO, YOU THREE ARE SO USELESS!!!", "WHO WAS THAT GUYI", "WHAT'S GOING ON....!!", and "THIS IS A SERVICE." A short-haired woman stares in surprise. In the next panel a black-haired woman notes, "...THE OXYGEN IS SCARCE HERE." A blond man lying down explains, "...THAT'S BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON...MY BODY CAN'T MOVE VERY WELL." A swordsman with a cigarette replies, "TSK. THAT WAS... EMBARRASSING."

Above the clouds a distant ship sails as a voice reflects, "AHH...TO BE SAYING THOSE WORDS..." On the deck of the Going Merry the helmeted knight declares, "ALL LIVING THINGS UNDER THE BLUE SEA ARE CITIZENS OF THE BLUE SEA." He continues, "I WOULD BE THE 'KNIGHT OF THE SKY.'" Luffy lies spread-eagled asking, "...BY THE WAY, WHO ARE YOUI" The knight questions, "WHAT'S THATI" and "ARE YOU CITIZENS OF THE BLUE SEAI" A small figure adds, "--IN OTHER WORDS, DID YOU COME UP FROM WHERE THE SEA IS BLUEI" The knight explains, "THE BODIES OF AVERAGE CITIZENS FROM THE BLUE SEAS CANNOT HANDLE IT. IT CAN'T BE HELPED THEN...THIS PLACE IS 7000M ABOVE THE BLUE SEA, CALLED THE WHITE SEA. AND 10,000M ABOVE YOUR SEA IS THE WHITE-WHITE SEA." Luffy responds, "...YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT."

Chopper in his hat asks, "--BUT, THAT GUY FROM BEFORE, HOW COME HE CAN RUN ON TOP OF THE SEAI" The knight answers while sweating, "NO, NO, NO NO, THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE." Sanji notes, "YUP. IT'S BECOME FAIRLY EASY TO BREATHE NOW." Luffy adds, "OKAY! I'M SLOWLY GETTING USED TO IT ALREADY." The knight warns the group, "THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIGHT IN THE SKY WILL BE ATTACKED BY THOSE GUERILLAS LIKE BEFORE, OR BECOME FOOD FOR THE SKY-FISH." He states, "I AM A FREELANCE MERCENARY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PART OF THE SEA." Turning to Luffy he says, "--BUT FIRST THINGS FIRST, I NEED TO TALK BUSINESS WITH YOU. NOW, WAIT A MINUTE... YOU PROBABLY HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS," and finishes, "FOR ME TO COME DOWN AND SAVE YOU! ONE WHISTLE WILL COST YOU 5 MILLION EXTOL."

On the raised platform, the armored gatekeeper sits and calls down, "OH!! WHAT'RE YOU TALKING ABOUT, MISTERI" Below, the Straw Hats look up in confusion. The gatekeeper continues, "THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING YOU WHAT AN EXTOL IS, AND WHAT IS THE WHISTLING THINGI YOU PEOPLE..." He grows agitated, "I WON'T ACCEPT EVEN 1 EXTOL LESS THAN THAT!! I HAVE LIVING EXPENSES, TOO!! QUIT ACTING LIKE A FOOL... THE PRICE IS VERY CHEAP ALREADY!!" Nami points upward and shouts, "...AND BY 'ONE OR TWO ISLANDS'... YOU MEAN THERE'S MORE THAN ONE SKY ISLANDI WAIT!! THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GET TO THIS SKY SEA!I" Luffy stares in shock as the gatekeeper replies, "I TOLD YOU I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, MISTER. THEN YOU MUST HAVE BEEN TO ONE OR TWO ISLANDS, RIGHT!I...DIDN'T COME HERE THROUGH THE TOP OF HIGH WEST!I"

