All Devil Fruits are born from wishes.
The wishes of people in ancient times—to become lightning, to become light, to become rubber men…
gave birth to all kinds of Devil Fruits.
In other words, Devil Fruits were the result of the collective wishes of all living beings taking form.
The Reputation editing function Ren had now unlocked worked the same way.
Ten thousand Reputation could be exchanged for one Devil Fruit editing opportunity.
Based on an existing ability, Ren could add compatible [Traits].
Once successfully added, a Trait would become bound to the Devil Fruit’s ability and could be freely invoked.
Of course, that applied only when the addition was successful.
Editing could also fail.
For example, if the Trait added was worlds apart from the Devil Fruit’s original ability, such as adding the [Sun God] Trait to the Rubber Fruit…
No, wait.
That one actually worked.
In short, aside from the Rubber Fruit, trying to modify other Paramecia-type Devil Fruits into Mythical Zoan abilities through similarly outrageous operations would be judged as an editing failure, and the already-exchanged editing opportunity would not be refunded.
Simply put, the [Editing] function was essentially another form of Devil Fruit development.
With the Devil Fruit Editor, Ren was destined to record dozens or even hundreds of abilities in the future.
Normally, merely developing a single ability to the point of awakening would require a Devil Fruit user to spend their entire lifetime.
Although Ren was a transmigrator who knew all kinds of information about Devil Fruits, one person’s time and energy were ultimately limited.
The existence of the [Editing] function effectively simplified the process of developing abilities.
“I really want to try it right now!”
Ren sighed.
He already had a general direction in mind for developing the Paramecia-type Rust-Rust Fruit.
The only problem now was that he didn’t have enough Reputation.
He had to find a way to get more.
“Sure enough, I still have to become famous.”
Ren rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Today, by helping Ray and the others, Ren had unlocked the Reputation section.
But there definitely wouldn’t be only one way to obtain Reputation.
Strictly speaking, both positive and negative fame counted as Reputation.
In other words, as long as Ren could become famous, his Reputation would continuously pour in.
“Forget it.
As a founding member and vice-captain of the Rocks Pirates, I’ll become famous eventually as long as I stay alive!”
Ren’s heart settled, and he closed his eyes to rest.
In the latter half of the night, Ren switched shifts with Rocks and took over the night watch.
Another week passed in the blink of an eye.
“We’re here!”
Rocks’ gaze fell upon a bustling town ahead.
Ren followed his line of sight and saw a huge sign hanging above the town.
The Peak of the Western Sky!!!
As a transmigrator, Ren had only heard of this place before.
Gan Fall of Sky Island had once said that people from the Blue Sea could set out from the Peak of the Western Sky, pass through several Sky Islands along the way, and eventually reach the Gaya Sky Island.
There was naturally a reason Gan Fall had said that.
It meant that someone had indeed followed this route and reached the City of Gold.
So, when Rocks had proposed taking this route half a month ago, Ren hadn’t objected.
Besides, he was quite curious about how exactly one traveled from the Peak of the Western Sky to Sky Island.
The island known as the Peak of the Western Sky had a very unique shape.
Viewed from above, it looked like a cake that had been cut both horizontally and vertically into four equal sections.
A cross-shaped network of inland waterways ran through the entire island, with ships coming and going in a lively scene.
On the four separated sections of the island, all kinds of shops were densely packed together, and the dazzling array of goods was enough to overwhelm the eyes.
Ren steered the ship into the Peak of the Western Sky from the southeast.
Along the shore, the cries of merchants hawking their wares rang out without end.
“Captain, before heading to Sky Island, how about we resupply here and gather some information while we’re at it?”
Ren suggested.
Aside from supplies, what Ren really wanted was information about Devil Fruit users.
An island this lively absolutely couldn’t possibly be without Devil Fruit users.
Ren was planning to bring his own captain along and have them test their strength against those people.
“Sounds good.”
Rocks nodded.
“Then let’s go!”
Ren turned the wheel, preparing to dock.
After spending so many days at sea, Ren’s steering skills had become considerably more proficient.