Nami and Luffy react with surprise as the gatekeeper explains the dangers. Nami asks, "WE'RE HERE ANYWAY RIGHTI RIGHTI" while Luffy adds, "...SO IT WASN'T THE NORMAL ROUTE... I KNEW IT..." The gatekeeper notes, "...I NEVER THOUGHT THERE WOULD STILL BE PEOPLE THIS BRAVE......WHAT!I SO YOU GUYS ACTUALLY CAME VIA THAT MONSTROUS STREAM!!I" He continues, "--HOWEVER, THE KNOCK-UP STREAM MEANS THAT EITHER EVERYONE DIES, OR EVERYONE GETS THERE TOGETHER. OTHER ROUTES ARE NOT LIKE THIS... IF 100 PEOPLE WANT TO GO TO SKY ISLAND THROUGH THE OTHER ROUTES, IT WOULD BE A GAMBLE WITH NO WAY TO PREDICT HOW MANY WOULD SURVIVE." Luffy replies, "NOPE, WE'RE ALL HERE. DID YOU LOSE ONE OR TWO CREWI" The gatekeeper concludes, "I DEEPLY RESPECT YOUR NAVIGATOR WHO HAS BOTH COURAGE AND REAL STRENGTH. EITHER 0 OR 100, NOT MANY DARE TO TAKE THIS GAMBLE. ESPECIALLY PEOPLE THESE DAYS."

The gatekeeper throws down a whistle, declaring, "BLOW THIS WHISTLE ONCE, ONE WHISTLE." He recounts, "YEAH--BUT IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF ME!! WHEN THESE GUYS WERE CRYING AND GIVING UP, I SAID, 'I WILL SHOW YOU MY NAVIGATIONAL SKILLS!!!'" Nami pinches him, "HEY!" The gatekeeper explains the cost, "USING THE CURRENCY OF THE SKY, EACH WHISTLE WOULD COST 5 MILLION EXTOL, BUT YOUR FIRST WHISTLE WILL BE FREE AS MY GIFT TO YOU. AND I WILL COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO SAVE YOU!!!" Nami calls out, "WAIT!! WE DON'T EVEN KNOW YOUR NAME..." as he flies away on a rope, "USE THE WHISTLE TO CALL ME AT ANY TIME!!!"

The gatekeeper dramatically poses with his bird, shouting, "PIEH--!!! THIS IS MY PARTNER, PIERRE!!! I WOULD BE GAN FALL, THE KNIGHT OF THE SKY!!!" The Straw Hats react in surprise. He continues, "EVEN THOUGH HE'S A BIRD, HE HAS THE POWER OF THE 'UMA UMA FRUIT.'* AND BEFORE I FORGET, PIERRE... --IN OTHER WORDS...... WHICH MEANS HE CAN BECOME A WINGED HORSE!!!" Nami gasps, "AH...BIRD...!I NO WAY!!! SO BEAUTIFUL...!! IT'S A PEGASUS!I" as Pierre transforms into a winged horse form. *NOTE: HORSE HORSE FRUIT

A winged, spotted pegasus carrying an armored rider soars through the sky above the Going Merry. The creature neighs loudly, "PIEH--!!!" Onlookers below stare up in shock. "THAT'S RIGHT! A PEGASUS!!" someone exclaims. A small thought bubble reads, "A LITTLE BIT OFF..." with sweat drops visible on several heads. The pegasus and rider continue flying away as the crew watches. In the next scene, a tiny flying object with bat-like wings appears in the distance, marked with "ビュッ" sound effects. A voice calls out, "I WISH YOU LUCK, BRAVE ONES!!" Below deck or on the ship, someone remarks, "IT TURNED INTO A STRANGE ANIMAL!" The crew gathers, with one member saying, "...YEAH... REALLY... NOTHING AT ALL." Another finishes, "...IN THE END, HE DIDN'T REALLY TELL US ANYTHING USEFUL!"

The crew stares out at the endless sea of clouds with their ship visible in the distance. A voice wonders, "--THEN HOW DO WE GET HIGHERI" Another replies, "OKAY, LET'S CALL MISTER AND ASK HIM. EH..." Someone concludes, "SO NOW WE'RE BACK TO SQUARE ONE." On the deck, the crew spots something. "HEY, LOOK OVER THERE!" one shouts. "ANYWAYS, LET'S JUST GET THE SHIP MOVING." Luffy panics wildly, "WA-WA-WA WAIT!!! WAIT A MINUTE, LUFFY!! THIS IS ONLY FOR AN EMERGENCY!!" as he grabs at something. "IF THAT WEIRD MASK GUY COMES AGAIN, WHAT WILL WE DO WITHOUT THE WHISTLE!!" Chopper sweats, "GU... GU..." The group decides, "LET'S GO OVER THERE AND CHECK IT OUT!!" "OK! IT'S DECIDED." Looking ahead, they observe, "THAT CLOUD IS WEIRD, RIGHTI" "LOOKS LIKE A WATERFALL, BUT..." "WHAT'S THAT..."

The ship approaches a massive cloud formation. "WHAT DO WE DOI" someone asks. "...THERE IS A HUGE CLOUD IN THE WAY..." Luffy reacts with extreme excitement, "OOOOOOH!!!" while striking a pose inside the ship. The crew discusses, "WE'LL KNOW IF WE TOUCH IT, RIGHT!I" "IF IT'S A NORMAL CLOUD, WE CAN JUST SAIL STRAIGHT THROUGH IT." "...THEN WHAT KIND OF CLOUD IS IT...I" "IT'S FLOATING ON TOP OF THE SKY SEA, SO IT'S PROBABLY NOT A PART OF IT." Chopper stares in awe, "WOW!!!" as the ship makes contact. Impact effects show "ヒュゥッ!!" and "どるるるるん". The ship bounces off the cloud with a large "パフン...!!" sound. Chopper yells, "WAH! IT BOUNCED OFF."

The crew members are flung into the air above the soft cloud. "IT'S FLUFFY, TOO!! LIKE COTTON!!" Luffy shouts while tumbling. "LOOK!" "I'M BOUNCING! NO SINKING!" Luffy laughs wildly, "AHAHAHAHAHAHA..." "WHAT'S THIS, WHAT'S THIS!I IT'S SO MUCH FUN--" Usopp cries out, "UOOOH!! I'M GOING, TOO!!" Inside the ship, Chopper exclaims, "AMAZING--!!!!" while a note explains "*NOTE: FUTON - TRADITIONAL JAPANESE BEDDING". Nami looks concerned, "...HOWEVER, IF THE CLOUD IS LIKE THAT, THE SHIP CAN'T GET PAST THIS PLACE..." Luffy relaxes on the cloud, "HAH--IT FEELS SO NICE...!!!" "IT FEELS BETTER THAN A THOUSAND FUTONS*." "IT'S SO WARM. I WANT TO SLEEP LIKE THIS..."

The Straw Hats spot something massive ahead in the clouds. Luffy shouts from below, "HEY--!!! HEY!! LUFFY, THERE'S SOMETHING THERE. WHAT IS IT, WHAT IS ITI" Usopp calls up from the ship, "HEY!! WHILE YOU'RE UP THERE, TRY TO FIND A ROUTE FOR THE SHIP TO PASS!!" Nami peers upward with concern. Usopp laughs, "ふか ふか" as Luffy responds, "OOH! OKAY!!" From the deck, Nami reports, "YEAH! UNDER THAT WATERFALL-LOOKING CLOUD THERE'S A HUGE GATE." Someone notes, "A GATEI" Nami confirms, "WE SEEM TO HAVE PASSED THROUGH....GOOD!" The Going Merry emerges near the cloud formation. Luffy exclaims, "...AH!" Usopp yells, "STOP!!! LET'S JUST CALL THAT ARMORED MISTER. TURN LEFT NEXT. NO, RIGHT. IT WAS DEFINITELY LEFT!!" The ship drifts forward as the crew debates the route.