Suddenly, however, something changed along the inland waterway.
The ripples on the surface of the water abruptly disappeared.
The entire waterway fell silent in an instant, completely calm and still, as though it had entered a Calm Belt.
“Something’s coming!”
Rocks raised an eyebrow.
The moment his voice fell, violent waves suddenly erupted across the previously calm water.
Powerful currents propelled the pirate ship forward, accelerating it faster and faster.
At the same time, the entire Peak of the Western Sky became restless.
“Woooooah—!!!”
“It’s here!
It’s here!
It’s here!”
“The Knock Up Stream that comes once a month is coming!”
“All participants who registered to head to Sky Island, get ready…”
“Anyone who wants to place bets, hurry up!
No more bets once time runs out!
Miss this one and you’ll have to wait another month!”
Noisy shouts echoed throughout the entire Peak of the Western Sky, continuing without end.
BOOM!
A tremendous explosion-like roar rang out.
At the center of the cross-shaped island, a massive Knock Up Stream shot into the sky, reaching straight into the clouds.
One pirate ship after another was carried upward along with the Knock Up Stream.
“Wororororo, I guess arriving early really is no match for arriving at just the right time.”
Rocks burst into laughter.
Ren understood what was happening as well.
So the Peak of the Western Sky had a fixed Knock Up Stream that appeared once a month.
Originally, Ren had thought that there was some novel high-tech method here that allowed people to safely travel to Sky Island.
But…
“As long as we have enough supplies, that’s fine.
I don’t want to wait another month.”
Rocks spoke.
“Yes, yes!
Then let’s go!”
After his brief surprise, Ren became excited as well.
Riding the Knock Up Stream to Sky Island—how could he possibly miss such a romantic experience?
The Rust-Iron sailed forward at full speed.
Just as it was about to reach the exit of the cross-shaped waterway, a barrier appeared ahead.
“Hey, that ship over there!
The entrance is already closed.
If you want to go get yourselves killed…
I mean, go to Sky Island, you’ll have to register next month!”
The guard watching the barrier shouted loudly.
“Captain?”
Ren looked toward Rocks.
“Don’t worry about him.
Just keep going!”
Rocks drew the Western-style sword at his waist.
“Boom!”
Heavy Hammer Sword Technique—Shatter!
The iron barrier, forged from refined steel, exploded into pieces.
“Charge!”
Rocks sat at the bow and raised his arm, shouting.
Propelled by the Knock Up Stream, the Rust-Iron shot straight into the sky.
“Boss!
Boss!
There are intruders at Entrance Number Three!
They’ve already boarded the Knock Up Stream!”
The security guard responsible for watching the gate hurriedly reported.
“What did you say…?”
The person in charge of the Peak of the Western Sky was initially startled.
Then he couldn’t help laughing.
“In this day and age, there are actually still people in such a hurry to throw their lives away.
Ignore them.
Notify the host and have him report the situation.
Also, open a new betting pool at the casino.
Let’s bet on how long they can last!”
“Yes!”
Very quickly, under the official promotion, everyone on the island learned about the intruders.
For a time, the entire crowd became excited.
Gamblers grabbed their money and began placing bets in a new round.
As for the revelry below, neither Rocks nor Ren paid the slightest attention.
At that very moment, they were enduring tremendous pressure as they continued ascending.
Several times, the bow of the ship tilted upward, nearly causing the entire vessel to overturn.
Fortunately, at the critical moments, Rocks intervened and used his omnipotent Haki to stabilize the ship.
Finally, after a full five minutes of flying through the sky, they broke through the clouds and saw the blue sky beyond.
Riding the Knock Up Stream, Ren and Rocks successfully reached the White-White Sea, seven thousand meters above sea level.
Not far ahead, a Sky Island built upon the clouds appeared in their field of vision.
…
At the same time.
Sky Island—the Little Western Sky, Central Divine Temple.
Someone opened their eyes upon the divine throne.
Crackling!
Blue arcs of electricity flickered faintly.
“Those who invade the Divine Realm shall die!”