The massive structure comes into full view. Bold sound effects crash across the page as the crew stares in awe. Someone whispers, "IT'S REALLY THERE..." The ornate gate bears a clear sign: "HEAVEN'S GATE". Narration notes, "'HEAVEN'S GATE'..." Usopp adds, "PLUS, LOOK! THAT WATERFALL-LOOKING CLOUD IS REALLY A WATERFALL...!!! IT'S FLOWING WITH CLOUDS LIKE THE TYPE WE JUST SAW." On deck, Luffy cheers wildly, "HEAVENI LOOKS FUN!!! WE'RE FINALLY GONNA GET THERE!!" Usopp panics, "WE'RE ALREADY DEAD!!!" Sanji questions, "REALLYI IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THIS STRANGE WORLD..." Zoro adds, "...YEAH, BUT MAYBE WE'RE ACTUALLY DEAD ALREADYI" Nami sweats, "GOTTA BE A BAD OMEN. IT'S LIKE WE'RE GOING TO DIE..."

At the gate, a winged old woman with camera and goggles aims her lens. She asks, "ARE YOU HERE FOR SIGHTSEEINGI OR...FOR FIGHTINGI" A crewmate warns, "LOOK, SOMEBODY'S COMING OUT!!" The gatekeeper, labeled "HEAVEN'S GATE WATCHER, AMAZON," declares, "IF YOU WANT TO GO UP, EACH PERSON MUST PAY A 1 BILLION EXTOL ENTRANCE FEE. THAT'S THE LAW. ACTUALLY, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHY YOU'RE HERE." The crew reacts in shock. Luffy yells, "REALLY!!!I" Amazon continues, "YOU CAN STILL GO UP....IF WE...UM...DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY..." Nami gestures, "1 BILLION EXTOL, HOW MUCH IS THAT WHEN CONVERTED TO BELII" Usopp gapes, "AN ANGEL!! SO THAT'S HOW ANGELS LOOK...!!! SHE LOOKS LIKE AN UMEBOSHI!" Luffy stares in disbelief.

Amazon explains her role, "I'M NOT A GUARD, NOR AM I A SOLDIER. I JUST WANT TO KNOW YOUR INTENTIONS. --ALSO, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GO UP...IT'S OKAY TOO." Luffy asks, "SEVEN PEOPLE, RIGHT!I" Amazon replies, "REALLYI" The crew insists, "EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T HAVE MONEY, WE'RE GOING, GRANNY!! THEN WE WANT TO GO TO SKY ISLAND!!" Luffy wonders, "RIGHT...! BUT HOW DO WE GET UPI" Amazon notes, "THAT'S WHITE SEA'S SPECIAL 'SPEEDY SHRIMP'..." Suddenly a massive creature bursts from the clouds, smashing into the Going Merry. The ship flips violently with huge impact effects. The crew screams, "WHAT!!II SOMETHING APPEARED!!! GYAH--!!! GYAH--!!! BOFUN!!" as the vessel is hurled through the air.

The Going Merry surges upward along a massive spiraling waterfall as the crew reacts in shock. "IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP!" "IT'S CLIMBING THE WATERFALL!!" someone yells. The ship tilts violently while a giant sea turtle-like creature carries it higher. "WAAAH!!!" Usopp screams. A voice reports from the gate: "HEAVEN'S GATE" WATCHER, AMAZON, REPORTING. The Merry crests the top of the waterfall into a vast sky realm with a massive gate structure and floating islands. Luffy stands on the figurehead shouting "YAHOH-!!!" while Chopper cheers "UOOOO OOOOH--!!" The narration box declares: "OH MIGHTY GOD AND HIS PRIESTS, BESTOW UPON THEM HEAVEN'S JUDGEMENT." Another box states: "TO THOSE WANTING TO VISIT GOD'S COUNTRY, SKYPIEA... TO THESE SEVEN ILLEGALLY ENTERING TRAVELERS..."

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